Sunday, April 26, 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.*

Public safety funding crossroads: Wood County commissioners are considering ambulance support and an emergency services levy that could replace the fire fee, while addressing jail costs and cleanup in Mineral Wells and Parkersburg -- see what's being considered.

Settlement money boosts water safety: Ohio awarded $65 million in April for PFAS treatment upgrades across Southeast Ohio, including six Washington County systems. Marietta’s water chief says new technology will help remove remaining PFAS -- see where the money goes.

Investing in better choices: Remember Piggly Wiggly? Several stores in Parkersburg, Vienna, and The Plains have new names after a sale, with Facebook votes choosing titles like Gihon Village Grocery and The Plains Market -- read why the names changed.

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.*

Pho fix, anyone? Whether you're craving a steaming bowl of pho, crispy pork belly bao, or a bubble tea to get you through errands, Koba Cafe is the kind of low-key spot that quietly becomes a habit. Consistently tasty, friendly, and local... basically your weeknight win.

Upgrade your takeout rotation: Philippines Best Food LLC is the local plug for comforting Filipino classics, from garlicky adobo and BBQ skewers to siopao, halo halo, and ube shakes that deserve their own fan club. When dinner feels stuck on repeat, this spot hits shuffle with flavor and zero fuss.

Burgers and pints, solved: North End Tavern & Brewery nails that craving for a juicy burger, fries that vanish too fast, and a fresh pint without the fuss. An MOV staple that never tries too hard, so put it back in your regular rotation this week and thank yourself later.

That patch of scalp that wasn't there a year ago: It's more common than most folks talk about. Especially in your 50s... hormones, stress, and nutrition all start pulling at hair density at once. Nutrafol is a drug-free daily supplement designed to work on those causes together — and in clinical studies, 93% of women said their hair looked healthier after six months. *Take a look →

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 →

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 →

Two sprays before bed, no more snoring? It really is that simple. No mouthpiece to wrestle with, no CPAP mask, no nose strips that peel off at 2am. This doctor-developed throat spray has been keeping sleepers quiet for 30 years, and first-time orders are 40% off right now. *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 →

🧶 Finger Knitting Learnshop @ The Watering Can Art Studio (Vienna) | Tuesday (4/28) at 6:00 PM – Because your fingers deserve a hobby that won’t stab you, try finger knitting. Instructor Amy Hardesty of Amy's Knit Menagerie teaches chaining, color changes, and turning yarn into a whale stuffy, with supplies and a take-home guide. Space is limited, snag a spot.

🎨 Bottle Cap Paint Party @ Wood County Society (Parkersburg) | Wednesday (4/29) at 5:30 PM – If you’re ready to swap scrolling for making, come turn humble bottle caps into blooming mixed-media minis with ArtBeat’s Ashley at Wood County Society, Parkersburg. BYO snacks and sips, no experience required, just low-pressure color, spring sparkle, and a better story than laundry.

🧵 Belleville Helping Hands Quilt Show 2026 @ Gihon Tabernacle Evangelical Methodist Church (Parkersburg) | Friday (5/1) at 9:00 AM – Swing by the Belleville Helping Hands Quilt Show, an every-other-year excuse to admire stitches you could never pull off. Browse the country store, grab some food, meet vendors, sharpen your scissors, eye the prizes, and vote for your favorite quilt.

🎭 Seussical the Musical @ Actors Guild of Parkersburg | Friday (5/1) at 7:30 PM – Seussical is bounding onto the stage with Horton, the Cat in the Hat, and a speck-sized city that somehow has more drama than HOA season. Big-hearted, catchy, and wonderfully odd, it’s a night for grandkids, inner kids, and anyone who roots for the little guy.

🏁 Inflatable Costume Race Fundraiser @ Christ United Methodist Church (Parkersburg) | Saturday (5/2) at 11:00 AM – Ever wanted to waddle down Market Street in a T-Rex suit for a good cause? Jog from Christ UMC to St Paul’s in your inflatable, then hit the carnival for bouncy house fun, games, food, and prizes, all supporting local meals, pantries, and clothing closets.

🌀 World Labyrinth Day @ First Presbyterian Church (Parkersburg) | Saturday (5/2) at 12:45 PM – Pause the to-do list and meet at First Presbyterian's labyrinth in Parkersburg at 1 pm, as folks worldwide walk in step for World Labyrinth Day. No minotaur, just neighbors, quiet intention, and that rare feeling of being part of something bigger than your inbox.

🏇 Kentucky Derby Viewing Party @ Nemesis Shrine Center (Parkersburg) | Saturday (5/2) at 4:00 PM – Derby day at Nemesis Shriners means big hats, small wagers, and bourbon you don’t have to Google. Open to the public, drop $20 at the door for Derby-style apps, wooden horse races, a 50/50, basket raffles, bourbon tastings, and a shot at Best Hat glory.

This well loved 1900s two story farmhouse pairs vintage charm with peaceful country living on a scenic parcel. At 2,400 square feet, it offers 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, a living room, dining room, and an eat in kitchen. Multiple streams and winding trails steal the show. Two barns and a shed workshop handle storage, hobbies, or livestock.