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Hi Great Falls, we made it to Thursday!
In today’s fun-for-grown-ups edition: Data centers debate, Sebastian Bach, and Cinderella + 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.
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📰 In the news
How hardship shaped his giving: Born during the Great Depression, Montana philanthropist Gene Thayer has helped raise over $75 million and supports the Great Falls Rescue Mission, and says he’ll keep giving while there’s need — read the full story.
From crisis to comeback: After surviving cardiac arrest in Great Falls, Billings man Larry Schlepp has partnered with Intermountain Health to raise awareness about heart health and CPR, highlighting lifesaving speed and AEDs — read the full story.
Balancing growth and resources: At a task force meeting, Great Falls residents raised concerns about potential data centers, citing water use, energy demand, noise, rising rates, and calling for transparency and developer-paid infrastructure — learn what was discussed.
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:
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🐾 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.
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🫶 We got your back
Local beef, big flavor: In Great Falls, Roadhouse Diner serves in-house pattied McCafferty Ranch beef on Great Harvest buns baked daily, with crispy double-fried fries on the side. Creative specials pop up often, rewarding big appetites and a tiny sense of adventure.
Shake off the blahs: Need an easy midweek win? At Great Falls Ice Plex, public skates are low-stress, with rentals, skate helpers, and a friendly blend of first-timers and regulars. Cruise a few laps, wobble, laugh at the near-tumbles, and count it as cardio.
A little Western magic: When you need a midweek reset, wander the storytelling canvases, sculptures, and historic studio at C.M. Russell Museum, like catching up with a neighbor who paints the whole West. Quietly inspiring and grounding, it nudges you to slow down before the next Montana whirlwind.
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.
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📆 Great Falls 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.
👠 Hard Hats & Heels @ Rendezvous at 410 | Friday (3/6) at 5:30 PM – Break out the steel-toed stilettos for Hard Hats & Heels, an elevated gala with dinner, a silent auction, a Wine and Whiskey Pull, and a little dancing. Around here we toast the women building Montana, and fund the future with scholarships, education, and workforce development.
👖 Black Tie Blue Jeans Fundraiser @ The Newberry | Friday (3/6) at 5:30 PM – Whether you prefer cufflinks or Carhartts, this is the Youth Orchestra’s big fundraiser, making sure no kid is turned away. Enbar feeds you, there’s a wine pull and live band, and only-here auctions tempt you with front-row parking, conducting Sleigh Ride, and a Bobcat weekend.
🧠 Brain Building Expo @ Paris Gibson Education Center | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Whether your kid can quote Green Eggs and Ham, or just smears it on the highchair, this free expo brings hands-on preschool activities, take-home books, and local resources to Paris Gibson. Celebrate Dr. Seuss with story sessions, tips for parents, and minimal frosting on sleeves.
🎩 Dr. Seuss Kids Days @ The Crafter’s Lounge | Sunday (3/8) at 11:00 AM – Think Cat in the Hat energy without the chaos. Drop in for kid-friendly crafts for all ages, no schedule required, and leave with art, a trail of glitter, and your sanity mostly intact. It’s 2 for $5, which is a steal.
👸 Cinderella @ City of Great Falls – Local Government | Sunday (3/8) at 6:00 PM – World Ballet Company brings Cinderella to life with 40 international dancers, over 150 hand-sewn costumes, and handcrafted sets, all big, sparkly, and blissfully not on a screen. Expect humor, romance, and classical ballet that actually breathes. Bring the kids, the grandkids, or your inner eight-year-old.
🎸 Sebastian Bach @ The Newberry | Sunday (3/8) at 6:30 PM – Think you still know every word to 18 and Life and Youth Gone Wild? Sebastian Bach storms The Newberry with that arena-sized voice, Broadway polish, and a new album in tow. Expect big choruses, glorious hair, and a night that ages better than our backs.
👩 The Story of Us: The Women Who Shaped Montana @ Great Falls Public Library | Tuesday (3/10) at 5:30 PM – Settling into the Cordingley Room for a Montana PBS deep dive on the women who quietly did the heavy lifting around here, as usual. It’s a special cut of all three episodes, with water, popcorn, and the kind of stories that stick longer than February.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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🔥 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.
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📻 Great Falls report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 48°F – Low: 28°F – Precip: 73%
Rain likely before 7am, then rain and snow likely between 7am and 8am, then rain and snow likely between 8am and 5pm, then rain and snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. West northwest wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Rain and snow likely before 8pm, then rain and snow likely between 8pm and 5am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. West wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
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Tomorrow – High: 48°F – Low: 32°F – Precip: 16%
A slight chance of snow between 11am and 2pm, then a slight chance of rain between 2pm and 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 48. West southwest wind 6 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. West southwest wind 12 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph.
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
Set in Skyline, this 4-bed, 3-bath home pairs everyday ease with standout extras. A heated, finished 3-car garage connects to a mudroom and main-floor laundry. The primary suite opens to a landscaped, fenced backyard with underground sprinklers and a storage shed. The open kitchen and dining area flow to a covered patio, and the finished basement adds a gas fireplace.
Take a peek inside →
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