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.*

Service extends to Richmond, Staunton: Virginia Breeze has launched Tidewater Current, a bus linking Virginia Beach and the Shenandoah Valley, with stops in Norfolk, Newport News, and Williamsburg. A 25% launch discount is available -- see stops and discount details.

Growth meets community giving: Green Clean Express has opened on Independence Blvd in Virginia Beach, EWC’s 21st in Hampton Roads, with free Ceramic 4 Ultra washes and $10 per new membership to The Noblemen -- get all the details.

Student welders join project: Chesapeake plans to turn 165 feet of Guerriere Street in South Norfolk into a pedestrian plaza with seating and art, with construction in 2028 after the municipal center opens -- see what's planned and when.

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.*

Your neighborhood space escape: When your brain needs a mini vacation, Chesapeake Planetarium delivers cozy, under-the-dome journeys that swap doomscrolling for constellations and a little hometown wonder. Bring the kids, bring a date, or just bring yourself... it’s an easy way to reset without leaving Chesapeake.

Sharpen your home-cook game: Whether you’re hunting the just-right spatula, upgrading pans, or finally giving your knives a pro edge, Kitchen Barn stocks hard-to-find tools, teaches hands-on classes, and shares friendly know-how to nudge dinner from fine to fantastic, right here in Virginia Beach.

Brunch with chophouse vibes: Craving a savory, celebratory brunch? At The Butcher's Son, classic steakhouse swagger meets thoughtful plates, from hearty cuts to indulgent sides, in a treat-yourself vibe that makes weekends feel like mini events, ideal for lingering catch-ups without overthinking the plan.

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 →

🍓 Strawberry Picking and Family Fun @ Hickory Ridge Farm | Monday (4/27) at 9:00 AM – Round up the kids, grandkids, or your inner child, and pick strawberries by the bucket. Hayrides, barrel and pony rides, animals, and bounce houses keep the chaos fun, plus a loaded farm stand with eggs, honey, baked goods, and weekend face painting and food trucks.

🛍 Sundries Makers Market @ Sundries Fresh Market & Bakery (Suffolk) | Thursday (4/30) at 4:00 PM – Skip the big-box blah and swing by Sundries for a laid-back makers market popping up every other Thursday. Meet the folks behind the handmade goods you actually use, chat like neighbors, and leave with gifts that don’t scream algorithm. Real people, real goods.

🚶 Great Strides Walk 2026 @ Dismal Swamp Canal Trail | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – Join Hampton Roads' Great Strides walk, a feel-good stroll where your steps help the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation fund research, care, and a future cure. Come for the community and Bay breeze, stay because your Fitbit has purpose, and bring a donation, friends, and comfy shoes.

🎡 Spring Carnival @ Deep Creek Central Elementary School | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Consider this the school year’s last hurrah, a Spring Carnival with games, bounce houses, inflatables, an obstacle course, and raffles. Bribe the kids with Sunshine Treats, grab Hope Coffee House caffeine, then let them ogle the Chesapeake Fire Department’s truck. Presale tickets at dcce.givebacks.com/shop.

💍 Art Clay Silver Workshop @ Suffolk Center Art Galleries | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Trade scrolling for a silver fix at a one-day Art Clay Silver workshop where you design, texture, and fire a sterling silver cuff bracelet, no experience required. Cynthia Quesenberry keeps it friendly, the studio supplies tools, materials, and kilns, you leave with wearable bragging rights.

🏡 Olde Towne Doors, Porches, & Gardens @ Portsmouth Olde Towne Historic District | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Lace up and start at the corner of Court Street and London Blvd, then treat yourself to a self-guided stroll through Olde Towne’s prettiest secrets, from hidden gardens to storybook porches and doors. It’s classy neighborhood snooping, with history, charm, and zero awkward small talk.

🎈 Children's Festival @ Downtown Festival Park (Suffolk) | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Kid energy at a 10? The inaugural Suffolk Children’s Festival is a free, kid-sized romp with Pete the Cat’s author, Bluey sightings, trucks to touch, crafts, plus space for lawn chairs. Only in Suffolk do the kids high-five a peanut, and you call it culture.

This 7,559 sqft, 3-story, 7BR/4.5BA retreat crowns an Edinburgh cul-de-sac with lake views. Entertaining rules with five fireplaces, a soaring living room with coffered ceilings and coffee bar, formal dining with built-in bar, and a theater with a wet bar. The primary suite adds a sunrise balcony. Outside brings a pool, hot tub with pergola, screened porch, and covered patio.