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Hey Thousand Oaks, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s edition: Rattlesnake dance video, fairground animal encounters, and trivia night + 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.
A wild desert dance: Video from Thousand Oaks showed two rattlesnakes twisting near a storm drain, a dramatic tangle coinciding with a surge in bites as summer heat brings snakes out across Southern California -- watch the dramatic video.
Training camp kickoff energy: Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders dazzled over 5,000 at Oxnard’s 5th annual Fan Night, kicking off training camp through Aug. 18. Legends Nate Newton and Charles Haley appeared, plus their Thunderstruck routine -- read the full story.
Fairgrounds meet animal education: From pygmy goats to emus and a zebra, the Ventura County Fair’s barns offer hands-on learning and encounters while young exhibitors showcase months of care and skill with their animals -- see the fairground animals.
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 vintage inspiration: Need a little home refresh? Lily Fields Vintage mixes charming, unique pieces with hands-on workshops and a selection of paints, so you can snag something special or level up that weekend project. Easy excuse to take a quick drive to Santa Paula and come back inspired.
Two-minute history fix: Swing by The Beginning of the Old Norwegian Grade for a zero-effort dose of local grit, where the marker spills the tale of Norwegian settlers carving a safer route with picks, shovels, a Fresno Scraper, and sixty bucks of dynamite so hay, wheat, and barley could reach the Oxnard Plain and Hueneme Wharf.
Local golf flex: If you’ve got a line on a member invite this week, Sherwood Country Club is the Thousand Oaks unicorn, with a storied course that’s hosted the pros, a clubhouse built for lingering, and scenery you’ve definitely seen on TV. Perfect excuse to practice that “quiet please” energy.
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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.
❓ Tuesday Trivia Nights @ The Paddock Sports Bar and Horse Racing | Tuesday (8/4) at 6:00 PM – Bring your A-team to The Paddock in Thousand Oaks for Tuesday Trivia Tycoon, a free-to-play, gamified showdown with Lightning, audio, and word-puzzle rounds, plus stone-fired pizzas and Grandstand Pretzels. Horse-racing vibe, local banter, and a smug trot to the winner’s circle.
💜 East County - Dementia Caregive Support Group @ Goebel Adult Community Center | Wednesday (8/5) at 1:00 PM – Nothing beats finding your people when life gets heavy. This free East County dementia caregiver grief group is a calm, judgment-free room to trade stories, name the anticipatory stuff no one warns you about, and pick up practical tools, not platitudes.
❓ Trivia Wednesdays @ Freda's Pizza and Woodfired Kitchen | Wednesday (8/5) at 6:00 PM – Trivia Wednesdays are taking over Freda’s Pizza Kitchen in Westlake Village, with crisp NY and brick-oven pies, cold beer, and free-to-play Trivia Tycoon that’s gamified enough to impress your tech nephew. Expect lightning rounds, word scrambles, audio clues, and bragging rights.
🎨 Color, Craft, or More @ Oak Park Library | Sunday (8/9) at 2:00 PM – Nothing beats zoning out with paper, pens, and mild creativity on a quiet afternoon. This low-pressure Color, Craft, or More hangout gives you projects first, then satisfying coloring, like recess for grownups, kids, and anyone who needs a reset. Zero pressure, maximum calm.
🚗 Conejo Valley Cars & Coffee @ Firestone Complete Auto Care | Saturday (8/29) at 7:00 AM – Conejo Valley Cars & Coffee hits Thousand Oaks with polished classics, modern toys, and coffee stout enough to wake the carburetor. Hoods up, opinions louder than exhaust notes, and plenty of neighborly tire kicking, which absolutely counts as quality time. ✨ Upcoming local fundraisers🥒 Pickle Palooza @ Pickleball Athletic Club (Newbury Park) | Saturday (8/8) at 12:00 PM – Nothing says Newbury Park quite like a pickleball fundraiser with actual bragging rights. Pickle Palooza brings Scouting America’s tournament to the Pickleball Athletic Club, open to everyone, PAC members get a team discount, and brackets drop the week before. Good cause, better serves.
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 — Thousand Oaks report Weather forecastToday — High: 89°F — Low: 63°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 89. West wind 0 to 10 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. Northeast wind 0 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 90°F — Low: 63°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 90. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. This house is wildThis reimagined single-story home at 252 Quails Trail hides behind custom iron gates at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac. Soaring ceilings, skylights, and expansive windows flood the interiors with light, while white oak millwork, natural stone, and a Taj Mahal quartzite island set a warm, polished tone. Outside, a renovated pool, spa, outdoor kitchen, and fire feature complete the retreat.
Take a peek inside → |
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