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Big Sky

Exploring life and land from the heart of the Yellowstone Region

May 3-16, 2013 Volume 4 // Issue #9

Cross Harbor acquires Spanish Peaks debt

2013 MT legislative roundup

Bridger Brewing: craft beer and pizza in Bozeman

Montana destination weddings on the rise Resort Tax Board granted bonding authority media@theoutlawpartners.com

back 40: sizzling salsa latin dance Big Sky's locally owned and published newspaper

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On the cover: The Sage, 2012, Acrylic on Canvas, 60x48 (Crow Indian warrior in the northern plains of Montana) by Kevin Redstar. See artist profile on p. 20

CHALET 4

AT Y E L L OW S TO N E CLUB

2011 big sky chamber of commerce

Turn-key chalet with direct access to 2,200 acres of private skiing

Business of the Year May 3-16, 2013 Volume 4, Issue no. 9 PUBLISHER Eric Ladd

editorial MANAGING EDITOR Emily Stifler

CHALET4.COM

EDITOR Joseph T. O'Connor staff writer/distribution director Tyler Allen Editorial assistant Maria Wyllie

creative Backcountry skiers nearing the summit of Wilson Peak, in Big Sky, on April 27. Photo by Mark Davidson.

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Mike Martins

Springtime in the Rockies

VIDEO director Brian Niles GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kelsey Dzintars videographer/photographer Chris Davis

SALES and operations COO & SENIOR EDITOR Megan Paulson Operations director Katie Morrison Director of Business Development Yellowstone region EJ Daws

Light snowflakes tapped my nose, and sweat dripped down my back. A gentle breeze cloaked the mountains with clouds, as my friends and I skinned up Bridger Bowl for some late season powder turns.

part of the country. The stubborn spring weather is also one of the reasons we don’t fight crowds and traffic wherever we go, or any other daily inconveniences that come with living in more urban areas.

Those sweaty traverses were likely my last of the season, as my focus is now shifting to rising trout, singletrack and summer beers. Winter clutches tightly to the Northern Rockies, and its grip barely (rarely) loosens until most of the country has already had a chance to soak in plenty of Vitamin D, wear shorts or even watch some baseball live.

Having just moved back to Bozeman after almost 10 years in the Midwest, I know the few extra weeks of winter are always worth it for a Montana summer.

Interspersed with salmonfly and hopper hatches are a few months of summer weather that are hard to beat. Those spitting snowflakes will long be forgotten as I enjoy a local IPA while lying in the grass, staring out over the mountains.

Some might argue that snow, gray skies and winter weather advisories through April and May are the jagged pills we swallow to reside in this beautiful

– EJ Daws

CONTRIBUTors

Alicia Baker, Jamie Balke, Buscrat, Alexa Coyle, Mark Davidson, Anna Middleton, Brandon Niles, Tori Pintar, Kenton Rowe, Amy R. Sisk, Katie Smith, Kene Sperry, Patrick Straub

Big Sky Weekly concentrated regional distribution Est. 35,000 readers/edition

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 next issue, may 10 May 7, 2013 CORRECTIONS The Big Sky Weekly runs corrections to errors we’ve printed.

Please report them to media@theoutlawpartners.com

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

© 2013 The Big Sky Weekly Unauthorized reproduction prohibited

Table of Contents Letters...4 Community...5 Local News...6 Regional...10 Montana...11 Science...15 Business...17 Gallery...20 Sports...23

Classifieds...24 Outlaw News..25 Entertainment...26 Events...27 Outdoors...28 Fishing Column...29 Buscrat's Fables...30 Column...31 Back 40...32

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4 May 3-16, 2013

Letters

In support of fire dept. mill levy increase Recently, we were awoken at 3 a.m. by a horrible, unidentifiable noise that sounded like grinding gears and a thunderstorm.

It turned out to be our entire electrical panel imploding and igniting.

We called the fire department, and three firefighters arrived quickly, ready to help.

Fortunately, the fire was contained to the wall with the electrical panel, but even so, they diligently made sure the house was safe, the fire alarms were working, and that there wasn’t a chance of it reigniting.

While our experience ended with minor damage, it prompted a lot of “what ifs?” in our minds. Due to recent press over the tax initiative for the Big Sky Fire Department, we knew all the available firefighters were at our door. We’ve lived in Big Sky for almost 10 years and had never needed their services before, but we were certainly glad they were available at that moment.

We believe that as Big Sky’s population continues to grow, fueling our economy and providing jobs, it is necessary to foster the growth of crucial services like the fire department that make us a community instead of just a resort.

– Erik and Katie Morrison, Big Sky

School board asks for a YES vote on bond and levy issues Over the next 15 months, the Big Sky School District will graduate 14 students and enroll 75 new students, according to our projections. This makes us one of the fastest growing districts in the state.

Over the past decade, incoming class sizes – previously 12-15 new students – have jumped to 25-35.

If approved by voters, the new facility should accommodate our growth for more than 10 years.

Thanks to careful planning from previous trustees and administrators, the district has a track record of prudent and thoughtful expansion. Our current board of trustees has worked to create the same sense of accountability and transparency with the community. Twenty-three community members spent eight months analyzing our needs and unanimously recommended the bond issue. Five publicly elected trustees also voted unanimously to support the expansion.

Our facilities are also used for public meetings and special events, and the community library is open to everyone.

A YES vote supports our expansion of facilities for a growing student population and community, and supports the hard-working faculty and staff who make the Big Sky School District a special place.

The Board of Trustees thanks you for your vote.

- Loren Bough, Laura Michel, Kristen Ramirez Ty Moline, Matt Jennings

Please join us for a FREE family workshop Parents are their kids’ first, best teachers, but parenting is not easy! You are invited to join us for an evening where professionals from the community will share skills for raising socially and emotionally healthy kids.

We’ll have some great discussion, share simple tools you can use at home, and provide examples of great activities to support healthy families.

Who:

Parents, grandparents and caregivers of kids 0-8 years old ... and your kids!

When:

Thursday, May 9th, 2013 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm.

Where:

Big Sky Community Library- 45465 Gallatin Road.

6:00—7:00 pm: Parents work with facilitators while kids participate in fun learning activities with care providers.

7:00—8:00 pm: Parents and kids practice what they have learned while playing and participating in activities together.

Goals of the evening: • Identify your parenting style • Learn how to listen with empathy and support your child’s feelings • Help your child name his or her emotions • Take home some great activities, children’s books, and information

Child care, activities, and snacks will be provided.

For questions about the workshop and to register, please call Lori Swenson, Parent Liaison in the Big Sky School District at (406)995-4281 x267, or email lswenson@bssd72.org.

Sponsored by the Early Childhood Community Council of the Gallatin area, with funding from Montana DPHHS.

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Big Sky Weekly

Community values: mill levy approval Electoral mill levy approval or disapproval often acts as a barometer; both of economic times and of the values held dear by a community.

Each vote is a value statement as to an individual’s or a family’s desire to collectively fund a community benefit.

Big Sky voters have three such mill levy ballot measures presently before them at this critical time: one for the fire department and two for the school district.

All three of these bonds have been well vetted by boards, committees and at public meetings. They attend to present day deficiencies, and also ward off inevitable future challenges. Failure to address them now would threaten our community’s health and welfare, and put a drag on future economic growth. It would represent irresponsible stewardship of our precious community.

All three bonds together cost only $0.57 per day for a home with a $300,000 taxable market value – $1.90 per day for a $1 million home.

Whatever your real estate ownership might be, it is a sound investment in where you live, be it year-round or part time.

As we appreciate emergency responders’ sacrifices and services during the recent tragedies in our nation, the only responsible decision is to vote for the fire department mill levy to bring staffing to required safety levels. And as our community grows and flourishes, a good education is more imperative than ever. Support of the school bonds is an investment in the future of a well-rounded community; not only as parents, but as employers, residents, community builders and as stakeholders of all kinds.

If you are categorically opposed to increased taxes, try thinking of a vote for these mill levies instead as a charitable pledge to two worthy causes.

- Mike Scholz, Big Sky

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Big Sky Weekly

May 3-16, 2013 5

Middleton’s gender and peace essay wins state prize Girl Rising to show in Big Sky

By Maria Wyllie

encourage the greater involvement of women in education and politics, specifically in developing countries. Directed by Academy Award nominee Richard Robbins, Girl Rising tells the stories of nine girls, all from different countries, who are determined to gain empowerment through education.

Big Sky Weekly Editorial Assistant

BIG SKY – Lone Peak High School junior Anna Middleton is the state winner of the 2012-2013 national peace essay contest, in which students analyzed what a gendered approach to peace building means. Middleton will travel to Washington, D.C., in June to participate in peace building and negotiation seminars with diplomats and leaders at the U.S. Institute of Peace.

“I know that gender and peace building is really interesting, and I could definitely see myself working abroad in gender issues and the relations to peace building,” she said. “I think it’s going to be a really good learning experience, and I’ll meet a lot of really interesting, intelligent people,” she said

Anna Middleton in Ecuador for spring break 2013

As the state winter, Middleton was awarded a $1,000 college scholarship and will have the chance to compete for college scholarships of up to $10,000 at the conference in June.

Middleton’s essay, titled “Liberia v. DRC: Inclusion of Women in Multi-pronged Post Conflict Peacebuilding,” argued that the greater participation of women in the three pillars of peace – economic recovery, social cohesion and political legitimacy –

creates a lasting positive impact in the post conflict period, because women bring specific qualities that men do not.

Middleton is already working toward helping girls in an international setting. As a member of the National Honor Society, she is required to do one community service project a year. For this year’s project, she is bringing the film Girl Rising to Big Sky’s Lone Peak Cinema on May 9 at 7 p.m.

The film, which focuses on girls’ education, is somewhat connected to the essay topic in that they both

Although the film is free, donations are suggested, and all of the proceeds will go toward purchasing bikes for girls in Cambodia so they can safely travel to school, as they often get attacked along the way. Trevor House, who is a sophomore at LPHS and youth ambassador for the State Department, will be presenting the money to the girls on a Department-sponsored, three-week trip to Cambodia this summer.

An assembly on May 8 at Lone Peak Cinema will feature a screening of the trailer and will teach people more about the film’s purpose. Due to legal rights, anyone interested in attending the film must be invited. Everyone who goes to the assembly and all Ophir/LPHS faculty, staff, students and their parents are invited.

Others interested in seeing Girl Rising can contact Middleton at annamiddletonphotography@gmail.com.

BSCC offers Big Sky youth and visiting families summer camp opportunities

Registration open for Jack Creek Preserve youth camps

BIG SKY COMMUNITY CORP.

BIG SKY – Registration is open for this summer’s Jack Creek Preserve youth camps, which will be held July 18-21 and Aug. 8-11. The camps include outdoor skills, archery, photography and hunting 101, and are open to kids ages 12-18. Registration is available at jackcreekpreserve.org.

BIG SKY – Summer camp is about to get even better for Big Sky kids.

The nonprofit Big Sky Community Corp. is expanding its program, which runs from June through August this year, by offering a greater variety of programs for first through eighth graders.

Aside from favorites like the Big Sky Broadway theater camp, there will be programs for kids to sharpen their basketball, volleyball, and soccer skills; learn to care for and ride horses; learn ceramics; try archery; and improve their skateboarding tricks.

“We have been working hard to offer interesting and unique opportunities for every kind of child to cultivate any kind of interest they may have,” said Camp Director Katie Coleman.

“We want campers of all ages to express themselves and learn through a variety of channels, whether it’s athletic, artistic or cultural.”

The Rapier Family Foundation and the Yellowstone Club Community Foundation have underwritten many of the costs associated with running the camps. Local businesses have also teamed up with the BSCC to offer campers a range of Big Sky activities for a reduced cost.

“These camps provides kids the chance to experience everything Big Sky has to offer,” said BSCC Director Jessie Wiese, pointing out the high ropes course at Big Sky, whitewater rafting on the Gallatin River and rock climbing on the new boulder.

One program developed over the past few years, the Junior Leadership program, allows students entering seventh through ninth grade to take on leadership roles in the camps and eventually transition into a counselor position.

“The leadership program provides these older campers the framework to take on more challenges, develop self confidence and acquire important skills for their lives,” Wiese said.

Find more information and a full summer schedule at bsccmt.org.

