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Good morning, Missoula! In today’s edition: Libraries lending telescopes, a wedding fair, Nate Bargatze, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Bringing the night sky closer: Public libraries and tribal colleges across Montana will soon let people check out telescopes after NASA awarded $250,000 to a University of Montana program at the Missoula Public Library — get all the details.
Community fixture faces deadline: Missoula nonprofit Home ReSource seeks $750,000 to pay off its mortgage before an interest rate reset in February to secure its future and sustain reuse, youth internships, and environmental education — see how to donate.
Architecture aligned with nature: River Edge Pavilion in Alberton earned AIA Montana’s top honor, one of three statewide, celebrating an open-air design that connects to the Clark Fork River and uses cross-laminated timber — read the full story.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per 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.
Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since this month last year. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Multi-gig upgrades on the horizon: Spectrum expanded its fiber network in Missoula County, reaching more than 1,400 homes and businesses in previously unserved or underserved areas. Backed by Montana’s ConnectMT program, the build is part of a multi-year rural expansion. Service offers up to 1 Gbps, with 500 Mbps to start and no data caps. Read the full story.
Sip something crisp: Western Cider presses Bitterroot apples into easygoing, house-made ciders poured in a laid-back riverside garden with river views. Expect rotating taps, occasional food trucks, and mellow Missoula vibes… a simple reset when the week runs long.
Upgrade your cozy corners: Whether your space leans cabin-chic or chaos-with-potential, Montana Decor stocks mountain‑modern rugs, art, lamps, and bedding, plus approachable styling to pull it together. A few well-chosen pieces can shift the whole vibe, making your home feel more you.
Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now, you’ll get three free gifts, AND you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.
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📆 Around town this week
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
This week
🌻 Paint Nights: Sunset over Wildflowers @ James Corwin Studio | Tuesday (1/6) at 6:00 PM – Swap your winter blues for a sunset over wildflowers at James Corwin’s downtown studio in the Florence building. Step-by-step guidance keeps it friendly for all, only 28 seats. Bring a snack or beverage, paint, chat, and take home a masterpiece fit for the hallway.
✨ Snow and Glow @ Painting with a Twist | Wednesday (1/7) at 6:30 PM – Winter’s greatest hits, without the icy driveway. Snow and Glow is a guided painting session inspired by that golden light on fresh snow, with all supplies provided, zero fuss. Come sip something warm, laugh at your brushstrokes, and take home bragging rights.
🎤 James Lanman @ The Old Post | Wednesday (1/7) at 7:00 PM – Take a break from the midweek grind and catch James Lanman at The Old Post, Wednesdays at 7. Smooth tunes, a proper pour, familiar faces, and a civilized volume, all early enough that you can still be home at a reasonable hour.
This weekend
🛍 Winter Vendor Show @ Orange Street Food Farm | Saturday (1/10) at 1:00 AM – If you’re craving a cozy market without frozen toes, this all-indoor, free show has live music, kid fun, and a surprise to keep you guessing. Sip coffee or herbal tea, then pretend you only came for bread, books, candles, local art, and glitter cups.
🥕 Create Your Own Veggie Rocks! @ Leaf + Quiet | Saturday (1/10) at 9:00 AM – Take a break from errands and swing by a one-day Harvest & Craft session to create your own veggie rocks. Equal parts farmers market and art class, zero watering required, perfect for gardens, grandkids, or your desk. Details at clarkforkmarket.com.
🐶 The Street Dog Coalition Clinic @ Watershed Navigation Center | Saturday (1/10) at 9:00 AM – Watershed is hosting a pop-up from The Street Dog Coalition with free vet care for pets of neighbors experiencing homelessness. No paperwork Olympics, just kind humans, wagging tails, and real help. Classic Missoula, where we look out for the pack, and the people.
💍 Wedding Fair @ Hilton Garden Inn | Sunday (1/11) at 4:00 PM – Thinking vows are in your future, or at least in your kid’s? The 38th annual Missoula Wedding Fair corrals venues, DJs, photographers, caterers, stylists, vacation planners, and more under one roof, so you can taste cake, compare packages, and avoid Pinterest-induced panic. Adulting, but festive.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Missoula report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 37°F – Low: 28°F – Precip: 45%
A chance of snow after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. West southwest wind 2 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible. Later: Snow before 2am, then rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
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Tomorrow – High: 35°F – Low: 22°F – Precip: 66%
Snow likely before 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 35. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible. Later: Snow likely after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
This house is wild
In Missoula’s Target Range, this 1.33 acre property pairs Montana character with thoughtful upgrades. The 4,870 sq ft main home has four bedrooms and five baths, including a 2016 main level suite with Walker Zanger tile and reclaimed wood floors. A stacked stone entry and granite reclaimed from Indian streets elevate the arrival. The 2024 kitchen centers on a 6 burner Falcor range, plus a True fridge, double dishwasher, and ice maker. Downstairs holds a weight room. A 1,108 sq ft guest house includes a kitchen, two baths, and an RV garage.
A paver patio surveys Bitterroot River views with an in ground fire pit, greenhouse, chicken coop, garden, and 26 fruit trees.
Take a peek inside →
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