Big Sky
Exploring life, land and culture from the heart of the Yellowstone Region
Big Sky Weekly
Aug.10-23, 2012 Volume 3 // Issue No. 16
lukas nelson rocks the pbr Special Section: Big Sky PBR Recap
An Artist's Journey on the Chilkoot Trail, Alaska
Resort tax plans ahead
Lone Peak Brewery expansion Moonlight Basin: Yoga on the Deck
Inaugural Big Sky Songwriter's Festival is Aug. 15 - 19
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Outlaw partners honored by Outside magazine
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Publisher of the big sky weekly
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2011 big sky chamber of commerce
Business of the Year Aug. 10-23, 2012 Volume 3, Issue no. 16 PUBLISHER Eric Ladd COO & SENIOR EDITOR Megan Paulson CREATIVE DIRECTOR Mike Martins MANAGING EDITOR Emily Stifler GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kelsey Dzintars Distribution Director Danielle Chamberlain VIDEO director Brian Niles
Outlaws Mike Martins, Beau Hill and son, Eric Ladd, Chris Davis and Brian Niles at the Big Sky PBR Photo by Jake Campos
videographer Chris Davis Account relations coordinator Kacey Brown Operations director Katie Morrison WEB Developer/Designer Sean Weas editorial assistants Taylor Anderson, Renae Counter Staff Writer Tyler Allen CONTRIBUTors
Jamie Balke, Buscrat, Jake Campos, Maren Dunn, Tim Gates, Brian Hurlbut, René Kraus, Jenny Ladd, Meagan Malone, Mike Mannelin, John Marshall, Robin BrowerMcBride, Anne Marie Mistretta, Joe Miller, Erik Morrison, Brandon Niles, Kirk Olson, Corrie Francis Parks, Deb Courson Smith, Samuel Sveen , Pat Wolfe
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
Outlaw Partners honored by Outside magazine Years ago, one of my mentors told me one of the keys to building a successful company was to "build a very strong team, empower them and follow your intuition." I took this advice to heart when founding Outlaw Partners and have worked hard to create an environment that supports this ethos.
I wanted to send a sincere ‘thank you’ to everyone who has helped make Outlaw a success: our clients, our vendors, our family, our friends, our mentors, my business partners and most importantly our employees!
Last week Outside magazine recognized Outlaw Partners as one of the Top 100 companies to work for in its annual “Best Places to Work” feature. To see Outlaw's name among a list of companies like Patagonia, New Belgium and Trek was exciting for our entire team, and personally, I could not be more honored.
Outlaw Partners is a Montana company based in Big Sky with global reach. Look out, world… here come the Outlaws!
CORRECTIONS The Big Sky Weekly runs corrections to errors we’ve printed. Please report them to emily@theoutlawpartners.com
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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
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Table of Contents Community...4 Local News...8 Regional..10 Montana...12 Yellowstone...15 Health...17 Sports..19 Galllery...20
Business...22 Outlaw News...27 Business Profile...28 Classifieds...29 Environment...31 Entertainment...33 Outdoors...36 Gear Reviews...39
Events...40 Fun...43 Columns...45 Back 40...48 Special Section: Big Sky PBR...49
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Big Sky Weekly
32nd annual Country Fair an eclectic success By emily stifler
big sky weekly managing editor
BIG SKY – The Big Sky Country Fair reported growth and success this year, despite a major afternoon rainstorm and competition from other big regional events held on the same day. Organized by Robin Brower-McBride from the Chamber of Commerce, the fair included new activities and entertainment like a growing artists gallery featuring art from local students, a live glass blower, an 18-foot tall water slide, a mural artist, wood carver, birds of prey and a high-heeled race. As usual, there were as many people actually in the parade as there were viewers, which gave the kids watching a great chance at catching candy. Local band Bluebird Sky led the morning parade, playing music and riding on a wagon pulled by a team of horses from Lone Mountain Ranch. Longtime participants Gallatin Canyon Women’s Club rode in the stagecoach from Moonlight Basin’s Cedar Mountain Corral. First time parade participants included Big Brothers Big Sisters pulling a sailboat, Lone Peak Cinema with a giant box of “popcorn” made of yellow and white balloons, and Pretty Paws dog groomers with a neon green doghouse, a pink bathtub and a human in a dog costume. Other longtime participants included Morningstar Learning Center pulling a wagonload of kids, Jakes Horses, Big Sky Western Bank and Three Rivers Communications with its purple 1953 Ford pickup. Once the parade reached the Town Center at about 11, the fair commenced. Vendor Michelle Melehes drove up from Jackson, Wyo. Melehes has been touring the West with her wares from Way Cool Clothing for 22 years, and this was her first time at the Big Sky event. “I try to find events that have an appeal for scenic beauty that are fun and different, and I try not to go more than six hours from my home in Jackson,” Melehes said. “This one sounded fun because of the high heeled race. I was like, ‘this has to be fun’.
High-heeled race
Melehes’ makes casual wear, bags and accessories with hand woven, recycled Guatemalan fabrics. Coming to Big Sky was worth it, she said. “I did really well. First of all, the drive from Jackson was insanely beautiful, so it started off great. Big Sky is kind of tranquil, especially compared to Jackson Hole in the summer, so it has this nice calm feel about it. It was easy to be there—it wasn’t over produced or under produced, as far as dealing with the organizers.” Melehes also complimented the live bands and said the other vendors were friendly. “The day was short and sweet.” Lone Peak High School quarterback Tucker Shea won the high-heeled race by a landslide, sporting black socks and some very high heels. The race doubled as a fundraiser for two Bozeman nonprofits, Friends of Hyalite and Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation. The dunk tank, run by the Big Sky Community Corp., was also a big hit, said BSCC executive director Jessie Neal. Katie Coleman from Camp Big Sky, Al Ma-
Pretty Paws parade float photo by renae counter
4 Aug. 10-23, 2012
photo by Kirk Olson
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linowski from the post office, Brandon Bang from Big Sky Resort, Joe Miller from First Security Bank, and School Superintendent Jerry House all went in the drink, raising $250 for BSCC. The Ophir/Lone Peak Booster Club helped out with the car/RV/bike wash, splitting the proceeds with the Chamber. The Rapier Family Foundation, run by Big Sky second homeowners Kym and George Rapier, used the Country Fair as a starting point to donate another $50,000 divvied up between the four nonprofits and the Chamber. When the sky turned dark at around 3 p.m. it brought with it rain and wet hail, driving fairgoers away. Many others continued dancing under the eaves of Montana Chiropractic, China Café, and the Lotus Pad tent, said Brower-McBride. “It was full on Big Sky weather.” The Deadlocks, one of four bands at the event, ended up playing until 6 p.m. anyway, and at least 50 people stayed on to watch renditions of ‘Oh, the Wind and Rain’ and other appropriate Grateful Dead songs.
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community Letter: You can keep your hat on We want to thank all the PBR fans that wore their cowboy hats and supported the De Shields-Cummings promotion of this great Western tradition. We also want to thank Eric Ladd, Emily Stifler, Katie Morrison, Danielle Chamberlain and Andy and Jaycey Watson for their support of this effort and for making the PBR a great event. It was a fun evening. - Jan and Jim Cummings
Annual Historic Crail Ranch bake sale raises more than $1,000 BIG SKY – By 8 a.m. on July 28 the Historic Crail Ranch main cabin was stuffed with rich chocolate brownies, homemade pecan pies, gingersnap cookies and banana bread for the annual bake sale. The goods were nearly sold out by 2 p.m., a tribute to both the bakers and Crail Ranch volunteers. The event raised more than $1,000 for the preserved homestead, all of which will go toward the maintenance and preservation of the ranch. "This is one of our happiest and longest running fundraising events,”
said Al Lockwood, chairman of the Historic Crail Ranch Conservators. A number of the bakers dropped off donations and then purchased something on the way out, Lockwood said. One woman dropped off a beautiful homemade pie while her husband checked the other offerings. After looking everything over, he picked out and purchased the same pie that his wife had donated. Paula Halvorsen also reported good sales for her Colors of Kyrgyzstan trunk show and sale, which was conducted on the ranch grounds at the same time. R.C.
