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.*

More savings for EV shoppers: New York has added $30 million to its Drive Clean Rebate, giving Rochester area buyers instant $500 to $2,000 discounts at dealerships as debates continue over affordability and charging access -- read the full story.

New season schedule unveiled: Rochester Public Market’s 2026 season is set, with a Food Truck Rodeo on April 29, plus Bands on the Bricks, Flower City Days, and Flour City Brewer’s Fest August 21 -- check out the full lineup.

Immigrant story fuels new flavors: Jordan River, a Middle Eastern cafe, has opened in the former Starbucks at Monroe Avenue and Oxford Street in Rochester, serving espresso, matcha, and desserts from owner Mohamad -- read the full story.

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.*

Freshen up your nest: Axom Home goes modern without the chill, with clean lines, cozy textures, and pieces that earn their floor space. Their curated mix and friendly design advice make leveling up the living room simple, so choosing what stays and what shines feels easy.

Cold therapy, big reset: driphouse in Pittsford runs a 100% electric whole-body cryotherapy chamber that cools you fast for 2–3 brisk minutes, easing recovery, inflammation, and midweek moods. Fits between errands or after a workout; the crew keeps it friendly, efficient, and no-pressure.

Need a fun reset? RocVentures Climbing is the cozy chaos your week needs, with approachable bouldering, top rope routes, and a welcoming crew that shows you the ropes fast. Go solo or recruit a friend, then relish the post-climb glow while you plan the next send.

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 →

🍔 First Food Truck Rodeo of '26 @ Rochester Public Market | Wednesday (4/29) at 5:00 PM – Rochester’s favorite hump-day tradition is back with the first FTR of ’26, plus live music and more tempting menus than your group chat can handle. Come hungry, bring a jacket, and practice your polite line-staring. Full schedule and tunes at www.cityofrochester.gov/foodtruckrodeo.

🕯 Mother's Day Candle Making Class @ ARTISANworks | Wednesday (4/29) at 6:00 PM – Mother's Day is getting a glow-up at ARTISANworks with a candle-making class where you pour soy wax into a vintage teacup, then snack and chat like you planned this weeks ago. No experience needed, just $45, all materials, the teacup and saucer, and snacks included.

🎬 Rochester International Film Festival @ Dryden Theatre | Thursday (4/30) at 7:30 PM – At the Dryden Theatre, the Rochester International Film Festival serves a flight of short films, free, with prime seats for those who beat the parking lot. Stick around for filmmaker Q&As, trophy hoopla, and the joy of judging with a ballot, not Facebook comments.

👠 Devil Wears Prada 2 Party @ Second Look Boutique | Friday (5/1) at 4:00 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a reason to unbox those impractical heels, here it is. Second Look is hosting a Devil Wears Prada 2 bash with themed bites and drinks, costumes encouraged as Miranda, Andy, Emily, or Nigel, then a civilized nightcap at Angelina’s.

⭐ Family Fun Day: Star Wars Day @ Strasenburgh Planetarium | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – The planetarium is throwing a Star Wars bash with a Sky Tonight show, Jedi training, droid missions, DIY headbands, Glowforge pins, and character photo ops. Costumes encouraged, and yes, adults too, because swinging a lightsaber in public counts as quality time.

☕ Muffins & Mug Making with Mom @ Equal Grounds Community Cafe | Saturday (5/2) at 11:00 AM – Celebrate Mother’s Day the low-stress way with muffins you didn’t bake and a DIY mug she’ll actually use. Roll in when you like, flash your ticket to the barista, grab your supplies, and make something sweet with Mom, the kids, or solo.

🎠 The 2026 Carousel Derby @ The Strong National Museum of Play | Saturday (5/2) at 1:00 PM – Only in Rochester do we trade thoroughbreds for The Strong’s carousel and call it the Derby. Sponsor a jockey, cheer in person or follow the Pirate Toy Fund on Facebook, break out big hats, bold bow ties, and do it for local kids.

Renovated 3,000-square-foot third-floor condo with cathedral ceilings and curved walls lives like a ranch, plus a loft for office or library. Maple floors set an open plan around a modern kitchen with quartz, gas range, two dishwashers, and floor-to-ceiling wine coolers. Luxe heated-floor baths, elevator access, basement storage room, and a two-car garage near East and Park Ave dining.