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.*

Temporary access changes ahead: A portion of Azalea Court in Lakeland closes today to replace a culvert between North Chestnut Road and North Wabash Avenue. Work will finish May 1 at 4 p.m -- get dates and location details.

Runoff races and book sale: Plant City’s municipal election is underway for city voters. The registration deadline is today. Early voting is May 22 and 23 at City Hall, and Election Day is May 26 -- see when and where to vote.

Comfort classics worth the trip: Fred’s Market Restaurant in Lakeland is drawing fresh buzz for its under-the-radar dinner buffet this April, featuring crispy fried chicken, BBQ ribs, and homestyle sides served hot and replenished often -- see menu, hours and parking.

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.*

Your midweek nature reset: When you need a breather between errands and I-4 meltdowns, award-winning Bonnet Springs Park delivers shaded trails, a canopy walk, and a legit treehouse for the kids. Stroll the Nature Center boardwalks, peek into the greenhouse and butterfly house, then chill by the lagoon like you planned it all along.

Local errands, upgraded: When you want errands, a bite, and a movie without crossing town, Lakeside Village packs nationally loved shops, easygoing restaurants, and an 18-screen CMX Cinemas into one walkable hub just off Polk Parkway. Browse Kohl’s, Belk, and Books-A-Million, then reward yourself with a show.

Eyes on the sky: Whether you're into roaring flyovers, vintage warbirds, or just need an excuse to touch grass while nerding out over aviation, SUN 'n FUN Aerospace Expo turns Lakeland into an all-week playground. Grab a friend, snag some earplugs, and see what’s buzzing overhead before the contrails fade.

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 →

💍 Fingerprint Charm Walk-In Event @ PicassoZ Art Cafe | Monday (4/27) at 10:00 AM – Skip the last-minute florist panic and swing by to make a fingerprint charm for Mom. Walk in, pick a pendant, press a tiny thumb, and feel wildly sentimental. Pieces are ready before Mother’s Day, shapes abound, and it’s $12.50 a pop.

🎩 Seussical Jr @ Medulla Baptist Church | Friday (5/1) at 7:00 PM – Seussical Jr brings Dr. Seuss to life, with Horton guarding tiny Whos, big songs, and bigger imagination. It’s bright, breezy, and actually fun for adults, with little ones free, kid tickets cheap, and attention spans mercifully considered. Bring the kids, grandkids, or borrow some.

⛳ Swings Against Strokes Charity Golf Tournament @ Cleveland Heights Golf Club | Saturday (5/2) at 8:00 AM – Grab your clubs and join the 4-person scramble at Cleveland Heights for a charity round supporting Mental Health and Stroke Awareness Month. Teams are $500, solos $125, with a swag bag, raffles, and networking mixer, where your short game finally does good off the scorecard.

🦸 Free Comic Book Day 2026 @ Coliseum of Comics | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Free Comic Book Day is landing at Coliseum of Comics Lakeland on Bartow Road with, you guessed it, free reads and plenty of nostalgic browsing. Swing by, channel your inner kid, and claim a stack you’ll insist is for the grandkids, no cape required.

🐦 Birding on the Boardwalk @ Bonnet Springs Park | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Whether you can name warblers or call them pretty birds, this birding stroll is all about migration with seasoned spotters. Borrow scopes, binoculars, and guides, track flight patterns from Observation Dock, then wander lagoon boardwalk, kids supervised. Consider it the classiest neck workout in town.

💐 Mother’s Day brunch @ The Terrace Hotel Lakeland, Tapestry Collection by Hilton | Saturday (5/2) at 11:30 AM – If Mother’s Day feels complicated, join a brunch in Lakeland with fellow estranged moms for real talk and a little breathing room. No forced smiles, just coffee, comfort, and people who get it, so RSVP on the page and claim your spot.

🎨 Wine Glass Painting Workshop @ Yancey's Taproom | Saturday (5/2) at 1:00 PM – Trade your usual scroll and snooze for a wine glass painting workshop at Great Southern Beverages, where the art is easy, the drinks are close, and you leave with two glasses you’ll actually use. No experience, just step-by-step help, your colors, and limited spots.

Set inside Delphi Hills, an exclusive gated enclave by acclaimed Hulbert Homes, this 4-bed, 3-bath stunner pairs 3,168 square feet with luxe details. A quartz-clad gourmet kitchen touts double ovens, premium appliances, and a built-in Miele coffee system. Retractable sliders reveal a fireplace lounge, heated saltwater pool, and spa. Private office, 3-car garage, sunlit primary suite included.