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Big Sky Weekly

Big Sky

Big Sky’s Locally Owned & Published Newspaper - distributed virtually everywhere

September 9, 2011 Volume 2 // Issue #17

SEASON PASSES ON SALE NOW PHOTO BY MIKE COIL

Exclusive interview with Keb’ Mo

LPHS SPORTS First touchdown ever

CANDIDATE: DAVE STROHMAIER Wildfires: More than 50,000 acres burning across Montana

media@theoutlawpartners.com

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explorebigsky.com September 9, 2011 1

PUBLISHER OF THE BIG SKY WEEKLY

Big Sky Weekly explorebigsky

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2011 BIG SKY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR SEPTEMBER 9, 2011 VOLUME 2, ISSUE 17 CEO, PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Eric Ladd COO & SENIOR EDITOR Megan Paulson CREATIVE DIRECTOR Mike Martins MANAGING EDITOR Emily Stifler GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kelsey Dzintars EDITOR Abbie Digel EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Taylor Anderson SALES DIRECTOR Frank Jordan DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR Danielle Chamberlain

Featured distribution point of the week We strive to create content that both locals and visitors can enjoy. Next time you pass by the Conoco, stop by and say hi, then on your way out pick up a Big Sky Weekly.

The Conoco Big Sky Travel Shoppe is one of the Weekly’s key distribution points and goes through hundreds of papers every issue. Many people driving through the canyon stop there for a tasty lunch, to refuel, and to grab useful information for their journey around Southwest Montana.

- Danielle Chamberlain, Distribution Director

VIDEOGRAPHER Brian Niles

Big Sky’s Tipping Point

INTERN Kaela Schommer

Author and journalist Malcolm Gladwell coined the phrase “The Tipping Point” in his 2000 debut book of the same name that studied a phenomenon where a series of small events can cause a chain reaction producing large results.

CONTRIBUTORS Kasey Anderson, Lisa Beczkiewicz, Crystal Images, Mike Coil, Chad Jones, Chris Kamman, Fletcher Keyes, Rene Kraus, Jamie Daugaard, Ken Lancey, Cameron Lord, Amber Lowery, Katie Morrison, , Anna Middleton, Christopher Nelson, Brandon Niles, Stasia Owen, Kaela Schommer, Adina Smith, Deb Courson Smith and Ann Vinciguerra

EDITORIAL POLICY

Outlaw Partners LLC is the sole owner of the Big Sky Weekly. No part of this publication may be reprinted without written permission from the publisher. The Big Sky Weekly reserves the right to edit all submitted material for content, corrections or length. Printed material reflects the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the opinion of Outlaw Partners or the editors of this publication. No advertisements, columns, letters to the editor or other information will be published that contain discrimination based on sex, age, race, religion, creed, nationality, sexual preference, or are in bad taste.

PAPER DISTRIBUTION

Distributed every other Friday in towns across Southwest Montana, including Big Sky, Bozeman, West Yellowstone, Three Forks , Ennis, Dillon, Gardiner and Livingston.

ADVERTISING DEADLINE FOR SEPTEMBER 23 ISSUE: September 16 CORRECTIONS The Big Sky Weekly runs corrections to errors we’ve printed. Please report them to emily@ theoutlawpartners.com © 2011 The Big Sky Weekly Unauthorized reproduction prohibited

In the past five weeks, we may have witnessed the start of a tipping point for Big Sky. During these trying times, residents and neighbors pulled together to put on a series of amazing events. The Professional Bull Riding event, the Keb’ Mo concert and Spruce Moose festival, the debut of Lone Peak’s six-man football team, and a passage of two Parks Districts have helped rally morale and business in Big Sky. One local group was so inspired that they’ve started planning a multi-day music festival for next summer. Headliners and details are yet to be announced, but this festival LETTER TO THE EDITOR PARAMETERS This is a platform for readers to express views and share ways they would like to effect change. The Weekly will run letters, positive or negative, of 250 words or less that are respectful, ethical, state accurate facts and figures, and are proofread for grammar and content. We reserve the right to edit letters. Please include: first and last name, address, phone number and title.

Send letters to emily@theoutlawpartners.com.

OUTLAW PARTNERS & THE BIG SKY WEEKLY P.O. Box 160250, Big Sky, MT 59716 explorebigsky.com (406) 995-2055 media@theoutlawpartners.com

2 September 9, 2011 explorebigsky.com

should prove be one of the largest in the Pacific Northwest, right in line with Sasquatch, Bumbershoot and the Telluride Bluegrass Festival.

Big Sky has experienced a few other defining moments in its brief history: early homesteading by settlers, Chet Huntley’s vision of what’s become the Biggest Skiing in America, the opening of Moonlight Basin and the Yellowstone Club.

Let’s continue using this past summer as tipping point to create more momentum, more events, more business, more success! Let’s stick together.

Eric Ladd (406) 570-0639 eric@theoutlawpartners.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS COMMUNITY...4

EVENTS...30

LETTERS...7

CLASSIFIEDS...31

LOCAL NEWS...9

COLLAGE...33

REGIONAL...10

COLUMN...35

MONTANA...12

OUTDOORS...36

TECH TALK...17

BIG SKY XC...39

HEALTH & WELLNESS...19

TRAVEL...41

SPORTS...23

ENTERTAINMENT...43

BUSINESS...27

FUN...47

BUSINESS PROFILE...29

BACK 40...48

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Big Sky Weekly

COMMUNITY

Becoming bear aware

Big Sky residents and organizations working to prevent bear-human interactions

BY KATIE MORRISON There has been an increasing awareness of bears in our community in the past few years following several human-bear conflicts in the area.

As summer winds down and temperatures cool, animals are on the move.

This is the time to continue being conscious of bears in our neighborhoods.

With reports of bears breaking into houses and vehicles during the summer and fall of 2010, many new efforts were instigated to address these concerns, with great results.

One of the most common attractants for bears in residential areas is trash.

I was recently on my way home on a Friday evening to find a vacation rental neighbor putting trash out. I stopped by to politely request that they wait until Monday to put out their trash, notifying them of our bear concerns.

During the few minutes I was there, two other neighbors also came by to make sure they were not going to be leaving their trash out for the weekend.

This impromptu “neighborhood watch” made me feel comfortable that the residents in my immediate area are not leaving out trash, bird feeders or greasy BBQ’s. Bears are habituated to look for such attractants and still walk down our street in search of an easy dinner.

Addressing trash in a wildlife responsible manner is the first step in reducing potential conflicts. The Big Sky Community Corporation has recently partnered with Bozeman Audi and Montana Import Group to handle trash removal for the parks and trails, while also educating the public.

Bozeman Audi and Montana Import Group have provided funding for a wildlife resistant trash enclosure at the recently renovated Big Sky Community Park, which is the transfer station for all of the BSCC’s park and trail trash receptacles. They have also provided signage for each of the trash receptacles that asks users to do their part through proper trash disposal.

The Big Sky Owner’s Association and Alpine Property Management have also initiated a new program through Allied Waste this summer using bear resistant trash cans for scheduled pickup. According to Mary Jane McGarity, executive director of the BSOA, the program has been very successful and eliminated problems in typical hot spots thus far. However, she noted, “The true test will be how they work during the fall when the problems have historically increased.“ Using a different strategy, the Yellowstone Club is in the final stages of

Big Sky Fire donates fire engine to the Montana State Fire Service Training School

BY EMILY STIFLER Big Sky Fire’s 1973 Pierce engine still runs and operates well, but it’s outdated, and no longer meets national firefighting standards.

It is, however, well suited for its next life. The department donated the old engine, complete with hoses and tools, to the Montana State Fire Service Training School.

“It has an open cab, which means if you’re sitting in the back, you’re literally sitting outside the truck,” said Interim Fire Chief Seth Barker.

The school will use it for training in Firefighter 1 and 2 courses, where students will practice pulling the hose off the truck and pumping.

“It’s a perfect application for them,” Barker said. Also, because the engine was old, it wasn’t feasible they’d be able to sell it.

constructing a new trash center for YC homeowners. This facility will include a 24-cubic-yard trash compactor and updated recycling services. The containers will be inside a building to protect against the elements; as well as from rodents, insects, and wildlife. A five-acre area includes the trash center and the receiving center, and will be protected by an electric wildlife fence recommended

by Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks.

For more information: • Bear tested trash cans: Allied Waste (406) 586-0606 • Bear Smart Community: bearsmart.com • Big Sky Natural Resource Council: bigskynrc.org • Keystone Conservation: keystoneconservation.us

“The fence also trains the animal to not come back BSCC bear safe trash can which solves the and to create a community bear problem long committee to collaboratively find term,” explained Rich Chandler, YC solutions such as the previous trash environmental manager. removal examples. These are the first of several steps in becoming a To determine the severity of the “BearSmart” community, which is human-bear conflict issue within Big an international program designed to Sky, the Big Sky Natural Resource help areas such as Big Sky deal with Council is currently pursuing fundhuman-bear conflicts. ing to conduct a hazard assessment

Big Sky Fire Run Report CPR and First Aid classes are offered at Station 1 as needed. Please call 995-2100 for information or to schedule a class.

8/27 – 12:13-15:10 – EMS personnel responded. Patient received ALS care and transport to BDH.

The state-run school is an authority for teaching entry level firefighter courses. They’ve taught many courses at the Big Sky station – building construction, fire operations, leadership training, and urban wild land interface training, to name a few.

8/27 – 15:59-18:30 – EMS personnel responded. Patient received ALS care and transport to BDH.

“They’ve also trained a great deal of our membership, and their funding is limited, so we thought it would be a good time to kick back,” Barker said.

8/28 – 13:37-16:50 – EMS personnel responded. Patient received ALS care and transport to BDH.

“We are very happy to receive the Fire Engine,” said Butch Weedon, Montana Fire Services Training School Director. “It will be valuable in providing realistic training for Montana’s Firefighters, and we thank Chief Barker, his members, and the Board of Trustees for this valuable gift.”

8/28 – 21:30-22:45 – Fire and EMS personnel responded to a Motor Vehicle Crash. One patient received BLS assessment and refused all care and transport.

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8/28 – 09:50-09:55 – EMS personnel responded. Patient received BLS and refused transport.

8/28 – 12:35-12:45 – EMS personnel responded. Patient received BLS care and refused transport.

8/28 – 16:50-20:30 – EMS personnel responded. Patient received BLS care and transport to BDH.

8/30 – 22:01-22:40 – EMS personnel responded. Patient received BLS care and refused transport.

9/1 – 07:17-08:09 – EMS personnel responded. Patient received BLS care and refused transport.

9/1 – 14:56-17:50 – EMS personnel responded. Patient received ALS care and transport to BDH.

Big Sky Weekly

COMMUNITY

Fires burning throughout Montana forests Many are let to burn for forest health and resource benefit

BY EMILY STIFLER As of Sept. 6, there were 20 fires burning across Montana, ranging from a half acre, to the largest at 52,000 acres in the Custer National Forest.

The big winter and late spring has acted as a doubleedged sword, said Seth Barker, Big Sky’s Interim Fire Chief. “More water means more vegetation growth, which, when it dries out in the fall, means more fuel load.”

Open burning was closed in late August but is now permitted in much of Gallatin County; Big Sky, Ray, Sourdough, Gallatin Gateway, Central Valley (Belgrade), West Yellowstone, and the Gallatin National Forest were all open to burning as of press time.

With recent rains, dropping temperatures, fewer thunderstorms, and higher humidity, wildfires aren’t quite as much of a concern as earlier this season, Barker said, which is why they’ve lifted the burn ban. The fire danger rating remains very high in the district, the National Forest, and in Yellowstone National Park.

“Be careful burning outside and don’t burn in the next couple weeks unless you absolutely have to,” Barker said. He wants Big Sky residents to know they can contact Big Sky Fire if they’d like a free urban wildland interface assessment.

GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST The Gallatin National Forest has had a total of 15 lighting-caused fires and five human-caused fires this year, which have burned 612 acres. The fire danger rating is high in the forest.

Ten miles east of Gardiner, in Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, the 600-acre Bull Fire is the largest burning in the Gallatin National Forest. This fire is being managed for resource benefit, said Forest Service spokesperson Marna Daley.

That “means it’s being monitored but is being let to play its natural role in the wilderness area and isn’t being suppressed,” Daley said. “At this point it’s just cleaning up dead and down materials.”

The Forest Service has a plan in place in case it becomes a threat to property or resources.

North of West Yellowstone, the one-acre Red Mountain Fire in the Lee Metcalf Wilderness is also being managed for resource benefit. There have been recent lighting starts on Livingston Peak and in the Crazy Mountains, both of which were put out.

“With the predicted continued warm weather we really want people to be careful,” Daley said.

“We’re getting to the point where it’ll be more difficult to catch these fires.”

Daly encourages safety with campfires and to avoid driving through tall grass in any type of vehicle.

“When the muffler heats up, if you’ve been driving for awhile it can ignite grass and cause fire,” she said. Chainsaws should have spark arresters, and anyone chainsawing should bring a bucket and a shovel to put out a spark-caused flame, she said.

Aerial view of Red Mountain fire

BEAVERHEAD-DEERLODGE NATIONAL FOREST Four resource benefit fires were burning in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest as of Sept. 7, adding up to more than 3,500 acres. Fire danger in this area is rated high.

Two fires are burning near Phillipsburg, in the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness. The 1,550-acre Lutz fire, and the 670-acre Copper Mountain Fire. Eight miles east of Wisdom, in the Pioneer Mountains, the Stewart fire is burning 1600 acres and is growing quickly.

An emergency area closure was in effect on Sept. 7.

The 40-acre Whitetail Peak Fire, eight miles northeast of Butte, is burning in a rocky area and has been growing slowly.

PHOTO COURTESY OF GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST

The Gibbon fire, burning three miles southeast of Madison Junction, has seen little new fire activity and remains estimated at 16-18 acres.

Three other fires, the Ouzel, Huckleberry and Pitchstone, are all one acre or less in size. They are being managed as resource benefit fires “to allow natural processes to occur to enhance the area’s natural resources, to protect people and property, and to effectively use available firefighting resources,” according to a press release.

The Sour Fire, which was burning east of Canyon Village, and the Heart Fire, which was burning north of Heart Lake, were declared out at 1/10th of an acre, Sept. 4 and 6, respectively.

The forest has red flag warnings due to the low humidity and high winds forecast for the next week, according to Leona Rodreick, a public affairs officer for the forest.

FALL PRESCRIBED BURNING ON THE YELLOWSTONE RANGER DISTRICT

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

The fire and fuels managers of the Gallatin National Forest are planning a controlled burn south of Big Timber, in mid to late September. The 3,200-acre unit is located in Boone’s Peak area of the East Boulder drainage.

As of Sept. 6 five lightning caused wildland fires, managed as the Heart Complex, were burning in the backcountry of Yellowstone National Park. Other than limited temporary closures of some backcountry campsites and hiking trails, all park entrances, roads and services are open.

The fire danger rating in Yellowstone is currently very high, and the Park is encouraging visitors to be careful with campfires, grills, camp stoves and smoking materials. There have been 18 fires reported in Yellowstone this year.

Over Labor Day weekend the Point Fire on the eastern shore of Yellowstone Lake increased to 1,100 acres, driven by steady winds and increasingly drier weather conditions. The fire is burning downed and dead logs with single and group tree torching behavior increasing in the afternoons.

As a precautionary measure, the Thorofare Trail was closed from the Nine Mile Trailhead to one mile south of the fire area. Smoke will likely be visible around the eastern edge of the lake and on portions of the East Entrance road.

