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It’s Friday, Tampa Bay! Let’s finish this week strong.
In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: Hilton Bayfront sale, first-in-Florida endovascular robot, and La La Land movie night + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.
Today’s sponsor (FinanceBuzz) built a free comparison tool that helped me cut my car insurance premiums in half. It took about 3 minutes, and honestly… I wish I’d done it sooner. If you haven’t shopped around in a while, you can easily check the best rates here.
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📰 In the news
Skyline shift on horizon: Delray Beach-based Kolter Group is under contract to buy downtown St. Pete’s Hilton Bayfront for $96 million. The 15-story waterfront hotel with Tampa Bay views is expected to remain open — read the full story.
Next-gen device enters care: Tampa General Hospital became the first in Florida to adopt the Liberty endovascular robotic system, a single-use, FDA-cleared platform for remotely operated procedures, marking early post-clearance adoption in Tampa Bay — read the full story.
A hangout for film lovers: The Roadshow with Zach and Monica brings monthly movie nights to Tampa and St. Pete with snacks and post-film chats. La La Land is next, with Her on April 19 — see times and what’s next.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
Someone Googled you this week: Whether you’re dating again, selling something locally, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up. Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.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 all that up – learn more here.
Highlights this week:
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🚗 Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance?
Together with our sponsor FinanceBuzz
Auto insurance premiums have been climbing across the country… and most folks won’t notice until it’s time to renew and they’re hit with a higher bill.
The frustrating part? Loyalty rarely gets rewarded. Insurers adjust prices constantly, and new customers often qualify for better rates than long-time policyholders.
I learned that the hard way. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, I saw the charges come in every month and never thought twice about them. Turns out I was paying well above the national average ($175/mo) for a single car… for years.
This free comparison tool lets you check rates from multiple insurers in just a few minutes. It costs nothing to look, and it could save you hundreds this year.
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🫶 We got your back
Pizza night, but vegan: Florish spins plant-based into pure pizza joy, with handcrafted New York-style pies, hearty grain bowls, and house-made vegan cheeses that hit every comfort note without the dairy crash. When the week turns chaotic, it’s delicious, no-drama comfort your future self will thank you for.
Treasure hunt, upgraded: When you crave a quick hit of serendipity, Bay Area Antique Marketplace fills 11,000+ square feet with 80+ dealers, from mid-century gems to quirky primitives. Wander, haggle a little, and leave with the thing your past self forgot to adore.
Wake up with brows on: If penciling them every morning is getting old, Jhellen Permanent Makeup Studio delivers microblading, nano brows, and soft lip blush that looks like you, only more refined. Save a few minutes each day, feel polished from the pillow, and enjoy natural-looking results that suit your features.
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 weekend
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.
🚮 Beach Clean Up @ Davis Islands Seaplane Basin Park | Saturday (3/7) at 8:30 AM – Trade yardwork for sunshine and help tidy up Davis Island Beach with the West Central District of FPTA. Bring friends, family, and that coworker who needs fresh air, then feel smug about doing good. RSVP to Erica Disbrow at [email protected].
🧓 Senior Expo @ WestShore Plaza | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Skip the rabbit hole and get real answers in sweet Tampa AC. With free admission, refreshments, bingo, chair yoga, massages, and health screenings, this Senior Expo connects you and your favorite 55-plus human to Medicare pros, local resources, and a little peace of mind.
🏘 Be My Neighbor Day @ WEDU PBS Berkman Family Broadcast Center | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Grab the kids, WEDU PBS is throwing a free neighborhood block party with Daniel Tiger, trolley rides, inflatables, and meet-the-helpers vibes. Let the little ones dance while you bask in PBS nostalgia, tour the station, and feel smugly civic. Bring a picture book to donate.
🌱 Vegetable Gardening for Central Florida @ Seminole Heights Branch Library | Saturday (3/7) at 11:00 AM – If your tomatoes tap out by June, this Central Florida gardening talk shows you how to prep a site, fix our sandy soil, pick Florida-friendly varieties, water and fertilize smart, and outwit the usual suspects, from whiteflies to wilt. Real tips, fewer tragedies, better harvests.
🎨 Fundraiser: Send Reilly to NYC Paint Party @ Rare Bird Art Studio | Saturday (3/7) at 12:00 PM – Paint with purpose at Rare Bird Art Studio. Pick your masterpiece, lilac-in-a-jar or flamboyant rooster, then let the pros guide your brush while you chat, sip, and feel virtuous. It’s $50, supplies included, $15 sends Reilly to NYC, and your walls win.
🍺 Bonsai & Brews @ 82° West Distilling | Saturday (3/7) at 2:00 PM – Trade yardwork for tiny trees at Seminole Heights’ 82°West Distilling, where Thunderstruck Bonsai walks you through picking a pot, pruning a pre-bonsai, and sipping proper rum. No green thumb required, just steady hands, a sense of humor, and a ticket before they vanish.
🍽 Taste of South Tampa @ Tampa Garden Club | Sunday (3/8) at 1:00 PM – Bayshore breezes call for wandering the Tampa Garden Club lawn with a tasting plate in one hand, and a beer in the other. The 20th annual Taste of South Tampa brings local bites, live tunes, a beer garden, and raffle-worthy prizes, no kitchen cleanup required.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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🔥 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.
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📻 Tampa Bay report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 88°F – Low: 68°F – Precip: 30%
A chance of rain showers after 4pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. East southeast wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of rain showers before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. East wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
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Tomorrow – High: 87°F – Low: 67°F – Precip: 28%
A chance of rain showers after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. East southeast wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: A chance of rain showers before 7pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 67. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
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This house is wild
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Take a peek inside →
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