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.*

Tour vibrant floral destinations: Wisconsin’s Spring Blooms digital passport is underway, guiding visitors to greenhouses, gardens, and flower farms through May 31, with check-ins earning points and a chance at a $50 gift card -- see how to sign up.

Local contractor answers call: Starting today, handyman Johnathan Stallman of Stallman Construction is offering free carpet removal and tree debris disposal for Rock County residents hit by recent flooding and storms, through April 30 -- see what's offered and when.

Unified home for broadcasters: Big Radio recently opened its Showcase Studios at 1 East Milwaukee Street downtown Janesville. The interchangeable space will serve all five locally owned stations together -- 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 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.*

Your weekend treasure hunt: Wander three floors of 608 Vintage in downtown Janesville, where 100+ vendors pack 15,000 square feet with antiques, oddities, handmade goods, and nostalgic candy. Perfect for a rainy afternoon, a room refresh, or that gift you pretend is for someone else.

Feel-good fashion find: Sunny + Olive is a women-owned, size-inclusive consignment shop offering secondhand clothing for all genders, plus accessories, books, and locally made goodies...sustainable vibes without the sticker shock. Tucked inside Old Junction Mill with Red Rooster, it’s an easy, low-key browse to refresh your closet.

A better workout home: Between indoor and outdoor pools, an indoor track, pickleball courts, and a legit Kids Club so you can actually finish a set, The Janesville Athletic Club makes getting back into a groove feel easy. Friendly vibes, tons of classes, and a women’s workout area mean fewer excuses, more endorphins.

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 →

🌱 Start from Scratch: Seed Starting @ Rotary Botanical Gardens | Tuesday (4/28) at 5:30 PM – Whether your seedlings keep fainting on the windowsill or you’re done buying mystery tomatoes at the big box, get the real seed-starting how-to from horticulturist Andrea Geske at Rotary Botanical Gardens. She’ll cover timing, soil, light, water, and transplanting, so your starts actually thrive.

🎡 Spring Carnival @ Madison Elementary School | Thursday (4/30) at 5:00 PM – Madison Elementary is throwing its annual spring carnival with bounce houses, classic games, prizes, food trucks, and raffle baskets calling your name. Let the kids wear themselves out, then watch them slime the principal while you treat a taco truck stop as couple time.

🎾 Women's Pickleball Mixer @ Woodman's Sports & Convention Center | Thursday (4/30) at 6:00 PM – Ladies, trade the treadmill for friendly rallies at a women’s pickleball mixer at Woodman’s North Courts, where the focus is social play, new friends, and light bragging rights. All levels welcome, some experience helps, no coaching. ProLite paddles provided if needed, $25, only 16 spots.

☀ Pop Up Event @ The Sol Sanctuary Wellness Center | Friday (5/1) at 5:00 PM – The Sol Sanctuary is celebrating its grand opening, which means a nosy peek at Janesville’s newest wellness spot, and yes, free treats. Come tour the space, sample the goods, and practice your serene face while catching up with half the town you already know.

🎗 Charlie: Cystic Fibrosis Fundraiser @ Ironside Fitness | Saturday (5/2) at 8:00 AM – Join the Charlie Hero WOD, a sweat session that actually matters, supporting families facing cystic fibrosis and honoring a tiny warrior who outgrits most of us. Come for the workout, stay for the perspective, the camaraderie, and a reminder to breathe while you can.

🛍 Rock County Fairgrounds Market @ Rock County Fairgrounds | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Take a break from the grind and wander Rock County Fairgrounds Market, the first outdoor event of the season. Fresh produce, handmade goods, food trucks, and neighborly gossip, all in one loop. Wear layers, bring a tote, and your best small talk smile.

🧠 BTC Behavioral Health and Wellness Fair @ Blackhawk Technical College | Saturday (5/2) at 10:30 AM – Whether you have a therapist on speed dial or just call it taking a walk, this community fair brings approachable behavioral health resources, wellness demos, and family-friendly activities under one roof. Low pressure, high value, and probably the healthiest thing you'll do this month.

Set on .93 acres near the Rock River in Janesville’s Hendricks subdivision, this grand country home surprises with second-floor living, including the kitchen, family and dining rooms, bedrooms, and laundry, all served by a beautiful wood-paneled elevator. A large primary suite, fenced backyard, three indoor parking spaces, fireplace insert, wet bar hookups, and a whole-house Generac generator round it out.