Hello Lake Charles! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Garden center closure, TODAY show spotlight, and dinosaur experience + 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.
A local staple fades away: Greengate Garden Center will close after more than 65 years in Lake Charles, as the Dondis family retires without a successor. No closing date announced, and plants are selling quickly -- read the full story.
Spotlight for a hidden gem: Lake Charles was featured on NBC’s TODAY as an underrated destination, with travel expert Mark Ellwood highlighting resorts, gaming, dining, entertainment, and outdoor adventures that make the area stand out -- read the full feature.
Major investments approved: State lawmakers allocated $120.3 million in Priority 1 funds for Southwest Louisiana, including $99.4 million for the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge and projects at McNeese and Port of Lake Charles -- see where funding goes.
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.
Press Start, Unwind: Need an easy win with the kids or a low-key date-night detour, Arcade inside L’Auberge packs classic hits and shiny new button-mashers like Jurassic Park, Terminator, and Super Cars, plus claw machines dangling plush and even Apple goodies... a quick, fun timeout close to home.
A Lakeside Reset: Whether you need a breezy walk, a kid-approved splash pad situation, or an excuse to finally use that kayak, Prien Lake Park delivers with walking paths, a splash pad, playground, and boat/kayak launches... plus shady picnic spots and those unbeatable I-210 Bridge views.
Fresh stems, zero stress: Whether it's a just-because pick-me-up, a last-minute birthday, or a "sorry about the driveway" peace offering, The Flower Shop of Lake Charles handles it with florist-designed, hand-delivered arrangements, same-day when you need it. Real local team, pretty stems, no wilted mystery-in-a-box.
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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 →
Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
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.
🦄 Camp Smiling F.A.C.E.S. Fun Fridays: Unicorns & Dragons @ Genesis Therapeutic Riding Center (Sulphur) | Friday (6/26) at 9:00 AM – Bring the kids or grandkids to Genesis Therapeutic Riding for story time where therapy horses moonlight as unicorns and dragons, plus a crafty finale. Parents stay, kids get a magic fix, and you score wholesome points without glitter in your carpet. Registration required.
🎨 Family Friendly Paint Sesh! Axolotl Boba @ Painting with a Twist | Friday (6/26) at 2:00 PM – School’s out, save your walls and let the kids paint an axolotl boba at the studio. They get kid-friendly, step-by-step guidance, fun designs to choose from, and a relaxed vibe. You get a breather, no glitter in the carpet, and peak Lake Charles parenting.
🧺 Moss Bluff Farmer's Market and Swap @ Hidden Treasures In The Bluff | Saturday (6/27) at 8:00 AM – Swing by the Moss Bluff Farmer's Market and Swap for homegrown produce, porch-made jams, and the kind of neighborly bartering you secretly love. It’s equal parts grocery run and treasure hunt, with small businesses showing up, familiar faces, and prices discussed like SEC football.
🫧 CKB’s Bubble Bash @ Casually Kate Boutique (Sulphur) | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Nothing beats letting the kids burn energy while you actually shop in peace. CKB's Bubble Bash at Casually Kate brings bubbles, snow cones, chalk, temporary tattoos, a bounce house, a photo booth, and sweet treats, plus a permanent jewelry artist and summer deals.
🎨 Family Friendly Paint Sesh! Panda @ Painting with a Twist | Saturday (6/27) at 1:00 PM – Family-friendly creativity on tap, with a panda painting sesh that even your most art-averse uncle can handle. Paint your own take on a local artist’s panda, add a candle if you come a bit early, and call it quality time that actually delivers.
🚀 Out of this World Summer Art Sessions @ Paint & Fire | Monday (6/29) at 8:00 AM – If your resident astronaut needs a mission, this weeklong space art adventure launches from Lake Charles with clay, glazing, canvases, sculpting, watercolors, and fizzy paints. Expect stellar creativity, minor cosmic mess, and a fridge gallery that could qualify for NASA funding. Blastoff guaranteed.
🦖 The Dinosaur Experience @ Calcasieu Parish Public Library: Sulphur Regional Branch | Tuesday (6/30) at 10:00 AM – If the grandkids think they have seen it all, introduce them to a T. rex breathing down their necks, courtesy of Ranger Martin and his dino crew. This all-new, up-close adventure is big, loud, and surprisingly charming. Earplugs optional, bragging rights guaranteed.
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 Lake Charles report Weather forecastToday — High: 93°F — Low: 75°F — Precip: 3%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Heat index values as high as 103. Southwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 75. Heat index values as high as 102. Southwest wind 0 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 92°F — Low: 76°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 92. Southwest wind 0 to 10 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 76. South wind 5 to 10 mph. This house is wildThis custom Oaks at Heyd Place home blends French and Spanish flair with stately Lake Charles style. Soaring ceilings, interior brick arches, elegant lighting, and all hard surface flooring set the tone. The main-level primary suite includes a soaking tub, upscale shower, dual sinks, and double closets. An inground gunite pool, gazebo seating, and easy indoor-outdoor flow complete the scene.
Take a peek inside → |
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