406 Woman Business Vol. 7 No. 3 by 406 Woman

406 contents featured

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8. The "B" in Me Megan Grunow

business

10. I Want Her Job Randi Zuckerberg

26. Be Prepared What to do when you loose your purse

406 Man

28. It's Time for Women Leaders to Shine!

12. Roy Beekman A Big Man with an Even Bigger Spirit

32. Design 5 Secrets to a Great Logo

legal

30. Montana Homestead Declaration

Health 34. Ask the Skin Coach Light Therapy

profile 14. Dr. Greg Eller Alpine Family Dental

18.You Give, Girl! The Circle of Philanthropy 22. Women's Equality Day Every Day of the Year

Outdoors

24. A Photographer's Playground Green Kat Photography

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36. Bones Osteoporosis 38. Teeth First Impressions 40. Geriatric Specialty Services Palliative Care 42. Great American Smoke Out

Non-Profit 46. Food Corps Snack Facts

48. Montana Wild Wings Recover Center

View current and past issues of 406 Woman at w w w . 4 0 6 W o m a n . c o m

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Megan

The “B” in Me

By Mike Grunow

I have known Cindy and the 406 team for many years. It has been very exciting to watch and experience her magazine and readership grow and I think it is a fantastic resource for the Flathead Valley. A couple of weeks ago, Cindy and I found ourselves in conversation laughing about the journeys that brought both of us to where we are. From that conversation, Cindy asked me to share my story, the story I will fondly call “The ‘B’ in Me.” I struggled for days trying to figure out how I would best tell my tale and ultimately decided to ask the person in my life who has known me from the beginning: one of my best friends and most important mentors, my Dad. ~ Megan When I was asked to write a mini-biography about my first-born daughter, I was eager to tell her story from the perspective of a father. I asked myself, “is it okay to tell a story about your own daughter?” Yes, because I’ve been doing it since she was born. ~Mike Grunow

Blonde

Megan came into this world with bright, rosy cheeks, and curly blonde hair and an unparalleled gift for creativity. She had incredible drive and determination from a very young age and that drive has carried her all over the world only to find that Whitefish, Montana would be her destiny.

Megan spent her early years wrapped in the wings of her parents and extended family in Lolo, Montana where she was free to develop her style and test her spirit. She was able to nurture her leadership qualities and her strong personality and these early years gave her the identity that most of you know as Megan today. She flourished in high school and graduated with honors from Big Sky High School in Missoula, Montana. It was amazing to watch her progress through high school with such little effort yet accomplish and achieve most any goal or hurdle that she was faced with. About half way through her senior year, Megan came to me and advised that she wanted to expand her circle of friends and go to college out of state. She applied to The University of Oregon and was accepted. She studied for 4 years in Eugene and in 1998 received 2 degrees, one in International

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Business and one in French. She spent a year at The Sorbonne in Paris and traveled Europe and Northern Africa all while consistently maintaining that Montana could never provide the gratification that she was seeking in her life.

The move home to Lolo, Montana was difficult for the Megan who had become a highly-educated world traveler and independent soul. About 6 months after her return, Megan informed me that she was going back to school. She enrolled at Montana Once she returned from Europe, she followed State University with aspirations of taking her the beat to Seattle to be near her childhood girl- creative edge to the next level by obtaining friends, “The Lololians.” She began a manage- a degree in Architecture. The program was ment career with Gene Juarez Spas. When Gene one of the biggest challenges that Megan Juarez sold in 1999, Megan made one of her famous spontaneous decisions to move to Hawaii had ever experienced. In 2005, she graduto “learn how to surf.” Although that never real- ated with her third undergraduate degree ly happened, she lived in Kailua Kona on the Big in Environmental Design and her Master’s Island and Honolulu on Oahu for almost a year. Degree in Architecture. In 2001, the fateful day of September 11th happened. On that infamous Tuesday, Megan awoke Once graduated, she joined Kibo Group Archito warships on the move, bombers and jets in tecture out of Missoula (with offices in Hamthe skies, and horrendous news stories from the ilton and Whitefish) [Jeremy Oury, Jeff Crouch mainland. Pearl Harbor was relatively fresh in and Rich Graves]. Her talent and ability would the minds of many Hawaiians and people were allow her to work with many talented folks on scared to death that history may repeat itself projects all over Western Montana. She was inthat day. Megan oft times describes the fear volved in designing “tree houses” at The Stockshe felt that morning as one of the most lonely farm (Hamilton), massive “2nd homes” in The and most gripping of her whole life. When com- Yellowstone Club (Big Sky) and her favorite mercial jets were able to fly again, Megan moved project of all: a transformation of an entire floor back to Lolo to calculate her next move and be of The Wilma building in Missoula into a luxury, near her family. ultra-chic condominium.

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Megan

Beyond

After living in cities all over the world, my vision for Crush was simple. I wanted to provide Whitefish with a smart, intimate little club that didn’t exist in Whitefish at that time. With the help of many friends and employees, I transformed my spot into a very community centered space welcoming all types of music and events. Over the past 4 years, I have thrived on designing all of my own marketing materials, event posters and ILOVE WHITEFISH ™, and “La Vie J’Adore” merchandise. I am very proud of what I have created at Crush. It has never been an easy project, but it sure has been a lot of fun and it has been an incredible way of connecting with this amazing community that I have come to love so much. As 2014 nears its end, I am ready to pass the torch and watch the legacy of Crush continue. Although unsure of what it may be, I am very excited for my next adventure and next chapter in life. I am always willing to listen to ideas about new, creative projects and I look forward to speaking with anyone who has insight on where my next “fun” will be had. Who knows? Cooking school in Italy?!

In 2007, Megan walked into The Lolo Creek Steakhouse to introduce me to the newest addition to our family, Murphy Taterskins. I have slowly watched as their friendship has developed into what it is today.

Bulldog In 2007, Megan walked into The Lolo Creek Steakhouse to introduce me to the newest addition to our family, Murphy Taterskins. I have slowly watched as their friendship has developed into what it is today. Murphy is the friend that never judges, never complains and is a special little soul that Megan has often times said that many people could learn a lot from. Megan and Murphy are much like two dice that, when rolled, always come up the same numbers. They are joined at the heart and never far apart.

Bar & Bike

In 2009, Kibo Group was feeling the pressure of the recession, and work had practically dried up in Missoula. Megan had an opportunity to move north to Whitefish to continue working with Kibo. On Halloween night of that same year, Megan and Murphy arrived in Whitefish. Unfortunately, it took only about 4 months for design work in Whitefish to practically “go away,” and in February of 2010 she was one of the last to be laid-off from Kibo Group Architecture. Megan was resourceful and went to work for Big Mountain and The Bulldog Saloon to make ends meet.

In August of the same year, she went to work for Bayard Dominick at Crush Wine Bar and soon, with little to no experience, she was managing the bar. A year and a half later, she purchased the bar.

In March of 2012, Megan purchased a full beverage liquor license for her bar and “Crush Wine Bar” literally became a fullservice bar and a very popular nightclub overnight. One might even see my GrandDOG, Murphy Taterskins, riding his skateboard through the bar or waiting outside for Megan to go for a ride in their customdesigned, yellow chariot. With The Crush, Megan has gotten yet another degree. It is the degree that sets all small business owners apart from everyone else. Some may call it a business degree, but one will never get a degree like this from any business school. The problems can never be totally solved, the homework never stops and it can be hard to ever get a good night’s sleep. Megan believes that one good night at Crush may just be the start of a great week and that vision has kept her going for most of her life.

Written by: Mike Grunow [Megan’s Dad, Murphy’s GrandPAW and owner of Lolo Creek Steakhouse Lolo, Montana]

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Randi Zuckerberg

I Want Her Job: Randi Zuckerberg, CEO and Founder, Zuckerberg Media By Brianne Burrowes This article originally appeared on IWantHerJob.com.

At first blush, it seems ironic that a woman who helped grow Facebook would become an advocate for disconnecting and focusing on other areas of life. But after a little digging, you realize Randi Zuckerberg’s onto something—and has perhaps arrived at it even sooner because of her career’s deep dive into all things digital. In Dot Complicated and her companion children’s book Dot, Randi puts the focus where it should be: away from our smartphones and onto what she’s dubbed a “tech-life” balance. “These devices that we have are amazing, because they give us the flexibility to work, spend time with our family and follow our dreams,” she says. “At the same time, though, it’s so easy to be overwhelmed by them that they come at the expense of the people we love.” At I Want Her Job, we were thrilled (thrilled!) for the opportunity to Skype with Randi, a former Emmy-nominated, Facebook marketing alum who also boasts credentials from Forbes and Ogilvy & Mather. She’s even been known to get a few calls from the White House, since she was the force behind many of Facebook’s election integrations; from a President Obama town hall orchestrated in mere weeks to launching the social network’s “Global Disaster Relief” page after 2010’s earthquake in Haiti. Currently, Randi is the CEO of Zuckerberg Media, a tech-savvy media company whose clients have included the Clinton Global Initiative, Cirque du Soleil, Bravo and Conde Nast, among others. She also serves as editor-in-chief of Dot Complicated, a modern lifestyle community that centers on her passion for tech-life balance. Striking balance isn’t easy, and it won’t always look the same week after week, but our chat with Randi proves it’s more than worth the effort. A few years ago after you gave birth, you tweeted, “The entrepreneur’s dilemma: Maintaining friendships. Building a great company. Spending time with family. Staying fit. Getting sleep. Pick 3.” We loved this, but we wondered at the time why that only applied to entrepreneurs. We love how that phrase has since evolved into your mantra. How did you come to this realization?

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time about being well-balanced. I feel like we put so much pressure on ourselves to do it all and to do it all great. And I thought, “Wouldn’t it be nice if we gave ourselves permission to be well-lopsided instead of wellbalanced, just as long as it balances out over the long term?” It’s OK to just do one thing really well each day.

I grew up in a big house. There were four children, so my mom was a great example of this. Each day, she would I think a lot of people did point out devote kind of an “after-school” time to me after that tweet that that’s to one of us. She could have given not just an entrepreneur’s dilemma; each of us 10 minutes every day, that’s any working parent’s dilemma which wouldn’t have been great for … It’s anyone, just juggling life. I anyone, or she could totally be all-in phrased it as an entrepreneur’s di- on spending, say, the afternoon with lemma, because that’s where I was in Randi. my life at the moment, but I was like, “You know what, I’ve always kind of And that was something I really took balanced these things.” I think that, into my own life. I just got back from for me, there was so much talk at the a six-week book tour, and I had a lot

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Randi Zuckerberg

You need to invest in yourself. It’s so important to invest time in yourself, in your friends and in your family. These devices that we have are amazing, because they give us the flexibility to work, spend time with our family and follow our dreams. At the same time, though, it’s so easy to be overwhelmed by them that they come at the expense of the people we love. of mommy guilt. During the book tour, there were times where it tore me up to be away, but I would always talk to people and say, “I’m giving myself permission to be well-lopsided for my career right now, and when I get back from the tour, I’m going to devote a lot of time to being a great mom.” At one point in Dot Complicated you say, “You need to have an ‘all’ in order to ‘have it all.’” What advice do you have for our readers to nurture their ‘all’ while still striving to ‘have it all?’

