|
Subscribe | Get featured
Hi Fort Myers, we made it to Thursday!
In today’s fun-for-grown-ups edition: A sensory night at an indoor slide park, gold and silver are hot, and a wild waterfront estate + plenty of reasons to put on real pants 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
Help shape local development: Fort Myers Beach is taking applications for a vacant Local Planning Agency seat after John McLean joined Council. The LPA advises on land use and zoning. Apply by March 16 — see how and when to apply.
Adults-only hours coming up: Slick City’s new indoor slide park in Fort Myers is drawing big crowds with 14 high-speed slides and family zones. Its first Sensory Night for a calmer experience is today — learn about special nights.
From salon to coffeehouse: Bare Roots Coffee House opened in early 2026 in Fort Myers, filling the former Bennett’s Fresh Roast space. Owner Juliana Zedeker serves in-house eats, matcha, chai, teas and cold-pressed juices — read the full story.
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:
|
🐾 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
Serious burger cravings? At Fat Katz Sports Bistro, stacks get serious: Pretzel Burger with serrano beer cheese, FK Patty Melt with bacon jam, and the 911 loaded with grilled chiles. House recipes, laid-back vibes, and plenty of TVs make this spot a weeknight pick-me-up.
Swap wheels for blades: Craving a quick mood lift? Fort Myers Skatium serves open public sessions, Learn to Skate USA classes, plus a pro shop and snack bar under one roof. Smooth midweek plans, and bragging rights when that first clean glide clicks.
Inventors in our backyard: This week, wander the museum, riverside gardens, and restored lab at Edison and Ford Winter Estates for hands-on history, surprising tech tidbits, and fragrant blooms. Fort Myers feels a little brighter here…a simple local reset that clears the mind and sparks curiosity without trying too hard.
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.
|
📆 Fort Myers for grown ups
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.
📚 Southwest Florida Reading Festival @ Fort Myers Regional Library | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Trade your beach read for the real thing at the Southwest Florida Reading Festival at Fort Myers Regional Library. Hear from Wally Lamb, Rachel Gillig, Adrienne Young, Brad Thor, plus dozens more, snag a free book for kids, and pretend sunscreen counts as literary ambiance.
🎲 Whiskers & Wagers Casino Night @ St. Cecilia Catholic Community | Saturday (3/7) at 5:00 PM – If you like your charity with a side of blackjack, an Italian buffet, and bragging rights, this casino night at Marian Hall calls. Seventy-five bucks gets you Gypsy Blue live, $2,000 in play money, lessons, a Kendra Scott pop-up, and pets saved. Snag tickets early.
🥨 Sweet and Salty Market @ Lochmoor Plaza | Sunday (3/8) at 10:00 AM – Take a break from errands and wander the Sweet and Salty Market, a cozy vendor market where caramels, pickles, pretzels, and small-batch sauces play nice. Chat with local makers, sample shamelessly, then leave with a pantry upgrade, a gift or two, and zero regrets.
🍖 BBQ Rib Throwdown @ American Legion Post #192 | Sunday (3/8) at 12:00 PM – Sharpen your tongs for a BBQ Rib Throwdown, ten bucks to enter and tastings for purchase. Bring your own grill, smoker, and tent, plus a generator if you run electric; prizes for the top three and a people’s choice vote. Call Laurene at 845-238-4723.
🌿 Herbs from A to Z @ Berne Davis Gardens | Tuesday (3/10) at 9:30 AM – Break out the gardening hat and let Cathy Via zip through Herbs from A to Z, then swap a plant, seeds, or cuttings for a buck. Guests welcome, make beaded bracelets for $5, bring a craft to sell, donate 10%. RSVP Sandy at 239-994-8147.
🌺 Orchid Tour @ Edison and Ford Winter Estates | Tuesday (3/10) at 1:30 PM – Stroll historic Orchid Lane with Edison Ford’s orchid specialist on a 90-minute tour of Florida natives, hybrids, and the stories behind them. Decode labels, master care, pick a plant you won’t murder, then shop with a 20% coupon. Members $25, non-members $50, advance registration required.
🎪 Garden Bros Circus Fun Factory @ Edison Mall | Thursday (3/12) at 4:30 PM – Ready to prove to the kids that fun didn’t start with Wi‑Fi? The circus is rolling into Edison Mall with acrobats, cotton candy, and just enough chaos to feel alive. Snag early-bird tickets online, and yep, one kid per adult is free.
Live music & entertainment:
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.
|
📻 Fort Myers report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 86°F – Low: 68°F – Precip: 60%
Patchy fog before 8am, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny. High near 86, with temperatures falling to around 82 in the afternoon. East southeast wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 10pm, then patchy fog. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. East wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
—
Tomorrow – High: 87°F – Low: 68°F – Precip: 50%
Patchy fog before 8am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. East southeast wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. East wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
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 signature Bud Lawrence design, this Mediterranean meets Spanish hacienda estate sits in a gated waterfront enclave minutes from Sanibel and Captiva. A secluded courtyard plan centers a pool and spa, with a separate guest casita and multiple lanais. A 2023 Stokes Marine dock with 14,000-lb lift offers direct Gulf access. Impact glass and a whole-home generator add ease.
Take a peek inside →
|
 |
Thanks for reading! If you know someone who’d love BaseLocal, send ’em here so they can sign up too 🙂
|
|
|
|
