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Hey Palm Springs, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: A TV spotlight on Kate Castle, a free Y2K concert, and a desert sound bath + 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 stories in the spotlight: Palm Springs real estate pro Kate Castle spotlights the valley’s soul on American Dream TV, from Oswit Canyon’s open space to modernism, with segments already earning national attention -- read the full story.
Luxury market adjusts: Palm Springs home prices cooled, with two luxury listings cutting a combined $70,000 as values fell 1.7% year over year and homes take about 56 days to go under contract -- read the full story.
Summer concert series fun: Indio’s Center Stage will host a free Millennial Night concert featuring Y2K2K on Saturday, August 8, 7 to 9 p.m., with Y2K and millennial-era hits. All ages welcome, bring friends -- get the full event details.
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.
Fresh eyes, Palm Springs: Whether you’re overdue for a style upgrade or just tired of squinting at the desert sun, Desert Elite Optical has designer frames, premium lenses, and prescription sunglasses that actually fit your face. Expect expert opticians, precise fittings, easy repairs, and contact lenses from top brands this week.
Design your dream kitchen: PS212 HOME brings LEICHT’s German-engineered kitchens to the desert with fully customizable layouts, sleek finishes, and, yes, roughly 5,000 color options to obsess over. If your space needs more than cabinets, swing by this week because they also dial in closets, wallpaper, lighting, and outdoor setups so your whole home feels intentionally modern.
Dust off those shoes: Got the salsa itch this week, a future first dance, or just need a fun excuse to move again? Step By Step Dance Studio teaches everything from foxtrot and Argentine tango to bachata, salsa, swing, plus ballet and dance cardio, with private or group lessons for all ages that keep it lively and local.
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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.
🎮 Tween Game Night @ La Quinta Library | Wednesday (8/5) at 4:00 PM – Tween Game Night at the library means strategy showdowns, trivia glory, and enough friendly chaos to tire them out nicely. Send them with buddies or let them team up on the spot. It is all free, they get bragging rights, and you get quiet.
🀄 Chinese Mahjong @ La Quinta Library | Thursday (8/6) at 1:30 PM – Shuffle into the library for Chinese Mahjong, where the tile clack is soothing, the company is neighborly, and the buy-in is exactly zero. Play if you know it, spectate if you do not, just know this is friendly fun, not a class.
🎮 Pokemon Club @ La Quinta Library | Friday (8/7) at 4:00 PM – This library club is basically Saturday morning cartoons made real, complete with Pokemon-themed activities and a kid-friendly TCG boot camp. Perfect for ages 8-12, beginners welcome, and yes, it is free, which pairs nicely with your nostalgia, patience, and coffee.
☕ Coffee & Cars @ Aspen Mills Bread Co. (La Quinta) | Saturday (8/8) at 7:00 AM – Fuel up on beans and octane at Coffee & Cars, the weekly meetup parked at Aspen Mills Bakery on Washington Street. Expect polished classics, daily drivers worth bragging about, and pastries so good you forget you were here for the engines.
🌱 Hydro Harvest @ La Quinta Library | Saturday (8/8) at 10:30 AM – Take a break from weeding and let the library’s Flex Farm show you how to grow greens without dirt, drama, or a backyard. It’s a bi-weekly hydroponics fix, surprisingly fun, and totally free. Space is scarce, bragging rights plentiful.
📻 Ready Radio: Agua Caliente @ Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City | Saturday (8/8) at 7:00 PM – Desert evenings call for free outdoor tunes, and the main stage at Agua Caliente Cathedral City delivers with Radio Ready playing all the hits. It’s fresh air, casino glow, and sing-alongs you’ll pretend you remember perfectly, all without opening your wallet.
✍ Writer's Block @ La Quinta Public Library | Sunday (8/9) at 1:00 PM – Staring at a blinking cursor like it's judging you? The library’s monthly Writer’s Block gathers prompts, exercises, and group critiques that actually nudge words out, with zero pressure, friendly brains, and the best price in town, free. Pens, coffee, and honesty encouraged.
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 — Palm Springs report Weather forecastToday — High: 114°F — Low: 88°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 114. Heat index values as high as 111. Southwest wind 0 to 10 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 88. West wind 0 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 113°F — Low: 89°F — Precip: 1%
Sunny, with a high near 113. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 89. This house is wildThe Waterfall House in South Palm Springs is a 1978 James Cioffi original with 4,393 square feet of sleek contemporary style. A private courtyard leads to custom steelwork, a cascading pool, spa, putting green, and lounge-ready patio. Inside, clerestory windows, a sunken living room, immense bar, chef’s kitchen, and stone fireplace bring desert glamour with golf course and mountain views.
Take a peek inside → |
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