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.*

Major expansion plans in motion: Spartanburg County Council approved tax breaks for Schluter Systems and Project Arbor for a $420 million investment and 225 jobs in Duncan. A packaging company proposal advanced -- read the full story.

Push to revive landmark: A local group has proposed rebuilding the historic clock tower at the Spartanburg County Courthouse and is seeking a resolution to re-evaluate the site so their restoration effort can continue -- see what's being proposed.

Renovated space showcases style: Landrum hosted a ribbon cutting for Cara Bella Boutique’s grand reopening at 216 E. Rutherford Street. The Spartanburg-born shop opened in 2024, expanded to Greer, and has a standalone storefront -- 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.*

Herbal glow-up spot: If your bathroom shelf craves local magic, baldflower apothecary, llc crafts small-batch teas, tinctures, and soak-worthy botanicals that work like a reset. Expect herb-forward blends, gentle rituals, and aromas that linger, the kind that make you smell faintly of good decisions.

Bullseyes and bar vibes: Whether you're herding friends for an easy weeknight hang or need a fresh date night move, Craft Axe Throwing in downtown Spartanburg delivers the sweet spot of friendly competition, cold brews, and coach-led guidance. Hit a few bullseyes, talk a little smack, then stick around and make it a full-on hang.

Gift hunt solved: When birthdays sneak up or you just want to brighten a Tuesday, Market on Main Spartanburg is a one-stop trove of locally made finds, greeting cards, and pretty home goods. Wander in, leave with something you swear is for a friend… then keep it anyway.

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 →

💃 Move Together: Zumba Class @ C.C. Woodson Community Center | Monday (4/27) at 6:00 PM – Free Zumba classes all April, celebrating National Minority Health Month, with music, culture, and a lot of happy sweat. Whether you can salsa or just sway, come move with neighbors, celebrate community, and collect steps your watch will brag about, no membership pitch required.

✂ Shred Day @ Barnet Park | Tuesday (4/28) at 10:00 AM – Load up to three banker boxes or kitchen bags, then roll through a free Spartanburg shred day with BBB and AARP. They will chew Y2K-era clutter, spare you staple-pulling, and wipe hard drives to DoD standards. First come, first served, tips included.

🕯 Paint and Pour Candle Making Workshop @ The Painted Palmetto | Saturday (5/2) at 12:00 PM – Whether you hoard candles or want your place to smell like spring, this drop-in workshop lets you paint a jar, pick fragrance, hand-pour soy wax, and finish with a wax flower. $28, family-friendly, no glitter, register ahead, and plan an hour for it to set.

🍔 Burger Cook-Off @ Daniel Morgan Square | Saturday (5/2) at 12:00 PM – Cribbs Kitchen’s Burger Cook-Off hits W. Main and Daniel Morgan as local chefs and backyard legends throw down, and you vote with your taste buds. Bring the family, your appetite, and a generous streak, because every bite backs Upstate kids fighting cancer.

🦷 Fundraising Night for Healthy Smiles @ Panera Bread | Saturday (5/2) at 4:00 PM – Feel like turning carbs into charity? Grab dinner at Panera on E Main, punch in code FUND4U, and 25% goes to Healthy Smiles for kids’ dental care. Online orders count all day, so your bagel, salad, or that mac and cheese can finally justify itself.

🔥 Intro to Glass Blowing @ Hearts Of Clay | Saturday (5/2) at 4:00 PM – Swap your to-do list for a torch and learn beginner glassblowing. Make three ornaments or water globes in your favorite colors, then watch them cool while you plot where to brag about it. Limited spots, adults only, $65 for all three, register ahead.

🧘 5th Annual Be Kind To Your Mind @ Northside Harvest Park | Saturday (5/2) at 5:30 PM – Kick off Mental Health Month with a stroll to Northside Harvest Park for the 5th annual feel-good hangout. Free live music, local art, good eats, and vendors, plus the chance to talk wellness without someone selling a miracle powder. Bring friends and family, breathe, connect.

Set in Carolina Country Club’s 24/7 gated golf community, this 6500+ sq ft home greets with a circular drive and double wood doors. Inside, soaring ceilings frame a grand staircase and a chef’s kitchen with pro gas range, double ovens, and pot filler. Outdoor living shines with Eze-Breeze porch, outdoor kitchen, AZEK decks, fire pit terrace, and water views.