Hello Ocean County! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Dragon Academy, a derelict boat cleanup, and a dinosaur asteroid show + 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.
Derelict boat cleanup: After two years half-sunk in Barnegat Bay, a 30-foot sailboat off Seaside Park will be removed soon, with Stockton University grant funding covering the cost after borough authorization -- see the boat removal plan.
Celebrate local creativity: Ocean County Library’s Lacey Branch in Forked River will host a July 6 reception for a monthlong Arts Community of Lacey NJ show, featuring artists and conversation about their work -- see the artists’ reception.
Free inspection options available: NJ American Water crews canvassed Lakewood’s Route 88 area for the lead service line replacement program, mandated by 2031. Residents can submit photos of pipes or schedule a free inspection -- learn how to participate.
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.
Hook a local adventure: When the bay breeze calls, Miss Barnegat Light serves up family-friendly fluke and sea bass trips, evening ocean and dolphin cruises, and even striped bass or 30-hour canyon tuna for the ambitious. A simple way to turn an ordinary week in Ocean County into a great story.
Nostalgia that still scores: Whether your putt is deadly or purely decorative, Mr. Tee's Video Arcade delivers classic button-mashing plus two 18-hole mini golf courses right here on LBI. A 50+ year staple with summer tournaments and trophy glory... perfect when the bay breeze says play, not scroll.
Local bloom boost: Whether it’s a last minute birthday, a porch that needs a little color, or wedding vibes that deserve more than grocery store stems, Rose Garden Florist delivers same-day around Barnegat and LBI townships with custom designs that feel personal. Ask for Designer’s Choice and let the pros play.
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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 →
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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.
🐉 Dragon Academy @ TRAC Gallery (Toms River) | Wednesday (6/24) at 2:00 PM – If your pint-sized dragonologist keeps annexing your garden gnomes, sign them up for a three-day Dragon Academy with Ms. Brit, ages 5 to 9. BYO shoebox, then they will dig for treasures, build a habitat, earn a dragon certificate, and cap it with a graduation.
🦖 Jurassic Mary @ Dover Free Public Library | Thursday (6/25) at 2:00 PM – Jurassic Mary: Fossil Girl turns your dino-obsessed crew into pint-sized paleontologists with hands-on digs, guided by Carol Simon. It’s free, no registration, ideal for ages 5 to 10, enthusiastic outliers welcome, and honestly, it beats another afternoon negotiating screen time.
🟨 Kids Night with a Minion @ Friendly's Hooper Avenue (Toms River) | Thursday (6/25) at 5:30 PM – Think your kid's bedtime routine can survive a sugar rush and a yellow chaos agent? Expect ice cream with a Minion, easy photo ops, and the rare joy of not being the loudest thing in the room. Nostalgia included, stickiness inevitable.
🌞 Sunshine & Summertime Nature Art @ Cloverdale Farm County Park (Barnegat) | Friday (6/26) at 10:00 AM – School’s out, and if your crew needs a screen detox, this mellow nature walk turns found leaves and wild odds and ends into sun-powered art. Mother Nature supplies the materials, you get fresh air, zero glitter, and a morning that actually tires them out.
🐶 Hollywoof Fundraiser @ Lakewood Blueclaws Stadium | Saturday (6/27) at 2:00 PM – If your camera roll is 90 percent dog photos, consider this your Oscars. Hollywoof is Rescue Ridge’s biggest fundraiser, a feel-good day where tickets, donations, and adoptions help Monmouth County’s dogs and cats get a second chance, and you get your heart melted, again.
☄ Did an Asteroid Really Kill the Dinosaurs? @ Robert J. Novins Planetarium (Toms River) | Saturday (6/27) at 5:30 PM – Head to the planetarium for a fulldome dive into the dino-doom debate, backed by the Milwaukee Public Museum’s Geology Department. Whether you come with curious kids or your inner third-grader, you’ll get craters, cosmic smackdowns, and a tidy 25-minute runtime.
🔍 Unearth a Story @ Dover Free Public Library | Tuesday (6/30) at 2:00 PM – If your kid or grandkid treats the world like a dig site, bring them to Unearth a Story Explorers, a hands-on trek through past and present tales for kids entering K-6. Under-12s need a chaperone, no registration, just curiosity, patience, and comfortable shoes.
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 Ocean County report Weather forecastToday — High: 84°F — Low: 64°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 84. West wind 10 to 15 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 64. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 84°F — Low: 64°F — Precip: 3%
Sunny, with a high near 84. Southwest wind 0 to 10 mph. Later: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Chance of precipitation is 20%. This house is wildThis 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath waterfront retreat stretches across 1.8 acres on the Manasquan River at the Jersey Shore. A walkout basement, sweeping river views, and seamless indoor-outdoor living set the stage, while the deck and pool add plenty of sparkle. Wildlife sightings and sunset views make this a rare blend of serenity and seaside style.
Take a peek inside → |
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