Hello Gainesville! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Rare bat rescue effort, pollinator palooza, and kids karaoke + 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.
Rare bat rescue effort: Lubee Bat Conservancy in Gainesville performed an emergency C-section on May 23, saving an endangered variable flying fox pup. A name-the-pup fundraiser is underway to support emergency care and conservation -- learn more about the fundraiser.
Celebrate local biodiversity: Pollinator Palooza will be held Saturday, June 27 at First Magnitude Brewing Co., featuring free native plants while supplies last, family activities, and special beers celebrating at-risk pollinators -- see the pollinator lineup.
Florida grocer expansion: Winn-Dixie will open new stores in Keystone Heights and Alachua, with Zephyrhills later this year. Eight Harveys have already converted, and $65 million over five years targets Jacksonville operations -- see the store 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.*
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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.
Glow up your putt: Whether you need a quick midweek boredom cure or a low-stakes date that still comes with bragging rights, Cosmic Mini Golf & Play Gainesville turns The Oaks Mall into a neon galaxy with 18 glow-in-the-dark holes, spacey obstacles, and just enough challenge to keep the group chat busy.
Neighborhood sanity saver: Hogtown Creek Playground is the clutch move when kids need to climb and you need a breather, sitting inside Hogtown Creek Headwaters Nature Park with an enchanting play area, a short woodsy loop, outdoor fitness spots, and picnic tables so everyone can reset without crossing town.
Local bloom boost: Forgot a birthday, need a living room pick-me-up, or want wedding-level pretty on a random Tuesday, The Plant Shoppe Florist has you. This Gainesville staple since 1985 does designer-made arrangements with same-day delivery, plus they’ll even send a photo of your actual bouquet before it heads out.
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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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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 →
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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.
🛍 San Felasco Market @ San Felasco Tech City (Alachua) | Wednesday (6/24) at 4:30 PM – San Felasco Market is taking over Tech City in Alachua every Wednesday with fresh, locally grown produce, handcrafted foods, and artisan goods. It is the rare upgrade we all agree on, where screen time gives way to sweet corn, local gossip, and actual sunshine.
🐱 Purrs & Tales (Ages 5-12) @ Humane Society of North Central Florida | Thursday (6/25) at 10:00 AM – Let your kid read to the only audience that never corrects pronunciation, the cats. Purrs & Tales at the Humane Society of North Central Florida gives ages 5–12 calm, confidence-boosting time with adoptable felines, and littles get Pop-Up Kitten Storytime. Space is limited.
📖 Read with a Ranger Story Time @ Hogtown Creek Headwaters Nature Park | Thursday (6/25) at 11:00 AM – Grab the stroller and head to Hogtown Creek Headwaters Nature Center for story time with a real ranger, then a pint-sized nature walk or simple crafts. It is toddler and preschool gold, and yes, grownups have to tag along, which is honestly half the fun.
⚽ AirPitch Alachua Indoor Cup @ Legacy Park Sports Complex | Thursday (6/25) at 6:15 PM – Alachua’s getting a 3v3 indoor takeover at Legacy Multipurpose Center, with AirPitch’s fast play, a five-game guarantee, medals, and divisions from U6 to Adult Open. More touches, more goals, and the humidity in the penalty box, then a USA vs Turkey watch party.
📚 Storm Ready Story Time and Safety Kit Fun for Kids @ Headquarters Library | Friday (6/26) at 11:00 AM – Because Florida weather refuses to mind its manners, the Headquarters Library is teaming with Alachua County Emergency Management for a storm prep tune-up the whole crew can handle. Hear Henry and the Hurricane, decorate a safety kit bag, and leave feeling ready, not rattled.
🎤 Kids Karaoke @ Bragging Rights Amusements | Sunday (6/28) at 2:00 PM – Bring the kids on Sunday for karaoke that lets them be the headliners, and you the satisfied audience. Every brave crooner scores a $5 game redemption card, one per visit. Cheap thrills, genuine giggles, and maybe a mercifully quiet car ride home.
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 Gainesville report Weather forecastToday — High: 94°F — Low: 73°F — Precip: 5%
Sunny. High near 94, with temperatures falling to around 93 in the afternoon. Heat index values as high as 100. Northwest wind 3 to 7 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 73. Northwest wind 1 to 7 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 96°F — Low: 75°F — Precip: 20%
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Sunny. High near 96, with temperatures falling to around 94 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Chance of precipitation is 20%. This house is wildThis gorgeous custom home sits on a fenced one-acre cul-de-sac lot shaded by granddaddy oaks and filled with natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows in every room. Cathedral ceilings, a large brick fireplace, and a private patio create easy charm, while the vaulted primary suite, hobby room, and no-HOA freedom add standout flexibility near UF, downtown, and I-75.
Take a peek inside → |
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