Hello Rockford! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: BMX Midwest Nationals secrets, puppy pals, and international mud day + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Behind the podium push: The BMX Midwest Nationals drew more than 35,000 people and cost $800,000, and this look back explains what it actually took competitors to win as interest reached around the world -- see what it took.
Veterans host summer drive: South Beloit American Legion Post 288 and VFW Post 11019 will host a July 2 blood drive. Donations benefit hospitals and patients, and donors could win a $1,000 gas card -- see how to sign up.
Housing policy under review: Rockford City Council is considering zoning updates to boost housing, allowing duplexes in R1 and cutting setbacks to 20 feet, with supporters citing affordability and critics warning of neighborhood impacts -- track the zoning changes.
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.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
You've traveled abroad without being able to speak the local language. You can change that in just 10 minutes a day. Most people are holding real conversations within three weeks. In fact, 92% of users improved their proficiency in just two months, with 25 million subscriptions sold -- take 55% off.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Press start this week: QuarterWorld is pure arcade nostalgia with 100+ games to mash through, from classic cabinets to a wall of ticket-spewing redemption fun. Round up a kiddo or your inner one, chase a new high score, then flex those prize-counter picks like the Rockford legend you are.
Your riverside reset: Slow down with a lap around Sinnissippi Gardens, where the lagoon ripples, roses show off, and the Rock River shares prime “I live here” views. Perfect for a bring-your-own-coffee stroll, kiddo energy burn, or low-stress date that looks oddly well planned.
Garden glow-up time: From Proven Winners annuals to hardy perennials, shrubs, and the mulch that keeps them thriving, The Landscape Connection pairs a packed greenhouse with landscaping know-how and seasonal events. Translation, easy Zone 5 color and curb appeal without the guesswork, courtesy of a local team that actually gardens here.
|
04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
Makeup for skin that's changed, now up to 65% off: Laura Geller has built its following on formulas made for mature skin, led by the baked foundations women over 40 keep coming back to. Right now, new email subscribers get up to 65% off plus an extra 22%. Enter your email on the page and the discount activates. *See the VIP pricing →
Need cash but can't take on another monthly payment? This gets you a lump sum from your home's equity with no monthly bill and no interest, because it isn't a loan. Use the funds for anything, whether that's home improvements, paying off debt, or a large purchase, and pay it back by the end of your 30-year term. Checking your offer is easy, fully online, and won't affect your credit score. *See your cash offer →
Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
Wish you had someone to talk to right now? The quiet hours are the hardest, especially when you just want someone to talk to. That's exactly what this is built for: real conversations, real matches, real people. Not endless swiping, but actual chats with singles who want to connect as much as you do. Someone to talk to could be a message away. *Join now and start chatting → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
|
05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎮 Pokemon Play Lab @ Cataclysm Tabletop Gaming (Machesney Park) | Wednesday (6/24) at 5:00 PM – Nothing beats rediscovering your inner kid with a Pokémon TCG crash course at the Play Lab. Actual Professors run you through the basics, hand out handy guides, and new players keep the demo decks while supplies last, lab coats optional. It is free, curiosity encouraged.
🚌 Wrigley Field Insider Bus Tour @ Rock Valley College | Thursday (6/25) at 8:00 AM – Go behind the scenes at Wrigley Field with a guided tour into the ballpark’s history, architecture, and places you never get to see. No season ticket needed. Ride the motorcoach, let someone else battle parking, then wander Wrigleyville for lunch, a browse, and Chicago people-watching.
🐶 Puppy Pals @ Discovery Center Museum | Friday (6/26) at 10:00 AM – Round up the crew for a family-friendly spectacle where adopted and rescued dogs pull off stunts, goofy tricks, and more comedic timing than your group chat. Short 30-minute shows run throughout the day, free for members, included with general admission. Prepare for shameless grinning.
🛒 Rockford City Market Jr. @ Rockford City Market Pavilion | Friday (6/26) at 4:00 PM – City Market goes junior, meaning kids get activities, you get local beer, and everyone sleeps well. Browse 40 plus vendors for baked goods, vintage finds, handmade goods, and flowers, then hit the food trucks and settle in for Rollin’ Whiskey and Andrew Robinson downtown Rockford.
🛠 Fix-It Fair @ Emmanuel Lutheran Church | Saturday (6/27) at 9:00 AM – If your lamp flickers, bike squeals, or sweater is one snag from retirement, let Rockford’s Fix-It Fair work its free magic. Volunteers fix small appliances, lamps, bikes, and simple clothing mends, no zippers or computers, printers, or phones, bring up to three items.
💧 International Mud Day @ Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens | Saturday (6/27) at 11:00 AM – International Mud Day is taking over the south lawn at the Conservatory with messy fun, muddy games, and kid-friendly nature play. Bring a sacrificial T-shirt for mud tie-dye, embrace the hose-down station, and enjoy the rare family outing that celebrates stains. Free, of course.
🚗 Bucciferro Family McDonald's North Town Car Show! @ Bucciferro Family McDonald's | Saturday (6/27) at 5:00 PM – Roll over to Bucciferro’s McDonald’s on Riverside for a one-time Saturday cruise-in with the Gentlemen’s Car Club, classic rides, and the usual neighborhood bench racing. It’s free, DJ is live, cones are fifty cents, burgers are two bucks, kids race remotes, you might snag $100.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. 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 Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Rockford report Weather forecastToday — High: 79°F — Low: 58°F — Precip: 57%
A slight chance of rain showers between 9am and 10am, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 10am and 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 79. South southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10pm and 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. West wind 0 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Tomorrow — High: 78°F — Low: 57°F — Precip: 7%
Partly sunny, with a high near 78. Northwest wind 0 to 5 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. This house is wildThis fully exposed ranch offers over 3,000 square feet of polished living space, including 5 bedrooms, 3 baths, formal rooms, and two family rooms with gas fireplaces. The custom kitchen shines with granite and stainless steel, while the backyard steals the show, an acre-plus oasis with professional landscaping, multi-level decks, a heated 32x19 pool, and whole-house generator support.
Take a peek inside → |
| |
