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.*

Public health and school safety: An $11 million project to bring water to Gray’s Creek and Alderman Road elementary schools was 60% complete as of April 7, targeting summer completion after PFAS contamination of wells -- learn more about the project.

The economics behind Dogwood Festival: Organizers say Fayetteville's Dogwood Festival is not going anywhere, but rising costs mean new funding is needed. Attendance tops 80,000, and admission fees or an extra day are being discussed -- see what's at stake.

Fried chicken fandom grows: A Fayetteville favorite is back as KFC’s Hope Mills Road buffet has returned, a rarity nationwide, serving all-you-can-eat daily, with nearby Dunn, Cameron, and Clinton locations offering the buffet too -- get prices and locations.

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.*

A Fayetteville classic: Since 1938, Rainbow Restaurant has been the local go-to when you want made-from-scratch pancakes for breakfast or a char-grilled ribeye later, no judgment either way. Check it out this week, still family run through three generations, with catering and a private room that saves the day when your crew suddenly doubles.

Weeknight pick‑me‑up: Need a low-stress plan this week? Paddy's Irish Public House keeps the vibe lively with ticketed comedy nights, rotating weekly happenings, and stick‑to‑your‑ribs pub grub... then flips into a social playground when the crowd warms up. Easy spot to catch up with friends without overthinking it.

Level up your week: Sol's Arcade + Taproom is the hangout you keep meaning to find, with 28+ arcade games, a pour-your-own draft wall of 21 taps, and a vibe that works for date night, friend squads, or bringing the pup. They host food trucks and sit just steps from Segra Stadium.

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 →

🤝 Pack to Give Back @ Charlie Rose Agri-Expo Center | Tuesday (4/28) at 9:00 AM – This community-powered, hands-on fundraiser turns good intentions into boxed meals, new connections, and real impact for Southeast NC. Join Second Harvest to pack meals, swap neighborly banter, and prove your back still has it. Volunteer, sponsor, or bring a team, no experience needed, just heart.

🎭 Beetlejuice Jr. The Musical @ Seventy-First High School | Thursday (4/30) at 7:00 PM – Whether you still quote the movie or just want an excuse to sit down, the Falcon Players are conjuring Beetlejuice Jr. at Seventy First High. Expect big laughs, bigger vocals, VIP seats with snacks, and that warm, smug feeling of supporting local students.

🍽 The Good Day Club Plate Sale @ Julia Mae Community Foundation | Friday (5/1) at 11:00 AM – This plate sale does double duty: you eat well, and seniors get hygiene essentials, care packages, and company through The Good Day Club. Swing by Julia Mae on Murchison, bring cash or CashApp, and toss in toiletries, toothpaste, or socks. Lunch with a conscience.

🎻 Camellia Camerata Chamber Music Festival Opening Concert @ Arts Council | Friday (5/1) at 12:00 PM – This opening concert brings Camellia Camerata together with pianist Kristina Henckel and percussionist Joseph Spearman for a smart spin through Brouwer, Gershwin, Harbison, Still, Piazzolla, and Virelles. It's free, which pairs nicely with your discerning streak, no tux required, just the good cardigan.

🏷 Springfest Yard Sale @ Westminster Presbyterian Church | Saturday (5/2) at 7:00 AM – SpringFest Yard Sale is rolling out rows of potential treasures, from the practical to the gloriously random, all ripe for polite haggling. Browse, swap stories, and justify that quirky find, because every dollar goes straight to helping Cumberland County students in need.

💬 Free Comic Book Day @ The Dragon's Lair | Saturday (5/2) at 11:00 AM – Free Comic Book Day is back, with artists signing, doing commissions, and vendors, while Cape Beard Club slings grub for the Karen Chandler Trust. Park the kids at face painting and the bouncy house, then grab your free comic, your nostalgia, and good karma.

💐 Held Together by Mom's Market @ Fit4Life Health Clubs - Hope Mills | Saturday (5/2) at 12:00 PM – Skip the frantic last-minute scramble and hit Fit4Life Hope Mills for a mom-powered market that actually makes you look organized. Shop 20-plus local vendors for custom gifts, jewelry, candles, home decor, and treats. If something mysteriously ends up for you, we will not tell.

This 7-bed, 8 full and 3 half bath estate spans 19+ private acres with a 6-car garage, a movie theater, and a dramatic vaulted party hall with its own kitchen and bar. Inside, soaring ceilings, a chef’s kitchen, and three bonus rooms shine. Covered porches and a separate workshop add function, within an hour of Raleigh and Pinehurst.