First of all, you need to invest in yourself. It’s so important to invest time in yourself, in your friends and in your family. These devices that we have are amazing, because they give us the flexibility to work, spend time with our family and follow our dreams. At the same time, though, it’s so easy to be overwhelmed by them that they come at the expense of the people we love.

seen doing anything else, you’re being frivolous; you’re wasting time. And if you’re doing things for yourself, you’re being selfish. I think that was really what my mentor was trying to tell me when she was saying, “Don’t sing so much. The media doesn’t like that. They only like business women and family women.” Do women need to understand that that’s the case? Yes. Do they need to cater to it? No. Because if you have a passion … if you have a love … if you have an interest, life is way too short just to put it on hold because of what other people think. You believe a person should be their authentic self in person, as well as online. That can turn into a big murky grey area, though, when it comes to your career. What tips do you have for navigating these blurry work/personal lines?

Many of us are looking for meaning in our work and our careers, especially when we’re starting out. You’ve mentioned you felt this way too, before starting at Facebook. What advice do you have to create more meaning, even on a small scale?” The fact is all of us have been given a gift with social media in that we now have a megaphone. We all have a much louder voice than we used to, so even if you’re at a point in your career where you’re paying your dues and it’s early, you can still get really involved with a charity or a cause you care about. Maybe you can use your voice to encourage your company to rally around doing a project for good.

Also, there are always opportunities out there to mentor somebody that’s younger than you, even through social media—be it through Skype or a Google Hangout or chat. Any way you can On one hand, don’t be afraid of sharing. A lot pay it forward—especially women supporting of studies show if you do share a few details of women—is really just a wonderful thing. Also, I don’t know how anyone expects to be your personal life with your coworkers and your creative or truly dream up the next big idea if boss, it actually makes you more likeable in the you’re constantly distracted and bombarded workplace and can contribute to more career with messages all the time. Giving yourself the success. flexibility to unplug, put the device down and invest in yourself or your relationships is going to That being said, you’d be shocked at what people pay so many dividends in the long run. overshare. It may seem obvious, but don’t complain about your job online. Also, if you’re going to be friending your colleagues and boss, make You even talked in the book about sure you don’t get a false sense of how buddyhaving a digital Sabbath day? buddy you are in real life. At the end of the day, Yes. We have to give our devices a day of rest every they’re still your colleagues, and if you’re posting crazy party photos or vacation photos, it’s once in a while. always better to err on the side of keeping those One of our favorite parts of your book might have private. been one of your more “I can’t believe this happened” moments. You mentioned that while work- You also can use this power to advance your career, though, too. Right? ing at Facebook, a mentor of yours took you aside and said, “Because you’re a woman, they’re only go- If there’s a dream company that you want to ing to talk about you in one light in the press.” Do you work for, or a career mentor, there are so many still feel this is an evident stereotype at this point in opportunities now to digitally connect with the company and wow them. Even just establishing your career? What tips do you have for women to a relationship with that company or their PR manage their personal brands to focus the discussion department on Twitter or on Instagram or on on their achievements, and not their hair … or love Facebook is a great way to get in front of them. for singing in front of crowds? With all of these tools, it’s a great way to stand The answer is that yes, that’s still in place. Does out from the crowd. You know everyone’s going Brianne Burrowes, to be submitting a typical Word doc resume, so that mean that we need to cater to it? No. a born-and-raised Montanan, is the founder of why shouldn’t you be the one to cut away from I Want Her Job, an award-winning website emI think the sad reality for women is that if you do the clutter and submit a Vine resume or a Pinpowering women in their career search. She anything other than family or work, it’s looked terest resume? If you have even an ounce of crealso is senior consumer marketing manager at at as being frivolous. Society feels like, with ativity, there’s so much that you can do to stand NASCAR track Phoenix International Raceway. women, there are two things women should do out from the clutter. I’m always surprised that You can follow her on Twitter @iwantherjob and can do: go to work and be a mom. If you’re more people don’t have creative resumes. and read more interviews like this on iwantherjob.com.

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Roy Beekman

406 ManRoy Beekman By Nancy Dewar

A Big Man With An Even Bigger Spirit - Taking A Generous Spirit To New Heights When I first had the pleasure of meeting Roy Beekman, I was struck by his towering height as well as his amazing warm smile and twinkling eyes. Well over six feet tall, he is a big guy. But as we spoke I quickly realized he is as big in his heart and spirit as in stature! Roy, a life-long resident of Kalispell, has a no-holds-barred approach when it comes to making his town a better place for many. As they say in sports, there are all stars and then there are superstars, the players with real leadership skills and always their best year-in and year-out. Roy Beekman is definitely a superstar when it comes to community service, which he has been active in for the past twenty-eight years. When I asked him how he initially got involved with the local community, he said, “I was always that way, but I think it really started in 1986/1987 when I

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in 1999 with ten baseball fields for the Kalispell Youth Softball and Pee Wee leagues. This stateof-the-art complex, essentially a public park, now has 30 playing surfaces for baseball, football, soccer, a long distance running course and a playground. From coaching local Youth and Pee Wee baseball, Regarding the launch of this amazing local facility, Roy moved onto coaching Babe Ruth and Cal Roy said, “Dan Johns was the driving force behind Ripken leagues. “I’m no longer coaching. Now I’m it. Although I was involved from the beginning, just the District Commissioner for both leagues.” I Dan really did it. I was along on his coat tails.” think the word “just” is a bit of an understatement! Montana held six different regional tournaments Roy is still a Kidsports board member and perhaps this year for all different age groups, and the most special to his heart is the Miracle Field, an Commissioner’s job is to organize and supervise all adaptive field that opened in 2009 for children of the tournaments. That takes a heck of a lot of with special needs. It has a smooth rubber track, time and work, and he simply minimized it with a similar to running tracks, that allows people with “just!” Although Roy played sports in high school disabilities to navigate without obstruction. He and was a state champion high jumper, he never coaches a basketball program for these kids and played baseball. When asked about learning to said, “With an array of challenges…blind, walkers, coach a sport he had never played, he simply stated, mental, physical…all of them get along so well. “I think it was easier to become a coach, as I had It’s just a fantastic program.” A new adaptive playground is now in the planning stage, another absolutely no preconceived notions.” project near and dear to Roy. Roy was also instrumental in the creation of the Kidsports facility located off of Highway 93 just Roy has also been very involved in many other west of Flathead Community College. It opened aspects of community service. He was a driving began coaching my son’s baseball team.” He took his oldest son to his first practice and never left the world of baseball. He’s been coaching and has been involved with the sport ever since.

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Roy Beekman

Roy is the District Governor for the state of Montana for Rotary International. In this one-year volunteer position, which included two years of formal training prior to assuming it, he will travel about 30,000 miles this year providing support to state Rotary Clubs.

Not only does Rotary position take Roy all over Montana, but he and his wife, Terry, went to Sydney, Australia last June to participate in the Rotary International Convention and will be heading to Sao Paulo, Brazil next spring.

force in raising one million dollars several years ago to renovate the Legends Stadium high school sports complex. He also was President of the Kalispell Library Foundation Board for three years and spent three years as a board member. Though off the board now, Roy envisions being involved again in the future. His comment about the high usage of the library, especially from a technology stand point, was very interesting to me. “I consider it like an anchor store for downtown. A lot of retailers would love to have that kind of traffic.” Not one to remain idle, he is now the District Governor for the state of Montana for Rotary International. In this one-year volunteer position, which included two years of formal training prior to assuming it, he will travel about 30,000 miles this year providing support to state Rotary Clubs. “My job is to primarily motivate clubs to keep them relevant, as many struggle with membership. I’m meeting so many amazing people. These relationships are priceless.” Not only does this position take Roy all over Montana, but he and his wife, Terry, went to Sydney, Australia last June to participate in the Rotary International Convention and will be heading to Sao Paulo, Brazil next spring.

In his spare time, Roy manages his business, Meredith Construction, which he owns with two other partners. Builders of both commercial and residential properties, they have a full-time staff of twenty-five employees plus a ton of sub-contractors. He is generally in the office later in the week and over weekends, following his weekly Rotary travels. Roy and his wife have been married for forty-one years. Terry, a native Montanan, is also a go-getter like her husband. Following a twenty-nine year career at Woodland Floral, she then volunteered at St. Matthews in Kalispell and ended up becoming their kitchen manager for ten years. When I asked Roy how he manages to do all that he does, he said, “Probably the key is time management. Terry and I often sneak out later in the day for nine holes of golf !” With all of the time management skills in the world, I’m still in awe of all that Roy Beekman does! And perhaps what impressed me most about this man with such a generous spirit, was his understated humbleness. He’s been a driving force of community goodwill in the area for years and thinks nothing of it, often giving the largest credit to others.

Roy is still a Kidsports board member and perhaps most special to his heart is the Miracle Field, an adaptive field that opened in 2009 for children with special needs. It has a smooth rubber track, similar to running tracks, that allows people with disabilities to navigate without obstruction.

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Dr. Greg Eller

Alpine Family Dental By Nancy Dewar Photography by Heidi A. Long - Longviews Studios

A Real-Deal Dentist & A Real Entrepreneur

When I first met Greg Eller, my immediate feeling was, “Wow, he’s a great guy, the real deal…who also happens to be a dentist!” Perhaps this impression was sparked by the fact that when I walked into his practice it didn’t smell at all like a dentist office. You know, that awful antiseptic smell! Nor did it really look like one. I was greeted by the aroma of fresh coffee, comfortable couches, overstuffed chairs and a play area for kids. I was also greeted by an outgoing and very personable man whose zest for life was quickly apparent! Greg (“Don’t call me Dr.”) purchased Alpine Family Dental seven years ago. He moved to his new location two years ago, which he designed and built with first-class detail. Though a highly skilled dentist, having graduated with honors from Oregon Health & Science University Dental School, his outlook on his practice is more like an entrepreneur rather than a doctor. He loves running his own business, working with a small staff and developing ongoing relationships with his patients. “How great is this? I get to watch the kids grow up! They were three and now they are ten.”

skills! He gives “I Love My Dentist” T-shirts to his patients. This has resulted in great referral business, as people often ask “who IS your dentist?” Because…who REALLY LOVES their dentist? He has also developed an innovative advertising campaign built around the tooth fairy. A man wearing a really funny fairy costume appears in a series of print ads with the tagline, “Putting the Tooth Fairy Out of Business.” What a brilliant and easy marketing tactics.

At age 26 Greg visited his mother and stepfather, a retired cardio thoracic surgeon, to figure out what to do next in life. They suggested looking into a career in health care. Greg’s mom reminded him that he once told her he wanted to be a dentist when he grew up. Her response to her little guy had been, “You can’t be a dentist because your hands are too big!”

He moved to Oregon, enrolled in a community college and began working at a local hospital to Greg’s path to dentistry was a circuitous route. get a feel for health care. A co-worker suggested He grew up near Pittsburgh and got his first de- that he meet Dr. Harper, a local oral surgeon. He gree in Aeronautical Maintenance. While in avia- did, and the rest is history! Greg began working What really struck me about his running a “busi- tion school, a friend asked him to go sky diving. with Dr. Harper every Friday. “He is a wonderful, ness” versus a “practice,” is the importance he He did, and he loved it! With aviation jobs scarce neat guy…loved his work…and he hard-sold me places on being on time for every appointment. at that time, Greg became a sky diver instructor. on dentistry. I think it was a working with the Greg told me that if he’s even three minutes late 2,500-plus jumps later, Greg said, “It was an ex- hands thing and working with people.” for an appointment, he apologizes and gives his hilarating job, though I have a very healthy reclient a coffee card. This is certainly a rarity in spect for sky diving and was fortunate to have no Greg received his undergraduate degree from the University of Oregon where he graduated the medical profession! As are his marketing accidents or breaks.”

