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Hey Walla Walla, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Wildfire relief shelters, a teen band festival night, and fresh artisanal bread + 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 relief in action: The Washington VFW is mobilizing across eastern and central Washington to provide 24-hour shelter and meals for wildfire evacuees, open to everyone, a lifeline for communities near Walla Walla -- see the relief effort.
Momentum continues in Seattle: Randy Arozarena’s solo shot and Cal Raleigh’s walk-off single lifted the Mariners to a 4-3 win over the Twins, energizing Mariners fans heading into the week -- catch the walk-off finish.
Statewide student milestone: Washington’s Class of 2026 set a record with 46,168 completed college aid applications, surpassing the state’s 46,000 goal after a monthslong push led by Gov. Bob Ferguson and partners -- see the application record.
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.
Fresh bread alert: Pane | Dolce is turning out artisanal, handmade breads and pastries with traditional European baking techniques, local flour, fresh produce, and zero additives. Grab a loaf that actually tastes like grain, then keep an eye out for their community sourdough classes if you want to level up your home bakes.
Time for a treasure hunt: Tricycled Treasures packs antiques, collectibles, primitives, jewelry, and gently used clothing into a cozy maze of possibility, perfect for upgrading your home or closet without the same-old chain-store vibe. Drop in this week, rummage a little, and snag the piece your future self will brag about.
Handmade tone, right here: Craving fresh inspiration this week, Walla Walla Guitar Company crafts one-of-a-kind electrics that look wild and feel like an old friend. Custom builds with in-house parts, vintage woods and artful finishes, all played and signed off by the makers before they leave.
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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.
🎭 Ventriloquist Extraordinaire @ The Little Theatre of Walla Walla | Wednesday (8/5) at 10:00 AM – The Little Theatre is hosting two free shows with Vikki Gasko Green, a bilingual ventriloquist who sings, dances, and lets her puppets steal the show. A family outing where talking to yourself is classy, the jokes land in English and Spanish, and everyone’s entertained.
🎶 Common Ground Youth Series: Teen Band Festival Night @ Heritage Square | Wednesday (8/5) at 5:00 PM – Midweek downtown calls for cheering on the next generation, not pretending we know TikTok dances. Teen Band Festival Night brings youth bands from across the Valley, plus proud parents, lawn chairs, and surprisingly tight riffs. Think street-fair vibes, hometown pride, and future headliners.
🎶 Diego Romero and Michael Agidius @ Gård Vintners Walla Walla Tasting Room | Thursday (8/6) at 5:30 PM – Skip the couch and catch Diego Romero with Michael Agidius on sax, an award-winning blues crew that earned its hype. Settle in with a glass of wine, or a beer, and let the solos do the heavy lifting. No cover, all ages, zero regret.
🥕 Downtown Farmers Market @ Farmers Market Pavilion | Saturday (8/8) at 9:00 AM – Downtown Farmers Market brings peak produce, small-batch sips, and handmade finds worth another tote. Think Hayshaker greens, Umapine Creamery, Stay Around Donuts, plus global bites from Shewa Ethiopian and Kerry’s Trinidadian. Yes, you will see everyone you know, including your dentist.
🎶 Summer Concert Series: The Travelers @ Heritage Square | Saturday (8/8) at 5:00 PM – Heritage Square serves a free twofer, live music without the cover charge guilt. The Travelers trio brings indie folk rock with globe-trotting rhythms and love stories, then Wade Aylett Band keeps your feet honest. Pack a chair, hit the dance floor, wander downtown between sets.
🎵 Summer Concert Series: Wade Aylett Band @ Heritage Square | Saturday (8/8) at 8:00 PM – Heritage Square brings free live music, two sets, and an excuse for a downtown night. The Travelers ease you in, then the Wade Aylett Band, born by a campfire and still crackling, closes it out. Bring a chair, dance shoes, and wander between sets.
🎵 Summer Concert Series: Gary Winston & the Real Deal @ Heritage Square | Saturday (8/29) at 5:00 PM – Summer evenings call for free tunes and your good lawn chair. Heritage Square hosts two free concerts with Gary Winston & the Real Deal serving blues, funk, R&B, and rock, plus Brittany Collins & Company. Shop a bit, eat well, and test-drive the dance floor.
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 — Walla Walla report Weather forecastToday — High: 92°F — Low: 57°F — Precip: 0%
Areas of smoke. Sunny, with a high near 92. Northwest wind 2 to 7 mph. Later: Patchy smoke before 8pm. Clear, with a low around 57. East wind 3 to 7 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 97°F — Low: 62°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 97. Later: Clear, with a low around 62. This house is wildThis 2013 single-level country retreat pairs mountain views and year-round creek frontage with a well-equipped equestrian setup. Inside, vaulted ceilings, luxury vinyl plank flooring, a gas fireplace, and a light-filled open layout keep things warm and easy. Outside, the 48x36 barn, cross-fenced pastures, garden beds, orchard, berry patch, and chicken coops make rural life wonderfully complete.
Take a peek inside → |
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