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Hey Cape Coral, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Aldi grand opening with golden tickets, EGym transforms student fitness, and St. Paddy’s Bash + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Cape Coral protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

Commissioners alter improvement strategy: Lee County changed its Burnt Store Road safety plan to avoid a multi-year permitting delay, choosing rumble strips and four-foot shoulders first, with other improvements coming later — get the permitting and cost details.

Fast-growing discount grocer expands: Aldi opened a Cape Coral store February 26 on Del Prado Boulevard North, the area’s fifth, marked by a ribbon cutting and golden ticket giveaways for the first customers — get opening and expansion details.

New tech reshapes student fitness: FGCU students are using EGym, a new strength‑training system that pairs RFID bracelets with machines to personalize workouts and reduce injury risk. Launched this year, the program is drawing interest — see how it works.

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.

Highlights this week:

• Celebrate St. Patty’s at The Hideaway
• Rock St. Patrick’s on Fort Myers Beach
• Quarter auction benefits Fort Myers Roller Derby

🫶 We got your back

Craving a loaded sub? Family-owned Truly Tropical stacks fresh-sliced meats on soft, fresh-baked bread, with crisp salads and tropical ices to finish. This low-key Cape Coral spot inspires mid-morning cravings, delivering a quick lunch that feels like a tiny vacation.

Quiet trails, big exhale: Rotary Park Environmental Center tucks shady trails, birding nooks, a dog park, and a volunteer-run butterfly house into one easygoing escape. When home feels too inside, a quick loop clears your head… no day-long production required.

Weekend tinkering, sorted: Fun Time Hobbies keeps Cape Coral tinkering with RC cars and boats, model kits, and hands-on workshops that make “I should fix that” feel fun again. They also host RC racing nights, the perfect excuse to tweak, bond, and let your inner 10-year-old take a victory lap.

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

📆 Free events worth checking out

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.

📷 Your Road to Great Photography @ The Gallery at Cape Coral 2307 Chiquita Blvd. S., Cape Coral | Tuesday (3/10) at 6:00 PM – Whether you shoot on Auto or talk aperture in your sleep, this free eight-session class sharpens your eye and settings. Expect practice, guest pros on portrait lighting and business tips, and confidence to boss your camera around. Register first, then bring your camera and curiosity.

🎬 UFTA Film Screening @ Alliance for the Arts (Fort Myers) | Thursday (3/12) at 7:00 PM – Skip the blockbusters and catch local short films at the Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers. UFTA screens homegrown talent, free and open to everyone, so come be entertained, support the filmmakers, and later claim you knew them before they were famous.

🎶 Wisconsin Lutheran Choir @ Crown Of Life Lutheran Church (Fort Myers) | Thursday (3/12) at 7:00 PM – Take a break from the noise and settle in for the Wisconsin Lutheran Choir and Chamber Choir’s free concert, a 90-minute blend of timeless sacred works and refreshed hymns and spirituals. No tickets, no stress, just tight harmonies, pews with character, and guaranteed goosebumps.

🚗 Cars and Coffee @ NAPA Auto Parts – So. Ft. Myers (Fort Myers Beach) | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – Park it at Gulf Coast Napa Auto Care for Cars & Coffee, a low-stress mingle of classics, muscle, exotics, custom builds, and delightful oddities. Got rolling art? Grab a free VIP display spot. Coffee for purchase, family friendly, save burnouts and rev battles for YouTube.

🍎 Downtown Fort Myers Farmers Market @ Downtown Fort Myers | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – Whether you’re stocking up on real tomatoes or just there for the people-watching, the Downtown Fort Myers Farmers Market delivers. Park the errands, grab a Seed and Bean coffee, then wander Broadway’s stalls for local produce, flowers, breads, and the gossip you actually enjoy.

☘ St. Paddy’s Bash @ Slipaway Food Truck Park & Marina | Tuesday (3/17) at 10:00 AM – St. Patrick’s Day at Slipaway means Cape Coral goes green, from the beer to your shirt. They’re calling it the first annual, so expect $4 green brews all day, live music, shots at The Helm, and swag, canal breezes, no cover. Wear green, pace yourself.

🧵 APQS Road Show: Longarm Experience @ Kay’s Quilt Shop | Tuesday (3/17) at 11:00 AM – Whether you quilt for grandkids or a side gig, this free road show in Cape Coral lets you test-drive longarms and compare tables. Expect smooth stitches, USA-built cred, a lifetime warranty, discounts, financing help, and a nudge toward your next heirloom, or your business plan.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Cape Coral report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 87°F – Low: 68°F – Precip: 4%

Sunny, with a high near 87. Southeast wind 2 to 6 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 68. West southwest wind 2 to 6 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 86°F – Low: 69°F – Precip: 1%

Patchy fog between 7am and 10am. Sunny, with a high near 86. South southeast wind 3 to 9 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind 2 to 8 mph.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Florida but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

This house is wild

On an oversized pie-shaped lot, this custom waterfront residence delivers 158 feet of frontage and southwest views of the Caloosahatchee River and the wide Bimini canal. A negative-edge pool and spa, travertine deck, summer kitchen, and covered lounges pair with a composite dock and 16,000-pound lift, while a chef’s kitchen and an owner’s suite with outdoor shower elevate luxury.

Take a peek inside →