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Hello Champaign! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Sunflower maze celebration, a tea party with Minnie Mouse, and adoptable cats + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, Goldco, is helping folks around Champaign 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.
Downtown plaza takes shape: Part of Washington Street closed Monday to westbound traffic as Phase 2 of the Champaign Downtown Plaza project began, while eastbound remains open with a splash pad and art planned -- read the full project update.
Downtown eatery shutters again: Tenkyu in Downtown Champaign closed after opening in January 2024, ending a two-year run of Japanese cuisine, Restaurant Week appearances, and live music in the former Miga space downtown -- read the full story.
Patriotic blooms on display: Clearview Farms' sunflower maze honoring America's 250th is open in Champaign, with the Sunflower Celebration today from 5 to 8 p.m., featuring Catseye and food trucks, and blooms through mid-August -- see what’s in the maze.
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.
Stress-free pup glow-up: From a bath and nail trim to a full haircut, Grooming By Jessica gives Champaign pups one-on-one attention in a safe, clean, stress free setup. Set drop-off and pick-up times mean less time away from home, and most appointments wrap in 60 to 90 minutes, so it’s an easy win this week.
Cuddles meet game night: Reserve time to hang with 25+ adoptable cats in the lounge, then hit the board game café for a game pass, snacks, and drinks. The Scratching Post CU keeps cat time and tabletop separate, so you can choose cuddles, competition, or a little of both this week.
Classic meets craft: Whether you're in the mood for a dialed-in classic or curious about inventive sips, Punch! Bar & Lounge leans into that sweet spot where classic and craft collide. This week, pull up with friends, explore their interactive menu, linger over food and drink, or even snag carry-out when the couch calls.
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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 → |
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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.
🎨 Art in the Parks: Manga & Comics @ Hessel Park | Thursday (8/6) at 5:30 PM – Park day meets panel art, with laid-back lessons on drawing your favorite manga and comic characters. All ages, no sign-ups, materials while they last, so bring a sketchbook, your inner teenager, and maybe a lawn chair if your knees negotiated early retirement.
🎊 Champaign-Urbana Days (CU Days) @ Douglass Park | Friday (8/7) at 10:00 AM – Our three-day CU Days tradition brings live music, local eats, and a busy marketplace of community orgs, nonprofits, and vendors. Bring the kids for face paint and balloon critters, catch the CU All Stars, then exhale with gospel tunes, neighbors you know, and zero pretense.
🌾 Summer Prairie Skies @ William M. Staerkel Planetarium | Friday (8/7) at 7:00 PM – Skip squinting at your backyard and get a live tour of tonight's prairie sky, with constellations, planets, and the ancient stories behind them. Updated each season and blissfully indoors, no mosquitoes. Tickets are $8 adults, $7 Parkland students, kids 12 and under, and seniors.
🫖 Kidscape Playground Tea Party @ Kidscape Playground | Saturday (8/8) at 10:00 AM – Kidscape is hosting a tea party with Minnie Mouse, sweet treats and a craft included. Pinky out, people, it counts as culture, memory-making, and a justified nap later. $10 per child, reservations required, only 15 spots, bring up to two adult chaperones per kid.
🎨 Artventures for Kids @ Krannert Art Museum | Saturday (8/8) at 1:00 PM – Give the tablets a nap and bring the crew to KAM for Artventures for Kids, where museum educators and Urbana Free Library librarians spin storytime into gallery wanderings, then hands-on artmaking with guest artists. Ages 5+, curious grownups welcome, and yes, weekend parking is free.
🐐 Sunday Afternoon Goat Hike @ Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery | Sunday (8/9) at 1:30 PM – Swap your Sunday scaries for a goat-led stroll on the farm, a guided mile or so along the pasture, past Saline Creek, through the woods, and around the pond. The pace is easy, the company is bleat-heavy, and your stress drops accordingly.
🐱 Adoptable Cats @ The Scratching Post CU | Sunday (8/9) at 2:30 PM – Need a break from humans? Spend 50 minutes in the cat lounges with 20-plus adoptable cats, and let them judge your life choices in exchange for chin scratches. Your reservation keeps the kibble coming, the lights on, and the litter boxes respectable.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
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07 — Champaign report Weather forecastToday — High: 86°F — Low: 68°F — Precip: 7%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. South southwest wind 3 to 7 mph. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms between 7pm and 1am, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 82°F — Low: 66°F — Precip: 76%
Showers and thunderstorms before 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. South southwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. This house is wildThis 4BR, 4.5BA estate ranks among the largest in the subdivision, pairing a grand two-story entry with cathedral ceilings, hardwood floors, and walls of Pella windows. The living room centers on a limestone fireplace and hickory built-ins, while the finished basement brings a theater, wet bar, and rec room. Outdoors, landscaped grounds, a waterfall, and fenced yard seal the deal.
Take a peek inside → |
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