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.*

Fuel trends and hotspots: AAA says Michigan gas prices fell 15 cents last week to $3.83 on average. Downriver drivers should see relief, though prices remain higher than a year ago -- see where prices are highest.

New era for range practice: Taylor's Midway Sports & Entertainment has added Power Tee auto-tee systems in all bays for its 75th anniversary, plus a 1951 Club membership offering discounts and early access -- see what's new for golfers.

High-tech crime prevention arrives: In Dearborn, police are using drones launched from license plate readers to reach car thefts as they happen, with six devices in service for two months and faster response times -- 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.*

Brunch worth getting up for: When cravings hit for fluffy pancakes, stuffed French toast, or crispy chicken and waffles, Avenue Brunch House delivers easy comfort. Expect a friendly buzz, scratch-made plates, and just-right coffee. It’s the spot you suggest first, then feel smug about later.

Baklava fix, sorted: Whether you crave paper‑thin filo, pistachio-studded layers, or a quick sugar lift between errands, Shatila Bakery delivers quietly irresistible bites. Flaky, buttery, and blissfully sticky, their baklava dares you to share... though you probably won’t. Consider this your sweet intermission, with zero fanfare, all flavor.

Last-minute party rescue: Family owned for nearly 40 years, Taylor Party Store keeps Downriver hydrated with a surprisingly deep beer, wine, and liquor lineup, plus deli subs, calzone-style sandwiches, and hot slices when the munchies hit. Consider this your quick fix before the game, a backyard hang, or an oh-no-we're-out moment.

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 →

🐣 Downtown Egg Hunt @ Downtown Trenton | Tuesday (4/28) at 11:00 AM – If you need an excuse to rediscover downtown, the bunny is hiding a $50 Downtown Dollars egg every Tuesday in April. Follow clues on the Trenton DDA Facebook, play sleuth, and turn the find into coffee, dinner, or that thing you keep meaning to buy.

🧘 Yoga & Sound Bowl Experience @ Allen Park Public Library | Tuesday (4/28) at 6:00 PM – Swap errands for a mat at this beginner-friendly yoga and sound bowl reset, designed for rest, release, and reconnection. Think of it as a library for your nervous system, where the shushing comes from singing bowls, not a stern glance.

🚪 Door Mat Workshop @ Le Lieu (Trenton) | Thursday (4/30) at 6:00 PM – Le Lieu is hosting a doormat decorating night, with all supplies, multiple stencils, and you taking home your 18x30 coir masterpiece. It is $55 with light snacks and a wine glass, BYOB encouraged. Only 30 seats, so grab a spot before your porch keeps judging.

💐 Prom/Mother's Day Pipe Cleaner Flower Bouquet Class @ The Painting Barn (Carleton) | Friday (5/1) at 5:30 PM – Let’s skip the florist markup and twist up pipe cleaner bouquets, with colors to match the prom outfit or mom’s favorite mug. It’s hands-on, low-stress, surprisingly classy, and a great excuse to hang out, laugh, and be a little crafty. Sign up: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1FWCnve49dtkGm84tfCTHCGtpehSo3v5UPBAluGbGesE/viewform

🎟 Continental Dinner & Raffle @ St. Stephen Parish Activity Center (New Boston) | Friday (5/1) at 6:00 PM – A St. Stephen staple, this banquet pairs filet, chicken piccata, or salmon with hors d’oeuvres, open bar, and dessert, then dangles a $4,000 raffle, plus $100 for every tenth ticket. Only 200 sold, all profits to the school, so grab yours before your neighbor does.

🧹 11th Annual Heritage Park Cleanup Day @ Heritage Park (Taylor) | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – Heritage Park is getting its 11th annual spruce-up, which means trash bags, small talk, and the satisfaction of doing a good deed before lunch. Come tidy the trails you love, earn karmic points, and call it cardio, community, and an excuse to skip the gym.

🌿 Plant Sale @ Happy Roots Dearborn | Saturday (5/2) at 11:00 AM – Happy Roots Dearborn is throwing a two-day spring plant free-for-all, with tomatoes from cherry to Brandywine, jalapeños and serranos, basil, cilantro, and a riot of zinnias, foxglove, and lupine. Put in a seed request, snag a sensitive plant, then humblebrag about San Marzanos all summer.

This 3,171 sq ft colonial sits on quiet Wellesley St in Riverview Forest, near Kingswood Park. Recently transformed, it offers 7 bedrooms, a new kitchen with leathered granite, and a fireplace-warmed great room. An enormous primary suite with second laundry joins walk-in closets throughout, refreshed baths, an updated backyard, motorized blinds, and a first floor bedroom with exterior entrance.