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.*

Summer heat prompts earlier routes: Starting May 1, Lee County Solid Waste will adjust pickup times in unincorporated areas, Fort Myers Beach, Estero, and Bonita Springs. Set items curbside by 5 a.m., pickup days unchanged -- see what you need to do.

Community landmark's next chapter: Big Johns Plaza in Cape Coral is for sale at nearly 12.5 million, and Elmer Tabor says the Big John statue damaged by Ian will return to its podium soon -- read the full story.

Global recognition for greening efforts: Cape Coral was named a 2025 Tree City of the World for the second year through an Arbor Day Foundation program run with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization -- learn more about the designation.

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.*

Taco night, leveled up: When your week needs a win, Clase Azul brings modern Mexican flavors that actually deliver. Think rich mole, sizzling fajitas, and margaritas that taste like a tiny vacation, plus friendly vibes that make it an easy pick for a midweek date or family dinner you’ll actually look forward to.

Easy waterfront upgrade: Gather channels relaxed marina vibes with a brunch lineup from Lobster Cake Benedict to Nutella waffles, plus craft cocktails worth savoring. Mornings stay easy and delicious in Cape Coral... no fuss, just good taste.

Creative recharge, anyone? Whether your walls need a little SWFL flavor or your hands need a creative workout, Karma & Coconuts rounds up work from 80+ local artists and runs hands-on classes five days a week. Pop in this week for one-of-a-kind gifts, then stick around to make something uniquely yours.

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 →

💎 Big Resin Geode Workshop @ Alliance for the Arts (Fort Myers) | Thursday (4/30) at 10:00 AM – If you've been waiting to make something shiny that belongs on your wall, Fort Myers' big resin geode workshop is it. All levels welcome, supplies included with an $85 fee to the instructor, you pick pigments, crushed glass, and panel size, and pack a lunch.

🌌 Planetarium Premiere: Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon @ Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium (Fort Myers) | Thursday (4/30) at 7:00 PM – Trade the living room stereo for the planetarium dome, and let Dark Side of the Moon wash over you in surround sound with cosmic visuals. The album you wore out on vinyl, now with stars, satellites, and none of that dorm-couch aroma. Float, listen.

🐐 Goat Yoga @ Dim Jandy Ranch (Fort Myers) | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – Unroll your mat and try yoga with goats, plus Marsala the Highland calf, because your downward dog could use company. It is outdoorsy, low-pressure, and all-levels, with photo ops and goat feeding. BYO mat or towel, leave the snacks to them.

🥞 Mother’s Day Brunch @ North Fort Myers Church of God | Saturday (5/2) at 9:30 AM – Skip the overcrowded buffets and treat Mom to the annual Mother’s Day brunch with Evangelist Marilyn Weeks, catered by Steve’s Place. Good food, a little inspiration, and no sink full of pans. It’s $15 a person, kids under 12 eat free.

🕺 International Flash Mob Line Dance Fundraiser @ Hope Church | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Flash mob line dancing in the Hope Church parking lot, because around here even our surprises are organized. Kick in a donation to support Special Olympics and the LBD Foundation dance troupe, featuring our Cindy and Pam, then watch, two-step, and call it community cardio.

🫐 2nd Annual Blueberry Fest @ Mike Greenwell Regional Park (North Fort Myers) | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Blueberry season calls for waistbands with mercy and a stroll through Mike Greenwell Regional Park. The 2nd Annual Fort Myers Blueberry Fest packs blueberry everything, vendors, and laid-back vibes. Bring a tote, your sweet tooth, and that neighbor who 'doesn't do festivals,' they'll be smiling.

✨ People Shine Holistic Fair @ Church Of Spiritual Light (Fort Myers) | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – First Saturday tune-up for mind, body, and spirit, with Reiki, chair and foot massage, sound therapy, crystal readings, and other good weird in one room. Every session is 25 minutes for $25, cheaper than your copay. Browse the bookshop, leave lighter, and smugly serene.

Riverfront artistry by Windward Construction and a designer, this 2020 Makani Model delivers panoramic views and instant Gulf access. The 3-bed plus office, 3.5-bath plan highlights a 12-foot Acadian iron door, a wall of glass, and a bookmatched Montoro Dolomite kitchen with Dacor Modernist appliances. Outside, a saltwater pool, picture-window screen, outdoor kitchen, and SE exposure set an unforgettable scene.