Happy weekend, Altoona! In today’s happening-today edition: $1.24 million lottery ticket, Star-Spangled Symphony, and Great American Pillow Fight + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
Today's sponsor, Babbel, has folks around Altoona ordering in Italian and haggling in Spanish before their summer flights even take off. Ten minutes a day gets you conversation-ready in three weeks, with lessons built by 200+ language experts, not an algorithm -- get Babbel for 55% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Winning numbers and deadline: A Duncansville Pennsylvania Lottery Cash 5 ticket won $1.24 million, sold at Unique Smokes, which will receive a $10,000 bonus. The jackpot must be claimed within one year -- claim the jackpot details.
Community concert under the stars: Altoona Symphony Orchestra will present a free Star-Spangled Symphony at PNG Field on June 20, featuring patriotic music, Americana classics, the Altoona Community Band, and a sunset 1812 Overture finale -- see the symphony lineup.
Summer fun at the ballpark: The Altoona Curve will host the Great American Pillow Fight on July 3 at Peoples Natural Gas Field, featuring PFC action, on-field performances, Independence Day fireworks, and $12 tickets -- get the full event details.
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*.
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.* 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.
Taproom to try: House-brewed beer, friendly faces, and a tap list that flips often, Behe Brothers Brewing Company is the kind of hometown hang you’ll want to claim as your spot this week. Expect crisp lagers, bold IPAs, the occasional live music night, and pub-food favorites that actually hold up to a second pint.
Cheesesteak comfort, sorted: When you need a break from meal-prep optimism, Greenwood Steakhouse delivers legit diner vibes with classic cheesesteak hoagies, hearty steak sandwiches, and burgers that actually taste like burgers. Low-drama, high-satisfaction pick this week when you want full plates, friendly faces, and zero pretense.
Craving cozy Thai: When you need a low-drama dinner that still wakes up your taste buds, Jaidee Thai Restaurant delivers with bright curries, wok-tossed noodles, and a spice scale that respects weeknight plans. Order ahead, pick up, then let future-you win the fridge game.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
Want better balance? Slow everything down: It sounds backwards, but the slow, deliberate steps of Tai Chi walking are exactly what train your balance. Shifting your weight with control, one mindful step at a time, builds the steadiness that quick workouts skip. A few steps can set you up with a personalized plan that meets your body where it is. *Free quiz to get started →
Google your own name and you'll probably find your home address: It's sitting on a people-search site right now, next to your age, your relatives, and your phone number, free for anyone to look up. Incogni gets it taken down. It contacts 420+ data brokers on your behalf, uses privacy laws to legally demand deletion, and keeps resending requests so your information doesn't creep back online. No hours of opt-out forms, it runs quietly in the background. *Remove my data →
Plastic and wood are no good: Every time you use a plastic cutting board, microplastics end up in your food. You can’t see it, but it's happening and it’s gross. Wood isn't any better since it absorbs bacteria so deep into the grain you can’t get it out. More than 22,504 readers have already taken the first step for a replacement. *See what they're using instead →
Your homeowners insurance has a blind spot: It 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 →
The card that pays you to pay down debt: Most balance-transfer cards skip the rewards. Most rewards cards skip the long 0% intro APR. This one has both: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, plus 5% cash back in rotating quarterly categories like grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations (up to the quarterly max, when you activate) and 1% on everything else. No annual fee, and the cash back you earn is automatically matched at the end of your first year. *Worth a look → |
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.
🧹 The 4th Annual Biggin' Community Clean Up @ Greenbean Coffee House | Saturday (6/13) at 9:00 AM – Whether your block’s rocking a rogue recliner or just snack wrappers, Redd Up season is back with the 4th Annual Biggin. Meet across from Greenbean on 6th Ave, teams formed, gloves, grabbers, vests provided, and yes, Heritage Pizza, community pride, and cleaner streets await.
🎗 Relay For Life of Blair @ Mansion Park | Saturday (6/13) at 10:00 AM – Blair is lacing up for Relay For Life, the world's biggest fundraiser to end cancer. Think easy laps, survivor cheers, and those luminaria moments that sneak up on you, plus neighbor catch-ups, snack-table diplomacy, and the workout where chatting, remembering, and giving back count.
🎉 One Year of Crowned Boutique Customer Appreciation Event @ Crowned Boutique | Saturday (6/13) at 10:00 AM – Whether you’ve been here since day one or still call it the new spot, Crowned Boutique is celebrating year one with an appreciation bash. Giveaways, promotions, new and exclusive finds, free gifts, drinks, and a photo nook, otherwise known as proof you left the house.
🎆 Summerfest 2026 @ Levity Brewing Co. | Saturday (6/13) at 11:00 AM – Grab your lawn chair and head downtown for Altoona’s annual block party, now cranked up with more live music. Cold beer, good grub, and neighbors you actually like, with The Pub Crawlers, 100 Proof, Stephanie and the Wild Hearts, and more on deck.
🌆 Twilight at the Curve @ Horseshoe Curve National Historic Landmark | Saturday (6/13) at 4:00 PM – Whether you grew up rolling your eyes at every field trip to Horseshoe Curve or still get giddy at a good horn blast, Twilight at the Curve makes the old marvel glow. Fewer crowds, cooler air, long freights snaking by, and that Allegheny hush.
🚶 Jaffa Walk for Love @ Jaffa Shrine Center | Sunday (6/14) at 12:00 PM – Stretch your legs for something that actually matters. The Jaffa Walk for Love is a low-key community stroll that raises funds for Shriners Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia, which means your steps, small talk, and sensible shoes add up to real help for local kids.
🎺 Sunday on the Lawn Concert @ Baker Mansion History Museum | Sunday (6/14) at 2:00 PM – Lawn chairs, a sensible hat, and the 814-5 Brass Quintet at Baker Mansion, that is a Sunday done right. Free, family friendly, donations welcome, and refreshingly low drama, with polished brass, local charm, and enough lawn to keep the grandkids occupied while you actually relax. Live music & entertainment:
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 Altoona report Weather forecastToday — High: 86°F — Low: 61°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 86. West wind 3 to 7 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. West wind 1 to 6 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 86°F — Low: 54°F — Precip: 79%
A slight chance of rain showers between 8am and 2pm, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Southwest wind 3 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. This house is wildThis brand-new Colonial-style home offers 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, and about 1,700 square feet of bright, finished living space. A spacious primary suite with its own bathroom adds a nice touch of privacy, while the open floor plan and quality finishes keep things polished and practical. The 2,250 square foot lot keeps maintenance simple, with schools and local conveniences close by.
Take a peek inside → |
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