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Hey Pittsburgh, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: National Night Out activities, Rock Reggae and Relief, and a spooky market + 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 event in Oakland: Pitt Police host National Night Out today at Schenley Plaza in Oakland, connecting neighbors and officers with giveaways, snacks, lawn games, and carousel rides as part of a nationwide event -- see the Night Out activities.
Music with a mission: Rock, Reggae & Relief returns to Market Square on August 8, featuring UB40 and G. Love & Special Sauce. Proceeds will support Cafe Momentum’s internships for youth leaving juvenile justice -- see the full festival lineup.
Local officials take a closer look: Pittsburgh and Allegheny County are proceeding cautiously on data centers, reviewing ordinances and energy demands as proposals spread, signaling Southwestern Pennsylvania is unlikely to transform into a major data hub -- follow the data center debate.
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.
Band season, solved: Whether your kid’s grabbing a first clarinet or you’re finally upgrading that high school trumpet, Johnstonbaugh's Music Center is a community-based shop with rentals, step-up and pro playtests, instrument repairs, and private lessons in person or online. Plus print and digital sheet music so you can actually practice the right notes this week.
Wake up already polished: Nice Look Permanent Makeup in the South Hills is Rhiana Leigh’s clean home studio where brows, eyeliner, lip color, and brow correction stay put, plus microneedling and saline tattoo removal, even emergency fixes for tiny body ink. Pittsburgh-born and seriously trained, she nails the local vibe and the details, so treat yourself this week.
Bloomfield sugar fix: Paddy Cake Bakery is that reliable Bloomfield stop for fresh donuts, classic cookies, and decorated cakes that actually taste as good as they look. From breakfast pastries and pies to cookie and pastry trays, cake pops, and elegant individual desserts, they’ve got your weekday pick-me-up and weekend celebrations covered.
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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 Explorer Series @ The Frick Pittsburgh Education Center | Tuesday (8/4) at 10:00 AM – Tuesdays and Saturdays at the Frick just got interesting, with free, drop-in adventures that change weekly all summer. Think artmaking, history, storytelling, and play for everyone, plus a passport at Grable Visitor Center that gets you a prize after five, because adults deserve stickers too.
👮 Borough of Dormont National Night Out 2026 @ Dormont Fire Department | Tuesday (8/4) at 6:00 PM – At the Dormont Fire Station, National Night Out means fire trucks, police cars, ambulances, shiny city rigs, plus ice cream, hot dogs, and burgers. Kids ogle the gear, adults chat with the crew, and there’s intel on volunteering and the fall Citizens Fire Academy.
🧑 Summer Visiting Artist Talks @ Pittsburgh Glass Center | Tuesday (8/4) at 6:00 PM – Summer at the Pittsburgh Glass Center brings globe-trotting glass artists holding casual Tuesday talks with images, video, and plenty of shop talk. Think art class without homework, just AC, curiosity, and molten magic, free and open to all, wheelchair accessible, with ASL on request.
🎨 Unblurred: First Friday Art Crawl @ Penn Avenue Arts & Commercial District | Friday (8/7) at 6:00 PM – First Friday on Penn Avenue is Pittsburgh’s longest-running art crawl, a free roam through galleries, pop-ups, music, and snacks along the avenue. Since 1998, we’ve been pretending to just browse, then leaving with prints, pierogies, and a renewed crush on our own neighborhood.
👻 Steel City Spooky Market - August 8 @ Allegheny Commons Park West | Saturday (8/8) at 10:00 AM – Think spooky season should be a year round hobby? The Steel City Spooky Market is back at Allegheny Commons Park by the Aviary with local artists, free entry, and a pet friendly stroll, returning biweekly through Halloween, so miss one, and ghosts will wait.
🎒 3rd Annual Backpack Bonanza @ Heyl Family Practice - West View | Saturday (8/8) at 10:00 AM – Back-to-school karma in action, this 3rd Annual Backpack Bonanza outfits local students with supply-stuffed packs at the West View office, plus pizza courtesy of Center Avenue Slice. Local partners are pitching in. Backpacks go fast, so expect vibes, full hearts, and crumb-free Trapper Keepers.
🪕 South Side Farmers Market Bluegrass @ Velum Fermentation | Sunday (8/9) at 11:00 AM – Market mornings call for toe-tapping bluegrass, fresh peaches, and coffee you didn’t have to make. At the South Side Farmers Market, live pickin’ and singin’ score your kale-versus-chard debate, and prove a banjo pairs best with heirloom tomatoes.
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 — Pittsburgh report Weather forecastToday — High: 85°F — Low: 66°F — Precip: 0%
Patchy fog before 9am. Sunny, with a high near 85. East wind 1 to 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. East wind around 5 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 87°F — Low: 69°F — Precip: 35%
Scattered showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Southeast wind 1 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 50%. This house is wildThis stately Craftsman on one of Pittsburgh’s most coveted streets pairs timeless character with smart updates on an expansive lot. Beamed ceilings, wainscoting, fireplaces, built-ins, and leaded glass set the stage, while the renovated bathrooms, spa-like primary suite, eat-in kitchen with butler’s pantry, sunroom, patio, and newer two-car garage bring everyday comfort and style.
Take a peek inside → |
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