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Hey Anaheim, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: First look at a new concert hall, Midsummer Scream, and a really really free market + 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.
Budget fix hits a pause: Anaheim shelved a proposed 10% tax on Uber and Lyft trips to Disneyland and the Platinum Triangle after no councilmember sought a vote, sidelining $3.6 million amid a budget gap -- read the tax update.
A glimpse at the venue: OCVIBE last week gave media a first look inside its 5,000-seat concert hall, marking a milestone. Populous-designed centerpiece of a $5 billion Anaheim development is set to open in 2027 -- tour the new concert hall.
Frights and fun await: Midsummer Scream will return to Long Beach Convention Center this weekend, Aug. 7–9, with 350-plus vendors, roaming scare actors, and Hall of Shadows. Friday evening and Sunday tickets remain available -- read the full story.
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.
This week’s sweet fix: From custom cakes to macarons and cupcakes and those custom-designed caramel apples, SweetsStop does the made-to-order, special-occasion thing plus everyday cravings with care. Need a birthday hero or a Tuesday pick-me-up, let them handle the sweet stuff while you claim credit with the fork.
Make bath time bliss: Furry Rascals Grooming turns scruffy pups into happy, fluffy showoffs with stress-free sessions that start by bonding with your dog, so consider it a tune-up this week. Go for a simple bath with nail trim, ear cleaning, and a blowdry, or the full groom for a deep clean, fresh cut, ears, nails, and a blowout.
Get your swing back: Dad Miller Golf Course keeps it friendly for all ages and abilities, with tree-lined fairways, an easy walk, and a lake that somehow finds golf balls it didn’t even ask for. Drop by this week to tune up on the practice facilities, then refuel at Fore Thirty Bar & Grill.
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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.
🦷 FREE Dental Hygiene Services | Servicios Gratuitos de Higiene Dental @ West Coast University | Wednesday (8/5) at 7:00 AM – Trade the drill and bill routine for free care at West Coast University’s teaching clinic in Anaheim. Free cleanings, X-rays, cancer screenings, fluoride, and more, handled by students with licensed dentists and hygienists supervising. Visits run longer, but your smile and budget come out ahead.
🎱 Polly's Pies Fullerton Bingo @ Polly's Pies | Wednesday (8/5) at 4:00 PM – Shake off the midweek blahs at Polly’s Pies Fullerton with free Wednesday bingo, prizes, and actual dinner you did not cook. Two sessions mean you can go early or later, eat, play, and still be home in time for the news, and pie.
🎵 City of Orange 2026 Concerts in the Park @ Hart Park | Wednesday (8/5) at 6:30 PM – Concerts in the Park is back, turning Wednesday nights at Hart Park into free, bring-your-blanket hangs with classic rock, 90s nostalgia, soul, and a little Celtic kick. Kiwanis puts it on, the bandshell brings the breeze, you bring a low chair, snack money, and side-eye.
🎺 Mariachi Divas @ Craig Regional Park (Brea) | Thursday (8/6) at 5:00 PM – Summer evenings call for live music, lawn chairs, and zero cover, so catch the OC Parks Summer Concert at Craig Regional Park with Mariachi Divas, plus The Duo to open. Free admission and parking. Bring blankets, stake your spot, and pretend you planned this.
♿ 11th Annual Summit on Disability and Opportunities for All @ Musco Center for the Arts at Chapman University (Orange) | Friday (8/7) at 8:00 AM – Clear a little space for the 11th Annual Summit on Disability and Opportunities for All, a free morning of networking and no-fluff presentations. With a Love on the Spectrum emcee, Mia Noelle Rodriguez, Down for Dance, and sharp ideas on accessibility and AI job coaching.
🆓 Complimentary Intro to Membership Class @ Club Pilates Orange (Villa Park) | Sunday (8/9) at 12:00 PM – Your back called, it wants a truce. Try this complimentary Pilates intro with Brittany K, a low-impact reset that builds core strength, improves posture, and boosts flexibility, perfect for all levels, especially anyone collecting mystery aches, desk slouch, or weekend-warrior regrets.
🛒 Really Really Free Market @ Pearson Park | Sunday (8/9) at 2:00 PM – Clear the garage, then hit Pearson Park for Anaheim’s Really Really Free Market, where price on everything is zero, no haggling, no guilt, just good neighbors. Bring goods, grab what you need, offer a free skill, and take leftovers home, plus there’s an essentials drive.
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 — Anaheim report Weather forecastToday — High: 88°F — Low: 67°F — Precip: 0% Sunny, with a high near 88. Southwest wind 0 to 10 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Southwest wind 0 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 87°F — Low: 68°F — Precip: 0% Sunny, with a high near 87. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 68. This house is wildSet on 1.4 private acres in Anaheim Hills, this 4-bedroom estate pairs canyon and skyline views with a tucked-away, pine-lined driveway. Inside, a chef’s kitchen, expanded family room, and remodeled baths bring comfort and style. Outside, a wraparound deck, pool and spa, 3-car garage, and finished attic round out the perks.
Take a peek inside → | | |