The sound of music
Kosiak expands family and piano studio By barbara rowley BIG SKY – Piano teacher Klaudia Kosiak will take on two new tasks this fall, as she gives birth to her second child in September, and—after a short maternity break—adds a second beginner class to her weekly schedule. “With the growing number of young kids in town, I felt the time was right to give some other young students an opportunity,” Kosiak said. This will be the second year in a row that Ophir School will have two kindergarten classes. Trained at a Polish music university, Kosiak taught throughout Poland in schools and privately before moving with her husband, Mariusz, to Big Sky in 2006. With 23 years of piano under her belt, she is the music director of Big Sky Broadway and the accompanist for the Big Sky Community Chorus. Kosiak believes the piano teaches more than just musical skills. “A big part of the experience is developing the discipline to practice, and that skill—discipline—may be the most important thing a student can learn. Developing the discipline to do something until you get better is a skill you can use anywhere.” Kosiak currently teaches 15 students year round, and has 23 enrolled during the school year. She begins piano students at 5 years old and believes first grade is the ideal time to start.
She teaches 45-minute lessons in student homes and group lessons at the school on Wednesdays. This year’s classes will start the week of Oct. 22 and the Christmas recital is scheduled for Dec. 16. Kosiak’s students also perform in a spring recital, and for the past several years, several of her students have performed at the same winter concert as famed pianist Pavel Egorov. After six years in Big Sky, Kosiak is realistic. “I’m not expecting [students] to give up skiing or basketball so they can practice,” she said. Instead, she tells them, if “you don’t have time for practicing, just look at the music before you go to sleep and visualize the notes.” Ultimately, Kosiak says, her students learn the skills and confidence it takes to perform in front of others. Music can be therapeutic, and Kosiak hopes her students can tap into this, especially as they become teenagers. “Music can help you relax and move to a different world. When I was out of sorts as a child, I would go to my piano and totally space out and play. I want my students to be able to experience this kind of release, and to be able to entertain themselves and others. It is a gift to be able at any time to just sit down and play.” Contact Kosiak at klaudia.kosiak@ gmail.com or (406) 599-3709.
Big Sky Weekly
Dog Days returns to the Community Park on Aug. 11 BIG SKY – For dogs, Big Sky is heaven on Earth. And Camp Big Sky, the area’s oldest summer camp, is hosting a fundraiser celebrating this with a festival for the entire family. “Dog Days is a way to get everyone, including the dogs who usually have to stay home, out for a fun day at the Community Park,” said Camp Big Sky director Katie Coleman. The day includes a two-mile fun run for humans and canines, doggie dock diving, a parade (costumes encouraged), and an exhibition of your favorite stupid (and smart) pet tricks. In addition, there will be obedience, grooming, and working dog demonstrations; vendors of dog goods and services; dog collar cameras for rent; multiple dog treats and toys; and for human companions, root beer floats. A professional photographer will be on hand to shoot and print pet and owner photographs on site. All events will have prizes; those who choose not to enter any can still browse, watch and socialize.
The event’s title sponsor is Pretty Paws, Big Sky’s new pet grooming salon. All proceeds go to support Camp Big Sky programming. For more information, contact Katie Coleman at camp@bsccmt.org, or just show up with your pooch and your family.
Dog Days details for Dog Days of Summer is at 9 a.m. on Saturday. The following activities will also be included in the day: Supervised Puppy Play Time – Look for the sign on the softball field for puppies six months and younger from 10 a.m. to noon. Dogs must be up to date on vaccinations, and children will not be allowed in this area. Cake Walk – There will be a cake walk every hour on the hour (or until the cakes are gone) from 10 a.m. to noon. This will be located near the Pretty Paws booth. Photos by Tom Ellis Productions – Enter the pet/owner look-a-like contest and get a photo with your pet. Raffle – Prizes include two full grooms from Pretty Paws, a onehour photography session outside with you and your dog, and dog toys. Vendors – Pretty Paws will be on site grooming, trimming nails and more; Sewing Dog will have a variety of collars, leashes, treat bags and other creative items for you and your dog; Bozeman Body Talk will provide services for animals and humans. 9 a.m. – The DooDah Parade will feature Riley Belle Becker as Grand Marshall. Bring costumes for you and your dog. 10 a.m. – Drug dog demonstration on the softball field 11 a.m. - Bring your running shoes for the 2.5 trail fun run noon – Practice up for stupid (and smart) pet tricks at noon 1:15 p.m. – Duck race 1:30 p.m. – Dock diving
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Aug. 10-23, 2012 5
community
Planning to plan Resort tax board makes strategic plan By tyler allen
big sky weekly staff writer
BIG SKY – The Big Sky Resort Area District Tax Board has a big responsibility to the community it serves, and it spent two days in August identifying how to make the most of that. The board met on Aug. 8 and 9 to strategize ways to better serve the Big Sky community and allocate resort tax money effectively. The BSRAD board members are Les Loble, Jamey Kabisch, Ginna Hermann, Mike Scholz and Jeff Strickler.
the current situation as he saw it. All the pre-work Davis did was probono. “I have never worked with a group quite like this,” Davis said at the start of the Aug. 8 meeting. “There is not a lot of dialog between the community and the resort.” The desire of the board to serve the community was obvious, he noted, and the election of three new board members—Kabisch, Scholz and Strickler—offered a “perfect time to stop and examine the future of community needs and processes in place.”
A hired consultant, Buz Davis, of Skull, Davis, and Associates, facilitated the public meetings, which actually functioned more like a series of working sessions. Davis spends winters in Big Sky and works as a consultant around the country, bringing groups and organizations together. He interviewed individual BSRAD board members before these meetings and outlined
On Aug. 8, Davis reflected on an interview with one board member who said, “I felt totally alone in there,” during the appropriations meeting. Echoing that sentiment, board member Jeff Strickler said during the Aug. meeting that, “It was frustrating the priorities [of appropriations] were decided in the final meetings instead of ahead of time.”
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As the owner’s representative, I act as the client’s interpreter and guide, a trusted liaison, to manage the details and represent their interests throughout the construction process.
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Davis talked about the diversity of complementary skills on the board that help with the review process, and about the commitment that a volunteer board such as this inherently has. He observed the board’s overall desire to be proactive in exploring the best ways to engage the community in setting its own future direction. “It comes from living in a small community,” Strickler said. “People know what you’re doing before you do it.” “You can’t do your best work without the public,” Scholz added. Tax board attorney Mona Jamison brought up a potential bond statute as a way for the board to make a longterm difference. “The board can have a vision with reserves, but in two years a new board could change its mind. [However] if a bond statute is passed, it’s the only way to commit long-term funds.” Jamison went on to observe that Big Sky is a unique community—maybe
even one of a kind in the U.S. “This is a rare thing that an unincorporated area has a governing entity that collects taxes and makes appropriations,” she said. “We don’t want to make ourselves a quasi-city council,” Scholz said, “[but] we act like a city council because we hold the purse strings.” It was obvious that this session opened up a dialogue within the board that hadn’t existed before. When Davis asked the board if they had conversations like these when proposals came in, the answer was a resounding “no.” “This group is so committed to this community,” Davis said. “The fact that they haven’t had this type of conversation [in the past] is probably because of tradition, not that they haven’t wanted to have it.” The Weekly went to press on Aug. 8, and the plan for the second day was dependent on how much was accomplished in the first day’s meeting.