“We want to take advantage of the moisture we have received this spring and summer to complete this controlled burn,” said Fire Management Officer Todd Opperman. Managers will monitor weather conditions and wait to ignite the controlled burn until conditions are ideal, he added.

The burn is a component of the fuels management program on the Gallatin National Forest. It is designed to improve both public and firefighter safety in the event of an unwanted fire ignition and reduce fuel loading. It will meet a multitude of ecological benefits, according to the Forest Service.

Some area and road closures may be placed in effect.

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Big Sky Weekly

LETTERS

Thanks Outlaws

Bozeman Buddy Walk

I would like to sincerely thank you and the entire Outlaw Partners Team for running our story regarding the New York City Marathon. Over the weekend we received many emails and phone calls from folks who had no idea we were running in this year’s race until they read your article. To say that the Big Sky Weekly is a valued “community member” would be a gross understatement. It is apparent through your writing and the continued effort of your staff that you truly do care about this region of Southwest Montana and its people.

My husband Joe and I both have lived in Big Sky since 2001 He is originally from Iowa and I’m from Mississippi; we met while working at Big Sky Resort. We fell in love with Big Sky, then each other, and were married in 2006. Joe and I have lived in Big Sky since 2001.

I have forwarded a link to your web site to the folks in New York. I will look to connect Outlaw and Fred’s

Team via Facebook in an effort for both to view postings.

Thank you again for showing a genuine interest and for making such a profound effort. You and the Weekly have helped in the continued fight against cancer.

Here’s to your continued success as well as all of Outlaw Partners.

Regards, Erin Hayes Vice President Big Sky Build, Inc. (406) 995-3670

Disc Golf Disc Golf, which is part of the parks committee for the Big Sky Community Corporation, would like to thank everyone for supporting the threeday disc golf tournament. To the sponsors of the tournament, thank you: Grizzly Outfitters, Play It Again Sports, Gallatin Alpine Sports, Lotus Pad, Blue Moon Bakery, Hungry Moose Market and Deli, La Luna Restaurant, Gourmet Gals, China Café and The Black Bear Bar and Grill.

Thanks so much to Jeremiah Mitchell and Nina Trevino for coming down and serving lunch, and thanks to everyone who participated in the tournament. A special appreciation goes to Josh Porter, Silas Shirley, Eric

Ross and Ryan Brubaker for their hard work all summer in making the course so beautiful and more challenging.

-Jason Meyers, BSCC Women’s Division: 1st place Karen Brown, 2nd place Heather Davidson and 3rd place Val Ross Amateur Men: 1st place Ryan Brubaker, 2nd place a tie between Charlie Gaillard and Brent Jacobs Open Men: 1st place Steve Tolo, 2nd place Brian Bjortomt Ace Race: Dave McCune

Dog Days On August 13, approximately 75 people and their 30 canine friends gathered at the Big Sky Community Park for the first ever Dog Days of Summer, dog-loving Big Sky’s first ever summer celebration to include our furry friends.

The event, which was a fundraiser for Big Sky’s oldest summer camp program, Camp Big Sky, was enjoyed by one and all, as dogs dressed up and paraded their stuff down the park road, took runs with their owners, and even learned new tricks (and showed off old ones), many a result of the popular dog agility camp run by Anne Dixon (aka: The Dog Lady).

Like any community fundraiser, this one relied on help from the Bozeman and Big Sky communities who came out in force with 20 sponsors, eight vendors, and many donations of goods and services.

The dock diving event, which featured dogs diving into the Children’s Fishing Pond, was an especially big

hit and couldn’t have happened without the strong arms of Men at Work and the donation from Kirkwood Marina. We are excited for next year’s event, which we will schedule soon. In the meantime, get those dog treats out and keep your dog jumping, diving and playing dead. Next year’s Dog Day is guaranteed to be twice as big, and threetimes as much fun.

Thanks to all our sponsors, donors and volunteers for helping us launch this brand new event. You can see a list of all as well as contest winners on explorebigsky.com (keyword: Dog Days).

Our first-born baby girl, Devan Elizabeth was born on the morning of April 29, 2008. Our doctor sat down with us within an hour of her birth to explain that Devan had Down syndrome. Our minds went into hyper drive. As the summer went by, we met with doctors, conducted online searches, read books, and talked with other parents of children with Down syndrome. As they say, knowledge is power.

At the same time we were adjusting to life as new parents and enjoying our time with Devan. Slowly our fear of Down syndrome faded, and we settled into the typical routines of parenthood.

Through our doctor in Bozeman we were put in touch with a couple of other parents in the area who have children with Down syndrome. We met originally to discuss the joys and concerns of having a child with special needs, but it quickly grew into something more. We founded the group D.R.E.A.M. (Down syndrome research, education and advocacy in Montana) in 2009.

We set out a few goals in that first year: to create a new parent packet to give to new parents at the hospitals or birthing centers; to start a Buddy Walk in our area; and to create D.R.E.A.M. Grants with the money raised at the walk.

Our grants are given out twice a year to help families pay for medical expenses, therapies, tutors, adaptive equipment, etc. We are excited to say that we have achieved all of our goals and are well on our way to helping lots of families in our area.

DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR FOOD COMES FROM?

We are so passionate about our children and making sure that they are accepted and included in every way in their communities and schools.

D.R.E.A.M. paves the way our kids.

There were many Big Sky residents who traveled to Bozeman to participate in last year’s walk. It brings tears to my eyes to think about how supportive the community has been to us. Big Sky Resort and By Word of Mouth donated a weekend getaway package at last year’s walk.

Big Sky Build, The Hungry Moose and Carole Sisson Designs were huge contributors to the event. Not to mention all of the community members who showed up to walk last year.

We want everyone to know Devan and appreciate her for her talents and gifts. Devan is now three years old and is a blessing. She has become a big sister in the past year – a role she takes seriously. She is starting pre-school at Morningstar Learning Center and loves it. She loves music and dancing at all of the Town Center concerts. She loves to visit her dad and ride the elevator when he is at work at First Security Bank. She works with her mom a lot too at Big Sky Vacation Rentals.

She has many friends around town and loves to go in to visit Mark and Jackie at The Hungry Moose (they are two of her biggest fans!) We want to invite all of our Big Sky friends to join us again this year at the second annual Buddy Walk.

Although Down syndrome is a part of Devan (a very small part), it’s not something we think about very often. Her smile and excitement for life always reminds us that she’s exactly what we wished for while expecting our first born.

-Joe, Amber, Devan Elizabeth and Ellen Louise Miller Big Sky, Montana

Straight from the source to your table Learn more and order online at bigskylocalfood.com 406-579-7094

- Barbara Rowley

explorebigsky.com September 9, 2011 7

Big Sky Weekly

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M o u n t a i n

Big Sky Weekly

LOCAL NEWS Madison County approves Resolution of Intent to create Mountain Trail, Recreation and Parks Special District The Madison County Commission conducted a public hearing on Sept.

6 in the Huntley Lodge at Big Sky Resort regarding the creation of the Big Sky Mountain Trail, Recreation, and Parks Special District.

The proposed district would expand the boundaries of the current three section park district created in 1988, located in the Big Sky Mountain Village, and strip it of its taxing authority.

The district would work in conjunction with the Big Sky Meadow Trail, Recreation and Parks Special District, which the Gallatin County Commission passed in July.

The cooperative districts are to be administered by one board comprised of residents from both counties who either own property or are residents within the district. The Madison County Commission passed the

Resolution of Intent unanimously, which begins a 30-day comment period. If the Commission doesn’t receive significant protests, they’ll likely pass the final resolution, creating the district and entering into an Interlocal Agreement with Gallatin County.

Big Sky community population shows steady growth BSOA discussed growth, citywide wifi, and environmental concerns at Sept. 2 meeting

BY ABBIE DIGEL

This process, which began last November, has been complicated due to the difficulty of creating a cohesive district which crosses county lines.

This step is an important part of the legal procedure which had to be done in a similar timeline in both counties.

If the Madison County Commission passes the final resolution in October, board positions will then be advertised and appointed in both counties.

To comment on the proposed district contact the Madison County Commissioner’s Office at (406) 843-4277 or by email at madco@madison. mt.gov. -Katie Morrison

Lieutenant Governor John Bohlinger (and BSOA Member) responds to a member question regarding incorporation history. PHOTO BY CRYSTAL IMAGES

It could be due to Gallatin Field’s shiny new terminal, or the 11 cities that fly directly into Bozeman, or the season pass deals offered at Big Sky’s three resorts, but it’s clear that Big Sky is growing.

Porcupine Creek Trail Popular mountain biking trail to remain open for time being

BY TAYLOR ANDERSON After three weeks of waiting for the results of a meeting between the Big Sky Mountain Bike Alliance and the Forest Service, the group made an announcement.

An area near the center of the debate is the Porcupine Trailhead, east of Highway 191. The area is popular among the mountain bike community for its scenic views and string of trails known as the “Grizzly Loop.”

Nothing happened.

That’s to say, the Forest Service will close none of the trails in the Big Sky area – yet, at least.

“We learned in our meeting that the Forest Service has made no proposals about closing any trails this summer until a full inventory has been completed,” the BSMBA said in a statement released Aug. 25.

The group also thanked bikers and residents who sent letters to Mary Erickson, Gallatin National Forest Supervisor, and other trails officials.

It also acknowledged Sen. John Tester was made aware of the debate over public lands.

A 2010 summer travel plan closed a section of trails to mountain bikers with a possible fine of $200 for bikers found riding on non-system trails.

Bikers were instead instructed to use trails FST 66, heading northeast, and FST 34, running southeast.

The BSMBA said in the statement that the land managers had pointed out the poor condition of FST 34, and that “it was mutual (among officials) that the north side non-system trail is better.”

The Porcupine area is still open to bikers as the Forest Service conducts its survey.

The Big Sky Owners Association (BSOA), the oldest and largest association in Big Sky, held its annual meeting on Friday, Sept. 2 in the Talus Room at Big Sky Resort.

Taylor Middleton, general manager of Big Sky Resort, revealed that the town has grown by 89 percent in the past 10 year period. Compared to Sun Valley’s negative 1.5 percent, that’s an impressive feat.

“Resort towns are expensive,” Middleton said, explaining that more families are leaving ski towns to live in locations with cheaper living expenses. But people are moving to Big Sky. “Just look at Ophir school,” Middleton said. This year, Lone Peak High School has doubled in size. Also, he said, “Our community didn’t exist 35 years ago. Our growth potential is much higher compared to other ski towns.”

John Bohlinger, Lt. Governor of Montana, engaged members in a discussion of creating citywide wifi that would be broadcast from the top of Lone Peak.

“The quantity and quality of bandwidth is important for growing a business,” Bohlinger said. He hopes to assist with this effort in the next year.

Inquiries from other members included what the Big Sky community will do to help Moonlight Basin have a good year, and whether or not Big Sky will have a community garden.

Other agenda items included a discussion of noxious weed management, bears and trash, and a solution for maintaining the two ponds in the Meadow.

The BSOA has a relationship with the Big Sky Noxious Weed Committee to help maintain members’ property. They collaborated with Allied Waste to use bear-proof canisters, and are in discussions to require every household, even nonBSOA members, to have bear-proof cans.

The two ponds, one by the community park, and the other behind the Silverbow Condos, were built

by Chet Huntly in the ‘70s without regulation. The ponds are natural sediment collectors, and BSOA has brought in consultants and the Water and Sewer Board to help solve this ongoing, complex issue.

Of the BSOA’s $1 million budget, 50 percent is used for snowplowing, and no assessments to the current budget plan will be made this year.

Check bigskymt.com for a full meeting agenda and BSOA membership information.

explorebigsky.com September 9, 2011 9

Big Sky Weekly

REGIONAL

Climbing mountains for Planned Parenthood of Montana Sept. 24 slideshow and fundraiser in Bozeman

BY ANN VINCIGUERRA Planned Parenthood of Montana’s first major Bozeman fundraising event, “Climbing Mountains for Planned Parenthood of Montana,” will be Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn. In an effort to raise funds and awareness for PPMT, Peter Ramos, of Bozeman and Daniel Burson, Stan Price, and Rusty Willis from Billings, set out on June 13, 2011 to climb Canada’s highest peak, Mt. Logan (19,551 ft). They were inspired to help after hearing that funding for family planning was eliminated from the Montana state budget. Ramos, a registered nurse at Community Health Partners, has seen firsthand the importance of keeping contraceptives and family planning services affordable and widely available.

The climbers developed a First Giving profile to share information on the climb and create a place to make secure online donations. Forty-five individuals have already helped them raise over $2,200. At the Sept.

24 event the climbers will wrap up these fundraising efforts with a slideshow about their adventure.

“Grassroots efforts like this are a great way to spread the word about current threats to PPMT and family planning services in general,” said Stacy James, PPMT President & CEO. “Peter, Daniel, Stan and Rusty are an inspiration to all of us.”

Montanans Stan Price, Rusty Willis, Peter Ramos and Dan Burson (left ot right) climbed a new 4,500foot route on Canada’s Mount Logan. They didn’t make it to the summit because Ramos’s boots broke and become filled with water from post-holing in the snow. “What an experience,” Ramos said. “I wish we were still up there… At least we are back safe and with all our digits. We are already planning a next time.”

James will also be at the fundraiser to visit with attendees and present information about PPMT. There will also be desserts, coffee, a no-host bar, and a raffle and door prizes with items donated from local businesses. All proceeds will go directly to PPMT. PPMT was founded in 1969 and has grown to include five health centers and five rural outreach sites. Each year nearly 20,000 Montanans rely on the organization for affordable services including birth control, cancer screenings, breast, annual and testicular exams, and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections. PPMT offers educational opportunities statewide, and advocates for reproductive rights on behalf of all family planning organizations in Montana.

Ann Vinciguerra is a Development Associate with Planned Parenthood of Montana. plannedparenthood.org/montana firstgiving.com/fundraiser/mtlogan/mtlogan

Mt. Logan

PHOTO BY JOE JOSEPHSON

General hunting seasons coming soon Fall is in the air, and that means Montana’s big game hunting seasons are just around the corner. The general season to hunt black bear, bighorn sheep, mountain goat and moose begins Sept. 15. The general hunting season for antelope begins Oct. 8, followed by the general season for deer and elk on Oct. 22.

Most archery hunting seasons begin the first week of September. For other season dates and details, go to the hunting page on the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks website at fwp.mt.gov or visit a nearby FWP office.

10 September 9, 2011 explorebigsky.com

FWP COMMISSION ADOPTS STANDARD BISON QUOTA

program for this hunt in collaboration with the Montana Bow Hunters Association.

The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission adopted a standard bison hunt quota of 44 either sex licenses for Montana’s 2011 bison hunt, consistent with quotas set in the past four years. Bison hunting begins Nov. 15.

FWP was also authorized to tap cow and calf hunters to participate in the hunt to achieve an equitable harvest among state-licensed and tribal hunters. The list of hunters who might receive one of these cow or calf licenses will be identified through a second-choice drawing in mid-September. The deadline to apply for the bison drawing was last spring.

New in 2011 is the archery season for bison.

Montana’s 2011 Legislature established archery as a legal means of hunting bison. FWP will present a mandatory archery orientation

- FWP wire services

Big Sky Weekly

REGIONAL Bozeman’s second annual D.R.E.A.M. Buddy Walk for Down syndrome

BY AMBER LOWRY On Saturday, Sept. 24, the local non-profit group D.R.E.A.M. (Down syndrome research, education and advocacy in Montana) will hold its second annual Buddy Walk in Bozeman.

The walk is a one-mile loop around the Gallatin Regional Park, otherwise known as the “Dinosaur Playground” located off of Oak Street.

