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.*

Resort expands town lodging: Mt. Bachelor has acquired the LOGE Bend hotel and is rebranding it as The Trailhead Lodge, bringing expanded gear storage and dedicated shuttles to ease parking for visitors year round -- see the guest perks.

A community-powered creative retreat: Bend’s new tea and art lounge, TEAL, opened March 12, offering a cozy space to sip local tea, enjoy snacks, and make art with shared supplies or structured classes -- read the full story.

What drivers need to know: Bend's Wilson Avenue closes today between Ninth and Centennial as the corridor project enters its final phase, adding railroad upgrades and safety improvements. Expect detours until work wraps in July -- get all the closure details.

The bill everyone over 50 should double check: Car insurance. If you've been on the same plan for years, you're probably paying way more than you need to. It's an easy bill to forget about, but switching could save you up to $1,000 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium to ~$60 a month - see how much you could save.*

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.*

Sunny flavors, zero airfare: Swing by Cuban Kitchen this week for housemade Cuban bread Cubanos, ropa vieja with Moros y Cristianos, sweet plantains, and even a colada to power through errands. Bonus points for the Picante sandwich with peach-habanero hot sauce, which slaps in the best way possible.

Rainy day lifesaver: When the wiggles hit or a birthday sneaks up, Downtown Bend’s Leapin' Lizards Toy Co has a handpicked mix of books, plush and clever fidgets like Shashibo and Speks, plus friendly folks who actually know what kids love. Locally owned since 1995, it’s a quick way to spark happy chaos.

Where Bend unwinds: Does your week need a soft reset? The Wine Shop and Tasting Bar pours 20+ wines by the glass, backs it with 500 bottles to explore, and serves charcuterie, artisan cheeses, and panini. Settle in, sip something new, and call it self-care.

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 →

🧺 Plant a Hanging Basket I @ Whistle Stop Farm & Flowers | Thursday (4/30) at 5:30 PM – Porch season calls for hanging-basket swagger, so plant your 12-inch beauty and learn to keep it alive past Memorial Day. $45, limit one 12-inch basket per person, capped at 25, so pick one of the identical sessions and claim your spot.

🐶 Ruffwear Spring Warehouse Sale @ Ruffwear Retail Store | Friday (5/1) at 11:00 AM – Ruffwear’s spring warehouse sale is unloading discounted gear and clearance seconds your dog won’t judge, plus adoptable pups, fees covered. Bring your own bag, card only, polite dogs welcome, and bring old gear for donation or recycling, then snag a limited-edition hat or tote.

🍅 Elevation Farmers Market @ Elevation Bend | Friday (5/1) at 3:00 PM – If your sourdough, candles, or hot sauce have a fan club, here’s your shot. Bend’s new weekly market is almost full, with real foot traffic, a prime location, local makers, food, music, and a kids zone, and vendor applications close Monday, April 13.

🖼 May First Friday Gallery Hop @ RE/MAX Key Properties | Friday (5/1) at 5:00 PM – Do First Friday right at REMAX Key Properties for art, remodel inspo, and grown-up mingling. See Scott Dyer’s Central Oregon landscapes, get complimentary design consults from Neil Kelly, and support Furnish Hope with raffles for handyman hours, a solid Chardonnay, and a week in Mexico.

🚴 Pedal for the Planet @ Farewell Bend Park | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – Grab your bike and roll from Farewell Bend on a mellow 12-mile paved loop along Haul Road and Rim Rock to the Cascade Lakes Welcome Station, then back. Kiddos can cruise the 1.33-mile Logger Loop, rentals available. Cardio with a conscience, funding 350 Deschutes.

🎉 VRCCO Block Party @ Ponch's Place | Saturday (5/2) at 11:00 AM – East Side doing what it does best, a proper block party without the HOA emails. Ponch’s Place stacks it with food trucks, Lone Pine coffee, music, games, and freebies for the first 100, plus a Kids’ Zone, a Dog Zone, and adoptable pups benefiting PetsForward.

🌿 Firewise Native Plant Gardening @ Worthy Brewing Company | Saturday (5/2) at 12:00 PM – Think your juniper jungle will survive the next red flag warning? This class shows Central Oregon gardeners how to design firewise with native plants that look good, sip water, and keep embers at bay, then maintain it without babying. Smart, local, and actually useful.

On 10 gated acres in The Highlands at Broken Top, this estate pairs Cascade views with privacy. A vaulted timber great room anchors an onyx-backlit kitchen and a prep kitchen. The main-level suite adds an infrared sauna and steam shower. Find a golf simulator, gym, and solar-heated saltwater pool, pizza oven, pool house, RV/shop, and Phil's Trail at the gate.