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.*

Familiar kitchen, fresh additions: Bangor favorite Asian Palace II reopened April 17 with former owners Scott Chan and family back at the helm, plus an updated menu featuring scallion pancakes, sugar donuts, and more -- get hours and menu details.

What MaineDOT's project includes: Construction is underway on a diverging diamond at I-95 Exit 187 on Hogan Road in Bangor. Expect occasional utility and drainage disruptions while most traffic stays unchanged until late 2027 -- see what's planned and when.

Spotlight on science outreach: Bangor’s Maine Discovery Museum has been awarded the National Medal for Museum and Library Service, recognizing programs like the Maine Science Festival that introduce all ages to STEM -- 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.*

Restock the vanity: At Anthony John's Day Spa & Salon, the in-house boutique carries Dermalogica skincare, R+Co styling, Goldwell haircare, and CND nail essentials. Stock up on dependable staples between appointments and step into the week feeling polished, organized, and a little more you.

Fresh taps, local bites: Nocturnem Draft Haus keeps 20 well-balanced lines rotating with finds from Maine and abroad, paired with simple, locally sourced plates that hit the spot without the fuss. Keep an eye on their brewery showcases and live music for an easy weeknight upgrade.

Skip cooking tonight: Timber Kitchen & Bar is the low-stress upgrade your week needs, with wood fired pizzas, juicy burgers, a Maine-friendly craft beer lineup, and cocktails from the Spirit Mixing Room that go beyond the basics. Sit at the chef's bar, watch the action, and call it self care.

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 →

🍪 Cookies Against Child Abuse @ Chick-fil-A Bangor | Monday (4/27) at 6:30 AM – Chick-fil-A Bangor is sweetening April all month with a do-good dessert, sending 10% of Chocolate Chunk Cookie sales to the Penquis C.A.N. Council. Add a cookie to your order, call it community service, and enjoy zero guilt with your waffle fries.

💃 Ladies Night! @ Bogeys | Monday (4/27) at 4:00 PM – Make Monday behave with Ladies Night, featuring food and drink specials, and free golf lessons on the house. No experience needed, just your best laugh, a semi-steady swing, and friends who appreciate a sport that encourages whispering. Every Monday.

🎨 Crafty Corner @ Bangor Public Library | Thursday (4/30) at 4:00 PM – Got a kid who loves glue, glitter, and turning your table into a crime scene? Drop by the Library for Crafty Corner, a weekly drop-in with a new craft each time, perfect for grades K-5. You supervise, they create, your house stays clean.

🔥 Fire of 1911: 115 Years Later Walking Tour @ Broad Street Park | Thursday (4/30) at 4:00 PM – Lace up and retrace Bangor’s Great Fire, 115 years later, on a guided walk with vivid before and after photos, no flames, just facts. Stop in the Bangor Welcome Center for artifacts, hear how the city rebuilt. Free for members, $10 otherwise, only 20 spots.

📚 Free Comic Book Day @ Galactic Comics and Collectibles | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Whether you've still got a long box in the garage or just want an excuse to feel 12 again, Free Comic Book Day delivers. Grab exclusive issues, extra giveaways, and legit sales while they last, no spandex required, bring the kids, or don't.

🌱 DIY Plant Workshop @ Dream In Gold & Dream Charm Bar | Saturday (5/2) at 12:00 PM – At DREAM in downtown Bangor, the DIY plant workshop gets you a plant, your choice of pot, and two charms for $25. Green thumb or repeat offender, you’ll learn to keep it alive, plus sip Mainely Juice while you pot, chat, and call it self-care.

🥁 33rd Annual Pan New England Steel Band Festival @ Bangor Waterfront | Saturday (5/2) at 7:00 PM – Trade the rake for rhythm at a two-day steel band fest on the Bangor Waterfront. Saturday brings a high energy street dance with Bangor's own PanStorm, Sunday stacks a dozen-plus bands in a round robin and an all-bands finale. Free and flanked by food trucks.

In Rolling Meadow, this Bangor 4-bed, 3-bath stunner blends farmhouse charm with savvy upgrades on over a third acre. An inviting porch, sunny deck, and open kitchen with granite and stainless set the tone. Custom built-ins and integrated dog kennels shine. A locker-style mudroom, rink-ready yard, generator, heat pumps, and new boiler cap convenience near hospitals, UMaine, and Husson.