Hello Yakima! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Astronaut kitty art camp, mullet mania, and smashed burger expansion + 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.
Safer space for students: Construction started at St. Joseph Marquette School in downtown Yakima, replacing pavement with turf for recess and student safety. Work is underway now, with completion expected August 28 -- see what the project includes.
A legacy of opportunity: Forty-seven Yakima County graduates received $1.35 million from the Mollie Davis Scholarship, with 72 percent first-generation students and annual awards up to $10,000 for bachelor’s or $4,500 for associate degrees -- see the scholarship awards.
New flavor spot arrives: Austin, Texas spot Smashed N Sauced will open in Selah this summer 2026, bringing thin, crispy-edged smash burgers, Nashville hot chicken, and a house sauce with other sauces -- get the menu details.
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.
Summer sanity saver: Need a low-key reset this week? Miller Park has a summer splash pad for the littles, basketball and volleyball courts for friendly bragging rights, and picnic tables for snacks or shade breaks...basically the easiest way to get outside without turning it into a production.
Laser tag therapy: When the crew needs a midweek energy dump, Yakima's own Nerds Fun Center & LaserTag serves up fast-paced laser tag, a throwback-meets-modern arcade, and a console gaming room with Xbox, PS4, Switch, and retro favorites. It’s kid-approved, adult-acceptable, and perfect for friendly bragging rights without sore muscles tomorrow.
Greener thumb, unlocked: Whether your yard is feeling blah or your windowsill needs a leafy roommate, Verdant Yakima curates hard-to-find perennials, shrubs, trees and houseplants picked for Yakima’s climate, plus pottery and local art, all with friendly, nerd-level advice. Swing by this week, get inspired, then watch your garden flex.
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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.
⛳ Pipp n Putt Golf Night @ Yakima County Stadium | Wednesday (6/24) at 6:35 PM – Only in Yakima do we celebrate sports with smaller balls at a baseball game. The Pippins take on the Wenatchee AppleSox with wood bats, warm nights, cold bevs, hot dogs, and maybe a few future big leaguers, all priced like your punch-card at the muni.
⚾ Mullet Mania @ Yakima County Stadium | Thursday (6/25) at 6:35 PM – Break out your Kentucky Waterfall and hit the ballpark as the Pippins host the AppleSox for Mullet Mania. 6-plus inches of flow gets you in free, then it is wood-bat summer ball, cold bevs, hot dogs, and future big leaguers under warm valley skies.
🚗 Cruise In Style Friday Night Cruise @ Major's Restaurant | Friday (6/26) at 5:00 PM – Friday night cruises are back at Major's on Lincoln, a classic Yakima ritual where shiny classics, questionable projects, and daily drivers all get equal parking lot glory. Roll in with the family, grab a burger, trade stories, and pretend you only came for the fries.
🍝 Spaghetti Feed Celebrating 35 Years @ Harman Center | Saturday (6/27) at 4:00 PM – Bring your appetite and nostalgia to a 35-year toast for Yakima Schools Foundation, a Spaghetti Feed throwback with nods to the folks who keep schools humming, one meatball at a time. Raffles for an Asher Niles open fire dinner, Seattle getaway, and student art auction.
🖼 Summer Sundays at the Museum @ Yakima Valley Museum | Sunday (6/28) at 12:00 PM – Summer Sundays call for air conditioning, unhurried strolls, and a refresher on why Yakima’s story is great. The Yakima Valley Museum delivers quiet galleries, thoughtful exhibits, and quality time with family, friends, or your inner history nerd, a pleasant upgrade from yard work.
🌿 W3 Art in Nature @ Yakima Area Arboretum Jones Center | Monday (6/29) at 9:00 AM – Your 1st through 3rd grader is heading outdoors to make art the old school way, with leaves, sticks, and enough dirt to keep it real. They will learn different artist tricks for turning found treasures into masterpieces, and you get fridge upgrades, not glitter explosions.
👩 Kids Space Art Camp @ Happily Painted LLC (Selah) | Monday (6/29) at 12:00 PM – Your small humans will blast off at a kids art camp devoted to Astronaut Kitty, with space painting, cosmic colors, and big imaginations on deck. You get an hour of peace, they get a galaxy of whiskers, and your car gets a constellation of glitter.
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 Yakima report Weather forecastToday — High: 94°F — Low: 61°F — Precip: 6%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Northwest wind 2 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. Northwest wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 88°F — Low: 56°F — Precip: 18%
A slight chance of rain showers after 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Chance of precipitation is 40%. This house is wildThis 6,834-square-foot Gilbert Drive home in Yakima delivers five bedrooms, five bathrooms, and room to spare. An updated main-level primary suite, private-access apartment, and three-car garage add extra versatility. The lower level brings a fireplace office, fitness space, workshop, and more. A peaceful backyard rounds out this spacious, flexible retreat.
Take a peek inside → |
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