Hello Montgomery County! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: America250 time capsule, The Lion King outdoor movie, and fairy tale in the swamp party + 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.
Local craftsmanship on display: Machinists at NIST in Gaithersburg created the America250 time capsule and its bell jar, giving Montgomery County a hands-on role in marking the nation’s 250th anniversary -- explore the time capsule.
More options coming soon: An independent Verizon store will open soon at Downtown Silver Spring, adding another wireless option for shoppers, and it is so new it has yet to appear on Google -- see the new store opening.
A fresh stage lineup: Silver Spring Stage unveiled its 2026-27 season, with a Theresa Rebeck play opening August 14 to 23, plus Macbeth, Bernhardt/Hamlet, Take Me Out, the 2026 One-Act Festival, and Cab Taxi -- see the full season.
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.
Local blooms, big impact: Whether you're smoothing over a whoops or celebrating big news, Blossoms of Bethesda turns feelings into gorgeous, personalized bouquets with fresh blooms, from orchids and ranunculus to classic roses. Same-day delivery across the area means you look thoughtful on short notice.
Small-kid sanity saver: Puller Playground was renovated in 2020 and keeps it simple in the best way, with a sturdy play structure, swings, and tot pieces tucked inside Rock Creek Stream Valley Park. A perfect quick stop to let the wiggles out during your Rock Creek stroll.
Level up your weekend: Swap couch scrolling for a free-roaming VR arena, VR escape rooms, and a virtual reality arcade at VR Zone VR Escape Room & VR Arcade Rockville. Great for friend groups or families, you’ll actually break a sweat... and maybe a high score.
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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.
🎵 Great Zucchini @ City of Gaithersburg Concert Pavilion | Wednesday (6/24) at 10:30 AM – Take a midweek breather and bring the crew to the Concert Pavilion for the Great Zucchini, the kid-comedy legend, not a new CSA box. It is part of the free Children’s Summer Concert Series, with silly songs, audience giggles, and a mercifully short runtime.
🏊 World's Largest Swim Lesson @ British Swim School at Cloppers Mill Village (Germantown) | Thursday (6/25) at 10:00 AM – Whether you're wrangling kids or grandkids, dive into a free, global water safety lesson right here in Germantown. BSS students snag a beach towel, and non-students who take the plunge and enroll that day get a BOGO month. Big splash, bigger peace of mind.
🦁 The Lion King @ Silver Plaza (Silver Spring) | Friday (6/26) at 8:30 PM – Whether you’ve been humming Hakuna Matata since Blockbuster or you’re just here for snacks, DTSS Plaza hosts a free under-the-stars screening of The Lion King. Stake a blanket, grab takeout, early birds snag Regal popcorn, and flash your Eventbrite at Dog Haus for 10% off.
🧚 Fairy Tale in the Swamp Party @ Casey Community Center (Gaithersburg) | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Trading the cul-de-sac for the swamp, this Shrek and Fiona shindig serves crafts, goofy games, and photo ops, all with just enough ogre to keep the kids giggling. Ideal for ages 3 to 9. Registration is per household, up to six, with timed slots.
🎭 Parks Playhouse Junior @ Flower Avenue Urban Park (Silver Spring) | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Need a low-key morning that still counts as parenting? Parks Playhouse Junior brings The Puppet Co’s Three Billy Goats Gruff to Silver Spring, where the kids get a troll, you get coffee on a blanket, and everyone gets fresh air, shade, and snack time.
🏛 MoCo Heritage Days @ Silver Spring B&O Railroad Station | Saturday (6/27) – Heritage Days, now 27 years strong, turns MoCo into a living museum, minus the velvet ropes. Drop by the Silver Spring B&O Station and sites for open houses, lore, and outdoor wandering, best enjoyed with sensible shoes and your 'remember the Pike before gridlock' stories.
🪄 Maximum Magic family friendly magic show @ Give a Hoot Comedy Club (Gaithersburg) | Sunday (6/28) at 5:00 PM – Maximum Magic serves up a monthly, family friendly night of illusions and the kind of sleight of hand that makes your keys nervous. The club has the full La Mexicana menu and drinks, doors open an hour early, and parking is free.
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 Montgomery County report Weather forecastToday — High: 80°F — Low: 61°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 80. Northwest wind 7 to 10 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. Southwest wind 2 to 7 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 85°F — Low: 66°F — Precip: 4%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. South wind 3 to 12 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. This house is wildThe Edgewood model brings French Country charm with a symmetrical stucco façade, dark mullioned windows, and a steep hipped roof that gives it serious curb appeal. Inside, light-filled rooms, high-end finishes, and a flexible layout balance formal elegance with everyday ease. It can be built on your lot or theirs across several prime DC-area locations.
Take a peek inside → |
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