|
Subscribe | Get featured
Hi Daytona Beach, we made it to Thursday! In today’s edition: Kurt Russell named honorary pace car driver, an ocean adventure drone and laser show, a Tina Turner musical, and more.
— Cait Baker
|
📰 In the news
Board action and company snapshot: Daytona Beach-based Brown & Brown will pay a $0.165 quarterly dividend on February 11 to shareholders of record as of February 4, after the board’s January 21 announcement — read the full announcement.
Audit, rebates, and budget stakes: Minto Communities dropped its permit lawsuit against Daytona Beach, but the city still owes $2 million amid state scrutiny of a $12 million fee surplus and possible legislative penalties — read the full story.
Growing footprint in Florida: Gleckler and Sons has expanded with a new Ocala facility that will make roof and floor trusses and run a full-service lumberyard, adding to locations in Ormond Beach — get details on the expansion.
Beloved educator’s lasting legacy: Daytona Beach celebrated Geneva Loper’s 100th at Greater Friendship Baptist Church. Mayor Derrick Henry presented a key and proclamation, and the city declared Jan. 5 as Geneva Loper Day — learn more about her journey.
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. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your IRA or portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.
Compare rates for free: Insurance prices drop all the time, but you’ll only know if you check. I assumed my rate was fine until I compared options and realized I was leaving real money on the table. It took a minute to check and instantly showed better offers for where I live. If it’s been more than a few months, you should probably run this comparison tool here.
One pet emergency can easily cost $7,000+ but pet insurance helps ease the financial and emotional burden. It’s something I wish I’d had after spending $10k on last-minute surgery for my cat (her name is Miss Stache). I learned my lesson and signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
|
🫶 We got your back
Expansive dining experience ahead: F&D Cantina will open at One Daytona this summer. The 15,000 square foot spot will bring a rooftop, a tequila speakeasy, and two private dining areas. It comes from F&D Restaurant Concepts, which runs several other restaurants around Central Florida. Get all the details.
Entertainment collides with high-octane racing: Kurt Russell will serve as the honorary pace car driver for the 68th DAYTONA 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 15, 2026. The Hollywood star brings extra buzz to race week in Daytona Beach. Expect big crowds and fast-moving tickets. Read the full story.
Weeknight upgrade, anyone? Koji Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar blends lively hibachi flair with chef-crafted sushi and a full bar, ideal when you want dinner to feel like an event. Pristine sashimi and shareable signature rolls deliver that happy “why don’t we do this more?” glow.
Treasure hunting with heart: Secret Attic Thrift Store delivers the thrill of the find with clothing, housewares, and the occasional “why is this amazing?” oddity, all while supporting Family Renew Community’s work for local families. Refresh your space, snag something unexpected, and feel good about what you bring home.
A smart way to save on big purchases: When costs hit the tens of thousands, credit card and personal loan interest racks up fast. A HELOC lets you tap into your home’s equity as a flexible line of credit at a lower rate… all without refinancing your mortgage. I’ve been looking into this myself, and Figure’s HELOC stood out for its 100% online application, no in-person appraisal, and quick access to cash.
Your neighbors are Googling you:It’s an uncomfortable thought, but people search names all the time — employers, new friends, other parents at school pickup. If something negative, outdated, or misleading shows up on the first page, it can shape how people see you before you ever meet. BetterReputation helps push down unwanted search results so the first impression you make actually reflects who you are today. And if it’s not your name, you can help a friend or family member with that too.
Get clarity on financial decisions: Managing retirement, taxes, and investments alone can feel overwhelming, especially during big life transitions. Financial advisors provide holistic guidance, help reduce risk, and keep emotions away from costly decisions. I found a tool called Unbiased that matches you with the right financial advisor based on your personal situation so you can get a second opinion… it never hurts.
|
📆 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.
🎨 Love is in the Air: Healing Hearts and Shared Humanity @ Starry Night Gallery | Friday (2/6) at 5:00 PM – Skip the prix fixe and pop into Starry Night Gallery’s juried opening, where love, healing, and shared humanity actually have something to say. Mingle with artists, sip something, and let the art do the talking while Beach Street remembers romance doesn’t need red roses.
🎬 Movies on the Halifax – Pride & Prejudice @ Rockefeller Gardens | Friday (2/6) at 6:00 PM – Movies on the Halifax is screening Pride & Prejudice under the oaks at Rockefeller Gardens. Pack a blanket, a low chair, and your best smolder, then let the river breeze handle the drama while Darcy does the rest. Tea optional, swooning encouraged.
🌈 Sophie’s Circle 11th Annual Rainbow Bridge Walk @ Fortunato Park | Saturday (2/7) at 5:00 PM – Think you can cross Granada without getting misty? Join a sunset walk to light the bridge for our four-legged legends, and help raise support for homeless dogs who still need a soft spot to land. Bring tissues, comfy shoes, and your big heart.
🎭 Mardi Gras @ Hard Rock Hotel | Saturday (2/7) at 7:00 PM – Break out the beads and your dancing shoes, the Mystic Krewe of the XIIth Night Revelers is throwing a Mardi Gras bash, no Bourbon Street required. Party now, fund arts education later, with proceeds boosting the Peabody Auditorium Foundation’s Youth+Art=Success for 4,000 Volusia kids.
🌊 Ocean Adventure Drone & Laser Show @ Daytona Stadium | Saturday (2/7) at 9:00 PM – One night only, Daytona Beach gets a drone and laser double feature making fireworks look like dial-up. T-Rex stomps through a time rift, then the sea tucks you in with glow and a cinematic score. Big spectacle, relaxing finish, and no sand in your shoes.
🚲 Tweed Ride @ Ormond Garage | Sunday (2/8) at 1:00 PM – Ready to swap Lycra for tweed and take an afternoon spin? We’re rolling slow through Ormond’s neighborhoods and Central Park, starting and ending at Ormond Garage, with 1920s and 30s threads and vintage bikes encouraged, smug nostalgia, and zero hill sprints. Bring your Sunday best.
🕯 Candlelight: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons @ Brannon Center | Sunday (2/8) at 6:00 PM – Trade tiki bar chatter for goosebumps at this candlelit concert where a string ensemble tackles Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, plus a few elegant detours. It’s Daytona, but quieter, moodier, and frankly better. Real candles, rich acoustics, and zero cover bands in earshot.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
|
📻 Daytona Beach report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 60°F – Low: 37°F – Precip: 51%
A chance of rain showers before 2pm. Partly sunny. High near 60, with temperatures falling to around 55 in the afternoon. West wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 37. Wind chill values as low as 32. West northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
—
Tomorrow – High: 60°F – Low: 46°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 60. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 46. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
This house is wild
Mid-century beachside duplex one block from the ocean with Sun Splash Park access, south of Intl Speedway Blvd, close to dining, shopping, the Speedway, and airport. Updated kitchens and baths complement hardwood floors, abundant light, awnings, and a durable flat roof. Configured as 3-bed 2-bath and 2-bed 2-bath units, each with a private rear garage.
Take a peek inside →
|
🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we genuinely think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week:
|
 |
Thanks for reading! If you know someone who’d love BaseLocal, send ’em here so they can sign up too 🙂
|
|
|
|
