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.*

Have your voice heard: Madison police will host town halls in every patrol district over the next few weeks. The first is tomorrow, April 28, in the South District, with Chief John Patterson attending -- get all the details.

Creative spring lineup arrives: From a fresh Threepenny Opera at the Bartell to Independent Bookstore Day, Zinefest, alpacas, and a Bird and Nature Festival, Madison packs this week with art, books, and critters -- check out the full lineup.

Pop-up concerts across town: Registration is now open for the 14th annual Make Music Madison, part of Make Music Day. Performances must be in city limits, free to watch, and avoid blocking pedestrians -- get all the registration details.

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.*

Vibe check approved: Cordial is the glow-up of an old dive, now pouring inventive cocktails, curated wines, and an easygoing beer list in a room that feels like your cool friend’s living room. Swing by this week for a low-key nightcap or a proper catch-up, you might become a regular.

Low-key pour spot: When the week gets loud, slip into Mason Lounge for a mellow, lamp-lit pause, 15-plus microbrews on tap, and a whiskey list long enough to make you text a friend for backup. It’s the kind of cozy where conversations last, playlists behave, and time casually forgets you.

Atwood nightcap, leveled up The Green Room Public House nails the elevated neighborhood lounge vibe with classic cocktails, solid craft beer, and an easygoing crowd. Think live music, trivia, and the occasional watch party, plus simple bites if you need them before you accidentally order a second round.

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 →

👂 Make Your Own Leather Earrings @ Starkweather Brewing Company | Tuesday (4/28) at 6:00 PM – Atwood Ave homework you’ll actually finish: Starkweather Brewing hosts a make-your-own leather earrings class with Jeena from Valley of the Camps, and you’ll leave with three pairs you designed. Arrive early for pints, pick patterns, shapes, wood, and hardware, register online, only 15 spots.

👗 Catwalk for Clean Water Fashion Show @ Aveda Institute Madison | Wednesday (4/29) at 6:00 PM – Break out your best not-from-REI outfit, because this runway is splashing out for our lakes. Expect bold fashion, creative hair and makeup, and serious student talent, all benefiting the Clean Lakes Alliance. VIP and general admission tickets are up for grabs now.

👟 Morgan's Shoes x Willow & Weld @ Morgan's Shoes | Thursday (4/30) at 3:30 PM – Pop into Morgan's Shoes and let Willow & Weld zap on a custom-fit bracelet, anklet, necklace, or ring. It is quick, painless, and clasp-free, a way to mark an anniversary, a friendship, or your commitment to arch support. Permanent-ish, removable if you must.

🛍 By the LB! Women's Brand Name Clothing Sale @ Better Options Bins | Friday (5/1) at 10:00 AM – Feel like treasure hunting? It’s a three-day women’s brand-name haul at Clock Tower Court, with bins full of Lululemon, Athleta, Nike, and more, all for $2.50 a pound. Come early, bring a tote, embrace the dig, consider it cardio, and they restock throughout the day.

🚮 Highway Cleanup @ VFW Post 7591 | Saturday (5/2) at 8:30 AM – Join me at the Post to spruce up our stretch of highway with the Madison College Vets Club and VFW Post 7591. All supplies are covered, just bring comfy layers and your noble streak. It’s fresh air, neighborly banter, and guilt-free brunch afterward.

👣 Great Strides @ Vilas Park | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – Trade your usual Lake Wingra loop for a feel-good lap at Vilas Park with Great Strides Madison. Coffee, breakfast, a DJ, mascots, Kona Ice, and lunch are covered, you bring the crew and the team spirit. Steps for cystic fibrosis research, smugness optional.

🌻 UW Family Gardening Day @ Allen Centennial Garden | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – UW is throwing open the greenhouses for a free, annual spring wander through campus gardens, greenhouses, and research facilities. Bring the kids if you want, borrow a few if you must, and finally learn what “full sun” actually means without weeding your own yard.

Set in Parkwood Hills, this soft contemporary pairs gleaming hardwood inlays with a quartz kitchen and remodeled baths. A dedicated office with built-ins elevates workdays. The ensuite primary opens to a private deck. A sunny four-season room, patio, and fire pit spotlight outdoor living. The rec room is refreshed, commute is quick, and Owen Conservation and Everglade Park sit nearby.