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Hello Clearwater! Hope your coffee’s especially good this morning.

In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: 10,000-square-foot book haven, Masters of Illusion, and Wiener Dog Derby + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.

Heads up for pet parents: 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.*

📰 In the news

A 10,000-square-foot book haven: Book lovers, discover The Book Rescuers in Largo, where most titles cost less than a coffee and aisles overflow with affordable finds for kids and grownups — read the full story.

Work from home spaces included: Caspia, a Live Local Act project at 705 Redbud Lane in Largo, is nearing completion with 240 apartments, including 40 percent affordable units and resort-style amenities for local renters — see amenities and affordability details.

Support lifesaving animal programs: SPCA Tampa Bay’s 35th Annual Pet Walk will fill Largo Central Park on March 28 with entertainment, costume contests, dachshund races, vendors, giveaways. Registration is $30 and includes thank-you goodies — see how to get involved.

Gold just hit record highs. What about your savings? While traditional IRAs have been treading water against inflation, gold has gained over 50% in three years. That gap is why more retirees are rolling a portion of their savings into gold IRAs (the kind that hold physical metal). We compared the top five options and broke down who they’re best for. Check it out here →

Paying hundreds of dollars a month for car insurance? Switching providers could save you up to $600 a year, and shopping around is way faster than it used to be – free comparison tools like this one make it easy.*

Highlights this week:

• Celebrate Easter with eggs and ponies
• Disney’s Aladdin Jr. takes the stage
• See The Cream of Clapton Band
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home*

💎 Local business spotlight

Afternoon tea, sorted: At Joseph’s Tea Room And Shop, cozy teacups meet weekly ritual: house loose-leaf blends, pretty tiered bites, and a bookable Afternoon Tea Experience. Midweek catch-ups become relaxed little traditions, simple and charming, and exactly what the week ordered.

Make a night of it: Ruth Eckerd Hall keeps Clearwater’s music calendar joyfully packed, from sing-along legends to brag-worthy tours. With friends in tow and a show that fits your vibe, the sound can turn a plain Tuesday into a weekend mood.

Add art to your week: At Syd Entel Galleries, rotating fine art mingles with luminous hand-blown glass and inventive jewelry in a 5,500-square-foot downtown Safety Harbor space that’s charmed locals for 45 years. It’s a wander-and-discover browse that leaves walls, and moods, decidedly happier.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.

🫶 We got your back

Makeup that actually works: My sister and I were talking the other day about how the makeup we used in our 20s… just doesn’t work now that we’re in our 30s and 40s. Laura Geller’s entire makeup line addresses this shift, with formulas that smooth, brighten, and actually stay put. If you’re in the same boat, *their curated kits are worth a look →

Own a piece of Apple for less than a coffee: Every time you buy something from Amazon or Starbucks, you’re putting money in their pocket. Fractional shares flip that: you can own a slice of those companies for as little as a dollar. Most investing apps make it incredibly easy, with zero commissions and no account minimums. See which ones we recommend →

Mom says she’s fine. You’re not so sure: “What if something happens when you’re home alone?” You’ve asked a hundred times, but the outcome’s always the same. I don’t need that. Life Alert’s for old people. The real struggle isn’t finding a medical alert system that’ll work… it’s finding one she won’t fight you on. We looked into five options designed to settle the standoff, from smartwatches to systems with nothing to wear at all. See which ones stood out →

Thinning hair? Your shampoo was never going to fix it: I’ve spent an embarrassing amount of money on hair-loss products, biotin, masks, sprays, you name it. Not one of them lasted. Turns out, most things target the strand, not the follicle (where thinning actually happens). Dermatologists have been prescribing treatments that work for years, but there are now plenty of options available with no office visits required. See our top picks for men and women →

Strangers can buy your personal data for $0.50: Data brokers sell your name, home address, phone number, estimated income, and other personal info to anyone willing to pay. Scammers and identity thieves use these databases to take advantage of you. There are dozens of affordable services that can help you protect yourself. These three are our favorites →

📆 Fun for the whole fam

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.

⚾ Toronto Blue Jays vs. New York Yankees @ TD Ballpark (Dunedin) | Thursday (3/19) at 1:07 PM – Grab your jersey and head to the Dome for Jays vs. Yankees, the rivalry that actually gets Torontonians to yell in public. Expect pinstripes, pricey beer, and a roof that saves your hair. Take the TTC, cheer loud, and practice your polite heckling.

🎩 Masters of Illusion @ Ruth Eckerd Hall | Thursday (3/19) at 7:00 PM – Nothing beats getting your mind blown in person, so catch Masters of Illusion, the live spin on the hit TV series, with award-winning magicians, grand illusions, and sharp comedy. Bring your best skeptic face, you’ll still gasp, laugh, and try to spot the trapdoor.

🐠 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.

🐰 Shell Hunt with the Easter Bunny @ Odyssey Cruises (Tarpon Springs) | Saturday (3/21) at 8:00 AM – Hopping aboard an Odyssey Cruise to Anclote Key for a guided shell hunt with the Easter Bunny, a Master Naturalist, and bragging rights for the golden shell. It’s kid-friendly without the sugar crash, with baskets provided, photo ops available, and zero live shell smuggling allowed.

🐶 Pet Day & Wiener Dog Derby @ OCC Road House & Museum | Saturday (3/21) at 11:00 AM – Roll into OCC Road House and Bert’s Barracuda for Pet Day with a Wiener Dog Derby, where dachshunds sprint like caffeinated sausages and the petting zoo wins hearts. Free mechanical bull rides, adoptions, raffles, a pet-friendly patio, and HD pet gear at the CUDA dealership.

🎣 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.

🐰 Ice Skating with the Easter Bunny & Friends @ Tampa Bay Skating Academy Countryside | Sunday (3/22) at 12:00 AM – Nothing says spring around here like lacing up to skate with a giant rabbit, a few fuzzy sidekicks, and a rink full of sugar-charged kids. Bring the littles or the grandkids, grab cocoa, snag a photo, and try not to pull a hamstring.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Clearwater report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 69°F – Low: 51°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 69. North northeast wind 9 to 13 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. North northeast wind 8 to 12 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 73°F – Low: 55°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 73. North northeast wind 9 to 13 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 55. North northeast wind 6 to 12 mph.

This house is wild

This architecturally striking three-story contemporary on one of Clearwater Beach’s most desirable streets offers nearly 3,800 square feet with clean lines, soaring ceilings, and walls of glass. A private elevator and oversized garage complement expansive covered terraces and balconies. Out back, a resort-style pool and spa with sun shelf sit amid lush tropical landscaping. A rooftop terrace captures panoramic sunset views.

Take a peek inside →