The event is a fundraiser for D.R.E.A.M., a local organization that provides financial grants to kids and adults with Down syndrome. The funds from last year’s walk helped pay for therapies for a 3-year-old, a high school child’s prescription medications, and another child’s a life-flight to Denver. Funds also go to the National Down Syndrome Society.

D.R.E.A.M. is a diverse group of parents in the Gallatin Valley and surrounding areas with young children with Down syndrome. The group’s mission is to increase the acceptance and understanding of individuals with Down syndrome in

Montana through support, education and advocacy.

Many children born with Down syndrome need extensive medical intervention. D.R.E.A.M. assists those families with ensuing medical bills and provides funds for families who have difficulty paying for other expenses associated with Down syndrome like therapies and adaptive equipment.

Registration for the Buddy Walk begins at 10 a.m., and the cost is $10 per walker. D.R.E.A.M. encourages anyone interested in collecting pledges to create a page on their First Giving link.

Each walker will receive a Buddy Walk t-shirt. The event will also offer complimentary food and beverages, and a silent auction that includes a pool table, boys and girls bicycles, and art work. dream-mt.org

Second YNP visitor killed in park this summer Park warns visitors as bears prepare for hibernation A Chassell, Mich. man was discovered killed Friday, Aug. 26, along the Mary Mountain Trail in what was the second Yellowstone National Park grizzly-related death this summer.

An investigation and autopsy confirmed that 59-year-old John Wallace died Aug. 25, of traumatic injuries from a bear attack.

Daily flights over the area have resulted in very few bear sightings.

Three bear traps previously set out in the area have been moved to different locations, and five additional traps have been deployed in an attempt to capture grizzlies in the area.

Results from DNA tests of hair samples taken from the attack site and any future bears that may be captured in the area will aid the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack.

Visitors are reminded that park regulations require people to stay at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves and at least 25 yards away from all other large animals.

The park expects more animal encounters as elk mating season begins and as bears begin harvesting for winter hibernation.

Some trails and backcountry campsites are temporarily closed due to fire or wildlife activity. The latest information on backcountry access is available by contacting Visitor Centers or Backcountry Offices.

This is the second fatal bear attack in Yellowstone National Park this year, and the seventh in the park since it was established in 1872.

-Yellowstone Park wire services

The 10th annual Drop and Trot run will benefit HAVEN

‘Drop and give me 100!’

While not required, Drop and Trot runners can complete a minute of pushups before the race, with each pushup deducting ten seconds from their final run time.

The 5k and 10k races are on Saturday, Sept. 24 this year. Both events start and finish at Lindley Park, and follow scenic south Bozeman routes.

Pushups start at 8:30 a.m., races start at 9 a.m., and dogs are welcome.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and runners should wear as much purple as possible to help raise awareness in style. All proceeds will benefit HAVEN services to victims of do-

mestic violence (formerly The Network Against Domestic and Sexual Abuse).

Participants, friends, and family are encouraged to stick around after the race for a free picnic sponsored by First Security Bank and Food For Thought Deli.

At the event, part of the “Montana Silent Witnesses Project” will be on display. This statewide exhibit has life size cut outs of the women who have been killed by abusive partners in Montana since 1990. Each cut out has the name of the victim and the circumstances of her death: a moving representation of the horrific nature of this

crime, and a way to remember and memorialize the victims. It will be displayed during the race, as well as at the First Security Bank downtown and at the Cottonwood Branch.

HAVEN’s services include a 24-hour crisis line (406) 586-4111, a 15-bed domestic violence shelter for women and children, support groups, legal advocacy, individual counseling and community education.

To register or learn more about the race, visit havenmt.org.

explorebigsky.com September 9, 2011 11

MONTANA

This is the third of a series of interviews with U.S. Congressional candidates from Montana.

Big Sky Weekly

A conversation with Dave Strohmaier, candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives

BY TAYLOR ANDERSON revitalized certain areas in our community that have been blighted or needed a shot in the arm. So why not take that at the local level and try and implement that at the national level?

Trying to get passenger rail service to Southern Montana. We haven’t seen Amtrak service since 1979. With increasing fuel prices, increasing concerns over how emissions are impacting global climate, there’s a real concern that we need to embrace multi-modal transportation. The only way we’ll see that happen in our lifetimes here in Southern Montana is to have a champion for that issue in Congress and I intend to be that champion.

Dave Strohmaier considers himself a steward of the land. A fourth generation Montanan, Strohmaier was first elected to the Missoula City Council in 2005 and is serving a second term while working as a historian for Historical Research, Associates, Inc. Since announcing his campaign in June, Strohmaier has traveled the state displaying his focuses on the importance of transportation infrastructure and preserving cultural heritage in the state of Montana and nationwide. He also wants to bring back the sense of citizens, rather than consumers and taxpayers.

TA: What do you think about making the jump from Councilman to Representative and how are your chances?

DS: I chair the city’s public safety and health committees. I worked for the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service for about 17 years, so I’ve got experience working with land management agencies and likewise.

Working with municipal government as an elected official puts you in touch with the communities. I really am the first line elected official that people go to whether its public safety or homelessness in our community.

I think folk do not recognize the power of their local government. I would not be running for U.S. Congress if I didn’t think it was important, but I think people need to realize the importance… at the local level.

TA: What are some issues that you see a direct correlation between regarding a move from city council to U.S. Congress?

DS: [I’ve worked] on implementing tax increment finance districts that have helped in dramatic ways and have

TA: Another one of your core issues is agriculture. Elaborate on your idea of adding value to Montana commodities.

DS: I ask the question: Is there a way in which we can either enhance current value-added operations to the state or attract them rather than export raw products only to buy them back at a local grocery store? I want to make sure we can capture and add value to those in the state and in turn add employment.

While working on the city council I’ve been pretty outspoken in terms of preserving agricultural soils – more in our areas adjacent to urban Montana than out in the hinterland.

I’ve seen some of our agricultural soils swallowed up by subdivisions.

That does not keep our focus on future generations.

TA: What other ideas do you have to invigorate local economies?

DS: One example: What can we do analogous in rural areas to the tax increment finance districts that have been so impactful in urban areas? In Missoula we’ve adopted urban renewal districts where we’ll cap the income property tax level and over time, as new business is established and the amount of taxes taken in that area of town increases, that increment of revenue above the baseline is … put back into the area rather than being absorbed in the city general fund. This will revitalize that part of our community.

How might we adopt something similar at the federal level that might have a beneficial impact upon rural areas throughout the nation and rural Montana?

TA: Another issue you’re taking up is conservation. Would you take a stand against big money interests? How? DS: What I tell folks as I’m driving

12 September 9, 2011 explorebigsky.com

around the state is in order to get from one place to the other is I have to put gas in my car. That comes from somewhere. It’s not to say we shouldn’t develop green energy, but… traditional industry, such as mining and energy development, is going to have an enduring role in this state.

We call Montana the “crown of the continent” and there’s a reason for that. There are some places that ought not to be explored for certain development activities, and ought to be protected for their natural values. The Rocky Mountain Front is a good example.

There are other places that are okay to be developed, provided we do so in a careful manner that doesn’t create problems for us decades down the road.

It’s a matter of finding and striking a balance. For too long there’s been oppositional politics where some have said no to any development and others have said yes to development everywhere.

TA: What are your thoughts on the national budget crisis and the public’s loss of trust for our politicians to do their jobs?

DS: As I talk to people across the state, I hear from folks that are sick and tired of the inability of our elected officials in Congress to [compromise].

People are tired of that wrangling.

The budget ceiling deal that came out of Congress was not much of a compromise, [and] it didn’t deal with some of the big issues, such as the revenue side of the Federal budget. Things such as the Bushera tax cuts continue to harm us.

It boils down to the wealthiest Americans and corporations [needing to share sacrifice]. There’s been plenty of sacrifice but it hasn’t been shared by all.

We need to determine as a nation what our priorities are, what we want from the government, and how to pay for it. I don’t see public as a dirty word, and I don’t see the word tax as a dirty word. We need a notion [of] citizenship in this country. We’re not simply taxpayers, and not [simply] consumers, as some say [of] the American public.

It means doing together what we cannot do individually.

Candidates on record with the FEC as of July 27, 2011: REPUBLICAN: Steve Daines, Bozeman: VicePresident, General Manger Asia Pacific for Right Now Technologies •

Q2 2011 raised $365,362 in funds

•

Cash on hand $401,967

•

Filed Statement of Candidacy Feb. 2011, with financial statements

John Abarr, Great Falls: former Ku Klux Klan organizer •

Q2 2011: No filings or financial statements filed

DEMOCRAT: Franke Wilmer, Bozeman: MSUBozeman Professor, member of the Montana House of Representatives (2006 - present) •

Q2 2011 raised $51,576

•

Cash on hand $33,076

•

Filed Statement of Organization Feb. 2011

Kim Gillan, Billings: MSU-Billings Workforce Development and Training Coordinator, member of Montana State Legislature (House 1997 - 2005, Senate 2005 - present) •

Q2 2011 raised 27,094

•

Cash on hand $22,561

•

Filed Statement of Candidacy June 2011

Dave Jon Strohmaier, Missoula: Historical Researcher, two-term Missoula City Council Member •

Q2 2011 raised $26,436

•

Cash on hand $14,042

•

Filed Statement of Candidacy June 2011

Robert Stutz: former Assistant Attorney General with the Montana Department of Justice; worked at the U.S. Dept. of Education; Chief Legal Counsel to the Montana Legislature for 2011 session •

Announced candidacy Aug. 10

Campaign Finance Update: Five candidates have declared their intention to run for the single 2012 federal House of Representatives seat.

Four of these candidates, one Republican and three Democrats, have filed financial statements with the Federal Election Commission. The Federal Election Commission regulates federal elections. For up to date information on candidate filings see fec.gov.

MONTANA Montana Army National Guard’s 1-163rd Cavalry Regiment to return from Iraq After their yearlong mobilization in support of Operation New Dawn, the deployed members of Montana’s 1-163rd Cavalry Regiment, a subordinate unit of the 116th Heavy Brigade Combat Team (116th HBCT), are returning the U.S. Deployed Army National Guardsmen of the 116th HBCT include about 2,600 Citizen Soldiers from Idaho, Montana and Oregon, with approximately 1,400 from Idaho, 600 from Montana and 600 from Oregon.

15 Montana Soldiers returned to Montana on Sept. 7. This was the first group scheduled to return to Montana in mid-September.

The Soldiers are being flown back to Montana, via commercial flights, upon completion of their demobilization process from Joint Base LewisMcChord. They began arriving in the country beginning on Aug. 29.

The soldiers are returning from Iraq in groups of 200-300. The demo-

bilization and out-processing takes approximately two weeks per soldier.

The Montana soldiers then return to their homes in small groups or individually, flying into local airports.

The public is encouraged and invited to welcome home Soldiers as they return home.

“I’m very proud of the Soldiers of the 1-163rd. Their mission was demanding and they performed it as professionals and with distinction,” said Montana Adjutant General, Brigadier General John Walsh. “The men and women of the 1-163rd Cavalry Regiment are evidence that this state continues to provide the most dedicated and best trained soldiers when called upon. We celebrate their safe return to Montana and to their families.”

Big Sky Weekly

Integrity.

Vision.

Craft.

The soldiers left Montana in September 2010 for their mobilization station in Camp Shelby, Miss. They arrived in Iraq in November.

- Montana Education Telecommunications Network

Five new administrative rules for oil and gas operators Montana at the forefront of movement toward mandatory disclosure of hydraulic fracking chemicals “New rules governing the oil and gas industry practice of hydraulic fracturing mean increased transparency for the public about the chemical ingredients used in the practice,” said Tom Richmond, Administrator of the Montana Board of Oil and Gas Conservation.

FracFocus is a rapidly growing site that provides well-by-well information on chemicals used. In the future, Richmond noted, the site will enable the public to search for information using a map-based interface and may allow users to compile data in a variety of ways.

“The new rules place Montana at the forefront of a national movement toward mandatory disclosure of all the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing,” Richmond said. “Operators in Montana will be required to tell us everything they’re using, not just a limited subset of chemicals.”

“More and more companies are using FracFocus as their disclosure platform, so we want to be able to allow that for Montana operators too, as long as the Web site meets our standards,” Richmond said.

The five new administrative rules adopted by the State of Montana went into effect Aug 26, 2011.

The rules require oil and gas operators to provide written well-by-well disclosure information to the Montana BOGC. If companies post chemical information on FracFocus, a voluntary disclosure Web site maintained by the Ground Water Protection Council and the Interstate Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, and meet the BOGC standards they may be granted a waiver.

The disclosure rules ensure first responders and medical professionals quick access to information should an incident occur.

The Montana BOGC originally proposed administrative rules on May 26, 2011, to address regulatory needs for hydraulic fracturing, which is a process used to increase oil and gas well production by injecting a liquid mixture of chemicals down a well into a geologic formation under pressure.

The practice causes the formation to crack, or fracture, and facilitates the flow of oil or gas into the well.

406-995-2174 To view a video tour of this property visit: continentalconstruction.com/montana explorebigsky.com September 9, 2011 13

Big Sky Weekly

MONTANA Montana senators seeking Congressional Gold Medal for Elouise Cobell Elouise Cobell, a citizen of the Blackfeet Nation, is being recognized for ‘her outstanding and enduring contributions to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and the Nation through her tireless pursuit of justice.’

Senator plans to share feedback as Congress considers future of mail service The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs held a Sept. 6 hearing to examine the challenges of the U.S. Postal Service.

In 1996, Cobell filed a historic lawsuit alleging that the federal government mismanaged trust funds belonging to more than 500,000 individual American Indians. Congress agreed to a $3.4 billion settlement in December of 2010.

“Hundreds of thousands of American Indians will benefit due to Cobell’s dedication to justice, fairness and the trust responsibility of the U.S. government,” said Tester, a longtime friend of Cobell’s and a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.

While Treasurer of the Blackfeet Tribe in the 1980s, Cobell discovered many irregularities in the handling of funds held in trust by the United States on behalf of the Blackfeet and individual Indians. Before filing her lawsuit in 1996, she sought reform in Washington, D.C., from the mid1980s to the mid-1990s without success.

Tester asks Montanans for input as Congress examines challenges of U.S. Postal Service

As a member of the Committee, Tester is soliciting comments about the service to share with his colleagues and with the Postal Service, particularly as they consider closing small post offices.

Cobell, a tireless advocate for Indian youth education, is also creating a scholarship fund that will help young Montanans access higher education.

U.S. Senators Jon Tester and Max Baucus recently introduced legislation to award Cobell the Congressional Gold Medal, the most distinguished recognition that Congress bestows. Congress has awarded the medal to a broad range Americans including explorers, scientists and humanitarians.

- Big Sky Weekly wire services

“Timely and efficient mail service is an integral part of business and daily life in Montana and across rural America,” Tester said. “As we look for the best solutions for the challenges facing the U.S. Postal Service, Montana’s rural and frontier communities must not bear more than our share of the burden.”

Service usage has continuously dropped since the advent and improvements to internet and email services. Weekly subscriptions are also beginning to drop the service, according to an NPR report on the

future of the service.

The report said the service must pay employees near the end of this month and owes billions that it’s unsure it can meet due to lack of funds.

“People who rely on the mail and people who actually handle mail in Montana have a better sense of reality than bureaucrats in Washington,” the Senator said. “I want to hear from them about the importance of community post offices and postal service, and I want to hear ideas about what will work and what won’t as Congress cuts costs in the months and years ahead.”

Tester encourages Montanans to send traditional mail to any of his eight field offices across the state. Tester. senate.gov/postal is another place Montanans can comment about proposed post office closure.

