Hello Merced! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Faculty rock band debut, kids' wheel, and free community bike ride + 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.
Fuel costs stay stubbornly high: Fresno-area gas prices remain high despite a 15-cent dip, and Merced drivers are paying $5.72 a gallon, with costs tied to the Strait of Hormuz and relief possibly months away -- read the full price update.
Campus creativity takes center stage: UC Merced’s all-faculty rock band G Street Revolution released its debut album Dumpster Fire, cut at the campus recording studio by professors from engineering, sociology, mathematics, and music and writing -- hear the faculty band debut.
A sweet local expansion: Nothing Bundt Cakes opened a new Merced location, joining stores in Fresno and Clovis. The national bakery’s Central California expansion brings more bundt cakes and treats to North Valley fans -- see the new bakery opening.
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.
Press start on fun: Part bar, part nostalgia trip, Joystiq packs pinball, shuffleboard, and a wall of retro arcade cabinets alongside a solid menu of wings and burgers. Round up your crew this week and prove your high-score still stands, then toast it with something cold.
Breakfast, but make it local: Rainbird keeps mornings easy with seasonal plates that actually taste like Merced, think local-mushroom frittatas, house-baked brioche, and bottomless coffee. It’s tucked inside El Capitan Hotel, so file it under “weekday upgrade” the next time you need something nicer than toast.
Low-effort fresh air: Richard Bernasconi Park packs a 6.5-acre combo of playground, basketball court, ball field, and picnic tables, perfect for a quick post-work decompress or a kid-energy reset this week. Bring a ball, snag a table, and call it an outing without overthinking it.
|
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 →
Need cash but can't take on another monthly payment? This gets you a lump sum from your home's equity with no monthly bill and no interest, because it isn't a loan. Use the funds for anything, whether that's home improvements, paying off debt, or a large purchase, and pay it back by the end of your 30-year term. Checking your offer is easy, fully online, and won't affect your credit score. *See your cash offer →
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 →
Wish you had someone to talk to right now? The quiet hours are the hardest, especially when you just want someone to talk to. That's exactly what this is built for: real conversations, real matches, real people. Not endless swiping, but actual chats with singles who want to connect as much as you do. Someone to talk to could be a message away. *Join now and start chatting → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
|
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.
🏅 The Olympians @ Playhouse | Friday (6/26) at 7:00 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to swap Netflix reruns for something with actual thunderbolts, the Young Artist Conservatory at Playhouse Merced is staging The Olympians, a riotous myth-rewrite with heart. Big laughs, clever kids, and zero homework required.
🛞 Kids' Wheel @ EarthWorks ClaySpace | Sunday (6/28) at 10:30 AM – Let the kids try the pottery wheel without turning your kitchen into a dust bowl. This hands-on lesson starts with a studio intro and live demo, one-on-one help as they make a small piece, feel accomplished, and bring home something lopsided, charming, and theirs.
🏕️ Summer Camp! @ Let Them Be Little | Monday (6/29) at 9:00 AM – Give the kids a screen break and let them run the show at a child-led summer camp packed with mud kitchens, water play, sensory bins, music, crafts, forts, a fairy garden, and a sensory swing. They reset nerves, come home filthy, and sleep like legends.
🎆 Atwater 4th of July @ Atwater, California | Saturday (7/4) at 7:00 AM – Fourth in Atwater means lacing up for the run, claiming a spot for the parade, then grazing Ralston Park's food and craft vendors like pros. We wrap at Castle Commerce Center with live tunes and fireworks, because tradition, and we still love a good finale.
⚾ Merced 8U Classic @ Joe Herb Park | Saturday (7/11) at 8:00 AM – Grab your lawn chair and head to the Merced ballfields for the Merced 8U Classic, a pint-sized softball showdown with big-league heart. Expect dugout chants, snack-bar nachos, and parents perfecting the slow clap. Tiny sluggers, dusty slides, and bragging rights for the car ride home.
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 Merced report Weather forecastToday — High: 96°F — Low: 64°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 96. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 64. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 95°F — Low: 61°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 95. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. West wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. This house is wildSet on 19.41 level acres in the Merced Irrigation District, this A-1 property blends country calm with serious flexibility. The custom 3-bed, 2-bath primary home spans about 2,050 sq. ft. and includes a breakfast nook and private dining room. Two extra units, fruit trees, almond orchards, and a private well add even more appeal.
Take a peek inside → |
| |
