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.*

Young historians take center stage: Twenty St. Benedict middle schoolers compete today in the National History Day state contest at Iowa State in Ames after advancing from districts, showcasing projects on civil rights and more -- see the qualifiers and projects.

Low-maintenance spring color: Ames gardeners welcome daffodils. ISU Extension’s Aaron Steil shares simple tips like choosing sunny, well-drained spots, leaving foliage to die back, and planting clusters that deer and rabbits avoid -- learn easy daffodil care tips.

New global link takes shape: Ames launched a sister city partnership with Podujeva, Kosovo, to grow cultural, education, and economic ties. Guided by AIPCA, leaders say it builds on longstanding Iowa and Kosovo connections -- 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.*

Tiny escape, big sigh: When the week’s tightened your shoulders to your ears, Ames Fitness Center offers a no-fuss reset. Hit the sauna and steam room after a workout… or, let’s be honest, instead… and leave feeling looser, warmer, and a touch heroic.

Brainy night out: Locally owned and technology-rich, No Escape Iowa packs inventive puzzles and playful storytelling into rooms for kids and grown-ups alike, including all-ages Teacher's Pet. Rally your crew, swap screens for brainpower, and treat yourselves to delightfully head-scratching fun that actually makes weeknights feel special.

Room refresh, solved: When your couch sighs louder than you do, Redekers makes upgrading painless with sturdy, well-made pieces and zero-pressure vibes. A quick sit-test of a few contenders, and your living room stops apologizing for itself. Comfortable, durable, easy style without the hassle.

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 →

🐶 Rovers @ Reiman Gardens | Tuesday (4/28) at 4:30 PM – Tuesday evenings in April at Reiman Gardens mean leashes, wagging tails, and humans pretending their dog picked the route. Stroll the blooms, swap training tips, then let your pup supervise the pond. It is the rare outing where muddy paws count as a souvenir.

📚 May Book Sale @ Nevada Public Library | Friday (5/1) at 10:00 AM – Friends of the Nevada Public Library are hosting a book sale, and yes, your nightstand can handle one more. Scoop up classics, mysteries, and cookbooks for pocket change while supporting stacks, perfect for your May Day basket, summer porch, or that book club you ghost.

🥕 Farmers' Market Opening Day @ Downtown Ames | Saturday (5/2) at 8:00 AM – Opening Day on Main Street means the market stretched a whole block, so bring extra tote bags for 95-plus vendors, coffee, and pastries. The Iowa League of Heroes is rolling through too, with the Dark Knight, Spider-Man, and the Batcar proving even superheroes shop local.

🎨 Plein Air - Basics of Outdoor Painting @ Octagon Center for the Arts | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – If you've been waiting for a sign to trade your camera for a paintbrush, a two-week plein air class covers landscape basics, from finding compositions, chasing light, and turning real-world color into finished work. Oil leads, all media and skill levels welcome. Register via Tickets.

🌱 Spill the Dirt: Houseplant Swap & Care Conversations @ Lockwood Cafe | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – This free houseplant hangout and swap at Lockwood Cafe has ISU and local pros sharing care basics, repotting demos, and pest triage. Trade cuttings, pots, or that spider plant you keep threatening to divide, then linger with the Ames crowd, coffee in hand, kids welcome.

🚚 Food Truck Parc Season Opener @ Food Truck Parc | Saturday (5/2) at 12:00 PM – Season opener calls for stretchy pants and lawn chairs. The Parc's back with a spread from Main Street Café & Bakery, Karam’s Grill, Mulberry Farm & Food Truck, Magoo's Pizza, and Jana’s Snack Shack, plus yard games, bounce house, caricatures, and tunes from Royce Johns.

🎆 Season Finale - Fireworks Fiesta @ Ames City Auditorium and Durham Bandshell | Saturday (5/2) at 7:30 PM – Season finale energy, piano fireworks, and zero filler as Mei-Hsuan Huang takes on Rachmaninoff’s Second, then Revueltas, Márquez, and Moncayo keep the room dancing. Come early for a pre-concert chat with Eric McIntyre, then applaud like you knew it was coming.

An executive ranch overlooking a serene pond on the north side of Buck Hills, this 4,568-square-foot home offers 4 bedrooms, 6 baths, plus a pocket office. Soaring 11-foot ceilings, a vaulted great room with cast-stone fireplace, and a gourmet kitchen with red oak cabinetry and a 48-inch range. Four en-suites, a full bar, Trex screened deck, and a 3-car epoxy garage.