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Happy weekend, Helena! In today’s edition: Sage and Oats comeback, a Montana Club revival, a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles draft, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

🏆 Most popular this week

Curated by popular demand — here are this week’s most-clicked events, local spots, and stories.

Plans to support local artists: Helena’s Sage and Oats reopened after threats and a closure following national attention, with community rallying behind the shop and sales up 30 percent, as an assistant manager has joined — see what’s planned next.

Architectural gem’s new chapter: Helena’s storied Montana Club is getting fresh energy as new owner Ajitpal “Sunny” Pannu revives its Gatsby glamour. Since opening in April, the Rathskeller has outpaced early revenue projections — read the full story.

Treasure hunt time: Curated finds and community vibes, Bargain Basement keeps great pieces in play with consigned and donated clothing, shoes, accessories, home goods, jewelry, and small furniture. Declutter your closet or discover something new-to-you; this little thrift shop delights with surprises and a feel-good loop of reuse.

A quiet natural treasure: Spring Meadow Lake State Park in Helena is a 61-acre escape with a clear spring-fed lake, a family swimming area, and wildlife like herons and ospreys many locals overlook — read the full story.

Local races take shape: Candidate filing opened February 17 for Lewis and Clark County offices. Sheriff coroner Leo Dutton filed first, ahead of a single June primary where the top two advance — see who filed so far.

Elementary project moves ahead: Earlier this month, the Helena school board unanimously chose the Golden Eagle and Swank team to lead bond-backed construction of the new Kessler Elementary, including a firm based in Helena — learn more about the decision.

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 precious metals are 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.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

What do people see when they search your name? Search results can surface past mistakes or outdated information that no longer reflects who you are. BetterReputation helps remove and clean up unwanted content so your online presence matches your real life today. Not worried about yourself? Doesn’t hurt to mention it to family or friends who might be.

🔥 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.

• Got debt? See if you qualify to pay up to 45% less
• This is the best home warranty (and it’s $150 off right now)
• This free tool makes it easy to find a financial advisor
• Over 62? Learn how to turn home equity into tax-free cash
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%
• Open a GoldCo account & get up to 10% in free gold/silver

📆 Sneak peek at next week

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.

🍄 Glass Fused Mushroom @ The Painted Pot | Monday (3/2) at 5:30 PM – Feel like making something prettier than that half-dead pothos? Learn glass fusing while crafting a whimsical mushroom, all materials included, $45. It’s an adult class for total newbies to seasoned fusers, registration required, no refunds, just good vibes, patience, and kilns.

🎨 Spring Sip and Paint @ The Montana Club | Tuesday (3/3) at 6:00 PM – Trade screen time for brush strokes at The Montana Club, where a guided class, canvas and paints, and a glass of wine are all wrapped into one easy night. Order dinner, linger over another pour, and leave with something prettier than that junk drawer.

🎤 Not All Art Hangs on a Wall: Poetry @ Holter Museum of Art | Wednesday (3/4) at 1:30 PM – Whether your last poem was a grocery-list haiku or you keep a sonnet stash, award-winning poet Donna Davis leads a workshop inspired by Carol Hartman’s paintings and other poet-artists in the High Gallery. Adult enrichment, no cost, suggested museum donation welcomed. Low pressure, high payoff.

💝 Helena Village Collective Fundraiser @ Mt Ascension Gastropub | Thursday (3/5) at 6:00 PM – Helena Village Collective is throwing a feel-good fundraiser to support local families from bump to baby, and the pros who care for them. Swing by for community, conversation, and a good deed that pairs nicely with date night. Can’t make it? Donate here: https://www.helenavillagecollective.org/donate.html

🔦 Spotlight Series @ Helena Habitat ReStore | Friday (3/6) at 10:00 AM – Got a creation that’s too good for the garage? The Helena Habitat ReStore’s new Spotlight Series features one local artist or maker each Friday and Saturday, celebrating creativity, community, and upcycling. Free display space, limited spots, so contact Russ Hill at 406-204-5098 or [email protected].

🦆 Ducks Unlimited Annual Banquet 2026 @ Helena Civic Center | Friday (3/6) at 5:30 PM – Whether you’ve logged more dawns in a blind than on a yoga mat, or you like a raffle, this Ducks Unlimited banquet at the Civic Center is your night. Expect hearty food, lively auctions, and prizes, all while keeping our wetlands, and ducks, thriving.

🐢 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles @ White Knight Games & Hobbies | Friday (3/6) at 6:30 PM – Draft weekend is letting the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crash your MTG table, so channel your Saturday-morning self, then shuffle like an adult. Crack packs, build a sneaky ninja deck, and chase bragging rights, pizza puns, and big-kid strategy, all for a $30 buy-in.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Helena report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 50°F – Low: 30°F – Precip: 2%

Sunny. High near 50, with temperatures falling to around 47 in the afternoon. West wind around 6 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. West wind 2 to 6 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 53°F – Low: 32°F – Precip: 2%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. West southwest wind around 3 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. West southwest wind around 3 mph.

Most popular house this week

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