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Hello Lake Minnetonka! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Prince alumni concert, Stanley Cup homecoming, and Nintendo Switch for kids + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, Goldco, is helping folks around Lake Minnetonka 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.
A community concert favorite: Excelsior Commons rained purple July 29 as St. Paul & the Minneapolis Funk All Stars performed, featuring Prince alumni St. Paul Peterson, Dr. Fink, and Homer O’Dell -- read the full story.
Homecoming with hockey royalty: K'Andre Miller brought the Stanley Cup back to Minnetonka High earlier this week, posing at Pagel Activity Center with Hockey Hall of Fame’s Philip Pritchard after Carolina’s championship run -- read the full story.
Summer concert series finale: Wayzata’s Jeff Dayton performed July 29 at Music by the Lake. Final shows will feature 45RPM and Sugar Buzz, with food at six p.m. and music six thirty to eight -- see who’s performing next.
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 morning base camp: When you need a reliable perk-up that still feels like a little adventure, Base Camp Coffee & Provisions nails it with rich coffee, smooth espresso, refreshing iced drinks, specialty lattes, and seasonal creations. Perfect for a morning ritual or mid-day escape, and you can even order ahead online.
Members know what’s good: If you’re lucky enough to belong, Wayzata Country Club is the week’s playbook, with golf, racquet sports, a relaxing pool, junior sports to burn off energy, and cozy dining to regroup, plus trap and skeet for fun bragging rights when winter eventually returns.
Freshen up your look: Shear Accent Salon keeps the beauty upkeep simple with straightforward services you can book in seconds. Perfect for tackling that grown-out situation or polishing up for date night, this neighborhood spot turns a quick appointment into the kind of pick-me-up your week needs.
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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.
🎮 Nintendo Switch for Kids @ Ridgedale Library | Wednesday (8/5) at 4:30 PM – Nintendo Switch night is giving grades 3-8 a place to race, battle, and brag without trashing your living room. Think Mario Kart glory, friend squads, and that rare gift of an early evening breather for the grown-ups.
🎵 Wayzata's Music by the Lake @ Wayzata Depot | Wednesday (8/5) at 6:30 PM – Summer evenings at the Wayzata waterfront mean one thing, Music by the Lake with +45rpm serving up sing-alongs you actually know. Expect brats, beer, a smugly perfect lake breeze, and the satisfaction of supporting the Rotary, all without leaving town.
📚 Read with Mata - Aug 7th @ The Thinking Spot (Wayzata) | Friday (8/7) at 3:30 PM – Think you read better under pressure? Try it with Mata, the sweetest listener in town, part of A Bond Between’s Community Animal Visit program, formerly Secondhand Hounds. Zero judgment, maximum tail wags, perfect for kids, shy readers, and adults who secretly miss story time.
🎡 Minnetonka Carnival in the Commons @ Ridgedale Commons | Saturday (8/8) at 11:00 AM – This neighborhood carnival takes over Ridgedale Commons with a DJ, a bouncy house, face painting, and yard games. The kids bounce out their sugar, you rediscover your cornhole aim, and everyone leaves Minnetonka smugly pleased with their life choices.
💃 Sunday Music in the Park: Salsa del Soul @ The Great Lawn (Wayzata) | Sunday (8/9) at 4:30 PM – Whether your salsa is more chips and dip, or actual footwork, Salsa del Soul is bringing the heat to the Great Lawn by the Hotel Landing. Sunday afternoons in August, expect brass, congas, and that priceless Wayzata pastime, people-watching from a lawn chair.
🎉 Summer Season 20 Reveal Party @ Blue Water Theatre (Wayzata) | Sunday (8/9) at 5:00 PM – Claim a patch of grass and get the scoop at the Season 20 reveal, with new shows and classes, plus live music and lawn games. There’s ice cream, chalk, bubbles, and a raffle for two season tickets, because culture pairs best with soft serve.
🏀 Basketball Camp: Playmaker College @ Hopkins West Junior High | Monday (8/10) at 9:00 AM – If your kid diagrams plays on napkins, this PGC summer basketball camp at Hopkins West Junior High is their happy place. Serious skill work, real leadership lessons, and plenty of gym time, all in Minnetonka, so you can still make the dinner reservation.
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 — Lake Minnetonka report Weather forecastToday — High: 76°F — Low: 58°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 76. Southwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 80°F — Low: 63°F — Precip: 1%
Sunny, with a high near 80. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. South southwest wind around 10 mph. This house is wildThis brand-new 4-bed, 4-bath home pairs modern luxury with standout energy efficiency on nearly an acre in a quiet Excelsior neighborhood. Soaring 10-foot ceilings, huge sun-filled windows, hardwood floors, and a sleek quartz kitchen with professional-grade appliances set the tone. Downtown Excelsior, Lake Minnetonka, and top-rated Minnetonka schools are all close by.
Take a peek inside → |
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