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Big Sky Weekly

Big Sky

Big Sky’s Locally Owned & Published Newspaper

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June 15, 2012 Volume 3 // Issue No. 12

RESORT TAX APPROPRIATIONS

Q+A DJ Missy O'Malley

Tester and Rehberg debate in Big Sky entertainment: Cold Hard Cash at Choppers Sasquatch!

Michael Franti coming to Spruce Moose

WILDFIRE FORECAST: Average or slightly above

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YCCF GIVES $140,000 TO LOCAL NONPROFITS

Publisher of the big sky weekly

Big Sky Weekly

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2011 big sky chamber of commerce

Business of the Year June 1, 2012 Volume 3, Issue 12 PUBLISHER Eric Ladd COO & SENIOR EDITOR Megan Paulson CREATIVE DIRECTOR Mike Martins MANAGING EDITOR Emily Stifler GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kelsey Dzintars editorial assistants Taylor Anderson, Renae Counter Distribution Director Danielle Chamberlain VIDEO director Brian Niles videographer Chris Davis Account relations coordinator Kacey Brown Operations director Katie Morrison

CONTRIBUTors

Jamie Balke, Buscrat, Erin Cleary, Nick Diamond, Abbie Digel, Kurty Dehmer, Maren Dunn, D.O., Kelly Gorham, Marcie Hahn-Knoff, Ryan Hamilton, Kathy House, Jon Marshall, Mike Mannelin, Robin Brower-McBride, Brandon Niles, Ersin Ozer, Barbara Rowley, Carol Schmidt

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.

Letter to the Editor Parameters The Weekly accepts letters to the editor to give readers a platform to express their views and share ways they would like to effect change. These should not be Thank You notes. Letters should be 250 words or less, respectful, ethical, state accurate facts and figures, and proofread for grammar and content. We reserve the right to edit letters. Include: first and last name, address, phone number and title.

Submit to: media@theoutlawpartners.com

ADVERTISING DEADLINE For June 29 issuE: June 22, 2012 CORRECTIONS The Big Sky Weekly runs corrections to errors we’ve printed.

Please report them to emily@theoutlawpartners.com

2 June 15, 2012

Both publications are at another 400 locations in southwest Montana, including Bozeman, Big Sky, Belgrade, West Yellowstone, Livingston, Gardiner and Cooke City.

Big Sky Weekly and Mountain Outlaw magazine readership is growing, fast.

More than 20,000 readers saw a copy of Mountain Outlaw in the first 10 days after it was published, on June 1.

WEB Developer/Designer Sean Weas

© 2012 The Big Sky Weekly Unauthorized reproduction prohibited

Distributed around the Yellowstone region

Magazines were also mailed to 30 states across the country. Readership is up in these regional news, business and lifestyle journals.

With the Summer 2012 edition, the magazine’s distribution has already grown by 100 new places in the Yellowstone Park region, including drop points in Jackson and Cody, Wyo.; Driggs, Victor and Pocatello, Idaho; and Big Timber, Reed Point, Kalispell, Red Lodge, Joliet, Belfry and Roberts, Mont.

More at explorebigsky.com.

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• 6,000 issues distributed across Montana • Online at explorebigsky.com • 3,000 + rental properties • 2,500 + Big Sky taxi rides • Hotels and resorts throughout Southwest Montana • Subscriptions distributed to 32 states

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

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Table of Contents Community...4 Local News...8 Regional..12 Montana...14 Yellowstone...16 Gallery...17 Health & Wellness...19 Environment...22 Sports...21 Explore...22 Outlaw News...24

Business...29 Classifieds...30 Environment...31 Festival...33 Outdoors...35 Events...36 Entertainment...40 Fun...42 Columns...45 Back 40...48

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Big Sky Weekly

The Brotherhood Lone Peak High School graduation not necessarily established when everyone is watching—it’s about your actions when no one is watching that truly defines your character."

She also told them, “Big Sky will always be part of your foundation and there are a lot of people here cheering for you—it’s the beauty of a small town—you will never be anonymous here.” The graduates, Johnson noted, were themselves passionate about Big Sky. Johnson brought Big Sky Resort general manager Taylor Middleton onto the stage to announce a new LPHS tradition: The resort will put up a stainless steel plaque at the tram station atop Lone Mountain with the names of the graduates.

It will also add plaques for the last two graduating classes.

Expectations of LPHS students are high for both academics and behavior, said school superintendent Jerry House. “They wanted to recognize that.”

The 2012 LPHS graduates are: Matthias Arthur Becker years at Lone Peak: 2, MSU Bozeman next year Riley Adam Carson years at Lone Peak: 1, MSU Bozeman next year

By emily stifler

big sky weekly managing editor

BIG SKY – Seven young men graduated from Lone Peak High School on June 2. This crew, nicknamed the Brotherhood, was the third-ever graduating class from LPHS. Approximately 175 people attended the ceremony, which took place on a stage in the school’s new gym. The school board trustees sat on stage, and the school’s staff marched in to the tune of “Pomp and Circumstance,” wearing robes and hoods denoting their college colors and degrees.

The seven graduates walked in last.

Guest speakers included two students and two staff members, plus keynote speaker Martha

Johnson. The students picked Johnson to speak, something she said was a great honor.

A real estate agent and long time resident of Big Sky, Johnson had worked with the graduates for several years through the Warren Miller Freedom Foundation. Through that entrepreneurial program, Johnson helped teach them how to earn a living with what they have.

“I’ve been an entrepreneur in this town for 24 years. I never expected anything back. [But this] was one of those things you do in your life where you leave wanting more. It recharged my soul.”

In her speech, Johnson encouraged the graduates to be kind, thoughtful, have gratitude, perseverance and honor. “Remember, your honor is

8th grade graduation Ophir School held a graduation ceremony on June 7 for the eighth grade class.

Superintendent Jerry House spoke to the students about having gratitude for their parents and teachers, about intellectual growth, and about becoming ‘Big Horns’ as they enter Lone Peak High School next year.

Their homeroom teacher Nettie Breuner talked about celebrating the move to young adulthood, and about each student’s individual traits.

Eight grade student Chase Samuels spoke about the changes he’d seen in the school in his time there, notably how in fourth grade they’d had 40 classmates but now after the recession many families had left town. His classmate Soby Haarman described their education at Ophir as a “crazy train” and quoted Winston Churchill on success. Both were thankful to their community for the support. E.S.

4 June 15, 2012

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John Christopher Goode years at Lone Peak/Ophir: 8, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA next year Nicholas William McTaggart years at Lone Peak: 3, University of Montana, Missoula next year Jace Paul Morgan years at Lone Peak: 1, MSU Bozeman next year Cash Robert Munro years at Lone Peak: 1, undetermined Thomas John Tosic years at Lone Peak: 3, MSU Bozeman next year

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Big Sky Weekly

U.S. House cuts to senior services irresponsible Across Montana, seniors lead independent, productive lives thanks to important, life-saving initiatives like Meals on Wheels and the Senior Corps program.

Meals on Wheels ensures many seniors access to healthy meals. For too many, this program provides the only meal of the day. Senior Corps organizes Senior Companions, who work one-onone to keep seniors independent, Foster Grandparents, who mentor school children, and Retired and Senior Volunteers (RSVP), who help meet critical community needs.

Unfortunately, the U.S. House of Representatives just voted to cut these lifelines, leaving many Montana seniors without the support they need.

As a Republican, I believe in cutting spending and balancing the budget. If we don’t take responsible steps to reduce the deficit, it could affect the quality of life for future generations.

But cutting senior programs is irresponsible.

These cuts fail to live up to the promises we made to our parents and grandparents, they don’t address our long-term challenges, and they ignore the need for shared sacrifice.

The House bill eliminates $1.7 billion nationwide for Meals on Wheels and other services that sup-

feel the Republican party is only concerned about what will benefit the rich and powerful at the expense of our seniors and working middle class.

port senior transportation options and help for folks with disabilities.

What does that mean for Montana? Meals on Wheels delivers over half a million hot meals in our state every year. With one in six seniors unable to pay for food in 2011, this program went a long way to preserve health and dignity for thousands.

In eastern Montana, our population has one of the greatest percentages of elderly in the nation. The average is 17 percent, but almost all our counties are well over 22 percent and expected to rise.

- Kerry O'Dell, Sidney Senior Corps RSVP in Montana has 4,830 volunteers.

These people help deliver meals through Meal on Wheels and meet critical need at 1,087 nonprofits such as hospitals and nursing homes. Foster Grandparents help more than 2,000 Montana children.

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Big Sky Forestry workshop to be held Friday June 29 BIG SKY – The Big Sky Natural Resource Council will host a free forestry workshop in Big Sky on Friday, June 29 at the Big Sky Chapel on 510 Little Coyote Road. The workshop is part of the council’s Healthy Forest Initiative, which strives to increase landowners’ knowledge and responsibility, treat forested acres as a whole ecosystem rather than individual sections, and strengthen local wood markets.

Big Sky Community Library news

By Kathy House

Big Sky Community Library

BIG SKY – School will soon be out for the summer, but the library stays open and will once again be offering summer reading programs.

This year’s K-5 theme is “Dream Big….READ!” Programs are offered Wednesdays June 20 – Aug. 1 at 4 p.m.

The first summer program, on June 20, will be “The Birds of Prey.” AJ, from West Yellowstone’s Discovery Center will present three different birds: a great horned owl, a rough legged hawk and introduce a newly acquired owl.

For the young adult and high school students, “Own the Night,” is a new program. To find out more about this independent summer reading program go to bigsklylibrary.org and go to the YA link (available later this month).

The ever-popular story time, designed for toddlers through Pre-K, will continue every Monday at 10:30 a.m. with a weekly theme.

Frances Stewart return with her fun, interactive “Kidsing” program for parents and toddlers on Mon-

day, June 11. Nighttime noises and nocturnal animals will be presented by the Discovery Center on Monday, June 20.

The library will also host a few different author visits for community members.

All programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Library and are free and open to the public!

FOL meeting The next scheduled Friends of the Library meeting is June 20 at 10 a.m. in the library. There are a lot of books that need to be covered for summer reading and some outside work to be done in the library’s garden. This is an opportunity to meet community members and get involved. For more information on becoming a member, contact FOL chair, Kay Reeves at (406) 6007152, or call the library.

Library summer hours Sunday 1-5, Monday 10-6 (Story Time 10:30), and Tuesday and Wednesdays 4-8

Workshop topics include what healthy forests look like; tree, plant and weed identification; forest insects and disease; forest management, and protection from wildfire.

Presenters will be from the Montana Department of Natural Resource and Conservation, U.S. Forest Service, Gallatin Valley Land Trust, MSU Gallatin County Extension, and Northern Rocky Mountain Resource Conservation and Development.

The Big Sky Natural Resource Council formed in the spring of 2010 and aims to provide sustainable solutions for natural resource issues in the Big Sky community through a collaborative ecosystem approach. For more information visit bigskynrc.org.

Shabbat service at Big Sky Chapel, June 29 BIG SKY – Rabbi Ed Stafman of Congregation Beth Shalom in Bozeman will lead an evening Shabbat service at the Big Sky Chapel on Friday, June 29 at 6 p.m. A Shabbat dinner will follow, hosted by Mark and Jackie Robin on the patio of The Hungry Moose Market and Deli in the Big Sky Town Center.

The Jewish community of Bozeman and surrounding areas is celebrating 30 years as an organized community, 20 years as a Union for Reform Judaism affiliate, and 10 years in its current building on Koch Street.

bigskylibrary.org

Reaching out to people of all faiths as well as Jewish individuals in the outlying communities surrounding Bozeman has been an integral part of his leadership at Beth Shalom, with twice yearly services in Big Sky part of that outreach.

Rabbi Stafman will also lead a Torah Study followed by a local hike on Saturday morning at 9 a.m. Meet on the patio of the Hungry Moose for a discussion of the week’s Torah Portion and a light breakfast.

For more information visit bethshalombozeman.org or contact Rabbi Ed Stafman at bozemanrabbi@gmail.com.

Rabbi Stafman has served as the first resident rabbi for nearly four years.

A wiz of a show

Big Sky Broadway gets bigger in 2012

Big Sky Broadway Staff 2012: Corina Troxler (set designer) John Zirkle (director), Barbara Rowley (producer), Anna Middleton (stage manager), Klaudia Kosiak (musical director), Tehya Braun (production assistant). Not pictured: Heidi Ramseur (choreographer), Michel Tallichet (technical director), Gina Calahan (camp director), Heaven Phillips (vocal director).

Photo courtesy of Anna Middleton.

6 June 15, 2012

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BIG SKY – If you were impressed by their Broadway Revue in 2010 and wowed by their 2011 production of Willy Wonka Junior, get ready for a whole new level of children's community theater when Big Sky Broadway kids take to the stage on June 22 and June 23 to perform The Wizard of Oz.

more sophisticated staging, and some new equipment and that will allow us to show off snazzy new light effects." Even more importantly, he says, "we've got seasoned performers.

Each year nearly 100 percent of our cast returns, so we've got a majority of older, more experienced cast members."

"We've nearly doubled our staff (adding a choreographer, set designer and vocal director) and we've doubled our shows—with performances on Saturday and Sunday," said producer Barbara Rowley. "And that doesn't touch what we are doing artistically."

The Wizard of Oz will be performed in the ballroom of Big Sky Resort. The principal roles have been doubled, allowing the director to cast two Dorothys, Glindas, etc.

Check the ticket sales office outside of the post office for a list of who is performing which night. This "box office" is open Monday through Friday, from 10:30 – 12:30. Tickets can also be reserved by contacting ticket sales manager Katie Alvin at katiealvin@gmail.com.

"You'll see us take almost everything to a completely new level," said director John Zirkle. "We are performing a full-length show, we've got local builders helping us pull off much

Yellowstone Club & Continental Construction Present

JULY 31 & AUGUST 1, 2012

PBR’S BEST BIG SKY TOWN CENTER COWBOYS & BULLS “It’s going to be a wild ride”

LIVE MUSIC MUTTON BUSTIN’

ENTERTAINMENT BY

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2011 Champion Beau Hill

Thank you to all of our sponsors.

EVENT OF THE YEAR Produced by Outlaw Partners & Freestone Productions

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Big Sky PBR 2011

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Photo by Kene Sperry

Cowbells, bull riding heroes and a couple tons of grain and hay

Ramping up for the Big Sky PBR big sky weekly staff writer

BIG SKY – 320 Ranch is donating a ton of grain and a ton of hay to the Big Sky Professional Bull Riding event—literally.

“We thought it was a nice tie-in with what we do at the ranch with our own stock, and how we support ourselves and the community,” said 320 general manager John Richardson.

Started in 1898 as a homestead, 320 has been taking guests since about 1906, Richardson said. Today it keeps around 60 head of horses and a couple of mules.

“It’s kind of the left hand helping the right hand. We’ve always got grain and hay,” he said.

And 320 isn’t the only sponsor getting creative.

Ryan Kulesza and Tallie Jamison from Big Sky Sotheby’s are furnishing cowbells to the first 500 event-goers.

“We thought we’d come up with something that was fun and would add to the event,” Kulesza said. “It’s all about the experience when you’re in Big Sky.” The Big Sky Community Corp. is also on board with the PBR, receiving a portion of the proceeds from the July 31 Calcutta auction, and providing volunteers to help take tickets and sell programs at the gate.

“Basically, we’re being given a cool opportunity to be involved in the event,” said BSCC executive director Jessie Neal.

Also in PBR news, event producers The Outlaw Partners (also the publisher of this newspaper) recently announced a partnership with last year’s Big Sky champion Beau Hill.

Hill, a Montana native, last year won the event in dramatic final ride.

In the final round, Hill hung on when his bull hopped sideways into the fence, but his score was negatively impacted, and he would’ve finished second had he not risked it all in a re-ride.

8 June 15, 2012

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“It’s pretty awesome to get on board with [Outlaw], being out of Montana and promoting the Big Sky event,” Hill said of the partnership.

“It’s such a great event, and I’m glad to be a part of it. For me it’s different because it’s in my home state. A lot of friends and family get to come, and that makes it special.”

Hill, who lives in West Glacier, has competed in three PBR events this winter already, and says he’s been “going pretty hard since the first of January.”

The Big Sky event is worldclass caliber, Hill said. The bulls, which will again come from Chad Berger’s North Dakota ranch, are the same ones at the PBR finals, Hill said. And the bull riders coming to Big Sky are also some of the best in the world.

“When you have those two elements it definitely makes for a good show.”