-Big Sky Weeky wire services

Public asked to nominate outstanding volunteer Annual awards recognize volunteer service in Montana The Governor’s Office of Community Service, in partnership with First Lady Nancy Schweitzer and the Montana Commission on Community Service, announced today that nominations are being accepted for the 2012 Serve Montana Awards, Ready Montana Awards and First Lady’s Math and Science Awards.

Presented in February, these annual awards recognize outstanding Montana individuals, organizations and national service members committed to community and volunteer service.

“All over Montana people are serv-

ing and giving back to their communities in amazing ways,” said Jan Lombardi, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Community Service. “We ask the public to help us recognize these inspiring individuals.”

The ServeMontana Awards are for service and volunteer work in the areas of education, healthy futures, environmental stewardship, veterans and military families, and economic opportunity.

The ReadyMontana Awards are for service specifically related to disaster

services, emergency preparedness and emergency response.

Kim Miske, Chair of the Montana Commission on Community Service.

The First Lady’s Math and Science Awards are for outstanding individuals, organizations and businesses that promote math and science education in Montana.

Individuals of all ages and backgrounds, organizations, and groups are all eligible for nomination.

Nominees must have performed their volunteer service in Montana and may not be salaried for the services performed.

The Lt. Governor and First Lady will present these awards during the Serve Montana Symposium February 2012 in Helena.

“Each year we look forward to learning about the incredible things Montanans are doing for each other,” said

Deadline for Nomination Applications: Wednesday, December 21, 2011 serve.mt.gov -Governor’s office of community service

Governor to recognize Centenarians The Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging will recognize all Montanans that are, or will be 100 years of age or older by Dec. 31, 2011 at the 43rd annual Governor’s Conference on Aging, Oct. 4 in Billings and Oct. 6 in Havre.

If you are a centenarian, or are aware of one and would like them to be recognized, supply the following information by Sept. 12:

6. Anything else they would like us to know?

1. Name and address.

Montana’s 2000 census showed 162 centenarians. That number increased to 277 in 2010, and it’s estimated the state will have over 3,000 by the year 2025.

2. Where and when were they born? If not born in Montana, what is their story on how they got to Montana?

Send information to: Brian LaMoure, DPHHS� SLTC, P.O. Box 4210, Helena MT 59604-4210, or Blamoure@mt.gov.

3. What is the secret to their longevity?

The centenarians are invited to a luncheon at the conference. Those who reply will receive a centenarian’s recognition proclamation from the Governor and a free lunch.

14 September 9, 2011 explorebigsky.com

4. What has been the most amazing event in their life that they would like to share?

5. What is their favorite quote?

7. Will they be attending the luncheon?

8. A high quality digital photo

For more information, call (406) 444-7782 or visit aging.mt.gov.

-Department of Health and Human Services

Big Sky Weekly

MONTANA

Montana’s rural traffic fatality rate ninth highest in nation Nation’s rural transportation system may not support economic growth and mobility demands America’s rural heartland is home to approximately 50 million people and its natural resources provide the primary source of the energy, food and fiber that supports the nation’s economy and way of life.

But, according to a new report, the roads and bridges that serve and connect the nation’s rural areas face a number of significant challenges, including inadequate capacity to handle the growing levels of traffic and commerce, limited connectivity, the inability to accommodate growing freight travel, deteriorated road and bridge conditions, a lack of desirable safety features, and a traffic fatality rate far higher than all other roads and highways.

The report, “Rural Connections: Challenges and Opportunities in America’s Heartland,” was released Sept. 1 by TRIP, a national nonprofit transportation research group based in Washington, D.C. It defines rural America as all places and people living outside the primary daily commuting zones of cities with 50,000 people or more.

Traffic crashes and fatalities on Rebuilding these state and county roads should be a top priority, but Montana’s rural roads remain disthe funding just isn’t there to get proportionately high, occurring at the job done,” said Cary Hegreberg, a rate nearly two and a half times higher than on all other roads. In executive director of the Montana Contractors Association. “We need 2009, Montana’s non-Interstate to find ways of addressing these rural roads had a traffic fatality rate funding shortof 2.76 “ Funding the falls.” deaths for every 100 modernization of our rural “The safety million transportation system vehicle and quality of will create jobs and help life in Amermiles of travel, ensure long-term economic ica’s small compared communities to a fatal- development and quality of and rural areas and the health ity rate on life in rural America.” of the nation’s all other roads of 1.14 deaths per 100 mileconomy ride on our rural transportation system. [It] allows mobility lion vehicle miles of travel. Of the and connectivity for millions of 221 traffic fatalities that occurred rural Americans, provides crucial in Montana in 2009, 163 were on rural, non-Interstate roads. Inadelinks from farm to market, moves manufactured and energy products, quate roadway safety design, longer and provides access to tourist and emergency vehicle response times recreational destinations,” said and the higher speeds traveled on rural roads are factors in the higher Will Wilkins, executive director of fatality rate.

TRIP. “But, with long-term federal transportation legislation stuck in “Narrow roads with no shoulders political gridlock in Washington, and steep slopes are a huge probAmerica’s rural communities and lem throughout rural Montana. economies could face even higher

unemployment and decline. Funding the modernization of our rural transportation system will create jobs and help ensure long-term economic development and quality of life in rural America.”

According to the TRIP report, America must adopt transportation policies that will improve rural transportation connectivity, safety and conditions to provide the nation’s small communities and rural areas with the level of safe and efficient access that will support quality of life and enhance economic productivity. This can be done, in part, by modernizing and extending key routes to accommodate personal and commercial travel, improving public transit access to rural areas, implementing needed roadway safety improvements, improving emergency response times, and adequately funding state and local transportation programs to insure sufficient preservation and maintenance of rural transportation assets.

- Big Sky Weekly wire services

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explorebigsky.com September 9, 2011 15

Big Sky Weekly

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TECH GEEK

September 9, 2011 Volume 2 // Issue #17

Big Sky

Tech Talk: Sony F3

BY TAYLOR ANDERSON

“ THI S CAM ERA A N D L EN S C O M B IN AT IO N P UT S US IN THE GAME F O R L A RG E SCA L E P RO DUC T IO N A N D A D CAMPAI GN S, W H I CH U LT I M AT E LY IS W H E R E W E A R E HEAD ED ” -Br ian Nil e s, Ou tl aw Part ners Direct or of Video Product ion It’s probably worth eight of my cars and then some, but you can’t quite ride it to the mountain in the winter.

production, can use it to make a pine tree look like Jennifer Aniston in a pine bikini in the snow.

The camera seems to be able to do everything else.

“This camera and lens combination puts us in the game for large scale production and ad campaigns, which ultimately is where we are headed,” Niles said. “It’s sexy enough for studio applications, and light enough to shoot out of a backpack on the hill.

The F3 was unveiled by Sony in 2010 and marketed as the “affordable 35mm camera”. It was then released to the public this past April.

Affordable to some, yet I’m uncomfortable just sitting in a room with the machine because of its high value and potential to create masterpieces.

I feel its lenses staring at my soul as if to record my fear on camera (doubtful and fictitious, yet… possible?).

In reality, The Outlaw Partners, which publishes this newspaper, purchased the camera a few months ago to utilize in an array of video applications. Brian Niles, the group’s director of video

“Incorporate a prime lens and a shallow depth of field and you’ve got a digital cinema workhorse,” Niles said.

Its crisp, high professional quality comes stock out of the box and shoots a surprisingly low 60 frames-per-second, and yet perhaps 99.9 percent of ‘amateur’ tech nerds would assume shots are in 1,000 fps.

Recording formats produce stunning images at 35mbps with adjustable frame rates from 1-60 in 1280x720 and 1-30 in 1920x1080. External recording will allow even better resolution and the ability to produce clean slow motion at 1080p.

“The first time I took this out on a test drive I was shocked at it’s clarity, and its ability to pull light in dark situations,” Niles said. “We haven’t even scratched the surface with its capabilities yet.”

Footage that comes “out of the can” can be expected to look crisp and vibrant in color before post-production and color correction. Due to its large sensor and Prime Sony Lenses, the ability to shoot in low light conditions and maintain a “noise-free” picture sets this camera ahead of the curve.

Sony said it wished to create the camera to “democratize” the 35mm camera in order to appeal to student and independent filmmakers.

Scan code above to view “out of the can” test footage at our Vimeo site: vimeo.com/outlawpartners

The price tag seems high, but to the .01 of producers it’s budget-worthy and shouldn’t break the bank.

The potential projects the camera is able to tackle should warrant the expense. You can expect to pick this up for $16,000, but it won’t come with lenses. You’ll need to spend closer to $20,000 for the whole package.

explorebigsky.com September 9, 2011 17

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18 September 9, 2011 explorebigsky.com

Big Sky Meadow Village 151 Center Lane Unit #2 (406)995-3280 | lalunabigsky.com

Big Sky Weekly

HEALTH & WELLNESS

The proof is in the pudding A chiropractic visit with Jeff Saad

BY EMILY STIFLER I laid on a chiropractic table, on my stomach, and Dr. Jeff Saad cradled my head and neck in his arms.

“Everything’s easy. It doesn’t hurt,” he said, then had me turn my head and dangle my arms off the table. “No big deal, okay? I got you.” He spoke with a confident tone, almost teasing.

I’d never been to a chiropractor and was doubtful and nervous. Saad, a Doctor of Chiropractic, had a reputation for being very effective.

“Just a little pressure here,” he said and put a hand on the back of my neck.

Crack.

them back in place. Saad was sold.

the bones and releasing some gasses from the joint capsule.” The divide between chiropractic and Western medicine, has “been a long battle over turf that’s been beaten down over the years.

Results are the key to success.”

The self-described “resort junkie” practiced in Vail for seven years and also worked with athletes on the New York Mets and the Dallas Stars. Now 41, Saad has been in Big Sky a decade, lives at Moonlight and is here to stay. His 6-year-old son Benji is in first grade at Ophir School.

Still doubtful, I called my father, a pediatrician.

He has friends who are chiropractors, has seen a chiropractor several times in the last couple years, and even had a medical student work in his office that was also a chiropractor. He said he’d seen manual manipulation work well for neck and back pain.

Before adjusting me, Saad asked about my medical history, did a full assessment and checked my reflexes, just like a Western doc would. I told him about my injury laundry list – knees, back, ankle, shoulders, neck, wrist – and that nothing really hurt now, other than regular aches and pains; I was there out of curiosity, mostly.

But there hasn’t been as much evidence-based research into other aspects of chiropractic because, unlike the prescription drug industry, the profession profits without the research. So while some of the ancillary work chiropractors do may work, much of it is untested in the eyes of Western medicine.

“You okay with that?” he asked.

I assessed. Everything felt fine.

“Could you do this wrong?” I asked. “Do damage?”

“It’d be difficult, but I suppose so. You don’t pay me for what I do, you pay for what I don’t do, based on a history and examination,” he said. In an effort not to aggravate an existing problem, he watches for symptoms, signs, concerns or trauma.

“This is where your tension headaches come from,” he said, pointing to specific spots on my cervical spine.

I don’t have tension headaches, I thought, still doubtful.

I flipped onto my back, and he bear hugged me.

“Lift your head, give me a big breath, blow it out,” he said. “One more time. Good.” When I let go my breath, he cracked my back.

“How are you doing now?” he asked.

I assessed again. That one hurt…or did it? Maybe it just felt weird.

He joked about rusty hunting knives and surgery, then re-arranged my legs and leaned against me, using his body weight to adjust my lower back.

That status fit right into Saad’s health mantra: management over time.

“Nothing is good forever,” he explained. “You’re constantly fighting the laws of gravity, injury, athletics. That’s why management over time is

“You’re constantly fighting the laws of gravity, injury, athletics.

That’s why management over time is the only way. That means getting adjusted, getting massage – over time, five or six times a year. We can’t protect you from everything, but we can stop a lot of it.” -Dr. Jeff Saad the only way. That means getting adjusted, getting massage – over time, five or six times a year.

We can’t protect you from everything, but we can stop a lot of it.” He wants people to understand and protect their bodies because, “it’s yours, you keep it for life.”

Every muscle has a receptor that senses stress, pressure or pain, according to Saad. But “that sensory info can get muddled. When you get adjusted I’m trying to get your sensory, motor, and nervous systems firing so the information is processing properly.”

“Are you having fun yet?” he asked.

“It’s been a great ride,” Saad said about his job. “I enjoy it very much, and I’ll do it ‘til I’m a little old man.”

Originally from Minnesota, Saad earned a degree in human biology at Northwestern University, then a Master’s at Northwestern College of Chiropractic.

He’d enrolled in med school but dropped out when he broke his rib on a ski vacation at Bridger Bowl. He went to an M.D. “and he didn’t do a thing,” Saad said. Next he saw a chiropractor who “adjusted, maneuvered and manually pulled together the two separated pieces of bone,” putting

“You have 26 moveable bones in your spine, and they need to be moving,” Saad explained. “When they’re not, there’s a problem. When it goes for too long, there’s a bigger problem.” That’s where regular manipulation helps.

And it’s all connected, he said: “If your knees are bad, your back starts to hurt. What started out as a primary knee problem becomes a primary back problem. It’s all links in the chain – your ankle, your knee, your hip, your low back, all those joints in your back, to your neck. I can make a case for headaches being caused by big toe pain – over time, not overnight.”

In the world of medicine, “we all have our place,” he said. “I’m not doing surgery on your knees, and we’re not curing cancer. I’m just re-setting

Besides, the point is to help you feel better, he added. If it works, who cares about the research?

“The proof is in the pudding.”

Wanting to know more, I called Dr. Jesse Coil, a Doctor of Osteopathy with the Medical Clinic of Big Sky. D.O.’s like Coil have full medical training, plus training in hands-on work.

“Manipulation is difficult to scientifically prove because you are relying on patients describing how they feel after treatment, which is very subjective,” Coil said.

He suggests it’s a short-term fix that can help people feel better. But if “a couple days later you’re sitting in the same position at a desk, the problem returns. Unless you’re fixing the base problem, usually manipulation is a temporary fix.”

However, manipulation, Coil said, has never been proven to do any harm.

“There is a place for manipulation and helping correct musculo-skeletal problems, but I don’t think it can replace medicine.”

Saad adjusted my feet, “tightened” my knees, and “reactivated” my muscles. It was a minor session, he said, but I’d needed the overhaul. He’d noticed tightness in my upper neck, my low-and mid-back caused by posture. I’d be sore, but everything should feel good soon. If I needed, I could come back for a 20-minute follow-up.

I was sore for a couple of days – not muscle sore, just a little off. Then when I relaxed, I felt looser, freer and lighter. In a couple of weeks I started feeling like I needed to go back. Like my spine was… stuck. It was something I’ve felt before but hadn’t put a word to – until Saad planted the idea in my head.

So am I hooked? Is my phobia cured? I haven’t been back yet, but I’m sure thinking about it.

explorebigsky.com September 9, 2011 19

Big Sky Weekly

THE W E S T MAY B E W I L D,

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Big Sky Weekly

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Mental health troubles rural Montana Help groups work to curb challenges in rural communities

BY ADINA SMITH, STASIA OWEN, KASEY ANDERSON AND LISA BECZKIEWICZ, FOR THE BIG SKY WEEKLY Rural communities often struggle with issues surrounding poverty, single parenting, education, unemployment, lack of health insurance.

Residents of rural communities experience mental health problems like depression, suicide and substance abuse at a rate that is sometimes greater than urban communities, and stigmas surrounding mental illness are common.

Community resources in small towns, however, tend to be inaccessible or inconsistent.

Even when rural individuals have access to mental health services, they often cannot afford them. Without the necessary help, they sometimes end up in crisis situations that could have been avoided. This places undue stress on primary health care providers and law enforcement, which at times results in issues like suicide or psychosis.

