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Hey New Smyrna, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: A $203 million museum makeover, free backpack giveaway, and Rock the Country ticket chance + lots of fun things to do for free.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's $150 off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
A bold museum reinvention: Cici and Hyatt Brown’s $203 million gift will transform Daytona Beach’s Cici & Hyatt Museum of Art, Science & History. Plans include expanded galleries and a 60-foot tilted-dome planetarium -- read the full transformation.
Back-to-school support arrives: Head to Boost Mobile with STAR 94.5 in St. Cloud August 8 and Orlando August 9 for free backpacks while supplies last. Children must have an adult present, limits apply -- get the full details.
Your chance to win: K92.3 is giving away Rock The Country tickets at Florida Horse Park featuring Blake Shelton and Brooks & Dunn. Listen at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. this week. August 28–29 -- claim your country tickets.
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.*
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
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*. Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's $150 off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Consignment treasure hunt: Skip the fast-fashion spiral and swing by The Fashion Safari this week, an upscale, family-owned women’s consignment boutique in Port Orange. Curated better-label clothing, designer bags, shoes, and jewelry rotate in daily, so your next one-of-a-kind find can be both easy on the planet and seriously stylish.
Cabinets, but smarter: If your New Smyrna kitchen drawers squeak "help," Edgewater Cabinet Store is the family-run crew turning cramped chaos into clean, custom layouts. They design and install discounted kitchen and bath cabinets, countertops, and new closet systems, so your home finally matches the way you actually live.
From NYC to NSB: Flagler Avenue Pizza Company slings New York style pies with high quality ingredients and handed down recipes, like the Shrimpen Pizza, the Firecracker with hot soppressata and long hots over Gramma Pizza, plus stromboli, heroes, wings and salads. Perfect for a midweek no-cook night, and yes, cold slices count as meal prep.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
Shop for new floors without ever needing to leave the house: No showroom, no second-guessing. All from the comfort of your own home. Empire Today® has flooring experts that will bring you samples and provide you with a free in-home estimate. Trusted and backed by over 3 million satisfied customers and over 65 years of quality service. *Check out their current offers today →
Stiff necks start on flat pillows: You've slept on both arms, both sides, stacked two pillows, thrown one on the floor, and the stiffness keeps finding you, because every position ends on the same pillow that can't hold your neck. This one can: shaped to keep your neck in line however you sleep, with gentle traction through the night. If it doesn't earn its spot in 30 nights, it goes back free. *Take the 30-night test, 50% off →
Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →
The upgrades that make your home feel new again start here: You don't need a full remodel to fall back in love with your space. New fixtures, a fresh coat of paint, updated hardware, the small changes that make a room feel different. It's all in one place, so a weekend is all it takes to give a tired room a fresh start. *Shop the refresh → |
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 Free events worth checking outFree things to do in the coming days and weeks. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🏘 Volusia County Residents Day @ New Smyrna Museum of History (New Smyrna Beach) | Tuesday (8/4) at 10:00 AM – First Tuesday means locals get the keys to the past for free. Flash a Volusia ID at the New Smyrna Museum of History, then wander exhibits that prove we were interesting before the condos, and enjoy the rare joy of taxes paying you back.
🎶 Summer Concert Series 2026 @ Riverside Park (New Smyrna Beach) | Thursday (8/6) at 6:30 PM – If your week needs a tune-up, Thursday nights by the river deliver bluegrass, rock, R&B, and an easy evening breeze, all free. Bring a chair, your favorite neighbor, and your best small talk. Riverside Park handles the music, you handle the relaxing.
🧺 NSB Farmers Market @ New Smyrna Beach Farmers Market | Saturday (8/8) at 7:00 AM – Whether you come for produce or people-watching, the Canal Street market just added a booth for dessert-first types. Deep dish cookies, gluten-free goodies, candied and caramel apples, fudge, toffee, apple cider doughnuts, sourdough cookies and crackers, and not a single loaf, because we have plenty.
🥕 New Smyrna Beach Farmers Market @ Old Fort Park | Saturday (8/8) at 7:00 AM – Saturday mornings at Old Fort Park mean one thing: the NSB Farmers Market with ripe tomatoes, pastries, local crafts, and that plant you will keep alive this time. Say hi to everyone you know, stock the fridge, then feel virtuous before noon at City Hall.
🧘 Beach Flow Yoga @ Hacienda del Sol 1 (New Smyrna Beach) | Saturday (8/8) at 9:00 AM – Grab your blanket or beach towel and meet the sand for oceanfront yoga that blends steady Hatha with breezy Vinyasa, a free community reset for all levels, and your creaky joints. Saturday mornings, waves for music, seagulls as judges, and handle Park Volusia parking.
👩 Volusia Women’s Day @ Brannon Center (New Smyrna Beach) | Sunday (8/23) at 11:00 AM – Consider this your hall pass for Volusia Women’s Day, a local who’s-who of resources, small businesses, and self care. Come for the free pampering, stay for the smart talks, and pretend shopping counts as cardio, community building, and therapy.
🛍 Summertime Pop-Up Coastal Market @ Coastline Coffee Bar (Port Orange) | Saturday (9/12) at 9:00 AM – When the summer sun feels like a personal attack, duck into this indoor coastal market with blessed A/C, good coffee, and breakfast bites. Browse local artisans, handmade gifts, and gourmet sweets in a waterfront setting. Family friendly, free admission, and free parking.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — New Smyrna report Weather forecastToday — High: 89°F — Low: 75°F — Precip: 49%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny. High near 89, with temperatures falling to around 83 in the afternoon. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tomorrow — High: 89°F — Low: 76°F — Precip: 44%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. South southeast wind 0 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. East southeast wind 0 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. This house is wild“El Real Retiro” is a historic half-acre waterfront estate in New Smyrna Beach, perched beneath mature trees with direct Intracoastal access and a quick stroll to Canal Street. This updated single-story home blends original charm, high ceilings, French doors, and wood floors, with modern perks like a remodeled kitchen, screened pool, spa, putting green, private dock, and 10,000 lb boat lift.
Take a peek inside → |
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