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Community Events Calendar to roll out by summer’s end By emily stifler
big sky weekly managing editor
BIG SKY – The long awaited Big Sky Community Events Calendar, which should be up by late summer, will be run by the Jackson, Wyo.based AllTrips and will cost the Big Sky community nothing. Big Sky Chamber of Commerce project and membership director Robin Brower-McBride worked extensively with AllTrips on the calendar, which was originally slated for early to mid summer. When the company ran into roadblocks this spring, it decided to make the calendar totally free, with the stipulation that it wouldn’t be here in time for the summer season. This was due to “our workload and our desire to do this right, rather than rush through it,” AllTrips development manager BJ Hansen wrote in a May 23 email to BrowerMcBride. This spring the company decided to add new services, “to be sure that we have everything exactly as we
want it for not just Big Sky, but for all of our network destinations,” Hansen wrote in the email. AllTrips already had a travel guide listing for Big Sky and has created similar community calendars for other resort and tourism-based areas like Jackson, Aspen, the Black Hills and Yosemite. AllTrips then quickly introduced the event site bigskyinfo.org, modeled on its successful tetoninfo. org site, but held off on the more comprehensive community calendar as it rebuilt its events application to integrate it into its full system. That upgrade was “necessary for our long term success,” Hansen said, and will allow the company to “deliver a more robust, stable and elegant solution this year, while allowing us to quickly introduce new features in the future.” AllTrips is now “marrying” the prototypes and the database structure, Hansen said. The “thinking and planning” is essentially completed, as is most of the front end coding.
And although the calendar is still at least a few weeks out, this next step is where the momentum usually gets going, he added. Ultimately, Brower-McBride said, the goal is to have an easy to use format that allows travelers to sort events by date and type, creating a completely personalized calendar— family friendly, music, handicapped accessible or museums, for example. Users could print the resulting calendar or send it to a mobile phone or other device. “It’s not about [the Chamber]. It’s an effort offer a service to the community and the guests,” she said. If the service pans out as planned, it may be worth the wait. One notable benefit includes allowing each business that adds an event to link directly right back to its own calendar or website. Plus, Brower-McBride said, many users may already be familiar with the format from other AllTrips locations. “If it’s comfortable to them, they’ll use it.”
The service is free to select communities because they’re places AllTrips has deemed worthy for its publications. It will not be a revenue generator, Brower-McBride said, and there will be no advertising. The shared community calendar has been on the to-do list for a long time, said Chamber representative and Town Center project manager Ryan Hamilton. He credited the Arts Council of Big Sky for leading the effort to get the community moving in the right direction and Brower-McBride for getting the project to the finish line. “The benefits of this are many and include convenience for both residents and visitors, event data entry efficiencies gained, and enhanced trip planning for tourists,” Hamilton said. “This project will hopefully enhance tourism and economic development.” The Chamber is also planning to create a mobile app for the calendar.
Obituary Sandra Stober Long time Big Sky resident, Sandra Stober, 78, died on Thursday, July 26, 2012. Sandra Espe was born to Lyle and Gloria (Caruth) Espe on Dec. 30, 1933. Sandra, known as Sas to her family, graduated from Washington High School. She then attended Briar Cliff College in New York, and completed her BS degree at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. In 1957, she married Roger Schmidt in Sioux Falls. They had three children, Eric, Lisa and Scott. Sandra relocated to St. Paul, Minn. and married Bob Stober in 1972. She worked as a medical technologist at St. Paul Ramsey Hospital. After retiring, Sandra and Bob moved to Big Sky. She was involved with the Arts Council of Big Sky, where she was a board member and also served as president for three years. Sandra also enjoyed trout fishing, gardening, rock hounding, gold prospecting, beading and entertaining. She was a member of the Church All Saints in Big Sky and served as their treasurer for many years. Sandra is survived by her husband, Robert Stober, of Big Sky; her son,
Scott A. Schmidt, of Butte; her daughter, Lisa D. Schmidt of Sioux Falls, S.D.; sister, Karen KcKenzie of Treasure Island, Fla.; nephew, Gregg (Jenny) Olson; niece Sonna (Tom) Sexauer; cousin, Julie Lowe Wooten of Gilbert, Ariz.; and three step-sons, Tom Stober, Ron Stober, and Ken Stober of St. Paul, Minn. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her son, Eric Schmidt. Memorial services were held Aug. 6 at All Saints in Big Sky (Big Sky Chapel). The family requests that memorials be given either to the Arts Council of Big Sky, Big Sky Chapel, or All Saints in Big Sky.
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local news
Big Sky Weekly
Industry leaders to attend inaugural Big Sky Songwriters’ Festival Event is the work of Bozeman producer By rené kraus
Goodwin transformed the building into a studio, and for the last 12 years Big Sky High has been a performance venue and a “nurturing enclave” and studio for songwriters and performers.
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BIG SKY – The inaugural Big Sky Songwriters’ Festival, Aug. 15 – 19, will bring together some of the biggest names in the music business.
Also an avid downhill skier, Goodwin knew Big Sky would be a great backdrop for an event like the songwriters’ festival. He’s confident this year’s festival will be the start of something unique and valuable to the industry, particularly as Big Sky continues to evolve into a thriving arts community.
The goal is to help songwriters, and those who want to learn the craft of songwriting, by providing access to some of the very best in the business. Instructors will include Rory Feek, who has written for Blake Shelton; Bruce Burch, whose work has been performed by Reba McEntire; Chas Sandford, who’s had hits with Stevie Nicks and Tina Turner; and Montanans Paul Durham and Kostas. Through a series of workshops, these and other industry leaders will share insight and perspective on songwriting, the music business, publishing and legal information. There will also be nightly live performances. The event’s founder and creative director David Goodwin is a longtime Montana resident also lives part of the year in Nashville. He’s been planning the festival for several years, and it is the realization of many in the business who wanted to bring their passion for the industry to a beautiful and exciting location. At age 16, Goodwin worked for a photographer in South Florida who shot liner photos for the Allman Brothers at Criteria Studios in Miami. During his tenure at the studio, he befriended producer Tom
David Goodwin
Big Sky Songwriters’ Festival Aug. 15 – 19 Dowd and soon became a studio ‘gopher.’ Through this work, Goodwin was exposed to many music styles and legendary artists. Goodwin studied photography at Northwest College in Powell, Wyo., and then film at Montana State University in Bozeman. In 1989, he moved to Nashville, where he wrote and published music, managed artists in major record deals, produced and engineered music. While he reveled in Nashville’s sense of camaraderie and collaboration, Goodwin couldn’t let go of a dream to start an artist’s retreat. His dream came true in 2000 with the purchase of a bed and breakfast on the west side of the Bridger Mountains, near Spring Hill.
“Big Sky has the distinction of providing an environment of comfort and freedom from distractions that other locales contend with, in addition to its staggering natural beauty,” Goodwin said. “It is a place truly conducive for artists to be nurtured and able to really focus on their craft.” In another effort to grow the music industry in Montana, Goodwin is hosting a series of programs in schools across the state, culminating in a camp program for the summer. He hopes to help students “open their minds to [the] vast professional opportunities, whether as a producer, writer, publisher or [a performer].” Goodwin believes that in order to keep what you have and to cultivate your gifts, "you must first share your gifts." He learned this message while living in Nashville, and today he is intent on doing just that with the start of the Big Sky Songwriters’ Festival. bigskysongwritersfestival.com
Jack Creek Preserve hosts archery day camp BIG SKY – Jack Creek Preserve hosted its Archery Day Camp at the Big Sky Community Park again this summer, giving Big Sky youth a chance to learn and experience bowhunting for the second year in a row. The camp, which ran from Aug. 6 – 10, was divided into two sections, a morning class for kids entering the fifth grade and up and an afternoon class for kids entering the third and fourth grade. The hour and a half long classes were divided into two parts: a teaching time and an archery time.
According to BSCC Camp Leaders Merrill Arbuckle and Sharon Kilmer, archery is the students’ main event and the one they get most pumped for. And by the second day of camp, both instructors noticed a sizeable improvement in the students’ archery skills. “It’s fun and rewarding to see their enthusiasm,” Arbuckle said. “Archery is like any other sport, good encouragement and coaching and they’ll do well.” Some students who attended the camp last year brought their own bow this time around. Jack Creek also provided Matthew’s Brand compound bows for the kids to use during the camp.
Photo by renae counter
After four days of honing their archery skills in the park, the students had the opportunity to shoot the 3D targets at a site in Jack Creek Preserve.
