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Hey Clearwater, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Walkable downtown project, blacklight pinball, and 80s arena rock show + lots of fun things to do for free.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's $150 off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Family fun for a cause: Ride and Run With the Stars will return November 21 at Safety Harbor Waterfront Park with new races. Early-bird registration open to support the Pinellas County Sheriff's Christmas Sharing Project -- see the race options.
Property rights dispute grows: A federal lawsuit filed Monday challenges St. Pete Beach sign rules. Plaza Beach Motel and Undertow Beach Bar say the ordinance targets beachfront owners. The city has not responded yet -- read the full lawsuit details.
Downtown vision takes shape: Oldsmar moved toward a walkable downtown as City Council approved key terms for an 8-acre project with retail, 240 apartments, and a plaza. The planning board will review it next -- see what happens next.
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade*. Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's $150 off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Weekend water therapy: Need an easy reset without leaving town? Osprey Bay Outdoors has Clearwater’s go-to lineup of kayaks, SUPs, and paddling gear, plus rentals if you’re between boats. Their monthly guided paddles, skills classes, and try-before-you-buy demo days make it stupid-simple to explore new spots and level up your stroke.
Classic Clearwater golf: Clearwater Country Club pairs a Herbert Strong 18-hole layout from 1920 with a legit driving range, practice facility, and a clubhouse built for post-round laughs. Book a tee with friends, sharpen the swing with instructors and Trackman, then enjoy that easygoing, locals-first vibe.
Glow-up, no downtime: If you want a fast reset without the scalpel, KRIDO Wellness in St. Pete does quick, non-invasive cryo face and body sculpting that lifts and slims, plus Circadia-powered facials, microneedling, dermaplaning, and microdermabrasion. They also handle brows, lashes, and subtle permanent makeup, even scar camouflage and fine line tattoos.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
Shop for new floors without ever needing to leave the house: No showroom, no second-guessing. All from the comfort of your own home. Empire Today® has flooring experts that will bring you samples and provide you with a free in-home estimate. Trusted and backed by over 3 million satisfied customers and over 65 years of quality service. *Check out their current offers today →
Stiff necks start on flat pillows: You've slept on both arms, both sides, stacked two pillows, thrown one on the floor, and the stiffness keeps finding you, because every position ends on the same pillow that can't hold your neck. This one can: shaped to keep your neck in line however you sleep, with gentle traction through the night. If it doesn't earn its spot in 30 nights, it goes back free. *Take the 30-night test, 50% off →
Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →
The upgrades that make your home feel new again start here: You don't need a full remodel to fall back in love with your space. New fixtures, a fresh coat of paint, updated hardware, the small changes that make a room feel different. It's all in one place, so a weekend is all it takes to give a tired room a fresh start. *Shop the refresh → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Free events worth checking outFree things to do in the coming days and weeks. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
❓ Trivia Tuesday @ The Playground (Dunedin) | Tuesday (8/4) at 7:00 PM – Trivia Tuesday at The Playground is peak Dunedin, with Nancy on the mic and April and Tristan pouring the good stuff, rain or shine. Free to play, real prizes, and plenty of food, drink, and bragging rights for your beautifully useless facts.
🎶 Bando Tuesdays @ Paddywagon Dunedin | Tuesday (8/4) at 7:30 PM – Whether you can name that tune in two notes or just hum confidently, music bingo at Paddywagon turns Tuesday into a gameshow, free to play. BOGO drinks, free drinks, and gift cards up for grabs, plus a pizza prize from Rizolli’s delivered to your barstool.
🏍 Bert's Great American Bike Night @ Bert's Barracuda Harley-Davidson | Thursday (8/6) at 5:30 PM – Bert’s Great American Bike Night is revving up with biker games, music, food, and a free ride series with prizes. Think friendly bragging rights, the faint smell of leather and barbecue, and plenty of chrome for people who prefer shine over small talk.
🎵 Music Trivia Every Thursday @ Caledonia Brewing (Dunedin) | Thursday (8/6) at 7:30 PM – Think you know your hooks, intros, and one-hit wonders? Caledonia’s Thursday music trivia is free to play, with Name That Tune, house cash for the top three, and a ridiculous Unicorn Trophy for the champs. 21 and up, seating is first come, bragging rights included.
📚 Storytime (ages 2-4) @ Gulf Beaches Public Library (Madeira Beach) | Friday (8/7) at 10:30 AM – Storytime is taking over Gulf Beaches Public Library’s kids’ corner with tales, songs, and just enough wiggles to tire out the 2-to-4 set. Think early literacy disguised as fun, with you, the grand marshal of Goldfish crackers, earning quiet time after. Cozy, and blessedly air-conditioned.
🧘 Free Community Yoga @ Gerald Rehm Pavilion (Dunedin) | Saturday (8/8) at 8:15 AM – Free 45-minute outdoor yoga at the Gerald Rehm Pavilion outside Nature’s Food Patch. All levels, low pressure, come as you are; bring a family-friendly donation for Dunedin Cares, and consider your good deed and back stretch handled, Saturdays.
🤘 Scream Machine @ OCC Road House & Museum | Saturday (8/8) at 6:00 PM – Nothing beats screaming along to 80s arena rock with a cold one, when it’s free at OCC Road House. Stake out first-come VIP, or grab a table for six with koozies, because knees like chairs, and your inner teenager likes big hair and big choruses.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — Clearwater report Weather forecastToday — High: 87°F — Low: 78°F — Precip: 48%
Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Southwest wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 78. South southwest wind 2 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tomorrow — High: 89°F — Low: 77°F — Precip: 40%
Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. South southwest wind 3 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Later: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 77. Northeast wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. This house is wildThis updated 3-bed, 2.5-bath Island Estates home delivers over 2,200 square feet plus a bonus office, all wrapped around deep-water access and a private boat lift. Inside, 10-foot ceilings, travertine floors, Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, and custom closet built-ins bring the polish. French doors, a huge dock, and quick Intracoastal access seal the deal.
Take a peek inside → |
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