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.*

Student innovators shine bright: Jefferson High's robotics team will compete at the World Championships April 29 through May 2 after winning the State Engineering Inspiration Award, representing Lafayette against a field of 600 teams -- read the full story.

Traffic patterns set to shift: Tippecanoe County commissioners approved a connector road with West Lafayette, adding signals at CR 500 North and Yeager/Kalberer, and upgrades will change traffic with another signal planned by late 2028 -- learn which intersections get signals.

Cross-country growth continues: San Diego’s Broken Yolk Café will make its Indiana debut in Lafayette soon, with a franchise partner planning two locations as part of the breakfast chain’s ongoing Midwest expansion -- see where they're expanding.

The bill everyone over 50 should double check: Car insurance. If you've been on the same plan for years, you're probably paying way more than you need to. It's an easy bill to forget about, but switching could save you up to $1,000 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium to ~$60 a month - see how much you could save.*

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.*

Big-screen night upgrade: If your queue feels dusty, GQT Eastside 10 IMAX makes movie night easy, with recliners in nine auditoriums and a big IMAX screen when you want the whoa. Rally a friend, snag popcorn, and let the trailers guilt you into finally silencing notifications.

Treasure hunt, Boilermaker edition: Purdue University Surplus Store turns retired campus gear into useful scores for real life at home. Computers, flat screen monitors, office furniture and the occasional lab oddity rotate through regularly... a fun, practical way to refresh your setup while keeping perfectly good stuff in play.

Craving real-deal smoke: When the dinner rut hits, Revolution Barbeque delivers tender meat with legit bark and sides you’ll “sample”… then guard. Easy counter service, saucy or on the side, with zero pretense, just Lafayette comfort that actually tastes like something.

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 →

✏ Drawing Degas, Delights and Purdue Day of Giving @ Purdue Memorial Union | Wednesday (4/29) at 5:30 PM – Whether you still mix up Monet and Manet, or can spot a Degas from across the room, this Purdue Women’s Network hangout at PMU blends sketching, sweet bites, and Day of Giving spirit. Mingle with Boilermakers, toast some impact, and maybe loosen the wallet.

✂ Ladies' Postage Stamp Mini Quilt @ The Grove Covenant Church | Wednesday (4/29) at 7:00 PM – Ladies, mini quilt night is back on, now that Purdue’s Sweet 16 isn’t hogging the remote. We’ll stitch mini quilts with precut squares and provided fabric in the Great Room, you bring sewing machine, small scissors, and a lidded drink, pick a size, and re-register.

🌹 Run for the Roses @ Painting with a Twist | Friday (5/1) at 5:00 PM – If your fancy hat has been begging for daylight, Run for the Roses is its moment. Expect mint juleps, friendly wagers, bold headwear, and the two fastest minutes in sports, plus quality people-watching, adult banter, and just enough tradition to justify dressing up.

🖼 Opening Reception: Time for Tea and Poetics of Metal @ Art Museum of Greater | Friday (5/1) at 6:00 PM – Swing by the opening reception for a double bill: local collectors' teapots, and metalwork by Sishi Wang and Jessica Mohl, reimagining the humble teapot as poetry. Expect complimentary drinks and hors d’oeuvres, courtesy of the Art League, easy mingling, and that smug first look feeling.

👡 Slipper Sidewalk Sale @ French Knot | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – First-ever Slipper Sidewalk Sale, mostly cozy pairs, plus crocheted raffia belts and summer hats you did not know you needed. Fresh styles, not the December stash, with new slippers 60% off for Mother’s Day, and Golden Avenue adding live music and a yard sale-style market.

✨ Absolute Light Holistic Fair @ Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Fourth year running, this holistic fair is your chance to swap small talk for intuitive readings, chair massage, and energy work that might unkink your shoulders. Think crystals, calm, and vendors who have been around the block, not Instagram. Low stress, high vibes.

🔨 Basic Blacksmithing @ Prophetstown State Park | Saturday (5/2) at 1:00 PM – Ready to trade your power tools for fire, muscle, and a hammer? At The Farm in Prophetstown, step into a 1920s forge, learn a smith’s daily grind, and watch iron take shape. Smells like history, sounds like work, and makes your toolbox feel humble.

On 5 acres steps from Harrison High and Burnett Creek Elementary, this brick-and-cedar two-story delivers 5 beds and 5 baths after a 2026 renovation. The kitchen shines with custom cabinetry, double ovens, and island seating. A vaulted great room, walkout basement with kitchenette, climate-controlled 3-car outbuilding with second floor, half basketball court, and no HOA cap it.