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.*

City maintenance schedule update: New Bedford’s street sweeping is underway, with no overnight parking on posted streets from 11:50 p.m. to 6 a.m. Some locations run biweekly, and towing will be enforced -- get all the details.

Spring spectacle draws visitors: Daffodils are in bloom at Parsons Reserve in Dartmouth, open daily 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., with $5 suggested donation. Stay on marked trails and do not pick flowers -- see hours and peak timing.

Reliable service and fair pricing: Bates Tire Repair is now open in New Bedford, offering new and used tires, repairs, and rotations. Located near Acushnet Avenue in Brooklawn, the shop also serves Spanish-speaking customers -- get all the details.

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.*

Brain workout, but fun: Rally a couple friends and tackle story-rich rooms at Mass Escape this week, where creepy experiments, cozy mysteries, and even an outdoor puzzle hunt can shake up the midweek slump. It’s the kind of shared win that fuels group-chat bragging rights long after the final lock clicks.

Croissant dreams, realized: The Baker - New Bedford turns mornings into a ritual with impossibly flaky viennoiserie, crackling sourdough, and ever-changing specials. Tender croissants, warm loaves, and smooth Speedwell Coffee make it self-care you can eat... no appointment required.

Plan a local night: Zeiterion delivers the kind of night out that makes you forget the group chat for a bit. Think music, theater, comedy, even film, all in a beautifully historic room with comfy seats and crisp sound. Pick a show this week and let downtown do the rest.

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 →

🌯 Lighthouse’s Chipotle Fundraiser @ Chipotle Mexican Grill | Monday (4/27) at 4:00 PM – Feel like doing good without lifting anything heavier than a burrito? Hit Chipotle in Dartmouth on Monday, April 27, 4-8pm, mention Lighthouse Animal Shelter or use code R628PFM for pickup, and 25% goes to shelter pets. Dine in or pickup, no delivery or gift cards.

💡 Epoxy Resin Beachy Night Lights @ Bayside Lounge (Fairhaven) | Monday (4/27) at 7:00 PM – If your home could use a coastal glow, swing by Bayside Lounge for a crafty epoxy resin night light workshop. Make a 5x5 with beads and beach finds, seal it in resin, USB powered; materials included, no experience required, and wear old clothes, trust me.

🌱 Backyard Composting Workshop @ Buttonwood Community Center | Wednesday (4/29) at 5:30 PM – Buttonwood's free composting workshop is turning kitchen scraps into gold, and New Bedford or Dartmouth residents who complete it get a backyard bin and a counter bin, while supplies last. Learn assembly, enjoy snacks, bring proof you live here, maybe snag a stainless upgrade.

🌱 Garden Club of Buzzards Bay Plant Sale @ Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – Garden season is officially on, and the Garden Club of Buzzards Bay is back with its plant sale on the RJD grounds. Swing by for hardy perennials, herbs, and pollinator-friendly finds, then pretend you won’t overwater anything, and chat with neighbors you actually like.

🔬 Pairing Art with Science @ Buttonwood Park Zoo | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Fridge art feeling stale? BPZOO runs a monthly mashup of animals, science, and kid-powered art, with painting, sketching, and clay. One ticket covers a child and an adult, materials included, and only registered kids get messy; extra adults can snag admission at the door.

🍻 10th Annual Food Truck & Craft Beverage Festival @ Fort Taber | Saturday (5/2) at 12:00 PM – If your grill deserves a day off, Fort Taber hosts the 10th annual takeover of food trucks and craft beverages by the bay. Graze through tacos, lobsta rolls, and pours, pretend sea breeze is why eyes are watering. Show up hungry, patient, and local.

✍ Author Book Signing: Kate DeMaio @ 3GenLove: The Wandering Tale | Saturday (5/2) at 12:00 PM – Swing by the bookstore at Kilburn Mill to meet author Kate DeMaio, and snag signed copies and fresh reads. It’s low-stress, high-charm, and the perfect excuse to sniff new-book smell, chat with a real writer, and pretend your TBR pile isn’t judging you.

Built in 1875 for Samuel Hudson Cook of maritime insurer Paul Dixon and Cook, this Stick Style standout sits just outside Downtown New Bedford on a lovely street. Ornate rooflines, bay windows, and shed-style hoods frame a sunlit interior with marble fireplaces and original floors. Three bedrooms have en suites, plus a guest room, walk-up attic, porch, and private patio.