Hey Cabarrus County, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Underground gold mine tours, Barber-Scotia College’s comeback, and Marvel Cinematic Universe trivia + lots of fun things to do for free.
Today's sponsor, SmartAsset, is helping people around Cabarrus County evaluate their retirement income strategy and plan for a retirement that could last decades. Their free quiz matches you with vetted fiduciary advisors who serve your area and are legally required to act in your best interests. -- take the quiz and find your match.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
A landmark in mining history: Step beneath Cabarrus County at Reed Gold Mine, where guided underground tours trace the nation’s first documented gold rush and the 1799 17‑pound nugget that changed history -- see what the tours include.
Roadwork ahead in Charlotte: NCDOT's $1.3M upgrade at US 74 and US 601 will add lanes and bring Campus Park Drive into the signal. Midland-based Sealand Contractors won the work, expected to start Monday -- get the full project details.
Historic college moves forward: Concord's Barber-Scotia College, the South's first private school to educate Black women, is nearing re-accreditation as President Chris Rey plans to submit the application within 30 days -- see the accreditation update.
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.*
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.
Adventure without the hassle: Capstone Climbing & Adventure is a local 501(c)(3) leading rock climbs, paddling days, low ropes challenges, even scuba, with gear included. Rally the fam or your work crew, learn real skills, and let them handle the logistics while you focus on having a story worth telling next Monday.
Sushi, noodles, martinis: E Noodles Asian Bistro keeps weeknights interesting with fresh rolls, big brothy bowls, and shareable dim sum starters. Local tip, the menu’s got range, so everyone finds a favorite, and yes, there are 25-plus handcrafted martinis if you’re leaning into “treat yourself” this week.
Skip dinner drama: Ditch the what-do-you-want debate and slide into Pump Social for American comfort plates that actually satisfy. Bring your indecisive crew, the menu does the heavy lifting and turns a regular Tuesday into a small victory in downtown Concord.
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04 — Our recommendations
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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 →
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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 Free events worth checking outFree things to do in the coming days and weeks. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🩸 Donate Blood @ Shoe Show, Inc. Corporate Office (Concord) | Tuesday (6/16) at 9:00 AM – Swing by Shoe Show in Concord and roll up a sleeve on the Big Red Bus, because saving lives beats buying another pair of sensible black shoes. Score a $20 eGift card, a sun shade, and a wellness checkup, plus bragging rights at brunch.
🎉 Concord Dash In Community Days - Week 1 @ Dash In | Thursday (6/18) at 12:00 PM – Concord's new Dash In is kicking off Food Week with dollar deals, free samples, and a DJ, a trifecta your inner teenager and adult wallet respect. Expect coffee for a buck, burritos and cheesesteaks, a claw machine, giveaways from local vendors, and Boomer dropping by.
✨ Rockstar Magic @ Library and Active Living Center at Afton Ridge (Concord) | Thursday (6/18) at 2:00 PM – Need a summer win for the kids that does not involve screens? Cabarrus County Library is rolling out Rockstar Magic, plus dinos, science, puppets, and storytelling, all free, all delightfully air-conditioned, no sign-ups. You get quiet coffee time, they get wide-eyed wonder.
🧠 Marvel Cinematic Universe Trivia @ Borinquen Kombucha (Concord) | Thursday (6/18) at 7:00 PM – Sharpen your Infinity Saga memory and flex it at MCU Trivia at Borinquen Kombucha. Free to play, prizes for the champions, and bonus points if you wear your Marvel gear. Sip tangy brews, argue gently about canon, then savor smug bragging rights.
🏍 Slingshot Experience Tour @ RideNow Powersports (Concord) | Friday (6/19) at 10:00 AM – The Slingshot Experience Tour rolls into RideNow Powersports Concord with free demo rides on the all-new 2026 lineup. Think midlife joyride, not crisis, with three wheels, expert staff, and zero pressure to buy. Must be 18+, bring a valid license, and a full-face helmet.
🍗 Southern Bites & Nights @ Kannapolis Loop | Friday (6/19) at 1:00 PM – Head to The Loop for Southern Bites & Nights, a free, family-friendly spread of food trucks, artisan shopping, and live entertainment in downtown Kannapolis. Bring your appetite and that neighbor who knows every vendor, because it is less a snack run, more a community reunion.
🎤 Josh Turner @ Kannapolis Village Amphitheater | Saturday (6/20) at 7:00 PM – Josh Turner brings his This Country Music Thing Tour to Kannapolis, and the ticket price is our favorite number, free. Expect that smooth baritone, singalong hits, and a country night you can savor without explaining the credit card bill to anyone.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — Announcement 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 Cabarrus County report Weather forecastToday — High: 84°F — Low: 66°F — Precip: 1%
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. East wind 2 to 6 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Southwest wind 2 to 6 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 91°F — Low: 72°F — Precip: 11%
Sunny, with a high near 91. Southwest wind 2 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. This house is wildThis 5-bedroom, 5-bath home spreads across 11 acres in the Mount Pleasant school district and delivers serious wow factor. A 43x43 barn, 3-car garage, and screen porch with veranda deck set the stage, while the $20K custom iron front door makes a bold first impression. The basement shines with a primary suite, custom kitchen, and glam closet.
Take a peek inside → |
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