The Big Sky PBR will be hosted in the Big Sky Town Center Aug. 1. Tickets go on sale June 22 at 9 a.m., and can be purchased at explorebigsky.com, the Country Market or Outlaw Partners’ office in Big Sky. General Admissions tickets will be $40 each and Golden Buckle tickets will be $150. Admission for children 6 and under is free. Tickets are limited and expected to sell out quickly.

Beau Hill, Outlaw Partners' sponsored rider and winner of last year's event will be returning to Big Sky this year.

local news YCCF announces spring grants 14 nonprofits divide nearly $140,000 BIG SKY – The Yellowstone Club Community Foundation has announced that 14 local nonprofit organizations will receive a total of nearly $140,000 in funds during the organization’s spring funding cycle.

The impact of these grants will be felt immediately, especially among the area’s children.

In Big Sky, the foundation has once again made it possible for the Big Sky Community Corp. to reduce tuition across the board for local children attending its Camp Big Sky day camps. In addition, the foundation has provided funding to Big Sky Broadway, the musical theater summer camp that will perform the Wizard of Oz with a local cast of kids on June 23 and 24.

“These funds will allow us to costume and stage the show in ways that reflect our cast’s professionalism,” director John Zirkle said.

Volunteers Of America executive vice president Heath Steel says the funding will also be put to good and immediate use as that program hosts Big Sky and Gallatin County children at a five-day leadership camp near the end of June designed and operated by police officers for at-risk youth.

Choosing which applications to fund was difficult, said executive director Casey Schwartz.

“No one wants to turn down the many great nonprofits that serve southwest Montana.”

Nevertheless, with twice as many requests as the foundation could fund on the table, Schwartz says the YCCF board looked for organizations that matched the foundation’s specific mission in community, education and conservation.

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Big Sky Youth Empowerment Crux Program Gallatin Valley Food Bank Eagle Mount Wounded Warriors Eagle Mount Big Sky Kids Cancer Camp

Other spring grant recipients include the foundation’s major and multi-year funding to The Gallatin Valley Food Bank, Eagle Mount and Big Sky Youth Empowerment, as well as grants to Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter, Women in Action, Cancer Support Community Montana, Montana Shakespeare in the Parks, Friends of the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center, and the Professional Ski Instructors of America.

(Big Sky Broadway)

Big Sky Community Corp. (summer camp underwriting) Big Sky Community Corporation Professional Ski Instructors of America Cancer Support Network Montana Shakespeare in the Parks Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter Friends of the Avalanche Center Women in Action Volunteers of America-POSTCARD Montana Camp

Tester, Rehberg meet for debate in Big Sky Hosted by the MNA at Buck’s T-4

The race between incumbent Tester, a Democrat, and Rehberg, a Republican, is one of the most watched in the nation, as the balance of the Senate may lie in the outcome. Libertarian

A MERICA ® AND

With these allocations, the YCCF has now given over $1 million to southwest Montana nonprofit organizations.

The following organizations received grants this spring.

The Nature Conservancy

The debate takes place June 16 at Buck's T-4 Lodge and is part of the Montana Newspaper Association’s 127th annual convention.

IN

“We will always prioritize projects that most match our mission and which reflect our desire to make as local an impact as possible,” she said. “We are happy that our funding will be used immediately to make a difference in the lives of so many of our friends and neighbors.”

“We know this has been an overwhelmingly positive experience for the kids who go, who simply couldn’t ever have this experience otherwise,” Steel said.

BIG SKY – Sen. Jon Tester and Rep. Denny Rehberg are coming to Big Sky this June to take part in the first public debate for Montana’s U.S. Senate seat.

W HERE B IGGEST S KIING

candidate Dan Cox will also take part in the debate.

Questions for the candidates will be posed by a panel of three Montana journalists, including the Big Sky Weekly’s Taylor Anderson, and moderated by the Associated Press.

Written questions from the audience will also be accepted.

The debate begins at 2 p.m. and is open to the public. Visit explorebigsky.com for video updates following the debate.

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Local student selected for Superintendent Juneau's Student Advisory Board By emily stifler

big sky weekly managing editor

BIG SKY – Montana State Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau announced in late May the addition of 31 new members to her statewide Student Advisory Board.

Lone Peak High School junior Tucker Shea was among those selected to the 2012-2013 Student Advisory Board.

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Born and raised in Big Sky, Shea is part of the first LPHS class that will have gone through all four years there. Jerry House, superintendent of Big Sky’s schools, nominated Shea for this position based upon an outstanding record of student involvement and academic success.

“Tucker is such a standout unique individual that excels at everything he does,” House said. “I’ve been in the business 42 years, and he’s in the top 1 percent of students I’ve met. He’s polite, respectful, kids respect him, and he doesn't push his weight around. He’s a leader—he leads through his actions.”

Shea is known as a student who cares for his own achievement and also about the success of all students. He also has a 4.1 grade point average. Shea has been very involved with the school, he says, because “I wanted to know what they were doing with my education.”

“Throughout my high school career I felt like there’s been a lot of decisions that have been made for me that I haven’t had any say in,” Shea said. “I thought it would be a really cool way

for me to get my ideas across to someone who wanted to listen to them, take them into account and actually implement some of them.”

The first meeting of the 2012-2013 Student Advisory Board will be held Oct. 11 and 12 in Helena. The 40 board members span grades 9-12 and come from 36 schools, representing the range of experiences and backgrounds of Montana students. Two Bozeman High School students, Larry Bratke and Reed Lone Fight, are returning to the advisory committee again this year.

Already, Shea said, one of the group leaders has set up a Facebook group as a place for advisory board members to discuss issues before they meet in the fall.

Shea said he’s interested in finding ways for students and community members to get more involved with school decisions.

“It’s been a really cool experience being in Lone Peak High School in its youth,” he added. “I’m excited to share my experience when I go to Helena.”

The Student Advisory Board is part of Graduation Matters Montana, Supt.

Juneau's statewide initiative aims to increase the number of students who graduate from high school and to ensure students graduate college career-ready through collaborative partnerships with schools, community organizations, businesses and youth.

Camp Big Sky launches middle school summer initiative BIG SKY – In response to the growing number of teens and pre-teens in the community, Camp Big Sky has launched its Junior Leadership Program, which is designed to develop leadership and job skills for children entering seventh through ninth grade.

“Most of these kids are starting to outgrow our regular summer programming,” said Camp Big Sky director Katie Coleman. However, she pointed out, with their age and experience, they can have a difficult time finding jobs.

“They are truly caught in the middle.”

10 June 15, 2012

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The Junior Leadership Program aims to give these kids fun and enriching experiences while teaching leadership and job skills. Coleman expects at least 15 local and part-time residents to participate in JLP, which kicked off with a day of GuardStart training and will continue with a week of leadership training under the guidance of director Coleman and JLP advisor, teacher Patty Hamblin.

Throughout the summer, participants are expected to work as junior counselors in the camps for younger students, volunteer at community events, and choose a camp in which to work. At summer’s end, kids who complete the program successfully will celebrate with a mountain party and the knowledge that they will have good job references and experience for the future—including possible jobs with Camp Big Sky. “We really hope to grow our future employees in this program,” Coleman said. “There is nothing more impactful than having great leaders in our younger kids camps be kids who the little kids know and look up to.”

For more information contact Katie Coleman at camp@bsccmt.org

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local news

Big Sky Weekly

Big Sky Fire Dept. attends annual firefighter testing consortium By emily stifler

At the consortium, Farhat helped with orientation, Fecht was a lead proctor, and Scholes helped equip participating firefighters.

big sky weekly managing editor

GREAT FALLS – Three representatives from the Big Sky Fire Dept. attended the annual Montana Firefighter Testing Consortium June 4-7, joining nine other fire departments from around the state at the Four Seasons Arena in Great Falls.

More than 300 firefighters from across the country looking to work professionally in Montana took part in the comprehensive written and physical exams, and BSFD Chief Bill Farhat said he met job seekers from as far away as New York and California.

Although Big Sky Fire is not currently hiring, Farhat, firefighter Martha Fecht, and BSFD consultant Al Scholes all attended as part of an annual obligation.

Participating firefighters had to first pass the written exam by 70 percent or better to get a chance to take the physical exam. Of the more than 300 participants, 244 total passed the physical exam.

“It gives us an idea who’s out there looking for a position, and it allows us to advertise how good of a department Big Sky is,” Farhat said.

BSFD has 10 paid firefighters, including Chief Farhat.

Big Sky’s rural setting and lack of neighbors gives it a lot of challenges, he said.

“This is an important job, not something you do arbitrarily or on a whim. It requires a lot of responsibility and maturity and a certain aptitude. My job is to hire the very best people.”

"This is an important job, not something you do arbitrarily or on a whim. It requires a lot of responsibility and maturity and a certain aptitude. My job is to hire the very best people.”

Farhat, who has been with BSFD for 10 months, describes the department as professional, well trained and proficient.

“It’s a group of people who like coming to work and work hard for the community. It’s fun to be part of it.”

-BSFD Chief Bill Farhat

“It’s highly competitive,” said Michele Shea, an administrator for the consortium.

very difficult for such a small department to properly hold a testing like that on its own.

Because the exams are based on a national standard, Farhat said they allow the departments to find the best possible new employees. BSFD benefits from participating in the consortium, he said, because it would be

“It eliminates a lot of work for us. When we’re ready to hire someone, we just go to that list of firefighters who have already been tested.”

The ten departments involved in the consortium are Big Sky Fire Department, Billings Fire Department, Bozeman Fire Department, Butte Fire Department, Great Falls Fire/Rescue, Helena Fire Department, Lockwood Rural Fire District, Miles City Fire Department, Missoula Fire Department, and Missoula Rural Fire District.

Public hearing on road name change for Big Sky Spur Road By ryan hamilton big sky town center

BIG SKY – Three names, one road. It’s confusing.

Depending on which paper or electronic map you use, which road name sign you’re looking at, or whom you ask, Big Sky Spur Road, Lone Mountain Trail and Montana Highway 64 are all names used for the main road running through Big Sky, from the Conoco station to the entrance to Moonlight Basin.

This issue came to light this year through the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce’s work on new wayfinding signage.

In February, working on behalf of the Chamber, I took an email poll of stakeholders and business owners in Big Sky, and the majority of the respondents preferred the name Lone Mountain Trail. This information was presented at the Town Hall meeting in April, where Allen Armstrong, Manager of the Gallatin County GIS Department, reviewed the process for changing the name of the road from its official name, Big Sky Spur Road.

He explained the historic name, dating back to the earliest maps from the Chet Huntley era, is Lone Mountain Trail and that every road name sign along its length currently reads Lone Mountain Trail.

A public hearing for the Gallatin County Commissioners to officially change the road name from Big Sky Spur Road to Lone Mountain Trail will be held on Tuesday June 26 at 9 a.m. at the Gallatin County Courthouse, third floor, Community Room. The state’s designation of Highway 64 will remain in place.

Call the Chamber at (406) 995-3000 or Allen Armstrong at the Gallatin County GIS Department at (406) 5823049 with any questions.

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June 15, 2012 11

regional

Big Sky Weekly

Kayaker fatality on the Gallatin big sky weekly staff writer

BOZEMAN – 21-year-old Harold Vaughan, an MSU student from Madison County, died June 6 while kayaking on the Gallatin River. At 5:30 p.m.

Vaughan’s kayaking partner called 911 to report that Vaughan was upside down in his kayak headed down river from the mouth of the Gallatin Canyon.

A Search and Rescue team from the Gallatin Valley, four Deputies, Gateway and Bozeman Fire Depts, AMR ambulance and Summit Air Ambulance responded to the scene and located Vaughan’s kayak wedged upside down into a log jam at about 7000 Gallatin Road. Strong currents and hidden hazards such as logs and rocks slowed access to the kayak, but rescuers determined Vaughan was still inside the craft. After extricating him, recitation efforts were started but were unsuccessful.

The paddlers had put in just above the mouth of the canyon, an area Sheriff Brian Gootkin said is especially dangerous because of the number and size of log jams and hidden hazards.

“People get that false sense of security where now it’s out in the open so it should be mellower at that point, but it’s not, especially this time of year,” Gootkin said.

The river was running at approximately 5,000 cfs that afternoon. Recreating when the water is at such a high level is dangerous.

Vaughan was wearing a life vest but not a helmet.

“It doesn't matter if you’re a rescuer or a regular person,” Gootkin said. “When the river’s like this, it’s dangerous.”

Emergency call boxes in Gallatin Canyon are located at Moose Flats and Taylor Fork.

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12 June 15, 2012

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regional

Big Sky Weekly

Summer wildfire season forecast: normal to slightly above normal June 1 snowpack improves but variable conditions remain SOUTHWEST MONTANA – The memorable winter of 2010/2011 left southwest Montana with an above average snowpack.

Accordingly, says Al Nash from Yellowstone National Park, last summer’s wildfire season was quieter than normal.

“We had a dramatically different winter in this part of the country than we did last year,” Nash said.

Snowfall for most of south-central and southwest Montana this past winter was below normal. Yellowstone was slightly below normal, but better than much of the region north and west of it, Nash said.

River Basin

% of Average Last Year % of Average May % Change

Missouri

85

261

+12

Missouri Headwaters

76

240

+6

Jefferson

64

228

0

Madison

78

218

0

Gallatin

81

244

+1

Missouri Mainstem

109

328

+27

Smith-Judith-Musselshell 109

386

+21

Sun-Teton-Marias

118

273

+32

Yellowstone

76

268

+7

Upper Yellowstone

90

222

+12

Lower Yellowstone

52

305

-7

Statewide, Montana’s snowpack increased Statewide 103 243 17 percent in May and as much as a 32 percent in individual basins, according to “The only southern watershed to see snowpack gains June 1 snow survey data released by the USDA through May was the Lower Yellowstone.”

Natural Resources Conservation Service.

In May, “large temperature swings accompanied by near average moisture brought significant snowstorms, as well as rain, to the watersheds of Montana,” said Brian Domonkos, NRCS water supply specialist for Montana. Cooler temperatures through May slowed April’s accelerated melt-rates, he added.

Statewide, 30 percent of this year’s snowpack remains due to late snows. SNOTEL data shows scattered basins still have considerable snowpacks, enough to drive streamflow peaks into June.

“Most notably snowpack totals are above average in the northern and central two thirds of the state, while the southern third, although improved, is still below average,” Domonkos said.

+17 thicker than usual across much of the region.

For this summer, experts are predicting a fairly normal to just slightly above normal fire season, Nash said.

Whether that increases the region’s susceptibility to wildfires is up for debate, said Gallatin National Forest spokeswoman Marna Daley.

“But a lot of that depends on how much precipitation we get in the coming weeks. We could get a lot, but as soon as it stops we’re off to the races.”

“They do carry fire, but these large landscape fires we’ve see in the past are really carried by heavier fuels and larger trees.”

Lightning causes almost all wildfires in the park, while National Forest land forest sees a slightly higher ration of human caused starts.

The growing number of beetle killed trees may also impact wildfire potential across Montana and the West, Nash said, but there is limited experience nationwide with fires that have gone through beetle killed forest.

Fire season typically starts in July and runs through Labor Day, Nash said, although the past couple of years the Greater Yellowstone region has seen late season fires, and wildfire in June isn’t out of the realm of possibility.

Following several years of heavy moisture, fine fuels like grasses and underbrush have grown

So, while the outlook isn’t so bad, Nash said he only puts “so much credence in those forecasts.”

“We like to say talk to us in October,” Daley added.

Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF to Spray for Bark Beetles in Recreation Areas BUTTE—The Forest Service will be applying insecticides in recreation sites throughout the BeaverheadDeerlodge National Forest this summer. The need for this is driven by the current mountain pine beetle epidemic, which has heavily affected many areas throughout southwest Montana and has already impacted some individual trees within popular recreation areas.

Treatment sites will be closed during spraying and reopened the following day. Signs will be posted at locations where work is occurring with information on the chemical used, closure period, including a potential time when the location can once again be used. Exposure of the public to Carbaryl spray, verbenone packets and MCH packets should be minimal to non-existent.

Weather will affect the spraying schedule as application will not occur on windy or rainy days, nor will it be done within 75 feet of water. Picnic tables, fire pits and restroom doors will be covered with plastic during spraying.

