contents
406
featured
profile
8. Becky Anderson2014 Face of Skin Chic
10. Jen FrandsenOld Town Creative Communications
16. Hearts for SeniorsMobile Home Repair Program
12. Miss Montana Teen USAMadyson Rigg & Miss Montana USA, Kadie Latimer 18. Stacey RiggsAlpine Lighting Center 40. The Women's Foundation of Montana Pledges $100,000
business
22. The Affordable Care ActWhat you Need to Know
406 Man 20. Luke Walrath
art
30. No Boundaries! The Art of Mneme Therapy
24. Money! Money! Money!Susan B. Clarke
legal
26. Trust BasicsWhat is a Trust and Do you Need One
34. Off Key Notes
History
36. Montana History MagazineHonored
home
38. The Path to Regenerative Building
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Becky Anderson
In Her Skin Getting to know
Becky Anderson,
the 2014 Face of Skin Chic By Leslie Oniel Photos by Katrina Weingart with VioletRay Photography
It is easy to laugh with Becky Anderson. Even though she starts our interview hoping that there will be enough material to fill an article since she has become a young retiree, Anderson need not fear. She is full of great stories and varied interests. And even though she was born in the middle of Kansas, she shares a love of Montana that is just as deep as her fourth-generation husband’s. When she came to Missoula at the ripe old age of eighteen, she and her parents first landed at what is now the Doubletree. It was the Edgewater back then and the first thing the waitress did was ask Anderson if she wanted a glass of wine. That’s when she discovered the drinking age at the time was 18. She hated the wine (something she claims to have remedied) but her parents knew by the look on her face that she’d be in Montana forever.
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Skin Chic Southgate Mall 2901 Brooks Street Missoula, MT 59801 406–541–8466 www.skinchic.com
And, speaking of Becky’s face, it is now the 2014 Face of Skin Chic, an honor that may never have happened if it weren’t for the wedding of her only daughter.
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Becky Anderson
This woman ~ who is full of great humor, stories and, of course, beauty ~ cleverly promised her daughter that if she waited until she was old enough to make an intelligent choice in a mate, then Becky would make sure she had the wedding of her dreams. Her daughter, Karly, took this advice. Her dream wedding meant getting married on the family ranch just south of Missoula. To Becky, it meant everyone getting their makeup done by the locally owned boutique, Skin Chic. “They just did such an amazing job,” Anderson said, “we all felt beautiful and, hey, this was my one and only shot to be mother of the bride! I was going to look good!” It was that one interaction with the staff at Skin Chic that piqued her interest in the contest. One of the makeup artists suggested Anderson apply and, at first, the idea seemed absurd to her. Anderson said, “I mean, here I am, over 50, thinking of competing with these gorgeous young girls.” She kept getting encouragement from many others, though, and decided to give it a shot. Skin Chic clearly believes that beauty comes in all ages and is not limited to one decade in a woman’s life. Jennifer Clouse, part-owner of Skin Chic, is thrilled having Anderson as their face this year. “She has experience. Not only in life, but she has experience in business and with various skin care products. Becky knows our products and services work. And she’s so funny! Becky is also a natural promoter. Her husband also owns a local business, so she knows how important it is to connect locally when you’re part of this community.” Clouse thinks Anderson’s understanding of local business is just another layer of what makes her a great choice.
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Annegret Pfeifer
to make the top ten. “There I was, literally begging people for votes. It was the hardest part ~ trying to get into the top ten.” She made it to number eight, and then her great presence did the rest. Plus, Becky Anderson is gorgeous. She jokes about her distinctive, clear green eyes and how she inherited them from her father, who got his from his father. Neither her son, Alex, nor her daughter received the eyes in the genetic lottery, so she’s hoping they show up in the next generation. “Not because my eyes are so great,” she adds quickly, “it’s just I’d like to see them go on somehow.” Genealogy is one of Anderson’s favorite hobbies. She happily spends hours in historical societies and on the internet researching various limbs of her family tree. One particular hunt gave her the news that she had a long, lost uncle who had been placed for adoption. Her diligence led to a contact with cousins she never would have known existed otherwise. And, when she convinces her husband to take a trip to Europe, she hopes to connect with the new relatives in England. This is the kind of depth that makes it easy to understand why she was chosen for this honor. You couldn’t tell this from pictures of her great skin, but she really does go outside. Since retiring from a twenty-one year career at Blackfoot Technologies, Anderson has been taking care of the ranch, she and her family love. She loves nothing more than managing the dogs, chickens, horses and gardens that make up their little piece of heaven. They are very proud to have recently put their property into a conservation easement so that future generations may continue to enjoy the land exactly as it is. “Montana is magic,” Anderson said. “My husband and I love to travel, but we could never give up living most of our time here.”
“Many people still don’t know that Skin Chic is a locally owned business. I know Becky can be a great promoter because she Both Anderson and her husband are avid understands this.” Clouse explained. scuba divers and they try and do at least two dives a year. Husband, Denny, owns Gull As the winner of the Face of Skin Chic, Boats in Missoula and still works full-time, Anderson receives a prize package of but they do make it to the Caribbean and makeup and skin care, plus three photo Panama as much as they are able. They love shoots with Violet Ray, and all of the images. the sea so much that they were married ~ “I’m looking at this as my year to be a little and later renewed their vows ~ underwater. selfish,” Anderson said. “I love the products They now share the passion of diving with and am going to spoil myself. I probably their two children. sound like a walking advertisement, but I’m thrilled with the results and the dedication It makes us realize that a life well-lived is of the people there.” what really makes a woman beautiful. This year, fifty-five faces competed for the title. The first ten were narrowed down by Facebook and then went on to interview with members of the Skin Chic staff, and a local photographer. Anderson’s personality and confidence made her an easy choice to win. She laughs when she recalls having to go on social media to solicit votes in order
After her year as the Face of Skin Chic, Becky Anderson hopes to devote more time to local charities. She loves the time she’s spent on the County Open Lands committee and hopes to add more to the list. Until then, she is simply enjoying this oncein-a-lifetime experience.
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Jen Frandsen
Jen Frandsen By Jill Seigmund Photo by Scott Wilson Photography
Old Town Creative Communications Imagine you're working away in your office one afternoon, and the phone rings. You answer, expecting it to be a routine business call, and it turns out to be anything but that. Bill Gates is on the other end of the line. "Hi," he says. "This is Bill Gates. I hear we should be friends." This actually happened to Jen Frandsen, co-creator of Old Town Creative Communications in Whitefish. Except it wasn't Bill Gates calling; it was someone Jen admires even more–the Bill Gates equivalent of the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping software world—Jack Dangermond. Dangermond started a little company called Esri with his wife in 1969 in Redlands, Calif. Today, Esri is an international supplier of GIS software, web GIS and geodatabase management applications with annual revenues in excess of $1 billion. Had it been April 1, Jen probably would have suspected an April Fool's Day joke. But this was no joke. Jack Dangermond really was on the line asking to be her friend. You see, Jen's company uses Esri's software in one of its own products–GeoConsensus, a multiuser, place-based website content management system used by clients such as National Geographic and CITGO. GeoConsensus had caught Dangermond's attention, and he wanted to meet the hearts and brains behind it— Jen and John Frandsen and Old Town coowners Ken Deeds and Noel Whelan. "He flew the four of us down to Redlands to meet with him and his senior management team," said Jen. "Most people can't even get a handshake out of this guy. We spent an entire day with him."
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By the end of the day, Dangermond got around to asking the inevitable—How much did they want for GeoConsensus? But the four partners weren't ready to sell, no matter how sweet the offer might be. They knew there was more they wanted to do with GeoConsensus. It has been nearly four years since that initial meeting with Dangermond, and Old Town has firmly established itself as one of the most exciting new high-tech businesses in the Flathead Valley, with GeoConsensus remaining a hotly sought-after product. As Old Town looks to the future, it sees itself providing the world with do-it-yourself content management system software for mobile devices. Wow. All of this is happening from an office in Whitefish's Railroad District.
