Happy Tuesday, Black Hills. In today’s edition: Rapid City Garden Club wreaths sale, holiday marketplace pop-up, Emmanuel Episcopal Church holiday goodies event, and more.

Let’s get to it — Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Leaders assess local outlook: At Elevate Rapid City, Mayor Jason Salamun and Ron Weifenbach lauded community and a diversified economy, warned of substance abuse and rising costs, and emphasized strong partnerships heading into 2026 — read the full story.

Open house marks launch: Hill City has opened a new ambulance building, replacing a station at the fire hall. Indoor storage will speed responses, with residents donating over $600,000 for furnishings and equipment — read the full story.

Beloved holiday tradition returns: The Rapid City Garden Club marked its 78th year of handmade wreaths and greens sales at the Creative Arts Building, with proceeds supporting projects and customers lining up early — 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.

Identity theft is up 25%: Last year, Americans lost $12.5 billion to ID theft & fraud, and the stories behind those numbers are brutal. My friend just told me his dad’s on his fourth replacement credit card. Other folks have woken up to empty bank accounts or their personal info dumped online after a breach. Aura catches these kinds of attacks early by monitoring for new accounts, weird money movements, leaked data, and other red flags so you’re alerted before things blow up — learn more about it here.

Highlights this week

• Watch the Rush host Allen Americans Rapid City
• Meet the Grinch and shop local
• Join the action at Arenacross Round 3
• Join a free collaborative art reception
• Experience candlelit Christmas carols on strings
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%
• A tiny hearing aid is taking the US by storm

🫶 We got your back

Old phones, new lifelines: Rapid City police and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office are collecting cell phones for Phone It Forward, an excuse to clear the tech drawer. It gives survivors of violent crimes 60 days of free talk, text, and data, plus the phone to keep. Drop boxes at City Hall, county administration and Public Safety buildings. Nearly 500 were collected last year. Find drop box locations.

Building bonds beyond emergencies: Black Hills Badges for Hope is seeking donations to hit a $50,000 year-end goal for next year’s programs and scholarships. The Rapid City nonprofit links kids with first responders, including a holiday shopping night where about 270 children get $100 to $120. They’re just over halfway there; if they fall short, fewer kids get help. Learn how you can help.

Stout season, sorted: When temps dip, Firehouse Brewing Co. keeps it cozy with Smokejumper Stout’s roasty, coffee-leaning bite and Barrow-Wight, an imperial rye stout with decadent chocolate depth. Settle in for a slow sip, warm conversation, and a reminder that winter can taste great.

Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I decided to take Hers’ online quiz. They recommended a Biotin + Minoxidil green-apple gummy for regrowth and overall hair health. The whole thing was surprisingly easy: just verify who you are and a licensed provider signs off. Here’s the quiz if you want to check it out.

Makeup that actually works: My sister and I were talking the other day about how the makeup we used in our 20s… just doesn’t work now that we’re in our 30s and 40s. Laura Geller’s entire makeup line addresses this shift, with formulas that smooth, brighten, and actually stay put. If you’re in the same boat, their curated kits are worth a look.

📆 Around town this week

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

This week

🥂 Community Christmas Mixer @ The Monument | Tuesday (12/9) at 5:00pm – Ready to trade ugly sweaters for conversation? Expect complimentary champagne, hors d’oeuvres, a Flutter photo booth, and acoustic tunes by Alex Massa, plus a cash bar. It sells out every year, so buy ahead at The Monument box office to dodge the online fee.

🍷 Winemaker’s Whim – Holiday Dinner Edition @ Uplifted Winery | Tuesday (12/9) at 6:30pm – Holiday dinner, winemaker style, without the family cleanup. Cozy meatball stew from Grandpa Zantis, rustic Finnish flatbread from Grandma Ruth, and a bright Sangiovese, poured by the winemaker who shares stories, hiccups, and answers the questions you care about, in an intimate, casual setting.

🛁 Brushes and Bites: Sugar Scrubs@ The Rustic Nook Bakery and Coffee | Thursday (12/11) at 6:00pm – Finally, self-care with pastries. At The Rustic Nook Bakery, you’ll whip up luxe sugar scrubs, nibble something sinful, and catch up without shouting over a DJ, no experience required. Leave with softer hands, a satisfied sweet tooth, and maybe a new bestie.

