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.*

Hybrid computing gets a boost: Ann Arbor startup Sygaldry Technologies secured $139 million to build quantum-accelerated servers that speed AI training and cut energy use, backed by Breakthrough Energy Ventures and the University of Michigan -- read the full story.

Where ideas fuel growth: Ann Arbor was ranked No. 3 in the Geography of Prosperity Index, highlighting our educated workforce and research strength, while local startups boast top density and momentum -- read the full story.

A retail destination evolves: Ann Arbor’s Briarwood Mall makeover is taking shape with new shops, dining, and apartments underway. Harvest Market opened April 15 in the former Sears space, hoping to boost foot traffic -- get details on the transformation.

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.*

Pho and cocktails, anyone? When the week calls for comfort with a little flair, Saigon Kitchen & Bar does modern Vietnamese right with slurpable pho, crisp small plates, and playful craft cocktails. Easy pick for a low-key date or a catch-up with friends before strolling downtown.

Craveable Cuban comfort: Frita Batidos Ann Arbor brings sunny Cuban street-food energy with crispy fries, juicy fritas, and creamy batidos that turn any weekday into vacation mode. It’s bright, buzzy, and perfect for a low-key hang when you want big flavor, a little spice, and maybe a tropical cocktail.

Tapas to share tonight: Whether you're plotting a low-key date or corralling the group chat, Aventura nails the Spanish vibes with modern tapas, paella, and a bar built for lingering, under rustic brick arches. Grab a couple plates, split a pan, and let the wine and cocktail list steer you somewhere pleasantly unexpected.

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 →

🐦 Monday Evening Migration @ Matthaei Botanical Gardens | Monday (4/27) at 6:00 PM – If you've been waiting for a sign to tell a warbler from a leaf, this is it. Join a bird walk under two miles to spot spring migrants at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, meet at the main entrance, binoculars provided, newbies welcome, and early exits encouraged.

♻ A2ZERO Sustainability Forum @ Ann Arbor District Library | Tuesday (4/28) at 6:00 PM – Take a break from doomscrolling and come celebrate the A2ZERO Community Cookbook with Ann Arbor’s Office of Sustainability and Innovations. Hear city staff, local food leaders, and cookbook contributors dish on how recipes, gardens, and neighbors make our town more resilient, and frankly, tastier.

🎷 International Jazz Day @ Kerrytown Concert House | Thursday (4/30) at 7:30 PM – International Jazz Day gets the full Jazzistry treatment as Vincent York leads an all-ages tour from field hollers to hip-hop, with stories, photos, and rhythm demos. Think history class you’ll actually enjoy, with world-class players and toe taps.

👠 Cinderella @ Skyline High School | Friday (5/1) at 7:00 PM – Grab the kids, or your inner pumpkin, and catch a newly revised, family-friendly Cinderella. Expect an act one preview with a Q&A, a royal meet and greet at Schuler's, and a Girl Scout day with discounts and a patch. Glass slippers optional.

🥕 Saturday Market Regular Hours @ Ann Arbor Farmers Market | Saturday (5/2) at 7:00 AM – If you’ve been meaning to restock the crisper and your patience, hit the Saturday farmers market in Kerrytown. Local growers, crusty loaves, flowers that make your porch look intentional, and enough samples to count as lunch. Bring cash, a tote, and your neighborly wave.

👟 Great Strides 2026 @ County Farm Park | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Let’s swap our coffee walk on Main for an annual community stroll that counts twice, for your step tracker, and for CF research. Join the locals supporting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation with care, research, and hope. Lace up, bring a friend, register here: https://fundraise.cff.org/Annarbor2026

📚 Free Comic Book Day 2026 @ Vault of Midnight | Saturday (5/2) at 11:00 AM – Free Comic Book Day is back at the Vault, and yes, it still counts as culture. Whether you’re chasing nostalgia or bribing your kids to read, snag up to five freebies, dig the $1 longbox gold, and enjoy cosplay, music, and vendors.

This southwest corner Liberty Lofts condo, one of the building’s largest at 1,877 square feet, pairs a balcony with south-facing windows framing the Old West Side. Two large bedrooms, an exposed-brick primary with custom walk-in closet, and baths with Toto smart toilets shine. White porcelain floors, a granite-clad kitchen, and heated underground parking add polish.