Sunday, April 26, 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.*

Controversy surrounds federal land plan: The U.S. Forest Service has proposed quartz mining near Jessieville in Garland and Saline counties. Conservationists warn about endangered bats and mussels, with a decision expected in August 2026 -- get all the details

Regional infrastructure milestone: TOLM Group has completed the Lake Ouachita Water Treatment Plant, bringing it online after over a decade of planning and promising safe, reliable drinking water for area homes and businesses -- get all the details

Readers' choice trail champion: Hot Springs Northwoods Trails was voted Arkansas's top mountain biking destination again, with 31 miles of trails designed by the International Mountain Bicycling Association. Many trails welcome hikers and runners -- read the full story

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.*

Broth therapy, anyone? The Pho House - Viet Kitchen and Cafe is your hug-in-a-bowl pho spot this week, with crisp spring rolls and handmade dumplings to back it up. Veggie friends are covered with tofu and vegetarian pho, plus a few playful twists if you’re feeling adventurous… slurp happily.

Local pint upgrade: Superior Bathhouse Brewery is the easy choice when you want fresh, house-brewed beer without overthinking it. Slide in with a friend this week, swap the group chat for actual chatter, and let a couple pints fix what your to-do list could not.

Shockingly good outing: When the kids hit that Saturday energy surge, steer them to Mid-America Science Museum for hands-on tinkering, a giant Tesla coil that’ll raise arm hair, and exhibits that sneak in learning while everyone’s smiling. Locals know it’s the sweet spot for curious brains, not just field trips.

That patch of scalp that wasn't there a year ago: It's more common than most folks talk about. Especially in your 50s... hormones, stress, and nutrition all start pulling at hair density at once. Nutrafol is a drug-free daily supplement designed to work on those causes together — and in clinical studies, 93% of women said their hair looked healthier after six months. *Take a look →

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 →

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 →

Two sprays before bed, no more snoring? It really is that simple. No mouthpiece to wrestle with, no CPAP mask, no nose strips that peel off at 2am. This doctor-developed throat spray has been keeping sleepers quiet for 30 years, and first-time orders are 40% off right now. *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 →

🏋 Strength Training @ Oaklawn center on aging | Tuesday (4/28) at 9:10 AM – Trade creaky-knee excuses for actual muscle at a no-nonsense strength training session that favors form, smart programming, and real results. Fewer mirror selfies, more coached lifts, and just enough burn to make carrying Costco hauls feel heroic. Your future joints will send thank-you notes.

🎨 Introduction to Still Life Oil Painting @ National Park College | Tuesday (4/28) at 6:00 PM – Ready to finally paint that fruit bowl you call decor? Rose Guzman’s beginner oil painting class at National Park College is a 10-week, non-credit, supportive dive into still life basics, techniques, and oils. Pick your subject, and hold off on buying supplies until class.

🧘 Feed Your Soul Wellness Retreat (Women) @ Hot Springs Akansas | Wednesday (4/29) at 3:00 PM – Ready to feed your soul without surviving on kale and platitudes? This women’s wellness retreat serves nature, community, connection, and actual restoration, the good stuff your group chat keeps hinting at. Early-bird spots are up for grabs, so claim one before your calendar does.

🧘 Yoga & Tarot @ Tula Yoga Studio | Friday (5/1) at 6:00 PM – Start May on purpose. This mellow session brings red light restorative yoga with Audrey, intention setting, a private mini tarot reading with Amber, and light snacks, because balance. Think deep exhale, a little insight, and a treat after.

🚵 2026 Women's MTB Day @ Cedar Glades Trail Head | Saturday (5/2) at 9:40 AM – Women’s MTB Day is rolling into Cedar Glades with rides in Mild, Medium, or Spicy, then a potluck hang. Pick a heat level, bring a helmet, a bike, and something to share. Ladies ride only, families welcome for the picnic, and they’re punctual, RSVP free.

🛍 Blessed Mama Boutique Vendor Sale @ LakePointe City Church | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Blessed Mama Boutique is hosting a vendor sale with local makers, boutique finds, and giftable goodies. Skip the big-box headache, chat with neighbors, and upgrade the house a smidge. Bring a tote, a friend, and willpower that will not survive the candle table.

🐾 Minerva's Menagerie Pop-Up @ The Parlour Hot Springs | Saturday (5/2) at 12:00 PM – Pop into The Parlour for a one-afternoon Minerva's Menagerie pop-up, where jewelry made from locally foraged plants, bones, stones, and other found oddities steals the show. Expect witchy trinkets, curious treasures, and the kind of good weird your mantel, and friends, deserve.

Set on 150 feet of Lake Hamilton frontage, this updated retreat flaunts a seawall, 75-foot boardwalk, and private dock. A soaring 20-foot great room with stone fireplace anchors the home, while a 20x30 bonus room amps up play. New roof, siding, and windows pair with REME HALO purification and an Ultra Aire dehumidifier. Outdoors, a 14x24 pavilion crowns the scene.