Jen believes if Old Town can compete in the high-tech world from a little office in Northwest Montana, so can other companies. "There are a lot of people out there with really cool ideas who just don't know where to start," she said. Last September, Jen was one of hundreds of Montanans who made the trek to Butte for Sen. Baucus's Economic Development Summit featuring senior leaders from some of the world's most successful manufacturing and high tech companies, including Facebook, Oracle, Ford, Boeing, Tesla and others. "I came away energized," she said. "I was very excited about the emphasis on technology’s
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Jen Frandsen
"I came away energized," she said. "I was very excited about the emphasis on technology’s role in economic development in Montana. I think I have a piece of the puzzle as someone who has started a business, not just someone who has run a business."
swell of support for the creation of a business incubator in the Flathead. "An incubator would help businesses grow more quickly," she said.
role in economic development in Montana. I think I have a piece of the puzzle as someone who has started a business, not just someone who has run a business." While Jen is plenty busy enough between growing a business and helping raise two children, the 35-year-old Illinois native successfully ran for Whitefish City Council last year and was recently appointed to the board of directors for Montana West Economic Development. With these posts, Jen hopes to accomplish two primary goals: help others succeed in starting and growing tech companies in the Flathead; and encourage computer programming education in local middle and high schools. In regard to her first goal, Jen has joined the
A business incubator generally consists of a physical hub where startups are nurtured through mentoring, networking and shared resources, which could include personnel, equipment and capital. As the startups develop into successful companies, they spread their wings and leave the nest, making room for new eggs. Ideally these companies then serve as mentors to the next generation of startups. Back in their infancy, Hewlett Packard, Google and Yahoo were all nurtured in incubators. Jen's interest in promoting computer coding to teenagers stems from the gap between the sparse number of Montana university students graduating with computer science degrees and the growing number of programming jobs available in the state. "There are more jobs available than graduates," she said. Jen and her business partners would like to hire Montana computer science grads, but
they frequently have to look outside of the state in order to find applicants with the right blend of education and experience. She hopes that by introducing middle and high school students to coding, more of them will opt to study computer science in college and ultimately go on to pursue careers as programmers. As such, Jen is a proponent of the new initiative, CodeMontana.org, established in 2013 to engage a minimum of 1,000 Montana high school students in computer programming studies this academic year. Jen dreams that someday Montana will be the kind of place where students can graduate college and find–or better yet–create satisfying jobs, raise their kids and comfortably retire when the time is right. As more companies like Old Town take root here and as more people with Jen's optimism and energy step into leadership roles, Montanans will wake up one morning and realize it wasn't a dream after all. Jill Seigmund is the entrepreneurship coordinator at Flathead Valley Community College, working under a U.S. Department of Labor grant. She can be reached at 756-3834 or jseigmund@fvcc.edu
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Miss Teen & Miss USA Montana Down-to-Earth, Fiscally Responsible, and Celebrity Crushes … Get to Know Two Kalispell Beauty Queens Who Prepare for the National Title
They are competing for the job of Miss USA and Miss Teen USA and will be representing Montana. This pageant is part of the Miss Universe Organization in partnership with Donald J Trump and NBCUniversal. Meet Miss Montana USA 2014, Kadie Latimer and Miss Montana Teen USA 2014, Madyson Rigg as they open their hearts and reveal who they are in an all-access interview.
By Maureen Francisco
How did you get into pageants? Kadie: I was approached by someone who I now call my “Paggy Mom” to enter the pageant. She believed I could be the girl to break the 50-year curse of not making the top 15 at Miss USA. After a lot of convincing, I entered the Miss Montana USA pageant, set goals for myself and took it as a challenge to become a better version of myself throughout this journey. Her confidence in me gave me the strength to jump out of my comfort zone and compete in my first pageant.
Photo of Madyson Rigg by Justin Hebert Photography
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Madyson: It was quite serendipitous. After not making the volleyball team my junior year, Miss Montana Teen USA sent me a mail solicitation advertising the system. Since I didn’t have my fall booked, I decided to go for it. That year I ended up getting fourth runner-up and fell in love with the competition. I came back this year and now I have the crown.
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Miss USA is so much more than a crown on your head. The title represents immeasurable opportunities that give you the power to express what you are passionate about and be the example everyone is looking up to.
Miss Montana Teen USA & Miss Montana USA
What did you do with your crown the first 24 hours after you won? Kadie: I wore it all the way home to Kalispell and every one of my family members had the opportunity to try it on and take pictures. Yes even my dad was excited to try it on. After that, we displayed it in my living room as the centerpiece so everyone that came over to visit could look at my new bling bling. Madyson: To make sure that it was real, I put it on my dresser so I could see it when I woke up every morning and went to sleep every night. It's still pretty surreal though. What is something people do not know about you? Kadie: I am the biggest penny pincher. I will do anything to save a couple dollars. My whole wardrobe consists of consignment clothes that I buy at second hand stores. My favorite store is Plato’s Closet in Spokane. WA. I can walk away with five new outfits for all under $100. I’m not a name brand girl. I like to recreate my own style. Madyson: I am a veteran to competing on a national level. I have gone to four and soon-to-be five national competitions for various activities, including DECA, BPA (Business Professionals of America), and now We The People. You could say I'm a bit of a nerd considering these business (DECA and BPA) clubs and We The People have been the highlight of my high school career. How long does it take you to get ready? Kadie: I will literally sleep until the last minute possible before I have to wake up and get ready. I don’t usually wear a lot of makeup or curl my hair unless it’s a dress up event so that saves me time in the mornings and I get more of what I like to call beauty rest. Madyson: If I'm just going to school, I usually leave the house with my hair wet in a sweatshirt and leggings. Why are you right for the job? Kadie: I am a very welcoming person with a down-toearth personality. I want to be a leader, someone that can interact and be approachable to others around me. Being Miss USA is so much more than a crown on your head. The title represents immeasurable opportunities that give you the power to express what you are passionate about and be the example everyone is looking up to.
Photo of Kadie Latimer by dvmphotograhy
Madyson: You have to be really outgoing and be able to strike up a conversation with anyone, which is something that I am great at. After switching from a small private school for all of my pre-high school schooling to the comparatively massive Glacier High School, I got a lot of experience meeting new people, which is something that Miss Teen USA needs to do all the time. 13
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Photo of Kadi Latimer and Madyson Rigg by Justin Hebert Photography If you were a pizza, what would your toppings be and why? Kadie: I’d be a pineapple because I have a hard outer shell, but soft and sweet on the inside.
Do you prefer spicy or sweet foods? Kadie: I enjoy Mexican [food] and I can’t get enough of Siracha. I put it on most of my meals.
Madyson: I would be a jalapeno because I have a fiery personality. (Most of my friends would describe me as sassy.) And also bacon because everyone loves bacon.
Madyson: I am for sure a spicy person. I get it from my dad.
Who is your celebrity crush? Kadie: It’s a tie between Liam Hemsworth and his brother, Chris. I’m a sucker for those Australian accents. They are both eye candy on the big screen. Who wouldn’t have a crush on them? Madyson: Andrew Garfield, look at the boys hair. He's a talented actor and seems like a sweetie. You got stranded on an island. Who would be likely with you? Kadie: I would bring Jennifer Lawrence, Katniss from the Hunger Games. Jennifer Lawrence is not only the most downto-earth girl, but we share a lot of similar interests. I think we would always be entertained by each other’s witty humor and how awkward and clumsy we both can be. Hopefully she could use some of her “Hunger Game” survival skills to keep us from being vegetarians. Madyson: Buster Posey, my favorite baseball player ... if you "catch" my drift. (Oh something else people don't know about me I love cheesy puns). What grade are you currently? Kadie: Last semester of college. Madyson: Senior at Glacier High School.
Who is your favorite Miss USA or Miss Teen USA? Kadie: Olivia Culpo, who later became Miss Universe. I met her in person at a workshop in Vegas. She is a girl who isn’t afraid to show her goofy side, but bring fierce competition on the Miss USA stage. Madyson: Miss Teen USA 2004 Shelley Hennig who has been on my favorite shows, “Teen Wolf ” and “The Secret Circle.” It's cool to see that she came from the same situation that I'm in and now she's hanging out with Tyler Posey and Dylan O'Brien. I'm hoping I get to follow in those footsteps! Let's say you get the job of Miss USA or Miss Teen USA. What would you include in your thank you speech? Kadie: This has enriched my life beyond belief. Madyson: I would no doubt have to thank Kadie. She is probably the best part of this year because we have become so close. For more information about being the next Miss Montana USA and Miss Montana Teen USA, visit www.missmontanausa.com. (Maureen Francisco is an author of an awardwinning book, It Takes Moxie: Off the Boat, Or Out Of School, To Making It Your Way in America. www.maureenfrancisco.com)
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Hearts for Seniors Helps Rejuvenate Flathead County Mobile Homes
Sharon Teal with her beloved cat
By Naomi Morrison Photo by Daley McDaniel
There’s no contesting that seniors live on
older. And according to a Montana Department fixed incomes. For so many, the small of Commerce study, 49-percent are considered substandard and needing repair. These figures amount of retirement funds they have do not include mobile homes in good condition allows them to get by with their basic needing accessibility. needs of food and shelter. But there’s lit- “I love this program,” Atkinson said. “Anytime we tle left for larger purchases such as home can be involved it’s a win, win, win situation, and maintenance or accessibility modifica- we’re going to have fun. I think it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. I love being involved in positive tions. That’s where the Area Agency on things because everyone feels good. Aging Senior Mobile Home Repair proThe volunteer board of advisors reviews and gram steps in and helps our aging com- selects applicants for remodeling. Fixing items munity members remain in their homes. such as bathrooms, water heaters and furnaces is the short list of important necessities provided Program coordinator and founder Jim Atkin- so seniors can continue to live in their homes. son said since the program started in 2005, They also provide ramps for wheelchair access they’ve worked on 185 projects and spent al- and other handicap accessibility measures so most $200,000. Last year alone, the Senior Mo- they can remain independent for as long as posbile Home Repair program spent $37,402 on 58 sible. mobile home repairs and accessibility modifications. Federal funds don’t normally support mo- For Kalispell resident Sharon Teal, independence bile homes and when he was director of Agency is what the program provided for her. She reon Aging, he recognized that there was a real ceived a wheel chair ramp off her porch and a swivel chair in her shower so that she no longer need. needed assistance with bathing. Along with the According to a 2010 Center for Housing Policy, construction team, a group of 4-H youths stained Flathead County has 4,776 mobile homes, which the ramp to help maintain its integrity through is 10.3-percent of all the valley’s homes. Ap- Montana’s harsh weather. proximately one-third of those are occupied by residents 55 or older and 19-percent are 65 or “I had a very positive experience” Teal said. “I older. This equates to approximately 1,250 Flat- was treated with compassion and respect, and head County mobile homes housing those 60 or they were able to meet my needs. The work406
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ers were very professional and their hearts are in this for the seniors to be able to stay in their homes.” This program is a diamond in the rough that makes the application process easy and accessible to anyone who wishes to apply. Teal is a widow in her 70s who moved to Montana with her 22-year-old cat to be near her daughter, sonin-law and three “strapping” grandchildren. Like the other recipients, she could not have afforded to make these home modifications without this assistance. All you have to do is ask. “I have a lot of health problems, and I am so grateful to be able to live in my home much longer, and with dignity, and it’s because of the generosity of this program. It’s not lip service. It’s action,” she said with happy tears. “Most of us have a very set, low income. I could not have done this without their help.” For about five years, Great Bear Builders owner Steve Burglund has provided consultation and construction services to applicants. He makes the initial visit to assess the needs and discusses the applicant’s concerns. He returns with a remodel plan that will make it as safe and sanitary as possible. He spoke of one senior who couldn’t get into her shower for six months and just took sponge baths. He installed a sliding shower chair and gave her back her independence. Another gen-
“I had a very positive experience” Teal said. “I was treated with compassion and respect, and they were able to meet my needs. The workers were very professional and their hearts are in this for the seniors to be able to stay in their homes.”
