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Hey Waukesha, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Church reopening after renovation, a jazz discovery app, and free water ski show + 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.
A cherished landmark reopens: Waukesha’s St. Joseph Church held its first Mass after seven months of renovation, welcoming over 400 worshipers to the 1800s landmark refreshed with new paint, floors, and an expanded balcony -- read the full story.
Connecting the jazz community: MKE JAZZ.LIVE, a free web app, helps metro Milwaukee fans discover live jazz, tracking shows at dozens of venues and connecting listeners, musicians, and students with performances across the region -- read the full story.
Growing interest in sustainability: Demand for native plants has surged across Milwaukee, with Quinn Wilder’s Food Freedom Milwaukee having opened 15 community gardens and Riverwest’s Pretty Wild Nursery spotlighting species transforming eco-friendly yards -- 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.
Shiny, but make it you: Paloma Wilder handcrafts fine jewelry the old-school way, carving details in wax and casting in-house at their Milwaukee studio so custom pieces actually feel like you. Pop in for a clasp-less BOND bracelet or a curated POKE ear piercing, then browse chains, charms, and private-party options.
Let the zoomies out: Camp Bow Wow Waukesha gives your dog all-day play in large indoor and outdoor play areas, enrichment-based daycare with Certified Camp Counselors, and cozy boarding Cabins with cots and fleece blankets. They also offer training, grooming, and live Camper Cams so you can check in between meetings this week.
Your glow-up HQ: Image Studios - Waukesha gathers independent hair, skin, and nail pros under one sleek roof, so you can book color, cuts, extensions, facials, brows, waxing, and more without the wild goose chase. Scroll their pro directory, pick your person, and walk out feeling extra put-together.
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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.
🎬 Summer Movie Series @ Market Square (Brookfield) | Tuesday (8/4) at 6:30 PM – Bring the lawn chairs to The Corners for free, family-friendly movies on a 20-foot screen, Tuesday nights in August. The kids score princess cameos, balloon animals, and face paint, bedtime comes early, and everyone gets Wood'r Ice, What's Pop, and easy, small-town summer feeling.
🥕 Pewaukee Farmer's Market @ Galilee Lutheran | Wednesday (8/5) at 3:00 PM – Nothing beats a lazy stroll through the Pewaukee Farmer's Market, coffee in hand, pretending you only need one tomato. Expect local produce, breads, and jams, plus blessed pre-order pickup for full menu items, so you can breeze in, grab, and gloat.
👮 Waukesha National Night Out @ Waukesha County Expo Center | Wednesday (8/5) at 5:00 PM – If you’ve been meaning to show kids where your property tax dollars go, Waukesha’s National Night Out is the friendliest way to do it. Climb in squad cars, meet K-9s, peek at fire trucks, play games, and trade neighborly gossip without Facebook, Nextdoor, or megaphones.
🏄 Free Water Ski Show @ Lakefront Park (Pewaukee) | Thursday (8/6) at 6:00 PM – Think you’ve seen it all on Pewaukee Lake? Every Thursday evening the lake turns into a free water ski show at Lakefront Park, with juniors warming up the crowd, then the main act bringing the splash. Pack a chair, the kids, and your golf clap.
👨 Family Time in the Courtyard @ Brookfield Public Library | Friday (8/7) at 10:30 AM – Whether your tiny human belts Itsy Bitsy Spider or just claps on the twos, this courtyard hang for ages 0 to 12 brings stories, songs, action rhymes, and fingerplays. Bring a blanket, save your knees, and cross fingers for sun, otherwise we migrate indoors.
🎥 Saturday Family Nights @ Hop Harvest & Vine (Pewaukee) | Saturday (8/8) at 4:00 PM – Hop Harvest & Vine is turning Saturday into the easiest family win, with 25% off dinner, 25% off drinks, and a free kid-friendly movie in the pavilion. The kids stare at the screen, you admire the conservancy, and everyone calls it quality time.
🎨 Family Art @ Pewaukee Area Historical Society Clark House Museum | Sunday (8/9) at 1:00 PM – The museum is hosting a free family art workshop, and yes, the glitter stays there. Kids and grownups can pick from painting, fabric art, or jewelry-making, then leave with masterpieces, bragging rights, and zero cleanup. Quality time, actual conversation, mild chaos.
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 — Waukesha report Weather forecastToday — High: 83°F — Low: 63°F — Precip: 4%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms between 7pm and 1am, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. West wind 0 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 76°F — Low: 59°F — Precip: 76%
Rain showers before 1pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. South wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. East wind around 0 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible. This house is wildThis spacious colonial pairs classic style with smart flexibility, offering 5+ bedrooms, 3.5 baths, and a layout designed for multigenerational living. A first-floor bedroom, laundry, and private den add convenience, while the double-sided fireplace anchors the family and dining rooms. The finished lower level includes a kitchenette, steam shower, and generous living space.
Take a peek inside → |
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