Happy weekend, Woodbury! In today’s happening-today edition: AI-powered gym, east metro food festival, and summer solstice walk + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
Today’s sponsor, GoldCo, is helping folks around Woodbury protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… 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.
East metro food festival: More than 35 vendors arrive at Washington County Fairgrounds today with live music, kids activities and a beverage pavilion. Tickets are $5, benefiting the Stillwater Chamber scholarship fund -- see the vendor lineup.
A faster fitness option: An AI-powered gym opened in Woodbury, promising a workout in 20 minutes twice a week. A new option for busy residents seeking results without long hours at the gym -- check the new gym.
A city built for comfort: Woodbury doubled down on suburban convenience decades ago, skipping a traditional downtown. Now the seventh-largest city in Minnesota, residents praise schools and livability, though some still want more independent restaurants -- read the full story.
Thoughtful Father's Day gifts, ready by Sunday. Father's Day is tomorrow, which makes shipping anything now a gamble you'll probably lose. Skip it entirely. A whole range of Father's Day gifts is ready for same-day pickup in hours, so something personal is well within reach by tomorrow. -- get it today.*
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 $150 off right now.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Gold just posted its strongest run in decades...And the momentum is carrying into 2026. Silver has become one of the most talked-about assets as investors look for ways 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 investors 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.
Quick nature reset: When the week needs a reboot, Afton State Park is your easy nature fix with a swimming beach, peaceful campsites, and wildflowers doing their photogenic thing. Pack a snack, lace up, and pretend your phone never existed for a couple hours.
Craving cozy noodles: When the ramen-or-sushi debate starts at home, Haiku Izakaya & Ramen settles it with both, plus kushiyaki skewers and a legit broth simmered over twelve hours. It’s the kind of weeknight win that warms you up, pairs great with friends, and rescues indecisive appetites.
Swing tune-up time: Skip the backyard whiffs and get some real reps at Prestwick Golf Club’s driving range. It’s the kind of low-stress, high-reward spot where you can groove the irons, tidy up the short game, and leave feeling slightly smug about this weekend’s round.
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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 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 conversation no man wants to have with his doctor: Turns out ~70% of men over 50 are avoiding the exact same one. The hesitation, the awkward throat-clear, the hoping it just sorts itself out… you're far from alone. The good news? You don't need the waiting room at all. What used to mean a face-to-face appointment and an uncomfortable pharmacy run now takes a few clicks from the couch — discreet online evaluation, personalized treatment shipped straight to your door. *No appointment, no awkward small talk →
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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 Around town today & tomorrowOur favorite events going on the rest of this weekend. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎲 Valley Hi Riders Game Show @ Washington County Fairgrounds (Lake Elmo) | Saturday (6/20) at 8:30 AM – Grab your coffee and your sense of adventure, the Valley Hi Riders are hosting a good old-fashioned horse game show. Barrels, poles, friendly competition, and bragging rights, all bright and early Saturday, rain or shine. Real horsepower, no jump-start required.
🌞 Summer Solstice Walk @ Lake Elmo Park Reserve | Saturday (6/20) at 9:00 AM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to slow down, this Summer Solstice forest bathing walk is it. Meander through peak green with mindful, sensory prompts, then feel smugly serene for $45 a person, Washington County park permit required, $7 daily or $30 annual.
🚶 Strides Walk @ Oakdale Discovery Center | Saturday (6/20) at 10:00 AM – Whether your step counter is aspirational or smug, Maplewood and Oakdale neighbors are lacing up for the Lions Club Strides Walk to raise diabetes awareness. Expect a relaxed pace, good conversation, and the satisfying virtue of doing something healthy on purpose.
🛍 Sidewalk Sale! @ Nostalgia Vintage and Things (Lake Elmo) | Saturday (6/20) at 10:00 AM – Nothing beats a good old parking lot treasure hunt. Dealers are hauling out the goods for a first annual sidewalk sale, with real garage sale prices, not the “vintage” markup, plus free hotdogs and bottled water, because hydration, thrift, and nostalgia pair beautifully.
💃 Footloose the Musical @ Oltman Middle School (Cottage Grove) | Saturday (6/20) at 7:00 PM – Crank up your 80s nostalgia and head to Oltman Middle School Auditorium for Footloose the Musical, where a Chicago kid takes on a town that banned dancing and joy. Nothing says small-town values like outlawing a prom, plus pay-what-you-can, sensory-friendly, and ASL-interpreted shows.
🎉 Summer Reading Celebration Party @ Barnes & Noble | Saturday (6/20) – Whether your kid devours chapter books or is still mastering 'cat,' this first-ever Summer Reading Celebration is their victory lap, and your well-earned reprieve. Expect big energy, bigger imaginations, and crafts galore, with parents and guardians along for the wholesome chaos. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — The Woodbury report Weather forecastToday — High: 75°F — Low: 54°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 75. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. North northeast wind 0 to 5 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 73°F — Low: 53°F — Precip: 5%
Partly sunny, with a high near 73. East northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. This house is wildThe Jordan at Sienna Grove pairs four distinctive exterior styles with a generous front porch and an open, easy-flow layout. A formal dining room sets the stage, while the kitchen shines with quartz countertops, stainless-steel appliances, a tiled backsplash, pendant lighting, and a walk-in pantry. Upstairs, a loft, four bedrooms, and a dreamy suite with two walk-in closets add plenty of space.
Take a peek inside → |
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