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Hi Springfield, we made it to Thursday! 

In today’s fun-for-grown-ups edition: Summer program saved, gold and silver are hot, and Girl Scout cookies at the cat café + plenty of reasons to put on real pants this week.

Today’s sponsor, Spot Pet Insurance, is something I wish I had before a late-night emergency vet visit left me with a $10,000 credit card bill. It’s cheaper than Netflix… and means you never have to choose between your pet and your savings. It takes less than 5 minutes to sign up – get started here.

📰 In the news

Funding fix averts closure: Springfield’s District 186 Summer SCOPE program nearly shut down, but a $10,000 board grant and a $10 fee increase will keep it running this summer, incoming superintendent Terrance Jordan says — learn how it was saved.

Signs of a financial turnaround: Springfield-based HSHS is back in the black for the first half of fiscal 2026, posting a $2.9 million operating gain on $1.5 billion in revenue after staffing and supply-chain improvements — see what’s driving the results.

Consumer-friendly scheduling push: State Senator Christopher Belt proposed a bill requiring service providers to give a two-hour appointment window and one-hour arrival notice, cutting long waits for customers in Springfield and across Illinois — learn what could change.

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.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Highlights this week:

• Run a pi symbol route, enjoy pizza
• Support WHS FCCLA at quarter auction
• Celebrate Irish flavors at The Railyard
• This top-tier home warranty is 50% off right now
• Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

🐾 One pet emergency can cost $10,000+

Together with our sponsor Spot Pet Insurance

Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache.

From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving.

As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Spot.

It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% on qualified vet bills. It was too late for me, but it’s not too late for you. Sign up today.

🫶 We got your back

Burger night upgrade: Burger Bar has been a Springfield favorite since 2012, serving specialty burgers from the All-American classic to an Italian Garlic that just works. Cozy neighborhood vibe, friendly crew, and plenty of build-it-your-way options make weeknights easy. Upgrade dinner without fuss tonight.

Lace up, Springfield: Some weeks call for a few laps of nostalgia. Skateland South rolls out family-friendly sessions, lessons, and the occasional themed night. Bring your crew, stretch those quads, and remember: corners are for style points, not elbows.

A quick Lincoln reset: Need a midweek lift without caffeine? At Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum, immersive storytelling meets a rotating Illinois Gallery and standout artifacts. Spend a sharp, reflective hour, then stroll out feeling a notch smarter than your group chat.

Access cash without selling your home: A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your home. Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much flexibility your home could provide, with no commitment required.

📆 Springfield for grown ups

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.

🥶 Polar Plunge @ KC Lake Club | Saturday (3/7) at 12:00 PM – Take a brisk dip for a great cause at Lake Springfield, when freezing your tail off earns applause, a cozy hoodie, and bragging rights. Raise at least $100 to plunge, support Special Olympics Illinois year-round programs, and lean into costumes, team themes, and glory.

🍁 Maple Syrup Time Demonstrations @ Lincoln Memorial Garden & Nature Center | Saturday (3/7) at 1:00 PM – Watch maple syrup happen, from tree tap to sap boil to liquid gold. Dress for weather, wear boots, and expect a brisk trek to the sugar bush, hands-on work, and that glorious wood smoke. Start at the Nature Center, then follow your nose.

🍪 Girl Scout Cookies @ The Cats’ Pyjamas Cat Café | Saturday (3/7) at 2:00 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a noble excuse to hoard Thin Mints, swing by the cat café. Troop 6197 is selling cookies, so you’ll support local girls, get feline cuddles, and, when you spend $15, snag a free 15-minute visit. Consider it community service.

🔨 56th Annual Auction @ Blessed Sacrament School | Saturday (3/7) at 5:30 PM – Take a break from the streaming wars and flex those bidding muscles at the 56th annual Blessed Sacrament auction. Expect food, drinks, live and silent auctions, and the kind of small-town bragging rights only a Bruin can claim. Every dollar heads straight back to BSS.

♀ International Women’s Day Celebration @ Illinois State Museum | Sunday (3/8) at 12:00 PM – Head to the Illinois State Museum with the Hispanic Women of Springfield for an International Women’s Day that mixes community, joy, and a little sweat. Retired Air Force vet Leonor Branch leads Sharing Our Voices, with affirmations and connection, plus free admission, yoga, and Zumba.

🌱 Make Your Own Terrarium @ New City Greenhouse | Sunday (3/8) at 2:00 PM – Swap the doomscroll for dirt under your nails and build a tiny jungle at New City Greenhouse. For $35, you get a medium jar, plants, moss, gravel, substrate, miniatures, and a care magnet, with a large jar upgrade available; tickets are non-refundable.

🎂 Shake & Shop Birthday Bash @ Willow & Birch | Thursday (3/12) at 5:00 PM – Velvet & Rosemary turns four, and the Fashion House inside Willow & Birch is celebrating with fresh preloved gems, new arrivals, and sale racks. Shop a little, then claim your free milkshake and french fries while supplies last, because carbs make outfit decisions kinder.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/5 Thursday Night Karaoke @ Obed & Isaac’s The Cidery – 6:00 PM
• 3/7 ICBC 40th Birthday Party @ Casey’s Pub – 5:30 PM
• 3/7 X-Krush @ Curve Inn – 6:00 PM
• 3/7 Trivia Night Fundraiser @ Concordia Lutheran Church and School, Springfield, IL – 6:00 PM
• 3/9 Tuesday Night Karaoke @ Main Gate Bar & Grill – 7:00 PM
• 3/10 Songwriter Open Mic @ It’s All About Wine – 6:00 PM
• 3/11 Permanent Disfigurement and more @ Dumb Records – 7:00 PM

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 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.

• Thinning hair? Don’t wait – here are 3 treatments that work
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• Protect your pet from disaster with this pet insurance plan
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account

📻 Springfield report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 64°F – Low: 52°F – Precip: 61%

Rain showers likely and areas of fog before 7am, then areas of fog and a chance of rain showers between 7am and noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64. West wind 2 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A slight chance of rain showers before midnight, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy. Low around 52, with temperatures rising to around 57 overnight. Southeast wind 2 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 77°F – Low: 54°F – Precip: 47%

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 77. South wind 10 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of rain showers before 9pm, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. South southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

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

This property arrives soon in Cobblestone Subdivision, a fresh offering in a sought-after community. Final specs, floor plan, and photos will be released at launch, showcasing style, comfort, and function in equal measure. Expect a polished presentation, a convenient location, and the neighborhood vibe that makes Cobblestone a favorite. More details to follow.

Take a peek inside →