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Hey El Paso, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: New taco-bar pairing, the 2026 Sun Bowl queen, and WE HIKE Gear Up & Go P3 + 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.
New neighborhood hangout: Will Hernandez’s Mijos Tacos is teaming with El Luchador bar for a Five Points spot next door, aiming to open for football season, with permits and a date still pending -- read the full story.
Modern downtown upgrade: Funded by the 2019 Public Safety Bond, El Paso’s new Central Fire Station was completed downtown, consolidating crews to speed responses near hot spots, with apparatus bays and 24-hour quarters -- read the full story.
A longstanding tradition continues: The Sun Bowl Association named NMSU senior Laynee Stokes queen for the 2026 Sun Bowl, with UTEP’s Karen Carrillo as lady in waiting, continuing a tradition begun in 1936 -- 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.
History with horsepower: National Border Patrol Museum lines up vehicles, uniforms, weapons, and special unit stories, plus historical photos that map how the job has evolved right here at the border. If you need an interesting hour this week, consider it your no-sunscreen-required adventure.
Movie night, upgraded: Flix Brewhouse El Paso - Montecillo pairs first-run flicks with scratch-made dining and award-winning craft beer delivered to your seat, from juicy signature burgers and hand-tossed pizzas to vegan options, plus fan-favorite brews like Nebulas Hazy IPA, Luna Rosa Raspberry Wheat, and Lucha Libre Mexican Lager.
Creativity on tap: If your week needs a spark, MONA Bar of Modern Art blends crafted cocktails, curated bites, and a steady flow of live performances and art showcases inside a chic space that actually inspires conversation, not just selfies, making it a go-to spot to catch a show or celebrate something worth toasting.
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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.
📖 Free Guided Class - Planning Book @ Memorial Park Library | Wednesday (8/5) at 3:29 PM – Do your future self, and your kids, a favor and swing by this free session for a planning guide and help filling out the info every funeral director needs. Not a party, just practical, compassionate, and El Paso, with straight answers to your questions.
👶 2026 Binational Breastfeeding Coalition Border Latch @ Bassett Place | Saturday (8/8) at 9:00 AM – Fifteen years in, our binational Border Latch still proves the border does its best work with babies, music, and snacks. Expect a joyful show of support for breastfeeding, health info, giveaways, and raffles, including breast pumps. Free, family-ready, all are welcome.
🥾 WE HIKE Gear Up & Go P3 @ El Paso Convention Center - Ocotillo Room | Saturday (8/8) at 9:45 AM – Whether you’re trail-curious or tired of guessing which arroyo is a shortcut, WE HIKE’s free indoor workshop at El Paso Convention Center covers heat smarts, prep, and group safety, with a sunrise hike the morning after. All ages welcome, accessible options, registration required, no walk-ins.
🎨 Third Thursdays @ Downtown Arts District | Thursday (8/20) at 5:00 PM – Third Thursdays in the Downtown Arts District are your monthly excuse to wander, sip, and look cultured without trying. Galleries and shops keep the lights on late, with tunes, local art, and plenty to browse while you rack up steps and stories.
🧘 Free Yoga Thursdays @ El Paso Museum of History | Thursday (8/20) at 5:30 PM – Think your back has started a union? Free Yoga Thursdays is an hour of real reset with Jose S. Casillas, a retired Army Sergeant Major and Airborne Ranger who trades boot camp bark for calm cues, steady breath, and stretches your hamstrings will forgive.
🏡 El Paso Fall Home and Garden Show @ El Paso Convention Center | Friday (8/28) at 2:00 PM – Fall chores calling? Skip the guesswork and roam the 17th annual home and garden show, where El Paso pros talk kitchens, patios, and plants that survive the heat. Free to enter, priceless for finally settling the great quartz, turf, and swamp-cooler debate.
💿 The Market EP @ San Jacinto Plaza | Saturday (8/29) at 8:00 AM – Back where it belongs, The Market EP is celebrating 15 years at San Jacinto Plaza, with select Saturday mornings that feel like a small-town reunion. Expect live music, local artisans, and the kind of people-watching you only get downtown, plus coffee, pan dulce, and shade.
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 — El Paso report Weather forecastToday — High: 103°F — Low: 79°F — Precip: 5%
Sunny, with a high near 103. Heat index values as high as 99. South southeast wind around 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 79. East southeast wind 5 to 9 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 102°F — Low: 79°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 102. Southeast wind 5 to 9 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 79. East southeast wind around 6 mph. This house is wildThis 5,000+ sq ft Mabel Welch-designed gem in Castle/Manhattan Heights pairs architectural pedigree with timeless Southwestern charm. Quarter sawn hardwoods, pristine millwork, graceful archways, and multiple fireplaces add rich character throughout. With 4+ bedrooms, formal and informal living areas, rose gardens, fountains, a privacy-walled backyard, and a lap pool, it feels like a private historic retreat.
Take a peek inside → |
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