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Dr. Greg Eller

Greg says that his job is essentially to gain trust and perform what he does safely and effectively. He is very aware of the fear-factor with dentists and spends a great deal of time explaining procedures. As he said, “It needs to happen, so I tell patients how it is going to happen. What I do is basic psychology.”

Summa Cum Laude. He enrolled in dental school at age 30 and graduated with honors in 2006. Being much older than most of his classmates, he said that many called him “Grandpa!” His essay for dental school was interesting, a comparison of sky diving and dentistry. He explained the similarities to me saying, “As a sky diving instructor not only did I have to have the interest and instinct, but I also had to have the skills to calm a very tense situation. These same skills hold true with dentistry.”

for each individual. As Greg explained, “This sedation is good for people who are really fearful and for bigger procedures. We can treat people comfortably, and they usually don’t remember the appointment or procedure.”

Greg’s team includes two hygienists, two dental assistants and an office manager. They are a committed, upbeat, friendly group who love what they do and truly care about their relationships with patients and each other. Greg says that his job is essentially to gain trust He told me that patients often open up a lot and perform what he does safely and effectively. more easily to his team rather than him, and He is very aware of the fear-factor with den- his assistants give him the heads-up on their tists and spends a great deal of time explaining concerns and fears. procedures. As he said, “It needs to happen, so I tell patients how it is going to happen. What Like so many other Valley residents, Greg discovI do is basic psychology.” Greg just completed ered the Flathead while road-tripping throughhis certification in IV Sedation, only one of two out the North West. When asked why he fell for general dentists in the Valley using this method. it, he replied “I’m like every other guy…hiking, This method enables doctors to administer and camping, blah, blah, blah!” He met his wife Amy monitor the exact amount of sedation needed shortly after moving here, and their relationship

began when she asked him to go skiing! Health care runs in the family. Amy is a PHD/Psychologist who works at the Montana Academy. They live in Creston on ten acres with their kids Obie (a Chesapeake Bay Retriever) and Maddie (a Black Lab). When I asked Greg if he brushes the dogs teeth, he laughed and said, “No, but that could make a good YouTube video!” Both Greg and Amy love the small town feeling and the fact that “this area is the real-deal, and we’re never going to be like a Vail.”

Indeed, our special area is the real-deal…as is Greg Eller! In wrapping up our interview I asked him what he loved most about his business. He quickly replied, “The people. We have interesting patients. At the end of the day, we really do give a s___! We remember things. 1,500 patients…that’s a lot of stories!”

Alpine Family Dental is located in Kalispell at 101 Westview Park Place, just off of Meridian near the intersection of US 93.

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You Give, Girl!

The Circle of Philanthrop y Grows, Woman by Woman By Jodie Coston of Coston Photography

Working with the Flathead Community Foundation and Council for Montana’s Community Foundations is a daily opportunity to witness and appreciate charitable giving, especially in Montana. We are a small population of big-hearted people. Everyday philanthropists understand the importance of giving to neighbors in need and planning generously for the future of our communities and the world.

Philanthropy – the "love of humanity in the sense of caring, nourishing, developing and enhancing what it is to be human” – lifts up everyone involved. Benefactors identify and exercise their values in giving and volunteering, and beneficiaries receive the help and support they need.

Community foundations are also great classrooms for studying the many faces, forms and directions of philanthropy. Donors and their contributions come in all varieties, each an expression of the desire to make a difference in the world and at home. Of note is a growing body of research on charitable giving trends that shows women playing an increasing role in philanthropy.

Since 2010 the Women’s Philanthropy Institute (Center on Philanthropy, Indiana University) has sought to “further understanding of women’s philanthropy through research, education, and

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knowledge dissemination. According to the results of their studies, gender does matter in philanthropy. Women at all income levels have the desire and capacity for giving, and do give to charity. Why is this important for us to know? The Institute hopes the results will give women in every income bracket confidence that they, too, are philanthropists. Encouraged by the research findings, more women will recognize that “I can make a difference with my giving.” Boomers Lead the Way The study finds that women’s philanthropy has been shaped to a significant extent by our shifting economic position and social roles. Breaking out of traditional gender roles seen in earlier generations and pursuing equality in education, employment, and earnings, Boomer women are transforming philanthropy through innovative new charitable organizations and ways to engage in charitable activity. Many of the first women’s funds were created by Boomer and older women, starting in 1972 with the establishment of the Ms. Foundation for Women.

Enter the Next Generations Millennials today are deeply engaged in philanthropy, generous with both their time and giving to charity, although not always through the same organizations or methods as their parents and grandparents. Ideally, younger vision seeks older experience and the synergy results in more than the sum of its parts. One year ago in Kalispell, the

Flathead Community Foundation (FCF) helped three young business women establish a new Giving Circle called Women Who Wine of Kalispell (WWWK). Their goal was to create an opportunity for women of all ages and backgrounds to meet for social and professional networking, and to raise $1,000/month for local nonprofits. Their bold young dream took root quickly and flourished. One year later (10/7/14) WWWK and the Foundation disbursed $12,000 in charitable grants at their Inaugural Giving Banquet. Why do giving circles like WWWK work so well? Women are natural philanthropists and consummate networkers who experience the world at a deeply personal level. What happens in our families, neighborhoods, and across the globe matters to us, and we instinctively band together to respond with impact. By pooling our money to make grants to local nonprofit groups, we can have a significant influence for good and see the results ourselves.

Giving Circles grow organically. New members are added by word of mouth. Current members invite their friends and their friends’ friends. In addition to being effective vehicles for philanthropy, giving circles like WWWK include a rich diversity of women at different stages of their professional and personal lives. Women building community and building relationships with one another. They also offer flexibility in terms of financial obligations. Some circles set a lower giving level rang-

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ing from $200 to $500 annually. Others opt to set it higher. Most ask that each member give the same amount; however in some cases there is a minimum annual giving threshold for those under 35, to encourage participation by younger women who may not have as many resources as their more established counterparts. Every donation contributes to the whole and every gift is honored equally. As one WWWK member explains, “All of my life I dreamed of being a philanthropist like Bill Gates and Warren Buffet, but that was impossible on a teacher’s salary. Now, every month our Women’s Giving Circle turns my $30 contribution into $1,000 for charity. I am a Philanthropist! On a large or small scale, this is the beauty of women giving together. Quoting Ana L. Oliveira, Director of the New York Women’s Fund, “You are one grain of rice. You come together with other grains, and it becomes a bowl of rice, and that is how we feed.”

Future Philanthropists: Raising Children to be Charitable Notes from Women Give 2013: New Research on Charitable Giving by Boys and Girls (Center for Philanthropy, Indiana University)

All children, regardless of family income, as well as race and gender, can learn to be philanthropic. How parents teach their children about charitable behavior matters. Parents who talk to their children about charitable giving can positively impact their children’s philanthropic behavior. Just giving to charity is not enough to teach children to be charitable. Focused, intentional talking to children about charity is what works for children in families at all income levels and across gender, race, and age groups.

Parents need to ask themselves, “Do my children know that I give to charity? Do they know which charities I give to? Do they know why I give, and why I give to those specific charities?” Parents need to communicate these values purposefully to their children.

Open dialogue, thoughtful conversations, and age-appropriate explanations about giving are helpful strategies for raising charitable children. Saying to a child, “if we help people who do not have food, they will be happier in life than if they were hungry all the time,” is a more effective way to convey the importance of helping others than saying, “we need to feed the hungry because this is the right thing to do,” or “we need to share our food with those less fortunate than us.” Although much has yet to be studied about how children’s giving changes as they move from children to adults, this study provides ample evidence that today, the majority of children give and volunteer. This is good news for families, for communities, and for democracy.

W o m e n ’ s E q u a l i t y D a y ….

Every Day of the Year Written by Jen Euell

As we at the Women’s Foundation of Montana traveled the state in the last year, we have heard a debate emerge between those who believe women should be leaning in and those who believe women should be opting out. Should women be raising their hand to take on more responsibility at work and striving to move into positions of leadership? Or are women already doing more they can possibly handle, working 40+ hours per week, while caring for family and volunteering in the community? We don’t have all the answers. But many of those on both sides of this debate seem to hold similar belief systems and values. What if these aren’t mutually exclusive strategies? Whether you are a corporate ladder climber, working toward the corner office, or you are a stay-at-home mom, women’s equality is still at the core of your success and security. We all still believe that women’s work, whether in the paid workforce or in the home, should be valued. We believe that women and men should be compensated equally for their work. We believe that women should have choices and self-determination. We believe that our children are worthy of investment.

a woman who has been out of the workforce for several years caring for her small children?

Recently we have celebrated Women’s Equality Day, which marks the day women gained the right to vote nationally. We’d like to recognize all of those who have fought for our rights as women, and all of you working every day to live a life of meaning while supporting your family financially. We make social change a reality together every day, as we make small choices that move us closer to a world in which women are valued and supported in living joyful fulfilled lives. And that social change is institutionalized when we teach our children to do the same. These small acts of revolution are the key to a future in which women and men serve equally in positions of power, in the board room and at the kitchen table. Let’s go beyond recognizing women’s equality one day a year, and celebrate women’s equality through our actions every day of the year.

Equal Pay Progress In Montana we know that we have come a long way toward equality, as evidenced by the fact that women now surpass men in educational level overall and increasing numbers of women serve in positions of What if we started leaning in to make opt- power in both government and the private sector. ing out a more viable option? What if we However, we still have much further to go to tear supported each other, regardless of our down the barriers to women’s economic security. personal choices in life? If I negotiate an ex- With an average gender pay gap of 77 cents nationtended paid maternity leave with my boss, doesn’t wide and a Montana pay gap of 74 cents, we recogthat move us all one tiny step forward? What if you nize fairness in rhetoric does not equal fairness in sit on the hiring committee at work and vote to hire reality.

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The Montana Equal Pay for Equal Work Task Force is making strides towards equalizing this disparity. Most recently this progress has been evidenced in the Montana state internal audit of their pay and benefits structure. The audit found that while pay within state government is more equal than the rest of the state, it is still only at 86%. The largest part of the disparity exists because women are less likely to be in higher paid positions and positions of leadership. Additionally, women are underemployed in government, meaning they are more likely to have a higher level of education than necessary for their position. Read the report here: http://equalpay. mt.gov/documents/MontanaStateGovernmentPayAudit-TaskForceReport.pdf.

This fall look for policy proposals in areas such as new research in paid family leave, increased opportunities in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) for women and girls, growing numbers of businesses providing women-friendly workplaces, and paycheck fairness. $500,000 Invested in Montana Women WFM Program Director Jen Euell and Montana Community Foundation CEO Mary Rutherford were excited to present WFM’s founder Merle Chambers with a special thank you in late August for her vision of upstream solutions to create a brighter future for Montana women and girls. Merle’s initial investment has now resulted in more than $500,000 invested in Montana women through WFM grants over the last 14 years.

