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.*

Arts leadership changes ahead: Gig Harbor City Council is voting today on two appointments to the Arts Commission, following February departures of Joanne Brandani and Stephanie Killilea and an April 16 study session discussion -- get all the details.

Urban biodiversity in focus: The City Nature Challenge ends today in Tacoma, asking residents to photograph plants, animals, and fungi. Observations due by May 10, with Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium and partners leading -- get all the details.

AI meets curbside recycling: Tacoma’s Environmental Services partnered with Prairie Robotics and received EPA funding to install AI cameras on three recycling trucks. The system flags contaminants and can mail residents postcards with photos -- see how it works.

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.*

Boulder break, Tacoma: Climb Tacoma keeps the rainy-day scaries at bay with weekly fresh problems, a MoonBoard and a cozy fitness nook that actually makes core work tolerable. It’s bouldering-only, low-pressure and very Tacoma... bonus points for being pet friendly and having an in-gym ping pong table.

Refill your ritual: Hawthorn & Honey handcrafts small-batch herbal soaps, skin care, and soothing salves that feel like a deep breath for your face. Grounded, nature-forward self-care that actually works, set in a calm, plant-scented shop vibe that turns errands into exhaling.

Date night, solved: Over The Moon Cafe is that intimate, brick-walled spot where scratch-made plates and silky cocktails do the flirting for you. Slip into Opera Alley, linger over salmon or steak, and remember why leaving the house was a good idea.

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 →

🍽 Dining Out for Life South Sound @ AHAT Homecare | Thursday (4/30) at 12:00 AM – South Sound restaurants are teaming up for Dining Out for Life, donating a slice of your check to AHAT Homecare’s HIV services. Grab your usual crew, pick a favorite haunt, and order the entrée, dessert, and a second round, because generosity pairs well with leftovers.

🎨 Tacoma Wayzgoose @ Tacoma Public Library - Main Branch | Friday (5/1) at 10:00 AM – Take a break from chores and get inky at Wayzgoose, the free, hands-on printmaking fair at the Main Library. Make keepsakes, try papermaking, and learn bookbinding, then bring a tee for screen printing. Watch a steamroller press giant art, because Tacoma likes to think big.

🥄 Carving Workshop: Wooden Spoons @ Foss Waterway Seaport | Friday (5/1) at 12:00 PM – Trade your screen time for shavings at a wooden spoon carving workshop at Foss Waterway Seaport, taught by Boat Shop Manager Cori Shooter. Learn hand-tool skills, from wood selection to finishing, in a relaxed class. Your ticket includes museum admission, bragging rights, and soup credibility.

🛠 VFW National Day of Service @ Baltimore Park | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – Craving a good deed with visible results? For the VFW National Day of Service, Narrows Bridge Post is sprucing up Baltimore Park behind the Senior Center, refreshing mulch along paths and trees, and Metro Parks brings tools. You bring sturdy shoes, water, and neighborly charm.

🔮 Hilltop Artists Spring Glass Sale @ Hilltop Artists | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – If your mantle is tired of fake succulents, hit the Hilltop Artists Spring Glass Sale for handblown vases, sculptures, and jewelry by students, instructors, and alumni. Watch them work in the Hot Shop, then raid the Alumni Artists Market. Morning entry needs a timed ticket.

🏠 2026 Historic Homes Tour @ St Patrick's Church | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – If you’ve ever slowed your stroll to peek past a North End porch, this is your permission slip. Spend two days stepping inside eight private historic gems in north Tacoma, admiring architectural quirks, and hearing how Tacomans actually lived. Wear good socks, curious eyes.

💥 Free Comic Book Day 2026 @ Stargazer Comics | Saturday (5/2) at 11:00 AM – Nothing beats free comics and big markdowns for reminding you why you kept those longboxes. Free Comic Book Day is back, with stacks from Marvel, DC, and Image, raffle prizes, and FCBD exclusives. Show up early, claim the goodies, then humblebrag to the kids.

Commanding Commencement Bay from Tacoma’s Proctor District, this 1890 Queen Anne spans 5,955 square feet on a 13,800 square foot double lot, with panoramic bay and Olympic Mountain views. A reimagined chef’s kitchen, multiple living spaces, and five beds with 5.5 baths meet $580K in updates and preserved craftsmanship. The finished garage hosts a studio with 3/4 bath and sauna.