Hello Rochester! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Volunteers adopting parks, a big rig fair, and fireflies after dark + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today's sponsor, Babbel, has folks around Rochester ordering in Italian and haggling in Spanish before their summer flights even take off. Ten minutes a day gets you conversation-ready in three weeks, with lessons built by 200+ language experts, not an algorithm -- get Babbel for 55% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Community stewardship opportunity: Rochester is seeking volunteers to adopt neighborhood parks, pick up litter, and report unsafe conditions. Families, residents, and organizations can choose a favorite green space to care for together -- learn how to get involved.
Hands-on career exploration: Rochester’s three-day Middle School Summer Career Academy is underway today, giving about 115 students exposure to seven career pathways with Rochester Public Schools, Zumbro Education District, and 15+ employers -- see the full lineup.
A festive summer celebration: Rochester’s free 4th Fest will be at Soldiers Field Memorial Park July 4, 5–10:15 p.m., featuring J-Mo On the Beat & His J-Lighters, Branded Hot Country, and 9:45 p.m. fireworks -- read the full event details.
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.*
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 50% off right now.*
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 This summer, what if you didn't have to point at the menu?Not "menu Spanish." Not pointing at the photo and hoping. Ordering dinner like a local, talking the vendor down at the market, catching the punchline before anyone explains it. Babbel gets you there in ten minutes a day. Most people are holding real conversations within three weeks, because every lesson is built by 200+ language experts to get you talking early, not drilling flashcards you'll forget by lunch. And it works: 92% of users improved their proficiency in just two months, with 25 million subscriptions sold. Then there's the part that makes it a no-brainer. You pay once. A single lifetime subscription unlocks all 14 languages Babbel teaches, for every trip you'll ever take, with no monthly fee and no renewal quietly hitting your card next year. Get Babbel for 55% off through the end of June.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Low-lit local romance: When you want moody lighting, live music, and a menu that swings new American with global influences, Redwood Room delivers with inventive cocktails built on house-made syrups and a happily romantic vibe. Put it on your weeknight shortlist, then claim a cozy corner and actually talk to each other.
Potato night, upgraded: When the fridge looks judgmental, The Loaded Baked Potato Bar Rochester piles jumbo spuds with serious comfort combos like Brisket & Mac, The Italian with giardiniera, or the Soul Food Potato. They even do mix-and-match Loaded Flights, so no one has to pick favorites.
Philly fix, right here: Rochester’s own Townies Philly Kitchen + Bar turns out Grill’d Philly sandwiches with that perfect sizzle, plus juicy burgers when you’re off cheesesteak duty. Local tip, they cater too, so your next gathering can be fueled by actual flavor instead of sad party trays.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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The card that pays you to pay down debt: Most balance-transfer cards skip the rewards. Most rewards cards skip the long 0% intro APR. This one has both — 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), plus 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs and up to 6% in a category you pick. No annual fee, and there's a $200 bonus after $1,000 in spending in the first 90 days. *Worth a look →
Premiums are up roughly 46% since 2021: Home insurance has outpaced inflation for years, and renewals rarely move in your favor. Rather than take the new number on faith, FinanceBuzz lets you match your home with top-rated insurers and compare quotes side by side — free, in about two minutes. Even if you decide to stay put, you'll know you checked. *See your options →
You may be owed disability benefits you're not claiming: If a medical condition has kept you from working and you're under retirement age, you may qualify for monthly Social Security Disability (SSDI) payments. The 2024 average benefit is around $1,537 a month, and many receive more, but the rules are strict and easy to get wrong. Disability Resource Help connects you with an experienced advocate or attorney who can fight for your claim. The evaluation is free, with no obligation and no upfront cost. *See if you qualify → |
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.
✨ A Touch of Magic: Mixed Nuts @ Rochester Public Library | Wednesday (6/10) at 4:30 PM – Bring the crew for Mixed Nuts, the Midwest’s favorite undercover clown duo serving physical comedy, age-appropriate jokes, and big laughs. Think pratfalls you do not have to clean up, plus gleeful audience antics that wear them out. You will laugh too, which counts as cardio.
🚚 Big Rig Fair & Bike Rodeo @ Bear Cave Intermediate School (Stewartville) | Wednesday (6/10) at 5:30 PM – Round up the kids and head to BCI’s back lot for the Big Rig Fair and Bike Rodeo, where they can check out big rigs, then get bikes tuned, sized, and helmets fitted for summer. It’s free, local, and your garage will thank you.
🌲 Gentle Forest Bathing for Families @ Assisi Heights Spirituality Center | Saturday (6/13) at 10:00 AM – Trade the chaos for gentle forest bathing with the kids, guided by Nicole Brudos Ferrara. Not a hike, just sensory, kid-paced wandering that lowers shoulders, sparks curiosity, and lets everyone breathe. Wiggles welcome, grown-ups join in, and the trees handle quality control.
🎉 30th Anniversary Party @ Rochester Pet & Country Store | Saturday (6/13) at 11:00 AM – Thirty years of keeping Rochester’s pets spoiled and our boots muddy deserves a proper salute. Expect Rochester Police K-9 demos, exclusive deals, giveaways, swag bags, Camp Companion visits, SE Minnesota’s Pretty Pop truck pouring, and free popcorn all day, which the kids will 'share,' obviously.
⚾ Duluth Huskies @ Mayo Field | Saturday (6/13) at 6:59 PM – Summer ball at Mayo Field, with the Honkers hosting Duluth in a Northwoods League showdown that’s more crisp defense and smart base running than fireworks. It’s close-up, no-frills baseball, rising college talent, and that sweet spot where quick innings leave room for postgame ice cream.
🪲 Fireflies @ Oxbow Park Nature Center (Byron) | Saturday (6/13) at 8:30 PM – Whether you grew up catching lightning bugs in jars or call them 'free yard glitter,' join a naturalist to learn how these show-offs make their own light, then stick around after dark for the glow. Meet at the campground restroom building, yes really.
🐶 Treat Trot @ Cascade Lake Park | Sunday (6/14) at 7:00 AM – Skip brunch and trot Rochester’s roads at Treat Trot, a 5k, 10k, or 15k where you beat the heat and earn a treat. Kids run included, so the littles can zoom while you call it cross-training. Small crowd, big community vibes.
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 — The Rochester report Weather forecastToday — High: 90°F — Low: 61°F — Precip: 67%
Showers and thunderstorms likely after 9am. Some of the storms could be severe. Partly sunny. High near 90, with temperatures falling to around 87 in the afternoon. Heat index values as high as 96. South wind 13 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly clear, with a low around 61. West wind 3 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 79°F — Low: 57°F — Precip: 69%
Rain showers likely between 7am and 10am, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. West wind 5 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Later: Rain showers likely before 7pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 57. West wind 8 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. This house is wildThis new-construction Dartmouth Rambler in Rochester’s Century Valley pairs 3,210 finished square feet with polished style and everyday ease. A coffered great room, shiplap-and-walnut fireplace, Cambria quartz kitchen, and hidden pantry set the tone, while the 22-foot screened porch, finished lower level with wet bar, and three-car garage bring the fun.
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