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.*

Community art show ahead: Submissions will be accepted May 4 at Gulf Coast Village in Cape Coral. The North Fort Myers Art Association lists $25 non-member or $35 full membership fees -- get all the details.

Council-managed botanical haven: Explore Fort Myers’ Berne Davis Gardens, a free 1.5-acre oasis next to Edison and Ford Winter Estates, where Margaret Walker oversees gardens tended by clubs and plant societies, donations welcome -- get all the details.

New numbers for Southwest Florida: About $130 million in unclaimed money remains in Lee County after $5 million was claimed in March by Fort Myers and Naples, with unclaimed cash across Collier and Charlotte counties -- get the county-by-county breakdown.

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.*

Pasta night, perfected: Bruno's of Brooklyn, Italian Eatery brings a Brooklyn by way of Sicily hug to your week, with handmade pastas, arancini, and red sauce hits that taste like Sunday. It’s family-run, cozy, and exactly the kind of spot to mark on your calendar this week when carbs become a love language.

Sip and snack upgrade: Flock Wine Bistro keeps it delightfully low key, with a tight wine list, Mediterranean-inspired small plates, and shareable boards that turn a quick catch-up into "let's order one more." When the week drags, this spot feels like an easy reset.

Smoked right, no shortcuts: Smokestream BBQ serves brisket with true bark, ribs that don’t need sauce (the Carolina mustard still hits), and sides like collards and mac that taste home-cooked. Their food truck pops up around town, spreading smoke-kissed comfort with no shortcuts.

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 →

🥫 YSU Naples/Ft. Myers Chapter Volunteering @ Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida, Inc. | Wednesday (4/29) at 2:30 PM – Think doing good has to be complicated? Come help the Naples/Ft. Myers YSU crew at Harry Chapin Food Bank, where we sort, pack, and swap dry one-liners while making a real dent in hunger. Low effort, high impact, sensible shoes encouraged, warm happy-to-help glow included.

👰 The Bride: Or Does This Dress Make Me Look Married? @ ArtStage Studio Theatre | Wednesday (4/29) at 7:00 PM – If you loved her as the scrappy Sister last summer, Denise Fennell is back with a one-woman pre-wedding spiral that’s equal parts confession, comedy, and cold feet. Moments from the altar, she crowdsources advice, pokes at marriage myths, and might bolt, or say yes.

💎 Big Resin Geode Workshop @ Alliance for the Arts | Thursday (4/30) at 10:00 AM – Trade yard work for a full-day resin geode workshop in Fort Myers, where all levels wrangle pigments, crushed glass, and a wood panel into wall art. Pack a lunch, supplies included, $85 supply fee paid to the instructor. Finally, DIY that doesn’t involve power tools.

🐐 Goat Yoga @ Dim Jandy Ranch | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – Trade your studio hum for fresh air, goats with opinions, and Marsala the Highland calf photobombing your plank. All levels welcome, age 12+, bring your mat, and expect stretching, deep breaths, sanctioned goat feeding, and photos you will actually show people.

🥞 Mother Daughter Brunch @ Saint Michael Lutheran School Gymnasium | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Saint Michael’s is throwing a Mother Daughter Brunch where the dress code is matching smiles, sensible shoes, and stories you promised not to tell. Expect delicious food, the Tied Together Forever theme, a big welcome for grandmothers, and $20 tickets in the SMLS gym.

🌮 Taco Fest Meets Kentucky Derby @ Fort Myers Brewing Company | Saturday (5/2) at 12:00 PM – Derby day meets taco binge at FMBrew, because why choose between a mint julep and a spicy salsa when you can have both? Four food trucks bring the heat, cold beer keeps it civil, and your fanciest hat finally earns its keep.

🍵 Spring Tea Party @ First Presbyterian Church | Saturday (5/2) at 2:00 PM – Toast spring with fundraising tea, a take-home cup, light bites, and a chat with award-winning author Artis Henderson at First Presbyterian. Book signing, raffle, and silent auction included, tickets are $25, a tidy price for good company and another cup your cabinets will gently judge.

Built in 2016 on a curved riverfront lot, this home has 5,100 square feet oriented to sweeping views. Distressed hickory floors lead to a chef’s kitchen with double islands and live-edge walnut cabinetry. Four beds plus den and large bonus room, 4.5 baths. Outside, pool, spa, and deep-water dock with covered boathouse and lift give quick Gulf and Bay access.