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Hey Jacksonville, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: New e-bike rules, a push for Lil Poppa Day, and MCA National Mustang Show + lots of fun things to do for free.

Quick money tip: 2025 was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%. Analysts expect the momentum to continue, making precious metals a smart way to protect your savings. Curious how it works? Check out AHG’s free investor guide.*

📰 In the news

What riders need to know: Florida lawmakers approved tighter e-bike rules, including slowing to 10 mph within 50 feet of pedestrians on sidewalks and shared paths across Florida. A task force will study safety changes — get all the details.

Grassroots tribute proposal: Community members are asking city leaders today to recognize March 18 as Lil Poppa Day, honoring the Jacksonville rapper who died Feb. 18 at 25 — read the full story.

New tool streamlines web presence: From Ponte Vedra Beach, BM Interactive Group has launched BluPark, a platform helping Jacksonville-area contractors and service pros spin up a simple business page and unique web address in minutes — 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.*

Paying hundreds of dollars a month for car insurance? Switching providers could save you up to $600 a year, and shopping around is way faster than it used to be – free comparison tools like this one make it easy.*

Highlights this week:

• Experience Northeast Florida’s largest pop culture convention
• Enjoy free Spring Fling Market fun
• Book dreamy mini unicorn photoshoots in Jacksonville
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home*

💎 Local business spotlight

Classic beach dive: Pete’s Bar keeps the formula simple: pool tables, no pretense, and the kind of neighborhood vibes that make last-minute plans feel like genius. It’s now non-smoking inside (patio if you need it), and yes, they take cards—so no excuses to skip a quick catch-up this week.

Press pause, Jax: Soluna Yoga & Spa is an easy reset in Riverside/5 Points—three tranquil massage rooms (yes, a couples room), a cozy spa lounge with complimentary treats, and showers/robes so you can float home. Book a massage this week and let your brain switch to airplane mode.

Neighborhood zoomies, sorted: With a fenced 2.87-acre space, Springfield Park Dog Park lets your pup sprint, sniff, and socialize while you catch a breather and chat with neighbors—a simple, close-to-downtown reset when the wiggles hit hard.

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

🫶 We got your back

Makeup that actually works: My sister and I were talking the other day about how the makeup we used in our 20s… just doesn’t work now that we’re in our 30s and 40s. Laura Geller’s entire makeup line addresses this shift, with formulas that smooth, brighten, and actually stay put. If you’re in the same boat, *their curated kits are worth a look →

The $1,300 mistake most Americans make every year: According to the National Financial Education Council, poor financial literacy costs the average American over a thousand dollars annually. That’s not investment losses. That’s money lost to bad decisions, missed strategies, and advice from people who may not always put your interests first. There’s a free way to fix that, and it starts with one question. Find out what it is →

$22k in interest (on a $30k balance): That’s what minimum payments cost you over 20 years. You’ll pay back nearly double what you borrowed, and your credit card company is counting on you not doing that math. Debt settlement programs negotiate balances down and get people out of debt in 2-4 years instead of 20. Learn more about how they work →

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 five programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your homeowners insurance has a blind spot: It 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. We looked into solutions that fill that gap. Here’s what we found →

📆 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.

🥕 Jax Beach Farmers Market @ Latham Plaza (Jacksonville Beach) | Tuesday (3/17) at 3:00 PM – Nothing beats an after-work stroll at the new Jax Beach farmers market, where 50-plus local vendors sling peak-season produce, local meats, artisan bread, coffee, honey, and flowers. Food trucks roll in, plus handcrafted art, pottery, jewelry, soaps, and candles, because errands deserve sea breeze.

🖼 North Beaches Art Walk @ Beaches Town Center – Where Atlantic Boulevard Meets The Ocean (Neptune Beach) | Thursday (3/19) at 5:00 PM – Third Thursday tradition alert: North Beaches Art Walk turns Beaches Town Center into a sea of local art, live tunes, and easy strolling, free as the ocean breeze. Nineteen years strong, over 50 artists, zero pretense. Bring curiosity, leave with something you like.

🚆 Impact Clay Train @ Grove Park Elementary School (Orange Park) | Saturday (3/21) at 10:00 AM – When the Impact Clay Train pulls into Grove Park Elementary, it’s the kind of errand day. Free checkups, chronic care, mental health and vision help, SNAP WIC Medicare Medicaid guidance, haircuts, food, clothing, and kid activities, all in one spot. Bring neighbors, leave your wallet.

☕ Brew & Browse Mini Market @ Tetherball Coffee | Saturday (3/21) at 10:00 AM – Need an easy win for Saturday morning? Brew & Browse pops up at Tetherball Coffee in Mandarin with a mini market of 6 to 8 local makers, strong coffee, and neighborly chatter. Swing through, shop small, call it productivity, then reward yourself with another latte.

🎶 Orange Park Chorale @ Orange Park Presbyterian Church | Sunday (3/22) at 4:00 PM – Feel like giving your streaming service a night off? The Orange Park Chorale is bringing rich harmonies, familiar classics, and a few spring surprises, all for free. Show up, breathe, and let actual human voices do what your earbuds pretend to.

🎸 Acoustic Night @ Adele Grage Cultural Center (Atlantic Beach) | Sunday (3/22) at 5:00 PM – Bring your lawn chair and that neighbor who always hums off-key to a free, ocean-breezy acoustic hang at Bull Memorial Park. Grab dinner from the food truck, settle under the palms, and let Roy Peak wrangle the tunes, rain or shine.

🎶 Clay County Community Jazz Band and more @ First Baptist Church of Orange Park | Tuesday (3/24) at 7:00 PM – Our Clay County community jazz and concert bands annual Spring Concert is back, and it’s free. Expect swing, show tunes, and that moment you spot your dentist on trombone. Bring a friend, toe-tapping shoes, and an appetite for small-town excellence.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Jacksonville report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 56°F – Low: 41°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 56. Northwest wind 10 to 14 mph. Later: Partly cloudy. Low around 41, with temperatures rising to around 42 overnight. North wind 6 to 10 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 60°F – Low: 46°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny. High near 60, with temperatures falling to around 59 in the afternoon. North wind 7 to 13 mph. Later: Partly cloudy. Low around 46, with temperatures rising to around 47 overnight. Northeast wind 6 to 13 mph.

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This Intracoastal point-lot retreat in Jacksonville’s Isle of Palms delivers all-day, non-tidal deep-water access minutes from the ocean. Set on a private 0.49-acre parcel with wide-open views, it features a deepwater dock, sunrise vistas from every room, and sunsets from a yacht net. Resort-style pool terrace includes fireplace, firepit, pergola, and outdoor kitchen, plus dolphin and manatee cameos.

Take a peek inside →