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Rise and shine, Rockford!
In today’s planning-your-week edition: Boy George & Culture Club, a 1990s murder mystery dinner, and Dutch Bros Coffee coming + all our favorite events happening over the next seven days.
Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Rockford protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.
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📰 In the news
Roadwork progress and plans: IDOT will hold an open house March 5 at CherryVale Mall in Rockford with Rebuild I-39 updates between Harrison Avenue and US 20, featuring project displays and no formal presentation — see what’s on display.
Third area location planned: A former BP in Loves Park could be torn down for a new Dutch Bros Coffee. A special-use permit goes to the Zoning Board of Appeals on March 12 — get all the details.
Board shake-up revives debate: Belvidere families can weigh in Tuesday in a community poll on Perry Elementary’s future. About $7 million is proposed for safety and structural upgrades, but space and traffic constraints remain — see proposed upgrades and hurdles.
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.
Highlights this week:
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🏆 Gold and silver are heating up
Together with our sponsor American Hartford Gold
Gold just posted its strongest run in decades… and the momentum is carrying into 2026. Silver has become one of the most talked-about assets as investors look for ways to stay ahead of market volatility.
While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning.
If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, AHG has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how investors are approaching precious metals right now.
It’s free and worth reading before the next move.
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🫶 We got your back
Serious wing cravings: From classic Buffalo to honey sriracha and mango fire, The Olympic Tavern nails saucy, crisp wings. One bite and you remember why this neighborhood standby quietly owns midweek plans, the spot you forget to hype until it delivers, again.
Upgrade your self-care: Small-town charm meets serious skincare at Bath & Body Fusion, where handmade lotions, scrubs, and the cult-favorite Dream Cream tame winter skin. Sniff-worthy scents, cushiony textures, and no-fuss formulas turn routine into ritual, so your shower shelf looks intentional and your skin stays soft.
Weekend fairway fix: Itching to tee it up? Aldeen Golf Club delivers 18 championship holes with water on 12 and 43 bunkers, plus a legit Practice Centre to sharpen the swing. After the last putt, Alchemy at Aldeen awaits for a laid-back debrief with a view.
Thinning hair? It only gets worse: A few months ago, I noticed my ponytail getting thinner. I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, etc.) but mostly just hoped it would fix itself… until I learned that active follicles can permanently go dormant if you don’t do something about it. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn more about my favorite online options here.
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📆 Our favorite events this week
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🐵 Sock Monkey Madness Sock Hop @ Midway Village Museum | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Whether your sock monkey’s a family heirloom or a kit in progress, Midway Village is going full 50s sock hop. Dress up, pose with the ’55 Ford, eat like a teen, learn how humble socks built Rockford’s grit, and yes, dance with stuffed primates.
🧚 Fairy Lantern Workshop @ The Landscape Connection | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – If you’ve been waiting for an excuse to play with glitter without a grandkid as cover, this is it. Craft a solar fairy lantern with ArtbyKarla at The Landscape Connection, supplies included, and bring charms, ribbon, or trinkets. Low stress, whimsy, and it fills fast.
🎶 Music in the Museum @ Discovery Center Museum | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Give the living room drums a break and head to the museum for hands-on rhythm games, instrument tryouts, and musical mayhem with Rockford Music Academy. Kids get to make noise in the Music & Melodies exhibit, you get cultural points, and everyone leaves humming.
🎖 11th Annual VetsRoll Fundraiser @ Rascals Bar & Grill | Saturday (3/7) at 12:00 PM – Rascals hosts the 11th Annual VetsRoll fundraiser, with raffles, a 50/50, and a liquor draw that help send vets, from WWII to Vietnam, to D.C. Kick in $10 for pulled pork, chips, and a drink, plus Tito’s specials, because doing good tastes better with barbecue.
💃 Tinker’s Ball @ Tinker Swis Cottage Museum and Gardens | Saturday (3/7) at 6:00 PM – Put on your finery and waltz into a Civil War-themed ball at Memorial Hall, complete with live dance callers and old-school etiquette. It’s prom for history buffs, with better manners, refreshments from the heritage crowd, and an excuse to wear the good gloves.
🕵 Good Riddance: 1990s Murder Mystery Dinner & Show @ Pig Minds Brewing Co. | Saturday (3/7) at 6:00 PM – Nothing beats a little 90s mall mayhem with dinner at Pig Minds, where the cocktail hour hides clues, the menu is plant-based, and yes, you will live without bacon. Dress like your yearbook regrets, solve the murder before dessert, and support Hope for Warriors.
🌳 Beginning Bonsai @ Rock Valley Garden Center | Sunday (3/8) at 1:00 PM – Trade doomscrolling for dirt under your nails, and pot your own juniper bonsai with the Rock River Bonsai Society at Rock Valley Garden Center. Learn the ancient art without the incense, take home a tiny tree, and feel strangely serene. Class is $45, pre-register.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
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📻 Rockford report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 45°F – Low: 32°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny. High near 45, with temperatures falling to around 43 in the afternoon. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Scattered rain showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
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Tomorrow – High: 44°F – Low: 35°F – Precip: 63%
Rain showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. East southeast wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Later: A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Someone Googled you this week 👀
It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.
Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.
Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.
This house is wild
Ranch-style condo in prime Rockford delivers smart design. The open layout offers 10-foot ceilings, hardwood floors, and a vaulted chef’s kitchen with two-tone cabinetry, a huge island with second sink and fridge drawers, a 48-inch Wolf range, and Sub-Zero. A gas fireplace living room, spa suite with laundry access, walkout media level with wet bar, deck and covered patio impress.
Take a peek inside →
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