A Forest Service workforce and contract sprayers will be spraying Carbaryl to protect individual pine trees from mountain pine beetles in recre-

ation sites on the following ranger districts of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest: Dillon Ranger District Lemhi Pass to Jackson: Reservoir Lake campground & picnic area Bloody Dick Cabin Pioneer Mt. Byway: Willow Creek Campground Wise River Ranger District Pioneer Mt. Byway: Willow campground Wise river area: Lower Seymour campground Pintler picnic area Wisdom Ranger District May Creek campground Miner campground Steel Creek campground Mussigbrod campground Van Houghton South campground Hogan Cabin Fall spraying after Labor Day weekend: Twin Lakes campground

Butte Ranger District Archery range Low Eagles Nest picnic area Lion’s Den day use picnic area Highland Trailhead Pintler Ranger District, in Philipsburg Summer Spraying: Camp Watanopa Girl Scout Camp East Fork campground Anaconda Job Corps Fall spraying after Labor Day weekend: Lodgepole campground Spring Hill campground Spring Hill administrative cabin Echo Lake picnic area Cable Creek campground Pebble Beach fishing access Philipsburg Bay A campground Philipsburg Bay B campground Philipsburg Bay C campground Rainbow Bay picnic area Piney Loop A campground Piney Loop B picnic are

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June 15, 2012 13

Big Sky Weekly

montana

Montana’s Sweet 16 film to premier this fall By renae counter

and accomplishing that goal,” Birkenbuel said.

big sky weekly editorial assistant

DILLON—On Jan. 1, Cory Birkenbuel, with the help of MSU film student Kevin Hilton, set out to ski all of Montana’s 16 ski areas in 16 days. Birkenbuel coined the trip Montana’s Sweet 16, and used it as part of his senior project as a business student at the University of Montana Western.

“To be able to plan something for so long and then have it work out just way I dreamed it [was] perfect,” Birkenbuel said. “Montana Ski Area Associations was awesome with getting me tickets. I had sponsors with gas and hotels, tons of support from friends. Then meeting and skiing with athletes and people along the way, it all just came together.”

Although the snow has since melted, the trip is far from over. Both Birkenbuel and Hilton are now hard at work producing the Montana Sweet 16 promotional film.

“A film takes a lot longer than 16 days,” Birkenbuel said.

He hopes to have it finished by September, and send it out to as many film festivals as possible.

Cold Smoke Awards, which sponsored Birkenbuel’s internship, has already agreed to air the finished product.

“The process of making the film has been a dream come true and has helped me in life by setting a goal

With proceeds from the film, Birkenbuel wants to set up a scholarship through Montana Western’s foundation.

The scholarship, which would be under his name, would support future students’ exploration of Montana.

“I want students to dream even bigger than I did.”

Birkenbuel also expressed gratitude to Hilton for dedication Cory Birkenbuel at Big Sky Resort on New Year's Day, day 1 of Montana's Sweet 16. to the project. The two have been friends since trip again to promote Montana skiing even more.

Birkenbuel taught Hilton It’s a great thing to spark people to think ‘if he can how to ski at Maverick Mountain. do it, I can do it too.’”

Montana skiing is Birkenbuel’s passion, and he’s But this time, Birkenbuel is planning something already stoked for the 2012/13 ski season, he said. even bigger.

He has ideas about how to make more connections and networks in Montana’s ski communities.

To follow the film’s progress, check out the Facebook page Montana’s Sweet 16.

“In the first trip I found the passion for Montana skiing—I know it’s there. Now I want to do the

Ambassador’s Tour secures Voter turnout one of highest in past decade trade in Montana HELENA— More than 61 percent of the total votes cast in Montana's 2012 primary election were by absentee ballot, according to Secretary of State and Chief Elections Officer Linda McCulloch. The record is a nearly 30 percent increase over the last statewide presidential primary in 2008.

Absentee voting has skyrocketed across the state, with more than 96 percent of those voting in Yellowstone County casting an absentee ballot, Secretary McCulloch said. "It's not just an upward trend. For many Montanans, it's the preferred method of voting."

County election offices issued a record 189,718 absentee ballots for the 2012 primary election, compared to 143,161 in the 2010 primary and 109,545 in the 2008 primary. Voters returned about 77 percent of the issued ballots, casting a record 146,312 votes by absentee ballot.

14 June 15, 2012

Voters also hit the polls on Election Day, contributing to a 37 percent voter turnout—the largest percentage in the past decade, excluding the 2008 presidential primary which drew 45 percent of the state's registered voters.

Because of to the state's late registration laws, an additional 3,000 citizens cast their ballots in the primary, with more than 1,000 Montanans registering and voting on Election Day. Unofficial elections results for statewide, state district and county races became available to the public on the Secretary of State's website shortly after the polls closed at 8 p.m. The transparent online service works in coordination with Montana's 56 county Election Administrators who entered the results as they became available. Despite some counties experiencing tornadoes and loss of power due to the weather on election night, all 794 precincts were counted and reported by Wednesday morning.

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By renae counter

big sky weekly editorial assistant

MONTANA—In early June Sen. Max Baucus toured Montana with five international diplomats to promote Montana trade and job creation. The ambassadors from Brazil, South Korea, Columbia, Australia and Vietnam explored state-of-the art manufacturing facilities and also visited with small business owners, farmers and ranchers.

After the three-day tour, all five ambassadors had either signed a trade agreement or were in the negotiation process. The signed deals amounted over $2 million.

The Mark Rite Lines Equipment Co. of Billings secured a $1.5 million trade agreement with the South Korean based company. An 8 percent tariff was lifted off the purchase as a result of the Free Trade Agreement between the U.S and South Korea. Mark Rite Lines is the nation’s largest manufacturer of truck-mounted road-marking machines Columbian Ambassador Gabriel Silva purchased 50 head of cattle from McMillan Shorthorn Ranch in Lewistown. Due to a recent Free Trade Agreement between the U.S and Columbia, a 12 percent tariff was eliminated on the live cattle purchase.

The sale was “an example to the world that Montana beef is safe, delicious and worthy of Ambassador Silva's seal of approval,” Baucus said.

Also in Lewistown, Australian Ambassador Kim Beazley affirmed a $530,000 purchase of military helicopter maintenance equipment from Spika Welding and Manufacturing. The equipment will be used to work on Australianowned Blackhawk helicopters. Australia has had a Free Trade Agreement with the U.S. since 2005.

To promote tourism, the diplomats also visited Yellowstone National Park, fly fished along DePuy’s Spring Creek and attended a roundtable discussion with the Montana tourism industry.

“Tourism is a big driver of Montana's economy, and I wanted the ambassadors to see our Montana hospitality firsthand,” Baucus said.

Sen. Baucus was also a key component in bringing the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation’s Trade (APEC) and SME Ministerial meetings to Big Sky last May.

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YELLOWSTONE

Big Sky Weekly

Yellowstone Park Foundation announces $205,000 in new grants to the park Funding for wildlife research, historic preservation BOZEMAN – More than $200,000 in new grants from the Yellowstone Park Foundation will help fund a range of projects in Yellowstone National Park, including bat research, energy use reduction and preservation of the park’s rich heritage.

“While the Yellowstone Park Foundation funds more visible projects in the park such as trail restoration and educational exhibits, much of their important work happens behind the scenes,” said park superintendent Dan Wenk.

District with energy-efficient LEDs that will decrease light pollution and significantly reduce energy costs •

•

YPF has been the official fundraising partner of Yellowstone National Park since 1996. Each year, the park’s superintendent submits proposals to the foundation for priority projects beyond the financial capacity of the National Park Service. The grants approved last month by the foundation’s board of directors are: •

$10,000 to enhance the Geothermal Research Network, a data-sharing collaboration among scientists who study Yellowstone’s 10,000 geysers and other geothermal features

•

$15,000 for a research study on little brown bats, a species that could become regionally extinct in the U.S. due to the spread of the disease White-Nose Syndrome

•

$40,000 to replace outdated outdoor lighting fixtures in the Mammoth Hot Springs Historic

•

•

$10,000 to expand Yellowstone’s oral history collection by recording interviews with individuals who played key roles in wolf reintroduction 17 years ago $60,000 for historic documentation and preservation in the Old Faithful Lower Hamilton Store, built in 1897. Work will focus on the “Million Dollar Room,” office of legendary Park concessioner Charles A. Hamilton, who papered the walls with hundreds of cancelled checks totaling $1,839,105 $10,000 to update outdoor educational exhibits with QR tags, coded graphics which will provide links to in-depth content online so visitors with smart phones can access detailed information, including in foreign languages, on-the-spot $60,000 to continue the Stop Aquatic Invaders program, which addresses the serious

Leaders kick off Gardiner Gateway project By emily stifler

big sky weekly managing editor

GARDINER – Walk into a business on Park Street in Gardiner, and you’re in Park County, Mont. Step out onto the sidewalk, and you’re in Yellowstone National Park.

Gardiner’s historic downtown literally straddles the park boundary. The historic Roosevelt Arch, too, is split between national park service and county property.

That’s why a broad group of stakeholders from the region that include federal, state, local and nonprofit groups have agreed to work together on the planning, design and construction of new infrastructure along the “Gardiner Gateway” to Yellowstone National Park.

Work on improvements addressing visitor safety, visitor services and traffic circulation is expected to begin later this year. The updates are designed to enhance the visitor experience, while promoting Montana tourism and local economic development.

It all started because the north entrance station to the park wasn’t functioning efficiently enough, said park spokesman for the project Joe Regula. In the past few years as park visitor numbers skyrocketed, the station has caused traffic jams with vehicles backed up several miles—under the arch, down Park Street, past the bridge on Main Street and down to U.S. Highway 89.

On Thursday, June 14, a group of leaders involved with the project signed a Memorandum of Understanding in a ceremony at Arch Park, the original entrance to Yellowstone. The signatories included

Gov. Brian Schweitzer, YNP superintendent Dan Wenk, Park County commissioner Marty Malone, Greater Gardiner Community Council president Bill Berg and Gardiner Chamber of Commerce president Daniel Bierschwale.

Together, the Greater Gardiner Community Council and the Gardiner Chamber of Commerce made plans to leverage the project to benefit of civic and business interests.

Basically, they were “making sure the work being done on the park service side actually carries over into the county side of Main Street and down the 89 corridor,” Bierschwale said.

Specifically, this means finding a location for public restrooms, and improve pedestrian safety, and fix issues with road drainage, potholes, fire hydrants and lighting.

The Chamber is also looking to use the project as a platform to tell the town’s story, Bierschwale said, mentioning a proposed historic walking tour that would tell the community’s ranching, railroad, mining and tourism history.

The estimated completion date of 2016 coincides with the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service.

The goal is to make Gardiner the premiere entrance to the park, Bierschwale said. “It’s the original gateway to Yellowstone National Park.”

While the boundary is physical, Regula said, "the functionality of how the area operates is very universal and requires all the players to talk and work together and makes some improvements.”

problem of invasive species in the park’s waters and provides visitor education and boat inspection and cleaning The foundation also supports several other ongoing, multi-year projects, including the Native Fish Conservation Program, tracking collars for Yellowstone Wolf Project research, the Sponsor a Bear Box program and the Yellowstone Youth Conservation Corps. The group YPF also announced another $1.45 million in grants this March.

“Our role as Yellowstone’s fundraising partner is to follow the needs of the park,” said YPF president Karen Bates Kress. “When Yellowstone has priority needs to meet, we aim to respond as quickly as we can. Citizen stewardship of the park makes that possible.”

The nonprofit Yellowstone Park Foundation is funded by tax-deductible contributions. More than 15,000 individuals, foundations, and corporations donated to the foundation in the past year. The foundation’s mission is to fund projects and programs that protect, preserve and enhance the natural and cultural resources and the visitor experience of Yellowstone National Park. ypf.org

Teen dies after fall while hiking in Yellowstone YELLOWSTONE — 18-year old Maria “Masha” Sergeyevna Rumyantseva of Kaliningrad, Russia died June 7 in an accidental fall near Inspiration Point in the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.

The woman, a Yellowstone concession employee on her first day in the park, was hiking the canyon’s North Rim Trail with three other acquaintances when she ventured off the trail onto a loose rock promontory, which gave way underneath her.

Park rangers responded to a 911 call received at 5:44 p.m. reporting a woman had fallen into the canyon. With the assistance of ground spotters and a Teton Interagency helicopter, rangers found the woman’s body approximately 400 feet down the canyon wall. They concluded she had sustained nonsurvivable injuries. Her body was recovered on June 8.

The accident remains under investigation.

Visitors are reminded that hiking close to canyon rims in the park is extremely dangerous. Staying on posted, designated canyon rim trails is a must due to the instability of loose dirt and rock near ledges.

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June 15, 2012 15

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Big Sky Weekly

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Section 2:

business, health and environment

gallery

Big Sky Weekly

June 15, 2012 Volume 3 // Issue No. 12

This gallery is part two in a three-part series featuring artists will be showcasing their work at the fourth Big Sky Meadow Village Artwalk, July 7-8. Stroll the Artwalk on a self-guided tour while enjoying refreshments and summer weather. These short interviews are only snapshots of the artists' styles and personalities, so be sure to stop by and meet the artists themselves.

Artist Katie Lee By abbie digel

big sky weekly contributor

Katie Lee, 28, was born in Montana and raised in Grand Forks, N.D., Lee is a self-taught artist who began painting with acrylics at age 14 and now works with oil on canvas.

Lee recently moved back to Grand Forks, but visits Montana often.

She completed her degree at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., with a double major in Communications and Spanish. Her art primarily depicts the beauty of her surroundings.

Lee’s work is available at Big Sky Furniture and Charsam Gallery.

AD: Tell me about yourself and your relationship with Montana.

KL: I live in Grand Forks, N.D. with my husband and 10-month-old daughter. I was born in Havre, Mont. and have family that lives in Big Sky who we visit a few times every year. I am a stay-athome mom, and I paint in my free time.

I first started painting when I was 14-years-old while bored one day. I found some of my mom's old paints, a piece of plain paper and an old photo I had taken of a lake at sunset and just started painting. I had no idea what I was doing, but loved mixing the colors to create a new one that would look just right.

Skys of the Great Plains

While I was painting, there was a locksmith working at our house and every time he walked by he checked on the progress of my painting and comment it was turning out great. He didn't believe me when I said it was the first time I had ever picked up a paintbrush. A few days later, he stopped by our house to give me my very first canvas. He told me he really believed one day I would be a great artist, and he wanted to help me get started. That gave me a lot of encouragement, and from that point on, I continued painting for fun and have now sold paintings all over the U.S. and in Mexico.

AD: What kind of art do you create?

I started out painting with acrylic but now primarily paint with oils because of the texture and depth that can be created. I have two different styles of painting: Sometimes I use a brush and make my painting look smooth and more realistic, and other times I just want to take out my palette knife and goop on the paint. In either case, I typically paint with a lot of different and vibrant colors. I have never had any proper art classes, which I now sort of refuse to take because I fear that I may lose my own style and open-mindedness about painting.

Spring Catch

Continued on p. 18

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June 15, 2012 17

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gallery

Big Sky Weekly

"My main inspiration comes from my Montana roots. I love painting wildlife and landscapes. I like taking ordinary things in nature and painting them with a variety of color and texture."

Continued from p. 17 AD: What inspires you?

A lot of different things, but my main inspiration comes from my Montana roots. I love painting wildlife and landscapes. I like taking ordinary things in nature and painting them with a variety of colors and textures, making them look more interesting.

I will typically paint the main subject of my artwork from a photograph, or a collection of photographs, and then the background I generate from memory or just my feeling at the time. I don't paint multiple pieces at once; I focus on just one, and I can't move on until it's finished.

AD: What is it like to be an artist?

Being an artist is fun, relaxing and a great way to express something you are feeling. I love when I get in the mood to paint. I go into my studio, crank up the radio and get lost in the canvas for hours.

AD: What do you like about Big Sky? My family has visited Big Sky since I was little. We love to ski in the winter and hike, bike and kayak in the summer. Big Sky is truly an amazing place and is surrounded by so much beauty. I am inspired to paint every time I visit. gallerybykatielee.com Eye of the Buffalo

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health & wellness Ask Dr. Dunn By dr. Maren dunn, D.O. big sky weekly contributor

I’ve attempted to quit smoking and have had a difficult time. Are there treatments to help me? Are they expensive?

When quitting tobacco, a person encounters two obstacles; nicotine withdrawal symptoms and overcoming the triggers that lead to smoking. As you know, nicotine is a drug that causes physical dependence and tolerance. In the absence of nicotine, cravings kick in, as can the following symptoms: depressed mood, insomnia, anxiety, anger or irritability, difficulty concentrating, restlessness and weight gain or increased appetite.

