Hello Portsmouth! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Juneteenth march, family evening: stargazing, and preschool art club + 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.
Precision under pressure: Portsmouth Naval Shipyard’s shipfitting and welding team completed multiple zero-defect hull cuts on USS Hampton, the first in 16 years, earning inspector praise and speeding verification through teamwork and innovations -- see the shipyard precision.
Charming destinations to explore: Portsmouth joins Ljubljana, Ghent, Bergen, Coimbra, and Lucca as a walkable, waterfront escape, promoted for sustainable, low-density tourism, and visitors should plan for pedestrian zones, limited parking, and seasonal rates -- see the hidden escapes.
Community honors shared history: Hundreds gathered in Portsmouth to celebrate Juneteenth, marching 0.8 miles from Kittery to the African Burying Ground Memorial with performances by the Akwaaba Ensemble and the Leftist Marching Band -- watch the Juneteenth march.
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.
Neighborhood sanity saver: Atlantic Heights Playground is that clutch, no-fuss spot when the kids are bouncing off the walls and you need fresh air more than another episode of Bluey. Mellow vibe and just enough space to burn energy without a whole production.
Roll into easy fun: Whether your week needs a low-stakes hang or a kid-energy pressure release, Bowl-O-Rama Family Fun Center is that no-brainer plan you can suggest without a group chat meltdown. Quick games, plenty to do, and you’ll leave feeling like you actually made plans happen.
Seacoast blooms that last: Portsmouth staple since 1966, Flowers by Leslie is your go-to for fresh, long-lasting bouquets, easy same-day delivery, and a gift shop packed with plants, succulents, candles, chocolates, and even wine. Upgrade your kitchen table or surprise a neighbor... minimal effort, maximum good vibes.
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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 →
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 →
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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.
🎨 Preschool Art Club @ Seacoast ArtSpot | Wednesday (6/24) at 9:30 AM – Let your tiny Picasso go wild with paint, clay, and crayons while you supervise and let someone else wrangle the glitter. Process art for ages 2 and up with a caregiver, aprons provided, all materials included, $25, new fridge gallery guaranteed.
👨 Family Morning Out @ The Family Center at Families First | Wednesday (6/24) at 9:30 AM – Wednesday mornings, swap the living room fort for Family Morning Out in Portsmouth, with play, crafts, stories, and actual adult conversation, plus a light snack. It is at The Family Center at Families First, and yes, someone else cleans up the glitter.
👶 Baby Laptime Story Timre @ Portsmouth Public Library | Wednesday (6/24) at 10:30 AM – Bring your tiny plus-one to the library’s Baby Laptime, a cozy mix of stories, songs, fingerplays, bouncing rhymes, and very committed puppets. Designed for pre-walkers, engaging for caregivers, and tolerant of tagalong toddlers, it sneaks in early literacy while you get adult conversation.
🎳 Family Value Night @ Bowl-O-Rama Family Fun Center | Thursday (6/25) at 4:00 PM – Thursday nights mean Family Value at Bowl-O-Rama, where $19.95 covers two hours of candlepin, shoes, a slice of pizza, and a fountain soda, with the arcade for bonus points. Kid approved, parent-budget friendly, and remarkably stress free.
🏃 Seacoast All Comers Track Series @ Portsmouth High School | Thursday (6/25) at 5:15 PM – Portsmouth’s kicking off a community track night where everyone’s invited, from stroller pushers to former varsity legends. Pick your distance, run with your pace peers, or spectate with a lawn chair and a grin. It’s the first one, space is limited, bragging rights are not.
🔭 Family Evening: Stargazing @ John Paul Jones House | Saturday (6/27) at 9:00 PM – Saturday, June 27 at 9 pm, the John Paul Jones House lawn turns into Portsmouth’s quietest nightlife, complete with borrowed telescopes and actual stars. It’s free, RSVP requested, family friendly, and yes, we’ll all be up past our respectable bedtime, neighbors.
👶 KB Whirly @ The Music Hall Lounge | Sunday (6/28) at 11:00 AM – KB Whirly is turning The Music Hall into a kid-powered dance party with catchy songs, sharp wordplay, and joyful participation. He’s got festival chops and now lives here, so bring the littles, especially 3 to 7, and enjoy chaos, grown-up silliness, and sneaky cardio.
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 Portsmouth report Weather forecastToday — High: 81°F — Low: 59°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 81. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 59. West wind 0 to 5 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 81°F — Low: 60°F — Precip: 2%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Southwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely after 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Chance of precipitation is 60%. This house is wildThis 2,350-square-foot residence at One Harbour Place pairs waterfront Portsmouth energy with polished luxury. Two bedroom suites, a flexible executive office, and a chef’s kitchen anchor the layout, while foldout sunroom windows and oversized skylights pour in downtown views. Tray ceilings, wainscoting, and a dramatic roof deck round out the scene.
Take a peek inside → |
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