Hello New Haven! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Teen vaping initiative, free plaza movies, and sensory-friendly trolley ride + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, GoldCo, is helping folks around New Haven 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.
Addressing a growing concern: New Haven Public Schools launched an initiative on teen vaping, partnering with SCSU for lunch and learn sessions led by Victoria Adams and curriculum updates for health or biology classes -- learn more about the initiative.
Supporting student success: New Haven Scholarship Fund awarded 158 local students $375,000 in one-year scholarships, and will provide another $250,000 for reapplying students. Over 67 years, the fund has given $16 million -- see the scholarship totals.
Frozen pizza growth ahead: Zuppardi’s Apizza announced a West Haven expansion, moving its frozen foods division to a larger First Avenue site. Five full-time jobs are coming after City Council unanimously adopted tax incentive -- check the expansion plans.
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.*
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade*.
Stop wondering if you'll run out of money in retirement: It's the one fear retirees can't shake, and the data says it's warranted. Simulations from Morningstar and EBRI estimate 40% to 45% of American households are at risk of running short. This free quiz matches you with vetted fiduciary advisors in your area, legally required to act in your best interest. A few minutes, no cost, no obligation -- find your advisor match.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor
Together with our sponsor GoldCo 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.
Upgrade your gift game: Modern florals, grab-and-go bouquets, and not-your-average planters meet a mellow cafe scene at BLOOM, a community-minded shop in Westville. Swing through when birthdays sneak up or your living room needs a vibe lift... their Bloom Box subscriptions and plants keep the good feels going.
Your East Rock toy fix: Whether you're hunting a last-minute birthday surprise or something your kid will obsess over for exactly 12 minutes, Pebbles Toys and Gifts has a smartly curated, sustainability-minded lineup, plus a handy Toy Concierge for easy picks. East Rock locals, consider this your go-to for playful wins all week.
For your TBR pile: Possible Futures is the kind of indie bookshop that makes you linger, with a thoughtfully curated selection, community vibes, and staff picks that hit just right; swing by this week when you need fresh reads, a little browsing therapy, or an excuse to ignore your phone.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
This summer, what if you didn't have to point at the menu? Knowing a few words isn't the same as holding a conversation, and that's the gap most travelers hit abroad. Babbel closes it in about ten minutes a day, with most people conversation-ready in three weeks. Lessons are built by 200+ language experts to get you talking early, not drilling flashcards. It works, too: 92% of users improved in two months. *Get Babbel for 55% off →
Your car insurance won't cover a $6,000 transmission: When the transmission or engine goes, your insurance company calls it "wear and tear" and wishes you luck. Insurance is for accidents. It doesn't touch the parts that wear out over time, and those are the ones that cost thousands. That's exactly what an extended warranty is built for. Transmission, engine, electrical, the expensive stuff your factory warranty used to cover, all back on the table. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so there's nothing to lose by looking. *See what's covered →
At today's rates, credit card debt costs you thousands in interest. Carrying a balance means a big chunk of every payment vanishes into interest instead of paying down what you spent. This credit card offers 0% intro APR until 2028 on purchases and on balances you transfer over in the first 60 days, with no annual fee. So for nearly two years your payments go toward your spending, not interest. *See if it's a fit →
The fitness trend that doesn't require leaving your living room: Chair yoga is having a moment, and for good reason. It's low-impact, easy on the knees and back, and you do the whole thing seated. No floor, no equipment, no studio. A quick quiz turns it into a personalized plan built around your body and goals, then adjusts as you build the habit. *See your plan →
Premiums are up roughly 46% since 2021: Home insurance has outpaced inflation for years, and renewals rarely move in your favor. Rather than take the new number on faith, FinanceBuzz lets you match your home with top-rated insurers and compare quotes side by side — free, in about two minutes. Even if you decide to stay put, you'll know you checked. *See your options → |
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.
🎬 Movies in the Plaza @ Pitkin Plaza | Wednesday (6/17) at 8:00 PM – Drag a lawn chair to Pitkin Plaza for free Wednesday night movies, because the couch can take the night off. Expect blockbusters, cult gems, and family picks, plus light snacks and takeout-friendly vibes. It’s downtown, it’s neighborly, and yes, quick check-in keeps it tidy.
🎨 Artisan Fest & Business Expo @ High Plains Community Center (Orange) | Thursday (6/18) at 2:30 PM – Small-town charm meets shopping spree at this artisan-and-business bash, with live music, food trucks, giveaways, and more vendors than your inbox has newsletters. It’s free to attend, with free parking, plus face painting, Irish dance, blood pressure checks, and plenty of accidental networking.
🎪 2026 Branford Festival @ Hammer Field | Friday (6/19) at 5:00 PM – Nothing beats watching the whole town spill onto the Green for live music, fried dough, and kid-fueled laps around the gazebo. It’s Branford’s biggest weekend, packed with food, entertainment, and family fun, all volunteer-run, all heart, with parking patience, small-world moments, and zero pretense.
🎶 Robert Messore Toddler Tunes Children's Music @ Best Video Film & Cultural Center (Hamden) | Saturday (6/20) at 10:30 AM – If your tiny roommate has been drumming on cereal bowls since sunrise, Robert Messore’s Toddler Tunes at Best Video is your salvation. Expect high-energy sing-and-dance-alongs, classics and gems, and a pay-what-you-can setup that lets parents catch up while newborns through six-year-olds wear themselves out.
👨 Family Day! @ Barcade - New Haven | Saturday (6/20) at 12:00 PM – Family Day at Barcade in New Haven lets you eat well, school the kids at Pac-Man, and call it quality time. Every weekend means food, arcade games, and real fun, with kids needing a parent in tow. A portion of token sales supports Gamers Outreach.
🍩 Donuts with Dad @ My Gym Orange | Sunday (6/21) at 9:30 AM – Celebrate Father’s Day the messy way at My Gym Orange, where little humans get a pint-sized class and you get a donut you may or may not finish. Free for members, $20 otherwise, with sessions split by age from babies to big preschoolers. Quality chaos.
🚋 Sensory-Friendly Trolley Ride @ The Shore Line Trolley Museum (East Haven) | Tuesday (6/23) at 12:00 PM – Take a quiet spin on the Shore Line Trolley Museum, a sensory-friendly ride for anyone who prefers calm over clamor. Tuesdays at noon in July and August mean limited attendance, reduced noise, minimal waits, advance reservations required, and caregivers ride free. You might actually exhale.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
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07 — The New Haven report Weather forecastToday — High: 73°F — Low: 62°F — Precip: 16%
A slight chance of rain showers after 11am. Mostly sunny. High near 73, with temperatures falling to around 70 in the afternoon. Southeast wind 2 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A slight chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Southeast wind 3 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tomorrow — High: 77°F — Low: 66°F — Precip: 51%
A chance of rain showers before 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. High near 77, with temperatures falling to around 75 in the afternoon. South wind 6 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Chance of precipitation is 50%. This house is wildThis warm and character-filled Westville colonial offers wall-to-wall hardwood floors, an oversized living room with a wood-burning fireplace, and a cozy 3-season sunporch. The bright eat-in kitchen features stainless steel appliances, butcher block counters, and an island, while the dining room opens to a private deck. Four bedrooms, a walk-up attic, and a two-car garage round it out.
Take a peek inside → |
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