Treatments include nicotine replacement (the patch, gum, lozenges, inhaler or nose spray), behavioral counseling with a medical worker, help-line or group-based therapy, or use of medications like Chantix or Zyban. Studies show that success is more likely in smokers who use medication or nicotine replacement in combination with counseling than with medications or counseling alone. That’s why most states, including Montana, offer a free support service called Quit Line and reduced cost medications or free nicotine replacement therapy to enrollees.

Keep in mind that the medications and nicotine inhalers or nose sprays require a prescription from your health care provider. Both Chantix and Zyban are excellent for blunting the symptoms of withdrawal, but need to be discussed with your provider to make sure they are safe for you. Chantix is priced similarly to the cost of a pack-per-day habit,

Big Sky Weekly

The truth about the “base tan” as is Zyban. Nicotine patches and gum can be purchased over the counter.

Overcoming triggers, or “kicking the habit” can be quite difficult. This is because smokers associate the pleasurable effects of tobacco with environmental triggers such as morning coffee, alcoholic drinks or the end of a meal. It’s important to anticipate these triggers and find ways to overcome them. This can be discussed with your help-line counselor or healthcare provider, especially when they seem insurmountable. Often alternative activities such as exercise or friendly support are all that are needed to beat the triggers.

If you feel you’ve tried everything, talk to your medical provider about your concerns. You can also call the Montana Tobacco Quit Line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW. Likely you’ll find the help you need to achieve a tobacco-free life.

Sun safety tips from the Skin Cancer Foundation Those tempted to kick off summer by getting a “base tan” should be aware that there is no such thing as a safe, healthy or protective tan. The misconception that a base tan will protect the skin is dangerous.

•

Do not burn.

•

Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths.

•

Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.

•

Use a broad spectrum (UVA/ UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day. For extended outdoor activity, use a water-resistant, broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.

A tan is the body's response to damaged DNA in the skin cells—the skin darkens in order to prevent more damage but the person's risk of skin cancer is already increased.

•

Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside.

Reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.

Since sunburns are also associated with higher risks of skin cancer, especially melanoma (the most dangerous form of skin cancer), it’s important to avoid both tans and sunburns.

•

Keep newborns out of the sun.

Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months.

•

The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends the following prevention strategies:

Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.

•

See your doctor every year for a professional skin exam.

•

For more information visit skincancer.org.

Even for those who never burn, prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation can lead to skin aging, including wrinkles, lines and age spots, as well as skin cancer. In fact, about 65 percent of melanomas and 90 percent of nonmelanoma skin cancers are associated with sun exposure.

Seek shade, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Maren Dunn, D.O., is owner of Gallatin Family Medicine, a medical clinic in the Big Sky Meadow Village. Have a question? Email her at inquiries@gallatinfamilymedicine. com. gallatinfamilymedicine.com

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Big Sky Weekly

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sports

Big Sky Weekly

This is how Big Sky gets into hot water.

By brandon niles

big sky weekly contributor

Hornets land first pick Despite finishing the season as arguably the worst team in NBA history, the Charlotte Bobcats will hold the second pick in the upcoming NBA draft. The NBA draft lottery, conducted May 30, was kind to the New Orleans Hornets, who landed the first pick and will have the right to draft the consensus top prospect available this year, Kentucky big man Anthony Davis.

Davis has already become a star after his Kentucky team won the NCAA championship title this year. In addition to his success on the court, he’s shined in interviews and on late night television, appearing humble and dedicated to becoming a star in the NBA. Bobcats fans groaned in agony as the lottery results were announced.

Despite still having the second pick in the draft, missing out on Davis will be a bitter disappointment for people in Charlotte, who have been pining for Davis for the past several months.

While there are several very talented players available in the NBA draft this year, none quite possess Davis’s sure-fire star power.

Standing 6’10”, Davis has the look of a dominant defensive player at the next level. His offensive game is a work in progress, as his post game is still fairly raw, however he’s demonstrated an ability to get to the rim, and he’s shown toughness in the paint. Additionally, his ball handling is advanced for a front court defensive player. Most scouts view him as a dominant shot blocker and rebounder in the NBA, and he has the ability to turn around the fortunes of virtually any team.

The Hornets will add him to a rebuilding roster, still reeling after trading all-star point guard and franchise cornerstone Chris Paul before the start of the season. The team has young and talented players in Eric Gordon and Al-Farouq Aminu, and adding Davis should instantly make them relevant again

in the Western Conference. While they still might be a few years from competing for a title while Davis matures as a player, things couldn’t have gone better for the Hornets than to begin their rebuilding process with one of the best draft prospects in recent memory.

The Hornets also have the tenth pick in the draft as part of the Chris Paul trade. In a deep draft, that pick could very well net another starting caliber player, perhaps at the point or in the middle. With two young assets, including a potential star in Davis, the Hornets are well on their way to rebounding from last season’s dismal campaign.

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The Bobcats will still get a very talented player in this draft at the number two spot, but fans remain disappointed at the lottery results.

It isn’t often that a big man of Davis’s caliber becomes available in the draft.

One of the benefits of having the first pick when a guy like Davis is available, is it alleviates the decision-making process for the holder of the top choice. The fan base, the expert analysts and team personnel are all in consensus about which player is the best choice in this draft. Drafting Davis would be a no-brainer, and would eliminate the chance of discouraging the fan base. In Charlotte, where the fans are already discouraged, the onus is now on Bobcats management to get this pick right. Otherwise, the Hornets will remain the winners of the draft, while the Bobcats continue to struggle for the next several years.

Brandon Niles has done online freelance writing about professional sports since 2007. His articles range from NFL news to team-specific commentary. A Communication Studies graduate student at the University of North Carolina Greensboro, Niles is also an avid Miami Dolphins fan, which has led to his becoming an avid Scotch whisky fan over the past decade.

explorebigsky.com

June 15, 2012 21

Big Sky Weekly

explore

Passions for music and Arabic culture results in Boren Scholarship for Bozeman student

By Carol Schmidt

msu news service

BOZEMAN – A passion for music and its use as a tool to bridge cultural differences will take Montana State University student Gabe Lavin to Egypt for a year as a recipient of a prestigious Boren Scholarship.

Lavin, a senior from Bozeman majoring in anthropology, will attend Amideast in Cairo studying Arabic language and culture as one of 161 American recipients of the scholarship sponsored by the National Security Education Program. The Boren Scholarship, which will provide Lavin with $20,000 for his year abroad, is a federal initiative designed to build a broader and more qualified pool of U.S. citizens with foreign language and international skills.

And while the lessons Lavin learns in the classroom are certain to enrich him, he believes the lessons he learns after hours playing with musicians in Egypt also will be essential to his education.

"Cairo is the center of music in the Arab world," said Lavin, who plays the oud, a Middle Eastern stringed instrument, as well as several other instruments. "It is just saturated with music."

M O O N L I G H T S PA

Gabe Lavin of Bozeman has received a Boren Scholarship that will enable him to study in Cairo, Egypt for a year. MSU photo by Kelly Gorham.

Lavin said he has seen music bridge gaps and transform relationships. Music was also the vehicle that transformed Lavin, and allowed him to literally broaden his world.

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Lavin began his academic career at MSU as a music major.

"Except, I learned very quickly that I didn't want to major in music," he said. He was surprised to learn that while he loved to practice music, he didn't want to study it. "It wasn't my thing."

A yearlong MSU exchange to Al Akhawayn University in Morocco's Atlas Mountains changed his direction. Lavin said he picked Morocco because he wanted to study the oud, a pear-shaped instrument that is similar to the lute.

"Morocco set me upon a path that I was looking to be set on," said Lavin.

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While at Al Akhawayn, he realized that music was a way to link people who had no other common language. He made

friends from throughout Morocco, and learned to appreciate the legendary hospitality and the cultural diversity of a country where French, Arabic and Berber dialects are all spoken.

"Morocco was great." He said. "I couldn't get enough of it."

When Lavin returned to MSU, he began to study anthropology, which he views as a comprehensive way to understand human behavior. He also retained his interest in the oud and Arabic music, finding fellow aficionados among MSU's international students. Along with two other local Bozeman musicians, he formed the band Dub Sultan, which fuses contemporary Middle Eastern music with jazz, rock, reggae, rhythm and blues. The band often collaborates with MSU international students who are musicians and performs with them.

"Because of my interest in music, I know most of the Middle Eastern students at MSU," Lavin said. "Music has given me the opportunity to form general relationships that would be hard to form otherwise."

Lavin just finished his third year of Arabic classes, two of which were through MSU’s distancebased Arabic language studies program. He will continue to study the language in Cairo.

"My goals are to continue to be a musician while I attend grad school, with an emphasis on Middle East studies," Lavin said. He hopes to find a career in diplomacy, possibly in the Foreign Service.

Lavin is the second MSU student to win a Boren Scholarships since 2010, when Lara Wabrek, an engineering major, won a Boren to study in Chile.

That year Katy Hansen, an engineering graduate, earned the fellowship for a graduate study on water management in Israel and the Middle East.

explorebigsky.com

Big Sky Weekly

Creighton Block

Rob Akey Greg Alexander Jim Barrett Diana Brady Lynn Cain Todd Connor

John DeMott Jerral Derr yberr y Flavia Eckholm Edd Enders Thomas English Mark Gibson

Don Grant Mimi Grant Frank Hagel Ott Jones David Lemon Asha MacDonald

Mike Patterson Paula Pearl Jacqueline Rieder Hud Gar y Lynn Rober ts Daniel San Souci Deb Schmit

Laurie Stevens Dave Swanson Ezra Tucker Shirle Wempner

ARTI ST PR O FI LE To experience a John DeMott painting is to experience a par t of the great American frontier. An outdoorsman and stor yteller of the American West, DeMott transcends the cliché of the western ar tist.

Born in 1954 and raised on Southern California horse ranches, he has worked and lived the life of his ar tistic subjects. His passion is to paint “the spirit of the Western frontier”. Whether his subject is Plains Indians, free trappers, cowboys, a grizzly or bison in landscape, DeMott’s gift is to make the viewer sense keenly time and place.

The ability to recreate a sense of place and time does not come easily. DeMott spends hours researching and studying tools, wardrobe, accoutrements and the histor y of his subjects. Recreating detail is a trademark of a DeMott painting. “As a stor yteller of the American frontier, western ar t has been an impor tant par t of my life, and I am proud to be involved in the preser vation of our great heritage!”

W I N E TA S T I N G S EV ERY THURSDAY AT 4 : 3 0 P M

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p r ovi de d by

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the

cave

Spirits & Gifts

4 0 6- 9 9 3 - 9 4 0 0

C REI G H TO NBL O C KG A L L E RY. C O M

Ar twork also displayed at Outlaw Par tners and Lone Mountain Ranch Dining Room

explorebigsky.com

outlaw news

Big Sky Weekly

The Outlaw Partners is a fully integrated marketing, consulting, web development, video production and creative media company based in Big Sky. As publisher of the Big Sky Weekly and Mountain Outlaw magazine, we’re using this space to share insight on industry trends and high level creative marketing.

Responsive web technology BIG SKY—With new technology being developed daily and a world that’s moving toward mobile web viewing, the number of different screen sizes and types are increasing.

Think about it: We’ve got the laptop for home, the desktop for work, the iPad for the commute and the smart phone for everything in between. In the past, websites were not built to appear on many different screens.

That’s where responsive web design comes in.

Responsive web design is a cuttingedge web technology that adapts a website’s resolution to fit varying screen sizes, which allows for easy and streamlined viewing on any device.

The rationale behind moving to responsive web design is threefold: The Internet is moving toward mobile, building different websites for different devices is expensive, and responsive web design provides consistent user experience.

“Essentially, responsive web design creates a single site that adjusts its look

24 June 15, 2012

for each screen resolution,” said Sean Weas, Outlaw’s web designer. “So, with new improvements in web technology, the website is essentially able to ask the device that is viewing it ‘how big is your screen?’ and the resolution of the website can change depending on the screen.”

By 2014 mobile web traffic will surpass desktop traffic, and by 2015, 788 million people are estimated to be mobileonly Internet users.

In 2010, websites had a 3.8 percent mobile viewing, according to web traffic monitoring of 40 highly viewed websites done by web news source visul.ly. By 2011 that mobile viewing had jumped to 9.4 percent, a 147.4 percent increase.

“In the past, to fit all different screen types, [web designers] would have to make three different websites to fit different screen sizes,” Weas said.

By building one website that can comprehend any screen type, responsive web design is cutting back on web design workload while maximizing the costumer and viewer experience.

explorebigsky.com

Using responsive web design, The Outlaw Partners are not only enhancing their own work but the overall usability of their sites as well.

“Outlaw is staying on the cutting edge, making sure we are delivering a consistent experience across all device platforms and screen sizes, which adds a lot of value to our clients while also making our development process as streamlined as possible.”

Along with responsive websites for clients, Outlaw’s new Explore Big Sky news site, which is set to launch in July, will also incorporate responsive web technology.

For more information about responsive websites or how to incorporate this cutting edge technology into your business, contact Sean Weas through media@theoutlawpartners.com

explorebigsky.com

outlaw news

Big Sky Weekly

Award-winning journalist and producer visits Big Sky to cut a film Julia Yarbough working with The Outlaw Partners, of Big Sky, and HabiHut, of Bozeman By emily stifler

water, makeshift housing… Even more so, the slum is right next door to one of the wealthiest communities in the area. It’s separated by a brick wall and barbed wire fence. It’s not that the ability isn’t there to somehow change that.”

big sky weekly managing editor

BIG SKY – Julia Yarbough first came to Montana from Miami in 2010 as part of a 10-month road trip with her best friend. Both single journalists, the women hit the road for their blog, "Highway to a Husband."

But even so, Yarbough said, the people she met in the slum were open, kind and friendly. “They’re extremely poor, but educated and very talented. There was this hunger of wanting to do something, to have a better life, to somehow contribute.”

After more than 18,000 miles and 22 states, Yarbough, a two-time Emmy award winning journalist and freelance producer, was still single, her blog had attracted national and international media attention, and she’d found HabiHut.

The final video segment Yarbough and Niles produce will be presented at a UN in late June, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

After reading an article about the Bozeman-based social entrepreneurs working to bring affordable shelter and clean water to third world countries, she kept HabiHut in the back of her mind.

“We’re hoping to have an international audience of global movers and shakers,” Yarbough said.

“It just caught my eye, sparked something,” she recalled.

For Niles, it was an honor to work with someone of Yarbough’s caliber. “We come from different backgrounds,” he said. “She’s more on the journalistic side, which was nice to have for this project. I’m more on the creative side. Mixing the two, it’s going to tell the story well.”

The next fall, back at home in south Florida, she sent a cold email to HabiHut owner Buz Weas, introducing herself.

She told him she loved telling environmental and human-interest stories, and if they ever needed help with anything she’d be honored to jump on board.

Weas called her 15 minutes later.

“I remember thinking, ‘oh, my gosh this is meant to be,’” Yarbough said.

In March of 2012 she made plans to head to Kenya with HabiHut and The Outlaw Partners, of Big Sky, to help produce a video presentation on the project and its new partnership with General Electric. The video would feature the company’s work in the Gatina slum outside of Nairobi, putting up a HabiHut structure that would supply clean water andcell phone charging services to the population, while offering local women a chance to become entrepreneurs, themselves.

There, Yarbough met a woman who had typhoid four times. “Here in the states access to clean, safe water is a given,” Yarbough said. But there, “water borne disease is so common.”

Plus, Niles says, this will put Outlaw on the map a little more. “It shows that we can step it up and pull something pretty huge off in a place where there’s hardly anything.”

Julia Yarbough in the field in Nairobi

Courtesy of Julia Yarbough Media Group

Having a product that allows the people to know they can purchase water that’s clean and safe can change their lives in so many ways, she said. For example, it allows children to stay in school, because they’re not sick from the water all the time.

After a week filming, Yarbough came to Montana a second time, in mid-June of 2012—this time to Big Sky, to cut a short film. She worked with Outlaw Partners' videographer Brian Niles, on a project meant to generate investment for HabiHut’s projects.

As the two worked on the edits, Yarbough reflected on the experience. The severity of the poverty was the most striking thing they saw in Nairobi, she said.

“We live in a world with such wealth, it’s hard to conceive that you have so many people living in conditions that are beyond cesspool—no electricity, no running

Yarbough hopes to continue working with HabiHut as it moves forward into other countries, and said she enjoyed working with Outlaw, as well.

“I spent so many years working in a big environment,” she said. “It’s nice that everybody [at Outlaw] has that team work spirit. The work and the reach seem to be really broad.”

