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.*

Utility upgrades to reshape traffic: Norfolk is preparing to close westbound Norview Avenue leaving Norfolk International Airport for six months starting this week, with a detour and a new left turn lane to ease congestion -- see the detour and timeline.

Chain dining surge builds: Norfolk’s Monticello Avenue is turning into a food gauntlet. Raising Cane’s is now open, and Shake Shack and First Watch are under construction, joining Chick-fil-A, Taco Bell, KFC, and Wendy’s -- check out the full lineup.

Organ donation pathways spotlighted: Sentara’s MyChart now lets patients register as organ donors. More than 500 neighbors are waiting for transplants in our area, and nationwide sign-ups through the tool have topped 130,000 -- learn how you can help.

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.*

Canners and cast iron: Whether you’re refreshing cast iron, hunting down canning lids that somehow vanish, or grabbing an Old Hickory knife that actually stays sharp, Norfolk County Feed & Seed Store has the kitchen-adjacent essentials, plus friendly, real-world advice that spares you a YouTube rabbit hole.

Craving cozy bites: When you need a reliable, no-fuss plate that tastes like a hug, PJay's Kitchen delivers classic American comfort and the kind of friendly vibe that turns a quick meal into a mini reset. Keep it in your back pocket for this week’s easy win.

Tap it yourself: Because sometimes waiting for a bartender feels like forever, The Ghent lets you pour your own from 30+ rotating taps, then settle onto a heated rooftop with a view. This week, pair it with a scratch-made Blueberry & Goat Cheese Burger or a giant pretzel, and call it a night.

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 →

🌋 Planetarium Show: Supervolcanoes @ Michael and Kimthanh Lê Planetarium | Wednesday (4/29) at 7:00 PM – Swap the couch for the planetarium and let Benedict Cumberbatch narrate a fiery tour of Earth's supervolcanoes, Yellowstone behaving itself, for now, plus volcanic hits on Triton and Io. Immersive, family friendly, first-come seating, and only $5. Consider it cheap thrills without lava.

🚲 Hampton Roads Bike Expo @ Slover Library | Thursday (4/30) at 5:00 PM – If your bike has been collecting dust, this is your nudge. Hampton Roads Bike Expo brings commuter know-how, local orgs, and safety tips to Slover, perfect for daily riders and bike-curious locals. Miss it, hop across the water for the Newport News edition.

🎂 Celebrating Adolphus Hailstork's 85th Birthday @ Norfolk State University | Thursday (4/30) at 7:30 PM – Trade small talk for symphony and toast hometown legend Adolphus Hailstork’s 85th with an all-Hailstork program from Virginia Symphony. JoAnn Falletta returns for one night only, Stewart Goodyear handles the fireworks at the piano, and the Norfolk State University Chorus supplies the chills.

🎉 Grand Opening Market @ Bay Oaks Park | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – If your crisper currently houses one lonely carrot, Opening Day of the East Beach/EOV Farmers Market at Bay Oaks Park is your upgrade. Think coffee and pastries, spring produce, flowers, pickles, kombucha, gelato, and local makers, plus that smug wholesome feeling, Norfolk-style.

👣 Step Up & Step Out 2026 @ Harbor Park | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to swap errands for a local cause, this is it. At Step Up & Step Out, run, walk, or climb however you like, with fundraising tools, Early Bird, and Spirit Month, so your weekend sweat pulls its weight.

🎨 Chippy Window Crafting with Resin @ Saltwater Studio | Saturday (5/2) at 11:00 AM – Roll up your sleeves for a chippy window makeover with resin, the kind where someone fixed the caulking and you get to play. Choose a vintage pane, layer paint, crushed glass, shells, and metal bits, and leave with a one-of-a-kind keepsake. Pinterest, but with supervision.

👑 The Lion King @ Chrysler Hall | Saturday (5/2) at 2:00 PM – Broadway’s The Lion King is roaring into Norfolk with jaw-drop puppetry, Elton John earworms, and all the Circle of Life goosebumps. Make it a proper night out, no tunnel drama required. Grab a friend, a kid, or your inner 10-year-old.

This waterfront Tudor just off the Lafayette River feels storybook, rich with warm woodwork, a turret, and three fireplaces. A winding staircase and cozy nooks offer water views from many rooms. French doors open to a private dock and a riverside pool with motorized cover, plus a pool house, English gardens, and a yard with electric gate and slate roof.