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.*

Family and land trust collaborate: In the Sandhills, a 589-acre conservation easement beside Camp Mackall was secured this month, safeguarding Special Forces training while keeping longleaf habitat and local waterways protected from future development -- see who made it happen.

Boosting care for caregivers: Cape Fear Valley Health in Fayetteville has expanded its employee-only First Adventures Child Development Center, adding classrooms and jobs to ease childcare shortages for staff, offering added peace of mind -- see what's expanded and why.

Decades-strong team looks ahead: A 41-year Fayetteville staple, Highstreet Warren Insurance Group has rebranded and moved into a new office on Executive Place, keeping family leadership while offering expanded options as an independent agency -- learn what's changing and why.

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.*

Make something this week: Browse local art, then dive into stained glass, paint-n-sip, or mixed media at Cape Fear Studios, a gallery-meets-maker hive. It’s a low-stress creative reset for when your brain needs a break from group chats, laundry piles, and everything demanding attention.

Your new fairway fix: Rolling mounds, smart bunkers, and true TifEagle bermuda greens make King's Grant Golf & Country Club a smooth challenge without the fuss. Swing, score, then debrief at The Phoenix... because even bogey tales land better with something tasty.

Gear up, Fayetteville: Whether you’re replacing a chalky harness or finally committing to shoes that fit, The Climbing Place keeps a solid retail corner with essentials and real guidance. From gym nights to weekend crag runs, locals are on hand to help dial in a kit that works.

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 →

🤝 Pack to Give Back @ Charlie Rose Agri-Expo Center | Tuesday (4/28) at 9:00 AM – This community-powered, hands-on fundraiser turns good intentions into boxed meals, new connections, and real impact for Southeast NC. Join Second Harvest to pack meals, swap neighborly banter, and prove your back still has it. Volunteer, sponsor, or bring a team, no experience needed, just heart.

🎭 Beetlejuice Jr. The Musical @ Seventy-First High School | Thursday (4/30) at 7:00 PM – Whether you still quote the movie or just want an excuse to sit down, the Falcon Players are conjuring Beetlejuice Jr. at Seventy First High. Expect big laughs, bigger vocals, VIP seats with snacks, and that warm, smug feeling of supporting local students.

🍽 The Good Day Club Plate Sale @ Julia Mae Community Foundation | Friday (5/1) at 11:00 AM – This plate sale does double duty: you eat well, and seniors get hygiene essentials, care packages, and company through The Good Day Club. Swing by Julia Mae on Murchison, bring cash or CashApp, and toss in toiletries, toothpaste, or socks. Lunch with a conscience.

🎻 Camellia Camerata Chamber Music Festival Opening Concert @ Arts Council | Friday (5/1) at 12:00 PM – This opening concert brings Camellia Camerata together with pianist Kristina Henckel and percussionist Joseph Spearman for a smart spin through Brouwer, Gershwin, Harbison, Still, Piazzolla, and Virelles. It's free, which pairs nicely with your discerning streak, no tux required, just the good cardigan.

🏷 Springfest Yard Sale @ Westminster Presbyterian Church | Saturday (5/2) at 7:00 AM – SpringFest Yard Sale is rolling out rows of potential treasures, from the practical to the gloriously random, all ripe for polite haggling. Browse, swap stories, and justify that quirky find, because every dollar goes straight to helping Cumberland County students in need.

💬 Free Comic Book Day @ The Dragon's Lair | Saturday (5/2) at 11:00 AM – Free Comic Book Day is back, with artists signing, doing commissions, and vendors, while Cape Beard Club slings grub for the Karen Chandler Trust. Park the kids at face painting and the bouncy house, then grab your free comic, your nostalgia, and good karma.

💐 Held Together by Mom's Market @ Fit4Life Health Clubs - Hope Mills | Saturday (5/2) at 12:00 PM – Skip the frantic last-minute scramble and hit Fit4Life Hope Mills for a mom-powered market that actually makes you look organized. Shop 20-plus local vendors for custom gifts, jewelry, candles, home decor, and treats. If something mysteriously ends up for you, we will not tell.

This 7-bed, 8-full and 3-half-bath custom estate sprawls across 19+ private acres with a 6-car garage and separate workshop. Wide plank hardwoods, vaulted ceilings, and a chef’s kitchen with a statement island set the tone. Entertaining shines with a vaulted gathering hall, pro theater, kitchen and bar, covered porches, and three bonus rooms, within an hour of Raleigh and Pinehurst.