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.*

Honoring ancestors through craft: Charlotte basket artist Shakeeka Watts Brooks is now on display at the Gaston County Museum in Dallas. Woven with Purpose opened April 24, highlighting West African techniques and everyday materials -- learn more about the exhibit.

North Carolina drought intensifies: Gastonia is urging voluntary water conservation after a Stage 1 drought was declared for the Catawba-Wateree River Basin, asking residents to cut use 3 to 5 percent, with no restrictions -- get all the details.

Gastonia's newest dining spot: Dave's Hot Chicken opened on East Franklin Boulevard, bringing Nashville-style tenders, sliders, and shakes. The fifth Charlotte-area spot offers seven spice levels and stays open until midnight on Friday and Saturday -- get all the opening 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.*

Trail-ready refresh: Catawba River Outfitters curates durable layers, trail shoes, packs, and dialed-in essentials from brands you actually want to wear. Headed for a greenway loop or Crowders Mountain? The crew can fine-tune your kit with honest advice, zero pressure, and gear that works.

Sweet start, right here: Fannie Cakes is the low-key hero for a midweek morale boost, serving flaky quiche, cozy grits, and caramel-glazed pound cakes that tend to vanish before you reach the couch. A to-go box feels like doing your future self a favor, and the vibes stay warm, simple, and satisfying.

Pours and good vibes: Gaston Pour House delivers pub eats, craft beer, classic cocktails and legit coffee, plus weekly wine tastings, Friday live music and an open jam that keeps it neighborly since 2017. Perfect for a low-key dinner or a linger-and-chat kind of night.

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 →

🎲 Bingo @ Gaston County Public Library | Monday (4/27) at 6:00 PM – Grab your lucky charm and come play free bingo, the kind where yelling BINGO might actually score you books, movies, activities, and other goodies. It is low stakes, high fun, and blissfully screen free. Bring a friend, claim a table, and settle in.

🍖 2026 Hope in Christ Barbecue Fundraiser @ Eastside Church of the Nazarene | Thursday (4/30) at 10:30 AM – Skip the sad salad and put your dollars to work at this barbecue fundraiser serving Kyle Fletcher's BBQ, a local favorite, and sides for just $12. Order 10 or more for free local delivery, and you can grab drinks, and desserts on site, because priorities.

☮ Soulshine 'n Sunshine Hippie Festival 2026 @ Hampton Homestead | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – This hippie fest taps Airshow, a high-flying jamband formed by childhood friends in Reading, PA, for sun-soaked grooves and neighborly vibes. Bring a chair, sunscreen, and patience for 10-minute solos, then enjoy tie-dye, twirling, and the kind of easy joy your patio tries to fake.

💐 Sip, Shop & Celebrate Mom @ Poffie Girls | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Ready to trade dressing-room glare for pampering? Head to Poffie Girls to sip, shop, and celebrate with moms and daughters, built for MOB and MOG moments, with champagne, treats, chair massages by Optimum Body Works, on-site Botox from The Medical Spa, and appointment-only sanity.

🧭 Explore the Catawba Village @ The Schiele Museum of Natural History | Saturday (5/2) at 11:00 AM – Field-trip payoff for grown-ups, step into 400 years of Catawba history at The Schiele’s Village with a special presentation, a prehistoric-style bark house, a town house, and 18th and 19th-century cabins on land where the museum stands today. Just $3 with admission, free for members.

🧚 Fairy Garden @ Wild & Whimsy Living | Saturday (5/2) at 11:00 AM – A fairy garden workshop is popping up with soil, moss, and pint-size magic for anyone whose houseplants want a sidekick. Bring a whimsical container or use theirs, craft something that blooms all season, and RSVP, space is limited, $35, that teacup earns its keep.

💄 Beauty & Bubbly Bash @ HarperWynne Salon & Extension Studio | Saturday (5/2) at 2:00 PM – Take a break and hit this Mother's Day-inspired beauty pop-up with mimosas, light bites, tiny tattoos, permanent jewelry, and a tasteful Botox option. Bring your mom, your crew, or your gloriously solo self. There are giveaways and local vendors, so consider it sanctioned self-care.

This Virginia-style farmhouse estate spans 1.2 gated acres with Gaston Country Club golf course frontage and over 5,000 square feet of living. Brazilian cherry floors and 10-foot ceilings frame a chef’s kitchen with Thermador range and oversized island. Two primary suites include an upstairs steam shower. Media room, flex space, and dual covered porches plus a screened porch elevate luxury.