Subscribe | Get featured

Hello Daytona Beach! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. 

In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Gold and silver surge, Night at the Museum under the dome, and Bike Week wedding ceremony + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.

Today’s sponsor, Spot Pet Insurance, is something I wish I had before a late-night emergency vet visit left me with a $10,000 credit card bill. It’s cheaper than Netflix… and means you never have to choose between your pet and your savings. It takes less than 5 minutes to sign up – get started here.

📰 In the news

Veteran leader to drive innovation: Brown & Brown named Dorothea (Dori) Henderson chief information technology officer, leading enterprise tech strategy, data and AI initiatives, stronger system security, and improved digital experiences for teammates and customers — see what she will oversee.

Key governance proposals advance: Palm Coast council approved tentative charter changes, setting up November ballot questions on vacancies, city borrowing limits, and disciplining members, aiming to cut voter fatigue across multiple proposals — get all the details.

Upgraded ambiance and brand growth: New Smyrna Beach’s Third Wave has reopened after renovations, unveiling a bar, chandeliers and more covered seating with an ADA lift. Owner Nate Lundberg opened sister spot Third Wave Smokehouse — see what’s new inside and out.

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.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/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.

Highlights this week:

• Night at the Museum fills the dome
• Experience a high-energy Bob Seger tribute
• Play bingo to support Volusia seniors
• This top-tier home warranty is 50% off right now

🐾 One pet emergency can cost $10,000+

Together with our sponsor Spot Pet Insurance

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 Spot.

It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% on qualified vet bills. It was too late for me, but it’s not too late for you. Sign up today.

🫶 We got your back

Tapas night, sorted: Spanish River Grill, from two-time James Beard semifinalist Chef Henry Salgado, pours OG red sangria, Spanish wines, and thoughtful cocktails. Slide into a cozy bar seat for a couple small plates, or rally the crew for a leisurely graze at this lively tapas bar and restaurant.

Fresh gear, salty vibes: Whether you’re snagging a fresh leash, swapping fins, or resetting for a beach day, Salty Dog Surf Shop stocks the staples and local know-how to keep your sessions smooth. The crew can dial you in for those after-work wave checks, with gear that actually holds up and feels right.

Indie night, done right: Cinematique of Daytona mixes indie and foreign films with weekly improv in a cozy downtown nook. When your queue feels stale, swing by with a friend and get pleasantly blindsided… smart curation, warm staff, and a breezy midweek reset that feels like a tiny vacation.

Access cash without selling your home: A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your home. Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much flexibility your home could provide, with no commitment required.

📆 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.

🐾 Pet Evolution Grand Opening Weekend @ Pet Evolution | Friday (3/6) at 10:00 AM – Port Orange gets a pet HQ this weekend, and yes, your dog called to RSVP. Swing by Pet Evolution’s grand opening to sniff out deals, meet the groomers, and stock up on premium chow, treats, and toys, while your cat pretends it’s all beneath them.

🍿 Movie Night: Night at the Museum @ Museum of Arts & Sciences | Friday (3/6) at 4:00 PM – The Brown’s Lohman Planetarium is screening Night at the Museum in 4K on the dome, so Ben Stiller looks larger than life. After the credits, roam the museum after hours like grown-ups playing hooky, with popcorn, snacks, and no field-trip chaos. Members $12, non-members $15.

🎬 Movies on the Halifax @ Rockefeller Gardens | Friday (3/6) at 6:30 PM – Rockefeller Gardens on the Halifax becomes our living room by the water, only with fewer crumbs and a bigger screen. It’s a free outdoor showing of A Minecraft Movie, so bring blankets, chairs, and the kids who somehow speak Redstone. Breezes, stars, easy win.

🧙 The Wizard of Oz @ Riverbend Academy | Friday (3/6) at 7:00 PM – Whether you’ve known every line since VHS days, or you’re introducing the grandkids, Riverbend Academy’s performing arts students do Wizard of Oz, the wholesome detour you need. Local talent, big heart, familiar tunes, and a Yellow Brick Road that beats errands, chores, and doomscrolling.

🏃 Tomoka Elementary 5K @ Tomoka Elementary School | Saturday (3/7) at 8:00 AM – Lace up for a neighborhood 5K that starts at Tomoka Elementary, cruises the Haas Park trail and Brookwood, then finishes at the PE pavilion with refreshments. Run or walk, support the PTA, and maybe snag the event tee while logging a smugly satisfying step count.

🚗 Classic Car Cruise-In @ Daytona Flea & Farmers Market | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – If your idea of church is carburetors and chrome, the West parking lot turns holy on the first Saturday of every month, with 300-plus classics and DJ Frank spinning. Free to show, free to browse, and if it rains, we pretend it’s Sunday service instead.

💍 Daytona Bike Week Wedding Ceremony @ Main Street Station | Saturday (3/7) at 1:00 PM – Bike Week at Main Street Station, because nothing says commitment like vows over V-twins. They’re doing a free group ceremony with Clerk Laura E. Roth, then spring for the $50 VIP reception with charcuterie, cake, and champagne toast. Get your Florida license sorted, and RSVP.

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
• Protect your pet from disaster with this pet insurance plan
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account
• Treat yourself: Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

📻 Daytona Beach report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 76°F – Low: 63°F – Precip: 11%

Patchy fog before 9am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. East northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. East wind 5 to 10 mph.

—

Tomorrow – High: 78°F – Low: 64°F – Precip: 21%

A slight chance of rain showers after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. East southeast wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A slight chance of rain showers before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. East southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Someone Googled you this week 👀

It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.

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 outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.

This house is wild

This 4-bed, 3-bath Costa Mesa II by ICI Homes spans 3,000-plus square feet of flexible living. An open-concept core unites kitchen, dining, and living spaces, highlighted by a Kitchen Deluxe and hidden pantry. The primary suite pampers with two walk-in closets and an expansive bath. A versatile flex room, extended lanai, and customizable options elevate everyday ease.

Take a peek inside →