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.*

Budgets and contractors revealed: Charleston City Council approved renovating the former Truist Bank data center for police and replacing decking at Haddad Riverfront Park’s dock. Construction is expected to take about four months -- see the contracts and costs.

Transit updates and savings ahead: Riding the bus is getting more popular in Kanawha County as gas prices climb, KRT says. The 2024 KRTplus on-demand service is also helping riders, including trips to the airport -- read the full story.

Citywide arts showcase revealed: Charleston’s FestivALL will return for its 22nd year with a 10-day run in May, debuting FestivALL Family Cookout on Memorial Day and River Queen Sternwheeler cruises May 27 through 31 -- check out the full lineup.

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.*

New hair, who dis? From lightweight synthetics to style-it-like-your-own human hair, Annedies Wigs & Hair Extensions matches you with wigs, toppers, or extensions that fit your life, with friendly consultations and trusted brands like Raquel Welch and Gabor. Consider it a quiet confidence reset before the week ramps up.

Craving a noodle hug? Slip into comfort with Tom Kha, Chiang Mai-style Khao Soi, or a rich beef noodle bowl at Chow Thai, where bowls steam, aromatics bloom, and slurps soothe. When the week runs long, let silky broth, springy noodles, and bright herbs do the mending.

History that hits different: West Virginia State Museum lets you meander through immersive rooms that trace the Mountain State’s story from ancient hills to coal camps to today, with art and exhibits that actually make “state history” feel alive. A low-key best-kept local reset when cabin fever strikes.

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 →

🏥 Health Screenings, Testing, and Narcan Training @ West Side near Jarrett Terrace Apartments | Monday (4/27) at 11:00 AM – Do your future self a favor with a quick health pit stop near Manna Meal by Jarrett Terrace. WV Health Right’s mobile clinic has rapid HIV and Hep C tests, Narcan training, treatment referrals, and a $5 gift card. Bring a neighbor.

🎨 Art & Craft Show @ Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center | Friday (5/1) at 7:30 AM – Whether your walls need a Lowcountry glow-up or your gift closet a classy restock, the Charleston Art & Craft Show brings handmade treasures, local art, and no tourist-trap kitsch. Stroll, chat, support the makers, go home with something you did not panic order online.

🎨 The Creative Collective @ Kanawha City Community Center | Friday (5/1) at 8:30 AM – Skip the tourist gauntlet and duck into an indoor art and craft pop-up where local makers, big ideas, and conversation thrive. Fresh prints, clever ceramics, plus good vibes you do not have to fake, all in AC. A laid-back meetup for grownups who live here.

⚾ SALL Day @ Charleston Dirty Birds | Friday (5/1) at 4:30 PM – If your glove has been gathering dust, consider this your sign. The Dirty Birds turn GoMart Park into St. Albans East with a Little League parade, kids on the diamond with pros, $7 tickets, and every SALL player free with a ticket purchase, under the lights.

📚 Free Comic Book Day @ The Board Room | Saturday (5/2) at 11:00 AM – Free Comic Book Day delivers nostalgia, capes, and guilt-free loot. Walk in, snag three freebies, and if you’ve got a pull list at the shop, it jumps to six. Bring the kids, or pretend you did.

🎉 Multifest Fund-A-Thon @ Slack Plaza | Saturday (5/2) at 12:00 PM – Help keep Multifest’s annual festival humming by hitting the Fund-A-Thon, where your dollars do laps while you shop vendors, catch live music and performances, and mingle like it’s reunion season. The goal is $10K, so bring your wallet, your buddies, and your festival stories.

🎗 Garnet Foundation Fundraiser @ Garnet Center | Saturday (5/2) at 6:30 PM – Chip in to save the historic Garnet Center, the place that schooled half this town, from high school to tech college. Bring a lawn chair and your dancing shoes, catch up with neighbors, sway to a few tunes, and leave feeling useful.

Set on 4 private acres at Quarry Creek's peak, this Charleston landmark crowns the mountain with a flat private driveway and seasonal city and Capitol views. Interiors impress with marble floors and fireplace, cathedral ceilings, Palladian windows, and a kitchen, sunroom, and media room with wet bar. Five bedrooms, 5.5 baths, 3-car garage, smart lighting, law-enforcement-linked security, and liquid-cooled generator.