The Jack Creek Preserve Foundation also sponsors the Big Sky Community Corp. Archery Day Camp, held July 8-12 in Big Sky and at the preserve. Find more info at bsccmt.org.

Scholarships now available from Gallatin Canyon Women’s Club BIG SKY – Gallatin Canyon Women’s Club is accepting scholarship applications for the 2012-2013 academic school year through June 1. Applicants must be graduates of Ophir School and attending or planning to attend a postsecondary accredited academic or technical institution.

The club has $4,000 available from its scholarship fund.

The minimum award will be $1,000 and the maximum award $2,000. Awards will be announced on July 1. Scholarship criteria and application form can be found online at gcwomensclub.org.

6 May 3-16, 2013

Local news

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Big Sky Weekly

Housing ideas exchange: meeting three

By Joseph T. O’Connor Big Sky Weekly Editor

an RFP and know who will perform the study by May 8, when the board will host a question and answer session for groups seeking funds.

BIG SKY – At the third housing exchange meet“When you go to the tax board, you’re competing on April 24, attendees stressed the imporing with everyone else [for funding],” Scholz said tance of greater community involvement through during a phone interview. Attending the meeting letters to Big Sky’s Resort Tax Board and filling as a “concerned citizen” rather than an RTB repreout an online housing survey, while subgroups sentative, Scholz recognizes housing is a problem updated first-time attendees on minutes from the in Big Sky. “We’ve got to first two meetings. get this [housing issue] “How can we grow as a community solved, or it will stop our Held in Ophir School’s if there is nowhere for young families economic growth.” cafeteria at 6:30 p.m. to to live who are the future business allow for wider commuowners, educators and young proClemens, who said she’ll nity participation, the fessionals, and who ultimately will be be ready for the Q and meeting, attended by 23 the future of this community?”

A, also explained that people, began with Big the three subcommittees Sky Chamber of Comformed at the second meeting, on March 27, meet merce Executive Director Kitty Clemens’ overseparately to address the community’s housview of the previous two ideas exchanges. ing inventory, development finance options and planning and zoning details for further housing The Chamber applied for $80,000 in resort tax development in the Big Sky area, which has been funding on April 3 for a market assessment and plagued for years with a shortage of sustainable, recommendation for action on the area, Clemens affordable housing. said. The money would go toward attorneys, engineers and real estate economists to perform the Representing the zoning subcommittee, Mindy study, though a request for proposal has yet to Nowakowski, who works in planning and developbe submitted. Until RTB makes a decision about ment at Moonlight Basin Resort, reported that the the funding, the ideas exchange meetings will subcommittee had determined potential developcontinue, as subgroups meet and report on their ment areas, and that these should be spread out findings. around Big Sky rather than in one central location.

She said RTB funding is critical to the process, RTB member Mike Scholz said if Clemens hoped referring to the area’s housing problem as a “crisis.” to get RTB approval, she would need to submit

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Big Sky Weekly

R

H A R I TA C R E API

May 3-16, 2013 7

BLE TRUST PR ESEN TS

“I agree that the economic development and stability of this community is dependent on the availability of housing,” Nowakowski said in an email. “How can we grow as a community if there is nowhere for young families to live who are the future business owners, educators and young professionals, and who ultimately will be the future of this community?”

At the meeting, Clemens also broke down results from a housing survey, which was provided to area employees and requested their feedback on where they currently live, their median income and where they spend their money.

Of 164 respondents, 80 percent live in Big Sky, and 83 percent reported housing there was “very difficult” or “almost impossible” to find, according to the survey, which is still available online at research.net/s/bigsky.

UNDER THE BIG SKY A BENEFIT CONCERT FOR MORNINGSTAR LEARNING CENTER

Clemens stressed the importance of utilizing land already entitled for development in Big Sky, before seeking additional building space.

“As you grow up, you grow inward before you grow out,” she said.

The next housing ideas exchange meeting will take place on May 22, time and place to be determined.

BIG SKY ’S FULL SERVICE GROCERY STORE Hand- cut meats • Fresh baked goods • Gourmet items • Beer & wine

LOCAL F R E SH WEDNESDAY

Delivery available - have your rental unit stocked upon your arrival! 406-995-4636 Open 7 days a week, 6:30am to 8pm Extended hours 6:30am to 10pm December 15-April 15 and July 1- Labor Day

Located in the Meadow Village Center next to Lone Peak Brewery

JULY

03 2013

BIG SKY TOWN CENTER, BIG SKY, MONTANA DOORS OPEN 5PM / SHOW TIME 6PM TICKETS $50 CHILDREN 12 & UNDER FREE WITH PAID ADULT

TICKETS ON SALE MAY 1ST AT TICKETRIVER.COM, THE CAVE SPIRITS AND GIFTS (BIG SKY) AND CACTUS RECORDS (BOZEMAN)

local news

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Big Sky Weekly

Cross Harbor Group acquires The Club at Spanish Peaks’ debt Satterfield chosen as stalking horse bid

By Joseph T. O’Connor Big sky Weekly Editor

Important Impact of the Proposed 2013 Mill Levy area serviced

Stalking horse bids were due April 19. Richardson did not respond to phone calls from the Weekly requesting the number of stalking horse bids submitted.

tax increase 10.362 mills on taxable value

$450k/

the equation

amount paid

Taxable Value x 10.3632 / 1000 = Amount of New Tax

70% of property taxes paid by non-resident owners

V x 10.3632/1000 = tax

annually

What does this cost me? Even with proposed increase, Big Sky residents still pay far less than majority of the county for value of properties protected.

Estimated Monthly Tax

current mill levy comparison

(based on state market value of residential property)

Your vote matters on May 7th Questions or more information?

Contact Big Sky Fire Department, 406-995-2100, www.bigskyfire.org, wfarhat@bigskyfire.org

8.89

$12.67/mo

Sedan

$1,000,000

14.97

$10.14/mo

Three Forks

$800,000

22.82

$7.60/mo

Big Sky

$600,000

38.29

$5.07/mo

Bridger

$400,000

38.88

$2.53/mo

Sourdough

$200,000

Note - The Sourdough Fire District just added 23.71 mills for the next 15 years to build a $2.9 million fire station

39.17

Other changes for the Mountain Mall include a new resort-owned logo store in place of the old Plum Logo, and an Oakley store, both opening June 8 for the summer season. A Burton shop is set to go into the Discovery Center by late summer.

Cost

4

Willow Creek

(406) 580-0155

RanchMT.com

C&P is part of a larger corporation that also owns Mountain Top Pizza, which will also close, and the Black Bear Bar and Grill, which will remain in situ.

Goal

40.08

308 +/- acres, timber, cottonwoods, native grass, ponds Willow Creek runs through, 2,313 +/- sf log cabin, ap. 12 miles to town

When Big Sky Resort approached the Robins with the opportunity, “it seemed like a really nice way to expand with out actually having to move,” Robin said.

M i ll Levy

Increase available career personnel to minimally safe number =

Amsterdam

CABIN ON WILLOW CREEK • LIVINGSTON • $2,449,000

Current BSFD capabilities 2-3 on duty 24 hrs/day, 18 volunteers (Currently available approximately 6% of time)

40.79

130 +/- forested acres, borders public land, meadows, springs, pond 1,489 +/- sf cabin, amazing views, year-round access

14+ per NFPA standards (if water is avail, more needed if no water) Wildland: 8+ people needed

Gallatin Gateway

ROCK CREEK ROAD • EMIGRANT • $2,975,000

“Similar to this Moose, it will be guest service oriented,” said Jackie Robin, who owns the business with her husband Mark. In addition to grocery items, the new market will have a deli counter, grab-n-go sandwiches, fresh salads, ice cream, smoothies and milkshakes.

Min. 2-3 people to treat each patient, plus 4-6 for extrication, fire suppression & traffic direction

49.25

ROCKY MOUNTAIN ROAD • BELGRADE • $4,300,000 719 +/- acres, 3,622 +/- sf home, views, primitive cabin, borders USFS land Mill Creek runs through, water rights, productive hay ground

Structure: 4 people required by OSHA,

Story Mill

More Fine Ranch & Recreational Offerings:

Starting May 1, the Hungry Moose Market and Deli, which opened in the Town Center in 2005, is renovating the 2,000-square-foot space formerly occupied by C&P in the Mountain Mall.

automobile accidents

51.56

LIMA • $2,595,000 187 +/- acres, borders public land on three sides, remote, abundant wildlife 3,500 +/- sf log home, mature forest, meadows, seasonal ponds and springs

Fire incidents

Hebgen Basin

BIG SKY – A 16-year chapter in the Big Sky Resort Mountain Village is over, with the C&P Grocery’s lease up this spring.

45+

EMS accounts for 70% of all responses

3 people gone 3+ hrs

54.5

Big Sky Weekly managing editor

all others

68.95

Hungry Moose signs lease for new on-mountain space C&P to close after 16 years

High priority incidents

+7%/yr +13.6%/yr June & July +88% August +54.7% September +50%

minutes away

An auction for The Club at Spanish Peaks’ assets will be held June 3 at the federal courthouse in Butte.

This is an ongoing story in the Weekly, which will feature subsequent installments as information becomes available.

minutes away

Manhattan

As the stalking horse, Satterfield will be recompensed for due diligence, or fees incurred while testing its investment prior to the auction. These include lawyer fees, research, architects’ plans and other expenses that will likely cost bidders between $200,000 and $300,000, according to the trustee’s lawyer, Stephan Garden.

The stalking horse also receives overbid protection, which requires any future bidder to put forth a bid equal to that of the stalking horse, plus 2.5 percent.

2011 2012

2 people gone 3+ hrs

120.79

In a 106-page docket filed April 26 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Montana entitled, “Chapter 7 Trustee’s Notice of ‘Highest Offer’,” Richardson and Eastdil Secured named Satterfield the stalking horse bidder. The twomonth-old organization submitted the highest bid, a cash offer of $22.05 million.

By Emily Stifler

Broker, GRI, SFR Resort & Recreation Specialist

Low priority incidents

20+

Big Sky & Hwy 191 from Lava Lake turnoff – Yellowstone National Park boundary

increasing call volume

Emergency Medical Services

yellowstone club

-O’DELL CREEK RANCH-

Don Pilotte

Minimum response needs

Minimal mutual aid assistance is available due to location

On April 19, the Boston-based investment company CHG bought the secured debt owed on the assets of Spanish Peaks, which remains in Chapter 7 bankruptcy. CHG purchased these claims, valued at $122 million, for an undisclosed amount from Spanish Peaks Acquisition Partners.

“It doesn’t hurt their position, does it?” said J. Thomas Beckett, attorney for the ad hoc group.

The move also allows CHG to counterbid if another group bids more than the $20 million.

On April 26, Satterfield SP Acquisition, LLC, did just that.

Mutual aid assistance

Central Valley Fire

BIG SKY – Cross Harbor Group, majority owner of the Yellowstone Club, has made a strong move toward acquiring The Club at Spanish Peaks; however, the trustee in charge of the club’s estates has named another entity as the stalking horse bidder.

It then submitted a $20 million credit bid for Spanish Peaks to Ross Richardson, the trustee. As owner of the secured debt, CHG would recoup money bid on the Club by another entity in excess of CHG’s own $20 million bid, according to an email to the ad hoc group of Spanish Peaks homeowners from their steering committee. Essentially, CHG wins even if it loses: If it doesn’t obtain ownership of the club, it will receive cash from whichever entity does.

Mill Levy Community Meeting Dates: Monday, March 25 at 9am, 12pm, 6pm & Thursday, March 28 at 9am, 12pm, 6pm Meetings are held at Big Sky Fire Dept, Station #1

Gallatin River Ranch

8 May 3-16, 2013

10 May 3-16, 2013

regional

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Big Sky Weekly

Bridger Brewing crafting a story on the south side of Bozeman

By Tyler Allen

Big Sky Weekly Staff Writer

BOZEMAN – David Breck started making beer 24 years ago, when he was introduced to home brewing by his brother in Palmer, Ala. Breck’s love of the trade has fermented ever since, and in March 2013, he opened Bridger Brewing in Bozeman.

