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Hey Rochester, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: An assisted living project, History Center centennial dance lessons, and Cafe Steam grand opening + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Rochester 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.

📰 In the news

New project under consideration: A developer is proposing a 61-unit assisted living facility at the former site of Bob’s Trailer Park in Rochester, which could break ground in fall if the city approves it — see what’s planned here.

Moves that melt stress: Rochester’s History Center of Olmsted County is marking its 100th year with dance lessons spanning ten decades, and the next classes will be held at the Historic Chateau Theatre — get all the details.

Summer plans made easy: A roundup highlights Rochester-area summer camps for 2026, from Boys & Girls Club and Camp Victory to Code Ninjas and Quarry Hill, with activities for kids across interests — check out the full lineup.

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:

• Learn how clean water saves wildlife
• Lesson, drinks, and dancing at Blue Moon
• Join an Argentine tango social

🫶 We got your back

Upgrade your lunch: City Market does New York-style sandwiches with stacked meats, melty cheese, and bakery-fresh bread, plus comforting soups, crisp salads, and sneaky-good cookies. Working downtown? This is the easy way to turn a rushed lunch into a small win.

Nature fix, right here: When you need an easy reset, Quarry Hill Park offers paved and dirt trails, wooded climbs, and open space for quick loops or longer wanders. Pack a friend, a thermos, and your curiosity, then roam into Rochester’s everyday wild.

Game night upgrade: Family sick of the same dusty deck? At Games by James, aisles of board games and clever puzzles await, plus staff who’ll match your crew with a winner. Trade endless scrolling for laugh out loud rivalry this week, and bring game night back to life.

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

📆 Free events worth checking out

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.

🐺 Between Howls @ Forager Brewery | Wednesday (3/11) at 6:00 PM – Free, all-ages tunes at Forager as Duluth duo Between Howls brings rich harmonies, nimble violin, and guitar that knows its way around a melody. Grab a pint, split a pizza, and pretend you discovered them before LA did. Easy night, great music, no cover.

🛍 Spring Craft Shopping Event @ Graham Park – Olmsted County | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – Clear your trunk and swing by the Olmsted County Fairgrounds for a browse-a-thon across two buildings of local crafts, vendors, boutiques, and all the extras you didn’t know you needed. It’s indoors, you’ll see half your neighbors, and admission is gloriously free.

📖 Saturday Storytime With Craft and Snack @ History Center of Olmsted County | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Saturday Storytime is taking over the History Center with free tales, a light snack, and a hands-on craft that keeps little hands busy and your carpet safe. Bring the kids, sip your coffee, and let someone else do the voices, and the cleanup.

🥞 Lego my Eggo @ Calvary Baptist Church | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Think your toes have recovered from stepping on LEGO? Celebrate with free waffles at Calvary Baptist Church, where the kids build, race, and create, and you pretend you’re just supervising. It’s a free, come-and-go family morning, and yes, there are prizes if you register.

💧 We Are Water MN: Water Science Discovery @ Oxbow Park Nature Center (Byron) | Saturday (3/14) at 1:30 PM – Whether you’re the type who scolds the faucet or just want an easy win with the grandkids, Rochester Public Library is popping up at Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo for water songs, stories, and hands-on fun. Free, all ages, meet at the Nature Center.

💧 We Are Water MN: Water Works for Wildlife @ Oxbow Park Nature Center (Byron) | Sunday (3/15) at 10:30 AM – If you think clean water is just for your Brita, let the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center show what it means for owls and ducks at Oxbow Park. Hear patient stories, see how they care for wildlife, and tour a LEED-certified waterfowl nursery. Free, all ages.

🎉 Grand Opening @ Cafe Steam St. Mary’s | Monday (3/16) at 6:30 AM – Second Street just got a caffeine upgrade across from St. Mary’s, and the first 50 folks snag free drinks. Swing by the new Cafe Steam for proper coffee, tea, and bites, the familiar chill vibe, and a soft opening that beats waiting room coffee.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Rochester report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 47°F – Low: 32°F – Precip: 7%

Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. Northeast wind around 12 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Rain and snow showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Northeast wind around 12 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 42°F – Low: 25°F – Precip: 75%

Snow showers before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 42. Northwest wind around 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 25. West wind 6 to 9 mph.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Minnesota but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

This house is wild

This Scenic Oaks two-story on a quiet cul-de-sac packs versatility into every level. Four bedrooms up include a primary suite with closet laundry and jetted tub. An entertainer’s kitchen and screened porch pair with a walk-out level offering a kitchenette, hot tub, and dog wash. A heated 1,180 sq ft pre-stressed garage joins a 3-stall heated main garage.

Take a peek inside →