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.*

Grants for community improvement: The Douglas-Dornan Foundation Fund is accepting applications through June 1 for Southeast Alaska projects that boost health, education, and welfare, supporting local nonprofits and individuals -- see criteria and deadline.

City widens safety net: The Juneau Assembly approved keeping the cold-weather shelter open year-round, turning a seasonal option into a nightly refuge. Patrons say it’s a lifeline for neighbors without housing -- read the full story.

Founders rethink industrial monitoring: Three Juneau entrepreneurs are proposing a light-manufacturing and software venture in Wrangell, exploring assembly sites, software in Sitka, and offices in Juneau, aiming to deliver a simpler, cheaper SCADA system -- read the full story.

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.*

Neighborhood pint upgrade: Born-and-raised locals run Devil's Club Brewing Company, a brewery, cidery and kitchen turning out adventurous ales, Juneau-made cider, and surprisingly craveable plates. Swing through when you want a cozy downtown spot, fresh taps that actually rotate, and the kind of vibe that makes mud season feel celebratory.

Burger craving hits? Because sometimes dinner should just be crispy, saucy and a little messy, Pucker Wilson's Valley keeps Juneau fed with hand-cut fries, fried brussels sprouts, and big, juicy burgers like the Husky Dawson. Watch their daily specials on social, or grab the Cowboy Sundae when you want a forkable fry mountain.

Craving easy comfort: When your brain wants smoky-meaty vibes and your week needs simple, The Island Pub answers with thin-crust pies, smoked salmon dip, and sandwiches on house-made focaccia. Reliable, unfussy, and satisfying, it’s a Douglas standby for nights when you don’t want to overthink dinner.

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 →

🧘 Soulful Slow Rise - Morning Yoga Class @ Juneau Family Birth Center | Tuesday (4/28) at 7:00 AM – Soulful Slow Rise is easing us into the morning with gentle Hatha, Raja-inspired breath and meditation, and unhurried pacing for real people with creaky hips. Think slow stretches, grounded shapes, and a calm mind before the inbox wakes up. All levels, zero heroics, actual serenity.

🚶 Walk Southeast Help Session #2 @ Douglas Public Library | Wednesday (4/29) at 3:00 PM – Nothing beats a Southeast walk, but first, let's wrestle sign-up and the app at the Douglas Public Library. Juneau Parks & Rec and AARP will get you registered, set up, and stocked with a paper tracker. It’s free, painless, and yes, there’s a sticker.

🍳 Wednesday Kitchen Series @ Sealaska Heritage Institute Indigenous Science Building | Wednesday (4/29) at 6:00 PM – Ready to level up your Juneau kitchen cred? This Wednesday series dives into local traditional ingredients, each workshop exploring a new set, from kelp to berries to the fish you swear you already know. Bring curiosity, leave with skills, and sign up at bit.ly/BiWeeklyKitchen26.

🎨 Marine View Mural Reveal @ Downtown Juneau, Ferry Way | Friday (5/1) at 4:00 PM – Turns out the parking garage is getting a glow up. Meet the artists unveiling 12 new murals at Marine View, which will be brightening the concrete for the next year. Nibble on light bites, sip a drink, and snag a limited print.

🎨 First Friday @ Annie Kaill's | Friday (5/1) at 4:30 PM – First Friday is humming downtown at Annie Kaill's with Phil Paramore's handmade wood pieces and Colleen Goldrich's Moondance Alaska jewelry, all local. Think cigar box guitars, cutting boards, benches, earrings, the works, plus Caleb Horney making those guitars sing. Stroll in, linger, upgrade your stash.

🌌 Planetarium First Friday Open House @ Marie Drake Planetarium Juneau | Friday (5/1) at 5:30 PM – Skip the usual First Friday shuffle and pop into the planetarium’s open house. It’s drop-in, all ages, and blissfully no sign-up required, so bring your burning astronomy questions, your curious kids, or just your inner stargazer, and let someone else explain Mercury retrograde.

🎈 Children’s Day Party @ Riverbend Elementary | Saturday (5/2) at 11:00 AM – If your knees still remember the Macarena, put them to work at a Children’s Day dance party benefiting Juneau Soccer Club. Entry is by donation, suggested $10, with food, door prizes, and a silent auction where you can outbid your kid’s coach.