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Hey Cookeville, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s edition: Teen lifeguards honored, calming rescue goats, and a Dave Matthews tribute concert + fun things to do for free & local fundraisers worth checking out this week.
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 heroes recognized: Teen lifeguards at Smithville Swimming Pool were honored July 27 for admirable service after saving 14 lives this summer, including a boy who collapsed from heat exhaustion -- see the lifesaving honors.
Commitment pays off: Crossville's Brian Jewhurst was named Tennessee's TOPS King after breaking hips in 2023, rebuilding fitness with daily biking, senior center classes, and water aerobics, while managing diabetes through food tracking -- read how he did it.
Sanctuary with a gentle mission: Rescued goats help calm minds at Faeryland’s Farm Menagerie near Baxter, where Cora Moore and Joe Kaiser run a 33-acre certified National Wildlife Habitat offering consent-based wellness within 100 miles -- meet the calming goats.
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.
Cue the dance floor: Go DJs Entertainment keeps Cookeville parties easy with mobile DJs, emcees, karaoke, photo booths, lighting and even a rentable event space, all run by pros who’ve been making memories since 2002. If your calendar needs a boost this week, they turn any get-together into a story your group still laughs about.
Coffee with heart: The Exceptional Bean pours quality coffee and thoughtful espresso drinks, and every cup supports a nonprofit creating meaningful local jobs for people with disabilities. Swing by this week for a latte that tastes extra good knowing your caffeine habit is quietly funding kindness.
Rooftop reset, anyone? If your week’s dragging, 1091 Rooftop is a dependable mood lift with a breezy dining room and patio, a legit dinner lineup, and cocktails plus craft beer that actually taste like a night off. Pro move, circle back for the breakfast buffet when morning sneaks up.
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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.
🤝 Caring and Coping Workshop @ Life Church - The Edge Building | Tuesday (8/4) at 10:00 AM – Whether you are juggling pill organizers or wondering if lost keys are a crisis, this free caregiver workshop in Cookeville brings practical strategies, legal guidance, and straight talk from medical pros. They separate normal aging from red flags, because here we prefer answers to guesswork.
🎶 Third Thursdays Live @ Dogwood Park | Thursday (8/20) at 7:30 PM – Third Thursdays Live is rolling into Dogwood Park with a free Sleep Nation set, and the bathrooms and concessions are open. Expect rock with sci-fi swagger, a laid-back crowd, and grass that insists on existing. Bring a chair or blanket, claim your patch.
🎵 Dabgo Music Bingo Sundays @ Roasted Hemp Co | Sunday (8/30) at 3:00 PM – Think bingo is a grim preview of the retirement home? Try music bingo with Brook Jolley at Roasted Hemp Co., where your playlist skills, not your luck, win bragging rights, laughs, and local glory. Chill crowd, catchy throwbacks, Sunday night done right.
🎶 Blue Mother Tupelo @ Cookeville Performing Arts Center | Friday (9/11) at 6:00 PM – Blue Mother Tupelo is lighting up the Fall FunFest stage at Broad and Washington downtown. The free Main Street bash brings live music, arts-and-crafts vendors, food, and family fun, with love offerings welcome. Big sound, small-town charm, and a funnel cake you pretend to split.
🎤 The Frontmen @ On Cookeville's Courthouse Square at the Fall Fun Fest | Saturday (9/12) at 8:00 PM – Three 90s country frontmen, free on the square. The Frontmen, with Richie McDonald of Lonestar, Larry Stewart of Restless Heart, and Tim Rushlow of Little Texas, bring the soundtrack of our glory days. Warm up the vocal cords, and flex that lawn-chair strategy.
🏍 Combat Hero Bike Build: 50th Bike Presentation @ LIFE CHURCH | Saturday (10/3) at 2:00 PM – Cookeville is revving for Combat Hero Bike Build’s 50th presentation, gifting SPC Will Thomas, USA, Ret, a custom ride tuned by Cory “Recon” Collins, at Life Church. Expect chrome, hugs, and a happy-throat lump. Free, local, and the kind of gratitude you can hear. ✨ Upcoming local fundraisers🏃 Great Chase Race 2026 @ El Puente Hispanic Community Center | Saturday (8/8) at 8:00 AM – Take a break from doomscrolling and join the Great Chase Race, with a kids’ mile, 5K, and walking friendly vibe for every pace. Chasers at every level mean passing people is encouraged, you feel heroic, and El Puente’s work across Upper Cumberland gets a boost.
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 — Cookeville report Weather forecastToday — High: 85°F — Low: 67°F — Precip: 31%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 85. North northeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm, then patchy fog. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. East wind around 0 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tomorrow — High: 84°F — Low: 68°F — Precip: 68%
A chance of rain showers between 7am and 10am, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. South southwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. South southeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. This house is wildThis luxury custom home in Victory Hill delivers 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, and polished details at every turn. A vaulted master suite features a walk-in tile wet room, soaking tub, and generous closets. The great room brings 10-foot ceilings, a gas fireplace, and a standout kitchen, while the outdoor basketball court, fire pit, and landscaped grounds add extra flair.
Take a peek inside → |
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