🃏 Sports Cards and TCG Trade Night!!@ Playmakers Sports Cards, Memorabilia & Gaming | Friday (12/12) at 5:30pm – Shuffle your binders and your small talk, this laid-back swap for sports cards and TCG brings back the shop-floor vibe before eBay. RSVP so they feed you properly. It starts at 5:30, and the doors lock at 6:15, no joke.

🛍️ Second Annual Winter Market at Rise@ Rise Furnishings and Decor | Friday (12/12) at 6:00pm – The RISE Store on E. Omaha is turning into a cozy Winter Market with local vendors, handcrafted gifts, festive photo ops, and warm treats. Shop small, snag a few special sales, run into half your neighborhood, and pretend the cocoa counts as dinner.

This weekend

🍪 Emmanuel Episcopal Church Women Holiday Goodies Event @ Emmanuel Episcopal Church Parish Hall | Saturday (12/13) at 8:00am – If your holiday spirit runs on butter, sugar, and nostalgia, the Emmanuel Episcopal Church women have you covered. Grab a provided container, fill it with their homemade cookies and candies, then pay by the pound at $9, and take all the credit.

🛍️ Holiday Marketplace Pop-Up @ The Monument | Saturday (12/13) at 10:00am – Holiday shopping without the mall meltdown. The 8th annual pop-up fills Rushmore Hall at The Monument with 100-plus local makers, baked goods, and bounce houses for the grandkids, plus a Grinch meet and greet for your inner curmudgeon. Park once, shop small, feel festive.

🛍️ Winter Market at Dandelion Bouquet@ Dandelion Bouquet | Saturday (12/13) at 10:00am – If your gift list ranges from stocking stuffers to “maybe a new chair,” swing by the Dandelion Bouquet patio for a cozy winter market. Local vendors, a hot chocolate bar, patio heat, and live music from Vivian, because shopping deserves a soundtrack.

🌿 Wreath Making Workshop @ Uplifted Winery | Saturday (12/13) at 1:00pm – Channel your inner Martha, minus the stress, at a wreath workshop led by Chris Roth, complete with grapevines, fresh evergreens, and foraged bits. Thirty bucks covers everything, wine club folks snag 10 to 20 percent off, and yes, there will be sipping.

🔥 Steve-O: The Crash and Burn Tour @ The Monument | Sunday (12/14) at 7:00pm – Whether you cringed through Jackass or secretly miss the days your knees worked, Steve-O is bringing his Crash and Burn Tour to The Monument. It is 18+, of course. Expect outrageous stories, a wild multimedia show, and laughs that hurt in the best way.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/9 Community Christmas Mixer @ The Monument – 5 pm
• 12/9 Bingo @ Dakota Point Brewing – 6 pm
• 12/11 Tapped Out Trivia @ Pour 54 – 7 pm
• 12/14 Music Bingo @ The Local – 5 pm
• 12/19 Holiday Sip & Sing with Nick Linn @ Firehouse Wine Cellars – 6 pm
• 12/19 Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings @ The Performing Arts Center – 6:30 pm
• 12/20 Candlelight: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons & More @ Performing Arts Center of Rapid City – 6:30 pm

🏠️ This house is wild

Listed by: STUART MARTIN (RE/MAX RESULTS)

Ranch-style townhome in Broadmoor, a 40-home community with Black Hills views, mature trees, and minutes-to-downtown convenience. A 10×6 glass-doored foyer leads to 2021 oak-look vinyl plank, a real wood fireplace, and a bright studio or office. The sunlit eat-in kitchen delivers generous storage. Primary suite adds dressing area, walk-in closet, and hallway laundry.

Lower level living brings a travertine-trimmed gas fireplace, a flexible 12×8 landing, an additional bedroom, and a half bath ready for a full upgrade. Two car garage, new Carrier furnace and water heater, and 800 unfinished square feet for a gym, sauna, or play zone.

Take a peek inside →