Rise and shine, Black Hills! In today’s planning-your-week edition: An immersive Titanic dinner and silent film, Blooms & Brews, and State Summer Games + all our favorite events happening over the next seven days.
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.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Strengthening care close to home: Rapid City Medical Center has joined Monument Health, expanding local access to physician-led, community-based care. Services began May 4 across Black Hills locations, promising more resources and a deeper network -- see where services begin.
New disposal choices for residents: Rapid City’s seasonal yard waste sites are open at Fitzgerald Stadium and Nickel Street, with recycling available. A $15 monthly curbside pickup is underway and runs through November 30 -- see locations, costs, and dates.
Spring park season updates: Rapid City's 14 park restrooms are open, including Canyon Lake and Storybook Island. Shelter reservations began May 1 and run through September 30. Report vandalism to Parks and Recreation -- see what's open and when.
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.*
Retirees are making moves: After gold's best year in nearly five decades, more folks than ever are moving part of their savings into precious metals. Not all of it... just enough to hedge against inflation. AHG put together a free guide that explains how it works -- grab your copy here.* Highlights this week: |
02 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Lift local, get strong: 605 Grit Fitness is the Black Hills go-to for powerlifting, strongman, and obstacle course prep with coaching that keeps you honest, no frills required. If you've been promising to start on Monday since January, take this as your nudge to stop by this week and chase a real PR.
Your new morning fuel: Roasting since 1995 and now under local ownership, Black Hills Coffee Company keeps the Black Hills caffeinated with classic blends, flavored favorites, espresso roasts, and pods you can snag online, perfect for stocking the pantry or the break room before another unpredictable South Dakota Monday.
Weekend crate-digging fix: Whether your shelves need a fresh spin or you're hunting that elusive first pressing, Black Hills Vinyl keeps the vibes local with friendly folks, deep bins, and just enough temptation to blow your lunch-break budget. Swing by, flip through, and walk out feeling like Rapid City sounds a little better.
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03 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →
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 →
Two sprays before bed, no more snoring? It really is that simple. No mouthpiece to wrestle with, no CPAP mask, no nose strips that peel off at 2am. This doctor-developed throat spray has been keeping sleepers quiet for 30 years, and first-time orders are 40% off right now. *See the results →
Senior discounts shouldn't be a scavenger hunt: Every restaurant has its own rule, every hotel its own threshold, and you're supposed to remember to ask each time. AARP just bundles them — 15% off at Denny's, up to 35% off Avis, up to 15% off Wyndham and Best Western, $577 average savings on auto insurance through The Hartford, and dozens more — for $15 your first year. Cancel anytime. *See what's included →
Pain relief without the side effects: Your medicine cabinet probably has three or four things in it just for pain, and every single one of them comes with side effects that can make daily life... not so fun. Thankfully there’s a new drug-free alternative that lasts for years, requires no refills, and costs a heck of a lot less. *See how it works → |
04 — The event calendar Our favorite events this weekAll the best things to do this week. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🍺 Blooms & Brews @ Lost Cabin Beer Co (Hill City) | Tuesday (5/12) at 5:30 PM – Raise a pint to Lost Cabin’s anniversary by making a springy arrangement in a beer glass, naturally. Forty bucks covers supplies, your party trick, and an excuse to smell roses in public. Space is tight, so call Petals & Pages at 605-673-3549 to reserve.
🏅 State Summer Games @ Black Hills State University (Spearfish) | Thursday (5/14) – Summer in Spearfish means the State Summer Games on the Yellow Jackets' turf at Black Hills State, with swimming, soccer, volleyball, and cornhole. Cheer like you mean it, or be a hero and volunteer by emailing Cathy Grubb at cgrubb@sosd.org, bask in hometown pride.
🛍 2-Day Rummage Sale @ Calvary Lutheran Church (Rapid City) | Friday (5/15) at 8:00 AM – This two-day rummage hunt is your chance to swap closet guilt for good finds, and actually help the church while you’re at it. Expect vintage casserole dishes, kids’ gear, mystery cords, and that one perfect lamp. Proceeds back the youth group and outreach.
🎨 Introduction to Watercolor Painting @ The Plant Shop (Rapid City) | Friday (5/15) at 1:00 PM – Trade your to-do list for a brush, and let Julie guide a beginner-friendly watercolor class where you build a color wheel, talk mixing, and try wet-into-wet and wet-into-dry. Two hours, zero pressure, surprisingly zen. Ages 13+, future classes discounted.
🥕 Local Farmers' Market @ MassaBerry Building (Sturgis) | Friday (5/15) at 3:00 PM – Sturgis’ farmers market is sliding into Friday evenings at the Massa Berry Building with fresh produce, handcrafted finds, and the kind of neighbor run-ins you pretend you planned. Fry bread, sliders, and fizzy nostalgia await. Rain pokes in, they move inside, no fuss.
🐦 Bird Bash @ Bear Butte State Park (Sturgis) | Saturday (5/16) at 8:00 AM – Take a break from screens and head to Bear Butte for the 2nd annual Bird Bash, a family friendly nod to birds, nature, and that rare sound called quiet. Scavenger hunts, hands-on fun, and more binoculars than a stakeout, so bring kids, curiosity, and coffee.
🌱 Plant Share 2026 @ Walter Taylor Building - Central States Fairground (Rapid City) | Saturday (5/16) at 8:00 AM – Trade your extra greenery at the fairgrounds 4-H Building with Pennington County Master Gardeners. Bring labeled potted plants to snag four back, or buy a coupon for four plants for a buck, limit three, with sharers let in first. Free gear, treats, seeds, and advice. Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar → |
05 — The Black Hills report Weather forecastToday — High: 91°F — Low: 53°F — Precip: 4%
Mostly sunny. High near 91, with temperatures falling to around 87 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 5 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Later: A slight chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. Northwest wind 7 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tomorrow — High: 76°F — Low: 46°F — Precip: 13%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Northwest wind 7 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 46. West wind 1 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. This house is wildThis creekfront retreat spans 4.10 serene acres across two parcels, just 10 minutes from Rapid City with a private bridge to Rapid Creek and direct Black Hills National Forest access. Approximately 3,612 square feet feature vaulted wood ceilings, expansive windows, four fireplaces, four bedrooms, 3.5 baths, and a den. Entertaining comes easy, adventure comes standard.
Take a peek inside → |
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