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.*

New family fun revs up: A Shenandoah Valley RC Speedway has opened at Cave Hill Farms Brewery in McGaheysville, offering $10 racing, a 140 foot track, and a Mario Kart Balloon Bash -- get all the details.

Heartwarming community teamwork: Earlier this month in Harrisonburg, good Samaritans freed ducklings trapped in a grate, joined by members of the U.S. Navy’s engineering systems command. The ducklings were reunited with their mother -- read the full story.

Inside the fiscal blueprint: City Manager Ande Banks presented Harrisonburg’s FY 2026-27 budget, nearly $9 million leaner, boosting employee pay and employer health contributions. A hearing is April 28, with adoption eyed May 26 -- get all the 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.*

Vintage fix, unlocked: Heartworn Vintage curates vintage clothing and accessories, plus housewares and furniture, in a cozy treasure-hunt setting locals love. Pieces with history bring lived-in charm, keeping your style sustainable and rooted close to home. From classic denim to statement coats, the edit feels personal and ready to wear.

Gas-station taco gold: When your day needs a little pick-me-up, Mexi-Deli & University Exxon delivers legit, family-owned Mexican comfort with homemade salsas, tacos, tamales, and breakfast that actually fuels you, not just your car. Local tip: it’s the kind of hidden in plain sight spot you start mentioning to friends after the first bite.

Upgrade your nest: If your sofa’s slouch is becoming a personality trait, find relief with Town & Country Furniture. Think solid-wood, Amish- and American-made pieces you’ll keep, not replace. Friendly folks, sharp selection, and durability built for real life: pets, kids, roommates, and your coffee habit.

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 →

🦵 Hip & Knee Pain Seminar @ Hotel Madison | Tuesday (4/28) at 12:00 PM – Whether your knees sound like popcorn or you just want a legit free lunch, downtown’s Hotel Madison hosts a hip and knee pain seminar with real talk, answers, and sandwiches. Seats are limited, so call 1-888-787-9537 to save your spot, and your joints.

🚶 Her+ Trail Ramble @ Massanutten Western Slope Trails By SVBC (Keezletown) | Wednesday (4/29) at 5:30 PM – Lace up and join a Wednesday femme-focused trail ramble on Massanutten’s Western Slope, welcoming women new to trails, BIPOC, nonbinary, and trans women. Expect 12-minute miles, pond-to-singletrack scenery, regrouping at every turn, a quick waiver, and a leader with a spare parking pass, not heroics.

⛳ Fore the Flames Golf Tournament @ Heritage Oaks Golf Course | Friday (5/1) at 7:30 AM – Think your short game can survive a fundraiser? Tee up at the Fore the Flames tournament, where $125 covers greens fees, cart, range balls, two mulligans, and lunch, and every swing supports student athletes and financial aid. Sponsors welcome, bragging rights optional.

🎤 Dolly Parton @ Gift & Thrift | Friday (5/1) at 5:00 PM – First Friday plans sorted. Pop into Gift & Thrift for a storewide half-off moment, collectibles 25% off, and feel virtuous while you shop, since 10% goes to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library for Harrisonburg and Rockingham kids. No live act, just heart, mingling, and books.

🏷 Spring Yard Sale @ Harrisonburg First Assembly of God | Saturday (5/2) at 6:00 AM – HFA Church is hosting a community yard sale, with parking lot spots at $20 including two tables, extra tables $10. Sell your own stuff and keep every dollar, or come hunt bargains, chat with neighbors, and finally offload that bread maker, no membership required.

🥕 Harrisonburg Farmers Market @ The Turner Pavilion on the Municipal Parking Lot | Saturday (5/2) at 8:00 AM – Grab your tote and head out rain, snow, or shine to Harrisonburg Farmers Market. Producer-only means folks in stalls grew it or made it, from greens and pasture-raised meats to coffee, chocolate, and pickles. Bring cash, card, or SNAP/EBT, and yes, there's a $30 match.

🎊 Grand Opening Celebration @ Table 61 | Saturday (5/2) at 5:00 PM – Table 61’s new Dance Room celebrates with free entry, mini lessons, a dance party, prizes, food, and family friendly fun. Snag a goody bag, RSVP for a little extra, and help christen the space while proving your hips remember more than yard work.

3107 Brookshire pairs elegance with play. Hardwood floors and dining room frame a kitchen that flows to a vaulted resort-style 3-season outdoor room finished in stained wood and tile. The lower level brings a gym, billiards, a custom wood back bar, and a fireplace lounge opening to a walkout patio. Recent updates include appliances, radon mitigation, drainage, and a shed.