Foundation being poured for new outdoor recreation center Photo courtesy of Jack Creek Preserve
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During the other portion of the camp, students learned about outdoor safety and skills, such as
reading compasses and maps, wildlife identification and safety, and basic backcountry skiing and hiking information. More information on Jack Creek Preserve camps can be found at jackcreekpreserve.org/camp.html.
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local news Heaven Phillips to open local vocal and speech instruction practice By barbara rowley
Heaven Phillips, a classically trained professional performer who has appeared on Broadway, will offer vocal lessons starting this summer. She’ll launch an entire vocal education program in September for children and adults. Phillips worked with Big Sky Broadway, a local kids program, earlier this summer.
Phillips began formal, classical training at age 16 and continued her studies at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she earned a BFA with honors and garnered the coveted Best Actress award in her graduating class. She has studied classically with Met Opera and Carnegie Hall alum Jan Wilson, and also with preeminent New York vocal teacher Jeff Halpern. Phillips is also trained in Grotowski movement-based acting and singing techniques, which free up the body and as a result, the voice, studying with Jonathan Hart (Hart School of Music in Paris) and Lisa Sokolov at Tisch Experimental Theater Group.
“It is rewarding to see how introducing children to different techniques can really make their confidence as singers and performers, and in themselves, soar.”
In addition to her vocal talents, Phillips is an accomplished classical and contemporary actress, songwriter (for television and commercials) and tap dancer.
Phillips retired after performing for more than a decade on various New York stages and internationally with the Obie award-winning company The Builder’s Association, where she won two Obies personally. However, she decided to re-enter the musical fold as a vocal coach with this year’s Big Sky Broadway production of “The Wizard of Oz.”
Why should children and adults care about improving their vocal abilities? Phillips says regardless of whether you pursue a professional career or just want to be able to sing around the campfire confidently, vocal lessons will “awaken and inspire your musical ability, improve your general health through breath-control and various movement techniques, give you a general sense of confidence and self esteem, and cultivate the underlying talent the lies in us all. Plus—it is extremely fun.”
BIG SKY – As the buzz grows around the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center’s future opening, one local artist with a previously low profile is offering opportunities never previously available.
Starting in August, Phillips will accept clients from children 10 years old through adults and will teach lessons in students' homes in private 45-minute or 30-minute classes. She anticipates showcasing her students’ achievements in at least two recitals during the school year, combining her students’ performances with students from local piano teacher Klaudia Kosiak.
For more information on Phillips’ classes, contact Heaven at heavzp@gmail.com or (406) 209-5149.
Partnering for Big Sky families and kids New positions for parent liaison and mentor coordinator open BIG SKY – Four local organizations have announced a new partnership that will fund two new programs and positions in the Big Sky School District. The Big Sky School District, Thrive, The Yellowstone Club Community Foundation and Women in Action are working together to bring two popular school-based programs to the Big Sky School District. One, the CAP Mentor program, matches adults with students in a mentorship program for all abilities during the school day. The other, the Parent Liaison program, works with parents, teachers and administrative staff to assist parents and teachers in working together for kids in the class-
room. Both programs were developed by Bozeman-based Thrive, which has operated programs in Bozeman schools for 25 years. As a result of these new initiatives, two new half-time positions (or one full-time position) are being created. Thrive, which will hire the positions and oversee the programs in Big Sky, is looking for candidates with experience in the schools and in working with families. The programs and positions will be based out of the Ophir and Lone Peak High Schools. For more information on the positions visit allthrive.org/about-us/job-openings-2. B.R.
Big Sky Weekly
Big Sky Natural Resource Council uses resort tax funding for fire and bear outreach Increase in federal money may help as well By tyler allen
big sky weekly staff writer
BIG SKY – Wildfire and bears are at the top of the list for the Big Sky Natural Resource Council this summer. An active fire season in Montana and the incident of a grizzly bear shot near Ousel Falls in late May have put these two issues at the forefront of concerns in the Big Sky area. Funds from the Big Sky Resort Tax allocations will help—The Big Sky Forest Health and Fire Safety Program received $15,600 or 100 percent of the funding requested, while the Bear Aware program requested $10,000 and was awarded $7,000. The Big Sky Forest Health and Fire Safety Program educates and assists homeowners with a number of forestry-related issues and has received resort tax funding for the last six years, which is matched federally. The group’s forestry workshops—like the one on June 29 attended by about 20 landowners—are supported in part by the resort tax money, as is the work it does to assist property owners with forest stewardship plans. Since receiving the resort tax funding this year, BSNRC hasn’t utilized any of the money yet. “It usually takes about a month to get all of the agreements signed,” said Crystal Hagerman, Natural Resource Agent with the MSU Extension and a representative for the BSNRC. The most important outreach during this hot and dry summer is wildfire education, according to Hagerman. Part of the $15,600 will go toward paying someone on the ground to educate homeowners. Also, by advertising through the fire department, forestry contractors, and by word of mouth, the BSNRC connects with residents concerned about the safety of their homes during fire season. Sometimes, Hagerman says, the answer is as simple as removing fuels growing near the building. BSNRC has a booth at the Wednesday night farmers markets in Big Sky this summer, and is planning a public informational meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 15 at 3:30 p.m. at the Big Sky Fire Station. Also in August the group hopes to announce a large increase in funding from the federal government. “[We would] look forward to not requesting resort tax funding next year,” Hagerman said. The Bear Aware program received 70 percent of the resort tax funding it requested this year, which will allow it
to accomplish a number of objectives, said BSNRC board member Kevin Germain. “The plans will not be shelved, but will be scaled back according to the funding received,” Germain said. Those include creating a bear stewardship committee, conducting a bear hazard assessment, developing and implementing an education program that will reach all sectors of the Big Sky community, and initiating ways to better manage and enforce bear-human conflicts. The Wildlife Conservation Society, a national organization with an office in Ennis, is in the process of drawing up a proposal for the hazard assessment. Some of the resort tax funding will be used on the hazard assessment if WCS comes back with an acceptable bid on the proposal, and the bear stewardship committee will likely be formed in September or October, Germain said. “Since bear season is well underway the funding will be used to try and get a plan in place for the 2013 bear season,” he added. In the meantime, said BSNRC board member Jessie Neal, homeowners should be responsible with garbage, which is one of the leading causes of bear-human conflicts. Unlike other communities with large bear populations, Big Sky has not mandated businesses to use bear-resistant garbage containers. Concerned citizens should encourage them to do so, Neal said. “Without enforcement from an ordinance, peer pressure is one way to make things change in Big Sky,” she said. Neal also encouraged people not to put their garbage out until the morning of pick up and not to leave it out overnight. Bear-resistant trash enclosures are available for purchase through Allied Waste and were successful during a pilot project in a neighborhood up Chief Joseph Trail, Neal said. Several property management companies have put them out, as have some homeowners in bear-sensitive areas. However, the containers cost $11 more a month because the locking lids require more maintenance and labor by the collectors. Other bear attractants besides garbage include animal feed, bird feeders, compost heaps, gardens and fruit trees. The Bear Aware hazard assessment will address these different issues during the upcoming fall and winter, and come up with management strategies for each.
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Big Sky Weekly
Hot weather prompts YNP temporary fishing closures Fishing is still good on other waters, according to outfitters By emily stifler
big sky weekly managing editor
SOUTHWEST MONTANA—Even though some waterways around the state and in Yellowstone National Park have fishing closures or restrictions, area outfitters say business is still good in southwest Montana. As of Aug. 1, the Gibbon River below Gibbon Falls, the Firehole River below Keppler Cascades and the Madison River were all closed to fishing. Hot air temperatures, limited rainfall, runoff from thermal features, and below average stream flows resulted in high water temperatures in these sections of river. Temperatures this warm can be stressful and even fatal for trout, according to Yellowstone spokesman Al Nash. Those rivers don’t typically fish well in the summer anyway, said fishing guide Ennion Williams, from Grizzly Outfitters in Big Sky. “It’s fairly typical for [them] to slow down this time of year because they get hot,” Williams said. “It’s not like we’re losing a major resource by those rivers being closed. We wouldn't be fishing there now anyway.” Starting July 27, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks had restrictions on several waterways including parts of the Dearborn River, the Smith River and the Sun River, all in central Montana. Fishing there was closed from 2 p.m. to midnight, which is when it’s the warmest.
