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Hi Clearwater, hope you’re having a great weekend!

In today’s in-case-you-missed-it edition: Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival, new Publix openings, and and Tapas El Turco + the top stories from this week & a sneak peek at next week.

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.*

📰 Most-clicked stories this week

Sunshine State store additions: Publix will open two stores this month, including Clearwater Plaza at 1295 S. Missouri Ave with drive-thru pharmacy. Another will open at 6605 38th Ave N with a liquor store — get all the details.

Quiet grooves, bold bites: Musician Daryal Kafkasso Erdem will open Tapas El Turco in Dunedin, bringing olive oil focused Turkish small plates, Mediterranean flavors, and live music and dance designed for conversation friendly volume — read the full story.

Shoreline revival sets stage: Clearwater Beach’s Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival will run March 27 to April 12 with a 24,000 square foot sand sculpture exhibit, arriving as newly nourished beaches welcome spring crowds — 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.*

All the crowd favorites:

• Dance salsa and bachata on Clearwater Beach
• Celebrate with free family fun and music
• Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with The Fulcos

💎 This week’s top finds

Serious sandwich cravings: Pickles Plus is Clearwater’s no-fuss deli for a proper Reuben, a pressed Cuban, or any stacked, salty-crunchy bite that makes problems fade, prompts a quick “you in?” text, and somehow turns lunch into a little celebration.

Beach day, simplified: Whether you need a quick reset or a sunset excuse, Sand Key Park blends beach and green space with room to wander, breathe, and forget your inbox. Ideal for an after-work stroll, a weekend picnic, or a low-key catch-up with friends.

Coney craving, solved: Whether you’re team poppy-seed Chicago or loyal to a tangy-chili Coney, Chicago Deli & Coney Dogs makes quick lunches feel like wins. Dogs can be built your way with kraut, slaw, or chili-cheese, as wild as you like. Beef tallow fries on the side count as self-care.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements — they’re the local spots your fellow readers clicked on most this week.

🫶 We got your back

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 →

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 →

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 →

📆 Sneak peek at next 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.

🍀 O’Keefe’s Irish Fest @ O’Keefe’s Tavern | Tuesday (3/17) at 11:00 AM – St. Patrick’s Day calls for O’Keefe’s in Clearwater, where the neighborhood swaps errands for green beer, corned beef, and a wall of bagpipes. Live Irish bands, dancers, and lawn games keep you ‘just one more pint’ honest. Wear green, pace yourself, and enjoy the noise.

🌶 ChiliBlaze 2026 @ England Brothers Bandshell (Pinellas Park) | Friday (3/20) at 6:00 PM – Ready to trade your palate for a good cause? Pinellas Park firefighters host the county’s biggest chili cook-off, with $15 armbands to taste from 30+ teams, live music, beer poured by crew, kids zone, and vendors, all benefiting MDA. Come hungry, leave heroic.

🐠 Night at the Aquarium @ Clearwater Marine Aquarium (Clearwater Beach) | Friday (3/20) at 6:00 PM – Give the kids the keys to the aquarium after hours, and enjoy a rare window of quiet. Ages 5-10 get ocean stories, hands-on crafts, and behind-the-glass exploring, all for $20 a kid. Book online at least 24 hours ahead, you responsible adult, you.

🌱 Plant Sale @ Downtown Tarpon Springs | Saturday (3/21) at 9:00 AM – If your porch pots are hanging on by a prayer, the Annual Plant Sale at Mother Meres Park has you covered with healthy plants at can’t-say-no prices, unique vendor finds, and a membership drive special. Bring a tote, coffee, and your best self-control.

🤠 Country in the Park @ England Brothers Park (Pinellas Park) | Saturday (3/21) at 12:00 PM – Picnic blanket season calls for Country in the Park, a free, all-day ramble of live tunes, local crafters, cold drinks, and dangerously snackable food. Let the kids chase bubbles while you collect sun, neighbors’ gossip, and a perfectly timed two-step.

🎣 Great American Grunt Hunt Fishing Tournament & Community Fish Fry @ Madeira Beach Municipal Marina | Saturday (3/21) at 4:00 PM – Ready to cheer for grunts that aren’t from the gym? The 15th Annual Great American Grunt Hunt hits Madeira Beach Marina with competition, all-ages divisions, and over $5,000 in prizes. Stay for weigh-in and a community fish fry, $15 a plate with fries and slaw.

🦭 Spring Sips & Seals @ Clearwater Marine Aquarium (Clearwater Beach) | Saturday (3/21) at 6:00 PM – If you want a spring break vibe without the beach crowds, slip into Clearwater Marine Aquarium after hours to meet the new seals, take in sunset views, and cash in your drink ticket. Live band, dolphin presentation, and keeper talks, plus that smug local glow.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Clearwater report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 82°F – Low: 70°F – Precip: 54%

A slight chance of rain showers between noon and 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

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Tomorrow – High: 81°F – Low: 49°F – Precip: 80%

Showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. Southwest wind 9 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Later: Showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. Northwest wind 12 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Most popular house this week

This architecturally striking three-story contemporary on a coveted Clearwater Beach street offers 3,800 square feet of open living with soaring ceilings and walls of glass. A private elevator links all levels, from expansive covered terraces and balconies to a rooftop terrace for sunsets. Outside, a resort-style pool and spa with sun shelf meet tropical landscaping. An oversized garage adds convenience.

Take a peek inside →