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Happy weekend, Rochester! In today’s edition: Harlem Globetrotters’ 100-year tour, an a to z local life guide, a candy factory inside Scheels, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

🏆 Most popular this week

Curated by popular demand — here are this week’s most-clicked events, local spots, and stories.

Essentials every local knows: An A to Z guide to Rochester life highlights Mother Mayo, those ever present crows and geese, and what rent and everyday costs really look like for locals — read the full Rochester guide.

Most-wanted restaurant arrivals: Rochester residents share their 2026 wish list for new eats, with Popeyes topping requests after a stalled 2021 announcement, plus interest in Ollin Cocina & Tequila, EggFlip, and McAlister’s Deli — see the most-requested spots.

Stricter measures for certain dogs: Olmsted County is considering a Dangerous Dog Ordinance for unincorporated areas, mirroring Rochester rules. It would require microchips and secure enclosures, and outline investigation and appeals processes for owners — learn what the ordinance covers.

Candy and toys combine: Spotted at Scheels in Rochester, a Fuzziwig’s Candy Factory is taking shape. Construction continues, but some treats are already available. The full sweet shop will be completed later this year — see what’s being added.

Brunch, leveled up: At Bleu Duck Kitchen, Rochester gets brunch worth lingering over, with inventive plates, seasonal twists, and an easygoing vibe that still feels special. Think dishes you wouldn’t tackle at home, plus a mood that lets weekend chores fade into the background.

Historic high-rise rivalry: Rochester once held Minnesota’s tallest building. The Mayo Clinic’s Plummer Building led the state for four years before Minneapolis’ Foshay Tower took the title away — learn how the title changed.

Gold continues to hold strong: After its best year in decades, gold remains near historic highs as investors look for stability amid inflation and debt. GoldCo has a free guide that covers everything you need to know. They’re also offering up to 10% free gold & silver – check it out here.

One emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ but pet insurance helps. I sure wished I’d had it after a $10k last-minute surgery for my cat (her name is Miss Stache). I learned my lesson and 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.

What do people see when they search your name? Search results can surface past mistakes or outdated information that no longer reflects who you are. BetterReputation helps remove and clean up unwanted content so your online presence matches your real life today. Not worried about yourself? Doesn’t hurt to mention it to family or friends who might be.

🔥 Worth a peek

We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we genuinely think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week:

• Not all financial advisors are created equal. Find the best for you
• Got debt? See if you qualify to pay up to 45% less
• Open a GoldCo account & get up to 10% in free gold/silver
• Save $ on vet bills with Lemonade pet insurance
• This home warranty is 50% off right now
• Fellow ladies with thinning hair: Try Hers

📆 Sneak peek at next week

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.

🥞 Pancake Supper @ Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch | Monday (2/16) at 4:00 PM – If you’ve been craving an excuse to eat breakfast for dinner without judgment, the Pancake Supper is back, hot off the griddle. Bob Bardwell’s favorite, and for good reason. Fluffy stacks, neighborly chatter, and syrup that could glue a barn together.

🏀 The Harlem Globetrotters 100 Year Tour | Monday (2/16) at 7:00 PM – Trade couch coaching for the Harlem Globetrotters 100-year tour, where physics takes the night off. Expect absurd dunks, the shiny Golden Basketball, and fan fun before, during, and after. Bring the kids, your nostalgia, and that camera you swear you know how to use.

☀ Driftwood Beaded Suncatcher | Tuesday (2/17) at 1:00 PM – Whether your windows need sparkle or you just want a low-stakes craft, join Casandra Garcia to make a driftwood beaded suncatcher that brings color home. You string, chat, and leave with something cheerful. $45 social member, $57 fitness and nonmember, register by February 15.

🎭 Mardi Gras with The D’Sievers Quartet | Tuesday (2/17) at 6:00 PM – Whether you’ve marched in parades or just parade to the fridge, Forager Brewery is going full New Orleans for Fat Tuesday. The D’Sievers Quartet, plus a few surprise sit-ins, will supply the jazz while the kitchen turns out Mardi Gras plates, and beer handles morale.

🎻 Rochester Symphony @ Rochester Public Library | Thursday (2/19) at 2:00 PM – If you’ve been craving a little wonder without airport lines, Rochester Symphony is charting Holst’s The Planets with conductor Chia-Hsuan Lin (pronounced Jah-Shwen). It’s a cosmic tour from Mercury to Neptune, rich, familiar, and surprisingly down to earth. Dress shoes, not space boots.

🧀 Shear Comfort Sheeps Milk Cheeses and Wine | Thursday (2/19) at 5:30 PM – If your winter comfort plan is cheese, make it sheep’s milk, and let Autumn Gilliam pour the wine. Taste your way from soft to aged, bright to earthy, with smart pairings and zero pretense. Love Manchego? Surprise, it’s sheep, and you deserve seconds.

🎨 Winter Sunset Paint Class @ Art Heads Emporium | Friday (2/20) at 6:30 PM – Warm up in Downtown Rochester’s Historic Heart with a Winter Sunset paint class that supplies everything, welcomes all levels, and lets you customize colors. Come solo or bring a friend, and it definitely beats scraping the windshield again.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Rochester report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 52°F – Low: 31°F – Precip: 2%

Sunny. High near 52, with temperatures falling to around 49 in the afternoon. South wind 5 to 8 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 31. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 52°F – Low: 40°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 52. Southwest wind around 6 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. South wind 6 to 9 mph.

Most popular house this week

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