Good morning, Palm Coast! In today’s edition: Best retirement towns report, a drive-in laser light show, sea turtle rehab up close, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

🏆 Most popular this week

Curated by popular demand — here are this week’s most-clicked events, local spots, and stories.

Year-round events and culture: A recent WorldAtlas report named Daytona Beach and Palm Coast among Florida’s best retirement towns, citing motorsports, beaches, and outdoor fun, with picks across the state and both counties represented — see all the cities named.

Refresh your space: Whether you need a new lamp, standout wall art, or giftable accents you’ll actually keep, Select Home Decor & More is a veteran-operated local shop with a lively mix of decor, furniture, and tableware, ideal for a quick January spruce-up.

Cider with a view: Craving something calmer than the usual scene? Congaree and Penn pours house-made farm cider that leans into North Florida fruit (hello, mayhaw), with easy flights to sip as you wander 330 acres. It’s a slow, catch-up kind of afternoon, with views that make you linger.

Science with salty air: Skip doomscrolling and see sea turtle and seabird rehab up close at Marine Science Center, then explore the touch pool and shady nature trail. Easy, low-stress science that feels good and does good, just a short drive from Palm Coast.

Low-key playtime oasis: Whether your little whirlwind needs a safe spot to climb, pretend, and giggle, or you just need five minutes to breathe, The Gathering Palm is a coastal-inspired indoor play café with cozy vibes, smart play zones, and community events that make weekdays feel lighter.

Local hunger relief grows: The Rotary Club of Flagler Beach and Bunnell Satellite Club received a $5,180 grant to expand the Care Cupboard Food Pantry, increasing storage by 27% and helping feed more people — see how they’re expanding.

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 it’s 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.

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).

📆 Sneak peek at next week

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🌿 Garden Club General Meeting @ Club 51 Social Club of Palm Coast | Monday (1/12) at 11:30 AM – If your idea of drama is whether to deadhead the zinnias, head to the Garden Club’s monthly meetup at Club 51 off Old Kings. Visitors get one free peek to learn the ropes, swap tips on native plants, and commiserate over Palm Coast soil.

🥂 Babes, Booze, & Business Meet Up @ Pelican Shipping Solutions, LLC | Wednesday (1/14) at 6:00 PM – New year, same Flagler charm, but with snacks, drinks, and zero awkward sales spiels. Babes, Booze, and Business is taking over Pelican Shipping Solutions for a free women’s meetup where networking means real conversations, shared ideas, and friendships you’ll actually nurture, not just collect.

🎨 Coffee and Canvas 8×10 Acrylics Workshop @ Sherry’s Art Studio | Thursday (1/15) at 8:00 AM – If your morning coffee needs a purpose beyond emails, Sherry’s Art Studio Palm Coast has a Coffee and Canvas that hits the sweet spot. Decoupage is prepped, you just paint the island vibes with step-by-step help, all supplies included, small class, zero stress.

❤ Valentine’s Sensory Class @ Poppy’s True Market | Thursday (1/15) at 11:00 AM – Need a sweet Valentine’s activity that won’t glitter-bomb your house? Poppy’s True Market in Bunnell hosts a sensory class for ages 2–6 where kids explore, create, and make a take-home toy, with an optional reusable bin, for $20 to $25. Limited spots, happy tiny humans.

🎤 Gary Puckett and the Union Gap @ The Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center | Thursday (1/15) at 7:00 PM – Think you know your 60s classics? Gary Puckett and the Union Gap bring that unmistakable tenor, the chart-toppers, and a flood of memories, no time machine needed. Date night that does not require earplugs, just a voice that still soars.

🧘 Intro to Yoga & The Eight-Limb Path @ Laughing Lotus Yoga & Wellness | Friday (1/16) at 10:30 AM – Think yoga is just stretching in cute pants? This intro class at Laughing Lotus Yoga & Wellness walks you through the Eight-Limb Path, breath, basics, and the why behind the poses. Fewer pretzels, more presence, and a back that stops negotiating.

✨ The Drive-in Laser Light Show @ Flagler County Fairgrounds | Friday (1/16) at 5:00 PM – Flagler’s getting a drive-in laser light show for one weekend, basically a concert you watch from your tailgate. Decade-spanning hits, giant projections, and high-powered lasers do the heavy lifting. $35 per carload, so pile in the crew, or bring chairs up front.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

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📻 Palm Coast report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 74°F – Low: 61°F – Precip: 0%

Patchy fog before 9am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. South wind 5 to 9 mph. Later: Patchy fog between 1am and 5am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southwest wind around 8 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 68°F – Low: 51°F – Precip: 27%

A chance of rain showers between 7am and 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 68. Northwest wind 6 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. North wind 21 to 26 mph.

Most popular house this week

This 5-bed, 3.5-bath modern farmhouse in Palm Coast’s The Sanctuary offers 3,290 square feet, vaulted ceilings, and a crisp, modern palette. The farmhouse kitchen brings expansive quartz counters, a pot filler, ample cabinetry, and a large peninsula that flows into open living and dining. Custom wall trim adds northern charm. The main-level primary suite includes a beautiful ensuite and two walk-in closets. Upstairs holds four bedrooms, including one ensuite.

An enclosed pool and spacious patio handle easy entertaining, backed by a fully gated yard on 0.36 acres. The manned guard entrance heightens privacy. Newer roof, A/C, and water heater keep things turnkey. Quick access to beaches, the Intracoastal, golf, dining, and shopping.

Take a peek inside →