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.*

Discover local partnerships and offerings: Belpre Area Chamber’s third annual Business Exchange will take place at Parkersburg Art Center on April 29, 4:30 to 6:30 pm, featuring showcases and a Monopoly-style game with prizes -- get event details and pricing.

Key infrastructure milestone reached: Memorial Health System’s Women and Children’s Hospital in Belpre is moving forward, with site work complete. It will offer women’s care and bring Akron Children’s specialists, backed by $30 million -- get all the details.

Students face real-world choices: Wood County Schools introduced Cyber SWAT this month, an interactive Skyll game that teaches digital safety while helping meet CIPA and WV Senate Bill 466 requirements tied to E-Rate funding -- 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 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.*

Closet refresh, anyone? With rotating consignment racks, online drops, and the occasional pop-up, EmLeigh's and Mama B's makes it easy to trade meh for ooh without leaving downtown. Score singular finds, back a local crew, and feel good reusing instead of impulse-buying pieces you'll just return.

Old-school movie magic: At Robey Theatre, simplicity rules: popcorn, previews, and a screen so big everything else fades. When your week needs a low-effort reset, a seat and a new release can carry you for a couple of hours.

Sip, savor, exhale: Wine Down on Market is your MOV spot when you want real deal hospitality, a chef-led menu from Executive Chef Autumn Walcutt, and choices that go beyond "red or white." Drop in this week for 130+ bottles, plenty by the glass, and cozy vibes in The Cellar... perfect for a low-key date or friend catch-up.

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 →

🧶 Finger Knitting Learnshop @ The Watering Can Art Studio (Vienna) | Tuesday (4/28) at 6:00 PM – Because your fingers deserve a hobby that won’t stab you, try finger knitting. Instructor Amy Hardesty of Amy's Knit Menagerie teaches chaining, color changes, and turning yarn into a whale stuffy, with supplies and a take-home guide. Space is limited, snag a spot.

🎨 Bottle Cap Paint Party @ Wood County Society (Parkersburg) | Wednesday (4/29) at 5:30 PM – If you’re ready to swap scrolling for making, come turn humble bottle caps into blooming mixed-media minis with ArtBeat’s Ashley at Wood County Society, Parkersburg. BYO snacks and sips, no experience required, just low-pressure color, spring sparkle, and a better story than laundry.

🧵 Belleville Helping Hands Quilt Show 2026 @ Gihon Tabernacle Evangelical Methodist Church (Parkersburg) | Friday (5/1) at 9:00 AM – Swing by the Belleville Helping Hands Quilt Show, an every-other-year excuse to admire stitches you could never pull off. Browse the country store, grab some food, meet vendors, sharpen your scissors, eye the prizes, and vote for your favorite quilt.

🎭 Seussical the Musical @ Actors Guild of Parkersburg | Friday (5/1) at 7:30 PM – Seussical is bounding onto the stage with Horton, the Cat in the Hat, and a speck-sized city that somehow has more drama than HOA season. Big-hearted, catchy, and wonderfully odd, it’s a night for grandkids, inner kids, and anyone who roots for the little guy.

🏁 Inflatable Costume Race Fundraiser @ Christ United Methodist Church (Parkersburg) | Saturday (5/2) at 11:00 AM – Ever wanted to waddle down Market Street in a T-Rex suit for a good cause? Jog from Christ UMC to St Paul’s in your inflatable, then hit the carnival for bouncy house fun, games, food, and prizes, all supporting local meals, pantries, and clothing closets.

🌀 World Labyrinth Day @ First Presbyterian Church (Parkersburg) | Saturday (5/2) at 12:45 PM – Pause the to-do list and meet at First Presbyterian's labyrinth in Parkersburg at 1 pm, as folks worldwide walk in step for World Labyrinth Day. No minotaur, just neighbors, quiet intention, and that rare feeling of being part of something bigger than your inbox.

🏇 Kentucky Derby Viewing Party @ Nemesis Shrine Center (Parkersburg) | Saturday (5/2) at 4:00 PM – Derby day at Nemesis Shriners means big hats, small wagers, and bourbon you don’t have to Google. Open to the public, drop $20 at the door for Derby-style apps, wooden horse races, a 50/50, basket raffles, bourbon tastings, and a shot at Best Hat glory.

Architectural standout with six bedrooms including a first floor ensuite, three fireplaces, and custom detailing. Marble floors and coffered ceilings set a grand tone, with a soaring family room. A wraparound balcony and stamped lower patio overlook nearly an acre. A 1,800 sq ft private lower level offers exterior access. Two laundries, multiple HVAC, 2025 roof, gated community.