Hello Macon! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: A new Costco, doll fashion math, and ceramic fairy house workshop + 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.
Big-box plans advance: A 158,000-square-foot Costco won Planning & Zoning approval for Bass Road and New Forsyth Road in Macon, set to open summer 2027. Officials expect economic benefits and minimal traffic impacts -- check the Costco plans.
Supportive housing takes shape: Work began on a Payne City housing project, building one new home and renovating another for families identified through Brookdale Resource Center, backed by the Macon-Bibb County Affordable Housing Fund -- see the housing project.
New travel options expand: Contour Airlines launched nonstop Fort Lauderdale service and resumed daily Baltimore flights at MCN on June 9, with Fort Lauderdale operating four times weekly on a 30-seat jet -- see the new routes.
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.
Small jungle energy: Cam’s Plants at Ingleside Village is the local plug for rare and tropical houseplants, from alocasias and syngoniums to quirky philodendrons. Swing by when your shelf needs a win, then bask in that “look at me, keeping things alive” energy all week.
Quick green escape: When your brain needs a breather this week and the kids need to sprint somewhere that isn’t your hallway, Liberty Park is the low-key, close-to-home fix. Pack a frisbee, sip your coffee, take a relaxed stroll and call it self-care that counts.
Level up your week: Need a midweek boost, swing by Reboot Retrocade & Bar for classic arcade cabinets, pinball, and a cocktail while you chase that high score. They run gaming tournaments, karaoke, and themed trivia, so text the group and make it a friendly grudge match this week.
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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.
🚲 Bubbles & Bikes @ Harvest Church (Byron) | Wednesday (6/24) at 10:00 AM – Summer mornings call for wheels and suds, so Harvest Church is hosting a free, open-to-all playground hangout with bubbles provided. Kids can ride bikes, scooters, or just chase glittery air, while parents enjoy coffee, shade, and the glorious sound of tired children.
🧮 Steam Labs: The Math of Doll Fashion @ Museum of Arts and Sciences | Wednesday (6/24) at 2:30 PM – Thought geometry retired with your graph paper? Bring a 16-inch doll and the family to turn squares, rectangles, and circles into runway-ready jackets, no sewing required. Three skill levels, a science demo, and take-home art, plus your ticket covers admission.
🐒 Asheboro ZooKeepers @ Luther Williams Field | Wednesday (6/24) at 7:00 PM – Watch Macon Bacon sizzle against the visiting Asheboro ZooKeepers at Luther Williams Field, our grand old ballpark with seats that have seen some stories. Expect crisp pitching, cheesy puns, and concessions that laugh at your diet, then hand you another napkin.
🃏 Lorcana Pack Rush Event @ Prime Time Gaming | Thursday (6/25) at 6:00 PM – Prime Time Gaming hosts a casual Lorcana Pack Rush with a Toy Story 5 nod, $15 gets you four booster packs, a Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger promo, and validation for your very adult cardboard hobby. Two easy rounds, capped at 24.
🤖 Robo Coding & 3D Printing @ Stratford Academy | Friday (6/26) at 9:00 AM – Robo Coding & 3D Printing is turning K–4th graders into tiny engineers with hands-on STEAM, coding, robotics, and 3D creations, led by the Nexplore Camp crew. It’s $375, which is still cheaper than replacing another tablet screen, and way more useful.
🚶 Vas Annual Ptsd Awareness Nature Walk @ Amerson River Park | Saturday (6/27) at 9:00 AM – Errands can wait, trees take the lead at Veteran Art Society’s PTSD Awareness nature walk, themed Veteran Village: A Space for Peace. A stroll with families, neighbors, and veterans, it honors service, feeds wellness, and proves fresh air and a good chat still work here.
🏠 Ceramic Fairy House Workshop @ stARTup Studios | Sunday (6/28) at 2:00 PM – Trade your scroll for clay and build a whimsical fairy house, the kind your houseplants have been gossiping about. Total beginners welcome, bring imagination, and maybe a kid or grandkid to claim it. Materials, firing, and a follow up glazing session are included, no fuss.
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 Macon report Weather forecastToday — High: 90°F — Low: 67°F — Precip: 0% Sunny, with a high near 90. North wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. North wind around 0 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 92°F — Low: 71°F — Precip: 8% Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Southeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 71. This house is wildThis remarkable historic home, designed by local architect W. Elliott Dunwoody, Jr., blends old-world elegance with thoughtful modern updates. A grand staircase and striking fan-shaped windows set the tone inside, while the updated kitchen and bathrooms keep daily life polished and practical. Multiple porches, lush landscaping, and peaceful views add even more charm.
Take a peek inside → | | |