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.*

Live entertainment and raffles: Downtown’s new Olympia Skoolie Thrift has opened, filling 18,000 square feet. Most items cost $10 or less, supporting Skoolie Foundation programs providing meals, furniture, and help for neighbors experiencing hardship -- read the full story.

Policy roadmap for surging demand: State regulators begin a new review today on how investor-owned utilities handle big power users like data centers, kicking off a six to eight month process and inviting public comments -- see what's planned next.

Regional pediatric care update: Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia confirms its Pediatric Inpatient Unit remains open with 24/7 pediatric emergency care after a community review, coordinating transfers with other hospitals when needed -- 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're probably paying way more than you need to. It's an easy bill to forget about, but switching could save you up to $1,000 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium to ~$60 a month - see how much you could save.*

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.*

Rain-proof tee time: When skies turn sour, The Golf Loft keeps play going with high-tech simulators, lessons, and leagues. Perfect for a full round with a friend, quick practice, or a low-key date night. No lost balls, just easy, local fun indoors.

Swing with a view: The Home Course pairs a walkable layout with those "is that Mount Rainier photobombing my backswing?" moments. Open to the public and simple to schedule, it’s a fine reason to sneak nine, or play the full loop, before the week crowds your calendar again.

Slurp-worthy comfort: When the damp chill sets in, Thuy's Pho Olympia ladles a deeply aromatic bowl from a grandpa’s eight-herb recipe, balanced, cozy, and quietly addictive. Add a banh mi or fish-sauce wings for backup, then claim the weeknight reset you’ll actually keep.

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 →

🎨 Artist Reception: Rachel Kopel @ State Theater | Thursday (4/30) at 5:30 PM – Swing by the State Theater lobby to welcome Rachel Singletary Kopel, whose work lights up Arts Walk and Harlequin’s Where the Summit Meets the Stars. Expect thoughtful art, light refreshments, and that small-town mingle we love. No pretension, just good taste, and good company.

🍄 Tree and Fungi ID Basics Field Session @ Watershed Park | Thursday (4/30) at 6:00 PM – Spring rains mean mushrooms are clocking in again. Take a stroll through Watershed Park for basics on tree and fungi ID, why they team up, some anatomy, and field guides, so your foraging is thoughtful and safe, not the Google it and hope method.

🏆 10th Annual Real Community Heroes Awards @ The Heritage Room | Friday (5/1) at 5:30 PM – If you like awards that fix problems, not wardrobes, Homes First is throwing its 10th annual celebration and fundraiser for housing heroes Dan Doyle, Dana Evans, Natalie Skovran, and Nichole Woolsey. Last year’s winners chose them, you bring the generosity, and we’ll toast real progress.

🥂 Bubbles & Oysters @ Chelsea Farms Oyster Bar | Friday (5/1) at 6:00 PM – Finally, a night where slurping is encouraged. Kick off SLURP! with champagne, wine, cider, briny oysters, and recipes from her book as Cynthia Nims, author of The Essentials Shellfish Collection, teams up with Chelsea Farms Oyster Bar. Only 50 spots, so act fast at pcsga.org.

🌱 Evergreen State Dahlia Association Tuber and Cutting Sale @ Capital High School | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Evergreen State Dahlia Association’s tuber and cutting sale now blooms in the Capital High cafeteria in West Oly, every piece $8, from show stunners to cut-flower workhorses, with members sharing real tips. Farewell VFW, hello bright lights, easy parking, and justified plant hoarding.

🌼 May Faire @ Olympia Waldorf School | Saturday (5/2) at 11:00 AM – Nothing says Olympia spring like the 40th annual May Faire at the Waldorf School. Make a flower crown, join the maypole, let the kids or grandkids chase flower fairies, and pretend this counts as cardio. Sweet crafts, live folky vibes, and wholesome nostalgia.

🦸 Free Comic Book Day @ Danger Room Comics | Saturday (5/2) at 11:00 AM – Free Comic Book Day is back, so bring the kids, the kidults, and an extra tote. You get four free comics per person, just enough to spark friendly bargaining at home, trigger a nostalgia hit, and remind you why capes, quips, and cliffhangers still deliver.

Set on 2.5 acres of Budd Inlet salt waterfront 4 miles from downtown Olympia, this 4,033 sqft custom home captures unobstructed Sound and Olympic views from every room. Highlights include a port cochère, spa-like primary with fireplace, one-level living, separate-entry daylight basement, a 1,200 sqft boathouse, three decks, and 143 feet of low-bank shoreline with whales, eagles, and sea otters.