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

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Earth Fest returns, NIU alum Billy Hueramo named superintendent, and Hits of the Ragtime Era + lots of fun things to do for free.

Quick money tip: 2025 was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%. Analysts expect the momentum to continue, making precious metals a smart way to protect your savings. Curious how it works? Check out AHG’s free investor guide.*

📰 In the news

Explore local climate solutions: DeKalb County’s Earth Fest will return April 11, led by DeCarbon DeKalb and NIU Sustainability, with gardening, hydroponics, plant restoration, and a keynote from the Post Landfill Action Network — see how to get involved.

From ESL student to leader: NIU alum and Marine Corps veteran Billy Hueramo has been named the next superintendent of DeKalb District 428 in 2026, where he first taught as a student teacher in 2007 — read the full story.

Expanding the meaning of philanthropy: Philanthropist Douglas C. Roberts was honored earlier this month at Sycamore Chamber’s 109th meeting with the 2025 Clifford Danielson Outstanding Citizen Award, recognizing major support across DeKalb County and beyond — learn more about his impact.

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.*

Paying hundreds of dollars a month for car insurance? Switching providers could save you up to $600 a year, and shopping around is way faster than it used to be – free comparison tools like this one make it easy.*

Highlights this week:

• Learn Medicare options at free workshop
• Enjoy steak, support local charities
• Relive The Beatles with Liverpool Legends
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home*

💎 Local business spotlight

Let the zoomies fly: Whether your dog needs a sprint, a sniff-heavy lap, or some social time, Katz Dog Park is the easy, low-stress option right here in DeKalb. Pack the basics and some manners, then enjoy a quick reset while the pups do their thing.

Your midweek exhale: Whether you’re craving a glow-boosting facial, a tension-melting massage, or just want your nails to stop looking like they type for a living, Dana’s Day Spa keeps it calm, one-on-one, and tailored to you. Book ahead and treat Future You kindly.

A true townie hang: In need of a no-frills night? Lord Stanley’s and the Annex brings classic pitcher-and-pizza energy, sports-on-TV camaraderie, and a reliably divey Annex vibe—perfect for catching up with friends this week without overthinking it.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.

🫶 We got your back

Makeup that actually works: My sister and I were talking the other day about how the makeup we used in our 20s… just doesn’t work now that we’re in our 30s and 40s. Laura Geller’s entire makeup line addresses this shift, with formulas that smooth, brighten, and actually stay put. If you’re in the same boat, *their curated kits are worth a look →

The $1,300 mistake most Americans make every year: According to the National Financial Education Council, poor financial literacy costs the average American over a thousand dollars annually. That’s not investment losses. That’s money lost to bad decisions, missed strategies, and advice from people who may not always put your interests first. There’s a free way to fix that, and it starts with one question. Find out what it is →

$22k in interest (on a $30k balance): That’s what minimum payments cost you over 20 years. You’ll pay back nearly double what you borrowed, and your credit card company is counting on you not doing that math. Debt settlement programs negotiate balances down and get people out of debt in 2-4 years instead of 20. Learn more about how they work →

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 five programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your homeowners insurance has a blind spot: It covers your house if a tree falls on it. It doesn’t cover your furnace when it quits in January, your AC when it dies in July, or your water heater when it starts leaking on a Tuesday. Those are all classified as “normal wear and tear,” and they’re 100% on you. We looked into solutions that fill that gap. Here’s what we found →

📆 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.

🏥 Informational Booth: Health Department @ DeKalb Public Library (Dekalb) | Tuesday (3/17) at 9:30 AM – Skip the phone tree and stop by the Health Department info booth for the scoop on WIC, immunizations, and help with healthcare enrollment. Topics rotate with Nutrition Month, Public Health Week, and more, and they actually answer questions, free and open to all.

🩺 Lunch and Learn: Mobility and Injury Prevention @ Kishwaukee Family YMCA (Sycamore) | Thursday (3/19) at 11:00 AM – Grab coffee and a Hy-Vee Sycamore sandwich at the Y for a free Lunch & Learn on mobility, form, and injury prevention with Northern Rehab’s Rob Larkins, PT, DPT, OCS. Great for athletes, weekend warriors, and folks who prefer fewer creaks, registration required.

📄 AARP Tax-Aide @ DeKalb Public Library (Dekalb) | Saturday (3/21) at 9:30 AM – Tax season creeping up? DeKalb Public Library is hosting free AARP Tax-Aide for folks with low to moderate incomes, by appointment most Saturdays. Bring your photo ID, last year’s return, and that shoebox of receipts. Call Frances to book.

🎹 Hits of the Ragtime Era @ Dekalb Public Library | Saturday (3/21) at 2:00 PM – This concert spins the real oldies, the kind that outlived Prohibition and still make your foot tap. Expect The Entertainer, Alexander’s Ragtime Band, St. Louis Blues, and more, delivered live with snap, swing, and zero filler. Leave the algorithm at home, bring your groove.

🍲 End of Winter Soup Potluck @ Sycamore Veterans Club | Saturday (3/21) at 5:00 PM – Winter’s swan song calls for a soup potluck, and we’re bringing the ladles. Share your go-to recipe, sign up at the club or message what you’re bringing, and toss in a donation if you like. Open to all, bragging rights measured in empty crockpots.

🎲 Tabletop Paint and Play @ DeKalb Public Library (Dekalb) | Sunday (3/22) at 2:00 PM – Skip the chores and swing by the library for a free paint-and-play hangout for tabletop, miniature painting, sci-fi, and fantasy. Bring unpainted models, borrow leftovers, play a game, or just debate orc lore with friendly locals, no registration, kids welcome with an adult.

♣ Playing Cards Club @ DeKalb Public Library (Dekalb) | Monday (3/23) at 6:30 PM – Trade your screen for a deck and join the library’s Playing Cards Club for grown-ups. A quick primer on the game of the month, then play, laughs, and bragging rights. No partner or experience required; they bring cards and snacks, you bring wit, reading glasses.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 DeKalb report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 23°F – Low: 19°F – Precip: 1%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 23. Wind chill values as low as -10. West wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Snow after 7pm. Cloudy, with a low around 19. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 39°F – Low: 30°F – Precip: 85%

Snow before 7am. Partly sunny, with a high near 39. South southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30.

This house is wild

Lovingly maintained, this updated home blends comfort and flexibility with a 2008 second-story addition and roomy bedrooms. The main level features a wood-burning fireplace with gas ignition and a kitchen with breakfast bar. A clean basement adds a workbench and bonus retreat. Outdoors, 60-plus feet of wraparound decking and a 12×10 covered lounge sit across from wide green space.

Take a peek inside →