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.*

Seven-screen multiplex, laser tag: An 83,000-square-foot entertainment complex is planned for downtown Clearwater at Cleveland and Myrtle, with EVO Entertainment proposing bowling, arcade, and a theater. A demolition permit has been submitted to Clearwater -- explore features and investment details.

Beloved roaster expands footprint: St. Pete-born Kahwa Coffee marked 20 years with a new west Tampa café on Kennedy Boulevard, offering indoor seating, a drive-thru, and familiar lattes and pastries locals love -- learn more about the expansion.

Expanded disaster aid launching: Hillsborough County’s call center is now helping homeowners hit by Hurricanes Helene and Milton pursue a share of $211 million, with applications opening May 1 and priority based on income -- get eligibility and timeline info.

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.*

Level up your week: Bowling, axe throwing, VR, a golf simulator, and an arcade live under one roof at 1UP Entertainment + Social, plus a scratch kitchen and craft cocktails to keep things social. Perfect for league nights, birthdays, or just catching up with the crew without texting twelve different plans.

Color that actually behaves: Tribeca Salons fields seasoned cut-and-color pros trained through its yearlong ColorConstruct program, delivering damage-conscious blonding and dimensional color that lasts. Thinking about balayage or extensions? Consider this your gentle push, color that behaves, grows out beautifully, and respects your hair.

Weekend round, anyone? Threading wetlands and wooden bridges, Westchase Golf Club blends quiet scenery with enough shot-shaping to keep you honest. Post-round, the clubhouse hosts debriefs; the course is a relaxed local loop that fits neatly into your week and rewards smart targets without harsh punishments.

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 →

🕵 Murder Mystery Dinner Cruise @ Yacht StarShip | Wednesday (4/29) at 7:30 PM – Craving dinner with a plot twist? Set sail on Tampa Bay for a comedic who-done-it where the views are real, the alibis are suspect, and a plated three-course meal keeps you fueled for sleuthing. No costumes, no homework, just laughs, skyline, and mildly suspicious tablemates.

📚 Sally Hepworth: Mad Mabel @ Oxford Exchange | Thursday (4/30) at 6:30 PM – Whether you’ve devoured The Mother-in-Law or just like your fiction with a body count, bestselling author Sally Hepworth talks Mad Mabel with Ashley Kritzer. Expect sly humor, nosy-neighbor intrigue, and the comforting realization that sweet old ladies, like little girls, can be terrifying.

🐶 Florida Wiener Dog Derby @ Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Think you're ready for peak Tampa culture? The Sweet 16 Florida Wiener Dog Derby sprints into Curtis Hixon with tiny torpedoes, goofy contests, and that Riverwalk buzz, all benefiting DARE. Swing by for merch, and more dachshunds than your group chat can handle.

🌊 Manatee Conservation Celebration @ ZooTampa at Lowry Park | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – ZooTampa is hosting its first Manatee Conservation Celebration, mixing kid-friendly activities, presentations, local vendors, and live music with learning about our sea cows. Bring kids, or grandkids. Meet rescue partners, tour the new rescue and Critical Care Center, and leave with bragging rights, not swag.

🌺 Latin Luau @ Yuengling Draft Haus | Saturday (5/2) at 12:00 PM – Skip the big-box run and hit the Yuengling Draft Haus Biergarten for a Latin luau with 60+ Latin, Caribbean, and Asian vendors, live music, and dance, plus ridiculously good bites. Family-friendly, free by day, then a Prohibition Room afterparty with a modest cover.

🌸 Flower Mandalas @ The Paper Seahorse | Saturday (5/2) at 1:00 PM – Trading doomscrolling for zen, this in-person class walks you through watercolor and colored-pencil mandalas inspired by all those May blooms you keep photographing. No experience needed, just the alphabet. Supplies included, or bring your own, and leave feeling calm, creative, and quietly proud.

🏇 Gallop & Give Derby Social @ Egypt Shriners | Saturday (5/2) at 6:30 PM – Break out the big hat and your most polite betting voice for a Derby-themed social that actually does good. Expect racing-inspired games, easy mingling, and plenty of chances to support Pepin Academies and their students with learning disabilities. Feeling generous, or competitive? Sponsors welcome.

On the open bay of Davis Islands, this Thomas Everett Lamb designed, Windstar Homes built estate pairs timeless architecture with serious fun. Sweeping terraces lead to a Grand Salon with dual wine rooms, a chef's kitchen plus scullery, a theater and gym, a resort pool, pickleball court, party dock, and a crow’s nest terrace that frames blazing sunsets.