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.*

Community tradition on Main Street: World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast will return to downtown Springfield on May 16, celebrating the city’s birthday with pancakes, children’s activities, and Honorary Chair Carlos Gonzalez from 8 to 11 AM -- get all the event details.

Dinner ordering reimagined: Wonder, a food hall and delivery service, will open this fall on Boston Road at the former Denny's, part of plans for 100 locations, as crews transform space for Springfield -- get opening and location details.

New era for local golfers: Springfield’s Franconia and Veterans Memorial golf courses opened earlier this month after $6 million clubhouse upgrades, the first updates since the 1960s, with adaptive carts available for golfers with disabilities -- learn what's new for golfers.

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.*

Your culture fix: Need a low-lift plan this week? 52 Sumner turns a former church in Forest Park into a community-first arts hub, mixing live music, local theater, and pop-up performances that actually feel neighborly. Bring a friend, leave with a new favorite act and a slightly happier calendar.

BBQ with a backbeat: When your week needs smoky ribs and a legit soundtrack, Theodore's Blues, Booze, and BBQ delivers slow-smoked meats and award-winning blues in the heart of downtown. They've been doing it since 1979, with national and local acts lighting up Friday and Saturday nights... just come hungry and ready to nod along.

Upgrade your cooking HQ: If your drawers squeak and your counters have seen some things, Wholesale Kitchen Supply brings Springfield kitchens back to life with sturdy cabinets, sleek countertops, and family-grown know-how. Finally tackle that remodel you keep planning... and finish it with less mess and more calm.

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 →

🌸 Children’s Books in Bloom @ The Monkey House | Friday (5/1) at 9:00 AM – Forest Park Monkey House is going full storybook, with 48 miniature gardens, tours, and designer-led storytimes from the Springfield Garden Club. Free to wander, and tossing a few bucks to the Kiddie Train fund feels good, so bring the grandkids, or your inner librarian.

🔨 May Quarter Auction @ Foster Memorial Church | Friday (5/1) at 7:00 PM – Whether your quarter stash is for meters or laundry, put it to better use at Foster Memorial’s Quarter Auction. Five bucks gets you two paddles, bring a canned good for a free third, then bid, snack, and raffle your way into supporting The Gray House.

🎉 Bay Market Grand Opening @ Bay Market | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – Swing by the grand opening of Bay Market, where they cleaned out the building, fixed the parking lot, and lined up about twenty vendors. Think handmade goods, good bites, and neighborly browsing. It kicks off a biweekly run through fall, so you can pace yourself.

🧵 Pieces of Time Quilt Show @ Springfield Elks Lodge #61 | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Springfield’s Pieces of Time Quilt Show pairs New England coziness with meticulous craftsmanship. Wander through stitchwork, chat with makers, admit your throw is a glorified beach towel, and note that adults and teens get in for $10 while kids 12 and under stroll in free.

🎨 Craft Fair & Multicultural Event @ Martin Luther King Jr. Charter School of Excellence | Saturday (5/2) at 11:00 AM – This craft fair meets multicultural festival brings handmade goods, global traditions, and the kind of neighborly chatter you actually enjoy. Shop local makers, discover new favorites, and remember why we live here, not in a strip mall. Bring your tote, leave with stories.

🛍 Bloom & Shop Vendor Event @ Baystate Place | Saturday (5/2) at 11:00 AM – Whether you’re replacing big-box boredom or just need an excuse to wander, this spring pop-up gathers local makers, growers, and boutique vendors under one bloom-happy banner. Shop the good stuff, from plants and handmade goods to small-batch treats, then leave feeling smug, scented, and lighter.

💐 Floral Design Workshop @ Mason Square Branch Library | Saturday (5/2) at 12:00 PM – If your yard is doing the heavy lifting this spring, come let the library show it off with a free floral design demo. Learn sourcing, tools, and container tricks, watch pros build multiple arrangements, then maybe win one. Register on the library site.

On just over an acre with sweeping Mill Pond views, this custom Contemporary Cape impresses with a skylit foyer, rustic beams, vaulted ceilings, and a window-lined dining room. The modern eat-in kitchen opens to a 3-season room. Perks include a bedroom with an operating train, a great room with gas stove and wet bar, owned solar, and an extra garage.