tleman requested a ramp to his house. While speaking with him, Burglund realized he couldn’t fit through his bathroom door with his wheelchair. A modest fix of cutting the door open more made such a difference in this senior’s life. “Something as simple as that gives them dignity again,” Burglund said. “Talk about changing your life when you can’t even get into your bathroom. This program made me aware of how good most of us have it. It’s put compassion in my life. My eyes were opened. It hit me in the heart how these seniors live. These are our parents and grandparents and we need to take care of them.” Some smaller, less costly projects are typically repaired during remodels. These include making energy improvements such as fixing or replacing leaky faucets and shower heads or changing out rotten doors. However, even with the tremendous need, there isn’t enough in the budget to work on larger projects such as sealing old roofs, which could cost upwards of $3,000 each. “These are their golden years, and for a lot of them, it’s really not that nice,” Burglund said. “This issue is one that we as a society need to address. And we’re doing everything we can in the Flathead Valley. But, there’s a limited budget.” The team could not do the work they do without the financial generosity of businesses, community foundations and individuals. Fundraising efforts raise about $30,000 a year. Atkinson speaks for everyone involved when he says how wonderful it is to have the support of our community and see this population of society taken care of. “We have a bunch of loyal contributors who think this is a real good idea,” he said. “I’m amazed by the program. It’s my baby, but it’s bigger than I am right now. It grew up.” Teal urges seniors to apply and the community to continue to donate. “I want to encourage the seniors to have the courage to ask for this assistance,” she said. “It’s so helpful for everyone.” To apply for assistance or to participate as a donor or remodel provider, contact the Flathead County Area Agency on Aging at 758-5730. 17
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Stacey Riggs
Stacey Riggs By Gwen Sutherland Photos by Scott Wilson Photography
Alpine Lighting Center “There are more choices in lighting than women’s shoe styles,” states Stacey Riggs, owner of Alpine Lighting Center. Showcased on Kalispell’s Main Street, Alpine Lighting is an indulgence of sophisticated and elegant lighting and home décor designs. Dreams come to life as clients visualize thousands of fixtures in a natural habitat. With over 300 manufacturers from which to choose, Stacey and her team work with residential and commercial clients from all over the United States, happily tackling lighting design challenges of all kinds. “Service and education are key components of our business,” says Stacey. “Each job and every income level is unique and important to us.” All Alpine Lighting Center specialists are highly trained in their field. To be a designer at Alpine, the American Lighting Association (ALA) requires a score of at least 80% on the Lighting Specialist Certification test. “The learning curve for this business is approximately two years,” explains Stacey. As Montana’s largest lighting showroom, Alpine Lighting Center was born in 2002 from Stacey’s dream to open her own business in downtown Kalispell, where she grew up. She found a wonderful space that was once the Montgomery Ward’s store and uses every square inch of it. Indeed, the space is glorious. Stacey and her team of designers have filled the showroom with Tiffany lights at the entrance and thousands of lighting designs throughout. Everything is illuminated, even the wine rack and niches of ambiance throughout offer visual stimulation providing clients with exciting ideas of how to use lighting to its full potential. The 16’ ceilings are able to accommodate and showcase the display of huge chandeliers and home décor helps frame the individual vignettes. 406
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The 7000 square foot basement provides warehouse space and staging areas for their large residential and commercial jobs. Upstairs, the Alpine Ballroom reminds one of the grand and elegant spaces of years past. It sparkles with warm woods and gorgeous chandeliers and is available to rent for parties, weddings and events. “Being on Kalispell’s Main Street is a huge benefit,” Stacey explains. “We keep the lights on in front 24/7 and 365 days a year. It’s our best advertising!” Coming from the semi-conductor industry, the lighting business is a good fit for Stacey’s right and left brained abilities. She is able to examine an architect’s blueprints and visualize the lighting design in 3-D, thus determining the
layers of lighting needed. In addition, she brings her design and management experience from the Seattle and Bozeman markets where she worked for several years. “In decades past, lighting design was single source,” Stacey says. “Now, one light cannot be the only workhorse in the room.” She explains that every space necessitates multiple sources of lighting with flexible functions. Ambient light throws light all around the space where as accent is subtle lighting. Task lighting illuminates a surface and wall lighting enhances rough surfaces, providing drama and interest. What about the confusing world of light bulbs? The knowledgeable and professional staff at Alpine can sort all that out. Watts are the energy consumed. Lumens are the quantity
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Stacey Riggs
Coming from the semi-conductor industry, the lighting business is a good fit for Stacey’s right and left brained abilities. She is able to examine an architect’s blueprints and visualize the lighting design in 3-D, thus determining the layers of lighting needed. In addition, she brings her design and management experience from the Seattle and Bozeman markets where she worked for several years.
and measurement of light (what you see). An LED (light emitting diode) bulb draws 1/10th of the wattage for the same lumen output. It lasts on an average of 22 years, making it well worth the initial cost and it is non-polluting. An interesting note about fluorescents…they don’t burn out, they fade out at the rate of 20% a year. Stacey explains, “It is critical to change a fluorescent bulb every two to three years. Think of it like the oil in your car. You don’t wait for all the oil to be gone before you replace it. It’s the same with fluorescent bulbs.” A tip from Stacey: Write the date on the fluorescent bulb when you install it so you can change it regularly. Another fascinating aspect of lighting design is a movement toward clean, organic lines. The heavy Montana rustic look that has been prevalent for the past 10 years is giving way to a European influence, largely brought on by the affluent and quality-driven Canadian business that has come to the Flathead Valley. The new designs have a subtle color palate, still incorporating
iron, but with a much sleeker and more timeless appearance. The seasoned team at Alpine Lighting Center is sensitive to all designs and understands that each home or business requires its own unique and technical considerations. They can do it all, from blueprint to consultation and from selection to repair. One thing is certain...they love a challenge! In fact, several of their residential designs will be featured in the upcoming Parade of Homes, a favorite Flathead Valley event and not to be missed. Alpine Lighting Center, located at 333 Main Street in Kalispell, is keeping the lights on for a long, successful future and looking forward to maintaining their lead position as Montana’s best in selection, service and knowledge. 406-756-2639 alpinelightingcenter.com Hours: Mon-Fri. 9-5:30; Sat. 10-3; Closed Sunday
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Luke Walrath
Luke Walrath By Gretchen Knuffke
I recently caught up with the very busy Luke Walrath, one of the founders of the Alpine Theatre Project. He is a man with a mission and that mission is “to imagine without boundaries, to create vibrant professional entertainment and transformative arts education, to inspire the audience, artists, and next generation.” And that is exactly what the Alpine Theatre Project has done for the community of Whitefish and the entire valley.
In 2003, they were asked to start a summer theatre project and that first production of “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” was such a success that they began thinking about creating a new kind of theatre in the valley. Instead of just a local summer stock theatre, they envisioned bringing a little bit of Broadway to Whitefish. In 2004, Luke, Betsi and fellow local actor David Ackroyd founded the Alpine Theatre Project and using the connections they had to the stage in New York and Los Angeles were able to bring that talent in and build a professional theatre right here in Whitefish. They began at the O’Shaughnessy Center but eventually felt the need to spread their wings and find their own stage. As luck would have it, the school district was in the midst of renovating and upgrading the theatre that would eventually become the Whitefish Performing Arts Center and the home of the Alpine Theatre Project.
