Happy Tuesday, Missoula. You know the drill – grab your coffee (or whatever you sip in the morning), kick back, and let Missoula Brief serve up everything you need to know for the week ahead:
- SNAP cuts 🍽️
- Scott roundabout 🚧
- Funk festival 🎶
- Things to do 📆
Let’s get to it.
📰 In the news
SNAP cuts could hit meals: The Missoula Food Bank warned that proposed reductions to federal SNAP funding could curb summer meal services and push more kids into hunger — read more.
Scott and Phillips roundabout: Construction kicks off July 7th at the Scott and Phillips intersection. It will close the Scott Street Bridge for 45 days while they install a new roundabout, buffered bike lanes, and widened sidewalks before school starts this fall — read more.
Clark Fork Prep opening soon: A new private school will take over Missoula’s old library late this summer, offering a unique place-based high school option for local families — check out the story.
The most underrated investment: While markets seesaws with the headlines, gold and silver are quietly holding value behind the scenes. Curious how it works? Snag this free investor kit to learn more.
Highlights this week
- Flathead cherries are almost ready
- State budget includes tribal colleges
- PaddleHeads host community support walk
- Workshop on HAF, PTAP, and more for seniors
- Learn about alternative adolescent education
- Get 1/2 off your first TruGreen lawn treatment
🫶 We got your back
Brunch like a boss: When golden grids meet molten butter rivers and a chorus of “mmm’s” fills the air, Paul’s Pancake Parlor is the only place worthy of your waffle worship. Whether you’re team classic maple, rallying behind red-velvet rebellion, or diving headfirst into chicken-and-waffle fusion that defies breakfast physics, they’ve got the batter game on lock—and the syrup stash to prove it.
Pocket-sized perfection: If you’re craving dumplings that dance between delicate pleats and bold fillings, look no further than Zoo Thai—they steam, they sear, they even deep-fry, but no matter the shape, each bite packs a flavor punch you won’t see coming.
See clearly, look cheeky: Ready to upgrade your eye game? Specticca Optical Boutique isn’t your grandma’s eyewear counter (unless grandma’s a style icon). From retro cat-eyes to modern minimalist frames that whisper “I’ve got this,” they’ll have you seeing—and being seen—in a whole new light.
Kickflip ready: Drop in for decks, wheels, and gear that won’t bail on you—Board of Missoula keeps everything locked in so you can focus on landing that trick instead of worrying about snapped axles.
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📆 Around town this week
All events are subject to change without notice. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
This week
🎨 Nikki Culley Artist Presentation @ Garden City Harvest | Tuesday (7/1) at 12 pm – Dive into the world of documentary photography with Manchester-born Nikki Culley. Snacks are on us, so grab a seat (and maybe a granola bar) while she shares tales from remote Iceland to MMA gyms in the UK. RSVP to secure your spot and get ready for visuals that pack a punch.
🎻 Old Time Jam @ Western Cider | Wednesday (7/2) at 6 pm – Dust off your fiddle, banjo, or jaw harp and join the ruckus at Western Cider’s cozy back patio. Whether you’re a clawhammer newbie or a flatpicker pro, this is your chance to swap tunes and sip award-winning cider. Pro tip: learn “Soldier’s Joy” beforehand or improvise wildly.
🎺 Missoula Funk Festival 2025 @ Silver Park | Thursday (7/3) at 4 pm – Funk it up with free entry and a suggested $10 groove donation. Heavyweight beats, yard games, food trucks, and DJs will keep you moving ’til sunset. BYO lawn chair (umbrellas encouraged) and float in on good vibes—parking’s iffy, so consider peddling or hoofing it.
📖 Raymond Deeren: Reading and Signing @ Fact and Fiction | Thursday (7/3) at 7 pm – Rural America’s grit and grace leap off the page in RS Deeren’s “Enough to Lose.” Swing by Fact and Fiction to hear stories of wind turbines, backyard politics, and resilience—then snag a signed copy. Warning: may induce nostalgic tears or sudden urges to buy a tractor.
