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.*

Global tensions cloud outlook: Gas prices have fallen for a second week in 48 states and in the Peoria area, with U.S. average at $3.97 and Illinois at $4.27, but relief may be short-lived -- get all the details.

Convenient new care option: OSF Healthcare opens a walk-in sports injury clinic in Peoria today, offering care for sprains, strains, minor fractures, and concussions with no appointments needed, giving athletes and families faster help -- see what's offered and when.

New features and funding debate: Earlier this month, Peoria City Council approved $477,000 for upgrades at Martin Luther King Jr. Park that will add a shelter, renovated basketball courts, and accessible sidewalks -- see what's planned and why.

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.*

Laughs you can use: Need a midweek reset or a solid date night? Jukebox Comedy Club keeps Peoria’s laugh tank full with touring headliners, local showcases, and the kind of crowd energy that turns a good set into a great one. Grab a friend, grab a seat, and let the chuckles snowball.

Trail-ready this week: With trail shoes that don't quit, hydration gear that keeps you going, and a real-deal fitting process, RC Outfitters helps reset your outdoor routine. Perfect for long runs, riverfront strolls, or just making it from couch to mailbox without the grumbling.

Gift-hunting solved: Need a birthday card that actually lands, a quirky treat, or a sure-bet surprise, Relics has you. Locally curated since 2008, this Peoria staple stacks the shelves with fun cards, delicate jewelry, lovely scents, vintage-y finds and goodies from local makers.

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 →

🧘 Acupuncture & Sound Bath Healing @ Salt Sanctuary and Spa with Hope and Healing | Friday (5/1) at 6:00 PM – Swap the doomscroll for a sound bath and acupuncture at Hope and Healing Wellness Center. Crystal bowls do the heavy lifting while Laughing Tao acupuncturists place five tiny needles for a full-body reset. Think spa nap meets tune-up, no small talk required.

🥞 Mother’s Legacy Pancake Breakfast @ Hy-Vee | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – Head to the Hy-Vee event space for a pancake breakfast honoring the strength and legacy of moms, with zero judgment for extra syrup. Your short stack fuels Jack and Jill scholarships, leadership, and family programs; tickets are $15 via a Jack and Jill mom.

💐 Mother's Day Market @ HAUS 1349 and CO. | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Mother’s Day shopping without the mall panic, at Haus 1349 and Co.’s market on W. Main. Browse local vendors, spoil Mom or yourself, and every purchase gets you into a giveaway, with the first 20 shoppers scoring mystery bags like grown-up party favors.

🎈 Family Fun Festival @ Hy-Vee (Grand Prairie) | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Need a family outing that wears out the kids and warms your Midwestern heart? Head to Grand Prairie Hy-Vee for touch-a-truck, Corvettes, bounce house chaos, Smokin’ Mike’s BBQ, live music, and carriage rides, all benefiting Greater Peoria Honor Flight.

🌍 3rd Annual Multicultural Fair @ Peoria Riverfront Museum | Saturday (5/2) at 11:00 AM – Skip the airport lines and tour the world at the Peoria Riverfront Museum’s Multicultural Fair. It is free and family-friendly, with live performances, hands-on cultural activities, local vendors, and food trucks, so you can snack, learn, and people-watch responsibly. Sensible shoes recommended.

🍺 Parks On Tap @ Luthy Botanical Garden | Saturday (5/2) at 11:00 AM – Find your hoppy place among peonies as Parks on Tap kicks off at Luthy Botanic Gardens during the Spring Plant Sale. Stroll, sip, and pretend you needed another fern, with Grill Em All and Tacos & Thai keeping lunch easy. Peak Peoria, minimal fuss.

🔍 Hidden Peoria @ Downtown Peoria | Saturday (5/2) at 11:00 AM – If you've ever wanted to snoop around downtown Peoria without getting side-eye, here’s your shot. Hidden Peoria opens doors to more than a dozen buildings with architectural, cultural, and historical cred. Tickets are $30 at 309tix.com, by calling 309-674-1921, or at Murray Place day of.

This custom estate spans 3 private wooded acres with covered and open patios facing nature. Inside, ceiling treatments, dual staircases, and a private elevator set the tone. Two potential in-law suites, multiple offices, and a spectacular walkout lower level boost versatility. A covered drive weaves through the trees, and a 528 square foot third level converts to a fifth bedroom.