Breck dabbled in home brewing during college in Stockton, Calif., where he earned a degree in civil engineering at Pacific College.

engineering from MSU. The first year, while establishing Montana residency, he took a job as bartender and assistant brewer at Spanish Peaks Brewery, under the tutelage of current Bozeman Brewing Company owner Todd Scott.

All the while, Breck continued home brewing, honing his craft. Eventually, he wanted to take it a step further.

“I remember saying to [Sigler], ‘I don’t know if I want to consult anymore,’” Breck says. “‘I might be ready to open up a brewery.’ He said, ‘why don’t you do both?’” While building Spanish Peaks into a successful consulting company, they researched financing and potential locations for Bridger Brewing.

In 2010, they were close to finalizing a lease for the Artcraft building on Main Street in Bozeman, when the owner pulled out at the last minute.

After college he moved to Portland, Ore., to do stream surveys for the Forest Service and volunteered at Full Sail Brewery, during the “I feel like everything All good things start with "B": Bridger Brewing owner David Breck pourearly days of the microing a cold beer at his south Bozeman brewery Photo by Tyler Allen happens for a reason,” brewery revolution that Breck said of the setback. started in the Pacific Northwest.

When Spanish Peaks Brewery closed A year later, they found a spot on the in 2003, Breck focused his energy on south side, and started renovations “People started getting into the mindset Watershed Professionals, the conin November 2012 in the Town and that, ‘we can grow, produce and make sulting business he started in 2000.

Country building on 11th Ave. better quality products for ourselves,’” He closed Watershed in 2007 and Breck said of the region in the mid-‘90s.

“A number of people have thanked me opened Spanish Peaks Engineering and for opening this place on this side of Consulting with a new partner, David In 1997, Breck moved to Bozeman town,” Breck says.

Sigler. to pursue a graduate degree in civil

Breck also brought his longtime friend Jim Eberhard in as a business partner and creative force in the kitchen. A fishing and hunting guide, Eberhard had little commercial kitchen experience, but “I had all the confidence in the world he could do it,” Breck says.

They decided fast, fresh food is what many people want when they go out, so they paired “craft beer with craft pizza.” The dough is prepared fresh daily and the sauce is made in house.

The vegetables are sliced and the cheese grated the day it goes on the pizza.

“Oxygen kills beer and it kills food,” Breck said.

Bridger Brewing has relied on word of mouth and grassroots marketing to advertise thus far. It provides beer for Green Drinks – a monthly gathering about sustainability in Bozeman – and hosts weekly community lunches every Tuesday, donating 10 percent of proceeds between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to a local nonprofit.

The brewery’s grand opening is Saturday, May 11, and will feature music from John Floridis, Holler N’ Pine and the Dirty Shame.

Lynx and wolverine evidence sought in camera trapping project near Hebgen Lake

By Katie Smith

ADVENTURERS AND SCIENTISTS FOR CONSERVATION

BOZEMAN – A new partnership between the nonprofit Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation and the Hebgen Lake Ranger District will orchestrate a study this summer searching for rare carnivores like Canada lynx and wolverines in the area surrounding Hebgen Lake.

The ranger district recently conducted a landscape assessment of the watersheds north and east of Hebgen Lake, all part of the Gallatin National Forest, and found the need for habitat improvement projects in the area. However, very little is known about the populations of large carnivores surrounding the lake, according to Forest Service Wildlife Biologist Courtney Frost.

The Hebgen Lake Wildlife Survey will provide the ranger district with evidence of the presence or absence of large carnivore species throughout the watershed.

Working together, Frost and ASC plan to install 12 backcountry camera stations in six drainages in hopes of capturing photographic evidence of these animals. Photographic evidence of wildlife would provide Frost and other researchers with a more complete picture of wildlife behavior throughout the Hebgen Lake area.

“By gaining a better understanding about what species are using these watersheds and where they occur, we will be better able to identify specific projects that may benefit resident wildlife species,” Frost said.

ASC, which is based in Bozeman, recruited volunteer citizen scientists from across the region to help set up and maintain the camera stations.

“This is an opportunity to engage a group of local people in an interesting wildlife conservation project, and to build a community of people who are trained and are capable of continuing these opportunities or working on new projects,” said ASC Program Director Brendan Weiner.

ASC found this to be true in a pine marten camera trapping study in the Olympic National Forest, Washington, this past winter; moreover, Frost agreed.

“Camera trapping is especially good at creating an avenue for forest managers to interact with the public and develop strong working relationships that will improve forest management and community understanding of wildlife issues,” she said.

Find more information at adventureandscience.org.

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May 3-16, 2013 11

Resort tax board now has bonding authority

By Emily Stifler

Big Sky Weekly Managing Editor

HELENA – Start thinking big, Big Sky. Gov. Steve Bullock on April 19 signed a bill that gives the Big Sky Resort Tax Area District bonding authority. Effective immediately, Senate Bill 209 will allow the Resort Tax Board to fund large, longterm projects.

“It’s something we need to have in the financial toolbox when we manage our appropriations,” said resort tax board member Mike Scholz.

A number of Big Sky residents sent letters to the legislature in support of the bill, and Chamber of Commerce Director Kitty Clemens and President David O’Connor testified in Helena during the legislative session, along with Scholz and RTB President Les Loble.

While Scholz said the RTB does not anticipate any specific use for bonding at this time, some of the ideas discussed have been a recreational center/concert venue and a more advanced health care facility.

“Where and when we use it, who knows,” Scholz said. “We at least will have the tool available shortly.”

The new law applies to both Montana Resort Area Districts, Big Sky and St. Regis, which are unincor-

porated areas of less than 2,500 residents where the economy is based on tourism. It could also benefit Craig and Cooke City/Silvergate in the future, both of which are Resort Areas governed by their county commissioners. All four have a 3 percent resort tax.

“It’s actually pretty conservative,” said the bill’s sponsor, Ron Arthun, R-Wilsall, who represents the Cooke City/Silvergate Resort Area and Gardiner, which is considering the possibility of becoming a Resort Area.

“It’s something we need to have in the financial toolbox when we manage our appropriations"

Next, the Big Sky Resort Tax Board has to create an ordinance or add on to the existing administrative resort tax ordinance, said RTB attorney Mona Jamison, who lobbied during the session for the bill.

-Tax board member Mike Scholz To pass a bond in excess of $500,000, a majority vote of the RTB and voter approval would be required; a 4 out of 5 majority board vote with no voter approval for bonds less than that amount. The amount pledged annually to repay bonds for such a project could not exceed 25 percent of the average of the previous five years’ resort tax collections.

“The board just has to think of a few procedures they want to set in place before they decide to move forward with a bond issue,” Jamison said, noting this will govern the timetable and necessary steps for a bond applicant to take, including guidelines for public education and input, and whether the bonding would happen alongside the annual application process.

Montana also has four Resort Area Communities – Red Lodge, West Yellowstone, Virginia City and Whitefish, which are incorporated towns with a population less than 5,500 and have independent bonding authority.

“It is wise for the community leaders to be positioning for growth,” said Montana Director of Commerce Meg O’Leary, who supported SB 209.

“Whether this new authority is utilized or not in Big Sky, it is smart leadership to be ready.”

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Taking stock: Governor, leaders assess 2013 Legislature

Gay rights

Elections

Land access

By Amy R. Sisk

Gay rights activists waited 16 years after a state Supreme Court decision to see a law removed from the books that criminalized gay sex. That day came during this session when all Democrats and a number of Republicans voted to eliminate the law, which the court previously deemed unconstitutional.

Two Republican-backed referendums regarding voting are headed to the 2014 ballot. Dodging likely vetoes from Bullock, Republican lawmakers instead asked voters to end same-day voter registration and establish a “top-two” primary system.

The Legislature approved a measure to provide an income-tax credit of $500 to people who allow access through their property to previously inaccessible state land. At press time, the bill was awaiting the governor’s signature. Other land access proposals fell short, including bills to permit corner crossing, increase funding to procure new easements and add money to the block management program.

Here’s a look back at the 2013 Legislature:

University of Montana Community News Service

HELENA – Montana’s 2013 Legislature had barely adjourned when state leaders from both major parties began chalking up successes and failures.

“The Democrats were able to work with commonsense Main Street Republicans, and we got a lot of great things accomplished,” said Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock at a press conference. “They never let a letter after their name come before their constituents and come before Main Street, Montana.”

A coalition of Republicans defied conservative leaders, siding with Democrats on a number of big-ticket items, and the Legislature approved bills to shore up the state’s pension shortfall, increase education funding and provide state workers with a pay raise.

“We did not raise income taxes, [we] fulfilled our obligations, paid our debts, dealt with our liabilities, made new investments,” Senate Minority Leader Jon Sesso, D-Butte, told his colleagues on the Senate floor.

Lawmakers met their one constitutional obligation: passing a balanced budget.

They also approved $10 billion to fund agencies and programs over the next two years.

Republicans, however, lamented taxpayers will see little, if any, relief. When the session began in January, members of both parties suggested sending part of a $500 million budget surplus back to property and business owners.

“I think the people who like to spend a lot of government money were winners,” said Senate Majority Leader Art Wittich, R-Bozeman. “The losers were the taxpayers and people hoping for reform.”

Republicans blocked Medicaid expansion, but Democrats have vowed to fight to expand the low-income health care program and aren’t ruling out a special session or a voter initiative to extend coverage to 70,000 low-income Montanans.

State employee pay Thousands of government employees across Montana will see a pay raise for the first time in more than four years.

Although the original plan to provide across-the-board 5 percent salary increases over both of the next two years didn’t pan out, lawmakers approved an additional $114 million for state workers. The executive branch must now divvy up that money, focusing on employees with the lowest incomes and those who didn’t receive any raise over the past two years.

Health care Some of the most heated debates came over a proposal to expand Medicaid, the federal-state program that provides health care to low-income Montanans. The Legislature rejected billions of federal dollars under the national Affordable Care Act to extend coverage to uninsured Montanans.

Following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the federal health overhaul, each state was left to decide whether to accept money that would cover people up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level. Beginning in 2017, states will have to pick up some of the tab until they pay 10 percent in 2021.

Taxes Most attempts to cut taxes died this session, but a proposal to reduce the business equipment tax and simplify the state’s income tax code were awaiting the governor’s signature as of press time.

Senate Bill 96 would exempt businesses from paying taxes on the first $100,000 of equipment. Companies with equipment valued up to $6 million will pay a 1.5 percent tax rate. Senate Bill 282 would reduce the number of income tax brackets from seven to two and eliminates tax credits. Montanans will either pay a 4 percent or 6 percent rate.

Guns The Legislature approved several gun rights measures, though not all have made it past Bullock’s desk. One, House Bill 240 would allow students to carry concealed weapons on college campuses.

Another, already signed by Bullock, will keep the names of concealed carry holders confidential.

Campaign finance The governor’s major campaign finance reform bill, known as the TRACE Act, never made it to his desk. The bill aimed to defeat dark money organizations that don’t disclose their donors yet often spend money to attack candidates.

Another measure, this one waiting for Bullock’s signature at press time, would require a disclaimer on election materials funded by anonymous sources.

Disclaimers will read, “This communication is funded by anonymous sources. The voter should determine the veracity of its content.”

Republicans passed a bill that increases contribution limits and was headed to the governor as of press time.

If approved, the referendum to end same-day voter registration would make the Friday before Election Day the last possible day to register to vote.

Republicans say it would help reduce long lines at the polls and ease the burden on election officials.

Democrats say the bill disenfranchises groups of voters and leaves zero room to correct registration errors.

The other referendum would establish a primary system where voters would receive a single ballot and could vote for candidates from any party rather than have to choose which party’s ballot to fill out.

The two candidates who receive the most votes, regardless of party affiliation, would advance to the general election. Democrats argue the bill would kill third parties.

Reproductive health The Legislature passed a measure that criminalizes assaults on pregnant women and result in the death of a fetus. The bill went into law without Bullock’s signature.

Bullock also took no action on a proposal to require parental consent for a minor to have an abortion.

Pro-choice groups urged him to allow the bill to become law to avoid an identical voter referendum in 2014. They plan to challenge the law in court.

Drones Montana’s first effort to regulate drone use was headed to the governor’s desk at press time. Senate Bill 196 prohibits authorities from using information collected by drones in criminal proceedings unless it was obtained with a search warrant or through the monitoring of public lands or international borders.