As for "Highway to a Husband"—there’s no husband and no ring, Yarbough said, but she and her blog partner are in negotiations for a possible reality show based on the concept.

For more information, contact the Julia Yarbough Media Group at info@juliayarboughmediagroup.com, or visit the HabiHut website at thehabihut.com.

HabiHut and General Electric General Electric’s Water for Humanity program aims to bring clean water to 10 million people in the next five years. One of the efforts to do that is through the GE-HabiHut solar water kiosk.

“They’re hoping they can do it in a way that's economically sustainable,” said HabiHut president Buz Weas.

The water kiosk HabiHut just installed in Nairobi, Kenya, fits the bill because local women are operating it, making a profit by selling water and cell phone services. Part of the money they make will be reinvested into more water kiosks, Weas explained.

For HabiHut, a small, Bozeman-based company, the GE brand provides a significant boost in creditability, Weas said. Plus, he said, GE has technical capabilities to help HabiHut’s effort, naming the ZeeWeed water filtration system and the thin film solar used to charge cell phones.

The Outlaw Partners, HabiHut team and Yarbough

explorebigsky.com

June 15, 2012 25

explorebigsky.com

business

Big Sky Weekly

The board has spoken

WMPAC gets 99% of request, Morningstar gets 12%

By Taylor Anderson

big sky weekly editorial assistant

BIG SKY—At long last, Big Sky is going to get its Warren Miller Performing Arts Facility.

After coming into the meeting with $3,188,943.62 in requests for funding and just over $2.5 million to allocate, the resort tax board made several loud and clear statements to the town’s nonprofits during appropriations June 13.

First, if the board has spoken consistently to the tune of millions of dollars in funding the Big Sky Community Corporation for recreation, it should fund about $500,000 for the performing arts center.

Board veteran Ginna Hermann suggested funding $425,000, $75,000 less than requested and $25,000 less than what Friends of Big Sky Education President Loren Bough said was his low-ball number. He still has a fair amount of fundraising to do even after tax funding, he said.

But the board made quick be known it wasn’t ready to trust this type of application after the group was unable to make good on past contracts.

Board member Mike Scholz hoped funding a fraction of Morningstar’s request would allow the group to spend the next year reworking its offerings to the community.

“I feel that I would highly recommend Morningstar and the school get together and figure out how to make this type of system universal,” Scholz said.

Tax board attorney Mona Jamison, as she had in the past, questioned the legality of funding the group because it may break the Montana Constitution for funding private education.

“It’s not open to the entire community unless [parents] can pay,” Jamison said during the board’s discussion. “So it’s open to a limited group, as opposed to the trails as an example.”

Second, the board decided the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce is a driving force in bringing revenue to the town.

After an initial vote failed 3–2, it appeared as if the board had made the final decision that the center didn’t deserve any funding from Big Sky taxpayers. Jamie Kabisch made a motion to revisit the Chamber request and give it an additional $60,000 to fund six lights on Lone Mountain Trail. It passed.

The Chamber, whose $640,000 in total requests was the most of any of the 28 applicants, received $572,500, more than any other nonprofit in town.

Hermann made a motion to add $25,000 to the WMPAC, it passed. $30,000 was proposed for the Water and Sewer District for new electronic monitoring systems. That, too, passed.

A third and quite awkward statement was that the Morningstar Learning Center isn’t yet ready to move forward from past blunders, a statement which the board (and subsequently the community, a recent poll has found) was quite split on.

And remaining funds continued to shrink with the elephant in the room staying anxious.

After addressing all other applications and still having an overflow, the board increased funding for the WMPAC to $494,415.52.

Big Sky’s only certified day care provider asked for $198,778 to fund the remaining mortgage on its new building. The hope being that it could lower high rates for parents.

The board revisited an earlier decision not to fund four new lights for the Town Center Ice Arena, as requested by the Big Sky Skating and Hockey Association.

Ginna Hermann, whose husband Gary is on that association’s board, pushed

during both discussions to fund the whole $26,500 request for operations and maintenance and the lights. The additional $10,000 for lighting was granted given it’s not an improvement for the Big Sky Town Center.

With just $68,415.52 remaining in the pot, and a $350,000 request from the Water and Sewer District yet to be touched upon, it was clear Morningstar would receive, if anything, a fraction of its request.

Kabisch proposed the board fund $24,000 for a year’s worth of mortgage payments for the group. After another discussion over the possibility that funding the day care center may be illegal, the board passed the portion 3–2. But not before Jamison warned that if someone wanted, they could challenge the board’s funding of Morningstar in court, which could cost more than the $24,000 itself.

The decision reflects the board’s opinion that the community is losing potential members of the workforce by not having affordable day care.

Overall the meeting had a somber, yet, at very few times, light-hearted feel.

It was less attended than the tax board’s question and answer session in May. A tense moment came during the discussion over the BSCC’s two-part application for park improvements and operating maintenance. The board and BSCC representative Jessie Neal argued semantics over whether nonprofits should receive funding for reserves to protect assets and capital.

Scholz was staunchly against setting what he called “a precedent for funding reserves.”

Scholz alluded to an earmark in the application for $70,000 that, if unused, he said, could go into a reserve fund to be used at the group’s desire. But Neal,

with the eventual help from former board chairman Al Malinowski, urged the board to look at it as a contingency fund that protects $2.9 million in community assets.

And eventually, that’s exactly how the board saw it, and the BSCC received its entire $190,000 request, with the exception that the group not collect put unused money into a reserve fund.

Upon receiving its $130,000 sub-request, the Chamber will look to move from its current, off-the-beaten-path location in the Meadow to the Spanish Peaks building at the intersection across from the Conoco as early as July 1.

Also at the meeting, Jason Jarrett, representing the sheriff’s office’s $124,410 request for operations, faced surprisingly tough questions from the board.

“How many deputies are in Big Sky right now?” asked board chairman Les Loble.

“Two, myself and one other,” Jarrett said. “We have yet to figure out a way to make those guys work 24/7.”

Though the board passed all of its request, it was clear that an intent is to make sure Big Sky gets all out of the five deputies that alternate patrol of the community. But, as Jarrett said, “there’s limitations of having five guys.”

One application seemed to slip under the radar after all the money was gone.

The Water and Sewer District, appearing three times on the docket, asked for $350,000 for its debt service. None of it was funded.

After the meeting Water and Sewer President Ron Edwards said his board will decide whether to raise the funds from increased mill levies (property taxes), or from its more than $4 million reserve fund, or both.

Resort Tax Funding 2012

Survey results show Big Sky had few clear opinions on funding before meeting In advance of the tax board’s task of allocating about $2.5 million of about $3.2 million request from the 3 percent resort tax, the Outlaw Partners conducted a survey to gauge community interest for the applications.

Big Sky Fire Department, which received its entire $437,000 request during the June 13 meeting (see related story), had strongest support the survey shows.

The results show a community that supports its parks and recreational groups, search and rescue operations, post office, fire and transportation services.

The graphic results from the survey are available at explorebigsky.com.

Compare them with the actual appropriations--how do you think the tax board did? Send your thoughts to media@theoutlawpartners.com in the form of a letter to the editor.

26 June 15, 2012

explorebigsky.com

explorebigsky.com

business

Big Sky Weekly

Resort Tax allocations for fiscal year 2012/2013 RESORT TAX ALLOCATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2012/2013

June 13, 2012 2012 RESORT TAX FUNDS

FUNDING SUMMARY

TOTAL $$$ FOR NEW & ROLLOVER REQUESTS = $ APPROVED REQUESTS SUMMARY

2,582,262.02

2012 REQUESTS

$

8,500.00

$

3,188,943.62

= TOTAL NEW REQUESTS

$

3,197,443.62

= TOTAL REQUESTS (ROLLOVER + NEW)

REMAINING FUNDS

APPROVED REQUESTS

$8,500.00 = APPROVED ROLLOVER REQUESTS

$0.00

REMAINNING FUNDS AVAILABLE =

$2,573,762.02 = APPROVED NEW REQUESTS

$2,582,262.02 = TOTAL APPROVED REQUESTS

NEW AMOUNT REQUESTED

ORGANIZATION

= TOTAL ROLLOVER REQUESTS

APPROVED FUNDING

PERCENT FUNDED

TOTAL RESORT TAX COLLECTION AVAILABLE FOR FUNDING COMMITTED RESORT TAX FUNDS 0 Big Sky County Water & Sewer District No. 363 $ $ • $250,000 for a IAWP debt service Total Available for New Requests = $ FY 2011/2012 REQUESTS

2,832,262.02 (250,000.00) 2,582,262.02

$

250,000

94,350.00

$

94,350.00

2 Big Sky Chamber of Commerce Biggest Skiing in America $ Publications $ Marketing and Promotions Wayfinding, Entry, Lighting Operations Administrative Big Sky Chamber of Commerce Total > $

235,000.00 275,000.00 130,000.00 640,000.00

$ $ $ $ $ $

217,500.00 225,000.00 130,000.00 572,500.00

3 Big Sky Community Corporation Operating and Maintenance Park Improvements Big Sky Community Corporation Total > $

95,000.00 95,000.00 190,000.00

$ $ $

95,000.00 95,000.00 190,000.00

4 Big Sky County Water & Sewer District No. 363 Existing Water & Sewer Project Debt Service Cost Sharing Recon Dynamics Wireless Telemetry Big Sky County Water & Sewer District No. 363 Total > $

350,000.00 30,000.00 380,000.00

$ $

30,000.00 30,000.00

5 Big Sky Fire Department Big Sky Fire Department

$

437,000.00

$

6 Big Sky Search and Rescue, Inc. Operations

$

12,000.00

7 Big Sky Transportation District Skyline

$

8 Blue Water Task Force, Inc. Watershed Group Funding 9 Friends of the Big Sky Education Warren Miller Performing Arts Center

1 Arts Council of Big Sky 2013 Music in the Mountains

100%

##

## ## ## ## ##

## ##

100.00% 0.00% 0.00% $ 92.55% 81.82% 100.00% $ 89.45%

0.00% 100.00% 7.89%

437,000.00

##

100.00%

$

12,000.00

##

100.00%

300,000.00

$

300,000.00

##

100.00%

$

68,319.00

$

65,000.00

##

95.14%

$

500,000.00

$

494,415.52

##

98.88%

10 Friends of the Big Sky Community Library Library

$

68,400.00

$

68,400.00

##

100.00%

11 Gallatin County Sheriff's Office Big Sky / Canyon Division / Patrol Services

$

124,410.00

$

124,410.00

##

100.00%

12 Gallatin Valley Snowmobile Association Buck Ridge Snowmobile Trail Grooming

$

17,500.00

$

17,500.00

##

100.00%

13 Jack Creek Preserve Foundation Jack Creek Water Quality Monitoring Project

$

1,490.00

$

1,490.00

##

100.00%

14 Morningstar Learning Center Morningstar School

$

198,778.12

$

24,000.00

##

12.07%

15 Montana State University - Gallatin County Extension Big Sky Forest Health and Fire Safety Program

$

15,600.00

$

15,600.00

##

100.00%

16 Northern Rocky Mountain RC&D Bear Smart $ Gallatin/Big Sky Noxious Weed Project $ Northern Rocky Mountain RC&D Total > $

10,000.00 30,000.00 40,000.00

$ $ $

7,000.00 19,000.00 26,000.00

17 The Post Office, LLC The Big Sky Post Office

$

35,500.00

$

18 Skating and Hockey Association Rink Maintenance and Operations

$

26,500.00

19 Ski Education Foundation 2012-2013 Season

$

20 Women In Action Community Counseling Program $ Community Counseling Program Women In Action Total > $

##

70.00% 63.33% 65.00%

35,500.00

##

100.00%

$

26,500.00

##

100.00%

29,096.50

$

29,096.50

##

100.00%

8,500.00 10,000.00 18,500.00

$

8,500.00 10,000.00 18,500.00

$

##

100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

$2,573,762.02 #

80.7% 100.0%

NEW RESORT TAX REQUESTS TOTAL > $

3,188,943.62

ROLLOVER REQUESTS TOTAL > $

8,500.00

$8,500.00

GRAND TOTAL > $

3,197,443.62

$2,582,262.02 APPROVED REQUESTS

##

##

##

8,000.00

100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

##

##

53,515.00

80.8% $2,582,262.02

explorebigsky.com

June 15, 2012 27

business profile

explorebigsky.com

Big Sky Weekly

Buscrat

Who is he, where did he come from and how old is he, really?

By ersin ozer

he liked some of my stories and published them.

Buscrat, the mountain-man entertainer, is best known for his hilarious narratives of wildlife encounters, Montana history and fables, his encouraging nature, and for being as old as Father Time. With his creativity and anecdotal storytelling, his style goes beyond the spectrum of traditional stand-up comedy.

Well friend, what’s your mission?

big sky weekly contributor

This summer he’ll be touring Big Sky with his tales and comedy shows, but there’s more to this man of mystery than the jokes told or the fables given. I caught up with him for an exclusive interview; here’s a sneakpeak at the old-timer.

Q+A Where in tarnation are you from Buscrat?

From right here—I’m actually the first feller to be in Montana. I was the one who discovered it, that was way back when. I rode in on my Bronco-saurus and there was nobody else here! There was a young couple that lived here; for a short period, they called it the Garden of Eden. Well, God kicked ‘em out, and the place was unoccupied so I moved in and been here ever since.

I like tellin’ good fables that teach morals and values, and sometimes they’re interesting and funny.

Like one day I was taking my doggies for a walk and my border collie, she saw some bones der in the ground and was diggin’ around. And then this cougar just appeared over a big rock and was just about to pounce on my poor little dog. I thought she was gone fer good.

But she’s smart and so as she was diggin’ through dem bones she talked out loud and she said, “That was the best-tastin’ cougar I ever ate!” (Laughing) It worked too, that cougar took off and ran away! Course there was this raccoon there, and he was watchin’ the whole thing and he done come up to my doggie and said, “I saw what you done, and I’m gonna go tell that cougar you fooled him and he’s gonna be real mad!” So then, the raccoon runs off and tells the cougar what happened, and oh man, that cougar was just fierce-mad I tell ya! Mad as sin. The cougar came runnin’ back with that raccoon riding on its back, and the raccoon was just laughing, thinking, ‘Man, that cougar is gonna eat up that dog, this is gonna be great!’ Well, my doggie, she was still eatin’ those bones and saw in the corner of her eye that cougar come runnin’ back with the raccoon on top. As soon as that cougar got within an ear shot, my dog said, “Now where is that raccoon anyway? I sent him for another mountain lion 10 minutes ago!”

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What you got to do, you treat ‘em as you want ‘em to become—and this is part of one of my fables too, called 'The Creature.' That story talks about treating people a certain way and they’ll live up to that, and if you call someone a dumb ol’ idiot stick, well they’re gonna act like an idiot stick. People live up to our expectations.

Which values do you reflect onto folks in the audience during your comedy shows?

Well, about how to positively treat others, with respect. At schools, I tell kids to go read a fable and if they can write down what the moral of the story is, then I give them a candy bar. Even when I go talk this summer, I got a special part of my treasure I’m going to be giving out to folks—but that’s kind of a secret!

What else you reckon the readers here should know about Buscrat?

They’ll find out that even though they’re called fables, they’re all true. I like to motivate and encourage folks to succeed in their endeavors, to live a good life when they’re down and out.

Buscrat’s fables can be read online at buscrat.com and on the Fun page of the Big Sky Weekly. Or, check out his live, family friendly comedy acts this summer.

How old are you? sement which will appear in the 2009-2010 edition of the Big Sky Regional Telephone I like to let my fables help teach.

Lots of folks ask-me that, but way back then wethe didn’theading(s) ewide Publishing Montana under of: keep track and after a couple thousand years I don’t I’ve gotten lots of emails. It’s nice to know anymore. People call me on it. They say, “How could you have lived 2,000 years ago?” And I say, “I don’t know how I could have lived back then without TV, but I did.”

know that it’s doing good for folks who are trying to teach their children or for folks who are trying to teach other folks. A woman, she sent me one [email], which said, “This [moral of the story] is perfect for my husband.” Heh, she sent that anonymously, and I figured it out ‘cause I was wonderin’ why my wife was reading me one of my own fables the other day.

formation correct? .......................................................................................... ❑ Yes ❑ No er and address correct? ................................................................................. ❑ Yes ❑ No I hearad you tell stories ‘round theseto parts. olors in my may vary due differences in printer inks & paper. ... ❑ Yes I tell some stories about Montana, what cessary corrections directly ongoes theon and ad as neatly as possible. about the animals. I teach people. Especially visitors, you know dem city folk that come in, a lot don’t know what (hands gesturing in a Chris Farley-esque manner) bear spray is! They don’t realize if you shoot a bear with a gun, it’s just gonna make ‘em mad, so you shoot the bearspray in their eyes. I tell a lot of fables. I’ve been accused of telling stories for quite some time.

