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Rise and shine, St. Augustine!
Before we get into today’s email… I’m excited to share that we quietly launched BaseLocal Business last week, and 400+ businesses have already signed up 🥹 If you own or manage a local business and want to see what the platform’s all about, you can sign up for free in less than five minutes (if you haven’t already).
We launched the platform to make it easier for the community to connect with local businesses in a meaningful way that benefits everyone… and so far it’s going great.
So I just wanted to say THANK YOU to each and every one of you for being here and helping us make this newsletter better every day.
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Guiding future public servants: St. Johns County Clerk’s Office has launched the Public Service Pathway Program, a 16-week internship introducing St. Augustine High School students to local government careers with experience and academic credit — see how the program works.
Topics and dates revealed: Free legal classes from St. Johns County Legal Aid start Feb. 2 at the Southeast Library in St. Augustine, covering guardianship, wills, foreclosure defense, probate, and debtor rights — see the full class schedule.
Artful vibes and late hours: Family-run Bellatrino Pizzeria will open in St. Augustine soon, targeting late January to early February. Expect Neapolitan pizza, Italian desserts, indoor-outdoor seating, plus live music, comedy, and community events — get all the details.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per 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.
Gold & silver are hot: Gold just had its 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.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Holiday parking policy reminder: City of St. Augustine offices are closed today for MLK Day, and parking is free in city-owned lots and on-street spaces. Double-check that a lot is city-controlled before you park. Many private lots are not participating and still enforce towing. Get all the details.
Your new year-round shade: If your beach walks and downtown errands need a little flair, Panama Hat Company hand-shapes genuine Panama hats and other lids, from heritage classics to breezy sun styles. Knowledgeable staff help you find a fit you’ll keep reaching for long after summer.
Fresh lash energy: Classic, hybrid, or full-volume, your blink game gets meticulous sets, lifts, and tints tailored to you at St. Augustine Lashes & Spa. Give your mascara a break this week, and let future you enjoy a quicker, brighter morning routine.
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).
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.
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📆 Around town this week
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.
🐝 The Buzz About Bees @ The Waterworks | Tuesday (1/20) at 2:00 PM – Curious what all the buzz is about? Dave and Martha Hall from the St. Johns County Beekeepers Association break down bee life, backyard hives, and how to keep our pollinators thriving, perfect for gardeners, nature nerds, and anyone who thinks honey comes from Aisle 8.
🚤 Nights of Lights by Water @ St. Augustine and St. Johns County Visitor Information Center | Tuesday (1/20) at 5:30 PM – Nights of Lights looks better from the water, and you avoid the shoulder-to-shoulder shuffle on St. George. Hop a small boat, glide past the Castillo and the Bridge of Lions, and let the captain steer. Bring a layer, a thermos, and your smug grin.
🍸 Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy: Chapter Two @ Odd Birds Cocktail Lounge and Kitchen | Tuesday (1/20) at 6:00 PM – The Poe speakeasy returns to St. Augustine with a haunting sequel, diving deeper into the macabre with four fresh tales from the Poe Historians. Expect atmospheric storytelling, clever nods to the classics, and spirits, both kinds. Because this town really needed more ghosts.
☘ Gaelic Storm @ Ponte Vedra Concert Hall | Tuesday (1/20) at 7:30 PM – If your winter needs a little jig, Gaelic Storm blows into Ponte Vedra Concert Hall with fiddles, pipes, and rowdy Celtic charm. Remember the best party scene in Titanic? That was them. Toe-tapping tunes, cheeky banter, and a guilt-free excuse to pretend you’re Irish.
🍎 Pie in the Sky Produce Packing @ Pie In The Sky | Wednesday (1/21) at 8:15 AM – Calling all seasoned locals with strong hearts, Pie in the Sky needs 12 helpers at 34 Riberia Street to pack fresh produce for our seniors. Think light lifting, neighborly chatter, and instant karma, plus the smug satisfaction of knowing a turnip from a tomato.
🍷 Corks & Forks Culinary Tour @ The Tasting Tours | Wednesday (1/21) at 1:00 PM – Loosen your belt and let someone else do the planning on a leisurely, guided food and drink stroll through historic St. Augustine. Four handpicked stops, from savory bites to decadent sweets, each with a thoughtful wine or cocktail pairing. Tourist-level indulgence, local-level pace, Travel & Leisure approved.
🍰 Muffins with Moms @ Osceola Elementary School | Thursday (1/22) at 7:45 AM – Trade the morning hustle for a muffin and a few sweet minutes with your kid at this PTO favorite. Moms show up, kids beam, carbs vanish, and everyone wins. Just get cleared through the Raptor system ahead of time, then claim your crumbs and compliments.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 St. Augustine report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 55°F – Low: 40°F – Precip: 0%
Widespread frost before 9am. Sunny, with a high near 55. Northwest wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 17 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 40. Northwest wind 7 to 14 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 56°F – Low: 47°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 56. North wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Northeast wind around 12 mph, with gusts as high as 17 mph.
This house is wild
Built in 2023, this three-story Saint Augustine home sits a two minute walk from the ocean. Nearly 3,200 square feet with 5 bedrooms and 4 baths, it blends sleek finishes with LVP floors. The showpiece kitchen has a giant island, THOR gas range, and wine fridge. Porches span 1,000 square feet with peekaboo ocean and Intracoastal views, plus hurricane impact openings.
An elevator links all levels, with an entry-level studio and a top floor with three bedrooms, two baths, and laundry. The yard is fenced with an outdoor shower and room for a splash pool. Two-car garage, turnkey furnishings, no HOA or CDD, short-term rental setup.
Take a peek inside →
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Thanks for reading! If you know someone who’d love BaseLocal, send ’em here so they can sign up too 🙂
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