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 public art commissions: Grand Junction is seeking artists to paint transformer box murals at the Community Recreation Center on Recreation Way. Proposals due May 5 and will be reviewed by an arts panel -- get all the details.

Faster help for common injuries: Intermountain Health Rocky Mountain Orthopedics in Grand Junction now offers same-day care for sprains fractures and sports injuries, with X-rays and casting, and doctors say ER remains best for emergencies -- see what services are offered.

Quicker first responder access: After concerns about delays, CDOT lowered the curb on US 6 by Clifton Fire’s station, and officials say the crossing is for fire crews only, not for public use -- 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're probably paying way more than you need to. It's an easy bill to forget about, but switching could save you up to $1,000 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium to ~$60 a month - see how much you could save.*

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.*

Windy City vibes, GJ roots: Cruise Control Kitchen and Cellar is Grand Junction’s fast casual wine bar pouring a thoughtfully curated cellar with Chicago-inspired comfort from a seasonally rotating menu. Swing by this week, order a sausage sandwich on Turano French bread, then linger for pairing dinners or live music when they pop up.

Time to top out: Skyward Mountaineering’s AMGA-certified guides can tune up your crack skills, get you on a Grand Junction desert tower, or craft a private day dialing multipitch tactics in Unaweep or Escalante, so you show up Monday with forearm pump and an unreasonably big grin.

Upgrade your lunch game: Skip the sad desk salad this week and let The Cutting Board handle your midday cravings. Think thoughtfully stacked sammies, crisp veggies, and flavors that actually wake you up, perfect for a quick grab between errands or a low-key bite with a friend, right here in your Grand Junction routine.

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 →

🩺 9th Annual Community Health Fair @ Healing Horizons Integrated Health Solutions | Friday (5/1) at 8:00 AM – This health fair is the rare freebie that helps. Treat it like a tune-up, glide through free tongue and pulse readings, acupuncture consults, neck and shoulder release, microbiome checks, and discounted blood work. Spa day meets science, bring a friend, and call it self-care.

🧵 Mesas to Monuments Quilt Show @ Grand Junction Convention Center | Friday (5/1) at 10:00 AM – Mesas to Monuments is unfurling 200+ quilts, an antique bed turning, and a trunk show by artist Sharon Braunagel, plus 18 vendors, a silent auction, and buy-it-now deals. Call it color therapy with shopping, perfect for Mother’s Day, just $8, kids 12 and under free.

♻ CUMC Swap Meets @ Crossroads United Methodist Church | Saturday (5/2) at 8:00 AM – If your garage needs a diet, CUMC’s Summer Swap Meets are back to help. Wander the rows, trade a few stories, and maybe score that one thing you didn’t know you needed, with free admission. Selling stuff is a $20 donation, easy karma.

🌸 Spring Fling Festival @ Cross Orchards Historic Site | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Swing by Cross Orchards for Spring Fling, the museums’ 60th bash with unlimited train rides, live tunes, food trucks, and demos. Shop plants and local vendors, let the kids get messy, and pretend the shaved ice is theirs; members get in free, tickets at mowc.co.

🛍 Amanda's Spring Market @ Bray Real Estate | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Consider this your permission slip to wander, browse, and graze at a free spring pop-up packed with local makers, small businesses, and food trucks. There are raffle prizes, kid distractions, and plenty of neighbors to nod at while pretending to remember names.

🖨 Print Day in May Printing Party @ Uncanny Valley Art Gallery & Co-op | Saturday (5/2) at 12:30 PM – Whether you’ve got inky fingers or just a healthy curiosity, Uncanny Valley is throwing a printing party where you can make a mess, ask questions, and leave with art. It rolls alongside the Downtown Cinco de Mayo buzz, so yes, tacos, prints, and bragging rights.

🐇 An Evening in Wonderland @ Mesa County Libraries Discovery Garden | Saturday (5/2) at 5:00 PM – Spring in the Discovery Garden and 970West Studio means Wonderland comes to the library, no rabbit required, with live entertainment, recycled book crafts, and a few surprises. Cafe Sol feeds, Whitewater Hill pours, costumes welcome, tickets are $40 at ow.ly/qVJp50YFcwo or 970-243-4442.

This award-winning Chuck Lopez custom ranch crowns the first hole of Redlands Mesa Golf Course, framing panoramic vistas of the Colorado National Monument, Grand Mesa, Mt. Garfield, and the Book Cliffs. Inside, 6,105 square feet showcase walnut millwork, radiant travertine, an elevator, a Sub-Zero and Wolf kitchen, a 12-by-20-foot Panda door, theater, sauna, private casita, and observatory.