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.*

Vibrant new dining hotspot: Agave Bandido is bringing its lively Mexican spot to Venice, with a fifth location set to open September 1. Expect open-air seating, murals by Ruben Ubiera, and crowd favorite tacos -- get the opening details.

Community-powered shoreline care: Sarasota County is recruiting volunteers for the 6th annual Beach Blast Trifecta, a three-day beach cleanup happening May 1 to 3. All ages can help, and teens earn service hours -- see how to get involved.

Creative twist on civic pride: Sarasota County unveiled the 2026 I Voted sticker, created by seventh-grader Fiona Tenuta of Sarasota Middle School after a student contest. Voters will receive it during the gubernatorial election -- get all the details.

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.*

Weekend swing fix: Squeeze in a quick nine before dinner or go for all 27 at Lake Venice Golf Club. It’s public, no tee times, just show up and play. Bring a “rusty” friend and relax... your secret’s safe, and the fairways are waiting.

Stock up like a pro: When spatulas shed and pans squeak, Premier Restaurant Supplies has durable cookware, smart smallwares, and no-nonsense advice that saves extra errands. Everyday cooking gets easier with gear that works hard and lasts, from sheet pans to ladles to tools you’ll actually reach for.

Treat yourself this week: When you need a reset that outlasts caffeine, Venice Day Spa delivers calming facials, stress-melting massages, and attentive hair and nail care. Opt for a midweek sanity check or go full recharge. Either way, your shoulders and skin will breathe easier.

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 →

🎨 Venice Art Stroll @ ChristinaBellaBeads | Thursday (4/30) at 11:00 AM – Downtown Venice just launched a weekly art stroll, and it’s the good kind. Galleries, studios, and shops are teaming up with food spots for meet-the-artist moments, classes, and trunk shows. Stretch your legs, chat with makers, and upgrade that wall, not just your fridge magnet.

✏ International Urban Sketchers Week 2026 - Pop Up Sketch @ Lord-Higel's Coffee House | Friday (5/1) at 10:00 AM – Whether your sketchbook is battle-worn or still smells like the art store, kick off Urban Sketchers Week in Venice with a morning capturing the Lord-Higel House, John Nolan Park, and those 1920s gems. Porch coffee, locals you actually like, and a throwdown to compare masterpieces.

🐻 Winnie-the Pooh @ Venice Theatre | Friday (5/1) at 7:30 PM – Venice Theatre’s Pinkerton is serving up a honey-sweet dose of nostalgia with Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, and Rabbit bumbling through heartwarming misadventures. It is A.A. Milne, gentle laughs, and zero screen time. Bring your inner child, or the grandkids, your call.

🌺 Luau 5K, 10K, & 13.1M @ Shamrock Park & Nature Center | Saturday (5/2) at 8:00 AM – Trade your beach chair for running shoes and hit the Luau 5K, 10K, or 13.1 around Venice, leis encouraged. Gulf breeze, palm trees, and a respectable excuse to eat pancakes afterward. Register on RunSignup, no on-site, so plan before the caffeine kicks in.

🌊 Local Tides 1 Year Anniversary @ Local Tides Artful Creations | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Local Tides turns one, so swing by West Venice Ave to meet artists, shop coastal pieces, and enter raffles for art, jewelry, and gifts. Think low-key, salty vibes, neighborly chatter, and that perfect something for the house, the hostess, or, fine, your own mantel.

🎨 Sea Glass Shadow Box Art Class @ The Artistic Flip Flop | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – If that jar of shells is judging you, turn it into a 5x7 sea glass shadow box with artist Janet Moughler. $40, supplies included, bring extras if you like. Space is limited and classes are non-refundable, so snag a spot at theartisticflipflop.com/shop/art-classes/23.

🐎 Sunsets and Show Jumping Grand Prix @ Fox Lea Farm | Saturday (5/2) at 5:00 PM – Skip the usual dinner plans and catch Sunsets and Show Jumping’s $24,999 Grand Prix, where horses and riders clear five-foot fences like it’s casual cardio. Ten bucks gets you in, free parking, food and drinks, VIP tables if you’re feeling it, proceeds to charity partners.

Set on a private conservation-area lot in gated Everly at Wellen Park, this 3,138-square-foot model home pairs luxury finishes with preserve views. Four bedrooms plus office, four baths, an upstairs bonus room, and a three-car garage. Sub-Zero/Wolf/Cove kitchen, quartz waterfall island, 12-foot coffered ceilings, impact windows, custom iron front door. Screened lanai with heated saltwater pool, spa, and outdoor kitchen.