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Happy weekend, Brandon!
In today’s happening-today edition: A trailblazing athletics director, moms redefining special education, a St. Patrick’s Day festival, and more. + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
From today’s sponsor, FinanceBuzz: Many Florida drivers end up paying higher auto insurance premiums because they don’t shop around enough. The same driver with the same car can get wildly different quotes from different insurers, so it truly pays to compare. Their free tool makes it easy.*
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📰 In the news
Milestones beyond the classroom: Two Hillsborough County moms founded Impact Academy 12 years ago after struggling to find a school for special needs sons. Today it teaches life skills and centers ability over disability — read the full story.
Historic step in school sports: Hillsborough County Public Schools appointed educator Sara Bogue as its first female director of athletics, overseeing programs for thousands of student athletes across the district, including schools near Brandon — read the full story.
A family’s sweet tribute: Mr. Beav Italian Ice will open its first shop in New Port Richey later this month, serving over 20 flavors in an island inspired counter service shop — read the full story.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
Gold & silver are hot: Last year was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. Curious about precious metal investing? GoldCo has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.*
Highlights this week:
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💎 Local business spotlight
Serious fry craving: The Stein & Vine serves hot, well-seasoned fries that vanish before your entrée arrives, especially alongside fish and chips or a rotating chef special. Consider this your midweek permission slip to meet a friend and let the fries be the main event.
Glow-up, but local: Florida Aesthetics and Wellness brings board-certified injectors and a full menu of Botox, fillers, lasers, and medical-grade facials, so you can refresh close to home. Book on your terms. Care stays personalized and results-driven, never pushy.
Weekday chain therapy: Limona Park keeps Brandon’s disc golf mellow yet slyly fun, with short, shady fairways, alternate tees for variety, and just enough bite to make pars feel earned. Perfect for an after-work loop, it offers a quick reset that plays smooth and satisfying without feeling simple.
These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.
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🫶 We got your back
Thinning hair? Don’t treat the wrong thing: When my ponytail started thinning, I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, sprays, etc.) and not one of them lasted. Turns out, most products target the strand, not the follicle… and that’s the whole problem. Once follicles go dormant, they need targeted help to come back. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn about my favorites here →
Last call for the CVS Epic Beauty Sale: Today’s your last chance to save on all sorts of self-care products at CVS, including makeup, beauty tools, skin care, hair masks, moisturizers, and more from all your favorite brands. *Shop the sale before it ends →
Paying full price is officially optional: Blu Dot just marked down dozens of their best sofas, beds, dining tables, outdoor pieces, and lighting by as much as 60%. Not because something’s wrong with them, but because every great design eventually has to make room for the next one. The deals change daily, so it’s always a new adventure. *See what’s on sale today →
Most people have no idea what’s happening inside their body: Not because the data doesn’t exist, but because no one’s collecting it. Routine annual checkups miss things like body composition, biological age, and the biomarkers that can help predict long-term patterns. The good news? HumeHealth offers tools to help you track all of that at home for less than the cost of a specialist visit. *Use code NEW20 to save 20% →
Something in your house is about to break: It might be your AC, your water heater, your fridge… doesn’t matter. Every major appliance has an expiration date, and when it goes, you’ll be staring down a repair bill that can climb into the thousands fast. An AHS home warranty covers these types of surprises + *select plans are $150 off right now →
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📆 Around town today & tomorrow
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
☘ Sunday St. Patrick’s Day Festival @ La Viva Plaza | Saturday (3/14) at 4:00 AM – Brandon’s St. Patrick’s Day festival is shaping up to be a proper neighborhood hang, with local vendors, festive vibes, and room for the kids to run while we pretend we’re still twenty-five. Want a booth? Email [email protected], and ignore the scammy look-alikes.
🍓 Strawberry U-pics @ Three Son Farms, LLC (McIntosh Station) (Dover) | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – Weekend plans that earn you brownie points? Roam the U-pick strawberry fields, pick for $3 a pound with a $1 box, then reward yourself with scratch-made shortcake, and snag sunflowers, zinnias, or marigolds for pocket change. Closed midweek, so plan like a grown-up.
🎂 Spring Flowers Cake Decorating Class @ Brandon Junior Woman’s Club | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Swap your Saturday errands for buttercream at the Brandon Junior Women’s Club with Sweet Bites. Learn to stack, frost, and pipe edible daisies and cabbage roses, then take home a showpiece cake. All tools provided, beginners welcome, kids can tag along with an adult.
🎨 Beginner Watercolor @ AR Workshop Brandon (Valrico) | Saturday (3/14) at 12:00 PM – Swap errands for splashes at AR Workshop’s beginner watercolor, $49 for a two-hour, guided stroll through hydrangeas and peonies. Materials, instruction, and a take-home paint set are included, and it’s BYO snacks and sips. Register a day ahead, apparently we’re planners now.
🐶 St. Puppies Day/Family Day @ O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Grill | Sunday (3/15) at 10:00 AM – Take the family, the dog, and your patience to O’Brien’s for St. Puppy’s Day meets Family Day, with rescue adoptions, dog-owner contests, vendors, and a $35 Pie & a Pack. Bottomless mimosas for surviving parenting, bingo, stand-up, and boldly off-key karaoke keep the peace.
🥫 Bingo Fundraiser @ Congregation Beth Shalom | Sunday (3/15) at 12:30 PM – Local bingo that helps our food bank. Grab tasty bites, settle in with your lucky dabber, and play for prizes like a wireless speaker, earbuds, a foot spa, and more. Your B-12 could fill a pantry, which beats bragging rights at trivia.
🧘 Journey Through Yoga: Sutras, Asanas & Meditation @ Keystone Yoga | Sunday (3/15) at 2:00 PM – Ready to take yoga beyond the stretchy pants? This three-week series covers sutras, asanas, and meditation with Peggy and Andrea, each week stacking tools to use off the mat for sanity. Drop in for one or do the whole run, and members save.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Brandon report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 85°F – Low: 65°F – Precip: 54%
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between noon and 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. East wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. East wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
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Tomorrow – High: 86°F – Low: 68°F – Precip: 74%
Showers and thunderstorms likely after 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. South southeast wind 3 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 2am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
This house is wild
The Madeira III stuns from the curb with split garages and a grand entry. A dramatic clerestory foyer leads to a private den, formal dining, and an expansive island kitchen opening to the grand room. Flexible layouts include a first-floor guest suite or owners retreat, plus upstairs oversized bedrooms, a bonus room, and an optional rear balcony.
Take a peek inside →
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