Hello Norfolk! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Signal box art, a summer sky planetarium show, and PrideFest boat parade + 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.
Street art meets city sidewalks: Six downtown Norfolk signal boxes got wrapped in art by five artists and creative teams, a Downtown Norfolk Council project to brighten walks and discourage graffiti. See 360-degree designs -- see the full art project.
Major port milestone reached: The Port of Virginia completed a $450 million project, inaugurated by Gov. Abigail Spanberger, letting the largest cargo ships enter Norfolk Harbor fully loaded, with terminal upgrades still underway -- check the port milestone.
Norfolk dining comeback: Three Norfolk favorites reopened, including Crudo Nudo and My Mama's Kitchen. Blackeyed Peas opened downtown June 11, and Crudo Nudo moved to a larger location with a bar -- see the restaurant reopenings.
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.
Grow something good: Overdue for a plant refresh? Eggleston Garden Center & Farmers Market has seasonal houseplants, herbs, veggie starts, mulch and the fun yard decor you pretend you don’t need. Bonus, your haul supports jobs for adults with disabilities in Norfolk, so your philodendron basically counts as community service.
Easy waterfront win: Town Point Park is our low-effort, high-reward move this week, with grassy hangout space by the Elizabeth River, breezy fountain-side benches, and plenty of room for picnic spreads. Keep an eye out for seasonal performances and festivals, or just soak up the skyline and people-watching.
Try a new reality: Because scrolling can wait, VR64 Arcade / New World VR is an easy Norfolk win this week. Squad up for arena VR, chill with seated experiences, or buckle into racing and flight sims, and staff help you swap between tons of games for family nights, friend dates, or solo de-stress.
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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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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.
🌌 Planetarium Show: Tour of the Summer Sky @ Michael and Kimthanh Lê Planetarium | Wednesday (6/24) at 7:00 PM – Think you know your summer constellations? Trade bug spray for comfy seats at this planetarium tour of the season’s stars, planets, and upcoming sky shows, including the Perseids. It’s family friendly, first-come seating, and just five bucks, no ODU affiliation required.
📚 The Magic Library @ Portsmouth Public Library | Thursday (6/25) at 10:30 AM – Let the kids think the library is basically Hogwarts for an afternoon. Circus artist Harold Wood leads school-aged readers on an enchanted tour of the stacks, using clever magic to make research, resources, and card catalogs feel like treasure hunts, and it is free.
🧩 Garden Artists: Clay Mosaics @ Norfolk Botanical Garden | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Whether your kid is 5 or 12, this clay mosaic class turns pressed leaves and blooms into a keepable catch-all dish, with you on light-duty chaperone. Everyone needs a ticket, adult members free with a registered child, and non-members get garden admission.
🌸 Blush & Bloom Kawaii Market @ Pagoda & Oriental Garden | Saturday (6/27) at 11:00 AM – The Pagoda is going full pastel fever dream with a kawaii market of handmade goods, art, and accessories. Expect cherry blossom vibes, photo ops, and small businesses worth knowing, all for free. Stroll in for the scenery, leave with joy, and a ceramic cat.
🏳 38th Annual Hampton Roads PrideFest & Boat Parade @ Town Point Park | Saturday (6/27) at 12:00 PM – Grab your sunscreen and head to Town Point Park for PrideFest, Anchored in Pride, where the nation's first Pride Boat Parade cruises the Elizabeth River before a day of headliners, regional talent, and 100-plus vendors. It’s free with a ticket, family friendly, and peak Norfolk.
🤹 Dude Perfect @ Ted Constant Convocation Center | Saturday (6/27) at 7:00 PM – Dude Perfect is storming Chartway Arena with the Squad Games Tour, the night your kids explain physics at top volume while five guys sink impossible trick shots. Expect foam, confetti, dad jokes, and surprisingly athletic chaos, then debate ODU parking like true locals.
🤝 Vaughn’s Way 3rd Annual Community Day @ Lakewood Park | Sunday (6/28) at 2:00 PM – Lakewood Park turns into neighborhood living room for Vaughn’s Way’s 3rd Annual Community Day, a memorial walk for Vaughn Parker Jr. with free food, music, kids’ fun, and real deal resources. NFL vet Jalyn Holmes hosts, and your steps count for something besides bragging rights.
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 Norfolk report Weather forecastToday — High: 83°F — Low: 66°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 83. North wind 5 to 8 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 66. Southeast wind around 3 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 88°F — Low: 71°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 88. Southeast wind 1 to 10 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 71. This house is wildThis waterfront luxury home pairs sweeping water views with a layout full of surprises. The great room captures the scenery from nearly every angle, while the main-level primary suite adds a fireplace and deck access. Upstairs brings Jack and Jill bedrooms, a wet bar game room, balcony, and a big media room. Dock, bulkhead, koi pool, office, and gym complete the scene.
Take a peek inside → |
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