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It’s Friday, Gainesville! Let’s finish this week strong.

In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: An inflatable colon, a beloved restaurant’s comeback after a fire, and a guitar festival with Kaki King + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Gainesville 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.

📰 In the news

Understanding colon cancer origins: Earlier this month, HCA Florida North Florida kicked off Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month with an inflatable colon. Colorectal cancer leads cancer deaths under 50, and screening is advised at 45 — read the full story.

Florida agriculture leaders gather: UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics will celebrate 100 years with a gala and fundraiser March 27 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, benefiting FRE 100 Fund for students and faculty experiences — get all the event details.

A local favorite’s fresh start: The Ivy House in Williston, near Gainesville, will reopen soon after a dryer fire shuttered it for two and a half years, featuring a larger kitchen and a Roots bar — see what’s new inside.

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:

• Line dance takeover benefits STEM scholarships
• Explore wetlands with park rangers
• Upcycle clothes with sashiko mending
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home

💎 Local business spotlight

Fresh art fix: Need a mood lift? At Artisans’ Guild Gallery, locally made pottery, textiles, jewelry, woodwork, and paintings fill a cozy space, all crafted by artists who live here. Great for thoughtful gifts or upgrading that blank wall.

Backyard upgrade, anyone? If your patio needs shade or your grill deserves a proper stage, Gainesville Fence & Deck Pros builds clean, sturdy decks and pergolas without the runaround, turning your someday list into a real hangout. Smart design, solid craft, zero fuss for backyard lounging.

Fresh catch without the fuss: Since 1981, Northwest Seafood has fed Gainesville with hot, cook-to-order plates and pristine fillets to sear at home. Think local shrimp, grouper, gumbo, and daily specials. Ideal for weeknights when “what’s for dinner?” needs an easy win… fresh, fast, and fuss-free.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.

🫶 We got your back

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Thinning hair? Don’t treat the wrong thing: When my ponytail started thinning, I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, sprays, etc.) and not one of them lasted. Turns out, most products target the strand, not the follicle… and that’s the whole problem. Once follicles go dormant, they need targeted help to come back. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn about my favorites here →

Six figures you can’t spend: Most homeowners over 50 have spent years dutifully paying their mortgage, assuming the only time it’ll pay off is when they sell. I thought the same thing until I discovered you can tap into the equity you’ve earned whenever you want (without leaving your home). Overdue for a new roof? Want to build your dream bathroom? There are two ways to turn equity into usable cash →

📆 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.

🎨 Alachua County Public School’s Student Exhibition (K-12) @ The Historic Thomas Center | Friday (3/13) at 8:00 AM – Local kids, from kindergarten scribblers to high school portfolio stars, take over the gallery with the annual Alachua County Public Schools student art show. Expect paint, clay, and big feelings. You’ll leave proud, impressed, and wondering why your stick figures never evolved.

🎸 Gainesville Guitar Festival 2026 @ Heartwood Soundstage | Friday (3/13) at 1:00 PM – Think your guitar habit is fine? The third annual guitar fest packs gear swap, workshops, jams, and demos, plus sets from Kaki King, Millet Padrón, Mike Baggetta, and friends. Go All Access for Kaki indoors Friday, or snag GA for Saturday and the outdoor screen.

🎭 Steel Magnolias @ Star Center Theatre | Friday (3/13) at 8:00 PM – Swing by for Steel Magnolias, directed by Jamaili Tyler, a visit to Truvy’s Louisiana salon where natural beauty is a myth and friendships are forged. It’s laughter, tears, and life’s messiness, told with Southern charm, sharp wit, and plenty of hairspray.

🛍 Spring Pop Up Shops @ Grow Hub | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – This spring, second Saturdays are for strolling GROW HUB, grazing on good food, and pretending you only came for one plant. Shop local vendors, art, and an outrageous amount of greenery, with live music and fresh air. Free, outdoors, and actually kid friendly.

🦐 Taste of the Bayou Love & Food Fest @ The Oaks Mall | Saturday (3/14) at 12:00 PM – Turns out the best trip to Louisiana this month is the Oaks Mall parking lot, with legit gumbo, jambalaya, and crawfish, plus live music for a little two-step between bites. It’s free to get in, which conveniently funds beignets, po’boys, and your questionable spice tolerance.

🎉 Gainesville Latino Festival Spring 2026 @ Bo Diddley Plaza | Saturday (3/14) at 5:00 PM – Downtown’s turning into a dance floor as the Gainesville Latino Festival takes over Bo Diddley Plaza, with Cuban Son Band, DJs, and enough sabor to make two left feet cooperate. Fuel up on street eats, browse local makers, bring the kids, and plan bedtime negotiations.

🖼 Beginners Mosaic Workshop @ Curia On The Drag | Sunday (3/15) at 11:00 AM – Whether you last used glue in a school diorama or you’ve secretly wanted to mosaic your kitchen backsplash, this beginner workshop at The Auk Market lets you craft a 6-inch tray with Leah from Satchel’s. Hands-on, make-and-take, coffee nearby, courtyard drinks at Curia and Dad’s.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/13 Gainesville Guitar Festival 2026 @ Heartwood Soundstage – 1:00 PM
• 3/13 Less Than Jake @ Vivid Music Hall – 6:00 PM
• 3/13 Steel Magnolias @ Star Center Theatre – 8:00 PM
• 3/13 Julius Caesar @ Acrosstown Repertory Theatre – 8:00 PM
• 3/14 Gainesville Latino Festival Spring 2026 @ Bo Diddley Plaza – 5:00 PM
• 3/14 R&Beats Day Party @ City Social – 5:00 PM
• 3/14 Jazz on the Green @ Celebration Pointe – 7:00 PM

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Gainesville report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 81°F – Low: 58°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 81. Northeast wind 6 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Later: Partly cloudy. Low around 58, with temperatures rising to around 59 overnight. Northeast wind 2 to 6 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 83°F – Low: 63°F – Precip: 24%

A slight chance of rain showers after 2pm. Mostly sunny. High near 83, with temperatures falling to around 81 in the afternoon. East wind 2 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A slight chance of rain showers before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

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This 4-bed, 3.5-bath former Parade Home offers 2,860 square feet in Eloise Gardens with a three-way split plan. The custom granite kitchen with new appliances opens to the great room. A screened brick patio with wood-burning fireplace overlooks a private fenced yard with no rear neighbors. Newer roof 2024 and HVAC 2022, plus a path to Haile Village Center.

Take a peek inside →

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