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Good morning, Charlotte County! In today’s edition: Seafood and music festival returns, Aldi expansion with new stores, Billy & Elton tribute dinner, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Decades of combined experience: American Plumbing Heating & Cooling has expanded air conditioning services across Southwest Florida, offering 24/7 emergency help and transparent pricing, with certified technicians serving communities from Sarasota to Fort Myers — see service areas and details.
Local cities earn national spotlight: WorldAtlas named Daytona Beach and Palm Coast among the best Florida towns for retirees, citing motorsports, beaches, and outdoor fun, with several other cities statewide also earning recognition — see the full list.
Your next outdoor celebration: The Punta Gorda Seafood & Music Festival will return to Laishley Park Jan. 16 to 18 with waterfront flavors, live music, and an all-ages arts marketplace, plus free general admission — get all the festival details.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since this month last year. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Southwest Florida grocery expansion: Aldi has opened two more Port Charlotte stores, converting former Winn-Dixie locations at 2000 Kings Highway and 3280 Tamiami Trail. That brings Charlotte County to four Aldi stores. The brand is set to open in Cape Coral and North Fort Myers soon as its expansion continues. See where and what’s next.
Brighten up your living room: Feeling “beige and confused”? Coastal Furniture & Accessories is a local go-to for coastal-inspired furniture, art, and accents, family-run for 22+ years. They regularly showcase work by local artist Anastasia Musick, making it easy to spot the piece that brightens a corner.
A proper pint of cider: When you’re craving a crisp, no-frills cider with pub charm, Celtic Ray Public House keeps it classic, with proper pints, lively chatter, and a neighborhood buzz where a quick sip becomes a full catch-up. Think of it as your cozy-weather fallback, the kind of spot that always feels just right.
Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now, you’ll get three free gifts, AND you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.
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📆 Around town this week
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
This week
🎹 Billy & Elton @ Visani Italian Steakhouse and Comedy Theater | Tuesday (1/6) at 7:30 PM – Call it a classy nostalgia night, a dinner-and-a-show tribute to Billy Joel and Elton John. Enjoy a full meal and Anton Doran hammering the keys with spot-on hits that make you sing along, sway, and briefly consider taking piano lessons again.
✂ Garden Party Ribbon Cutting @ Loveland Center, Inc. | Wednesday (1/7) at 5:00 PM – Garden party vibes, ribbon cutting, and zero pretense at Loveland Center, where we toast inclusion and actual progress. Expect light bites, refreshments, and raffle prizes, plus neighborly chatter, a feel-good mission, and a quiet hat tip to Leadership Charlotte’s Class of 2024.
🚢 Four Old Broads On The High Seas @ Charlotte Players Inc | Thursday (1/8) at 7:30 PM – This laugh-out-loud stage romp follows four sassy seniors on a Bahamas cruise, juggling eligible bachelors, maybe wedding bells, and a topless sun deck mystery. Expect a murder to solve, a fabulous drag queen, and a costume party. It’s The Love Boat after happy hour.
This weekend
🥒 PPA Challenger Series @ PicklePlex® | Saturday (1/10) – Pickleball heavy hitters and ambitious locals are taking over Pickleplex as the PPA Challenger Series swings into Punta Gorda. Expect quick hands, louder paddles, and the kind of friendly trash talk that makes you adjust your visor, and pretend you stretched.
✂ Craft Afaires @ Salvation Army | Saturday (1/10) at 3:00 AM – Local makers are setting up shop for a craft affair with handmade goods, art, and one-of-a-kind finds. Bring a tote, browse like a pro, and if you’re a vendor, message the organizer to apply, not the random scammer in the comments.
🥕 Sunday Farmers Market and Artisan Village @ History Park of Punta Gorda – Sunday Market | Sunday (1/11) at 9:00 AM – Whether you’re stocking the fridge or just strolling for the gossip, Sunday mornings at Punta Gorda History Park deliver fresh produce, local artisans, and small-town charm. Grab a coffee, browse the booths, and call it culture, cardio, and your grocery run all in one.
💃 Social Dance Party @ Women’s Club | Sunday (1/11) at 2:00 PM – Holiday indulgence is over, which means it’s time to dust off the dancing shoes at the Women’s Club Punta Gorda. The first social dance party of 2026 lands January 11, with familiar faces, easy rhythms, and zero judgment about your spins, steps, or stamina.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Charlotte County report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 79°F – Low: 58°F – Precip: 0%
Patchy fog before 9am. Sunny, with a high near 79. South southeast wind 2 to 7 mph. Later: Areas of fog after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 79°F – Low: 58°F – Precip: 0%
Areas of fog before 9am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. South wind 2 to 6 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. North northwest wind around 5 mph.
This house is wild
Remodeled 3 bedroom, 2 bath with a split floor plan and freshly painted interiors and exterior. A bright living room flows into a large Florida room for flexible use. The kitchen features new cabinets, quartz counters, and modern appliances. A brand new roof, a new water heater, and cold A/C complete the package. Select photos are virtually staged.
Nearly one third acre with mature trees adds privacy and pool potential. No HOA, plus space for a boat and RV, fenced boat storage, an RV pad, and an oversized driveway. Two public boat ramps, Sunseeker Resort, Fishermen’s Village, and historic downtown Punta Gorda are close. Seller offers closing cost assistance.
Take a peek inside →
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