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.*

Cute character goods galore: MINISO is now open at Millcreek Mall after its April 25 grand opening, bringing Hello Kitty and Disney merch plus mystery boxes that let shoppers uncover rare finds -- see what's in store.

What voters should know: Erie County’s Board of Elections approved the 2026 primary ballot and changed four polling locations. Watch your mail for a postcard with any updates. The primary is May 19 -- see which locations changed.

Recognition for compassionate teaching: Erie’s Joanna Connell Elementary teacher Elizabeth Haffley was honored with the Golden Apple Award for helping kindergarten and first grade students with special needs build reading, numeracy, and social skills -- 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.*

Local pints, zero pretense: Erie Ale Works is the fun-garage brewery built by homebrewers who pour their own beers, from Tattooed Lady to Nexus of the Universe, with food trucks when it’s warm and hot-dog comfort when it’s not. Bonus, their Benevolent Beers nights funnel pints into local causes.

Old-world loaves, new vibe: Majestic Baking Company keeps Erie’s brick-oven tradition alive with tangy sourdoughs and artisan loaves you’ll want to tear into before you get home. Pair a fresh baguette with soups or weeknight salads for simple, affordable comfort… a small upgrade that tastes big.

A proper night out: Warner Theatre turns any random weeknight into an occasion, with that 1931 grand lobby glow and a stage built for music, theater, and dance. Check the lineup this week, grab a friend, and remember what it feels like when the lights drop and Erie hushes for the first note.

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 →

🩺 Free Vein Screening @ USA Vein Clinics | Monday (4/27) at 9:00 AM – Treat your Erie legs to some TLC with a free vein screening at USA Vein Clinics, then strut out with compression socks and a complimentary lunch. Drop in for real talk, not a lecture, and RSVP to keep your lunch spot.

🏺 Create for a Cause @ Claytopia | Tuesday (4/28) at 11:00 AM – Paint-your-own pottery at Claytopia, call it charity, and send 20% of sales to Chosen, the local crew that provides durable medical equipment free to folks who need it, with dignity and independence. Not up for painting? Gift certificates count, so your procrastination still helps.

🌼 Dandelion Jelly Class @ The Park Coffee & Bread Co. | Tuesday (4/28) at 6:00 PM – Ever wanted to turn your backyard weeds into brag-worthy jelly? This hands-on class walks you, step by step, through making dandelion jelly, with plenty of tips, laughs, and that oddly satisfying feeling of outsmarting your lawn. Bring curiosity, leave with jars.

🕵 Mystic Murder: The Hotel @ Masonic Temple | Wednesday (4/29) at 6:00 PM – Trade your true-crime podcast for the real thing at the Masonic Temple Lodge Room with Mystic Murder: The Hotel, a spooky whodunit from Penny & Pearl. Cali's West Catering pours the courage, tickets include a souvenir bag, and you only get two shots at it.

✨ Glow Wild @ Erie Zoo | Thursday (4/30) at 6:00 PM – Skip the midday meltdowns and see the Erie Zoo after dark for Glow Wild, where handcrafted animal lanterns turn the paths into a glowing safari. No sunscreen, no rush, just immersive displays, live cultural performances, and a night that actually feels special.

🃏 Sports Cards & TCG Super Show @ Millcreek Mall | Friday (5/1) at 10:00 AM – Millcreek Mall turns into a cardboard carnival with 200-plus tables of sports cards, memorabilia, Pokémon, One Piece, and MTG, free admission and parking included. Dealers from nine states. Bring the kids for Pikachu, you hunt vintage, and snag a Golden Ticket shopping spree.

🐍 Best Day Ever @ JPT Event Center | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – The JPT Event Center turns into a family-friendly safari of snakes, lizards, frogs, arachnids, and the gear to keep them comfy. Shop, swap, and actually learn from folks who know their stuff for six bucks, and yes, the spicy ones are secured.

At the end of a Harborcreek cul-de-sac, this home offers 100 feet of private Lake Erie frontage overlooking Presque Isle. Expansive windows frame a two-story great room and a wood-burning fireplace. Highlights include deck with built-in seating and gas hookup, primary suite, a high-ceiling lower level, and potential stair access to the water, all near downtown Erie and the Bayfront.