Hello Iowa City! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Roller skating summer camp, downtown block party, and STEM family free night + excuses to get the fam out and about 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 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
New rink, growing plans: Glide & Go Skate City in Iowa City offers a summer camp for ages 5 to 12 and memberships. Concessions and a planned "zouche" area will be added by August -- see the summer camp plans.
New housing plan advances: Iowa City Council approved selling city-owned housing on North Summit Street to a nonprofit for $750,000, expanding affordable housing for low-income residents and opening access to workforce housing tax credits -- track the housing sale.
City events on tap: Downtown Block Party returns Saturday, June 27, in Iowa City across 14 blocks. A Dodge Street reconstruction meeting was held Tuesday. Residents can pledge in July to reduce plastic waste -- get the full details.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
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.*
You've traveled abroad without being able to speak the local language. You can change that in just 10 minutes a day. Most people are holding real conversations within three weeks. In fact, 92% of users improved their proficiency in just two months, with 25 million subscriptions sold -- take 55% off.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf 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.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Need a midweek pick-me-up? Swing by Beno’s Flowers and Gifts for fresh, just-because bouquets and gift-y little surprises that turn an ordinary Tuesday into main-character energy. Perfect for the kitchen table, a friend’s doorstep, or your own mood reset. You’ll walk out grinning and slightly more put-together.
Press start here: Double Tap (Tap Tap) - Iowa City is the barcade you hit when you want pinball and skee-ball alongside a slice and a solid tap list, with classic cabinets and newer hits that actually play nice together. Grab a friend, lose track of time, claim high scores.
Local trails, big exhale: When the sidewalks start to feel repetitive, Hickory Hill Park delivers forested paths for quick runs, unhurried walks, and easy resets close to home. Bring a friend, snag a picnic table, maybe fire up a grill, and turn an ordinary weekday into a tiny staycation surrounded by trees and quiet.
|
04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
Makeup for skin that's changed, now up to 65% off: Laura Geller has built its following on formulas made for mature skin, led by the baked foundations women over 40 keep coming back to. Right now, new email subscribers get up to 65% off plus an extra 22%. Enter your email on the page and the discount activates. *See the VIP pricing →
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 →
Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
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 →
Wish you had someone to talk to right now? The quiet hours are the hardest, especially when you just want someone to talk to. That's exactly what this is built for: real conversations, real matches, real people. Not endless swiping, but actual chats with singles who want to connect as much as you do. Someone to talk to could be a message away. *Join now and start chatting → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
|
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.
💦 Splash Pad Parties @ Fairmeadows Park | Thursday (6/25) at 1:00 PM – Think your backyard sprinkler can compete? Fairmeadows Park is throwing a splash pad party with upbeat tunes, refreshing popsicles, and enough water play to keep the kids or grandkids happy while you supervise from the shady bench. Free, family friendly, and gloriously low effort.
🍑 Picture Show: James and the Giant Peach @ FilmScene (at The Chauncey) | Thursday (6/25) at 3:30 PM – Whether you grew up on Roald Dahl or just need a little air-conditioned peace, this James and the Giant Peach screening delivers stop-motion magic, live action whimsy, and nostalgia. Kids get in free, adults are five bucks, passports mean stickers, prizes, and bragging rights.
👨 Friday Family Fun Night @ Wilson's Orchard & Farm | Friday (6/26) at 5:00 PM – Friday nights just got easier at Wilson’s Orchard, where the kids ride tractors free, you-pick is free for 18 and under, and the farmyard is a buck. Let them burn energy while you skip cooking, enjoy discounted pizza, and savor the quiet ride home.
🔬 STEM Family Free Night @ The Iowa Children's Museum (Coralville) | Friday (6/26) at 5:00 PM – On the last Friday of each month, the museum opens its doors for free, with a hands-on STEM activity courtesy of Collins Aerospace. It's kid joy, grandparent cred, and a welcome break from homework squabbles, screens, and sticky kitchen experiments. Zero cost, high curiosity.
💃 Start of Summer Dance @ Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center | Friday (6/26) at 6:00 PM – Kick off summer in Iowa City with the first dance of the season, all music, movement, and neighborly mischief. No choreography, no awkward wedding DJ shtick, just familiar faces, comfy shoes, and the satisfying reminder your hips still have opinions.
🎉 2026 Downtown Block Party @ Downtown Iowa City | Saturday (6/27) at 3:00 PM – Downtown goes car-free as Iowa City’s biggest shindig returns, the 9th Annual Block Party stretching across 14 bustling blocks. It’s the night you bump into your kid’s teacher, your barber, and three ex-roommates, so wear comfy shoes, hydrate, and practice your polite nod.
🏺 Walk-In Pottery Painting @ Brush & Barrel (Coralville) | Sunday (6/28) at 12:00 PM – Walk in, pick a piece, and finally tackle a DIY you can finish in one sitting. Prices start at $15 and include all supplies, no reservation needed, and the last walk-in is at 4 pm, so plan your coffee, or your escape, accordingly.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Iowa City report Weather forecastToday — High: 82°F — Low: 60°F — Precip: 20%
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 3pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. Northwest wind 0 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 79°F — Low: 59°F — Precip: 8%
Partly sunny, with a high near 79. Later: A slight chance of rain showers between 7pm and 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. This house is wildThis spacious home spreads across 1.56 acres of flat, open land, with a sunroom made for coffee breaks, work sessions, or relaxed dinners with private views. Inside, a fireplace room with floor-to-ceiling shelving, a bay-windowed living area, and cherry-cabinet kitchen bring warmth and character. Upstairs, four bedrooms include a primary suite with ensuite and walk-in closet.
Take a peek inside → |
| |