Photo on left: WFM's most recent grantees in Bozeman with Jen Euell, WFM Director on the lower left. On right from left to right: Mary Rutherford, Montana Community Foundation CEO, Merle Chambers, Chambers Family Fund President, Jen Euell, Women’s Foundation of Montana Director, Letty Bass, Chambers Family Fund Executive Director. oman.com

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Equality

WFM is proud to announce their most recent milestone of nearly $60,000 in new grants to organizations serving women and girls across the state toward their goal of investing $100,000 in Montana women this year.

The grants made include:

Hopa Mountain, Bozeman - $10,000 CodeMontana, Bozeman - $10,000 Montana State University Billings, Women’s Economic Research - $5,900 Bitterroot Economic Development District (BREDD), Missoula - $5,000 Montana Women Vote, Missoula - $5,000 Women’s Resource Center, Dillon - $5,000 Girl Scouts of Montana, Statewide - $5,000 Girls Using Their Strengths (GUTS!), Missoula - $4,704 AAUW Start Smart Trainings, Statewide - $4,000 Montana Girls STEM Collaborative, Statewide - $2,000 Montana GEMS, Butte - $2,000

The new grant funding is focused on creating systemic change to improve the economic status of women, supporting initiatives that give girls the tools to be financially successful, and programs that improve women’s economic security and equalize the pay gap. The end result will be new opportunities for hundreds of Montana women and girls in financial education, leadership, entrepreneurship, wage-negotiation training and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) programming.

The $100,000 for Women Initiative aims to leverage these new grants through a matching gift challenge to double the impact of the funds, investing more than $100,000 in Montana women in this 100-year anniversary of women’s suffrage in the state. This grant cycle is the largest investment of funds the Women’s Foundation of Montana has ever made in a single year. WFM Near You On August 2nd, the WFM hosted a Summer Roundup Fundraiser at the Marchi Angus Ranch near Polson, which celebrated the centennial of women voting in Montana, as well as raising about $5,000 in support of a brighter future for Montana women and girls. On Thursday, November 20th at 11:45 WFM Program Director, Jen Euell will present to the Mission Valley Subnetwork of MBN in Ronan on the Economic Status of Women in Montana. We’ve got a long road ahead. But we believe in the truth of the African proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far got together.” Thank you for being with us on the journey toward equality.

About the Women’s Foundation of Montana Established in 1999, the Women’s Foundation of Montana is a component fund of the Montana Community Foundation working to grow the economic self-sufficiency of women and a brighter future for girls in Montana. With a permanent endowment of more than $1 million, the foundation has awarded more than $500,000 to organizations improving the lives of women and girls in Montana. Find us at www.wfmontana.org. Learn more about the Montana Community Foundation at http://www.mtcf.org/index.html.

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outdoors} a photographer's playground

A Photographer’s Pl ayground Written by Lisa Slagle

woman stood on the edge of Bowman Lake at sunrise, armed with a paddleboard and a remote shutter. Her camera balanced behind her on a tripod, carefully set to the correct aperture and shutter speed. She waited for the rising sun to peek over the mountains, just barely illuminating the water, and then she began shooting photos with fervor. This is Kat Gebauer at her happiest, working and playing outdoors.

“At 7pm, I decided to rent a paddleboard and drive up to Bowman Lake,” said Kat. “If you want to do something, do it NOW. Don’t wait. I got there at 10pm. It was just getting dark. I grabbed my camera gear, went to the edge of the lake, and shot until 3am. I slept for three hours, woke up at 5am, and shot until 10am. I had the place to myself. It was awesome.”

When asked why she felt such urgency in photographing this scene, Kat answered, “I wanted to take a specific picture. I had a vision of a paddleboard with mountains and water, and I had to go shoot it. It is probably the best self-portrait I’ve ever taken, or at least the most epic.” Kat owns and operates a successful photography business in Whitefish called Green Kat Photography. She primarily shoots action sports, engagement photos, landscapes, pets, and weddings.

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Vital Stats: Website:

www.greenkatphotography.com

Camera of Choice:

Canon Mark III with a 24-70mm lens at 2.8

Why Montana:

I love the outdoors. It’s a big playground. I like getting lost in the woods or the mountains with my dogs, Ruger and Kirby Puckett. The light and seasons are always different and changing, and as a photographer, that keeps things really exciting.

Fun Fact:

The golf course is my second home. I’m the head fairway mower, and I love it. I can use my art degree and mow designs. Make the grass look pretty. I’m done at 2pm and have the rest of the day to take photos.

Ultimate Goal:

To own a studio gallery with a coffee shop inside of it. Fun chairs everywhere, and a place for people to relax and have meetings and drink good coffee and enjoy photography. That, paired with destination weddings.

Favorites:

Skis: Liberty Envy’s Snowboard: Never Summer SL Golf Club: King Cobra 3 wood Running Shoes: Nike Flynets Color: Hot pink and bright green. Coffee: Americano with raw sugar and cream Food: Pizza or eggplant Music: G Love Animal: Zebra. (And my dogs.) Season: All of them. There’s so much to photograph all the time. Time of Day to Shoot: Sunrise. I wake up at 5am every day.

Your Work in 3 Words:

Personal. Heartfelt. Vibrant. Those words also sum up Kat herself.

“If you want to do something, do it NOW. Don’t wait.”

“I like Montana for photography because there are so many unique challenges in creating art for someone. The possibilites are endless. You move two feet to the right, you have a whole new photograph.”

“It’s exciting when you find glimpses of light that shine through trees and make the leaves light up or a silhouette against a spec-

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BE PREPARED

I’ve always been that girl that keeps her door locked… Written by SONAL SHAH

Friday, August 1. As the sun peaked into the cracks of my blinds in the morning I awoke excited for the day. Only a few short hours of work and I would be off to Glacier National Park for a weekend of rejuvenation filled with camping and hiking adventures with a group of girlfriends. I had already organized and packed what I needed for the trip. All I needed was to get a few things accomplished at work and for the sun to keep shining as a reward for the week’s efforts. Fast forward to noon and I am back at home packing up my rig with supplies: food, sleeping bag, backpack, and more food. I am finally ready to roll out and meet my friends who had taken off earlier to secure our camp spot. The only thing left to bring with me was my purse. The

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only problem is it wasn’t where I thought it should be. Hmmm…..not in my house, not in my car. As I scurried around looking, that summer sun that was beckoning me just hours before was now harsh and relentless, forcing beads of sweat down my forehead. The realization and panic swept over me. I knew at that moment my purse had been stolen out of my car in the middle of the night. Recollections of the night before fired through my head. I knew I had used my wallet at the grocery store, but from there I couldn’t remember. I must have been so busy carrying groceries inside and thinking through my list of things to do, I inadvertently left my purse in the car. I’ve always been that girl that keeps her door locked. Someone had capitalized on my carelessness. Now what?!

The purse is the most indispensable item in most women’s wardrobe. We take it everywhere we go and put into it everything imaginable for a day’s survival. So what happens when we can’t find it? We panic! Unfortunately time didn’t stop moving and I still had to keep going on. Someone had my purse, my wallet, my gift cards, my sentimental items…..my everything. The panic created an immediate dark cloud over me and I felt myself go into survival mode. I needed to start making some decisions to put my life back in order. It’s a very helpless feeling knowing that someone has stolen from you and they have the potential to steal your identity. If you can’t remember the contents of your purse like I couldn’t, add to that some moments of terror. Fortunately, there are some lessons to be learned from what happened to me.

Be cautious.

First and foremost, don’t leave your purse in your car. Opportunity is the first layer of theft. Act quickly.

Whether your wallet/purse is lost or stolen, once you’ve recognized your purse is not in your possession you have a lot of phone calls to make as quickly as possible. It is better to be safe than sorry at this point. Don’t wait more than 24 hours as many companies have deadlines for reporting lost cards to limit their liability. Also, if someone is going to act deceitfully they are going to do so hurriedly in fear of getting caught.

Call your bank.

You want to report your debit cards stolen and any checks (i.e. checkbook) that may have been in your purse. The bank can cancel your debit cards and put stop payments on any lost checks. It may also be necessary to close your bank account and re-open a new one for added security.

Call your credit card companies and cancel your credit cards.

The credit card company will review your last known transactions with you when you call. If there are unauthorized charges on your account, you will be asked to complete an affidavit of fraud and forgery. You can also request a new card to be issued at this time. It is good practice to have passwords on your accounts (not mother’s maiden name or Social Security number) to prevent others from gaining access.

Call your friends/companies who have written you checks.

If you had any uncashed checks that were in your purse make sure to ask the issuer of the check to put a stop-payment on the check(s) as soon as possible. It is probable the person in possession of your purse will try to cash them, especially if they have your driver’s license and other forms of identification.

File a police report.

It is a good idea to file a police report and inform the police of what has happened. This will also prove beneficial in the future if you have to file affidavits of forgery, insurance claims and more. It only takes a few minutes to call the police dispatcher and get a case started. You will also be asked to file a formal report in person detailing the circumstances of the theft.

Get a new driver’s license.

No need to exasperate an already stressful time with a ticket for operating a vehicle without proper license. Replacing your driver’s license is essential. You must visit the Montana Motor Vehicle Division to replace a lost or stolen driver’s license. The Motor Vehicle Division has a list of primary and secondary documents that are acceptable for proving identity. A U.S. or Canadian birth certificate, valid U.S. passport, Social Security card, and certified marriage certificate are among the list of acceptable forms, none of which should have been in your purse.

Call the credit bureaus.

Identify theft is an insidious crime. Identity thieves can use your personal information, such as credit card number and driver’s license to open accounts in your name and run charges on your accounts. Contact the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) and report your lost credit cards and other stolen items that can be used to steal your identity. If you suspect theft you can request a “fraud alert” be placed on your file and that no new credit be granted without your approval. Having my purse stolen was a disaster. Especially, as it delayed my much anticipated relaxing weekend. There are preventative measures we can employ to help mitigate the effects of similar disasters. Here are some tips to help prepare in advance so you can rectify the situation as painlessly and efficiently as possible.

Make a list of the contents of your purse. You don’t have to write down the specific shade of lipstick you like to carry, but having a list of major items in your purse will help immensely when filling out a police report. This list may include: cell phone, camera, kindle, gift cards, etc. If there is any possibility of restitution for stolen items, the documentation will have significance.

Document what’s in your wallet.

Maintain an inventory of credit cards and other important documents in your wallet (i.e. membership cards, health insurance card). Include the customer service number and other pertinent information to help expedite the process. Be sure to keep this information in a well-secured place.

Remove non-essential items.

Make sure your Social Security card is not in your wallet – when all other documentation is taken from you, this is the most difficult identification to get reissued. Especially given the fact you need the other forms of identification (that are lost/stolen) to get a new Social Security card. Your Social Security card, passport, and other similar items non-essential to your daily life should be maintained in a secure location.

Keep confidential information secure.

