Choose how often you hear from us. Upgrade |
Hey Suffolk, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: MlK memorial at Peanut Park, Virginia’s tax-free weekend, and music bingo + lots of fun things to do for free.
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.
Honoring a historic legacy: Suffolk will revitalize Peanut Park with a Martin Luther King Jr. memorial honoring his 1963 visit. $300,000 is allocated, with community input expected in the next two to three months -- see what’s planned next.
Election day decisions ahead: Voters across Virginia head to the polls today, Aug. 4, with Democratic primaries in the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 8th and 9th, plus GOP primaries for U.S. Senate, 5th and 10th -- see all ballot details.
Back-to-school bargain boost: Tennessee’s tax-free weekend ended Sunday, August 2, as shoppers stocked up. Virginia’s tax holiday starts August 7 with savings on school supplies and clothing, plus Energy Star and WaterSense products -- see when savings start.
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.
Step into 1907 Suffolk: Swing by Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad Museum to watch a two-room HO-scale model of 1907 Suffolk come alive, wander through railroad memorabilia and changing exhibits, and admire the 1885 Queen Anne station’s walnut spiral staircase. Perfect local history fix for this week.
Sit back in style: Make this the week you upgrade that seat. Brandon House Furniture has over 100 recliners plus sofas, sectionals, and more, with customizable fabrics, leathers, woods, colors, and power options, so you get a perfect fit for your home, backed by genuinely attentive service.
Steak night, upgraded: When pasta cravings and steak dreams collide, Gaston's Italian Steakhouse delivers modern Italian plates with serious chops... think Wagyu Bolognese, burrata with prosciutto, and surf and turf with tender filet and lobster. Add a proper Manhattan or spritzy Aperol and call it a weeknight win.
|
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.
🍽 Evening Food Pantry @ Bethlehem Christian Church | Tuesday (8/4) at 5:30 PM – Swing by the evening food pantry, a low-key neighborhood lifeline where all are welcome, judgment stays in the car, and everyone leaves with something good. Park in the Manning Road lot, then head up the ramp inside the building, easy as finding the cookie aisle.
📚 Toddler & Preschool Storytime @ Downtown Suffolk Library | Wednesday (8/5) at 10:45 AM – Bring your tiny book critics to the Downtown Suffolk Library for toddler and preschool storytime, a cheerful mix of stories, rhymes, songs, and wiggles for ages 2-5, and their grownups. It’s free early literacy disguised as fun, and yes, snack bribes are understood.
🎶 Music Bingo @ Redd's Filling Station (Windsor) | Wednesday (8/5) at 6:30 PM – Whether you can name that tune in three notes or just hum along, Redd's in Windsor is serving up eight free rounds of Music Bingo. Great food, good drinks, prizes, and a soundtrack you actually recognize, so your 80s playlist finally earns its keep.
🎉 National Night Out Party/Cookout @ Golden Luxe Arena | Thursday (8/6) at 5:00 PM – Bring the crew to Golden Luxe Arena for National Night Out, a free neighborhood cookout with burgers, dogs, and actual face time beyond the mailbox. Meet the folks behind the porch lights, let the kids run, and enjoy that small-town, big-heart vibe.
🎵 TGIF Summer Concert Series - Anthony Rosano and more @ Boat Ramp at Bennett's Creek Park | Friday (8/7) at 6:00 PM – Head to Bennett’s Creek Park for Anthony Rosano & The Conqueroos, serving up gritty, blues-soaked rock that pairs with a summer evening and a cold one. It’s free, drinks and eats are for sale, leashed dogs are welcome, and yes, the cooler stays home.
🎒 Write Stuff Backpack Distribution @ The Salvation Army Suffolk Corps & Community Center | Saturday (8/8) at 10:00 AM – Back-to-school season calls for magic, and The Salvation Army hands K-12 kids backpacks of supplies, because pencils vanish faster than patience, while supplies last. Requires parent ID, proof of residency, and a birth certificate; for residents of Suffolk, Franklin, Smithfield, Isle of Wight, or Southampton.
🥕 Farmer's Market @ Bridgeport | Sunday (8/9) at 9:00 AM – Bridgeport Suffolk’s farmers market is back, delivering peak tomatoes, handmade finds, and easy live tunes. It pops up the 2nd and 4th Sundays through August. Consider it sanctioned loitering with coffee, your tote bag, and the best neighborhood gossip.
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 — Suffolk report Weather forecastToday — High: 84°F — Low: 72°F — Precip: 77%
A slight chance of rain showers before 9am, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. East wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southeast wind around 3 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 88°F — Low: 74°F — Precip: 68%
A chance of rain showers between 8am and 11am, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. South wind 1 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. This house is wildThis beautifully updated brick ranch spreads across 2.76 acres with room to roam and endless versatility. It offers up to 8 bedrooms and 5 baths, plus a bright, updated kitchen, a cozy den with built-ins and a fireplace, and a heated and cooled sunroom for year-round enjoyment. A 2-car attached garage and oversized detached garage with a 3-bed, 2-bath apartment add standout appeal.
Take a peek inside → |
| |