The Gallatin and Lamar rivers in Yellowstone have continued fishing well, Williams said, as have the upper Madison from Earthquake Lake to Ennis Lake, the Beaverhead and the Missouri.
“as far as to react to those criteria consistently across the state,” Horton said. Three Montana rivers, the Jefferson, the Big Hole and the Blackfoot, have individual drought management plans.
If the weather stays hot and dry, FWP may also post restrictions on a number of rivers in southwest Montana. Certain triggers cause the restrictions to go into affect, said FWP fisheries biologist Travis Horton. These include water temperatures above 73 degrees F for more than three days and decreased flow.
As of Aug. 6, FWP was closely monitoring the Jefferson, the Big Hole, the lower Madison, the lower Beaverhead, the lower Ruby, the Shields and the lower Gallatin, Horton said.
The restrictions “limit the additive impact of angling mortality during the stressful conditions created by drought,” according to the FWP’s Drought Fishing Closure Policy. The last time this happened was in 2007. Prior to that, several successive drought years in the early to mid 2000s led to depleted groundwater and four other years with significant restrictions, Horton said. “One difference [this year] right out of the gates, relative to 2007 and before that when we closed those rivers, is that we have a lot more base flow than those years. The flows aren’t getting as low as they were in the mid 2000s when we did a lot of fishing closures." Implementation of drought closures and restrictions was a philosophical policy decision in the mid 2000s,
Bozeman Deaconess ranks among nation’s safest hospitals BOZEMAN – Bozeman Deaconess Health Services made the honor roll this year. The hospital scored an “A” in Hospital Safety from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit run by employers and other large purchasers of health benefits. With guidance from a panel of experts, the score uses 26 measures of publically available data to produce a “Hospital Safety Score” representing a hospital’s capacity to keep patients safe from infections, injuries, and medical and medication errors. The scores take into account patient injuries, medical and medication errors, and infections. U.S. hospitals were assigned an A, B, C, D or F for safety. Leapfrog’s nine-member panel includes patient and hospital safety experts from Harvard and Stanford and is independently operated. Overall, Montana ranked 16th for safest hospitals in the U.S. Out of the 10 Montana hospitals scored, Billings Clinic, Health Center Northwest in Kalispell and Bozeman Deaconess Hospital all received an “A.” The Hospital Safety Score website, hospitalsafetyscore.org, also provides information on how the public can protect themselves and loved ones during a hospital stay.
Fishing outfitter Craig Mathews, who owns Blue Ribbon Flies in West Yellowstone, says the restrictions are the right decision. “We need to consider the whole picture and protect the resource.” West Yellowstone, he said, is blessed because it’s at the headwaters of many of these rivers, where the water remains cooler regardless of air temperature. The fishing there this summer has in fact been “incredible,” Mathews said, and he has quite a few clients returning for the fall. “With over 2,000 miles of trout stream so near West, we’re not in the same boat as those other communities and businesses downstream. We also have so many lakes that fish well—literally hundreds nearby that get no fishing pressure.” Getting anglers to “secondary” water more off the beaten track can be
challenging, he said, “but they all hold beautiful water and are open to the public.” When fishing warmer rivers like the Yellowstone, there are a few things anglers can do to ease the stress on the fish, says Paul Bloch, a guide with George Anderson’s fly shop in Livingston. He suggests using barbless hooks, not taking the fish out of the water, and releasing them into slow water. “We want people to go out fishing and have a good time, but we also want to ensure that the resource is there down the road,” Bloch said. He and Mathews both pointed to overcrowding as one potential issue caused by restrictions. The Madison River below Earthquake Lake, already a popular area, is particularly at risk for this. Though the evenings are cooler now than in July, the extended forecast calls for continued hot and dry weather— conditions that contribute to continued low stream flows and high water temperatures. “Shorter days are helping a little, but by themselves, not quite enough,” Nash said, adding that the rivers in Yellowstone aren’t likely to reopen at least until late August. For updated information on Montana rivers, visit fwp.mt.gov, scroll down to “river restrictions, closures and reopenings.”
Funds available for land and water enhancement projects, rural schools BOZEMAN – The Gallatin County and Southern Montana Resource Advisory Committees are soliciting for project proposals to enhance forest ecosystems and restore and improve land health or water quality on the Custer and Gallatin National Forests and/or adjacent nearby lands. The advisory councils will work with the Forest Service to collect proposals and recommend projects that will benefit forest health, fish, wildlife, soils, watersheds and other resources; maintain roads, trails, and other infrastructure; and/or control noxious weeds. Funding can also go toward the Secure Rural Schools program. Projects can be completed through partnership agreements, by open-bid contracting with individuals and corporations, or by Forest Service personnel. Proposals are due Aug. 27. In 2011 and 2012 Gallatin and Southern MT RAC’s approved more than 40 projects across the two national forests, working with over 60 organizations. The proposals represent the interests and needs of specific communities, said Custer and Gallatin Forest Supervisor Mary Erickson. The funds are available because of Congress’s one-year extension of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. The extension will bring approximately $346 million to counties across the western U.S., according to the Gallatin National Forest. Project Submission Forms are available on the Custer and Gallatin National Forest websites at fs.usda.gov/custer or fs.usda.gov/gallatin.
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Big Sky Weekly
Richard Carlisle Langley inducted into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame Western heritage passed down three generations By renae counter
big sky weekly editorial assistant
BIG TIMBER – Richard Carlisle “Dick” Langley was inducted into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame this year, honored for his contribution to the cowboy way of life between 1898 until his death in 1999. His granddaughter, Shana Langley, lives in Big Sky. Richard was born on May 10, 1898 in Durango, Colo. to William and Catherine Langley. In 1899, the family moved to Montana and settled in Hound Creek. Richard attended school there until age 13, when he began breaking horses on his uncle Jimmy Carlisle’s horse and cattle ranch. At the time, Carlisle operated one of the largest horse operations in central Montana. During the 1920s, Richard rode broncs and placed well at most of the major rodeos in the state including Great Falls, Wolf Point and the Bozeman RoundUp. He also rode broncs in California and at the Cheyenne Frontier Days in Cheyenne, Wyo.
Dick Langley leaving Sundance - Cheyene, WY
During a rodeo in California that Langley placed in, which didn’t pay out the winning riders, Richard found himself stranded without money to return home. So, he met with the Ringling brothers of the Ringling Brothers Circus to sell his prized bulldogging horse, Ted. The brothers agreed to take Ted back to Montana on the railroad with their bucking horses, as they were also rodeo stock contractors. “When [Richard] was back in Montana, he got a letter saying that Ted had made it to Bozeman,” recalled Bill Langley, Richard’s son. “Dad went down and got Ted, and then helped herd those bucking horses from Bozeman to Ringling then on to Sun River. It was 250 miles round trip, all on horseback, but that’s just how they did it in those days. It was their mode of transportation.” After winning the bronc riding at the Wolf Point rodeo, the stock contractor offered to take Richard to go to the Cheyenne Frontier Days. During his time there, the famous rodeo photographer R.R. Doubleday captured two consecutive photos of Richard riding the infamous bronc Sundance. The first picture shows Richard holding on right before Sundance flipped over backwards, a move for which the horse was known. In the second photo Richard is landing on his feet after bailing off the horse. The first was later reproduced into a postcard that Doubleday sold to rodeo crowds. “I met R.R. Doubleday when I was 12,” Bill said. “Before that I didn’t know about the picture. When I met Doubleday, he told me that the picture of my father sold more postcards than any other picture he’d taken.” A life size painting of the photo was also reproduced in the old Cheyenne Train Station, where it hung for many years before the building was torn down. Currently, the picture can be found in the Cheyenne Frontier Museum and Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame. After Carlisle’s death in the late 1920s, Richard and his brother Lew bought the Carlisle estate horse operation, where they raised bucking horses for rodeos across central Montana. According to Bill, Richard often test rode the broncs he raised before sending them to rodeos across Montana. During the 1930s and 40s, Richard put his bucking horse saddle to rest and began judging local rodeos. He also began breaking and selling horses for Montana ranches. Today, his family carries on the same tradition with their Spinning Diamond Horse Production, an operation currently run by Bill, who
resides in Blackfoot, Idaho and his daughter Shana. Shana has raised horses on her ranch in Big Sky, as well as in Bozeman. The horses they raise today are descendants of Richard’s, including Ted. “Grandpa gave me the inspiration to keep my Western heritage alive,” Shana said. “I’m so thankful for him. I really did learn from the best.” Richard Langley passed away on Dec. 10, 1999, at the age of 101. The induction ceremony for the 2012 Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame inductees will take place in Helena in February 2013 when the new Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame in Big Timber is completed.
Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame seeks nominations for 2013 BIG TIMBER – The Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center is seeking nominations for the 2013 Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame inductions. Nominees can be living and historical figures—men, women, ranches, stagecoach lines, animals or hotels—anyone or anything that has made a notable contribution to Montana’s Western heritage. Nominations are open to the public, and the Cowboy Hall of Fame board of directors encourages people from across Montana to get involved, said Christy Stensland, the organization’s executive director. “We encourage all to reflect on those that have made
notable contributions to our Western heritage.” This will mark the third year the MCHF and WHC will honor living historical figures and the sixth of honoring legacy inductees. The board will vote on one living inductee and two legacy inductees from each of its 12 districts. Find more information at montanacowboyfame.com or by calling (406) 653-3800. Nomination documents must be postmarked by Feb. 22, 2013. The 2013 Class of the MCHF and WHC will be announced by May 15, 2013. Winning inductees will be honored at the 2014 Annual “Circle the Wagons Gathering.”
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Big Sky Weekly
montana Wildfires cause smoky skies in Montana By tyler allen
big sky weekly staff writer
As of press time, fires were burning across the northern Rockies, bringing smoky skies to southwest Montana. The six Rosebud Complex fires had burned 174,000 acres south of Miles City by Aug. 8. The fire was due to “record low levels of fuel moisture, relative humidity in the single digits, and 30 – 40 mph gusts [of wind],” according to Jack Connor, the information officer working on the fire. The fire has burned grass primarily, and last year’s heavy rains have resulted in a very thick fuel load this year. Several small fires have been active in Yellowstone National Park this season, including the 25-acre Dewdrop Fire, which was started by lightning on July 27. This fire resulted in a number of trail closures but was allowed to burn since it wasn’t viewed as a potential threat to people, property or buildings. “We look at each fire individually and re-visit the management strategy [as it burns],” said park spokesman Al Nash. “We evaluate potential threat to people, property, and buildings; current and forecast weather conditions;
and future and current availability of firefighting resources,” when deciding whether to suppress a fire in the park, he said. A human-caused fire will always be suppressed. In the Gallatin and Custer national forests, fire fighters have been responding almost daily to initial attack fires, said Marna Daley. Initial attack fires are those that can generally be contained by the first team dispatched. “We do have the ability to let fire play a natural role in the ecosystem, but given the conditions we haven’t had the opportunity to let fire benefit resources because of the threat to private property,” Daley said. The fire danger remains “very high” in Yellowstone and Gallatin and Custer National Forests. Stage I fire restrictions are in effect for the Gallatin National Forest, while Stage II fire restrictions in the Custer National Forest prohibit building any fire at all. A 35,000-acre fire outside of Stanley, Idaho has also contributed to the haze over Montana, as the prevailing southwest winds often blow smoke from that blaze in this direction.
Data as of Aug. 8, 2012 from the National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service
Analyzed fires from satellites Critical Fire Weather Area Analyzed smoke from satellites (dense) Analyzed smoke from satellites (moderately dense) Analyzed smoke from satellites (thin)
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montana Transportation bill secures trails funding through 2014 Officials still determining what it means for Montana roads resulting in a $200,000 decrease annually in Montana, from $1.5 million to $1.3 million.
By tyler allen
big sky weekly staff writer
WASHINGTON D.C. – The new transportation bill, signed into law by President Obama on July 6, solidifies funding for thousands of miles of Montana trails for the next two years.
Even with the decrease, this is positive news, said Beth Shumate, Trails Program Manager for the state. The program will receive dedicated funding until FY 2014, and RTP will continue to fund important trail projects around the state providing a welcome boost to local economies, she said.
Called Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), the bill will secure $105 billion a year in federal funding through fiscal year 2014. When the bill goes into effect Oct. 1, it will be the first time since 2005 that surface transportation has been federally funded on a multi-year basis.
RTP is required to allocate funds for motorized, nonmotorized and diversified trails on municipal, county, state, Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands. While the funds don’t support new construction on federal lands, they can be used for re-routes or trail maintenance.
By authorizing $82 billion in federal funding for road, bridge, bicycle route and walking trail improvements for fiscal years 2013 and 2014, MAP-21 should result in new jobs across the country.
Federal, state, county or municipal agencies, private associations and clubs are all eligible for RTP funding. Projects include development of urban trail linkages; trails information; trails-related environmental protection and safety education; development of trailside and trailhead facilities; construction of features to assist disabled individuals; and trail construction and maintenance.
For Montana, it means a slight decrease in federal funding for state transportation projects; however, longterm funding is good news and, “It’s exciting we at least got a multi-year bill,” said Lynn Zanto administrator for the Montana Rail, Transit and Planning Division. State officials are still in the process of determining what the new funding levels will mean for individual transportation programs, Zanto said.
Since there will be $200,000 less to compete for statewide, “the quality of applications [for RTP funding] will be even more important,” Shumate said.
One major project that falls under the transportation bill is the Recreational Trails Program, which funds 50 – 70 trail projects in Montana annually. Under the new bill, RTP will be funded at fiscal year 2009 amounts,
Other eligible projects include weed control on or near trails and restoration of areas damaged by trail use.
Big Sky Weekly
New district ranger for Butte and Jefferson ranger districts BUTTE – Starting Aug. 12, Dave Sabo will be the new BeaverheadDeerlodge National Forest district ranger for the Butte and Jefferson ranger districts.
The counties where he’ll work, Silver-Bow, Jefferson and Madison, are all “areas of critical need” in terms of minerals and timber management, said Forest Supervisor Dave Myers. District ranger in the Fremont-Winema National Forest in south-central Oregon for the last two years, Sabo comes with a depth of knowledge in natural resource management, according to Myers. Sabo has 25 years of experience working in natural resource management for the Forest Service on the Fremont-Winema and the Salmon-Challis National Forests in Idaho. This includes time as a forestry technician, timber management assistant, minerals management specialist and acting district ranger. He’s also an outdoors enthusiast and enjoys hunting, fishing and whitewater rafting.
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Big Sky Weekly
Opinion: Natural abundance beyond a screen by Charles Wolf Drimal big sky weekly opinion writer
Yellowstone—Through a soft-gray early morning light, my old four-cylinder Toyota truck putted along the Yellowstone northeast entrance road heading west from Cooke City. Stratus clouds loomed low, swallowing any indication of a towering high country crag existence overhead. Without Abiather Peak or The Thunderer to gape at—two stalwart massifs of the park’s Absaroka Range—my attention was drawn to the nuances of the lowlands. With my driver’s side window rolled down, a mid May chill felt just right. The cold, damp air awakened my senses. Patches of snow and a receding stretch of crystalline ice glittering across the banks of Soda Butte Creek caught my attention. The vitality of a Yellowstone summer was slowly reemerging. Despite my modest speed, third gear seemed too fast for the rhythm of the scenery. Sure, I had an itinerary. Eventually I wanted to be in Livingston. But I wanted to take it all in, every turn in the road, every shift of light, every movement across the landscape. A few miles into the heart of the Lamar Valley, two silhouettes crested a bluff on the north side of the road. Separated by a half dozen clusters of sagebrush, the wolves were moving at a swift canter. With bodies flowing in synchrony, their gazes were locked to the north, their concentration resolute. In this age of technological bounty, characterized by news, education and entertainment available by the touch of a finger on any size screen we choose, I’m grateful for the natural abundance we’ve so controversially managed to conserve: the bounty beyond the screen. This includes wild spaces such as deep backcountry expanses as well as roadside frontcountry national park haunts. In Yellowstone, we’re all fortunate to witness the profusion of wildlife— bison, wolves, grizzly bears, elk, bighorn sheep and other four-leggeds once pushed toward regional extermination. But equally important to the presence of wildlife and wild lands is the spontaneous and uncalculated contact with these faces and spaces that excites the
blood and brings purpose to our senses. In a chance meeting with a cloudburst of early summer snow, a coyote’s howl across a valley, or a wolf crossing our path, we’re instinctively brought into the present, timeless moment. Whether on foot or in a vehicle, it makes no difference. Spontaneous contact with the natural world around us makes us most alive, most whole and most human.
those piled up to witness wolf packs in the great North American Serengeti. Could road rage be the next expectation of your summer Yellowstone auto-traverse? Others argue the application updates might lead to increased speeding, in turn putting wildlife and human safety at further risk along roadways. But truthfully, something deeper is at risk.
