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Hello Pensacola! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Recycling milestone, a reptile expo, and story time with Ms. Sandy + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today's sponsor, SmartAsset, is helping people around Pensacola evaluate their retirement income strategy and plan for a retirement that could last decades. Their free quiz matches you with vetted fiduciary advisors who serve your area and are legally required to act in your best interests. Take the quiz and find your match.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Extended-stay comfort arrives: Hilton opened LivSmart Studios by Hilton Pensacola I-10 North Davis Highway, offering apartment-style studios with full kitchens, fitness options, and shared spaces at 7077 Plantation Road for longer stays -- read the full story.
Recycling program reaches milestone: Pensacola’s curbside recycling reached its 5,000-customer goal, about 25% of customers, topping the state average. The $8-a-month program uses new truck cameras to cut contamination after a rocky rollout -- read the full story.
Fresh flavors and new energy: South Market and Blackwater Bistro rolled out new menus, The Wharf added Honey Heat Wave and shrimp ceviche, Siam Thai reopened, and Maker's Cafe launched Saturday run club for charity -- read the full roundup.
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 $1,100 this year.1 Some users report saving up to 50% on their monthly rates -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*2
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.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor The free quiz matching 50,000 people a month with a fiduciary advisorIf you've saved $2.5 million, you're well ahead of most Americans. But how long it lasts depends less on the balance and more on the decisions you make with it. Take the 4% rule, a common benchmark. It suggests withdrawing about $100,000 your first year from a $2.5M portfolio, then adjusting for inflation over time. While it can be a useful starting point, it doesn't account for factors such as other income sources, taxes, spending goals, or changing market conditions. That's why many retirees choose to work with a financial advisor. A financial advisor can help build a tax-efficient withdrawal strategy around your situation, including how much to take from each account and when - so you have a clearer picture of how much you can spend each year. SmartAsset's free quiz matches you with vetted fiduciary advisors who serve your area, each legally bound to work in your best interest. The quiz only takes a few minutes. No cost. No obligation. Find your advisor match.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Crave-worthy Peruvian plates: Whether you want something fresh and zesty or full-on savory, Don Cha Peruvian Food serves up bold, homey flavors Pensacola folks can get behind. Put it on your dinner rotation this week, then enjoy that happy silence at the table when everyone realizes they’re too busy eating to talk.
Weeknight wing game: When the craving hits for hand-breaded chicken fingers, jumbo-sauced wings, or a real breakfast plate, Grover's Fingers & Wings has your back. Laid-back vibe, house-made flavors, and portions built for busy weeks... consider it the no-fuss comfort fix your Pensacola routine needs this week.
Science you can touch: Pensacola MESS Hall lets you and the kids tinker, test, and get delightfully curious with hands-on exhibits and real experiments that make science feel like play. Perfect for a rainy afternoon or beating the heat this week, and you’ll leave with brag-worthy kitchen-table experiment ideas.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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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 →
65% of families have lost photos they'll never get back: One accidental delete, one dead hard drive, one phone that won't turn on, and the pictures of the kids, the trips, and the loved ones who've passed are gone. This photo stick makes sure that day never comes: plug it into any phone, tablet, or computer, press one button, and it finds and saves up to 120,000 photos and videos automatically, even clearing out the duplicates. No cloud, no subscription. *Save your photos →
A blown engine can cost more than your car is worth: And it almost never warns you. One day it runs fine, the next you're staring at a $7,000 repair on a car you still rely on every morning. That's the kind of bill an extended warranty exists to absorb, the engine, transmission, and electrical failures that wreck a budget overnight. You bring it to any certified mechanic, pay a deductible, and the rest is handled. Enjoy a free year of Elite Benefits and a 30-day money-back guarantee on top. *See everything it covers →
83% of burglars check for an alarm first: That's from a UNC Charlotte survey of 422 convicted burglars — and 60% said that if they found one, they'd skip the house and look for another target. ADT is the deterrent they're checking for: voted America's most trusted home security provider, with monitoring centers staffed around the clock. And if someone breaks in anyway, ADT's Theft Protection Guarantee reimburses up to $500 of your homeowners insurance deductible. *See how it works → |
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.
