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Hey Altoona, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Flash flood recovery aid, glow-in-the-dark mini golf, and free movie night with Luca + 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 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Series finale heartbreaker: Akron edged Altoona 4-3 on Sunday after the bullpen faltered, despite Keiner Delgado’s late two-run homer. The Curve open a home series today at 6:30 at PNG Field -- read the full recap.
Recovery support is available: After flash flooding, the SBA approved low-interest loans and grants for Blair and surrounding counties. DRAP is activated through PEMA, and applications for physical damage are due September 21, 2026 -- see what aid is offered.
Market momentum continues: For Altoona-area buyers and sellers, Pennsylvania’s housing market hit another milestone in June as the statewide median rose to $340,000, up just over 6% year over year amid tight inventory -- see the latest housing trends.
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 $1,100 this year.1 Some users report saving up to 50% on their monthly rates -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*2
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 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Glow-in-the-dark putts: Need a weeknight reset? Tilt Studio Altoona’s black light mini golf glows with undersea neon vibes, and you can add mini bowling or bumper-car chaos if the crew’s competitive. Easy indoor fun when the weather can’t decide.
Fresh hair, happier you: When your roots, brows, or nails start sending subtle SOS signals, The Beauty Studio by Alexis Negley has the fix with lived-in color, blonding, hand-tied extensions, lashes, facials and more from a small team that sweats the details. Show up frazzled, leave looking like you actually planned 2026.
Pad Thai or Bulgogi? Jaidee Thai Restaurant hits that midweek craving with Thai classics like pad thai, panang curry and drunken noodles alongside bulgogi and Korean wings, all in a cozy, no-fuss vibe. Treat yourself to mango sticky rice and a Thai iced tea and call it a win.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
Your home's to-do list, handled in one weekend: The dripping faucet, the door that squeaks, the shelf you've been meaning to hang, the paint that's started to chip, they don't feel like much on their own, but they pile up until the whole list starts to nag at you every time you walk past. Here's the good news: almost every fix on that list comes from the same place. Instead of a dozen errands, it's one trip, grab the parts, the tools, and the little things you always forget, and spend a Saturday working through it. By Sunday, the list you've been carrying around for weeks is a done list, and the house feels squared away again. *Tackle the list →
The diamond earrings that cost 10x less and shine just as bright: The sparkle is identical because the stone is identical, a lab-grown diamond has the very same makeup as a mined one, just a different origin story. That origin is what shrinks the price while leaving the brilliance, clarity, and fire completely intact. You lose nothing you can see and save everything you can spend. *See the earrings →
Once your car passes 50,000 miles, the odds of a big repair climb fast: That's usually right when your factory coverage starts running out. Engine, transmission, electrical, they fail on their own timeline, and the bills run into the thousands. An extended warranty covers them before they hit. You receive a free year of Elite Benefits, plus 30 days to change your mind. *$300 off right now →
The fitness trend that doesn't require leaving your living room: Chair yoga is having a moment, and for good reason. It's low-impact, easy on the knees and back, and you do the whole thing seated. No floor, no equipment, no studio. A quick quiz turns it into a personalized plan built around your body and goals, then adjusts as you build the habit. *See your plan →
84% of women saw improved hair growth in six months: That's from Nutrafol's clinical study of women with thinning hair. It's a drug-free daily capsule designed to target the root causes of thinning: the hormonal shifts, stress, and nutritional gaps behind it. Dermatologist-recommended, and 3-month deliveries are 15% off. *Proven solutions → |
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.
🤝 NAMI Blair County Volunteer Orientation @ NAMI Blair County | Tuesday (7/28) at 5:30 PM – Join NAMI Blair County for a volunteer orientation that actually feeds you, offers real talk, and shows where extra hands matter. Must be 18. From helping at free programs to speaking in schools, it’s do-gooding with neighbors, no martyr complex required.
🎲 40K Friday @ Gatehouse Games | Friday (7/31) at 6:00 PM – Friday calls for rolling dice, not mowing lawns, at Gatehouse Games’ weekly 40K open play. Any points, any army, and yes, that half-painted Dreadnought counts. Free tables, friendly rules wrangling, and the kind of banter only seasoned locals and stubborn Space Marines can deliver.
🛍 Mall Mania: Horizon Circuit @ Logan Valley Mall | Saturday (8/1) at 11:00 AM – Remember when the Altoona mall was the place to be? It is again, just with shinier chrome. Wander past cars parked where Orange Julius used to tempt you, catch the Allegheny Highlands SCCA autocross outside, and enjoy a free, soothing stroll through horsepower and nostalgia.
🃏 Saturday MtG Commander @ Gatehouse Games | Saturday (8/1) at 4:00 PM – This free, sanctioned Commander hang at Gatehouse Games is where your 100-card shenanigans meet real rules, no proxies, no fakes, no nonsense. Companion handles the pairings, Commander Parties and other Wizards one-offs get folded in, and the table talk is peak local, seasoned, slightly salty.
🦸 Heroclix Weekly Event @ Snake Eyes Gaming | Sunday (8/2) at 1:30 PM – Grab your cape, or just your reading glasses, for the weekly Heroclix hangout with casual play, trading, instruction, Q&A, and demos before a friendly tournament. Constructed is free, sealed costs the boosters, and special prize nights may tack on a fee.
🎵 Sunday on the Lawn Concert @ Baker Mansion History Museum | Sunday (8/2) at 2:00 PM – Whether you grew up on vinyl or pretend you discovered it yesterday, Acoustic Express brings a father and son blend of guitar, percussion, and decades-spanning favorites to the Baker Mansion lawn. Free and open to all, donations welcomed, and blissfully low-fuss.
🎬 *Rescheduled from July*Family Movie Night- Luca (PG) @ Lakemont Park | Thursday (8/13) at 8:45 PM – Nothing beats a free movie under the stars at Lakemont Park, especially when the flick is Luca. Pack the kids, blankets, and that one camp chair that squeaks, then enjoy a little Italian seaside escapism without airport drama, crowds, or ticket prices.
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 — Altoona report Weather forecastToday — High: 79°F — Low: 62°F — Precip: 96%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7am, then showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 79. Southwest wind 6 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms before 7pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 7pm and 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. West wind around 12 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 77°F — Low: 59°F — Precip: 67%
A chance of rain showers before 2pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. This house is wildThis 4BR, 1BA home brings charm and versatility with a gas fireplace in the living room, central air, and a wraparound porch that adds plenty of classic appeal. A third-floor bedroom doubles as a dreamy office or hideaway, while the circular driveway, large two-car garage, picnic pavilion, and huge level yard make outdoor fun easy.
Take a peek inside → |
1Average potential savings based on initial quotes received by 151,494 customers seeking insurance through Insurify. Savings and lowest rates do not reflect typical results. 2Estimated. |
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