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.*

Championing generational farm heritage: On April 20, Frederick County launched the Forever Farmland program, unveiling signs to honor landowners who permanently preserved their farms, which will spotlight preserved agriculture across Frederick County -- learn more about the program.

Shape local housing equity: The City of Frederick is seeking residents to serve on its Fair Housing Commission, which investigates discrimination and educates the community. Terms are three years, with quarterly meetings -- see how to get involved.

Seven causes, one hometown mission: NE Bob Waltz Plumbing & Heating is celebrating 70 years of family-owned service in Frederick County and will donate $70,000 to nonprofits, starting with the Community Foundation of Frederick County -- see the seven causes supported.

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.*

Pastry lineup alert: Need a win this week? Bakehouse is cranking out made-from-scratch pastries with local ingredients and a rotating menu that actually rotates, from almond croissants and morning buns to a passionfruit mango cruffin and s’mores cheesecake, all served within hours of baking so they taste dangerously fresh.

Small-batch soup bliss: If your week needs a warm reset, Frederick Soups and Comfort Foods does cozy right with a small-batch lineup of soups and comfort classics that rotates often, so boredom never stands a chance. A quick, nourishing fix that feels like a hug you can eat.

Hickory-grilled fix, anyone?: When you need a reliable go-to that’s more than bar food, Madrones brings hand-cut steaks, house-ground burgers, and seafood off a hickory wood grill, plus a legit brunch and a full bar with taps for days. Perfect for date night, friend catch-ups, or weekday I-deserve-this.

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 →

🎶 Instrument Petting Zoo @ C Burr.Artz Central Library | Monday (4/27) at 10:45 AM – Bring the kids to this Instrument Petting Zoo, inspired by Musical Storytime. Perfect for the stroller crowd and grade-schoolers, they can bang, strum, and toot instruments from around the world, and you can call it culture, not noise. Expect adorable focus, and nap-worthy energy burn.

🏟 Frederick Keys Stadium Grand Opening @ Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium | Wednesday (4/29) at 6:00 PM – Our hometown diamond just got a $39 million makeover, and you can snoop around before the first pitch. Expect new clubhouses, batting cages, LED lights you can actually see under, better seats, and an expanded concourse with upgraded concessions, while WFRE provides live color.

🥋 Mother Daughter Self Defense Seminar @ Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Frederick | Saturday (5/2) at 12:00 AM – Mother's Day warm-up: a women-only self-defense seminar with practical moves, not movie karate, on the mats at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Frederick. Bring your mom, daughter, sister, or the friend who always parks close, and leave with sharper instincts, louder voices, and a laugh.

🌿 Linganore Plant Sale @ Linganore High School | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – The Linganore ag students are taking over the greenhouse for their annual plant sale, with sturdy starts, hanging baskets, and real know-how. Stock up, support future farmers, and feel smug for skipping the big-box scramble.

☕ Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony @ The Common Market Co-op | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Trade your to-go lid for a seat at an Ethiopian coffee ceremony, where beans are roasted before you, stories simmer, and patience tastes surprisingly delicious. Elsa, Ethiopian-born and Maryland-based, leads the ritual, origin stories, and proper tasting, so you leave caffeinated, curious, and oddly calm.

🎉 Mayfest @ Federated Charities Frederick | Saturday (5/2) at 12:00 PM – First Saturday in Downtown Frederick means bumping into neighbors, and free live music. Mayfest brings The Reel, Day Lily, and The Roaches, no exterminator required, and a portion of proceeds supports Federated Charities. Swing by, say hi, feel smug you stayed local.

🎺 Meredith Willson's The Music Man in Concert @ JBK Theater | Saturday (5/2) at 3:00 PM – Meredith Willson’s The Music Man gets the concert treatment as CASF teams with the Frederick Catoctones to close the season in small-town style. Expect 76 trombones, tight barbershop harmonies, and Trouble with a capital T, the fun kind. Family friendly, polished, and fun.

This 8,500-square-foot custom brick contemporary on 2.22 acres pairs mountain views with White Flint Springs prestige and no city taxes. A marble entry and cathedral-ceiling family room flow to an all-season room and deck. The luxe primary suite offers a heated-floor spa bath and balcony. A walk-out lower level adds an in-law kitchen, sauna, steam shower, and slate fire-pit patio.