Sunday, April 26, 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.*

Celebrated coastal dining scene: Food & Wine named Portland America’s Best Small Food City, spotlighting favorites like Fore Street and Eventide, plus Norimoto’s James Beard winner Atsuko Fujimoto. Another Maine spot earned top honors -- read the full story.

Long-awaited waterfront greenspace: Portland will break ground on Portland Harbor Common, a 3.5-acre park at Commercial and India, turning ferry lines into trails and lawns, with opening expected by the end of 2026 -- get all the project details.

Key details and design: Earlier this month, Senesco Marine launched and christened Casco Bay Lines’ new electric ferry, New England’s first of its kind. After testing, it will join Portland routes -- 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.*

Your weeknight savior: Banh Appetit keeps it low-key and high-flavor with crisp, loaded banh mi, vermicelli bowls, and Vietnamese iced coffee that can rescue a Tuesday. When cooking feels optional this week, this spot delivers that fresh-herby-crunch you swear you can't find in Portland until you do.

Working waterfront comfort fix: Locals know Becky's Diner as the no-nonsense spot where fishermen and office folks share counter space and blueberry pancakes somehow taste better near the docks. If you haven't been in a minute, treat yourself to a lobster omelet and some classic diner banter, then call it a win.

Local pours, zero fuss: Whether your fridge looks tragically empty or you just want something new on tap, Portland Beer Hub keeps the rotation fresh with 22 taps, 5-ounce tasters, and 100+ cans and bottles to go. Cozy spot, friendly vibes, and yes, the free hard-boiled eggs are a thing.

That patch of scalp that wasn't there a year ago: It's more common than most folks talk about. Especially in your 50s... hormones, stress, and nutrition all start pulling at hair density at once. Nutrafol is a drug-free daily supplement designed to work on those causes together — and in clinical studies, 93% of women said their hair looked healthier after six months. *Take a look →

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 →

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 →

Two sprays before bed, no more snoring? It really is that simple. No mouthpiece to wrestle with, no CPAP mask, no nose strips that peel off at 2am. This doctor-developed throat spray has been keeping sleepers quiet for 30 years, and first-time orders are 40% off right now. *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 →

🎬 Maine Jewish Film Festival @ The Hill Arts | Monday (4/27) at 7:00 PM – Consider this your yearly excuse to binge smart at the Maine Jewish Film Festival, where global Jewish stories spark real conversation, and Mainers from all corners actually listen. Lineup drops soon, so sharpen your opinions and clear a few evenings. Popcorn meets big ideas.

🍯 Oxymel Workshop @ Root Wild Kombucha | Thursday (4/30) at 5:30 PM – Swap small talk for small-batch and head to Root Wild on Washington Ave for a hands-on oxymel workshop, beginner friendly, nerdy, and useful. Mix vinegar and honey into a therapeutic tonic, sip kombucha, and start your own batch. Spots are limited, naturally.

🧵 Kumihimo Mysteries Unlocked @ Museum of Beadwork | Friday (5/1) at 8:00 AM – A three-day kumihimo design retreat is pulling back the curtain on color theory, pattern sizing, and turning ideas into finished necklaces. Expect real one-on-one time with Rebecca Ann Combs, beads that finally play nice together, and the smug joy of wearing something you actually designed.

🎨 First Friday Art Walk @ Maine Art Collective | Friday (5/1) at 5:00 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to stretch your legs in the Old Port without dinner reservations, First Friday Art Walk at Maine Art Collective on Moulton St. delivers. Pop in for art, actual artists, and refreshments, then keep strolling like you planned it.

📚 Spring Book Sale @ Shaw Gym (Gorham) | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – Ready to restock the nightstand without wrecking the budget? The Friends of Baxter Memorial Library take over Shaw Gym for a Spring Book Sale, packed with bargains, familiar faces, and big blue blocks to occupy the kids while you browse, with supervision, of course.

🐶 Old Port Adoption Event @ The Black Dog General Store | Saturday (5/2) at 11:00 AM – This Old Port adoption pop-up at The Black Dog brings rescue pups to Commercial Street, and your browsing habit suddenly supports local rescue. Swing by for wagging tails, neighborly vibes, and the moment a scruffy first mate picks you, your heart, and your sofa.

🎤 Seven Things I've Learned @ State Theatre | Saturday (5/2) at 7:00 PM – Whether you’ve been riding shotgun with This American Life, or you just appreciate a story, Ira Glass is taking over the State Theatre. He’ll live-mix tales with audio, music, and video, pulling back the curtain on the creative mess. Reserved seats, no tote bag required.

This 2-bed, 2-bath Hobson's Landing II condo sits steps from Portland’s Old Port with 9-foot ceilings and hardwoods. An open kitchen with quartz peninsula flows to a living area with gas fireplace and private deck. Perks include in-unit laundry, a parking space with EV charger, storage, concierge, fitness room, clubroom with Casco Bay views, guest suite, and a shared Tesla.