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Hey Santa Maria, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s edition: Model rocket launches, free back-to-school health fairs, and Hawaiian dance + fun things to do for free & local fundraisers worth checking out 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 $150 off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Summer welcome tradition: Students from Pioneer, Righetti and Santa Maria High built and launched model rockets in Rocketing Into High School, easing the jump to ninth grade. School starts Aug. 13 -- read the full story.
Get ready for fall classes: Hancock Hello welcomes Allan Hancock College students and parents today in Lompoc with campus tours, bilingual workshops and free food, then returns Aug. 11 at the Santa Maria campus -- see what's planned for students.
Community support for students: Free back-to-school health fairs start today through Thursday across Santa Maria, Lompoc, and Santa Barbara, offering sports physicals, school vaccinations, backpacks with supplies, and family resources with 30-plus partners -- see what each fair offers.
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.
Make weeknights mellow: The Wine Cellar serves up a cozy, historic vibe that’s perfect for a low-key catch-up and a glass of something you actually want to sip. Settle in, savor the Central Coast in your cup, and let the room’s relaxed hush do the rest.
Treasure hunt this week: If you’re dealing with an estate or just chasing vintage serendipity, Heritage House Sales has been running Central Coast estate sales since 1987, guiding families through liquidations while giving Santa Maria folks a shot at quality pre-owned finds that are greener, cheaper, and way more interesting.
Freshen up your space: The Furniture Store by CCS Home Design pairs Ashley Furniture’s cozy, stylish picks with serious surface upgrades in granite, marble, quartzite, quartz, porcelain, and soapstone, plus decor to finish the look. Stop in and let their balance, elevate, create vibe kickstart your next home refresh.
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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.
🌺 Hawaiian Dance @ Elwin Mussell Senior Center | Sunday (8/9) at 1:30 PM – Break out the loud shirt, the Elwin Mussell Senior Center is throwing a free Hawaiian Dance with the 17 piece Riptide Big Band, guest dancer Yuka Freeman, and vocalist Mitch Latting. Expect big band swagger, a hula lesson or two, and proper local people-watching.
🎤 Cassie B @ Ramona Garden Park (Grover Beach) | Sunday (8/23) at 3:00 PM – Bring the lawn chair your back trusts and roll into Ramona Garden Park’s newly renovated amphitheater for the 25th anniversary finale with Cassie B, fresh off a Best Pop Artist win. Big vocals, sing-along hits, local bites, and ocean-kissed breezes. Free, friendly, and low-effort.
🍲 Stone Soup 2026 @ Ramona Garden Park (Grover Beach) | Saturday (8/29) at 10:00 AM – Ramona Garden Park turns into a block party you can bring your aunt to, with two stages, street fair treasure hunting, and food that pairs well with beer and wine. It's free, it's Grover Beach, and like the story, everyone brings something to the pot.
🌺 Hālau Hula Nā Mele O Ke Kai & Na Hoa Aloha @ Ramona Garden Park (Grover Beach) | Saturday (8/29) at 11:30 AM – Grab your lawn chair and cruise to Grover Beach for Hālau Hula Nā Mele O Ke Kai & Na Hoa Aloha at the free Stone Soup Music Festival in Ramona Garden Park. Color, drums, and hips that still know the moves. Culture, community, cardio.
💃 Saturday Night Madonna Dance Party @ Ramona Garden Park (Grover Beach) | Saturday (8/29) at 7:30 PM – Think you still remember the Vogue hands, or did they retire with your mixtapes? Saturday night at Stone Soup in Grover, Blonde Ambition brings a Madonna tribute, wall-to-wall hits, and summer swagger, free with festival admission. Dress loud, wear sensible shoes, hydrate, and dance anyway.
🐶 Mardi Paws Dog Parade @ Ramona Garden Park (Grover Beach) | Sunday (8/30) at 10:30 AM – Leash up the pup and stroll to Ramona Garden Park for Mardi Paws, the Stone Soup tradition where dogs strut, humans grin, and dignity wears sequins. Prizes fly for Best in Show, Best Lookalike, Most Original, and Most Colorful. Stay for tunes, bites, and company. ✨ Upcoming local fundraisers🚗 2nd Annual Santa Maria High School Car Show @ Santa Maria High School | Saturday (8/8) at 7:00 AM – Whether you’ve babied a ’57 Chevy or just like shiny things, the second annual Santa Maria High car show is your lane. Cruise in through the Thronburg Gate, admire the chrome, and feel good knowing it all benefits the Cross Country Kids.
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 — Santa Maria report Weather forecastToday — High: 69°F — Low: 56°F — Precip: 0%
Patchy fog before 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 69. West northwest wind 0 to 10 mph. Later: Patchy fog after 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. West northwest wind 0 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 73°F — Low: 56°F — Precip: 0%
Patchy fog before 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Later: Patchy fog after 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. This house is wildThis 5,100± sq. ft. Orcutt estate spreads out across 1.03 acres in one of the area’s most coveted neighborhoods. Elevated views roll in from sunrise to sunset, while the oversized driveway, three-car garage, and generous RV parking add serious versatility. Country-style privacy meets quick access to shopping, dining, schools, wineries, golf, and Highway 101.
Take a peek inside → |
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