Hello Rochester! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Mayo Clinic’s AI care expansion, vintage base ball, the wizard of oz...and Toto, and too! + 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.
Road work underway: MnDOT will start seal coating July 6, slowing traffic on Highways 16, 43, 61 and more in southeast Minnesota counties including Olmsted. Expect flaggers and alternating traffic through early August -- check the roadwork schedule.
Early voting details: Absentee voting opens June 26 for Minnesota’s Aug. 11 primary, giving 46 days to vote. Mail ballots need a witness, or return them to Olmsted County Elections Office in Rochester -- see the voting details.
Expanding care access: Rochester-based Mayo Clinic is leading an effort to bring hospital care to rural and underserved communities, using AI tools to guide blood draws and IV starts closer to home -- learn how the initiative works.
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.
Claw game fix, anyone?: If your week needs a quick win, HyperSpace Starcade is a Rochester gem packed with skill-based claw machines and other merchandiser games where you actually take prizes home. Trade small wins up for bigger ones, then debate who’s the household champion while the game truck dreams begin.
Local plant sanity saver: If your living room needs more vibe than vacuum lines, Sargent's on 2nd has year-round houseplants, seasonal blooms, and friendly advice, plus Café Aquí for caffeine while you browse. Pop in this week for a quick green pick‑me‑up, leave plotting where to tuck just one more fern.
Let the kids loose: Silver Lake Park - Three Links Shelter is that easy win when everyone needs fresh air and a reset. Big playground for climbing, a paved trail for a quick lap by Silver Lake, and ball fields plus a picnic shelter if you want to linger... you handle snacks, it handles the wiggles.
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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.
🎭 One Nation - Many Stories - Sister Luv @ Soldiers Field Park | Wednesday (6/24) at 5:00 PM – Sister Luv returns to the Rochesterfest stage with a tribute to service members and veterans, in step with this year's One Nation, Many Stories theme. Expect tight harmonies, patriotic favorites, and the good kind of goosebumps that pair with lawn chairs and grandkids.
⚾ Rockford Rivets @ Mayo Field | Wednesday (6/24) at 6:59 PM – Take a breather from the clinic-to-cul-de-sac routine and catch the Honkers hosting the Rockford Rivets at Mayo Ball Field. It’s small-park summer ball, where you can actually follow the chess moves, spot tomorrow’s talent, and savor a civilized midweek pace.
🎨 Youth Painting Class: “Unique” @ Bonner Elementary (Stewartville) | Thursday (6/25) at 9:00 AM – Think your fridge gallery could use a piece? This canvas class lets each artist pick a word or name, then follow step by step to a unique 11x14, supplies included. All ages welcome, little ones need a helper, and grownups paint too. $25 per painter.
🪄 The Wizard of Oz...and Toto, Too! @ Rochester Civic Theatre | Friday (6/26) at 7:00 PM – Toto finally gets his say with a dog-eared Oz tale for bedtime, starring Chew Toy, Shiny Guy, Big Cat, and hockey-loving Glinda. From RCT’s Educational Summer Camps, it is smart, silly, and grandkid-friendly, with flying monkeys, a one-eyed Wicked Witch, and jokes you will enjoy.
🎨 Mural Art Session: Multi Gen @ 125 LIVE | Saturday (6/27) at 3:30 PM – Your fridge has enough construction paper. Upgrade to ceramic at this multi-gen mural session where you can follow an instructor or let the kid take the creative wheel, together. One adult plus one child, $30 per tile, register by June 26.
⚾ Rochesterfest Vintage Base Ball @ History Center of Olmsted County | Sunday (6/28) at 12:00 PM – See base ball played like it's 1860, with the Hens squaring off against the Chicks, then the Roosters facing local celebrities. Admission is two bits, yes really, with concessions, wagon rides, the log cabin and schoolhouse open, face painting, actual chickens, and library goodies.
🐾 Commonly Confused Animals @ Oxbow Park Nature Center (Byron) | Sunday (6/28) at 1:00 PM – Think you can spot a muskrat from a beaver at 50 paces? A naturalist is setting the record straight on those lookalike, commonly confused critters, because not every brown bird is a sparrow. Meet in the nature center.
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 Rochester report Weather forecastToday — High: 78°F — Low: 55°F — Precip: 25%
A chance of rain showers before 7am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1pm and 4pm. Mostly sunny. High near 78, with temperatures falling to around 76 in the afternoon. West wind 6 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. Northwest wind 3 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tomorrow — High: 75°F — Low: 55°F — Precip: 4%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. North wind around 6 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. Northeast wind 2 to 6 mph. This house is wildDesigned by R.W. Dwyer for Dr. H.L. Bair, this Colonial Revival gem pairs 1940s charm with smart updates across 5,200+ square feet. Original hardwoods, dentil moldings, and rich woodwork set the tone, while the remodeled kitchen opens to a deck, spa, pizza oven, and lush backyard with bocce ball court. All five bedrooms sit upstairs, including a primary suite with balcony and dressing room.
Take a peek inside → |
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