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.*

Spring travel stop updates: Most of MDOT’s 85 roadside parks will reopen Tuesday, April 28, across Michigan, but 12 remain closed, and drinking water won’t be available until later in May -- get all the details.

Massive campus fitness upgrade: MSU’s $200 million Student Recreation and Wellness Center is open, bringing gymnasiums, a turf area, track, and climbing wall. IM West closed Saturday. An indoor pool is expected in August -- get all the details.

Immersive art sparks movement: Lansing awarded $75,000 to artists Barbara Pearsall and Michelle Hinojosa for Turnabout Folly, an interactive installation coming to Marshall Park with colorful ringed walls to inspire play for all ages -- see what's planned for Marshall Park.

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.*

Sushi, burgers, game on: Whether you're plotting a laid-back dinner or game-night HQ, Cask & Company Kitchen & Bar delivers a chef-driven scratch menu from sushi to burgers and bowls, a deep whiskey lineup and craft taps. Over thirty 60-inch TVs and monthly wine dinners make it a solid midweek treat.

Cut, fuse, create: Explore Delphi Glass when the creative itch hits. Wander the showroom for inspiration, tools, and sheets in every shade of the spectrum. Beginner-friendly classes make stained glass, mosaics, and fusing feel doable, whether you're refreshing a hobby or starting a bright new one this week.

Color your week: Whether your desk needs a restock or your brain needs a spark, Odd Nodd Art Supply delivers paints, markers, sketchbooks, and delightfully weird stationery that turn good intentions into finished things. Treat yourself to a browse this week, then let the creativity guilt you into making stuff.

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 →

🦋 MSU Butterfly House Tour 1 @ MSU Butterfly House (East Lansing) | Monday (4/27) at 10:00 AM – Swap the grocery run for a flutter fix at MSU’s Butterfly House on Bogue. Tour the house, hear a quick staff talk, then get your hands dirty with some planting. All ages, tickets in advance only, no walk-ins, $10 kids, $5 adults.

📚 Batcat #4: Seeing Stars Book Release Party @ Constellation Cat Cafe | Tuesday (4/28) at 4:30 AM – This release party at Constellation Cat Cafe blends purr therapy, a cozy author Q&A, and the latest Batcat mischief. Meet Meggie Ramm, then pretend you only came for the literature while a tabby claims your lap. Small sessions, just 12 people, so reserve online.

🌷 Art Workshop: April Showers Bring May Flowers @ 2|42 Community Center (Okemos) | Tuesday (4/28) at 4:30 PM – Let them make April showers and May flowers somewhere that is not your dining room. At 2|42’s School for the Arts, ages 2–4 and 5–7 splash paint, stamp blooms, and try sensory stations, you bring wipes. $25 per kid, small classes, parents join the littles.

🎁 Mother’s Day Build-A-Box @ Twiggies | Friday (5/1) at 10:00 AM – Mother’s Day sneaking up? Skip the panic, and pop into Twiggies to build a custom gift box, sip mocktails, nibble chocolates, and browse curated goodies. They handle free packaging and bow dazzle at the wrapping stations, you handle the love, and mom goes home impressed.

🚮 River Walk Trash Cleanup @ Weavers of the Web, ATC | Friday (5/1) at 11:00 AM – Join the monthly River Walk cleanup, a neighborhood stroll with grabbers where we spruce up the path and blocks. Family friendly, no training, no guilt trip, just show up, help a bit, weather permitting, then feel pleasantly smug, and register free at https://www.weaversoftheweb.org/event/river-walk-trash-cleanup-109/register.

🎗 2026 CureSMA Walk N Roll @ Hawk Island Park | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Walk-n-Roll is uniting Michigan’s walkers, rollers, and expert cheerers to fund SMA research and support local families. Bring your sneakers, wheels, and that neighborly stamina, and turn low-impact cardio into high-impact good. Come in honor, in memory, or just to actually make progress.

🏇 Kentucky Derby Party @ UrbanBeat | Saturday (5/2) at 4:00 PM – Break out the big hat for UrbanBeat’s Kentucky Derby Party, hosted by Brenda Kosmer and Terri Valentino. Expect Southern-inspired dinner with a drink, contests, prizes, big-screen racing, and Sweet C & The Sunset Riders. Tickets are $40 on UrbanBeat’s site, Derby Day done right.

This 6,000-square-foot riverfront retreat spans 1.5 acres with a private bird sanctuary across the water. It offers 4-plus bedrooms, 4.5 baths, and a 6-car garage. Highlights include a huge primary suite with two full baths, a granite island kitchen, formal dining with built-ins, extensive decking, and two lower-level rec rooms. Foundation 1960, major build circa 1993.