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

In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Illinois flea markets, swipe-fee ban on tips, and Miss Rachel and Bluey lunch + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.

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

Secondhand treasure hot spots: A recent list spotlights ten Illinois flea markets, from nearby St. Charles’ Kane County Flea Market to Elgin’s Fox Valley Flea Market, with vintage finds, antiques, and handmade goods — check out the full lineup.

Statewide shift in card charges: A federal court upheld Sen. Cristina Castro’s ban on swipe fees on tax and tip amounts. The law will take effect July 1, 2026, easing checkout costs for Elgin shoppers — see what changes and when.

Community creativity takes root: Leo’s Vintage in downtown Elgin marked its one-year anniversary in November 2025, led by ECC alum and entrepreneur Leo Navarro, championing sustainable style and hosting community vendor events for thrifters — read the full story.

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.

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:

• Join a feminist craft circle
• Celebrate spring at community game night
• Help restore Tekakwitha Woods Forest Preserve
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home

💎 Local business spotlight

Neighborhood sweet tooth saver: From hand-cut donuts and real-deal Danish to kringles and custom cakes, Herb’s Bakery is Elgin’s from-scratch, family-run standby, with classics that taste like home. Decades in, the case still thrills… ideal for a solo treat or an office bribe.

Fresh stems, no stress: Whether you’re brightening a weekday or making a last‑minute “I’m not late, I’m thoughtful” save, Floral Excellence delivers designer’s‑choice bouquets and artful arrangements that feel personal. Local to Elgin, they handle weddings, too, so your kitchen table or your big day looks unfairly good.

Sneak in a climb: Swap the treadmill for real handholds at The Centre of Elgin. The 32-foot, 360-degree wall offers seven routes, open-climb sessions with a belayer, and classes if you’re easing back in. An easy boost of adventure to your week without leaving town.

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

🫶 We got your back

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 →

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 →

What doctors wish every 65+ adult had at home: Physicians call it “long-lie,” and it’s the real reason falls are so dangerous for older adults. It’s not a broken bone… it’s lying on the floor for hours waiting for someone to notice. We dug into the options that actually solve this problem, and one stood out. See which one →

Thinning hair? It only gets worse: A few months ago, I noticed my ponytail getting thinner. I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, etc.) but mostly just hoped it would fix itself… until I learned that active follicles can permanently go dormant if you don’t do something about it. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Check out my favorite online options →

📆 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.

🔢 Dime Bingo @ Senior Services Associates Inc | Friday (3/13) at 10:30 AM – Dime Bingo is calling numbers for the price of couch change, just ten cents a card. Bring your lucky dabber, reading glasses, and a roll of nickels, then settle in for pint-sized stakes, big laughs, and bragging rights that last all week.

🎤 Corron’s Got Talent! @ St. Charles North High School | Friday (3/13) at 6:00 PM – Nothing beats a small-town talent show, especially the 19th annual Corron classic at St. Charles North. Expect pint-sized showstoppers, comedy acts, and at least one surprisingly good ukulele solo. Everyone needs a ticket, students and staff are free, no drop-offs, grab yours: https://corrons-got-talent-2026.cheddarup.com/

🌈 Pot of Gold Park Stroll @ Mount Saint Mary Park (St Charles) | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Mt. St. Mary Park becomes a leprechaun hunt, a free all-ages stroll for those who like lucky charms more than crowds. Snag a prize from the pot each lap, enter to win River View Mini Golf passes, wear green, and bring strollers and leashed pups.

🍝 Rock ‘n Ravioli @ Rock ‘N Ravioli (St Charles) | Saturday (3/14) at 12:00 PM – Miss Rachel and Bluey return to Rock ‘N Ravioli for a kid-fueled lunch with a meet-and-greet, storytime, coloring contest, raffles, and adorable chaos. It’s $25 per person, with mini hotdogs and pizza, at the Arcada Theatre Complex, and yes, tickets are required for everyone.

☘ Irish Dancers @ 120 Live (Bartlett) | Saturday (3/14) at 2:30 PM – Encore time for feeling Irish without the airport lines. Bailey Murray Academy of Dance brings live traditional tunes, crisp footwork, and enough bounce to make your knees ache in sympathy. Show up, clap loudly, and let the pros handle the jigs.

🐾 Spring Into Love Adoption Day @ Critters (South Elgin) | Sunday (3/15) at 11:00 AM – Take a break from yard work and pop into Cat Adoption Sunday, where whiskered charmers are shopping for forever homes. From shy snugglers to bold explorers, there’s a match for your sofa, schedule, and heart. Call it spring cleaning, starting with an empty lap.

🏊 Shamrock Splash @ Goldfish Swim School – St. Charles | Sunday (3/15) at 3:00 PM – Whether your kids are part fish or just show up for snacks, Goldfish Swim School in St. Charles is throwing a Shamrock Splash in their 90-degree, shiver-free pool. Expect open swim, light refreshments, a kid-friendly craft, and the rare miracle of tired children.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Elgin report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 40°F – Low: 26°F – Precip: 74%

Patchy fog and showers and thunderstorms likely before 3pm, then a slight chance of rain and snow showers between 3pm and 4pm. Cloudy. High near 40, with temperatures falling to around 37 in the afternoon. North northwest wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 26. West northwest wind 5 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 47°F – Low: 39°F – Precip: 2%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. West southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Later: Rain showers likely after 7pm. Cloudy, with a low around 39. South southwest wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

This house is wild

This new two-story home blends contemporary style with smart function, featuring formal living and dining rooms, a chef-inspired kitchen and a casual breakfast room that flows into a spacious family room. A secluded study handles work-from-home with ease. Upstairs, four restful bedrooms await, including an owner’s suite with two generous walk-in closets.

Take a peek inside →