Do not maintain a list of accounts and passwords in your purse. In a world where everything is automated with multiple passwords, I understand the rationale. However, we don’t need to provide a thief more tools to steal our money or identity. Thankfully for me, I was able to make the necessary phone calls and get everything under control in a few hours. Although my departure was delayed, as my friend drove us towards the Park I felt the sun beaming pleasantly down on me once again. As we ventured out of cell service for the weekend, I realized we can’t let our negligence or another person’s actions affect our weekend, or our lives. We just have to be more cautious and be prepared for anything.

The purse…..well, it can be

replaced. But our time…...it’s priceless.

This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only, it is not intended to act as professional advice. If you have additional questions, contact JCCS, PC in Whitefish at (406)862-2597 or Kalispell at (406)755-3681.

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It’s Time for Women Leaders to Shine! Written by Susan B. Clarke

The focus of my consulting and coaching work at thrive! has been helping leaders of teams that are underperforming, stuck in conflict, or mired in politics. CrisMarie and I work to help them become better leaders, transform their teams, and get great business results with their teams and in their organizations. We love what we do! Recently, we got curious about why 90% of the leaders we work with are men. So we decided to do some research to find out why. We started interviewing women leaders, creating focus groups, and doing surveys specifically around the challenges women leaders face. Here is what we found:

· Women leaders generally have darn good teams, or, at least, they don’t see their team as their highest pain point. · Women leaders see their lives as an integrated whole. Their success is not simply about their own accomplishments. Yes, they’re driven, but success in their professional and personal relationships has equal weight on their happiness. · Where women leaders are most challenged is in their peer-to-peer relationships or with their boss or next-level-up. Women leaders are too often considered peacekeepers or relational experts, and their collaborative style is seen as a “soft skill” and not taken seriously. · When women leaders don’t speak up assertively or aggressively and are focused on keeping the peace, they often wind up taking on too much responsibility for others and doing way too much. · A loud chord was that women leaders really don’t believe they can be successful being themselves. Instead, they believe they have to lean in or not lean in, lead like a man, or settle for positions that allow them to maintain a balance between their work relationships and their families. · These smart, successful women are often so focused on serving others. They want to be a “good _____________” (leader, boss, employee, mother, wife) so much so that they often don’t include themselves in the equation. They say yes when they would rather – and ought to – say no.

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Frankly, it was not a surprise to realize that women leaders have quite different challenges than their male counterparts. What we also realized was that women leaders also have quite different and unique strengths! I realize that these finding are generalities, and that there are and will always be exceptions. Still, let’s play with the findings so far.

Let’s Take a Look at the Strengths First

Women are good at developing relationships and building trust on teams. Because of their commitment to relationships, women leaders tend to pick up on cues in situations where people are upset, and they work to handle those issues quickly. This is great, and may very well explain why we don’t get as many calls from women leaders about their teams as we do from men leaders.

Now for the Challenges:

In looking at the challenges women leaders face, it’s clear that the bigger issue may be that they tend to lack confidence in and not value their own opinions, contributions, and needs. This lack of confidence in and commitment to their own value, opinions, and contributions is what often leaves women leaders feeling frustrated, resentful, and doing too much. We wanted to increase our support of these women leaders in doing things differently – meaning connecting more to their own confidence, value, and opinions while leaning into their natural strengths as leaders. As we coached women leaders, one key issue we noticed that kept tripping them up was resentment.

What’s Really at the Root of Resentment?

Resentment can be quite tricky in terms of finding a root cause. Let me give you an example: Sally is the Executive Director of a non-profit educational center. She works over 60 hours a week. She has maintained a balanced budget in the face of a declining student base. She has brought on new, engaged staff and faculty. The staff and faculty enjoy flexible hours and an excellent leadership development program through the center, available at a very exceptional discount. Sally is seen as a rock star leader. However, in my coaching sessions with Sally, it’s pretty clear she’s doing too much. She acknowledges that she’s been feeling a bit resentful when staff or faculty has complained about not getting requested time off or ideal time slots for classes. It may be easy to understand why Sally feels resentful. In many ways, the complaining staff/faculty aren’t working nearly as hard as she is, and yet they’re unhappy. You might even agree with Sally, like “Yeah, why can’t they be more appreciative or considerate?!” Though I empathize with Sally, focusing on staff/ faculty is a quick distraction from the root of Sally’s resentment. The real root of Sally’s resentment lies in her own inability to create healthy boundaries and say NO to taking on more of the workload. The root of resentment is always about the person feeling the resentment. If you feel resentful, you’re doing something you don’t want to be doing. Re-

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shine

member, we’re adults and we have choices. We can say, “No, that doesn’t work for me.” Women leaders seem to forget this much more than men leaders do. Sally has done what many women leaders do oh so well. She makes sure the work gets done and people are taken care of; however, the cost has been her own well-being.

Making ME as Important as WE

Leadership is all about dealing with the tension between taking care of ME and taking care of WE. If Sally continues to dismiss herself, in the long run the organization will fail when its best contributor and leader burn out because she hasn’t learned to speak up and say no when she needs to. I confronted Sally on this behavior by calling her out on playing small by not considering her own team as being able, and by holding herself back. Initially, she was quick to protest. Sally never saw herself as playing small or as taking care of her people until she realized that when she denies her own needs and continually focuses the light on others, she is indeed shrinking and not letting them see her. The good news: Now Sally’s feelings of resentment have become her signal to value herself, to have the confidence to show up and speak up. She’s been surprised to find that when she does speak up and addresses her needs, wants, and frustrations, the great team she has built is even better. Take in these words of Nelson Mandela, as written by Marianne Williamson:

“Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine…” At the bottom line, our research shows that an important key to helping women leaders shine in today’s workplace is helping them build their own unique brand of leadership that shines brightly without having to make anything wrong or anyone else shrink. I’m confident that helping more women leaders shine will only enhance the bright leaders already out there. Don’t hold yourself back! Bring all of you, be relational, and dare to shine brightly! Susan Clarke is a coach who specializes in helping women leaders who are frustrated, resentful, and doing too much become better leaders, align their teams (and their lives), and create great collective results.

legal}

Homestead

Montana Homestead Declaration What is it and how can it be used effectively?

By Kelly O’Brien, Attorney at Law Jim and Linda owned a home in Montana. The value of their home was assessed at $300,000.00 by the county where they lived. They recently refinanced their house and now had a small mortgage balance. After they refinanced they heard about the Montana Declaration of Homestead, so they found a declaration of homestead form, signed it and recorded it against their property. Unfortunately, Jim ended up with major health issues resulting in significant medical debt, which they were unable to pay. Ultimately, the medical debt resulted in several judgments against them. However, they didn’t worry about their property because Jim had recorded the declaration of homestead. Nevertheless, their creditors ultimately filed a petition with the court requesting that their property be sold or partitioned to pay the debt. Jim and Linda were shocked to find out that the homestead declaration would not protect their home from these creditors. Although Jim and Linda did not necessarily do anything wrong, they failed to realize that the homestead exemption does not apply to mortgage liens, and when they refinanced their home they signed a waiver of homestead exemption. Therefore, when Jim later recorded a declaration of homestead it was essentially ineffective due to this exception and the waiver they signed. Moreover, they did not understand that only the equity in their home up to $250,000.00 was protected from other creditors, and that it would only protect their equity in their home above the mortgage balance. Jim and Linda’s situation illustrates some of the misconceptions regarding Montana’s Declaration of Homestead and its practical use. A declaration of homestead can be an effective tool in planning and protecting your assets from creditors, but it must be understood and property executed to be effective.

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What is Declaration of Homestead? Montana law recognizes the right of an individual or couple to claim up to $250,000.00 as an exemption from most creditor claims for their primary residence. A “homestead” for purposes of the declaration includes a dwelling house or mobile home, the land and associated appurtenances. “Appurtenances” are defined as improvements attached to the land, such as an outbuilding or fence, but it does not exclude home appliances, fixtures or other personal property. You may only make a declaration of homestead for your primary residence. It cannot be used to protect second or vacation homes. Moreover, a declaration of homestead is only effective against equity in property; it does not apply to the portion subject to a mortgage. Regardless, as in Jim and Linda’s situation, most mortgages contain a waiver of the homestead exemption provision whereby you must specifically sign off releasing all rights and benefits of the homestead exemption laws, and acknowledge that the property is subject to a forced sale by the mortgage holder. How Do You Make a Declaration of Homestead? You establish a declaration of homestead by executing a legal document that is similar to a deed or other grant of real property. The document or “declaration” must contain the legal description of your property and a statement that you reside on the premises and claim the premises to be your

homestead. The declaration must follow all of the formalities listed above, and be acknowledged, just like a deed, and recorded in the office of the county clerk and recorder.

If you are married, both spouses should sign the Declaration of Homestead. This is the case even if both of you are not listed on the deed because a spouse may have a legal interest in the property due to Montana law. If one spouse does not sign the declaration then his or her interest is not protected. Exceptions and Potential Problems As illustrated in Jim and Linda’s situation there are some clear exceptions to the applicability of the homestead exemptions and potential problems if the declaration of homestead is done incorrectly or without a full understanding of its applicability. Montana law sets out specific circumstances in which property is subject to execution in a forced sale to satisfy judgments obtained by creditors regardless of a declaration of homestead. These exceptions include: Vendors’ Liens: If you hire someone to perform construction work, or materials, for your home and fail to pay for the materials or services, then that individual or business may place a lien against your property. In the instance of a lien for these materials or services, a declaration of homestead would not protect your home.

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Homestead

Debts secured by Mortgages: If you have a mortgage on your property this means that the bank has a lien against your property for the amount owed on the mortgage. Debts secured by mortgages are not protected through the declaration of homestead. Regardless, as previously mentioned, most mortgages have a specific waiver of the homestead exemption provision whereby you must specifically sign off releasing all rights and benefits of the homestead exemption laws. Judgments Obtained Before the Declaration of Homestead is Recorded: A declaration of homestead only applies to judgments obtained after the declaration is recorded. If you have existing judgments against your property when you declare and record a declaration of homestead, it will not protect your home from these specific judgment liens incurred prior to recording. In addition to the specific objections, it is also important to make certain that you have followed the proper formalities, and ensure that the legal description is complete and accurate, when recording the declaration against your property. Can a Creditor Still Force a Sale with a Homestead Declaration? If you have properly executed and recorded a declaration of homestead and a creditor obtains a judgment against you can they force a sale of your property? If the value of your equity in your property is $250,000.00 or less, and none of the exceptions above exist, your home is exempt and a creditor cannot force a sale. If, however, the equity in your property exceeds $250,000.00 your creditors may petition the court to force a sale or partition of your property. Whether or not a creditor files a petition depends on the value of your property. Usually the value of the property is based on assessed value of the property for purposes of paying property taxes. If the assessed value is lower, especially if it is significantly lower, than $250,000.00 it is likely the property will be protected from a forced sale by a creditor. However, if a creditor believes that the property is worth more than $250,000.00 then the creditor can file a petition to have the property valued by an appraiser.

