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Rise and shine, Charlotte County!
Before we get into today’s email… I’m excited to share that we quietly launched BaseLocal Business last week, and 400+ businesses have already signed up 🥹 If you own or manage a local business and want to see what the platform’s all about, you can sign up for free in less than five minutes (if you haven’t already).
We launched the platform to make it easier for the community to connect with local businesses in a meaningful way that benefits everyone… and so far it’s going great.
So I just wanted to say THANK YOU to each and every one of you for being here and helping us make this newsletter better every day.
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
A banner year for seniors: Charlotte County Public Schools has achieved its highest graduation rate ever at 91.6%, crediting a districtwide focus on life after high school and strong academic support to drive lasting student success — see what drove the rise.
Leisure airline landscape shifts: Allegiant Air and Sun Country Airlines agreed to merge, a move that could expand low-cost options from Punta Gorda Airport, bringing more routes and seats for Charlotte County travelers — get all the merger details.
Maritime research legacy unveiled: The historic Cookie House at Cedar Point Environmental Park will be open Fridays from Jan. 23 through March 27, with a special Saturday opening Feb. 14 at Lemon Bay Fest — learn about its maritime history.
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.
Gold & silver are hot: Gold just had its best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150% in 2025… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.
*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
Local hangout levels up: Treasure Lanes in Port Charlotte has expanded with Game Zone, a new arcade spanning 8,888 square feet. It features more than 65 games plus a full-service bar and kitchen, moving the bowling alley toward a full family entertainment center for locals. Get all the details.
Fresh lids, local vibes: Chasing a breezy bucket for boat days, or a snapback that actually fits your vibe? Staghorn Men’s Apparel keeps a rotating Hat Collection featuring American Needle, Waggle, and Burlebo, with humans ready to help you say, “yep, that’s the one.”
Skip the mascara: If your lashes wilt by lunchtime, Amy Lash & Brows creates custom, lightweight sets that handle Florida humidity and the school pickup line. Choose classic, hybrid, or full glam, then enjoy low-maintenance mornings that feel like a tiny superpower.
A new haircare solution: My hair’s been thinning and I’ve been quietly ignoring it, hoping it’ll fix itself. Plot twist… it hasn’t. When I finally started looking into what I should do, there were so many options I didn’t know where to start. I stumbled on Keranique, and its simplicity really sold me. One kit, no pills, no choosing products, and no confusion whatsoever. It’s also on sale with a money-back guarantee (although I doubt you’ll need it).
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.
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📆 Around town this week
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.
🎻 Astralis Chamber Ensemble @ New Life Church | Monday (1/19) at 4:00 PM – Trade your inbox for Bach at a free concert in the Historic Sanctuary. Astralis Chamber Ensemble brings flute, violin, cello, and a harpsichord, naturally, to tackle Baroque heavyweights, J.S. Bach, Telemann, and Vivaldi. Intimate setting, scary good players, zero ticket price.
🐦 Heal Our Harbor: Birding Around Charlotte Harbor @ Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens | Tuesday (1/20) at 10:00 AM – Birding Around Charlotte Harbor is taking over The Great Lawn with a beginner-friendly stroll to ID shorebirds, waders, waterfowl, seabirds, and raptors, no khaki required. Your ticket also gets you into the Origami in the Garden exhibition, with Cornell-trained naturalist David Shutz leading.
🍽 2nd Annual Ageless United Lunch @ Life Celebration Center | Tuesday (1/20) at 11:30 AM – Whether you’re a seasoned caregiver or just want Charlotte County to age gracefully, the 2nd Annual Ageless United Lunch gathers seniors, pros, and community leaders to trade no-nonsense solutions. Hear Dr. Adam Perry on dementia-ready design, proactive care, and dignity that lasts. Grab a seat.
🌱 Container Gardening Basics @ Punta Gorda Charlotte Library | Tuesday (1/20) at 2:00 PM – Get the dirt on container gardening, from choosing the right pots to growing herbs and butterfly magnets in that neglected sunny spot. Ideal if your back says no to kneeling, your patio begs for color, and you want results without a full-time yard.
✂ Burg’r Bar Ribbon Cutting @ Burg’r Bar | Tuesday (1/20) at 5:00 PM – Grab your Chamber nametag and swing by Burg’r Bar for the ceremonial snip, light bites, and neighborly mingling on Tamiami. Expect oversized scissors, a warm welcome, and an easy way to support a new local spot.
🧱 Lego Club @ North Port Library | Wednesday (1/21) at 6:00 PM – Consider this your sanctioned excuse to play with LEGO bricks without stepping on them later. LEGO Club hands you buckets of bricks, you bring the imagination, and build solo or team up with fellow makers. Low pressure, high creativity, zero cleanup.
🍷 Premium Wine Tasting @ ABC Fine Wine & Spirits | Thursday (1/22) at 5:30 PM – Nothing beats swirling good wine with neighbors at the Charlotte Harbor ABC. They are pouring premium picks and a few cocktail sips, no pretension, just attentive staff and generous tastes. Expect clinks, chat, and a bottle you will want to take home.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Charlotte County report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 61°F – Low: 40°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 61. North northeast wind around 10 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 40. Wind chill values as low as 34. North northeast wind 6 to 9 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 69°F – Low: 49°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 69. North northeast wind around 12 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 49. North northeast wind around 10 mph.
This house is wild
On .75 acres in Port Charlotte’s X flood zone, this two story pool home balances charm and function. Inside, soaring ceilings, shiplap, and a wood burning fireplace pair with a remodeled kitchen of teal cabinetry, butcher block, floating shelves, and a coffee bar. A lanai and heated pool with a 2023 cage meet an irrigated yard and a wooded preserve backdrop. Privacy comes easy.
Upstairs brings a loft and a large primary suite with dual walk-in closets, new thick carpet, and two balconies. Updates include a 2022 roof, 2025 A/C, updated plumbing, a new water heater, new water equipment, an oversized garage, and a quirky “Harry Potter” closet.
Take a peek inside →
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Thanks for reading! If you know someone who’d love BaseLocal, send ’em here so they can sign up too 🙂
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