Tuesday, April 21, 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.*

Authentic disability stories emerge: Great Falls filmmakers join the 2026 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, now in its awareness campaign, with Kryodragon’s Worlds Apart and Shyla Patera’s Shyla’s 504 Gatekeeper showcasing local voices -- meet the filmmakers and films.

Extending roadway service life: MDT plans to resurface about 7.5 miles of I-15 in Great Falls, from north of the Gore Hill Interchange to just past the Manchester Interchange. Public comments are being accepted -- learn how to submit comments.

Cafe scene gets a shakeup: Vogue Bubble Tea & Coffee Bar, which opened first in Great Falls in December 2024, is expanding to more communities, including in a Walmart, signaling shifting retail trends in Montana -- see how Montana retail is changing.

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.*

Gold & silver are hot: Gold just had its best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150% in 2025... and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you're curious about adding precious metals to your portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It's free -- and definitely worth a read.*

Your pint night upgrade: Whether you’re craving a Montana-made hefe, a feisty lager, or an NA root beer victory lap, Annie's Tap House keeps 23 taps flowing plus wine and mimosas, with charcuterie to graze while you catch up with friends and trade local stories. That’s the easy downtown hang you’ll actually make time for this week.

Pasta night, solved: Give your pasta pot a night off and let Pomodoro handle the cravings with cozy, sauce-first Italian that hits just right after a long Great Falls week. Friendly, unfussy, and easy to put in the weeknight rotation, it’s a dependable move to check out this week when you want comfort without dishes.

Burger craving, solved: Local intel says The Burger Bunker nails the classics and the fun stuff, from the Malmstrom Burger to the B 52 Burger, with crispy waffle fries and legit shakes to back you up. When dinner feels like a chore this week, their straight-up American comfort lineup is an easy win.

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 →

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 →

A doctor’s been fixing snoring for 30 years: No clunky mouthpiece or loud machines, just two quick throat sprays before bed every night. It might sound too simple, but more than 3 million people use it, and a double-blind study shows 79% of patients reported positive results. *See how it works →

Hang onto your memories: I found a box of my parents' old home videos last month and realized I had no way to watch them. In case you didn’t know, you can easily convert all your memories to digital – tapes, photos, negatives. All of it. You'll just ship everything in a prepaid kit, they’ll digitize it, and you'll get your originals back plus online anytime access. *See how it works →

Menopause destroyed your hair: Hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings... there’s treatment for that. But thinning hair? A lot of women just switch shampoos and hope for the best. Turns out, there's only one FDA-approved topical ingredient for women's hair regrowth, and Keranique built an entire hair care system around it.*Learn more about it here →

🎈 Kids Day! @ Pizza Ranch & FunZone Arcade Great Falls | Tuesday (4/21) at 11:00 AM – Parenting pro tip: Kids 12 and under eat free, one per paying adult, so let them demolish mac and cheese, pepperoni pizza, and ice cream while you enjoy a quiet minute. You handle the napkins, they handle the smiles, everyone wins.

🧹 Community Cleanup @ NeighborWorks Great Falls | Friday (4/24) at 8:00 AM – CommUNITY Cleanup is rallying the town to pick up what the wind redistributed, tons of it. Join NeighborWorks, Malmstrom AFB, and usual suspects to collect trash, leaves, and bragging rights. Supplies are provided, sign up solo or as a team via QR code or online.

🎸 F-Bomb @ Beacon Icehouse | Friday (4/24) at 7:00 PM – Head to the Beacon Icehouse for F-Bomb, the kind of rock show that rattles your pint and jump-starts your weekend. Big sound, bigger swagger, and still no cover, so you can save your knees for the bar, then belt karaoke with DJ Dave after.

♻ Community Clean Up Day @ Belt Park | Saturday (4/25) at 9:00 AM – Take a break from errands and meet at Belt Park for a community cleanup. Belt Valley Chamber and friends have the supplies, you bring gloves, and yes, lunch is on them. Call it cardio, catch up with neighbors, and give the place a shine.

🚮 Chowen Springs Park Cleanup @ Chowen Springs Park | Saturday (4/25) at 12:00 PM – Take a breather from errands and help spruce up Chowen Springs Park at the monthly, family-friendly cleanup. Bring sturdy clothes and your own work gloves, they provide refreshments, rubber gloves, and garbage bags, and you get that satisfying civic-pride glow without the gym membership.

👪 Parenting the Love & Logic Way @ Alliance for Youth | Saturday (4/25) at 12:00 PM – Whether you’ve got a strong-willed teen, an emotional kindergartener, or both, this free, multi-week Love & Logic class gives you real-deal tools to curb power struggles, set sane limits, and keep your cool. Free childcare, real talk, and fewer lecture-worthy meltdowns. Register early.

Set on 2.4 acres along the Missouri River in Big Bend Ranch, this 3,116-square-foot retreat pairs dramatic views with refined comfort. Floor-to-ceiling windows, an oversized deck, and two gas fireplaces spotlight the scenery. A designer gourmet kitchen, daylight basement with kitchenette, dual laundry rooms, surround sound, and a three-car garage elevate ease, with deer and soaring eagles as a bonus.