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.*

Multi-year upgrade nears completion: Midco announced a $43 million investment to finish Fiber Forward in South Dakota, including over $20 million around Sioux Falls and upgrades in Tea and Harrisburg for faster internet -- get all the details.

Designed for busy schedules: Sioux Falls’ Reptile Adventure Zoo, opened in 2025, offers quick family visits with live presentations, hands-on reptile time, and a birthday party room, plus a collection that includes 13 alligators -- find out what to expect.

Parks staffing gains momentum: Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation has filled nearly 95 percent of seasonal jobs, but lifeguards are needed, with 20 to 25 more expected for summer -- see what's still needed.

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.*

Vintage wardrobe upgrade: Craving character in your closet? 605-Thrift Heat stacks hand-picked vintage tees, denim, and sneakers that age like favorites. It’s a downtown Sioux Falls nook made for slow browsing and quick pouncing, because the best pieces vanish fast, and the thrill is finding them first.

Local nature fix: When your brain needs a breather, Falls Park is the easiest win in town: crashing waterfalls, winding paths, and views that make your phone camera feel fancy. This week, grab a coffee, take a lap, watch the Big Sioux do its thing, then head back feeling smugly refreshed.

Burger Cravings, Solved: Whether your week needs a juicy burger, crispy fries, or something from scratch with a cold craft brew, The Dive keeps it simple and wildly satisfying. A low-key, neighborly spot with house-made sauces, solid taps, and that yep, this hits the spot energy.

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 →

🛍 Kingswood Sidewalk Sale @ Love Marlow | Wednesday (4/29) at 8:30 AM – Ready to power-walk your way through marked-down treasures? Kingswood's Sidewalk Sale is back with final-sale racks out front, free shipping online for the stay-at-homers, and a Baking Up a Storm pop-up slinging drinks and treats. Stretch first, then swoop.

🏓 2026 AARP Pickleball Clinic @ Our Savior's Lutheran Church | Wednesday (4/29) at 5:30 PM – If you’ve wondered what the pickleball fuss is about, AARP and Our Savior’s are hosting a clinic for all levels with a licensed instructor. It is free for the first 30, gear provided, clean sneakers required, ego checks optional.

🎖 Miles of Honor Opening Ceremony @ The Alliance | Friday (5/1) at 9:00 AM – Sioux Falls is kicking off a 450-mile run across South Dakota to honor those who gave their lives. Hit the opening ceremony, then jog the first stretch, or cheer from the sidelines with coffee in hand. It starts early, gratitude carries through Memorial Day.

🍷 Art and Wine Walk @ MatchBox Candle Co. | Friday (5/1) at 5:00 PM – Patio weather calls for a stroll with a glass in hand. DTSF's Art and Wine Walk lets you wander Phillips Ave, pretend you can tell oaky from okay, and pop into Matchbox Candles, 124 S Phillips Ave, for butterfly and dragonfly vibes.

🎺 The Music Man @ Washington Pavilion | Friday (5/1) at 7:30 PM – Take a break from the grind and catch The Music Man, where a silver-tongued salesman meets his match in a sharp librarian. Expect barbershop harmonies, toe-tapping brass, and River City shenanigans. Bring your inner band kid, leave the cynicism at home.

🧺 May Basket Gathering @ Zion Lutheran Church | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Saturday morning at Zion Lutheran means baskets, paper, and the kind of neighborly gossip you only get over craft scissors. Make May baskets like we did as kids, no Pinterest panic, just community, coffee, and free fun. Bring the fam.

⛳ Gone Golfing for Mental Health Charity Golf Tournament @ Elmwood Golf Course | Saturday (5/2) at 1:00 PM – Take a break from the grind and hit Elmwood for a charity tournament that turns your slice into support for mental health, your mulligan into goodwill, and your cart into therapy. Expect hole prizes, swag bags, dinner, and bragging rights, then sign up at bettersd.org/gonegolfing.

Set in southern Sioux Falls, Donahoe Farms offers two-story townhomes alongside twin and single family homes, close to Sioux Falls Christian High School, health care clinics, and a new, large Great Life gym. Townhomes keep life easy with a $110 monthly HOA covering lawn care, snow removal, and garbage service. Convenience and variety define this community.