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It’s Friday, Ocean County! Let’s finish this week strong.
In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: Kate Quinn on her new novel, a full-dome aurora film, and a murder mystery fundraiser + 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
Where books become doorways: Ocean County Library will host a virtual conversation with bestselling author Kate Quinn on March 12 at 7 pm, featuring her new novel The Astral Library. Free event with registration — get all the event details.
FDA sampling triggers alert: Wellsley Farms 2-pound farm-raised Atlantic salmon sold at New Jersey BJ’s was recalled for possible Listeria. Lot 3896 was sold January 31 through February 7. No illnesses have been reported — read the full recall details.
Coastal luxury earns acclaim: Nearby in Asbury Park, Asbury Ocean Club Hotel was named the only New Jersey hotel to earn a top honor from Forbes Travel Guide for the third straight year — get details on awards and amenities.
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 Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.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
Plant-based comfort fix: Living on the Veg keeps it easy this week with an all-vegan lineup: tofu scrambles and breakfast burritos by day, hearty bowls and sandwiches later, plus smoothies and juices when you need a lift. Zero fuss, just tasty plants from a local crew that knows flavor.
Weekend treasure hunt: Whether you’re after mid-century gems, quirky glassware, or that ‘my grandparents had this’ find, A Main Antiques fills nearly 5,000 square feet with multiple dealers and showrooms. It’s an easy local stroll for a satisfying browse, and they also buy, sell, and take consignments.
Fresh brows, new sparkle: Craving low-maintenance polish? At Alliance Tattoo, an AAM-certified permanent makeup artist refreshes brows, liner, and lips, while piercings come with implant-grade titanium for a clean, gleaming finish. Wake up looking put-together, skip the fuss, and leave with a little extra shine.
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.
🎤 The Beat Goes On @ The Strand Theater | Saturday (3/7) at 8:00 AM – Think less cheesy tribute, more theatrical concert where Cher’s six decades of hits come alive with killer vocals, costume quick changes, and first-person storytelling. Expect improv with the crowd, singalongs, and the moment you realize you still know every word, which is half the fun.
🎣 Fisherman’s Flea Market @ Lacey Elks Lodge 2518 PR | Saturday (3/7) at 8:30 AM – Fisherman’s Flea Market is where old rods, lucky lures, and boat parts find new homes, usually for less than bait shop prices. Bring cash, coffee, and your best poker face, then haggle, swap stories, and pretend you didn’t just buy a fourth tackle box.
🃏 Card & Collectibles Show & Fundraiser @ Barnegat High School | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Dust off the binders and that box in the closet, and come trade, buy, or just gawk at sports cards, comics, and vintage oddities. A relaxed collectibles show that doubles as a fundraiser, where your nostalgia habit finally counts as community service.
⭐ Stars In My Backyard @ Robert J. Novins Planetarium | Saturday (3/7) at 1:30 PM – Let the kids trade YouTube for the universe with a live, under-the-dome tour of the current sky, featuring stories, songs, and even a pop-up rainstorm. Trust me, presenter-led and fun, best for grades 1 to 4, it covers the sun, moon, constellations, and planets.
💀 Death of a Gangster @ American Legion Auxiliary Barnegat Unit# 232 | Saturday (3/7) at 6:00 PM – Feeling nosy for a good cause? Death of a Gangster is a murder mystery fundraiser with just enough intrigue to justify a second drink, and zero cleanup. Round up your sharpest friends, grab tickets at the Canteen, and prepare to outwit your neighbors.
👜 Designer Bag Bingo @ Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church Greek Festival | Saturday (3/7) at 6:00 PM – Skip mall parking wars and play Designer Bag Bingo benefiting Toms River High School students. Forty bucks gets you 10 games with four boards, a door prize ticket, 50/50s, and second-chance drawings; bring a donation for extra chances, and groups of eight get reserved seats.
🎨 Paint and Take @ On Military Matters | Sunday (3/8) at 10:00 AM – If you need an excuse to dust off the detail brushes, this is it. Bring your minis, or grab the free miniature for everyone, then hang out with fellow gamers, trade tips, relax, and enjoy gloriously tiny victories, newbies and veterans alike, all ages welcome.
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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📻 Ocean County report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 44°F – Low: 37°F – Precip: 12%
Widespread fog before 10am. Cloudy, with a high near 44. Northeast wind 5 to 15 mph. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: A chance of rain showers and patchy fog after 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 37. East wind around 0 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
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Tomorrow – High: 58°F – Low: 49°F – Precip: 30%
A chance of rain showers and patchy fog before 10am. Cloudy, with a high near 58. Southeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Rain showers likely after 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
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
In the active adult Seacrest Pines community, this redesigned 2-bed, 2-bath home packs style and flow. Highlights include a custom wet bar with butcher block and beverage fridge, French door office, laundry linked to a walk-in closet and primary spa bath, granite kitchen with a corner pantry, fireplace, paver patio with retractable screen, and 15 minutes to ocean beach.
Take a peek inside →
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