Choose how often you hear from us. Upgrade |
Hello Iowa City! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Ben McCollum’s near career switch, public observing night, and FilmScene in the Park: Fantastic Mr. Fox + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, Goldco, is helping folks around Iowa City help protect their savings after a remarkable few years for gold and silver. Their free guide explains what's behind the run… 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.
From setback to stardom: Iowa’s first-year coach Ben McCollum once nearly left for finance after a 4-8 start at Northwest Missouri State, but he broke through and now ranks among college basketball’s best -- read the full story.
SBA-backed growth in Iowa: Five Corridor companies received SBA loans in July, including Iowa City’s Greer Capital and Corridor Automotive Services, amid 35 Iowa approvals totaling $23,856,600 to create and retain jobs -- see the monthly loan recap.
Classroom program funding renewed: Iowa City school board approved a Junior Achievement deal for 2026-27, paying $14.50 per student in kindergarten, first and ninth grades, covering one-third of program costs, in a 5-2 vote -- read the full story.
The bill everyone over 50 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 $1,500 this year. Case in point: Shopping around could cut your 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.*
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 posted one of its strongest runs in decades...Silver has been right there with it, and after a few remarkable years both metals have become some of the most talked-about assets for those looking 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 people 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.
Your carb happy place: Bread Worthy Bakery turns organic stone ground flour into European pastries and classic American bakes that taste like someone finally read the manual on butter and patience, ideal for this week's snack attacks or the 'I earned this' coffee companion.
Indie night out: FilmScene at The Chauncey is your reliable cure for streaming fatigue, serving up indie standouts, repertory deep cuts, and series that actually spark conversation. With open-caption options, Cinema Salon chats, and even FilmScene in the Park on the docket, it turns moviegoing into your excuse to make movie night this week.
Refresh your closet: Revival is that rare Iowa City spot where new indie labels sit next to curated resale and true vintage, so you can mix a fresh Everybody.World tee with a Le Bon Shoppe sock fix and a whiff of apothecary goodness. Their Thursday-night resale drops keep the finds coming.
|
04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth 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 →
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 fitness trend that doesn't require leaving your living room: Chair yoga is having a moment, and for good reason. It's low-impact, easy on the knees and back, and you do the whole thing seated. No floor, no equipment, no studio. A quick quiz turns it into a personalized plan built around your body and goals, then adjusts as you build the habit. *See your plan →
One plug-in drives bugs out of your home, no spray required: For every bug you see along the baseboards, more are nesting out of sight, and traps and poison only reach so far. This one works differently: patented pulse technology runs through your home's wiring to make the whole place uncomfortable for insects and mice, so they clear out on their own. No fumes, nothing on the floor near the kids or pets, just plug it in. Over 3.5 million sold, it's silent, and there is a money-back guarantee. *Get yours 40% off →
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 → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
|
05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎵 Friday Night Concert Series: Silt Creek and more @ Pedestrian Mall | Friday (8/7) at 6:30 PM – Bring a lawn chair to the Ped Mall for a free double bill with Silt Creek and The Whiskey Fund, a local supergroup. Expect alt-country to soul, tight harmonies, originals and Stevie Wonder to Bob Marley, plus food and drinks, minimal line dancing required.
🔭 Public Observing Night @ Van Allen Observatory | Friday (8/7) at 8:00 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to look up, consider this it. The UI Physics and Astronomy folks are opening the Van Allen Observatory and rolling out small scopes for a leisurely tour of the spring sky, weather permitting. Fewer bar lines, better stars.
🍽 Fork in the Road @ Chauncey Swan Park | Saturday (8/8) at 9:00 AM – Think you still remember the words to the Dead, the Allmans, and the Eagles? Grab your coffee and park it at Chauncey Swan Park for a free Saturday morning set from Fork in the Road, way more fun than errands. Lawn chairs encouraged, zero cover.
🐦 Birdchild @ 5th Street (Coralville) | Saturday (8/8) at 9:00 AM – Remember when 5th Street was for traffic? We’re shutting it down the fun way with a neighborhood block party in Coralville, featuring Birdchild onstage, good food, and cold drinks. Perfect for the whole crew, your comfy shoes, and easy summer moods.
🎬 FilmScene in the Park: Fantastic Mr. Fox @ FilmScene at The Chauncey | Saturday (8/8) at 8:15 PM – Movie night in the park means a Wes Anderson caper under the stars, and yes, it is free. Fantastic Mr. Fox delivers family drama, community grit, and poultry theft with panache, best enjoyed with a lawn chair, a snack, and a sense of mischief.
🃏 Iowa City Card & Collectibles Show @ Johnson County Fairgrounds | Sunday (8/9) at 10:00 AM – Got a shoebox of cardboard glory? This Iowa City show gathers sports cards, Pokémon, MTG, TCG, and more, plus friendly dealers, Rock 108 vibes, and Rudy Blues BBQ, so you can swap stories, find something shiny, and call it quality time.
🎨 Art Play Sundays @ The Iowa Children's Museum (Coralville) | Sunday (8/9) at 11:00 AM – Sunday in the Art Studio means drop-in creativity for kids, parents, and grandparents, with cutting, layering, and declaring everything a masterpiece. It is collage month, with vintage magazines, maps, paint swatches, stickers, and stamps, plus Dada portraits inspired by Della Wells, and Reginald Laurent.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Skip credit card interest until nearly 2028You know the feeling: you make your credit card payment, check the balance, and it's barely moved. That's interest quietly eating most of what you pay. Here's a rare chance to stop it. This card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, so for over a year every dollar you pay goes straight to what you owe, not the bank's cut. And you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. The rewards are where it gets even better. Every purchase earns you at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories climbing as high as 5%, so the card pays you back on the spending you're already doing. Put a little on it early and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting. Between the break on interest, the cash back, and no annual fee, it's a lot of card for nothing to hold. *Take a look → |
07 — Iowa City report Weather forecastToday — High: 78°F — Low: 60°F — Precip: 81%
Showers and thunderstorms before 7am, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 7am and 11am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11am and 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1pm and 3pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 3pm and 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. High near 78, with temperatures falling to around 76 in the afternoon. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. North wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 81°F — Low: 61°F — Precip: 29%
A chance of rain showers before 7am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. This house is wildThis fourth-floor One University Place condo pairs polished style with unbeatable Iowa City convenience. The 2-bed, 2-bath layout includes a spacious study, quartz-topped kitchen with designer cabinetry and stainless appliances, plus floor-to-ceiling south-facing windows and a private balcony. LVP floors, a luxe primary suite, reserved parking, storage, concierge service, and fitness amenities complete the package.
Take a peek inside → |
| |
