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Hey Plant City, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Moms who built a school for their sons, a free robotics workshop for kids, and GLP-1s changing weight loss + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Plant City protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

From silence to first words: Two Hillsborough County moms created Impact Academy 12 years ago after they could not find a school for sons with special needs, teaching independence and championing ability over disability — read the full story.

Client-focused banking moves forward: Lakeland-based Bank of Central Florida has expanded into Hillsborough County with a Brandon loan production office near Plant City to help with credit applications and loan closings — see what’s behind the move.

Public input kicks off: The Tampa Bay Rays will host two community sessions Tuesday and Wednesday in nearby Tampa on the proposed Hillsborough Community College ballpark site, following an initial meeting held March 3 — get all the details.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Highlights this week:

• Drop off kids for clay dish workshop
• Shop the Friends’ Book Bazaar fundraiser
• Ride through McIntosh Preserve together

🫶 We got your back

Cuban cravings, solved: Plant City’s longtime favorite, Strawberry Hut, has pressed craveworthy Cubans and poured strawberry shakes since 1993, with a side of comforting Spanish bean soup when you need it. The vibe is simple and nostalgic… an easy, no-fuss lunch that hits just right.

Serene escape, close by: When the week gets loud, Edward Medard Conservation Park offers shady trails, a boardwalk overlook, disc golf, picnic nooks, and easy canoe or kayak rentals on the reservoir. A quick reset with fresh air, zero fuss, and no long drive.

Build something fun: Brick City Bricks is a family- and veteran-owned LEGO haven in downtown Plant City, packed with wall-to-wall sets, minifig bins, and hands-on events that keep kids, and your inner kid, busy. Spark a new build and trade some screen time for creativity.

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

📆 Free events worth checking out

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

❓ Trivia Nation @ Beef ‘O’ Brady’s (Valrico) | Wednesday (3/11) at 7:00 PM – Whether you hoard useless facts or just remember 80s lyrics, weekly Jeopardy-style trivia at Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Valrico is free, team-based, and tosses $100 in prizes on the line. Bring your crew, borrow a brain, and trade small talk for bragging rights, beers, and wings.

☀ Sunmed Wellness Weekend @ Your CBD Store (Plant City, FL) | Thursday (3/12) at 10:00 AM – Take a breather and swing by Sunmed’s Wellness Weekend for free samples, solid deals, and a $200 wellness kit if you RSVP. Think feel-better without the hard sell, just quality goods, friendly folks, and joints that might stop complaining. Spots go fast, so grab one.

☘ St Patrick Networking @ Our Dream Kitchen | Friday (3/13) at 8:00 AM – St. Paddy’s schmooze fest where your coffee, mimosa, and snacks are on the house, and so is the networking. Come for the freebies, stay to collect business cards like shamrocks, and leave knowing at least one new person who actually follows up.

👥 Friends Come Free Weekend @ Crunch Fitness – Lakeland | Saturday (3/14) at 7:00 AM – Bring a buddy and skip their fee, every weekend. Show this to the front desk, and your friend’s $15 guest fee magically vanishes, which is the kind of math we like. Adults only at 18+, and be cool, all club rules apply.

🍎 Downtown Farmers Market @ The Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Second Thursday downtown means the farmers market, and yes, your favorite tomato guy is still there. Stroll for just-picked produce, crusty bread, and small-batch jams, catch up with neighbors you actually like, then pretend the walk back counts as cardio. Bring a tote, not excuses.

🤖 Robotics Workshop for Kids (7-14 yrs) @ Hampton Inn Plant City | Sunday (3/15) at 1:30 AM – Got a kid who keeps asking how the toaster works? Turn that curiosity into circuits at a free robotics and coding workshop for ages 7-14 at the Hampton Inn in Plant City, with hands-on builds, friendly challenges, Plant City parents, and yes, bring a laptop.

📚 Raining Cats and Books – March Book Club @ Bruton Memorial Library | Monday (3/16) at 4:00 PM – Skip the small talk and join a purr-forward book club with our local rescue at Bruton Memorial in Plant City. March’s pick is A Man Called Ove, it’s free with no signup, and the shelter cats provide lap warmers, commentary, and the occasional page-flipping assist.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Plant City report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 90°F – Low: 65°F – Precip: 9%

Sunny, with a high near 90. East wind around 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. East northeast wind around 3 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 90°F – Low: 65°F – Precip: 2%

Sunny, with a high near 90. South southeast wind 3 to 7 mph. Later: Patchy fog between 2am and 5am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Southwest wind 2 to 7 mph.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Florida but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

This house is wild

This 2017 four-bed, three-bath on 1.12 acres pairs a 3-car garage with a heated salt pool. Inside, 10 ft ceilings and open layout frame a granite and stainless kitchen. The primary suite features a soaking tub. A 720 sq ft detached workshop with A/C, internet, and office, plus new 2025 A/C, new pool pump, and a whole-home fire suppressant system.

Take a peek inside →