Hello Chesapeake! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Port upgrade for mega-ships, drought warnings, and free tie-dye 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.
New homes for military families: Nearby in Virginia Beach, a military housing neighborhood near Little Creek-Fort Story has opened with 64 townhomes for families, with 36 more slated for completion by summer 2028 -- read more about the expansion.
Drought concerns deepen: Governor Abigail Spanberger’s office asked Virginians to conserve water amid the driest conditions since 1941, rainfall eight inches below average. Water at dusk or dawn as mandatory restrictions could follow -- learn what officials are urging.
Big port investment advances: Port of Virginia completed a $450 million upgrade, letting mega-ships transit Norfolk Harbor. Inaugurated by Gov. Abigail Spanberger, the plan includes rail expansion and a Portsmouth heavy-lift terminal -- see the port upgrade.
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 play at home: Let GamerBus™ and GameOn roll up with a climate controlled, self powered game lounge stocked with PS5, Xbox, and Switch so up to 20 friends can play together. Perfect for birthdays, block parties, or team nights, they bring the fun curbside so you can skip the cleanup.
Quick neighborhood nature fix: Plymouth Park is a cozy South Norfolk pocket with a playground, shaded pavilion, and pond views, perfect for a low-effort midweek reset. Bring your coffee, stroll the paved path, let the kids scramble, then pretend you planned this whole calm-all-is-well moment.
Native plants, less fuss: If your Chesapeake yard could use pollinator power and plants that like our weather, Southern Branch Nursery - VA/ NC Native Plants points you to natives for sun, shade, or soggy spots. Stop in this week, get friendly advice, and finally plant something your HOA and the butterflies can agree on.
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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.
🎣 Summer Fishing Clinics @ Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge (Virginia Beach) | Thursday (6/25) at 9:00 AM – If you've been angling for an easy win with the kids, Back Bay's clinics supply bait and tackle, just bring water, hats, and snacks. Choose freshwater or surf with the Virginia Beach and Tidewater Anglers, and treat 'parents must stay' as mandated me-time.
🎬 Beach Blanket Cinema: Hocus Pocus @ On the Beach at 29th Street (Virginia Beach) | Thursday (6/25) at 8:30 PM – Grab a blanket and claim sand at 29th Street for Hocus Pocus under the stars. Throwback Thursday, free, and PG, so the scariest thing is sand in your snack. Nostalgia, sea breeze, and a sarcastic cat, because Halloween in June is our kind of weird.
🎨 Summer Family Fun Night #1 @ SonRise Christian Church (Virginia Beach) | Friday (6/26) at 6:00 PM – Kick off summer with a free, all-ages tie-dye party, complete with hot dogs, chips, and cold drinks. The church brings all the supplies, you bring the questionable fashion choices, and everyone leaves with a masterpiece and mustard fingers.
🥞 Pancake Breakfast / Fly-in @ Chesapeake Regional Airport | Saturday (6/27) at 8:30 AM – This monthly fly-in flips pancakes and propellers in the same morning, because why choose between aviation and breakfast. Load up on regular or blueberry stacks, sausage, eggs, OJ, and coffee, all for a $10 donation, $5 if you’re in the chapter.
📚 Downtown Suffolk Library Grand Opening @ Downtown Suffolk Library | Saturday (6/27) at 9:00 AM – Downtown finally turns the page. The Downtown Suffolk Library opens with a ribbon cutting, tours, and the bells and whistles of a makerspace. A two-story stunner in historic downtown where crafts happen, kids roam, and grown-ups pretend they only stopped in for the building tour.
🐝 Pollinator Planter Workshop for Kids @ McDonald Garden Center (Virginia Beach) | Saturday (6/27) at 11:00 AM – Whether your kid worships butterflies or just enjoys flinging paint, this hands-on planter workshop at the Independence Blvd location only keeps busy bees buzzing. They’ll decorate a pollinator-inspired pot, plant bright lantana, and learn why gardens hum, ages 3+, parental help encouraged, supplies included, $15.
🧺 Patriotic Picnic @ King's Grant Presbyterian Church (Virginia Beach) | Sunday (6/28) at 11:00 AM – Picnic season calls for the classics, so expect watermelon, snow cones, pie, and hot dogs, plus face painting and easygoing tunes. It’s an all-are-welcome, say-hi-to-everyone kind of afternoon, heavy on fellowship, light on fuss, flags optional, seconds encouraged.
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 Chesapeake report Weather forecastToday — High: 83°F — Low: 66°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 83. North wind around 7 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 66. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 88°F — Low: 71°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 88. South wind 1 to 10 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 71. This house is wildThis custom Elizabeth River estate spans over 6,900 square feet on 1.18 private waterfront acres at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac. Walls of windows, soaring ceilings, a chef’s kitchen, and three ensuites create a light-filled layout, while the private dock, 15,000-pound boat lift, finished third floor, and custom firepit bring the outdoors into the mix.
Take a peek inside → |
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