Hello Princeton! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Critter camp for future farmers, freedom and fireworks, and a retro arcade bar + 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.
A Patriotic Summer Tradition: Bonham’s 49th Annual Lights Over Lake Bonham fireworks will sparkle Friday, July 3, celebrating America’s 250th. Pack lawn chairs and blankets for a free, patriotic evening at Lake Bonham -- get the fireworks details.
Student talent shines brightly: Collin College students won three gold medals and a bronze at the SkillsUSA national conference in Atlanta, with standout performances from Plano and McKinney students reflecting the college’s workforce training -- see the medal winners.
Big plans take shape: Developer Billingsley is set to launch next phase at Sloan Corners in Allen and Fairview, adding retail near Chelsea Boulevard and SH 121, four buildings, 1,100 apartments, and planned offices -- see what’s coming next.
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.
Level up your week: Button-mash your stress away at Arcade 92 Retro Arcade, Bar and Restaurant, a short hop from Princeton with retro classics, modern consoles, and a legit bar-kitchen combo. Perfect for a low-effort date night or a friends-night-out when you want nostalgia with actual good food.
Weekend reset, sorted: J.M. Caldwell Sr. Community Park has everything for a low-stress hangout... an 18-basket disc golf course, basketball and soccer spots, picnic tables, a dog park, playground, and trails. Grab a frisbee or a blanket and let the kids and pups burn energy while you chill.
Yard glow-up alert: If your porch or beds look thirsty for personality, Tex-Mex Emporium of North Texas has the Talavera pottery, metal yard art, and hardy North Texas palms to wake them up. Family-operated and veteran-owned, it's a quick local fix for instant curb-smile this week.
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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 →
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.
🐾 2026 Critter Camp - Future Farmers @ Cathy's Critters | Friday (6/26) at 9:00 AM – Think your kid can swap Roblox for muck boots? This Critter Camp delivers a real farm experience, caring for bunnies, goats, pigs, chickens, ducks, cows, and donkeys, feeding, brushing, and scooping like pros. They come home tired, proud, and pleasantly barn-scented.
🧸 Free Open Play @ Fairview Soccer Park (McKinney) | Friday (6/26) at 5:30 PM – Friday nights, the kids take over Fairview Soccer Park for free open play, U11 through U18, small-sided soccer. They roll into 7v7 and 9v9, staff sorts by age, and creativity is encouraged, which is code for cheeky nutmegs, and joyful chaos.
✨ Sparks & Spangles 2026 @ Coach Kenny Deel Stadium (Melissa) | Friday (6/26) at 6:30 PM – Nothing says summer in Melissa like parking it at Coach Kenny Deel Stadium for Sparks & Spangles, our no-fuss Independence Day warm-up with food, kids’ shenanigans, and a big-sky fireworks finale. It’s free, family-friendly, and blissfully close to home, parking-lot tailgate optional.
🥕 Saturday McKinney Farmers Market @ Chestnut Square Historic Village | Saturday (6/27) at 8:00 AM – Nothing beats a Saturday farmers market stroll at Chestnut Square, coffee in hand, while you pretend you only came for eggs and leave with tamales, sourdough, and a new cutting board. Live music, yard games, even knife sharpening, because adulthood is just errands with pastries.
🎨 Splatter Painting @ The Melissa Market | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Splatter painting hits The Melissa Market as The Mess Tent sets up a fully equipped, paint-flinging playground for kids and adults. Finally, a mess someone else cleans up, with canvases, seasonal items, and your inner child catching color, all gear provided.
🤝 Meet & Greet @ Hollywood Feed (McKinney) | Saturday (6/27) at 11:00 AM – Puppy eyes are taking over Hollywood Feed McKinney with a meet and greet full of adoptable dogs and puppies. Ideal for those who are 'just looking,' until they are debating names, backyard shade, and whether the sofa can survive one more set of teeth.
🎆 Freedom & Fireworks @ J.M. Caldwell Sr. Community Park | Saturday (6/27) at 6:00 PM – Freedom & Fireworks in Princeton means blankets on the grass, friendly gossip, and the annual sky show. This year honors America’s 250th with live music, tasty food, and kid energy, capped by fireworks that prove earplugs and a well-packed cooler are ageless essentials.
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 Princeton report Weather forecastToday — High: 94°F — Low: 77°F — Precip: 3%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 102. South southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 77. Heat index values as high as 102. South wind around 10 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 94°F — Low: 77°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 94. South southwest wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 77. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. This house is wildThe Rushmore Floor Plan brings 5,457 square feet of polished two-story living, with 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, 2 half baths, and a roomy 4-car garage. An open kitchen, family room, and formal dining area set the stage on the main level, while the first-floor primary suite adds convenience. Upstairs delivers flexible space, all on a 1-plus-acre lot with no HOA.
Take a peek inside → |
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