Hello Hot Springs! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: July 4 fireworks, a mommy and me play date, and storm damage recovery + 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.
Drivers get a small break: Little Rock’s average gas price fell 13.6 cents last week to $3.50, GasBuddy says, bringing some relief for Central Arkansas drivers even as global tensions keep markets on edge -- read the full update.
Holiday celebration on the lake: Free July 4 fireworks will light up Lake Hamilton as part of Visit Hot Springs’ three-part series. Watch from water or shore and tune to 97.5 FM for synchronized music -- see the full event details.
Storm damage recovery: Earlier this week, storms toppled trees and damaged homes in Garland and Saline counties, leaving thousands without power. Most roads have reopened, but cleanup is expected to continue for days -- read the full story.
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.*
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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.
Tree time, but cooler: When the kids need an energy dump that doesn’t involve your couch cushions, Garvan Woodland Gardens Childrens Garden Treehouse is a breezy canopy escape with room to wander, climb, and daydream. A quick reset this week for locals who crave fresh air, shade, and a little architectural wow.
Your backyard spa pass: Slip into Hot Springs National Park for a shady Grand Promenade stroll, a quick North or West Mountain loop, then top it off by filling a jug at the thermal fountains for later. The easiest midweek reset this side of your couch blanket.
Need an adrenaline tune-up? Put Trex Fun Spot Ropes/ZipLine/Gyroscope on your this-week list. A two-story ropes course and a 500-foot zipline headline the fun, with laser tag, glow-in-the-dark mini golf and a spinny gyroscope that’ll shake off the blahs and wear out the kids, possibly you too.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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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 →
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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.
🛶 Who Sank the Boat? @ Mid-America Science Museum | Thursday (6/25) at 10:30 AM – Think you can spot who sank the boat before the kiddos do? This lively read-aloud of Pamela Allen's classic brings giggles, animal antics, and a tiny mystery, perfect for curious kids, patient grandparents, and anyone who enjoys a good whodunit without the body count.
🤟 ASL / Deaf Community @ Magic Springs Theme and Water Park | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Summer heat calls for Magic Springs with the ASL and Deaf community, then a cool-down before Halestorm caps the day. Group rides, water park mischief, dinner, and new friends. All are welcome, and if enough of us show, there’s a sweet group discount.
👩 Mommy & Me Play Date + Vendor Fair @ Family Park | Saturday (6/27) at 2:00 PM – If you’ve been hunting for a low-stress outing where you shop while the littles burn energy, this is it. Expect local vendors with crafts, jewelry, and treats, plus snacks, drinks, balloon animals, and face painting, and just enough chaos to guarantee an early bedtime.
🏔 Altitude Adjustment Weekend @ Hot Springs National Park KOA Holiday | Saturday (6/27) – Grab your lawn chair and look up for Altitude Adjustment Weekend, an excuse to let jets rattle your fillings while the kids learn why gravity is negotiable. Expect flyovers, hands-on demos, and plenty of aviation nerds, plus the unmistakable scent of jet fuel and sunscreen.
🎤 Clay Walker @ Timberwood Amphitheater | Saturday (7/18) at 6:30 PM – Grab your lawn chair and head to Magic Springs for Clay Walker at Timberwood Amphitheater, serving 90s country hooks you still know by heart. Free with a season pass or park admission, and you can upgrade seats if your knees prefer chairs to blankets.
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 Hot Springs report Weather forecastToday — High: 84°F — Low: 71°F — Precip: 66%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11am, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 11am and 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1pm and 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. South southwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Later: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tomorrow — High: 90°F — Low: 74°F — Precip: 20%
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7am. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. South wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph. This house is wildSet on 3 scenic acres along Lake Hamilton, this 2014 stone-accented retreat brings 135 feet of confirmed shoreline and a covered two-stall boat dock with electric service. Inside, hand-scraped wood floors, vaulted wood ceilings, two stone fireplaces, and a wet bar set the tone. The kitchen impresses with granite, KitchenAid appliances, and dual walk-in pantries.
Take a peek inside → |
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