Hello Woodbury! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: New dining destination plans, a hike to find fireflies, and Community Helpers 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 dining destinations ahead: Cooper's Hawk is considering sites in Woodbury and Minnetonka for its first Minnesota restaurants, bringing its wine club, tasting room, and market concept to shopping corridors if plans advance -- see what’s planned in Minnesota.
Bike-friendly recognition grows: PeopleForBikes ranked Minneapolis and St. Paul among top big bike cities, with Minneapolis second. Minnesota landed four top-25 mid-sized spots, including Woodbury, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, and St. Louis Park -- see Minnesota bike rankings.
New leadership ahead: Oakdale named Kelli Bourgeois as its next city administrator, replacing Chris Volkers after six years in the role. The Tennessee city manager brings more than 30 years of experience -- meet Oakdale’s new administrator.
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.*
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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.
A park with heart: Madison's Place Playground packs 16,000 square feet of inclusive fun with sun-shaded decks, ramps, swings and sensory play so every kid can jump in. It sits right by the splash pad, which makes it an easy one-stop outing this week when the wiggles strike.
Quick local fun plan: When the group text stalls, PINZ comes through with modern-lane bowling, laser tag, a big arcade, and food and drinks under one roof. An easy this-week pick that’s right up the road, perfect for burning energy, celebrating something, or just proving gutter balls still count as cardio.
Local blooms, big smile: Sweet Peas Floral is the reliable Woodbury go-to when your entryway, dining table, or week needs a lift, with custom arrangements that feel personal and polished. From everyday pick-me-ups to big-life moments, they deliver beauty that lasts and a design eye you’ll want on speed dial.
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04 — Our recommendations
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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.
🤝 Community Helpers Night @ Presentation of Mary School (Maplewood) | Thursday (6/25) at 5:30 PM – Meet the folks who keep Maplewood humming in the lower parking lot, no ticket required, just curiosity. Police, Fire, and Parks and Natural Resources staff are rolling in for free family fun, with burgers, hot dogs, and chips. Trucks for kids, easy dinner for you.
👨 Family Playtime @ The Grove (Cottage Grove) | Friday (6/26) at 10:00 AM – Fridays at 10 a.m., The Grove turns into a sensory playground for kids in your orbit. Think stories, crafts, messy play, and activities, plus free coffee for adults faking awake. Let them make the chaos there, you keep your living room, and your sanity.
🎶 Saturdays at the Park w/Parris Jones and more @ Highlands Park (Cottage Grove) | Saturday (6/27) at 8:45 AM – Trade the driveway brick-fest for a park tune-up with Coach P of Talent Workz and Coach Zach from Twin Cities Academy. All ages drill shooting, dribbling, passing, and defense, it’s free, community-minded, and first-come tees appear too, plus optional food shelf donations.
🍓 Afton Strawberry Festival & Marketplace 2026 @ Afton Town Square Park | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Think you know your St. Croix Valley traditions? Afton’s Strawberry Festival fills the historic village with artists, a bustling marketplace, live music, an expanded Food Alley, and family-friendly fun, all honoring the berry fields that kept this place sweet since the 1800s. Wear elastic waistbands.
🎶 Summerfest Live Music @ Richard Walton Memorial Park (Oakdale) | Saturday (6/27) at 1:00 PM – Summerfest is welcoming back Teddy Bear Band, the sing-along crew that gets toddlers bopping and parents unexpectedly harmonizing. Expect goofy dance moves, catchy hooks, and a lawn full of nostalgia. Bring the grandkids, your best dad jokes, and the stamina for one more chorus.
🎬 Movie Night @ Dogtopia of Woodbury | Saturday (6/27) – Camp is rolling out a cozy Movie Night, complete with puffcorn and a $3 screening of Yogi Bear under the very convincing “stars.” It’s low-key, nostalgic, and blissfully affordable, like a picnic basket that never gets stolen, and your couch gets jealous.
🧺 Family Picnic & Swim Meet-Up @ Lake Elmo Park Reserve and Beach | Sunday (6/28) at 4:30 PM – Take a break from yardwork and head to Lake Elmo Swim Pond for a family picnic and splash. Pack food, towels, and kid wrangling skills, then enjoy playground plus beach vibes, hourly lifeguard whistle intermissions, and zero booze. Vehicle permit required, Coast Guard vests only.
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 Woodbury report Weather forecastToday — High: 75°F — Low: 54°F — Precip: 50%
Isolated showers and thunderstorms between 11am and noon, then scattered showers and thunderstorms between noon and 1pm, then scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 75. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Later: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Partly cloudy. Low around 54, with temperatures rising to around 57 overnight. North northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tomorrow — High: 73°F — Low: 55°F — Precip: 6%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. North northeast wind around 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. East northeast wind 0 to 5 mph. This house is wildSet on nearly a half-acre along Colby Lake, this timeless Wedgwood retreat pairs classic charm with fresh updates, including new carpet and paint throughout. Pristine cherry woodwork, a traditional floor plan, private gym, and relaxing sauna add polish, while the serene lakeside setting in Woodbury puts Prestwick Golf Club and The Wick Pub & Grill close by.
Take a peek inside → |
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