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.*

Financial services tax hike approved: Alexandria City Council reached budget consensus, scrapped Sunday parking meters, approved a jail efficiency study, and canceled today’s follow-up work session, with final budget adoption planned for April 29 -- get all the budget details.

Equipment deliveries affect access: Intermittent road closures for Holmes Run Trail restoration near Dora Kelley Park continue today and Tuesday between 11 and 3 p.m., wrapping up April 28 in Alexandria -- get closure times and details.

From roots to recipes: Family-owned Eclairons has opened in Old Town, serving French pastries with Lebanese flair. Think pistachio éclairs and a vegan coconut orange blossom cake, plus a cozy patio with blooms -- get the backstory and details.

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.*

Smarter sofa hunting: Michelbach's Creative Classics fits Alexandria homes with American-made sofas, tables, and storage you can size and finish your way, from fabric and leather to wood. Friendly design pros and careful in-house delivery make updating a room feel more ahh than ugh.

Happy miles ahead: Pacers Running has fit Alexandria since 1991, with staff who actually listen, dial in your shoes, and stock the little things you forget by mile two, like socks, gels, and lights. Their community runs keep goals on track and the miles less lonely, with a friendly, no-fuss vibe.

Soup reset, unlocked: Long day? Pho 95's fixes it with soul-warming pho, from the House Special (steak, brisket, tendon, tripe, meatballs) to chicken, seafood, and vegetarian. When you need low‑effort comfort, settle in and let the broth’s steam do the pep talk.

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 →

🇩 The Soul of Algeria @ Ellen Burke Library | Thursday (4/30) at 5:00 PM – Ready to close out Arab American Heritage Month, and toast Amazigh Spring, with something that feels like community? A two-part celebration of Chaabi music, poetry, a youth fashion show, merguez, mint tea, and stories worth lingering for. One ticket covers both, Alexandria and Falls Church.

🕯 Candle Pouring and Scent Mixology @ AR Workshop Alexandria | Thursday (4/30) at 6:30 PM – Getting hands-on with a two-hour candle pouring and scent mixology workshop where you craft custom scents for your home or that hard-to-shop-for friend. Your living room deserves better than that mystery vanilla from 2007. Classic candles, fun upgrades, and if you pour more, you save.

🏃 Super Hero Dash 2026 Fun Run @ Patrick Henry K-8 School | Saturday (5/2) at 8:00 AM – The James K. Polk and Patrick Henry K-8 PTAs are throwing a Super Hero Dash, a morning fun run for K-8 caped crusaders, capes, masks, and super powers encouraged. Kids get to fly, parents get cardio, and everyone gets bragging rights by brunch.

🎉 RecFest 2026 @ Patrick Henry Recreation Center | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – RecFest turns 10 at Patrick Henry Recreation Center, and the City is rolling out the fun. Think games, sports, arts, and nature activities, a DJ, and real eats, plus hands-on features from City of Alexandria departments. Kids burn energy, you catch up with actual neighbors.

🏚 Lost Buildings of Alexandria Urban Renewal (South Side King) @ Carlyle House Historic Park | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Taking you down South King, Carlyle House is leading a National Preservation Month walk through the buildings urban renewal erased, and the stories that stuck around. Perfect for locals who can still point to where the bakery used to be, then debate it over coffee.

🏡 2026 Hollin Hills House+Garden Tour @ Hollin Hills House + Garden Tour | Saturday (5/2) at 12:00 PM – Hollin Hills is throwing open the doors for the East Coast’s biggest mid-century house-and-garden tour, with 11 stunners and one show-off garden right in our backyard. Wander National Register history, admire the glass and geometry, then go home pricing clerestory windows. Tickets at hollinhillsmodern.com.

🛍 Spring Maker's Market @ Port City Brewing Company | Saturday (5/2) at 12:00 PM – Spring patio weather calls for Port City pints, 25-plus local makers, and a DIY spree from jewelry and scrubs to magnets. Mother’s Day is next weekend, so shop like a hero, bring the kids, park the dog on the patio, then hit La Tingeria.

On a quiet non-thru street, a 2005 custom rebuild blends timeless architecture with modern polish. Interiors showcase 9-foot ceilings and millwork. The chef’s kitchen sports Crystal cabinetry, Sub-Zero, Rohl fixtures, and a Shaw sink. A vaulted family room anchors one of four fireplaces. A screened porch with gas fireplace, a fenced backyard, and Forest Park access round out the setting.