Hello Tuscaloosa! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Free car washes, a wacky foam party, and Triassic Tweens + excuses to get the fam out and about 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 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
A summer tradition grows: Tuscaloosa is gearing up for the city’s largest Fourth of July celebration, a tradition launched in 2011 during the amphitheater’s first summer, with crowds and summer fun on the horizon -- read the full story.
Community space grows larger: After a June 18 groundbreaking, Tuscaloosa’s Belk Activity Center at Bowers Park is set for a $10M expansion that will add a therapeutic pool and a children’s building -- see what's being added.
New wash deals roll in: Tidal Wave Auto Spa opened its second Tuscaloosa carwash, celebrating with 12 days of free washes. Giveback Day will be Thursday, June 25, benefiting the University of Alabama CrossingPoints Program -- learn about the opening offers.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
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.*
You've traveled abroad without being able to speak the local language. You can change that in just 10 minutes a day. Most people are holding real conversations within three weeks. In fact, 92% of users improved their proficiency in just two months, with 25 million subscriptions sold -- take 55% off.* 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 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Upgrade your patio: Brown's Greenhouses has the kind of healthy blooms, veggie starts, and houseplants that make even "oops I forgot to water" gardeners look good. Pop in, ask questions, and let their friendly crew steer you toward what actually thrives in Tuscaloosa’s heat and your yard’s sun-shade reality.
Pinball, pints, repeat: After a long day, trade the couch for Loosa Brews, where a deep tap lineup meets a legit retro arcade and pinball fix. Catch up with friends, chase a high score, discover a new favorite pour, then call it self care and mean it.
Quick family pit stop: If you need a low-stress place to let the kids burn energy or sneak in a round, Robert Cardinal Park backs you up with The Hangar disc golf course plus a solid playground, grills, and picnic spots by the airport. Bonus: the vintage T-33 jet at the entrance makes for a surprisingly cool meet-up landmark.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
Makeup for skin that's changed, now up to 65% off: Laura Geller has built its following on formulas made for mature skin, led by the baked foundations women over 40 keep coming back to. Right now, new email subscribers get up to 65% off plus an extra 22%. Enter your email on the page and the discount activates. *See the VIP pricing →
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 →
Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
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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 Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎪 Dennis Regling's Wonder Show @ Weaver Bolden Branch Library | Wednesday (6/24) at 2:30 PM – Think you know your Newton from your Houdini? Dennis Regling's Wonder Show turns science into jaw-droppers, the kind that make kids giggle, grandparents grin, and everyone quietly feel smarter. No smoke and mirrors, just curiosity, laughter, and a few delightful surprises.
🫧 LTL Kids Summer Series: A Wacky Foam Party @ Northport Marina Pavilion | Thursday (6/25) at 10:30 AM – Consider this the G-rated throwback to those foam parties we never admitted to, now with juice boxes, sunscreen, and a pro sound system. A cannon fills the yard with non-toxic, skin-safe suds so kids can dance, be silly, and burn energy. Free, all are welcome.
🦖 Triassic Tweens @ Tuscaloosa Public Library | Thursday (6/25) at 5:30 PM – Nothing beats watching tweens trade tablets for trowels. Moundville Archaeological Park is popping by with a kid-friendly dig into how archaeologists uncover our past, perfect for ages 9-12, registration required. It’s real dirt, real artifacts, and mercifully, no Minecraft.
🎸 The Mojo Unplugged @ Government Plaza | Friday (6/26) at 6:00 PM – Live at the Plaza is bringing Mojo Unplugged, food trucks, and a kids zone to your favorite patch of lawn, free as sweet tea refills. Bring a chair, claim some shade, let the little ones burn laps, and call it quality time, not babysitting.
🚀 Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) @ Bama Theatre | Friday (6/26) at 7:30 PM – Cue the killer mixtape and space shenanigans, with a doofus pilot, a green assassin, a literal guy, a tree, and a mouthy raccoon saving the galaxy from an orb-obsessed zealot. Summer Movie Punch Cards cover 10 shows, and unlimited popcorn exists, because priorities.
🐄 Petting & Fun Farm @ Tuscaloosa Barnyard | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Tuscaloosa Barnyard is basically kid paradise disguised as a farm, with hand-feedable critters, duck races, multiple playgrounds, a 50-foot super slide, and a jumping pillow that counts as cardio. There is even a fiberglass cow that always cooperates, and yes, you can pack snacks.
🟢 Novi Co. Slime Party @ NOVI Co. (Northport) | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – NOVI Co. is hosting a pop-up slime bar, perfect for keeping the kids busy while you actually browse. They pick small $5 5oz or large $8 8oz cups, then customize with charms, glitter, and questionable color choices. You get peace, they get squish.
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 — The Tuscaloosa report Weather forecastToday — High: 88°F — Low: 70°F — Precip: 30%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny. High near 88, with temperatures falling to around 83 in the afternoon. Southeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. West wind around 0 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tomorrow — High: 90°F — Low: 73°F — Precip: 22%
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. South wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Chance of precipitation is 20%. This house is wildSet on 7.72 acres at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, this nearly 8,000-square-foot estate pairs privacy with serious wow factor. Hardwood floors and bright, airy rooms lead to a coffered office, theatre room with bar and kitchenette, and a granite-filled kitchen with a big island. The walk-out lower level, pool, greenhouse, and ensuite bedrooms add even more appeal.
Take a peek inside → |
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