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.*

Big news for beer fans: Columbia favorite Logboat Brewing plans to open a second taproom in 2027 near Nifong and State Farm Parkway in south Columbia. The concept includes a bar, park, and restaurant, announced on Facebook -- see what's planned and where.

Local education landscape shifts: Frontier Schools has been approved to open Columbia’s first charter public school, a STEM-focused option planned for the 2027-28 school year. The network received federal funding to support planning -- read the full story.

Long-term traffic disruptions loom: St. Charles Road bridge work in northeast Columbia will affect traffic through summer. MoDOT warns of school-hour congestion as Columbia Public Schools urges families to plan and use alternate 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.*

Soup therapy, anyone? If your brain’s running on fumes, Pho Quan Viet Cuisine is the kind of dependable, low-stress fix that brings you back to life with steaming pho and Vietnamese comfort in a calm, neighborly setting. Easy choice for a midweek pick-me-up or a low-key dinner that actually satisfies.

Local pints worth revisiting: Bur Oak Brewing Company LLC keeps the taps interesting, from Boone County Brown to Big Tree DIPA and the easygoing Old 63. Hit it this week for reliable local pours, comfy taproom vibes, and the kind of low-key events that make last-minute plans look intentional.

Fresh pasta fix: Columbia’s weeknight cheat code, Pasta La Fata turns dinner into something you actually look forward to, with handmade pastas, hearty sauces, and take-home comfort dishes that taste like Sunday but reheat like Tuesday. Swing by, stock the fridge, then pretend you’re the hero who cooked.

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 →

⭐ Star Wars Retro Crafts @ Columbia Public Library | Monday (4/27) at 6:00 PM – Relive your pre-streaming glory with Star Wars friendship bracelets, Shrinky Dinks, Perler beads, and buttons, plus retro snacks that taste like childhood. Teens and adults, costumes encouraged, registration not required, but space is limited, so arrive early and pretend you lined up for opening night.

🧠 We Rise Together: Trivia Night @ Bur Oak Brewing Company | Thursday (4/30) at 6:30 PM – VAC's fundraiser Trivia Night is taking over Bur Oak Brewing with 10 rounds and a table-decorating contest. Bring a team of eight, grab a table from $350 with dinner and drinks, flex factoids, and back Columbia neighbors facing housing instability at vacmo.org/trivia, tables fill fast.

🛍 Spring Sidewalk Sale @ Fringe Western Wear | Friday (5/1) at 10:00 AM – Take a break and swing by Fringe's spring sidewalk sale this weekend, where prices are softer than your well-worn flannel. Wrangler, Ariat, Carhartt, and more, with thousands of boots for men, women, and kids, plus hats and apparel at 20 to 70% off.

📚 BookDrive Pop Up @ Serendipity Salon and Gallery by Elizabeth Jordheim | Friday (5/1) at 6:00 PM – This First Friday pop up at Serendipity Salon & Gallery pairs fresh cuts, fresh art, and BookDrive's tight little stack of thoughtfully chosen books. Swing through, browse the shelves and the walls, support local creators, and pretend you needed one more novel on the nightstand.

🌱 Free Mulch Day @ Old Everett’s site (former Everett’s Restaurant & Lounge) | Saturday (5/2) at 8:00 AM – Free Mulch Day is back, and your yard will thank you. Head to the old Everett’s north of 1413 Rangeline, follow signs at south end of I-70 dogbone, and they'll load your truck or trailer. No bags, unlimited loads while supplies last, no membership required.

🌿 Wild Nature Day @ It's Our Wild Nature | Saturday (5/2) at 8:00 AM – Nothing beats spotting owls at the 7th annual Columbia Wild Nature Day, tucked in that Bluffdale cul-de-sac off Old Hwy 63. Expect bird watching, guided walks, and quiet for all ages, not apps. Wear long pants, shoes, and socks, and bring bug spray and water.

🚲 Bike, Walk, Wheel to the Farmers Market @ MU Health Care Pavilion at Columbia's Agriculture Park | Saturday (5/2) at 8:00 AM – Grab a helmet and roll to Columbia Farmers Market to kick off Bike, Walk, and Wheel Week. Join Local Motion’s easygoing bike bus, pedal-blend a smoothie, and snag tees, stickers, and vibes. Confident riders welcome, safety in numbers, consider it leg day with produce.

On 26 acres just 7 miles from downtown Columbia, this 7,500 square foot retreat overlooks a stocked private lake with islands and bridges. Inside, hand-scraped teak floors, a curved staircase, and two fireplaces set the tone. The chef's kitchen has a Wolf range and hidden pantry, plus a sunroom for wildlife watching, a bar-ready lower level, and a two-story outbuilding.