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Hey Birmingham, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Broadcast roots revived, tea and tarot, and Jeffrey Dungan’s former home + lots of fun things to do for free.
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 $150 off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
A look back at broadcast roots: WVTM 13, Alabama's oldest TV station, became home to NBC and CBS, reviving a decades-old setup and sparking a look back at Birmingham broadcasting history with historian Tim Hollis -- read the full story.
A coaching career spotlighted: Sherri Jackson interviewed Birmingham native Mike Anderson about his coaching stops at UAB, Missouri, Arkansas and St. John's, plus his 2024 Alabama Sports Hall of Fame induction -- read the full interview.
A hard-fought road setback: Birmingham Legion FC beat Rhode Island FC 1-0 at Protective Stadium, holding on despite facing 19 shots, 23 crosses, and 13 corners, snapping the visitors’ two-game winning run -- read the full recap.
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.*
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade*. 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 $150 off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Find your next keeper: From sofas and loveseats to bedroom sets, china cabinets, patio pieces, mattresses and appliances, Consignment World is the spot for almost-new and used finds that make homes look pulled-together. Go treasure-hunting this week, score unique home decor, or consign your own and keep those upgrades rolling.
European design, local pros: European Kitchen of Alabama brings German and Italian kitchens to life right here, handling everything from concept to completion. They also design closet systems, bathrooms, fixtures and outdoor kitchens, so if your place needs a refresh, their showroom is stacked with the latest innovations to spark real ideas.
Yarn therapy alert: Knit B'ham is the cozy, inclusive hub for knitters and crocheters, with classes, knit-alongs, and a welcoming vibe that makes casting on way less intimidating. Browse ethically sourced natural fibers for your next project and lean into slow fashion that actually feels doable this week.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
Shop for new floors without ever needing to leave the house: No showroom, no second-guessing. All from the comfort of your own home. Empire Today® has flooring experts that will bring you samples and provide you with a free in-home estimate. Trusted and backed by over 3 million satisfied customers and over 65 years of quality service. *Check out their current offers today →
Stiff necks start on flat pillows: You've slept on both arms, both sides, stacked two pillows, thrown one on the floor, and the stiffness keeps finding you, because every position ends on the same pillow that can't hold your neck. This one can: shaped to keep your neck in line however you sleep, with gentle traction through the night. If it doesn't earn its spot in 30 nights, it goes back free. *Take the 30-night test, 50% off →
Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →
The upgrades that make your home feel new again start here: You don't need a full remodel to fall back in love with your space. New fixtures, a fresh coat of paint, updated hardware, the small changes that make a room feel different. It's all in one place, so a weekend is all it takes to give a tired room a fresh start. *Shop the refresh → |
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 Free events worth checking outFree things to do in the coming days and weeks. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎤 Karaoke Night with Green @ Pink Lantern | Tuesday (8/4) at 8:00 PM – Clear your throat and your calendar for Pink Lantern's karaoke, hosted by Green on the first, third, and occasional fifth Tuesdays. It's free to sing, which is good, because your Sweet Caroline needs a budget for liquid courage. Bring friends, laughs, and low expectations.
💪 Summer Sweat Series @ Ignite Sports Club | Wednesday (8/5) at 2:00 PM – Homewood’s new Ignite Fitness is rolling out a Summer Sweat Series of body contouring classes, first class free, then $10 a pop. Perfect if your workout has become walking the dog with coffee, with Monday through Wednesday options, and zero drill sergeant energy.
📘 GED and Adult Literacy Class @ Creed 63 | Wednesday (8/5) at 6:00 PM – Take a break from guessing commas with this free GED and adult literacy class. Open to everyone, materials included, no judgment. Whether you want a promotion, to help with homework, or finally tame autocorrect, this is the smart local move.
📚 Adult Reading and English Class @ St. Mark CME Church | Friday (8/7) at 12:00 PM – Polish your English in a free adult class that finally settles affect vs effect, comma drama, and the phrases HR actually loves. All materials are provided, it's open to everyone, and the payoff is real, from sharper emails to a stronger edge at work.
🔮 Tea and Tarot @ Books, Beans, and Candles MS | Friday (8/7) at 6:00 PM – Skip the small talk and let the cards spill the tea at Books, Beans, and Candles, a free meetup. Bring your deck, or borrow a guest one, as professional readers show new spreads, decode meanings, and confirm what your coffee suspected.
🤼 Metal Kombat! @ True Story Brewing Company | Friday (8/7) at 7:00 PM – Metal meets punk in a friendly tag-team throwdown, with Malefic from ATL, X-Ray Vision from Nashville, Turpie from Tuscaloosa, and Bham's own Spirit Guardian. All ages, kids under 12 free, so call it family bonding with extra decibels. Earplugs optional, bragging rights guaranteed.
🤝 Fellowship Flow @ Avondale Park | Sunday (8/9) at 11:00 AM – Unroll your mat at Avondale Park for Fellowship Flow, a laid-back community yoga class every Sunday morning, weather permitting. No sign-ups, all levels, just neighbors stretching, birds offering unsolicited feedback, and the smug satisfaction of calling this self-care before brunch.
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 — Birmingham report Weather forecastToday — High: 90°F — Low: 71°F — Precip: 29%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny. High near 90, with temperatures falling to around 86 in the afternoon. North wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. North wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tomorrow — High: 91°F — Low: 73°F — Precip: 13%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Southwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 73. This house is wildJeffrey Dungan’s former personal home is a showpiece of design, layered with poplar wood walls, a white oak front door, and a marble-clad kitchen with city views. Three bedrooms and 3.5 baths include a private top-floor primary suite. Outside, a new gunite pool and terrace overlook the skyline, while Sonos, updated systems, and an epoxy-finished garage add polish.
Take a peek inside → |
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