Happy weekend, Bristol! In today’s happening-today edition: Bear visits to neighborhood homes, Clydesdale family portraits, and affordable alternative healthfest + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
Today’s sponsor, GoldCo, is helping folks around Bristol 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.
Holiday events across Connecticut: Fourth of July celebrations start statewide June 26, but Bristol’s highlight will be Lake Compounce fireworks July 3 and 4 as the park celebrates its 180th season -- see the full celebration list.
Revitalization funding announced: Connecticut announced $15.2 million to assess and clean up 12 brownfield sites, including $2.6 million to remediate and demolish New Britain’s Mount Pleasant public housing near Bristol -- see the full funding breakdown.
Neighborhood wildlife alert: Amid mating season, Bristol neighbors reported bear visits as DEEP logged 96 nuisance calls since April 1, police warned about Page Park, officials urged bear-proof bins and removing yard food -- read the full story.
Thoughtful Father's Day gifts, ready by Sunday. Father's Day is tomorrow, which makes shipping anything now a gamble you'll probably lose. Skip it entirely. A whole range of Father's Day gifts is ready for same-day pickup in hours, so something personal is well within reach by tomorrow. -- get it today.*
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.*
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.
Swing into summer: Craving a home-course vibe without leaving Chippens Hill? Chippanee Golf Club pairs a fun 18-hole layout with Har-Tru tennis, an Olympic-size pool, and a newly renovated clubhouse that overlooks Bristol’s hills. Already a member or plotting to be one, this week is your green light.
Camp smarter this week: Sneaking in a low-key hometown camp night or hosting out-of-town family, Lake Compounce Campground is your grab-what-you-forgot lifesaver, with camp basics and last-minute odds and ends so the weekend feels planned... even if it wasn’t.
Cozy breakfast standby: When your morning needs a no-fuss, feel-good reset, Riverside Restaurant Bristol quietly delivers with family-style breakfast and lunch staples, friendly vibes, and portions that make leftovers a real possibility. Perfect for a midweek catch-up or a post-errand refuel, right in the neighborhood.
|
04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
The real retirement risk isn't a bad year, it's a long life: 40 years of saving, and the hard part is making it stretch across 30 more. SmartAsset's free quiz matches you with vetted fiduciary advisors who serve your area and are legally required to act in your best interests. The plan is built around you, not their commission. No obligation to hire anyone. *Start the quiz →
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 →
The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →
The conversation no man wants to have with his doctor: Turns out ~70% of men over 50 are avoiding the exact same one. The hesitation, the awkward throat-clear, the hoping it just sorts itself out… you're far from alone. The good news? You don't need the waiting room at all. What used to mean a face-to-face appointment and an uncomfortable pharmacy run now takes a few clicks from the couch — discreet online evaluation, personalized treatment shipped straight to your door. *No appointment, no awkward small talk →
Get cash back on your gas, groceries, and dining: This is real cash, not points you have to convert like credit card rewards. There are no coupons to clip and no deals to hunt down, you just claim an offer, pay with your linked card, and the cash back lands automatically. You can set it up in minutes and start earning on your very next purchase. *Start earning → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
|
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.
🏥 Affordable Alternative Healthfest @ Skills (Plainville) | Saturday (6/20) at 9:00 AM – Trade the usual errands for a wander through Skills in Plainville, where the Affordable Alternative Healthfest lines up Reiki demos, tea tastings, chakra readings with Ada Rios, and crystal vendors, all at friendly prices. Bring your curiosity, your sore shoulders, and your best skeptical eyebrow.
✂ Sassy Nights: Sip, Junk Journal, Scrapbook & Create @ The Bristol Bazaar | Saturday (6/20) at 11:00 AM – Trade doomscrolling for glue sticks and a glass of something nice at a low-key night of junk journaling, scrapbooking, and creative play. Think adult art class, fewer grades, more giggles, and the good scissors. Your inner magpie will feel very seen.
🐴 Stars, Stripes & Clydes @ Mountain View Clydesdales LLC | Saturday (6/20) at 11:00 AM – Trade the mall photo chaos for serene family portraits with Clydesdales in Bristol, CT. One family at a time, handlers, zero rodeo energy, and you can linger to meet the gentle giants. Booking required, early bird pricing helps them plan, images arrive before the Fourth.
🍖 Father's Day Cookout @ Yankee Harley-Davidson | Saturday (6/20) at 11:00 AM – Whether you ride or just like the smell of a proper grill, this Father’s Day cookout at Yankee HD serves burgers, bikes, and bragging rights. Expect Dad to inspect chrome, swap tall tales, and pretend he’s not eyeing a new toy.
🥎 Easterseals Softball Marathon @ Casey Field | Saturday (6/20) at 4:00 PM – The Easterseals Softball Marathon is an all-evening run at the ballfield, open to anyone who can still locate a mitt. After-work innings turn into under-the-lights stories, with water breaks, wobbly slides, and plenty of good-natured ribbing. Think Little League energy, aging knees, and better snacks.
👨 F+B Kids' Club: Grandparents Edition @ Fork+Band Slingshot | Saturday (6/20) at 6:30 PM – Grandparents, claim your Saturday night hero status at F+B Kids' Club: Grandparents Edition. Thirty minutes of unlimited slingshot gallery play for the kids, while you supervise, show off your carnival aim, and give parents a breather. $10 per grandparent, $15 per grandkid.
🎨 Father’s Day Pottery Painting @ Purrfect Lounge (Plainville) | Sunday (6/21) at 12:00 PM – Thinking of gifting another tie? Skip it and paint with Dad at The Pottery Piazza, where his unlimited paint time is free when you buy your own session and the pieces. Walk in, choose from hundreds, sit on the patio, and lock in favorite-child status. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — The Bristol report Weather forecastToday — High: 78°F — Low: 58°F — Precip: 2% Sunny, with a high near 78. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. West wind 3 to 13 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 81°F — Low: 59°F — Precip: 13% Sunny, with a high near 81. West wind 3 to 8 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. Northwest wind 0 to 6 mph. This house is wildThis classic Colonial in sought-after Chippens Hill pairs farm pasture views with easy access to Chippanee Golf Club. Inside are 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, and a half bath, plus hardwood floors, a fireplace, and a bright semi-open layout. A spacious deck, level backyard, full basement, and attached 2-car garage round out the appeal.
Take a peek inside → | | |