They’re all true though. I’ve seen them with my own eyes. A friend of mine years ago, his name was Aesop,

What is the ‘Buscratic’ method for dealing with unkindly folk?

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Big Sky Weekly

Big Sky Resort expands Basecamp, creates 27 new jobs

Grizzly Outfitters now offering full fly fishing services

BIG SKY—Even in these tough economic times, Big Sky Resort has continued growing, adding new amenities and employees every year. This summer, as the resort’s Basecamp activities center expands, it will add 27 new summer positions and double its seasonal guide staff.

By renae counter

“Big Sky is always striving to attract people to our community, and that means creating new activities, amenities and jobs, even when other businesses are tightening their belts,” said Dax Schieffer, Big Sky Resort director of human resources.

He pointed to two new services this

year: the new Lone Peak Expedition guided experience, which takes summer guests up the tram, and the new Giant Swing in the base area.

Since the addition of Big Sky's ziplines and other Basecamp activities in 2009, the resort has created a total of 58 new Basecamp jobs, including two full time year-round positions.

“Creating jobs and hiring locally is a way for Big Sky to help both our company and our community grow,” Schieffer said.

Gallatin River Guest Cabin and Agency Insurance Division host June Business After Hours

Chamber gearing up for annual meeting, dinner, awards banquet June 28

By Robin Brower-McBride big sky chamber of commerce

BIG SKY – The Chamber will be hosting its June Business After Hours on Thursday, June 21 at a cabin built of the biggest logs you’ve ever seen!

Never been and curious? Join in for this networking opportunity at 5:30 p.m. at Hog’s Hole (across from the Big Horn Center), and check out a beautiful lodging property, save on insurance, and catch a fish or two.

The Chamber is also gearing up for its annual meeting, dinner and awards banquet, scheduled for Thursday, June 28 at Moonlight Lodge. This event is held each June as a precursor to the upcoming fiscal year and a wrap up of the current one. Chamber members and guests are invited to attend.

A newly elected Chamber board member will be announced during the business section of the meeting and the Fiscal 2013 budget will be approved.

Annual community awards will be presented and this year will include a new category—Event/Program of the Year—in addition to the traditional Business, Community Person and Green Business of the Year. Recipients will be presented with a plaque and have an opportunity to speak.

big sky weekly editorial assistant

BIG SKY— Grizzly Outfitters is now adding a full-service fly fishing outfit to its summer inventory.

Grizzly had three reasons for starting a fly fishing outfit, said co-owner Ken Lancey.

“First, we were looking for something to add for summer that we didn’t already offer. Second, there has been a trend toward family-oriented fishing. And third, a lot of the people in the shop are really into fishing.”

Demand from visitors in the past also fueled the new outfit, according to Amy Smit, Grizzly’s marketing director.

“We get a lot of people coming to the Meadow looking for fly fishing outfits,” Smit said.

Grizzly’s three fulltime fly fishing outfitters, Ennion Williams, Bill Lerch and Brian Kimmel, have been

Grizzly now has a full selection of fly fishing gear from Sage Rods and Reels, Patagonia, Redington, Fishpond, Scientific Angler, Hatch Reels and Montana Flys. A fly fishing grand opening event will be held in mid-July.

Grizzly Outfitters is located in the Big Sky Town Center and is open seven days a week from 8 a.m – 6 p.m. For more information visit grizzlyoutfitters.com

995-7852

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Chamber members have until June 21 to vote on board positions and make nominations for award recipients. Registration is required by June 25. To register, or to learn more about the event, call (406) 995-3000 or visit bigskychamber.com.

Tom Newberry:

995-7852

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(It’s the bear market that can throw you off) We are please to support Professional Bull Riders Association

“We will also be giving half-off rentals to people who book a guided trip, so that’s a really good deal,” Smit said.

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avid fly fishermen around southwest Montana for more than 15 years.

Float trips will be offered on the Madison, Yellowstone and Missouri rivers, and walk/wade trips will be offered on the Gallatin and Madison rivers. Trips will be available seven days a week, with a choice between a half or full-day excursion. Reservations for fly fishing guides and rentals will soon be available online at Grizzly’s website.

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June 15, 2012 29

Big Sky Weekly

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Garage Sale June 23 & 24 80 Aspen Leaf Dr, #12 Big Sky 8am - until sold SIMMS Women's boots, Bite wading sandals, barely used - women's size 9; men's sandals size 11.5, carpet rolls - wool - almost new, furniture, tools & more

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services Victoria Bentley is the Owner and Director of Bentley Bodies, a premiere mind-body-wellness boutique committed to healthy lifestyle choices. Locations are in Big Sky and Bozeman. bentleybodies.net

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environment

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Big Sky Weekly

Ensuring the future of elk and other wildlife in the fast-growing West MISSOULA—The U.S. Census Bureau projects that human populations in the West will grow twice as fast as other states over the next 18 years.

This fact is alarming to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, a Missoula-based conservation group involved with hunting access, wildlife management and conservation policy.

5. Keep Hunting: With the anticipated population growth in the West, open space and opportunities for hunting could be reduced. Loss of hunters will translate to less wildlife management and less funding for conservation overall, which will compound all of the above problems. RMEF is prioritizing projects that enhance public hunting access and strengthening America’s understanding of the important conservation heritage of hunting.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, states along and west of the Rocky Mountains will see an average of 28 percent growth by 2030. For all states eastward, the bureau anticipates an average growth rate of 14 percent.

About 90 percent of all elk in North America occur in the rapid-growth states. RMEF suggests five ways to prepare and maintain healthy elk and wildlife habitat: 1. Good planning: Any profusion of poorly planned subdivisions, sprawl or related activity could accelerate loss, fragmentation and degradation of elk habitat. Consideration of these areas is increasingly important for developers, city planners, highway engineers, food and energy producers. To help, RMEF contributes habitat data to mapping programs available to professionals who wish to identify and avoid critical areas of elk country, including: Winter range—In much of the West, some of the most attractive tracts for development are lower elevation lands that also happen to be historic winter range for elk.

Abundance and quality of winter range are limiting factors in the size of a region’s elk herd.

Calving grounds—Like winter range, elk calving grounds also are used traditionally.

Once displaced from primary areas, pregnant cows will settle for secondary habitats that offer less cover, space, forage and water.

Summer range—Lush green summer range is vital to the health of elk as they nourish calves, evade predators and enter the rut. But research shows that extended drought and overgrown forests are negatively affecting some elk herds, especially in areas where predators are undermanaged.

Migration corridors—Highly mobile elk do best with unimpeded travel routes between habitat types.

2. Land Protection: Conserving strategic tracts of open space is a key to offsetting human population growth. Tools include purchasing land from willing sellers and conveying it to public ownership, land swaps and conservation easements. To date, RMEF has used these and more to help permanently protect more than 1 million acres.

3. Habitat Stewardship: Managing protected habitat for optimum productivity is ever more important. Prescribe burning, treating noxious weeds, forest thinning to create early seral habitat, rejuvenating meadows and wetlands, improving riparian zones and adding guzzlers are among the ways to help habitat hold more wildlife.

4. Predator Management: Much of elk country no longer resembles its original form. People made it smaller. Fire suppression made it thick and overgrown. Noxious weed infestations made forage problems even worse. Elk are amazingly adaptable but in certain areas they are proving unable to handle the added challenge of burgeoning predator populations. Calf survival rates are too low to sustain some herds for the future. Current and expected habitat conditions dictate responsible management of wolves, bears and lions on balance with other wildlife and human needs. RMEF is pressing this issue on several fronts.

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Fourth annual Gallatin Weed Pull collects 1,120 pounds of weeds, trash BIG SKY—Under the threat of rain, 24 volunteers set a new local record in the fight against noxious weeds along the Gallatin River this year, collecting 1,120 pounds of noxious weeds and trash.

The Gallatin/Big Sky Noxious Weed Committee in partnership with MadisonGallatin Trout Unlimited hosted the fourth Annual Weed Pull and River Clean-Up on June 9.

Volunteers noticed fewer weeds this year, which is due to previous efforts, according to Gallatin/Big Sky Noxious Weed Committee coordinator Jennifer Mohler.

However, a few patches of spotted knapweed were extremely healthy, something Mohler says highlights the fact that it takes multiple years of aggressive treatment to eliminate established noxious weed patches.

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environment

Big Sky Weekly

Veterans, public to track grizzly bears ASC and the Sierra Club’s Mission Outdoors Initiative team up By emily stifler

big sky weekly managing editor

Learning to track grizzly bears is like looking at the world with completely new eyes, says Gregg Treinish.

traveling in, as well as non-invasive grizzly bear tracking techniques and DNA collection.

“We’ll give you skills to pay attention and to see far more than you ever have out there,” Treinish said. “It’s an opportunity to be intimately involved in understanding grizzly bears and the grizzly bear issue, and to contribute to their management in a hands on way.”

His organization, the Bozeman-based nonprofit Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation, links scientists in need of data with adventurers who want "You can never go into the to protect the environments mountains and feel unthey travel in.

changed. When you're working

The goal is to foster an ethic of stewardship and an appreciation for wilderness, as well as honoring military veterans and families. A limited number of spots will be available to the public—the rest will go to veterans and their families, Treinish said.

Last year ASC offered a together with such amazing series of grizzly bear trackanimals like grizzlies, you have a ing workshops open to the touchstone experience." public. For this year’s work-Stacy Bare, Sierra Club Military Family shops, ASC has teamed up and Veterans Initiative coordinator with the Sierra Club’s MisThese programs will be an sion Outdoors Initiative, a experience of a lifetime for program that aims to ensure veterans and their families military veterans, their families, and members of the get to enjoy the land they served. public to learn how to track these amazing animals and contribute to an important body of knowledge imperaTogether, they will offer free grizzly bear tracking tive to the USDA Forest Service’s understanding of programs in the Gravelly, Snowcrest and Tobacco Root grizzly bear activities in the range. These citizen-scimountains during three weekends in September. Parence programs cultivate a sense of stewardship for the ticipants will spend two days tracking and two nights environment. ASC founder, Gregg Treinish explains, camping, and will receive training on the areas they are “When people participate in these projects, they

some restaurants do italian food. some do chinese food.

WE DO BIG SKY FOOD 32 June 15, 2012

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connect with the landscape in a new way. In addition to greatly contributing to our scientific knowledge of this area, volunteers will gain a profound connection to the western Montana ranges and one of their most charismatic species.”

“You can never go into the mountains and feel unchanged,” said Stacy Bare, the Sierra Club Military Family and Veterans Initiative coordinator, and also a veteran. “When you're working together with such amazing animals like grizzlies, you have a touchstone experience. When things get tough, you have a wonderful experience or a memory to return to, and you know you can get outside on your own with your family in a fun, safe way.”

The Sierra Club learned about ASC through a New York Times article featuring the nonprofit and its initiatives this March.

“We really want to support the interaction between the community and military families and veterans,” Treinish said, noting they’ve already had someone sign up from as far away as Ohio.

The workshops will take place Aug. 31 – Sept. 2, Sept. 7 – 9 and Sept. 21 – 23 and are offered at no charge. For more information or to sign up, visit adventureandscience.org/trackbears.html.

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Section 3:

Big Sky Weekly

June 15, 2012 Volume 3 // Issue No. 12

life, land and culture

festival

Sasquatch!

Music Festival An enthusiastic festival goer with the Gorge Amphitheater’s grassy main stage in the background

story and photos

By Nick Diamond

big sky weekly contributor

QUINCY, Wash. – Every year over Memorial Day weekend Americans flee their respective cities and head for the country: They break out their hiking boots and scamper up rocky, mountain trails; fill their trailer tires so they can launch that ski boat for the first time this year; or reluctantly cram the kids into the hybrid and drive eight hours to spend time with the in-laws.

Whatever your poison, there’s always a back-to-the-wild type calling on those extended weekends, something nostalgic about turning off your cellphone and kicking off summer without waiting for the spectacular 4th of July fireworks.

Being Canadian, my May long weekend (Victoria Day) occurs a week before Memorial Day, and the last few years I’ve made the 500 mile trip south to arguably the most beautiful musical venue on earth for Sasquatch!

Music Festival. Set high above the Columbia Gorge, just 10 miles northeast of Quincy, Wash., The Gorge Amphitheater’s 20,000-seat, grassy main stage has played host to the likes of Tom Petty, Coldplay, David Bowie, Ben Harper, Foo Fighters and Journey.

So, I loaded up my 1991 Winnebago Itasca RV at my home in Nelson, British Columbia and drove west, passing through Salmon Arm and on down to Vancouver. There, I gathered a few friends and began heading south. From Seattle we traversed the spectacularCascade Highway east, and after 900 miles, one new set of tires from Big-O in Issaquah, a grocery pit stop at the Tacoma Boys H&L Produce, and four thirsty petrol fill-ups, we finally arrived at the gorge just in time for Saturday night.

Emily Haines and her high-energy indie rock band Metric, with their new wave electro synth style, kick started an amazing weekend. The Shins and St. Vincent were next, and mega-star Jack White (yes that’s the uber-talented half of the now disbanded White Stripes) rounded out the night.

Surviving on three hours of sleep, I trudged, zombie like, away from the festival and back toward the RV, but was summoned into the high-energy, glow-stick riddled, DJ “Banana Shack.” Hordes of scantily clad youth waved their hands in the air to the epic buildups of DJ Continued on p. 34

Sasquatch love

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June 15, 2012 33

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festival

Philadelphia-based indie rock band, The War on Drugs

Big Sky Weekly

Festival goers at the DJ Banana Shack performance

Continued from p. 33 Joey Youngman’s (stage name Wolfgang Gartner) adrenaline-inducing beat drops. Two sweaty hours later I finally called it quits.

Sunday began slowly, with the hilarious comedy of Todd Barry, continued with Philadelphia-based folk-rock band, The War on Drugs, followed by Canadian’s six-piece rock group Hey Rosetta!. As the sun started its descent, we were treated to American indie rock band, The Walkmen, and then worldly sounds of Santa Fe’s Beirut.

The sun cast long shadows behind the Sasquatch main stage and folk artist Justin Vernon played with his Grammy Award winning indie band Bon Iver. Then it was night, and millions of stars shone above, visible only because we were miles from city lights. I concluded the night dancing until midnight with 5,000 neon-glowstick-wearing others to the UK-based DJ, FEED ME (with TEETH!) in front of his 25-foot wide grinning set of electronic pearly whites.

Our group had made the tough decision early on to skip Friday’s shows and instead left a little in the tank for Monday’s star studded lineup, which included the only unsigned band to hit the cover of Rolling Stone, The Sheepdogs; the powerful voice of Canadian artist Feist; Los Angeles’s renowned rock group, Silversun Pickups; the ever entertaining and pretentious Jack Black with his band Tenacious D, and world class DJs,

34 June 15, 2012

Feist

Nero, Felix Cartel and LA Riots. The sway vote in our decision was the fact that closing out this year’s festival was the four time platinum artist Beck, and he didn’t disappoint.

Whatever your music flavor may be Sasquatch can feed your hunger. Pack the car, rally the troops and head west, north, east, or in my case... south. See you all there in 2013.

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Born and raised on the north shore of Kootenay Lake, just outside of Nelson, British Columbia, Nick Diamond’s obsession with photography began at age 10. Now 27, his repertoire includes scenics, portraits, weddings and the high-paced world of sports photography. nickdiamondphotography.ca

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outdoors

Big Sky Weekly

Big Sky Hikers' summer 2012 schedule Date

Rating-Hike

Trailhead

Length

Climb

Leaders

June 21

A Lizard Lake

Taylor Fork-Cache Creek

11 miles

1,600 ft.

Sherrie Fast (995-7486)

June 28

July 5

July 10 July 12

July 19

July 26

Comment

B Oil Well to Sage Creek

Taylor Fork-Wapiti Creek

7 miles

1,200 ft.

Rumsey Young (995-2629)

C North Fork

North Fork

6 miles

500 ft.

Barbara Blesch (995-2422)

A Golden Trout to Eaglehead

Portal Creek-Windy Pass

10 miles

2,000 ft.

Rich Piercy (993-2303)

Rough road to trailhead

B Buck Ridge

Buck Ridge

9 miles

1,500 ft.

