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.*

Partners rally for wildlife: The Akron Zoo recently welcomed two baby spotted turtles, a critically endangered species. The hatchlings will be raised for release through a statewide effort to fight poaching and restore populations -- read the full story.

From dinosaurs to job skills: Akron summer camp registration is open for city parks and APS programs. APS signups began April 20. New Jumpstart to Kindergarten arrives, and older students can earn up to $2,400 -- see how and when to apply.

Founder scales signature foods: Crafty Steere will open next month in downtown Akron, bringing a two-story restaurant, bar, market, and family games to the long-vacant O’Neil’s Building, a project Downtown Akron Partnership calls crucial -- get all the 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.*

Champagne, charcuterie, chill: 750ml Wines is built for low-key catch-ups and celebratory clinks, with a deep bottle list, classic cocktails, and a Veuve Clicquot patio that shines when the weather cooperates. It easily turns into a full evening with friends, a couple of toasts, and maybe one more pour.

Swing where legends did: Make a day of it at Firestone Country Club, where history meets tour-level practice across three distinct courses. Gather your crew, chase a number, and let the group chat roast your card later... you’ll still claim bragging rights for that one pure swing.

Nostalgia, now playing: If your streaming queue feels stale, go touch some history. The Retro Attic Akron is a room-by-room treasure hunt of VHS, DVDs, vinyl, cassettes, CDs, clothing and memorabilia that turns a quick browse into a whole vibe... perfect for a rainy afternoon reset.

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 →

♻ Free Paper/Document Shredding @ Summit e-Waste Recycling Solutions | Tuesday (4/28) at 9:00 AM – Whether you’ve been hoarding pay stubs since '98 or just need those tax forms to disappear, free paper shredding is back every Tuesday. Swing by with up to one file box per week, per person, feel virtuous, and maybe drop a Google review, neighbor.

🎻 UA Symphony Orchestra @ E.J. Thomas Hall | Thursday (4/30) at 7:00 PM – UA Symphony Orchestra is filling EJ Thomas with Gershwin’s An American in Paris, Vivaldi’s D minor Bassoon Concerto featuring Breanna Sasanecki, and Bernstein’s Overture to West Side Story. Call it a free passport to Paris, Venice, and the West Side, no TSA.

🎟 Pull Tab Palooza @ Akron Ronald McDonald House | Friday (5/1) at 3:00 PM – Clear out that coffee can of pull tabs and roll over to Akron’s Pull Tab Palooza for weigh-ins, music, a prize wheel, giveaways, and photo ops. Last year we turned 23,000 pounds into help for families, so yes, your junk drawer can do something useful.

🦆 Akron RubberDucks Star Wars Night @ 7 17 Credit Union Park | Friday (5/1) at 5:00 PM – Bring your inner Jedi to Star Wars Night as the RubberDucks face the Harrisburg Senators. Expect lightsabers, mascots in capes, and more puns than a seventh-inning stretch. Costumes welcome, and you can sign up on the Ohio Star Wars forum: https://www.ohiostarwars.com/oswforum/showthread.php?tid=3426

🍩 Donut Dash 5K @ Hardesty Park | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – Lace up for a sweet 5K starting and finishing in Hardesty Park, looping Castle Park, and handing you a donut at the line. Walkers, runners, strollers, and a kids fun run welcome, race tee included, all supporting Summit County Children’s Services’ WAB. Carbs well earned.

✂ Rita's Italian Ice Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening @ Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard | Saturday (5/2) at 12:00 PM – Rita’s is cutting the ribbon and celebrating the grand opening, including free Italian Ice for a year for the first 50 customers, free face painting, and giveaways. Bring patience, the grandkids, and your best line strategy. Brain freeze is temporary, bragging rights are not.

🐞 Beetlejuice & Sandworm Craft @ Akron-Summit County Public Library | Saturday (5/2) at 2:00 PM – Ready to introduce the kids to Beetlejuice without the nightmares? The Main Library and Killer Video are hosting a free, all-ages matinee with creepy-cool coloring, a Sandworm sock-puppet craft, and costumes encouraged, plus free parking, so your only scare is humming Day-O all afternoon.

This remarkable Fairlawn Heights estate sits on 2.5 manicured acres, marrying craftsmanship with luxe updates. Highlights include a linenfold-paneled fireplace, an open kitchen suite with tasting and conservatory cocktail spaces, a secondary messy kitchen, and a vaulted beamed great room. A 1,169-bottle wine cellar, a 900 SF pool house, and labyrinth-style gardens elevate everyday living and entertaining.