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ATP continually tries to change its programming and has found success in more contemporary and adult shows. Rather than doing the same classics every year, they love to bring in some shows that
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ATP's production of I Do! I Do! 2011
Luke grew up dancing in Milwaukee and eventually made his way to Minneapolis to study theatre at the University of Minnesota. From there, the big city called and Luke moved to New York to make his dreams of acting on the big stage come true. He was cast in a national tour of the Broadway production of The Sound of Music and there, met his future wife, Betsi Morrison. They soon began longing for a different quality of life and in 2002, they relocated from the city, to the mountains of Montana and have worked tirelessly to make their dreams of theatre come true here.
people might not normally see. The Full Monty and Hair have been some of their most popular productions. As the Marketing and Development Director, Luke feels that his job is about surprising people and doing the unpredictable and that is what keeps the theatre fun for him and for audiences. His job is not to give the public what it wants, but to give them what they didn’t even know they needed. You won’t see any tired, old shows here. Every year will bring something new, fresh and fun.
One of the greatest Impacts that ATP has made in the community has been through its educational outreach. Each fall and
spring, students are able to audition for an upcoming production. All students are granted a part in the production of the play and are able to learn firsthand how a theatre runs. Luke credits his wife, Betsi, with having the vision to reach out to parents in the community for inspiration on how to teach their kids and that has helped make the productions so successful. The goal of Alpine Kids is to empower young people through performance education and to develop the next generation of theatre professionals. Rehearsals are now underway for the late April production of Pippin. ATP has been extremely successful and has grown tenfold in the last 8 years. So, with
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Luke Walrath
His job is not to give the public what it wants, but to give them what they didn’t even know they needed. You won’t see any tired, old shows here. Every year will bring something new, fresh and fun. an eye to the future, 2014 will see ATP continuing to streamline. ATP 2.0 is the plan for the upgrade that will allow ATP to improve its operations while increasing its community impact and ensuring long-term sustainability. It is a 5 point plan that will reduce costs, increase outreach and maximize revenue by rotating shows with a resident company. Rotating shows will allow for more visitors to the valley to see a production by ensuring that 3 different shows play each week. Rotating through July and August are the productions of Guys and Dolls, Big River and Tommy. That is an impressive list of shows and should make the summer a huge success for the Alpine Theatre Project. Luke’s passion for his work and his love for this theatre are evident when talking to him. He has brought a lifetime of passion for theatre to Whitefish and continues to inspire the kids he works with as well as adults who come to see the summer, fall and Christmas shows. The Alpine Theatre Project is celebrating 10 years in Whitefish this summer. 10 years, 174 shows and over 80,000 tickets sold. The Flathead Valley is blessed to have this little gem of a theatre and Luke, Betsi, and David promise an entertaining 2014. Luke makes his home in Whitefish with his wife, Betsi and their twin two year old boys who keep them busy, but happy, and so glad that they call this place home.
Photos from top left to right: Betsi & Luke at the 2001 Tony Awards party for 42nd Street, which had just won Best Revival of a Musical. Luke with Betsi and the twins, Glacier National Park. Bottom right photo of ATP's production of The Full Monty.
business}
Affordable Care Act
The Affordable Care Act:
what you need to know Written by Brittnee Brown and Tiffany Starkel
Women are often the primary decision makers when it comes to keeping their families and themselves healthy. These decisions are far reaching and often range from planning a healthy meal to choosing between health insurance plans. The passage of Affordable Care Act reformed the healthcare system in many major ways. In order to be able to make the best decisions for you and your family, it is important to be aware of the act’s most basic provisions, so here’s a list of the top 10.
1. Individuals must carry health insurance
Beginning January 1, 2014, all individuals including children, unless qualified for an exemption, must carry health insurance that meets minimum essential coverage guidelines or risk paying a penalty. Plans that meet these guidelines include: Employer-sponsored group health plans
Plans available through the Marketplace Government sponsored plans (CHIP, Medicaid, TRICARE, and Veterans health care programs) However, other common types of health insurance plans do not qualify as coverage under the minimum essential coverage guidelines such as: Coverage for only vision or dental care
Coverage only for a specific disease or condition Plans that only offer discounts on medical services Workers’ compensation 406
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2. Large employers must offer health coverage in 2015
Entities that employ 100 or more full-time employees must provide affordable health coverage in 2015 that meets the minimum essential guidelines. These large employers who do not offer coverage to at least 70% of eligible employees in 2015 and 95% in 2016 and beyond will be subject to penalties. Midsize employers with 50 to 99 employees have until 2016 to offer health coverage to their employees.
3. Penalty for remaining uninsured
For each month you remain uninsured, a penalty will be assessed and paid when filing your federal tax return each year. If you are only uninsured for less than three months, you will not have to pay the penalty. The amount paid for 2014 if uninsured for the entire year will be whichever one of the following amounts is greater: 1% of yearly household income, or;
$95 per adult and $47.50 for children under 18 (maximum of $285 per family) This penalty will increase in future years. For 2015, the penalty is 2% of income or $325 per person. And in 2016, it will be 2.5% or $695 per person. After 2016, these amounts will be indexed for inflation.
4.
Compare coverage options through the Health Insurance Marketplace
The Health Insurance Marketplace, which is more commonly referred to as the “ex-
change,” is a website where individuals and small businesses can compare insurance coverage options side-by-side and obtain coverage (healthcare.gov/marketplace). Even if you already have health insurance, checking out the exchange is a good way to make sure you are getting the most affordable coverage for you and your family.
After entering some basic information, such as income and household size, you can also find out if you are eligible for lower-cost premiums for private insurance plans or if you qualify for free or low-cost coverage through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Open enrollment through the exchange began on October 1, 2013 and continued until March 31, 2014. If you enrolled in a health insurance plan by March 31, 2014 through the exchange, you will not have to pay the penalty for being uninsured for any month before your coverage begins.
5. Available tax credits
Individual Premium Tax Credit
Beginning in 2014, the refundable premium tax credit is available to help low and moderate income individuals afford health coverage available through the exchange. When you apply for coverage through the exchange, it will estimate how much of the premium tax credit you may be able to claim based on the information you provide. You can choose to either have the estimated amount of the credit paid in advance to your insurance company to lower the amount of monthly premiums you pay or you can claim the entire amount of the credit when you file your federal tax return. Although, if the amount paid to the insurance company is overestimated, you will be required to repay the excess amount on your tax return.
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Affordable Care Act
Small Business Health Care Tax Credit
If you own a small business and pay at least half of your employee health insurance premiums, you may be eligible for a tax credit. In order to be qualified as a small business, you must employee fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees that are paid an average wage of less than $50,000 a year. For 2013, the maximum credit available is 35 percent of premiums paid. Beginning in 2014, the maximum credit increases to 50 percent of premiums paid and will be available to eligible employers for two consecutive taxable years. However, in order to be eligible for the credit, you must pay premiums on a qualified health plan available through the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Marketplace.
6. Pre-existing conditions
Under the full range of policies in the Affordable Care Act that are in place as of 2014, Americans living with pre-existing conditions are free from discrimination and can get the health coverage they need at a price they can afford. There are many conditions that your insurance company may consider “pre-existing conditions,” including: · Heart disease · Cancer · Asthma · High blood pressure · Arthritis
Prior to the enactment of the Affordable Care Act, your insurance company could decide what a pre-existing condition is and refuse to sell you a policy, charge you two or three times more, or limit your benefits so that your condition is excluded. Health premiums now are based on only three factors: age, where you live, and whether you are a smoker. Preexisting conditions are not taken into consideration and higher premiums based on preexisting conditions are illegal.
7. Preventative care
The Affordable Care Act requires most health plans to cover recommended preventive services without cost sharing (such as a co-payment). Mammograms, screenings for cervical cancer, well woman visits, contraception and breastfeeding support are a few of the important preventative care measures now provided without cost sharing to women. Yes, the unpleasant but so very necessary “woman visits” are now provided without any cost to you. (No excuse to not go now, right?) There are also many preventative services for children including: immunizations, hearing and vision screening and oral heath assessments. For the full list visit HHS.gov/healthcare.
8. Lifetime & annual limits
Before the health care law, many health plans set an annual limit (a dollar limit on their yearly spending for your covered benefits). Many plans also set a lifetime limit (a dollar limit on what they would spend for your covered benefits during the entire time you were enrolled in that plan). You were required to pay the cost of all care exceeding those limits. The Affordable Care Act prohibits health plans from putting a lifetime dollar limit on most benefits you receive. The law also restricts and phases out the annual dollar limits a health plan can place on most of your benefits and does away with these limits entirely in 2014.
