Hello Tri Cities! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Aerial firefighting hub, glow hike, and Johnny Appleseed puppet show + 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.
Ready for rapid response: Richland Airport is serving as an aerial firefighting hub this wildfire season, staging Fire Boss planes and helicopters that can scoop 800 gallons from the Columbia and launch within minutes -- see the firefighting hub.
Safety upgrades underway: The West Van Giesen and Keene intersection in West Richland closed for a roundabout under Red Mountain Vicinity Project, adding five roundabouts and lowering speeds from 55 to 35 mph -- see the roundabout closure.
New housing takes shape: Fourth Avenue Capital began construction on a 72-unit apartment community in Richland’s South Badger Mountain, featuring homes from 733 to 1,318 square feet, expanding multifamily options for Tri-Cities residents -- check the new apartment plans.
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.
Level up your week: Need an easy win for restless kids or a midweek brain break for you, Arcade Time! has swipe-and-play fun, birthday-ready party packages, and bowling at Spare Time Lanes & Arcade. It’s the kind of low-planning, high-smiles outing that makes Tri-Cities living feel easy.
Add some green: Little Plant Shop at the Parkway is the easy win for brightening a corner, rescuing a sad desk, or finally committing to that monstera you’ve been eyeing. Friendly folks, healthy houseplants, and stylish pots, all without leaving your Tri-Cities bubble.
Kid energy, contained: Need to let tiny humans burn off steam without wrecking the living room? Playground Of Dreams in Columbia Park brings big, imaginative play with Tri-Cities flair and inclusive elements for all abilities, plus river views for you... pack snacks, embrace the chaos, thank us later.
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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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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.
🎭 Johnny Appleseed Puppet Show @ Richland Public Library | Thursday (6/25) at 5:30 PM – Johnny Appleseed returns to the frontier, courtesy of Dragon Theater Puppets, with handcrafted characters, clever storytelling, and laughs the kids will sit still for. Funded by Friends of the Richland Public Library as part of America 250, it is wholesome, local, and pleasantly low-tech.
🏡 Mini Treehouse Workshop @ Alley Kat Artisans (Kennewick) | Friday (6/26) at 6:00 PM – At this hands-on workshop, expect tiny lumber, tinier ladders, and a heroic amount of hot glue as you build a fairy treehouse with bark, moss, and imagination. Bring the kids or don't, your inner eight-year-old could use some delightfully fiddly therapy.
✨ Glow Hike @ Badger Mountain Trailhead Park (Richland) | Friday (6/26) at 8:30 PM – Think the kids have a monopoly on glow gear? Prove otherwise with a self-guided glow hike up Badger Mountain at sunset, with extra sticks while they last. Bring a flashlight or headlamp, meet at Badger Mountain Trailhead Park, and take in the Tri-Cities glowing below.
🦸 Royal Family Super Hero Fun Run 5K10K @ Columbia Park Bandshell (Kennewick) | Saturday (6/27) at 9:00 AM – Suit up for a superhero-themed 5K or 10K that makes your training plan feel less like a chore and more like play. Capes are optional, bragging rights are not, and yes, the Tri-Cities breeze will make you feel faster. Bring the kids, or outrun them.
🛍 Summers Hub Kids Market @ Summer's Hub of Pasco | Saturday (6/27) at 11:00 AM – Think Etsy, but with allowance money, at the Summers Hub Kids Market, where young makers proudly sell handmade crafts, books, and toys. Expect sweet chaos, applause-worthy haggling, and a few future CEOs who already know margins.
🚗 3rd Annual Cars & BBQ Car Show @ Marineland Plaza (Kennewick) | Sunday (6/28) at 7:00 AM – If you’ve been itching to admire chrome and call it lunch, the 3rd Annual Cars & BBQ brings classic rides, chef-prepared barbecue, and raffle prizes. Wander the rows, buy a plate, and feel virtuous, a portion benefits Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton-Franklin Counties.
🥁 DCI: Drum Corps International @ Neil F. Lampson Stadium (Kennewick) | Monday (6/29) at 3:30 AM – Swap the mower for stadium seats and watch DCI turn Lampson Stadium into a wall of sound. Think your high school marching band, but turbocharged, razor sharp, and loud enough to rattle the Costco rotisserie aisle. Pure precision, goosebumps, and hometown bragging rights.
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 Tri Cities report Weather forecastToday — High: 96°F — Low: 64°F — Precip: 0%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. West wind 1 to 7 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southwest wind 6 to 9 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 90°F — Low: 58°F — Precip: 1%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Later: A slight chance of rain showers after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Chance of precipitation is 20%. This house is wildThis 3,853-square-foot estate pairs fresh, light-filled interiors with a one-acre landscaped setting. A massive 12-foot kitchen island anchors the open living spaces, while the main-level primary suite, dedicated office, two laundry rooms, and generous storage keep life running smoothly. Outside, a covered patio, fiberglass pool with automated cover, basketball court, shed, and circular driveway deliver serious curb appeal.
Take a peek inside → |
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