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Hello North Port! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: New city logo, a museum scavenger hunt, and a back-to-school splash bash + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, Goldco, is helping folks around North Port help protect their savings after a remarkable few years for gold and silver. Their free guide explains what's behind the run… 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.
A fresh city identity: North Port marked its 67th birthday Monday, unveiling a new logo now on trash trucks and city pages, designed by Michele Moore, Alice White, and North Port University students -- read the full story.
Housing strain amid recovery: Punta Gorda led the nation in foreclosure rates this year amid rising insurance costs and lingering storm damage, though a local realtor says the pressure isn’t a repeat of 2008 -- read the full story.
Join the community effort: All Faiths Food Bank is seeking volunteers as summer hunger rises. Through September, 60 mobile distributions across Sarasota and DeSoto counties need help supporting children, seniors, and families -- see how to volunteer.
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.*
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.*
Google your own name and you'll probably find your home address: It's sitting on a people-search site right now, next to your age, your relatives, and your phone number, free for anyone to look up. Aura gets it taken down. It contacts 420+ data brokers on your behalf, uses privacy laws to legally demand deletion, and keeps resending requests so your information doesn't creep back online. No hours of opt-out forms, it runs quietly in the background — remove your data.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Gold posted one of its strongest runs in decades...Silver has been right there with it, and after a few remarkable years both metals have become some of the most talked-about assets for those looking 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 people 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.
Level up your lounge: Comfy Blok is a North Port furniture maker turning modern, comfy vibes into real-life couches, beds, and ottomans, all made in the USA and customizable to your space. If your living room still screams "first apartment", book a quick consult and finally get something sized for Florida living.
Your new caffeine HQ: North Port’s cozy pick-me-up, Golden Coffee leans into smooth, locally roasted beans delivered fresh each week and fun sips like the Bumble Bee or a matcha with strawberry cold foam. Need a quiet spot to meet or brainstorm? Book their comfy conference room and call it productivity.
Make a splash nearby: Whether you want lazy-river drifting, quick lap time that actually feels productive, or a kid-approved cannonball from the diving boards, North Port Aquatic Center delivers the summer vibes without leaving town. Pack the sunscreen, text a neighbor, and turn an ordinary weeknight into a mini vacation that wears everyone out.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth 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 →
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 Home Depot, so a weekend is all it takes to give a tired room a fresh start. *Shop the refresh →
Once your car passes 50,000 miles, the odds of a big repair climb fast. That's usually right when your factory coverage starts running out. Engine, transmission, electrical, they fail on their own timeline, and the bills run into the thousands. An extended warranty covers them before they hit. You receive a free year of Elite Benefits, plus 30 days to change your mind. *$300 off right now →
A window quote that takes an hour and costs you nothing. No showroom, no sales runaround, no obligation to buy anything. A design consultant comes to you, measures your windows, walks you through the options, and leaves you with an exact price and timeline, that's the whole visit. Keep the quote as long as you like and decide whenever you're ready, or don't. Booking takes about a minute. *Book your free visit →
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 → |
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.
🎶 Jilly’s Corner Live: Let’s Make Music! @ Friends of Elsie Quirk Library (Englewood) | Thursday (7/23) at 10:30 AM – Jilly’s Corner is turning Elsie Quirk Library into a pint-sized Music Month jam for ages 0-5, all songs, stories, shakers, and wobbly dance moves. Bring your littles, your rhythm, and your classic parent sway, then bask in five-star giggles, zero judgment, and likely post-show naps.
🏛 Night at the Museum Family Scavenger Hunt @ Plantation Historical Museum | Friday (7/24) at 6:00 PM – Plantation Historical Museum, the one tucked behind the library, is hosting a Night at the Museum family scavenger hunt. It is for kids 6 and up with a responsible grown-up in tow, so expect giggles, curious clues, and zero dinosaur rampages.
🌳 Summer Park Day @ Atwater Park | Saturday (7/25) at 11:00 AM – Think the kids can only run circles at home? Let them loose at Atwater’s Summer Park Day with splash pad chaos, a uniform exchange to offload last year’s too-small polos, free hot dogs, and sweet treats for purchase. You catch up, they crash hard later.
🎒 6th Annual Back to School Drive @ Port Charlotte Town Center | Saturday (7/25) at 11:00 AM – Back-to-school at Port Charlotte Town Center means free backpacks, supplies, and fresh cuts, on the movie theater side in front of the old Macy’s, because that’s still the landmark. Expect music, good vibes, and a friendly scramble, first come, first served, students must be present.
🎈 Peppa’s Open Play Party @ Playtime Paradise | Saturday (7/25) at 2:00 PM – Your small human worships a polite British pig, so Playtime Paradise is throwing an open play party with Peppa meet and greets, themed activities, and photo ops. Think muddy-puddle energy, indoor playground chaos, and happy exhaustion, for them, and a quiet car ride home.
🪨 Studio Stone @ Studio 51 Barbershop | Sunday (7/26) at 12:00 PM – Sundays in July, North Port hosts a low-stakes treasure hunt as a hidden Studio Stone and Facebook clue test your instincts. Find the rock, haul it to Studio 51 Barbershop, and snag $200-plus treats from Pink Fire Pizza, The Q Ice Cream, Wawa, and more.
🏊 Back to School Splash Bash @ North Port Aquatic Center | Sunday (7/26) at 6:00 PM – Sunday at North Port Aquatic Center means one thing, a back-to-school splash that saves your living room from soggy footprints. It’s free, open to everyone, with pizza, popcorn, watermelon, and enough pool time for the kids while you master 'active supervision,' also called relaxing.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Skip credit card interest until nearly 2028You know the feeling: you make your credit card payment, check the balance, and it's barely moved. That's interest quietly eating most of what you pay. Here's a rare chance to stop it. This card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, so for over a year every dollar you pay goes straight to what you owe, not the bank's cut. And you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. The rewards are where it gets even better. Every purchase earns you at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories climbing as high as 5%, so the card pays you back on the spending you're already doing. Put a little on it early and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting. Between the break on interest, the cash back, and no annual fee, it's a lot of card for nothing to hold. *Take a look → |
07 — North Port report Weather forecastToday — High: 94°F — Low: 77°F — Precip: 4%
Sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 105. South wind 7 to 12 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. Heat index values as high as 102. Southwest wind 3 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 94°F — Low: 76°F — Precip: 22%
Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Sunny, with a high near 94. South southwest wind 3 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 76. North wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. This house is wildThis 4-bed, 3-bath rustic farmhouse in Duck Key pairs warm character with major upgrades, including a 2023 roof, new AC, impact windows, and a refreshed pool area. Inside, the custom farmhouse kitchen shines with exotic granite, a copper sink, and a massive island. Outside, a dock, pool, pond view, and Myakkahatchee River access add the fun.
Take a peek inside → |
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