Hello Kalispell! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Wheelchair pageant finalist, picnic in the park, and preschool art adventures + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Project moves ahead: Montana DEQ approved final environmental assessment and wastewater permit for phase two of Lakeside’s sewer expansion, advancing SBR and RIBs amid litigation by Citizens for a Better Flathead and CSKT -- see the permit approval.
A trailblazing competitor: Lakeside's Starla Hilliard-Barnes, a mother of four who twice survived paralysis and climbed Kilimanjaro, will compete fully from a wheelchair at the Mrs. American Pageant in Las Vegas later this summer -- read her inspiring journey.
New regional leadership: CommonSpirit’s Mercy Hospital president Josh Neff will become Logan Health Flathead Valley’s president on July 13, overseeing Logan Health Medical Center and Logan Health Whitefish for the Kalispell-area system -- meet Logan Health’s new president.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees 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.*
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02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Quick trail escape: Herron Park is the easy button for when you need dirt under your shoes this week. Swing by for a mellow loop or a calf-warming climb, breathe in the pines, then get back to life feeling smugly outdoorsy and only minimally sweaty.
Rainy day energy burner: Let the kids tackle fire-lookout-inspired climbing towers while you post up with a good coffee or even a beer at Montana's Great Indoors. Clean, safe, and surprisingly chill for parents, with a toddler zone and party rooms for when birthdays sneak up again.
Grow something lovely: Family owned since 1986, Plant Land packs eleven greenhouses, a one-acre tree and shrub nursery, and the Flathead Valley’s biggest selection of houseplants and pottery, plus a gift shop. Plant pros offer advice and custom container planting so your porch actually looks intentional this week.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🧺 Picnic in the Park @ Depot Park | Wednesday (6/24) at 6:00 PM – Think you know all the throwback tunes? Kenny James Miller Band will test you with country, rock, and Americana that pairs perfectly with a blanket and neighbor-watching at Depot Park. Kalispell’s 35th Picnic in the Park, free as ever, community vibes intact.
🦋 Flutter Buzz - Kids (Ages 6-10) @ Flathead County Library | Thursday (6/25) at 10:00 AM – Flutter Buzz is giving the 6 to 10 crowd a crash course in bees, butterflies, and why your garden actually works. Think kid-friendly science, not stings, with plenty of ah-ha moments for future backyard helpers. Your tomatoes, and the Flathead cherries, will thank them.
⚾ PBL Travel Team @ Glacier Bank Park | Thursday (6/25) at 6:35 PM – Summer evenings call for small-town baseball, cold drinks, and mountain views. Range Riders host the PBL Travel Team at Glacier Bank Park, formerly Flathead Field, which we all still call Flathead. Expect wood bats, crisp defense, a Flathead Valley sunset, and easy conversation.
🎱 BINGO night @ Big Sky Bricks | Friday (6/26) at 5:00 PM – Whether you’re a dauber veteran or just chasing free prizes, Big Sky Bricks hosts free bingo every Friday afternoon, family friendly and gloriously low stress. Think colorful cards, occasional victory yelps, and the rare moment when grandparents, parents, and kids all agree on plans.
🥕 Kalispell Farmers Market @ Flathead Valley Community College | Saturday (6/27) at 9:00 AM – Kalispell Farmers Market is the weekly roll call of farmers, ranchers, artists, makers, and the neighbors you only see when asparagus is in season, out at Flathead Valley. Load up on greens, bread, and small-batch jams, then linger for coffee, chat, and top-tier people watching.
🚗 Cars and Coffee @ Krispy Kreme Doughnuts | Sunday (6/28) at 10:00 AM – Whether you wrench or just sip, Sunday Cars and Coffee is your excuse to swap stories, admire chrome, and call caffeine maintenance. Extras pop up on Father’s Day and during Big Sky Autofest, and please park like a grownup, the asphalt is antique.
🖍 Preschool Art Adventures @ Glacier Art Museum | Tuesday (6/30) at 11:30 AM – Every Tuesday from 11:30 to noon is for tiny Picassos, ages 2 to 5, to smear joy on paper while their adults supervise and try not to micromanage. No preregistration, just thirty minutes of paint, markers, crayons, paper, and glue, with fridge art as souvenir.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Kalispell report Weather forecastToday — High: 82°F — Low: 54°F — Precip: 0%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Northeast wind around 3 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Northeast wind 0 to 3 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 80°F — Low: 54°F — Precip: 48%
A slight chance of rain before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 80. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. This house is wildThis modern farmhouse spreads across 10.15 unzoned acres with jaw-dropping Swan Range and Montana country views in every direction. A covered porch and wood-stove-warmed sunroom set the scene, while the bright kitchen, oversized garage with sauna, deer-fenced garden, chicken coop, and private guest suite above the garage add plenty of charm, flexibility, and room to roam.
Take a peek inside → |
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