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It’s Friday, Ocala! In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: A new meat and seafood market, a Clydesdale experience tour, and fairy hair at the oddities market + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.
Today’s sponsor, Goldco, is helping folks around Ocala 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 new local market: La Familia Meat & Seafood opened in Ocala, offering Hispanic meats and fresh seafood like beef, pork, chicken, shrimp, and lobster. Open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., closed Monday -- see what it offers.
Back-to-school preparation: DOH-Marion will host a Back to School Bash Saturday, July 18 at E. D. Croskey Recreation Center in Ocala, offering no-cost physicals and helmet fittings, plus heart screenings for $20 -- get the event details.
A memorable horse encounter: Meet Ocala’s towering Clydesdales up close at the Grandview Clydesdale Experience Tour, with photo ops and breed history. An NCFL Deals offer is available today, July 17 -- read the full details.
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.*
Big markdowns on makeup made for women over 40: Laura Geller formulates for mature skin specifically. There's even a collection called The Over 40 Edit. The brand is offering new email subscribers up to 65% off, with an extra 22% off layered on top. Your email is all it takes to unlock it — worth 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.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Gold just 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 investors 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 investors 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.
Time travel, Ocala-style: Fort King National Historic Landmark lets you roam a reconstructed frontier fort, follow interpretive trails down to the Seep Spring, and claim a shady picnic table like a pro. Low-effort, high-reward weekend reset with real Seminole War history and the occasional living-history demo if you swing by at the right time.
Local style upgrade: Whether you're hunting an effortlessly cool dress, Italian linen that survives July, or a little self-care via handcrafted body care and candles, Karishma Boutique keeps Ocala chic without trying too hard. Swing by this week for curated pieces from brands like Scandal Italy and Trina Turk.
Local glow-up HQ: Pure Wellness Med Spa pairs heavy hitters like Morpheus8, CoolPeel CO2, and laser hair removal with everyday wins like facials and peels, plus wellness boosts from vitamin IVs and NAD+. If your mirror’s been a little too honest, pencil in some Ocala-approved self-care this week.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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 50% off right now →
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 →
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 →
Plastic and wood are no good: Every time you use a plastic cutting board, microplastics end up in your food. You can’t see it, but it's happening and it’s gross. Wood isn't any better since it absorbs bacteria so deep into the grain you can’t get it out. More than 50,000 people have already ditched both for something better. *See what they're using instead →
Could you cover a $7,000 car repair tomorrow? For most people the honest answer is no, and that's the problem, because the big repairs don't wait for the right time. An extended warranty is what stands between you and that bill: the engine, transmission, and electrical failures that come out of nowhere. You bring it to any certified mechanic, pay a deductible, and the rest is handled. A free year of Elite Benefits and a 30-day money-back guarantee are included. *See what's covered → |
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 Around town this weekendOur favorite events this weekend. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎨 Sumi-e Bamboo, Grasses and Birds @ Chelsea Art Center | Friday (7/17) at 10:00 AM – If your mindfulness app is gathering dust, try real ink and quiet focus at a Sumi-e workshop on bamboo, grasses, and birds with Fontaine Rodgers. Learn the philosophy, history, and brush strokes, all supplies included, from a newly minted Ocala local with museum cred.
🍓 Beginner's Jam Making Class @ AR Workshop | Friday (7/17) at 3:00 PM – Upgrade your toast at a beginner jam workshop with LaNeshia, owner of Jayda's Jam. Master low-sugar, small-batch basics with real fruit in blueberry, peach, or strawberry, then leave with your jar, canning supplies, pectin, and recipes. BYOB, and maybe bread.
🧚 Fairy Hair - Oddities Market @ Ocala Downtown Market | Friday (7/17) at 6:00 PM – If your decor leans less farmhouse, more curiosity cabinet, this Ocala oddities market is your playground. Browse 70-plus vendors with taxidermy, bug and bone art, wet specimens, witchy finds, clothing, and curios, with live music, entertainment, and food trucks. Spooky, charming, and surprisingly wholesome.
⛳ Women’s Glow Night Mini Golf @ Easy Street Family Fun Center at Funworks | Friday (7/17) at 6:30 PM – Think girls’ night could use fewer crowds and more glow? It is a women-only mini golf meet-up in Ocala with neon vibes, music, easy conversation, and real new friends, no name tags required, all under lights bright enough to find your ball and your people.
🏃 Run for Gianna @ Iron Legion Strength + Combat | Saturday (7/18) at 5:00 AM – Lace up at Iron Legion for a community grind, one mile every hour on the hour for 24 hours, backing Gianna’s fight. Remember all-nighters? This one comes with sneakers, not tequila, and the hangover is pride, sweat, and a town that shows up.
🎄 Christmas in July Crafting Workshop @ Marion County Maker Collective | Saturday (7/18) at 1:00 PM – Beat the December scramble by making custom Christmas ornaments now, while you are still in sandals. An expert maker walks you through DIY designs, materials included, so you leave with a keepsake or an early gift, and the smug satisfaction of being ahead.
🎄 2nd Annual Ocala Christmas in July @ World Equestrian Center | Sunday (7/19) at 10:00 AM – Take a break from the swampy summer and get your holiday fix at Ocala’s Christmas in July, a cheerful market with 175-plus artists and crafters slinging handmade gifts, décor, and stocking stuffers. Shop early, skip December meltdowns, and feel smug all winter. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsNothing 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. *Custom policies available online → |
07 — Ocala report Weather forecastToday — High: 93°F — Low: 74°F — Precip: 54%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Mostly sunny. High near 93, with temperatures falling to around 89 in the afternoon. Heat index values as high as 103. Northwest wind 1 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 8pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy. Low around 74, with temperatures rising to around 76 overnight. Southwest wind 0 to 3 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tomorrow — High: 91°F — Low: 74°F — Precip: 81%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11am, then showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny. High near 91, with temperatures falling to around 87 in the afternoon. South wind 1 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Later: Showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Chance of precipitation is 80%. This house is wildThis gated 13.6-acre Ocala horse estate pairs oak-dotted pasture with serious equestrian credentials. The 3,370-square-foot main home offers four bedrooms, a double-sided fireplace, and a poolside entertainment deck, while the 1,702-square-foot guest house adds two primary suites. A center-aisle barn, seven paddocks, run-in sheds, and workshop spaces round out the ranch-ready setup.
Take a peek inside → |
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