A FISHBOWL SOCIETY Rural communities sometimes refer to living in a “fishbowl,” meaning others can easily observe their coming and going from the mental health clinic.

Stigma regarding mental illness is

particularly pronounced in these areas and may be related to lack of education, insufficient resources, isolation and the value of autonomy.

Stigma dissuades people from seeking help for mental health, and may also impede progress once individuals are engaged in the treatment process. This perceived lack of anonymity and being the subject of rumors may determine whether or not they seek care.

A sense of individualism is often strong in rural towns. This is a “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” mentality, where people are selfsufficient, self-reliant, and solve their own problems. Rural individuals are often unaware of the state of their mental health, existing mental health services, or whether or not they’re eligible to receive services, according to a University of Maryland Department of Family Science report in 2007.

Because of this, individuals who could benefit from mental health treatment may not seek assistance due to stigma, stoicism, alternate views of etiology and treatment, or not may not recognize the problem.

FIND HELP IN BIG SKY Many of these same barriers may exist for individuals in need of mental health care in Big Sky. In response, Montana State University’s Human Development Clinic, in partnership with Women in Action, offers counseling and mental health services in Big Sky. This community resource offers counseling services to adults, adolescents, children, couples and families living in Big Sky. Counseling is provided on a low-cost sliding scale fee and the initial appointment is free of charge.

Additionally, Women in Action expanded the counseling and mental health services for all students at Ophir and Lone Peak High School this year. Through this school/community partnership the guidance counselor is now funded to work full time providing services and resources to students and families through implementation of a Comprehensive Guidance Program. This program addresses intellectual, emotional, social and psychological needs. It includes sequential activities designed to address the needs of all students by helping

Report highlights Montana Over decades Over 33decades rural health needs

BY DEB COURSON SMITH, BIG SKY CONNECTION buildinginin building Montana Montana The federal health care reform disfor the health of people, and the cussion has been focused on the inhealth of the health care system.” surance mandate for several months, Bailey says education, access to but there are other key provisions health care, and health improveof the ments as part Affordof health re“It’s not the government able Care form contain Act that telling what you have to do another eleshould be ment linked to be healthy and doing it of interest to Montana for you. A lot of this is aproto Monvalues: a focus tanans, as on personal moting healthy living and detailed responsibility. healthy lifestyles.” in a report -Jon Bailey, Director of the Rural released “It’s not the Research and Analysis Program at Aug. 30 by government the Center for Rural Affairs the Center telling what for Rural you have Affairs. to do to be healthy and doing it for you. A lot of Study author Jon Bailey, the Centhis is promoting healthy living and ter’s director of rural research and healthy lifestyles.” analysis, says the disease-prevention and public-health components are Prevention includes health screendirectly aimed at rural Montanans, ings, as well as education with an where less-than-healthy lifestyles emphasis on risky behaviors and are connected to heart disease, unhealthy lifestyles. Although the cancer, stroke and diabetes, all very provisions are in the law, they will expensive to treat, and all more comstill have to be funded to be carried mon among rural residents. out.

“These are serious health problems, which are up to 75 percent of the total health care system costs. These are important long-term provisions

The full report, “Prevention and Public Health,” is at cfra.org

them acquire competencies in career planning and exploration, knowledge of self and others, and educational development.

Anderson believes that by teaching all students in the classroom setting, they become enriched with the same skills set, creating a common language in the school. She also provides small group counseling and individual sessions with students and parents.

By having these services in Big Sky, residents can now find care for a diversity of mental health needs including depression, anxiety, relationship concerns, grief and loss, self-esteem, life transition, academic or work concerns, substance use or other issues of life’s constant struggles.

To learn more about services through the Human Development Clinic or to schedule an appointment call (406) 570-3907. To contact the Ophir School and Lone Peak High counseling program call (406) 995-4281 ext.221.

For more information about Big Sky’s counseling programs or other community health needs call Women in Action (406) 209-7098.

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Big Sky Weekly

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Big Sky Weekly

SPORTS

100 million dollar man makes strides as a player and teammate with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Vick had a great year in 2010 and he remains a focal point for the future of the Eagles. Locking him up with a long-term contract is important for the success of the team. Signing a star quarterback like Vick is expensive, and the Eagles did what it took to keep him.

BY BRANDON NILES, BIG SKY WEEKLY CONTRIBUTOR Football player Michael Vick recently signed a sixyear $100 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. Many have criticized the Eagles for giving Vick such a large contract considering his past history.

One can argue, however, that players make too much money in general, but I don’t like the arguments that Vick specifically doesn’t deserve it because of his past.

For those who do think his past should keep him from making the big bucks, I have a question: How much money is it okay for Vick was sent to prison in 2007 on charges that he an ex-convict to make? It’s a fair question. If took place in a dog-fighting ring. He committed we believe in redemption stories and in the unspeakable acts toward the dogs involved and lost power of rehabilitation, then we should eneverything as a courage result. He lost ex-cons “If we believe in redemption stohis money, he to sucbecame one of ries and in the power of rehabilitaceed after Michael Vick in a locker room interview the most hated they’ve tion, then we should enacourage the impact that a reformed and active Michael Vick men in America served their can make on the progress of eliminating dog fighting, (in sports), and he ex-cons to succeed after they’ve sentences. If we and I’ll forgive a person who has served his sentence was sentenced to wish to honor the served their sentences.” and is trying to be the best he can be. nearly two years in idea of second prison. As a result chances and show people that they can turn their After all, if we start to put limits on how successful of this, Vick remains one of the least liked players in lives around, then why should we limit the level of ex-convicts can be, then why even let them out of sports. success that these people can obtain? Vick did a horprison? rible thing and suffered consequences for it that were I’m not debating whether or not what he did was within the full extent of the law. Vick did hard time, Brandon Niles has done online freelance writing about wrong. However, I believe in second chances. I lost everything, and it’s been a struggle for him to the NFL since 2007. His articles range from NFL believe in redemption stories. Most of all, I believe rebuild his life and career. news to team-specific commentary. A Communication in rehabilitation. Because of this, I’m happy for Vick.

Studies graduate student at the University of North Ever since he got out of prison, he’s done everything When we look back and evaluate Vick, what outcome Carolina Greensboro, Niles is also an avid Miami right: volunteering to help the humane society, would we hope for? Is it that a bad man got caught, Dolphins fan, which has led to his becoming an avid speaking out against his past, lobbying for HR 2492, a spiraled into oblivion, and never recovered? I’d much Scotch whisky fan over the past decade. He hopes to visit bill that would make it a misdemeanor to be a spectarather remember Vick as a guy who reformed, got a Montana some day. tor at a dog fight. He also works hard on the field and second chance, and made the most of it. I appreciate

Michael Vick running with the ball against the New York Jets in 2009.

explorebigsky.com September 9, 2011 23

Big Sky Weekly

SPORTS

LPHS makes history with first game Game deemed success despite 71-25 loss

BY MIKE COIL, BIG SKY WEEKLY SPORTS WRITER | PHOTOS BY ANNA MIDDLETON Rare indeed is the opportunity to play the first football game in the history of a school.

That opportunity was embraced with gusto and determination by the students and supporters of Lone Peak High School on a late summer afternoon, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011, when the Bighorns took the field for the first time against the visiting Falcons of Fromberg-Roberts at the LPHS home field.

This was the first time they were able to muster enough players to field a team in Class C since the high school opened in 2009. Of the 49 students at LPHS, 22 turned out for football. This year the senior class has four students, and two of them, Nick McTaggart and Matt Becker, are on the team.

While the final score of 71-25 will go down as its first loss, the Bighorns racked up an impressive list of firsts that will forever stand in the history of LPHS football.

First kick off: Tucker Shea First kickoff return: Tucker Shea - 32 yards First snap from center to quarterback: Matt Becker to Justin McKillop First completed pass: Justin McKillop to Tucker Shea First injury: Jacob Cruse (injured lower left calf) First first down: Tucker Shea First touchdown: Tucker Shea. (kickoff return, 76 yards, 2:03 of the first quarter) First extra point attempt: Grayson Bell (miss)

The most electrifying play for the Bighorns was a kickoff return by Tucker Shea of 76 yards in the first quarter. The fans erupted as the play unfolded for the first touchdown in school history.

Shea also scored two other touchdowns, a 4-yard running play and a 47-yard pass play, both in the fourth quarter. Shea plays tailback, kicker and kick returner for the Horns.

The grandstands (obtained from the MSU marching band after the renovation of Bobcat Stadium) were filled with family, friends and community members. Attendance was estimated at around 250. School officials, parents and players worked hard to have the field in shape for the game.

In fact, they were still working on the flagpole the evening before the game, Principal Jerry House said at the beginning of the game. To show his support, House participated as a sideline official.

Much of the work on the football facility was donated by the Quarterback Club and fundraising efforts that were widely supported by the local community.

Falcons’ coach Jim Goltz was honored to have the opportunity to participate in the Horns’ first game.

“We are excited to play this game but a little nervous because there are no films of the Bighorns,” Goltz said. “The kids are excited to be in Big Sky, but they are glad they do not have to play the last game of the season up here.” Several of the Falcon

players mentioned how nice the facilities were compared to other places that they play.

“It sure wasn’t what we wanted, but we are excited about the kids being able to enjoy something special,” Big Sky’s coach Beardsley said of their first game. The kickoff return by Shea sparked the team and carried them through the rest of the game, he added.

Coach Beardsley thought the Falcons used a good combination of passing to their tall receivers to break the game open. “Given the height advantage of the Falcons, they had a hard time defending the pass,” Beardsley said.

He thought his team did a good job given their lack of experience. Only two Bighorns have previous football experience at the high school level. The team has two seniors, six juniors, three sophomores and 11 freshmen; half the squad is composed of freshman players.

Coach Beardsley was optimistic about the future.

His enthusiasm is warranted given that he has players on his team listed at 235 pounds (Becker), 255 (Morris), 275 (Klein) and 310 (Enriquez).

The lineup sounds like a starting lineup for a pro team, and it’s doubtful any six-man team in the state can match those numbers.

The next game is Saturday, Sept. 10, 2011 at 1 p.m. at Two Eagles River High School in Pablo, Mont.

BIG SKY WEEKLY PLAYER OF THE WEEK: TUCKER SHEA 24 September 9, 2011 explorebigsky.com

Big Sky Weekly

SPORTS

LPHS girls’ volleyball back again

BY KAELA SCHOMMER, BIG SKY WEEKLY CUB REPORTER Lone Peak High School’s girl’s varsity volleyball team kicked off their season on Wednesday, Aug. 31, in a game against the White Sulphur Springs Hornets. The lady Big Horns lost 0-3, in a three out of five match. The lady Big Horns played in a tournament in Sheridan before the first game of the season.

With the 2011 freshman class coming in at 24 students, the high school ended up with plenty of girls to play volleyball. The girls, with the help of Coach Phelps, have been working to raise money by putting on car washes in the Town Center. They have also been practicing hard for the upcoming season.

Practices for the team began Aug. 15, and with only six girls starting out, the team slowly grew to 12 girls: eight freshmen, one sophomore and three juniors. Only one of the 12 girls has played high school volleyball before.

“There is a great energy at LPHS this year as the high school is growing and varsity sports are becoming a focal point for not only the school but the Big Sky community,” Coach Phelps said. “Our Big Horn Volleyball team, while young, has great potential, and will be fun to watch this season. I’m looking forward to watching them improve as a team as they gain varsity experience in our division. It is exciting to see so many young women take an active interest in athletics. This bodes well for the future of the Big Horn volleyball program.”

Coached by Sarah Phelps who previously coached the junior high team for Ophir School, the Big Horns are part of Class C; Class C schools must have enrollment under 135 students. LPHS is playing at the varsity level, meaning that the team must compete against mostly juniors and seniors.

Front row l to r: Karlie Perry, Kaela Schommer, Janie Izzo, Nyota Haley, Alecia Drum, Tehya Braun Back row l to r: Gabrielle Gasser, Samantha Furgeson, Sarah Baccetto, Julia Schelle, Zoe Ross, Alyssa VanDeven

LPHS had a volleyball team in 2009, but over half of the girls moved away. This left the school short of girls to play volleyball for the 2010 season resulting in no team.

The team is falling into place, and the girls are ready for the challenges they will have to face this season as they prepare to face the tallest, strongest, and most experienced players in Class C.

OPHIR SCHOOL DISTRICT ATHLETIC CALENDAR 9/9 9/10 9/13 9/15 9/16 9/17 9/20 9/22 9/23 9/24 9/26 9/27 9/29

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Ophir Middle School Girls’ Volleyball @ Ennis 5:00 PM: LPHS Girls’ Volleyball @ Ennis 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: LPHS Football at Two Eagle River 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Ophir Middle School Girls’ Volleyball @ Gallatin Gateway 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Ophir Middle School Girls’ Volleyball vs. Mt. Ellis 5:30 PM: LPHS Girls’ Volleyball vs. Sheridan 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: LPHS Football vs. Billings Christian at LPHS 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Ophir Middle School Girls’ Volleyball @ Monforton 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Ophir Middle School Girls’ Volleyball vs. Gallatin Valley Homeschool 5:30 PM: LPHS Girls’ Volleyball @ Shields Valley 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: LPHS Football at Alberton Ophir Middle School Girls’ Volleyball JH Tournament 5:30 PM: LPHS Girls’ Volleyball vs. Twin Bridges 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: LPHS Girls’ Volleyball @ Mt. Ellis 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Ophir Middle School Girls’ Volleyball vs. Manhattan Christian 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Ophir Middle School Girls’ Volleyball vs. Monforton PHOTO BY ABBIE DIGEL

Ophir Miners announce sixman season With the exciting addition of the Lone Peak High School football team, the middle school boys could not wait to get into the action, so now the Ophir Middle School Miners will have a six-man football team this season, as well. The Ophir team, with 12 players from sixth to eighth grade, will debut their season at home on Sept. 16 against Sheridan, Mont.

Front Row – Rhett Leuzinger, Holden Samuels, Howie Robin, Garrett Klotz, Dakota Perry Middle Row – Yasin Schultz, Jackson Wade, Eddie Starz, Chase Samuels, Skyler Ness-Keller Back Row – Coaches, Scott Leuzinger, Dan Wade, Chris Samuels Players not pictured are Charlie Johnson and Bridger Babcock.

Coach Chris Samuels is excited about the team and the opportunity for the middle school to play football in Big Sky this fall. There are four games on the sched-

ule and possibly two more as the season progresses. Please come out and support the Miners at Big Horn Field on Sept. 16!

- Ophir School Sept. 16, Ophir at HOME against Sheridan Sept. 21, Ophir at Twin Bridges Sept. 26 at West Yellowstone Oct. 17 at HOME against West Yellowstone

explorebigsky.com September 9, 2011 25

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26 September 9, 2011 explorebigsky.com

Big Sky Weekly

BUSINESS

‘Monster’ of a problem for 39,000 Montanans looking for work

BY DEB COURSON SMITH, BIG SKY CONNECTION If you don’t have a job, you can’t get a job. Some online job postings now prohibit unemployed workers from applying - a disqualification that hits nearly 39,000 Montanans who are looking for work.

A petition drive is underway to try to get monster.com and other job sites to stop accepting ads from companies prohibiting those without jobs from applying.

Kelly Wiedemer in Colorado started the petition.

“It’s a horrible, horrible situation and everybody, really, they don’t want any form of welfare, so to speak, with unemployment. We want to work.”

The petition has more than 90,000 signatures. Wiedemer says she hopes to collect 200,000.

Wiedemer says the practice of discrimination against the unemployed negates everything a worker has accomplished over a lifetime.

some restaurants do italian food. some do chinese food.

