Monday, April 27, 2026

Heads up for pet parents: An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.*

New view into community wellness: A University of Arkansas research team has launched AR-COMPASS, a dashboard that maps health conditions to census tracts, helping Fayetteville and Arkansas communities compare neighborhoods and spot risk factors -- get details on the tool.

Centralized gateway for student support: The University of Arkansas will launch a well-being website to guide students to care with 'I Need' and 'I Want' paths, built for accessibility and expanding in a first phase -- get all the details.

Global pilot pipeline grows: OSM Aviation Academy has launched a commercial pilot training school at Drake Field with Fayetteville, beginning small and planning up to 100 aircraft, 700 graduates annually, and hundreds of jobs -- see what's planned at Drake Field.

The bill everyone over 50 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.*

Retirees are making moves: After gold's best year in nearly five decades, more folks than ever are moving part of their savings into precious metals. Not all of it... just enough to hedge against inflation. AHG put together a free guide that explains how it works -- grab your copy here.*

Closet upgrade, unlocked: When your rotation needs something with history and personality, Dirtbag Vintage has curated racks of denim, tees, jackets, and the occasional wild-card gem. Perfect for Fayetteville's four-seasons-in-a-day situation, hunt a little and leave feeling your outfit tells a better story than your last group text.

Break Stuff, Responsibly: NWA Smash Lab gives you a safe, fully geared smash room to shatter bottles, glasses, and plates, swing bats and sledgehammers, and leave zero cleanup. Grab a buddy, sign the waiver, and turn a rough week into oddly satisfying confetti... of glass.

Your colorful gift fix: Swing by The Boho Boutique for locally made jewelry, cheeky cards, colorful home decor, crystals and other small joys you didn’t know you needed. A feel-good treasure hunt curated from Arkansas makers and indie artists worldwide, perfect for a quick this-week pick-me-up or birthday dash.

The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →

Your homeowners insurance has a blind spot: It covers your house if a tree falls on it. It doesn’t cover your furnace when it quits in January, your AC when it dies in July, or your water heater when it starts leaking on a Tuesday. Those are all classified as "normal wear and tear," and they're 100% on you. American Home Shield can help fill that gap for ~$1/day (even if your appliances and systems are really old).*See what it covers →

Selling your house doesn't have to take months: If you need to sell quickly — because you're downsizing, relocating, or just ready to close this chapter — Liz helps seniors sell their houses fast. As-is. No repairs, no showings, no drawn-out back-and-forth. You pick the closing date. *See how it works →

Unknown-number calls aren't random: Scammers don't just pick numbers out of a hat. They pay data brokers a few bucks and get everything they need to harass you, trick you, rob you, or steal your identity outright. Incogni removes all of your personal info from these data broker sites and keeps an eye out to make sure it stays gone for good. *Get protected →

For women who've been feeling off for years: The fatigue, the weight creeping up, the mood swings, the sleep that won't hold. Turns out most of those "it's just aging" problems are actually caused by hormones, and proper HRT can get you back to feeling like yourself. The catch? You can't get it without a full hormone panel and a doctor who understands what those numbers mean. Most women never get either, but Hone Health gives you both. *See how it works →

🕉 Love and Compassion Sand Mandala @ St. Paul's Episcopal Church | Tuesday (4/28) at 12:30 PM – Nothing beats watching masters turn colored sand into a mandala, grain by grain, at St. Paul’s. The Mystical Arts of Tibet are building the Love and Compassion Sand Mandala, with opening and closing ceremonies, so drop in, breathe, and let your blood pressure retire early.

🦖 Dinosaur World Live @ Walton Arts Center | Tuesday (4/28) at 6:00 PM – Take the herd to Dinosaur World Live, part of the Pringles Family Fun Series. Life-size dinos, clever puppetry, and the kind of roars that make even seasoned parents sit up. It’s air-conditioned, seated, and educational enough to justify snacks, which is really the point.

🏺 Arkansas Pottery Festival @ Community Creative Center | Friday (5/1) – A three-day pottery fest is taking over the weekend with live demos and sharp lectures from nationally recognized artists, plus an exhibition and sale from over 50 potters. Bring your curiosity, your wallet, and that shelf begging for something handmade. Mud therapy beats retail therapy.

📚 Friends' Book Sale @ Fayetteville Public Library | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – Stock up for porch-reading season at the Friends' Book Sale, where gently loved fiction, cookbooks, art, history, and plenty of children's books await. Prices are marked, bargains abound, and every dollar backs our library's programs, services, and storytime magic. No algorithms, just shelves and serendipity.

🍓 2026 Strawberry Festival @ Rivercrest Orchard | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Weekends at Rivercrest Orchard mean one thing, strawberries and zero bending required. Grab pre-picked berries, crush a shortcake, let the kids conquer the farm attractions, then humblebrag at the photo ops. Spring without chores, just fresh air, sweet treats, and that we-did-something feeling.

💐 Sip, Shop and Sparkle @ EVM Jewelers | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Skip brunch mobs and hit a sip, shop, and sparkle hangout with complimentary drinks, mini makeovers, and honest brow consults. Score half-off permanent jewelry, enter for a Louis Vuitton stadium bag or $250 eco-friendly cleaning, and feel smug about $15 tickets.

🧶 Get Back into Crochet @ Fenix Arts Gallery | Saturday (5/2) at 11:00 AM – Hands itching to remember what your brain forgot? Join Debra for a two-hour refresh where you’ll whip up granny squares, revisit yarn and hook choices, and shake off the rust, because YouTube can only cheer. Not for true newbies, bring yarn, hooks, scissors, and questions.

Set within Fayetteville’s historic district, this 2018 modern offers 4 bedroom suites, 3 full and 2 half baths, a bonus room, office, gym, and dining on 0.58 private acres with a seasonal creek and fire pit. Expansive windows create a treehouse feel. A kitchen, pass-through pantry to the 3-car garage, spa-like primary, gunite pool, and dog runs stand out.