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Hey Destin, hope your week’s off to a good start!
In today’s wallet-friendly edition: A 16,000‑square‑foot arcade, a $10k pet emergency lesson, and gold’s hot streak + lots of fun things to do for free.
Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Destin protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.
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📰 In the news
Expanding support for local children: Santa Rosa Beach attorney Dana Matthews II joined the Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center board, bringing legal expertise and deep community ties to support children across Okaloosa and Walton counties — get details on the appointment.
Emerald Coast nights uncovered: Rain or shine, Destin and Miramar Beach offer indoor fun and late nights, from bowling and escape rooms to lounges, plus Wild Willy’s 16,000 square foot arcade on Okaloosa Island — see the top indoor options.
County revenue proposal outlined: Okaloosa commissioners plan to ask voters to extend the half-cent infrastructure surtax another decade. In Destin, the tax ends December 31, 2028, with renewal starting January 1, 2029 if approved — get all the details.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
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:
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🏆 Gold and silver are heating up
Together with our sponsor American Hartford Gold
Gold just posted its strongest run in decades… and the momentum is carrying into 2026. Silver has become one of the most talked-about assets as investors look for ways to stay ahead of market volatility.
While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning.
If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, AHG has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how investors are approaching precious metals right now.
It’s free and worth reading before the next move.
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🫶 We got your back
Twirl-worthy comfort carbs: Mimmo’s Ristorante Italiano is a reliable treat-yourself haven when pasta cravings strike, with pappardelle with lobster or chicken marsala over angel hair, plus a lively, locals-first vibe. Sauces cling just right, portions soothe, and the midweek mood hits that twirl-happy sweet spot.
Preloved gems, incoming: If your closet craves a quick dopamine hit, LuxExchange delivers fresh finds daily, easy-to-style pieces that actually spark joy. Inventory turns fast, so that perfect something might become someone else’s before you even spot it.
Cool-down that actually helps: Feeling creaky from workouts or that never-ending desk marathon? At CRYO850, whole body cryotherapy, compression, and red light flow in an easy recovery circuit, plus EMS when you want an extra boost, so you bounce back faster and maybe sleep a little smugger this week.
Thinning hair? It only gets worse: A few months ago, I noticed my ponytail getting thinner. I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, etc.) but mostly just hoped it would fix itself… until I learned that active follicles can permanently go dormant if you don’t do something about it. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn more about my favorite online options here.
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📆 Free events worth checking out
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.
🍞 Food Pantry @ Calvary Chapel Fort Walton Beach | Wednesday (3/4) at 9:30 AM – Take a midweek breather and swing by the food pantry at 99 Eglin Parkway, Suite 2B. Need groceries, come get them; feeling helpful, we’ll put you to work faster than you can say canned green beans. It’s neighbors, real conversations, and kindness that fills bellies.
🎵 Music Bingo @ Soundside Waterfront Bar | Wednesday (3/4) at 6:00 PM – Whether you live on Yacht Rock or hum along to anything with a chorus, Music Bingo at the Soundside spot in downtown Fort Walton Beach is free to play, 21+, and rewards your mixtape years. Call hits, win buckets of beer, enjoy the breeze.
🍺 SoundCheck Music Bingo @ Wood Foot Beer Co. | Wednesday (3/4) at 6:00 PM – Head to Wood Foot Beer Co. every Wednesday for SoundCheck Music Bingo, free to play with prizes for every winner. Four rounds spanning the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and today. Bring friends, sip something cold, and finally put those car singalongs to work.
🏓 Fit Pickleballer Social Play @ Walton County Sports Complex | Thursday (3/5) at 3:00 PM – Pickleball without the chest-thumping. Six courts at Walton County Sports Complex, all levels who know the basics, rotating games, friendly rallies, and plenty of laughs, all free. RSVP, bring a sense of humor, and meet the folks you usually wave at from the parking lot.
❓ Trivia Night @ AJ’s On The Bayou | Thursday (3/5) at 6:30 PM – Thursday nights just got smarter at AJ’s on the Bayou, with trivia, breezes, and a healthy dose of bragging rights. It’s free to play, prizes come from AJ’s, and you’ll finally use all that ‘80s jingle knowledge for something besides annoying your family.
🧹 Cleanest City Roadside Cleanup @ Fort Walton Beach City Hall | Saturday (3/7) at 8:00 AM – Been waiting for a sign to tidy our slice of the Emerald Coast? Grab a bucket with Keep Okaloosa Beautiful and join the First Street cleanup downtown FWB. Meet at First Presbyterian on Beal, then sweep St. Mary to Eglin, and call it morning cardio.
🥕 Grand Boulevard Farmers Market @ Grand Boulevard at Sandestin | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Whether you’re stocking the fridge or stretching your legs, this park-side market delivers: Gulf seafood, tupelo honey, artisan breads, and crisp produce under shady trees by the fountain. Sample freely, buy greens to justify dessert, and call the whole thing quality time, not errands.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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🔥 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.
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📻 Destin report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 69°F – Low: 60°F – Precip: 1%
Sunny, with a high near 69. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 60. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 70°F – Low: 62°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 70. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
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
A down-to-the-studs renovation by one of Destin’s premier builders turned this compound, just a block from the beach, into a fresh, high-end retreat. The main house offers 5 beds, 4.5 baths, and an outdoor kitchen by the pool. Across the lounge area, a guest house adds 3 beds and 2 baths with a full kitchen. Beautifully furnished and rental ready.
Take a peek inside →
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