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.*

Customer-first care arrives: Take 5 Oil Change has opened its first Eau Claire shop at 3704 Gateway Dr, offering 10-minute in-car oil changes and a limited time $25 credit -- get all the details.

Stalemate over council vacancy: After three rounds with no majority, Eau Claire’s City Council postponed filling the District 2 seat. Delayed by severe weather, the decision will return for a vote on April 28 -- read the full story.

Plan to cut transit costs: Eau Claire is seeking public feedback on adding advertisements to city benches. A recent survey shows 40 percent support. Any partnership would still need Transit Commission and City Council approval -- see what's being considered.

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.*

Cupcake craving, solved: Because some weeks need extra sprinkles, BigCreek Bakery boxes cupcakes by the single, half dozen, or full dozen. They also stash custom cakes for those birthdays you remembered late. Treat yourself, and consider this your alibi; your sweet tooth and group chats will absolutely back you up.

Local cryo, zero fuss: Eau Claire Body Contouring delivers targeted recovery and skin toning with cryotherapy, including clinical treatments for sore spots. Short, efficient sessions and a friendly vibe mean you chill, reset, and get back to your routine fast... the cold does the heavy lifting.

Local pour, big vibes: Whether your week needs a hop-kick or something fruit-forward and fun, The Brewing Projekt keeps the taps rotating with inventive Eau Claire-made beers and an easygoing hang. Slide in with a friend, sample a couple pours, and leave with a new favorite for the fridge.

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 →

🍷 Chateau St. Croix Tasting Event @ 2 Roots Art & Wine Gallery | Tuesday (4/28) at 7:00 PM – Skip the beer run and let Irving Geary of Chateau St. Croix pour you a tour of Wisconsin’s finest. It’s a relaxed tasting, grown-up conversation, and wines with stories, no passport or lawn-mowing guilt required. Consider it a mini St. Croix getaway, glass included.

🛍 L.E. Phillips Senior Center Thrift & Craft Sale @ L. E. Phillips Senior Center | Thursday (4/30) at 4:00 PM – The L.E. Phillips Senior Center is hosting a thrift and craft sale, the good kind with real finds and zero hassle. Browse handmade pieces, household goods, decor, and the lamp you did not know you needed. Friendly prices, neighborly vibes, guilt-free shopping.

🎷 Sue Orfield and the CVJO @ Pablo Center at the Confluence | Friday (5/1) at 7:30 PM – Homegrown jazz at its best, with Sue Orfield teaming up with the CVJO to close the season in style. She has been with them since day one, and the award-winning sax, swing, and wit still hit like an Old Fashioned. Skip the chaos, savor swing.

🦁 The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe @ Immanuel Lutheran High School Field House | Friday (5/1) at 7:30 PM – Skip the algorithm and let ILHS Theatre whisk you to Narnia, where Aslan roars, Edmund learns, and a wardrobe finally earns its floor space. It’s free, family friendly, and earnest. Bring your inner child, the kids, and a few bucks for the donation box.

🎓 The Market at IFD's Graduation Event @ The Market at IFD | Saturday (5/2) at 8:00 AM – Graduation season is here, and The Market at IFD is basically your cheat sheet. Swing by for tasty samples and menu ideas from the pros, then wow the grad, pacify picky relatives, and make it look effortless, polished, and delicious.

🔭 Astronomy Day 2026 @ UWEC Phillips Science Hall | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Skip the yardwork and swing by UWEC, near the planetarium, for Astronomy Day, a free, hands-on spree of planetarium shows, demos, and spacey gadgets. Gawk at meteorites, peek through a solar scope if the clouds behave, poke a Geiger counter, and feel delightfully small.

🕺 International Line Dance Flashmob @ The Sonnentag | Saturday (5/2) at 1:00 PM – An international line dance flashmob is popping up in Eau Claire, welcoming all ages and two left feet. Expect the official routine plus a few extras, with an indoor backup because Wisconsin weather. Save the date, recruit friends, and check flashmob off your bingo card.

Set on over 5 private acres, this country estate sits off the road with trees and winding trails. Dramatic windows anchor a living area beside a chef’s kitchen with maple cabinets, granite, pantry, gas range, and double convection ovens. Highlights include a main-floor primary suite, two-way fireplace, walkout level theater, geothermal, hot tub, and a 42x80 shop with in-law suite.