Hello Portland! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Bubble tea debut, ice cream train, and Finding Nemo family musical + 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.
New flavor arrives in Maine: Gong cha, the bubble tea brand, will open its first Maine shop in South Portland on June 27, with a two-day grand opening featuring giveaways, specials, and family-friendly entertainment -- get the bubble tea scoop.
New waste hauler: Scarborough picked Garbage to Garden for trash and recycling, and service will start July 1, with materials headed to Ecomaine in Portland and optional organics service -- see the hauler details.
Weekend events abound: This week in Portland, the Greek Festival will bring music and dancing, while "1776" will hit Maine State Music Theatre, plus Dino Trolley rides and South Berwick's 50th Strawberry Festival -- see what’s happening.
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.
Press start IRL: Whether you're chasing high scores, flippers, or a friendly board-game grudge, Arcadia mixes classic arcade and pinball vibes with console corners, plus local beers and spirits. Grab a friend, pick a cabinet, and let the week reset itself one extra life at a time.
Casco Bay brain break: When your brain needs a breather, Fort Allen Park delivers benches with front-row Casco Bay views, a classic gazebo, and history vibes from its monuments, all wrapped in breezy Eastern Prom grass. Bring coffee, pretend you’re on vacation, then remember you actually live here.
Instant porch upgrade: Skip the weekend plant chaos and let In Full Bloom Container Gardens design seasonal planters that actually thrive in Maine. This week, they handle the combo magic, installation, and the keep-it-looking-fresh part, so your stoop or storefront looks intentional all summer... and smugly alive come September.
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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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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 →
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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.
🌊 Midday on the Bay @ Maine Wharf | Thursday (6/25) at 12:30 PM – Play tourist for a 90-minute spin on Casco Bay, with forts, lighthouses, and postcard islands. Grab a local beer and, if you’re feeling fancy, the $40 lobster roll or a crisp salad. The views are free, and yes, it beats mowing.
🎪 Summer Carnival and Scholastic Book Fair @ YMCA of Southern Maine - Portland Branch | Friday (6/26) at 3:30 PM – Ready to relive your Scholastic Book Fair glory, this time with coffee and patience? The Greater Portland Branch is kicking off summer with carnival games, creative crafts, face paint, and stacks of nostalgia. It is free, open to all, perfect for kids and the nostalgic.
🍦 Ice Cream Train @ Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum | Friday (6/26) at 6:00 PM – Summer evenings on the Maine Narrow Gauge mean one thing, bribing the kids with free ice cream while you coast along Casco Bay like it’s 1910. It’s low drama, high nostalgia, and the sunset does most of the parenting. Everybody wins, including your inner child.
🧱 Kids LEGO Club @ Portland Public Library - Riverton Branch | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Riverton Library is rolling out the bricks for a drop-in LEGO Club, no registration, no fuss. Bring the kids, join the build, and crank out some wonky masterpieces together, calling it quality time, creativity, and a blessed break from screens for all.
🐠 Disney & Pixar's Finding Nemo: A 60-Minute Family Musical @ Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine | Saturday (6/27) at 11:00 AM – Bring the kids, or the grandkids, to a mercifully 60-minute, no-intermission Finding Nemo musical that’s bright, funny, and adult-approved. Marlin, Dory, and some surprisingly charming sharks make a splash, and tickets are $22, with member discounts if you’re fancy like that.
🪆 Doll/BJD/MJD Meetup @ Congress Square Park | Saturday (6/27) at 11:00 AM – PortCon’s fifth annual doll meet lands at Congress Square Park if the weather behaves, the Holiday Inn lobby if it doesn’t. Bring BJDs, MJDs, Monster High, Barbie, American Girl, or that mystery attic survivor, then trade tips, tiny shoes, and group photos.
🎬 Silent Movie Sundays: The Lost World @ High and Congress Streets | Sunday (6/28) at 8:30 PM – Silent Movie Sundays turns the park into a sunset cinema, screening the 1925 dinosaur romp The Lost World on the last Sunday of each month. Expect explorers, jungle peril, and stop-motion glory, plus the rare chance to narrate along without anyone shushing you.
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 Portland report Weather forecastToday — High: 77°F — Low: 59°F — Precip: 6%
Sunny, with a high near 77. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 59. West wind 0 to 5 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 73°F — Low: 58°F — Precip: 2%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. West wind 0 to 10 mph. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely after 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Chance of precipitation is 60%. This house is wildThis impeccably restored 3-bed, 2-bath mansard-roof cottage sits on a coveted Munjoy Hill corner lot with seasonal Casco Bay views and a rebuilt historic cupola. Copper flashing, cedar siding, and hardwood floors add character, while the private rose-filled garden and multiple outdoor spaces create a lush urban retreat. Steps from Portland’s East End amenities.
Take a peek inside → |
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