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Happy weekend, Bloomington!
In today’s happening-today edition: Farm-to-table winter dining picks, someone Googled you this week, and Miller Park Zoo Stampede + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
Today’s sponsor (Money.com) built a free comparison tool that helped me cut my car insurance premiums in half. It took about 3 minutes, and honestly… I wish I’d done it sooner. If you haven’t shopped around in a while, you can easily check the best rates here.
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📰 In the news
Deeply seasonal dining highlights: A recent roundup spotlights ten Illinois farm to table restaurants to try this winter, including Bloomington favorite Epiphany Farms, which grows much of what you’ll eat from its regenerative farm — check out the full lineup.
Top scholar-athletes earn acclaim: IHSA announced the 2026 All-State Academic Team and Honorable Mentions in February. Twenty-six students made the team, with 50 honored. Winners will be celebrated in Bloomington on April 12, 2026 — see the team and banquet details.
Decision on emergency infrastructure: On March 17, voters in Randolph Township will decide a bond proposal to buy land, build and upgrade a fire and ambulance station, and fund improvements for local emergency services — get all the details.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
Someone Googled you this week: Whether you’re dating again, selling something locally, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up. Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.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 all that up – learn more here.
Highlights this week:
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🚗 Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance?
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I learned that the hard way. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, I saw the charges come in every month and never thought twice about them. Turns out I was paying well above the national average ($175/mo) for a single car… for years.
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🫶 We got your back
Route 66 movie vibes: Movies at the Mural turns downtown into an easy neighborhood hang, mixing a Route 66 theme with drive-in nostalgia so lawn chairs feel fancy. Friends, snacks, and a blanket set the vibe for a low-key night under the stars in Bloomington.
Fresh skeins, zero stress: At Le Mouton Rouge Knittery, WIPs get cheers, accidentally-on-purpose yarn discoveries abound, and friendly humans help match needles to that pattern you’ve been side-eyeing. Expect welcoming classes, real community, and heaps of indie-dyed temptation… inspiration tends to win here.
Craving something fresh? At Lil Beaver Brewery, the taps stay playful with hazy IPAs, fruit-forward pours, plus ciders and seltzers. Pair them with comfort-food favorites that make “just one more” hard to resist. Bring a friend, grab a table, and turn any weeknight into a small win.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.
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📆 Around town today & tomorrow
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.
🌱 Home, Lawn and Garden Day @ Parke Hotel and Conference Center | Saturday (3/7) at 8:00 AM – Bring your stubborn plant questions and realistic expectations to the 24th Annual Home, Lawn, and Garden Day, where U of I Extension Master Gardeners serve up workshops, smart tips, and plant treasures from vendors. Learn, shop, and finally outsmart clay soil, rabbits, and your HOA.
🐑 Illinois Fiber Festival @ McLean County Fairgrounds | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Back again and cozier than your favorite cardigan, this fiber fest brings classes, local vendors, and enough yarn to make you text your stash an apology. Sign up for a workshop, squish some skeins, then justify that gorgeous purchase as “future heirloom,” obviously.
🎤 18th Annual Gospel Brunch @ Bloomington DoubleTree Hotel and Conference Center | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – If your brunch could use less bottomless mimosas and more hallelujah, Delta Sigma Theta’s 18th Annual Soulful Gospel Brunch is the move. Expect uplifting music, local vendors to browse, and limited early bird tickets, plus chances to sponsor, vend, or advertise.
🐾 Miller Park Zoo Stampede 2026 @ Miller Park Pavillion | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Feel faster with the zoo residents watching? Stretch your legs through Miller Park and Miller Park Zoo in a 3k walk, 5k run, or Kids Fun Run, then bask knowing your miles help build a new home for Morticia and Wednesday, the Southern Ground Hornbills.
🛍 Spring Vendor Fair @ Glenn Elementary School (Normal) | Saturday (3/7) at 12:00 PM – Nothing beats an afternoon of browsing local makers, snagging cookies, and pretending you needed another candle, at Glenn Elementary’s Spring Vendor Fair. Shop clothing, jewelry, candles, custom hats, and more, then hit Tony’s Tacos. Grab raffle tickets too, with proceeds supporting the Glenn Elementary PTO.
🧵 B/N Modern Quilt Guild Exhibit Opening & Reception @ Bloomington Public Library | Saturday (3/7) at 1:00 PM – At Bloomington Library’s Community Rooms, it’s the opening reception for the B/N Modern Quilt Guild’s exhibit, complete with a casual meet-and-greet. Expect sharp design, softer edges, and plenty of maker chat, plus free inspiration for that project you keep promising the sewing machine.
🌿 Kokedama Workshop @ Wendell Niepagen Greenhouses and Garden Center | Sunday (3/8) at 1:00 PM – This one’s all about moss, twine, and zero guilt about making a mess. Learn the Japanese art of kokedama with Kathy, get your hands happily dirty, and take home a lush little orb with your favorite plant. $30, pay at class, reserve your spot.
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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📻 Bloomington report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 63°F – Low: 34°F – Precip: 75%
Showers and thunderstorms before 8am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8am and noon. Mostly cloudy. High near 63, with temperatures falling to around 50 in the afternoon. West southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. West wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 62°F – Low: 44°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 62. Southwest wind 8 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 44. South southwest wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
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