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.*

Next phase of street redesign: Davenport is preparing to convert 4th Street to two-way traffic downtown after 3rd Street’s switch. Businesses report slower speeds and safer walking, with four-way stops at Third and LeClaire added -- see what's planned next.

Company enters new chapter: Bettendorf Home Repair is celebrating 25 years as it prepares a leadership transition that will bring in general manager Hunter Miller and president Lenny Wilkinson at the Bettendorf remodeling company -- see who's taking the helm.

Hands-on eco happenings on campus: Augustana College’s Earth Week in Rock Island continues today and wraps up April 28, with plantings, Augie Acres sales, free secondhand clothes, a Virunga screening, and a Slough plunge finale -- check out the full lineup.

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.*

Make it your own: Whether your place needs a single heirloom table or a full-room reset, Simply Amish Interiors lets you choose the wood, finish, and details so it fits your life. Solid, Midwest-made pieces that age well and won’t flinch at homework, game night, or the occasional coffee spill.

Rooftop reels, anyone? At The Last Picture House, indie gems, cult throwbacks, and a cozy cocktail lounge meet for easy pre-and-post chatter, plus a summertime rooftop screen when the weather plays along. Twists unfold on-screen while the view and vibes pair nicely with a perfectly poured something.

Press start on fun: Swap couch controllers for haptic vests and full-body free-roam mayhem at Virtual Ventures. Their VR escape adventures, laser tag, and co-op chaos are perfect for friend nights or teen energy dumps, and the lobby’s foosball, air hockey, and spectator screens keep everyone entertained between runs.

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 →

🍽 Fish & Fire Fundraiser Dinner @ Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center (Bettendorf) | Thursday (4/30) at 5:00 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to dress up, toast the river, and outbid a neighbor for a cause, this is it. Fish & Fire serves a plated dinner, cash bar, auctions, the Eddy Awards honoring river champions, and Bettendorf pride.

⛳ Golf Fore Gilda's @ Palmer Hills Golf Course (Bettendorf) | Friday (5/1) at 8:30 AM – Palmer Hills returns for year three of Golf Fore Gilda’s, best ball on an award-winning course with interactive antics at every hole. Expect a beverage cart that actually finds you, swag, prizes, a post-round lunch, and real support for neighbors facing cancer.

🧘 Relax | Nourish | Sound @ Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Quad Cities (Davenport) | Friday (5/1) at 10:00 AM – Swap errands for 90 minutes of real calm, with unhurried yin yoga and therapeutic sound. Mats and props are sorted, just show up, breathe, and roll in a bit early to snag a comfy spot, and let your joints send thank-you notes.

🌱 Plant Sale @ The Conservatory at Vander Veer Botanical Park (Davenport) | Friday (5/1) at 1:00 PM – Weekend at Vander Veer means one thing, upgrading the yard without re-mortgaging it. Three days of annuals, perennials, succulents, and those hanging baskets your porch keeps hinting about, with members snagging the early pick. Buy plants, support the park, feel smugly local.

🥞 Annual Pancake Breakfast @ St. John Vianney Catholic Church (Bettendorf) | Saturday (5/2) at 7:00 AM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to eat pancakes for a cause, this is it. The Bettendorf Lions are flipping stacks at St. John Vianney, with syrup, sausage, and neighborly chatter, and proceeds support local service and vision programs. Bring the family, leave happy.

🎨 Spring Craft Show @ St Alphonsus Catholic Church (Davenport) | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – Whether you still wield a glue gun, or you just need a Mother's Day save, St Al's Spring Craft Show has local makers, light lunch, and raffle baskets. Crafters, tables are $25, either 8 feet, or 6 plus 2 feet for a rack.

🚶 Breakthrough T1D Walk @ The Tangled Wood (Bettendorf) | Saturday (5/2) – Grab your sneakers and join the Breakthrough T1D Walk, a feel-good lap for the Quad Cities that celebrates neighbors living with T1D, research progress, and sheer Midwestern stubbornness. You will rack up steps, support families and friends, and earn bragging rights, not blisters.

Sprawling 5-bed, 5-bath in Bettendorf offers nearly 6,000 sqft, a 2-story foyer, and a kitchen with 6-burner gas cooktop, copper sink, and walk-in pantry. Main-floor suite, 3-season room, and dual staircases add flair. Walk-out lower level brings a theater, wet bar, fireplace, and hot tub. Outside, the creekside yard and fire pit pair with fresh 2024 siding.