In instances where the assessed value for the property exceeds $250,000.00 then a judgment creditor can petition the court to either partition the property or force a sale of the entire property. If a creditor wants to initiate this process through a petition, the creditor must give notice of a hearing and the appraiser needs to report the value to the court. If the land can be divided without “material injury,” then the court can order the appraiser set off a portion of your land, including your principal residence, equal to the $250,000.00 exemption amount and then the remaining portion of your property may be sold. If the land cannot be divided, it may then be sold as a whole parcel. If a creditor was to be effective in forcing a sale, you are still entitled to receive the $250,000.00 from the sale proceeds. This money remains protected from execution for a period of 18 months after the sale. While a declaration protects some of the equity in your home, it does not necessarily protect your home from a forced sale. Hopefully, you will not ever face a situation where your residence is subject to sale by a creditor, but if so, a homestead declaration can at least protect some of your investment. Effective Use of the Montana Declaration of Homestead A declaration of homestead is an important tool in protecting your investment in your home, yet it is essential that it be done properly and with a full understanding of the amount of your property protected by the exemption. The format for making a declaration of homestead is fairly standard, but I recommend seeking the advice an attorney to ensure that you have included the proper legal description for your property and that you have followed all of the required formalities. It is also a good idea to discuss a declaration of homestead with an attorney to ensure that you are able to make a declaration under the terms of your mortgage and that you understand how much of the value of your home will be protected in your particular circumstance. If you have questions or would like additional information regarding homestead declarations or other real estate or estate planning issues contact Kelly O’Brien, Measure, Sampsel, Sullivan & O’Brien, P.C., at (406) 752-6373/ www.measurelaw.com

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design}

love getting hired to create a logo. It’s an exciting time for the business owner, and their energy is electric.

Logos are extremely important to your business because they become the symbol of your company, they anchor your brand, and they set the bar for your customers’ expectations. A logo constantly represents your brand, for better or for worse. Let’s make it for better.

YOUR LOGO NEEDS TO BE DESCRIBABLE.

Your logo needs to be easy for you to describe in one sentence or less. Example: “It’s a ‘W’ made out of colorful chainlinks.”

If your logo is difficult to describe, people are going to struggle to remember it. Example: “There’s a mountain with a giant, swirly half-moon, half-sunshine and a cloud and a bird and a river and then a fish jumping out of the river and the water splashing off its body spells the company name.” That’s not what you want. That’s too complicated.

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In your brainstorming process, explore all the crazy, wild, visual ideas you can dream up, but don’t try to include them all into your logo. Look for simple-yet-strong themes. One will always stick. Focus on that one idea that speaks to the key personality of your brand.

YOUR LOGO SHOULD BE MEMORABLE.

Your logo needs to be unique and clear enough to stick in someone’s memory.

Example: “It’s a swoosh mark, sort of like a rounded checkmark.” It can’t be so generic that it falls aside in someone’s head, and they can’t really even remember what they were looking at. (Example:

“Uhhhh, I think it was a triangle. Or maybe a mountain.”) You can achieve a memorable logo with color choice, font choice, and imagination.

MAKE IT VERSATILE.

Your logo should be versatile enough to appear in many contexts. It should always be functional and crisp, and for this reason, make sure you get your logo designed in vector format. Your logo should make sense whether it is on a vinyl graphic on your truck, a sticker on your skis, or printed sideways on a pen. You should be able to present your logo in a square format, or be able to break it apart and separate the words from the symbol so that they are both strong independently. This takes a ton of thought.

WheelieCreative A design & creative studio

WheelieCreative

NO COLOR? NO PROBLEM.

Sometimes your logo will be seen in public without any of the colors you agonized over in the design process. This often happens if you run a black and white advertisement in a newspaper or one of your customers prints something from your website using a black and white printer. Your logo should still look good in greyscale or black and white. It shouldn’t look like a clump of ink, and it should still be clear.

MAKE IT TIMELESS.

You probably don’t want to include pop culture references or strictly follow design trends while you are choosing your logo. A great logo will

stand the test of time, even if it needs a small update or two over time. Avoid trendy fonts, and stick with a font that is fairly minimalist and classic. Keep the icon simple. The more complex the design, the faster it will date. Keeping it simple will bring focus, impact and an identifiable image, which can be easily recognized as your brand grows over time. If you would like help with your company’s logo and branding or just want to geek out with us about how awesome typography is, please contact Lisa Slagle, Wheelie Creative, at www.wheeliecreative.com or stop by the office at 144 E. 2nd Street, #302 Whitefish, MT 59937.

144 2nd Street E. #302 Whitefish, MT 59937 (406)862-1440

health}

Ask the Skin Coach

Light Therapy By Erin Blair, Licensed Esthetician + Certified Health Coach

I see LED light units for sale for the skin, touting benefits from clearing acne to anti-aging. Do these really do anything for the skin, or are they a waste of money? Are they dangerous? Can they cause cancer, for instance? If they do work, how can they treat both acne and aging?

Light Emitting Diode (LED) therapy has been around for a long time, but only in the past decade or so has it been recognized for its true potential in treating skin concerns.

It is a safe and effective way of enhancing skin health, if the right light is chosen and it’s used correctly. There are no known negative side effects, although those with thyroid conditions and seizure disorders are advised against LED. The light does not contain UV rays, and therefore does not increase cancer risk.

What’s your color?

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The most common colors you’ll find are blue and red, although benefits of other colors are recognized as well. Color and wavelength are critical factors in skin treatment. Because different wavelengths and colors are required to treat various conditions, it’s important to apply colors specific to your goals.

oman.com

Red light is recommended for stimulating collagen growth, resulting in anti-aging effects. Blue light (anti-bacterial) combined with red (anti-inflammatory) is required to treat acne.

Here’s an example of the various colors, what they’re known to help with, and which wavelength is needed for desired results:

LED Color, Nanometers and Skincare information

Blue - 450-495 - Kills p. acnes bacteria Green - 495-570 - Hyperpigmentation Yellow - 570-590 - Lymphatic Red - 620-680 - Universal: Reduces redness, promotes healing, collagen synthesis, circulation, stimulates cell energy production

But does it work?

In correct dosages, the energy from light is absorbed by skin cells. This increases both circulation and oxygen flow and assists with toxin release. It stimulates energy production (ATP) in the cell and kills acne bacteria. In fact, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, this innovation is the best known, proven treatment to decrease acnecausing bacteria. During the past 15 years research done by organizations around the world have revealed that light stimulates intercellular communication, resulting in skin rejuvenation. One of the most significant studies on the application of light came from NASA, which found LED to stimulate wound healing and increase growth of tissue1.

More recently, a study published in March 2014 in the Journal of Biomedical Optics, reported that LED therapy was as effective as laser for improving the rate of wound heal-

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Ask the Skin Coach

ing. The study also found that both therapies significantly improved healing, compared to untreated wounds left to heal on their own2.

I only trust devices that are FDA cleared to treat specific conditions. Otherwise, they could be a complete waste of time and money. Because devices are manufactured differently, they will come with their own instructions for use. Professional units (like the one I utilize in my practice) provide stronger doses and require treatments once or twice per week for best results, followed by less frequent maintenance. Home units are weaker, and must be used diligently on a daily basis for a change to be seen in the skin.

Change takes time

I have found LED to be a great benefit to my client’s skin in the treatment room. I love it for reducing redness after an exfoliation treatment. I love it for stimulating collagen and decreasing wrinkles. I love it for killing bacteria and reducing the inflammation of acne. It’s a non-invasive way to encourage the skin’s own ability to heal and rejuvenate, with no downtime or discomfort. It is gentle and natural, with plenty of science to back it up. Just remember, LED lights are stimulating change at a cellular level. Consistency and time are needed to realize the many benefits.

1 HT Whelan, et. al., Effect of NASA light-emitting diode irradiation on wound healing, J Clin Laser Med Surg 19 6 305–314 (Dec 2001) 2 Download a PDF of the full study at www.bit. ly/1nDTE3a

Erin Blair, Licensed Esthetician and Certified Health Coach, is the owner of Skin Therapy Studio, a place for total skin wellness. She takes a ‘whole person’ approach to difficult skin concerns. Visit SkinTherapyStudio.com for more information, or to submit questions for Ask the Skin Coach.

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bones

Osteoporosis By Kimberley Forthofer, ARNP at Kalispell OBGYN

Osteoporosis literally means porous bones... Following menopause, women are at increased risk for development of osteoporosis due to the sharp decline in estrogen levels during this transition. One in two women over the age of fifty will break a bone due to decreased bone density or osteoporosis. There are varied risk factors for osteoporosis. Women should understand their individual risks, talk to their practitioners about when screening is right for them, and learn about prevention and if needed, treatment of osteoporosis.

porotic fracture occurs, women are at increased risk for additional fractures.

Risk factors

Screening

Caucasian women have about a 20% risk of developing osteoporosis whereas Black women have about a 5% risk. Women who start with lower bone density, such as petite women or those who have gone prolonged periods without menstruating, are at greater risk for development of osteoporosis. Typically, after age thirty women are no longer building bone density but begin the gradual loss of bone density. Women between the ages of twenty and eighty lose about one-third of their bone density during this time period. Having a family history of osteoporosis also increases risk. Smoking and excessive alcohol intake increase a womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s risk of fracture and once an osteo-

Current guidelines recommend starting screening at age sixty-five unless risk factors exist. If a woman has one or more risk factors, screening can be obtained prior to age sixty-five. All women who are postmenopausal who have suffered a fracture should begin screening. Screening is most typically done with low radiation dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Diagnosis is based on what is known as a Tscore. A T-score of -2.5 is indicative of osteoporosis.

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Treatment Calcium and vitamin D are always recommended in the treatment of osteoporosis. Adequate dietary calcium is preferred, but supplementation may be required if women cannot obtain enough calcium from their diet. The current recommended dosage is 1,200 mg of calcium and 400-1000 IU of vitamin D a day. Weight bearing exercise also helps to improve bone density and daily exercise is recommended. Unfortunately, biking and swimming do not fall into this category but various other forms of exercise do, including weight training and tai chi, which have additional benefits of improving balance.

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Medications may also be recommended. Therapy may range from a daily oral pill to once yearly intravenous medication. Hormone therapy with estrogen may be an effective and safe option for women who are also experiencing menopausal symptoms. Vaginal estrogen preparations are not absorbed well enough to benefit bone health; however, other preparations of estrogen such as patches may be an effective option. Women who are post-menopausal, whether through surgical removal of the ovaries or the natural process of menopause, lose bone density at an accelerated rate for a period of approximately 5 to 8 years. Nearly half of all Caucasian women fifty or older have low bone density without a diagnosis of osteoporosis. After menopause, women need to talk with their practitioners and discuss their personal and family history to determine when to start screening for osteopo-

rosis. Taking steps to prevent bone density loss by assuring adequate calcium and vitamin D intake, along with weight bearing exercise, helps maintain bone health. Exercise also has the added benefit of fall prevention and reduces the risk of osteoporotic fractures. Kimberley Forthofer, ARNP

Kimberley Forthofer, ARNP joined Kalispell OB/GYN in July of 2013. She was raised in Whitefish and returned to the Flathead Valley after working for 4 years as a primary care provider in Idaho. She offers a wide range of experience in primary care as well as womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health and her clinical experience includes both acute and chronic care. She and her husband, Joe, have two children and have enjoyed getting back to the outdoor recreational opportunities that Montana offers.

Typically, after age thirty women are no longer building bone density but begin the gradual loss of bone density. Women between the ages of twenty and eighty lose about one-third of their bone density during this time period.

