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.*

Major investment fuels manufacturing: Diageo North America has opened a 360,000-square-foot alcohol manufacturing facility in Montgomery with 100 full-time jobs. The $415 million project supported 750 construction jobs and invests $750,000 in HBCUs -- get all the details.

A new chapter downtown: Earlier this month, Main Street Montgomery named Ashley Jernigan its first-ever executive director to lead downtown vitality, promotion, design, and partnerships, drawing on over 15 years of revitalization experience -- read the full story.

Granular weather data arrives: South Alabama Mesonet has expanded into Montgomery, backed by NOAA funding, to deliver data for farmers and emergency crews after farmer requests and support from Sen. Katie Britt -- get details on the expansion.

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.*

Hair day, solved: Doug's 2 Salon delivers boutique warmth with pros who truly listen, from subtle gloss to full refresh. If your color’s drifting or your ends need love, their team can revive it so you leave polished, relaxed, and unmistakably you... all without the fuss.

Your new nightcap spot: Lower Lounge is a mellow downtown nook for unhurried conversations and dialed-in drinks. Let them riff with a Bartender’s Choice or keep it classic with an Old Fashioned or Montgomery Mule, then savor the rare pleasure of a place that makes weeknights feel like a treat.

One-stop errand therapy: Turn that grocery, gifts, returns chaos into one painless loop at The Shoppes at Eastchase this week, then reward yourself with a coffee, a slow stroll, and a little window shopping that somehow fixes your mood more than that fifth to-do app ever did.

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 →

🧹 2026 Pick Up Pike Road @ Pike Road Town Hall | Monday (4/27) at 8:00 AM – Grab gloves and help tidy up Pike Road in the town-wide spring cleanup all April, supplies provided. Pick your spot, challenge a neighbor or local business for an extra giveaway entry, and call it cardio that actually makes the ditches look good.

🧵 Beginning Quilting @ Sew BERNINA | Wednesday (4/29) at 1:30 AM – Stop pretending that stack of fat quarters is decor, and join Paula for a six-session Beginning Quilting class. Learn proper tools, quarter-inch seams, and smart fabric, color, and cutting choices as your first quilt top actually comes together, $150 plus supplies.

🍎 River Region Healthy Living Expo @ Shoppes at EastChase | Thursday (4/30) at 10:00 AM – Think you know your way around healthy living? WAKA Action 8 News is taking over The Shoppes at EastChase with practical tips, local know-how, and a reason to get your steps in between errands. It is wellness you can actually use, no lecturing, just community.

🎗 Fundraiser Night @ Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux | Thursday (4/30) at 4:00 PM – One night only at Walk-On’s, dinner does double duty. Swing by April 30, 4 to 8 pm, let the Y that taught us to tread water keep doing work, and feel smug as 10 percent of your tab supports Bell Road Family YMCA’s Annual Campaign.

🏠 Montgomery Home Show @ Garrett Coliseum | Friday (5/1) at 12:00 PM – Patio weather calls for a free lap through the Montgomery Home Show at Garrett Coliseum, where you can talk to real humans about kitchens, decks, and that leak you pretend not to notice. Fewer guess-and-pray projects, more smart upgrades, and solid local pros.

🌺 Spring Dayliliy and Companion Plant Sale @ The Goodson Farm - Picnic Hill | Saturday (5/2) at 8:00 AM – Montgomery Area Daylily Society’s annual sale is spring therapy, featuring daylilies and a chorus of companions like coneflowers, ginger lilies, and trellising roses. Skip the big-box blah, meet real gardeners, and bring a wagon, sturdy shoes, and your best “I’ll find room” face.

🍝 Ravioli 101: From Dough to Dish @ The Mission House | Saturday (5/2) at 6:00 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to stop buying the fancy grocery ravioli, this is it. Learn to mix the dough, roll, fill, and seal in a hands-on class that channels your inner nonna, minus the guilt, the flour tornado, and the three-hour backstory.

This 75+ acre Pike Road estate spans Trotman and Woodley Roads in the East Montgomery and Hope Hull growth corridor. The 5-bedroom home centers on an expansive kitchen with heart pine cabinetry, double ovens, and a Scotsman ice maker. A keeping room fireplace, den to a patio, an active cattle operation, and a 52'x40' Western Cedar barn round it out.