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.*

Domestic USV production planned: Red Cat's Blue Ops will invest $30 million in a Valdosta plant at the former Regal Boats facility, bringing 200-plus jobs over time, including up to 100 hires in 2026 -- read the full story.

Bigger boost for homebuilding: Habitat for Humanity has opened a new Valdosta ReStore at 308 E. Hill Ave, funding attainable housing and honoring longtime leader Mike Bourgoin after Hurricane Helene delays, with increased visibility -- get all the details.

City urges conservation steps: Valdosta’s mandatory outdoor water restrictions took effect April 15 in response to drought and demand. Limits apply to lawn and landscape watering, and violations can bring fines or service disconnection -- see rules and conservation tips.

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.*

Warm reset, zero drama: Lemongrass Day Spa pairs real sauna heat with thoughtful body treatments that unknot shoulders and quiet the week. When your list is loud, slip in, breathe, and walk out more like yourself, clearer, looser, calmer. Steam, stillness, and expert hands, minus the fuss.

Bounce off the blahs: From wall-to-wall trampolines and a ninja course to laser tag, 5-D VR and Recoil Racing, Recoil Trampoline Park is the simple answer when the kids are climbing the walls. It’s all indoors, so you can burn off energy and reclaim your sanity, rain or brutal humidity.

Movie night, sorted: Valdosta Stadium Cinemas has the new releases dialed, plus fun one-offs like Studio Ghibli Fest screenings, concert films, and the occasional mystery movie. It’s perfect for a last-minute plan that still feels like an event... send the “we’re going tonight” text and call it self-care.

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 →

🧠 Stroke Seminar @ Rainwater Conference Center | Wednesday (4/29) at 9:30 AM – Your brain called, it wants a checkup and a sandwich. Grab a free lunch while local pros break down stroke prevention, warning signs, and simple habit tweaks. It's smart, low pressure, and the kind of grown-up move future you will thank you for.

🎗 Relay For Life @ Unity Park | Friday (5/1) at 6:00 PM – Rally with neighbors at Lowndes County’s Relay For Life, the community walk raising funds to end cancer. Join a team, donate, and log laps that matter more than your step tracker, honoring survivors and remembering loved ones.

🚗 1st Annual Classic Car Cruise-In @ Christ Episcopal Church | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Bring your lawn chair and your carburetor opinions to a free classic car cruise-in with the South Georgia Classic Car Club. Wander the rows, enjoy music and food, maybe snag a door prize, all benefiting Christ Episcopal youth, and the Sheriff’s Boys Ranch in Hahira.

🎂 Mommy & Me Cake Decorating Class @ Cottonwood Market & Boutique | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Skip the brunch scramble and play with buttercream at a cake decorating class with MM Treats, open to moms, non-moms, and anyone frosting-curious. Decorate your mini cake to take home, with all tools, drinks, and guidance provided, add a kid’s cake if you’re bringing backup.

📚 Free Comic Book Day 2026 @ Kool Comics | Saturday (5/2) at 10:30 AM – If your inner kid needs a field trip, hit Kool Comics in Valdosta for Free Comic Book Day, 1 to 3 free comics per person, no purchase required. Browse back issues, toys, and collectibles up to 50% off, and call it family time, not errands.

🏺 Kids Pottery Workshop @ Turner Center Hudson Pottery Studio | Saturday (5/2) at 2:00 PM – Got a kid who loves making a mess with purpose? On first Saturdays, this pottery workshop lets them hand-build a functional or decorative piece, learn real clay basics, and bring home something shelf worthy. You get screen-free breathing room, they get bragging rights.

🎼 Valdosta Symphony @ Whitehead Auditorium | Saturday (5/2) at 7:30 PM – Think you know your rhapsodies? Our Valdosta Symphony tackles Jonathan Leshnoff’s Rhapsody on America with piano powerhouse Joyce Yang, guided by Howard Hsu. Big sound, zero pretense, and the kind of night that reminds you why live music beats your living room speakers.

This 8,077-square-foot stunner in Valdosta's gated Stone Creek Golf Community packs 8 bedrooms, 6 baths, and a private office across two levels. A fully enclosed, climate-controlled gunite pool with travertine cool deck and poolside bath steals the show. Upstairs, a game room with full bar opens to a rooftop terrace, and the oversized primary suite boasts dual walk-in closets.