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.*

Smart timing for irrigation: As late April settles in Great Falls, lawn expert James Hoiland shares when to start sprinklers after the last hard freeze and why inspecting valves, pipes, and filters matters -- learn timing and inspection tips.

Expansion buzz and local recognition: Janicki Industries named Great Falls a top two finalist in its site search, needing office space and housing during construction. The Fire Within honored 52 women at The Newberry -- read the full story.

First-time restaurateur's dream: Annapurna has opened in Great Falls, bringing Indian and Nepali flavors to town. Owner Law Tamang from Nepal serves fresh-made momos and dishes tailored to your spice level -- see hours and offerings.

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.*

Upgrade your pint night: Annie's Tap House keeps 23 beers on tap, plus NA root beer, wine and mimosas, all in a vintage brick-lined hangout that feels like downtown’s living room. Veteran owned and big on community, it’s the low-effort way to try something new without overthinking your after-work plans.

Get craft-happy, neighbor: Whether you’re after one-of-a-kind gifts from local makers or ready to dive into gnome painting, jewelry making, or stamping with friends, The Crafter's Lounge is a cozy place to flex your creative muscles and back neighborhood talent. Consider this your friendly nudge to make something fun.

Your downtown ringer: When the group chat can’t decide between game-watching, good cocktails, or a little dancing, The Wild Hare makes it easy to say yes. Big-energy vibe, easy hang with friends, and enough happening on any given night to keep the evening rolling. Put it on this week’s list.

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 →

👖 The Denim Event @ GRAE + Co | Monday (4/27) at 6:00 PM – Denim glow-up at GRAE + Co, with BAYEAS, Paige, and Blue Revival, plus one-night-only 20% off. Enjoy complimentary custom embroidery from Threads of June with purchase, sip and snack while you find the pair that ends your jean roulette. Downtown Great Falls, and dangerously flattering.

🎨 Youth Craft Space @ Great Falls Public Library | Tuesday (4/28) at 3:45 PM – Whether your kid spins tall tales or just doodles elk, the Montana Story Project for Kids brings Poet Laureate Allen Jones to coax Montana stories from ages 5 to 18. You bring the wiggly energy, they supply the words, your sanity returns, families welcome.

🧶 Tunisian Crochet @ The Crafter's Lounge | Tuesday (4/28) at 5:30 PM – This hands-on workshop teaches Tunisian crochet, the satisfying mash-up of knitting and crochet with half the fuss. Fifteen bucks covers the hook, yarn, and know-how, so leave the tangled tote at home, and finally learn what that long hook is for.

💉 Red Cross Blood Drive @ The History Museum | Wednesday (4/29) at 10:00 AM – The History Museum is hosting a Red Cross blood drive, the kind where your donation actually changes someone’s week. Even history buffs like saving lives. Roll up a sleeve, be a hometown hero, and book at redcrossblood.org with code "history," or call 1-800-REDCROSS.

👪 Cascade County Family Resource Fair @ Spark Children's Museum of Montana | Wednesday (4/29) at 5:30 PM – An evening at the new Spark! Children’s Museum means free family fun and games, community resource booths, and snacks that are not from your minivan floor. Let the kids explore while you meet local partners, snag giveaways, and pick up support for Cascade County families.

📸 Mother's Day Portraits @ Bloom and Bean | Friday (5/1) at 5:00 PM – Finally be in the photo with a 15-minute Mother's Day portrait at Bloom & Bean. For $125 you get 15 to 20 images, online gallery and print release, plus coffee and flowers, or a tumbler and a rose. Pay in full for a giveaway entry.

⭐ Lego 'Star Wars' Build Event @ Barnes & Noble | Saturday (5/2) – Call in your inner Jedi and head to the shop for a Star Wars LEGO build. Geared for builders 10 and up, but everyone is welcome, including parents and grandparents. Think screen-free fun, satisfying clicks, and the kind of teamwork that ends with instructions followed.

An award-winning Tim Wilkinson build in coveted Spring Tree, this one-acre stunner pairs epic Great Falls views with luxe, low-maintenance living. A statement living room shows blond beams and a floor-to-ceiling linear fireplace clad in quartzite. Highlights include a chef’s kitchen, spa-caliber primary suite, 2,700-plus square feet on the main, a heated four-car garage, and a view-soaked bonus level.