Hello Monterey! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Star drivers at IROC, learn to be a DJ, and summer lovin' bingo bonanza + 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.
Star drivers return to action: IROC presented by Chevrolet will return to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, August 12–15, featuring Jimmie Johnson, Kurt Busch, and Dario Franchitti -- see the full lineup.
Tough road result: Monterey Bay FC edged El Paso 1-0 in stoppage time, Elijah Paul scoring in the 91st minute as Locomotive were held scoreless for the first time this season -- read the full recap.
Parking changes under review: Pacific Grove’s council unanimously approved exploring paid parking, directing staff to study locations and consult the California Coastal Commission. Expect proposals and public review ahead as the city evaluates feasibility -- see the parking proposals.
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.
Retro fix, no tokens: Need a nostalgia reset this week? 2 Player Arcade Shop packs original cabinets and retro consoles on CRTs, all set to free play once you're in. Perfect for blowing off steam between errands, chasing the high score, or finally proving your roommate’s button-mashing isn’t actually a skill.
Thrive in our fog: Swap thirsty patches for natives, manzanita, ceanothus, and agaves from Drought Resistant Nursery, grown for the Central Coast and our many microclimates. Since 1985 they’ve stocked everything from shrubs, vines, and trees to soil, fertilizers, and gopher baskets... so your garden sips, looks good, and survives September.
Instant bay reset: Need a quick mental vacation between errands, dog walks, or pretending you’re jogging? San Carlos Beach Park’s footpaths, benches, and landscaped turf set you up with front-row bay views that do the heavy lifting; bring coffee, breathe salty air, let the week un-knot itself.
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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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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 → |
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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.
📚 Seaside - Lunch at the Library @ Seaside Branch - Monterey County Free Libraries | Wednesday (6/24) at 11:30 AM – Lunchtime at the Seaside library means your kids eat free, read a bit, and burn off that summer restlessness somewhere with air conditioning. Anyone under 18 gets a free meal, plus weekly activities that feel more wholesome than doomscrolling, and cheaper than camp.
🎧 Learn to be a DJ @ Marina Library | Thursday (6/25) at 6:00 PM – Let your middle schooler trade Roblox for turntables with a crash course from local pro John Upshaw of Monterey DJr. For grades 6 to 8, rising 6th and 9th welcome, with three class options, and pizza included. They learn beats, you enjoy a quiet minute.
🧺 Farmers Market @ Del Monte Shopping Center | Friday (6/26) at 8:00 AM – Market morning at Del Monte Mall means the Kids Eat Right crew from Montage Health is back, handing out tastes, tips, and small victories over picky eaters. Call it family bonding disguised as produce shopping, with bonus science experiments that end in snacks.
🐦 Beginning Birding @ Laguna Grande Regional Park, Monterey side | Saturday (6/27) at 9:00 AM – Curious about that mystery chirper in your yard? Tag along at Laguna Grande for beginner-friendly birding, with binoculars provided, tips on field guides, and an easy loop through this urban oasis, home to over 260 species. Low pressure, high satisfaction, surprising neck workout.
🧱 Seaside - Air-Dry Clay @ Seaside Branch - Monterey County Free Libraries | Saturday (6/27) at 3:00 PM – Think you know your way around a paperback, a patio, and a pinch pot? This Summer Reading Club workshop lets teens and adults play with air-dry clay, no kiln, no pressure, just hands-on zen with a side of bookish banter, and seaside small talk.
🎲 Summer Lovin' Bingo Bonanza! Sun. June 28th @ Monterey Moose Lodge | Sunday (6/28) at 1:00 PM – Grab your lucky dabber and head to the Monterey Moose Lodge for bingo that actually benefits something you’ll use, the pool bathrooms. $25 adults, $10 kids, with gift-basket prizes, early-bird action, and a snack bar slinging burgers, hot dogs, and small-town charm. Open to everyone.
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 Monterey report Weather forecastToday — High: 62°F — Low: 56°F — Precip: 0%
Partly sunny, with a high near 62. West wind 1 to 9 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. West wind 1 to 8 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 63°F — Low: 56°F — Precip: 0%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. This house is wildThis rare single-level home in Toyon Heights spans 3,567 square feet on a corner lot, with a 3-bed, 2-bath main residence and a private 2-bed, 1-bath in-law suite. French doors open to the patio for easy indoor-outdoor gatherings, while the attached guest space adds its own entrance, kitchen, laundry, and furnace.
Take a peek inside → |
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