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Hey Land O' Lakes, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s edition: Behind-the-scenes training camp access, a new Vita Vea mural, 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.
Behind the scenes access: Florida Sports Hall of Fame released a MIC'D UP special from Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp, hosted by John Reger with William "Bar None" Floyd and Nora Lee Smith -- watch the full episode.
Stadium art gets personal: The Buccaneers honored Vita Vea with a new stadium mural late last week, joining Baker Mayfield, Chris Godwin and Antoine Winfield Jr., as questions linger about his $18 million contract -- read the full story.
Big shifts ahead: USF's future looks bright and uncertain as a federal bill backed by the SEC and Big Ten reshapes college sports. Cost caps narrow gaps while realignment options remain -- 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.
Edibles worth the hype: Higher Flour turns out cookies and gummies that taste like a proper treat first, edible second, made by folks who clearly care about flavor. Treat yourself this week, Land O' Lakes, with a box and a peek at their CBD wellness and smoke shop selection.
Chill, tone, glow: If summer has your abs hiding and your skin begging for a reset, Sculpt Body Bar brings CryoSlimming to tackle stubborn spots, CryoFacials for a collagen-boosted glow, and EMS sessions that strengthen your core and lift your glutes, all non-invasive and pain-free... perfect for a quick confidence bump this week.
Shaken, not basic: Mandarin Heights treats cocktails like a craft and a little bit of theatre, mixing timeless classics with inventive sips in a mid-century modern lounge with upbeat music and a unique vibe. They even roll out a fresh menu every Tuesday, so your go-to could change weekly.
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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.
👨 Family Dinner Night @ Double Bogey's Tavern & Grille (Lutz) | Tuesday (8/4) at 5:00 PM – Skip the Tuesday kitchen Olympics and let Double Bogey's Tavern & Grille feed the crew. Kids 12 and under eat free with each adult entrée, every Tuesday, one per grown-up, and no, the Taco Tuesday special does not count. Peace, fries, and a quieter ride.
❓ Trivia Night @ The Turn Bar and Grill at The Groves | Tuesday (8/4) at 6:00 PM – Tuesday trivia at The Turn Bar & Grill is open to the public and free. Bring the crew, enjoy good food, and vie for $30, $20, $10 gift certs, plus a cheeky +5 if you skim three headlines, which counts as homework at The Groves.
💃 Line Dancing @ Double Bogey's Tavern & Grille (Lutz) | Thursday (8/6) at 7:00 PM – First and third Thursdays at Double Bogey's mean Simone, line dancing, and the rare chance to master a grapevine without judgment. It is free, 18 and up, 7 to 9, so expect the two-step, solid laughs, and cardio disguised as quality time. ✨ Upcoming local fundraisers🏈 Quarterback Your Health @ Hilton Garden Inn Tampa Suncoast Parkway (Lutz) | Friday (8/21) at 5:00 PM – Skip the same old happy hour and huddle up for Quarterback Your Health, inspired by Stephen Garcia’s courageous fight with Stage 4 colorectal cancer. Expect influential voices, practical education, and an auction or two, the kind of evening that actually feels worth your time.
🚒 Second Annual Firefighter Faceoff @ AdventHealth Center Ice (Wesley Chapel) | Saturday (8/22) at 6:00 PM – Round up the family for the Second Annual Firefighter Faceoff, a charity hockey game at AdventHealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel. Cheer, feed the boot, and savor a frozen break from the Florida heat, which counts as air conditioning, camaraderie, and a worthy cause.
🐴 Bakas Western & Ranch Open Breed Charity Show series #1 @ Lake Park (Lutz) | Sunday (10/4) at 9:00 AM – If you’ve been looking for an excuse to dust off the boots, the Western and Ranch Open Breed Charity Show kicks off a fall series at Bakas. Expect polished horses, real horsemanship, more saddle leather than sequins. Neighborly competition for a good cause.
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 — Land O' Lakes report Weather forecastToday — High: 88°F — Low: 74°F — Precip: 44%
Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Heat index values as high as 97. South southwest wind 2 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Later: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. South southwest wind 1 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tomorrow — High: 91°F — Low: 74°F — Precip: 60%
Isolated showers and thunderstorms between 8am and 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. South southeast wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then isolated showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. East northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. This house is wildThis 5-bed, 4-bath executive lakefront stunner in The Manors at Lake Padgett pairs 3,804 square feet with resort-style outdoor living. Built in 2018 on over half an acre, it features a saltwater pool, gas spa, outdoor kitchen, private beach and dock, electric boat lift, jet ski platform, plus a luxe primary suite and 2025 updates.
Take a peek inside → |
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