Monday, April 20, 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.*

Pioneer-era landmark's next chapter: After a six-year closure, Tumwater’s 160-year-old Crosby House is now open for tours again. Built in 1860, the historic home welcomes visitors for free with donations appreciated -- see when tours begin.

Peak coastal foraging window: Razor clam digs are underway through April 23 at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks, with the lowest tides expected. Limit 15 clams per person and toxin testing applies -- see dates, tides, and limits.

Infrastructure upgrades and what's next: Lacey packed six months with projects, from College Street NE work to trails and a disc golf course. The new police station is expected to finish later this month -- see completed and upcoming projects.

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.*

Local meat, major flavor: Delmonico's Heritage Butcher Shop keeps Olympia carnivores happy with daily-cut beef, house-made sausages and bacon, plus a legit lunch lineup of stacked sandwiches and charcuterie boxes that turn meetings into picnics. Perfect this week when your fridge needs an upgrade, your grill needs a win, or you just want real-deal butcher shop vibes.

Sweet tooth, sorted: Locally built in 2024 by Olympia families, Lolli Llama Candy is the cheerful, choose-your-own-sugar-adventure that turns a quick stop into a mood reset. Check it out this week, refill the snack stash, and pretend it’s strictly for “guests” while your inner child high-fives you.

Pool, pints, and patio: Whether you’re catching a game between pool shots or soaking up fresh air on the patio, The Westside Tavern nails that friendly Westside vibe with legit burgers, crispy fries, and shareable wings. Slide in with neighbors, snag a table, and let the evening do its easy Olympia thing.

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 →

Two sprays before bed, no more snoring? It really is that simple. No mouthpiece to wrestle with, no CPAP mask, no nose strips that peel off at 2am. This doctor-developed throat spray has been keeping sleepers quiet for 30 years, and first-time orders are 40% off right now. *See how it works →

21 million people have lost weight with this: Simple isn't a GLP-1, fad diet, or point-based system... it's a personalized app that helps you build healthy habits, checks in with you through the day, and adjusts your custom weight loss plan as things change. Over 18 million pounds lost so far, and nobody had to give up their favorite foods or or inject themselves to get there. *Take this free quiz to get started →

Hang onto your memories: I found a box of my parents' old home videos last month and realized I had no way to watch them. In case you didn’t know, you can easily convert all your memories to digital – tapes, photos, negatives. All of it. You'll just ship everything in a prepaid kit, they’ll digitize it, and you'll get your originals back plus online anytime access. *See how it works →

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 →

🛍 Spring Bazaar @ VFW POST 318 Auxiliary | Friday (4/24) at 9:00 AM – Nothing beats hunting for handmade treasures at the VFW on Martin Way while a steaming bowl of homemade soup calls your name. Local vendors, quirky finds, and legit sandwiches, all benefiting our veterans and their families. Bring a friend, leave with gifts, gratitude, and lunch.

🌲 Potted Redwood & Sequoia Sale @ Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation | Saturday (4/25) at 10:00 AM – Potted redwoods and sequoias are popping up in Olympia, with a Saturday sale where you can actually bring one home. Seedlings are gone, but the potted beauties remain, built for rain, patience, and future shade. Pre-order if you prefer smug efficiency.

🧶 Local Yarn Store Day @ Our Local Yarn Shop | Saturday (4/25) at 10:00 AM – If your yarn stash is 'under control,' Local Yarn Store Day is your moment to celebrate. Support small shops that keep our crafty community humming, squish unique skeins, get expert advice with knitters, crocheters, and weavers, and linger for chatter, tea, and enabling.

📸 Mother's Day Photoshoot @ Melanie Bakala - State Farm Insurance Agent | Saturday (4/25) at 10:00 AM – Mother's Day sneaks up fast, so skip the last-minute carnations and snag a free family photoshoot, with professional shots emailed before the big day. While the kids decorate their own frames, you bank fridge-worthy memories, and earn easy brownie points with Mom.

🌸 Spring Flower Crafternoon @ WET Science Center | Saturday (4/25) at 10:00 AM – Drop in for a crafternoon turning local leaves, seeds, and flowers into clay reliefs with Arbutus Folk School’s Dannielle Swan, then make a keepsake or necklace. Channel your inner botanist without the Latin. Free, all ages, small sessions, first come.

🎨 Native Art Market @ The Evergreen State College | Saturday (4/25) at 11:00 AM – Make a little room on the wall and head to the House of Welcome at Evergreen for a one-day Native art market with over 50 artists. Parking is free but scarce, so slip into Lot B and enjoy the short, springtime stroll, art scout’s honor.

🎨 Olympis Arts Walk @ Percival Landing | Saturday (4/25) at 12:00 PM – Downtown Olympia turns into an open-air gallery for the two-day Arts Walk. Stroll the waterfront, meet makers, and pretend you planned to buy art all along. I’ll be at Percival Landing, booth 36, so swing by, say hi, and pick your conversation piece.

This 4,033 sqft saltwater Budd Inlet retreat sits on 2.5 acres 4 miles from downtown Olympia, showcasing unobstructed Puget Sound and Olympic views from every room. A porte-cochère, spa-caliber primary suite, and three fireplaces deliver understated elegance. A daylight basement with separate entry joins a 1,200 sqft event-ready boathouse, 2,496 sqft of decks, and 143 feet of low-bank shoreline.