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.*

Fifth annual beautification drive ramps up: Alexandria joins Love the Boot Week as Louisiana’s biggest cleanup continues this week, with 100-plus South Alexandria volunteers already working and a statewide goal to remove 514 tons of litter -- get all the details.

Voter-backed school improvements unveiled: Rapides Parish School Board held a ribbon cutting for Horseshoe Drive Elementary’s completed upgrades funded by the District 62 bond, including a secure vestibule, new offices, lighting, and renovated restrooms -- get all the details.

City issues safety reminder: Natchitoches officials are urging residents to call 811 before any digging, saying the free line helps prevent danger and utility damage. A 72-hour notice is required before digging begins -- 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.*

Pirate putts, anyone? If your crew needs a low-stress outing this week, Buccaneer Bayou Adventure Mini Golf serves up 19 story-driven holes, swishy waterfalls, and playful animatronics at Timber Ridge Adventure Park. It’s easy to swing by after work or between errands, and perfect for sparking friendly Natchitoches bragging rights.

Closet refresh, anyone? Jolie Femme Boutique is a locally owned women’s shop curating dresses, tops, denim, shoes, and accessories with a little Cajun charm, launched by Louisiana native Tracy Daire in 2020. If your CenLA calendar’s packed, a quick browse here can level up your everyday look this week.

Cupcake fix, solved: When your sweet tooth insists on sprinkles, Sweet Joy Bakery delivers fresh-from-the-oven cupcakes, plus cheesecakes and king cakes, that taste like someone’s grandma went to pastry school. They’re the kind you’ll want to hide for later.

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 →

🚐 Mobile Branch @ Vernon Parish Library (Leesville) | Monday (4/27) at 9:00 AM – The library’s Mobile Branch is pulling up to Kurthwood Store on La. Hwy. 117, so you can snag fresh reads, renew your card, and pick up holds without crossing town. Books, movies, and friendly librarians, the kind who remember your name and mystery habit.

🧘 Yoga In The Gallery @ Alexandria Museum of Art | Tuesday (4/28) at 5:45 PM – Unroll your mat in the gallery every Tuesday for yoga among the art, taught by Learn with Laci. No registration, no excuses, just stretches, slow breaths, and the satisfying feeling of being cultured while your hips remember 1997. Bring a mat, not your email address.

🎲 Thursday Night Bingo @ VFW Post 3106 (Leesville) | Thursday (4/30) at 5:00 PM – If your couch has seen more of you than your friends lately, swing by VFW Post 3106 for Thursday night bingo, paper or computer, cold drinks, and solid grub. Open to the public, 18+ to play, and yes, yelling BINGO in public still feels fantastic.

⛳ Cane River Mini Golf Classic 2026 @ Dark Woods Adventure Park (Natchitoches) | Thursday (4/30) at 5:30 PM – Grab your putter and head to Dark Woods for the Cane River Mini Golf Classic, friendly competition with enough banter to keep it interesting, no cart required. Every stroke supports the Cane River Children’s Discovery Center, a hands-on museum celebrating nature, agriculture, history, and culture.

🍽 MayFest Senior Citizens Luncheon @ Vernon Parish Fairgrounds (Leesville) | Friday (5/1) at 11:00 AM – Grab your favorite lunch buddy and join the MayFest Senior Citizens Luncheon, graciously hosted by the Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office. Think easy conversation, familiar faces, and a calm corner away from the crowds, because quality time tastes better than carnival food, and costs fewer antacids.

🦞 2026 GrassFest & Crawfish Boil @ Collins Pavilion on the Tailgating Field (Natchitoches) | Saturday (5/2) at 8:00 AM – Nothing beats grass volleyball with the Demons and a crawfish boil. Enter a 4-on-4 team, from middle school to grown-ups, or, if your knees prefer, just cheer and tackle four pounds of mudbugs while live music, raffles, and skill contests keep the day rolling.

🏃 Journey on the Run @ Pineville Ward 9 Sports Plex | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – Journey Church is rolling out an eight-week Couch to 5K at Ward 9 in Pineville, perfect if your running shoes mostly see the grocery store. Expect encouragement, accountability, and a little soul care, with neighbors who know your name, and water breaks that feel earned.

This 6-bed, 7-bath stunner delivers over 7,000 square feet minutes from town. A chef’s kitchen with quartz and Sub-Zero anchors living and dining, plus flexible rooms for an office or library. A private guest suite adds its own kitchen and lounge. Outside, a heated pool, hot tub, and gazebo top an oversized lot with sprinklers. An additional lot is available.