Marijuana Attempts to change Montana’s medical marijuana laws failed this session, but the Legislature established new restrictions on drugged driving to designate a limit that legally constitutes impairment. The new law sets the maximum amount of tetrahydrocannabinol – the active ingredient in cannabis – that drivers can have in their blood at 5 nanograms per milliliter.

Reporter Amy Sisk can be reached at amy.sisk@umontana.edu. Follow @amyrsisk on Twitter for the latest from the Capitol.

Pensions Two of the governor’s proposals to shore up a projected $4 billion shortfall in the state’s pension systems over the next 30 years passed both chambers. The plans address the teachers’ and public employees’ retirement systems by increasing contributions from employers and employees and drawing from state funds.

Parties reach agreement in NorthWestern Energy rate case proceeding Natural gas ratepayers to see monthly increase

K-12 education

HELENA – The Montana Public Service Commission on April 23 approved settlement agreements that resolve NorthWestern Energy’s application to increase natural gas delivery service rates.

A historic education funding reform bill, Senate Bill 175, will send an additional $50.5 million to public schools. The bill drew support from Republicans and Democrats after Llew Jones, R-Conrad, worked with education officials across the state for two years on the comprehensive proposal.

The bill freezes some school property taxes for the next two years, increases the state entitlement districts receive and sends additional money to schools with significant enrollment increases. It allows schools in oil- and gas-producing areas to keep up to 130 percent of their maximum budgets in production-tax revenue.

Higher education The Legislature and Montana University System agreed to freeze in-state tuition over the next two years and implement a performance-based funding system to divvy up an additional $7.5 million between the state’s colleges. Lawmakers approved campus building projects, including $29 million for a new Missoula College.

Bakken Eastern Montana towns feeling the effects of the oil boom might soon see relief.

Lawmakers approved a new oil and gas impact program, which would provide grants to Bakken-area towns in need of new infrastructure. The program, administered through the Department of Commerce, would draw money from the state’s share of federal mineral royalties to the tune of $10 million per year.

Under stipulated terms approved on a 4-1 vote, a typical residential customer using 100 therms of natural gas would see a $3.72, or 4.57 percent, increase on monthly bills. That customer’s monthly natural gas bill would increase from $81.41 per month to $85.13.

That’s still lower than five years ago, when a residential natural gas bill averaged $158.69. A total residential natural gas bill approved in the stipulation is more than 46 percent lower than with June 2008 rates, and the agreement is $1.7 million less than interim rates effective April 1.

NorthWestern is required to refund any overcollection plus interest at 10.25 percent.

As part of the stipulated agreements, the Montana Consumer Counsel, Large Customer Group and NWE agreed to a revenue increase of $11.5 million for gas delivery service. That’s about $4.2 million less than the utility requested in its general rate case filing with the PSC. Commissioners said the settlement strikes a balance by providing the utility needed revenue

to safely and reliably operate and maintain its natural gas system at a reasonable cost to ratepayers. Commissioners have instructed PSC staff to begin drafting an order formally approving the stipulations and a 9.8 percent return on equity.

Commissioner Roger Koopman, R-Bozeman, said the company is making investments he believes will improve the safety of all its gas customers, pointing to the March 5, 2009 natural gas explosion that killed one woman and destroyed several buildings in downtown Bozeman. The stipulated increase will help pay for ongoing infrastructure improvements to help prevent future disasters, he said.

Travis Kavulla, R-Great Falls, was the one commissioner who voted against the terms.

“On a line-by-line list, I went through all the issues contested in the proceeding and came up with my own personal decision on what should be included,” Kavulla told the Weekly. “The rate increase I saw as necessary would have been around $8.5-9.5 million.”

The main drivers of the rate case, Kavulla said, were on increases to operations and maintenance expenses with regard to personnel, health care cost, tax increases, plus infrastructure invest-

A typical residential customer using 100 therms of natural gas will see a

4.57 % increase on monthly bills (about $3.72)

ments, some of which are being undertaken because of federal mandates intended to improve pipeline safety.

But even so, he said, the PSC doesn’t know the details of how the $11.5 million will be spent.

“Basically all the parties in this rate proceeding came together and said, ‘We’re not going to tell you how we arrived at this figure.’” Kavulla said.

“None of us know how they got to this $11.5 million.”

A number of southwest Montana towns use NWE’s natural gas, including Bozeman, Belgrade, Big Timber, Gallatin Gateway, Whitehall and Three Forks.

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PSC opposes proposed greenhouse gas regulations

Nat Geo expedition documents wolverines and snow leopards in Mongolia

MONTANA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

ADVENTURERS AND SCIENTISTS FOR CONSERVATION

up camera traps and hair snares for later research.”

BOZEMAN – A month-long expedition sponsored by the National Geographic Expeditions Council has returned from the mountains of northern Mongolia, where it collected data for a winter wildlife survey in the Darhad Region. The team documented wolverines and snow leopards, a rare species previously thought eradicated from the ecosystem.

Finding what could be snow leopard tracks is considered an incredible discovery for the team, as many research-

HELENA – The Montana Public Service Commission recently went on record opposing a federal agency’s proposed rules to restrict greenhouse gas emissions for new power plants, particularly coalfired generators.

In a two-page letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the fivemember commission said the rules would make it impracticable to construct any new coal-fired electrical generation in the U.S. The commissioners unanimously urged withdrawal of the EPA’s proposed rules for New Source Performance Standards.

first carbon pollution standards for new power plants under the Clean Air Act. The rules would limit carbon dioxide emissions from new power plants to 1,000 pounds per megawatt-hour of electricity. Existing plants and new generators permitted to begin construction in the next year are exempt.

“Considerable progress has been made to making coal-fired generation more efficient and cleaner.

Incremental progress is important, and a total transformation of coal-fired technology cannot be achieved overnight.”

“As members of the regulatory body responsible for ensuring that Montanans have access to a safe, reliable and affordable energy supply, we have grave concerns about your agency’s proposed rules...” the commission’s April 23 letter states in part.

The EPA recently delayed issuance of the draft rules, proposed in March 2012 as the nation’s

The federal agency believes new natural gas combinedcycle power plants would meet the draft standard, as would most existing natural gas plants. The Montana commission has concerns that the new rules would stifle efforts to improve coal technology.

“Considerable progress has been made to making coal-fired generation more efficient and cleaner.

Incremental progress is important, and a total transformation of coalfired technology cannot be achieved overnight,” the commission’s letter states.

“By establishing standards such as those envisioned by the NSPS, we worry that virtually all investment in further refining coal technologies will evaporate.”

Commissioner Travis Kavulla, R-Great Falls, brought the work session to the commission seeking a unanimous response to the EPA. He observed that Montana’s coal reserves could either be used in the U.S. or be shipped abroad, and that the EPA rule seemed to limit coal’s options exclusively to the latter.

“We hear all the time that we need an all-of-theabove energy policy,” Kavulla said. “The EPA’s proposed rule is in direct contradiction of that principle.”

Commissioners called the EPA rule “unworkable,” saying it fails to account for variations in types of coal, coal plants and their emissions profiles.

While Montanans have benefited from low commodity costs during a national surge in natural gas production with both job creation and low energy bills, commissioners urged against reliance on a single energy source.

The commission noted that Montana has among the largest coal reserves in the country and said the proposed rules would be a bane for the state.

“The Montana Public Service Commission remains unconvinced that any additional regulation in this area is necessary, and would urge that the proposed rule be withdrawn at this time.”

Called The Ring of Darhad Expedition, the group of five set out on March 27 to search for hair, tracks and scat of wolverines and 20 other species. Thousands of The Ring of Darhad Expedition team Photo courtesy of ASC students and educators followed them through updates from the team during its 400-mile circumnavigaers believed the elusive cat had been tion of the Darhad Valley. driven out of the region. Prior to the The Darhad Region is the southern extent of the wolverines’ range in Mongolia, and researchers want to learn more about the species’ populations in the area.

“Now we have a definite indication that there are wolverines in the areas where we found tracks,” said expedition member Rebecca Watters, a leading wolverine researcher in Mongolia. “We now have a better idea of where to set

Be a part of appropriating resort tax funds

Attend the upcoming community meetings in the Big Sky Chapel May 8 and June 12 at 1:00 p.m.

expedition, there were accounts of snow leopards from local herders and hunters, but no DNA or track evidence to bolster this claim.

The team also identified the tracks of wolves, lynx, moose, fox and deer, as well as spotting several ptarmigan. The expedition leader, Gregg Treinish, is Executive Director of the Bozemanbased Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation.

for more information go to resorttax.org

Sen. Baucus announces retirement BIG SKY WEEKLY STAFF WRITER

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., announced on April 23 that he plans to retire in 2014.

Chairman of the influential Senate Finance Committee, Baucus, 71, has served six terms in the Senate and two in the House, and is second in seniority only to Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. Baucus, who helped write the Affordable Care Act, caused a stir within his party last month as one of only four democrats to vote against expanded background checks for gun sales.

“In the next year and a half, instead of campaigning, I want to spend all my hard work, shoe leather, and luck working hard for the people of Montana,” Baucus said in an email to constituents.

“I want to make one thing very clear: there is important work left to do, and I intend to spend the next year and a half getting it done. I’m not turning out to pasture.”

The Senator noted that he is “focused on simplifying the tax code, tackling the debt, passing trade agreements, and implementing affordable healthcare for families,” among other things.

The Washington Post, which broke the news of Baucus’s retirement on April 23, ran a major feature on April 8 about

his goal to fully rewrite the 5,600page U.S. tax code, something that hasn’t been accomplished in more than 25 years.

“The task would be gargantuan, and much of Washington has called it impossible in these contentious times,” wrote reporter Lori Montgomery.

“But after two years of watching President Obama and congressional leaders take on tax policy and other areas of the committee’s vast jurisdiction, the Montana Democrat …was ready to reclaim his turf.”

ti meles s uni que hist oric

Baucus aims to simplify the tax code without raising revenue, again putting him at odds with his party, most of which would prefer an overhaul that raises revenue and reduces the deficit.

Baucus is one of six Democrats to announce retirement from the Senate, as Republicans hope to regain control in midterm elections.

Former Gov. Brian Schweitzer, a popular Democrat, told the Great Falls Tribune he wouldn’t rule out running.

Rep. Steve Daines, state Attorney General Tim Fox, and 2012 nominee and former congressman Denny Rehberg are all speculative Republican nominees.

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Section 2:

business, health and environment

Volume 4 // Issue No. 8

0% APR Financing for 60 months with $16.67 per $1,000 borrowed on new: 2013 Corolla, 2013 Camry (gas and hybrid), 2013 Prius Liftback (Two), 2013 Prius v, 2013 Venza, 2013 Sienna, 2013 Highlander (gas), 2013 Tundra (B/C Cab) and 2013 Tundra CrewMax. APR financing through Toyota Financial Services with approved credit. Tier I+ thru III only, except new 2013 Camry (gas and hybrid) Tier I+ and I only. Cash back from manufacturer. $2,750 Cash Back on 2013 Tundra CrewMax, $500 Cash Back on 2013 Camry (gas) and $500 Cash Back on 2013 Corolla, does not include College or Military Rebates. $1,000 Tundra CrewMax subvention cash from manufacturer, not applicable for cash back offers and must qualify for cash through TFS. Offers good in WA, OR, ID, and MT. For ID and MT state dealerships, a documentary service fee in an amount up to $350 may be added to vehicle price. For Washington state dealerships, a negotiable documentary service fee in an amount up to $150 may be added to sale price or capitalized cost. For Oregon state dealerships, a negotiable documentary service fee in an amount up to $100 may be added to vehicle price. Oregon state dealerships not using an electronic vehicle registration system may only apply fees up to $75 to vehicle price. Does not include taxes, license, title, processing fees, insurance and dealer charges. Subject to availability. See your local participating Toyota dealer for details. Must take retail delivery from dealer stock by 6/3/13.

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A destination wedding at Moonlight Basin Photo by Kene Sperry

5/1/13 12:40 PM

Destination weddings on the rise in Montana, Big Sky

By Emily Stifler

Creighton Block

BIG SKY – Now worth an estimated $48 billion annually, according to industry analysts at IBIS World, the U.S. wedding industry has taken a major upswing in the last decade.

