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Hey Garner, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Hopscotch’s 100-act return, Amtrak bus substitutions, and community blood drive + 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.
Downtown venues come alive: Hopscotch returns to Raleigh Sept. 10 to 12 with over 100 acts headlined by Dexter and the Moonrocks, Cory Wong and King Princess, plus club shows across six downtown venues -- read the full festival details.
Wolfpack closes strong: NC State swimming capped the U.S. National Championships in Irvine with three medals, a national title, and the high point award, plus multiple personal bests and new program records -- see the full recap.
August travel changes ahead: Amtrak Piedmont riders near Raleigh face bus substitutions today through August 6. Train 72 ends at Greensboro with Bus 3172 to Raleigh, skipping Burlington, and other trains could run late -- track the Piedmont detours.
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.
Hair day, handled: Garner’s own, black-owned and female-led, Fine Looks Hair & Beauty Store stocks braiding hair, wigs, crochet and bundles plus the shampoos, oils, gels, masks and leave-ins that keep styles thriving. When wash day sneaks up, this is the one-stop fix that actually delivers.
Crave-worthy custom cakes: Whether you need a showstopper for a birthday or wedding, Bestow Baked Goods whips up made from scratch cakes that taste as good as they look, plus cookies and cupcakes including a one of a kind sweet potato cupcake. Great for a sweet treat, a thoughtful gift, or feeding the whole crew this week.
Weeknight flavor fix: Colorful, fresh, authentic Thai is the move right now, and Mia Bistro nails it with fragrant curries, lively stir-fries, and a drinks menu to keep things fun. Order online when you need a cozy night in, or bookmark them for your next small celebration.
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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.
📚 Kids Storytime @ Haven Farm (Knightdale) | Wednesday (8/5) at 10:15 AM – Wednesday mornings call for outsourcing the bedtime classics to someone energetic while you sip decent coffee. The Haven Shoppe hosts free kids storytime, all ages welcome, with rotating tales, a playground cameo, goats to visit, and treats like tea, lemonade, juice boxes, and ice cream.
🩸 Community Blood Drive @ ClubWorx (Fuquay-Varina) | Wednesday (8/5) at 11:00 AM – Take a breather from burpees and swing by ClubWorx for a community blood drive with The Blood Connection. A quick sit, a snack, and you help a neighbor, plus $30 in TBC Rewards. Hydrate, eat something decent, and bring a photo ID.
🍺 Pints with the Pack 2026 @ Deep River Brewing Company (Clayton) | Thursday (8/6) at 5:00 PM – Pack fans, Deep River Brewing in Clayton is the spot for a low-key hang with the Wolfpack Club, cold pints, and some athletic bragging. It’s free, open to all NC State faithful, and rumor has it there’s a drink ticket with your name on it.
🎴 Raleigh TCG Con XI @ Triangle Town Center | Friday (8/7) at 10:00 AM – Raleigh keeps showing up, so now it’s a three-day TCG floor, free entry, and no gatekeeping. Bring your binder, vendors are buying too. Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, MTG, One Piece, and more at Triangle Town Center in front of Macy’s, so the mall trip is officially justified.
🎤 Shelby Rae Marshall @ Grasshopper Farms (Knightdale) | Saturday (8/8) at 12:00 AM – Grasshopper Farms is kicking off live music with Shelby Rae Marshall, free entry, our favorite price, and summer trimmings. Bring a chair, let the kids conquer the splash park and the goat committee, then reward yourself with a burger, a cone, and a grown-up exhale.
🎒 Back to School Bash/Cookout @ Strong Tower Christian Fellowship (Knightdale) | Saturday (8/8) at 12:00 PM – Back-to-school without the panic, just the perks. This free, with registration, cookout pairs school supplies and info with music, grilled bites, snow cones, and drinks, plus a Strong Tower Christian Fellowship welcome, so the kids feel ready and the adults snag five minutes of sanity.
📚 Raleigh Comic Book Show @ Hilton Garden Inn Raleigh/Crabtree Valley | Sunday (8/9) at 10:00 AM – Nothing beats that old-school long box dig, no cover charge, just newsprint and childhood. Raleigh’s second-longest-running comic show has been at it since 1987, with dealers like Heroes Aren't Hard to Find, Capital Comics, and a treasure trove of back issues. Capes optional.
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 — Garner report Weather forecastToday — High: 82°F — Low: 71°F — Precip: 65%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8am and 10am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10am and noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between noon and 2pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 2pm and 4pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 4pm and 5pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. East wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southeast wind 1 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 86°F — Low: 72°F — Precip: 75%
A chance of rain showers between 8am and 11am, then showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. South wind 1 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. This house is wildThis 2024-built Magnolia Park home offers 2,824 square feet of modern living with five bedrooms, four full bathrooms, and a bright open-concept main level. A private study, main-floor guest suite, and upstairs loft add flexibility, while luxury vinyl flooring, energy-efficient systems, and an attached two-car garage keep life easy and polished.
Take a peek inside → |
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