Hello Roanoke! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Teacher raises in the new budget, edible art for kids, and Dr. Zoolittle Day + 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.
Budget deal reaches finish line: Virginia lawmakers approved a $205 billion budget on Tuesday, adding a data center electricity tax expected to raise $600 million, plus $387 million for teacher raises and higher legislator pay -- read the full budget breakdown.
Award-winning educator shares insights: Roanoke County’s Matt Neale, Virginia’s 2026 Teacher of the Year, headlined a rural school conference and shared how his classroom tackles the opioid crisis with students -- meet Virginia’s top teacher.
Regional business moves on: Orvis relocated to a new 100,000-square-foot facility, keeping 60 Roanoke jobs with a $50,000 city grant, reaffirming decades of local distribution and fulfillment roots since 1986 -- see Orvis’s new facility.
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.
Instant plant upgrade: Between the leafy houseplant crushes and practical garden starters, A New Leaf nails that local vibe with healthy plants, friendly guidance, and zero pressure. Swing by this week, pick something that actually fits your space, then brag when it thrives like you obviously planned.
Easy downtown reset: Whether you’re meeting a friend, letting the kids loose on the playground, or just chasing your coffee with some sunshine, Elmwood Park packs an art walk, playful fountains, and a legit amphitheater that hosts concerts and festivals. A perfect wander when you want something that feels like Roanoke, right now.
Press start, Roanoke: Swap doomscrolling for button-mashing at STARCADE, the nonprofit video game museum tucked inside Center in the Square with a playable mix of classic cabinets and modern consoles. Perfect for quick lunch-break nostalgia or an after-work rival showdown... and yes, your thumbs will remember.
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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.
🍭 06/24/26 Edible Art for Kids: Sweet Treats! @ Hammer & Stain Roanoke (Salem) | Wednesday (6/24) at 9:00 AM – School’s out, sugar’s in, and this edible art workshop for ages 7 to 12 features candy sushi, bunny racers, cupcakes, and a beachy jello treat. Drop them off or hover approvingly, your call, and savor a morning before the glitter of sprinkles follows you home.
🏖 Summer Of Families & Fun @ Salem Memorial Ballpark | Thursday (6/25) at 5:30 PM – Take a midweek breather and cheer on the Salem RidgeYaks with Q99’s Summer of Families & Fun, David Page in tow. Kid-friendly, wallet-friendly, and rich with that ballpark smell we all pretend isn’t just hot dogs. General admission is $5.99, cheaper than your coffee.
🎥 Kids' Summer Matinee Series - IF @ The Grandin Theatre | Friday (6/26) at 10:00 AM – Grandin Theatre is rolling out the Kids' Summer Matinee with IF, and admission is free. Drop the kids in cool AC, call popcorn a balanced lunch, and let imaginary friends do the heavy lifting while you enjoy ninety minutes of peace and sticky floor nostalgia.
🚗 Star City Motor Madness @ Virginia Museum of Transportation | Friday (6/26) at 5:00 PM – Roanoke’s favorite chrome convention turns 25, kicking off with a party at the Virginia Museum of Transportation, complete with live music, food, and general merriment. Then the big car show takes over downtown Roanoke, where shine, stories, and lawn chairs multiply faster than traffic cones.
🦁 Dr. Zoolittle Day @ Mill Mountain Zoo | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Whether your kid diagnoses stuffed animals or you just want an excuse to linger under the Star, Dr. Zoolittle Day at Mill Mountain Zoo brings hands-on vet fun, critter chats, and keeper demos. General admission gets you in, members save, sturdy shoes recommended.
🎨 Kid's HeART Class @ Riverdale Roanoke | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Hand over the glitter and let your fridge earn a promotion at this free community art class for kids. It’s capped at the first 20, pre-registration required, because chaos is fun only in theory. Paint, glue, giggles, and priceless masterpieces.
🚗 Mid Atlantic Micro Crawlers Tes-n-Tune / Open Crawl @ Blue Ridge Hydroponics (Salem) | Sunday (6/28) at 1:00 PM – If you've been waiting to test and tune your tiny truck, this $5 open crawl is your playground. Bring your micro rig, and maybe a jacket, heaters, fans, and pit outlets are on deck. Park like a local, not in front of Blue Ridge Hydroponics.
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 Roanoke report Weather forecastToday — High: 85°F — Low: 60°F — Precip: 0%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Northwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind 0 to 3 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 91°F — Low: 67°F — Precip: 2%
Sunny, with a high near 91. South wind 0 to 9 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. This house is wildThis freshly painted Fairway Forest home blends generous space with polished updates, including new luxury vinyl plank flooring and refreshed kitchen countertops. A stone gas-log fireplace anchors the family room, while the sunroom and breakfast area keep mornings bright. Five bedrooms, a finished lower level, and a two-car garage round out this well-kept, move-in ready retreat.
Take a peek inside → |
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