Hi Montgomery County, we made it to Thursday! In today’s fun-for-grown-ups edition: Imagination Stage’s new season, a pet painting workshop, and Silver Spring Blues Week + plenty of reasons to put on real pants 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 $150 off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
New season highlights: Imagination Stage announced the 2026–27 Season of Heroes and Hope, with a world premiere and the Grinch directed by Ashleigh King. Discount packages available now, single tickets in early August -- see the full lineup.
New local dining arrival: Honeygrow is expected to open its second Montgomery County location later this summer in Silver Spring, taking over the former California Tortilla space in the Shoppes of Burnt Mills -- see the opening spot.
Transit work continues overnight: Overnight closures on Wayne Avenue continue through June 24 for Purple Line catenary work, closing between Dale Drive and Sligo Creek Parkway and disrupting bus routes 12, 15, and 19 -- check the overnight shutdowns.
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*. Highlights this week: |
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03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Beat the clock, Bethesda: Encrypted Escape Bethesda delivers puzzle-packed adventures with cinematic vibes, where your crew races through 60 to 75 minute stories orchestrated by “The Architect.” Grab friends, pick a room like The Black Widow or The Biker’s Revenge, and make weeknight plans actually feel epic.
Plan your culture fix: Whether you’re craving a smart new play, a modern classic, or a musical that gives you goosebumps, Round House Theatre delivers conversation-starting productions and community-minded classes that make Bethesda feel bigger. Grab a friend, pick a show, then let your group chat debate it all week.
Sugar fix, solved: Whipped Up Bakery turns everyday cravings into mini celebrations with pretty-as-Instagram cakes and craveable bakes that taste like someone’s favorite aunt made them. Add it to your this-week shortlist for birthdays, office brownie points, or when Wednesday needs frosting, because your MoCo sweet tooth deserves an upgrade.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
A blown engine can cost more than your car is worth: And it almost never warns you. One day it runs fine, the next you're staring at a $7,000 repair on a car you still rely on every morning. That's the kind of bill an extended warranty exists to absorb, the engine, transmission, and electrical failures that wreck a budget overnight. You bring it to any certified mechanic, pay a deductible, and the rest is handled. Enjoy a free year of Elite Benefits and a 30-day money-back guarantee on top. *See everything it covers →
You may be eligible to save thousands on credit card interest: If you're carrying a credit card balance, interest alone can cost you thousands. With 0% intro APR until 2028 and no annual fee, this card could provide you with a path to being debt free for nearly two years. *See if it's a fit →
What's the easiest heart-healthy habit there is? A daily walk, no gym, no equipment, no complicated plan. Regular walking is one of the simplest ways to support your heart and circulation, and a structured challenge gets you doing it often enough to feel the difference. A few weeks in, you've done something real for your heart without rearranging your life to do it. *Start the challenge →
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 →
Summer just went on sale at CVS: The seasonal shop is stocked with sun care, beach chairs, coolers, fans, pool toys, and snacks — hundreds of items under $10, with 25 summer staples at buy one, get one 50% off. Sun Bum and Hawaiian Tropic sunscreen are marked down with ExtraBucks back, and the soda 12-packs are buy two, get one free. Pick it up in store, get it same-day, or have it shipped. *Shop the summer sale → |
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 Montgomery County for grown upsThe best events and nightlife experiences for adults this week. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎷 Silver Spring Blues Week with Stormi & the Blue Skies and more @ El Golfo Restaurant | Thursday (6/18) at 5:00 PM – Claim a patio table at El Golfo for Silver Spring Blues Week with Stormi & the Blue Skies, and the Mudd Brothers. Blues under the stars, cold drinks, and that sweet spot where the neighbors become backup singers, and bedtime gets negotiated.
🎭 The Rhino Gathering @ Silver Spring Black Box Theatre | Friday (6/19) at 7:00 PM – Think you know your absurdism? Celebrate Juneteenth with a benefit for Live Garra Theatre, featuring an exclusive peek at Ionesco's Rhinoceros, where everyone slowly turns into rhinos, which, honestly, explains a few HOA meetings. Smart, celebratory, freedom after dark.
🍺 Stringtown @ MAYAN Monkey Brewing CO. (Gaithersburg) | Friday (6/19) at 8:00 PM – Remember when it was Growlers? Same Gaithersburg corner, new name, still pouring the good stuff. Stringtown is taking the Mayan Monkey stage with toe-tapping tunes, and the menu holds up, so you can nod along, sip something solid, and call it a night well spent.
💃 Juneteenth - Ladies Night @ OTC Bar & Grille (Gaithersburg) | Friday (6/19) – Juneteenth weekend is rolling in with a grown-folks Ladies Night at OTC Bar & Grill, Short Shorts & Heels Edition, 21+, mature crowd. Expect classic jams, stiff pours, and a dance floor that forgives questionable knee choices. Bring your two-step, leave the drama, enjoy mischief.
🎨 Pet Painting Workshop (2 sessions) – June 20 + June 27 @ Arts Barn (Gaithersburg) | Saturday (6/20) at 2:00 PM – Finally, a reason your camera roll has 800 photos of Muffin. Instructor Downing is running a two-part, step-by-step pet painting workshop for intermediates, materials included, bring a photo, and send your pet’s glam shot in advance so those whiskers, drool, and attitude turn into art.
😂 On St. Elmo Comedy Bunker 15 @ ON St. Elmo (Bethesda) | Saturday (6/20) at 7:00 PM – Bethesda gets its laugh fix as the St. Elmo Comedy Bunker welcomes Matt Bergman, the criminal-justice grad who dodged criminals and landed on Comedy Central, Dry Bar, and Amazon Prime. Hosted by teddy bear Pete Bergen, with Connor McCrone. Cheaper than therapy, louder than brunch.
🪩 OMG Ultimate Dance Party @ That's Amore Restaurant (Rockville) | Saturday (6/20) at 7:00 PM – That's Amore flips the dining room into a dance floor as OMG Band rips through 70s, 80s, 90s, and now, and you know the words. Free show, free parking, and Sylvia celebrates her 38th again, so expect sing-alongs, lasagna-fueled courage, and the red sauce shuffle. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor In case you missed itWe opened The Insiders’ Club last week and hundreds of folks have already joined (seriously… can’t thank you enough!!). For a few bucks a month, The Club gives you every newsletter ad-free on your schedule, plus members-only updates to help you stay connected to your community. The Weekly Events Roundup is my favorite feature. You get one email a week with all the best events and nothing else cluttering it up. Want only that? Skip the daily emails and turn the rest off. Join the club → |
07 — The Montgomery County report Weather forecastToday — High: 91°F — Low: 67°F — Precip: 46%
A chance of rain showers between 8am and 11am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11am and 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 4pm and 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Southwest wind 12 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A slight chance of rain showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. West wind 5 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 83°F — Low: 61°F — Precip: 24%
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