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Hey Mesquite, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: New fire station plans, a bookstore crawl, and a back-to-school fair + 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.
Built for a growing city: Mesquite is designing a new fire station on the southern edge to keep up with growth, cut response times, and serve as a training hub with a tower and classrooms -- read the full story.
School year prep begins: Dallas ISD students will return August 11. Families can visit the August 7 Back-to-School Fair at Fair Park for free backpacks, haircuts, and health screenings, touted as the largest yet -- check the fair lineup.
Celebrate local bookstores: August’s North Texas Bookstore Crawl is underway across DFW, with 31 indie shops and 33 locations. Pick up a passport, collect stamps, and earn raffle entries by August 31 -- see how to join.
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.
Stock up, Mesquite: Altin Grocery is the biggest Turkish and halal market in DFW, packing 22,500 sq ft with 6,000+ varieties of spices, fresh goods, pantry staples, kitchenware, and traditional desserts. Stock up this week without the sticker shock and level up breakfast, snack time, and dinner with authentic finds.
Vintage win this week: Craving real-deal '80s to '00s tees, sweaters, jackets and the occasional sneaker score, skip the algorithm and dive into Dated Faded Worn Vintage Store. Their buy, sell, trade scene with curated vendors and an online shop makes it easy to upgrade your fit, whether you browse now or catch their next pop-up.
Your game-day HQ: Need wall-to-wall sports, juicy burgers, and wings that vanish before halftime? Boomer's Grill brings the easygoing neighborhood hang with ice-cold beers, fresh-made sauces, and plenty of screens so you never miss a play. Rally the crew this week and make game night the main event.
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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.
🥕 White Rock Farmers Market @ White Rock United Methodist Church (Dallas) | Saturday (8/8) at 8:00 AM – Remember when tomatoes tasted like summer? White Rock and Fair Park deliver producer-only markets with fresh produce, pasture-raised meats, artisan bread, and live tunes, no resellers, no sad strawberries. Pet friendly, rain or shine, and SNAP dollars get doubled.
🎂 Summer Birthdays & Back to School Event @ Point North Park (Richardson) | Saturday (8/8) at 9:30 AM – Season of Smiles is hosting a free family morning where kids snag free backpacks and supplies, and the summer-birthday crowd finally gets their moment. Because it's Richardson, Lightning McQueen rolls through, plus a bounce house, face paint, a balloon artist, giveaways, and refreshments. Registration required.
🥕 Farmers Market @ Firewheel Town Center (Garland) | Saturday (8/8) at 10:00 AM – Swing by Firewheel’s weekend market for peak produce, sourdough, sweet treats, salsas, jams, pickles, local beef, and handmade goods, skincare, and soaps. Food trucks cover lunch and ice-cold drinks. Consider it errands with snacks, and free axe throwing, giant checkers, basketball, and cornhole.
✂ The Museum School of East Dallas Official Ribbon Cutting @ The Museum School of East Dallas | Saturday (8/8) at 10:30 AM – Bring your best polite clap, the Museum School of East Dallas is making it official with a morning ribbon cutting, big scissors included. Beat the heat, browse the summer exhibition, meet the teachers, and enjoy that rare feeling that school might actually be fun again.
🎶 Day 3 @ Opening Bell Coffee (Dallas) | Sunday (8/9) at 12:00 PM – Sad by Southwest is rolling into Day 3 at Opening Bell with James Gedda and the Big Breakfast serving up big feelings, bigger hooks, and hot coffee. Think SXSW without the wristband drama, and with actual chairs. Moody tunes, local crowd, zero pretense.
💉 Low-Cost Vaccine Clinic @ Garland Animal Shelter & Adoption Center | Wednesday (8/12) at 1:00 PM – Think your dog would never bolt, your cat would never wander? The Garland Animal Shelter & Adoption Center’s monthly low-cost clinic has free core vaccines, or go VIP for $10 to add rabies and a microchip. Easy, affordable, and neighborly.
🩸 Summertime @ Wildwood Baptist Church | Saturday (8/29) at 10:00 AM – Take a break from arguing with the thermostat and put that Texas heart to work at a summer blood drive. Supplies dip when school’s back and the heat drags on, so a rolled-up sleeve actually saves lives, and yes, first-timers are welcome. No cape required.
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 — Mesquite report Weather forecastToday — High: 101°F — Low: 77°F — Precip: 1%
Sunny, with a high near 101. Heat index values as high as 105. South wind around 5 mph. Later: Mostly clear. Low around 77, with temperatures rising to around 79 overnight. Heat index values as high as 103. South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 100°F — Low: 78°F — Precip: 1%
Sunny, with a high near 100. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 78. South wind 5 to 10 mph. This house is wildThis 4-bed, 3.5-bath Harvard 2F in Solterra spans 3,142 square feet of polished, modern comfort. A downstairs primary suite, private study, open-concept living area, game room, and media room keep the layout lively and flexible. A cozy fireplace and covered patio add warmth, while the spacious backyard is ready for easy entertaining in Mesquite.
Take a peek inside → |
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