Hello Knoxville! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Nordstrom Rack opening, How to train your dragon, and bioblitz and picnic + 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.
Park plans in progress: The City of Knoxville and United Way sought input on William Powell Park, hosting an online survey and a June 23 YMCA meeting. Feedback will shape a master design plan -- see how to weigh in.
New shopping spot arrives: Nordstrom Rack will open at the Pinnacle at Turkey Creek on Thursday, June 25, with a DJ, gift card giveaways, and special discounts. It will be Tennessee’s fifth location -- see what’s in store.
Long-range energy planning: TVA is seeking public comment on its Preliminary Final 2026 Integrated Resource Plan and EIS, a long-term roadmap for regional energy needs. Comments are open through July 22 -- read the full story.
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.
Scenic reset, anyone?: Swap the parking lot slog for a loop with river and Smokies views at Lakeshore Park, where greenways, ballfields, big lawns and the Hank Rappé Playground make it easy to bring the whole crew. Consider it your built-in mood boost between errands, long runs, or letting the kids burn off exactly nine thousand wiggles.
Just hit start: Need a midweek flipper fix? Pins & Pints pairs gleaming pinball tables with a chill neighborhood pub vibe, so you can chase that extra ball, sip something good, and pretend you meant to hit that ramp all along. Easy win for North Knox sanity this week.
South Knox plant fix: Stanley's Greenhouse is the kind of family-run plant farm you wander for ten minutes then realize it’s been an hour. Native-plant musts, houseplants, trees, shrubs, and super-helpful folks make it easy to level up your yard... plus you’ll probably adopt a surprise fern.
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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.
🎈 Kid A'Riffic Fun in the Park - 250th Celebration @ Blount Mansion | Wednesday (6/24) at 10:00 AM – Kid A’Riffic hits Hill Ave with Blount Mansion, James White’s Fort, East TN History Center, and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. Free tours, drum lesson, crafts, a food truck, and free parking at Dwight Kessel, aka history your kids will sit still for.
🫧 Foam Party Fridays @ The Bark | Friday (6/26) at 5:00 PM – Remember when foam parties were for college kids? Now your dog's in on it. Fridays at The Dog Park bring dog-safe bubbles, enrichment, and maximum zoomies, included with your visit, while you sip a beer, swap leash-side gossip, and let someone else get messy.
🌊 3-Day Niagara Falls Whirlwind @ Travel by Olympus | Friday (6/26) at 7:00 PM – Three days, two overnight drives, one very big waterfall. Board in Farragut or Knoxville, grab Buc-ee's on the way, then roam Niagara for Maid of the Mist, park views, and fireworks, back home before brunch, passport optional unless you’re feeling wildly international.
🎬 Sunset Cinema - How to Train Your Dragon (2025) @ Carter Ball Park | Friday (6/26) at 7:00 PM – Sunset Cinema touches down at Carter Park with How to Train Your Dragon, a starry backdrop, and the kind of family chaos you enjoy. Let the kids tackle pre-movie activities while you secure blanket turf, weigh popcorn versus kettle corn, and treat bedtime as optional.
🎭 Open Studio Day @ Knoxville Museum of Art | Saturday (6/27) at 11:00 AM – Head to KMA for a drop-in puppet and noisemaker workshop with Cattywampus, where you can craft something gloriously odd to flaunt in the mini-parade next month. Supplies and sage guidance are provided, so bring the kids, your inner eight-year-old, and an appreciation for joyful racket.
🚢 Scenic Lunch Cruise @ Volunteer Princess | Saturday (6/27) at 1:00 PM – This 90-minute lunch cruise drifts you along Knoxville’s riverfront in climate-controlled comfort, serving up downtown skyline and Sequoyah Hills views. It’s the midday reset that feels like a mini-vacation, classier than desk leftovers, easier than a hike, and blessedly no paddling.
🐞 Bioblitz and Picnic @ The Carriage House at the Knoxville Botanical Gardens | Sunday (6/28) at 9:00 AM – Grab your picnic blanket and head to the Knoxville Botanical Garden’s wildlife meadow for a Bioblitz with Wild Ones Smoky Mountains. We’ll photograph bees, butterflies, and other tiny locals like polite paparazzi. Then picnic together and upload to iNaturalist, leaving researchers a tidy snapshot.
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 Knoxville report Weather forecastToday — High: 83°F — Low: 63°F — Precip: 0%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Northeast wind around 0 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Northeast wind around 0 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 88°F — Low: 69°F — Precip: 3%
Sunny, with a high near 88. Southwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: A slight chance of rain showers after 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. This house is wildThis Melton Hill Lake estate pairs a nearly level lakeside lot with year-round water, a 4-slip dock, and a saltwater pool. A poolside kitchen pavilion and outdoor fireplace set the stage, while inside brings a lake-view kitchen, heart-pine floors, vaulted sunroom, and a primary suite with its own beverage bar. Storage is abundant, too.
Take a peek inside → |
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