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.*

Investing in community stewardship: Duke Energy Foundation announced the first round of America250 grants to boost South Carolina green spaces, including City of Florence programs, with more recipients to be named later this spring -- get all the details.

More convenient medication access: An outpatient pharmacy opened April 26, replacing a 2,200-square-foot location inside the hospital tower and bringing a drive-thru, curbside pickup, and more over-the-counter options for local patients -- get all the details.

Safer crossing on horizon: SCDOT will host a drop-in meeting tomorrow, April 28, on replacing the West Lydia Highway bridge over Sparrow Swamp in Darlington County to meet current safety and design standards -- learn more about the meeting.

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.*

Small but mighty stash: When wash day gets experimental or you need a quick wig or braid refresh, Another Level Beauty Supply stocks textured-hair essentials, lashes, nail bits, and barber picks, with staff who truly know their stuff, so you can restock close to home and get it right the first time.

Fresh closet pick-me-up: Bloom: A Unique Boutique keeps your wardrobe feeling new with handpicked styles, accessories, and gifts that actually feel...well, you. Friendly folks, inclusive vibes, and frequent new arrivals make it an easy pop-in when you want something cute without matching half of Florence.

Pours worth lingering over: At Cru Wine & Tap, by-the-glass flights, a browseable bottle selection, and shareable bites suit catch-ups and quiet Tuesdays alike. Add thin-crust and pinsa-style pizzas, and the place becomes an easy neighborhood exhale... relaxed, tasty, and ready when the week needs something simple.

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 →

🍄 Whimsical Mushroom @ Knotted Lens | Tuesday (4/28) at 6:00 PM – Think you can paint a mushroom without flashbacks to elementary art class? This beginner friendly paint session keeps it light and whimsical, perfect solo or with a friend, with bottled water, your own beverage welcome, and tickets on Eventbrite. Low stakes, high charm.

🌳 Earth Day Native Tree Giveaway @ Naturally Outdoors | Wednesday (4/29) at 4:00 PM – Earth Day at Trailhead greenspace on Palmetto means free native trees, first come, first served, courtesy of folks who know their oaks from their elbows. Swing by, chat up the Forestry Commission, then go home a hero to your yard, your birds, and your shade.

🌮 Food Truck Festival @ Florence Center | Friday (5/1) at 4:00 PM – Bring your appetite, the kids, and the dog to the Florence Center for a two-day feast with 20-plus food trucks, live performances, and actual seating so you can eat like a civilized human. It is free, and Saturday adds the Swamp Fox car show.

🌮 Cinco de Mayo Fiesta @ Downtown Florence | Friday (5/1) at 5:30 PM – Cinco de Mayo in downtown Florence, free to enter, and your fun funds Habitat for Humanity. Expect tasty vendors, live music, cold drinks, a kids zone, and yes, the legendary Chihuahua race, because civic pride pairs nicely with tiny, determined legs.

❄ Disney's Frozen @ Florence Little Theatre | Friday (5/1) at 7:30 PM – Whether you still know every word to Let It Go or just want an excuse to enjoy the air conditioning, Frozen takes over Florence Little Theatre with all the sparkle, sass, and sing-alongs. Bring the kids, borrow some, or treat yourself to musical escapism.

🛍 Rummage Sale @ First Presbyterian Church | Saturday (5/2) at 7:00 AM – If you've been waiting for a sign to evict the bread maker, the Youth Group's rummage sale will take it. Donate books, furniture, tools, electronics, housewares, jewelry, bags, outdoor gear, games, movies, and records by April 26, and enjoy tidy closets, clear consciences.

🏥 Sports Physical @ Barnes Street Activity Center | Saturday (5/2) at 8:00 AM – Gold Star Cares is kicking off in Florence with a free Sports Physical Day for K-12 kids at 513 Barnes St, so your point guard can play, and your wallet can relax. Expect quick checkups, good care, zero fees. Chip in, donate, or volunteer.

This 5-bed, 3.5-bath stately brick home sits on a .81-acre corner lot overlooking the 7th hole in Westbrook subdivision. A two-story foyer opens to a soaring living room with fireplace, plus a kitchen with island and sunny breakfast nook. The fenced backyard shines with a saltwater pool and golf views. It offers convenient access to shopping, dining, and I-20.