Irv Golden (995-7905)

Rough road to trailhead

C Flower Hike

TBD

TBD miles

TBD ft.

Jeff Strickler (995-4768)

A Alp Lake

Taylor Fork-Lightning Creek

12 miles

2,000 ft.

Lud Long (995-3931)

B Windy Pass to Sentinel

Portal Creek-Windy Pass

7.4 miles

1,905 ft.

Jack McGuire (995-7422)

Rough road to trailhead

C Hidden Lakes

Portal Creek-Windy Pass

6 miles

800 ft.

Sarah Peterson (993-9487)

Rough road to trailhead

Potluck Picnic

Community Park

N/A

N/A

Priscilla Young (995-2629)

A Lava Lake Overlook

Lava Lake

9 miles

2,000 ft.

Rebecca Shopay (995-2767)

B Kirkwood

Kirkwood

7.6 miles

2,050 ft.

Jim Schaeffer (995-3238)

C Deadhorse Creek

Taylor Fork-Cache Creek

5 miles

620 ft.

Karen Strickler (995-4768)

A Pika Point

Taylor Fork-Wapiti Creek

12 miles

2,400 ft.

Rich Piercy (993-2303)

B Deer Lake

Deer Creek

9.4 miles

2,720 ft.

Jeff and Karen Strickler (995-4768

C Gallatin Riverside Trail

35 MPH Bridge

4 miles

500 ft.

Gina Macdonald (995-7172)

A Monument Peak

Private Property

12 miles

3,000 ft.

Leslie Piercy (993-2303)

B Lava Lake

Lava Lake

6 miles

1,600 ft.

Hilda and Keener Hudson (995-7442)

C Windy Pass

Portal Creek-Windy Pass

4.6 miles

1,260 ft.

Henrietta and Doug Gale (995-7951)

Trailhead at Hebgen Lake

Long pants suggested - nettles on trail

Rough Road to trailhead

Look for continued schedule in upcoming issues of the Big Sky Weekly.

Downhill mountain biking in Big Sky is back big sky weekly staff writer

BIG SKY– Big Sky Resort will again offer liftserved downhill mountain biking on the flanks of Lone Mountain via the Swift Current chairlift this summer. Offering more than 15 trails and 1,647 vertical feet, Big Sky's downhill mountain bike trails range from beginner to expert.

“We’ve had people requesting we open the trails back up on Lone Peak for years,” said Big Sky Resort retail manager Dylan Hall. “With Swift Current running this summer for the new Lone Peak Expedition: Tram to the Top, it’s the perfect time to make the transition.”

“It’s a really exciting opportunity for riders of all levels,” Hall added. “There are no lift-served trails of this caliber anywhere else.”

Help Big Sky revamp and grow its mountain biking trails

Two of Big Sky Resort’s mountain bike trails are slated to open Monday, June 18 with the rest to follow as the warmer weather melts off the snow, Hall said. Andesite Mountain off the Ramcharger lift will not be opening this year.

Join the volunteer trail team and earn an unlimited summer bike pass for completion of volunteer hours.

Just make sure to attend one of the mandatory orientations in the Big Sky Resort Cafeteria:

Visit bigskyresort.com or contact Different Spokes Bike Shop at (406) 995-5849 for more details on pricing, opening, and volunteer trail maintenance days.

6/20 - 10 a.m.

6/21 - 10 a.m.

6/26 - 4:30 p.m.

Review: Borelli Active Wrap Dress By abbie digel

big sky weekly contributor

This dress is a summer essential. For warm days when going from river to dinner or any other social activity, pack the Borelli Design Active Wrap dress into your backpack or dry bag. It’s perfect for apres warm-weather activities, whether it be in Montana after a day of floating, or on a beach vacation.

Made from dri-release fabric, it wicks moisture in the same way winter long underwear does, and also boasts SPF 20, giving your skin extra protection from the summer sun.

I recently threw the dress on to run errands after a Bikram yoga class and enjoyed the flexibility and comfort.

Because the fabric doesn't retain odors (it contains Freshguard odor control), it’s a perfect boost of style after a workout. The pockets are also a nice touch, and easily conceal a cellphone or wallet without looking too bulky.

Make sure to keep the dress tied tightly

in a double knot, as it has a tendency to loosen up, exposing a little too much skin.

My favorite part? It’s versatility. Wear it as a sarong, a wrap, strapless or overthe-shoulder—it’s both beach and bar appropriate, especially with sandals or a dressier pair of boots.

explorebigsky.com

June 15, 2012 35

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EVENTS Residential solar hot water workshop BOZEMAN – Solar hot water systems are more affordable, efficient and reliable than ever. Attend a free workshop at the Montana Weatherization Training Center to learn about system options that work well in Montana, how to size a system for your home, costs, financial incentives, and what to ask an installer. Bring your water bills and a picture of your home’s south side to take a closer look at whether a system is right for you.

Big Sky Weekly

Big Sky Fire Department hosts St. Baldrick’s fundraiser June 24

When: Saturday, June 30; workshop is 9 am – 2 pm; optional 1-hour tour afterward to see an installed residential solar hot water system Where: Montana Weatherization Training Center at 705 Osterman Drive, Suite A in Bozeman, just east of the Subaru dealership on the 1-90 Frontage Road (weatherization. org/map.html) Pre-registration: Required for this free workshop (for handout planning). Contact Susan Bilo at susan.bilo@montana.edu or (406) 994-2225. Provide your name and phone number.

Free fishing for all over Father’s Day weekend By renae counter

big sky weekly editorial assistant

MONTANA – Celebrate Father’s Day this year with free fishing on June 16 and 17.

As a tribute to fathers, the Montana Legislature passed a bill in 2011 that allows free fishing for everyone on Father’s Day weekend.

Because this is the only time fishing is free in Montana, families are encour-

aged to get outside and participate in this unique event. Without having to worry about the cost of a license, families can try out fishing to see if they have further interest in the sport.

Anyone planning recreation around water is encouraged to check out Fish, Wildlife and Parks most recent conditions updates, as well as fishing and boating regulations at fwp.mt.gov.

By renae counter

big sky weekly editorial assistant

BIG SKY—Big Sky Fire Department will host its fifth annual St. Baldrick’s fundraiser event on June 24. A volunteer-driven charity, St. Baldrick’s raises money for childhood cancer research and supports long and healthy lifestyles for survivors.

During the event, sponsored firefights and community members will have their heads shaved bald to spread awareness and raise money for childhood cancer. Anyone can donate online by visiting stbaldricks. org and searching for the Big Sky Fire Department event. There are many sponsors to choose from, including Chief Farhat.

BSFD Chief Bill Farhat said that financial aid for the event and cancer research is crucial.

“People in the community love assisting with it and children love coming to the fire department for the event,” Farhat said.

“We are still looking for people to sponsor our firefighters and community members who are ‘going bald,' Farhat said.

The St. Baldrick’s event will be held at the Big Sky Fire Depart ment Station 1 in Westfork Meadows at 9 a.m.

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Saloon opens at 4:30 p.m., Dining Room begins serving at 5:30 p.m.

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Monday Night Pig Roast No reservations required $10 Pig Roast ~ Kids half off!

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Wednesday Night Riverside Chuck Wagon BBQs

Join us Wednesday evenings starting June 13 for a 2 hour Trail Ride or Wagon ride to our BBQ near the Gallatin River—featuring NY Strip Steaks, BBQ Chicken and all of the fixins with S’mores to top it off! Reservations required.

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EVENTS big sky

Yoga with Anna

The Art Barn Tuesdays, 8:30 – 10 a.m.

Early Bird Yoga

annaourusoff@gmail.com (406) 600-7565 Fridays, 6-7 a.m.

Monday Night Pig Roast

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Planning an event? Let us know! Email media@theoutlawpartners.com and we’ll spread the word.

Bogert Farmers Market

Bogert Park’s Pavilion Tuesdays, June 5-Sept. 25, 5-8 p.m.

Don't Close Your Eyes

Bridger Creek Golf Course June 29 , 8 a.m.

Madison County Relay for Life

Bozeman Brewing Co. June 18, 5 p.m.

320 Steak House Restaurant Wednesdays 5:30 – 9 p.m.

F-11 Photographic Supplies June 19, 21, 26, 28, 9:30 a.m.

MSU Intramural Fields Mondays, 6 p.m.

LEGO Club for Kids

Bozeman Public Library-Community Room June 18 & 25, 3:30-5 p.m.

The Cold Hard Cash Show

“Own the Night” Event

Choppers Bar & Grill June 16, 9 p.m.

Bozeman Public Library June 19, 5:30-8 p.m.

Mark of The Grizzly Book Signing and Talk

R.E.A.D to the Dog Even

Bozeman Public Library June 20 & 27, 4-5 p.m.

Out and About in the Gallatin Range

Bozeman REI June 20, 6:30-8 p.m.

Bike Maintenance Basics

Bozeman REI June 21, 6:30-8 p.m.

GVLT’s Longest Days of Trails

Bozeman REI June 22, 6 a.m-10 p.m.

Plight of the Pike

Bozeman REI June 27, 6:30- 8 p.m.

Bears and Backcountry: What you need to know

Bozeman REI June 28, 6:30-8 p.m.

norris hot springs

MSU Grove June 20-22, 8:00 p.m.

Tammie Jones

The Gallatin Canyon Women's Club

Montana Shakespeare in the Parks – Twelfth Night

Rolling Roots Revue

Optimize Your Marketing for the Intersection of Social, Local, and Mobile Online Webinar June 28, 12-1 p.m. elearningu.com/public/342.cfm

Emerson Theater June 19, 7 p.m.

Kabbalat Shabbat at 6 p.m. at the Chapel followed by Shabbat Dinner Hike & Torah Study 9 a.m.

June 29-30

Emerson Crawford Theater June 21, 8 p.m.

“SAS Project at Big Sky Resort”

Big Sky Resort’s Missouri Ballroom July 20, 5 p.m.

SASproject.org

Bozeman Saturdays at the Lake-Free Boat Demos and Clinics

East Gallatin Rec Area @ Bozeman Beach Saturdays June 16, 23, 30. July 7, 14, 21, 11 a.m-3 p.m.

June 22, 7 p.m.

El Kabong

David Allan Coe

Big Sky Chapel June 29, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Contact the Big Sky Natural Resource Council to reserve a space (406) 209-0344

Michael Morris and Sarah Kruger

Les Danses de L’Amour

James McMurtry

Pine Creek Lodge & Cafe June 23, 7 p.m.

Guardians of the River Gala Banquet

Clumsy Lovers

Chico Hot Springs Saloon June 24, 9 p.m.

Fairgrounds Arena June 28 Ben Bullington

Pine Creek Lodge & Cafe June 29, 7 p.m.

Rendevous Ski Trials June 23-34

June 24, 7 p.m.

Betsy Wise

Wild West Yellowstone Rodeo

June 29, 7 p.m.

livingston & paradise valley

Flapjacks flipping

Honky Tonk Heroes

Bozeman Brewing Co. June 25, 5 p.m.

Open Range

Mountain Bike Biathlon

Gardiner NRA Rodeo Parade

Bridger Creek Boys

Livingston Golf Course June 23

west yellowstone

June 23, 7 p.m.

Emerson Crawford Theater June 22 , 8 p.m.

Bridger Canyon Fire Department June 23, 7:30 a.m.

Big Dog Gold Tournament

Nework Live! Livingston Roundup

June 17, 7 p.m.

Tommy Georges

Shabbat in Big Sky

Forestry Workshop

June 16, 7p.m.

Emerson Theater June 18, 7 p.m.

Ironfront Band

The Lodge at Sun Ranch June 23

Big Sky Town Center June 26, 7:00 pm

First Position

Livingston Art Walk

Chico Hot Springs Saloon June 22 & 23, 9:30 p.m.

Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers

MSU Grove June 28, 8:00 p.m.

Sheridan Football Field June 22 Downtown June 22, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Montana Shakespeare in the Parks – Hamlet

eLearningU Webinar:

Archer’s Mob

Bridger Creek Boys

Photography for kids

Meeting @ home of Jeanne Miller Women in Action June 27, 1 p.m.

Pine Creek Lodge & Cafe June 21 & 28, 7 p.m.

Pine Creek Lodge & Café June 22 , 7 p.m.

Hayride and Riverside BBQ

Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center June 23, 3:30 p.m.

Equinox Theatre June 28, 7 p.m. & 9 p.m.

Pine Creek Open Bluegrass Jam

23rd Annual Drive for Thrive Golf Tournament

Bozeman Frisbee

Town Center Fire Pit June 4-July 30, 6 p.m.

Lee Camp Comedy Show with Katie Goodman

Equinox Theatre June 16 & 22, 8:00 p.m.

320 Steak House Restaurant Mondays starting June 11 5 – 8 p.m.

Monday Night Bike Rides

Big Sky Weekly

June 16, 2 p.m.

Rodeo Area June 20-23, 27-30, 8 p.m.

virginia city The Brewery Follies of Virginia City

H. S. Gilbert Brewery 4 and 8 p.m.

Chico Hot Springs June 16, 9:30 p.m.

Mike Dowling-Acoustic Guitar Workshop

Gardiner NRA Rodeo

Elling House Arts & Humanities Center June 16, 9-11 a.m.

Jim Duffy Arena June 15 & 16, 6 p.m.

Living History Weekend: Montana Vigilantes

Monday Night Farmers Market

Little Jane & The Pistol Whips

Rockin’ TJ Ranch June 18-Sep.24, 5-8 p.m.

Outdoor BBQ Pine Creek Lodge & Café June 16 , 7 p.m.

June 16-17

The Bridge – Three Forks June 28 , 10 a.m.

Wilsall NRA Rodeo

June 23-24

Music on Main – The Clintons

US Open Golf Tournament

Headwaters Country Jam

Downtown Bozeman June 28, 6:30 p.m.

Living History Weekend: Civil War in Alder Gulch

June 16 -Slack 1 p.m., Rodeo 6:30 p.m.

June 17- Parade Noon, Rodeo 2 p.m.

Livingston Golf Course June 17

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June 15, 2012 39

Big Sky Weekly

the

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entertainment

Clumsy Lovers to play at 10th annual Montana BBQ Cook-Off ABSAROKEE–The Clumsy Lovers will perform at the 10th annual Montana BBQ Cook-Off on Sunday, July 1 in downtown Absarokee during a day of BBQ competition, microbrews and family entertainment.

The Clumsy Lovers have played fiddle and banjo-fueled, bluegrassy Celtic rock to audiences for more than a decade. Their high-energy shows have worn out dance floors and created a loyal following in 49

states and across their homeland of Canada.

The Montana BBQ Cook-Off is the largest, richest and most established BBQ event of its kind in the state with more than $8,000 in cash prizes. The fun starts at noon, admission is free and tasting tokens are $1.

Music starts at 4 p.m.

Official rules, entry forms and all activities are available at montanabbqcookoff.com.

Michael Franti to headline Spruce Moose Festival

By Renae Counter

big sky weekly editorial assistant

MONTANA STATE LIQUOR STORE

BIG SKY – Musician Michael Franti will be playing at the Spruce Moose Festival at Big Sky Resort on Sept. 1.

Special guest The Whigs will be open the show.

This will be Franti’s first time playing at Big Sky Resort, said Greer Schott,

40 June 15, 2012

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media relations and community manager at Big Sky Resort.

Franti is best known for his hit “Say Hey (I Love You),” which spent time on the Top 20 list.

Tickets for the Spruce Moose Festival go on sale June 22. More information at mooseradio.com

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entertainment

Big Sky Weekly

Two turntables and a microphone The multi-dimensional DJ Missy O’Malley By marcie hahn-knoff big sky weekly contributor

If you tune into the radio in southwest Montana you’ve probably heard her voice, uniquely identifiable by its textured and smoky timbre.

She may have been working as a DJ at a party, a wedding, trivia night or resort event you’ve attended, or you may have found yourself sipping a nightcap while surrounded by her refreshingly offbeat lounge music. And, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve heard her giggle as she snowboarded past you on a powdery morning at Bridger Bowl.

Just who is this woman of many talents?

A. Missy Cashman B. Missy O’Malley C. DJ Miss Illaneous D. All of the above.

If you answered D you’re looking smart.

Missy is a Renaissance woman, bursting with energy and always on the go. She thinks big and isn’t afraid to turn her dreams into reality—helped by her remarkably diverse taste in music and comedienne-esque personality.

