Happy weekend, Helena! In today’s happening-today edition: Big sky reptile expo, new specialty center, and trail upgrades + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
Today’s sponsor, GoldCo, is helping folks around Helena protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Community support gets a boost: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana announced 2026-27 Blue Impact grants for 13 nonprofits, with Helena recipients strengthening crisis services and supporting the Holter Museum’s Healing Arts program -- see the grant recipients.
Expanding local specialty access: Great Falls Clinic has opened Capital City Specialty Center in Helena, offering orthopedic care led by Dr. Peter Hanson, with pulmonology outreach monthly and plans to expand into more specialties -- meet the specialty center.
Trail upgrades in progress: City crews spent the past week building new South Hills trails and tackling a forestry project, prompting temporary trailhead closures. Expect improved connections and brief detours in Helena’s Open Lands -- check the trail upgrades.
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Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's $150 off right now.* Highlights this week: |
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03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Local ride basecamp: Opening June 15, MTBCITY is a tiny, locals-friendly basecamp built by riders for riders, geared to bikepackers and CDT thru-hikers. Think hot showers, lake dips, a covered bike rack and a little workshop to tune before you spin the local singletrack... basically, your reset button between rides.
Get on target: Range 406 Helena is a modern indoor range with 25-yard lanes, on-staff trainers, and more than 40 rental options, so you can practice safely whether you’re dialing back in or just curious. Grab a buddy, try pistols or rifles, and let the crew keep it safe and fun.
Weeknight by the water: Need a low-key reset that feels like a mini escape, minus the long drive? SCHOONERS BAR & GRILL sits by the Yacht Basin Marina with breezy Canyon Ferry Lake views, an easygoing bar vibe, and the kind of “let’s pop out for one and stay for two” energy Helena deserves.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Around town today & tomorrowOur favorite events going on the rest of this weekend. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🦎 Big Sky Reptile Expo @ Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds | Saturday (6/20) at 10:00 AM – Take a break from yardwork and slither to the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds for Montana’s biggest reptile roundup. Snakes, tortoises, tarantulas, gear for your bioactive dreams, PNW breeders, and the kid favorite James of the Jungle, all in one place, less rodeo, more geckos.
🎨 Early Childhood ArtStart @ Holter Museum of Art | Saturday (6/20) at 10:00 AM – Bring your pint-sized Picasso, ages 3 to 7, to the Holter for storytime that turns into a real art project, not just fridge clutter. A patient instructor reads, leads, and wrangles the glitter. It's $15, members $11, and your carpet will thank you.
🖼 Assemblage Paper Collage @ Omerta Arts | Saturday (6/20) at 2:00 PM – Third Saturday means cutting, pasting, and calling it art with Kate Huston of Tiny Box Worlds. Build a one-of-a-kind paper collage in a relaxed workshop, no experience needed, just your inner magpie, sharp-ish scissors, and the courage to commit with glue.
🦪 Rocky Mountain Pearls @ Ten Mile Creek Brewery | Saturday (6/20) at 5:00 PM – Head to Helena’s Walking Mall for Live on the Gulch with Rocky Mountain Pearls, a family friendly summer set. Grab a drink from Ten Mile Creek, the Rialto, or Hawthorn in hand, then enjoy harmonies, sunshine, and people watching. No mosh pits, just neighbors.
🧘 Journey Into Quiet Presence: A Week of Yoga @ Feathered Pipe Ranch | Saturday (6/20) – Ready to trade errands for alignment? Spend a week in the Montana Rockies with Dorinda Nyberg and Debbie Gilman, diving into Iyengar-style yoga, steady breath, and big-sky quiet. No gimmicks, just props, precision, and views that straighten your posture for you.
🎬 Gary Sinise’s Brothers After War @ Cinemark Helena and XD | Sunday (6/21) at 12:00 PM – Helena’s getting a free screening of Brothers After War, Gary Sinise’s doc following Jake Rademacher reuniting with the troops he served alongside. It’s candid, funny, and honest, and yes, there’s free lunch, a journal, and a seminar for service members, veterans, first responders, and families.
🎸 Grateful Day @ Lakeside on Hauser | Sunday (6/21) at 2:00 PM – Think Dad knows the words to Ripple? Grab him for a free jam at Lakeside on Hauser on solstice, with Roadrunner warming up and 710 Ashbury closing it out, peace, love, and sandy toes, all ages. Leave the dog and cooler at home. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — The Helena report Weather forecastToday — High: 82°F — Low: 53°F — Precip: 18%
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Southeast wind 1 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A chance of rain showers before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 53. West wind around 9 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tomorrow — High: 76°F — Low: 48°F — Precip: 5%
Sunny, with a high near 76. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. North northwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. This house is wildThe Madison brings nearly 2,000 square feet of refined downtown living to the historic Iron Front building, part of The Windsor Collection. This two-level residence pairs soaring volume with a dramatic upper balcony above the main living and dining space. Cathedral views brighten one side, Sleeping Giant colors the private primary suite, and secure elevator access adds ease.
Take a peek inside → |
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