Happy weekend, Visalia! In today’s happening-today edition: Affordable summer fun for kids, a 1,300-home neighborhood opening, and singer songwriter Sundays + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
Today’s sponsor, GoldCo, is helping folks around Visalia 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.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Budget-friendly family fun: Stretch your summer budget with free and cheap activities for kids across Visalia and Tulare. A local guide highlights easy, nearby options to keep families entertained this summer -- see the full guide.
New neighborhood takes shape: Carleton Acres celebrated its grand opening in north Visalia, unveiling a 1,300-home neighborhood near the new Costco on Riggin Avenue, with parks, trails, and a planned elementary school -- see the neighborhood plans.
Budget solution on ballot: Tulare placed a sales tax measure on the November ballot to avert a deficit. If approved, it adds one cent, raising it to 9.25% and generating $16 million a year -- check the tax measure details.
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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 $150 off right now.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Gold just posted its strongest run in decades...And the momentum is carrying into 2026. Silver has become one of the most talked-about assets as investors look for ways to stay ahead of market volatility. While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning. If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, GoldCo has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how investors are approaching precious metals right now. It’s free and worth reading before the next move.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Puzzle night upgrade: Swap another streaming scroll for an hour you’ll actually talk to each other. CleVR Escape pairs imaginative rooms like Dracula’s Demise and Magic Academy with co-op VR adventures from Ubisoft, plus tabletop role-playing for the dice-inclined. Rally your crew, solve stuff, laugh a lot.
Fancy night, no fuss: The Vintage Press Restaurante is your go-to when you want perfectly cooked steaks, seafood and pasta in rooms lined with antiques and leaded mirrors, plus a wine cellar that means business. Classic Visalia vibes, special-occasion energy, and a solid reason to treat yourself this week.
Local fairway fix: If your putter’s been giving you side-eye, Visalia Country Club is a solid excuse to finally look into membership, tighten up the short game, and meet neighbors who also pretend three-footers are “gimmes.” Classic local golf, a friendly member scene, and just enough challenge to make weekday swings feel like a smart life choice.
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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 Around town today & tomorrowOur favorite events going on the rest of this weekend. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎓 Dads & Grads Specials @ Milan Institute - Visalia | Saturday (6/20) at 9:00 AM – Caps are flying, Dad's pretending he doesn't need pampering, and the salon is rolling out Dads & Grads specials that make self-care feel downright responsible. Treat the grad, the grill master, or yourself to discounted spa and salon bliss, no excuses, no guilt.
🏇 June 20 Gymkhana @ Circle N Stables Saddle Shop, Inc. (Tulare) | Saturday (6/20) at 9:00 AM – If your idea of formalwear is jeans and scuffed boots, this gymkhana is up your alley. Five jackpot events run 5D, paying two places, with divisions by speed not age, helmets for under-18s, no spaghetti straps, ribbons to fifth, no horse sharing unless lead line.
🎨 Acrylic Painting @ Arts Visalia Visual Art Center | Saturday (6/20) at 12:30 PM – Swap your to-do list for a canvas, and let artist Jacob Carson remind your steady hands they can do more than scroll, covering acrylic fundamentals, composition, paint mixing, and color theory. Hands-on, beginner friendly, 18 and up, with just 12 spots, and a reasonable $45.
🤝 Meet Visalia @ Long Shot Brewery | Saturday (6/20) at 5:00 PM – Ready to meet people you run into at the grocery store? Meet Visalia keeps the monthly hang rolling in June, a low-key mingle with familiar faces, new friends, and real conversation. No sales pitches, just stories, laughs, and the comforting "oh, you know them too."
⚾ 65th Annual Exeter Lions Allstar Baseball Game @ Valley Strong Ballpark | Saturday (6/20) at 7:00 PM – Summer nights call for bragging rights. The top high school seniors from Kings and Tulare counties square off in the 65th annual all-star game at Valley Strong Ball Park in Visalia, where the seeds fly, the dads keep score, and the rivalry stays friendly.
🎤 Singer Songwriter Sundays @ Long Shot Brewery | Sunday (6/21) at 1:00 PM – Long Shot, downtown Visalia’s newest brewery, is hosting Singer Songwriter Sundays, an all-ages, free open mic with PA, pizza, and craft beer, tracks welcome. Everyone gets three tunes, you snag an extra round if the list is light, or sip, listen, and judge gently.
🏳 Lindsey Danis on Queer Travel @ The Source LGBT+ Center | Sunday (6/21) at 3:00 PM – Take a travel break without TSA. Queer travel writer Lindsey Danis, author of (Out) On the Road, shares road-tested stories and smart safety tips with PFLAG Tulare & Kings Counties at The Source LGBT+ Center, with a virtual option for the couch-inclined, snacks optional. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — The Visalia report Weather forecastToday — High: 89°F — Low: 63°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 89. West southwest wind around 5 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 63. West northwest wind around 5 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 93°F — Low: 65°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 93. West wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 65. Northwest wind 0 to 5 mph. This house is wildThis newly built 4-bedroom home pairs standout craftsmanship with versatile living, from the tongue-and-groove foyer ceiling and barn doors to LVP flooring and black-stained bi-fold pantry doors. The kitchen shines with quartz counters, Frigidaire black stainless appliances, and a herringbone backsplash. A casita, electric fireplace, luxe primary suite, and finished 3-car garage round it out.
Take a peek inside → |
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