Missy is a rising star, one to watch as she moves and shakes her way to the top. She’s currently booking gigs for 2013 and beyond. Find out more about her upcoming events on Facebook: Missy O’Malley

Q+A How did you end up in Bozeman?

I studied electronic media at the University of Dayton (in Ohio), focusing on broadcast journalism and film editing. When I graduated, my classmates headed for jobs with Conan, CNN and other media outlets, but I didn’t feel like that was the right move for me. I was drawn to the West by my extended family and the opportunity to snowboard and enjoy the mountains here. I love living in Bozeman and plan to wring every last drop of fun I can out of this place.

How did you end up on the radio?

When I first got to Montana, I waited tables to make ends meet.

One evening I was ‘discovered’ when I waited on a former program director for KISS FM. They had a DJ vacancy, so I quit my serving job and was thrown on the air. When I

called my mom to tell her the good news she replied, “Thank god you got a job where you get paid to talk.”

What’s up with the three names?

In radio it’s common for DJs to use an alias and Cashman (my given name) didn’t exactly roll off the tongue. My mom suggested I use O’Malley since it makes you smile when you say it (just try it). And my live DJ name, DJ Miss Illaneous, was inspired by my love for all types of music and not being able to stick to a specific genre.

How did you get involved with public radio?

I was laid off from my radio job in 2010 due to the economic downturn. With some free time, I completed the apprentice program at KGLT and teamed up with Rachel Hergett to co-host the Magic Monday show.

Volunteering at KGLT and working as their hip-hop director has helped put the soul back in my music.

Recently KISS asked me to come back, and I’m now an evening DJ for them again, too.

When did you decide to become a live DJ? A while back I was approached by friends to DJ their weddings and events. I lucked out and found a vintage Technics 1200 turntable and a second from a pal that was sitting in his garage collecting dust.

I’ve added a mixer and speakers— my setup has really come together.

I’m booked for all sorts of events this summer—Roller Derby bouts, the PRIDE festival and 16 weddings. I’m officiating five weddings as well.

What has made you successful?

It has a lot to do with my upbringing. I grew up in Bismarck, N.D. and am the fourth child of six. My mother is originally from New York, and my dad is a Minnesota

PHOTO BY JON MARSHALL

farm boy. I ended up with a friendly and talkative personality with a hint of brass. Our dinner table was anything but quiet—we were constantly telling jokes.

My mother is a college speech teacher in Bismarck and is a stickler for proper speech. She used to tape the Academy Awards and replay the acceptance speeches. My siblings and I would count the number of ums, likes and OKs. Exercises like this taught me to speak clearly and articulately—and how to tell a good story.

What kind of music stirs your soul?

I love anything that gets your toes tapping, puts the beat in your feet, the glide in your stride and the rocks in your socks—hip-hop, funk, reggae and punk rock. I have a soft spot for oldies and vintage soul. I absolutely love Sam Cooke—in another life I swear I could be married to him. Growing up, I was exposed to a variety of music by my family. My Dad loved Motown, my brother was obsessed with The Doors and one of my sisters was a punk rocker who played the cello.

What’s next?

I’ve just committed to throwing the first annual Missy O’Malley Variety Show and Birthday Celebration at the Emerson Center on March 19, 2013. The night will feature up to 30 performing acts—featuring music, dancing, circus acts, live art creation and more. My role in this event is akin to what Kermit did for the Muppets—his talent was bringing them all together to create something larger than themselves.

In addition to actively booking future DJ gigs, I’ve also been toying with the idea of doing a talk show on TV or radio. I’d like to be a positive and entertaining informational voice in the media. I don’t have time in my life for negativity.

When not hammering away on her computer, Marcie Hahn-Knoff can usually be found roller derbying, climbing, hiking, biking or hula-hooping in the backyard. She also crafts and sells bomb-proof collapsible travel hulahoops - www.hooplahulahoops.com

explorebigsky.com

June 15, 2012 41

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fun

Big Sky Weekly

Buscrat's Fables Trouble Raccoon

answered hastily. “You always steal my food.”

“Oh, why does everything happen to me?” Trouble asked.

I was coming through the woods and heard Trouble’s call.

“Doesn’t any of your family or friends know you are here in this danger?” I asked.

“Why does everything happen to me?” cried Trouble the raccoon, his voice hoarse from yelling for help.

In pain, he laid in the grass under the tall pine trees watching the forest fire come closer. He could feel the heat, and considered gnawing off his foot to escape the hunter’s trap.

Wally the squirrel ran past, and Trouble called over to him.

“Please, Wally, help me! I’m trapped.”

“Why not?” I asked.

“Because I lied and told them I was going to town instead of into the forest. Oh, why does everything happen to me?”

“Because they know I like to come here, where the poisonous mushrooms are, and eat some,” he said “Oh, why does everything happen to me?”

“Why do you eat the mushrooms?” I asked.

“Why should I help you?” Wally

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I asked how he got stuck in the trap, and he said, "I lost my senses and wasn’t watching where I was going.

I thought it would be silly to step in it. Oh, why does everything happen to me?”

“Didn’t you see the fire coming over the mountain?” I asked.

“No,” he said.

“Why would you lie to them?”

“Why does everything happen to me?” he yelled again.

“Because it makes me lose my senses and feel silly,” he said. “Oh, why does everything happen to me?”

explorebigsky.com

“Yes, but I wanted to see how close I could get to the fire without getting burned. I like living dangerously.

Oh, why does everything happen to me?”

“Can you use those pliers to pry me loose?” Trouble asked. I tried, but they were rusted shut. " “I can’t get them to open,” I said.

“Did you leave them out in the rain?”

“Yes,” he said. “I didn’t have time to put them away. Oh, why does everything happen to me?”

“Don’t you oil them occasionally to keep them in good order?” I asked.

“I wait for them to break down, and then I fix them. Oh, why does everything happen to me?”

With the heat of the fire growing, I was finally able to help Trouble out of the trap. He started to run off, and I called out after him.

“Don’t you want to take your pliers home?”

“No,” he said “I don’t need them right now.”

“Run this way,” I yelled. “You’re running toward the fire.”

“I still want to see how close I can get to it,” he shouted back. And off ran Trouble the raccoon.

Trouble sure has a way of finding trouble.

Buscrat's fables are simple stories that teach a moral. Buscrat welcomes you to visit buscratsfables.com and post your comments regarding the fable.

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Big Sky Weekly

THE WEST MAY BE W IL D,

but it’s not uncivilized

The Restaurant is open for the season with a new summer menu featuring Chef Matt’s signature dishes and seasonal specialties. Join us for dinner or -RR Happy Hour and enjoy our signature barrel-aged cocktails on the deck!

Visit RainbowRanchBigSky.com for hours and menus Call 1.800.937.4132 for reservations Experience rugged outdoor adventures by day and savor the luxurious comforts of the Rainbow Ranch Lodge by night.

From Montana classics like fishing and hiking to adventurous rafting and ziplining packages or bocce ball and croquet on the lawn - we’ve got something for everyone.

Visit RainbowRanchBigSky.com for packages and specials rainbowranchbigsky.com • 1.800.937.4132 Five miles south of Big Sky entrance on Hwy 191 explorebigsky.com

June 15, 2012 43

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Big Sky Weekly

Contact Jessie Neal for more information 993.2112 jessie@bsccmt.org 44 June 15, 2012

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wanderer at rest

Big Sky Weekly

Flailing the Madison (tubing in May) Just as I was mid-belly laugh, I saw him winding up for a flying leap in my direction. Before I could react, I found myself awkwardly squished on my one-person tube, unable to do much other than continue to laugh like a lunatic and hope he would accurately steer us because I couldn’t move.

Next, my brother’s tube started slowly deflating. This didn’t deter him from offering a colorful commentary on the sluggish progress of my severely overloaded craft. By the end of the trip, his tube had enveloped him like a taco. It was apparently a good thing that we had chosen to take the short float.

My dad was the only one who made it down the river with his dignity and tube intact. I was glad he enjoyed the peaceful, albeit cold, float experience.

Madison River in May

story and photo By jamie balke

big sky weekly columnist

While my dad was in town visiting from Illinois last month, I decided we should float the Madison River. I’m campaigning hard for my parents to move to Montana, and I wanted to show him some of the amazing opportunities here.

Some people might think it madness to tube a river in May in Montana, a place renowned for fearsome winters and correspondingly chilly snowmelt-fed rivers, but that just gives me more room to flail about in a tube.

We got a slow start to the day and had some difficulty coordinating the schedules of everyone involved. We made it out the door by about 1 p.m., knowing we had to be home early in the evening for an appointment. As we went to pick up the tubes, I realized most rational people would pull the plug right about then. Clearly, we didn’t have enough time. Members of our group started to raise these concerns, but I would hear none of it. It was, after all, a beautiful warm day.

As the stress level started to rise, my dad, boyfriend and I stopped at a large department store well known for good prices and being evil. In a hurry, we purchased tubes and a pump, and then picked up my brother before finally starting to head in the direction of the river.

On the way, as if the fates knew about our tight schedule, we hit road construction. By the time we arrived at the take-out point to drop off the first car, we were starting to wonder if there was enough time for the full float. After talking to a very friendly camp host (who I’m pretty sure had a pet pigeon), we settled on an abbreviated version of our intended trip and began to inflate the tubes.

The first inflated without incident, but the rest all came pre-punctured. Our defeated, borderline maniacal laughter broke the tension. We’d reached the point of no return, and now even the initially

reluctant members of the group were determined to make this float happen.

The manufacturer had the foresight to include some inadequate repair tape, and we went to work. While one person pumped, the others circled around the pile of tubes, ears pressed to the plastic, identifying and addressing leaks with the shoddy tape.

Suited and geared up, we slathered on sunscreen and walked down the boat ramp with our questionable vessels. There, at the river’s edge, our feet first encountered the frigid water of the Madison.

With grim determination, we flopped into our respective tubes and shoved off into the lovely, yet cold river.

As we floated, the sun played off the water’s gentle ripples, and clouds lazily passed above. The river was quiet that day, populated only with the occasional fishing boat.

Massive equipment failure and lack of planning aside, we all had an incredible amount of fun.

In fact, I would say that it was a smashing, nontraditional success. We even made it back in time for my brother’s appointment. It remains to be seen whether my parents will move to Montana, but I don’t believe they’ll be able to resist this excellent type of adventure for long.

Jamie Balke moved to Bozeman in fall of 2009. She can generally be found behind the cover of a book, meandering down a trail or desperately trying not to kill houseplants.

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June 15, 2012 45

further fetchins

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Adventures between Montana and Alaska

First Tracks At Bear Lake By mike mannelin

big sky weekly columnist

On the first of three trips loaded with food, lumber and supplies, we landed the bush plane on the gravel airstrip. The ice on Bear Lake had disappeared a few days before, allowing my wife Erin and I to finally be able to get to work in the river. We spent the next day and a half installing the weir.

We put 21 large wooden tripods in a line crossing the river. In front of them, we placed aluminum panels that allow water to get through, but stop the salmon. We set up two gates for the fish to go through, allowing us to monitor the number of sockeye that make it up to the lake to spawn each summer. After the crew left the cabin started to feel like home again.

The mountains surrounding the lake were still white with snow down to about 500 feet above the water. I couldn’t take my eyes off them. On a sunny day after work, I packed up my ski gear, some bear spray, a 12-gauge shotgun and a twoway radio. My dog Ivan led the way as we headed to the closest peak to see if I could make some turns.

I walked down to the weir to cross the river, and then hiked across a mile-and-a-half of flat tundra

Crossing the river at the weir photo by erin cleary

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Big Sky Weekly

further fetchins Adventures between Montana and Alaska

to reach the first climb. To let the bears know we were around, I talked to Ivan the whole way, and made up songs as I walked. The last thing I wanted to do was surprise a sow with cubs.

I was eager to get my skis and boots off my back and onto my feet, but it took about two hours to get to the snowy ridge that would take me toward the peak. The Bering Sea came into view behind me as I climbed.

I skinned for a couple more hours before reaching the nearest summit, an unnamed 3,220-foot mountain separating King Salmon River from Bear River, and halfway between the Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea. I crossed a couple sets of caribou tracks, and Ivan chased after a martin scurrying across the snow. I hadn’t seen a bear the whole way up, and all the tracks I saw in the snow had melted a little, indicating they weren’t fresh.

At the top, I sat down to pull my skins off of my skis and start my descent back toward the cabin. It was perfectly silent. No wind, no birds chirping—just me, Ivan and the skin track that looked as if it faded into the ocean.

On the way down Ivan and I raced toward the ocean over nice, consolidated corn snow. He stayed in my tracks, grinning through each turn, just like me.

At the edge of the snow, we bushwhacked through alder brush, which is bears’ favorite hangout. I started singing and yelling and talking to Ivan again as I traded my skis and boots for the comfort of my neoprene XtraTuf’s.

Once out of the alders and back to the tundra, I spent a couple hours following bear trails back towards the river where I could cross the weir. By then, my legs were so tired I just trudged along, fighting to stay upright through the lumpy, mossy terrain.

Sometime around 11 p.m. I returned home and lit a fire in the banya (Alaskan sauna). After soaking up the steam, I stepped out to the river to cool off and watched as the sunset cast a golden path on the water, disappearing below the horizon downstream.

Mike Mannelin is a skier with roots in Minnesota, Montana and Alaska. He gains his inspiration in life by spending time in the mountains with friends.

Banya at sunset, Bear River, Alaska photo by erin cleary

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Big Sky Weekly

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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.

RIVER RULES By kurt dehmer

big sky weekly contributor

Now that the weather is warmer and the days are longer, the water is calling.

Between tubers, rafters, kayakers, fishermen, swimmers, snorkelers, canoeists and paddle boarders, the rivers in this part of Montana see literally thousands of user days this time of year.

With the sheer number of people on the waters during the summer months, user conflicts are all too common. But avoiding conflict with other recreationalists while enjoying a day on the river is simple. By following these simple rules, everyone can enjoy our waterways.

1.

keep the noise down.

Many river users, especially fishermen, are on the water to have a quiet, uninterrupted day. Nothing will ruffle feathers more than shouting, water fighting, paddle slapping and other shenanigans while passing wading or floating anglers. Stay quiet, acknowledge wading anglers with a nod or a wave but nothing more.

Hooting and hollering after a run of rapids or hooking up with a big trout is great, but not if several others are around to hear it.

2.

keep the distance.

Give other groups and individuals as much space as possible. Some river activities take more space than others.

What’s acceptable for many

illustration by Mike Martins

floaters is often considered an intrusion by anglers and other river users. Don’t float over fishing line or eddy out in a wading anglers run. If this happens, have the courtesy to apologize. When accessing a river, use designated put-in or take-out spots, try not to cross through campsites, and don’t crowd pull-outs on busy highways. Try to schedule your floats, fishing and other activities for off-peak times. Finally, don’t loiter, or crowd take-out points with tubes and rafts; instead, just load and go.

3.

slow down, and drive with care.

Many rivers in this corner of Montana follow the same path as major highways. When heading out for the day, allow plenty of time to reach your destination.

As the summer season reaches its peak, so will the accumulation of traffic, river users and construction. Slow down, obey traffic laws and keep the cell phone turned off. A boat or raft in tow pegs you as a river runner—that means you’re a representative of that community. Everyone is watching: Don’t drink and drive. A day on the water is great accompanied with a cold brew, but wait until the drive is over.

4.

Big Sky Weekly

pack it in, pack it out.

Always carry out any trash you generate while on the river, as well as any you find along the way. Monofilament, styrofoam bait jars, beverage containers and cigarette butts are just some of the random and unsightly trash that subtract

from everyone’s time on the water. These items can also be harmful to wildlife and fish. Be careful with fire—even though water isn’t in short supply along the river, during the dry summer months the smallest spark can cause a catastrophic wildfire.

Confine campfires to designated rings, and smoke only in a vehicle or designated area. Always leave things better than you found them.

5.

respect gets respect.

6.

have a great time!

Acknowledging other river users and respecting their space and time on the water will generally help them do the same toward you. If help or assistance is needed, offer any that you can. Keep dogs and kids under control and in sight. Maintain river running and fishing gear, keep it clean, organized and in serviceable condition. Always have a life vest for everyone on any boat, and when the day is done remember to inspect, clean and dry all gear, something that will help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.

Summertime in Montana is short and special. Enjoy it. Get out as often as possible, fish, float, swim or camp, and enjoy all that our rivers have to offer.

Kurt Dehmer is a Gallatin Valley native and has been a fly fishing guide for 15 years. Those years on the water have given him ample opportunities to witness firsthand the good, the bad and the weird of river user behavior.

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