Good morning, DuPage! It’s a cozy Sunday with today's high at 60°F and a low of 36°F, perfect for a warm cup of coffee under those overcast clouds.

A group of 20 Elmhurst University students recently traveled to Anaheim, California, to attend the prestigious National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) trade show. Led by John Towner, director of the university's music business program, the students—mostly music business majors—utilized the massive 60,000-attendee event as a real-world classroom. The trip was supported in part by the NAMM Foundation and the Gretsch Company, a longtime partner of the university's music programs.

While at the convention, students explored the vast trade show floor, attended workshops, and engaged directly with global industry professionals. The 2026 show celebrated NAMM's 125th anniversary and featured over 500 guest speakers and performers. Beyond the convention center, the Elmhurst group also toured historic Los Angeles sites, including Paramount Recording Studios and Position Music, where they received firsthand advice from staffers about navigating career paths in music licensing and artist management.

A highlight of the experience was the opportunity for students to reconnect with Elmhurst alumni who are now established in the entertainment field, including professionals working for major organizations like AEG and Sony TV. Towner noted that meeting successful alumni provides students with a significant confidence boost, helping them realize that the industry is accessible. For many students, the direct exposure to the diverse possibilities within the music world served as a powerful motivator as they prepare to enter their professional careers.

The DuPage County Board is currently weighing a multi-million dollar proposal designed to address the rising prevalence of food insecurity across the region. At a recent Human Services Committee meeting, officials presented a plan to allocate approximately $6.82 million of a set-aside $8.74 million surplus toward several key initiatives. These include a major $2.5 million contribution to the expansion of Loaves & Fishes Community Services' distribution hub, as well as $2 million for a "transformational" grant program open to other countywide food shelters.

The proposal also highlights a shift toward enhancing the supply of fresh and healthy foods. It includes $2 million to help the Northern Illinois Food Bank improve its fresh produce offerings and $322,000 for a farm-to-pantry program coordinated with The Conservation Foundation. Mike Havala, CEO of Loaves & Fishes, noted that the demand for assistance has outpaced the current infrastructure of local pantries, with many recipients falling into the "SNAP gap"—families who earn too much to qualify for federal aid but still struggle with the high cost of living in DuPage.

While board members expressed strong support for fighting food insecurity, some raised questions about the distribution of financial responsibility, suggesting that neighboring counties served by these pantries should also contribute. There was also discussion about hosting a summit for all area food pantry leaders to better understand their specific operational challenges. No final decisions were made at the March 10 meeting, as board members requested further refinement of the matching grant program's parameters before official action is taken.

The global fine-dining chain Ruth’s Chris Steak House has officially opened its doors at Naperville's newly redeveloped Block 59 district. Located at 460 S. Route 59, the restaurant welcomed its first guests on Monday, March 9, following a high-energy launch week that saw over 300 reservations per day. The opening marks the chain's third location in Illinois, joining existing sites in Northbrook and South Barrington.

The Naperville location is designed to offer an approachable yet elevated dining experience, featuring a main dining room that seats approximately 330 people, a back-lounge area for walk-ins, and a bar. A standout feature of the new site is an atrium that provides an outdoor-patio atmosphere year-round. General Manager Taylor Muse emphasized that the goal is to provide "genuine hospitality" in a comfortable environment rather than a "stuffy" one, appealing to both longtime fans of the brand and new diners.

Founded in 1965 in New Orleans, the restaurant is world-renowned for its signature USDA Prime steaks, which are seared in an 1800-degree broiler and served on 500-degree sizzling plates to maintain heat throughout the meal. In addition to its famous steaks, the Naperville menu includes seafood options, shareable sides, and housemade desserts. The restaurant is open daily starting at 4:00 p.m., contributing to the growing culinary and entertainment landscape of the North Route 59 corridor.

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On March 15, 1927, history was made with the first Women's Boat Race between the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge on The Isis in Oxford. This spirited competition not only showcased the incredible talent of female rowers but also marked a significant moment in the evolution of women's sports. 

One of the most fascinating "hidden" histories in DuPage County belongs to the unincorporated community of Cloverdale. While it is now technically a part of Carol Stream, Cloverdale spent decades as a thriving, independent farm community located at the intersection of Army Trail Road and Gary Avenue.

The area's primary claim to fame was its status as a massive "Milk Stop" for the Illinois Central Railroad in the late 1800s. Because it was closer to local dairy farms than Bloomingdale, it became the central shipping point for milk heading into the Chicago market. The traffic was so heavy that the railroad built a large depot, a station master’s house, and a specialized loading facility just to handle the hundreds of gallons of fresh milk arriving daily.

The social heart of unincorporated Cloverdale was Tedrahn’s General Store, built in 1888. The store was uniquely elevated to the exact height of a horse-drawn wagon bed, allowing farmers to slide their supplies directly into their carriages. For nearly a century, Tedrahn’s served as the post office, the notary, and the local news hub, with farmers often gathering in a nearby picnic grove to wait for the arrival of the daily milk train. Today, the "ghost town" legacy lives on through St. Isidore Catholic Church, which was founded by the very same German Catholic families who settled Cloverdale in the 1850s.

Thanks for reading! See you tomorrow, and remember to always support your local businesses!

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