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Hey Rockford, hope your week’s off to a good start!
In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Rogue Bookshop spotlight, using AI to change old photos, and a Florida strawberry truckload sale + lots of fun things to do for free.
Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Rockford 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.
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📰 In the news
Inside a Midwestern book haven: Beloit’s Rogue Bookshop, a short drive from Rockford, was spotlighted for its new and used reads and local authors, and owner Jamie Anderson says the community feels like home — read the full story.
Master Gardeners lead workshops: Free gardening programs at Julia Hull District Library in Stillman Valley. Kitchen Herb Gardening on March 5, and Gardening with Native Plants May 7. Space is limited — see topics, dates, and contact info.
New specialist joins team: Mercyhealth Alpine in Loves Park has welcomed board certified endocrinologist Clio Musurakis, who studied at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and completed internal medicine residency at Ascension Saint Francis in Evanston — learn more about her background.
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:
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🏆 Gold and silver are heating up
Together with our sponsor American Hartford Gold
Gold just posted its strongest run in decades… and the momentum is carrying into 2026. Silver has become one of the most talked-about assets as investors look for ways to stay ahead of market volatility.
While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning.
If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, AHG has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how investors are approaching precious metals right now.
It’s free and worth reading before the next move.
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🫶 We got your back
Pasta night upgrade: When the craving hits, Lino’s is an easy yes, with homemade pastas, lasagna that feels like a hug, and a victory scoop from the in-house gelato counter if you’re feeling extra. Old-school cozy without the fuss, it’s the kind of comfort you’ll crave midweek.
Find your next grail: From perfectly broken-in 90s tees and jackets to tough Carhartt and Harley finds, Smiley’s Vintage Supply keeps racks stocked with pieces you’ll actually wear. If your closet feels a bit too algorithm, add some personality with one-of-a-kind picks that look lived-in, not leftover.
Chill without the drama: Feeling creaky from winter? Rejuvenation Massage and Cryotherapy offers targeted cryotherapy and cryofacials for stubborn spots, plus legit massage to unknot and reset. It’s local and easy to book, so you can get relief fast and head home to thaw, drama-free.
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. Learn more about my favorite online options here.
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📆 Free events worth checking out
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.
📖 Evening Storytime @ Rockford Public Library – Main Library | Tuesday (3/3) at 6:00 PM – Tuesday evenings, the Children’s Area goes cozy with stories, songs, and coloring, perfect for preschool sit-practice and kindergartners and first graders. It counts toward RPL’s reading challenges, so you rack up titles while they unwind, and please check the calendar, because life happens.
🔢 Bingo @ Neighbors Bar & Grill | Thursday (3/5) at 7:00 PM – Head to Neighbors Bar & Grill on Thursday nights for free-to-play bingo, multiple rounds, and legit prizes, plus a monthly drawing if you hang around. Call it cardio for your competitive spirit. Bring your crew, sip something decent, and heckle your luck politely.
🐕 Drop In Mushing Class @ Stone Bridge Trail | Saturday (3/7) at 8:00 AM – Craving Iditarod vibes without the frostbite? Swing by the free, drop-in mushing class at the Stone Bridge Trail trailhead off Rockton Road by the 251 overpass, where no snow means canicross, bikejoring, and scooter joring. Bring gear if you have it, otherwise they’ve got you.
📱 Pokémon GO Challenge – March @ Top Cut Comics (Loves Park) | Saturday (3/7) at 1:00 PM – If you’ve been looking for a reason to get outside, pad the step count, and flex on a few gyms, this is it. The Pokémon GO Challenge is free, friendly, and mildly competitive. Expect shinies, groans at bad throws, and plenty of humble bragging.
🤖 Using AI to Change Old Photos @ Rockford Public Library | Saturday (3/7) at 1:30 PM – Wondering what AI can do to that box of family photos, and why everyone keeps writing new rules about it? Bob breaks down AI for genealogy, the ethics, the limits, and the gotchas. Free, in person or on Zoom.
📈 Economic Outlook On Tap @ Prairie Street Brewing Co. | Tuesday (3/10) at 3:00 PM – If your small talk could use an upgrade from potholes to prospects, pull up a barstool for a local panel on the economy, housing, finance, and trade. Smart insights for 2026, appetizers included, cash bar at the ready, free with registration.
🎨 BYO Craft Night @ A Skein Away | Tuesday (3/10) at 6:00 PM – Clear your schedule for a free BYO craft night at A Skein Away in Roscoe, where the yarn is plentiful, the company friendly, and glitter politely discouraged. Bring your project, sip something cozy, and if plans change, be a champ and release your RSVP.
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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📻 Rockford report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 45°F – Low: 30°F – Precip: 30%
A chance of rain before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. East wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: A slight chance of rain showers after midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. East northeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
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Tomorrow – High: 52°F – Low: 40°F – Precip: 26%
A chance of rain showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 52. East wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
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 polished two-story features 3 beds, 2.5 baths, and a three-car garage. A vaulted great room with dramatic arched windows and a custom fireplace pairs with a cherry and granite kitchen with breakfast bar and deck access. Main-floor primary suite opens to deck. A loft overlooks the action. Oak craftsmanship, hardwood floors, basement with egress, plus roof, gutters, and furnace.
Take a peek inside →
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