Montana and Big Sky are riding the wave, for both in-state and destination weddings.

11:00 aM - 7:00 PM // tUeSday thrU SUnday MondayS By aPPointMent

Since starting Eye in the Sky Photography in 2002, local photographer Kene Sperry has seen exponential growth in sales, even in a market that sometimes seemed flooded.

Please visit the galler y to view our extensive collection of fine works of ar t in the Main galler y, the charsam room, and the new Private collection.

“You have to be open to different kinds of people and different ways of life,” Sperry says of his work, which is focused on portraiture and weddings.

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The trick to wedding photography, Sperry says, is making people feel comfortable, engaging with them and asking questions – plus having a really good understanding of light. “It’s about connections with people, about giving more than just images.”

But these are only part of the reason behind Eye in the Sky’s growth.

“Montana is a beautiful place for a couple to bring their friends and family, and to have a personal experience that will be with them the rest of their lives,” said Katalin Green, founder of the destination wedding planning resource, Montana Bride.

“Couples come from all over – from Paris, Tokyo, Dubai and from Austin, Texas. The appeal is the mountains, the rivers… whether they take advantage of fly fishing, they appreciate the clean water, the environment and the western lifestyle.”

Add to photography clothing and jewelry, catering, planning and consultation, party and venue rentals, music, lodging, car rentals, health and beauty products, gifts and registries, and it’s clear weddings are a major part of the local, regional and tourist economies in the state.

But no one can really say what the industry adds annually to the state economy.

“It’s a hell of a lot of money,” said GJ Hensen, vice president of Northwest Montana Wedding and Event Professionals and owner of Celebrate Rentals in Whitefish.

“You’re talking millions.”

A cookie from Montana Bride's Say "I Do" in Montana Campaign Photo by Tori Pintar

The Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research in Missoula hasn’t studied it, and the state Department of Tourism sees the industry as “very niche,” said Sarah Lawlor, communications director for that office and the Department of Commerce.

“We don’t concentrate a lot of resources on that specific a market, choosing rather to concentrate on the larger audience that have the

qualities and inclination to visit a place like Montana, understanding we will also capture those people… interested in the type of destination wedding Montana could provide,” Lawlor said in an email.

However, the state’s website has a page dedicated to wedding planning, with information on 600 businesses that provide related services.

One, Gibson Mansion, a Missoula bed and breakfast that hosts private weddings, has seen an increase in destination weddings in the past five years, according to owners Tom and Nancy Malikie. During the recession, Gibson still hosted upscale weddings, but typically with smaller guest lists.

“This seems to be shifting, … and we are seeing the return of larger guest size weddings planned for the 2013

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season,” the Malikies wrote in an email.

In Big Sky, Rainbow Ranch Lodge is reporting a similar trend. The lodge hosts around 30 weddings a year, 70 percent of which are destination events, and also does rehearsal dinners for weddings elsewhere in Big Sky. “People still got married when times were low, but maybe watched the budget a bit more,” said General Manager Mollie Eckman. “Now it’s not quite so budget conscious.”

Both Eckman and Green would like to see the business grow.

“Wedding tourism shows huge economic potential,” said Green, who distributes Montana Bride magazine in cities including Chicago, Miami and New York, as well as in Montana airports. Green recently presented her new campaign, Say “I Do” in Montana, to the Governor.

“We live in a town that’s all about tourism,” said Tori Pintar, also a wedding photographer in Big Sky. “That’s why many of us are able to live here.

The wedding industry capitalizing on that can benefit [us] hugely.”

Big Sky Resort and Moonlight Basin are on board with that sentiment.

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Having doubled its wedding count between 2011 and 2012, Big Sky is reinventing itself as a venue for the events, said Wedding Sales Manager Margo Humphries.

“We have so much to do here in summer. We have the infrastructure, so it was more retraining our brains around the wedding offerings and standards.”

D E V E L O P M E N T O P P O RT U N I T I E S N OW AVA I L A B L E

Residential & Commercial

Last year it hosted 25 weddings, and this year is on track for the same number. ApproxNewlyweds taking a lift to their new life together Photo by Tori Pintar imately 75 percent of those are from out of The Big Sky Chamber of ComThe effort, she said, could be state, with the rest from merce’s new website, visitbigskymt. comparable to the Biggest Skiing in Billings. Lodging at the resort has com, set to launch in June, will America marketing campaign, which seen an uptick, as well, Humphies provide information for people marketed in New York subways said. planning a meeting or wedding this year. “I think we can do the here, said Chamber Membership same thing with making Montana Moonlight has been rebuilding the Sales and Event Manager, Danielle a destination wedding spot… All program since taking ownership Chamberlain. these people will come here, stay in of Jack Creek Grille in 2011, said our hotels, go to the parks, spend Moonlight Basin Event Manager Pintar would like to see both the money at our businesses and come Michelle Frederick, and this summer business community of Big Sky back again. People fall in love with has over 20 private events schedas well as the state of Montana up Montana, they never want to leave.” uled, with an even mix of local, their wedding marketing, which she regional and national brides. called “behind the times.”

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Small business workshop to showcase tourist-friendly companies Panelists include social media experts from Facebook and Google OFFICE OF SEN. JON TESTER

BOZEMAN – Sen. Jon Tester, DMont., is hosting a Tourism Small Business Opportunity Workshop in Bozeman on Friday, May 17 at Montana State University.

The goal is to connect national tourism industry leaders with Montana businesses, expanding tourism opportunities and creating jobs. The session will include a panel dubbed “Big Sky Advantage,” featuring four tourismrelated businesses:

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Rob Torres, Google Head of Travel – trains travel industry businesses to expand online presence using the search engine Brooke Oberwetter, Facebook Associate Manager for Public Policy – trains small business owners to communicate with customers via Facebook Luther Lowe, Yelp Director of Public Policy – develops products and procedures for businesses to connect with customers through Yelp.

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John Herzer, Blackfoot River Outfitters – Missoula-based fly fishing guide company

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Randy Roberson, Yellowstone Vacations – custom Yellowstone travel company

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Benjamin Bennett, Massive Studios – Bozeman marketing agency with tourism industry clients

The workshop, which begins at 9 a.m., is free and open to the public. Those interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP at tester.senate.gov/rsvp.

Tester’s Bozeman workshop builds on 12 previous small business workshops held around Montana attended by more than 2,000 Montana companies and individuals.

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Kaleigh Brook, When in Rome Pizza – Mediterranean restaurant in Bigfork

Another panel, “Touting the Treasure State through Technology” will feature experts on social media and paid Internet advertising:

Sean O’Connor, Bing Sales Manager – helps small businesses grow with search advertising

multi-family • 23 residential entitlements • 2 triplex foundations installed • Site plan for finishing development • Utilities installed into site (as-built utility plans included) • All SFE’s included

Finished condo • 3 bedroom/2.5 bath • 1,854 sq.ft.

• Custom interior finishes • Located in Town Center and within walking distance to shops, restaurants and parks

CONTRACT PENDING

Completed commercial space for sale with established tenants

9,757 sq. ft •

Block 5 Lot D1

$292,500

OFFER PENDING

Commercial Development Opportunity

• • • •

Cottonwood Crossing Unit 9

$350,000

Block 5 Lot B1

MARKET PLACE BUILDING

• • • •

Adjacent to movie-theater and restaurant 0.14 acres - 5,913sq.ft.

84.47’ (street front) by 70’ (depth) Including 4,500 sq.ft. of commercial entitlements SFE’s included Parking lot paved, illuminated Utilities to lot Town Center Avenue location

• •

Within the amazing Big Sky Town Center core Two story commercial building with established tenants Frontage on Hwy 64 (Lone Mountain Trail)

Unit/Pricing 102: $537,662 – 1,595 sq/ft 103: $394,410 – 1,170 sq/ft 104: $405,924 – 1,204 sq/ft 201: $489,465 – 1,452 sq/ft 202: $325,596 - 966sq/ft 203: $365,760 - 1,085sq/ft (Last unit available for lease) 205: $369,509 - 1,096sq/ft

Block 5 Lot E1

$405,000

OFFER PENDING

Commercial Development Opportunity

• • • • • • • •

0.14 acres - 5,913 sq. ft.

84.47’ (street front) by 70’ (depth) Including 5,000 sq. ft. of commercial entitlements Including 4 residential entitlements for 2nd level units SFE’s included Parking lot paved, illuminated Utilities to lot Town Center Avenue location

Ladd, Kulesza & Company

For more information or private showings contact:

Real Estate Brokerage, Consulting & Development

406-995-2404

4 0 6 - 9 9 5 - 2 4 0 4 • L K R E A L E S TAT E . C O M

Ryan Kulesza – 406-539-4666

All information given is considered reliable, but because it has been supplied by third parties, we cannot represent that it is accurate or complete, and should not be relied upon as such. These offerings are subject to errors, omissions, and changes including price or withdrawal without notice. All rights reserved. Equal Housing Opportunity. ©2013 LK REAL ESTATE, llc. lkrealestate.com

20 May 3-16, 2013

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business

May 3-16, 2013 21

business profile

May 3-16, 2013 21

Kevin Red Star: Native artist, ambassador and historian but I always include some symbol of the Crow people that is recognizable in most of my subject matter.”

Red Star’s work is a synthesis of traditional and contemporary imagery, marked by bright, bold colors and brushstrokes with a mastery of light and movement. His style has evolved from abstract to impressionism to realism, but he currently feels most comfortable portraying the Crow nation in an impressionistic style.

Working from a studio in Roberts, Mont., Red Star is currently painting five to six pieces simultaneously, including a prominent Crow leader, a Crow Indian dressed in ceremonial attire, as well as a series of horses to be featured next fall in Big Sky’s Creighton Block Gallery, which already has nine originals on display.

Kevin Red Star, at the John Bozeman Bistro in Bozeman, looks at the restaurant’s menu covers, which all feature different images of his work. Photo by Maria Wyllie

By Maria Wyllie

Big Sky Weekly Editorial Assistant

Kevin Red Star is a leader in the mainstream contemporary art world and a true living legend. A Crow Indian, his courage to create original works on canvases of epic dimensions has brought Native American art into the international spotlight.

“I’m on my way to do something,” said Red Star, 70, in a soft-spoken, yet dignified voice. “I’m on a journey here.”

Red Star’s artistic journey formally began when he was invited to attend the newly established Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, N.M., in 1962. But his love for painting began long before that.

Growing up in the small town of Lodge Grass on the expansive Crow reservation of eastern Montana, Red Star, whose Crow name is “Running Rabbit,” grew up in a culturally rich environment that nurtured his artistic inclinations.

His mother’s intricate beadwork and vibrant costume designs for tribal fairs played a role in his understanding of Crow ornamentation, graphics and symbolism.

These childhood influences grew stronger as he explored his history and culture through modern art techniques at the IAIA.

“I’m doing an interpretation, but it’s still Crow,” he said. “There might be some exaggerated forms,

Photo courtesy of Jolene Budeski-Callahan

Hope Dream Vision, 1989, Oil on Canvas, 36x30

“Kevin is a true pioneer,” Mathews said. “He has invented art that brings tribal mythology and forms and colors to life in works that are, in their line and composition, extraordinary contemporary art by any standards.”

Despite the Crow people’s appreciation for the arts, art as a profession was unheard of at that time. Indian sketches were sold as tourist knickknacks until the inception of the IAIA, where Red Star began to visually record and preserve the history of his people.

Originals of Kevin Red Star’s work may be seen in museum collections around the world, including the Pierre Cardin’s Escape Museum

Jolene Budeski-Callahan practicing yoga in Greece

Creighton Block owner Colin Mathews calls the artist “a vibrant force in contemporary art.”

“It was a love that needed to be fed,” Red Star said, referring to his decision to attend the IAIA. “I really just wanted to create.”

pick your pearls.

After four decades of painting professionally, Red Star continues to refine his work and bring new life to every piece. “It’s a labor of love,” he says.

Personal training for you and your mom

By Barbara Rowley

in Paris, France; the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.; and the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Ariz. His work can also be found at select regional museums such as the Whitney Museum of Western Art in Cody, Wyo., the Yellowstone Art Museum in Billings and the C.M. Russell Museum in Great Falls.

