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.*

Home retailer shifts locations: Ashley Furniture will take over the former Value City Furniture and Mattress on Route 37 in Toms River, bringing a new store to the corridor. Opening details are to come -- get all the details.

Around-the-clock crews transform streets: Lakewood Township completed multiple infrastructure projects over Pesach, using reduced traffic to speed paving, sidewalk and drainage work, including Pine Street, coordinating with Ocean County and New Jersey American Water -- see streets and partners involved.

Guided lessons for newcomers: Toms River will offer beginner pickleball classes at Bey Lea Park starting May, with 90-minute sessions for ages 16 and up for $60. Dates run in June, August and September -- find class dates and 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.*

Quick coastal reset: Skip the long drive and get your salt-air fix at Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, where short trails wind through maritime forest and the beacon serves up panoramic inlet views. Cap it with a breezy stroll by the bay and a peek at the visitor center's local lore.

Tackle your week: Need a spring fishing spark? Gabriel Tackle Co. stocks jumbo bloodworms, sharp local tide intel, and straight-shooting advice to get you tight to fish. Grab gear, tune up your rod and reel, and snag a quick pep talk before that after-work session...then go bend something.

Weekend fairway fix: Shake off winter-stiff swings at LBI National Golf & Resort, loosen up on the range, then grab a bite at The Tin Cup. A simple, low-pressure reset that still feels like you got a round in this week... without the time crunch.

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 →

🖌 Plein Air Weekend @ Cloverdale Farm County Park (Barnegat) | Friday (5/1) at 8:00 AM – Trade the to-do list for a brush and step outside for Plein Air Weekend, where artists set up easels under the open sky. It runs all weekend, so swing by between errands, watch a few Monets-in-progress, and feel delightfully cultured, no beret required.

🥕 Friday Farmers Market @ Nourish.NJ (Dover) | Friday (5/1) at 11:00 AM – Skip the sad desk salad and swing by Dover’s free farmers market for a lunchtime haul of just-picked produce and pantry staples. It pops up Wednesdays and Fridays, neighborly vibes included, so you can chat tomatoes, catch up with familiar faces, and feel smugly seasonal.

🥂 St. Joseph's Century Club Gala 2026 @ Donovan Catholic High School (Toms River) | Friday (5/1) at 6:00 PM – Nothing like getting dressed up, seeing old friends, and actually doing some good at Donovan Catholic as we honor Mrs. JoAnn D’Anton and Dr. Joseph Tauro. Expect fellowship, a spirited silent auction, and serious Griffin pride, funding scholarships that have helped local kids for decades.

💡 Mosaic Art Classes: Turkish Lamp Workshop @ Days Hotel Toms River Jersey Shore | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – A mosaic lamp workshop is lighting up Toms River, inviting you to build a Turkish mosaic lamp while sipping tea and sweets. A DIY project that turns on when you’re done. Great for date night, solo zen, or friend therapy, and you keep the lamp.

✂ Scrapbooking Day @ Bay Head School Gymnasium | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Clear the dining table, Scrapbooking Day is your chance to finally tame that box of photos and ticket stubs, with good company and fewer glue mishaps than 2003. A full day of crafty nostalgia, tips, and laughs. Space is limited, so register early.

🎤 Laser Taylor Swift @ Robert J. Novins Planetarium (Toms River) | Saturday (5/2) at 12:00 PM – Whether you survived the Eras tour with kids or skipped the ticket madness, here’s the cheat code, a laser-lit glide through Taylor’s eras. Her hits sync to a light takeover, sing-along friendly, nostalgia heavy, and blissfully seat-based. Lots of flashing lights, so photosensitive folks beware.

💰 NJMM Annual Fundraiser @ New Jersey Maritime Museum (Beach Haven) | Saturday (5/2) at 3:00 PM – Keep it casual and help keep our maritime history afloat at NJ Maritime Museum’s annual fundraiser on LBI. Cash bar, basket and silent auctions, and a 50/50 raffle, where outbidding your neighbor feels virtuous. Tickets are $75, members $60.

Set on Cherry Quay, this 4,000 sq ft waterfront home spans four levels minutes from the bay. The open main level with gas fireplace flows to balconies. The primary suite offers wardrobe rooms and a spa bath. A flexible top floor, heated saltwater pool, vinyl bulkhead with dock, and 2-3 car garage cap a beach club and boat ramp community.