Hello Gainesville! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Golf course revival, storm-ready story time, and Father's Day dads get in free + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, GoldCo, 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.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Budget and ballot rules: Gainesville commissioners discussed budget impacts from a November amendment requiring 60% approval, raising the non-school homestead exemption to $150,000 in 2027, and restricting taxpayer-funded advocacy on ballot measures -- see the budget impacts.
Course revival on deck: Two UF alumni plan to buy Gainesville’s Ironwood Golf Course for $1.1 million, invest $2.4 million, and rebrand Gainesville National, adding Toptracer bays, partnerships, and upgrades to revive East Gainesville -- meet the Ironwood buyers.
A bigger dealership debut: RideNow Powersports Gainesville opened a 25,000-square-foot facility, expanding capacity and showroom space. The move is happening this week, with over 500 vehicles and a grand opening later this month -- tour the new showroom.
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade*.
Stop wondering if you'll run out of money in retirement: It's the one fear retirees can't shake, and the data says it's warranted. Simulations from Morningstar and EBRI estimate 40% to 45% of American households are at risk of running short. This free quiz matches you with vetted fiduciary advisors in your area, legally required to act in your best interest. A few minutes, no cost, no obligation -- find your advisor match.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor
Together with our sponsor GoldCo 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, GoldCo 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.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Nostalgia with a pour: Dig up the action figures, weird collectibles, and Saturday-morning memories you swore you didn’t still want, then wander out back for a beer while a local band tests the speakers. GEEKS is a vintage toy store, bar, and backyard stage, so swing by this week for delightfully nerdy downtime.
Get licensed faster: If you’re finally tackling the Florida contractor exams, swing by License To Pass this week. They’ve got 2023 Florida Building Code books and clear test prep that teaches open-book navigation for Business and Finance, Contract Administration, and Project Management, so you can study smarter and keep your sanity.
Your bouquet plug: When you need same-day wow without guesswork, The Plant Shoppe Florist turns Gainesville moments into pretty-on-purpose ones, from custom arrangements to orchids and succulents, and they’ll zip blooms across town to homes, campus, and events. File this under ways to look thoughtful with minimal panic.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
This summer, what if you didn't have to point at the menu? Knowing a few words isn't the same as holding a conversation, and that's the gap most travelers hit abroad. Babbel closes it in about ten minutes a day, with most people conversation-ready in three weeks. Lessons are built by 200+ language experts to get you talking early, not drilling flashcards. It works, too: 92% of users improved in two months. *Get Babbel for 55% off →
Your car insurance won't cover a $6,000 transmission: When the transmission or engine goes, your insurance company calls it "wear and tear" and wishes you luck. Insurance is for accidents. It doesn't touch the parts that wear out over time, and those are the ones that cost thousands. That's exactly what an extended warranty is built for. Transmission, engine, electrical, the expensive stuff your factory warranty used to cover, all back on the table. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so there's nothing to lose by looking. *See what's covered →
At today's rates, credit card debt costs you thousands in interest. Carrying a balance means a big chunk of every payment vanishes into interest instead of paying down what you spent. This credit card offers 0% intro APR until 2028 on purchases and on balances you transfer over in the first 60 days, with no annual fee. So for nearly two years your payments go toward your spending, not interest. *See if it's a fit →
The fitness trend that doesn't require leaving your living room: Chair yoga is having a moment, and for good reason. It's low-impact, easy on the knees and back, and you do the whole thing seated. No floor, no equipment, no studio. A quick quiz turns it into a personalized plan built around your body and goals, then adjusts as you build the habit. *See your plan →
Premiums are up roughly 46% since 2021: Home insurance has outpaced inflation for years, and renewals rarely move in your favor. Rather than take the new number on faith, FinanceBuzz lets you match your home with top-rated insurers and compare quotes side by side — free, in about two minutes. Even if you decide to stay put, you'll know you checked. *See your options → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🐶 Dog/Cat Adoption Event @ Humane Society of North Central Florida | Wednesday (6/17) at 10:00 AM – Thinking about adding a four-legged roommate? Swing by the June adoption days to stroll the kennels, sample purrs, and meet your new shadow. Reduced fees for pets 5 months and up, dogs $100, cats $50, and everyone’s fixed, microchipped, and up-to-date on vaccines.
🎤 Open Mic Poetry - Youth Night @ Depot Park | Wednesday (6/17) at 7:00 PM – Swap the evening news for a youth open mic where teens tackle real life, community, and hope, part of Gun Violence Awareness Month. Expect brave voices, sharp lines, and the kind of honesty that makes us hush, nod, and listen. No snap judgments, just snaps.
📚 Storm Ready Story Time and Safety Kit Fun for Kids @ Alachua Branch Library | Thursday (6/18) at 10:30 AM – Story time gets practical at the City of Alachua Branch as Alachua County Emergency Management brings Henry and the Hurricane, a decorate-your-own safety kit bag, and peace of mind, because hurricane season is a team sport around here. Ages 3–8 with a grownup.
🎓 Honoring the Journey, Advancing the Dream @ Santa Fe College Blount Hall | Thursday (6/18) at 12:00 PM – History goes down easier with food trucks and live tunes, and this Gainesville Journey to Juneteenth stop delivers. Expect arts and crafts, a guided tour, youth activities, local vendors, and Santa Fe College info, honoring freedom from Florida Emancipation to Juneteenth.
🔨 Build with Dad @ Chick-fil-A | Saturday (6/20) at 10:00 AM – Build with Dad is serving up a Father’s Day project you can actually finish, no YouTube tutorial required. Kids build and paint a birdhouse while suiting up in tiny aprons, you supervise like a pro, and tickets are $10 with kit included, dad eats free.
👨 Father's Day: Dads Get In Free @ Bragging Rights Amusements | Sunday (6/21) at 11:00 AM – Father's Day is serving humble pie at the arcade. Dad gets in free with any kid, newborn to mortgage-haver, everyone else covers their own unlimited play, then you settle decades of "I let you win" lore. Gift cards over $50 snag 20% extra.
🎮 Pokémon Casual League @ PunkOuter Games | Sunday (6/21) at 3:00 PM – Grab your deck and swing by PunkOuter Games on Sundays for casual Pokémon play. A Pokémon Professor keeps games running smoothly, helps with rules, and might even spin up a tournament if the crowd wants one. Free, all ages, zero gatekeeping, maximum nostalgia.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Your homeowners insurance has a blind spotIt covers your house if a tree falls on it. It doesn’t cover your furnace when it quits in January, your AC when it dies in July, or your water heater when it starts leaking on a Tuesday. Those are all classified as "normal wear and tear," and they're 100% on you. American Home Shield can help fill that gap for ~$1/day (even if your appliances and systems are really old). *See what it covers → |
07 — The Gainesville report Weather forecastToday — High: 90°F — Low: 77°F — Precip: 28%
A chance of rain showers before 11am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11am and noon. Mostly sunny. High near 90, with temperatures falling to around 89 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 6 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 77. Southwest wind 3 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 94°F — Low: 77°F — Precip: 29%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny. High near 94, with temperatures falling to around 91 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 5 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. Chance of precipitation is 30%. This house is wildThis renovated 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath pool home in Hayes Glen sits on nearly 2 acres, a rare slice of space in SW Gainesville. Inside, a bright entry, sweeping staircase, formal living and dining rooms, and an updated granite and stainless kitchen set the stage. Upstairs, the spa-like primary suite overlooks a landscaped backyard with rose garden and water feature.
Take a peek inside → |
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