WE DO BIG SKY FOOD

“Without saying so, they said that my education, my experience and my background have no value whatsoever.”

At this point, Monster has not banned the practice. A spokesman for the site says, “Discrimination based on employment status falls into a legal gray area,” adding that it is “unwise.” Only New Jersey has a law against job ads that prohibit unemployed workers from applying. Michigan and New York are considering such action, and a measure has also been introduced in Congress.

The petition drive is at tinyurl.com/3k3x7yr.

we deliver 4069952305

Unemployment Rate

serving breakfast lunch & dinner

MSU Extension offers economist webinars

Series acclaimed for its practicality MSU NEWS SERVICE Montana State University Extension is offering a free financial education series webinar beginning Sept. 23.

The Solid Finances series consists of 16 sessions, organized into four topics -money management, investments, retirement and estate planning - with four, one-hour sessions per topic.

The program will be taught by MSU Extension economists Marsha Goetting and Joel Schumacher.

The series has been acclaimed by past participants for its “narrow topic focus” and “knowledgeable presenters.”

The program is made possible by a grant that MSU Extension received

from the FINRA Investor Education Foundation and United Way Worldwide to expand the Solid Finances education series to reach off-campus audiences.

Participants can attend a single session or all 16 sessions. There are two ways to participate in the series: several host locations are being established with classroom space (Havre, MSU-Billings, White Sulfur Springs, Livingston, Broadus and Missoula); or participate as an individual online in the webinar series.

All of the webinar sessions will be from noon to 1 p.m. The sessions are open to all. Schedule and webinar registration at: msuextension.org/ solidfinances/webinarschedule. html

explorebigsky.com September 9, 2011 27

Big Sky Weekly

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

� PILATES � YOGA � MASSAGE � PERSONAL TRAINING

� HEALTH COUNSELING

Now in Bozeman and Big Sky

Season passes on sale now Big Sky Resort

Prices good until Sept. 30, 2011 GOLD - Unlimited access

Z e n Ho me S e r v i c e s Ho u s e ke e p i ng & M a id S e r v i c e

SILVER - Midweek pass BRONZE - Early/late season pass

Jocelyn Nelson | wintercat@bmi.net | (406) 370-5068

Adult/Senior $999 Junior $799 College $589 Adult/Senior $699 College/Junior $629 All ages $349

FREQUENT SKY CARD - 14 FREE days to Ski/Ride + other discounts

All ages $49

POWDER PAK - 10 transferrable tickets

All ages TBA

BIGGEST SKIING IN AMERICA - Ski it all

All ages TBA

Moonlight Basin

Prices good until Oct. 16, 2011

Home

Life

The

Auto

Agency Insurance Division Protecting Your Assets

Call us today at 993 9242 or visit us on the web at www.ins-agency.com

Call us today at 993 9242 or visit us on the web at ins-agency.com

horse of a different color

Live with the things you Love

Big Sky Meadow Village Across from the Post Office 406-995-3113 Monday - Saturday: 10-5 Sunday: 11-5

explorebigsky.com

ADULT (18-64) JUNIOR (11 - 17 years) COLLEGE (with proof of registration) SENIOR (65+) MIDWEEK (M - F) NEW: MOONLIGHT BASIN VALUE CARD - $49 • • • • •

Only available for purchase through December 16 First day FREE Present card at ticket window and receive $10 off your lift ticket $40 lift ticket days – the second Sunday of every month Non-transferable

$570 $ 485 $485 $485 $399

Big Sky Weekly

OZssage Ltd - Therapeutic Massage & Spa

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Bridger Bowl

Prices good until Sept. 30, 2011 ADULT - Ages 19-69

$580

BRIDGER COUPON BOOK - 10 Transferable Coupons

$450

JUNIOR - Ages 13-18

$330

MIDWEEK PASS - Ages 19-69

$375

CHILD - Ages 7-12

$130

MSU STUDENT RIDE-ON! CARD

$30

JUNIOR LEGEND CARD - Ages 13-18

$30

ADULT LEGEND CARD - Ages 19-69

$35

SENIOR PASS - Ages 70-79

$250

TEN TIME PASS - Non transferable

$350

SUPER SENIOR PASS - Ages 80 and beyond

$5

PRESCHOOL PASS - Ages 6 and under

$5

THE BIG SKY WEEKLY AND MOUNTAIN OUTLAW MAGAZINE SHIPPED TO YOUR DOOR

$75 FOR 1 YEAR CONTACT 406-995-2055 OR MEDIA@THEOUTLAWPARTNERS.COM

TREE REMOVAL 995-7852

REMOVING DEAD AND INFESTED TREES Grants Available for home Fire Suppression

Lone Mountain Ranch

Pre-season Passes (Sept. 23- Nov. 30) LOCAL (MONTANA) - Ages 13-17

$80

ADULTS - Ages 60-69

$80

ADULTS - Ages 18-59

$175

FAMILY PACK - (includes (2) adults and (1) 13-17) Additional person ages 13-17 $35/ each

$385

Approved RC&D Hazardous fuels reduction contractor Tom Newberry:

995-7852

BigSkyTrees@aol.com BISON Big Sky Weekly :Layout 1

7/27/10

1:26 PM

Page 1

Catch a flight in the morning.

Be totally amazed by noon!

You can’t land any closer to where you want to be!

Yellowstone Big Sky Gallatin Madison Ennis Virginia City Island Park

www.yellowstoneairport.org FLIGHTS DAILY FROM WEST YELLOWSTONE MONTANA

EVENTS BIG SKY

WILDFLOWER AND WEED HIKE Porcupine Creek Sept. 10, 9 a.m. – noon SEPTEMBER 11 SERVICE All Saints in Big Sky Big Sky Chapel Sept. 11, 9:30 a.m.

CHEAP DATE NIGHT Lone Mountain Ranch Sept. 14 MONDAY NIGHT PIG ROAST 320 Guest Ranch Sept. 12, 19, 26, 6 p.m.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BOARD MEETING First Security Bank Sept. 13, 8:30 a.m.

HAYRIDE AND RIVERSIDE BARBEQUE 320 Guest Ranch Sept. 14, 5:30 – 9 p.m.

Big Sky Weekly PLANNING AN EVENT? Let us know! Email abbie@theoutlawpartners.com and we’ll spread the word.

WINE TASTING Creighton Block Gallery Sept. 15, 22, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.

KELLY ROBERTI Bozeman Public Library Sept. 12, 7 p.m.

CHAMBER AFTER-HOURS Winter & Company Real Estate Sept. 15, 5:30 – 7:30

BRIDGER CREEK BOYS Bozeman Brewing Company Sept. 12, 5 p.m.

INAUGURAL TWOFLY BENEFIT Private home of Nick and Brenda Davis Benefit for the Museum of the Rockies Sept.16, 5-9 p.m.

GALLATIN CANYON WOMEN’S CLUB MEETING Home of Linda Davis, 3065 Two Moons Road Sept. 14, 1 p.m.

UPPER GALLATIN RIVER CLEANUP Hosted by the Blue Water Task Force Big Sky Community Park Paviliion Sept. 24, 9:30 a.m.

BOZEMAN AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE DAY MSU-Bozeman, Centennial Mall Sept. 23, 10:45 a.m. - 2 p.m CLIMBING MOUNT LOGAN slideshow, fundraiser for Planned Parenthood Holiday Inn Sept. 24, 7 p.m.

“Summer Breeze” by Shirle Wempner, Showing at Creighton Block Gallery Sept. 15 - Oct. 8

“WILD YONDER” ART OPENING FEATURING MARY ROBERSON Visions West Gallery Sept. 9 , 6 - 8 p.m., show to run through October JAZZ AND MORE WITH

 

BOGERT FARMERS MARKET Bogert Park Sept. 13, 20, 5 p.m.

“TWE12VE” (SNOWBOARD FILM) Emerson Cultural Center Sept. 14, 8 p.m.

ENGINEERS WITHOUT BORDERS – BUILDING WELLS IN KENYA Bozeman Public Library Sept. 14, 7 p.m.

TOURS FOR TOTS: YELLOWSTONE FISHING FRENZY Museum of the Rockies Sept. 13, 15, 10 - 11 a.m.

WONDERLUST FALL RECEPTION Country Bookshelf Sept. 14, 5- 7 p.m.

POETRY NIGHT – BANNED BOOKS Country Bookshelf Sept. 15, 7 p.m.

KELLER WILLIAMS CONCERT Emerson Cultural Center Sept. 16, 8 p.m.

TWOFLY FUNDRAISER Museum of the Rockies Sept. 16, 17, 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.

CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS: EMERSON ANNUAL FUNDRAISER Emerson Cultural Center Sept. 17, 6 p.m.

GLEN CHAMBERLAIN BOOK READING - CONJUGATION OF THE VERB TO BE Country Bookshelf Sept. 20, 7 p.m.

SOLAR HOT WATER SYSTEMS REI Sept. 21, 6:30 – 8 p.m.

ONE FOR THE ROAD (TGR ski and snowboard film) Emerson Cultural Center Sept. 22, 7 p.m., 9 p.m.

   

       

SENSKA-WILBER ART & MEMORABILIA COLLECTION EXHIBIT AND SALE Emerson Cultural Center Sept. 23, 4 - 8- p.m., Sept. 24, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

VIRGINIA CITY BREWERY FOLLIES H.S. Gilbert Brewery Sept. 14, 8 p.m.

30 September 9, 2011 explorebigsky.com

SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH

Citizens encouraged to prepare their communities The Dept. of Disaster and Emergency Services is encouraging citizens to use National Preparedness Month as a reminder to prepare themselves and their community for emergencies.

“Preparedness is a shared responsibility,” said Ed Tinsley, Administrator of Disaster and Emergency Services.

The department recommends putting together an emergency supply kit, making an emergency plan, and joining in with local preparedness events.

They encourage the public to be prepared for an emergency, and suggest individuals to be self-reliant for three days. This means living without utilities and electricity, water services, access to a supermarket or local services, or maybe even without response from police, fire or rescue. Three important steps: 1. Get an emergency supply kit.

2. Make a plan for what to do in an emergency.

3. Be informed about emergencies that could happen in your community, and identify sources of information in your community what will be helpful before, during, and after an emergency or disaster.

National Preparedness Month was founded after 9/11 to increase preparedness in the U.S. Now in its eighth year, it is a nationwide, month-long effort hosted by the Ready Campaign and Citizen Corps, encouraging households, businesses and communities to prepare and plan for emergencies.

BOOK READING BY RON ROCKWELL -

U.S. Army in Frontier Montana The Elling House Sept. 10, 7 p.m.

BOZEMAN SYMPHONY FAR AFIELD - OBOZE The Elling House Sept. 17, 7 p.m.

HELENA MONTANA MEDICAL MARIJUANA POLICY CONFERENCE Burton K. Wheeler Center for Public Policy Sept. 19-20

LIVINGSTON/ GARDINER FELLOWSHIP WITH FRIENDS Gardiner Food Pantry Sept. 6 6:30 p.m.

PIANO MUSIC AT ROSIE’S ROOST Sept. 10, 14, 17, 21, 24 6 – 9 p.m.

NORRINE THE OUTLAW QUEEN – COUNTRY Chico Hot Springs Saloon Sept. 11, 5 p.m.

REMEMBRANCE FOR THE 9/11 SERVICE Gardiner Community Church Sept. 11, 11:15 a.m.

2ND BBQ AND GARAGE SALE FOR WARRIORS Absaroka Lodge Lawn September 11, 4 p.m.

OPEN MIC @ THE SILVERTIP Sept. 12, 19, 6-9 p.m.

SONIC BOOM @ TWO BIT Sept. 15, 22, 10 p.m.

SILVER GATE TOWN PARTY Sept. 16, 23, 7 p.m.

ART WALK Downtown Livingston Sept. 23, 5:30 - 9 p.m.

OPEN BLUEGRASS JAM Pine Creek Café Sept. 15, 22, 8 p.m.

DAVE WALKER BAND – BLUES Pine Creek Café Sept. 17, 7 p.m.

THE ELECTRIC PEAK ARTS COUNCIL 13TH SEASON KICKS OFF Presents the Gothard Sisters, Irish Dancers Gardiner School multi-purpose room September 21, 7 p.m.

THE DIRTY SHAME – OUTLAW COUNTRY Chico Hot Springs Saloon Sept. 23, 8 p.m.

CLASSIFIEDS HELP WANTED Opening at the Medical Clinic of Big Sky for receptionist/patient coordinator. Previous medical background helpful but not required.

Must be computer savvy, have the ability to multi task, work well with others and maintain confidentiality at all times. Bring fax or resume to the Medical Clinic, 11 Lone Peak Trail - suite 202 - FAX 406-9932965 or mail to PO Box 160609, Big Sky, MT 59716 --------------------------------------------Bucks T-4, Looking for creative hard working individuals to join our culinary team, Line cooks, pantry, dishwashers, Wage DOE, Pickup application at hotel front desk, Call Chuck 995-4111 Local Big Sky construction company looking for experienced carpenters; 5 years experience and references required. Please fax resume to 995-3676 or email info@ bigskybuild.com.

-----------------------------------------Ophir School District in Big Sky is seeking an Activities/Athletic Director with intense interest in directing extra-curricular and co-curricular activities, successful experience in scheduling student activities and athletic events. This

Big Sky Weekly

Email classifieds and/or advertising requests to: media@theoutlawpartners.com (406) 995-2055

position serves as the district leader in the planning and supervision of district activity programs, as well as evaluation of activities/athletic personnel. Specific functions of the position include, planning, supervision, staff development, public relations/booster organizations, communication, budget, staff relations, facilities, and record keeping. Please see the district website (www.ophirschool.org) “Employment” for more information and an application form.

--------------------------------------------Ophir School is looking for a parttime Events Coordinator to assist the administration with planning, organizing, and supervising athletic games and school sponsored events.

See website www.ophirschool.org for more information and application guidelines. Mail to: Superintendent, P.O. Box 161280, Big Sky, MT 59716 Email: administration@ophirschool.org --------------------------------------------Ophir School in Big Sky has a parttime food service position opening 10:30-12:30 M-F. Please see www. ophirschool.org for more information and application materials or call 995-4281 ext. 200.

Ophir School District 3 Positions Available 1 FT - bus driver/Facility Asst 1 FT bus driver/custodian 1 PT Custodian Bus driving $18/hr – will train Please see website for full description s and application at www. ophirschool.org.

Or call 406-995-4281 ext. 218

FOR SALE CHEAPEST HOUSE IN BIG SKY 2265 Little Coyote 3 BD, 2 BA, Golf Course Views Call Big Sky Sotheby’s 406.995.2244 -----------------------------------------For Sale - brand new furniture from a model home in Big Sky in Spanish Peaks. 4 Bar Stools, Couch, Entertainment Center, Cabinet and King Bedding. Call 406-993-5381.

FOR RENT Office Space - Executive Office suites available in amazing building in Meadow Village, Big Sky - $300 to $500/mth depending on terms and office size. Each office has private door, shared conference rooms, shared kitchen space. Terms Negotiable. Call Eric 570-0639

HOUSING WANTED Local reporter needs a room in Big Sky, house preferred; Year lease or six months works. Call Taylor @ 847-902-7110 or email taylor@ theoutlawpartners.com

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES Golf and Ski Membership Opportunity. $5,000 and monthly dues gives you full member rights for the use of the Club at Spanish Peaks. Spanish Peaks is one of the few Communities in the world where you can ski, golf, fish and ride horses in the same neighborhood. Only one of these opportunities is available and membership must be approved. Call 303-4191263 for details.

-----------------------------------------What if you could take $250 & turn it into $5,000 or even $20,000 month after month?