🕵️ Unseen Missoula: Basements & Back Alleys @ Basements & Back Alleys Meeting Spot | Friday (7/4) at 4 pm – Embark on a subterranean scavenger hunt through downtown’s hidden nooks, from secret tunnels to historic bomb shelters. Tips for your guide are welcome but not mandatory—just come ready to climb, crawl, and discover Missoula’s underbelly.
⚾ Missoula PaddleHeads vs. Glacier Range Riders @ Ogren Park Allegiance Field | Friday (7/4) at 7:05 pm – Catch the PaddleHeads duking it out with the Glacier Range Riders under the lights this Independence Day weekend. Expect good-natured heckling, cold brews, and possibly a heroic diving catch or two that you’ll still be talking about after the fireworks.
This weekend
🍳 Pajama Brunch @ The Old Post | Saturday (7/5) at 8 am – Roll out of bed and head straight to The Old Post in your coziest PJs for a brunch that flips the script on morning routines. Sip on a complimentary mimosa as you dig into comfort eats and good company. No shame in your pajama game—just delicious food and relaxed vibes to kickstart your day.
🌹 79th Annual Missoula Rose Show @ Orchard Homes Country Life Club | Saturday (7/5) at 12 pm – Stop and smell the roses at Missoula’s biggest bloom bash! This free-admission extravaganza spotlights homegrown beauties arranged by local rosarians. Bring your camera (and your green thumb envy) for a petal-perfect afternoon you won’t forget.
🎵 Live Music – Phil Smith @ Draught Works Brewery | Saturday (7/5) at 7 pm – Kick off your weekend with Phil Smith’s live set at Draught Works Brewery. Expect soulful vocals, toe-tapping rhythms, and maybe even a surprise cover or two. Grab a craft pint, soak up the good vibes, and let Phil soundtrack your Saturday night.
🚲 Intro to Bikepacking – Montana Great Divide @ Great Divide Mountain Bike Route | Sunday (7/6) at 2 pm – Ready to turn your next ride into a backcountry odyssey? This six-day intro to bikepacking along the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route pairs pre-tour videos and live Q&A sessions on gear, food, and navigation with real-world testing on singletrack, gravel, and rural roads through Big Sky Country. Pack light, ride hard, and link up with fellow BIKEternity fans for a crash course in two-wheeled freedom.
🎶 Live music & entertainment
- 7/1 Open Mic @ Flippers Tavern Grill Casino – 6:30 pm
- 7/1 The Local Honeys and more @ Zootown Arts – 7:30 pm
- 7/2 Old Time Jam @ Western Cider – 6 pm
- 7/2 Shania Twain @ Washington Grizzly Stadium – 7 pm
- 7/2 James Lanman @ The Old Post – 7 pm
- 7/3 Beau Akimbo and more @ Silver Park – 4 pm
- 7/3 Jazz Night @ The Old Post – 6 pm
- 7/3 Vinyl Night @ Draught Works – 7 pm
🏠️ This house is wild
*This️ 👇️ could be your listing. Hit us up if you’ve got a home (or 12) to sell.
Julie Gardner (ERA Lambros Real Estate Missoula) – 3 bedrooms | 4 bathrooms | Built in 2007 | 4792 sqft
Russian Joe Road isn’t just an address—it’s a password to 135 acres of Montana conservation land, where the neighbors are mostly deer, the views are all-you-can-eat, and the only traffic jam involves a family of wild turkeys. This top-of-the-world hideout comes with triple-pane windows for maximum mountain ogling, three fireplaces (including one for the patio, because s’mores are a year-round sport), and a dog bath that’s fancier than most people’s showers.
A wine cellar hides downstairs for your best bottles, and the garage situation is so over-the-top, it could double as a car museum or a secret lair. Custom woodwork, lighted art nooks, and a kitchen that’s ready for culinary mischief round out the package, all just minutes from Missoula’s culture, cuisine, and the occasional river surfer. Privacy, security, and bragging rights included.
Window shopping is free — take a peek inside →
