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.*

Keynote spotlight on spaceflight: Binghamton University’s Research Days features astronaut Jeanette Epps, sharing stories from the International Space Station. Events run through May 1 at the Anderson Center’s Chamber Hall -- get dates and speaker details.

Smoother ride coming soon: Nighttime I-81 resurfacing in Broome County has begun, a $19 million project from Exit 13B to Exit 21. Expect minimal delays and restrictions around Spiedie Fest Aug 7-9 -- get all the details.

Local service opportunities await: April is National Volunteer Month, and Binghamton groups offer ways to help, from CHOW food sorting to VINES garden beds. United Way of Broome County highlights short and long-term roles -- see how to get involved.

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 game-day ringer: Locally owned and packed with sports memorabilia, Courtside Bar & Grill nails the watch-party vibe with classic game-day eats, a fully stocked bar, and a brunch playbook. When the Knicks, Rangers, or your kid’s rec team is on, this place turns high-fives into friendships.

Brunch energy unlocked: Trade pajama pancakes for a celebratory spread at Lost Dog Café & Lounge, where comfort meets creativity with lively plates, strong coffee, and an easygoing downtown buzz. It’s the kind of late morning that quietly steals the week’s spotlight, relaxed, flavorful, and unmistakably fun.

Soup therapy, upgraded: When your week needs a reset, Pho Nhu Y Restaurant serves deeply aromatic pho with silky rice noodles, bright herbs, and tweakable fixings, alongside a cozy, no-fuss vibe that keeps locals returning. It’s the warm bowl Binghamton weather and busy calendars call for.

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 →

🍽 Vines 12th Annual Spring Farm to Table Dinner @ Lost Dog Café & Lounge (Binghamton) | Monday (4/27) at 5:00 PM – Spring appetites deserve a three-course farm-to-table spread from Lost Dog’s chefs, sourced from local farms and roaming the globe, with gluten free and vegan covered, obviously. Expect live music, a 40+ item silent auction, and supporting VINES. It sells out, tickets are $85 at vinesgardens.org.

🎨 Paint Your Own Pottery Night @ Uncorked Creations (Binghamton) | Tuesday (4/28) at 6:00 PM – Channel your inner artisan at Beer Tree Factory, painting a hipster gnome while an artist guides you, glazes abound, and the beer and food menus keep morale high. Your bearded masterpiece gets fired and ready in three weeks, then pick up at Uncorked Creations, Binghamton.

🧵 New York State Button Society Show @ DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel (Binghamton) | Friday (5/1) at 9:30 AM – Spring in Binghamton calls for tiny treasures, so the New York State Button Society takes over the DoubleTree with its annual show and awards. Expect vintage charm, passionate collectors, and a "Love is in the Air" theme. Yes, buttons. You might get hooked.

🎨 May Free Admission Night & Art Show @ The Discovery Center of the Southern Tier (Binghamton) | Friday (5/1) at 4:00 PM – First Friday means free museum time, a Creative Hive takeover, and a joyous racket. Expect vibrant kid art from Together We Play, a collaborative masterpiece, and a music jam that ends in a parade and drum roll. Bring the grandkids, patience, and your inner drummer.

🚀 Space Day @ Roberson Museum and Science Center (Binghamton) | Saturday (5/2) at 11:00 AM – Patio weather can wait, we are launching at Roberson for Space Day. Journey through stars, planets, and asteroids with hands-on activities, games, crafts, and a planetarium that still wows, no rocket science required. Adults $8, students $6, planetarium $4, members free.

🌺 Orchid Show @ STOS (Binghamton) | Saturday (5/2) at 11:00 AM – Whether you can tell a phalaenopsis from a pothos or just like pretty things, the Orchid Show is your excuse to soak up color, humidity, and hope on a Southern Tier afternoon. Stroll slow, chat with growers, and pretend your living room stays this lush.

🍝 Make Your Own Pasta Cooking Class @ Phantom Chef LLC (Endicott) | Saturday (5/2) at 11:00 AM – Skip the boxed stuff and get hands-on with egg pasta, running dough through a pasta roller into long noodles, stuffing ricotta ravioli like you meant to all along. Simmer marinara, whisk alfredo, leave flour-dusted and smug. Kids 10 and up can join with an adult.

Custom Contemporary ranch offers panoramic views, an open plan with hardwoods, and a great room wrapped in built-ins around a wood-burning fireplace. The primary suite adds a gas fireplace and bath. A finished lower level brings a kitchenette, two bedrooms, and a family room with Brazilian Koa floors, plus radiant hot water heat and a private-entry studio over the garage.