Hello Columbus! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Miss Georgia winner, a summer safety event, and Discovery Hub + 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.
Pageant night honors winners: In Columbus, 81st Miss Georgia pageant crowned Sophia Wooten Miss Georgia and Melony Tidmore Miss Georgia Teen. Wooten received a 2026 Kia Sorento, and over $85,000 in scholarships were awarded -- read the full story.
Scholarship pageant highlights: Georgia crowned a new Miss Georgia and Miss Georgia’s Teen at the 81st annual pageants. Winners will compete nationally in 2027, and runners-up earned scholarships from $1,000 to $6,500 -- read the full results.
Pageant journey and reflections: After winning Miss Georgia 2026, Sophie Wooten said top five contestants prayed backstage and she started competing two years ago, adding she’s excited to represent Georgia at the next stage -- read the full interview.
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.
Weekend sanity check: Flat Rock Park is the easy choice when you need trees, fresh air, and a low-stress place to unplug. Stroll the shaded paths, let the kids burn energy, bring a blanket and snacks, and call it a mini reset before Monday finds you again.
Add a little magic: If your week needs a vibe check, Plant Magic Market has shelves of crystals, herbs, incense, and intention candles plus a cozy tea room for a quiet reset. Pop in, pick your energy, maybe a book or two, then float back into the week feeling unbothered.
Smash stress safely: Vent Rage Room lets you trade doomscrolling for glorious, guilt-free destruction here in Columbus. Pick a bundle of community-sourced breakables or level up in the car-smash room, grab a few friends, and turn this week’s frustrations into very satisfying confetti.
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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.
🔍 Discovery Hub @ Columbus Public Library | Wednesday (6/24) at 11:00 AM – If your kid's been asking why about everything, Discovery Hub hands them the magnifying glass and you a blessed coffee break. It is a weekly, hands-on series for young minds, all curiosity, experiments, and May Mysteries rolling into June adventures.
🃏 UNO Social Club @ Columbus Public Library | Wednesday (6/24) at 6:00 PM – If you’ve been craving low-stakes competition, this will do nicely. UNO Social Club caters to newbies and ringers with house rules, no mercy, or giant UNO chaos, where Draw Fours revive sibling rivalries, reverse cards salvage pride, and trash talk thrives.
🎬 "Unearth A Movie" @ Columbus Public Library | Friday (6/26) at 2:00 PM – Duck into the Library Auditorium for a summer movie series that digs into adventure, action, and pure cinematic fun. Think big-screen escapades without the ticket gouge, the crowds, or the sticky floors. Perfect for a cool afternoon when your garden can water itself.
🏥 Summer Safety Event @ Bill and Olivia Amos Children’s Hospital | Friday (6/26) at 4:00 PM – Consider it summer safety without the lecture. The children’s hospital turns it into a passport sprint, meal after six stamps, and each kid picks one freebie, life jacket, booster, helmet, or home kit, kids must be present, with fire trucks and jet skis.
🎬 Summer Film Fest 2026 @ National Infantry Museum | Saturday (6/27) at 11:00 AM – Beat the heat at the National Infantry Museum’s giant screen for a five-week run of family flicks, Thursdays and Saturdays. Tickets are throwback cheap, $3 general, $2 for military, students, seniors, and $1 for kids, so you can still afford popcorn.
☁ Kid's Class: Cloud Cuties @ Painting with a Twist | Saturday (6/27) at 12:00 PM – Whether your kid thinks every cloud is a dinosaur or you just need 90 peaceful minutes, this painting class lets the kids paint their own Cloud Cuties. Recommended for ages 5 and up, no alcohol, and yes, pre-registration for every guest.
🎲 D&D After-Hours @ North Columbus Public Library | Saturday (6/27) at 6:00 PM – After the library lights go out, teens take over for a D&D campaign, dinner included, beginners totally fine. Shushing optional, and yes, reservations and permission slips are required, which is delightfully old school. Your kid gets adventure, you get quiet.
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 Columbus report Weather forecastToday — High: 89°F — Low: 69°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 89. North wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. West wind around 0 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 91°F — Low: 72°F — Precip: 14%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. South wind around 0 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. This house is wildThis spacious 5-bedroom Green Island home pairs polished curb appeal with plenty of personality. A separate private office adds flexibility, while the fenced backyard steals the show with a sparkling pool, wrap-around concrete patio, and a sunroom overlooking it all. Tucked near Lake Oliver, top schools, shopping, dining, and Fort Benning, it is full of character and charm.
Take a peek inside → |
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