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Hey Maple Grove, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Minnesota fringe festival, a buckthorn singles club, and free gifts at an outdoor gifting event + 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.
A major arts showcase returns: Minnesota Fringe Festival will return to Minneapolis August 6–16, marking its 33rd year with over 540 performances across 104 productions. Comedy to dance, the showcase will draw Maple Grove audiences -- get schedule and ticket info.
Eco-minded connection blooms: Singles near Maple Grove are teaming up to yank invasive buckthorn. Minneapolis’ Buckthorn Removal Singles Club started meeting, blending habitat restoration with William Cooke’s friendship-forward approach to IRL connection -- meet the singles club.
Rising talent gets recognized: A Minneapolis teen’s song earned a national honor and a Broadway performance. He was cast to star in Little Shop of Horrors, running at Park Square Theater in St. Paul -- read the full story.
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.
Sharper vision, less fuss: Maple Grove Vision Clinic is worth a stop this week for not-rushed, comprehensive exams for every age, plus contact lens fittings from daily disposables to toric and multifocal, and management of dry eye and more. Browse curated designer frames and get guidance that listens so you leave seeing great and looking better.
Sweet escape nearby: Maple Grove, meet Chocolate Chime, the spot for Belgian waffles piled with Lotus Biscoff, pistachio, Kinder, or straight up Nutella, plus bubble waffles stuffed with ice cream. Wash it down with lavender matcha, strawberry matcha, or a minty lemonade mojito and call it a weeknight win.
Make bath time easy: This week, let Bubbly Paws handle it: DIY a quick scrub in self-serve tubs, or pass the leash for a full-service bath that includes a brush out, nail trim, and ear cleaning. Their groomers are dog spa wizards, voted Best Groomer in Minnesota seven years running, so your floof walks out camera ready.
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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 → |
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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.
🚓 National Night Out - 2026 @ Central Park of Maple Grove | Tuesday (8/4) at 11:00 AM – Maple Grove joins thousands nationwide for National Night Out, a neighborly meet-and-greet with our police and fire crews, squad cars, and the ever-popular big red truck. You will recognize the neighbors, there are stickers for the kids, and you leave feeling overprepared for emergencies.
📚 Storytime in the Park @ Lakeview Terrace Park (Robbinsdale) | Wednesday (8/5) at 10:30 AM – Take the kids to the park for Rainbow Fish storytime, an interactive under-the-sea romp with color practice, rainbow talk, and a reminder that sharing is caring from someone in sequins. Presented by Princess Party Pals, free thanks to New Hope, Crystal, Golden Valley, and Robbinsdale.
🥕 New Hope Farmers Market @ New Hope Community Farmers Market | Thursday (8/6) at 3:00 PM – New Hope’s farmers market has fresh-baked sourdough, baguettes, and a few sweet surprises, alongside local makers and easy conversation. Bring a tote, bring patience, and a practiced sidestep, because the good loaves vanish faster than small-town rumors.
💃 Meet and Greet @ Anoka Armory - Minnesota National Guard | Friday (8/7) at 5:00 PM – Nothing beats watching the kids twirl out their energy while someone else counts the beats. Meet director Makayla, try a free class, mug for the photo booth, color, and get sized for costumes, ages 2 to 18, minimal chaos, maximum smiles.
🎸 Southern Syndicate Debut @ Pints & Paddle | Friday (8/7) at 7:30 PM – Slam Jam weekend starts strong as Southern Syndicate debuts at Pints and Paddle in Maple Grove, serving up Chris Stapleton and Zac Brown Band favorites, free of charge. Grab a pint, find your people, and call a little two-stepping your workout for the day.
🎁 August Maple Grove Outdoor Gifting Event @ Lord of Life Lutheran Church | Sunday (8/9) at 3:00 PM – Free treasure hunt, Maple Grove style. The outdoor gifting swap has moved to Lord of Life, bring what you don’t need, take what you do, no early shopping, cars stay put till the end, and yes, there are bathrooms, which frankly feels luxurious.
🎶 Sounds of Summer Outdoor Concerts - 2026 @ Town Green Park | Monday (8/10) at 7:00 PM – Monday nights get a soundtrack with these outdoor summer concerts, a laid-back rotation of pop rock, jazz blues, and unapologetic 80s hits. Expect lawn chairs, easy breezes, and that rare moment when your favorite neighbors, your knees, and the setlist all cooperate.
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 — Maple Grove report Weather forecastToday — High: 76°F — Low: 56°F — Precip: 21%
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7am, then patchy smoke between 9am and 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. West northwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. West northwest wind 0 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 80°F — Low: 60°F — Precip: 1%
Sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 0 to 10 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. This house is wildThis 5-bed, 4-bath Maple Grove showpiece in Preserve at Nottingham pairs polished craftsmanship with resort-style fun. Hardwood floors, a granite-and-stainless gourmet kitchen, and a stone fireplace set the tone, while Marvin windows flood the home with light. A theater level, sauna, screened porch, pool, hot tub, and wooded fire-pit retreat make every day feel like a getaway.
Take a peek inside → |
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