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.*

Connecting producers and processors: Downtown Albany gets a boost this fall when the Georgia Grown Resource Center is set to open, a $1 million hub for farm and food entrepreneurs beside 4C Academy -- get all the details.

More spots for local kids: Dougherty County will shift summer funds to expand the Sheriff's Youth Camp to 350 children after Albany State University cut National Youth Sports Program, with registration open through May 18 -- get all the details.

From industry to academia: Albany State University officially invested Robert Scott as its 11th president during Founder's Week, highlighting plans to raise the university's profile and a $2 million initiative for faculty excellence -- see his priorities and background.

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.*

Slice, sip, repeat: Harvest Moon is that Albany standby where weeknights casually turn into hangouts, with pizzas, calzones and sandwiches since 2001, a full bar plus 50+ craft and imported beers, and regular live music that makes you text the group chat instead of the couch.

Sip local this week: Pretoria Fields Brewing nails the “I deserve a great beer” mood with fresh pours, comfy vibes, and a tap list that keeps things interesting. Grab a pal, share a flight, then act like you discovered it first... we’ll back you up.

Albany boredom buster: Need a low-effort plan that still feels like an outing? All American Fun Park packs mini-golf, a figure-8 go-kart track, bowling, Hologate VR, laser tag, blaster boats and bumper cars... perfect for shaking off weeknight blahs or corralling the crew without leaving town.

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 →

💺 Chair Fitness @ Sowega Council on Aging/ Area Agency on Aging | Monday (4/27) at 10:00 AM – Finally, a workout where sitting is encouraged. Head to the Sowega Council on Aging’s Regional Resource Center for Chair Fitness, a low-impact class that builds stamina, strength, and flexibility with zero knee drama, friendly faces, and just enough sweat to earn that second coffee.

🖍 After School Art Club @ Albany Museum of Art | Tuesday (4/28) at 3:30 PM – Upgrade the fridge gallery and your sanity with Albany Museum of Art’s After School Art Club for elementary kids. They’ll try drawing, painting, printmaking, and clay in a supportive setting, and you’ll snag a breather. $15 a session, $12 if you’re an AMA donor.

🐻 Cubs Program @ Chehaw Park & Zoo | Friday (5/1) at 10:00 AM – Round up your favorite tiny human and hit the Zoo every First Friday for the Cubs Program, attention-span-friendly for ages 3 and 4. Hands-on animal moment, a craft, and a story, free with admission, free for members, and you are home by nap.

🌃 Summer Nights @ Veterans Park Amphitheatre | Friday (5/1) at 6:00 PM – Ready to toast summer like responsible adults who still know how to have fun? Summer Nights rolls in with Stephen Harrell and the Dusty Boots Band, a beer and wine sample bar, and optional craft tastings you can actually savor, not just power through.

🍷 Cookies & Corks 2026 @ Doublegate Country Club | Friday (5/1) at 6:00 PM – Whether you swear cookies belong with milk or you have evolved, this 21+ fundraiser at Doublegate Country Club pairs pours with bites, and yes, cookies. Expect wine tasting, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and a raffle, every excuse you need to call it dinner for a cause.

🎶 Fridays On the Flint @ Albany Civic Center | Friday (5/1) at 7:00 PM – Ready to swap the couch for the riverfront? Fridays on the Flint brings DJ Planet X to Downtown Albany, with breezy views, familiar faces, and enough bass to make your knees remember high school. Bring a chair, sip something cold, and let the weekend start.

🛍 May Market @ Morning Cafe | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – Nothing beats a morning spent pretending you’re shopping for Mom while quietly treating yourself. The May Market at Morning Cafe in Albany brings local vendors, sweet treats, and those coffee flights we call 'research,' perfect for a breezy stroll, a catch-up, and easy gifting.

This 5-bed, 4-bath Victorian estate sits on 2 acres, moved from Cuthbert in 1994 and exquisitely restored. Ceilings soar 12 to 14 feet, five fireplaces glow, and a sunroom frames views of a 20x40 pool and pool house. A granite-clad chef’s kitchen, dual laundry rooms, a luxe primary suite with porch, and a large bonus room add everyday ease.