Choose how often you hear from us. Upgrade |
Hey New Bern, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s edition: Dining out against cancer, National Night Out, and a Fleetwood Mac tribute concert + fun things to do for free & local fundraisers worth checking out 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.
Community fundraiser continues: Dining Out Against Cancer returns today as over 30 area restaurants donate a portion of sales to CarolinaEast Foundation, supporting patients and programs on August 4, 11, 18 and 25 -- see which restaurants participate.
Access update at Cherry Point: After weather delays, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point expects to reopen Slocum Gate on Friday, August 7. Main and Cunningham gates remain open for general access until then -- see the gate reopening details.
Campus construction update: Demolition at former Pamlico County High School closed the auditorium Monday, relocating events as the district announced changes to orientations and freshman Q&A sessions during a $67 million campus project -- follow the campus changes.
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.*
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
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: |
02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf 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.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Treat-yourself alert: Whether you need a midweek pick-me-up or a celebration-worthy showstopper this week, Mayte Sweets is bringing French patisserie vibes with Italian coffee that actually wakes you up. Think macarons, tarts, cream puffs, cheesecakes, and custom cakes made by a formally trained pastry pro…your sweet tooth will thank you.
Make some noise, New Bern: Fuller's Music keeps your week sounding better with school band rentals, lessons for any instrument, and in-house repairs when reeds, strings, or cables betray you. Oldest music store in North Carolina, locally owned, and stocked with keyboards, guitars, drums, print music, plus the cables and capos you always forget.
Local kitchen lifeline: Pro-Serv Food Equipment LLC keeps New Bern kitchens moving with CFESA-certified techs, 24/7 emergency support and same day service when things go sideways. From commercial HVAC and equipment repair to preventative maintenance, installations and even refrigerated box truck rentals when the power quits, they’re the crew you want on speed dial this week.
|
04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
Shop for new floors without ever needing to leave the house: No showroom, no second-guessing. All from the comfort of your own home. Empire Today® has flooring experts that will bring you samples and provide you with a free in-home estimate. Trusted and backed by over 3 million satisfied customers and over 65 years of quality service. *Check out their current offers today →
Stiff necks start on flat pillows: You've slept on both arms, both sides, stacked two pillows, thrown one on the floor, and the stiffness keeps finding you, because every position ends on the same pillow that can't hold your neck. This one can: shaped to keep your neck in line however you sleep, with gentle traction through the night. If it doesn't earn its spot in 30 nights, it goes back free. *Take the 30-night test, 50% off →
Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
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 upgrades that make your home feel new again start here: You don't need a full remodel to fall back in love with your space. New fixtures, a fresh coat of paint, updated hardware, the small changes that make a room feel different. It's all in one place, so a weekend is all it takes to give a tired room a fresh start. *Shop the refresh → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
|
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.
🌙 National Night Out @ Union Point Park | Tuesday (8/4) at 5:00 PM – National Night Out takes over Union Point Park, part block party, part small town reunion. Chat with neighbors, the folks in uniform, and usual characters, snag swag, let the kids eye the fire trucks, then call it a night without cooking. Civic pride, low effort.
🍽 Kids Eat Free Wednesdays @ Blackbeard's Triple Play Restaurant & Bar | Wednesday (8/5) at 4:00 PM – Need a midweek bribe to keep the mutineers civil? Wednesdays downtown at Blackbeard’s Triple Play, kids 10 and under eat free with an adult entrée, you get dinner you didn’t cook, and they get pirate antics, friendly faces, and bragging rights on the ride home.
🎸 2026 Footloose on the Neuse Summer Concert @ Union Point Park | Friday (8/7) at 7:30 PM – Think you still know all the Eagles harmonies? ON THE BORDER serves up the hits at a free Footloose on the Neuse show, with lawn-chair lounging, food trucks, and adult beverages at sunset. Bring the pup on a leash, skip the cooler, and relax.
🎶 DJ Bingo @ Beartown Bistro & Pizza Company | Friday (8/7) at 8:30 PM – Think you actually remember song titles beyond the chorus? DJ Bingo at Beartown Bistro plays the snippet, you mark the square, and maybe snag cash, prizes, and bragging rights. It’s free to play, and seats go to diners, so treat yourself, or embrace standing room cardio.
🐱 CCHS Kittens @ PetSmart | Saturday (8/8) at 11:00 AM – If your couch has been getting too cocky, consider balancing the power with a kitten. CCHS is setting up at PetSmart in New Bern with adoptable fuzzballs, sharp purrs, and sharper looks; spot the red flag, and let a furry management trainee pick you.
🎸 Footloose on the Neuse Summer Concert @ Union Point Park | Friday (8/28) at 7:30 PM – Friday at Union Point Park means TELL ME LIES, a Fleetwood Mac tribute, sunset breezes, and that neighbor who swears they knew Stevie. It is free, so grab a lawn chair, hit the food trucks, sip something grown-up. Pets on leashes, no coolers, big vibes. ✨ Upcoming local fundraisers🇺 Benefit Night for ENC Honor Flight @ Ghent Sandwich Shop | Friday (8/7) at 5:00 PM – Whether you wore the uniform or just pay your property taxes early, this benefit backs ENC Honor Flight's newly formed hub in New Bern serving 14 counties. It is raising funds for a free, all-expenses-paid trip for local WWII, Korean, and Vietnam veterans in 2027.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — New Bern report Weather forecastToday — High: 80°F — Low: 75°F — Precip: 68%
Showers and thunderstorms likely before 10am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10am and 11am, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 11am and 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. South wind 0 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 7pm and 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 11pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 2am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 85°F — Low: 78°F — Precip: 55%
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8am, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 8am and 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. South wind 2 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 78. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. This house is wildThis custom lakefront contemporary pairs a sleek brick veneer exterior with cathedral ceilings, walls of glass, and panoramic water views at every turn. The open layout flows from a gourmet kitchen into airy living spaces, while three bedrooms, three baths, and a flexible bonus room keep things practical. Outside, a sparkling pool and expansive deck turn the shoreline into a resort-style escape.
Take a peek inside → |
| |
