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Hey Nassau County, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s edition: Florida small-town gems, a shop owner’s viral response to burglary, a restaurant week opening dinner, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Hidden gems worth exploring: A recent roundup spotlights 12 small Florida towns with big charm, and Fernandina Beach makes the list with white-sand beaches, Victorian history, and the Amelia Island Museum of History — see the full list.
Boost your household resilience: Monthly emergency preparedness classes will continue across our area through 2026, covering planning, first aid, and disaster kits. Participants can collect Preparedness Passport stamps and earn a Certificate of Preparedness — see topics and benefits.
Resilience in a small business: A Fernandina Beach shop owner turned a burglary into laughs, posting a video that has racked up over 50,000 views. She is working with law enforcement to identify the suspect — see how she responded.
Are you overpaying? The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. I was paying over $300 for ONE car until I checked out various quotes, switched providers, and ultimately cut my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably losing money too — this free comparison tool makes it easy.
Gold & silver are hot: Gold just had its best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150% in 2025… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Commuter route changes ahead: Roundabout construction in Yulee began Jan. 7 at William Burgess Boulevard and North Harts Road after earlier delays tied to overhead power lines. Work is scheduled to wrap by Jan. 30. Expect shifting lanes and slower traffic. Holland Contractors is building it to ease congestion in the area. Get all the details.
Smell-good stash refresh: Weekday showers feel 10x nicer with small-batch soaps, dry oil body sprays, and fizzy shower steamers from Amelia Island Soap & Trading Company. Everything’s local, giftable, and kinder to your skin than that mystery bottle under the sink, turning a quick rinse into a tiny, great-smelling reset.
Rain-proof tee time: Keep your swing sharp at Golf Pub Social, where indoor simulators meet a laid-back hang. A couple friends, a few birdies, and cardio with clubs… no sunscreen needed, just easy laughs and year-round fairways, rain or shine.
A new haircare solution: My hair’s been thinning and I’ve been quietly ignoring it, hoping it’ll fix itself. Plot twist… it hasn’t. When I finally started looking into what I should do, there were so many options I didn’t know where to start. I stumbled on Keranique, and its simplicity really sold me. One kit, no pills, no choosing products, and no confusion whatsoever. It’s also on sale with a money-back guarantee (although I doubt you’ll need it).
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📆 Around town this week
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All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
This week
🐢 Amelia Island’s Sea Turtles @ Rotary Club of Amelia Island Sunrise | Tuesday (1/13) at 6:00 PM – Get the lowdown on Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch, their mission, and the shelled locals who keep nesting on our beaches. A relaxed, informative talk with real science, local stories, and just enough turtle trivia to impress grandkids, neighbors, and that guy on the pier.
🎶 Story and SongFest @ Story & Song Bookstore Bistro | Thursday (1/15) at 6:00 PM – Story and SongFest is serving up a full day of tall tales and live tunes, the good kind. Settle in for storytellers, acoustic sets, and neighborly vibes, then leave feeling like you actually talked to people. Bring your listening ears, not your inbox.
🍽 Amelia Island Restaurant Week Opening Dinner @ Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa | Thursday (1/15) at 6:00 PM – Kick off Amelia Island Restaurant Week at Nonna Mia with a family-style Italian feast, a welcome cocktail, and wine pairings. Shared plates, fresh flavors, and linger-worthy company, plus a menu coming soon, which is local-speak for relax, Nonna’s got it.
This weekend
🎨 Fernandina Beach Arts Market @ Fernandina Beach Arts Market | Saturday (1/17) at 9:00 AM – Grab your tote and swing by Fernandina’s OG arts market for handmade finds, local artists, and the kind of treasures your big-box cart dreams about. It is a stroll-and-chat affair, not a sprint. Bonus, the Farmers Market is just a block away.
🚜 Tractor Supply Market @ Tractor Supply Co. | Saturday (1/17) at 9:00 AM – Yulee’s favorite Tractor Supply pop-up is back, bringing a corral of local vendors, food trucks, and neighborly chatter. Wander the aisles, snag handmade goods, sip something tasty, then remember you came for birdseed, not another scented candle. Easy, breezy, genuinely local.
🎸 The Steel Wheels @ Tigre Island Room | Saturday (1/17) at 8:00 PM – Skip the Centre Street crawl and head to Tigre Island Room for The Steel Wheels, purveyors of rich harmonies, driving rhythms, and toe-tapping Americana. Think bluegrass as a springboard, stories that stick, and a show you listen to, not talk through.
🧶 Crochet-A-Long @ Story & Song Bookstore Bistro | Sunday (1/18) at 12:00 PM – Trade the news for six weeks of stitches with CreativEliza, learning crochet and finishing a 36-inch lap blanket. Practice materials included, bring an I or J hook and 1,500 yards of worsted yarn. $35 per class, beginners and dabblers welcome, homework you might actually enjoy.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Nassau County report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 59°F – Low: 49°F – Precip: 1%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. North wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph. Later: A chance of rain showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. Northwest wind around 3 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
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Tomorrow – High: 60°F – Low: 46°F – Precip: 48%
A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60. West wind 3 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Later: A slight chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
This house is wild
Long Point in Amelia Island Plantation showcases an updated custom home that embodies relaxed elegance. Twelve foot ceilings and a thoughtful plan create airy volumes and easy flow. Interiors by Julie Hall and Benjie McIntyre balance modern comfort with coastal notes. Fresh updates and curated finishes elevate every room, with spaces that connect to the outdoors and frame the natural beauty.
Built for efficiency, the home features extra insulation for year round comfort. An extra wide garage with 10 foot doors handles vehicles and gear. Style and function align for a move in ready retreat that captures the essence of Amelia Island living.
Take a peek inside →
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