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Hey Calhoun County, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Back-to-school health prep, summer music bingo, and jam for the cure + 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.
Back-to-school health prep: As the school year approaches, Dr. Tiffany Widner urges families to reset sleep schedules, update immunizations for kindergarten and seventh grade, and review prescriptions and vision checks as classes start -- get the full checklist.
Another defensive boost: Detroit Lions signed veteran linebacker Devin White to a one-year deal, adding 2025’s third-leading tackler as they try to settle a third LB spot after Alex Anzalone’s free-agent exit -- check the Lions lineup.
More Michigan road projects: Road work ramps up this week, with resurfacing on M-66 between Beckley Road and S Drive South and on M-37 from I-94 to Helmer Road in Battle Creek -- see the full construction list.
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.
Your weekly art fix: Art Center of Battle Creek hosts exhibits and classes for kids and adults in ceramics, painting and glass, plus a Gift Gallery featuring work from over 50 Michigan artists. Sign up, support local makers, then bring home something that doesn’t live on a screen.
Square-pie comfort fix: When you need maximum cheese and minimal fuss, Pizza Rescue has your back with 9x9 deep-dish squares, gooey Rescue Bread, and wildcards like Dill Pickle or Mac & Cheese. Cap it with a scoop of their homemade ice cream and call this week officially saved.
Fresh picks, cold sips: Produce that looks like it actually came from a farm, cheeses and spices that make dinner less boring, plus a Tavern pouring Michigan favorites like Oberon and Dirty Blonde, Horrocks & Company is where Battle Creek folks upgrade the weekly haul. Grab a party platter or gift basket and call it a win.
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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.
🎶 Summer Music Bingo @ Squirrel Hollow Golf Course (Battle Creek) | Tuesday (8/4) at 6:00 PM – If your brain still stores 80s choruses better than passwords, Tuesday night patio Music Bingo is your moment. A new food truck each week, cold drinks, and bragging rights await, all free, and far more fun than yelling at Jeopardy from the couch.
🎶 Vibe @ Friendship Park (Battle Creek) | Friday (8/7) at 5:00 PM – Clock out and catch Vibe @ 5 with Atomic Annie, a jam for patio people-watching, a lawn chair, and a cold one. If it rains, it slides into Handmap Brewing, same groove, fewer gnats. Presented by Battle Creek Honda, because even rock needs reliable wheels.
🚙 Jam the Jeep (Car Show) @ Marshall Moose Family Center | Saturday (8/8) at 11:00 AM – Shine up whatever you drive, the Moose car show is on for members and qualified guests, all rigs welcome. No entry fee, admission is school supplies to jam the Jeep for Marshall Public Schools, because nothing says back to school like a trunk of crayons.
🎗 Jam for the Cure @ Dark Horse Brewing Company (Marshall) | Saturday (8/8) at 2:00 PM – Ready to pretend your charity work includes rock riffs and ROAK and Dark Horse pours? Jam for the Cure features Riff-Raff, Megan Rae Band, His Boy Elroy, Father Stone, and Chameleon, plus a tableside magician, family putt-putt, live auction, raffles, and no cover.
🚤 Cruise The Creek 2026 @ Downtown Battle Creek | Saturday (8/8) at 4:00 PM – Ready to Cruise the Creek again? Downtown Battle Creek fills with gleaming classics 25 years and older, plus tastefully tweaked modern rides, for a free, family friendly car show. Stroll Friendship Park vendors, swap stories, admire chrome, and pretend your daily driver counts.
💍 Just Married @ The Music Factory (Battle Creek) | Saturday (8/8) at 6:00 PM – Only in this town do nuptials double as a free, all-ages rock show, and Mike and Kat are celebrating with a lineup. Decyphered, First Aid Spray, Tribe 989, Sean Cyphers, and Klinical Trial are soundtracking the reception, so bring your toast-ready smile and dancing shoes.
🎶 Angela Davis & Class Act @ Victory Park (Albion) | Sunday (8/9) at 6:00 PM – Take a break from yardwork and wander to the Victory Park Bandshell for a free night with Angela Davis & Class Act. Big vocals, tight band, and plenty of classics you know. They bring the hits, you bring the lawn chair, neighbors, and dance moves.
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 — Calhoun County report Weather forecastToday — High: 84°F — Low: 58°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 84. South southwest wind 2 to 7 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. South southwest wind 2 to 6 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 84°F — Low: 61°F — Precip: 8%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Southwest wind 2 to 7 mph. Later: A chance of rain showers between 8pm and 11pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Chance of precipitation is 60%. This house is wildThis 1922 restoration packs over 2,000 square feet with 4 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, and a beautifully refreshed historic feel. Original hardwoods, including refinished herringbone parquet, add character throughout. The renovated kitchen shines with butcher block counters and new appliances, while the wraparound porch, fenced yard, new roof, and updated boiler bring modern peace of mind.
Take a peek inside → |
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