Henry David Thoreau’s exclamation of “contact!” upon summiting Maine’s Mount Katahdin speaks to the integration of a level of awareness that covers a horizon, was hard-earned, and revealed a sensual connection to landscape that took time and attention to cultivate.
The objectification of both wildlife and wild lands through technological gadgets removes us from witnessing a reality that unfolds before our eyes. In our distraction, we miss the significance and opportunity to connect with the bounty available to each of us in the present moment. Tied to a world of instant gratification, we forsake patience. Without patience, we disregard that which lies before us.
For more than 100 years, our time in national parks has largely been devoid of screen distractions—at least the kinds that separate the virtual representation of reality from the on-the-ground dynamic, organic and unpredictable wild form. But a new gadget has entered the market that could change this and influence the national park experience.
One of my heroes, a wandering Japanese mountainman-poet named Matsuo Basho, wrote on a pilgrimage to a far province, “the journey is home.” Sound familiar? Our own Western iteration to this axiom is “the journey is the destination.”
Recently, a couple of companies have created apps that enable tourists to pinpoint where they’ve spotted wildlife and then share this information with others in the park. They include Where’s A Bear and YNP Wildlife App. Now, instead of scanning the horizon for a sauntering sow or wolf pack on the hunt, one need not look any further than a digital screen to locate a recent wildlife sighting. In theory, this tool might enhance a visitor’s experience. Out-of-towners and locals alike may increase their odds of observing animals for a nominal $0.99 investment and a willingness to adhere to the everchanging information on a phone screen. One might argue that the benefits to this technology extend further, if exposure to wildlife leads to an increased support for wildlife conservation. But in Yellowstone—the world’s first national park and the genesis of our country’s early efforts to conserve something big and wild—we must consider what the use of these applications might sacrifice. Opponents caution against the inevitable car crowding for grizzly sightings or traffic control needs for
Abiding by this principle, we can connect with the natural world that presents itself in this moment, with full awareness and fulfillment. By slowing down and welcoming smell, sound and touch into our awareness, we reaffirm our intuitive sense of being alive and graciously connected to the rich, dynamic tapestry of our Earth. This is an ancient birthright that no smartphone application can substitute. I slowed my truck further when I saw the two wolves on the rise in the Lamar. A silver tipped male sat on his rear haunches like a domestic canine at rest. His darker charcoal-colored partner remained on all fours, her nose slightly lifted, subtly searching for a scent. Moments later, without a glance in each other’s direction, by an unknown cue, both darted down the backside of a knoll. As two wolves vanished, their story escaped into a world unknown to any screen. Charles Wolf Drimal is an ecopsychologist, wilderness guide, conservationist, Zen Buddhist practitioner and a poet. He leads wilderness meditation expeditions for the Absaroka Institute and advocates for public lands conservation with the Greater Yellowstone Coalition.
Yellowstone July 2012 visitation
Sumer bison population estimate
1000000
Yellowstone National Park has completed its annual summer bison population monitoring.
800000
600000
Three airplane surveys were conducted with a high count of the population at 4,230 bison. There are approximately 2,600 bison in the Northern herd and 1,600 in the Central herd this summer. There were about 600 calves-of-the-year observed in a June aerial survey. This year's observations represent an increase of nearly 14 percent over last year's count. The peak population estimate of 5,000 bison was recorded in the summer of 2005.
400000 Three airplane surveys were conducted with a high count of the population at
200000
0
4,230 bison. explorebigsky.com
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Big Sky Weekly
Creighton Block
Rob Akey Greg Alexander Jim Barrett Susan Blackwood Diana Brady Lynn Cain Todd Connor Tom Dean
John DeMott Jerral Derr yberr y Flavia Eckholm Edd Enders Thomas English Howard Friedland Mark Gibson Don Grant
Mimi Grant Frank Hagel Ott Jones Harr y Koyama David Lemon Asha MacDonald Mike Patterson Paula Pearl
Jacqueline Rieder Hud Gar y Lynn Rober ts Daniel San Souci Deb Schmit Laurie Stevens Ezra Tucker Shirle Wempner
ARTI ST PR O FI LE Todd Connor was born in 1964 and raised in Tulsa, OK. He began painting in pastels and oils at the age of 12. After high school he joined the Navy, where he ser ved as a Navy SEAL in Coronado, CA. After militar y ser vice he toured National Parks and historical sites throughout the West, and determined to return to painting. After 4 years of study divided between landscape and figurative work, he received a BFA in 1997 from the prestigious Ar t Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA. He briefly worked as a colorboard painter for Universal Studios in Japan before making the leap to full time painter in 1999. Todd Connor has met with much success in venues including the CM Russell show and auction in Great Falls, MT and Settlers West Galleries’ annual Great American West show in Tucson, AZ. His influences include Impressionists,
Todd Connor “Sunday Morning Shadows”
Asian calligraphy, and early American Illustrators. His exceptional ability to convey a strong sense of character, as well as a sense of time and place in his ar t, has led to commissions and acquisitions by some of the country’s most
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16 Aug. 10-23, 2012
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Section 2:
Big Sky Weekly
Aug. 10-23, 2012 Volume 3 // Issue No. 16
business, health and environment
health & wellness
A deep breath Yoga on the deck at Moonlight By emily stifler
big sky weekly managing editor
MOONLIGHT BASIN – Delilah Eakman set an intention before starting her Monday morning yoga class on the deck at Moonlight Lodge: “understanding your own happiness.” Your happiness, she said, is your responsibility. The class of 13 was spread out on yoga mats along the sun-shade line on the broad deck, a mix of locals, tourists and Moonlight homeowners. The ski trail next to the deck was covered in green summer grass, and the Challenger chairlift arched against the skyline 1,000 feet above the lodge. Eakman led the group in a coordinated warm up breath, stretching tall, then bending at the waist and breathing loudly as they released their arms to their mats. “We’re responsible for the feelings in our own bodies,” Eakman said. “You’re responsible for the feeling you’re having today on this mat… Just be how [you] are today, accepting [yourself].” A marmot chirped 100 feet away, perched on its haunches on the rocks above the pond. Next, Eakman led a series of gentle poses, explaining the proper alignment for each. A light breeze floated across the deck, and the sun warmed the morning air as the class moved through sun salutations, mountain pose, then half-moon, forward bend, standing squat, warrior one, tree pose and knee down twist. The class that morning was like a satisfying yawn, a stretch, and a deep breath that said ‘I’m glad to be alive.’
Photos by Erik Morrison
Why should men do yoga?
To close the practice, she had the group lie on their backs in shavasana, covered in blankets for 10 minutes, then passed out cards with quotes from yogi Amrit Desai, her teacher. The group read aloud about communication, love, service, difficulties and acceptance.
Big Sky Weekly Contributor, Ersin Ozer, asked facebook users, "Why should men do yoga?" Here were some of the top responses:
One of the attendees that morning, Laura Maiocco, lives in Crystal Beach, Fla. and owns a Powder Ridge cabin at Moonlight. Maiocco has come to Eakman’s classes on and off for six years.
