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Hey Monroe County, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: A neighborhood market revival, sunset beach yoga, and River Glow Fridays + 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.
Community-driven barber success: Monroe barber John JB Burden marked five years at JB's Barbershop, crediting faith and community while welcoming walk-ins and children with special needs, supporting school supply drives and holiday partnerships -- read the full story.
A neighborhood market revival: Ann Arbor's Sage's Grocery will open this winter at Main and Madison, offering European and Asian goods plus sandwiches, baked treats, coffee, fresh produce, wine, and craft beers -- read the full story.
Fresh look for shoppers: Apple’s Briarwood Mall store in Ann Arbor reopened Friday, July 31 with a wooden design, Apple Pickup area, Genius Bar, Apple Watch studio, and space for kids’ Apple Camp -- 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.
Fresh look this week: Need a tidy trim, glossy color, or a mani-pedi that survives soccer practice, Tres Chic Salon and Spa is Monroe’s go-to for head-to-toe polish, voted local favorites for hair, nails, facials, brows, lashes, waxing, tanning, and full-on spa care. Quick reset for you, happier mirror guaranteed.
Home upgrades, solved: From a squeaky washer to that hand-me-down sofa, Durocher's brings the appliance, furniture, and mattress expertise you actually need. They also handle service, so when life happens... your home base keeps humming. Consider it your quick route to a quieter laundry room and better sleep.
Orchard-to-glass sips: Broken Barrel Hard Cider Co. grows the apples for every pour, blending dozens of cider and eating varieties into crisp, balanced ciders you can taste right where they’re grown. Swing by the tasting room for a low-key, local hang that feels like Monroe County bragging rights in a glass.
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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 Lunch Bunch @ Luna Pier Library | Thursday (8/6) at 12:30 PM – Need an air-conditioned afternoon that doubles as kid entertainment? Bring lunch to the library, then rotate between stories, crafts, games, and either a movie or hands-on building. It’s low-key, screen time you can feel good about, and you might even finish a chapter.
🛼 River Glow Fridays @ John D. Dingell Jr. Visitor Center (Trenton) | Friday (8/7) at 5:30 PM – Friday nights call for river breezes and a little roll down memory lane. River Glow brings outdoor skating with Rollerskate Detroit, a DJ, and a pro performance, plus rental skates and the Visitor Center open late. It’s free, chill, and surprisingly joint-friendly.
🧹 2026 River Raisin Cleanup @ Riverfront Parking Lot | Saturday (8/8) at 9:00 AM – Bring your good shoes and a sense of humor to the annual River Raisin Cleanup, the local tradition where we turn debris duty into neighborly cardio. Light to heavy jobs for everyone, with boots, gloves, and pickers provided. Free lunch and t-shirts, while supplies last.
🎶 The Frauds @ The Clamdiggers Lounge & Pizzeria | Sunday (8/9) at 4:00 PM – The Frauds are taking over The Clamdiggers’ outdoor stage with loud guitars, a breezy patio, and, mercifully, no cover. Expect good food, cold drinks, and service that remembers your order, so you can pretend this counts as getting out without committing to a mosh pit.
🍪 Meet Up & Eat Up @ Lillian Stewart Navarre Branch | Monday (8/10) at 3:00 PM – Free, healthy snacks for kids and teens, courtesy of Sodexo’s Meet Up & Eat Up. Think fruit, grains, and the kind of fuel that keeps post-activity meltdowns to a minimum. No hoops, no sales pitch, just a community program that feeds bellies and sanity.
🎶 Motown Tribute-Sound Proof @ Loranger Square | Wednesday (8/26) at 6:30 PM – Sound Proof brings the Motown hits on 8/26, free, now parked in Loranger Square, not St. Mary’s, after July’s heat tantrum. Think singalongs, shoulder shimmies, and legal strolling with an adult beverage, courtesy of the Social District, and a nod to Monroe Community Credit Union.
🎶 Finally Friday: Live Music @ Downtown Monroe Business Network | Friday (8/28) at 5:00 PM – On fourth Fridays, Downtown Monroe turns into the Social District, which is a fancy way of saying you can stroll with a drink and not get scolded. Add live music, some shopping, and neighborly catching up, and you’ve got a proper Finally Friday.
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 — Monroe County report Weather forecastToday — High: 81°F — Low: 60°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 81. South southwest wind 2 to 7 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 60. South wind 2 to 6 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 85°F — Low: 64°F — Precip: 1%
Sunny, with a high near 85. Southwest wind 2 to 7 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. This house is wildThis turnkey 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath home pairs fresh construction with polished style, from decorative stonework and hardwood floors to 9-foot ceilings and a gas fireplace. The custom kitchen shines with Merillat cabinetry, an island, and breakfast nook, while the primary suite adds a tray ceiling, spa-like bath, and flex room. Solar panels, EV-ready garage, patio, and fire pit area seal the deal.
Take a peek inside → |
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