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.*

Heightened road safety effort: Starting in May, Illinois State Police will run distracted driving enforcement patrols in Effingham, Marion, Wayne, and White counties. Texting, video streaming, and browsing while driving are illegal -- see which counties are targeted.

First-in-nation imaging upgrade: A new 3T MRI was unveiled this month at Deaconess Illinois Medical Center in Marion, bringing faster, clearer scans and expanded brain and vascular imaging close to home -- read the full story.

Feathered neighbor gets support: O’Fallon police created a safe space for a nesting goose at Public Safety property for the third year, asked residents to name ‘Sgt. Waddles,’ and urged residents to keep distance -- 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.*

Coffee, carbs, community: Branch Cafe & Market pairs fair-trade coffee with from-scratch pastries, veggie-friendly plates, and a small market of local and organic goodies. When your week needs a reset, slide in for something warm, something flaky, and a vibe that feels like running into five friends in line.

Craving a Carbondale classic: Quatro's Deep Pan Pizza is the move when you want zero fuss and maximum comfort. Deep pan or thin crust, plus pastas, sandwiches, and salads... order for a lazy Tuesday, game night, or when your sink already has too many pans pretending to soak.

Make something this week: Whether you want to try wheel-thrown pottery, dabble in stained glass, or tackle that sewing project, SIU Craft Shop offers walk‑in activities, workshops, private lessons, and an art‑supply corner with custom framing, making creative detours feel easy and fun.

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 →

💃 Ladies Night Out @ HQ & Company Salon & Spa Suites (Marion) | Thursday (4/30) at 5:00 PM – Rally the group chat for Ladies Night Out, a one-stop spree of local vendors, permanent jewelry, a trucker hat bar, Botox, and handmade finds. Grab bites from the food truck, sip something fizzy from Downtown Fizz, then shop, laugh, and call it errands.

🛍 51st Annual Hunger and Thrift Sale @ University Mall Carbondale (previously Old Navy) | Friday (5/1) at 9:00 AM – Make garage space so you can fill it again at the 51st Hunger Sale, a giant yard sale treasure hunt that feeds neighbors, not landfills. Snag bargains, feel virtuous, repeat. 80% stays local, and volunteers to help sort are gold. See their Facebook.

✨ Glo Bingo @ Knights of Columbus Hall (Marion) | Friday (5/1) at 5:00 PM – Glow-in-the-dark bingo at Marion KC Hall for adults, benefiting Voyage Senior Living's Resident Fund. Your ticket nets six cards for ten games, a glow hat, and a dauber, plus a cash bar, BYO snacks, food truck, raffles, and $1,000+ in prizes, beats yelling at TV.

🌱 Annual Plant Sale @ O'Fallon Station | Saturday (5/2) at 8:30 AM – If your shady beds are judging you, hit the O’Fallon Garden Club’s annual plant sale at Vine Street Station. Rain or shine, snag hostas, daylilies, ferns, veggies, and more, plus planters and garden goods, then feel smug knowing your haul funds community projects.

💬 Free Comic Book Day @ Castle Perilous Games & Books (Carbondale) | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Hit Free Comic Book Day at Castle Perilous, snag two freebies off the back game room table. Want more? Suit up, flash Preferred Customer Card, show newsletter or your share, get a Castle Card stamp, or spend $10 with guests. Yes, closet cosplay counts.

🧘 2026 Wellness in the Park @ Parrish Park (Carbondale) | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Carbondale’s Wellness in the Park, hosted by the Healthy Southern Illinois Delta Network, is a breezy, no-pressure reset. Stroll, stretch, chat with real humans about feeling better, then call it self care, civic duty, and your workout, all before the lawn chair calls.

🐶 Puppy Yoga @ Moonbird Yoga (O'Fallon) | Saturday (5/2) at 2:00 PM – Beginner-friendly puppy yoga where your downward dog comes with actual dogs, and every $25 donation supports Gateway Pet Guardians. Expect optional kisses, possible adoptions, and the rare workout where getting distracted, rolling over, and leaving with a new best friend is highly encouraged.

This 8-bed, 6-bath retreat sits on 10 acres with a pond and fountain, a greenhouse, and an in-ground saltwater pool with pool house and outdoor kitchen. A 26x24 great room features a stone fireplace, floor-to-ceiling bookcases, and hardwood. Extras include a loft, finished basement, fenced dog and chicken area, and a 40x80 outbuilding with 19-foot height and basketball hoop.