Hey McMinnville, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Friendly small-town ranking, Pride on Third 2026, and intro to wilderness survival skills + lots of fun things to do for free.
Today's sponsor, SmartAsset, is helping people around McMinnville 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.
Oregon towns worth visiting: A June 12 list named McMinnville among Oregon's friendliest small towns, alongside Cannon Beach, Joseph, and Yachats, spotlighting wine country hospitality, cultural celebrations, and easy coastal escapes -- see the full list.
Raising the bar in remodeling: McMinnville’s All Building Construction marked 20 years as Oregon competition intensifies. Founder Mark Prine stresses permits and inspections amid homeowner complaints about unpermitted work, walkoffs, budget overruns, and swapped materials -- learn more about their approach.
Retirement spots worth a look: McMinnville makes a list of Oregon’s most comfortable towns for seniors, highlighted by the Spruce Goose at Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum, walkable Third Street, and state’s largest UFO Festival -- see the senior-town picks.
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.*
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: |
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03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Move smarter, McMinnville: Cascade Movement Center mixes group yoga and strength classes with personal training, plus inclusive vibes that make beginners feel like regulars. Sundays even bring family-friendly bouldering, and the calendar stays fresh with things like sound baths, community hikes, and seasonal bootcamps.
Noodle-bowl reset: When the week hits weird, Pho Brothers comes through with rich, slow-simmered pho, crisp banh mi, and those fresh herbs that fix your mood instantly. Order ahead or swing by for a no-fuss, big-bowl moment that tastes like someone actually cared.
Fresh-baked fix, anyone: When the midweek slump hits, Sandwich Express delivers fresh homemade bread made daily, piled into oven toasted or chilled deli sandwiches with soups, crispy fries and that campfire fry sauce. Tots, brownies, and the campfire cookie are ready to rescue your routine this week.
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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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Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges. A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
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 →
He sleeps fine, you have to wear earplugs: Or turn on the white noise machine and put a pillow over your head. When one person snores, the other tries everything. And yet... about a third of couples give up eventually and end up in separate rooms. A doctor-developed throat spray has been fixing this for 30 years, and first-time orders are 40% off right now. *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 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.
❓ Trivia Night @ Stickmen Brewing Company | Wednesday (6/17) at 6:00 PM – Midweek brain flex at Stickmen Brewing hits the spot. Grab the crew for Wednesday trivia hosted by Elliot Dow, play for free, and turn random facts into $25, $20, or $15 gift cards, bragging rights, and a smug walk to the bar.
🐉 Music-to-literacy @ Amity Public Library | Thursday (6/18) at 3:00 PM – The library is hosting its third and final free class with Finnegan the Dragon, turning early reading skills into catchy tunes and kid-approved chaos. Perfect for young children, grandparents, and anyone who appreciates rhymes, rhythm, and a mercifully educational earworm.
🏳 Pride On Third 2026 @ Downtown McMinnville | Saturday (6/20) at 11:00 AM – Rainbow season in wine country means downtown McMinnville's Third Street turns into a glitter-dusted block party. Wine Country Pride is throwing the annual Pride on Third street fair, with local vendors, live music, and plenty of Pinot, because civic engagement pairs nicely with day drinking.
💃 FREE Line Dance Lessons @ McMinnville Grange | Saturday (6/20) at 2:00 PM – Think those two left feet are beyond help? Frances & Friends offer free line dance lessons at McMinnville Grange Saturdays at 2 pm, welcoming rookies, ringers, and knees that creak a little, with donations keeping lights on and the floor shiny. Ballroom follows after for flair.
🎸 Horse Radish Rockfest @ The Horse Radish (Carlton) | Saturday (6/20) at 6:00 PM – Think you know every Dylan, Cash, CCR, and Petty chorus by heart? Horse Radish is hosting a free, old-school sing-along kind of night, all killer, no filler, in that cozy room where tables vanish faster than blackberry cobbler.
🎶 The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square @ Yamhill County Fairgrounds | Friday (6/26) at 6:00 PM – This free community watch party cues up the Tabernacle Choir’s Holiday Bowl performance on the big screen, minus the LA traffic. Expect soaring harmonies, hometown chatter, and the blessing of stadium-scale thrills with grocery-store snacks, comfy seating, and zero parking drama.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — Announcement 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 McMinnville report Weather forecastToday — High: 85°F — Low: 50°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 85. North northwest wind 0 to 9 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 50. North northwest wind 0 to 9 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 82°F — Low: 52°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 82. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 52. This house is wildThis hilltop McMinnville stunner pairs vaulted ceilings and hardwood floors with a dual-sided stone fireplace, a heated deck, granite bar, gas heaters, grill, and Ooni pizza oven. The main-level primary suite steals the show with views, a fireplace, and a spa bath finished with teak, heated tile, a rain shower, and luxe fixtures.
Take a peek inside → |
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