Happy Friday, Black Hills. In today’s edition: Angel Tree gift drive, Angel Bazaar craft and holiday fair, sensory-friendly lights night, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Share cheer with local kids: Rapid City government offices again partner with the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree, with trees at City Hall, the Public Safety Building, and Roosevelt facilities. Gift drop-off deadline is Dec. 9 — see drop-off sites and deadline.

Support for creative projects: Rapid City Arts Council has opened the 2026 City Arts Fund grant, with around $100,000 dedicated to supporting Pennington County artists and organizations offering low-cost or free programs for residents — get grant application details.

Major infrastructure changes considered: Rapid City is studying moving the railyard and reconfiguring rail lines, which could alter access and decide the Campbell Street overpass’s fate. Public input is open through December 19 — see how you can weigh in.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Identity theft is up 25%: Last year, Americans lost $12.5 billion to ID theft & fraud, and the stories behind those numbers are brutal. My friend just told me his dad’s on his fourth replacement credit card. Other folks have woken up to empty bank accounts or their personal info dumped online after a breach. Aura catches these kinds of attacks early by monitoring for new accounts, weird money movements, leaked data, and other red flags so you’re alerted before things blow up — learn more about it here.

Highlights this week

• Mix and mingle at Community Christmas Mixer
• Meet the Grinch and shop local
• Families explore creative projects during Steam Saturdays
• Discover Black Hills treasures at Bonzeye
• Catch Steve-O’s Crash and Burn Tour
• See why December’s the best time to try new hearing aids
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%

🫶 We got your back

Temporary access changes ahead: Heads up, shooters and recreators: Black Hills National Forest will close Beretta Road (NFSR 366.3) near Keystone starting Dec. 11, 2025, through May 1, 2026, for safety during logging and stewardship work. It is a popular shooting spot, so aim for alternatives like the Pete Lien and Sons Shooting Complex north of Rapid City. Get all the closure details.

Updates for Rapid City golfers: Rapid City’s Meadowbrook and Executive courses are open for winter with reverse layouts and no carts. At Meadowbrook, walking is free, while Executive requests donations. Parks and Rec is offering limited-time discounts on 2026 season passes, with sales at course shops, including Meadowbrook through Dec. 20 and Executive starting Dec. 8. See hours, discounts, and policies.

Spearfish taproom vibes: When the week grinds, slide into Crow Peak Brewing for a pint of 11th Hour IPA, Canyon Cream Ale, or the roasty Pile O’ Dirt Porter. Live music keeps things lively, and a frequent food truck adds fuel while the evening unwinds.

Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I decided to take Hers’ online quiz. They recommended a Biotin + Minoxidil green-apple gummy that targets regrowth and overall hair health. The whole thing was surprisingly easy: just verify your identity and a licensed provider signs off. Here’s the quiz if you want to check it out.

Makeup that actually works: My sister and I were talking the other day about how the makeup we used in our 20s… just doesn’t work now that we’re in our 30s and 40s. Laura Geller’s entire makeup line addresses this shift, with formulas that smooth, brighten, and actually stay put. If you’re in the same boat, their curated kits are worth a look.

📆 Around town this weekend

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

Today

👥 56th Annual SDSA Convention @ Best Western Ramkota Hotel & Conference Center | Friday (12/5) at 3:00pm – The SDSA convention is back for its 56th lap, hosted by BHSC, and it is equal parts brains, bids, and piano-fueled mischief. Expect auctions, breakout sessions, an awards banquet, then dueling pianos to loosen the ties. Registration opens soon, keep an eye out.

🕵️ Murder at the Ugly Sweater Christmas Party- An Interactive Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre@ Coffee and the Cats | Friday (12/5) at 6:30pm – Pull on your gaudiest sweater and help solve who sent HR’s Susan plummeting at an interactive murder mystery dinner. Roles assigned, dress-up encouraged, drinks and a three-course meal included, only 8 seats, $35. It feels like the office party you actually want to attend.

