Sunday, April 26, 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.*

Downtown redevelopment at crossroads: Sanford officials are discussing the future of Heritage Park, unused since 2017, weighing a mixed-use plan or land sale, as Planning Director Eileen Hinson warns a sale could reduce control -- see the options under review.

Regional mobility at a crossroads: Seminole County leaders are weighing funding for a proposed 417 connector, a two mile toll road linking SR 417 to Sanford, with public private partnerships considered and costs stirring debate -- see how it could be funded.

Safer procedures and expert team: HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital in Sanford now offers transcatheter aortic valve replacement and pulsed field ablation, expanding less invasive heart care for local patients through its regional cardiovascular network -- 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 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 weekend cheat sheet: Historic Downtown Sanford is your not-so-secret HQ for what’s happening around town. Use their events calendar to line up live music, block parties, art walks, and foodie fun before your group chat even asks what’s the move.

Crave-worthy island eats: Craving bold, plant-based comfort with real Caribbean swagger? Vegan On The Island brings big flavor to Sanford with scratch-made dishes that make weeknights feel special, no plane ticket required. Put it on your get-it-done list for this week, your taste buds will absolutely notice.

Handcrafted sugar fix: This week, treat yourself to pillowy handcrafted marshmallows, inventive house-made ice cream, and s’mores vibes at Wondermade, a hometown favorite in Downtown Sanford. Bring a friend, pretend it’s “for gifts,” and call it self-care; your sweet tooth will write a thank-you note.

That patch of scalp that wasn't there a year ago: It's more common than most folks talk about. Especially in your 50s... hormones, stress, and nutrition all start pulling at hair density at once. Nutrafol is a drug-free daily supplement designed to work on those causes together — and in clinical studies, 93% of women said their hair looked healthier after six months. *Take a look →

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 →

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 →

Two sprays before bed, no more snoring? It really is that simple. No mouthpiece to wrestle with, no CPAP mask, no nose strips that peel off at 2am. This doctor-developed throat spray has been keeping sleepers quiet for 30 years, and first-time orders are 40% off right now. *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 →

🏃 SBC 20K River Race @ Dees Brothers Brewery | Monday (4/27) at 6:00 PM – Sanford Bicycle Club is test-driving a free 20K on the Riverwalk, an out-and-back along Lake Monroe for racers and cruisers alike. Meet at Dees Brothers, roll to Veterans Memorial Park to start, then snag medals, bragging rights, and a pint, questionable Lycra entirely optional.

🍖 German Meat Bingo @ Hollerbach's German Restaurant | Tuesday (4/28) at 6:00 PM – This German Meat Bingo thing is delightfully literal, and yes, meat is on the line. Your fun funds Get Sanford Cycling, Bicikleta’s 501(c)(3) giving local kids community rides, free bike tune-ups, and safety workshops. Play, chat, and help keep our youth rolling.

☕ Bridgerton High Tea Cruise @ St. Johns Rivership Co. | Friday (5/1) at 11:30 AM – Swap yardwork for a Bridgerton-style high tea aboard the Barbara Lee, gliding the St. Johns like proper gentry. Unlimited tea, finger sandwiches, scones, and sweets, a reserved climate-controlled table, and a full bar if your Regency resolve wavers. Dress up, sip, exhale.

🧠 Melissa's Race to Battle Brain Cancer @ Sanford Civic Center | Saturday (5/2) at 7:00 AM – Join me in Sanford for Melissa's Race to Battle Brain Cancer with Team Tosha, presented by Orlando Neurosurgery. It's the rare morning where sweating in public feels noble, you can run, walk, or stylishly power-stroll, and your effort funds research. Brunch tastes better after.

🌎 Earth Day Experience for Kids @ Aspire STEAM Studio | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – If your mini scientists need a reason to look up from their screens, the first STEAM Squad Party is a hands-on Earth Day adventure with interactive challenges, creative projects, and real-world learning. It’s at Aspire on Upsala, just $10 per kid, and only 15 spots.

🕵 Sip & Solve: Mystery Sampling Party @ Pat's Liquor Leaf & Wine -Bourbon & Craft Beer | Saturday (5/2) at 3:00 PM – Happy hour with a plot twist, free of charge. They’re pouring 2 oz mystery cocktails, each deliberately mislabeled, and your job is to outsmart the menu and call the spirit and the garnish. Bragging rights, mild chaos, and honest tasting notes await.

🌹 Talk Derby to Me @ Woman's Club of Sanford | Saturday (5/2) at 5:30 PM – Break out the big hats, crisp bow ties, and your boldest picks for Talk Derby to Me, a watch party for the Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports. Expect top-tier people-watching, easy laughs, and bragging rights, then grab tickets before your horse scratches.

The Monroe blends tradition and flexibility with a two-story foyer, formal dining, and a living room that doubles as a study. A 3-car garage links to a granite-topped laundry and drop zone. The owner’s suite opens to the lanai, with double walk-in closets and a Kohler and Moen bath. Upstairs brings a game room, three bedrooms, and two baths.