3.19.2026

Good morning, Naperville! The last couple of weeks have delivered the full Midwest sampler: sun, snow, tornados and storms. If snow angels were still on your winter checklist, this might be your final opportunity. 😁

In this week’s Niche…

• Approved park district referendum

• New summer concert series

• Weightlifting form workshop

Here we go!

-Elrie & Carly

📰 The Digest

🏗️ It is projected that Naperville voters have approved the Park District’s $120 million bond referendum in Tuesday’s election. The funding will support a new indoor recreation center at Frontier Sports Complex—featuring pools, gyms, a walking track, expanded space for programs, new trails throughout the city and open space preservation.

The plan was scaled back from its original proposal after community feedback, with a focus on addressing high demand for facilities and programs, which currently see long waitlists.

🌳 The Naperville Park District has officially named its newest green space Plank Road Park, set to become the community’s 141st park. The name reflects the historic wooden plank road that once ran along Ogden Avenue, inspiring the park’s design, which will include a playground, shelter, mini amphitheater berm, and a themed walkway.

The 0.62-acre park will be part of The Claire housing development (formerly the Residences at Naper and Plank), with the land donated by developers. The name was approved after a 60-day public feedback period with no objections. Expected to open in late 2027, the project is part of the district’s broader efforts to expand recreational spaces as Naperville continues to grow.

🎓 Scholarship Season is Here: Don’t Let Your Senior Miss Out! If you have a graduating senior (or know one!), now is the time to apply. Local organizations are offering several college scholarship opportunities ranging from $1,000–$5,000, with deadlines quickly approaching this spring.

• 💰 Financial-need scholarships available through DuPage County

• 🤝 Service-based awards from Rotary Club of Naperville and American Legion Post 43

• 🎭 Arts and education scholarships offered by Naperville Woman’s Club

• 🛠️ Career and vocational training support through First Light Pathways

Together with Wheatland Animal Hospital

Join Wheatland Animal Hospital’s Community Clean-Up on March 31! Help keep Naperville beautiful while supporting a healthier environment for pets and people. Bring your friends and family - supplies will be provided, and all are welcome. Learn more & RSVP here.

Looking to put your business in front of local readers? We’d love to help—get in touch here! 

📍Naper Now

🎗️ Be a hero for kids with cancer. Join volunteers supporting the St. Baldrick’s Foundation and help fund life saving childhood cancer research. Participants can shave their heads, raise funds, or donate to support kids from infancy through young adulthood who are battling cancer. Are you or someone you know ready to make a bold difference? Consider joining the 2nd Annual Brave the Bald event at Artistic Creations Salon and be part of this incredible cause. 3/20

🪗 Naperville’s Block 59 dining and entertainment district is launching a new summer concert series called Rock the Block, bringing weekly live music to its green space from July 23rd through Aug. 27th. Performances will take place every Thursday and feature a mix of local and tribute bands, including a Taylor Swift tribute act.

A preview performance by Chicagoland Irish band Small Batch is scheduled for this Friday. The stage will be set up between Yard House and The Cheesecake Factory. Some restaurants in the district will offer special promotions during the event. 3/21

🏃 Congratulations to all participants and winners of the Naperville St. Paddy’s Day 5K!

Just make sure your referral confirms on their end, and you’re good to go!

🏙️ Around Town

📆 Interested in sharing an event with us? Submit it here! 

🎨 Kids Corner

Hello Spring! @ Oswald’s Pharmacy (3/21)

Hop into spring fun at Oswald’s Easter Celebration! Enjoy face painting, toy demos, tasty samples, and snap your own photo with the Easter Bunny. Kids can play, explore, and even enter to win festive Easter baskets, plus don’t miss a special guest game from My Gym Aurora. A fun, free outing for the whole family!

Slime Science & DIY Mini Plaque @ Fry Family YMCA (3/21)

Join First Light Pathways where kids can stretch, squish, and create their own custom slime at this hands-on Slime Science Workshop, exploring simple chemistry while adding fun mix-ins like glitter, scents, and charms. They’ll also get creative designing a personalized wooden plaque using paints, stencils, and raised lettering making it a fun afternoon filled with science, creativity, and projects to proudly take home.

Lawn Mower Workshop @ Lowe’s (3/21)

Ready to roll into spring? Kids can build their very own push lawn mower toy with a fun spinning feature in this hands-on workshop. It’s a great way to learn about tools and motion while getting creative and excited for the season ahead.

Celebration Storytime @ Nichols Library (3/21)

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Celebration Storytime! Enjoy festive stories, songs, and activities as kids explore the fun traditions and magic of this lucky holiday.

The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System @ Belushi Performance Hall (3/27)

Climb aboard for a nostalgic, out-of-this-world adventure with The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System! Families will love watching Ms. Frizzle and her class blast into space for a fun, musical journey filled with teamwork, discovery, and a little bit of classic Magic School Bus magic.

Kids Bowl Free @ Fox Bowl (5/26-9/6)

Strike up some summer fun! Registration is now open for the Kids Bowl Free Summer Bowling Program at Fox Bowl, where registered kids can enjoy 2 free games of bowling every day all summer long. Want to join the fun too? Add the Family Pass for a small one-time fee so parents, grandparents, and caregivers can bowl alongside the kids all season. It’s a fun and affordable way to keep the whole family active this summer!

🐈️ Furry Friend of the Week

Meet Zuzu 🐾 a beautiful gray tabby with a gentle spirit and a heart full of love. After losing her owner, she’s been adjusting to a lot of change, so she may be a little shy at first, but don’t let that fool you. Give her a little time, and you’ll see her sweet personality shine. With a calm approach and a kind touch, Zuzu will gladly peek out from her cozy cat tree to say hello and soak up some affection.

This lovely girl just needs a patient home and a little reassurance, and in return, she’ll fill your space with quiet companionship and love.

Interested in adopting Zuzu (or seeing more adoptable pets)? Visit here to learn more.

🎶 What’s Happenin’

• 3/20 Semple @ Potters Place 8pm

• 3/20 80’s Party @ Quigley’s Irish Pub 9pm

• 3/21 Small Batch @ Block 59 12pm

• 3/21 Augustana Symphonic Band @ Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church 1pm

• 3/21 The Cat Gaddis Project @ Two Brothers Roundhouse 7pm

• 3/21 Mariachi Mosaic @ Wentz Hall 7:30pm

• 3/21 Led Zeppelin Tribute @ 8pm

• 3/22 Ultimate Sports Trivia @ Tapville Social 6pm

• 3/22 Stand Up Open Mic @ Bit Theater 6pm

• 3/22 Shout Section Big Band @ The Venue 8:30pm

• 3/24 Pete Ellman Band & Naperville North @ The Venue 6:30pm

• 3/26 Shawn Maxwell @ The Venue 7pm

• 3/26 Killer Buzz @ Quigley’s Irish Pub 8pm

• 3/26 “The Grown Ups” @ Meiley-Swallow Hall 7:30pm

🌤️ The Niche Forecast: Week at a Glance

• Friday: 🌤️ AM clouds/PM sun, high 71°

• Saturday: ⛅️ Partly cloudy, high 70°

• Sunday: ☁️ Cloudy, high 50°

• Monday: ⛅️ Partly cloudy, high 40°

• Tuesday: 🌥️ Mostly cloudy, high 51°

• Wednesday: ☁️ Cloudy, high 56°

• Thursday: 🌥️ Mostly cloudy, high 64°

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