Hello Charlotte! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Red light cameras return, a spooky Dracula comedy, and a family dance 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.
Traffic enforcement returns: Charlotte City Council approved a one-year pilot to bring back red light cameras at the city’s 10 most dangerous intersections, fining drivers $75 and adding a $100 penalty if unpaid -- read the full story.
New café opening soon: French bakery café Maman NYC will open a second Charlotte location June 25 at South End's Atherton Mill, featuring Charlotte-exclusive peaches and cream danish and mac and cheese croissant -- see what’s on the menu.
A spooky comic twist: Booth Playhouse in Charlotte will host Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors, an adaptation by Blumenthal Arts, opening July 7 and running through Aug. 9 as part of PNC Broadway Lights -- read more about the show.
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: Swap the couch grind for a night at Game-Z, a Charlotte-grown video game lounge with VR, console and PC setups, racing and flight sims, plus a cozy theater and podcast room. They also host casual tournaments, so grab a friend this week and call next round on whoever loses.
Plants without the stress: If your office jungle is more “uh-oh” than oasis, Interior Plantscapes designs, installs, and actually maintains living plants, living walls, and even moss art for Charlotte spaces, so you get the biophilic boost while someone else keeps everything alive.
Your midweek reset spot: When cabin fever hits, Latta Park delivers shade-draped trails for quick loops, open fields for impromptu workouts, and a solid playground-and-picnic combo that keeps kids busy while you reclaim a little sanity. Pack a frisbee or a book, then call it self-care.
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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.
⚾ Rochester Red Wings @ BB&T Ballpark | Wednesday (6/24) at 7:04 PM – Triple-A baseball under Uptown lights as the Knights host the Rochester Red Wings at Truist Field. Prospects on the cusp, rehabbing vets, and bullpen roulette make each inning interesting. Settle in with skyline views, a midweek hot dog, and the smug joy of playing scout.
🌙 Pascuales' Farm Night Market @ Pascuales Farm | Thursday (6/25) at 5:00 PM – Trade fluorescent aisles for Pascuales Farm’s Thursday night market, a laid-back stroll through fresh produce, handmade goods, and wide-open fields. Free farm tours, a self-guided scavenger hunt to keep the kids busy, plus golden-hour calm and that shop-local glow while you actually finish a conversation.
🛝 Playdate @ Town of Mint Hill Splash Pad | Friday (6/26) at 10:30 AM – Corral the kiddos at the Mint Hill Splash Pad and Playground for a laid-back playdate where they sprint through sprinklers, and you score actual adult conversation. Open to all mamas and their littles, expect sunscreen, snack swaps, and pleasantly exhausted bedtimes.
🃏 Pokemon Market @ The Park Expo and Conference Center | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Charlotte, clear a little space in your binder. A two-day Pokémon market is taking over Park Expo Center with 300-plus tables of TCG, vintage, art, plushies, and collectibles, which is adult-speak for reliving childhood responsibly. Admission is free, temptation is not.
📻 ARRL Field Day 2026 @ Wilgrove Park (Mint Hill) | Saturday (6/27) at 2:00 PM – If you've ever wondered why the park sprouts antennas, here's your chance to find out. ARRL Field Day brings air-conditioned trailers for CW, digital, and voice, plus a Get On The Air station where licensed, unlicensed, and the merely curious can chat around the world.
💃 No Sitter Necessary: The Family Dance Party @ Headliners Events | Saturday (6/27) at 4:00 PM – Skip the sitter, Charlotte, and settle this once and for all: Parents vs Kids on the same dance floor. Expect K-pop bangers, Disney 2000s, line-dance mashups, and throwback karaoke you’ll pretend you don’t know by heart. Bragging rights, and bedtime negotiations, included.
🚜 Livin' the Dream @ McLawland Farms | Sunday (6/28) at 10:00 AM – Trade the to-do list for dirt paths at McLawland Farms, a 60-plus-minute stroll with the farmer through three fields, plus a chicken meet-and-greet. It’s low-key, all ages, and you can linger to pick flowers, no extra appointment required. $12.95 adults, $8.95 kids 3 to 16.
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 Charlotte report Weather forecastToday — High: 87°F — Low: 66°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 87. North wind 1 to 6 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. North wind around 2 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 92°F — Low: 72°F — Precip: 1%
Sunny, with a high near 92. South wind 0 to 8 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 72. This house is wildThis exceptional Foxcroft custom home spans 7,701 square feet across three polished levels, blending formal elegance with everyday comfort. Highlights include a gourmet kitchen, main-level guest suite, primary retreat with fireplace and private deck, and a lower level built for fun with a theater room, full kitchen, and extra living space. Outdoor areas shine with a covered deck, patio, and paver terrace with fireplace.
Take a peek inside → |
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