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.*

Community effort supports families: Springfield Fire Department has launched a literacy initiative offering free books for kids, backed by Great Southern Bank, enhancing Story Time at the Discovery Center and promoting reading and safety -- get all the details.

Smoother traffic interactions ahead: Springfield Police launched the Blue Envelope Program to help individuals with disabilities share documents and communication needs during stops, with local partners assisting distribution across the Ozarks -- learn how the program works.

Grocery landscape keeps shifting: ALDI plans a new store in Springfield Plaza on West Washita Street, using a 2023 building left vacant. No opening date yet, and it follows Target’s recent opening nearby -- read the full story.

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.*

Weekend brunch, sorted: When you want a cozy, no-fuss plate and a strong coffee, Gailey's Breakfast Cafe hits the brunch sweet spot. Think fluffy stacks, hearty scrambles, and an easy downtown vibe that makes lingering with friends feel natural.

Hair that turns heads: Since 2000, Studio 417 Salon has elevated Springfield hair with color pros, curl specialists, and extension experts who listen. Whether you want a trim, tone, or total switch up, their seasoned team makes change feel easy and your style unmistakably you.

Neighborhood cocktail fix: Where House Bar keeps things easy with thoughtful cocktails, local taps from Springfield Brewing Co and Mothers, and a chill, garage-door-open vibe inside Metro Eats... ideal for a midweek unwind or date night when you want something nicer than couch wine.

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 →

📚 Friends of the Library Spring 2026 Book Sale @ Ozark Empire Fairgrounds | Tuesday (4/28) at 4:00 PM – Stock up at the Friends of the Library spring sale at the E*Plex, where books, movies, and vinyl go for couch-cushion prices. Most are a buck or less, better picks a smidge more, so bring a big bag, and feel good funding our library.

🌴 Salsa & Strings: Caribbean Night @ Pickwick & Cherry - Fine Foods & Gourmet Gifts | Tuesday (4/28) at 6:30 PM – Let’s upgrade Taco Tuesday to the Caribbean, no passport needed. It’s a fully hands-on cook-along with ropa vieja, mofongo, coconut rice, a mango-cucumber salad, and passionfruit dessert. After we eat, the chef trades knives for a violin, and the vibe turns blissfully Caribbean.

🍞 Sourdough 101 Workshop @ Lightbox Collective LLC | Thursday (4/30) at 6:30 PM – Learn sourdough for real, not from a YouTube rabbit hole, in a hands-on workshop covering starter care, mixing, shaping, and scoring. Leave with a starter, a bake-at-home loaf, a guide, and a Facebook group, so your carbs, and confidence, rise, all for $85 at https://www.blythecobakery.com/event-details/sourdough-101-workshop-4.

🛣 Route 66 Day @ Dickerson Park Zoo | Friday (5/1) at 9:00 AM – Celebrate Route 66’s 100th at 103-year-old DPZ with $6.60 admission, cars from the Route 66 Car Museum, and café specials. Even the animals get Route 66 themed enrichment. Pay at the gate, skip the app, kids under 2 are free, pretend gas is still cheap.

🚗 Rt. 66 Centennial Parking Lot Party @ Mother Road Motorcycles | Friday (5/1) at 4:00 PM – Grab your lawn chair and roll into a Route 66 centennial parking lot bash with cars, bikes, and the 7D Funk Allstars keeping it groovy. Centennial parade laps by, food trucks handle dinner, and you handle the cooler, the people-watching, and the bragging rights.

🏃 Girls on the Run Spring 5k @ Betty & Bobby Allison South Stadium | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – If you've been waiting for a sign to run without chasing a toddler or a sale, this is it. Girls on the Run’s Spring 5k is flat, fast, certified, and family-friendly, with shirts, medals, and a finish full of first-timers whose joy shames your grumpiness.

🌱 Plant Start Sale @ 417 Urban Livestock Feed | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – Whether your tomatoes always win the taste test or you keep the basil alive out of spite, 417 Urban Livestock Feed has plant starts ready, all boosted by Soil House worm castings, biochar, and fish amino acids. Pre-order now, then strut in for easy pickup.

On 10 private acres in Springfield, MO, this nearly 7,000-square-foot estate delivers 5 bedrooms, 6 full baths, and two half baths with standout indoor-outdoor flow. An in-ground lap pool pairs with a fully equipped outdoor kitchen and pond views for resort-style living. A spacious shop adds room for hobbies and storage, a rare blend of privacy and scale.