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Hey Livingston County, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Ballot measures, Rock the Block, and a lakefront home with two kitchens + 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.
Key local measures on ballot: Livingston County voters are deciding today on millages for veterans services, safety, schools and libraries, including a school proposal up to 18 mills and a measure replacing a police levy -- read the full details.
Back-to-school health prep: As school nears, a Michigan pediatrician urges Livingston County families to reset routines, prioritize sleep, schedule checkups, update immunizations for kindergartners and seventh graders, and refresh medication forms -- read the full advice.
Why Michigan stands out: British TikTok star Joshua Cauldwell-Clarke, touring Michigan for three weeks, rebuts critics, saying the real beauty of the Mitten is its kind people and authenticity -- see Michigan’s real beauty.
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.
Pet glow-up this week: The Barking Lot is a vet-recommended, full-service, open-style grooming salon that’s been pampering Livingston County pets since 1995. Dogs and cats get trims for function, comfort, beauty or the show ring, all from groomers who actually care... and it shows.
Pizza, bocce, repeat: Whether you're craving certified Neapolitan pies with blistered edges, a crispy brick-oven-finished Detroit square, or a post-game scoop of house-made gelato, Coratti's Pizzeria Bar and Bocce delivers the goods. Grab friends, reserve a bocce court, and turn an average Howell weeknight into bragging rights.
Make movie night count: Emagine Hartland mixes fresh releases like Spider-Man: Brand New Day with deep-cut fun, from Studio Ghibli Fest 2026 and Flashback Cinema to Summer Kids Series and director spotlights. When the week gets loud, swing by this week and let someone else tell the story.
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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 Story Time @ Pinckney Community Public Library | Tuesday (8/4) at 11:00 AM – Pinckney Public Library is hosting a kid-approved story time for ages 3 and up with a caregiver, featuring stories, songs, and a simple craft. It is early literacy disguised as fun, and mercifully a drop in, so no color-coded calendar required.
🤝 24th Annual Day of Caring @ Livingston County (Brighton) | Wednesday (8/5) at 8:00 AM – Nothing beats pitching in for United Way's Day of Caring, the county's biggest volunteer blitz. Think less hero capes, more rakes, as crews tackle yard work, cleanups, and repairs for neighbors, plus they are collecting project sites if you know someone who needs it.
🎸 Rock the Block @ North State Street Lot (Howell) | Thursday (8/6) at 6:00 PM – Downtown Howell’s Rock the Block is a free summer concert with live music, a food truck or two, beer, and mocktails. Basically a block party without the HOA drama, just lawn chairs, neighborly nods, and a prime excuse to claim your spot by the courthouse.
🛍 Kensington Valley Outlets Back to School Event @ Kensington Valley Outlets (Howell) | Friday (8/7) at 12:00 PM – Think your back-to-school prep could use a bribe or two? Head to the Kensington Valley Outlets courtyard by the mini-golf, where the first 100 kids snag backpacks stuffed with supplies, a free round of putt-putt, and ice cream, child present, obviously.
🎶 Sanctuary @ Livingston County Courthouse (Howell) | Friday (8/7) at 7:00 PM – Free concert on the courthouse hill, with Sanctuary bringing rock, rhythm, and some righteous blues. After 26 years, we still call that slope an amphitheater, and it delivers, with lawn chairs, neighbors, and that downtown Howell summer feeling you actually like.
🍂 Leaves of Two @ Brighton Farmers Market | Saturday (8/8) at 8:00 AM – Market season calls for a Brighton Farmers Market lap, and the Leaves of Two booth is where tiny greens do big favors. They are more than garnish, promise. See what they are growing, pick up your online order, and upgrade eggs, sandwiches, and weeknight salads.
🚚 SELCRA Touch A Truck @ Mt Brighton Parking Lot | Saturday (8/8) at 9:30 AM – Round up the crew for SELCRA’s free Touch-A-Truck at Mt. Brighton, where the kids climb every rig they usually only see blocking traffic, and you pretend you’re here for them. Horns, ladders, loaders, and a blessed quiet, sensory-friendly window for the noise-averse.
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 — Livingston County report Weather forecastToday — High: 85°F — Low: 60°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 85. South southwest wind 3 to 7 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 60. South southwest wind around 7 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 86°F — Low: 62°F — Precip: 7%
Sunny, with a high near 86. Southwest wind 5 to 8 mph. Later: A slight chance of rain showers between 8pm and 2am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Chance of precipitation is 40%. This house is wildThis custom-built Woodland Lake waterfront home blends polished craftsmanship with serious entertaining power, from two full indoor kitchens to a fully equipped outdoor kitchen. Three levels capture lake views through Windsor windows, while stone fireplaces, a Trex balcony, and a walkout lower level with a game room, bar, wellness space, hot tub, sandy beach, and private seawall keep the fun flowing.
Take a peek inside → |
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