Happy weekend, Jacksonville! In today’s happening-today edition: Hoops tournament action, a barn quilt class, and free summer meal sites + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
Today’s sponsor, GoldCo, is helping folks around Jacksonville 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.
Weekend hoops action continues: After a wild opening day Friday, the 25th anniversary East Coast Invitational continues today in Jacksonville, with teams back on court after Jacksonville beat Swansboro and Hoggard topped Northside -- see the tournament update.
Free meal sites listed: Free summer meals for children 18 and under are served today at Agape Life Family Church. Sandy Run in Jacksonville serves on-site. Richlands offers seven-day meal pickup through August 20 -- see where to get meals.
Honoring a military legacy: Camp Lejeune dedicated its new headquarters to late Marine Corps commandant Gen. Alfred Gray Jr. Completed in January after 2022 construction, the building serves as the command’s central hub -- see the Camp Lejeune dedication.
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.
Camp close, breathe easier: Cabin Creek Campground keeps it simple for locals who want trees, not traffic. Book an RV site or one of their cozy park model log cabins, let the dog run at the fenced park, grab propane or last-minute supplies, then swap stories by the community fire pit and log off the inbox.
Seafood with a twist: If dinner indecision strikes again, Eric's Seafood & Vietnamese Cuisine rolls up with made-to-order seafood, wings, bánh mì, and fried rice that hits the spot without the fuss. Keep an eye out around town, snag a to-go feast, and call it a weeknight win.
Quick swing tune-up: Feel like your irons forgot how to iron? Jacksonville Country Club has the range to help you find center contact again this week. A mellow place to reset after work, groove tempo, and maybe even tame that mysterious weekend fade.
|
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.
🪵 Exterior Barn Quilt Class @ FireFlies Pottery & Art Studio | Saturday (6/20) at 9:00 AM – Porch-sitting season calls for a little color, so come paint a barn quilt for the porch, fence, or garden. In this hands-on class, you’ll turn aluminum sign board and exterior paints into a weatherproof statement. No sewing, just brushes, good company, and bragging rights.
🦃 2026 Nwft New River Longbeards Jake's Day @ New River Longbeards Chapter (Richlands) | Saturday (6/20) at 9:00 AM – If the kids or grandkids need more woods and less Wi-Fi, JAKES Day serves up hands-on outdoor skills, turkey talk, and a free lunch to seal the deal. Expect future hunters and conservationists who might outfish you, and you will love it. Registration required.
💧 Saturday Farm Market + Water Day @ Humphrey Farm (Hubert) | Saturday (6/20) at 9:00 AM – Saturday’s farm market goes full Water Day at Humphrey Farm, with kids 5 to 18 blasting one another while you browse, feed animals, and “hydrate” at Beverage Barn. Entry free, $10 unlimited water bands, ages 5 to 12 need an adult, no one under 5.
🐶 Flash Sale Benefitting Seaside Animal Rescue @ Skin Elixir Tattoo | Saturday (6/20) at 12:00 PM – Skin Elixir Tattoo on Lejeune is turning flash ink into rescue funds for Seaside Animal Rescue, walk-ins only. Pick a quick design, get a forever souvenir, and help the underdogs. Finally, a spontaneous choice your accountant, your conscience, and a few stray cats can endorse.
🎉 Summer Reading Celebration Party @ Barnes & Noble | Saturday (6/20) – Summer Reading Celebration Party is a kid-friendly bash for book lovers, so bring a parent or guardian and your coffee. Young readers get crafts and bragging rights, adults get air conditioning, wholesome chaos, and a rare moment where screen time loses.
🪟 Fused Glass Studio @ Artworks Studio | Sunday (6/21) at 1:00 PM – Third Sunday means melted glass therapy, an open studio class where beginners and seasoned makers cut, layer, and fuse without judgment. Play with frit, stringers, and bold sheet glass, then leave with suncatchers, jewelry, or one larger piece, plus a smug creative glow.
✊ Juneteenth @ Onslow Pines Park | Sunday (6/21) at 5:00 PM – Juneteenth in our town means one thing, a proper celebration of freedom with music, art, and food that actually tastes like something. Expect live entertainment, local vendors, and family-friendly fun. Bring the kids, the aunties, and your folding chair, you know the drill. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — The Jacksonville report Weather forecastToday — High: 90°F — Low: 69°F — Precip: 1%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. East wind around 6 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 69. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 92°F — Low: 74°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 92. Southwest wind 2 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 74. This house is wildThis 5-bedroom, 4-bath home on 0.37 acres blends smart function with standout extras. The epoxy-finished garage with steel cabinets feels more workshop than storage, while the app-connected kitchen, fireplace, tray ceilings, and soaking-tub primary suite keep things polished. Outside, enjoy fenced space, perennial gardens, a covered patio, and a brand-new 2025 playground.
Take a peek inside → |
| |
