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Hey Ocean County, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: A mystery author appearance, a home built on kindness, and cars and concerts + 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.
A mystery author appearance: Ocean County Library will host a virtual discussion with author Lucy Foley on August 27 about her new Miss Marple mystery, Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel -- learn more about the event.
A home built on kindness: In Toms River, Yosef and Sarah Shidler have transformed their home into Bunker of Light, a refuge with five guest rooms often filled by young people experiencing homelessness seeking safety -- read their inspiring story.
Year-round rescue readiness: Seaside Heights’ expanded Water Rescue Team trains weekly through summer, shifting to cold-water and ice as seasons change. In 2025 they handled over 60 calls and over 50 rescues -- see the rescue team training.
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.
Recovery that works: If your legs still hate last weekend’s run, East Coast CryoStudio and Recovery Lounge has whole body electric cryotherapy, infrared sauna, compression for hips-legs-arms, and Fascial Stretch Therapy to loosen you up. Quick sessions, real results, and a team focused on everyday athletes across Ocean County.
Pizza night upgrade: With a secret recipe and fresh ingredients, Mateo's Pizzeria does that classic Jackson pie just right, from foldable slices to shareable pies that disappear fast. When you need a no-fuss dinner that still feels like a treat, this spot brings the flavor locals crave.
Tap list worth exploring: ManaFirkin Brewing Company keeps a rotating tap list that rewards curiosity, with past and future brews lined up for every occasion. Swing by this week for fresh pours plus live music, podcast showcases, and the kind of quirky events that make Manahawkin feel extra neighborly.
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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.
🧺 Beach Haven Farmers Market @ Walsh Field | Wednesday (8/5) at 9:00 AM – Wednesday mornings call for a spin through Beach Haven’s Farmers Market at Walsh Field, where the tomatoes taste like summer and the coffee does its job. Grab produce, breads, and flowers, run into half your address book, and feel smug before lunch.
❓ Trivia Night @ Doyle's Pour House (Barnegat) | Wednesday (8/5) at 8:00 PM – If your head’s packed with 80s lyrics, Jersey history, and that one obscure movie quote, cash it in at Doyle’s Pour House in Barnegat. Free trivia every Wednesday, real prizes, and Mike K. of Trivia on Tap keeping it lively, not loud. Bragging rights included.
🎪 Kids Summer Spectacular @ John C. Bartlett, Jr. County Park at Berkeley Island (Bayville) | Thursday (8/6) at 1:00 PM – Summer afternoons call for free kids shows at Berkeley Island Park, Thursdays at 1 pm. Let the pros entertain the kids, or grandkids, while you claim a shady bench, sip iced coffee, and finish a sentence.
🎶 Blackwells Mill Returns @ Maggie's Bar & Grill (Lakewood) | Friday (8/7) at 8:00 PM – Ready to test whether your playlist can keep up? Blackwells Mill is back at Maggie’s, blending rock, country, dance, and alternative into one pleasantly rowdy night that actually sounds good. No cover, just cold drinks, familiar faces, and a dance floor that forgives.
🧺 Brick Farmers Market @ Windward Beach Park (Brick Township) | Saturday (8/8) at 8:30 AM – Skip the big-box produce and wander the farmers market at Windward Beach Park, where tomatoes taste like tomatoes and the neighbors will judge your peach selection, lovingly. Local growers, fresh bread, good coffee, and a bay breeze you cannot buy.
🤝 Lowe’s Meet & Greet @ Lowe's Home Improvement (Toms River) | Saturday (8/8) at 10:00 AM – Pitties & Pals sets up at the Lowe’s on Hooper Ave with adoptable dogs, foster info, and ways to volunteer. Classic Toms River combo of errands and heartstrings, where you pop in for paint chips, then somehow leave picking out a leash.
🚗 Cars & Concerts @ RWJBarnabas Health Field of Dreams (Toms River) | Sunday (8/9) at 4:00 PM – If your perfect afternoon mixes chrome, guitars, and woodsmoke, this free Cars & Concerts hang is it. Cruise the lot for rides of every vintage, hear the Lou Panico Band, then hit the Field of Dreams for BBQ, trophies, and a playground victory lap.
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 — Ocean County report Weather forecastToday — High: 82°F — Low: 67°F — Precip: 4%
Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Later: A chance of rain showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Southeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 84°F — Low: 72°F — Precip: 50%
A chance of rain showers before 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2pm and 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Southeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. This house is wildThis fully rebuilt 6-bed, 4.5-bath home pairs a showpiece kitchen with stone counters, a giant island, and a coffee bar, plus 12-foot ceilings that flood the main level with light. Six upstairs bedrooms, two laundry rooms, a finished basement, oversized garage, and a saltwater pool with sun deck deliver big-house energy with polished style.
Take a peek inside → |
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