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.*

Bogus fines target drivers: Texas DMV has issued a new alert about scam texts claiming unpaid traffic violations. Waco drivers should be cautious, as the agency does not send toll or traffic violation texts -- read the full story.

Inventive kiosk for pet identification: The City of Waco unveiled its first Chip Check microchip scanning station at Waco Police Department headquarters, made from a repurposed newspaper vending machine, offering 24/7 scans to reunite lost pets -- get all the details.

City projects progress snapshot: Waco City Council heard an update on 19 infrastructure projects earlier this month. Seventeen are on time and on budget, while two are running a few months behind schedule -- 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're probably paying way more than you need to. It's an easy bill to forget about, but switching could save you up to $1,000 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium to ~$60 a month - see how much you could save.*

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.*

Farm-fresh comfort, anyone?: Cafe Homestead turns pasture-raised beef, fresh breads, award-winning local cheese, and house-made sauces into Texas homestyle plates that just hit different. Book a table, then wander Homestead Heritage’s gardens and craft shops for bonus chill... or snag a spot at their farm-to-table dinners.

Cupcake fix, sorted: Afternoon slump meets its match at Silos Baking Co. serving classic and seasonal cupcakes alongside other sweet distractions. Quick pickup keeps things simple, and the Silos scene adds a little sparkle... ideal for treats worth sharing with your group chat and turning a coffee break into something better.

Fresh cut, zero stress: At The Cutting Edge Salon, expect a Waco-everyday vibe and stylists who listen, specializing in blonding, gray coverage, curl care, smoothing, and extensions. If you’ve been putting off a refresh, consider this your nudge... walk out feeling like yourself again.

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 →

🎨 Wonder: District Art Night @ Paul And Jane Meyer Public High School | Tuesday (4/28) at 5:00 PM – Think your fridge art peaked in 1998? Swing by Rapoport Academy’s district art night on Elm Ave for student work from Pre-K to seniors, a community mural you can help paint, a student-run art market, and dinner that funds the arts. Free, family-friendly, genuinely sweet.

📅 1st Friday Downtown @ Downtown Waco | Friday (5/1) at 10:00 AM – Closest thing to a luau without leaving the loop. First Friday goes full May Lei Day, with downtown boutiques running deals, food and drinks on every corner, and live music floating through the blocks. Wear your loudest florals, no passport required.

🌱 Annual Plant Sale @ Westview Village Shopping Center | Saturday (5/2) at 8:00 AM – This annual Master Gardeners plant sale is the Super Bowl for green thumbs, and it funds their work. Swing by Westview Village, next to Michael's on Valley Mills, grab a cart, a friend, and plants these folks raised, then watch your yard stop judging you.

🎉 Mayfest 2026 @ St. Jerome Catholic Church | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – Whether you’re here for the Knights’ brisket or the Blessed Mother, St. Jerome’s Mayfest is a parish party. Browse crafts, jog the Marian fun run, let the kids roam, then hit the beer garden, talent show, and live auction before a procession and Mass.

🧘 Waco Wellness Festival | Spring Edition @ Northern Gateway Park | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Grab your mat and mosey to the Waco Wellness Festival, where 30 vendors, workout classes, and feel-good testimonials make self-care oddly fun. Sample, stretch, then enter raffles for wellness prizes. It’s like a farmer’s market for your joints, and your mood.

💎 66th Annual Gem & Mineral Show @ Lee Lockwood Library and Museum | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Think you’ve seen every shiny rock in Central Texas? The 66th Waco Gem & Mineral Club Show is back at Lee Lockwood with vendors slinging crystals, minerals, and fossils, plus free fossils for kids 12 and under. Cheap entry, big nostalgia, no quartz quiz.

📸 Pay What You Can Photoshoot @ Hannah McCabe Photography | Saturday (5/2) at 12:00 PM – Get some proof you all exist in the same decade with a 30-minute, pay-what-you-can photoshoot at 1701 Trading Post Road. First come, first served, with 5 to 10 edited images, families up to six, and Mommy and Me. Book now, pay day of.

This brand-new 6-bed, 6.5-bath home is purpose built for BU living, with every bedroom featuring an ensuite bath, walk-in closet, and its own parking spot behind the house. Breaking ground this summer with a May 2027 completion, it pairs modern function with student-focused convenience and an investment-ready layout, plus select finishes can be chosen during build for a tailored look.