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Hi Peoria, we made it to Thursday!
In today’s fun-for-grown-ups edition: OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute expansion, a National Railroad Hall of Fame milestone, and St. Jude Run documentary premiere + 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.
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📰 In the news
New era for cancer care: OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute will add 29,000 square feet in Peoria, creating shared specialist spaces and disease specific care teams, aiming to make Peoria a regional destination for cancer care — get all the expansion details.
Major milestone for museum plan: Peoria’s Hein Construction was selected to build the National Railroad Hall of Fame visitor center in Galesburg, targeting a 2027 opening, with Chicago designers involved after last year’s lease — read the full story.
Excellence in dining standards: Peoria City/County Health Department will give out food safety awards this month to local food establishments, honoring best practices in handling, sanitation, and staff training based on strong inspection histories — see how honorees are chosen.
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:
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🐾 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.
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🫶 We got your back
Burger and beer reset: When that midweek craving hits, Obed & Isaac’s Microbrewery and Eatery serves a juicy, no-fuss burger with house brews to match. Grab a table with friends, soak up the beer garden chatter, and let a perfectly messy patty recalibrate your evening.
Roll into nostalgia: Some weeks call for carefree laps and 90s jams, and Westbrook’s Morton Roller Rink delivers: friendly faces, clean music, small-town charm. Round up the crew, bring cash for rentals and snacks, and glide into low-stress fun close to home… easy, breezy, and happily analog.
A smart midweek pick: Peoria Riverfront Museum gathers art, science, and local history under one roof, with a dome planetarium and Giant Screen Theater that turn quick drop-ins into mini adventures. It’s an easy midweek brain refresh, low effort and high wonder, perfect when you want curiosity without the heavy lift.
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.
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📆 Peoria 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.
🏺 Children’s Clay Handbuilding @ Peoria Art Guild | Thursday (3/5) at 5:30 PM – If your kid’s been turning Play-Doh into ‘art’ on the coffee table, upgrade them to real clay at Peoria Art Guild downtown. Ages 8+, four weeks of handbuilding basics, glazing in the finale, kiln-fired pieces, materials included, no experience required, plus a breather for you.
🛍 Spring Fling Market @ 309 Redesign | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Swing by 309 Redesign at Sterling Plaza for their Spring Fling Market, a pleasant excuse to upgrade that winter-weary living room. Expect refinished furniture, throw pillows, a couple pop-up vendors, and a $100 gift card drawing. Bring a friend, justify everything as “spring cleaning.”
🎂 River Kitty Cafe’s 2nd Birthday @ River Kitty Cafe | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – River Kitty Cafe is turning two, with 450-plus adoptions to brag about and zero attitude. Drop in for feline meet-cutes, new drink specials, merch discounts, and raffle baskets from local makers, then reserve your cuddle slot at riverkitty.com before the cats do.
🍤 Seafood Boil @ Peoria #1 Hy-Vee (Sheridan Village) | Saturday (3/7) at 11:00 AM – Craving a proper seafood boil without a road trip? Your Sheridan Village Hy-Vee is dishing shrimp for $12.99 and crab for $17.99, with Smokin’ Mike’s Sauce Co. bringing the heat. Bib optional, appetite required, smug satisfaction of not cooking included.
🕯 Erin Go Bragh Fused Candleholder Class @ Pumpkin Glass Gallery & Studio | Saturday (3/7) at 2:00 PM – Skip the pub crawl and channel your St. Paddy’s spirit into making an Erin go Bragh fused glass candleholder, beginner friendly and oddly satisfying. Learn basic cutting and fusing, then bring home something that actually warms the room. $30 class, $23 materials due at sign-up, ages 16 and up.
🎬 St. Jude Memphis to Peoria Run Documentary Premiere @ Peoria Riverfront Museum | Wednesday (3/11) at 5:00 PM – Our Memphis to Peoria run gets a documentary premiere at the Riverfront Museum, celebrating 45 years of sweaty miles, stubborn grit, and life-saving dollars. Expect a tight film, Q&A, and a reception. Dress Casual Chic & Kicks, because sneakers pair well with civic pride.
🎤 Toto @ Peoria Civic Center | Thursday (3/12) at 7:30 PM – Toto is bringing a two-hour An Evening With set, curated by Steve Lukather and Joseph Williams, so yes, you’ll get the deep cuts, plus the ones you know from car radios. It’s nostalgia with horsepower, the kind that makes you stretch, pre-hydrate, and sing Africa.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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🔥 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.
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📻 Peoria report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 60°F – Low: 48°F – Precip: 68%
Rain showers likely and areas of fog before 8am, then areas of fog and a chance of rain showers between 8am and 10am, then a chance of rain showers and patchy fog between 10am and noon. Cloudy, with a high near 60. North northwest wind around 3 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of rain showers and patchy fog between midnight and 3am, then patchy fog and a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. Southeast wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
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Tomorrow – High: 76°F – Low: 51°F – Precip: 68%
Patchy fog and showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. South wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Rain showers likely before 9pm, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. Southwest wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. 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 4-bed, 3.5-bath in the Lynnhurst Subdivision features formal and casual dining and an updated kitchen with quartz countertops, a large island, stainless appliances, and pantry space. Two main-level living rooms include one with a fireplace and sliders to a deck and fenced yard. Upstairs, a vaulted primary suite with a spa-like bath stands out, plus a finished basement and two-car garage.
Take a peek inside →
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