Hello Champaign! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: New karaoke bar, free twilight concert, and play with 20+ adoptable cats + 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 teen support option: The Salvation Army of Champaign County will launch Ignite, a free after-school program for grades 6–12 with tutoring and mentorship. Enrollment closes August 12 if capacity is reached -- learn more about Ignite.
New neighborhood nightlife spot: Amy Beth Myers, a former Chester Street Bar employee, has opened Amy’s Place at 120 N. First St. Cash-only with karaoke, drag shows, and music events, the bar welcomes everyone -- see the new bar scene.
Summer music celebration: U.S. Navy Band Great Lakes will join the University of Illinois Summer Band for a free Twilight Concert in Urbana-Champaign on June 25, part of Navy’s 50 for 250 campaign -- catch the concert 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.*
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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.
Pizza, pool, repeat: Jupiter's Pizzeria & Billiards is the easy weeknight play this week when you want reliable pizza, plenty to sip, and an excuse to talk a little smack over a cue. Grab friends, claim a table, and let the arcade bells and sports chatter fade the weekday stress.
Rainy day rescue: When the Midwest weather refuses to cooperate, Kidscape Playground is an easy win for letting the kids climb, pretend, and burn energy while you actually finish a hot coffee. Expect age-appropriate play zones, memberships and private play dates, a snack area, and socks required this week.
Greenery, not guesswork: Turn your place into a low-key jungle with help from Planted, the downtown Champaign spot stocked with thriving houseplants, handsome pots, and care tips that actually make sense. Perfect for when your snake plant needs a friend or your window could use a little mood lift.
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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 →
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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.
🐱 Play with 20+ Adoptable Cats! @ The Scratching Post | Wednesday (6/24) at 2:30 PM – If you have been waiting for a sign to swap small talk for small meows, here it is. Lounge with 20-plus adoptable cats, collect fur on your sweater, and know your reservation helps fund their care, kibble, and second chances.
🐝 Pollinator Week Event @ The Scratching Post | Thursday (6/25) at 6:00 PM – Pollinator Week at The Scratching Post means bees, brains, and board games. Swing by to chat with U of I Extension folks, snag catmint seeds while they last, and test your strategy on Honey Buzz, Wingspan, and friends. Game passes are $5, civic virtue included.
🌺 Hawaiian Night @ The Salvation Army Church & Worship Center | Friday (6/26) at 5:00 PM – If your K-5 kid has been practicing the hula in the living room, this free Hawaiian Night is your moment. Tropical games, music, and free food keep them busy, you get grown-up conversation, and no one has to spring for airfare.
🐄 Moo-vie Nights at the Farm @ Prairie Farm | Friday (6/26) at 8:00 PM – Summer nights at Prairie Farm mean blankets on the grass, kids wearing themselves out saying hi to the cows, and a family movie rolling at dusk. Concessions, fresh air, and zero ticket price, just neighbors and nostalgia under a big sky. Free, no registration.
🛝 Kidscape Playground Save a Mother’s Heart @ Kidscape Playground | Saturday (6/27) at 9:00 AM – Kidscape Playground turns playtime into a good deed with the Save a Mother’s Heart fundraiser. Six bucks buys two hours of kid-energy burn, tire them out before dinner, and you can toss in a little extra via QR or the trusty cash box.
🪢 The Rope Warrior @ Champaign Public Library | Saturday (6/27) at 11:00 AM – Your kids think jump rope is PE? Wait till they see The Rope Warrior ripping four-under power jumps, rump jumps, and a human-sized balloon routine, all at ridiculous speed, with music. Free, family friendly, and in the library AC, so you keep your sanity.
🐐 Sunday Afternoon Goat Hike @ Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery | Sunday (6/28) at 1:30 PM – Trade the treadmill for a Sunday afternoon goat hike, a mile, guided, with the herd along pasture, past Saline Creek, through woods, and around the pond. The goats set the pace, you soak up quiet, and your step counter earns its keep. No Lycra required.
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 Champaign report Weather forecastToday — High: 80°F — Low: 63°F — Precip: 22%
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. South wind 3 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 7pm and 1am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Southwest wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 81°F — Low: 63°F — Precip: 45%
A slight chance of rain showers before 7am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1pm and 4pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. West southwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. East northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible. This house is wildThis immaculate two-story in Trails Edge packs 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, and 3,707 finished square feet of custom charm. Hardwood floors, built-in bookshelves, custom cabinetry, and a statement range hood add polish, while oversized windows flood the open floor plan with light. A finished daylight basement, wet bar, deck, patio, and fire pit complete the scene.
Take a peek inside → |
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