Sunday, April 26, 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.*

Major change for city transit: Missoula City Council voted on April 13 to annex a 20-acre property for the city’s public transit headquarters, consolidating operations, maintenance, and administration to improve efficiency and support sustainable transportation -- get all the details.

Pay and confirmation details: The Montana Board of Regents selected Jeremiah Shinn as the University of Montana’s 20th president. The interim Boise State leader starts July 1 on a contract through 2029 -- see pay and process details.

National milestone in neonatal care: Missoula’s Community Medical Center recently earned the nation’s first AAP Level III with surgery NICU designation, expanding care for premature and critically ill newborns closer to home in western Montana -- read the full story.

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.*

Breakfast legend alert: Paul's Pancake Parlor has been a Missoula favorite since 1963, locally owned and operated, flipping 18 pancake varieties alongside classic comfort plates all day. When you want reliable cozy vibes and a menu that spans breakfast through turkey dinner, consider this your “let’s meet at Paul’s” nudge.

Forty taps, zero fuss: With 40 taps pouring craft beer, wine, cider and even soda, The Dram Shop is the low-key move when you want options without the hassle. Bring takeout from nearby, sample something new, then fill a growler to keep the good stuff flowing at home, at either Missoula location.

Treats everyone can eat: Whether you eat everything or navigate allergies, Tandem Bakery & Cafe has you covered with 100% vegan, dedicated gluten-free baking. Think doughnuts and breads plus custom cakes, all built on seasonal, local ingredients... perfect for impressing your book club or rescuing a last-minute office treat scramble.

That patch of scalp that wasn't there a year ago: It's more common than most folks talk about. Especially in your 50s... hormones, stress, and nutrition all start pulling at hair density at once. Nutrafol is a drug-free daily supplement designed to work on those causes together — and in clinical studies, 93% of women said their hair looked healthier after six months. *Take a look →

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 →

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 →

Two sprays before bed, no more snoring? It really is that simple. No mouthpiece to wrestle with, no CPAP mask, no nose strips that peel off at 2am. This doctor-developed throat spray has been keeping sleepers quiet for 30 years, and first-time orders are 40% off right now. *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 →

🌷 Spring Garden Tour @ Montana Natural History Center | Tuesday (4/28) at 9:00 AM – Stroll the Native Plant Garden at Fort Missoula with the Montana Natural History Center’s Master Naturalist, Elena Ulev, spotting blooms, arriving birds, and proof we outlasted Missoula winter. Hear classes and volunteer gigs, then enjoy homemade cookies, a drink, and zero weeding. Suggested donation: $10.

🎠 Pony Keepers Night @ A Carousel for Missoula | Tuesday (4/28) at 7:00 PM – Think you can still wield a wrench without Googling it? Tuesday nights, help keep the carousel spinning by painting ponies, polishing brass, greasing gears, and swapping out a steed or two. No experience needed, just old clothes, steady hands, and community pride.

🎬 The Plastics Detox Screening @ Free Cycles | Wednesday (4/29) at 6:30 PM – Free Cycles hosts a free screening of The Plastics Detox, a documentary that makes you side-eye plastic and question your shampoo. Stay for a community dialogue with MT Plastic Free Missoula, enjoy free refreshments, and leave motivated and ready to clean up your act, Missoula-style.

🧁 Sip & Swirl Cupcakes @ Cambie Taphouse + Coffee | Thursday (4/30) at 6:00 PM – Trade your Pinterest fails for frosting wins at a beginner-friendly cupcake decorating class in a relaxed, social setting. No experience needed, if you can hold a coffee, you can pipe a rose, plus step-by-step guidance. Seats are limited, it’s $50 per person, book at sugarandskillsstudio.square.site.

🎬 Screening: The M Factor: Shredding the Silence on Menopause @ The Roxy Theater | Thursday (4/30) at 7:00 PM – Hot flashes get equal billing with facts at a free screening of The M Factor at the Roxy, courtesy of the Missoula Menopause Initiative. Expect a 56 minute doc, comedy, and commentary from Rosie Seitz Ayers, and honest chat your group text avoids.

🔨 MT State Wood Carvers Event @ Missoula County Fairgrounds | Friday (5/1) at 6:00 AM – Celebrate Montana’s finest whittlers at the Missoula Fairgrounds, where shavings fly, patience reigns, and every bear starts as a block. Five bucks gets you in, kids under 12 are free, and yes, the air smells like cedar, nostalgia, and grandpa-level craftsmanship.

🍺 32nd Annual Garden City BrewFest @ Caras Park | Saturday (5/2) at 12:00 PM – For its 32nd year, Montana’s original BrewFest pours 50-plus local and regional beers, seltzers, and ciders in the Heart of Missoula, plus a wine bar and food vendors. It’s the one everyone copies, so pace yourself, call a ride, and flaunt your pretzel necklace.

Rebuilt with intention, this Rattlesnake Creek home blends quiet creekside privacy with quick access to Missoula’s trail network. A wall of windows and an island kitchen with induction and double ovens anchor the main level. The primary opens to a fenced patio. A walk-out lower level, climate-controlled studio, footbridge, and creek-facing jacuzzi elevate daily life.