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.*

Highway safety blitz announced: State Police will run Operation DISS-rupt on I-81 across Virginia April 28-29, bringing extra patrols near Roanoke to target speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving, and seat belt violations -- get all the details.

Turning research into companies: Earlier this month, Roanoke and Carilion Clinic approved an agreement to launch RoVa Labs, a biotech incubator expected to grow startups and add 250 jobs within five years regionwide -- get all the details.

Strengthening community wellness initiatives: Virginia Credit Union donated $120,000 in the first quarter to 16 groups across Roanoke Valley, New River Valley, and Lynchburg, including $20,000 for TAP’s Breakthrough Fund and Carilion Children’s Hospital -- read the full story.

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.*

Chicago dogs and cigars: 7 Stars Lounge brings a legit Chicago hot dog to downtown, plus a comfy smoking lounge with big screens and pool tables for when you want to post up with friends. Coffee, pastries, and wine keep the hangs easy... basically your low-key spot when you need indoors-y fun.

Need a creative break? Glazed Bisque-It, Roanoke’s original pottery-painting studio, makes it easy to sit down, zone out, and create pieces worth keeping. Think paint-your-own pottery, glass fusing, and mosaics, with friendly staff to guide you. A simple, satisfying reset for your week.

Climb out the blahs: River Rock Climbing is Roanoke’s community hub for getting vertical, with 4,500 sq ft of bouldering, 4,000 sq ft of roped terrain, 26 rope stations, and 8 auto-belays. Try a beginner-friendly belay class, then bask in that “I did a thing” glow the rest of the week.

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 →

🛍 Miniatures on the Market @ Market Square | Friday (5/1) at 3:00 PM – Spring in Market Square calls for tiny critters and big grins with Miniatures on the Market. Mini petting zoo, pony rides, face painting, and build-your-own bouquets, $5 each or all four for $15. Free balloon animals, children’s crafts, and lawn games, quality-time bribery included.

🔦 Late Night Behind-the-Scenes Tour @ Taubman Museum of Art | Friday (5/1) at 7:30 PM – Trade the couch for an after-hours peek behind the curtain at the museum, touring the back-of-house spaces you never get to see. See how they flip rooms for exhibitions, classes, and events, and gather a few bragging rights. Registration required, members $12, general $15.

🍓 Community School Strawberry Festival @ Elmwood Park | Friday (5/1) – Take a break from yardwork and wander over to the Community School’s Strawberry Festival for shortcakes, chocolate-covered berries, and two trusty food trucks. Saturday brings live local music, 15 to 20 artisan booths, and enough small-town charm to justify stretchy pants.

🎨 Kid-Made Market @ Kid-Made Market | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Whether you have a kid, a neighbor kid, or just a soft spot for CEOs-in-training, this farmers-market-style bazaar run by ages 5 to 17 is packed with creative gifts. Shop local, smile at the negotiating tactics, and leave with something handmade, heartfelt, and probably glittery.

🏃 Bubbleicious Bubble Run @ Roanoke Virginia USA | Saturday (5/2) at 12:00 PM – Remember when running felt fun? This 5K turns Roanoke into a bubble playground, with foam, giggles, and zero pressure to set a PR, unless you count most suds on your shoes. Bring the kids, your inner child, and a towel, then call it cardio.

🐱 Tiny Tails & Teacups: Community Kitten Shower @ SWVA Pride Headquarters | Saturday (5/2) at 12:00 PM – Feel like cooing at kittens without pretending it’s for the kids? Swing by SWVA Pride HQ for coffee from Firefly Coffee Co., bake sale treats, adoption meet-and-greets, and tips on fostering, spay and neuter, and trap neuter return. Bring a donation, maybe leave with whiskers.

🏇 Derby Party & Auction @ The Maridor | Saturday (5/2) at 5:00 PM – Derby Day calls for big hats, mint juleps, and Gerald Gregory at the keys, skateboarding tux and all. Expect graceful grooves, playful improv, and a lively auction where you can place a bid between choruses. Quality night out, zero horse ownership required. Tickets: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/derbypartyauction/

Extensively renovated and structurally enhanced, this home blends character with upgrades. The entry-level primary has heated floors, a 1937 clawfoot tub, a Kohler Mellefluer sink, and a California Closet system. Five updated baths include a half bath with Washington Hotel vanity. James Hardie siding, copper chimney details, poolside baths, and a lower level prepped for a future bar elevate appeal.