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Hey Sumter, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Tick hotspot trail map, South Carolina baseball eligibility ruling, and house music state house + 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.
Trail map reveals hidden risks: Planning a summer hike? A trail map flags Harbison State Forest’s shaded 18-mile network as a tick hotspot, where black-legged ticks thrive along the damp Broad River corridor -- read the full report.
Eligibility ruling shakes roster: UConn pitcher Greg Shaw III committed to South Carolina after a Colorado court granted Class of 2022 athletes an extra year. He’ll pitch next season, though NCAA plans to appeal -- read the full story.
Championship mindset unveiled: Chennis Berry shared South Carolina State’s HBCU championship blueprint after a 40-38 four-overtime Celebration Bowl win over Prairie View A&M, highlighting culture, accountability, and servant leadership -- read the full story.
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.
Your weekend craft fix: Whether you need last-minute gift magic or your next DIY obsession, Craft City stocks handcrafted pieces plus the craft supplies to make your own. Pop in this week for tumblers, tees, mugs, gift bags and wall statements, with staff who actually know their materials and can steer you right.
Dial in your swing: If your short game has been roasting you all summer, Links At Lakewood Golf Course has meticulously kept greens, a challenging layout, and legit coaching plus custom club fittings to tune things up. Consider it your week to tighten the handicap and enjoy some friendly competition.
Cake that disappears fast: Made-from-scratch layers, pound cakes, and cookies with four generations of know-how, Carasmatic Creations nails the classics like red velvet, carrot, and peanut butter crunch, plus Southern favorites like German chocolate and hummingbird. Custom designs and edible printing mean your next birthday, office thing, or just-because Tuesday looks as good as it tastes.
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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.
☕ August Women in Business Coffee Talk @ Indah Coffee (Columbia) | Tuesday (8/4) at 9:00 AM – This caffeine-fueled meet-up at Indah Coffee on Sumter Street brings Columbia’s women in business together for real talk, shared wins, and a little accountability. Tickets are free, the coffee is not, and seats are scarce, so bring your best conversation, not your elevator pitch.
👶 Gladys’ Gang Toddler Edition: Hear Here! @ Columbia Museum of Art | Wednesday (8/5) at 10:00 AM – If your two-year-old has the lung power of a howling wind, bring them to this noisy art romp at the CMA. Designed for ages 2 to 3 with an adult, it packs story time, gallery time, and a studio project. Free, registration required, siblings welcome.
🎸 Sincere Sessions Open Jam @ Uncle Festers Bar (Columbia) | Thursday (8/6) at 7:00 PM – First Thursdays at Uncle Festers mean one thing, a Sincere Session open jam where Carolina’s Coolest Creator, Eezy Olah, lets the locals run wild. Free entry, full PA, DI, and a house kit, so bring your instrument, your rhymes, and your best barstool wisdom.
🎱 Bang Back Free Ballin Friday @ Bang Back Pinball Lounge (Columbia) | Friday (8/7) at 7:00 PM – Bang Back is flipping into the weekend with a free, all-skill-level pinball tournament every Friday, the perfect excuse to prove your 80s reflexes still work. Free to enter, coin drop for games, group match play, rotating finals, a shiny trophy, and raffles.
🦓 HDSA Community Day @ Riverbanks Zoo and Garden (Columbia) | Saturday (8/8) at 10:00 AM – HDSA Community Day is taking over Riverbanks Zoo & Garden with a free, family-friendly meetup that pairs real talk and resources with giraffes, gardens, and low-stress vibes. If Huntington’s touches your world, expect easy connection, a supportive crowd, and the rare event where everyone wins.
📚 Reading Adventure with Curious George @ Temple Sinai Jewish History Center | Saturday (8/8) at 1:30 PM – Consider this the easiest beach trip in town. At the Temple Sinai Jewish History Center, Curious George leads a free read-along of his seaside escapades, kids soak up storytime, you enjoy AC, nostalgia, and zero sand in the minivan.
🏛 6th Annual House Music State House @ SC State House (Columbia) | Saturday (8/8) at 3:00 PM – Only in Columbia do we turn the State House lawn into a free annual house music dance floor, all day and night, and it works. Bring a lawn chair, a small tent, and school supplies for the drive, then mind the grounds rules, no exceptions.
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 — Sumter report Weather forecastToday — High: 89°F — Low: 73°F — Precip: 39%
Patchy fog before 9am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Southeast wind 0 to 3 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southeast wind 0 to 3 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 90°F — Low: 74°F — Precip: 59%
A chance of rain showers between 8am and 11am, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. South wind 0 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 8pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. This house is wildThis beautifully maintained 3-bed, 2.5-bath home pairs an open-concept layout with a gourmet kitchen that shines with ample workspace, a walk-in pantry, and a charming butler’s pantry. The spacious living area centers around a gas fireplace, while the screened back porch adds easy outdoor enjoyment. An oversized 2-car garage, utility area, and quiet location near schools, shopping, and dining seal the deal.
Take a peek inside → |
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