Hello Altoona! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: A reptile expo, Disney Lorcana weekly play, and Penn State Altoona art exhibition + 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.
Art bridging modern divides: Palmer Museum of Art’s semiquincentennial exhibition features Penn State Altoona’s Heidi Manfred. Her painting Secure and Moving Forward, selected from 300 entries, is displayed on the main wall -- read the full story.
Seasonal roadway maintenance ahead: Road painting began June 15 on routes in Blair and Huntingdon counties and is scheduled to continue through October. Crews repaint markings. Expect delays as work moves between the counties -- read the full project details.
New academic leadership named: Penn State Altoona named Nicholas Pyeatt head of the Division of Business, Health, Humanities, and Social Sciences effective June 1, tasking him with steering faculty, students, and academic programs -- read the full announcement.
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.
Quick neighborhood reset: Geesey Park is the no-fuss neighborhood spot when you want quick fresh air without committing to a whole hike. Shoot some hoops, let the kids loose on the playground, snag the pavilion or picnic tables, then linger by the ballfield and call it a win.
Upgrade your bouquet game: Need to cheer up a friend or finally tackle that empty dining table? Peterman's Florist & Flower Delivery is a family-owned Altoona staple, crafting hand-arranged bouquets and plants with local delivery, so your flowers arrive pretty and ready to show off, not in a sad box.
Pinball fix, found: Whether you're casually flipping or chasing IFPA points, The Kavakade keeps the fun rolling with well kept machines, Stern Army challenges, and staff who actually love this stuff. Pop in, snag a new high score, then brag about it to the group chat all week.
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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.
🪿 Mother Goose @ Altoona Area Public Library | Thursday (6/25) at 9:30 AM – Whether you’re wrangling a new walker or grandparenting like a pro, this free Mother Goose lap-sit is a one-on-one storytime for kids 12 to 24 months and their caregiver. Expect songs, snuggles, and the rare public space where wiggling, babbling, and snack crumbs are applauded.
⚾ Altoona Curve vs. Reading Fightin Phils @ Peoples Natural Gas Field | Thursday (6/25) at 6:30 PM – Head to Peoples Natural Gas Field for Curve vs. Fightin Phils, the kind of Double-A showdown that pairs small-town charm with surprisingly sharp pitching. Expect hot dogs, heckling, and the occasional souvenir foul, then brag about how you saw tomorrow’s call-ups before Philly did.
🃏 Disney Lorcana Card Game Weekly Play @ Gootzy Gaming | Friday (6/26) at 6:30 PM – Friday nights, Gootzy Gaming is shuffling up Disney Lorcana for core constructed play, capped at three rounds, home at a respectable hour. Five bucks, all ages welcome, with promos for showing up, booster packs for winning, and loaner decks if you’re rusty.
🏃 Run For Life 5K & 2 Mile Run @ Altoona Curve Baseball | Saturday (6/27) at 8:00 AM – Nothing beats a run that starts at the Curve’s ballpark, feels like spring training, and ends with bragging rights. Precious Life’s 5K and a sensible 2-miler are back, friendly, high on community spirit, and easy on the wallet at $25, $30 race day.
🦎 Altoona Reptile Expo - June 27th @ Father Kelley Hall | Saturday (6/27) at 9:00 AM – Father Kelley Hall gets gloriously scaly with hundreds of snakes, geckos, and turtles at the Altoona Reptile Expo. Say hi to Brad McCarthy, let the kids nab a surprise, and snack on mac and cheese because adulthood means carbs, not fear.
🎻 Sunday on the Lawn Concert @ Baker Mansion History Museum | Sunday (6/28) at 2:00 PM – Spend Sunday on the Baker Mansion lawn with Strings, local duo Michael Shank and Dave Lamb. They glide from 50s staples to 90s sing-alongs, covering 200 artists. It is free, donations welcome, and yes, it beats arguing with your mower.
🎬 Free Family Movie @ LCBC Church | Sunday (6/28) at 3:30 PM – Summer Family Movie Night keeps it charmingly old-school, and gloriously free, with a family-friendly flick and popcorn on the house. Expect lawn chairs, kids whisper-laughing instead of doom-scrolling, and parents enjoying a rare budget-friendly outing that still feels special.
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 Altoona report Weather forecastToday — High: 79°F — Low: 56°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 79. Northwest wind around 6 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 56. West wind 1 to 6 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 83°F — Low: 61°F — Precip: 24%
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Southwest wind 1 to 7 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 11pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. This house is wildThis multi-level split blends airy style with everyday ease, from vaulted ceilings and a huge front window to a refreshed kitchen with stainless appliances, soft-close drawers, and a farmhouse sink. The real standout is the backyard, with a screened porch, big patio under a pergola, white privacy fencing, solar panels, and smart storage throughout.
Take a peek inside → |
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