🦌 Exciting Changes Coming Your Way

Good morning and happy Tuesday! If daylight saving has you feeling like you lost an hour (or three days), don't worry—we've got parades, pints, and plenty of local fun to help you bounce back. Let's dive in!

In this issue:

• St. Patrick’s Day Fun 🍀 

• Harper College expansion 🚒 

• Crossroads of Schaumburg 🍽️ 

Let’s get to it.

— Jake & Kayla Sherman, Publishers

P.S. Got a question, comment, or local tip? Just hit reply—we read and respond to everything!

LOCAL LOWDOWN

Harper Breaks Ground on Firefighter Training Hub 🚒

Harper College has finally broken ground on its long-awaited $9.3 million Emergency Services Training Center, a state-of-the-art facility designed to train both new and veteran firefighters in the Northwest suburbs. The four-story tower will feature realistic simulations, including mock homes, apartments, and office buildings, allowing first responders to hone their skills close to home. The project, decades in the making, is expected to be completed by the end of the year, with classes starting in spring 2026. Learn more here.

New Eats Coming to Schaumburg 🍽️

The Crossroads of Schaumburg is set to break ground soon at the northwest corner of Meacham and Golf roads, transforming the former Macy’s furniture store site into a vibrant multi-tenant shopping center. The project includes pedestrian-friendly upgrades like crosswalks, patios for outdoor dining, and professional landscaping. Expected to open in late 2025, the center will feature a potential lineup of restaurants including Lazy Dog, Piccolo Buco, Cava, Velvet Taco, Crisp & Green, Panda Express, and Naansense.

Itasca Fireworks Fizzle for 2025 🎆

Itasca’s beloved Independence Day fireworks at Hamilton Lakes Business Park won’t be lighting up the sky this year. Village officials cited ongoing construction in the area, making the event “logistically unfeasible.” While disappointing for longtime attendees, the village plans to explore alternative community events with the unused funds and will reassess bringing back the fireworks in 2026.

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MARK YOUR CALENDAR

St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations! 🍀

Get ready for a jam-packed St. Patrick’s Day on Saturday, March 15, with parades, parties, and family-friendly fun happening all over the area!

🇮🇪 Palatine St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festivities (8:30 AM) – Kick off the day with an Irish breakfast at Durty Nellie’s, followed by the Palatine Parade at 11 AM, and an after-party with live Irish music, dancers, and bagpipers.

☘️ East Dundee St. Patrick’s Day Parade (11 AM) – One of the biggest celebrations around! The parade starts at Rosie O’Hare’s and runs through downtown East Dundee, with plenty of spots to grab a drink and celebrate.

🎨 St. Patrick’s Day Crafts – Elk Grove Village (1–3 PM) – Bring the kids to the Elk Grove Historical Museum for a fun, hands-on crafting event while learning about Irish history.

Run, Drink, and Wag Your Tail! 🍀🐶🍻

Saturday, March 15, is packed with two fun 5Ks in the Busse Woods!

🏃‍♂️ Lucky Dog 5K (8:30 AM) – Run (or walk) with your pup and support Animal House Shelter! Finishers get a medal, race swag, and treats for both humans and dogs.

🍺 Shamrock Beer Run & BrewFest (11:30 AM) – A 5K with five beer stops, a full pint at the finish, and an epic post-race BrewFest. Not a runner? Grab a BrewFest-only ticket and go straight to the beer! 21+ event.

Chicago Sports Spectacular Returns 🏆

The Chicago Sports Spectacular is back March 14-16 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, featuring legends like Barry Sanders, Chevy Chase, Jon Lester, and Paul Pierce. Meet athletes, grab autographs, and shop memorabilia. Tickets start at $15, and the first 1,000 attendees on Friday get $5 Dealer Dollars to use with vendors.

Give a Pint, Get a Pint! 🩸🍦 

Schaumburg’s Community Blood Drive is happening Tuesday, March 18, from 1:30–7:30 PM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Donors will get a free Culver’s “Give a Pint, Get a Pint” coupon and a chance to win a $25 Home Depot gift card! Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. Learn more here.

COMING UP NEXT WEEK

Shower of Crafts Returns to Glen Ellyn 🎨 

Shop over 200 booths of handmade goods at the Shower of Crafts at College of DuPage, March 22-23 from 10 AM - 4 PM. Browse garden art, jewelry, home decor, and more while enjoying food from local vendors. Tickets are $7 at the door or $5 online before 3/21. Kids under 16 get in free with an adult. Learn more here.

Grateful Dead Tribute at Hey Nonny 🎶

Catch Trouble Ahead at Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights on Saturday, March 22, at 7:30 PM for a night of classic Grateful Dead tunes performed by top Chicago-area musicians. Expect faithful renditions, deep improvisation, and a night of dancing. Tie-dye and twirling optional! Get tickets here.

LOCAL BUSINESS

New 24/7 Vet ER Opens in Schaumburg 🐾

Veterinary Emergency Group has officially opened a 6,000-square-foot emergency hospital at 1287 E. Higgins Rd., Schaumburg, following a $1 million renovation. This is their sixth Illinois location, offering around-the-clock emergency care where pet owners can stay with their pets throughout treatment.

WEATHER

Today, March 11
⛅ High: 48°F | Low: 35°F — Partly cloudy with a cool breeze.

Wednesday, March 12
☀️ High: 57°F | Low: 37°F — Mostly sunny and a bit warmer.

Thursday, March 13
☀️ High: 61°F | Low: 47°F — Plenty of sunshine and mild temps.

Friday, March 14
⛅ High: 75°F | Low: 57°F — Partly cloudy and feeling like spring!

Saturday, March 15
🌧️💨 High: 65°F | Low: 34°F — Morning showers with gusty winds.

Sunday, March 16
☁️ High: 40°F | Low: 30°F — Cloudy and much colder again.

EXTRAS

Surprising St. Patrick’s Day Facts 🍀

• The original color associated with St. Patrick was blue, not green. The shift to green happened gradually over centuries.

• The first recorded St. Patrick's Day parade took place in St. Augustine, Florida in 1601, not in Ireland.

• St. Patrick wasn't Irish - he was born in Britain and brought to Ireland as a slave at age 16 before later returning as a missionary.

• "Drowning the shamrock" is a tradition where a shamrock is placed in a drink, the drink is consumed, and then the shamrock is tossed over the left shoulder for luck.

• Corned beef and cabbage isn't an authentic Irish dish - Irish immigrants in America adapted their traditional bacon and cabbage dish using more affordable corned beef.

THANKS!

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