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.*

Outsider artist's curious creations: On her daily walk, 82-year-old Mary Nell Orman Barringer gathers trinkets to craft bug art, on display at East Baton Rouge Parish Library’s South Branch on Glasgow Avenue through April 30 -- read the full story.

Paid on-camera opportunities: Caballero Casting seeks locals for a non-union commercial in New Orleans and Houma at the end of April, and for an Amazon movie’s two-night stunt scene in Baton Rouge -- see how and when to apply.

Community recreation gets a boost: BREC is upgrading parks parishwide, adding a security operations center to monitor up to 1,400 cameras, replacing about 10 playgrounds, and urgently seeking certified lifeguards for Howell Park before summer -- 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.*

Your low-key cocktail fix: When you want something more stylish than a dive but less fussy than a lounge, 13 Social nails the sweet spot with legit cocktails, Music Bingo, and quirky themed nights that make downtown feel fun again. Rally a friend or two and make it your midweek reset.

Level up your group night: If the group chat needs plans this week, 13th Gate Escape, Louisiana's Ultimate Escape Games delivers movie-set vibes, clever puzzles, and just-enough pressure to make you high-five your coworkers and text your cousins. Grab your favorite problem-solvers, beat the clock, then brag about your great escape later.

Upgrade your kitchen game: Whether you’re swapping a beat-up sheet pan or finally grabbing that pro-grade blender, Cayard's Foodservice Equipment & Supplies keeps a Baton Rouge showroom stocked with smallwares and serious gear, plus same-day local delivery. When your home kitchen starts acting like a restaurant, this is where you level up.

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 →

🎬 Movie in the Park @ Nairn Drive Park | Monday (4/27) at 5:30 PM – Outdoor movie night lands on Nairn Drive, a free, family-friendly flick under the stars with snacks, neighbors, and your trusty lawn chair. Zootopia 2 reunites Judy and Nick on their trickiest case, while you solve the real mystery, locating a blanket without grass stains.

🥘 Paella Workshop @ Red Stick Spice Company | Wednesday (4/29) at 6:00 PM – Anne is schooling us in paella, from homemade stock and sofrito to Bomba rice, the right pan, and saffron. Learn heat management, master socarrat, then eat your homework at a buffet of Valenciana, Mariscos, Mixta, and Vegetariana, recipes to take home, and 15% off shopping.

💉 Essential Blood Drive @ Essential Credit Union - Towne Center Branch | Thursday (4/30) at 10:00 AM – Roll up a sleeve at Essential Credit Union’s new Towne Center branch, where OLOL’s blood mobile makes doing good easy and keeps the Capital Region supplied. It’s quick, neighborly, and you’ll leave with a free T-shirt, snacks, and swag. Hero status, unlocked.

🏛 Baton Rouge: The Road to Statehood @ Old Governor's Mansion | Thursday (4/30) at 5:30 PM – Mark Statehood Day with a smart stroll through Baton Rouge’s past at Old Governor’s Mansion. Dr. Tasha Whitton traces Mississippi bluff from Indigenous gathering place, colonial outpost, and independent republic, to the capital we gripe about, then reception follows, because history pairs well with snacks.

🐊 Louisiana Swamp on Wood Cutout @ Painting and Pinot | Thursday (4/30) at 7:00 PM – Swap Netflix for a paint night on a Louisiana-shaped wood cutout, then hang your masterpiece with zero shame. You’ll get step-by-step help through a soft sunset, cypress trees, and that hush of the swamp, beginner-friendly, 15x16, and proudly giftable. No bug spray required.

👶 March for Babies @ Pennington Biomedical Research Center | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – If your weekend needs purpose, lace up for Baton Rouge’s March for Babies, a feel-good walk that actually does good for moms and babies here and beyond. Rally a team, hit your step goal, and fund life-saving care. Sign up at marchforbabies.org/event/batonrouge.

🚂 Train Day @ Main Library at Goodwood | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – Nothing beats tiny trains tearing through tiny towns at the Main Library at Goodwood, especially when nostalgia is included. Hit the Train Market, get expert TLC for your set, and let the kids chase door prizes, LEGO, and grins. Library voices optional.

Set in The Settlement at Willow Grove, this award-winning 6-bed, 5.5-bath by David Richardson Builder earned People’s Choice Home of the Year in 2020. A Wolf and Sub-Zero kitchen with dual dishwashers meets a butler’s pantry. Retractable-screen outdoor kitchen, wood-burning fireplace, and pond views shine, plus a wraparound porch, the largest corner lot, and an unfinished guest suite.