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Hello Lima! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: New chicken spot, a student exchange return, and a community drum circle + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today's sponsor, SmartAsset, is helping people around Lima evaluate their retirement income strategy and plan for a retirement that could last decades. Their free quiz matches you with vetted fiduciary advisors who serve your area and are legally required to act in your best interests. Take the quiz and find your match.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
A new dining arrival: Layne's Chicken Fingers will open its first northwest Ohio location in Lima on August 15, bringing Texas-born tenders and 54 local jobs, with leaders citing Lima's growth and strong market -- read the full story.
Downtown revival moves ahead: Lima City Council approved restoring Riverfront One as mixed-use, designating it historic so developers can seek grants and tax credits. Construction could start in 2027 with 20-30 market-rate apartments planned -- read the full story.
Global friendships return: A Sister Cities delegation arrived Tuesday in Lima for the first student exchange since before the pandemic, touring ArtSpace/Lima and Allen County Museum, with community events open to the public -- see what’s open to the public.
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.*
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 $1,100 this year.1 Some users report saving up to 50% on their monthly rates -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*2
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.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor The free quiz matching 50,000 people a month with a fiduciary advisorIf you've saved $2.5 million, you're well ahead of most Americans. But how long it lasts depends less on the balance and more on the decisions you make with it. Take the 4% rule, a common benchmark. It suggests withdrawing about $100,000 your first year from a $2.5M portfolio, then adjusting for inflation over time. While it can be a useful starting point, it doesn't account for factors such as other income sources, taxes, spending goals, or changing market conditions. That's why many retirees choose to work with a financial advisor. A financial advisor can help build a tax-efficient withdrawal strategy around your situation, including how much to take from each account and when - so you have a clearer picture of how much you can spend each year. SmartAsset's free quiz matches you with vetted fiduciary advisors who serve your area, each legally bound to work in your best interest. The quiz only takes a few minutes. No cost. No obligation. Find your advisor match.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Patio pizza plans: When the craving for square-cut pies, smash burgers, and a legit tap list hits, Beer Barrel Pizza & Grill is an easy yes. The Market Street spot keeps locals happy with Ohio-style pies, a strong lineup of craft beers, and a patio that’s perfect for low-effort catch-ups and trivia bragging rights.
Quick nature fix: Hermon Woodlands makes it easy to sneak in a reset with two miles of shady trails, the ImagiNature Playscape for the kids, and a Storybook Trail that turns reading into a walk. When your week gets loud, this spot brings the volume way down.
Strike up plans: Corner Pins is the kind of bowling hang where friendly trash talk stays friendly, the bites and drinks keep momentum going, and a couple frames somehow turn into a whole night. Call up your crew this week, embrace the split decisions, and make weeknight plans that don’t feel like homework.
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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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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 →
65% of families have lost photos they'll never get back: One accidental delete, one dead hard drive, one phone that won't turn on, and the pictures of the kids, the trips, and the loved ones who've passed are gone. This photo stick makes sure that day never comes: plug it into any phone, tablet, or computer, press one button, and it finds and saves up to 120,000 photos and videos automatically, even clearing out the duplicates. No cloud, no subscription. *Save your photos →
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 →
83% of burglars check for an alarm first: That's from a UNC Charlotte survey of 422 convicted burglars — and 60% said that if they found one, they'd skip the house and look for another target. ADT is the deterrent they're checking for: voted America's most trusted home security provider, with monitoring centers staffed around the clock. And if someone breaks in anyway, ADT's Theft Protection Guarantee reimburses up to $500 of your homeowners insurance deductible. *See how it works → |
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.
🧵 Let's Sew @ Lima Public Library | Thursday (7/30) at 10:00 AM – If your kid thinks a bobbin is a cartoon rabbit, Youth Services is hosting a hands-on sewing session for ages 5-12. Real needles, real skills, minimal glitter. Space is limited, and your throw pillows may soon have charmingly crooked cousins.
🛍 Back to School Mom to Mom Sale @ Lima Family YMCA | Saturday (8/1) at 9:00 AM – Back-to-school season calls for swapping outgrown jeans and mystery-sized sneakers, not taking out a second mortgage. Browse gently used kid gear at the mom-to-mom sale, and if your closets are groaning, booths run $25 for three tables, with just 20 up for grabs.
🥁 Community Drum Circle: Paint & Elevate @ Ottawa Metro Park | Sunday (8/2) at 4:00 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to paint your face and make noise without neighbor complaints, this is it. Drum circle in the pines, face paint provided, bring an instrument, a potluck bite, and a $5 donation; all ages welcome, kids need a grown-up.
🔭 Members Meeting and Public Stargaze @ Schoonover Observatory | Friday (8/14) at 8:00 PM – Monthly members meeting, then public stargazing at Schoonover Observatory, open to anyone who can tell a constellation from a cul-de-sac light. If the skies cooperate, expect dome views, deck-side constellation lessons, planet and satellite cameos, and friendly help taming that stubborn telescope in your closet.
🏃 Back To School Fun Run @ Shawnee High School | Saturday (8/22) at 12:30 PM – Remember when back-to-school meant hawking magazines? Now it means a community fun run with races for every age, a family mile, food trucks, a bike raffle, school supplies, face paint, and hair tinsel. Call it cardio meets PTA, everyone wins.
🐕 Max’s Trader Days & Water Dog Races 2026 @ Allen County Fairgrounds Lima, Ohio | Friday (9/4) at 7:00 AM – Labor Day weekend at the fairgrounds means Max’s Trader Days, where you can haggle over tools, Carhartt, antiques, and golf carts, then cheer on the water dog races. It’s half flea market, half county reunion, all excuses to upgrade your generator, wardrobe, and snack stash.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Your homeowners insurance has a blind spotIt covers your house if a tree falls on it. It doesn’t cover your furnace when it quits in January, your AC when it dies in July, or your water heater when it starts leaking on a Tuesday. Those are all classified as "normal wear and tear," and they're 100% on you. American Home Shield can help fill that gap for ~$1/day (even if your appliances and systems are really old). *See what it covers → |
07 — Lima report Weather forecastToday — High: 81°F — Low: 59°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 81. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 59. Northwest wind 0 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 83°F — Low: 62°F — Precip: 5%
Sunny, with a high near 83. Northwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 62. This house is wildThis beautifully updated 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath home offers more than 2,500 sq. ft. on over half an acre. Vaulted ceilings, an oversized kitchen, and a first-floor primary suite bring easy everyday comfort, while the tandem upstairs bedrooms add flexible space for a nursery, office, or playroom. Covered porches and a refreshed, move-in ready finish complete the package.
Take a peek inside → |
1Average potential savings based on initial quotes received by 151,494 customers seeking insurance through Insurify. Savings and lowest rates do not reflect typical results. 2Estimated. |
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