Mother’s day is Sunday, May 12, and for the month of May, personal trainer Jolene Budeski-Callahan is offering a Mother’s Day special at Big Sky Fitness Fusion that gives you and your mom time together and also gives back to the local school.

One to two children, ages 10 and up, and their mother can purchase a one-hour training session or a onemonth starter package. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Big Sky School District Booster club.

The sessions will be tailored to what each mom and child are looking to improve, whether that is all-around fitness or sports specific skills, BudeskiCallahan said.

“I love to help build speed and strength for basketball players, and work the backs and arms of golfers,” says the certified trainer and level 10 gymnast. “And as a climber and mountain biker myself, I truly enjoy building the combination of strength and endurance these sports require.”

But all-around fitness is also a Budeski specialty; she is known to mentally count every muscle group as you work out.

Budeski-Callahan is particularly excited about working with family groups. “Working out is just such a great way to spend time together.

And it starts creating healthy habits that can last a lifetime.”

Kauffman Index ranks Montana first in nation for entrepreneurs HELENA – A report released in midApril shows that Montana has the highest ranking for entrepreneurial activity of all 50 states, with 530 entrepreneurs for every 100,000 adults.

Buffalo Tipi, 2012, Acrylic on Canvas, 48x60

“The No. 1 ranking confirms what I see when I meet with people in communities all across Montana,” said Gov. Steve Bullock. “Whether I’m talking with an optics firm in Bozeman, a software developer in Polson or a ‘green’ bio-products company in Missoula, it’s clear that the economic strength of Montana lies in our small businesses.”

The annual ranking was published by the Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity, a leading indicator of new business creation in the U.S. In its report, the Kauffman Foundation found that the national 2012 business start-up rate had declined slightly – from 0.32 percent of American adults per month starting businesses in 2011, to 0.30 percent in 2012.

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“The quality of life we enjoy in Montana, and the quality of our workforce and our education system, all contribute to attracting and inspiring people with a strong entrepreneurial spirit,” Bullock said.

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May 3-16, 2013 23

2013 NFL Draft winners

By Brandon Niles

Big sky weekly sports columnist

The 2013 NFL draft is in the books, and while much of it went as expected, there were several surprises. The Kansas City Chiefs took Central Michigan offensive tackle Eric Fisher with the first pick and the Detroit Lions grabbed defensive end Ezekiel Ansah from BYU in the least surprising move of the draft.

The Miami Dolphins and St. Louis Rams blew up most pundits’ predictions by trading up for Oregon outside linebacker Dion Jordan and wide receiver Tavon Austin of West Virginia, respectively. Here is a look at which teams I think came out on top in 2013.

Minnesota was the biggest winner of Day 1, maneuvering around the draft board and winding up with three first round picks. The Vikings took defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd

– who was projected to go in the top ten – out of Florida with the 23rd pick and should start right away for an already stellar defensive line.

Getting a player of his caliber that late in the first round is excellent value and fills a need. The Vikings also drafted cornerback Xavier Rhodes from Florida State with pick 25. He’s a physical player with the size and ability to contribute immediately and replaces the departed Antoine Winfield. Finally, Minnesota traded back into the first round to take Tennessee wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson at 29. Patterson has tremendous big play ability and will help young quarterback Christian Ponder immediately.

On Day 2, the Cardinals grabbed inside linebacker Kevin Minter from LSU, a first round talent who slid to the second round. In the third round they picked cornerback Tyrann Mathieu, also from LSU, who has uncanny instincts and playmaking ability. The Cardinals also plucked a starter in the first round with UNC offensive guard Jonathan Cooper, and they got excellent value in the later rounds with Texas defensive end Alex Okafor and Texas A&M wide receiver Ryan Swope.

The draft is my favorite time of year, because fans can be optimistic that their team will get the best of the rookie crop, and find that young superstar who will catapult them into the playoffs.

The Bengals nabbed three players who should start immediately, early in the second and third rounds. After picking Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert in the first, Cincinnati got the versatile UNC running back Giovanni Bernard with their first second round pick.

Bernard is an excellent back who will contribute to the already potent Bengal offense. They also got Margus Hunt in the second round, the versatile defensive end from Southern Methodist. I predicted him to go in the first, and he should be an immediate contributor to the Bengals hybrid defense. In the third round, they drafted Georgia safety Shawn Williams, who should con-

tend for a starting job right away. I also like the pick of South Carolina center T.J. Johnson in the seventh; he should be a solid rotational player early on.

While many teams did well in the 2013 NFL draft, the Vikings, Cardinals and Bengals should be especially pleased with the talent they acquired. With the NFL draft over, teams will now scour the list of undrafted players to uncover the next hidden gem, and will look toward rookie camps to start scheming ways to use their new young stars.

The draft is my favorite time of year, because fans can be optimistic that their team will get the best of the rookie crop, and find that young superstar who will catapult them into the playoffs.

Brandon Niles has done online freelance writing about sports since 2007, and co-hosts the 2 Guys Podcast. With a Masters in Communication Studies from 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.

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24 May 3-16, 2013

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wanted to rent

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The Turd Burglar: Pet waste removal in Big Sky. Contact Chad: (406) 600-6769

help wanted The Hungry Moose Market and Deli in Big Sky is Hiring Part-Time or Full Time Deli & Grocery positions. Kitchen/baking skills preferred for Deli. Opening 2nd location summer 2013 at base of Big Sky Resort. Good pay/Benefits/ Year round job security. We look for a friendly smile, initiative, team player, strong work ethic. Application online: hungrymoose.com or at front counter 406-995-3045

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Unique Large Polar Bear Rug Mount in Bozeman. Great for lodge, home or business display. Very impressive 10 feet x 2 inches from nose to tail (11 1/2 feet tall when standing!) Hunted pre-1972 endangered species act. Call 406-577-6588 (cell) or 406-587-6281.

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In ad messaging, the rule of thumb is to keep it simple. The first goal of an advertisement should be to create an emotional response from a consumer to a product, service, or message.

Think of the Got Milk? campaign. Rather than an ad describing the health benefits, the taste and the origin, it focused on two things: the product and the consumer. In those two words, it created a direct relationship with a simple question.

Third, ads should limit the messaging, as to not confuse the consumer. Using the same example, if the ad campaign said, “Got milk, butter, cheese, yogurt and ice cream?”, it wouldn’t have the same impact and would have lost the consumer on the second item.

While not every product or service is so universally known to warrant such brevity, the info graphic at right has are some questions and suggestions to consider when advertising, to keep your message clear.

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GET YOUR

GRUB ON

MESSAGE

AUDIENCE

What specifically do you want to promote?

General brand awareness?

A time sensitive special?

A focus on a particular aspect of you company?

An introduction of your company or product?

Keep the message simple.

Who is your audience?

Tourists?

Locals?

Youth?

Families?

Design your message to elicit a response from your targeted audience.

ACTION

EMOTION

The second goal should be to incite action. This doesn’t need to be done through a lot of text; in fact, in our short attention span world, it’s better done through subtle cues. Got Milk? insinuates the reader should have milk without overtly saying so.

What action would you like potential consumers to take from the ad?

Buy your product?

Research your product on his or her own?

Ask you for more information?

Refer another consumer to your company?

Direct the consumer to the desired action.

What emotion are you trying to incite?

Security?

Excitement?

Confidence?

Happiness?

Match the message to the desired emotional result.

While the end goal is always to create more business, it’s best to think about how it applies to your particular product or service. Items such as milk can be an impulsive purchase, but high end products and professional services often require multiple touch points, more in depth research and a stronger consumer emotional connection prior to purchase.

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May 3-16, 2013 25

The message of an ad

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Keep it simple

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

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26 May 3-16, 2013

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Big Sky Weekly

Shakespeare in the Parks announces 2013 summer tour Performing Henry V and The Recruiting Officer in 60 towns BOZEMAN – Montana Shakespeare in the Parks will perform William Shakespeare’s Henry V and George Farquhar’s The Recruiting Officer during its upcoming 2013 tour throughout Montana, northern Wyoming, eastern Idaho, western North Dakota and eastern Washington this summer.

In its 41st season, the troupe expects to give 75 performances in 60 of the region’s communities. The company features 10 professional actors who tour without technical assistance, bringing live theatre primarily to underserved, rural communities.

The 10-week tour launches June 19 with eight performances in Bozeman, and then hits the road July 1 through Sept. 8. All performances of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks, with the exception of those at Bozeman’s Sweet Pea Festival, are free.

“This summer, an anticipated audience of more than 30,000 will be treated to two wonderful performances that encompass classic history to hilarious restoration comedy,” said Joel Jahnke, MSIP’s artistic director and a professor of theater at Montana State University.

Jahnke, who has been with the company since 1977, will direct this year’s production of Henry V, and associate artistic director William Brown will direct The Recruiting Officer.

Montana Shakespeare in the Parks is an outreach program of Montana State University’s College of Arts and Architecture.

For more information on the plays and a complete tour schedule, visit shakespeareintheparks.org.

Selected performances from the 2013 tour schedule

July 1 - Big Timber, Henry V, 6:30 p.m., City Park July 23 - Cody, Wyo., The Recruiting Officer, 6:30 p.m., Canal Park July 24 - Red Lodge, Henry V, 6 p.m., Lions Park July 25 - Cooke City/Silver Gate, The Recruiting Officer, 6 p.m., Silver Gate Park July 27 - Gardiner, The Recruiting Officer, 6 p.m., Arch Park July 30 - Driggs, Idaho, Henry V, 6:30 p.m., Driggs City Center Plaza July 3 - Dillon, Henry V, 6 p.m., JayCee Park Aug. 1 - Chico Hot Springs, Henry V, 6 p.m., Main Lawn

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If your event falls between May 17 and May 30, please submit your event by May 10.

big sky Sunday, May 5 Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Jim Devita WMPAC, 7 p.m.

TUESDAY, MAY 7

Big Sky Rural Fire Dept. Levy Election Ophir/LPHS, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Ennis School District Election Big Sky Resort, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 8

Resort Tax Q & A Big Sky Chapel, 11 a.m.

Volleyball Open Gym Lone Peak High School, 7-9 p.m.

THURSDAY, MAY 9

Big Sky CVB Meeting Big Sky Chamber of Commerce, 8:30-10 a.m.

TUESDAY, MAY 14

Big Sky Chamber Board Meeting Big Sky Chamber of Commerce, 8:30-10 a.m.

Aug. 4 - Sweet Pea, Bozeman, Henry V, 5 p.m., Lindley Park

WEDNESDAY, MAY 15

Aug. 15 - St. Ignatius, The Recruiting Officer, 6 p.m., St. Ignatius Amphitheater Sept. 2 - Bozeman, The Recruiting Officer, 6 p.m., Rockin’ TJ Ranch Sept. 5 - Big Sky, The Recruiting Officer, 6 p.m., Town Center Sept. 6 - Livingston, The Recruiting Officer, 6 p.m., Shane Center Sept. 8 - Bozeman, Henry V, 1 p.m., Ellen Theater

Volleyball Open Gym Lone Peak High School, 7-9 p.m.

Bozeman FRIDAY, MAY 3

Jabs Hall Groundbreaking Ceremony MSU, 1:15 p.m.

Farm & Ranch Show Gallatin County Fairgrounds, 5 p.m.

The Barns of Montana Lecture Gallatin Pioneer Museum, 7 p.m.

Contra Dance - Out of the Wood Eagles Bar, 7:30 p.m.

Tracy Award Ceremony Ellen Theater, 7:30 p.m.

Courney Jones (Gertrude) and Mark Kuntz (Claudius) in the 2012 MSIP production of Hamlet Photo courtesy of Winslow Studio and Gallery

Three Glorious Weeks Verge Theatre, 8 p.m. (and Sat.) Cosmic Bowling The Bowl, 8 p.m.

John Lowell Peach Street Studios, 8 p.m.

Cure for the Common Filling Station, 9 p.m.

Dodgy Mountain Men Zebra Lounge, 10 p.m.

SATURDAY, MAY 4

Photoshop II Workshop Two Rivers Gallery, 9 a.m.

Free Drum Class Rhythms Drum & Dance, 10 a.m.

Farm & Ranch Show Gallatin County Fairgrounds, 10 a.m.

Historic Barns Bus Tour Gallatin Pioneer Museum, 10:30 a.m.

