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.*

City hall leadership in flux: Only one applicant has emerged for Billings interim city administrator, assistant city administrator Kevin Iffland. With Chris Kukulski departing, council must decide if the job requires living inside city limits -- get context on the decision.

A sweet spin arrives: Crispy Cones has opened its first Montana shop on Billings’ West End in Shiloh Crossing near AMC Theater, serving rotisserie-grilled dough cones with a Czech recipe pitched on Shark Tank -- see what makes it unique.

How crews hone lifesaving skills: Earlier this month, Billings firefighters used a county-owned house for realistic training with non-toxic smoke and sensor panels, at the same property where 42 dogs stayed after a Shepherd raid -- see the tools they use.

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.*

Live art, real pints: Craft Local is Billings’ nonprofit community living room, equal parts gallery and stage, pouring pints while giving homegrown musicians and artists a proper spotlight. Swap the couch for a set or an opening this week, sip something tasty, and leave a little louder than you arrived.

Pirate putts, anyone? At Let's Glow Putt, tackle 18 glow-in-the-dark, pirate-themed holes with playful arcade detours, ideal for a midweek brain break or Saturday shenanigans. Grab the crew, pop on 3D glasses, and let mini wins and friendly trash talk keep Billings cabin fever at bay.

Cupcakes you actually crave: Velvet Cravings bakes fresh cupcakes every day with rotating gourmet flavors and custom-decorated options. Ideal for a midweek pick-me-up or an office hero moment, a couple or a dozen will satisfy your sweet tooth and keep cravings happily handled.

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 →

🌙 Sensory-friendly Night @ Wise Wonders Science & Discovery Museum | Monday (4/27) at 4:00 AM – Whether bright lights make you twitchy, or you just want a museum visit without the din, Wise Wonders is opening up for a sensory-friendly night for all ages and abilities, and it is free courtesy of AccessBillings. Calmer vibes, hands-on fun, and actual conversation, imagine that.

🏺 Wheel Thrown Bowls @ Yellowstone Artist Co-op | Tuesday (4/28) at 6:00 PM – Whether you’ve never touched clay or retired your college wheel skills, this beginner class with Cerington Jones gets you centering, pulling, and making a proper bowl. Small group of four, two pieces fired, all materials included at Yellowstone Artist Co-op, and zero pressure to perform.

🤝 Yellowstone Valley Gives Community Rally @ Billings Community Foundation | Wednesday (4/29) at 4:00 PM – Whether you’ve donated since dial-up or just show up for snacks, this pre-midnight YVG rally is your excuse to gather, mingle, and feel good about Billings. Expect food, drinks, prizes, and all the countdown energy, at Billings Community Foundation, for year eleven’s big kick-off.

🌙 Mom's Night Out @ SOMETHINGchic | Wednesday (4/29) at 5:00 PM – Nothing beats after-hours shopping where no one calls you Mom every twelve seconds. SOMETHINGchic is throwing a Mom’s Night Out with curated pop-ups, a gift with purchase, fresh spring arrivals for you or Mother’s Day, plus sips, treats, and actual adult conversation.

🌲 Party for the Great Outdoors @ The Base Camp | Thursday (4/30) at 4:00 PM – Skip the couch and swing by The Base Camp for a Yellowstone Valley Gives hangout that helps our trails. Meet Wild Montana, Billings Trailnet, and friends, play yard games, snacks, and donate. They match $500 per nonprofit, and $25 gets you $5 off in store.

🩺 Community Wellness Fair @ Mission Ridge Senior Living | Friday (5/1) at 9:00 AM – Billings is doing self-care the neighborly way with a free, all-ages Wellness Fair packed with local resources for health, support, and connection. Browse everything from Town & Country and Scheels to the library, museums, and St. John’s United. Call it errands, call it wellness.

🌿 Greenhouse Garden Party + Polywood Trunk Show @ Gainan's Heights Flowers & Garden | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – Greenhouse party at Gainan's Heights means behind-the-scenes tours, refreshments, and acres of garden temptations, plus a POLYWOOD trunk show with durable, recycled-plastic patio pieces. Come sniff the tomato starts, upgrade the backyard, and feel just a little smug about keeping plastic out of the Yellowstone.

This two-building urban estate spans two lots with seven bedrooms and three full kitchens. R50 walls, an R80 roof, dual solar arrays, and active heat recovery deliver rare sustainability. An independent suite links to the main house. Fruit trees and gardens frame patios. A separate residence sits above a shop and multi-car garage with office and bath, plus RV parking.