9. Appealing health plan decisions
The Affordable Care Act ensures your right to appeal health insurance plan decisions to ask that your plan reconsider its decision to deny payment for a service or treatment. If your plan still denies payment after considering your appeal, the law permits you to have an independent review organization decide whether to uphold or overturn
the plan’s decision. If the external reviewer overturns your insurer’s denial, your insurer must give you the payments or services you requested in your claim. However, if the independent reviewer upholds the insurer’s denial, you will not have any further recourse.
10. Young adult coverage
If your plan covers children, you can now add or keep your children on your health insurance policy until they turn 26 years old. Before the health care law, insurance companies could remove enrolled children usually at age 19, sometimes older for full-time students. Now, most health plans that cover children must make coverage available to children up to age 26. Your children can join or remain on your plan even if they are: · Married · Not living with you · Attending school · Not financially dependent on you · Eligible to enroll in their employer’s plan
While the Affordable Care Act is certainly complex, becoming informed is the first step towards being able to take advantage of its most positive aspects while mitigating the negative.
This article is intended for educational and information purposes only, it is not intended to act as professional tax advice. If you have additional questions, contact JCCS, PC in Whitefish at (406)862-2597 or in Kalispell at (406)755-3681.
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money
Money! Money! Money! Written by Susan B. Clarke
I’m looking at our current expenses and the work we have on the books for the next few months and, frankly, when I do the math, it just doesn’t add up. I can feel my heart beating faster, and I have some anxiety about writing about money. The truth is, I’m no expert. Who am I to be writing an article in a business section about money? Yet, here I go writing about it anyway. Why? Because most of us aren’t experts and yet we have to deal with money! I know people who have money, lots of it, and still have a painful, fear-based relationship with money. I know people who have nothing, and I mean nothing, yet are quite happy and comfortable with their relationship to money. Personally, I have been broke, in debt, and, at times, quite fortunate in my own journey with money. However, I would not say that money and I have a comfortable, open, and honest relationship. When the money is flowing, we chat and get along fine, but I admit that when things are tight, I avoid looking at or having any in-depth interactions with my money relationship.
Get Right with Money This past weekend, when I was out in San Diego at the Martha Beck Coaches’ Summit and found myself with choices of breakout sessions to attend, I was surprised when I walked myself into Get Right with Money, with Nona Jordan, a Martha Beck Master Coach and business coach. I confess that, for the first half-hour or more, I felt like I was listening to someone speak Russian in a room where everyone but me seemed to be getting it. Finally, someone asked Nona to share her own journey with money. I woke up then, and as she shared her highs and lows, something she said clicked: Money is just another opportunity to take a spiritual journey. Once I heard that, I began to understand more of what was going on and I learned a few very valuable 406
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lessons that are worth passing on.
The Money River
First, money is just energy and, like all energy, it’s at its best when it flows, meaning flows in and out. Money isn’t something to lock away and hoard. Having never had huge amounts in savings, this concept sounded great to me! However, money flows much like a river and a river has banks (pun intended). The banks of the metaphorical river of money are comprised of two equally important elements: internal money mastery and external money mastery. The internal bank is all about my feelings about money, my inner stories and beliefs about money. The external bank is made up of my tangible actions or non-actions related to how I handle money as it flows in and out of my life.
The Internal Bank
The bank that is my internal relationship to money is formed by the stories and beliefs I’ve created about dollars and cents, stock and bonds, wealth and greed. Often, these come from early lessons about having and not having, spending and saving (Nona refers to these as “Legacy Beliefs”). Some of those lessons around the dynamics of money come directly from the important people in our past and some are picked up through the culture we live in. It’s a rich field to explore and shift and shape, and that’s where I’ve personally focused most of my time in trying to get right with money. However, what I got from listening to Nona is that it takes a balanced approach. Working on my internal bank without reshaping the external bank of my money river only results in more leaks or floods on one side of the river.
The External Bank
The external bank is all about congruent and consistent
action: looking at the books, creating budgets, building revenue, and managing expenses. Now, for some of you, this is your forte. For me, this has not been my strong suit. If this is also not your strong suit, no worries. Here are some practical tips for taking congruent and consistent action around money, for shoring up this side of the bank of the money river. I have to admit, I am not good at these myself. 1. Create a stronger relationship with your money by educating yourself about money in a way that works for you.
Find someone who writes about money that you like and learn from and follow his or her blog. (I could recommend Nona’s blog: www.nonajordan. com or one she mentioned, Mr Money Mustache: www.mrmoneymustache.com Pick up some practical books about money.
2. Find some money systems that work for you, that don’t feel oppressive or overwhelming. Make a monthly date to balance the books, to talk to the accountant. Look at what your expenses are and decide if they are necessary. Find ways to increase your revenue in ways that feel good to you. Check out: YNAB: www.youneedabudget.com
In Business
Whether I’m running a small business or a large organization, these same principals apply. Every business needs to create a path for the river of money to flow. That means building the banks to hold that flow.
At work, it’s sometimes easier for me to pay attention to that external bank. Maybe it’s because of the pressures of payroll and bookkeeping. I make regular appointments with our accountant and financial planner. This is where the external bank may be stronger than the internal bank, but both need to be shored up for the money river to flow well. If I have a partner or a team that’s responsible for managing the flow of the money, we need to make sure we also pay attention to the internal bank: our individual and collective beliefs and stories about how money flows. These discussions are best done up front, with the intention of being open and frank about variables such as each others’ desires, hopes, fears, and beliefs about how to handle the river when it’s running low and when it’s running high. This can be where there are key differences. I know in our business, thrive! inc., each of us brings a very different set of assumptions about how much cash to save, how much risk to take, when to tighten the budget, and when to let the river flow, even if we take on debt. These differences need to be addressed and talked about.
In Summary
It was interesting for me to think about the difference between my relationship to money at work and at home. The river metaphor really works for me. I discovered some important things I can quickly and easily do to stop some of the leaks by addressing the banks of my rivers, personally and professionally. I’m still nervous about how the numbers are going to add up and I know there are some practical steps I can take. Let’s just say that money and I are scheduled to have a few healthy, open, honest chats. The final piece of that Get Right with Money session was to write a letter that I’ll get back in three months, a Dear Money letter about what I’ll commit to. I plan on being more accountable and kind to my money, both internally and externally. You can be, too! P.S. Thanks, Nona Jordan!
legal}
T rust B asics : What Is a Trust & Do You Need One By Kelly O’Brien, Attorney at Law
I frequently have clients that come into my office with questions regarding trusts. They may have heard something from a friend, or recently watched the latest Suze Orman Show, and are convinced that they need a trust. However, there are a lot of misconceptions about trusts, both good and bad. Trusts can be highly beneficial estate planning tools, but it is important that an individual understands the basics of trusts, how they work, and whether or not a trust makes sense for his or her specific situation. What is a Trust? A trust is written agreement wherein a separate entity, the trust, holds title of property and assets and manages those assets on behalf of an individual. A trust is created by a grantor (also known as the “trustor” or “settlor”) and the assets of the trust are managed by a trustee for the benefit of the beneficiary. As an initial matter there are two general types of trusts: revocable living trusts (often called simply “Living Trusts”) and irrevocable trusts. Within these types of trusts there are numerous variations in techniques and complexity, but it is important to at least understand the basic distinction between a revocable and irrevocable trust. A revocable living trust is a type of trust that can be amended or terminated at any point by the grantor during his or her lifetime. Typically, during the lifetime of the grantor of a revocable trust, the grantor is also the trustee and the beneficiary, so he or she retains complete control over the trust. It is only usually during a period of incapacity or death of the grantor that a successor trustee would step in and act on behalf of the trust. An irrevocable living trust is a trust that, once executed, cannot be amended or terminated without court approval or consent of all the beneficiaries. Once the assets are transferred to an irrevocable 406
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trust the grantor no longer retains control of those assets. Irrevocable trusts can be important tools for estate tax planning or creditor protection purposes. However because they are irrevocable, the decision to execute an irrevocable trust depends on your specific tax and estate plan and should be discussed carefully with your attorney or tax advisor. While it is important to understand the difference between revocable and irrevocable trusts, for purposes of this article, the main focus is on revocable trusts as they are more commonly applicable. Understanding the basic definition and types of trusts is important, but what are the advantages of a trust versus creating a simple will? Advantages Creating a Trust in Your Estate Plan · Greater control over distributions: Perhaps one of the most significant benefits of a trust is the ability to have greater control of the distribution of your assets. A trust allows you to set out exactly when, where, and how much each of your beneficiaries will receive from your estate, over time, rather than requiring immediate distribution of your entire estate. For example, if you wanted to leave your estate equally to your two children, but wanted to ensure that they did not receive all of their inheritance at once you could specify in your trust that each of your children receive a percentage of your estate upon reaching a certain age, or achieving a certain life milestone (such as completing college). · Probate Avoidance: Probate is a court proceeding whereby your personal representative (also called an “executor”) is responsible for gathering your assets, paying debts and expenses, and distributing your property either pursuant to your last will and testament, or by state law if no will is in place. However, if you have a trust in place, so long as you properly transfer title of your assets to your trust, probate will not be required for your estate.
