Hello Bloomington! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Moonlit paddle boats, data center debate, and family paint party + 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.
Award-winning campus design: Heartland Community College’s Agriculture Complex in Normal won Green/LEED Development of the Year from Illinois RE Journal, recognizing net-zero design and solar panels that deliver surplus power to Ameren’s grid -- see the award-winning design.
Community input on growth: Normal consultant Harrison Meece urged a broader public discussion on data centers in McLean County, calling for strong regulations to deter bad actors and address water pollution and power use -- explore the data center debate.
Revamping the downtown landscape: Normal proposed two six-story buildings along Constitution Trail in Uptown Normal, adding high-density housing and retail. Supporters say the plan could ease the Twin Cities housing crunch and energize businesses -- see the Uptown plan.
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.*
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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.
Native plant treasure trove: A B Hatchery & Garden Center has been helping Bloomington-Normal gardens and critter-loving households since 1939, with Illinois natives, perennials, and real advice from folks who know their stuff. Grab bird seed and pet feed, then wander the historic greenhouse and let your weekend project pick itself.
Level up your staycation: Forget the same-old guest room shuffle, Bloomington Retreats has themed homes with arcade-style game rooms, hot tubs, and firepits that turn a regular Friday into an easy mini-escape with friends or family... without leaving town.
Splash-pad sanity saver: When the kids are vibrating at microwave frequency, McGraw Park is the easy yes for Bloomington folks this week... shady spots for you, wide-open fields for them, and enough splashy fun to lower everyone's thermostat. Pack a towel and your low expectations for staying dry.
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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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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 →
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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.
🎨 Family Paint Party @ CRAFTED Coffee & Wine | Wednesday (6/24) at 6:30 PM – Round up the crew for a Family Paint Party, a laid-back Paint Nite for all ages where no one judges your stick figures. An instructor leads, supplies are set, kids wield glitter, you sip something civilized, and everyone goes home with fridge-worthy art.
🧁 Bake Sale/Car Wash @ Villas of Holly Brook and Reflections | Thursday (6/25) at 10:30 AM – This bake sale and car wash cleans your car and warms your heart, all for the Alzheimer's Association. Ten bucks per car, one dollar per cookie, brownie, or mystery bar, because the Longest Week goes down easier when everything is shinier, sweeter, and more responsible.
🦋 Gardening for Butterflies @ University of Illinois Extension McLean County Office | Thursday (6/25) at 6:00 PM – Celebrate National Pollinator Week with a hands-on Master Gardeners workshop that turns butterfly gardening into something even your HOA can admire. Learn host and nectar plant basics, see beds and containers, and head home with a $15 Swallowtail mini garden, plants, soil, and container.
🍿 Fighting Irish Family Movie Night @ College Avenue (Normal) | Friday (6/26) at 6:00 PM – Nothing beats a hometown movie night on the lawn, free popcorn, and zero sticky theater floors. The kids get the bounce house, you get blanket real estate, decent concessions, and an excuse to call nachos dinner. Bring chairs, blankets, family, and that quote-happy friend.
🎲 Free RPG Day @ Red Raccoon Games | Saturday (6/27) at 9:00 AM – Skip yard work and swing by Red Raccoon Games for Free RPG Day, stacked with free adventures, indie quickstarts, and minis. Try folk horror, space heists, Viking sagas, and Dungeons & Kittens, then let your inner 12-year-old borrow your reading glasses and run wild.
🎉 Free Fourth Saturday @ Illinois Art Station (Normal) | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Whether your fridge gallery needs an upgrade or you miss making a mess, Free Fourth Saturday at Illinois Art Station brings rotating artist-inspired stations, educator-guided projects, and a fresh gallery, all free. Consider it culture you can smudge.
⛸ Wheelz June 28th Sunday Skating Day @ Interstate Center | Sunday (6/28) at 11:00 AM – Whether you still own high-top quads or you rent and hope for balance, Sunday skating at Wheelz rolls all day with three sessions, food trucks, and throwback vibes. Skip the chores, glide a few laps, then swap stories over tacos, and call it quality time.
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 Bloomington report Weather forecastToday — High: 80°F — Low: 62°F — Precip: 40%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. South southwest wind 6 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10pm and 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 80°F — Low: 62°F — Precip: 30%
A chance of rain showers between 1pm and 4pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 80. West southwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. East wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. This house is wildThis exceptional Sapphire Lakes lakefront home pairs 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms with sweeping water views from nearly every window. An updated white kitchen, two-sided fireplace, sunroom, and oversized family room set the stage indoors, while the finished basement adds a bar, guest suite, and daylight lounge. Outside, a pool, gazebo, and three-car garage steal the show.
Take a peek inside → |
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