📚 Story Time with Ms. Sandy @ Bailey's Produce & Nursery | Wednesday (7/29) at 10:00 AM – Wednesday mornings in July call for free, under-the-sea story time with Ms. Sandy at Bailey’s, inside the cozy B. Little ocean lovers sit up front, you post up in back, enjoy AC, imagination, and zero sunscreen, just sweet Pensacola calm.
🍞 Panera Night @ Panera Bread | Wednesday (7/29) at 4:00 PM – Panera on Bayou is sharing a slice of sales with Valerie's House Northwest Florida, backing free grief groups, family meals, and therapy for local kids. Whether you dine in, grab takeout, or order online with code FUND4U, suddenly that You-Pick-Two counts as community service.
🎨 Open Studio @ Maker's Loft | Thursday (7/30) at 12:00 PM – Swing by Open Studio to finally tackle that project you’ve been eyeballing, no appointment required, kids welcome. Skip stained glass, Beginning Soap, or Beginning Candles, those sit this one out. You pay by the project, so ambition and glitter stay manageable.
🎶 Bands on the Bayou @ Bayview Park | Friday (7/31) at 4:30 PM – Pack a lawn chair and meet me on the bayou for our second outdoor concert of the year with Bay Kings Band. Food trucks and local vendors handle dinner. You claim a spot by the Community Center, and that toe-tap might accidentally turn into dancing.
🎨 Salty Paws Shell Painting @ Coastal Cat Cafe | Friday (7/31) at 7:00 PM – Because your shelves need one more local shell, come paint cat-faced shells while you sip coffee and mingle with the lounge’s adoptable divas. Beginner friendly, all supplies included, and it is $25 with cat lounge entry. Small groups, big purrs, and proceeds help the kitties.
🦎 Pensacola Reptile Expo @ Pensacola Interstate Fair | Saturday (8/1) at 9:00 AM – Trade your beach sandals for sensible shoes and wander the Pensacola Reptile Expo, where scaly neighbors steal the show, and the condiments get adventurous. Think gators, geckos, and sauces you cannot pronounce. It is weird, local, and surprisingly delightful.
👨 Family Day @ The Melting Pot | Sunday (8/2) at 12:00 PM – Every Sunday, kids 12 and under snag a free entrée with each adult meal, one kid per grown-up. You feed the crew without a mutiny or a second mortgage. Fine print applies, your dishwasher gets a break, and you get a quiet-ish table.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Your homeowners insurance has a blind spotIt covers your house if a tree falls on it. It doesn’t cover your furnace when it quits in January, your AC when it dies in July, or your water heater when it starts leaking on a Tuesday. Those are all classified as "normal wear and tear," and they're 100% on you. American Home Shield can help fill that gap for ~$1/day (even if your appliances and systems are really old). *See what it covers → |
07 — Pensacola report Weather forecastToday — High: 97°F — Low: 79°F — Precip: 34%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 113. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 7pm and 4am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 79. Heat index values as high as 107. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tomorrow — High: 94°F — Low: 78°F — Precip: 55%
Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly cloudy, with a low around 78. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. This house is wildSet behind mature native trees on 5.47 acres, this 6,960-square-foot two-story manor pairs grand scale with flexible RMU zoning. Soaring ceilings, an open overlook, granite finishes, and a gourmet kitchen with a 7-burner range set the tone. Nine bedrooms, a heated Florida room, fenced pool, guest apartment, and walking trails round out the estate.
Take a peek inside → |
1Average potential savings based on initial quotes received by 151,494 customers seeking insurance through Insurify. Savings and lowest rates do not reflect typical results. 2Estimated. |
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