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.*

Emerging unmanned aviation talent: YSU and ESC of Eastern Ohio will host the second annual Northeast Ohio Future Pilots Drone Showcase on April 28, bringing students to fly, learn, and explore drone career paths -- get all the event details.

Fresh ways to get fit: Hardbody Fitness has opened in downtown Youngstown at Boardman and Phelps under the parking garage. Monday night classes are available, with more offerings planned and hours running Monday through Saturday -- get all the details.

New public art opportunity: Youngstown is seeking artists to submit concepts for a 'Youngstown' mural on the Purple Cat building, with a $1,000 stipend for chosen proposals while Pat McGlone paints the final mural -- see how to apply.

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.*

Flaky happiness ahead: Whether your week needs a buttery pick-me-up or a gloriously flaky distraction, Cerise Stone Mill Baking Company turns out croissants, quiche, and cookies with house-milled Ohio grains. Consider it the pastry stop that upgrades mornings, possibly your standards too, and does it all without fuss.

Adventure putts, anyone? Sports World delivers an 18-hole Myrtle Beach style mini-golf course with elevated doglegs, a lighthouse lookout on No. 4, and just enough bite to spark a rematch. Ideal for a laid-back weeknight flex or a family rivalry that ends with well-earned bragging rights.

Game-day energy, guaranteed: When you want an easy downtown hang, The Varsity Club Youngstown delivers YSU game-day broadcasts, a full bar, and comfort-food favorites like wings, burgers, and flatbreads. Add occasional live music and bingo nights, and suddenly that quick bite with friends turns into the whole evening in the best way.

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 →

🧓 Thrive with First Light (Ages 60+) @ Jewish Community Center | Tuesday (4/28) at 1:00 PM – First Light is hosting a 60-and-better wellness hangout with crafts, gentle chair exercises, and Bingo with actual prizes, not just bragging rights. Think easy movement, friendly faces, and zero pressure, then register and treat yourself to an afternoon well spent.

📼 VHS Club @ Westside Bowl | Tuesday (4/28) at 7:00 PM – Inside Westside Bowl, Cycle Breakers is dusting off the VCR for a free VHS movie night. It is analog comfort, no buffering, just warm tape hiss, the urge to fix the tracking, pizza nearby, and the collective joy of remembering Be Kind, Rewind.

🎃 Halfway to Halloween Vendor Event @ Penguin City Brewing Company | Friday (5/1) at 5:00 PM – Craving a little spooky season before the leaves bother to fall? Penguin City Brewing is hosting two days of Halloween mischief with horror-themed vendors, costume contests, and other tricks. Grab a pint, test your costume skills, and haunt the taproom like a pro.

🎉 Cinco on Phelps @ Thrive Mahoning Valley | Friday (5/1) at 5:00 PM – First Fridays goes pre-Cinco de Mayo, turning Phelps and Commerce into stroll truly worth bragging about. Vendors on Phelps, La Palma on Commerce, Romero Norteño inside Twisted Roots. Gaby Fernandez wraps a community mural, and Butler art activities and a kids zone keep everyone sane.

🎨 Faux Stained Glass & Resin Workshop @ Wonderstruck Artisan Market & Classes (Canfield) | Friday (5/1) at 9:30 PM – Make a faux stained glass suncatcher with crushed glass, then lock it in with resin at this adults-only workshop. You’ll pop back the next day to clean the edges and claim your masterpiece, which is lovely, because delayed gratification pairs nicely with wine, and silence.

🌼 May Day Fest @ Calvin Center for the Arts | Friday (5/1) – Nothing says spring in Youngstown like a May Day party where the maypole dancing twirls, the bands play, and the unions get a proper nod. It is a laid-back, multi-day hang with arts and crafts, vendors, and leashed pups welcome outside, because manners matter.

🌸 Spring Minis @ Mill Creek Park | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – Fresh spring photos at Mill Creek Park without the chaos? Book a 20 minute Spring Mini in May, $100 with a $20 nonrefundable deposit, and actually get a frame-worthy shot before the kids revolt. Only five spots, bright greens, soft neutrals, and minimal bribery required.

This remodeled 3-bed, 2-bath ranch in Youngstown, Ohio pairs curb appeal with upgrades. Vinyl plank floors connect a living room to a granite-and-stainless kitchen with soft-close cabinetry. Two main-floor bedrooms flank a refreshed bath. The lower level adds a third bedroom and a media-ready lounge with black ceilings, and the home includes central air and an attached garage.