In Montana, the probate proceeding takes a minimum of six months before closing and distribution. However, with a trust, distributions can occur more quickly, privately, and without the costs associated with a probate court proceeding. · Privacy: As mentioned above, probate is a public process. Probate requires filing an inventory listing all of your assets with the court as well as filing your original last will and testament which sets out your plan of distribution. This also means that the public could obtain and view copies of this information. A trust, on the other hand, allows for the private distribution of your assets. · Reduce Potential Conflict: Because trusts are private documents not subject to probate proceedings, the use of a trust can help to reduce the potential for conflict surrounding your estate. While the purpose of a probate proceeding is intended to be administrative rather than adversarial in nature, probate does provide a forum for heirs to contest terms of your will or dispute with other heirs and beneficiaries. · Incapacity Planning: A trust is a great mechanism for ensuring that your property will be managed for your benefit during any period of incapacity or prolonged mental or physical illness. The terms of your trust can set out how to determine your incapacity, who is responsible for managing your assets, and how the assets should be managed upon a disability. · Estate Tax Planning: While having a revocable trust does not necessarily mean that you can avoid taxes or estate taxes, they can be helpful vehicles in maximizing the estate tax exemption available to your family upon the distribution of your estate. For example, you may decide to create a “credit shelter trust” (also known as “bypass trust”) within your trust, whereby you can take advantage of certain tax exemptions upon your death to reduce the overall amount of estate taxes paid.
legal} As an initial matter there are two general types of trusts: revocable living trusts (often called simply “Living Trusts”) and irrevocable trusts. Within these types of trusts there are numerous variations in techniques and complexity, but it is important to at least understand the basic distinction between a revocable and irrevocable trust.
· Caring for a Beneficiary with a Disability: If you have someone in your family with a disability, special needs, or who receives any type of disability benefits, they could risk losing these benefits if they inherit from your estate. A trust can provide for the basic needs of a disabled beneficiary while also maintaining their current benefits and care. Disadvantages of Trusts While trusts can be beneficial estate planning tools, they are not necessarily advantageous for everyone. If you have a fairly simple estate, both in the type of assets and value, a trust may not be necessary to accomplish your estate planning goals. The main drawbacks of trusts to consider are the costs associated with creating a trust and the increased administration required for a trust. · Increased cost: Trusts typically cost significantly more to create and administer than an estate plan with only a will. Often a trust will cost three to four times as much as a basic will, depending on the complexity. · Administration: For a trust to be effective the grantor’s assets must be re-titled in the name of the trust, or otherwise transferred to the trust. This means that upon initially executing a trust you would have to execute deeds for any real property to your trust and change bank and other financial accounts. While this often is accomplished upon initial execution of a trust, for some people the administration of a trust is enough to be a deterrent. Who Should Take Advantage of a Trust? Are You a Good Candidate for a Trust? You do not necessarily need to have a sizable estate for a trust, but it is essential to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of a trust to determine if a trust makes sense for your specific situation. If any of the advantages listed above seem to apply to your situation, or if you simply want greater control over the distribution of your assets, then a trust may be useful for you. In
addition, if any of the following circumstances apply to your situation then you may consider a trust: Your estate exceeds the federal estate tax exemption amount: For 2014 the Internal Revenue Service has set out a federal estate tax exemption amount of $5,430,000.00 for an individual, or $10,860,000.00 married couple. If the value of your assets exceeds this amount then a trust may be highly beneficial for you and your family in potentially reducing the amount of taxes paid by your estate. You own a significant amount of real property or own property in multiple states: Real property is a type of asset that requires additional estate planning to pass to the next generation due to the manner in which it is titled. Unless you own all of your property in joint tenancy with rights of survivorship, a trust is one of the only manners in which to avoid a probate proceeding for the transfer of your real property. Moreover, if you own property in multiple states your estate may have to go through a separate, or “ancillary,” probate proceeding in each state where you own property. With a properly funded trust, the trust holds title to your property so no probate is required regardless of the location of your real property. Seek professional advice Trusts can be very effective estate planning tools if properly executed and funded. However, trusts do not make sense for everyone. It is important to consider your assets, family situation, and personal preferences carefully before proceeding with a trust. Trust can also vary greatly in type, terms and complexity. It is essential that you review your particular situation with your attorney and tax advisors to determine the type of trust that is right for you and your family. If you have additional questions regarding trusts contact Kelly O’Brien, Measure, Sampsel, Sullivan & O’Brien, P.C. at (406) 752-6373 www.measurelaw.com 27
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Mneme Therapy
No Boundaries! Written by Karma Wilson Photos Provided by Kim Ingwaldson
The art of Mneme Therapy
It’s clear Kim Ingwaldson is a free-spirited artist when you see her wildly paintspattered Dansko clogs. Kim says she realized her love of art in the third grade when a biology teacher asked her to draw a grasshopper. She jokes, “My pride in that drawing jumped my career as an artist! Ha!” Kim’s passion and talent eventually developed into a career as a professional watercolor artist, and she has watercolors displayed in art galleries around the country. But Kim’s passion didn’t end with painting. Kim also has a passion for helping people, and has been a caregiver for 13 years, providing quality care to the elderly. Those two loves were joined by chance one day last June when Kim’s life was changed forever…by a Craigslist ad. “I was browsing ads and saw one for an association called Art Without Boundaries (AWB). They sought qualified artists to be-
“MnemeTherapy is a unique multimodality process incorporating movement, storytelling, directedpainting and praise to achieve sustained focus, which taps into the ability of the brain to heal itself.”
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come trained therapists using art to help people with brain illness and injury (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke, Autism, etc…). I visited the website (artwithoutboundaries.net) and knew in my heart it was an amazing fit, combining my artistic skills with my love for people. I took their online test and passed!” The founder of AWB, Noell Hammer, called Kim immediately.
“We chatted for hours. She said my combination of skills was perfect their program, and thought my art was phenomenal.” That conversation convinced Kim, who immediately signed up and paid tuition, and launched a year of intense schooling to become Montana’s first (and so far only) certified MnemeTherapist for AWB.
If MmemeTherapy sounds like Greek to you, don’t feel bad. The word “Mmeme” (rhymes with Emma) comes from the name of the Greek goddess, Mnemosyne, the mother of 9 muses. Mneme is the shortened version, and loosely translated means 'memory'. Etymology aside, what exactly is “MnemeTherapy”? I asked Kim. “MnemeTherapy is a unique multi-modality process incorporating movement, storytelling, directed-painting and praise to achieve sustained focus, which taps into the ability of the brain to heal itself.”
This isn’t to be confused with ArtTherapy, a separately run state-licensed art therapy program. It’s also not an “an art lesson” to fill an activity slot.
“The misconception is that I am a glorified art teacher, this is but specialized one-on-one therapy (although in group home facilities, I encourage residents to watch). I’m highly trained to assess individuals, and offer guidance according to a client’s abilities. My goal is to provide a rewarding experience by helping clients choose and paint an image (landscape, seascape or floral) using directed-painting to ensure success.” On Kim’s recommendation I watched and read testimonials on the AWB website, and the process is fascinating. As the client focuses concentration to follow verbal and physical direction from the therapist and create art, pathways in the brain that were “jammed” due to trauma or illness are gently reopened.
As Kim says, “It’s really information from the brain to the brain. You have to see it to believe it. I have many success stories already. One woman with advanced Alzheimer’s wasn’t talking, and kept fading in and out. I even used my secret weapon, a peppermint scented paintbrush, which can keep a client’s attention long enough for several paint strokes. After 30 minutes, I thought wow, there’s no way she’ll remember this. I felt I’d let us both down, even though her artwork was lovely. As they wheeled her away she grabbed my arm and pulled me down, saying ‘It’s
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Mneme Therapy
If MmemeTherapy sounds like Greek to you, don’t feel bad. The word “Mmeme” (rhymes with Emma) comes from the name of the Greek goddess, Mnemosyne, the mother of 9 muses. Mneme is the shortened version, and loosely translated means 'memory'.
Kim feels MnemeTherapy may be a godsend to many Flathead Valley families. To spread the word about MnemeTherapy, Kim offers one free session to caregiving facilities in a 60mile radius, and works weekly with homebound clients from Polson to Coram. “I’m a roving artist, and I love the drives, as around here it’s beautiful anytime of day!” Maybe those drives inspire Kim to help her clients create such gorgeous paintings. The samples are impressive, from landscapes to wildlife; many with a peaceful, Van Goghesque quality. The artwork is given back to the participants; used for fundraisers, or by families to make greeting cards, calendars, mouse pads, etc.
Was all the effort to become a MnemeTherapist worth it? According to Kim, yes. “I LOVE MnemeTherapy— my clients are human beings with a will, preferences, feelings, and a damaged brain, but that damage helps them to forget inhibitions and fears making it possible for them to paint, many for the first time ever! I travel and visit beautiful people who often don’t get visitors and help them create art they can be proud of. How great is that?” Pretty great indeed!