Silly Moose Improv Verge Theatre, 2 p.m.

Mardell Hogan Plainfeather reading Elk River Books, 2 p.m.

Celtic Jam Eagles Bar, 3 p.m.

Bad Betty, Café Zydeco, 6 p.m.

Contra Dance Eagles Bar, 7:30 p.m.

Coty Hogue Peach Street Studios, 8 p.m.

Hell’s Belles w/The Salamanders Zebra Lounge, 10 p.m.

SUNDAY, MAY 5

Farm & Ranch Show Gallatin County Fairgrounds, 10 a.m.

Zydeco Quintet Café Zydeco, 11 a.m.

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May 3-16, 2013 27

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Aug. 2 - Sweet Pea, Bozeman, The recruiting Officer, 4:30 p.m., Lindley Park

Aug. 14 - Philipsburg, Henry V, 6 p.m., Philipsburg City Park

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Big Sky Weekly

Scottish Jam 406 Brewing, 3 p.m.

Irish Jam Pub 317, 7:30 p.m.

MONDAY, MAY 6

Bozeman Commuter Challenge Bozeman, May 6-15

Bridger Creek Boys Colonel Black’s, 6 p.m.

Improv on the Verge Verge Theatre, 7 p.m.

Monday Madness The Bowl, 7 p.m.

Live Trivia Bacchus Pub, 8 & 9 p.m.

TUESDAY, MAY 7

Family Cosmic Nights The Bowl, 4 p.m.

Beau Houston Haufbrau, 7 p.m.

Open Bluegrass Jam Pub 317, 7:30 p.m.

Marissa Kaye Bacchus Pub, 8 p.m.

2013 Eagle Mount Horticulture Program Mother’s Day Plant Sale EAGLE MOUNT BOZEMAN – Eagle Mount Bozeman’s Horticulture program is holding a Mother’s Day plant sale at Owenhouse Ace Hardware’s West Main store on Wednesday, May 8, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The plants have been propagated and grown by Eagle Mount Horticulture participants, and all proceeds will benefit the horticulture program.

Plants for sale include: Zonal and Mother Washington Geranium, Spider Plant, Trailing African Violet, Kalanchoe, Cuban Oregano, Goosefoot Plant, Angel Wing Begonia, Strawberry Begonia, and Hens and Chicks.

A greenhouse and grow lights allowed Eagle Mount’s gardening participants to plant from seed in the winter, and raised beds allow those in wheelchairs to work the soil. The nonprofit provides therapeutic recreation for people with disabilities and children with cancer.

Working with the gardening tools can help participants improve manual dexterity; as the harvest season comes, participants enjoy eating the produce they’ve grown, considered therapeutic in its own right.

For more information, visit eaglemount.org or contact Susan Leer at (406) 586-1781.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 8

Family Art Samplers Emerson Cultural Center, 6 p.m.

Gounod’s Romeo et Juliette Willson Auditorium, 7 p.m.

Songwriters in the Round Wild Joe’s, 7:30 p.m.

Karaoke Bacchus Pub, 8 p.m.

Sizzling Salsa, The MAC, 8 p.m.

THURSDAY, MAY 9

Sean Heavey reception DeWeese Gallery, 6 p.m.

Thai Cooking Class Bridger Kulinary Centre, 6:30 p.m.

On the Road Emerson Crawford Theater, 7:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, MAY 10

West Coast Swing Dancing The MAC, 6 p.m.

Guonod’s Romeo et Juliette Willson Auditorium, 7 p.m.

Basement Jazz Wild Joe’s, 7 p.m.

Cosmic Bowling The Bowl, 8 p.m.

Three Glorious Weeks Verge Theatre, 8 p.m. (and Sat.) The MAX JR Lounge, 9 p.m. (and Sat.) Dave Walker Band The Legion, 9:30 p.m.

David Dalla G Zebra Cocktail Lounge, 10 p.m.

SATURDAY, MAY 11

Mountaineers 4x4 Bog Gallatin County Fairgrounds Events Park, 1 p.m.

Silly Moose Improv Verge Theatre, 2 p.m.

Celtic Jam Eagles Bar, 3 p.m.

Stage Whisper Wild Joe’s, 7 p.m.

Cello Festival Concert, Reynolds Recital Hall, 7:30 p.m.

Wood Indian Burial Ground, Old Death Whisperer, & Rose Gold Filling Station, 9 p.m.

SUNDAY, MAY 12 Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day 5k Run Ridge Athletic Club, 10 a.m.

Scottish Jam 406 Brewing Co., 3 p.m.

Gounod’s Romeo et Juliette Willson Auditorium, 3 p.m.

Keegan Bowen Wild Joe’s, 4 p.m.

Mother’s Day Farm Dinner Nova Café, 6:30 p.m.

Irish Jam Pub 317, 7:30 p.m.

MONDAY, MAY 13

Bridger Creek Boys Colonel Black’s, 6 p.m.

Improv on the Verge Verge Theatre, 7 p.m.

Genetic Chile The MAC, 7:30 p.m.

The Fossils Chico Hot Springs Saloon, 9 p.m. (and Sat.) Jaden Carlson Band Murray Bar, 9:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, MAY 4

Prairie Wind Jammers Pine Creek Café, 7 p.m.

John Floridis Trio Peach Street Studios, 8 p.m.

The Secret Garden Shane Lalani Center for the Arts, 8 p.m.

Live Trivia Bacchus Pub, 8 p.m.

Spring Craft Show Emigrant Hall, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

TUESDAY, MAY 14

Flatt Cheddar Murray Bar, 10 p.m.

Family Cosmic Nights The Bowl, 4 p.m.

Running Free: Cancer Fundraiser Daily Coffee Bar, 5 p.m.

West Coast Swing Dancing The MAC, 6 p.m.

Open Bluegrass Jam Pub 317, 7:30 p.m.

Kenny Diamond Bacchus Pub, 8 p.m.

Smokestack & The Foothill Fury Filling Station, 9 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 15 Free Bike Checkups REI, 4 p.m.

Mark Logan Starky’s, 6:30 p.m.

Karaoke Bacchus Pub, 8 p.m.

Sizzling Salsa, The MAC, 8 p.m.

Maulskull Zebra Lounge, 8 p.m.

Spirit Family Reunion & Pigeon Hawk Filling Station, 9 p.m.

THURSDAY, MAY 16

Keeplove, Megan Hamilton, EDM Zebra Lounge, 10 p.m.

West yellowstone SATURDAY, MAY 11

SUNDAY, MAY 5

The Secret Garden Shane Lalani Center for the Arts, 3 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 8 Texas Hold’em Rusty Rail, 8 p.m.

Hump Day Trivia Murray Bar, 7 p.m.

Deaed Language Murray Bar, 10 p.m.

THURSDAY, MAY 9 Texas Hold’em Rusty Rail, 8 p.m.

Strangeways Murray Bar, 9 p.m.

FRIDAY, MAY 10

Rhythm Roosters Pine Creek Café, 7 p.m.

The Secret Garden Shane Lalani Center for the Arts, 8 p.m.

Montana Roadhouse Band Chico Saloon, 9 p.m. (and Sat.)

SATURDAY, MAY 11

Parks to Paradise Triathlon Carbella Fishing Access, 8 a.m. registration & 9:30 a.m. race time Flatt Cheddar Pine Creek Café, 7 p.m.

SUNDAY, MAY 12

Two Story Ranch Whiskey Creek, 3 p.m.

Hebgen Lake Fishing Contest Kirkwood Resort & Marina, thru June 14

Ken Draper Chico Saloon, 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 15

WEDNESDAY, MAY 15

Free Vaccinations & Preventative Health Screenings Community Care Connection vehicle, across from Three Bear Lodge, 3-7 p.m.

THURSDAY, MAY 16

Free Vaccinations & Preventative Health Screenings Community Care Connection vehicle, across from Three Bear Lodge, 8-10 a.m .

livingston & paradise valley

FRIDAY, MAY 3

Texas Hold’em Rusty Rail, 8 p.m.

Buckhorn Theatre Grand Opening Buckhorn Theatre, 5:30 p.m.

Jimmy & Nan Conley Pine Creek Café, 7 p.m.

Hump Day Trivia Murray Bar, 7 p.m.

THURSDAY, MAY 16 Blues 3 Mint Bar, 8 p.m.

Strangeways Murray Bar, 9 p.m.

ongoing at norris Music every Fri., Sat., & Sun Music starts at 7 p.m.

28 May 3-16, 2013

outdoors

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Big Sky Weekly

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Big Sky Weekly

fishing column: the eddy line

Keely’s Camps Molding the next generation of badass girls

By Emily Stifler

and reached them because of it. It really helped with my confidence in the sport of ski racing.”

Big Sky Weekly Managing Editor

During one of Keely Kelleher’s summer ski racing camps in Mount Hood, Ore., the coaches decided it was time to show the girls another type of skiing.

While the race camps are already popular – registration for one of the summer sessions at Mount Hood filled up within two hours of opening online this year – Kelleher, now a professional big mountain skier, wants to grow the freeride offerings, as well.

“It was a big hike,” said Alexa Coyle, a 13-year-old Big Sky Ski Education Foundation racer who lives in Bozeman.

“We went straight up, really far... We got to see a lot more of Mount Hood.”

But they all did, and they have group photos from a spot they named “Illumination Rock” to prove it. Once they’d soaked in the view, the girls skied a mile of perfect, low-angle corn snow back down.

2. Not mending enough Mends, either downstream or up, are essential to obtain a natural drift. Once your fly lands on the water, one mend isn’t enough; two might get ‘er done, but constant mending and managing of the line is the only way to accomplish a natural drift.

Linkenbach also attended a big mountain camp at Snowbird this past winter and is signed up to return to Mount Hood this summer. The all-girls environment “made it a lot more comfortable,” she said.

So the group of 25 girls, ages 11-16, loaded their backpacks with water and lunch, shouldered their skis, and took an hour-and-a-half hike above the Palmer Lift, led by their five coaches.

Along the way, a few of the girls thought they wouldn’t be able to make it, says Kelleher, 28, a Big Sky native and ex-World Cup racer who started the camps in summer 2011. “We got to talk them through it and see these mental and emotional battles inside their heads.”

and quick stop at the end of both your back and forward casts. A crusty saltwater captain once told me to say “wuuuuump!” as you power the rod back-and-forth.

Designed for 10- to 17-year-olds who want to “take their skiing to a new level,” the big mountain camps at Snowbird teach skills like learning to ski lines and drop cliffs fluidly and safely, throwing 360s, and an introduction to avalanche safety.

Keely Kelleher's summer camp at Mt. Hood Photo courtesy of Alexa Coyle

“They got to the bottom and were so excited,” said Kelleher, who runs the camps while working toward a degree in business at Westminster College in Salt Lake City. “That was the most rewarding experience of my life, seeing

them accomplish something really tough.”

Coyle credits the “fun, competitive atmosphere” at camp for pushing her to be a better racer. “Seeing the level of girls from over the region opened my eyes,” she said, noting the coaches also impressed her.

Kelleher’s all-female staff are all current or former World Cup racers and Olympians. With a ratio of 5 to 1, the girls receive individualized feedback every run, as well as during dry land training, Kelleher said.

As the first ski racing and big mountain camps in North America for girls, Keely’s Camps have drawn skiers from around the country.

Another BSSEF racer, Annika Linkenbach, 13, described camp as “lifechanging.”

“I made a commitment and dedication right after that camp,” said the Bozeman resident, referring to a summer session at Mount Hood. “I set my goals

On top of tackling angulation, cross blocking, powder skiing, and visualization, Kelleher and her coaches see themselves as role models.

“When I was that age I didn’t have that many female coaches, so I was always hanging out with the boys,” Kelleher said. “It was awesome, but it would have been inspiring to see a woman coaching and skiing as hard as the kids.

I tell the girls, ‘Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and ski really hard.

It’s awesome to be a strong skier and a strong athlete.’”

This is what makes the camps one of a kind, says Annika’s father Jeff Linkenbach, who also coached Keely as a junior racer.

“Keely creates a culture where there’s no negative drama,” he said. “It’s all about staying positive and supporting each other. I really believe in what she’s doing for these young women… [It provides] a safe, supportive environment that brings out the best in them and gives them confidence they can carry into the rest of their lives.”

