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Hi Missoula, we made it to Thursday! 

In today’s fun-for-grown-ups edition: Urgent payment scams, Alice/wonderland, and Skwalapalooza gear swap + plenty of reasons to put on real pants this week.

Today’s sponsor, Spot Pet Insurance, is something I wish I had before a late-night emergency vet visit left me with a $10,000 credit card bill. It’s cheaper than Netflix… and means you never have to choose between your pet and your savings. It takes less than 5 minutes to sign up – get started here.

📰 In the news

Beware urgent payment scams: Montana Attorney General’s Office has warned Missoulians about fake traffic ticket texts posing as the MVD, with foreign numbers, poor grammar, and threats of higher fees and vehicle registration suspension — learn the warning signs.

Engineers map out improvements: Reserve Street’s future remains uncertain, but a safety action plan is set for adoption this month, with possible changes to signals, speed feedback signs, restricted turns and lighting — see what’s planned for Reserve Street.

Helping pets through hardship: AniMeals Adoption Center in Missoula is seeking cat food donations as its food bank runs low, and locals depend on the pantry, which gave out over 17,000 pounds last year — learn how you can help.

Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/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.

Highlights this week:

• Create your yearly tarot wheel
• Women and genderqueer climbers build power
• Swap seeds, houseplants, and gardening books
• This top-tier home warranty is 50% off right now
• Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

🐾 One pet emergency can cost $10,000+

Together with our sponsor Spot Pet Insurance

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 Spot.

It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% on qualified vet bills. It was too late for me, but it’s not too late for you. Sign up today.

🫶 We got your back

Smashburger mood, unlocked: Wally & Buck keeps it simple with juicy grass-fed patties, crisp veggies, and sneaky-good bacon jam. Perfect for a burger and fries before getting on with your day, leaving you oddly accomplished. A midweek win that requires zero overthinking… more burger bliss, less fuss.

Glide without the drama: Glacier Ice Rink hums with public skating, learn-to-skate classes, plus hockey and curling vibes around the boards. It’s an easy way to shake off winter. Bring a buddy, find your balance, and call it exercise, even if you’re smiling and holding the rail.

Art fix, no fuss: Downtown, Missoula Art Museum keeps creativity humming with rotating contemporary exhibitions, a standout focus on Indigenous artists, and a laid-back vibe that goes with your latte. It’s an easy reset and a good place to stumble on a new favorite piece.

Access cash without selling your home: A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your home. Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much flexibility your home could provide, with no commitment required.

📆 Missoula for grown ups

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

📖 John Rember: Reading and Signing @ Fact & Fiction | Thursday (3/5) at 7:00 PM – Local sage John Rember is reading from Journal of the Plague Years, then signing, which is as upbeat as the end of the world gets. Come for Sawtooth truths, pandemic wit, and a reminder that civilization frays, neighbors matter, and books outlast bad news.

🐇 Alice/wonderland @ University of Montana, School of Theatre & Dance, PARTV Bldg, 32 Campus Dr, Missoula, MT, United States, Montana 59812 | Thursday (3/5) at 7:30 PM – Think you know Alice? This ensemble-built, contemporary dive into Wonderland turns the mirror on us, trading tea parties for an inner labyrinth, wonder, and a little reckoning. Catch it at the Masquer Theatre in the PARTV Center, across from Adams Center, no White Rabbit excuses.

🎬 Montana BDR Documentary Screening @ Maverick Motorsports | Saturday (3/7) at 12:00 AM – Catch the Montana BDR documentary from Backcountry Discovery Routes, the final link in the Western system, charting 900 miles from Idaho to Canada across 13 mountain ranges. Big views, no dust, actual seats. Plan your summer ride, swap stories, and call it training.

♻ Skwalapalooza Gear Swap @ Blackfoot River Outfitters | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Clear the garage and your conscience at Blackfoot River Outfitters’ annual Skwalapalooza gear swap, where used rods find new homes, and everything is 20% off. Sell extras for cash or fatter credit, demo rods, try waders, enter raffles, and pounce early for the best deals.

🥕 Downtown Indoor Farmers Market @ The Badlander | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Trade your grocery store fluorescent lights for the downtown indoor market, where live music, 45-plus local vendors, and that Missoula neighborly banter make errands feel like a social life. Bring your SNAP card, score a $30 match, and call it wholesome.

⛺ 2026 Summer Camp Expo @ Missoula Public Library | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Beat the scramble to keep the kids from going feral, and head to Missoula Public Library for the Summer Camp Expo. Pick from dozens of camps, grab the A to Z guide with 70 plus options, and if you run one, snag a table.

👩 Women’s Fair @ University of Montana | Saturday (3/7) at 11:00 AM – Missoula Women’s Fair is back at the UC Ballroom, free to stroll, shop, and get a tarot reading. Expect 50+ local vendors, pampering, raffles for good causes, and a $100 door prize. Bring a tote, your favorite girlfriends, and that ‘I deserve this’ energy.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/5 Alice/wonderland @ University of Montana, School of Theatre & Dance, PARTV Bldg, 32 Campus Dr, Missoula, MT, United States, Montana 59812 – 7:30 PM
• 3/6 The Inn at Derbeyshire @ Zootown Arts Community Center – 7:30 PM
• 3/7 Hell’s Belles @ The Wilma – 7:00 PM
• 3/8 Mr. Z @ Missoula Public Library – 3:00 PM
• 3/9 Social Dance @ Missoula, MT, United States, Montana – 6:15 PM
• 3/10 Youth Guitar Classes @ Tangled Tones Music Studio – 5:15 PM
• 3/11 Edgewater Rhythms @ FINN – 5:00 PM

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 Worth a peek

We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.

• Thinning hair? Don’t wait – here are 3 treatments that work
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• Protect your pet from disaster with this pet insurance plan
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account

📻 Missoula report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 45°F – Low: 30°F – Precip: 78%

Rain and snow before 5pm, then rain and snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. West wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Later: Rain and snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. West wind 2 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 45°F – Low: 30°F – Precip: 38%

A chance of snow before 11am, then a slight chance of rain and snow between 11am and 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. West wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Later: A chance of rain and snow after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Someone Googled you this week 👀

It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.

Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.

Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.

This house is wild

This single-level gem in Missoula’s Canyon River Golf Community sits on the fairway with sweeping views. An open layout links a chef’s kitchen with top-tier appliances and soft-close cabinetry to a beam-accented living room with a cozy fireplace. The luxe primary suite adds heated-floor bath and soaking tub. Two versatile bedrooms and an oversized patio celebrate Montana sunsets.

Take a peek inside →