How would earning $20,000 over and over change your life?

SEC approved company new in MT For more information email phone # to weatlhtoday@q.com

This is how Big Sky gets into hot water.

Nordic Hot Tub We service what we sell!

Spa sales to fit your budget Pool and spa care after the sale Custom maintenance plans

Spa covers and custom lifts Lots of accessories for your spa Special orders available

www.BigSkyHotTubs.com (406) 995-4892 • NordicHotTub@aol.com 47520 Gallatin Rd. • Big Sky, MT 59716

explorebigsky.com September 9, 2011 31

Big Sky Weekly

by word of mouth

b i s t r o + c a t e r i n g Full Service Flyshop & Guide Service Est. 1984 • Montana Outfitter #235

montanaflyfishing.com | (406) 995-2290 1/2 mile past Big Sky turnoff on HWY 191

fresh, unique cuisine made with local gallatin valley botanical farm products open daily 5:00 - 10:30 p.m.

In addition to our regular menu, join us for: Tokyo Tuesday hand-rolled sushi & more

Big Sky’s only year round fly shop

Friday Fish Fry all-you-can-eat, hand-battered fish & all the fixins’

try our summer signature sweet basil martini

The Way to Fish

For reservations, call 406-995-2992

Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine www.greatturninghealing.com 81 W. Kagy Blvd, Bozeman, MT 406-922-2745

Now with locations in Bozeman and Big Sky The only herbal pharmacy in the region

Big Sky Weekly

music in big sky

September 9, 2011 Volume 2 // Issue #17

Big Sky

Keb’ Mo PHOTO BY ABBIE DIGEL

Over Labor Day weekend Big Sky was host to both local and international musicians. The Big Sky Arts Council hosted Jackie Greene and Keb’ Mo on Friday evening (see our exclusive interview on page 43) and Big Sky Resort and Chamberlain Productions hosted the first Spruce Moose Music Festival, a three day musical event with huge crowds that went well into the evening.

Headliners for Saturday and Sunday included Big Head Todd and the Monsters and John Butler Trio.

Spruce Moose Music Festival PHOTO BY CHRIS KAMMAN

PHOTO BY CHRIS KAMMAN

John Butler Trio PHOTO BY CHRIS KAMMAN

Keb’ Mo PHOTO BY ABBIE DIGEL

PHOTO BY CHAD JONES

explorebigsky.com September 9, 2011 33

Big Sky Weekly

REMEMBER WINTER? LIMITED ADVERTISING SPACE NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE WINTER 2012 ISSUE OF MOUNTAIN OUTLAW MAGAZINE • Year-round distribution • Exclusive distribution in more than 3,000 homes and 150+ unique locations in Southwest Montana, and mailed around the globe — the largest exclusive distribution of any regional magazine • World-class photography and quality editorial content occupying 70% of the publication

AD COMMITMENTS DUE BY SEPTEMBER 15, 2011 Call Frank for advertising opportunities

t: 406-995-2055 // m: 406-599-8345 frank@theoutlawpartners.com

34 September 9, 2011 explorebigsky.com

Big Sky Weekly

COLUMN

Finding a job in Big Sky: It’s easy if you’ll work for free

BY CAMERON LORD Now that my refrigerator is fully stocked, I’ve been able to dive into the fun task of seeking employment in Big Sky. Like any other newbie, I started my search at Big Sky Resort – a “rite of passage,” I’m sure.

we agreed I could probably help him out. It looked like I might even stand to make some cash until he said, “But you know, until we close a transaction, you won’t be paid, but it would be great experience!”

Reading the Resort’s website, I trudged through the list of jobs I was either unqualified to do (I’m a novice skier) or not cut out for (I’m also a delicate former-banker).

Resigning myself to the possibility of becoming the “Fondue Stube Server,” an interesting job finally jumped off the page – “Snow Reporter.”

Through a mutual friend, I wrangled an introduction to the Snow Reporter decision-makers and shared my insane desire to wake up extremely early and play weatherman. Although I’m still waiting to hear back about the winter job, luckily, they needed a summer intern immediately and offered the position to me. “You won’t be paid, but it would be great experience!”

Doh!

As you may have observed, I’m also an aspiring writer, so when I met some folks at the Big Sky Weekly, I expressed my interest in writing for the paper. They enthusiastically replied, “That’s great. We’d love for you to write for us! There’s just one thing.” Yep, you guessed it, “You won’t be paid, but it would be great experience!”

“You won’t be paid, but it would be great experience!”

Since they only needed me a few days per week at the internship, I continued looking for a real job for my days off (you know, the kind that pays money). I figured my luck was improving when a realtor friend connected me with a local broker who might have use for a newly minted MBA doing spreadsheets, numbers and that sort of thing. I met with the broker, and

Thank you for 2 great months as a new business!

We’re looking for more Consignor items of: Home Furnishings, Clothes, Sporting Goods & more

Ongoing Price Reductions In Store Women’s, men’s & children’s clothing; many In-Home goods; Sporting items; Golf clubs & bags, Bicycles, Fishing, Camping, much more

Come in to see what we have to offer you!

Located in the Big Horn Center, across from the Bugaboo Café @ the corner of Canyon Hwy 191 & Lone Mtn Trail

Please call Janine or Dick @ (406) 993-9333 for an appointment to consign your items for sale

Now, before you infer that I’m discouraged or cynical about my current situation, I should elaborate on my “experience.” In the past few weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to interview a Grammy award-winning musician, gained an insider’s perspective on how a world-class ski resort operates, and learned how my corporate experience translates into real estate deal making. If I’m lucky, my internship will turn into a winter job, we’ll close some real estate transactions, and when I land my first book deal, you’ll be the first to know. Meanwhile, I’m not sure if this is what the “free” in freelance is supposed to mean, but if anyone out there needs an extra set of hands, please call – my rate seems to be competitive.

OUR FALL SALE IS ON!

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24TH GALLATIN REGIONAL PARK

TREES, SHRUBS, PERENNIALS AND MORE— ALL AT DISCOUNTED PRICES! New Fall hours: Tues.-Sat. 9-5 Closed Sun. and Mon. 406.995.4818 • san@wildwoodbigsky.com

WILDWOOD NURSERY

A.K.A. “THE DINOSAUR PLAYGROUND” OFF OAK ST IN BOZEMAN

Registration begins at 10 a.m. or online registration at dream-mt.org $10 per walker includes a t-shirt Complimentary food and beverage + door prizes after the walk

Hwy 191 just south of the Big Sky stoplight

wildwoodbigsky.com

Growing in Big Sky for 31 years explorebigsky.com September 9, 2011 35

OUTDOORS

Big Sky Weekly

A week in the Bob Horseflies, bears and falling in love

BY FLETCHER KEYES This summer a wildfire has torched more than 800 acres of Montana’s 1,009,356-acre Bob Marshall Wilderness. This leaves well over a million acres of forest in pristine condition.

Thank God. At the end of July, I spent one week in the depths of that magical place. It was my first backpacking trip, and I emerged from it reborn, smelling like campfire and body odor, and unknowingly wearing remnants of the previous night’s s’more on my face. Mission accomplished.

My prior camping experience consisted of driving to campsites in beautiful locations, pitching my tent 12 feet from the car, and cooking baked beans and hot dogs over what could have been labeled as fire-pits but would be more appropriately called barbeques.

“This is the life,” I remember telling myself on one such night. I’d kicked back under the stars, and was using all my mental capacity to block the sound of the next-door camper’s car stereo blasting NSYNC’s greatest hits.

That was before a heart-throbbing love of the Bob entered my life. Before my definition of camping changed from a long scenic drive and a community campground, to an eight-hour hike spent under the hot sun, swatting horseflies and mosquitoes, climbing over deadfall, and setting up camp 14 miles from the nearest trailhead.

36 September 9, 2011 explorebigsky.com

Big Sky Weekly

OUTDOORS Thanks to the expertise of the good folks I camped with, our expedition traveled in style, hiring local outfitters to pack our gear in with a parade of mules. This left our group with nothing more to do than worry about the hike itself.

As an inexperienced deep woods camper, I found the level of technology on our trip shocking. We had a solar shower that rivaled most fleabag hotels, and bear boxes I’d have placed money on surviving a nuclear explosion. In addition we had a full kitchen set, recreational gear, and the pinnacle of them all, a bear fence. This mesh fence packed 6,000 watts of electricity into any creature unlucky enough to touch it, a worthy fortress for our week’s supply of food.

When we weren’t fishing or hiking we kept busy with what I call “day activities”: Frisbee golf, wiffle ball, ladder ball, cribbage, and the consistent hooting and hollering that can only be associated with absolute freedom. The “night activities” were strewn between campfires, s’mores, the occasional splash of whiskey, and contemplating one’s existence under the stars.

It wouldn’t have been a proper camping trip without wolf howls, which we practiced regularly, but

the best night was when the wolves howled back.

We’d heard this was the Bob’s worst bear season in recent years, due to the late spring thaw. I was half-expecting a wilderness version of Park Avenue full of Winnie the Poohs, so I kept a constant lookout.

One afternoon three days into our trip, a friend and I were hiking a couple miles from our camp when we discovered a bear track in the mud that looked as fresh as our own footprints. We took a minute to process and then kept walking, thinking the wisest move would be to cross the river to the opposite bank. The bear was thinking along the same lines.

As soon as we crossed, we found ourselves among more tracks.

Beginning to feel like mice dropped in a cage with a hungry snake, we kept pushing forward. Eventually we crossed again and found a trail leading up the hillside and away from the river. We took it, and I felt the squirming discomfort of doubt lift from my shoulders.

As we rounded a bend, my friend stopped cold. He pointed down the hill 25 yards. “What does that look like to you?”

L-R: Fletcher Keyes, Tyler Alfenson, Jack Hood, Lander Jewett A large, slightly dome shaped hole had been dug out of the hillside. The entrance was small enough to crouch through, but I could tell something big had expanded the inside of it.

Something bigger than me. It seemed we’d found where Pooh slept.

We backtracked, fast, bear sprays in one hand, fishing rods in the other.

Returning to our sacred campsite, we were spooked but unscathed.

Over the next four days, we caught rainbows and cutthroats, played

games and enjoyed good company. Each night, looking up at the brightest stars I’d ever seen, I realized this was the life. For me, nothing can replace the Bob’s absolute solitude, especially with friends, a campfire and the comfort of a day’s adventure behind me.

Fletcher Keyes is entering his final semester as an English Literature student at MSU. As a soon to be college graduate, the world is his oyster.

Or so he’s told.

explorebigsky.com September 9, 2011 37

Big Sky Weekly

www.PruMT.com 406.995.4060 • 800.995.4060 Big Sky Town Center • 55 Lone Peak Drive • Suite 3 Prudential Montana Real Estate is your statewide real estate company with 12 offices to serve you in the communities of Big Sky, Bozeman, Dillon, Ennis, Sheridan, Twin Bridges, Hamilton, Florence, Missoula, Seeley Lake & Polson.

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2,500 +/- sf total, for sale or lease unit 5C1=1,759 +/- sf, $339,000, #169862 unit 5C2=834 +/- sf, $160500, #169863 common kitchenette and bathroom

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38 September 9, 2011 explorebigsky.com

FiREliGHt Condo • • • •

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Toni Delzer, Sales Associate, 406.570.3195 Anne MacKenzie, Sales Associate, 406.223.1095 Peter MacKenzie, Sales Associate, 406.223.1195 Mark Dobrenski, Sales Associate, 406.599.2175 George Hagar, Sales Associate, 406.580.2248 Marc Lauermann, Sales Assoc., ABR, SFR, 406.581.8242

Big Sky Weekly

Big Sky XC PHOTO BY KEN LANCEY The Big Sky XC dirt bike race drew racers from the U.S. and Canada to Big Sky, Aug. 27 - 28. An event for all ages, the course led racers in a large loop on trails beneath the Swift Current chairlift at Big Sky Resort.

In the professional class race on Sunday, riders raced up the ski run Stump Farm and jumped hay bales in front of cheering spectators. This race of endurance and strength lasted just over three hours. Rory Sullivan of Washington state won first overall by crossing the finish line first with the most laps.

“Our race is officially on the national motorcycle racing radar. 20 states and 2 Canadian provinces were represented. We also had the privilege of having several top professionals in attendance this year, all of which placed our event on the same level as the country’s most established and prestigious races,” Joe Miller, an event organizer from Big Sky, said.

Check bigskyxc.com for full results, and updates on next year’s event.

BIG SKY A ADULTS Place 1 2 3

Rider 289 529 566

Laps 6 6 6

Finish 16:03:10.83 16:09:51.39 16:19:35.80 16:22:16.38 15:38:49.70

Name Rory Sullivan Eric Baily Cameron Weaver Keith Curtis Devan Bolin

4 5

711 5

6 5

MPH 15.68 15.19 14.52

Class PRO PRO PRO

14.35 PRO 14.81 PRO

Finish 11:39:50.30 11:44:01.44 11:45:34.45 11:46:52.27 11:48:27.95

Name Tucker Larrieu John Wells Travis Sturgis Alex Hundtoft Jason Thorne

MPH 14.66 14.20 14.04 13.91 13.75

Laps 6 6 6 6 6

Finish 14:29:19.05 14:31:06.88 14:39:37.38 14:39:39.34 14:39:50.59

Name Brandon Roberts RJ Mendez Kyle Anderson Brandon Snow Dyllan Gage

Laps 10 8 8 8 8

Finish 16:30:27.63 16:27:37.48 16:28:21 16:29:16.44 16:30:53.59

Name Dante Oliveira Levi Newby Payton Reimers Chase Hymas James Tenant

MPH 38.34 32.12 31.74 31.26 30.46

Place Rider 1 448

Laps Finish 16 10:00:49.95

MPH Class 59.11 85CC JR

2 3 4 5

14 13 13 13

10:01:00 9:59:49.95 10:00:35.81 10:00:48.27

Name Jameson George Trevor Roberts Chance Hymas Tommy Lindsay Morgan French

Place Rider 1 337W

Laps Finish 6 12:07:05.86

Name Brandon Roberts

2 3

18 42

5 5

12:02:20.75 12:02:47.88

Sophia Oliveira Dylan Nevins

4 5

109Q 438

5 5

12:06:59.20 Drew Hagin 12:12::09.92 Alan Serafin

BIG SKY B ADULTS Place 1 2 3 4 5

Rider 158G 15 247 330 426

Laps 4 4 4 4 4

Class B 250 A SPR SR B Open B 250 B VET

BIG SKY C ADULTS Place 1 2 3 4 5

Rider 337W 67W 495 197A 388

MPH 19.50 19.13 17.54 17.54 17.51

Class C 250 C 200 C Open C 250 C 200

BIG SKY 65 Place 1 2 3 4 5

Rider 19 399 577 450 277G

Class 85CC JR 65 CC 85 CC JR 85 CC JR 65CC

BIG SKY 50CC

407 449 394 629

51.43 49.55 48.37 48.05

65 CC 85 CC JR 85 CC JR 65CC

BIG SKY SUPER MINI MPH Class 18.46 Super Mini 16.18 Girls 16.10 Super Mini 14.40 85CC 14.63 Super Mini explorebigsky.com September 9, 2011 39

Big Sky Weekly

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Big Sky Weekly

TRAVEL

Ten days in paradise - travel in Northeastern Australia Part 1: Sydney STORY AND PHOTOS BY RENÉ KRAUS With only two days to see the highlights of Sydney, we wouldn’t be resting much. Touring the harbor, seeing the Sydney Opera House, taking in the infamous Rocks area, and eating the local dish ‘bugs’ were all musts. Plus, we were meeting good friends for dinner one of our two nights there.

