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 science in action: North Carolina Aquariums lead the City Nature Challenge, which ends today, inviting Wilmington residents to log local wildlife in the free iNaturalist app and help boost statewide participation -- learn how and when to join.

Support rising local musicians: Cape Fear Community College music students will take the stage in free spring recitals on April 30 and May 4 in Wilmington, showcasing top ensembles across genres. Open to everyone -- get all the details.

City utility upgrades underway: CFPUA crews are replacing damaged water valves at eight Wilmington locations over several nights, with brief lane shifts expected, and the work will continue through early May -- learn more about the work.

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.*

Skip the gift panic: Blue Moon Gift Shops packs 100+ local makers into one wandering-friendly maze, so you can find beachy art, jewelry, candles, or that just-right card without doom-scrolling. Bonus, they wrap it for you, which saves your Saturday and at least three pieces of tape.

Level up game night: Skip the endless scrolling and let Cape Fear Games point you to your next favorite board game or TCG. Their in-store demo library and steady calendar of RPG nights, Pokémon meetups, and tournaments make it way too easy to find people to play with.

Quirk up your week: Your go-to for last minute birthdays, “just because” chuckles, and that weirdly perfect little something, The Black Cat Shoppe packs the historic district with quirky, unique, and genuinely funny gifts. Swing by and let their “randomly inspired fun” turn you into a gift-giving hero.

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 →

🤠 Willie Nelson @ Wilmington NC | Tuesday (4/28) at 7:00 PM – Willie Nelson is rolling into Live Oak Bank Pavilion, serving up the kind of classic country that makes the cynics hum along. Expect On the Road Again, Always on My Mind, and a breezy Wilmington night that pairs with lawn chairs, patience, and good company.

🧀 Fondue Fundraiser for Wilmington School of the Arts @ Little Dipper Fondue | Thursday (4/30) at 5:00 PM – Little Dipper is turning your cheese cravings into charity, with 10% of every tab going to Wilmington School of the Arts. Reserve a table, swirl some Gruyère, and enjoy the rare night out where chocolate, chatter, and a good cause all share the same pot.

🍻 Historic Happy Hour @ Dram Yard | Friday (5/1) at 4:30 PM – This historic happy hour stroll lets you sip through downtown Wilmington while someone else remembers the dates and architecture. Thirty bucks covers the guide and stories, you buy the drinks. Meet in ARRIVE/Dram Yard’s courtyard, stop at The Vine, finish at Wine Knot Sky Bar.

🍷 Taste of NC @ Battleship North Carolina | Friday (5/1) at 6:00 PM – Climb aboard the Battleship North Carolina for a curated tasting of North Carolina-grown wines, paired with tasty bites, and views that do the heavy lifting. It is NC Wine Month, so consider this your patriotic duty. Sip, mingle, pretend you know tannins.

🌱 Planting Day @ Unity of Wilmington | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – If you've been waiting for a sign to trade screen time for soil time, this is it. Help plant Easter blooms and make the garden look like we care, because we do. Bring gloves, we’ll handle light refreshments, and yes, there’s a rain date.

🚗 70th Anniversary Celebration Car Show @ Bob King Autohaus | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Mercedes-Benz fans are celebrating 70 years at Bob King Autohaus with a tidy lineup of 20 beauties, from stately classics to new toys. It’s free, with music, Lyne's Concessions, and zero pressure to pretend you’re buying. Bring the kids, or just your inner valet.

📚 Book Fair @ Waterline Brewing Company | Saturday (5/2) at 12:00 PM – Clear some trunk space for a not-your-average book fair corralling 50+ indie bookstores, local authors, and bookish treasures. Pad your TBR, chat with the folks behind the prose, then appease your critic with Smash n Dash, Kimchi Taco, and live tunes from Echoes of Heroes.

This fully renovated oceanfront retreat on Figure Eight Island sits in the coveted central stretch of Beach Road South with strong dunes, balanced elevation, and sweeping Atlantic views. Four ensuite bedrooms pair with luminous gathering spaces and expansive decks. King Post Construction craftsmanship, a designer kitchen, and all-new furnishings create a polished, turnkey coastal experience steps from the Yacht Club.