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.*

Greener habits made easy: Helena’s new Good Find Refillery & Thrift Store has opened, offering refillable shampoos and other low-waste essentials, partnering with eco-minded brands and supporting clean water efforts to cut plastic waste -- read the full story.

New recycling drop-off planned: Helena will launch summer construction to upgrade water and roads, largely funded by a $15.5 million ARPA grant, including Cross-Town Connector valve work, Red Mountain Flume repairs, and stormwater improvements -- get all the project details.

Fostering intergenerational community ties: Lewis and Clark Public Health is recruiting neighborhood champions for block parties to build connection and preparedness, offering a $500 stipend for successful events, with applications due Sunday, May 24 -- see how and when to apply.

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.*

Craving crusher: When the week calls for easy comfort and a solid pint, Brewhouse delivers the lively, locals-first vibe you want, with plenty to watch, shareable plates that hit the spot, and just enough global twists to keep your go-to order feeling fresh.

Brain workout, no treadmill: Round up your favorite problem-solvers and try Escape Helena, an immersive escape room experience built for locals who want something new this week. Expect puzzle-packed rooms, collaborative chaos, and post-game bragging rights with friends or coworkers when you need a fun reset that isn’t another night staring at the same Helena takeout menu.

Unwind with a pour: Helena’s cozy go-to for thoughtful sips, The Hawthorn Bottle Shop & Tasting Room keeps midweek easy with rotating wines by the glass, flights, and snackable charcuterie. It’s a place to settle in, debrief life, and linger over something worth remembering.

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 →

📚 Spring into Literacy! @ On Broadway | Monday (4/27) at 4:00 PM – On Broadway is hosting a feel-good dinner fundraiser with a raffle, door prizes, and a portion of proceeds headed to LCLC. Eat well, support literacy, feel pleasantly smug. Bring your lucky ticket mojo, leave with full hearts, lighter guilt, and maybe a prize.

🍽 Dine for a Cause: Helena & Capital Speech & Debate Nationals @ Windbag Saloon | Monday (4/27) at 5:00 PM – The Windbag Saloon is serving dinner that pulls double duty, with 20% kicked to Helena and Capital Speech & Debate so they can get to Nationals in Richmond. Dine in or carry out, bring your people, and enjoy a night where fries count as charity.

🍿 Kid Flicks! @ The Myrna Loy | Thursday (4/30) at 5:30 PM – Need a family outing that entertains you, too? Shorts from the New York International Children’s Film Festival, animation, live action, and docs that spark conversation, plus two programs, Little Kid Flicks 5+ and Big Kid Flicks 10+, at The Myrna Loy. Popcorn solves the rest.

🎉 Vigilante Parade @ The Gulch: Downtown Helena | Friday (5/1) at 12:00 PM – Helena’s Vigilante Parade is rolling down Last Chance Gulch with high schoolers building floats that retell Montana history. Born to tame rowdy rivalries, it is now proof that teens, cardboard, and a flatbed can charm a whole town, and out-teach a textbook.

🐱 Painting with Kitties @ The Painted Pot | Friday (5/1) at 5:30 PM – If you've been waiting to trade doomscrolling for purr therapy, here's your sign. Paint at The Painted Pot with adoptable kitties, light snacks, and cozy vibes, $15 plus your project, with $10 to Lewis & Clark Humane Society. All ages, registration required.

🛒 The OG Vendor Event @ The Original Stop | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Drinks and deep discounts at an OG vendor pop-up, with everything priced at cost or less. Bring your reusable bag and your thirst, then back the locals like Honeybee Empowerment, Scared Ladies, Dear’s Designs, Rochelle’s Dog Training, and more, because supporting neighbors beats scrolling sales.

🐦 World Migratory Bird Day @ Montana Wild | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Helena’s celebrating our frequent fliers with a free, family-friendly day of birding. Guided walks, live raptors, build-your-own boxes, nature journaling, and kid crafts, plus the Bookmobile and the Last Chance Community Pow Wow. Bring binoculars, patience, and a healthy respect for talons.

This Montana mountain retreat sits on 20 acres at the end of a gated driveway, with unobstructed views of ponderosa ridges and peaks. The 3-bed, 3-bath home features a vaulted living room, a covered deck, and a walkout lower level with game room. A lofted guest apartment crowns the detached two-car garage, minutes from Helena and Canyon Ferry Lake.