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It’s Friday, The Villages! Let’s finish this week strong.

In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: Western murder mystery dinner, gold and silver’s comeback, and someone googled you this week + 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.

📰 In the news

Fifth straight sellout fundraiser: Frankie Valente Scholarship Fund hosted a Casino Night at Plantation at Leesburg, raising over $52,000 to support EMT and paramedic students. Next event is May 2 at The Cove Bar — see what’s planned next.

Stricter conservation rules in effect: Water fees in The Villages are up as drought lingers, with a surcharge in effect until July 1, 2026 and once a week watering under SWFWMD Phase II restrictions — see the surcharge and restrictions.

A legacy of resilience: Inverness-based Brannen Bank marks 100 years in 2026, staying family owned and independent with 12 branches across Citrus, Marion, and Hernando counties, a short drive from The Villages — read the full story.

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 Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.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

• Sip mocktails, glow up, grow wealth
• Celebrate Jimmy Buffett’s laid-back legacy
• Enjoy high-energy Celtic music and dance
• Over 62? See how to turn home equity into tax-free cash

🚗 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.

🫶 We got your back

Plant-based pick-me-up: When your week needs a reset, Leahi Health The Villages serves fresh, vegan eats: kale avocado tacos, beet “poke,” and bright tropical blends that taste like sunshine and keep you light. Easy, breezy lunch fuel for busy days.

Aisles of nostalgia: Olde Rusty Barn is a multi-vendor antique mall where “just browsing” turns into discovery, with vintage décor, glassware, furniture, and curious conversation pieces that beg to be adopted. The lineup shifts often, so every lap feels fresh… a low-key treasure hunt for the happily sidetracked.

Wake-up ready beauty: Tired of penciling brows every morning? Permanent Makeup by Cindy creates natural-looking brows, eyeliner, and lip blush, so you can head out polished in minutes. Expect subtle, long-wear definition from a seasoned Village local. Less mirror time, more everything-else time.

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.

📆 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.

🕵 Murder Mystery Dinner Show @ Ezell Rec Center | Friday (3/6) at 6:00 PM – Dust off your boots and your alibi, this western-themed murder mystery dinner serves Mission BBQ brisket and pulled chicken with all the fixings, plus cobbler and cupcakes. Tickets are $40, BYOB, and costumes encouraged, because nothing says date night like solving a saloon whodunit.

🔮 Spirit Fest Metaphysical, Holistic & Crystal Festival @ Wildwood Community Center | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Swap your pickleball paddle for a palm reading at this metaphysical market at the Wildwood Community Center. Crystals, aura photos, energy and sound healers, reflexology, and organic goodies, all under one roof, plus free parking. Snag discounted tickets online, then manifest decent knees.

🎤 Sounds of Spring Concert @ Snooky Park | Saturday (3/7) at 11:00 AM – Bring a chair to Snooky Park, claim a shady spot under the oaks, and let Decade of Soul handle the nostalgia. Free Sounds of Spring show with food trucks, beer and wine, and a VIP picnic setup you will pretend you packed yourself.

❤ Love of Life Festival @ The Grand Oaks Resort | Saturday (3/7) at 12:00 PM – Bring a lawn chair and your feelings to Grand Oaks for the 5th annual celebration where art, live music, and memories mingle. Local talent, food trucks, raffles, a silent auction, and a bounce house for the kiddos, all honoring loved ones, and keeping it Weirsdale.

🖼 Crushed Glass Art Class @ Village Art Workshops | Saturday (3/7) at 1:00 PM – Trade your screen glow for something prettier and make art with crushed glass, handpicked shells, and real beach sand. Pick your poison, framed art, LED plug-in night lights, free-standing night lights, or lighted glass blocks. It’s crafty, oddly soothing, and pleasantly sparkly.

🤖 Robotics Workshop for Kids @ Comfort Suites | Sunday (3/8) at 12:30 AM – Free robotics and coding workshop at Comfort Suites in Lady Lake where kids 7 to 14 build simple bots, code them, and team up for challenges without wrecking your living room. Parents get STEM roadmaps and connections, kids get bragging rights. Bring a laptop.

🔨 Fellowship Night & Auction @ Community Harvest Baptist Church | Sunday (3/8) at 5:00 PM – Sunday evening calls for good, clean fun at Community Harvest, with fellowship, an auction, and a hay ride to wear the kids out. Bring a themed basket if you can, bid like you need another throw pillow, and boost the Building Fund.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/6 Tyler Glynn @ Blondie’s Bar – 2:00 PM
• 3/6 Boogie Nights @ The Waterfront Inn – 6:00 PM
• 3/6 Murder Mystery Dinner Show @ Ezell Rec Center – 6:00 PM
• 3/7 Love of Life Festival @ The Grand Oaks Resort – 12:00 PM
• 3/7 Sandra & Alex LeKid @ Ednas’ Hospitality – 12:00 PM
• 3/7 Hypnotist Chris Jones @ Old Mill Theater – 3:00 PM
• 3/8 Karaoke @ The PUB at the Bowl – 5:00 PM

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.

• Thinning hair? Don’t wait – here are 3 treatments that work
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account
• Treat yourself: Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

📻 The Villages report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 88°F – Low: 64°F – Precip: 31%

Patchy fog before 9am, then a chance of rain showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. East southeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A slight chance of rain showers before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. East southeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

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Tomorrow – High: 88°F – Low: 63°F – Precip: 32%

A chance of rain showers after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. East southeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: A chance of rain showers before 7pm, then patchy fog. Mostly clear, with a low around 63. East southeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Something in your house is about to break 🏠

It might be your AC, your water heater, your fridge… doesn’t matter. Every major system and appliance has an expiration date, and when it goes, you’re staring down a repair bill that can climb into the thousands fast.

It never happens at a convenient time, and most homeowners just eat the cost because they don’t realize there’s a better option.

American Home Shield covers repairs and replacements on most of your home’s major systems and appliances — old or new, no inspection required.

The best part? Select plans are 50% off now through March 9th.

This house is wild

Designer Bridgeport Stretch model in Chitty Chatty at The Villages offers 3 beds, 2.5 baths, and sunlit living with solar tubes. Expansive sliders open to a glass-enclosed lanai facing the preserve, no rear neighbors. A chef sized kitchen boasts a separate walk-in pantry chamber and custom bar. Extras include epoxy garage, stacked-stone paver patio, and whole-home water purification.

Take a peek inside →