Hello Hartford! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Pup street pup prom, princesses in the park, and hot dog jersey giveaway + 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.
Summer opportunities get a boost: Greater Hartford Gives Foundation awarded nearly $805,000 to 32 organizations for summer programs, benefiting more than 6,300 youth and individuals with disabilities, including Music at the Red Door’s August camp -- check the summer grants.
Hands-on learning awaits: Hartford’s riverfront Connecticut Science Center packs over a hundred hands-on exhibits, a 3D theater, live shows, and a serene butterfly room, turning a visit into an unexpectedly inspiring day -- see the science center.
Virtual care gets bigger: K Health and Hartford HealthCare expanded their partnership this week to add virtual endocrinology care for Connecticut patients, building on same-day primary care and delivered by specialty-trained Advanced Practice Providers -- explore the care expansion.
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.
Needed: a quick reset: When the week starts grinding, trade the group chat for fresh air and a low-stakes stroll through Bushnell Park. Wide lawns, skyline peeks, and plenty of people-watching make it the easiest way to reset your brain, stretch your legs, and remember Hartford actually looks great from outside your inbox.
Retro bowling, real vibes: When the group chat needs an easy plan, Ducks on the Ave keeps it simple with cozy duckpin lanes, Disco Ducks glow sessions, and a low-pressure way to compete. Book a lane, trade trash talk over tiny bowling balls, call it the most Hartford way to hang this week.
Blooms that give back: Whether your living room needs a little “wow” or you owe someone a just-because, Persimmon Petals handcrafts gorgeous arrangements and every purchase supports YWCA Hartford Region programs. Treat yourself, make someone’s day, and feel good doing it... your coffee table will thank you.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
Makeup for skin that's changed, now up to 65% off: Laura Geller has built its following on formulas made for mature skin, led by the baked foundations women over 40 keep coming back to. Right now, new email subscribers get up to 65% off plus an extra 22%. Enter your email on the page and the discount activates. *See the VIP pricing →
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.
🐶 Pup Street Pup Prom @ Pratt Street | Wednesday (6/24) at 5:00 PM – Break out the paw corsages for Pup Prom on Pratt, the monthly Pup Street takeover where Pratt Street becomes a dog park with shopping, socializing, and indecent levels of cute. Expect pups in bowties, humans as chaperones, and the feeling your dog outclasses you.
👸 Children's Performance Series: Princesses in the Park @ Wickham Park (Manchester) | Thursday (6/25) at 11:00 AM – Princesses are holding court in the park with stories, songs, and photos your tiny royals will brag about. You get a breather and maybe a quiet bench, they get pure magic. Seven bucks to park the carriage, which feels like a fairytale bargain.
👕 Kids Hot Dog Jersey Giveaway @ Dunkin' Park | Thursday (6/25) at 7:10 PM – Yard Goats are hosting the Red Sox affiliate at Dunkin' Park, where the first 1,000 kids score hot dog jerseys, so yes, your small human can dress like dinner. Classic ballgame vibes, goofy merch, and a harmless excuse to eat two. Presented by TANGO.
🎬 Movie Night @ The Apostles House | Friday (6/26) at 8:00 PM – Settle in at The Apostles House for Soul on Fire, an outdoor movie night with fellowship, and that under-the-stars magic. Bring a lawn chair, bring the crew, and it’s cash only, like the South End corner store. If rain meddles, we move inside.
✂ What a Relief! A Family Craft Event @ Colt Park | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Celebrate the restored Sam Colt Memorial with a family craft session making reliefs, echoing the monument or your own design. A Park Service tour of Coltsville seals it, because clay under your nails, local lore, and smug satisfaction beat screen time.
🪽 Making & Moving: Wings and Wildflowers @ Keney Park Sustainability Project (Windsor) | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Close out the Making & Moving series with wildflowers and wings at Keney Park Sustainability Project on the Hartford/Windsor line. Think pollinators, art-making, and a little motion, not buffalo sauce. Learn, create, then catch a sneak peek of Night Fall 2026.
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 Hartford report Weather forecastToday — High: 79°F — Low: 59°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 79. Northwest wind around 9 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 59. Northwest wind 2 to 7 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 79°F — Low: 64°F — Precip: 2%
Mostly sunny. High near 79, with temperatures falling to around 77 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 0 to 8 mph. Later: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9pm and 10pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10pm and midnight, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy. Low around 64, with temperatures rising to around 66 overnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. This house is wildThis charming brick ranch pairs classic curb appeal with thoughtful updates, including gleaming hardwood floors, central air, and brand-new windows. The bright eat-in kitchen offers plenty of cabinet space and new appliances, while the sunny living room centers around a cozy fireplace. Downstairs, the finished basement steals the show with a second kitchen, wood stove, Jacuzzi tub, and flexible guest-ready space.
Take a peek inside → |
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