Subscribe | Get featured

Hey Chesapeake, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: An aeroponic garden feeding neighbors, free stargazing, and a beach hike + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Chesapeake protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

School leadership change ahead: A nationwide search is underway for Chesapeake Public Schools’ next superintendent. Applications close March 12, as the board seeks a proven leader for the 2026-2027 school year — get all the details.

Tower farm nourishes neighbors: Near Chesapeake, a Suffolk church’s indoor Garden of Eat’n grows free produce with aeroponics, using 90% less space and 95% less water. Harvests happen every three weeks to meet demand — see how it works.

From catalog to community care: Family owned Care-A-Lot Pet Supply, founded in Hampton Roads, has opened its fifth store in Virginia Beach, adding grooming salons and more pet care options for Chesapeake neighbors — explore their growth and giving.

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.

Highlights this week:

• Grow edible plants with cooking tips
• Hear voices of trailblazing Civil War women
• Watch The Extraordinary Caterpillar, get native plant

🫶 We got your back

Sandwich fix, sorted: TASTE (Greenbrier)makes weekday lunches a no-brainer with the Northender and Boardwalk, crisp salads, and sweets you’ll swear you’re sharing (you won’t). An extra for later pays off; future you will thank present you, perfect for desk days and quick catch-ups.

A nature reset, nearby: When you crave trees, trails, and a little breathing room, Northwest River Park & Campground offers quiet lakeside views, wide-open space, and choose-your-own-adventure paths. With a snack and a friend, an easy walk can become your midweek reset.

Toy time machine: From retro action figures and classic games to surprise new gems, YesterToys stacks the shelves for kids and kids-at-heart. Stop in for a quick dopamine dash between errands… you’ll swear you’re just browsing, then walk out grinning with a nostalgia-fueled haul.

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

📆 Free events worth checking out

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🍿 Kids’ Movie Night @ Churchland Branch Library (Portsmouth) | Tuesday (3/10) at 5:00 PM – Whether you need a midweek sanity saver or the kids need a screen that isn’t yours, the Churchland Branch Library screens a free kids’ movie every second Tuesday at 5 pm. Cozy seats, low-key vibes, and no ticket drama. Questions, call 757-686-2538.

🎉 Grocery Outlet Grand Opening @ Lynnhaven-Virginia Beach Grocery Outlet | Thursday (3/12) at 8:00 AM – New Grocery Outlet opens in Lynnhaven with a ribbon cutting, community giving, and deals doing cartwheels. First 100 snag gift cards from $5 to $500, plus a reusable bag, then hunt the aisles for savings, neighbors, and that thrill of under-budget groceries.

✂ Camellia Pruning Workshop @ Chesapeake Arboretum | Thursday (3/12) at 10:00 AM – The Chesapeake Master Gardeners and Virginia Camellia Society host free, hands-on shrub therapy at Chesapeake Arboretum, otherwise known as a pruning workshop. It’s outdoors, so wear boots and gloves, bring your own clippers, and snag a spot on the sign-up.

🥾 Back Bay Beach Hike @ Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge (Virginia Beach) | Saturday (3/14) at 8:30 AM – This five-mile out-and-back on Back Bay’s wet, firm sand is the kind of beach day locals actually do. Expect ocean wind, layers, and a group turnaround, then keep going if you’re stubborn. Free parking this season, bring water and comfy shoes.

🌲 Guided Nature Hike – Dismal Swamp Canal Trail @ Dismal Swamp Canal Trail | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to swap screen glare for cypress shade, this is it. A park naturalist leads a guided walk on the Dismal Swamp Canal Trail, dismal only in name, with warblers, lore, and the good kind of quiet.

🌱 Solutions to Moles & Voles @ McDonald Garden Center – Independence Boulevard (Virginia Beach) | Saturday (3/14) at 9:30 AM – At the Independence Blvd. location only, let’s stage a peaceful eviction for the moles and voles tunneling through your yard. The Garden Guru, Mike Westphal, lays out effective, organic tactics to keep things tidy, safe, and neighbor-impressing. Free in-store session, limited seating, bring questions.

🔭 Skywatch @ Northwest River State Park | Saturday (3/14) at 7:00 PM – Ready to trade porch lights for planets? Head to Northwest River Park’s equestrian area with the Back Bay Amateur Astronomers for free stargazing open to all, no telescope needed, plus Telescope 101. Bring bug spray, a camp chair, and red-lens flashlights, leave brights at home.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Chesapeake report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 80°F – Low: 59°F – Precip: 2%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 2 to 8 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 59. South wind around 7 mph.

—

Tomorrow – High: 82°F – Low: 56°F – Precip: 9%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Southwest wind 6 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Later: A slight chance of rain showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Southwest wind 12 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Virginia but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

This house is wild

This 6-bed, 4.5-bath new build in Grassfield stacks function and flair. A first-floor bedroom supports multigenerational living, with dual laundry rooms for routines. The coffered-ceiling family room flows to a kitchen, wine bar with cooler, and dining. A sunroom overlooks a huge deck and yard. Luxe primary bath boasts body jets, plus an oversized attached garage and modern finishes.

Take a peek inside →