|
Subscribe | Get featured
Hello New Smyrna! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning.
In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Epic Universe permit fuels Harry Potter buzz, ZIPAIR direct flight with perks, and mac and cheese challenge + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around New Smyrna 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
Fresh clues stir excitement: Universal Orlando reportedly filed a permit for construction trailers near Epic Universe, fueling buzz about a possible Harry Potter expansion, with earlier paperwork hinting at up to 150,000 square feet — read the full story.
Longest route now underway: ZIPAIR’s first direct Tokyo to Orlando flight lands today at Orlando International. Flyers can expect Disney World perks, with initial charter service scheduled in late February and early March — get all the details.
Intertwined Central Florida communities: A recent piece explores how nearby DeBary, incorporated in 1993, serves as a gateway between Seminole and Volusia, with the St. Johns River and Sanford’s transit hubs shaping shared growth — see how these cities connect.
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:
|
💎 Local business spotlight
French pie fix: Since 1976, Mon Delice has sweetened New Smyrna Beach with from-scratch French baking and craveable slices, like Key Lime Tart and Fresh Apple Tart, turning an ordinary weeknight into a small celebration. One slice for now, another for tomorrow… and a believable story about sharing.
Local blooms that wow: Forgot a birthday or need a color boost at home? Flowers By The Beach crafts fresh, local arrangements with same-day delivery across New Smyrna Beach. Thoughtful, artful, zero panic… just blooms that look like you planned ahead.
Vertical fix, anyone? Whether you’re new or chasing your next send, DynoClimb offers approachable indoor climbing, plus yoga and group fitness, in a friendly, no-ego scene. It’s the ideal midweek reset: chalk up, tackle a few problems, and rediscover muscles you forgot existed.
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 →
What doctors wish every 65+ adult had at home: Physicians call it “long-lie,” and it’s the real reason falls are so dangerous for older adults. It’s not a broken bone… it’s lying on the floor for hours waiting for someone to notice. We dug into the options that actually solve this problem, and one stood out. See which one →
Thinning hair? It only gets worse: A few months ago, I noticed my ponytail getting thinner. I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, etc.) but mostly just hoped it would fix itself… until I learned that active follicles can permanently go dormant if you don’t do something about it. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Check out my favorite online options →
|
📆 Fun for the whole fam
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.
🏰 History Walking Tour @ New Smyrna Museum of History (New Smyrna Beach) | Thursday (3/12) at 10:30 AM – Get your steps and stories on a walk through the three would-be downtowns we apparently needed, plus the grounds that became Fort New Smyrna after 1835. No fluff, just local lore. Sign up online, pay before you stroll, tickets $10, $15 with museum, members $5.
🍿 Family Movie Night @ The Rusty Spur (New Smyrna Beach) | Friday (3/13) at 7:30 PM – Whether Florida’s forecast is finally feeling generous or just tired of raining on plans, Boots & Brushes’ family movie night is rescheduled for Friday, March 13, under the stars. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, the good snacks, and bug spray. Low-key, high-charm.
🏃 Grace Weite Memorial 5K Fun Run/Walk @ Holly Hill School | Saturday (3/14) at 8:00 AM – Lace up for the third annual Grace Weite Memorial 5K at Holly Hill, a run or walk celebrating the teacher who made this place feel like home. Expect neighbors, strollers, and stories, with just enough sweat to earn that brunch. Jog, chat, remember, repeat.
🏛 ECHO Ranger Day @ New Smyrna Museum of History (New Smyrna Beach) | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Trade screen time for ranger time at the New Smyrna Museum of History. Volusia County’s ECHO Rangers program lets grades 1-5 dig into our ecological, cultural, heritage, and outdoor treasures, with more than 50 stops countywide in parks, museums, libraries, and historic sites.
🧀 Mac & Cheese Challenge @ Flagler Avenue, New Smyrna Beach, FL | Saturday (3/14) at 1:00 PM – Take a cheesy stroll down Flagler Avenue for a mac and cheese taste-off. Nab a $20 tasting passport, sample your way through spots, then vote for Best at the Beach. Consider it cardio, carbs, and community service; preorder on Eventbrite, or bring cash day of.
🚗 Classic Cars on Canal @ Canal Street Historic District (New Smyrna Beach) | Saturday (3/14) at 3:00 PM – Nothing beats chrome on Canal Street downtown. Second Saturday brings out classic cruisers, modern muscle, and that oddball you saw in a movie, so bring yours or just admire. Stroll the shops, swap stories, pretend you’re looking, and try not to buy a project.
🐦 Winter Birding Boat Tour @ Marine Discovery Center (New Smyrna Beach) | Wednesday (3/18) at 1:00 PM – Trade yard work for a three-hour ecotour to Disappearing Island, where you’ll hop off, wander the sandbar, and spot winter migratory birds with help from local Audubon pros. Bring binoculars, sunscreen, and curiosity, then amble at your own pace while the ospreys show off.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
|
📻 New Smyrna report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 85°F – Low: 65°F – Precip: 3%
Sunny, with a high near 85. South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
—
Tomorrow – High: 86°F – Low: 63°F – Precip: 59%
Rain showers likely between 2pm and 5pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 2am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. North wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
This house is wild
This 2023-built, 4-bed, 3.5-bath home sits in New Smyrna’s no-drive zone, on a commercial lot with no HOA and no flood insurance. Fully furnished with Ethan Allen, it sleeps 10 and logged $85K to $90K gross in 2024 and 2025. Perks include a chef’s kitchen, no nightly rental limits, a heated pool, EV charging, and park and beach access nearby.
Take a peek inside →
|
 |
Thanks for reading! If you know someone who’d love BaseLocal, send ’em here so they can sign up too 🙂
|
|
|
|