If you would like to get involved with or donate to AWB, please visit the AWB Website. For information on hiring Kim Ingwaldson or scheduling a MnemeTherapy demonstration call Kim at 406.212.6442. Email ingwaldson@yahoo.com
Kim Ingwaldson
beautiful, just as YOU are! An angel. Thank you!’ It still makes me tear up.”
Above photos from top left clockwise: A very happy resident displaying her work, "Flowers in a Red Vase". "Leaf Me Alone", Kim's latest watercolor painting inspired by leaves floating on the Flathead river. A resident displaying his artwork, "Charlie". Kim's signature shoes when she does Mneme Therapy. 31
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music
A musical sea voyage
will conclude Symphony’s 31st season By Marti Ebbert Kurth
Glacier Symphony will conclude its 31st Masterworks season with “The Ecstatic Sea” a concert featuring Symphony No. 1 – A Sea Symphony by English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams. Described as a “choral symphony” the work has tremendous depth and demand for orchestra, chorus and two soloists and utilizes the chorus as a significant part of the orchestral timbre in all four movements. It will bring the full power of the Glacier Symphony and Chorale to the concert hall stage, along with two guest soloists, soprano Gina Lapka and baritone Stephen Kalm. Concerts will be held on Saturday, May 10 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, May 11, at 3:00 pm at Flathead High Performance Hall in Kalispell.
Original drawing of Walt Whitman by Richard Kurth.
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Williams began composing the work in 1903 when he was 30 years old and it was the first and longest (70 minutes) of his nine symphonies. The conceptual inspiration for “A Sea Symphony” came from an unlikely source for an Englishman, the poetry of the American transcendentalist Walt Whitman, specifically his volume called “Leaves of Grass.” Whitman’s prose style explored, in “free verse,” both the metaphysical and humanistic perspective of ex-
perience. In this case married to the symbolism of the sea. The movements are titled: Song for all Seas, all Ships - On the Beach at Night Alone - Scherzo: The Waves - The Explorers. According to George Groves, author of a Dictionary of Music and Musicians, the tone of the piece is optimistic. “Whitman’s (poetry) emphasizes the unity of being and the brotherhood of man and it comes through strongly in the work,” he writes. The program opens with music by two more English composers, Sir Edward Elgar and Frederick Delius. Elgar’s March Imperial is an understated but regal march that was commissioned for the 50th anniversary of the coronation of Queen Victoria in 1897. Elgar was a prolific composer of symphonic music in the grand gesture and this march displays his typical emotional restraint and characteristically weighty orchestral color. It is followed by two lovely atmospheric nature pieces by Delius, Upon Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring and Summer Night on the River. The two pieces were written for small orchestra and show
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the turn-of-the-century influence of impressionism with exotic scales and timbre initially exemplified by Debussy and Ravel. Delius’ early experiences included living in Florida (where he was sent by his father to grow oranges on a plantation in188485) where he was influenced by AfricanAmerican Spiritual music. The concert will also pay a majestic tribute to Glacier Chorale Conductor, Jim Stanard who is retiring at the end of the season. During his six-year tenure with the GSC, Stanard has led the chorale in several monumental performances such as Beethoven Nine, and Mozart’s Requiem as well as yearly multi-media chorale productions and the annual Messiah performances. Tickets for the concert are available at the website www.gscmusic.org or by calling the GSC Box office at 407-7000. Youth through grade 12 are admitted free to this concert.
music
Jazz Night with the Maestro Friday, April 25, 7 p.m.
This rare evening of music making will feature Glacier Symphony Music Director and Maestro, John Zoltek performing on his alter ego instrument, jazz guitar! The maestro began his musical path studying guitar at Berklee College of Music in Boston. While there his focus changed and he fell in love with classical music, but he never lost interest in his guitar and can occasionally be seen playing with various jazz combos around Flathead Valley. For this performance he has invited two local musicians, Don Caverly on drums and Ron Reeves on bass to play in the casual and intimate nightclub setting of the Alpine Ballroom, at 333 Main St. in Kalispell. Doors open at 7 pm and the music will start groovin’ around 7:30 pm. Beer and wine are available at the no host bar. Tickets at $15 will sell out fast so don’t delay! Buy online www.gscmusic.org
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“There just isn’t anything to do here.”
"It can get a little bit difficult to find something new, culturally fresh and cool to do..."
“Off Key Notes” By Bob Hamilton
We have all often heard that overused phrase from many of our friends and coworkers that “there just isn’t anything to do here” in regards to the Flathead Valley. While I certainly tend to disagree given all that this great place that we call “home” has to offer, I will agree that at certain points of the year, most especially after the holidays through April (or whenever winter decides to conclude), it can get a little bit difficult to find something new, culturally fresh and cool to do. Rest assured, however, it can indeed be done! You need to be just a little bit adventuresome and curious, and very often you need look no further than many of the venues that we all have become familiar with in the Flathead---and skis nor snow need not be involved. Make a point of seeking out events, concerts and social happenings that you have yet to experience. Go listen to some different styles of music than you are not accustomed to, or make a trip to that great restaurant that you have heard about for years. Yes, it’s winter or “mud season” I know---all the more reason to get off the couch, and get off your phone. Actually go out and meet those people you are texting (not real conversation, and we both know it), and spice things up a bunch! 406
Armed with the new attitude I have already
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described, I am pleased to report that I have had some great times and experiences since the beginning of 2014. Many of them in the dead of winter! Who said all the fun in the Flathead was to be had in the summer months? One such experience was a spectacular concert that I attended along with my wife and a group of good friends in February in Bigfork. Sponsored by the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts Foundation as well as the Crown of the Continent Guitar Foundation, this annual concert (you mean they do this every year?) featured Chuck Suchy, an incredibly warm and funny man who delighted the audience with his great storytelling and musicianship, and Diego Figueiredo, considered, I kid you not, one of the most talented guitarists in the world. Incredibly energetic, imaginative and with an unforgettable smile and level of energy, Diego was amazing, and right here in our own little corner of the world. This concert event essentially became a bit of a mini-vacation for our group as we enjoyed dinner and a night out “on the town”. It was as fun a time as I have ever had since I have been in Montana—summer or winter! This is but one example. Keep your eyes and ears open. Stay curious as these types of opportunities are all around you and waiting to be enjoyed.
Random Musings……. If you are like me (“old school” I think we are called), you grew up collecting lots of your favorite music on various devices that are now considered fossils or relics from another era. Vinyl LP’s,45’s, 8-tracks, and cassette tapes have essentially disappeared. I showed my teenage children a single 45 of The Beatles’ “ I Wanna Hold You Hand” recently and tried to explain what it was. They asked “how many songs it played?” and my response of “two” brought laughter. (FYI: The flip side is “I Saw Her Standing There”). Even CD’s are going the way of the dinosaur in this age of IPOD’s, smart phones and a myriad of other digital “wonders”. I have found that much of the music that I once possessed on those “primitive” pieces of technology has gotten lost, thrown away, or simply forgotten. Through the magic of satellite radio and downloading, I have rediscovered some great missing pieces of the past: “Pink Moon” by Nick Drake “So It Goes” by Nick Lowe “Bare Trees” and “Hypnotized” By Fleetwood Mac “Time is Tight” by Booker T. & the MG’s “You’re My Home” by Billy Joel “I Believe” By Stevie Wonder “Walking on the Water” by Creedence Clearwater
….and many others. Go rediscover your past. You might like what you find.
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montana
Montana History Magazine
Honored
This year, the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame inducted a surprising candidate— it wasn’t a person, but Montana The Magazine of Western History. The Hall of Fame honors "the legends, the inspirations, the Montanans whose stories live on as icons of our heritage," said executive director Christy Stensland. "Montana The Magazine of Western History was selected because of their significant contribution over the years in passing on and preserving those stories with the power of the written word. It is well deserved." It’s true that over the course of more than sixty years of publication, Montana has told the stories of iconic Montanans. And over the course of all those years, the magazine has had its share of editors, mostly men. But for the last five years, a team of women has provided the creative brainpower behind the magazine.
Molly Holz took over as editor of Montana in 2005 after working for several years as an assistant editor. Since then, she has sought out new research, filling the pages of the magazine with stories that had never before been told. For Molly, it is a way to honor the lives of people by telling the facts of what they accomplished. She wants to make readers conscious of how people lived in the past. “If you know history,” she said, “you see the world differently. I want to give readers a sense of dimensionality.”
To illustrate these stories of the West, Molly relies on Glenda Bradshaw, the magazine’s photograph editor. Glenda’s job is to search through archives and private collections to find photos of the people and places in each story. Thanks to her detective work, vintage photographs splash across nearly every page. Every quarter, Glenda has a new set of articles to work from, new stories to illustrate. She says that she enjoys the research and the sense of discovery when she finds a snapshot that illuminates a story.
The associate editor, Christy Eckerle, helps authors develop their articles and fine-tune their writing. Writers for Montana must research their topics in primary sources—letters, diaries, bank records, and other archival materials, which can make for dry reading. But they must still write their articles in a way that entertains readers. Besides helping writers strike that balance, Christy takes care of behind the scenes details such as publishing contracts and publicity.
