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Hey South Bend, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: A new community garden, sunset skating, and the Ampy family and the Underground Railroad + 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.
A fresh green gathering place: Photos show the new community garden at South Bend's Cathedral of St. James, which opened July 17, with work continuing through year’s end and free public access -- see the full garden story.
Planned roadwork update: Southbound US 31 entry to the Indiana Toll Road at South Bend West is closed through September 12 for bridge repairs. Detour to I-80/90 via the South Bend Airport exit -- see the detour details.
Ownership deal completed: Mno-Bmadsen finalized full ownership of Mno-DREK, bringing Mishawaka’s Michiana Global Mold and Elkhart’s Walerko Tool & Engineering fully under the Pokagon Band’s investment arm, with financial terms undisclosed -- see the full takeover plan.
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.
Red-sauce comfort fix: Traditional pizza, twirl-worthy pastas, and stacked sandwiches in a no-fuss setting, Volcano Restaurant nails that cozy red-sauce comfort we all crave. Put it on your weekly rotation, then enjoy the leftovers for lunch while pretending you planned it that way.
Treat-yourself upgrade: Violet Sky Chocolate is South Bend’s bean to bar chocolate maker, turning cacao into thoughtfully made bars that taste like something you'd actually want to savor. Pick up a bar for midweek morale or stash a couple for easy gifting, because sometimes your day just needs...better chocolate.
Stroll through local history: Horatio Chapin House delivers peak Gothic Revival vibes right in Chapin Park’s National Register Historic District, the onetime country estate that launched a whole neighborhood. Wander by to appreciate the layered story of South Bend’s early movers and shakers, from wooded acres and orchards to brick-paved ambition.
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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.
🏥 Community Health Fair @ HealthLinc Southeast | Thursday (8/6) at 1:00 PM – If your check engine light for humans has been on since last winter, swing by HealthLinc Southeast for a community health fair with no-cost screenings and well-child checkups. Bring the crew for free food, raffles, and giveaways, plus quality time with South Bend neighbors.
🛼 Sunset Skating @ Howard Park | Friday (8/7) at 6:00 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to dust off your balance, First Fridays mean rollerskating at Howard Park with a local DJ spinning outside, sunset views, and low-stakes cardio. Free and family friendly, with skate rentals for those who retired theirs in ’92.
🎺 Whistle Pigs @ Fern Hunsberger Park (Osceola) | Friday (8/7) at 6:00 PM – If your idea of a wild night includes lawn chairs, the Whistle Pigs, and kids dancing off a sugar high, Osceola Music Festival is your jam. Free to wander in, family friendly, with food and merchant booths, so bring a chair and an appetite.
🎒 Back-to-school @ Heroes Park (Mishawaka) | Saturday (8/8) at 11:00 AM – Got a kid from preschool to college, or you’re a vet hitting the books? Around here, they’re handing out backpacks with supplies for military families, a practical pep talk that beats battling the school-supply aisle, with advance registration required, open through July 23, 2026.
🍞 Carbohydrates Lunch n Learn @ Unity Garden | Saturday (8/8) at 12:00 PM – Consider this your midday truce with bread. A free lunch-and-learn on carbs, covering fiber, blood sugar balance, and how to choose quality sources, plus a recipe with whole grains and seasonal produce. Registration is optional, no guilt, just facts, and maybe seconds.
🚂 The Road to Here: The Ampy Family & The Underground Railroad @ The History Museum | Saturday (8/8) at 2:00 PM – Swap streaming queue for a history talk as Brother Sage Gillam and Rev. Dr. Michael C. R. Nabors trace the Ampy family across nine generations, from Africa to the Deep South, via Underground Railroad routes north. Surprise twist, they’re related, and it is free.
🎶 Potawatomi Park Summer Concert Series @ Potawatomi Park | Sunday (8/9) at 6:00 PM – Free Sunday concerts at Potawatomi Park with rotating food trucks, live bands, and that neighborly buzz we like. Toss a blanket or chair in the trunk, then pretend you planned the evening. Use the new Wall Street parking, and give the side streets a break.
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 — South Bend report Weather forecastToday — High: 83°F — Low: 61°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 83. South wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. South wind 0 to 5 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 83°F — Low: 64°F — Precip: 11%
Sunny, with a high near 83. Southwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 11pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 2am, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. This house is wildJust minutes from Notre Dame, this 2022-built, 4,500-plus-square-foot home brings game-day energy and everyday comfort together. Five bedrooms, a main-level en suite, a luxe primary suite, and a finished lower level with a custom bar, family room, and extra sleeping space make hosting effortless. The open-concept kitchen, fireplace, and patio access add even more appeal.
Take a peek inside → |
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