A Bug’s Life movie showing, a teacup planter craft party, a 50s sock hop, and more. 
Happy Friday, The Villages. You know the drill – grab your coffee (or whatever you sip in the morning), kick back, and let The Villages Brief serve up everything you need to know for the weekend ahead.
📰 In the news
Local happenings: Lake and Sumter’s summer events from citrus markets to jazz and samba nights, Belleview’s stricter food truck parking rules, and a busy Sumter intersection overhaul — catch up here.
State-level stories: Island town racing to build a costly pipeline, thousands of flood damaged vehicles hitting driveways, and a road trip to Florida’s secret beachfront speakeasies — see what else is brewing.
National headlines: Federal judge orders fresh review of gray wolf safeguards, OPEC+ output increase pushes oil under seventy dollars, and a mislabeled pasta recall — peruse the best of the rest.
Highlights this week
- Gear up for school with free resources
- Sign up for Monday’s ESL class
- Discover how AI is transforming healthcare
- Support veterans by dining at Redsauce
- Compare home equity loans for free
🫶 We got your back
Pizza: Skip the chains, these pizza spots in The Villages live up to the hype and are worth the detour.
Cuisine: Our food scene is a delicious jumble: Cuban sandwiches spar with salami, Greek divers swap nets for aprons, and key lime pies refuse to be green. These must-try dishes prove every bite is an adventure.
Organization: You spend a weekend lining up matching containers only to have chaos return weeks later. Try these real-life hacks that fit your messy, beautiful life and check out our sustainable organization tips.Florist: In need of a last-minute gift, a romantic gesture, or just some color in your life, Plantation Flower Designs & Gifts arranges petal-powered masterpieces that speak volumes without saying a word.
Family: 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
All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
Today
🐜 Movie Showing: A Bug’s Life @ Fruitland Park Library | Friday (8/8) at 2:30pm – Nothing beats rediscovering childhood cartoons over buttery popcorn with neighbors you actually like and can tolerate for a few hours. A Bug’s Life is screening at the community hall, so bring your best quotes, rally underdog fans, pretend you haven’t memorized line after line.
🧱 Lego Masters @ Lady Lake Public Library | Friday (8/8) at 3:30pm – Tap into your creative side with Lego Masters, where neighbors of all ages build together. Whether you’re crafting castles or colorful chaos, it’s all about community and imagination.
This weekend
🎨 Lazy Susan Class @ Village Art Workshops | Saturday (8/9) at 10:00am – Fed up with cookie-cutter kitchenware? Spend an evening swirl-mixing acrylic paint and resin to whip up a one-off lazy Susan, the kind that finally redeems that sad countertop rollout, bonus points if it distracts friends from your minimalist mug collection.
🕺 Poodles & Pompadours 50s Sock Hop | Saturday (8/9) at 1:00pm – Dust off that leather jacket and fluff up your poodle skirt—it’s sock hop time, baby. Dance to rockin’ live sets by Karen Kallin (aka Little Ms. Dynamite) and Bill Castner while scarfing down a buffet dinner. VIPs score front row nostalgia, but even general admission gets you jiving into the golden age of rock ’n’ roll.
🌺 Teacup Planter Craft Party @ Mystic Ice Cream | Saturday (8/9) at 2:00pm – Fancy yourself a botanist with a sweet tooth? Head to Mystic Ice Cream in Oxford for a laid-back teacup planter party where you’ll pot three succulent cuttings, raid the decoration bar, and swap plant gossip over scoops. Twenty seats only, earlybirds save five bucks.
🖌️ Painting with a Twist | Saturday (8/9) at 6:00pm – Think your artistic talents peaked at stick figures? Painting with a Twist has you covered: grab the crew or enjoy some well-deserved me-time with bites, playful vibes, and DJ Southern Play spinning your favorite tunes. No art school required, just laughs, music, and memories.
🩸 Blood Drive | Sunday (8/10) at 8:00am – Two big red buses, one mission: save lives. Swing by, snag a donut at the “Donuts for Donors” table, and roll up your sleeve for a good cause. Bonus? You’ll walk away with either a gift card or a snazzy travel mug—because heroes deserve swag.
Next week
🧱 Lego Free Play @ Fruitland Park Library | Monday (8/11) at 9:30am – Think adult recess meets nostalgic therapy at Fruitland Park’s library Lego Free Play, where colorful bricks and cheeky challenges await. It’s your chance to craft the next downtown skyline or an abstract hot mess, all while sipping borrowed calm, swapping sly high-fives.
🤖 A.I. in Health Care: What’s Next? | Tuesday (8/12) at 10:30am – Whether you’re the type to trust your Fitbit or you still prefer pen-and-paper charts, come see how AI is already playing doctor at Aviv Clinics. Grab a seat for a chat on smarter diagnoses, tailored treatments, and stick around for a behind-the-scenes clinic tour.
🍝 VHF Support Day @ Redsauce | Tuesday (8/12) at 11:00am – Tuesday at Redsauce means two things: carbs and charity. Swing by Lake Sumter Landing, scribble “VHF” on your check, and hey presto, your pasta painlessly funds a flight for local vets. Bring friends, appetite, and that warm, fuzzy “I-helped-them” feeling.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
🎶 Live music & entertainment
- 8/8 Beatlemaniacs @ Odell Recreation Center – 10 am
- 8/8 Playing at The Villages @ Brownwood Paddock Square – 5 pm
- 8/8 Donna Moore @ Old Mill Theater – 5 pm
- 8/8 Friday Night Live @ Orange Blossom Opry – 7 pm
- 8/9 Crystal Vision @ Cody’s Original Roadhouse – 5 pm
- 8/9 The Villages @ Lake Sumter Landing – 5 pm
- 8/9 Chris Jones @ Old Mill Theater – 6:30 pm
- 8/9 Dance Club @ Bridgeport Recreation – 6:30 pm
- 8/9 John Denver Tribute @ Orange Blossom Opry – 7 pm
- 8/9 Nathan Chester @ Sharon Morse Performing Arts Center – 7 pm
🏠️ Price is right – The Villages edition
How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).
Listed by: Kim Coffer (NEXTHOME SALLY LOVE REAL ESTATE)
Soaring ceilings, crown molding, and a wall of windows in the Florida room crank up the drama in this Avalon floor plan. The open-concept kitchen brings the party with quartz counters, a massive island, and upgraded stainless appliances, all flowing into sunny living and dining spaces. The primary suite scores a walk-in closet and Roman shower, while a second en suite bedroom and two more guest rooms keep everyone happy.
A three-car garage with epoxy floors means plenty of room for golf carts and gear. Professionally landscaped with space for a pool, this spot sits in the Village of Fernandina at MacClenny, surrounded by Bonifay Country Club’s greens and close to shopping, dining, and all the action.
Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →
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