Diane Hall, the magazine’s graphic designer, takes the articles and photographs from the editors and assembles them like puzzle pieces. The size of a photograph and where it is placed in the text can change the flow of the article, and Diane creates an arrangement that is engaging and readable. “Every day brings unique challenges, she said. “Plus, I'm always learning something new about Montana.”
Finally, Tammy Ryan, the advertising and circulation manager, makes sure that Montana reaches subscribers and sells advertising. But although she wears many hats, she finds it rewarding to connect customers from all over the world to the magazine. “I’m lucky to be able to speak one-on-one with subscribers,” she said. “I talk to people from all walks of life, even rich and prestigious people. They all gush about how much they enjoy Montana. Bigger companies don’t have that luxury.”
Together, this team of women has built the circulation of Montana to reach nearly 10,000 subscribers, Montana Historical Society members, and newsstand customers in all fifty states and many foreign countries. Each issue contains four to six full-length articles, book reviews, and a small dose of advertising. The often rare photographs, art, and maps used for illustration come from both public and private collections. Articles are peer reviewed to ensure accuracy, and the magazine is used around the world by educators, authors, filmmakers, genealogists, and researchers in almost every field imaginable. So the women who publish Montana were honored, but not surprised, when the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame decided to induct the magazine. They’ll continue to publish Montana’s stories, and since 2014 is the centennial of women’s suffrage in the state, they’ll be sure to feature women who have influenced the West.
For more information about Montana The Magazine of Western History, contact Tammy Ryan at (406) 444-4708 or visit www.montanahistoricalsociety.org. Christy Eckerle is the associate editor for Montana The Magazine of Western History and a fourth-generation Montana woman. She lives in Helena with her husband Jeff.
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Above photo by Jackie Jensen Photography: The staff of Montana The Magazine of Western History, (left to right) Glenda Bradshaw, Molly Holz, and Tammy Ryan, accepted the magazine's induction into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame. Not pictured are Diane Hall and Christy Eckerle.
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building
Enjoying the Way we live
The path to regenerative building
By Chad Phillips, Phillips Architecture & Planning, Inc.
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Our created built environment is alive and healthy is the most advanced way to live. Ascaring to the many people that live, work suming and trying to build what we think is the right way is never the way to plan a community and play today. that is well. To plan properly is to include our It takes care in the details and planning to en- “higher consciousness or higher senses.” In a sure buildings are safe, reliable and comforting state of “Asking” and “Listening inwardly” we to future occupants. Everyone enjoys comfort are well aware and able to create any thing that and safety because being safe limits hostility brings ever lasting wellness. and pain. I today enjoy planning and creating regenerative Men and Women work to advance our field of Ar- buildings that in my formal education was not chitecture and Planning everyday by looking at known. A Nationally acclaimed formal educawhat has gone wrong before and how to change tion is helpful to learn a vocabulary and know that saga to a nurturing result. No one wants to how to commune with others. But to advance repeat the past when the past created a disas- our knowing of how decisions today impact futer in some way to people and the planet. Our ture generations is only gained through medium building and planning codes help to limit past ship or listening inwardly after a clear question traumas. Following sound practices in traffic en- is asked. It is this mode of being a human that gineering and building codes help ensure safety enables insight and higher wisdom to guide ones actions today that benefit every being on the for motorists and pedestrians. planet. Through “Asking” and “listening inwardOur communal human dream is to live on our ly” all formally educated programs are advanced. planet in caring and thoughtful ways. A caring “mind set” allows epiphanies and transforma- In today’s world of financing and curriculum we tions to occur readily and with caring results. To have some barriers to higher planning and buildbe clear of a healthy destiny for all beings on the ing. Many of my clients today are able to pay planet not just ours, results in a world that we all cash for their projects thus able to build regenrespect and love. To neglect other lives and only erative for all beings today and tomorrow. It isn’t think in terms of humanity will result in trauma my formal education and past national awards every time. We can find traumatic results in alone that allow me to know what to build here many of Montana’s EPA super fund sites where in Northwest Montana that is regenerative. It truly is achieved by asking an “open question” our tax dollars are hard at work. and then listening inwardly to be guided by inRemediation is cumbersome, expensive and ner wisdom. Inner wisdom is the way to know doesn’t allow for health and vitality entirely. what to build and plan that supports us all today Being clear the aim and destiny (love) enables and for many generations to come. Many of my the mind to come into “knowing” and to include Southern California Clients over the past twenty all the beings that keep our air, earth and water years have been leaving their prior oasis home
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due to wisdom void planning that have resulted in traffic inefficiencies, crime and pollution. A boom and bust result in Architecture and Planning is eradicated by planning with both a great formal education and “inner wisdom.” When we know what to build regenerative in each location of our world we can then write codes and ordinances. Writing codes and ordinances irrespective of regional conditions and resources is not prudent or cost saving for the people or planet. A regenerative way of living is the only way to live free of debt, pollution, war and crime in the long run.
Abundance is the result of being guided by our inner wisdom and if it has helped me to be an Architect that is truly becoming regenerative then it will help you as well in your profession. I encourage everyone to develop a mind of “Asking an open question of care” then immediately listen inwardly; the answer is just inside “you” always. Life is serine and beautiful when you know the way or how to bring a result of well being. I truly wish I was shown how to be able to hear, see and know inner wisdom from a young age. I know if I had the millions of square feet of Architecture I had drawn would have been drawn and built differently. I extend my sincere appreciation to all those men and women that are caring enough to show how we can access our inner wisdom immediately to serve the well being of all. If any of you would like to know how to access your inner caring wisdom immediately you may contact me on www.soaringwingshigh.com Your friend,
Chad Phillips
Architect/ Planner
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Women Foundation
The Women’s Foundation of Montana By Jen Ewell
Pledges $100,000 to Montana Women
The Women’s Foundation of Montana (WFM) is proud to commit to investing $100,000 to advance economic security for women and girls in this 100th year of suffrage for Montana women. WFM will invest more than $50,000 of their own funds, while leveraging $50,000 in matching funds from other investors. These investments will take the form of grants and initiatives, including programs that provide job training, financial education and wage-negotiation training for women. Grants will also support STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Programs, financial education projects and entrepreneurship programs for girls. WFM will sponsor policy work, convening’s and events that raise awareness and funds in support of equal pay for women, women in leadership and women in entrepreneurship. Why invest in women? Women pay it forward by investing in their families: making sure their kids are fed, clothed, have healthcare and an education. They become homeowners; they volunteer in their kids’ schools. When women can meet their basic needs, they donate to community projects. Investing in women pays dividends for years to come. We have come a long way towards equity for women in the last 50 years. Women are now even more likely than men to have a college education. However, equal education does not mean equal pay, as women still make less that 74% of men’s salaries. Nearly half of families headed by single moms in our state live in poverty. And women are still sadly underrepresented in positions of power.
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Women’s Foundation grants are strategic and powerful. In the last year we invested more than $25,000 in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) programming for girls in order to improve the career choices and financial future of girls. We have granted more than a half million dollars in grants over the past 13 years. Letters of Interest for the Women’s Foundation’s new grant cycle will be accepted from Montana non-profits that serve women and girls starting on April 1st. The deadline is April 30th. To learn more about this pledge or how to receive funding, please visit the Women’s Foundation of Montana at www.wfmontana.org. Equal Pay Summit The Governor’s Equal Pay for Equal Work Task Force hosted an Equal Pay Summit in Bozeman on March 31 and April 1st. National pay equity advocate Lilly Ledbetter kicked off the event on the evening of March 31st. Keynote speakers on April 1st included Governor Steve Bullock and First Lady Lisa Bullock. The Summit focused on nine panels and featured close to 50 Montana entrepreneurs, elected officials, business leaders, educators, and activists dedicated to advancing and expanding career opportunities for women. The panels were in three tracks: Shattering the Glass Ceiling: A Woman’s Place is in Leadership Closing the Wage Gap: From Parity to Prosperity
Beyond the “Pink Collar”: Expanding Career Opportunities for Women
The Summit brought together hundreds of Montanans to raise awareness and create solutions around Montana’s equal pay gap. To learn more about the work of the Governor’s Equal Pay for Equal Work Task Force visit: http://equalpay. mt.gov/. 100 Years of Montana Women’s Suffrage We’ve got a lot to celebrate this year, as we recognize 100 years of women’s voting in Montana. We could not be prouder of the fact that Montana women achieved this right 6 years before the rest of the nation. And Montana women continue to be ahead of the political curve today as we make up 27% of our state legislature, compared to 18% women in the US legislature and a 24% average in other state legislatures nationwide. Want to learn more? Montana Women’s History Matters, montanawomenshistory.org
Montana Woman Suffrage Centennial Committee, www.cas.umt.edu/wsprog/media.php US Montana Women’s History, www.womenshistorymonth.gov
Love the WFM? Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WomensFoundationMT or find us on the web at www.wfmontana.org. Above photo of Jennifer Euell and board member, Alyce Kuehn, giving a grant to the Girl Scouts last fall in Billings.