This weekend

👼 Angel Bazaar Craft and Holiday Fair @ Rapid City Catholic Schools | Saturday (12/6) at 8:00am – Swing by St. Thomas More’s Angel Bazaar, where 50 vendors offer holiday crafts, homemade treasures, and goodies that vanish before the kids get home. Come for the chili and caramel rolls, stay to feel virtuous supporting STM youth, and leave with glitter on everything.

🌲 Wreath & Greens Sale – Fundraiser for the Rapid City Garden Club @ Central States Fairgrounds | Saturday (12/6) at 8:00am – Rapid City Garden Club is back with its 64th annual wreath and greens sale at the fairgrounds, stocked with wreaths, centerpieces, swags, mailbox covers, and arches made from Black Hills greens. Smells better than a candle, supports beautification and scholarships, and leaves your porch smug.

🐱 4th Annual A Very Meowy Christmas! @ The Moose Lodge | Saturday (12/6) at 11:00am – Whether you’re here for cats, sloppy joes, or good deeds, this fourth annual fundraiser keeps Western South Dakota rescues purring. Silent auction baskets, a 50/50 raffle, baked goods, spiced cider, and a giving tree for toy or food donations. Leave full, and a little smug.

🥞 Pancake Breakfast @ Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1273 Rapid City | Sunday (12/7) at 8:00am – Weekend appetite check: all-you-can-eat pancakes made to order right in front of you, plus a buffet with eggs Benedict, breakfast potatoes, scrambled eggs, sausage patties, French toast, biscuits and gravy, all for $13. It’s open to everyone, and seconds are polite. Come hungry, leave smug.

🛍️ Bonzye Tiny Shop Holiday Pop Up @ Bonzye Tiny Shop | Sunday (12/7) at 11:00am – Need a dose of Black Hills charm for the gift list? Pop into Bonzeye Tiny Shop at 616 West Street. Tiny, yes, but crammed with local art, stickers, candles, mugs, and treasures, open select weekends through Christmas, so pop in and call it quality time.

🍺 Pottery & Pints – December @ Dakota Point Brewing | Sunday (12/7) at 1:00pm – Think your hand-eye coordination improves with beer? The brewery’s hosting a pottery night where you paint a mug, sip a pint, and call it self-care. Ticket covers mug, paints, kiln, and first beer, $40, with just 30 spots.

Next week

🎉 Community Christmas Mixer @ The Monument | Tuesday (12/9) at 5:00pm – Ready to skip the ugly sweater chaos for a grown-up holiday hangout? Expect complimentary champagne, hors d’oeuvres, a Flutter photo booth, Alex Massa acoustic, and a cash bar. Pro tip, buy early at The Monument to dodge the online fee, this one sells out.

🕯️ Sensory Friendly Nights of Lights @ Storybrook Island | Tuesday (12/9) at 5:30pm – A sensory-friendly holiday lights night made for calm, not chaos. No music, fewer people, 300 spots, a Santa meet and greet, plus $3 train and carousel rides. It is a private event, advance online tickets required, with hot chocolate, Eileen’s cookies, and your sanity intact.

🎲 Bingo at Dakota Point @ Dakota Point Brewing | Tuesday (12/9) at 7:00pm – Tuesday at Dakota Point means bingo, a cold beer, and neighborly bragging rights. It’s $1 a play with cash or surprise prizes, which is my kind of high-stakes. November rounds benefit Habitat for Humanity, and December’s partner is coming soon, so warm up those dabbers.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/5 56th Annual SDSA Convention @ Best Western Ramkota Hotel – 3 pm
• 12/5 Christmas Nights of Lights @ Storybrook Island – 5:30 pm
• 12/6 The Velvet Room Speakeasy @ The Journey Museum – 5:30 pm
• 12/7 Music Bingo @ The Local – 5 pm
• 12/9 Community Christmas Mixer @ The Monument – 5 pm
• 12/9 Sensory Friendly Nights of Lights @ Storybrook Island – 5:30 pm
• 12/14 Steve-O: The Crash and Burn Tour @ The Monument – 7 pm