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health}first impressions

Nods, Waves, Smiles, & Real-Life Cowboys by Dr. John F. Miller DDS

I am currently raising 3 children. Which is another way of saying that I’m being taken to school on a daily basis. It has been, and will continue to be an education. One might suggest that we are raising each other. School’s not out yet however, seeing as we will be welcoming baby #4 in February. I’m going for my PhD in... rearing. My wife asked if I was going to have “the procedure” done. I told her, “well, I have a soft tissue laser, the Internet, a foggy grasp of reproductive anatomy, and the farmer’s daughter for a wife...so we can probably do it at home.” The negotiations continue. One of my favorite things about parenting is watching kids learn the rules of society; Social Norms if you will. I tell my friends who do not have children of their own (on some days I refer to these friends as geniuses) to imagine going out in public with four mouths that you are responsible for, all attached to different brains with varying filter levels. If one or more of those mouths goes rogue, the judgment is on you, not the innocent kid.

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Society has, as it seems, placed a lot of value on a nice smile. Famed social scientist and one of my favorite authors, Malcolm Gladwell, has concluded that our smiles have a definite influence on our social mobility. He explains that bad teeth and obesity are part of “the next wave” of physical discrimination in society. In a nutshell, your smile will greatly influence your personal and professional relationships.

oman.com

An important component of any relationship, perhaps the most important, is the very first meeting. Also known as The First Impression! I conducted my own little experiment for this article and googled: “great first impressions.” In 0.34 seconds 46.6 million options were at my fingertips. But, as any googler knows, you're only interested in the first page of organic search results. This first page had 10 results from respected sources such as Forbes, Psychology Today, etc., and all were focused on First Impression instruction. Here is the data from reading all 10 sources: 7 reference having a pleasant smile directly, 2 reference physical appearance without a direct reference to smiling, and one was focused on first impressions over the phone so smiling was not applicable.

"It is not lost on me that I’m a dentist and

that I have a vested interest in your smiles, but this is one of those 'don’t hate the messenger' scenarios." My research also taught me that it takes mere seconds for the first impression to be made, and that the first impression is formed entirely off of what are labeled: Non-Verbal Cues. Remaining in the context of first impressions, important non-verbal cues include posture, eye contact, dress and grooming, your smile, etc. The combination of these non-verbal cues will determine the success of your first impression.

health}first impressions It is not lost on me that I’m a dentist and that I have a vested interest in your smiles, but this is one of those “don’t hate the messenger” scenarios. We are told to dress for the job you want, and I hope it’s not too cheesy to say, “smile for the life you want.” Life is full of challenges; make sure your smile is one of the solutions and not an obstacle. If left unchecked, poor oral hygiene will reveal itself in your smile. I was told a story once about a leader of a business who would schedule prospective employee interviews during lunch. When the interviewee arrived he would suggest they conduct the interview over lunch somewhere and asked them to drive. He said the individual’s car could tell him more about the person that what was on their resume. Non-verbal cues matter. For those who don’t know, we moved here from San Francisco. Now, I don’t mean like near San Francisco in the bay somewhere, I mean right in the city. There is a difference in Social Norms between Frisco and the Flathead as you can imagine. So when I brought my 5-year-old daughter to Montana, those living an alternative lifestyle did not fascinate her (wild hairdos, flashy

clothing, tattoos, and hipsters). This is what she was accustomed to. What really got her excited her first few months in Whitefish, were Cowboys. I was excited about slowing things down and falling back into my natural small town routine. This meant that I would greet my fellow residents with a nod and a smile, or a smile and a wave if we passed on the road. “Who was that Daddy?” I would hear from the backseat. “I don’t know Nayvee.” I would reply. “Why did you wave to them if you don’t know them?” was her follow-up. “That’s just the way we do things in Montana.” It felt good teaching her that lesson, developing her routine. This is the time of year that we need each other’s smiles the most. The dreaded period of gray sky before Big Mountain opens. If you need a reason to smile just remember that you live in Montana, where we still smile and wave to our neighbors and we have real-life COWBOYS.

Evidence suggests that people sometimes rely too much on appearance cues over actual information. When provided with descriptive information about a target, participants still rely on physical appearance cues when making judgments about others' personalities and capabilities. Participants struggle to look past physical appearance cues even when they know information contrary to their initial judgment.

health}

Palliative Care A Comprehensive Approach to Improving a Life with a Serious Medical Condition By Fred Hitchcock, Program Manager at North Valley Geriatric Specialty Services Everyone has seen the numbers that tell us of the enormous growth in seniors over the next few years. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) predicts a growth of over 228% just in the Flathead Valley alone by the year 2030. Many of these folks will live much longer than in the past and as a result, will become more vulnerable to chronic illnesses that place an ever increasing demand on health care services. Hospitals have responded in many different ways to help their patients but one of the most exciting is the development of Palliative Medicine programs which are designed to help patients who need help managing complex and multiple chronic illnesses for the long-term.

Palliative Care is designed to provide support for those with serious, life-threatening illnesses and their families. Gone are the days when patients and their families face debilitating and life-threatening diseases in a system that sometimes feels fragmented in its response. Palliative Care offers a way to help balance the services and make the care more responsive to the needs of the patient and family over time. While there may not be any curative treatments available, Palliative Care can provide many options to improve quality of life.

The Center to Advance Palliative Care defines palliative care as “… specialized medical care

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for people with serious illnesses. It is focused on providing patients with relief from the symptoms, pain, and stress of a serious illness-whatever the diagnosis. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family.”

Palliative Care is put together to help the patient and family identify their goals and then figure out what is available to help them get there. A team, usually consisting of a physician board certified in Hospice and Palliative Medicine, a nurse, a licensed clinical social worker, and a chaplain, is designed to address the major concerns and visit the patient and family wherever they may be…the hospital, the emergency department or at home. The team listens to the patient and family as they decide what THEIR goals of care encompass. This good communication helps family and patients make good decisions about care. Palliative Care is not hospice. Admission to hospice requires a physician to determine that a patient be considered to have less than six months to live. The patient and family choose NOT to receive aggressive, curative care. Hospice focuses on care rather than cure.

On the other hand, Palliative Care would ideally begin at the time of diagnosis for a serious illness. Age is not a consideration since the focus is on the diagnosis, not the age of the patient. There is no life expectancy requirement and palliative care can complement, rather than replace, curative care. The Palliative Care team works with the primary care physician and

keeps the provider informed as to the care plan recommendations and the goals of care that are developed along the way. You may ask, “How do I know if I could be helped by a referral to a Palliative Care Team?” You can discuss this with your primary care physician, emergency department staff, or your hospitalist if you are in the hospital. They can all help connect you to the team and arrange your initial consultation. Palliative Care does not replace your care, but complements the care you are already receiving. It is no different from being referred to a cardiologist if you have a heart problem.

Palliative Care might be an option if you have a need for symptom management that might include problems with pain, nausea, vomiting, anxiety and fatigue especially if you are dealing with chronic diseases. Sometimes we all need assistance in making difficult medical decisions or addressing practical needs for the patient and family that might include things like home care or medical devices.

The main thing to remember may be that every person wants to be part of the decisions that are made about their healthcare and their life. Palliative Care is there to help you reach your goals and to help your family understand and cope with the effects of chronic disease.

For more information on palliative services, contact North Valley Geriatric Specialty Services at 406-862-1030.

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stop

By Flathead Community Health Center

Consider these statistics:

· Everyday several thousand adolescents in the United States light up their first cigarette · One third of those new smokers will eventually die of tobacco related diseases · From the American Cancer Society: Eightynine percent of people who ever try a cigarette try by age 18. Almost no one starts the smoking habit during adulthood. · Seventy percent of adolescent smokers say they would never have started if they could choose again. That's because the nicotine in cigarettes is addictive. The risk of becoming addicted to nicotine is between one in two and one in three. · Tobacco is responsible for nearly one in every five deaths in the United States. It is the largest cause of preventable death. More than 400,000 people die every year from smoking-related diseases. That's more than from alcohol, crack, heroin, murder, suicide, car accidents, and AIDS combined! - See more at: http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/lesson034. shtml#sthash.9El88pRW.dpuf · According to a 2011 Daily Finance article, the average smoker smokes 13 to 16 cigarettes a day, or four to six packs a week. That translates to at least $1,500 a year. (The average price for a pack of cigarettes in the United States is now $5.58, though the price varies widely by state.) · More than 500 ingredients are added to tobacco during the cigarette manufacturing process. · Here is a great link for more statistics from the Great American Smoke Outhttp://www.cancer.org/healthy/stayawayfromtobacco/greatamericansmokeout/index Anyone looking to stop smoking can call the Quit Line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW or go to QuitNowMontana.com for more information. Over 75,000 Montanans have called the Quit Line since 2004 and 40% of callers have successfully quit tobacco. (progress report July 2012-June 2014) Make this year your “Great American Smoke Out!”

“Great American Smoke Out” is an annual promotion in November that encourages smokers to STOP!

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snacks

Snack Facts:

Set your child up for success in school, one bite at a time

by Jessica Manly, FoodCorps Service Member, Kalispell, Montana

In Japan, obento, the practice of creating carefully arranged, brightly colored lunches for school children, is a source of pride and even competition for many mothers. These artful little meals, popularly called bento boxes in the U.S., often contain animals or cartoon characters sculpted out of rice, landscapes of fresh vegetables, or rainbows of seasonal fruit pieces. With a new school year in full swing, your eyes may be rolling at the thought of sending your child off to the school bus with an artfully constructed bento each morning, however, making time with your child to prepare healthful snacks and lunches can be one of the most important preparations you make for them to excel academically, socially, and athletically.

A 2009 study at the University of Alberta evaluated the lifestyle and performance of approximately 5,000 children and found that “students who ate an adequate amount of fruit, vegetables, protein and fiber, with less calorie intake from fat, did better on their literacy tests than those eating

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foods high in salt and saturated fat.” The American Academy of Pediatricians recently officially linked Attention Deficit Disorder and hyperactivity to the consumption of artificial food dyes and sodium benzoate, a popular packaged food preservative. And any teacher can tell you that a snack high in sugar, worse, high-fructose corn syrup, will send a child’s energy through the roof, and then crashing back down under their desk, and that a balanced snack encourages children to focus and perform better on afternoon tasks. The USDA’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, or just “snack,” is a federally funded program that allows food service directors an annual budget to provide a whole fruit or vegetable to each student for snack for free. In the Flathead Valley, progressive food service directors, like Jenny Montague in Kalispell, Jay Stagg in Whitefish, and Robin Vogler in Somers, are evolving their district’s lunch programs to feature fresh, locally grown produce, scratch cooking, and fruit and veg centric menus. And with the help of FoodCorps service members, a nationwide team of AmeriCorps leaders connecting kids with real food, schools in Kalispell, Ronan and Polson, and the Northshore Compact (Bigfork, Somers, Lakeside, and Cayuse Prairie) are also providing students with nutrition and garden education to accompany their snacks, and to help them make healthier choices in the cafeteria and into the future.

