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Hey Columbia, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Restaurant and craft beverage weeks, National Night Out, and Patuxent jazz band sunset serenades + 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.
Birthday run for a cause: Runners gathered in Timonium for Dash's INCREDIBLE 5K Dash, celebrating 3-year-old Dash Daichman and supporting two Baltimore-area causes amid his fight with an undiagnosed neurodegenerative disorder -- read the full story.
Plan your day ahead: Baltimore’s hour-by-hour forecast for today, August 4, breaks down temperature, precipitation chances, humidity, and wind through tonight, useful for Columbia commuters and families planning after-work errands and evening activities -- see the full forecast.
Savor local summer specials: Howard County Restaurant and Craft Beverage Weeks runs through Sunday, August 9, with special menus at more than 45 restaurants, including Columbia favorites, plus 10 percent cash back for diners -- see where to dine.
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, sip, repeat: Meander Art Bar is part neighborhood hangout, part creative studio, with hands-on art experiences, rotating classes and community workshops that pair nicely with something from the bar. Rally a friend and make something this week, or plan a private get-together that’s more paint-splattered than small talk.
Brows that stay put: Skip the morning brow scramble and let Haiku, Ink. Microblading Alternative in Maryland give you soft, natural-looking powder brows from an inclusive cosmetic tattoo pro who works with every skin tone and type. They also do eyeliner, lips, lash lifts, and removals, plus free video consults.
Game-day vibes nearby: GORC Park, also known as Francis Station Park, is the home turf for Gambrills-Odenton Recreation Council and a go-to for practices, scrimmages, and stretching the legs after work. Bring a ball, catch some youth league energy, and remember why neighborhood parks make weekdays feel lighter.
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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.
🌃 National Night Out @ Ridgely's Run Community Center (Jessup) | Tuesday (8/4) at 6:00 PM – National Night Out turns Ridgely's Run into Jessup's friendliest block party, sirens strictly for show. Bring the crew for a free picnic dinner, police and fire displays, a petting zoo, a video game truck, and a chance to meet Guilford Park High School staff.
👨 Kids Eat Free Wednesdays @ The Common Kitchen (Clarksville) | Wednesday (8/5) at 4:00 PM – If your midweek cooking motivation taps out by Tuesday, head to Clarksville’s Common Kitchen for Kids Eat Free Wednesdays. With a $15 purchase, the small humans eat on the house while you roam the global vendors, sip something decent, and call it quality time.
🎷 Patuxent Jazz Band: Sunset Serenades 2026 @ Centennial Park (Ellicott City) | Wednesday (8/5) at 7:00 PM – Bring a blanket, the good lawn chair, and your best neighbor manners for the Sunset Serenades season finale with Patuxent Jazz Band, free and lakeside at Centennial Park. Expect swing, sunsets, and that perfect evening breeze, proof that summer still has a little swagger left.
🎭 Romeo & Juliet @ Rockburn Branch Park (Elkridge) | Thursday (8/6) at 7:30 PM – Pack a blanket, hit Rockburn for free outdoor Shakespeare, with Romeo and Juliet reimagined on the eve of the Revolution, tipping a hat to America’s 250th. The kids get acting games, crafts, and bubbles, then it’s a show about freedom, equality, and peace. Beats doomscrolling.
🎤 Outdoor Concert @ Granville Gude Park (Laurel) | Friday (8/7) at 7:00 PM – Whether you still call it Laurel Lakes or switched to Granville Gude Park, this free outdoor concert is a bring-your-chair, breathe easy kind of night. The Too Much Talent Band blends hip-hop, R&B, pop, soul, funk, and jazz, and they live up to the name.
🚗 August Meet: Mikey & Mel's Cruise In @ Mikey & Mel's Deli (Fulton) | Saturday (8/8) at 9:00 AM – If your garage queen has been begging for sunlight, roll into Maple Lawn for Mikey and Mel’s cruise in. All makes welcome, free parking, and the kitchen is slinging good eats, plus the legendary pickle bragging rights, with Howard County Police keeping the shenanigans civilized.
🎵 Generation Mixtape Live @ Tiber Park (Ellicott City) | Saturday (8/29) at 10:00 AM – If your playlist and your pantry both need attention, Old Ellicott City’s farmers market brings Generation Mixtape playing the hits you know by heart, plus local vendors, and cobblestone charm. Browse, bop, and call it errands with a soundtrack, snacks 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 — Columbia report Weather forecastToday — High: 84°F — Low: 67°F — Precip: 4%
Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Northeast wind around 6 mph. Later: A chance of rain showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. East wind 1 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tomorrow — High: 86°F — Low: 71°F — Precip: 59%
A chance of rain showers before 11am, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Southeast wind 1 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 8pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 60%. This house is wildThis updated River Hill home pairs timeless style with a quiet cul-de-sac setting and a beautifully private backyard. A dramatic two-story foyer, hardwood floors, and a renovated kitchen with custom finishes set the tone. The screened porch, deck, and walkout lower level with kitchenette, fifth bedroom, and ADA-compliant features add standout flexibility and space.
Take a peek inside → |
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