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.*

Creative camps and activities: Registration is open through June 1 for Volusia’s 2026 summer camps starting at $90 per week. Camps run June 8 to July 24 with options for ages 6 to 15 -- get all the registration details.

Retail revamp rolls out: Walmart plans to remodel 58 Florida stores, including five in Volusia County, bringing faster, more convenient shopping, new app features, pharmacy delivery for Walmart+ members, and free cleanings and adjustments -- get all the details.

Steps to protect coastline: Volusia County has installed sand fencing in Ponce Inlet to help dunes grow and cut blowing sand, including along Oceanview Avenue and Lighthouse Point Park. More sites are being considered -- get locations and next steps.

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.*

Fresh cut energy: If your ends are plotting mutiny, Boulevard Hair comes through with thoughtful cuts, seamless color (yes, balayage), and an easygoing neighborhood vibe that’s so DeLand. You’ll leave lighter, shinier, and a little too pleased with your mirror.

Handmade, right downtown: Skip the two-day vibe. At Crafters Guild, find locally made crochet, sewn pieces, painted decor, soaps and lotions, plus wood, metal, and glass work. Stroll through, chat with makers, and leave with the piece you didn’t realize you needed until it was in your hands.

Tune-up time, anyone? DeLand Cyclery gets your ride dialed this week, whether you need a quick flat fix, a proper tune, or smart accessories to smooth weekday spins. It’s the old-school, no-drama shop keeping bikes, e-bikes, and vintage rescues feeling brand-new.

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 →

🎶 The Sound of Music @ Athens Theatre | Thursday (4/30) at 7:30 PM – Whether you know every lyric or just hum the Do-Re-Mi bit, Athens Theatre Company’s The Sound of Music delivers nuns, nostalgia, and that beloved Rodgers and Hammerstein score. Less doomscrolling, more Do-Re-Mi. Bring your partner or the grandkids, and let Maria handle the yodeling.

🎨 Paint Your Picture Workshop @ Hammer & Stain DeLand | Friday (5/1) at 6:00 PM – Finally get that favorite photo off your phone and onto a wall. Bring your pet, house, or vacation pic, get guided step by step, and leave with a framed 8 x 11 worthy of wall space. No art degree required, just a sense of humor.

🥕 Artisan Alley Farmers Market @ Artisan Alley | Friday (5/1) at 6:00 PM – Friday night is spent wandering Artisan Alley’s farmers and makers market, tucked into century-old brick in downtown DeLand, with a brewery, shops, and a butterfly garden you pretend not to love. Grab produce, art, and a pint, rain or shine, then call it quality time.

📚 Book Boyfriend Trivia @ Black Rose Bookshop (Orange City) | Friday (5/1) at 6:30 PM – Trade small talk for swoon talk at a Book Boyfriend trivia night, with prizes, good company, and shelves for scenery. Limited seats, so claim yours and actually RSVP, then confirm with BAMDAT Entertainment that you made the list before your favorite fictional crush does.

🐾 Paws 2 Run 5K @ Lake Beresford Park | Saturday (5/2) at 7:00 AM – At Lake Beresford Park, it is the 5k where your dog sets the pace, not the stopwatch. Untimed, out-and-back, with paw medals for the top three. Every step funds Veteran Rescue's healing ranch for veterans, first responders, and animals, so bring the leash.

✂ Community Shred Day @ Deltona City Hall | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – Time to evict that mountain of paperwork and let someone else make confetti. Free, secure shredding at Deltona City Hall, up to five paper bags or banker boxes, no plastic or wet stuff. Also accepting sharps, license renewals and tabs, and license plates for recycling.

💐 Mother's Day Pop Up @ ArtWorks DeLand | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Whether you’ve got your gift sorted or you’re eyeing that emergency drugstore card, swing by ArtWorks DeLand’s Mother’s Day pop-up for handcrafted jewelry, pottery, and art from local makers. Skip the World's Okayest Mom mug, snap a photo by the mural, and earn favorite-child status.

Set on 2.5 acres, this 4-bed 2017 ranch delivers 3,300+ sq ft with vaulted ceilings, triple sliders to a screened Florida room with hot tub. The kitchen pairs wood cabinetry with a gas range and pantry. A reinforced game room boasts Cumaru floors and projector. Storm-rated construction, a 50-year metal roof, and a 150 mph RV shed add rare durability.