Hello Bakersfield! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Fake permit scam warning, family bingo, and decorate your own fairy door + 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.
City warns of fraud: Bakersfield warned Tuesday of a scam faking city permit and application fee requests, using logos, staff names and property info. Residents should report it to police or the FBI -- read the full warning.
Big spending decisions ahead: Bakersfield City Council is voting today on a $926 million budget, with most dollars earmarked for public works and public safety in a plan heavy on fixed costs -- read the full budget story.
Roadwork impacts ahead: Expect daytime shutdowns on Wible Road between Brundage Lane and Belle Terrace today through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., as crews remove falsework near the 58 and 99 connector -- read the full closure details.
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.
Crack a code, Bakersfield: Skip the same old hang and lock in an hour at Ingenious Escape Rooms - Bakersfield Rosedale, a locally built, story-driven set of multi-room games with unlimited hints and just-enough suspense. Perfect for Bakersfield crews who want laughs, teamwork, and bragging rights... plus a great excuse to revive the group chat.
Fresh air, zero fuss: When you need a low-key reboot close to home, Panorama Park delivers with room to walk, think, and maybe convince yourself this counts as cardio. Bring a friend or podcast, leave with lighter shoulders and a better mood, Bakersfield-style simplicity at its best.
Plant parent boost: Need a little jungle energy at home this week? The Luxe Leaf Co. has ethically grown houseplants, a Cuttings Bar with fresh, root-ready starts, and repotting help when your pothos outgrows its britches. Browse care guides, take the Plant Finder quiz, then snag local pickup and flex your green thumb.
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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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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.
🎱 Family Bingo @ Wilson Branch Library | Wednesday (6/24) at 4:00 PM – If you’ve been waiting to pry the kids from screens and flex your competitive streak, the library’s family bingo night is it. Win candy, small toys, and yes, armfuls of books. Finally, yelling Bingo in public earns applause, not a shush.
🎶 Mento Buru @ The Marketplace | Thursday (6/25) at 7:00 PM – Mento Buru wraps the Concerts by the Fountain season at The Marketplace, so expect ska, cumbia, and that smug breeze by the splash zone. It’s free, family friendly, and low effort, perfect for lawn chairs, relaxed hips, and a civilized post-dinner sway.
🧒 Mini Makers @ Beale Memorial Library | Friday (6/26) at 10:30 AM – Mini Makers is mixing process art with playful literacy so your tiny human can smear paint, tell stories, and quietly level up those fine motor, symbolic thinking, and language skills. Less fridge clutter, more building the toolkit they will use to read and write.
🧵 Perler Bead Fruit Slices @ Baker Branch Library | Saturday (6/27) at 10:30 AM – Let the kids make summer fruit without the sticky fingers at a Perler bead craft session where they design colorful slices, practice patterns, and flex those fine-motor skills. You supervise, they focus, everyone wins, and your fridge art gets an upgrade.
🍦 Ice Cream Social @ Bakersfield KOA Journey | Saturday (6/27) at 3:00 PM – KOA Lounge is hosting their first Ice Cream Social, the kind that makes you feel like summer showed up early. Scoops run $3 to $8, depending on ambition. Bring your sweet tooth, a touch of nostalgia, and maybe stretchy pants.
🎪 Bely y Beto @ Mechanics Bank Arena | Sunday (6/28) at 3:00 PM – Break out your best tía energy for Bely y Beto at the blessedly air-conditioned Dignity Health Arena, a colorful kids party that doubles as cardio. The little ones sing and dance, you hum along, and we all leave with an earworm, snacks, and nap-time negotiations.
⚾ Martinez Sturgeon @ Sam Lynn Ballpark | Monday (6/29) at 7:30 PM – Skip the to-do list and catch our Train Robbers taking on the Martinez Sturgeon, classic Bakersfield baseball with cheap seats, cold drinks, and the kind of heckling your uncle considers a sport. No flash, just crack-of-the-bat, salty snacks, and neighbors you actually like.
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 Bakersfield report Weather forecastToday — High: 100°F — Low: 69°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 100. North northwest wind 0 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 69. North northeast wind 0 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 99°F — Low: 66°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 99. West northwest wind 0 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 66. North northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. This house is wildThis Northwest Bakersfield estate pairs 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms with nearly 4,806 square feet of total living space, including a fully detached guesthouse. The main home spans about 3,600 square feet with soaring ceilings, a split-wing layout, and a chef’s kitchen with a walk-through butler’s pantry. Outside, a resort-style backyard shines with a pool, rock waterfall, covered patio, oversized lot, RV parking, and 3-car garage.
Take a peek inside → |
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