If you prefer to pack your child’s meals at home, it is important to include healthy snacks that include protein, fats from nuts, dairy, and plant sources (avoid heart-harmful trans fats and partially hydrogenated oils), as well as fresh fruits and vegetables to meet the vitamin and mineral needs of their growing bodies. Avoiding packaged snacks, though I know they are certainly convenient, can help to avoid added sugar, preservatives, and additives that are linked to ADD (research). According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average cost of a serving of fruit or vegetable is 25 cents per serving, compared with a 69-cent single-serve bag of potato chips or an 80-cent candy bar. If you are choosing packaged snacks, be sure to read the labels to avoid high sugar content (a child’s daily recommended sugar limit is 3 teaspoons—a can of soda has about 10 teaspoons) and preservatives. My personal rule is that if a food label has ingredients that I don’t recognize or can’t pronounce, or an ingredient list longer than about 5 or 6 items, I generally skip it. Packing your child with their own healthy snacks, or better yet, having your child help pack their own, will enable them to stay energized and attentive throughout the school day, and feel better equipped to avoid snacking on the myriad brightly colored treats and shiny candies that float about the classroom and lunchroom each day.

Here is a list of healthy snack options and tips for you and you family to try: Whole fruits and vegetables—this is gold standard for snacking. Only 2% of children eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables per day. Try kid-approved snacks like strawberries, grapes, melon, apples, carrots, and berries. Cutting them up makes it more likely your child will try them, and lightly coating fruit slices with lemon or orange juice will keep them from browning in their lunch bag.

Invest in a cute, reusable lunch bag, utensils, or Tupperware—choosing serving ware that your child likes will encourage them to eat their snacks and lunch, and will also cut down on packaging and food waste. Visit en.bentoandco.com for family friendly bento boxes, dabbawallabags.com for sustainable and adorable lunch bags, or Rocky Mountain Outfitters, or your local sports store, for reusable camping utensils that are great for school lunch.

Yogurt and toppings—When I was a kid, I used to love those sugary yogurts with crunchy granola or even chocolate chips in their plastic lid. With more than _ sugar a serving, it’s no wonder I wasn’t allowed them very often! Make a lower-sugar, still delicious version of this protein rich treat, by buying bulk lowfat plain yogurt (preferably organic) and mixing a half-cup of it in a sealable container with either trail mix, sliced fruit, a spoonful of your favorite jam, or low-sugar granola. Buy a reusable water bottle! Keeping your child hydrated through their active day can be challenging, however, drinking enough water is key to mental and athletic performance, and sustained energy. Buying a colorful, BPA free, or stainless steel container will encourage sipping their recommended 5-8 cups of water throughout the school day.

Whole grain crackers or rice cakes with lowfat cheese slices, nut butter, or hummus—hummus is a delicious dip filled with healthy proteins and fats from chickpeas and tahini. Avoid peanut butter unless you are sure your child isn’t in a peanut-free classroom or lunchroom.

Smoothies—Have your child help you blend together a cup of fruit (banana, berries, peach, etc.) with a ½ cup of liquid (water, milk, soymilk, low sugar fruit juice) and a few leaves of spinach, kale, or other green and send it off with them for snack in a sealed jar. Would you like to support new school garden projects in the Flathead Valley? Please visit www.nourishtheflathead.org to donate to Farm Hand’s Farm to School grant fund that goes directly to farm to school efforts in our area, or please visit www.foodcorps. org to donate to FoodCorps’ national effort to connect kids to real food so they can grow up healthy.

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mwwrc

Montana Wild Wings Recovery Center Written by Kari Gabriel

With the changing weather and hunting season upon us, it is time to remind hunters to consider using non-lead shot. It’s also worth encouraging fishermen to use non-lead fishing sinkers.

It requires an extra effort, but

it so worth it for the raptors that are feeding on waterfowl, big game and fish.

Birds of prey may eat dead or

injured prey killed with lead shot, or fish that have ingested fishing sinkers. “Lead fired at upland game is also finding its way into non-target wildlife, but mainly from lead projectiles that actually hit their intended targets. This lead is being ingested by eagles and other raptors when they prey upon wounded animals that have been shot, or when they scavenge the remains and entrails of animals that have been shot and left in the field. While this toxic threat has existed for decades, new technologies and increased surveillance have put more and more of these poisoning cases in the public spotlight.” Further, “The issue of lead poisoning of eagles and other birds of prey can be almost entirely eliminated through one of two voluntary steps hunters can take: 1) The use of non-lead ammunition for actual hunting; and/or 2) The recovery and proper disposal of animal carcasses or parts which may contain lead fragments that are left in the field. For most popular calibers of hunting rifles, ammunition with non-lead projectiles is available. While slightly more expensive, the use of non-lead projectiles eliminates the need for any further attention to the lead-poisoning issue on the part of the hunter. To minimize the burden of the additional cost, lead ammunition can be used on the range to sight-in or practice with hunting weapons, but non-lead ammunition of the same size and bal-

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"Frank the Pygmy Owl" Photo by Kari Gabriel listic characteristics can be used in actual pursuit of quar- December 2013, and in this year so far, we have presented 68 education programs, with more than 4300 ry.” [www.wildlifecenter.org] attendees between the ages of 2 – 92! We take our Lead poisoning is difficult and very expensive to treat education ambassador raptors to schools, service clubs with any animal, so please consider using non-lead shot and public events. and fishing sinkers! All of us that volunteer with MWWRC, bring experiMontana Wild Wings Recovery Center (MWWRC) ences from other wildlife rehabilitation and education is a volunteer wildlife rehabilitation and education organizations, and share that knowledge with each organization. We take in sick, injured and orphaned other and others. Some of us have extensive expewildlife (mostly birds), and feed and care for them rience working with raptors, some have experience until they can be released back into the wild. Those working with non bird species, and some have experithat cannot be released become part of our own edu- ence working with songbirds and waterfowl. All of us cation program or are transferred to another organi- put together have more than 80 years of experience zations’ education program. MWWRC was formally in handling the multitude of Montana native species incorporated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in that we care for on a regular basis.

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While springtime meant tiny (and not so tiny) orphans, fall means young fledglings trying to figure out how to make a living on their own. Some of our Montana Raptors migrate to more temperate weather, while a few migrate in. We live in a unique place, and some raptors that would normally migrate out of Montana, actually hang around for the winter. Many Red Tails are likely to stick around. Keep your eyes open for these beautiful birds flying over the open prairies and fields looking for their next meal. Rough Legged Hawks will be appearing in the Valley for the winter, while many of our falcons and other hawks migrate out. In addition to Rough Legged and Red Tail Hawks, you are likely to spot Sharp-shinned hawks, Northern Goshawks, Merlin, American Kestrel and Prairie Falcons, and of course, Bald and Golden Eagles. You will also spot most of Montana’s fifteen species of owls in the winter, so keep your eyes and ears open for Great Horned, Barred, Great Gray, Northern Saw Whet, Northern Pygmy, Short Eared, Long Eared, and of course, Snowy Owls. Hawk Owls are rarely seen in our area, but they are here in the summer, migrating up to Canada and Alaska. Take care while driving down the highway when you see a deer carcass that has also fallen victim to a car strike. There is likely a raptor or two feeding on that carcass. For whatever reason, just like deer, they sometimes panic and flee toward your vehicle, rather than away from it. At night, owls are often hunting on the highway, chasing their tiny prey and not watching for oncoming traffic. We admit a lot of owls and hawks in the winter after being

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hit by a car. In fact, almost every raptor that we How can you help? Please consider us for a yearadmit (excluding the orphans) is a victim of a car end tax deductible gift. As a 501 (c)3 tax exempt organization, you can deduct your monetary constrike. tributions to MWWRC. You can either mail a Our two Eaglets that received so much atten- cash donation to us at: MWWRC, 37 Panoramic tion were released back in August. They were full Drive, Kalispell, MT 59901 or you can visit us ongrown, eating on their own and were released on line at: www.wildwingsrecovery.org and make a Whitefish Lake at their original nest site, with donation through PayPal. plenty of fish for food. The other Eaglet that came from a nest in Lakeside is still with us. He came in Another way of helping us is to select us as a charunderweight and is showing signs of neurological ity, with your existing Smith’s card and Amazon account. The Smith's Food & Drug Community damage, so we are still observing him. Rewards program lets you select MWWRC, to which Smith's will donate, based on dollars you We had a great summer of releasing spend at Smith’s. To participate, please visit www. fledglings! All in all, we took in nineteen smithscommunityrewards.com to link your rechicks and were able to raise and release wards card number to MWWRC’s organization them as fledglings. Species included number 89928. The program is in addition to the fuel savings points Smith's offers and will not imBald Eagles, Great Horned Owls, Red pact your fuel savings! Tail Hawks, American Kestrel Falcons, We are also registered with AmazonSmile, a simple and a Cooper ’s Hawk. It is important to and automatic way for you to support us every time remember that in all of these cases, the you shop, at no added cost to you. When you shop at parents weren’t taking care of the chicks smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same pricing on your items, with the added bonus that the and we intervened only after trying AmazonSmile Foundation will donate a 0.5% of everything else. We always try to leave the purchase price from your eligible purchases back to MWWRC. On your first visit to AmazonSmile, chicks with parents, they have a much you need to select Montana Wild Wings Recovery better chance of survival learning from a Center to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping. parent. Sometimes the parents reject a chick or the parents are killed, and the If you have another idea, or want further information, please give us a call at 406-250-1070 or contact only chance they have is with human us online at www.wildwingsrecovery.org or on our Facebook page. intervention.

MWWRC Volunteer Profile: Sue Haugan Sue Haugan has been volunteering with Montana Wild Wings Recovery Center for two years. She started out by filling in and helping feed the birds in the winter, to helping with education programs and MWWRC events and programs. She thoroughly enjoys learning more about the birds and being a part of bird releases, education programs and sharing the birds with others.

Sue is also an excellent photographer, and has documented our birds and volunteers, in living color. Many of her photographs have appeared in previous issues of 406 Woman. Sue volunteers her time not only with the birds, but donates her photos to the organization for our Facebook page, website and for thank you cards. You can see more of Sue’s photography at https:// www.facebook.com/pages/Photo Greeting Cards by Sue Haugan and also find her photo greeting cards on sale in some local gift stores.

Sue and her family moved from Dallas, TX, to the Flathead in 1995. She has been married to her husband Chris for 30 years, and has 2 grown sons & 2 dogs. She has her own medical billing practice, and works part-time from a home office. Sue is a member of FreshLife Church, and as a five year breast cancer survivor, also mentors women currently dealing with breast cancer. She is also passionate about hiking and documenting her weekly hiking group adventures through photographs. The group hikes every Thursday in various locations, many of them in Glacier National Park. She recently traveled to Peru with 6 members from her local hiking group, PIKA (Partners in Keeping Active). The women, four who are cancer survivors, hiked the Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu over a period of four days, camping along the way. They hired Inca Trail Trekking Company, complete with guide and porters,

who escorted the women up the trail. Their crew included a chef who made a fire and cooked dinner in a tent every night, and special touches like bringing a bottle of wine and baking a cake for one of the women’s birthdays. The women started at about 8,500’ elevation and hiked up over three mountain passes, the highest being Dead Woman’s Pass, at almost 14,000’. Despite fatigue, joint pain and high elevation, each woman completed their journey to the cloudy Inca ruin of Macchu Picchu. Sue also enjoy hiking and fishing with her husband & dogs, and spending time at their remote cabin in the Cabinet Mountains. On being given a second chance in life, Sue says “I want to get out there in God's glorious creation whenever I can and enjoy life to the fullest often looking to the sky and seeing who is soaring by.”

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