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.*

Team spirit and community impact: Registration is open for the 13th annual Good Life Halfsy this fall, Nebraska’s largest running event, and more than 3,600 runners have already signed up, with organizers expecting another sellout -- get all the race details.

Timeline and who qualifies: Nebraska regulators approved Black Hills Energy’s refund plan, returning about $4.7 million with interest to customers statewide. Most will see a one-time bill credit, while large commercial accounts are excluded -- learn when and who benefits.

New name and next phase: Lincoln's new downtown skatepark is open in Haymarket, the first piece of Canopy Yard. Officials say it's the largest between Denver and Des Moines, over 30,000 square feet -- learn about features and plans.

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.*

Puzzle night, upgraded: Rally your favorite chaos crew and book a private game at Escape De Facto, where story-driven rooms, immersive sets, and sneaky high-tech puzzles make the hour fly. It’s just spooky enough to spike the adrenaline, not the nightmares, and it’s an easy win for date night or group shenanigans this week.

Nebraska-made everything: When you need a birthday, thank-you, or just-because pick-me-up, From Nebraska Gift Shop nails it with local snacks, Husker gear, postcards, and build-your-own gift boxes plus a James Arthur Vineyards tasting room so you can sip while you browse. Perfect for quick wins and hometown pride.

Craving deep-broth comfort: When nothing hits like a steaming bowl, Pho Factory brings the cozy with silky pho plus Vietnamese standbys like spring rolls, noodle platters, and hot pot. It’s a short hop from the UNL campus, so a midweek reset is easy, slurp included.

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 →

🏥 Community Breast Ultrasound Screening @ Ascend Aesthetics | Wednesday (4/29) at 9:10 AM – Nothing says self-care like a painless breast ultrasound that catches what mammograms can miss, especially with dense breasts. HerScan is at Ascend Aesthetics with radiologist read scans, no prescription, no radiation, both breasts and underarms, for $295. Do it, then grab coffee at The Mill.

🍽 Bridge to the Wild Fundraising Dinner @ Lincoln Firefighters Reception Hall | Thursday (4/30) at 6:00 PM – Now in year two, Big Gumdrop Outdoors is serving up a fundraising dinner with Parthenon plates, raffles, and stories that prove kids still like fresh air. Bring gear or an Amazon item for free raffle tickets, then stick around for conversation, community, and purpose.

✂ National Scrapbook Day @ Picnic Hill Create | Friday (5/1) at 10:00 AM – Nothing says quality time like National Scrapbook Day turned into a two-day spree at Picnic Hill Create, with freebies, expert demos, and a parking lot coffee celebrity. Early birds score kits and swag, late birds get scratch-off savings, everyone leaves caffeinated, and smugly organized.

🦞 Crawfish Boil 2026 @ Turbine Flats | Friday (5/1) at 5:00 PM – Nothing says spring like a crawfish boil, and Turbine Flats is dishing 300 pounds of the good stuff with corn, potatoes, sausage, mushrooms, onions, cornbread, and drinks. It’s free, donations back MakeShift, Ellis Island plays, tees await, and yes, parking’s scarce, so carpool.

🎳 Bowl for Kids' Sake: Prom Night 2026 @ Sun Valley Lanes & Games | Friday (5/1) at 6:30 PM – Bowl for Kids' Sake goes full Prom Night, so expect bowling shoes, glitter, and fewer awkward slow dances. Grab a team, pick a decade, skip the tux, and back Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands for Lincoln’s kids. Fun is mandatory.

🏷 Neighborhood Garage Sale @ Willard Community Center | Saturday (5/2) at 8:00 AM – Clear some trunk space and wander the Willard Community Center neighborhood garage sale, where half the fun is haggling and other half is people-watching. Clothes, books, furniture, even plants, all priced by your neighbors. Rain or shine, bring cash, a friend, and your rummaging skills.

📄 Origami Exhibit @ Holy Trinity Arts Festival | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Holy Trinity on A Street is hosting the arts fest with artists, music, a kids tent, food, and a beer garden. The showstopper is 1,000 Birds of Peace, thousands of origami cranes floating in the sanctuary. Bring grandkids, claim beer garden, and achieve balance.

On Firethorn’s 11th tee box, this True North home spans 6,090 square feet on three levels with a two-story great room, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a floating staircase. A chef’s kitchen joins a main floor primary suite with laundry. Upstairs brings bar, rec room, and a deck with fairway views. The lower level adds 1,911 square feet and a 4-car garage.