Top five improvements for anglers Mending is crucial to fly fishing success. A guide instructs his client to mend, and mend again, and mend again. Courtesy of Kenton Rowe Photography

By Patrick Straub Big Sky Weekly Fishing Columnist

A guide buddy of mine on the Missouri River is nicknamed, “Super Guide.” When we call him that he scoffs, then smirks in a Cheshire Cat kind of way. He often out-fishes me, but even so, I enjoy working with him because I tend to learn something new every time we go out – even after guiding for more than 15 years, there is still much to learn.

In my time on the water, I’ve seen a lot of people have success. When they fail, it’s usually a result of a few missteps along the way.

Here are the top five places where most anglers could improve: 1. Not properly “loading the rod” on their cast This principle is easy to explain, yet hard to master. It’s best described as a gradual acceleration

3. Paralysis by analysis Fly fishing has many variables, and that’s part of its appeal. But keep it simple: Stripped down to its brutal truth, you are trying to fool one fish into eating one pretend fly. Keep your fly selection to proven patterns and proven sizes. When matching a hatch, consider size first, profile second and color third.

4. Teaching a spouse, son or daughter to fish Professional guides pay the rent by guiding and teaching neophytes. Do not put yourself or your loved ones, through the trauma of you trying to teach a challenging skill. Hire it out.

Big Sky is home to some of the region’s best guides, take advantage of their knowledge, patience, and good humor.

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May 3-16, 2013 29 5. Too hell-bent on fishing Leisure time is precious. We work hard for the few hours or few days we get to fish. Before bursting into the stream and making that first cast, survey the scene. Check for a hatch: Are bugs in the air or on the water? If they’re in the air fluttering around, they are probably caddis flies. Read the water: If it’s shallow, crouch down to reduce your profile. Is the weather bright and sunny? If so, exercise even more caution as fish tend to be easily spooked on clear days.

For those new to the sport, fly fishing is a whimsical challenge that may or may not embed itself in the psyche. For experienced anglers, it can be a passionate hobby filled with lifelong friendships, even if those friends are named Super Guide and live on the Missouri River and catch more fish than you.

Pat Straub is the author of six books, including The Frugal Fly Fisher, Montana On The Fly, and the forthcoming Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Fly Fishing* *but were afraid to ask. He and his wife own Gallatin River Guides in Big Sky.

Buscrat's header fables

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Big Sky Weekly

The way I see it at things in life cuz that’s how yer life will end up.”

What happen’t was when Burt and Makai was best friends in their 20s, they both had their eyes on Matilda, the pertiest gal in town. Neither of ‘em got the girl. Come to find out she was already betrothed to a feller she met at college in the big city.

Burt’s arms were flying as he made animated gestures while telling his story. “…and she was about to marry me, but then a terrible tragedy happened!” Burt was saying, scowling. “My best friend was outside the mine not paying attention and set off the dynamite, and it caved in right on top of me. My friend just sat there laughing as I nearly bled to death.

They set out searching fer gold together, struck a vein and became business partners. One day they set some charges, made the blast, and it opened up another huge cave. During the blast a big boulder pinned ‘em to the ground, crushed Burt’s legs and Makai’s arms. Took ‘em hours to crawl out and get to town fer help. Since the cave-in opened up a second cave, they split it and ran their own businesses. Neither made much money, but that’s what happen’t.

“Matilda and me was secretly engaged, but when I became crippled she left me. Don’t ever trust a woman.

body and head, and I was under the rock on the other end and all ya could see was my legs.”

“After the cave-in my friend abandoned me and kept one of the mines. I was left with the other one, but as a cripple I could never work again. I had to sell mine for pennies on the dollar. Don’t ever do business with a friend!”

He was laughing so hard he could hardly tell the story. “We looked like a prehistoric dinosaur snail!”

Everyone else was laughing too at his entertaining story.

The other folks shook their heads, pitying the poor grumpy old man.

“We split up the mine, but since I couldn’t use my arms no more to mine it I sold tickets to folks to mine some gold theirself’s. Din’t make as much, but I made a livin’.

“But, it’s important how ya look at things in life and what it does to ya as ya grow older. If ya look at life cynically, yer gonna be miserable. If ya look at life cheerfully, yer gonna be happier.”

Then the reporter interviewed me about the fellers. He was shocked when I said both stories was the same event.

Buscrat’s Fables are simple stories that teach a moral. Buscrat welcomes you to visit buscratsfables. com for more fables, and welcomes your comments, suggestions and requests.

“Yeah, it was the funniest thing ya ever seen,” he said, laughin’. “My friend was at one end under the huge rock and all ya could see was his upper

column: wanderer at rest

Big Sky Weekly

May 3-16, 2013 31

Surviving skills and sanitizer

A newspaper reporter wanted to write a story about two old men who lived outside of town.

When he visited, the first, Burt, was talking to a couple folks on his porch.

The reporter went next door and saw the other man, Makai, telling a story to 30 people on his porch. He was jumping up and down as he spoke.

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I said, “folks see things their own way, the way they wanna see it. It all depends on how ya look

Bring the greater Yellowstone to Your coffee taBle

“Their stories were so different,” the reporter said.

“Well, stories git embellished as years go by,” I said.

Big Sky Beats

By Maria Wyllie

Big Sky Weekly Editorial Assistant Find out what tunes we’re bumping! In “Big Sky Beats,” Big Sky Weekly staff and guests suggest various soundtracks for summer activities in the Rockies—anything from training for a marathon to floating down the river with friends.

Guest picks

SubScribe today to the big Sky Weekly and Mountain outlaW Magazine

$49/ year or $79/ 2 years contact tyler@theoutlaWpartnerS.coM | (406) 995-2055

Staff picks

The tracks below are great off-season songs— To the Sheep Creek Avalanche victims and their families: background music that will help you mentally unwind and refocus your energy as you get Ian Lamphere was a victim of the April k.com oc organized before summer approaches. With 20 Sheep Creek Avalanche on Loveland enSt p O r to Pass in Colorado. Founderw.V ofecGecko many of the songs’ lyrics in another lanww drummer guage, and some songs having no lyrics, you Climbing Skins and former of the Vermont-based Indie-rock jam can simply sit back and enjoy the instrumentals, almost forgetting that you’re listening to band, Named by Strangers, Lamphere anything at all. was an avid skier with a strong passion for the arts. The songs listed below are 1. “Folon,” Salif Keita from his band’s two albums, Named by Strangers and Gone and go out as a 2. “The Wings,” Gustavo Santaolalla tribute to those who died on Loveland 3. “Sliding Down,” Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer & Mike Marshall Pass.

4. “Seven is the Wind,” Menahan Street Band 5. “Ce Nes’t Pas Bon,” Amadou & Mariam 1. “Jack” 2. “Gone” 6. “Don’t Mess With Mr. T,” Stanley Turrentine 3. “Reno” 7. “Chalwa,” 10 Ft. Ganja Plant 8. “Fill Your Cup,” Nini and Ben 4. “April Revisited” 5. “Bartender” 9. “Lone Ranger,” Orgone 10. “Tico Tico,” The David Grisman Quintet 6. “Road Map” 7. “Wonder Drug” 8. “Long Way to Go” 9. “Feelin’ Fine” 10. “Keith’s Song”

By Jamie Balke

that you don’t have any). I had no idea such a variety of matches exists, or that some will re-light themselves after being dunked in water. Cotton balls and Vaseline were also included.

Big Sky Weekly Columnist

My brother John is inclined toward all sorts of badass-ery.

He guides whitewater rafts, has completed two National Outdoor Leadership School courses, as well as various outdoor survival programs including the Boulder Outdoor Survival School (I love to annoy him by saying “like a BOSS”). He climbs, maintains EMS credentials, and in his spare time, impregnates cotton balls with petroleum jelly for tinder.

Building the kits was a fascinating process. My brother showed me some of his gear and the clever ways he puts it together for different situations. We practiced fire-starting techniques in a charcoal grill, and stood in my kitchen for quite some time rubbing petroleum jelly into cotton balls. He explained the importance of coating them with just the right amount, as I ineffectually blundered about with globs of the jelly.

An avid student of all aspects of outdoor travel in his reading and training, he Lighting a cotton ball bonfire Photo by Jamie Balke has amassed a great deal of survival knowledge. Although skills. After all, recreating in southwest Montana I’ve also spent some time in the outdoors, my has the potential to be unexpectedly exciting. knowledge in this department is limited mostly to what I’ve learned on Man vs. Wild. Since that Always game for hanging out with my brother, show’s star Bear Grylls espouses techniques like and unopposed to beefing up the supplies in my removing your shirt, urinating on it, and wearing car, I agreed. The first order of business was to it like a hat, my brother decided recently to show inventory extra clothing and gear I had in my me some alternative skills. apartment, so my brother could develop a shopping list. Supplies that made the list included He proposed putting together kits for my car magnesium fire starters, light-anywhere matches, and house, and discussing theory and practicing and Purell (next to which he wrote: kind of gross

In short order, my brother developed another list of supplies to augment what he considers to be my rudimentary kits, so it seems this journey is just beginning. He even loaned me an ax to tide me over until I buy one, “like a reasonable person.”

I will preface what I am about to admit with the disclaimer that I realize how strange it seems – I can’t wait to try out my cotton ball tinder.

Jamie Balke now owns a six-gallon BPA free water container, as well as neon pink paracord. Bring it on, world. On second thought, please don’t.

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32 May 3-16, 2013

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Big Sky Weekly

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.

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

Salsa dancing

By Alicia Baker Sizzling Salsa

Sizzling Salsa dance lessons Location: The Montana Movement Arts Center (MAC), 1871 S. 22nd St., Ste. 2, Bozeman When: Every Wednesday, except the first week of the month Beginners Lesson – 8-8:45 p.m.

No partner needed!

Open Dance – 8:45-10:30pm Cost: $3/person

As I slip my three-inch high heeled dance shoes on, I think, “Ahh, I feel at home.” Many women cringe at the thought of wearing heels, but because I’ve been salsa dancing for so long, I’m used to them.

I walk across the dance floor, thinking of my favorite song, “Do You Only Wanna Dance” by the Julio Daviel Big Band, and turn it on, loud. I feel the melody start to move me – I move my hips, put my hands on my body, twirl.

But salsa dancing doesn’t happen alone. Having a great partner to dance with can create an awesome feeling.

When you’re connected to your partner, not just physically but also on beat together, the moves seem to come easily, and just looking at that person can make you feel like you are the only one there.

Now don’t get me wrong, after dancing for three hours in one night, sev-

Find more info at sizzlingsalsamt.com.

which was founded by local Zach Edmisten in 2008, I didn’t realize what running this club would mean to me.

Alicia Baker and her dance partner and lead male instructor, Dr. Lou Walters PHOTOS COURTESY OF SIZZLING SALSA

eral times a week, my feet are screaming. If they could talk, they’d be swearing. My scrunched up toes have had blisters and nails cut in half and bleeding, and the top of my feet scar from being kicked by other heels – all for the sake of dancing. I just love dancing too much to worry about the pain that nobody else sees.

NOW OPEN

CALL 995-4249 FOR SEASONAL HOURS OF OPERATION! GO HORNS!

When I was a child, my family lived in five different states, as well as Puerto Rico, but we moved to New Mexico when I was in elementary and middle school. Growing up mostly in the Southwest in a Hispanic culture was my first encounter with Latin-style music and dancing. I remember looking at the female dancers, thinking how fun and beautiful they looked. I never thought that in 10 years, I’d be doing the same thing, let alone teaching people to dance.

Flash forward a decade, and here I am, in my third year of teaching at Sizzling Salsa, Bozeman’s first Latin dance club. When I first started teaching at Sizzling Salsa,

Alicia Baker and Sridhar Lanhankar

Being a dance teacher has allowed me to grow not only as a dancer, but also as a person. I’ve met hundreds of people, and I give them props because it takes courage to walk into a dance class that many might find intimidating.

Once you try salsa dancing, you’ll find it’s not intimidating at all. Instead, it’s exciting, a good workout and a great way to meet people.

While teaching, I always keep in mind this quote: “The only dancer you should compare yourself to is the one you used to be.”

It makes me happy to know I’ve been able to teach people who’ve never danced before how to Salsa.