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.*

Decades of community impact: H.O.M.E. DuPage marks 35 years with its annual fundraiser tomorrow at Northern Illinois University's Naperville campus. Since 1991, it has supported over 30,000 families and aims to help 2,000 more -- get details on the celebration.

Young leaders test knowledge: Eleven D202 middle schoolers will compete in the regional Civics Bee tomorrow, April 28, open to the public with participants from Naperville, Plainfield, Bolingbrook, Channahon, and beyond -- read the full story.

Oldest DuPage business bows out: After 165 years in downtown Naperville, family-owned Beidelman Furniture will close April 29. The 1928 building, named a city landmark in 2024, has anchored generations of local homes -- 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're probably paying way more than you need to. It's an easy bill to forget about, but switching could save you up to $1,000 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium to ~$60 a month - see how much you could save.*

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.*

For your tiny crushers: ABC Climbing Academy Naperville is a youth-only climbing gym designed for kids ages 2.5 to 19, with classes, clubs, camps, birthday parties, and open gym to burn off squirrelly energy and build real skills. Give it a try this week, then enjoy a quiet car ride home.

Game night, upgraded: Whether you’re corralling kids or a crew of competitive grown-ups, Chasers Laser Tag packs a two-level, 5,000-sq-ft arena, two distinct game styles, an arcade that pays out e-tickets, plus indoor turf and a gamer lounge. Put it on your this-week plan for birthdays, team outings, or a spontaneous adrenaline reset.

Your midweek sanity walk: Skip the treadmill and make a quick lap along The Naperville Riverwalk. Fresh air, mellow river vibes, and prime people watching are a reliable mood upgrade, whether you’re sneaking in steps between errands or pairing a slow stroll with a takeout coffee.

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 →

🐦 Bird Walk @ McDowell Grove Forest Preserve | Friday (5/1) at 7:30 AM – Ready to trade brunch for binoculars? Join a casual 2-mile guided bird walk, spot migrating birds, and pick up ID tips and tricks with fellow beginners, pros, and everyone in between. It is adults only, $5, and you can even register by phone at 630-933-7248.

🎨 Fun Friday- Paint and Sip @ Pinot's Palette | Friday (5/1) at 3:00 PM – Friday night in downtown Naperville means channeling the full moon, a drink in hand, and pretending we were always this artsy. No experience needed, their artists guide you while you sip, and somehow a masterpiece appears. Bring friends or a date, seats go fast.

☀ Solar Saturday @ Dandelion Fountain | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – Stroll the Naperville Riverwalk and finally get a sanctioned look at the Sun, for free and safely, through club telescopes. Spot sunspots and fiery prominences, impress the kids, the neighbors, and your inner nerd. Cloudy skies might nix it, so check naperastro.org before heading out.

🚒 Touch-A-Truck @ Grace United Methodist Church | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Got kids, grandkids, or an inner 8-year-old itching to climb on big rigs? Fire engines, diggers, and more, plus a quiet first half hour for the horn-shy, and BBQ that funds the youth mission. Free to attend, just register.

🎬 Nabobarsho - Celebration of Bengali Cinema @ Yellow Box | Saturday (5/2) at 12:00 PM – Trade your west-suburban routine for a Bengali New Year bash in Naperville with a Chicago premiere, a shorts showcase, and real-deal Bengali cuisine. Rom-com meets fantasy on screen, adda and chai off screen, with an all-inclusive ticket that actually covers lunch, tea, and snacks.

🇧 Bangladesh Independence Day and Pohela Boisakh Celebration @ The Yellow Box | Saturday (5/2) at 4:00 PM – Whether you grew up on Bangla classics or just love a community hang, celebrate Bangladesh Independence Day and Pohela Boishakh with local performers and Rafi Alam. Expect powerhouse vocals, beloved hits, and dinner included, which ends the 'what's for dinner' debate. Come hungry, leave humming.

🍎 Health and Wellness Fair @ Naperville Health & Wellness Clinic | Saturday (5/2) at 4:00 PM – Naperville Health & Wellness Clinic is hosting a free fair that’s basically a spa day with homework, with live demos of Sinclair and Physiq 360, Q&A, and snacks. Kick the tires on body contouring, meet the pros, and leave smarter and calmer. Bring a friend.

On nearly three acres in Naperville, this seven-ensuite estate stacks showstopping perks. An elevator with backlit onyx flooring, skylights that shift with the sun, a chef’s kitchen with hidden pantry and prep space, and a duplex with private entry set the tone. Fun continues with a Steinway-grade theater, a gaming room with built-in ATM, a spa, boxing studio, and pool.