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.*

Retro flavors worth waking for: Jefferson City’s own Oscar’s Classic Diner has served up perfect breakfasts for decades, with a cozy 1950s vibe and standout omelets like the Meat Lover’s and the chili-topped John Wayne -- read the full story.

Transit changes announced: JEFFTran will start an alternating route schedule on Monday, May 4, citing a continuing driver shortage and recent retirements in Jefferson City. Riders may see schedule shifts across fixed routes -- get all the details.

New liaison boosts weather coordination: The National Weather Service has deployed a full-time meteorologist to support state government operations in Jefferson City, provided at no cost to Missouri, following similar moves in Texas and Kansas -- learn how the liaison helps.

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.*

Upgrade your wine night: Bar Vino- Wine Shop and Bar is that quiet local haven where you can browse bottles, then settle in with a glass, a cocktail if you’re feeling cheeky, and shareable small plates. Perfect for catching up without TV blare or chaos, plus staff who actually help you find your new go-to.

Kiddo book refresh: If the bedtime rotation needs fresh magic, Curious Turtle is a cozy, independent spot in downtown Jefferson City with beautifully chosen children's books, smart toys, and screen-free games. Watch for storytime, board nights, and author meetups... peak small-town wonderful.

Quick local escape: Oak Hills Golf Center serves up 18 walkable holes, a dependable range, and that easy Jefferson City vibe. Sneak in nine after work or play the full loop with your crew. Chase a few pars, then call it yard work... just with better scenery.

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 →

🩸 Red Cross Blood Drive @ Etta & Joseph Miller Performing Arts Center | Monday (4/27) at 2:00 PM – Be a hero without the cape, just a sleeve. JCAC and Red Cross host a blood drive at the Etta and Joseph Miller Performing Arts Gallery, 501 Madison Street, where your pint can help up to three neighbors, and there are cookies. Sign up: https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=JCAcademicCenter

🐦 Spring Birding @ Runge Nature Center | Thursday (4/30) at 7:30 AM – Trade the lawn mower for a spring stroll at Runge with a naturalist who actually knows which chirp is which, even if you still call every bird a duck. Easy, guided, all levels, with loaner binoculars, field guides, and a polite nudge to register.

🍪 Cookie Design Workshop @ Little Leaf Essentials: Plant Shop & More | Thursday (4/30) at 5:30 PM – Swap your watering can for a piping bag at Little Leaf’s plant-themed cookie workshop, with Kiss Me Cookies teaching you to decorate four treats you can actually keep alive. Low stress, high sugar, and registration required, because these edible houseplants go fast.

🐐 FFA Petting Zoo @ Calvary Lutheran High School | Friday (5/1) at 9:00 AM – Skip the screens and let the kids, and the kid in you, meet spring’s real stars at Calvary’s FFA petting zoo. Free, local, and low stress, with fuzzy bunnies, curious chicks, and goats ready to judge your shoes, then steal your heart.

❓ Trivia Night & Silent Auction @ McClung Park | Friday (5/1) at 6:30 PM – If you've been itching to flex those useless facts and do some good, hit the annual Trivia Night and Silent Auction supporting JCHS Speech and Debate students. Think brainy bragging rights, friendly trash talk, and bidding wars that fund future eloquence, not another bake sale.

🎗 Mammogram Clinic @ JCMG Radiology | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – Because nothing says efficiency like checking off a health to-do, stop by JCMG Radiology for a screening mammogram Saturday, May 2, 9 to 2. Walk in or call ahead, no copay due, bring insurance, ID, and if not with a JCMG provider, a physician's order.

🌱 Volunteer Yard Day @ SNA Girls Tower House | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – Grab your shovel and help turn a backyard mudslide into a fairy garden for the students. They’ll handle mulch, paths, and perennials, you bring gloves, a rake, maybe a wheelbarrow, so call it your workout. Lunch, snacks, and beverages included, drop in when you can.

In Meadows by the Club, this 4-bed, 5-bath home offers 5,000+ finished sq ft. The remodeled gourmet kitchen features granite, a large island, double ovens, two dishwashers, and a walk-in pantry. A primary suite with a 16-foot closet joins a theater room, dog wash station, 3-car garage, flat backyard with playground, and 1,300 sq ft unfinished.