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.*

Owner brings urban cafe flair: Maison Louis Cafe is now soft-open in St. Augustine, welcoming neighbors while final approvals wrap up. Expect daily service with sandwiches, salads, desserts, and a full opening expected soon -- get all the details.

Weekly roundup and bird photos: The Southeast Coil Classic returns to Marsh Creek Country Club in St Augustine today, honoring the legacy of John Mark Leach. Expect local golfers and plenty of community spirit -- read the full briefing.

New chapter for local readers: Palm Coast has added a Little Free Library at Ralph Carter Park, the first with Flagler Schools, joining stations at Palm Coast Community Center, Central Park, and Southern Recreation Center -- see where to find them.

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.*

Weeknight upgrade idea: Skip the tourist traps and slide into 17 King for elevated bites, craft cocktails, a thoughtful wine list, and live music every night. The scallops with lemon risotto and duck pappardelle are clutch, and it’s the kind of downtown hang that feels special without trying too hard.

Vinyl, pinball, fresh pours: When you need a midweek reset close to home, Hornski's Brewing Co. delivers crisp lagers, juicy IPAs, and a chill, vinyl-spun taproom with free-to-play arcade machines, rotating food trucks, and options for your non-beer friends too.

Craving-worthy slurp alert: Little Miss Ha ladles the kind of pho you daydream about mid-meeting, brothy and herb-bright with beef, chicken, or veggie options. Bring a friend, split crackly imperial rolls, and let the steam smooth out the week’s drama, one slurp at a time.

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 →

🍷 Sip & Paint: Italian Wine Tasting & Wine Glass Painting @ Hillary's Chicago Pizza | Tuesday (4/28) at 7:00 PM – Midweek calls for Italian wine and low-stakes creativity at Hillary's Chicago Pizza. Taste five pours, graze your own mini charcuterie, and paint a wine glass you might actually bring out for company. Only 22 seats, and the Bestie Bundle gets two for $80, save $10.

🎨 Art Walk Fundraiser for Betty Griffin Center - Art with a Heart @ Art Collective | Friday (5/1) at 5:00 PM – Hit First Friday Art Walk, swing by Art Collective Gallery for Art with a Heart, benefiting Betty Griffin Center. Snag 5x5 minis, heart, flower, and butterfly pieces for $20 or $40, bid on Jeannie Blaylock pottery, and your conscience will thank you.

🎶 "America 250" @ Cathedral Basilica of St.Augustine | Friday (5/1) at 6:00 PM – Ready for goosebumps without the fireworks? The North Florida Women's Chorale is belting out the Americana classics we actually know, from America the Beautiful to Shenandoah, and it is free. Local voices, rich harmonies, zero gimmicks, just quality time well spent.

🏃 Fit Street Market @ Francis Field | Saturday (5/2) at 8:30 AM – Ready to browse a health and wellness market without pretending to love burpees? Fit Street Market takes over Francis Field with local small businesses, fitness instructors, wellness brands, and food vendors, so you can shop smart, snag tips, and still call it a workout.

🛍 Grand Oaks Vendor Village @ State Road 16 | Saturday (5/2) at 11:00 AM – Grand Oaks is turning the field by the clubhouse into a village of food trucks, shaved ice, coffee, sourdough, Italian, and 3D printing. Let the kids bounce and foam themselves silly while you shop, catch up with neighbors, and call it supporting local. Free.

🚓 Crusin' with Cops @ Ron Parker Park | Saturday (5/2) at 4:00 PM – Crusin' with Cops is rolling out from Ron Parker Park for a one-mile kids’ ride with safety stops, the good kind of traffic stop. For ages 14 and under, RSVP to contact@sabpd.org, then bring helmets, tiny legs, and the patience you swore you had.

🎭 Romanza Festivale 2026 @ Historic Downtown | Saturday (5/2) at 6:00 PM – Ready to pretend you planned a cultured spring? Romanza Festivale takes over St. Augustine with 40-plus concerts, dance, and visual art across historic nooks, so you can wander, sip something, and call it supporting arts. Pick a few gems, skip lines, feel smug.

On over 19 acres in St. Augustine, this fully renovated 4-bed, 3.5-bath brick estate blends luxe finishes with serious horse power. The 3,286 sq ft home showcases cathedral knotty pine ceilings and hardwoods. A 28-stall barn, 15 paddocks, and an arena with premium footing star, plus wash stalls and a private creek, minutes from top-rated schools, shopping, and dining.