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Hello Galveston! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning.
In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: LongHorn Steakhouse opening, beach polo invitational, and Bishop’s Palace attic tour + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, Spot Pet Insurance, is something I wish I had before a late-night emergency vet visit left me with a $10,000 credit card bill. It’s cheaper than Netflix… and means you never have to choose between your pet and your savings. It takes less than 5 minutes to sign up – get started here.
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📰 In the news
Build-out and staffing to follow: LongHorn Steakhouse will open its first Texas City location near Tanger Outlets, with construction starting this summer and wrapping by late February 2027, adding a new sit-down option along I-45 — see timeline and hiring plans.
Tackling derelict fishing gear: Chambers County deputies joined the Galveston Bay Foundation’s annual Abandoned Crab Trap Removal Program, helping remove ‘ghost traps’ from the bay to protect wildlife and make water safer for everyone — learn how ghost traps harm.
Responding to Bay Area growth: UT regents approved a $300 million expansion for UTMB Health’s League City Hospital, adding a 40-bed emergency department, upgraded imaging and a larger pharmacy, with phased openings through about 2030 — get all the details.
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.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Highlights this week:
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🐾 One pet emergency can cost $10,000+
Together with our sponsor Spot Pet Insurance
Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache.
From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving.
As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Spot.
It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% on qualified vet bills. It was too late for me, but it’s not too late for you. Sign up today.
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🫶 We got your back
Small plates by the sea: Craving a low-key night that still feels special? BLVD. Seafood keeps it island casual with shareable bar bites, crisp drinks, and a seafood-forward menu that doesn’t overcomplicate things. Perfect for catching up with friends or pretending you’re on vacation without ever leaving the Seawall.
Two wheels, big smiles: Island Bicycle Company keeps locals rolling with friendly mechanics, quality parts, easy rentals, and a monthly Glow Ride that turns nights into a neon parade. Ideal for dusting off a cruiser or trying an e-bike before spring legs return, with a welcoming vibe and smooth service.
Rainy-day movie magic: When the couch won’t cut it, MG 3D Theater turns a simple night out into an escape with towering visuals, pinpoint sound, and a rotating lineup of documentary gems and special screenings. A low-stress pick when you want real fun without leaving the island.
Access cash without selling your home: A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your home. Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much flexibility your home could provide, with no commitment required.
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📆 Fun for the whole fam
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.
🎨 Galveston Craft Show @ Galveston Island Convention Center At San Luis Resort | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Nothing beats a juried indoor craft hunt at the Galveston Island Convention Center, with handmade art, gifts, décor, and jewelry by people who actually know a glue gun from a gimmick. Open to all, family friendly. Vendors, ignore Facebook randos, official info lives at galvestoncraftshow.com.
🏇 Galveston Island Beach Polo Invitational @ Porretto Beach | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Whether you know your chukkers or just like horses by the surf, a beach polo invitational is taking over Galveston’s shoreline. Elite players, fast, strategic matches, and a sand field, with Gulf breezes and seagull heckling. Wear shades, expect sand, reward yourself with oysters after.
🏰 Basement to Attic Tours of the 1892 Bishop’s Palace @ 1892 Bishop’s Palace | Saturday (3/7) at 11:00 AM – Go snoop the parts of Bishop’s Palace they usually rope off, basement to attic, including Mrs. Gresham’s studio, with a third-floor Gulf panorama that almost forgives the humidity. Victorian excess, Galveston bragging rights, and more carved wood than your grandma’s dining room.
📖 2nd Sunday Story Thyme @ The Depot on Market | Sunday (3/8) at 9:00 AM – Whether you’re raising a bookworm or a wiggle worm, 2nd Sunday Story Thyme at the Market pairs cozy tales with your coffee. Steven J. Baines leads storytime, and the Book Nook stocks bedtime classics, new bilingual picks, and enough charm to outlast a sugar rush.
🏛 Ocean Star Museum Family Days @ Ocean Star Museum | Sunday (3/8) at 10:00 AM – Second Sundays mean climbing aboard Galveston’s retired jack-up rig for a free Family Day, where the kids learn energy isn’t just magic from the wall. Hands-on STEM activities, interactive exhibits, and a self-guided tour keep everyone curious, and kids 12 and under get in free.
🎂 The Grand Cake Affair @ Hutchings House Lawn | Sunday (3/8) at 1:30 PM – Whether you bake like MawMaw or just rock a boxed mix, this community cake swap is peak Galveston. Grab a ticket, bring a whole homemade cake, then slice, trade, and lounge with live music, neighbors, and generous frosting, all supporting The Grand.
✂ Ribbon Cutting @ The Shops at Hutchings, Sealy & Co. | Tuesday (3/10) at 4:30 PM – Come christen the new kid on the Strand with a proper ribbon cutting at 2328 Strand in the Sealy Shops. Expect food, drinks, music, and that small-town magic where you recognize half the room, pretend you don’t, then toast anyway.
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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📻 Galveston report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 74°F – Low: 67°F – Precip: 8%
Areas of fog before 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. Southeast wind around 10 mph. Later: Patchy fog after 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 74°F – Low: 67°F – Precip: 9%
Patchy fog between 7am and noon. Partly sunny. High near 74, with temperatures falling to around 70 in the afternoon. Southeast wind around 10 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67.
Someone Googled you this week 👀
It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.
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 outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.
This house is wild
Updated beachfront retreat in the West End community of Kahala Estates with unobstructed Gulf views to the south and bay views to the north. Sun-filled living and dining showcase soaring ceilings and expansive windows, flowing to an open kitchen and outdoor spaces. Multiple decks capture sunrise and evening skies. Sold mostly furnished, spacious bedrooms await. HOA prohibits short term rentals.
Take a peek inside →
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