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Hello Rochester! Hope your coffee’s especially good this morning.

In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Bob Dylan live, gold hits record highs, and a roller derby home opener + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.

Heads up for pet parents: 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.*

📰 In the news

Homegrown food movement blooms: Earlier this month, Rochester Public Library’s seed library drew crowds as it opened its eighth year, offering free open-pollinated seeds and Master Gardeners answering planting questions for families and beginners — get all the details.

Saluting a lifetime of care: A newly formed Rochester Nurses Honor Guard is offering free tributes to local nurses at visitations, funerals, and celebrations of life, with support from the Wisconsin Nurses Association — learn more about the tributes.

Spring fairways find fans: Oak Summit Golf Course opened earlier this month in Rochester with more than 100 golfers. Staff said being first to open draws visitors and predicted a busy opening weekend — read the full story.

Gold just hit record highs. What about your savings? While traditional IRAs have been treading water against inflation, gold has gained over 50% in three years. That gap is why more retirees are rolling a portion of their savings into gold IRAs (the kind that hold physical metal). We compared the top five options and broke down who they’re best for. Check it out here →

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:

• Experience Bob Dylan live in Rochester
• Join an Argentine tango social
• Dance to Latin beats with DJ Gretel
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home*

💎 Local business spotlight

Add some art this week: Rochester Art Center rotates thought-provoking exhibitions and low-key creative programs that make it easy to drop by, wander, and actually slow your brain down for a minute. A quick hit of inspiration for your midweek slump or weekend reset.

Craving a boba break: Locally owned Tea Time is a low-stress way to treat yourself this week—swing by the downtown or Broadway spot for a customizable cup, from classic milk tea to fruity blends with tapioca or popping boba. Friendly staff, zero pretension, maximum sips.

Live music, no fuss: Whether you’re into national tours or hometown symphony nights, Mayo Civic Center keeps the calendar stacked with concerts that are actually worth putting on pants for. Peek at the lineup and pick a night this week to treat your ears (and give the couch a break).

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 →

Own a piece of Apple for less than a coffee: Every time you buy something from Amazon or Starbucks, you’re putting money in their pocket. Fractional shares flip that: you can own a slice of those companies for as little as a dollar. Most investing apps make it incredibly easy, with zero commissions and no account minimums. See which ones we recommend →

Mom says she’s fine. You’re not so sure: “What if something happens when you’re home alone?” You’ve asked a hundred times, but the outcome’s always the same. I don’t need that. Life Alert’s for old people. The real struggle isn’t finding a medical alert system that’ll work… it’s finding one she won’t fight you on. We looked into five options designed to settle the standoff, from smartwatches to systems with nothing to wear at all. See which ones stood out →

Thinning hair? Your shampoo was never going to fix it: I’ve spent an embarrassing amount of money on hair-loss products, biotin, masks, sprays, you name it. Not one of them lasted. Turns out, most things target the strand, not the follicle (where thinning actually happens). Dermatologists have been prescribing treatments that work for years, but there are now plenty of options available with no office visits required. See our top picks for men and women →

Strangers can buy your personal data for $0.50: Data brokers sell your name, home address, phone number, estimated income, and other personal info to anyone willing to pay. Scammers and identity thieves use these databases to take advantage of you. There are dozens of affordable services that can help you protect yourself. These three are our favorites →

📆 Fun for the whole fam

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.

🧩 Puzzle & Game Night @ Historic Chateau Theatre | Wednesday (3/18) at 6:00 PM – Head to the Historic Chateau for a free, low-key night of puzzles, board games, cribbage, and genuinely good company. Bring your favorite or borrow theirs, swap that 1,000-piece mostly sky for something with corners, grab a concession, and feel virtuous for keeping it free.

🔢 Spring-o Bingo! @ Gibbs Elementary School – Rochester, MN | Thursday (3/19) at 5:00 PM – Spring-o Bingo is popping up with cards, daubers, and just enough friendly rivalry to keep it interesting. Expect springy vibes, local chatter, and the kind of low-stakes thrill that pairs well with sensible shoes, a lucky trinket, and bragging rights until next week.

🏡 2026 Home & Outdoor Show @ Mayo Civic Center | Friday (3/20) at 3:00 PM – Project season is creeping up, so let’s kick the tires on new patios, windows, and those garden beds we swear we’ll weed. Home & Outdoor Show at Mayo Civic Center packs hundreds of exhibitors, demos, workshops, and expert advice for five bucks, kids free.

🃏 Med City Sports Card and TCG Show @ Graham Arenas Park | Saturday (3/21) at 9:00 AM – Whether you still have your childhood binder or can spot a PSA 10 from across the rink, this show is taking over Graham Arena with 185 tables. Free parking, free admission, and a free Trade Night after, because your negotiating muscles could use the reps.

🛼 Saved by the Whistle: MedCity Roller Derby Home Opener @ Graham Arena Complex | Saturday (3/21) at 6:00 PM – Dust off your flannel and watch MedCity Roller Derby’s home opener as they battle Saint Cloud at Graham Arena, all 90s attitude, fast jammers, loud cheers, and halftime shenanigans. Tickets are $15, kids under 10 free, then pretend we’re still spry at Bull’s Bierhaus after-party.

🎉 A-Lot-L Fun @ Craft Lab (Stewartville) | Sunday (3/22) at 3:30 PM – Bring the kids and your inner craft goblin to adopt a stuffed axolotl, then deck out its bowl, tiny collar, and portrait like it’s the pet you swore you wouldn’t get. You’ll leave with a care card, an adoption certificate, and suspiciously happy children.

🐸 Art Club – Paper Plate Frogs @ Boundless Playspace and Activity Center | Wednesday (3/25) at 10:00 AM – Round up the kids and hit Boundless for Art Club, where this week’s masterpiece is the ever-charming paper plate frog. It’s low-stakes, high-cuteness crafting, perfect for burning off wiggles, making friends, and earning fresh fridge art, no glitter trauma required.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Rochester report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 42°F – Low: 35°F – Precip: 2%

Partly sunny, with a high near 42. Southwest wind around 7 mph. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Southwest wind around 7 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 46°F – Low: 36°F – Precip: 13%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 46. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Southwest wind 5 to 8 mph.

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