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Hello Allentown! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Back-to-school bashes, rescue dogs at the ballpark, and PA 529 fee waivers + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, Goldco, is helping folks around Allentown help protect their savings after a remarkable few years for gold and silver. Their free guide explains what's behind the run… 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.
Corporate giving milestone: Allentown-based PPL was named to United Way’s President’s Circle after employees and retirees pledged $10 million, and the United Way of Greater Lehigh Valley nominated PPL for the honor -- see the giving milestone.
Community events for families: Back-to-school events are lining up. Allentown’s Back to School Bash is August 12 at Cedar Beach Park, with Bethlehem and Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley celebrations on August 15 and 17 -- get the full event details.
Savings for future education: Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced asset-based fees for the PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan will be waived for a fifth year, expected to save families $5.9 million toward education costs -- check the fee waiver savings.
The bill everyone over 50 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 $1,500 this year. Case in point: Shopping around could cut your premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy*
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.*
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 posted one of its strongest runs in decades...Silver has been right there with it, and after a few remarkable years both metals have become some of the most talked-about assets for those looking 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 people 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.
Game-day wing heaven: P.J. Whelihan's Pub + Restaurant - Walbert nails the local sports vibe with more TVs than excuses, the best jumbo wings in town with 10 signature sauces and a rotating Wing of the Month, plus a bigger, better, local-er beer lineup. Summer of Peach treats are showing off right now, too.
Boots and a pup glow up: Chaar is the rare combo where you can grab serious work boots, cowboy boots and hats, and hiking gear, then keep your four-legged roommate stocked with food, toys, and a grooming appointment. One errand, two wins, zero excuses for scruffy dogs or blown-out soles this week.
Find your next heirloom: Quaker Antique Mall is a sprawling wonderland of antiques, primitives, and vintage décor, with aisles of furniture, quilts, jewelry, dolls, linens, toys, books, and quirky paper ephemera. Perfect for Allentown folks chasing character pieces or that oddly specific thing your grandma swears existed, swing by this week and see what turns up.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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 →
Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
The fitness trend that doesn't require leaving your living room: Chair yoga is having a moment, and for good reason. It's low-impact, easy on the knees and back, and you do the whole thing seated. No floor, no equipment, no studio. A quick quiz turns it into a personalized plan built around your body and goals, then adjusts as you build the habit. *See your plan →
One plug-in drives bugs out of your home, no spray required: For every bug you see along the baseboards, more are nesting out of sight, and traps and poison only reach so far. This one works differently: patented pulse technology runs through your home's wiring to make the whole place uncomfortable for insects and mice, so they clear out on their own. No fumes, nothing on the floor near the kids or pets, just plug it in. Over 3.5 million sold, it's silent, and there is a money-back guarantee. *Get yours 40% off →
The real retirement risk isn't a bad year. It's a long life: 40 years of saving, and the hard part is making it stretch across 30 more. SmartAsset's free quiz matches you with vetted fiduciary advisors who serve your area and are legally required to act in your best interests. The plan is built around you, not their commission. No obligation to hire anyone. *Start the quiz → |
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.
✂ Kids Crafting Club @ Cut the Scrap! | Friday (8/7) at 10:00 AM – Summer sanity check, send the kids to a weekly, screen-free craft club at Allentown’s coziest clubhouse. For ages 8 to 12 who love to paint, glue, and stitch, each week brings a fresh project, a guided craft, and a Show & Shine, $35 per week.
🎬 Movies in the Park - Freakier Friday @ Malcolm Gross Memorial Rose Garden | Friday (8/7) at 8:30 PM – Movie night at Cedar Rose Gardens means Freakier Friday on the big screen, the sequel where lightning, and family chaos, strike twice. Expect lawn chairs and neighborly small talk, pre-movie activities to keep the kids busy, and a dusk-lit nostalgia fix under real stars.
🏘 Neighborhood Saturday @ Allentown Art Museum | Saturday (8/8) at 11:00 AM – Kick off the Museum’s new Neighborhood Saturdays with the kind of culture binge that makes you feel smart, relaxed, and a little peckish. Meet local artists, catch Noble Quills poetry, try Taino-inspired printmaking, tour the galleries, enjoy bilingual story time, linger in lounge with snacks.
🎒 PRCP Back to School Giveaway @ Bucky Boyle Park | Saturday (8/8) at 12:00 PM – Bring the kids to Bucky Boyle Park for the 9th annual back-to-school giveaway, where backpacks, notebooks, and sanity are all on the table. Expect community vibes, no chaos, and an easy way to dodge the big-box aisle brawl, then linger with neighbors.
🎉 Community Festival @ Grace United Church of Christ | Saturday (8/8) at 2:00 PM – Free neighborhood fest at the Grace Church parking lot on Cleveland Street, with hot dogs, yard games, face painting, and bubbles to keep the kids busy while you catch up. Expect easygoing fellowship, classic Allentown run-ins, and new friends made over cornhole.
🎉 Party Animals @ Coca-Cola Park | Saturday (8/8) at 7:00 PM – Whether you’re here for the crack of the bat or the chaos between innings, the Party Animals turn Coca Cola Park into part ballgame, part live spectacle. Expect creative on-field antics, unexpected moments, and crowd hijinks, all at a pace that keeps the score irrelevant.
🐶 Tail Wagging Tuesday @ Coca Cola Park - Home of the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs | Tuesday (8/11) at 6:45 PM – If your dog knows the stretch, bring them to Coca-Cola Park for Tail Waggin’ Tuesday with the IronPigs, and enjoy baseball, snacks, and puppy meet-cutes. Tickets through the rescue kick back six bucks to Freedom First Rescue, which is a win for the home team.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
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07 — Allentown report Weather forecastToday — High: 84°F — Low: 70°F — Precip: 58%
A slight chance of rain showers between 8am and 10am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1pm and 5pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. East wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 7pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 7pm and 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. East wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 89°F — Low: 71°F — Precip: 70%
A slight chance of rain showers between 8am and 2pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Southwest wind 0 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. This house is wildThis beautifully updated Hills of Devonshire home pairs a dramatic two-story foyer with vaulted ceilings, hardwood floors, and a granite kitchen with black stainless appliances. Three main-level bedrooms keep things easy, while the walkout lower level adds a fireplace-warmed family room and flexible bonus space. Outside, a fenced yard, gazebo, and covered patio overlook conservation land.
Take a peek inside → |
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