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.*

Volunteers power local history: The Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society has moved into the former Valley Academy building after decades in the museum annex. The library plans an open house to showcase its new home -- read the full story.

Lawmakers seek public input: 12th District lawmakers scheduled town halls in Wenatchee, Sultan, and North Bend to discuss the 2026 session. Wenatchee and Sultan have already happened. The North Bend meeting is happening today -- get all the details.

Beloved hillside garden escape: Ohme Gardens is open for the 2026 season after December’s storms, with grounds ready for spring. Expect helicopter tree removal work. The Wenatchee landmark is open seven days a week -- read the full story.

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.*

Pastry worth the trip: Whether you’re chasing a midweek lift or a weekend treat, Anjou Bakery, a family-owned Cashmere staple, turns out laminated pastries, hearth-baked breads, fruit pies, espresso, and grab-and-go baguette sandwiches (think cured ham with European butter) that make everyday errands feel like a quick mini-vacation.

Sip, snack, play: Diffraction Wine Bar by Cairdeas pours approachable wines alongside easy bites and low-key games in a cozy downtown Manson hangout. Expect a midweek lift with a flight, then settle into the small-town vibe... let the magic handle the rest.

Swing with a view: When the lake tempts but your 7‑iron insists, Lake Chelan Golf Course offers nine or eighteen amid hillside views, a welcoming pro shop, and a post-round bite at The Albatross. Quick spins or lingering days both fit the vibe... a reward that feels well earned.

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 →

🚽 Potty Party @ Leavenworth Winter Sports Club (Ski Hill) | Wednesday (4/29) at 6:00 PM – Only in this town would a ribbon cutting come with a First Flush auction, a Royal Flush, and a raffle called The Gambler. Celebrate the new ADA bathrooms and pavilion, then stick around for a dance party and Eric Link, because progress deserves a soundtrack.

👱 Legally Blonde @ Numerica Performing Arts Center (Wenatchee) | Wednesday (4/29) at 7:30 PM – The pink tornado that is Legally Blonde is hitting Numerica PAC in Wenatchee, bringing snappy tunes, sharp laughs, and more heart than you'd expect from a show with a chihuahua cameo. Smart, high-energy, and charming, it also saves you the drive to Seattle.

☘ Cascade Celtic Festival 2026 @ Leavenworth Festhalle | Friday (5/1) at 3:00 PM – Think you can still out-jig your nephew? The Cascade Celtic Festival spreads across three days and three venues, with Celtic music and dance, pipes and drums, proper pints, wine, and food worth standing for. Hop on the website for updates, then limber up.

🎨 First Friday Garden Art Walk @ LynnArt Gardens (Wenatchee) | Friday (5/1) at 5:00 PM – Garden Art Walk is pitting Aliens vs Cowboys among apple blossoms, with local artists slinging metal, wood, and mixed media while Beau Warren supplies smooth vocals and warm spring guitar. Wander the paths, meet makers, and enjoy complimentary bites, sips, and cosmic Western nonsense.

🎤 Given to Fly @ Apple Blossom Festival, Wenatchee | Friday (5/1) at 6:00 PM – Apple Blossom’s entertainment stage is hosting Given to Fly, a hometown band spinning 90s favorites, classic rock, and a little country for good measure. Grab a lawn chair, sing the choruses you still remember, and pretend your back can handle one more air guitar solo.

🍷 Sip into Spring Wine Walk @ Historical Downtown Chelan | Saturday (5/2) at 2:00 PM – Afternoon in historic downtown Chelan means one thing, a civilized spring wander where the tasting bars come to you. Lake Chelan wineries pour inside the shops, so you can swirl, browse, and call it exercise. Expect easy sips, friendly faces, and dangerously giftable finds.

👒 Kentucky Derby Hat Party @ Simply Unique (Wenatchee) | Saturday (5/2) at 3:00 PM – Break out your best or silliest hat for a low-stakes Derby hang, complete with Mint Jules mocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and the fastest two minutes in sports. Expect games, a photo prop, and prizes for best decorated hats, 1st through 3rd. RSVP, obviously.

Modern luxury meets timeless lakefront living on Lake Chelan’s sunny North Shore at this 5-year-young, 5-bed, 6-bath retreat on Key Bay’s coveted sandy shoreline. Shiro Noda lighting, Sepele cabinetry, and 8-foot doors elevate a Savant-powered interior with a showpiece chef’s kitchen and 1,200-bottle cellar. LaCantina doors reveal a covered patio, level lawn, walk-in beach, and shared dock with lift.