Friday, April 24, 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.*

Permanent fix plans outlined: Marietta’s C.W. Matthews was awarded a contract to repair a sinkhole on The Exchange after March 9 pipe failures, with up to $1.36 million from 2022 SPLOST for roadway work -- get details on scope and funding.

New frontier for computing: Marietta-based Atomic 6 is pitching orbital data centers to power AI, and has launched a site for companies to reserve capacity, saying launches could follow within two to three years -- get all the details.

Inside the acquisition's numbers: Northside Hospital’s East Cobb Medical Center was sold for $32.5 million to Stonemont. The 103,184-square-foot building is fully leased and continues housing imaging, orthopedics, primary care, urgent care, and more -- see financing and tenant lineup.

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.*

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.*

Game night upgrade: When you just want a stress-free spot to actually see the game, Bar 44 brings wall-to-wall TVs, craveable wings and tacos, and signature cocktails that won’t taste like compromise. Rally the crew, settle in, maybe try the hookah, then call it your midweek victory lap.

Sip something dialed-in: If your beer fridge is feeling uninspired, Contrast Artisan Ales has you covered with a thoughtful lineup that swings from crisp and refreshing to tart sours to hop-forward beauties and roasty darks. Slide into the Marietta spot, check the calendar, and find your next go-to.

Comfort food, sorted: When you want homestyle plates without the sink full of dishes, West Cobb Diner nails it with hand-made meals, daily specials, and a proper roasted turkey dinner with cornbread stuffing and cranberry. Laid-back vibe, big flavors, exactly the kind of local spot to put on your list this week.

Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill:If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. *This one's $150 off right now →

93% of women saw healthier hair after six months: That's from Nutrafol's clinical study of women with thinning hair. It's a drug-free daily capsule designed to work on the root causes — the hormonal shifts, stress, and nutritional gaps that thin hair in the first place. Dermatologist-recommended, and 6-month deliveries are 20% off. *See the results →

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 →

Most folks cut the wrong things first: When money gets tight, the small pleasures get chopped while the quiet monthly leaks keep going. This rundown of 19 everyday expenses is worth a scan — some obvious, a few that catch folks off guard. Even tackling one or two can take the pressure off. *Worth a read →

🏛 Spring Ramble @ Cobb Landmarks | Friday (4/24) at 11:00 AM – Spring means Georgia Trust's Ramble, your legal chance to finally see inside those porches you have driven past for years in Marietta and Smyrna. Tour rarely opened homes, stroll lush gardens, and visit storied landmarks, then enjoy dinner at historic sites. Classy nosiness, zero guilt.

🔮 Body Mind Soul Psychic Fair @ Heart Soul & Art | Saturday (4/25) at 10:00 AM – Swing by Marietta’s psychic fair for an aura tune-up, with tarot, astrology, numerology, palm readings, energy cleansing, and a local maker market. For $65, snag two 20-minute sessions with seasoned pros, then wander for art, crystals, and curiosities. Tickets in-store on Roswell Road.

⚰ Cemetery Walking Tour @ Marietta City Cemetery | Saturday (4/25) at 1:30 PM – Up for a chat with Marietta’s quietest locals? Take a guided walk through the Marietta City Cemetery with Christa McCay, who spins themed tales of locals born in America and early ministers, rain or shine. Tickets are limited, $15 public, $7 members, wear sturdy shoes.

📻 Vintage Fest @ Marietta Square Market | Saturday (4/25) at 2:00 PM – Wander Marietta Square Market for Vintage Fest, a breezy outdoor browse of curated vintage, Y2K throwbacks we survived, art, collectibles, and local makers. Free to browse, the food hall handles snacks and sips, and there are Market Bucks if you like stretching a dollar.

💎 Annual Spring Rock Show & Swap @ Cobb County Gem & Mineral Society Clubhouse | Saturday (4/25) at 4:00 PM – Got a mystery driveway rock from spring cleaning? Bring it to Cobb County Gem and Mineral Society’s free Rock Show and Swap for vendors, demos, mineral ID help, and a peek at classes, field trips, and joining the club, rain or shine.

🎨 Pour Your Own Epoxy @ Atlanta Hard Cider Co. & Distillery | Sunday (4/26) at 2:00 PM – Patio weather calls for adult shop class at Atlanta Hard Cider Co. in Marietta, where you’ll pour an epoxy river into walnut and make a charcuterie board, lazy susan, or coasters. Sip cider, pick two colors, then let pros babysit it and ship it home.

🎸 The Dark Star Brothers @ East Cobb Park | Sunday (4/26) at 3:00 PM – Park night calls for lawn chairs, a picnic, and a free show at East Cobb Park. The Dark Star Brothers blend blues, folk, Americana, country, pop, and rock, then stretch it out with jammy improv. Think toe taps, neighbor chats, and zero cover.

Set on over an acre in Whitlock Heights, five minutes from Marietta Square, this newly built luxury retreat pairs high design with serious fun. A quartzite kitchen with oak island, a vaulted deck with full outdoor kitchen, and a showpiece basement bar and theater shine. Outside, $275K in backyard upgrades impress, plus a dedicated dog room.