Wednesday, May 6, 2026

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.*

Mixed-use revival gains traction: A delayed plan to remake the historic McKinley School near Spokane’s Sprague Union District has resurfaced, with proposals for dozens of apartments and a taphouse moving through financing talks -- get all the project details.

Regional eats take flight: Method Juice Cafe’s third location opened in April at Spokane International Airport, serving smoothies and acai bowls, as the airport continues bringing local flavors to AB and C gates -- get all the details.

New support for career exploration: Spokane nonprofit Slingshot received a $120,000 LaunchNW grant in April to connect students with businesses, adding a coordinator and aiming for 200 hands-on experiences by June 2027 -- 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.*

Treat yourself, Spokane: Aurora Health & Day Spa is a mellow, Spokane-kind-of reset where good bodywork melts shoulders and shuts down the doom scroll for an hour. Book a little me-time and let someone else fight your knots while you pretend your inbox does not exist.

Let the paws fly: If your cooped-up pup is climbing the walls, check out High Bridge Dog Park this week, a spacious off-leash fix with shade, trails, and room to zoom, plus refreshed areas for bigs and littles. Pack a ball and a towel, the slobbery smiles tend to come home with you.

Your new low‑key haunt: T's Lounge keeps the dive bar spirit alive with friendly bartenders, unfussy cocktails, and the kind of relaxed vibe that makes “just one” turn into catching up with half the neighborhood. When you need a no-drama spot to decompress, this place quietly delivers.

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 →

A scent quiet enough to wear every day: Most fragrances announce themselves from across the room. Athena Club's Golden Vanilla does the opposite — vanilla cream, cashmere, sandalwood, and tonka bean, all close to the skin. The kind of scent someone notices when they lean in, not when they walk past. *Take a closer look →

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. Choice Home Warranty can help fill that gap for ~$1/day (even if your appliances and systems are really old).*See what it covers →

Worth a look if you already shop deals: UpLevel Rewards lets folks complete partner offers — mobile games, subscriptions, app trials, retail deals. Earn $100 cash for finishing five across three levels. Most involve a purchase, the average payout lands in 6–10 days, and the program requirements are spelled out before you sign up. *Take a look →

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 →

🌌 Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson - The Cosmic Perspective @ First Interstate Center for the Arts | Thursday (5/7) at 7:30 PM – Trade Spokane traffic and yardwork guilt for a night with Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, serving up a cosmic perspective that makes our potholes feel downright quaint. All ages, reserved seats, and tickets start at $51.25 all in, because even stargazing has a cover.

🎊 ANHPI Heritage Festival @ Riverfront Park | Friday (5/8) at 1:00 PM – Riverfront Park is lighting up for the ANHPI Heritage Festival, with Asian food trucks, live performances, hands-on demos, and a luau with a fire knife show. Free to enter, rich in culture, and kid-approved, which means you can call it education while you sample everything.

🧁 Mother’s Day Floral Cupcake Class @ Lilac City Bakery | Friday (5/8) at 6:00 PM – Skip the Mother’s Day brunch stampede, treat Mom to a floral cupcake class where you two decorate a dozen beauties to take home. Learn real piping tricks, sip tea or coffee, and actually talk. It is $100 per couple, and spots disappear fast.

🎣 Kids Fishing Day @ Inland Northwest Wildlife Council | Saturday (5/9) at 8:00 AM – Kids Fishing Day is reeling into Clear Lake, and registration’s open with a quick download. Trade cartoons for bobbers, teach patience the classic way with worms, and let them chase their first trout while you supervise like a pro with coffee, sunscreen, and quiet pride.

🚴 Spring 2026 Spokane River Roll @ Riverwalk Overflow | Saturday (5/9) at 1:00 PM – An easy seven-mile roll on the Centennial Trail, from No-Li through Riverfront Park, over the Falls, then back for beers. Bring any human-powered wheels, kids included, no Lycra required. Expect quick climate notes, good company, and the payoff of No-Li happy hour.

🥂 Mother's Day Brunch on the River @ Ruby River Hotel | Sunday (5/10) at 9:00 AM – Mother's Day on the Spokane River means brunch buffet at Ruby River Hotel, river views, and a little gift for the woman who applauded your macaroni art. Prime rib to pastries, a mimosa bar, kid drinks, and a photo spot, then bask in favorite-child glory.

🛍 Lilac City Vendor Fair @ NorthTown Mall | Sunday (5/10) at 11:00 AM – Think you’ve seen every Spokane pop-up? Stroll the Lilac City Vendor Fair at Northtown, a free, summer-long market with 40-plus rotating local vendors, new bites, art, activities, and live makers each visit. Hop the bus, hit Franklin Park after, call it quality time.

On 5 acres with Rural Traditional zoning for animals, this custom home blends country function and style. Creek and pond views impress. A new auto gate and asphalt drive provide access from Bigelow Gulch. Granite kitchen, 10-foot ceilings, and a finished lower level with private patio. Greenhouse, workshop, and an oversized three-car garage with 14-foot ceilings and a half bath.