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Hey St. Augustine, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: A 450-year Black history app, Bret Michaels with Tesla, and a St. Patrick parade + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around St. Augustine 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

Connecting past to present: The St. Augustine Black History App explores 450 years of St. Johns County Black history with timelines, profiles, and site histories, from 1565 to Fort Mose, using trusted archives — see features and sources.

Opportunity for civic engagement: St. Augustine brings back the Citizens’ Academy for 2026, giving residents and business owners a behind-the-scenes look at city government with a focus on conservation and environmental programs — explore program focus and eligibility.

New investment in local care: Palm Coast’s planning board approved a two-building, $22 million medical complex in Town Center, totaling 54,000 square feet, with room to expand and a possible hotel partner still being discussed — see what’s planned and where.

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.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Highlights this week:

• Join a guided bird walk at Anastasia
• Bret Michaels headlines with Tesla
• Learn butterfly gardening and shop native plants
• Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

🏆 Gold and silver are heating up

Together with our sponsor American Hartford Gold

Gold just posted its strongest run in decades… and the momentum is carrying into 2026. Silver has become one of the most talked-about assets as investors look for ways 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, AHG 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.

🫶 We got your back

Your midweek pasta move: When a spaghetti mood hits, Nonnas Trattoria delivers cozy, old-school comfort… penne a la Bolognese with a splash of Chianti, bright puttanesca, or garlicky shrimp scampi. Simple, generous, and exactly what you want after a long day.

Vintage vibes, zero fuss: Need a serotonin boost for your closet? Snake Bird Vintage brings handpicked gems, cheeky accessories, and one-of-a-kind finds that spark compliments for months. Refresh your look this week without leaving St. Augustine, or your personality, behind.

Cold fix, fast: If your back and brain need a reboot, Zivel Palm Coast delivers quick whole-body cryotherapy in about three frosty minutes, plus red light, compression, and dry float for recovery. Feel looser and clearer before your next run, match, or Monday, without the creaks.

Thinning hair? It only gets worse: A few months ago, I noticed my ponytail getting thinner. I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, etc.) but mostly just hoped it would fix itself… until I learned that active follicles can permanently go dormant if you don’t do something about it. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn more about my favorite online options here.

📆 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.

🎷 Cookin’ in the Kitchen – Jazz Night @ Prohibition Kitchen | Wednesday (3/4) at 6:00 PM – Every Wednesday, Jack Miller hosts a laid-back jazz jam with no cover charge. Swing by for tight grooves, loose vibes, and that sweet feeling of getting out without dressing like a teenager. Consider it your palate cleanser between Monday’s meetings and Thursday’s excuses.

📖 The Storytellers Author in Residence @ Flagler College Markland House | Thursday (3/5) at 7:00 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to swap Netflix for something with actual sentences, here it is: Pulitzer finalist and McSweeney’s editor Rita Bullwinkel is reading at historic Markland House, and it’s free. Bring your curiosity, your book club, and your inside voice.

☘ St. Patrick Parade @ Francis Field | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – If you like bagpipes with your bayfront, the St. Patrick Parade loops from Francis Field, is free, and dates to 1601. It kicks off the Celtic Music & Heritage Festival, so snag a shady spot and nod as kilts, pipes, and neighbors roll by.

📜 Unknown Faces, Facts and Features of Florida in the Revolution @ Ringhaver Student Center | Thursday (3/26) at 7:00 PM – Florida’s Revolutionary past gets a refresh with Tom Hand and Jeff Jore spotlighting overlooked voices, stories, and perspectives. We almost ended up British until the Spanish stepped in, because Florida’s complicated from the start. It’s free, seats go fast, so reserve, and maybe donate.

🖼 Old Town Art Show @ St. Francis Field | Saturday (3/28) at 9:00 AM – Stroll over to Francis Field for a juried art show that’s all killer, no beachside trinkets, and yes, admission is free. Meet the makers, linger over pottery, painting, and glistening glass, then take home something that outclasses the condo decor, and supports American artisans.

🛍 West Augustine Market @ St. Augustine Handi House | Saturday (3/28) at 11:00 AM – Think you’ve seen every local market? West Augustine Market sets up at Handi-House on Rt-16 with one-of-a-kind finds from legit artisans, fresh produce, bakers, authors, kids activities, and food trucks. Free admission, easy parking, good music, dogs welcome, and absolutely no tourist-trap vibes.

📜 Unknown Faces, Facts and Features of Florida in the Revolution @ Ringhaver Student Center | Thursday (4/2) at 12:00 PM – Whether you think the Revolution skipped Florida, this kickoff talk spotlights the often overlooked 1777 flight to freedom by the Minorcans of New Smyrna, restoring voices the textbooks brushed past. Free, genuinely local, and likely to sell out, so reserve, then feel smug at trivia.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 Worth a peek

We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.

• Industry-leading home warranty protection ($150 off right now)
• 62+? See how much tax-free cash your home could unlock → free calculator
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• Protect your pet from disaster with this pet insurance plan
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account

📻 St. Augustine report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 72°F – Low: 60°F – Precip: 6%

Patchy fog between 7am and 8am. Mostly sunny. High near 72, with temperatures falling to around 68 in the afternoon. Northeast wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Later: Partly cloudy. Low around 60, with temperatures rising to around 61 overnight. Northeast wind 3 to 7 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 73°F – Low: 61°F – Precip: 15%

Patchy fog between 10am and 1pm, then a slight chance of rain showers. Mostly sunny. High near 73, with temperatures falling to around 69 in the afternoon. Northeast wind 3 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A slight chance of rain showers before 7pm, then patchy fog. Mostly clear. Low around 61, with temperatures rising to around 62 overnight. East wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Someone Googled you this week 👀

It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.

Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.

Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.

This house is wild

Gated Mediterranean estate on .82 acres with sunset views over the Matanzas River. Nearly 7,000 square feet, 6 beds, 5.5 baths, and an elevator. Highlights include 20-foot ceilings, a screened saltwater pool with elevated spa, and a covered loggia bar. Property offers 105 feet of deep-water frontage, a dock with 7,000 lb lift, and boat access to Historic St. Augustine.

Take a peek inside →