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Hey Huntington Beach, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Spooky midsummer scream, a sheepdog clearing a helicopter landing, and trivia nights + 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.
Local legends recognized: The Long Beach Golf Hall of Fame added three new members to its 2026 class on August 2, honoring Bill McCormick, Joey Cerulle and Mike Ortega for shaping local golf -- meet the golf inductees.
Spooky fun for all ages: Midsummer Scream will return to the Long Beach Convention Center Aug. 7–9 with over 350 vendors, scare actors, and the Hall of Shadows. Tickets remain for Friday evening and Sunday -- get the full event details.
Canine hero saves the day: First responders landed safely in Laguna Beach after a quick-thinking sheepdog swiftly herded goats off a field, clearing space for an emergency helicopter landing captured on video -- see the rescue helicopter landing.
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.
Time to chill smarter: Surf City Cryo cools you down and picks you up with whole body cryotherapy, infrared sauna, red light, halotherapy, and muscle-toning sessions. Certified techs keep it safe, the vibe stays tranquil, even the cleaners are plant-based, so your post-surf legs, desk shoulders, and weekend-warrior aches can chill out.
Spin break, anyone? Sneak a quick joy ride at Irvine Spectrum Center Carousel, a favorite for kids of all ages with antique-designed horses and a whole menagerie to choose from. Perfect as a mid-shopping reset or a bribery-level treat after dinner, because sometimes simple fun hits best.
Local sugar fix: Simply Cakes and Cupcakes turns out daily-baked cupcakes, minis, and quick-order celebration cakes, plus custom designs that actually look like your kid's doodle or your team's logo. Nut-free, school-approved options and nostalgic flavors like Samoa, S'mores, and French Raspberry make weekday birthdays and spontaneous treat-yourself moments dangerously easy.
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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.
🎲 Polly's Pies Bingo @ Polly's Pies Restaurant & Bakery | Wednesday (8/5) at 4:00 PM – Wednesday at Polly's in Huntington Beach means free bingo with a side of pie. Two rounds, prizes you actually want, and dinner that doesn't come in a plastic clamshell. Bring the crew or fly solo, your competitive streak and sweet tooth will both be satisfied.
🎸 Mood Lifters - A Tribute to Rush @ Dwight D. Eisenhower Park (Seal Beach) | Wednesday (8/5) at 6:00 PM – Seal Beach gets its prog on with a free Rush tribute at Eisenhower Park by the pier, ocean breeze included. Expect everything from Limelight to deep cuts, virtuosic noodling, and a lot of dignified air drumming. Bring a blanket, a picnic, and your inner teenager.
🎙 Elvis Tribute Dinner Show @ Old World Biergarten Festival Hall & Concert Venue | Wednesday (8/5) at 6:00 PM – Old World is channeling Vegas swagger, with an Elvis tribute crooning the hits while you tuck into schnitzel, pretzels, and a proper stein. It is dinner theater the HB way, a little kitsch, a lot of charm, and zero sad buffets.
❓ Trivia Nights @ Deli Nerds (Costa Mesa) | Thursday (8/6) at 7:00 PM – Thursday nights are for showing off all the weird facts you’ve hoarded since cable, and Geeks Who Drink is back to enable it on the patio. Expect scratch-made sliders, cold drinks, free entry, and prizes, plus parking that won’t make you swear. Bragging rights included.
🍽 Huntington Beach Foodie Fest @ Golden West College | Friday (8/7) at 5:00 PM – Nothing beats closing out summer in Huntington Beach by taste-testing your way through the final Foodie Fest of the season. Pizza, tacos, loaded dogs, and over-the-top desserts await, plus free admission and parking, which is rarer than an empty fire pit at sunset.
📿 Trunk Show @ Beadology Bead Company | Saturday (8/8) at 11:00 AM – Your bead stash called, it wants an upgrade. Ava Motherwell is doing a trunk show at Beadology with vintage and vintage-inspired beads from Germany and Italy, think lucite, glass, moonglow, neon, and mid-century in 4mm to 60mm. Free to browse, open to all, wholesale available.
🍩 Donut Derelicts @ Adams Ave. Donuts | Saturday (8/8) at 8:00 PM – Whether you remember cruising PCH in a Chevy, or you like mornings with horsepower and glaze, Donut Derelicts, a classic car show, lines up in Huntington Beach. Expect chrome, coffee, and stories louder than the exhaust. It is the only traffic jam you will enjoy.
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 — Huntington Beach report Weather forecastToday — High: 75°F — Low: 68°F — Precip: 0%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. Southwest wind 0 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. West wind 5 to 15 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 75°F — Low: 68°F — Precip: 0%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. This house is wildThis reimagined 4-bed, 3.5-bath coastal showpiece blends ocean views with artful design and serious craftsmanship. Rebuilt in 2021, it features an open, light-filled layout, custom millwork, a gourmet kitchen with Thermador columns and a two-level island, plus a glass-enclosed refrigerated wine display. Just one block from Huntington Beach and Dog Beach.
Take a peek inside → |
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