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.*

A new landmark emerges: Rochester’s building boom continues as The Klimt rises near Mayo Clinic. Opening in 2027, the apartments will feature a fitness space, community areas, and a rooftop terrace overlooking Discovery Walk -- read the full story.

Progress on major transit project: Rochester says Link BRT is 30% complete and on track for a 2027 launch. Expect lane closures this year along 2.8 mile corridor. Schools near construction recommend parents change routes -- get closure and timeline details.

Economic pulse quickens downtown: Downtown Rochester is bouncing back despite construction, with foot traffic at 88 percent of pre-COVID levels and hotel occupancy topping pre-pandemic highs by 10 percent, new data shows -- see the latest numbers.

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.*

Soup for the soul: Pho Chau keeps Rochester fed with slow-simmered pho and Vietnamese comfort staples made fresh daily, from bun and curry to boba and Vietnamese coffee. Order ahead for an easy weeknight win or linger over a cozy bowl when you need a quiet reset.

Craveable comfort classics: Whether you need a legit breakfast to jump-start the day, a plate of perfectly simple American eats, or that prime rib people won’t shut up about, Canadian Honker Restaurant delivers scratch-made goodness and a slice of Bunnie's coconut cake that has its own fan club.

Treat yourself, Rochester: Marrow is chef-owned and proudly sources from regional farms, with a menu that actually changes and a chef’s tasting that glides from hamachi crudo to pork coppa to banana custard. When your week needs a small victory, grab a seat and let them cook you into a better mood.

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 →

🕺 Rasa Back to the 50s Spring Gala Fundraiser and Dance @ Historic Chateau Theatre | Friday (5/1) at 6:00 PM – Break out cocktail attire, or go full poodle skirt, for a spring gala at the Historic Chateau Theater downtown. USA Dance gives lessons, The Arcades fuel 50s and 60s moves, hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar keep spirits high. Cardio, nostalgia, and a good cause.

🍄 Four Seasons Foraging @ Cascade Meadow Wetlands & Environmental Science Center | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – Four Seasons Foraging is rolling into Earthfest with a free talk and hands-on walk at St. Mary’s, led by Maria Wesserle, certified wild mushroom harvester and CyberTracker whiz. Learn which weeds are dinner, which are not, and impress your skeptical neighbors.

🎈 Big Playdate 2026 @ Aldrich School | Saturday (5/2) at 9:30 AM – Aldrich’s Big Playdate returns with bubbles, ice cream, and sanctioned playground mayhem in the outdoor classrooms. It’s a fundraiser for the Financial Assistance and Facility Upgrades funds, so your sugar rush counts as civic duty. Donate early if you like being teacher’s pet.

♻ Litter Bit Better @ John Marshall High School | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Let’s trade a workout for good karma as Rocket Wrestling joins Litter Bit Better to spruce up John Marshall’s grounds with coaches, athletes, and families in tow. Meet at the JM main entrance, sign a quick waiver, then celebrate civic pride with pepperoni at Godfather’s.

🛍 Spring Artisan Market @ Gallery 24 | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Pop over to Gallery 24’s outdoor market across from the Rec Center for a Rochester stroll: local artists slinging jewelry, fiber, watercolors, mugs, stickers, and more, plus eats from Novios, Blue Plate, and Bulls Bierhaus. Bring kids, bring patience, leave with something handmade.

🌸 Celebrate the History of May Day @ History Center of Olmsted County | Saturday (5/2) at 2:00 PM – Spring nostalgia calls for ribbons, flower crowns, and a proper Maypole lesson from a local dance instructor at the George Stoppel Farmstead. Make your crown, assemble a take-home May Basket, and feel charmingly pastoral, all for a suggested $5 donation. No mayhem, just May Day.

💎 Martin Zeller: Tribute to Neil Diamond @ Historic Chateau Theatre | Saturday (5/2) at 6:30 PM – Neil Diamond classics take over the Historic Chateau as Martin Zellar brings Sweet Caroline, Cherry, Cherry, and your sing-along soundtrack. Grab premium seats, a table, or GA, pair it with the downtown Dinner and a Show, and belt it like nobody you know is around.

This 2016 finished ranch in NE Rochester pairs main-floor ease with style. Cherry hardwoods and custom cabinetry complement quartz counters plus pantry. A see-through fireplace connects the living room to a 3-season screened porch. Entertaining shines in a walkout lower level with bar, bonus room, and patio, and an oversized deck prewired for a hot tub on a half-acre lot.