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Hey Sanford, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Perseid meteor shower peak, school defibrillator push, and karaoke championship + 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.
School heart-safety push: NC lawmakers proposed requiring defibrillators in public schools after a student’s death. The bill passed the House 111-1 in 2025 and was parked in the Senate, potentially impacting Lee County -- see the school safety plan.
A summer sky spectacle: The Perseid meteor shower is underway across North Carolina and will peak on August 13. For Sanford skies, seek dark, open spots away from city lights, weather permitting -- see the meteor peak.
August rail travel changes: Track work puts parts of Amtrak’s Piedmont trips on buses today through Thursday between Greensboro and Raleigh, with Train 72 ending at Greensboro. Adjustments return August 24 to 27 -- 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.
Weekend cider fix: James Creek Cider House pours premium, harvest-based ciders made from Southern heirloom apples grown in their Moore County orchards and other NC family farms. Settle into the tasting room for classic pours or the Stargazer modern twists, then snag bites from the rotating food truck lineup.
Pizza night, upgraded: From classic pizza to saucy pastas, calzones, stromboli, hot subs, wraps, crisp salads, desserts, and a kids menu, La Montesina Pizza & Grill keeps the whole crew happy. They even do catering, so you can outsource dinner this week with zero guilt and maybe score lunch for tomorrow.
Head-to-home refresh: Neil's Apparel & Accents is your fix this week for classic-with-a-wink pieces, from gents polos and tees to dresses that actually fit your life, plus Julie Vos and Capucine De Wulf sparkle. Grab thoughtful gifts too, including their Signature No. 73 home fragrance and even mahjong hosting goodies.
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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.
🎤 Karaoke Wednesday Nights @ Buffalo Wild Wings (Southern Pines) | Wednesday (8/5) at 8:00 PM – Midweek calls for karaoke and wings, obviously. Buffalo Wild Wings in Southern Pines becomes your neighborhood stage every Wednesday night, hosted by BowTie, with cold beer, saucy fingers, and a forgiving crowd that claps like you just paid their tab.
🎤 Karaoke Championship @ Hugger Mugger Brewing | Friday (8/7) at 8:00 PM – Think your shower solos deserve a trophy? Roll into First Fridays, charm the crowd, and snag the GOAT medal, with monthly winners facing off later for a gloriously unnecessary karaoke belt. Free to watch, 21-plus to compete.
🏫 Third Thursday - Downtown Back to School Night @ Depot Park | Thursday (8/20) at 5:00 PM – Nothing says end of summer like Third Thursday at Depot Park, a free Back to School Night with kid-friendly fun, community resources, and chatter. Bring the crew, pretend new notebooks will organize life, then wander downtown to shop, dine, and feel virtuous about supporting local.
🔒 TradeLock Monthly Meeting @ Sanford Area Growth Alliance | Friday (8/21) at 7:30 AM – Contractors of Sanford, this monthly meetup is where handshakes turn into job leads, and coffee turns into referrals. TradeLock gathers the folks who keep this town standing to swap tips, compare crews, and line up work, minus the awkward sales pitch.
🎉 Downtown Sanford StreetFest @ Downtown Sanford Historic District | Saturday (10/10) at 10:00 AM – Second Saturday in October, Downtown Sanford becomes one big StreetFest with live music, great eats, local vendors, artists, and family-friendly fun. Basically a town-wide reunion, you will bump into three neighbors, find a favorite food truck, nod at tunes, and enjoy it, no wristband required.
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 — Sanford report Weather forecastToday — High: 82°F — Low: 69°F — Precip: 80%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8am and 9am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9am and noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between noon and 2pm, then showers and thunderstorms between 2pm and 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. East wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 7pm and 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southeast wind 0 to 3 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 86°F — Low: 71°F — Precip: 75%
A chance of rain showers between 8am and 11am, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. South wind 1 to 6 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 71. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. This house is wildThis 4-bedroom, 3-bath Stone Creek home spreads across a roomy 0.42-acre lot with an easygoing open layout and plenty of charm. The kitchen shines with granite countertops, a big island, and a breakfast nook, while the formal dining room adds polish. Upstairs, the oversized primary suite and screened-in patio bring extra comfort and flexibility.
Take a peek inside → |
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