I’d long awaited this trip back to northeastern Australia, a place where I spent much of my honeymoon six years ago. This time, I was traveling with a friend from Big Sky, and my husband stayed at home, much to his disappointment.

The 13-hour flight from Los Angeles left late at night and got us into Sydney at 6 a.m., two calendar days following our departure date. That left us all day to explore.

Sydney, in New South Wales, is best seen by foot or by boat. This sprawling city is home to approximately four million people, one-fifth of the country’s total population. Because the city is centered around Port Jackson, which is comprised of three harbors and several bays, much of the city’s population commutes by ferry from a neighborhood bay to the central business district of Quay’s Bay. We decided to take advantage of the sunny, mild weather and embark on a two-hour ‘coffee’ harbor tour. Our tour guide was a lively and informative Sydney enthusiast; she pointed out several forts dating back to the 1830s, and also the many fabulous homes of Sydney’s rich and famous, including those of Russell Crowe, Nicole Kidman, and prime ministers, past and present.

After the cruise concluded, we set out on foot to explore more of the harbor area, starting with the famed opera house. Danish architect Jorn Utzon designed and built this group of buildings in 1973, notoriously running over budget and deadline by several million dollars and two decades.

The Opera House complex is equally stunning from the outside and inside, and definitely worth a closer look. We decided against a tour just then, but instead, purchased tickets for the following evening’s performance of La Boheme.

Continuing our walk along the harbor, we reached the Rocks area, where we explored historic stone buildings built along the hills that skirted the water.

In the late 1700s, limestone from a nearby quarry was used to construct wharf-side businesses, inns

Travel to Australia from the U.S. is easiest from the West Coast, where a 13-hour non-stop flight from Los Angeles (check Qantas or United) brings you into Sydney, where you can get to get acclimated to the significant time difference and enjoy the sightseeing.

and brothels here. By the 1800s the neighborhood had become a slum overrun by hardened criminal gangs and remained so until the early 20th century, when the decaying area succumbed to the bubonic plague, and many of the buildings were destroyed.

What remained was handed over to Sydney’s port authority, and today, the Rocks is a thriving tourist destination filled with shops and restaurants, and a weekend street market.

That evening, we dined at the Sydney Café, on the rooftop of the old Customs House. My friends, Americans who’d lived in Sydney for over 10 years, had secured a deck table with a prime view of the harbor, the opera house and the Harbour Bridge. I ordered the signature dish there, a local specialty called ‘bugs’ which are large crustaceans that look like a cross between lobster and shrimp and were served cold and fresh. The restaurant also features an extensive selection of Australian wines, and we sampled a chardonnay and a shiraz, neither of which are exported.

The following morning we set out on foot for George Street, where we spent hours window-shopping. In addition to most of Europe’s top fashion houses, this area also features Australia’s top designers. One shopping area in particular stands out – the Queen Victoria Building, an excellent example of elaborate Romanesque architecture. This building was originally a concert hall, and now features the best of Australian and European clothing, jewelry and antiques. We enjoyed a delicious lunch at a new restaurant called the Glass Brassiere, on the mezzanine level of the Hilton Hotel, in this same shopping area.

That night, after stopping for drinks at the ShangraLa Hotel, we set off for the opera house to see the local company’s version of La Boheme. Jet lag finally took a hold of us, so we cancelled our dinner reservation and barely made it back to our hotel before crashing into a deep sleep. The next morning we departed Sydney for Cairns in North Queensland, and then to Palm Cove, the town I fell in love with on my honeymoon.

Rene’ Kraus is a communications consultant and freelance writer. Rene works with individuals and organizations to develop strategic and effective communications. An avid traveler, she writes to share the beauty of the world at large. Contact her at Renekraus100@gmail.com.

Sydney Opera House

explorebigsky.com September 9, 2011 41

Big Sky Weekly

Big Sky’s

LARGEST GROCERY SELECTION

OPEN UNTIL 10 P.M. FOR THE SUMMER Full grocery and gourmet selection Stock up on snacks, drinks, ice for your day’s adventure Try our fresh baked goods and full service deli Delivery available Call us 406-995-4636

Open Daily from 6:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Located in the Meadow Village Center next to Lone Peak Brewery

Big Sky Weekly

ENTERTAINMENT

Love Blues An interview with Keb’ Mo

BY CAMERON LORD, FOR THE BIG SKY WEEKLY Big Sky Weekly columnist Cameron Lord sat down with three-time Grammy Award winning musician Keb’ Mo for an interview before his Sept. 2 headliner performance presented by the Big Sky Arts Council.

The Nashville Blues artist philosophized about his music, seeing beauty in everything, and about his trademark fedora.

Big Sky Weekly: Your new album is a bit of an evolution from your prior work. How do you think you’ve evolved as a musician over the past few years?

Keb’ Mo: “Evolved” would indicate that I’ve done something really different. Maybe “growth” is a better word. Although I don’t think I’ve grown very much lately. I’m just stretching out a bit. I’ve really just gotten braver. I got more courage.

BSW: Some critics have commented that your latest album is a bit softer, has less “edge.”

KM: “The Edge?” Isn’t he that guitar player for U2 [laughs]. Seriously though, I just want my music to feel good, you know?

KM: Yeah I like touring.

I like it all. I like recording, touring, just hanging out in the studio. I like everything.

BSW: That’s not a bad gig if you like it all.

Keb’ Mo performing in Big Sky

KM: Not bad at all. It’s pretty good. When you love doing what you’re doing, that’s a nice gig.

BSW: So have you performed with all of these musicians before? Is this a new ensemble for you?

KM: We’ve already done a couple of runs in August before this show, and we’ve all played together at some point, either on stage or in the studio back in Nashville. Our bass payer and organ player are our newest folks.

BSW: You all arrived yesterday afternoon, have you had a chance to see or do anything here in Big Sky? KM: Well, being on the road is work, not a vacation. I just go to my room and start getting ready to perform, start getting my ducks in a row.

BSW: And will you be playing mostly new stuff on your tour? A mix?

Touring is not sightseeing. If I have a couple of days off, I might go see something, but usually no.

KM: We’re playing some new things. Tonight we’ll have four new things in the set list.

BSW: What about back at home in Nashville? Do you get outside there?

BSW: What’s it like getting back on the road after spending two years in the studio?

KM: I just go to my yard. I’m not very adventurous – excitement is overrated, [laughs]. Where we live is pretty nice, with the scenery and the trees, but I’m that kind of guy, I see beauty everywhere. A blade of grass, bugs crawling. There’s beauty not just in special places, even though there are special places, and some are more breathtaking than others. There’s always something to see, and I’ve seen some pretty spectacular places.

BSW: Do you like touring?

KM: Well, you gotta get the lead out, you know [laughs]. It’s pretty easy actually. This time it was just getting the band together, rehearsal, getting the people up on new songs, up on the old songs. It can be challenging sometimes.

BSW: What do like listening to right now?

Keb’ Mo and Cameron Lord

sue. It’s really clean, really pristine. Also, Steve Cropper’s got a new album out that I played on. I’m listening to that. Coffeehouse on XM, that’s probably what I listen to most, [laughs].

KM: I’ll probably listen to anything. It’s not like I’m listening to “this” right now. Well, actually, I started listening to the new Robert Johnson reis-

BSW: So do you always play wearing a fedora?

KM: Yeah, I guess I do. I’ve played with other hats before. I’ve worn caps. One night in Seattle I performed with no hat. A long time ago.

BSW: How’d it go?

KM: Scary. I wanted to see if I could do it. Everyone was like, “Where’s Keb’ Mo?” They didn’t see the hat.

explorebigsky.com September 9, 2011 43

“

Big Sky Weekly

“meditation on the realms of downgoing” by jacqueline rieder hud 24 x 48”

“Painting the Wild ”

wo r k o f j ac qu e l i n e r i e d e r h u d o n d i s p l ay t h r o u g h s e p t e m b e r 1 3

Thomas English and Shirle Wempner: 2 a rt i st s h ow september 15 – october 8

“morning shadows” by thomas english 30” x 40”

m e e t t h e a rt i sts : t h u r s day, s e p t e m b e r 1 5 4:30 – 7:30 september 15 4:30 – 7:30: t h o m a s e n g l i s h 2 day pa i n t i n g w o r k s h o p c a l l 9 9 3 9 4 0 0 f o r s i g n u p i n f o r m at i o n

“ t h r e e a m i g o s ” b y s h i r l e we m p n e r 2 4 ” x 3 2 ”

“

hours: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. tues. - fri.

10 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. sat. 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. sun. big sky town center | 406-993-9400 44 September 9, 2011 explorebigsky.com

Big Sky Weekly

ENTERTAINMENT

Orange Man Team sits in front of the Infinity fountain View of the Space Needle and Starbucks stage

bum•ber•shoot —n. informal An umbrella.

The word bumbershoot first appeared in the U.S. around 1915–1920. It is thought to be an alteration of the umber- part of umbrella plus a respelling of -chute (as in parachute). Bumbershoot was chosen as the Festival’s name as a metaphor for the Festival being an umbrella for all of the various arts and performers it encompasses

The Kills

Flatstock Rock poster show

Bumbershoot The world’s largest music and arts festival named after an umbrella

BY KELSEY DZINTARS | PHOTOS BY CHRISTOPHER NELSON A young woman with her skin painted bright orange freestyle dances with a giant balloon against a clear, baby blue sky.

Baby boomers with flowing skirts and long white beards are following suit in their own interpretative barefooted dance circle. Excited toddlers at their first live concert are jumping around on blankets, and happy families lay out on the grass. On stage, electro pop dance band, YACHT, is performing among a swarm of enthusiastic fans they spontaneously invited on the stage.

This is a typical scene from Bumbershoot, Seattle’s 41-year-old music and arts festival. Held annually over Labor Day weekend, the festival

takes place in the heart of the city at the 74-acre Seattle Center, which has fountains, gardens, outdoor art, open space and the 16,000-capacity Key Arena, all at the base of Seattle’s monumental icon, the Space Needle.

Headlined this year by longstanding ‘80s pop duo, Hall and Oates, and Seattle’s own the Presidents of the United States of America, Bumbershoot featured an eclectic blend of crowd-drawing international headliners, up-and-coming bands, and local groups, allowing festival-goers to rock with their favorites and discover some newbies.

A major showstopper from Portland, Ore. was MarchFourth Marching band. A big band with a driving drum

corps and battery-powered electric bass, the ensemble also featured stilt-walkers, dancers, flag twirlers, clown antics, and acrobatics. The band kicked off the first day of festival, embodying their namesake by marching in their own parade around the festival grounds, and later played a full set to a packed crowd on the lawn.

One of my favorite performances was from the garage-rock duo the Kills, who captivated a crowd under the stars, late on the second night. Set against a color-changing leopardpatterned backdrop, singer Allison Mockhart and guitarist Jamie Hince transformed basic riff, beat and vocal from something dark and electrifying in their major hits, to sweet and sexy

with Mockhart’s stunning rendition of Marilyn Monroe’s “One Silver Dollar.”

Between sets, the festival is host to films, comedy, spoken word, dance, theatre, and visual arts performances.

One of the most popular attractions is the Flatstock rock poster show, which features 70-plus different poster artists and their unique designs from around the world.

Perhaps the only drawback I experienced was exhaustion and sore feet from three days of dancing and running around the Seattle Center.

However, I came away with at least 10 new favorite bands and a priceless inspiration that will keep me going back year after year.

explorebigsky.com September 9, 2011 45

R U O Y T E G

Big Sky Weekly

N O B U R G Y K S G I B N DI N U O R R A YE

• Daily drink specials • Live Music • 12 HDTVs • Amazing Food • 100 beers • 100 wines

HAPPY * HOUR

MONDAY-FRIDAY 3:00-5:00 P.M. *½ price well drinks and pints

OPEN DAILY AT 11:30 A.M. LUNCH & DINNER 46 September 9, 2011 explorebigsky.com

LOCATED IN THE BIG SKY TOWN CENTER big sky, montana 406-995-3830

Big Sky Weekly

FUN

Noah Clarke spent an afternoon hitching Yellowstone Club Trail for a few downhill turns. PHOTO BY TAYLOR ANDERSON

Keep your drink cold with an Outlaw Patners/explorebigsky koozie. Look out for quiz questions about Southwest Montana at facebook.com/explorebigsky. If you are the first to answer correctly we will send you this sweet prize! (Sorry, beer not included) explorebigsky.com September 9, 2011 47

Big Sky Weekly

Noun: wild or rough terrain adjacent to a developed area Origin: shortened form of “back 40 acres”

For the Big Sky Weekly, the Back 40 is a resource: a place where we can delve into subjects and ask experts to share their knowledge. Topics include regional history, profiles of local artists and musicians, snow and avalanche education, how-to pieces for traditional or outdoor skills, and science.

ARCHITECTURE To build a plan by knowing the land Architects then create ‘bubble diagram’

BY JAMIE DAUGAARD

Many creative steps shape the design process and the development of a building project, the most influential of which is called the bubble diagram.

The bubble diagram is based on an architectural program, which is a list of the building’s potential spaces and their approximate sizes and locations. Each program is unique to a future homeowner’s needs and preferences, to the character of the project, and to the site.

The architect works upon the program by creating a diagram for the main floor.

This initial floor plan could include the entry, mudroom, laundry, kitchen, great room, dining room, two bedrooms, a study and a garage.

Before starting the bubble diagram, we also consider the site information. This includes considering if there are mature pines, water elements or a rock outcropping we’d like to keep intact and enjoy; if the solar path will dictate exterior spaces where we might want to enjoy the western sun; and if view corridors

will allow certain spaces to be directly oriented toward views like Beehive or Lone Peak.

will sit within the topography. We seek to blend in without dominating the land.

While fitting the architectural program to the site, a topographical map and survey are performed and are critical in laying out the bubble diagram. By walking the site and learning the lay of the land, we find potential locations for the main building and garage, out buildings, driveway, water elements and natural focal points. We ask how these initial thoughts ‘elevate’ or ‘mute’ the senses.

Solar path is an important consideration for natural light in interior spaces, exterior decks and patios, and for passive heating or cooling.

The sun also affects views: Perhaps we’d like to catch the sunrise in one direction, but avoid a mid-morning glare in another. View corridors are natural focal points looking outward from your site most of the time. They have an impact on location of key spaces, such as the great room, dining room, master bedroom, potential tower, and decks and patios.

We also like to experience the site at different times of day and season to create and locate spaces for certain seasonal transitions. A kitchen with southeasterly exposure, a dining room with a view of the alpenglow on the Spanish Peaks at 5 p.m. in winter, or the need for exposure to morning light are seasonal-sensitive experiences we consider.

Knowing the site allows an understanding of how the future structure

48 September 9, 2011 explorebigsky.com

In the architectural program we also go over the interior qualities and adjacencies that are required for each space. For instance, the dining room and kitchen need to be near each other, the study and bedrooms should be away from noisy areas, and the laundry room is preferred to be near the mudroom.

As we create the bubble diagram, we further assess each space for the human senses, such as smells from the kitchen, noise from kids’ bedrooms, or powder room locations, and make sure to design the proper spatial connections.

The bubble diagram represents spatial correlations and the inclusion of using the senses to design a building project, which allows the architect to lay out the various rooms and spaces in and around the project, keeping in mind site and orientation. It’s an important tool for any architectural design.

Jamie Daugaard, principal of Centre Sky Architecture, received his B-Arch and M-Arch from Montana State University. Sustainability is deeply rooted in his work, which is mostly located in mountain regions with offices in Denver, Colorado, and Big Sky, Montana. If you would like to comment on this article or would like to learn more about another topic, you can contact him at jamie@ centresky.com or (406) 995-7572. centresky.com