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.*

Competition and creativity collide: Durham Senior Games and SilverArts are underway through May 7 after an opening ceremony at Holton Career and Resource Center featuring African drum line, dancers, and torch lighting -- get highlights and upcoming events.

Workshops and live printing: Durham artist Gabe Eng-Goetz will open DURM Studio on Rigsbee Avenue later this summer, featuring a clothing brand, print studio, and 5% of profits for Durham Public Schools Foundation -- read the full story.

New support for local renters: Durham Tech has begun building affordable housing on Briggs Avenue, with apartments for residents earning 30 to 70 percent of area median income and some reserved for community college students -- get all the project details.

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.*

Rainy-day noodle fix: Whether you need a weeknight warm-up or a satisfying lunch, Bowl of Pho serves comfort in a bowl with clean, aromatic broth and slurpable noodles. For extra heat, drizzle their house special chili oil, made from garden peppers, and dial in your perfect kick.

Cupcakes, solved: Because some weeks need a frosting-forward pick-me-up, The Mad Hatter's Café & Bakeshop rolls out cupcakes in chocolate, vanilla, raspberry fudge, tiramisu, and salted caramel. Ideal for dessert emergencies or celebrating nothing in particular, these frosted fixes make any week taste brighter.

Small humans, big smiles: Tiny keeps it delightfully low-tech with well-chosen toys, books, puzzles and baby-to-toddler essentials that make birthday gifting painless and genuinely cute. Pop in when you need something thoughtful, or order for local pickup and keep your parent-friend karma strong.

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 →

🎨 Beach House Window Sip & Paint Party @ Hi-Wire Brewing Durham | Thursday (4/30) at 6:30 PM – Swap the workday shuffle for a sip and paint at Hi-Wire, where a pro guides you through an 11x14 while you pretend beer counts as brush control. Bring takeout, sample the 20 taps or a mocktail, and actually finish something you can hang.

🎶 Moonchild: The Life and Music of Yusuf Salim @ Hayti Heritage Center/St. Joseph's Historic Foundation, Inc. | Thursday (4/30) at 7:00 PM – Catch the Durham premiere of Moonchild at historic Hayti Heritage Center, a love letter to Yusuf Salim and the jazz scene he built. Expect deep community ties, NCCU Jazz Studies, and award-winning players. Come for the history, stay for the swing, leave pleasantly smug.

🐟 Spring Fish Fry @ Temple Baptist Church | Friday (5/1) at 12:00 PM – Temple’s fish fry returns with $14 plates of fried flounder, hush puppies, and dessert. Eat in, takeout, or drive-thru. Cash or check, of course, then know each bite supports Meals on Wheels Durham, the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC, and WNC disaster relief.

❤ Play It Forward: Ronald McDonald House of the Triangle @ The Blue Note Grill | Friday (5/1) at 7:30 PM – Play It Forward brings R&B, classic rock, blues, and a touch of country to benefit Ronald McDonald House of the Triangle, with 100% supporting the cause. Expect 60s, 70s, 80s hits, familiar faces, and singalongs that count as cardio, plus dinner if you come early.

📚 Free Comic Book Day 2026 @ Ultimate Comics Durham | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Free Comic Book Day is basically Halloween for nerds, minus the sugar crash. Swing by Ultimate Comics Durham for a legit stack of freebies, sneak peeks at the year's best stories, and that glorious paper-and-ink smell you pretended not to love since 1994.

🎤 Her Legacy: Tina Knowles @ Sheraton Imperial Hotel Raleigh-Durham Airport At Research Triangle Park | Saturday (5/2) at 11:00 AM – Skip the same old brunch chatter and meet the matriarchs. Tina Knowles joins media legend Cathy Hughes for a smart, candid conversation on motherhood, mentorship, and legacy, plus curated vendors, networking you'll actually want, a book signing, and honors for seven Triangle standouts.

💿 Record Fair @ Motorco Music Hall | Saturday (5/2) at 12:00 PM – Clear some trunk space and hit Motorco for a proper record fair, with vendors slinging rare LPs, 45s, and deep cuts across every genre. Grab a drink, flip through crates, and pretend your turntable is a retirement plan, Durham-style.

Pre-inspected and move-in ready, this timeless Cape Cod sits on a quiet Hope Valley cul-de-sac, brimming with light and character. Dual staircases and two wood-burning fireplaces elevate charm. A main-level primary suite and first-floor laundry simplify life. The updated kitchen with stainless appliances and center island flows to multi-level decking and a landscaped yard. An encapsulated crawlspace underscores meticulous care.