Choose how often you hear from us. Upgrade |
Hello Anoka County! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: WWE meme mayhem, a classic car and bike show, and an ABBA tribute concert + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, Goldco, is helping folks around Anoka County 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.
More retail on the way: New openings coming to the Twin Cities, including Crunch Fitness and Foss Swim School at St. Paul’s Highland Village and an Adidas concept store at Mall of America in October -- see the full openings list.
Memes meet the main event: At SummerSlam in Minneapolis, Brock Lesnar recreated the viral 'punch' meme with actor Eric Stonestreet. The moment came amid speculation it could be Lesnar’s final PLE -- watch Lesnar's punch replay.
A career milestone moment: Chad Gable won the Intercontinental Championship at WWE SummerSlam Night Two in his hometown of Minneapolis, defeating Penta after multiple near falls to secure his first singles title -- see Gable's title win.
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.
Fresh spins await: Whether your collection lives on the turntable or in the car stereo, Cheapo Records has new LPs on Friday, deep bins of used vinyl and CDs, cassettes for the nostalgics, plus 1000s of posters, T-shirts, and listening gear. Hit the Blaine spot this week and treat your ears.
Family fun, dialed up: Whether the kids need to burn off steam or you want an easy win for a group hang, The Fun Lab in Blaine packs laser tag, bumper cars, VR, a ropes course, and a massive arcade under one roof. Refuel with brick oven pizzas, burgers, and a craft beer while the fun keeps rolling.
Time to glow: Serenity Skin Studio specializes in customized, results-driven facials along with brow and lash services tailored to your skin’s needs, blending real results with a relaxing, elevated experience. Give yourself a midweek reset and leave feeling refreshed, cared for, and genuinely glowy, the kind people notice on Zoom and at the rink.
|
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.
🚗 Anoka Classic Car & Bike Show @ American Legion Anoka Post 102 | Wednesday (8/5) at 4:00 PM – Roll up to Legion Post 102 in Anoka for a classic car and bike show that turns Main Street into chrome-lit memory lane. Kick tires, trade stories, admire paint so glossy you can check your hairline, and pretend you still remember tuning a carb.
🎵 Columbia Heights Music in the Park @ Huset Park | Wednesday (8/5) at 6:30 PM – Grab your lawn chair and wander to Huset Park for Music in the Park with Los Rebeldes, the cure for midweek blahs. Expect lively, danceable tunes, shady trees, friendly neighbors, and just enough mosquitoes to remind you we live here, not at the cabin.
🎶 Abbasolutely Fab @ The Draw | Thursday (8/6) at 6:30 PM – The Draw’s Summer Concert Series is rolling out the sparkly jumpsuits with ABBASolutely Fab, Minnesota’s top ABBA tribute. It’s free, family-friendly, and gloriously nostalgic, so bring a lawn chair, some bug spray, and your best low-impact dance moves, no platform shoes required.
💃 Meet and Greet @ Anoka Armory | Friday (8/7) at 5:00 PM – If your kid pirouettes in the cereal aisle, this is your sign. Just For Kix hosts a meet and greet for ages 2 to 18 with a free trial class, a photo booth, coloring, and Q&A, plus meeting Director Makayla, costume sizing, and registration.
⚽ MNUFC2 vs. San Jose Earthquakes II @ National Sports Center (Blaine) | Friday (8/7) at 7:00 PM – Head up to Blaine for MNUFC2 vs. San Jose Earthquakes II at the National Sports Center, a proper matchday without the downtown scramble. Free parking, tailgating, and postgame autographs let you linger. Pro-caliber soccer, small-stadium charm, and lines short enough to make you suspicious.
🚗 New London New Brighton Antique Car Run @ Anoka County History Center and Library | Saturday (8/8) at 1:00 PM – New London to New Brighton means one thing, pre-1915 beauties puttering through town like rolling history lessons. They pause by the lot near the Anoka County Historical Society, all brass, wood, and 1 or 2 cylinders, where horsepower still smells like oil and nerve.
🐛 Tiny Tikes Tuesdays @ Green Valley Greenhouse (Ramsey) | Tuesday (8/11) at 10:00 AM – Got a tiny artist who also loves dirt? Tiny Tikes Tuesdays rolls out caterpillar rock painting and simple planting fun, a weekly summer craft series that channels their wiggles into nature, creativity, and surprisingly cute keepsakes while you enjoy five uninterrupted sips of coffee.
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 — Anoka County report Weather forecastToday — High: 78°F — Low: 59°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 78. West southwest wind 0 to 10 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 59. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 83°F — Low: 64°F — Precip: 1%
Sunny, with a high near 83. South southwest wind 5 to 15 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 64. South southwest wind around 10 mph. This house is wildThis spacious Fridley rambler pairs Mississippi River views with a stylish, updated interior. Sunlit living spaces feature exposed beams, hardwood floors, and a stone gas fireplace, while the kitchen brings white quartz, a center island, and stainless appliances. A finished lower level adds a second fireplace, private primary suite, and a heated towel warmer.
Take a peek inside → |
| |
