Hi Cincinnati, we made it to Thursday! In today’s fun-for-grown-ups edition: Paul Simon, a benefit hockey game, and a tile hand-painting workshop + plenty of reasons to put on real pants this week.
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.
Summer traffic changes ahead: Eastbound US 50 Sixth Street ramp to Second Street will close permanently June 28. I-75 southbound Second Street exit closes June 29, replaced by ramp to Third Street -- read the full closure details.
Community rallies in support: Covington Street Hockey League held a benefit game supporting a local mother battling stage 4 breast cancer after her son died last year, with the community rallying through fundraisers -- see the benefit game.
Injury comeback nears: Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz, out since June 1 with a hamstring strain, could start a rehab assignment this weekend, likely with Triple-A Louisville on the road at Gwinnett -- see what’s next for him.
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.*
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.
Local stage magic: Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park delivers the good stuff, with up-close productions that range from holiday staples to bold new plays. Grab a seat, trade your group chat for intermission gossip, and let professional actors provide the drama you don’t want in your real life this week.
Pie that sparks joy: Track down Happy Pies at Findlay Market and let a handmade-from-scratch blueberry or apple crumb upgrade your week. They rotate fun flavors, from fudge brownie to seasonal concord grape, so snag a slice and tell yourself you're supporting local produce... which you absolutely are.
Make art, not clutter: Indigo Hippo is a creative reuse art supply thrift store where pay-what-you-can pricing keeps projects affordable, and the constantly changing stash makes every visit feel like a treasure hunt. Swing by this week, snag materials you didn’t know you needed, then turn that junk drawer guilt into something cool.
|
04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
A blown engine can cost more than your car is worth: And it almost never warns you. One day it runs fine, the next you're staring at a $7,000 repair on a car you still rely on every morning. That's the kind of bill an extended warranty exists to absorb, the engine, transmission, and electrical failures that wreck a budget overnight. You bring it to any certified mechanic, pay a deductible, and the rest is handled. Enjoy a free year of Elite Benefits and a 30-day money-back guarantee on top. *See everything it covers →
You may be eligible to save thousands on credit card interest: If you're carrying a credit card balance, interest alone can cost you thousands. With 0% intro APR until 2028 and no annual fee, this card could provide you with a path to being debt free for nearly two years. *See if it's a fit →
What's the easiest heart-healthy habit there is? A daily walk, no gym, no equipment, no complicated plan. Regular walking is one of the simplest ways to support your heart and circulation, and a structured challenge gets you doing it often enough to feel the difference. A few weeks in, you've done something real for your heart without rearranging your life to do it. *Start the challenge →
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 →
Summer just went on sale at CVS: The seasonal shop is stocked with sun care, beach chairs, coolers, fans, pool toys, and snacks — hundreds of items under $10, with 25 summer staples at buy one, get one 50% off. Sun Bum and Hawaiian Tropic sunscreen are marked down with ExtraBucks back, and the soda 12-packs are buy two, get one free. Pick it up in store, get it same-day, or have it shipped. *Shop the summer sale → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
|
05 — The event calendar Cincinnati for grown upsThe best events and nightlife experiences for adults this week. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🥂 Juneteenth Happy Hour @ Somerset Bar | Thursday (6/18) at 5:00 PM – If your idea of celebrating freedom includes a proper pour and real conversation, this Juneteenth happy hour delivers. Planned Parenthood's BLK Frequency teams up with Black Wonderland at Somerset Bar in OTR for cocktails, community, and a toast to liberation, without the performative fluff.
🎤 Paul Simon @ PNC Pavilion | Thursday (6/18) at 7:00 PM – Whether you've been harmonizing to Graceland since cassette days or you want a master class in songwriting, Paul Simon brings it to PNC Pavilion by the river. Expect goosebumps, singalongs you can hit, and stories that pair well with a sensible pour, not a seltzer.
🎭 Salome @ Cincinnati Music Hall | Thursday (6/18) at 7:30 PM – Strauss’s Salome is sweeping in with German-sung scandal, projected English translations, and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in full force. Think family dinner gone wildly off the rails, with a dance, a prophet, and consequences. Lush, unhinged, and exactly the drama you needed.
🎤 Benny Benack III @ Caffè Vivace | Friday (6/19) at 7:00 PM – Jazz night at Caffe Vivace with trumpeter-singer Benny Benack III and Broadway's Gabrielle Djenné, sliding from Etta to Ella, Betty to Beyoncé. Expect tight swing, sly soul, and grown-up sparkle from a smoking quintet. Order a drink, they prefer you stay hydrated.
🎸 North Mississippi Allstars @ Ludlow Garage | Friday (6/19) at 7:30 PM – Ludlow Garage is serving up greasy slide guitar and stomp-your-feet grooves from North Mississippi Allstars. Expect raw hill country blues, long jams, and rhythms that improve your posture. Grab a booth, pace your pours, and pretend tomorrow is optional.
🍳 Cincy Brunch & Streetcar Food Tour @ Riverside Food Tours | Saturday (6/20) at 10:30 AM – Skip the sad cereal and hop on a progressive brunch-meets-history tour through Over-the-Rhine, the streetcar, and Findlay Market. Expect stuffed French toast in a former beer garden, Detroit-style pizza with a pilsner, goetta, cheese and fudge from a century-old shop, and a proper French dessert.
🎨 Spring Blooms: Tile Hand-Painting Workshop @ Rookwood Pottery Company | Saturday (6/20) at 11:30 AM – Finally, a spring project that does not involve mulch. Paint your own Rookwood tile in an artist-led class, choosing iris, rose, or peony, with all materials included, kiln firing handled, and a little victory lap of 10% off in-store, because you’re fancy. Zero grout required. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor In case you missed itWe opened The Insiders’ Club last week and hundreds of folks have already joined (seriously… can’t thank you enough!!). For a few bucks a month, The Club gives you every newsletter ad-free on your schedule, plus members-only updates to help you stay connected to your community. The Weekly Events Roundup is my favorite feature. You get one email a week with all the best events and nothing else cluttering it up. Want only that? Skip the daily emails and turn the rest off. Join the club → |
07 — The Cincinnati report Weather forecastToday — High: 83°F — Low: 60°F — Precip: 34%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 7am and 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. West wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. Northwest wind 0 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 80°F — Low: 58°F — Precip: 3%
Sunny, with a high near 80. Northwest wind 0 to 10 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. This house is wildThis Tudor-inspired new build by award-winning Redknot Homes brings classic charm to The Reserves of Anderson. Elegant arches, custom finishes, and a fireplace-centered open layout set the tone, while the covered patio adds a second fireplace for all-season hangouts. A finished lower level, private study, and luxe primary suite complete the picture.
Take a peek inside → |
| |
