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Hello Janesville! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. 

In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Mac’s Pizza Shack auction, a walk-through whale exhibit, and a lip sync battle + excuses to get the fam out and about 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

Community staple bows out: Mac’s Pizza Shack will liquidate all business assets at an auction on March 9 after its December closure, with equipment, furniture, and arcade games up for bids in Janesville — get all the details.

Big flavors, bigger portions: Planning dinner out this weekend? A recent roundup spotlights 15 Wisconsin supper clubs where Janesville diners should reserve early, with classic plates and lakeside options close to Lake Koshkonong — read the full story.

Rescue confronts health crisis: Edgerton’s Brown Paws Rescue has asked for help after a parvovirus outbreak sickened puppies. By Feb. 18, three had gone home, one remained under veterinary care, and donations topped $12,000 — see how you can help.

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:

• Learn pickleball basics, then play
• Shop new and gently used craft supplies
• Save on mattresses, support Parker Athletics
• This top-tier home warranty is 50% off right now

🐾 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

Share-and-sip spot: When you’re after a linger-and-graze evening, Genisa Wine Bar plates Italian-leaning small plates, charcuterie, and brick-oven pizzas with a thoughtful wine list. Cozy enough for a low-key date, lively enough for friends, it’s a simple slide into the week without messing up a single pan.

Stock up for outside: Need a last-minute stove, extra tarp, or a satisfyingly legit surplus haul? Plahn’s Outdoor blends camping essentials with throwback finds, plus a custom canvas shop for boat-cover repairs, so you spend more time outside and less time doom-scrolling gear.

Make it a movie night: When the week needs a reset, slip into Movies 16 Janesville for first-run flicks, comfy recliners, and crisp, newly upgraded picture and sound. Locally run and low-key, it’s the perfect spot for a breezy midweek escape.

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.

📆 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.

🥕 Winter Crafter & Farmers Market @ Downtown Beloit Association | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Take a break from hibernation and swing through the Downtown Beloit Winter Crafter and Farmers Market, where vendors keep it cozy inside, food trucks brave the chill outside, and kids have free activities. Saturdays all winter, with vendor lineups posted weekly on the Market page.

🏒 Try Hockey for Free @ Woodman’s Sports & Convention Center | Saturday (3/7) at 10:30 AM – Got a pint-sized daredevil? Bring them to Woodman’s to try hockey for free, ages 4-9, no experience needed, skates and sticks provided, bring a bike helmet if you have one, or they will, with volunteers on the ice so spills stay friendly.

🐋 Walk Through Wonder Whale and Fossil Show @ Tri-County Community Center | Saturday (3/7) at 11:00 AM – Only in Wisconsin do you walk inside a 56-foot inflatable gray whale, explore fossils, and still be near decent coffee. This traveling exhibit hits Rock, Walworth, and Racine, tying ocean life to our backyard, and yes, there will be a line, so pace yourself.

🧱 Lego Showcase @ Hedberg Public Library | Saturday (3/7) at 11:00 AM – Library day means tiny bricks everywhere. WisLUG brings showstoppers, Junior Builders take the Fireplace room and Woodruff case, and the Children’s Room piles on LEGO-themed activities. Build with LEGO and DUPLO, while you pretend you’re just chaperoning, not angling for the good pieces.

👄 Lip Sync Battle @ Janesville Performing Arts Center | Saturday (3/7) at 6:00 PM – Local all-stars and closet divas hit the JPAC stage for a lip sync throwdown, raising funds for Project 16:49’s work with youth experiencing homelessness. Zero pitch required, just moves, questionable wigs, and glory, so grab tickets, cheer, and feel good doing it.

🎳 Kids Bowl Free Sundays @ Henry Dorrbaker’s | Sunday (3/8) at 11:00 AM – Sunday Funday solved, let the kids burn energy on the lanes while you call it bonding, and maybe dinner if the nachos behave. Kids bowl free with a paid adult, up to two per grown-up, ages 12 and under, by the hour.

📚 Book Bingo @ Edgerton Public Library | Tuesday (3/10) at 5:00 PM – Bring the kids to Edgerton Library for Book Bingo, where every child ages 4 to 12 walks out with a bag of books. Storytime from the librarian, free pizza and snacks, courtesy of Safe Families for Children. Call it dinner and a chapter.

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
• Treat yourself: Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

📻 Janesville report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 54°F – Low: 39°F – Precip: 8%

Patchy fog before 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Later: Rain likely after 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 51°F – Low: 40°F – Precip: 67%

Rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 51. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Later: A chance of rain after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. East wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

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 beautifully maintained 3-bed, 2-bath gem pairs everyday comfort with clever extras. An insulated 3-car garage includes one stall with a manual setup, ideal for storage, a workshop, or specialty parking. Color-changing soffit lights add playful curb appeal. Thoughtful care shows throughout, delivering functionality, warmth, and a polished vibe inside and out.

Take a peek inside →