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It’s Friday, Clearwater! Let’s finish this week strong.

In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: Self-healing power grid upgrades, SPIFFS International Folk Fair, and the 30th St. Patrick’s Day parade + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.

Today’s sponsor (FinanceBuzz) built a free comparison tool that helped me cut my car insurance premiums in half. It took about 3 minutes, and honestly… I wish I’d done it sooner. If you haven’t shopped around in a while, you can easily check the best rates here.

📰 In the news

Self-healing network takes shape: Across Clearwater and Pinellas, Duke Energy is burying power lines and installing stronger poles to harden the grid, to cut outages and hasten recoveries while street work may last months — learn how the upgrades work.

Early start, lasting benefits: Pinellas County Schools invites families near Clearwater to tour elementary campuses and explore early education options. Pre-K3 runs at most schools for $140 a week, below average childcare costs — get details on programs and costs.

Nature parks gain ground: TripAdvisor’s 2026 list named Clearwater Beach second in the United States, making it Florida’s highest ranked pick, with Honeymoon Island and other Gulf Coast favorites also recognized — see the top 10 beaches.

Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.

Someone Googled you this week: Whether you’re dating again, selling something locally, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up. Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are. Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you (or someone you care about) to clean up all that up – learn more here.

Highlights this week:

• Shop, learn, and play at Folly Faire
• Sip unlimited craft beers bayside
• Watch the Oscars, support independent cinema
• Over 62? See how to turn home equity into tax-free cash

🚗 Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance?

Together with our sponsor FinanceBuzz

Auto insurance premiums have been climbing across the country… and most folks won’t notice until it’s time to renew and they’re hit with a higher bill.

The frustrating part? Loyalty rarely gets rewarded. Insurers adjust prices constantly, and new customers often qualify for better rates than long-time policyholders.

I learned that the hard way. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, I saw the charges come in every month and never thought twice about them. Turns out I was paying well above the national average ($175/mo) for a single car… for years.

This free comparison tool lets you check rates from multiple insurers in just a few minutes. It costs nothing to look, and it could save you hundreds this year.

🫶 We got your back

Vegan comfort, no compromises: Weeknights need easy wins, and Lotus Vegan Restaurant brings bold, satisfying flavor with pho that hits the spot, banh mi-style subs, fresh vegan dim sum, and even pizza, all 100% plant-based. No guesswork, just dependable favorites you’ll happily repeat.

Treasure-hunt vibes, unlocked: Shelves craving character or walls wanting a story? Vintage Sunshine Shop curates antiques, vintage decor, signage, and accessories, plus new-to-you finds and an in-house artist’s work. Wander, linger, and let the delightfully unnecessary become essential.

Brow confidence, unlocked: BrowWorks Studio delivers natural-looking brows, subtle liner, and soft lip tinting that look like you, just a bit more polished. If your morning routine is two coffees and hope, expect easier starts and fewer mirror debates. Beautiful, low-fuss results without the drama.

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.

📆 Around town this weekend

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.

🤝 Countryside Serve Day @ Countryside Christian Church | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Countryside is fanning out across Tampa Bay for Serve Day, rolling up sleeves to sort clothes, build beds, make teddy bears, and spruce up Hope Children’s Home. It’s quality time that helps someone, with bounce houses for little ones, and feel-good without cheesy icebreakers.

☘ 30th St Patrick’s Day Parade @ On Top of the World | Saturday (3/7) at 9:30 AM – If your green shirt hasn’t seen daylight since last March, this is your sign. The 30th annual St. Patrick’s parade at On Top of the World brings New World Celts, Nibbles the Duck, and green rubber duckies, plus small-town cheer we pretend not to love.

🌍 SPIFFS International Folk Fair @ England Brothers Park | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Nothing beats a world tour without TSA. SPIFFS at 50 turns St. Pete into a global party with stages, an international beer tent, martial arts, sword fighting, eats, and a Parade of Nations that ends with new citizens, then a Dragon Dance. Affordable, lively, kid-proof.

👗 Dunedin Youth Guild Scholarship Luncheon and Fashion Show @ Dunedin Community Center | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Ready to score chic finds and fund scholarships, Dunedin-style? The Dunedin Youth Guild’s luncheon and fashion show at the Community Center brings A Shining Future with Suncoast Hospice styles, guilt-free Hospice Shop browsing, and a Palate-catered lunch. Seats go fast, tickets are $40 to $45.

🏠 Youth Ranch Safety Harbor Open House @ Youth Ranch Safety Harbor | Saturday (3/7) at 11:00 AM – Do some good for trauma-impacted youth at the Youth Ranch open house, free and family-friendly. The kids lead campus tours, plus games, crafts, a car show, K-9 demos from local law enforcement, and a free BBQ lunch, so your grill can rest.

🦀 Dunedin Seafood Festival @ Edgewater Park | Saturday (3/7) at 12:00 PM – Nothing beats fresh grouper by the marina with a band playing and a breeze doing its job. The 15th annual seafood fest brings local catch, craft drinks, and free entry, so stake out a spot early, bring the dog, and practice your polite seagull glare.

🌱 Garage & Plant Cutting Fundraiser @ Cotherman Distilling Company | Sunday (3/8) at 10:00 AM – If Daylight Saving steals an hour, reclaim it with a garage sale, plant cuttings, and cold brew at Cotherman Distilling in Dunedin. Score odd treasures, sip espresso martinis and spirits, and feed foster pups and the Pinellas shelter. Well-behaved dogs, leashes, and neighborly spacing welcome.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/6 Bandingo @ Calvary Baptist Church – 5:30 PM
• 3/6 Tim Dorsey @ Rusty Bellies – 6:00 PM
• 3/6 Little River Band and more @ The BayCare Sound – 7:00 PM
• 3/7 Moonshine Music Fest’s Whiskey Sessions @ Andrews Memorial Chapel – 2:00 PM
• 3/7 Central Area Ball 2026 @ American Legion Post 7 – 5:00 PM
• 3/8 Customer Appreciation Party @ Quaker Steak & Lube – 12:00 PM
• 3/8 So Good: The Neil Diamond Experience @ Ruth Eckerd Hall – 1:00 PM

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 Worth a peek

We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.

• Thinning hair? Don’t wait – here are 3 treatments that work
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account
• Treat yourself: Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

📻 Clearwater report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 83°F – Low: 66°F – Precip: 26%

A chance of rain showers after 4pm. Mostly sunny. High near 83, with temperatures falling to around 78 in the afternoon. East wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of rain showers before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. East wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

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Tomorrow – High: 82°F – Low: 65°F – Precip: 21%

A slight chance of rain showers after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 82. South southeast wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A slight chance of rain showers before 7pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Something in your house is about to break 🏠

It might be your AC, your water heater, your fridge… doesn’t matter. Every major system and appliance has an expiration date, and when it goes, you’re staring down a repair bill that can climb into the thousands fast.

It never happens at a convenient time, and most homeowners just eat the cost because they don’t realize there’s a better option.

American Home Shield covers repairs and replacements on most of your home’s major systems and appliances — old or new, no inspection required.

The best part? Select plans are 50% off now through March 9th.

This house is wild

This 3-bed, 2-bath newer-construction waterfront gem in Clearwater sits on an oversized lot with direct Intracoastal access. A covered 7,000 lb lift and a 2019 18.5 ft Tahoe 450 TS with Mercury 115HP keep adventures easy. Inside, Belleview Biltmore salvaged details meet a chef’s Wolf range and butler’s pantry. Solar, generator, metal roof, and impact windows boost peace of mind.

Take a peek inside →