Hello Bradenton! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Beach rescue drone, musical theater mystery, and summer time treasure hunt + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Boosting coastal rescue efforts: AMI Rotary donated $25,000 to help Manatee County Beach Patrol buy a rescue drone with thermal imaging, loudspeaker and GPS, improving response times along Anna Maria Island’s coastline -- read how the drone will help.
Big trail project begins: Commissioner George Kruse began construction Monday near Lake Manatee, starting with a half‑mile to Rye Preserve. The planned 140‑mile trail network, with federal backing, will connect to the Legacy Trail -- follow the trail route.
A major new destination: Manatee County commissioners approved expanding Lakewood Ranch’s Premier Sports Campus with four ice rinks plus space for events, retail, restaurants, and sports medicine. Construction could start in 2027, opening 2028 -- see the campus expansion.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
You've traveled abroad without being able to speak the local language. You can change that in just 10 minutes a day. Most people are holding real conversations within three weeks. In fact, 92% of users improved their proficiency in just two months, with 25 million subscriptions sold -- take 55% off.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Flip out this week: Between the satisfying clack of flippers and the glow of classic cabinets, Ballerz Pinball Cafe is the kind of low-key fun that turns a meh evening into a mini event. Bring a buddy, trade playful trash talk, and see who tilts first.
Brighten someone’s week: With hand-tied bouquets, custom designs for birthdays, sympathy and weddings, and friendly same-day delivery across Bradenton, Bradenton Flower Shop makes gifting this week feel easy. Family owned for over 30 years, they nail that just-right arrangement that says 'I thought of you' without sounding like a robot.
All-in-one play spot: From lap-worthy outdoor pool and splash pads to disc golf, pickleball, skate park, trails and an amphitheater for events, G.T. Bray Park pretty much covers your week. Swing by after work, rally the crew, or sneak a solo stroll... it's the Bradenton reset button.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Need cash but can't take on another monthly payment? This gets you a lump sum from your home's equity with no monthly bill and no interest, because it isn't a loan. Use the funds for anything, whether that's home improvements, paying off debt, or a large purchase, and pay it back by the end of your 30-year term. Checking your offer is easy, fully online, and won't affect your credit score. *See your cash offer →
Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
Wish you had someone to talk to right now? The quiet hours are the hardest, especially when you just want someone to talk to. That's exactly what this is built for: real conversations, real matches, real people. Not endless swiping, but actual chats with singles who want to connect as much as you do. Someone to talk to could be a message away. *Join now and start chatting → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
📚 Homeschool 101 Information Meeting @ Palmetto Branch Library | Thursday (6/25) at 12:00 AM – Homeschool 101 brings the veterans and the curious together at Palmetto Library for plain-English answers, local resources, and people who know the difference between phonics and panic. Hosted by What I Learned Today and Capernaum Connections, expect real talk, friendly faces, and an easygoing vibe.
🗺 Summer Time Treasure Hunt @ Mystic Mines Gemstone Mining | Friday (6/26) at 11:00 AM – Think the only treasure around here is a decent parking spot downtown? Every Friday all summer, Mystic Mines turns into a 40-foot flume of crystals, fossils, and shark teeth, with five bucks off the large bucket, now $35. Kid-approved, grandparent-friendly, mildly addictive.
🎭 Come Solve a Musical Theater Mystery @ Circle Christian Arts Academy | Friday (6/26) at 6:00 PM – Sarasota’s midweek mystery solves the what-to-do question: a free musical theater showcase where Circle Christian Arts Academy’s summer campers weave beloved show tunes into an interactive whodunit. Bring the kids or make it a date, enjoy acting, singing, and ensemble dance, then leave feeling wholesome.
🪵 Bring your Report Card in & Break a Board @ Ancient Ways Martial Arts Academy | Friday (6/26) at 6:45 PM – Remember when a good report card got you a personal pan pizza? Bring it to Ancient Ways’ new spot and your kid will snap a real martial arts board, jump into a confidence-building class, and score bragging rights, courtesy of Ancient Ways and Kids Serve.
📚 Summer Reading Challenge @ Bat City Comic Professionals | Sunday (6/28) at 12:00 PM – Summer brain needs a vacation, so skip I-35 and travel via pages with Bat City’s Summer Reading Challenge, any book counts, single issues too, all ages welcome. Set your own goal, track it, then nab deals, prizes, and an end-of-summer party for kids and grownups.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. 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 Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Bradenton report Weather forecastToday — High: 93°F — Low: 78°F — Precip: 18%
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9am and 5pm. Sunny, with a high near 93. Heat index values as high as 105. West wind 5 to 12 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 78. Heat index values as high as 102. West northwest wind 1 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 94°F — Low: 78°F — Precip: 12%
Sunny, with a high near 94. Southwest wind 1 to 10 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 78. South southwest wind 2 to 9 mph. This house is wildThe original Stock Signature Homes Stella model, this fully furnished 4,246-square-foot estate spans more than 1.1 gated acres in The Concession. Four bedrooms, a sauna-equipped primary bath, dual kitchen islands, twin wine coolers, and walls of glass set the tone. Outdoors, a lanai, pool, spa, outdoor fireplace, summer kitchen, fire pit, and sweeping lake views steal the scene.
Take a peek inside → |
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