Hello Cabarrus County! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Kids wildlife workshops, princess night at the ballpark, and sensory friendly screening + 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.
Top educators celebrated: NCCAT announced 24 finalists for the 2027 CTE Teacher of the Year. The winner will be announced Oct. 29 in Concord, after finalists attend professional development Oct. 26 to 30 -- learn more about finalists.
Roadwork affecting traffic flow: NCDOT is replacing a cross-pipe near Barringer Street in Mount Pleasant, reducing the highway to one lane this week. Expect delays, with completion expected by mid-November, weather permitting -- see the lane closure details.
New market, local partners: Baldor Specialty Foods announced June 22 an expansion into North Carolina, targeting the Charlotte metro, Triangle and Triad, bringing 6,000+ specialty products and partnerships with local farmers and makers -- explore Baldor's 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.*
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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.
Fresh stems, zero fuss: Curiosity Farm grows seasonal blooms in Concord, with garden-style bouquets and occasional you-pick days when the fields are popping. You can also snag stems at Nothing New in downtown, then pretend you woke up like this... green thumb and all.
Claw-game mood booster: Need a low-stress way to tire out the kids, celebrate small wins, or scratch that just-one-more-try itch, Kako Claw is a bright, clean claw-machine arcade with skill-based play and prizes that actually feel worth winning. A quick, family-friendly reset when cabin fever hits in Cabarrus.
Low-key park reset: When you need a quick breather close to home, Vietnam Veterans Park delivers with a breezy 9-hole disc golf course, kid-approved play areas, sport courts, shady trails, and plenty of picnic nooks. Easygoing vibes, zero fuss, and you might even log a few unintended steps.
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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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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.
🦊 Kids Wildlife Workshops @ St. Paul United Methodist Church (Concord) | Wednesday (6/24) at 9:00 AM – Let the kids ditch the screens for hands-on wildlife workshops in Concord, where they’ll track prints, play habitat detective, and see how rescuers return critters to the wild. Ages 5–10, small groups, $20 at St. Paul Methodist Church, registration required, no walk-ins.
🏺 Kids Mini Pottery Wheel Summer Art Series @ Paint Your Hearts Out (Kannapolis) | Wednesday (6/24) at 3:00 PM – Give the kids a summer upgrade, a mini pottery wheel series where they actually make things. They learn centering and shaping, build confidence, and come home proudly muddy, with materials included. Weekly, $40 a class, age 6+, wear clothes you do not mind sacrificing.
👑 Princess Night at the Ballpark @ Atrium Health Ballpark (Kannapolis) | Friday (6/26) at 6:00 PM – Baseball meets tiaras at the ballpark for Princess Night, where foul balls share the spotlight with sparkly gowns, photo ops, and a little magic. Bring the little royals. Your beer pairs surprisingly well with a tiara, and the drama stays on the field.
🎬 Movie Night @ River Rock at Odell Church (Concord) | Friday (6/26) at 8:30 PM – Movie Night is rolling into River Rock at Odell with David on the big screen, free popcorn, and easy company. No spoilers, but a giant gets bad news. Expect faith, fellowship, and a feel-good story, plus the kind of small-town warmth you brag about.
☕ Caffeine and Chrome @ Gateway Classic Cars of Charlotte (Concord) | Saturday (6/27) at 9:00 AM – Saturday mornings call for caffeine, carbs, and carburetors. Roll into Gateway Classic Cars for Caffeine and Chrome, the last Saturday of the month, where the coffee’s hot, the donuts go fast, and the chrome gleams while locals trade stories and modestly flex their restorations.
🎬 Sensory Friendly Screening @ AMC Concord Mills 24 | Saturday (6/27) at 11:00 AM – Nothing beats a movie where the lights stay soft and the volume minds its manners. AMC Concord Mills 24 is hosting a sensory friendly screening, so kids can wiggle, adults can breathe, and no one gets the side eye. Popcorn, patience, and zero shushing.
🇺 Celebrate America @ Cold Springs Global Methodist Church (Concord) | Sunday (6/28) at 4:00 PM – Craving a little star-spangled spirit without the traffic and chaos? This community hangout serves up hamburgers, hotdogs, and ice cream, plus inspiring patriotic tunes from the Piedmont Singing Men, all in a relaxed, family-friendly vibe that says neighborly, not noisy.
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 Cabarrus County report Weather forecastToday — High: 87°F — Low: 64°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 87. North wind 1 to 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Northeast wind around 1 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 92°F — Low: 71°F — Precip: 1%
Sunny, with a high near 92. South southwest wind 0 to 7 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 71. This house is wildThis completed Charleston model in Harmony delivers nearly 3,800 square feet of polished living on a corner lot, with 5 bedrooms, 4 baths, and every appliance, treatment, and floor covering included. Highlights include a white-and-blue quartz kitchen, butler’s pantry with wine fridge, gas fireplace, luxe primary suite, bonus room, covered porch, paver patio, and firepit.
Take a peek inside → |
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