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Hello St. Augustine! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Adventure Landing redevelopment, a surf clinic, and concerts in the plaza + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today's sponsor, SmartAsset, is helping people around St. Augustine 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.
New plans take shape: Gate Petroleum bought part of Adventure Landing’s St. Augustine site for $2.1 million and plans a Gate Express Car Wash, as St. Johns County reviews demolition and a five-outparcel redevelopment -- read the redevelopment details.
Housing aid gets boost: Palm Coast council approved nearly $350,000 for housing help, including owner-occupied rehab and first-time homebuyer aid. Low-income households could receive up to $35,000, with maximum awards reaching $80,000 per homeowner -- see the housing aid breakdown.
Labor market eases statewide: Florida reported 6,082 new unemployment claims for week ending July 18, down 1,252 from July 11. State jobless rate fell to 4.7%, still above the nation’s 4.2% -- see the unemployment drop.
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.
Grow your happy place: Skip the big-box shuffle and wander Terra Nurseries, a local nursery all about biodiversity, organic gardening, and sustainability. Friendly pros can help you reimagine the yard, match plants to our microclimate, and share how to keep them thriving... a low-stress way to make the outdoors feel like yours this week.
Sweet trip, zero jet lag: Freshen up your snack stash with an easy world tour at Passport Sweets, stocked with international treats from Japan, Europe and Latin America. A tiny joy for locals, perfect for movie nights, porch hangs, or rewarding yourself for finally organizing that junk drawer.
Two wheels, zero hassle: DRIFTERS Rentals drops clean, comfy cruisers and e-bikes at your door with free pickup too, so this week you can zip the island, beat A1A traffic, or loan wheels to visiting in-laws... and keep your garage from turning into a bike graveyard.
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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.
🎤 Concerts in the Plaza @ Plaza De La Constitution | Thursday (7/30) at 6:00 PM – Thursday nights call for lawn chairs, good company, and Shayla Nelson under the Plaza oaks. Expect an Americana nod that pairs with a picnic, no booze, and that timeless gazebo charm locals brag about. It’s the town square, not a nightclub, and that’s the point.
🔥 Stoking Saturday @ North Beach | Saturday (8/1) at 8:00 AM – North Beach, Vilano hosts the friendliest surf clinic in town, first Saturdays. Pros break down etiquette, lingo, and paddling, so you catch waves, not side-eye. It supports a local nonprofit for vets and first responders, and everyone’s welcome.
🛒 West Augustine Market @ St. Augustine Handi House | Saturday (8/1) at 11:00 AM – Feel like stretching the legs and the tote bag? West Augustine Market pops up off FL-16 with local makers, bakers, artists, food trucks, and fresh produce, plus face painting, free giveaways, and leashed dogs. Easy parking, free entry, family friendly, real community, zero pretense.
🥕 Sunday Farmers Market @ North City Farmers Market | Sunday (8/2) at 9:00 AM – Slow Sundays hit different behind Schooners, where the farmers market rolls out live music, strong Sunrise Brew coffee, and enough local produce, bread, and honey to redeem last week's takeout. Bring the dog, the kids, and your reusable bag, maybe even self-control.
🍵 Royal Afternoon Tea @ The Waterworks | Saturday (8/15) at 1:00 PM – Afternoon tea with St. Augustine’s Royal Family at the historic Waterworks, with live music, handpicked treats, and all-ages charm. Fancy hats encouraged not required, and every sip supports the Easter Parade, so your scone habit finally counts as civic engagement.
🎶 Concerts in the Plaza: Glory Tributes @ Plaza De La Constitution | Thursday (8/20) at 6:00 PM – Concerts in the Plaza brings Glory Tributes to the gazebo, a perfect excuse for lawn chairs, picnics, and Americana you actually know the words to under the oaks. Thursday night tradition, minus the booze, plus the breeze and neighbor spotting.
🎶 Concerts in the Plaza: The Groove Coalition @ Plaza De La Constitution | Thursday (8/27) at 6:00 PM – Thursday in the Plaza means The Groove Coalition laying down rootsy, Americana-tinged grooves under oak trees older than our property lines. Bring a chair and a picnic, not a six-pack, then catch up with neighbors, sway a little, and remember why you still live here.
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 — St. Augustine report Weather forecastToday — High: 97°F — Low: 77°F — Precip: 25%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny. High near 97, with temperatures falling to around 95 in the afternoon. Heat index values as high as 116. Southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms between 7pm and 5am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. Low around 77, with temperatures rising to around 78 overnight. Heat index values as high as 107. Southwest wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Tomorrow — High: 91°F — Low: 76°F — Precip: 75%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11am, then showers and thunderstorms between 11am and 5pm, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. High near 91, with temperatures falling to around 85 in the afternoon. Southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Later: Showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Chance of precipitation is 80%. This house is wildThis 5,456 sq. ft. Clubview Estates showpiece sits on a 0.60-acre lot along the 10th hole, with waterfront views, mature trees, and serious privacy. All bedrooms are downstairs, while upstairs delivers a media room, game room, and balcony with sunset golf vistas. A screened lanai, heated pool, spa, and summer kitchen complete the resort-style setting.
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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