Hello Virginia Beach! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Baby farm petting zoo, Hocus Pocus on the beach, and a wicked Oz escape experience + 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.
Support for military families: A new military housing neighborhood near Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia Beach was completed with 64 townhomes for families, with 36 more expected by summer 2028 -- see the new housing plans.
Classroom tech rules shift: Virginia Beach School Board approved limits on classroom tech for pre-K and kindergarten, with first graders using a classroom set and screen time reviews, a compromise criticized by some educators -- see the school tech limits.
Dining spots make a comeback: Nearby Norfolk favorites are back. Crudo Nudo and My Mama's Kitchen reopened, and Blackeyed Peas Restaurant debuted downtown June 11. Crudo Nudo moved to a larger space with bar service -- check the reopened eateries.
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 start on fun: Flipper McCoys is the Oceanfront standby for when you need pure, goofy fun without the bar scene. Load a card, chase tickets, and bounce between Pac-Man, skee-ball, air hockey, pinball, and an interactive laser tag arena that actually gets your heart rate up.
Your midweek reset: Mount Trashmore Park turns a former landfill into your go-to for fresh-air upgrades, with two climbable hills, lakefront paths, a legit skate park and the sprawling Kids Cove. Knock out a quick lap, let the kids loose, then picnic under the trees for an easy brain reset.
Fresh stems, no stress: Give your week a glow-up with Wisps Of Willow, a beloved Virginia Beach florist rocking a 5-star rep from 166 reviews. Ideal for last-minute gifts, porch-pretty arrangements, or a mood lift that outlasts your iced coffee.
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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.
🐣 Teeny Tiny Farm @ Oceanfront Area Library | Wednesday (6/24) at 10:30 AM – The library is swapping hush for happy bleats, peeps, and the occasional scaly stare. Pet baby farm critters with shells, scales, feathers, and fur, all ages welcome, no registration, and yes, it counts for VBPL’s Summer Reading Challenge. Expect heart melt, and hand sanitizer.
🎬 Beach Blanket Cinema: Hocus Pocus @ 29th Street on the Beach | Thursday (6/25) at 8:30 PM – Throwback Thursday on the 29th Street sand means Hocus Pocus on a big screen, free, family friendly, and perfectly breezy. Bring a blanket or chair, the kids, and your best witch cackle, and try to outwit seagulls, sand, and nostalgia-fueled quotes.
🎨 Summer Family Fun Night #1 @ SonRise Christian Church | Friday (6/26) at 6:00 PM – Tie-dye is making a comeback at Family Fun Night, with the church covering every last bit, plus hot dogs, chips, and cold drinks. All ages, zero fees. Channel your inner camp counselor, create wearable art, then act surprised when the kids want seconds.
🩺 World of Medicine: STEAMCON @ Operation Smile | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Round up the crew for a hands-on dive into science, tech, engineering, math, and the world of medicine at Operation Smile’s Anthony L. & Hideko S. Burgess Interactive Learning Center. Kids press all the buttons, adults nod sagely, and you all leave a little smarter.
👑 The Princess and The Pea @ Zeiders American Dream Theater | Saturday (6/27) at 11:00 AM – Local royalty, assemble. Children’s Theatre of Hampton Roads stages a playful Princess and the Pea, written by Anton Five and directed by Mike Burnette, with sly jokes for grownups, big energy for the littles, and enough mattress talk to validate every sleep complaint.
🐝 Pollinator Planter Workshop for Kids @ McDonald Garden Center | Saturday (6/27) at 11:00 AM – Swing by the Independence Blvd location only for a kids Pollinator Planter Workshop, where they paint a pollinator-themed pot, plant a bright lantana, and learn, all for $15 with supplies included. Ages 3 and up, with parental backup, because someone has to guard the glitter.
🧙 The Oz Experience in Virginia Beach: Escape the Wicked Glitch! @ Virginia Beach Oceanfront Boardwalk | Tuesday (6/30) – Trade the couch for a stroll down the Yellow Brick Road with this outdoor escape-room spin on Oz, right here in VB. Solve clever puzzles, hunt for clues, and channel some brain, heart, and nerve, all while getting your steps, sunshine, and 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 Virginia Beach report Weather forecastToday — High: 81°F — Low: 70°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 81. North wind 6 to 12 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 70. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 84°F — Low: 73°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 84. South wind 3 to 14 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 73. This house is wildThis architect-designed waterfront home on a quiet cul-de-sac pairs open Crystal Lake views with direct access to Linkhorn Bay. Sunlight pours through the southern exposure, highlighting high ceilings, wood floors, and airy living spaces. The first-floor primary suite brings spa-level comfort, while upstairs offers four bedrooms and a generous gathering room. Outside, a deck, screened lounge, outdoor kitchen, pergola, and deepwater dock complete the scene.
Take a peek inside → |
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