Because it's good for your soul n body. When you practice for a while you can notice that you can do whatever you want and feel light like a feather. -Cristóbal
“My favorite thing is the setting, the weather, the view,” Maiocco said. “I come to feel great the rest of the day. It can’t get much better than this.” Eakman couldn’t agree more. “Teaching yoga is my greatest joy,” she said. “I can see the peace it brings to others.” “To know that in some way I’m able to bring deeper relaxation to others—that’s what my yogi [Amrit Desai] taught me.”
Because when you get old, you'll have a nice, limber back. -Anne
Because being flexible and limber isn't just a female thing. -Tami Because you'll be surrounded by hot chicks in yoga pants...duh! -Jennifer "How often should one do yoga? How often tdo you use your body" Bikram Choudry -Missy My wife wants me to. -Clint Everyone should do yoga! It reminds us how important it is to live in the moment! -Nikki
Delilah Eakman teaches relaxing Amrit Yoga on the deck at the Moonlight Lodge every Monday and Friday morning during the summer, from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. The classes are a gentle a mix of stretching and balance poses, focused on relaxation. “We’re so busy today doing and going, instead of being,” Eakman says. “This class gives you an opportunity to stop and just be.” A 500 Yoga Alliance certified instructor, Eakman has lived full time in Big Sky for 13 years and has been teaching on the deck at the Moonlight Lodge for seven. She strives to tailor each class to the needs of her students. Yoga mats, blocks, straps and blankets are all provided. For more information, visit moonlightbasin.com or call (406) 993-6000.
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Aug. 10-23, 2012 17
Big Sky Weekly
Buscrat’s Comedy Show Showtimes & Locations 8:00-9:30 PM
health & wellness
Mon Aug 20
Big Sky Resort Conference Center
Mountain Village
Ask Dr. Dunn
Wed Aug 22
Big Sky Resort Conference Center
Mountain Village
By maren dunn
Wed Aug 29
Lone Peak Cinema, Big Sky MT
Town Center
Sun Sept 2
Lone Peak Cinema, Big Sky MT
Town Center
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big sky weekly health writer
My child was diagnosed with “hand, foot and mouth disease.” What caused it and are there any long-term complications? Hand, foot and mouth syndrome, a childhood illness that’s been prevalent in our community recently, is caused by coxsackievirus. This virus spreads through respiratory secretions (saliva, nasal drainage), as well as through fecaloral contamination. In infants and toddlers, HFM Syndrome usually presents as a fever for three to five days, followed by a rash. While the rash can vary in its severity and location, HFM Syndrome typically shows up on the palms, feet, buttocks and in the mouth as small, tender spots. The illness does not cause any longterm problems, but in the short term can cause dehydration and severe discomfort. Treatment is based on mollifying the symptoms: ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain and fever, cool liquids for hydration. The transmission rate, or degree of infectivity, is about 50 percent in close
contacts. Studies have shown households with affected children in diapers seem to spread the illness more efficiently, which is likely due to virus to passing through stool. Adults are usually not affected by the virus, as they typically carry antibodies that protect them. Coxsackievirus and its cousins echovirus and enterovirus tend to wreak havoc during the summer and fall months. While there is no vaccine, you can protect your family and community by using a good hand washing routine. Even though the virus can spread before symptoms are apparent, it’s always important to keep your child home if he or she develops a fever.
Maren Dunn, D.O., is owner of Gallatin Family Medicine, a medical clinic in the Big Sky Meadow Village. Have a question? Email her at inquiries@gallatinfamilymedicine.com. gallatinfamilymedicine.com
Join us on the porch this summer baked goods | pizza | $2 pbr | sweet iced tea | fresh lemonade | iced coffee
we deliver 406.995.2305 open 7 days a week 7am-10pm view menu at: bigskybluemoonbakery.com located in westfork plaza mall, Big Sky 18 Aug. 10-23, 2012
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sports
Big Sky Weekly
Big Sky Softball schedule Field 1 - 530pm Field 2 - 530pm
Field 1 - 645pm
Field 2 - 645pm
13-Aug
3v11
4v13
4v11
3v13
14-Aug
Make up #8
8v9
8v14
5v10
15-Aug
2v13
20-Aug
10v13
4v5
5v6
7v13
21-Aug
4v14
6v11
3v12
1v14
22-Aug
1v2
Make up #10
Make Up #11
Make Up #12
Standings as of Tues., Aug. 7 National League Team 1 Big Sky Resort Team 2 Country Market Team 3 Scissorbills Team 4 Big Sky Christian Fellowship Team 5 Cab Lizards Team 6 Black Bear Team 7 First Place/Cabin
W/L 2-11 11-1 7-4 1-6 6-6 9-3 5-10
American League Team 8 Lone Pine Huckers Team 9 Eye in the Sky Team 10 Milkies Big Dogs Team 11 Beavers Team 12 Broken Spoke Team 13 Lone Peak Brewery Team 14 Connecticut Softball Club
9-0 11-1 7-5 7-5 3-9 2-7 1-11
By Brandon Niles
Big sky weekly sports columnist
Phelps makes history Four years ago, a young swimmer named Michael Phelps took the Olympics by storm, winning eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Already an established winner in Olympic swimming, Phelps became a national icon during his Beijing dominance, breaking the record for gold medals won in a single Olympics. This year, Phelps made history again. After winning the silver medal in the 200 butterfly to make it 18 total Olympic medals, Phelps won the gold in the 4x200 freestyle relay on Tuesday, July 31. With a total of 19 medals in his career, Phelps has surpassed Larisa Latynina as the Olympics’ most decorated participant of all time.
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Michael Phelps shows off one of his 19 Olympic medals as he stands on the victory podium at the National Aquatics Center in Beijing. (cc)
Latynina won 18 total medals in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s, and her record has held true until Phelps’s remarkable victory. Though clearly on the downhill side of his Olympic career, Phelps returned to the Olympic games this year as a fan favorite and a national hero. His dominance four years ago led to talk show appearances and even included hosting an evening of the popular sketch comedy, Saturday Night Live. Phelps has become one of the most recognizable Olympians in history, and now he has officially become the most decorated. Phelps has an unprecedented 15 gold medals now. Latynina had a very impressive nine in her career. Phelps, age 27, may be participating in his last Olympic games this year but his legacy will go on in history. What Phelps has done for the sport of swimming is difficult to mea-
sure, even in gold medals. Americans who previously gave thought to swimming on only a peripheral level now beam with national pride at the mere mention of Michael Phelps and his accomplishments. While he isn’t likely to bring swimming to the same profitability level that Tiger Woods did for golf, Phelps has proven to young aspiring swimmers everywhere that there is fame and fortune to be gained in the sport’s upper echelon. Perhaps most importantly, a new bar has now been set for swimmers and athletes of all kinds to aspire to. I wonder who the next person will be to raise it? Brandon Niles has done online freelance writing about the NFL since 2007. His articles range from NFL news to team-specific commentary. A Communication Studies graduate student at the University of North Carolina Greensboro, Niles is also an avid Miami Dolphins fan, which has led to his becoming an avid Scotch whisky fan over the past decade.
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Aug. 10-23, 2012 19
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gallery
Big Sky Weekly
The Chilkoot Trail An artist's journey Artist Corrie Francis Parks at work near Lake Lindeman
By corrie francis parks big sky weekly contributor
The last five days of sun on the upper glaciers caused the Taiya River to encroach onto the trail in knee deep pools that seeped through my gaiters and collected in the toes of my boots. I sloshed in my own private puddle with each step as a steady drizzle filtered through the trees. Wet from above and wet from below, I was already missing the Montana sunshine that saturates the mountains around my home in Big Sky. Not the most promising way to start a 13 day hike over the most famous pass in gold rush history.
Photos courtesy of Corrie Parks
The Chilkoot Trail starts a few miles west of Skagway, Alaska. Only 33 miles long, it was the fastest, cheapest route to the Klondike. From 1897 – 1898, more than 30,000 people used the route, dreaming of fist-sized gold nuggets paving the creeks in the interior. Most of these “Stampeders” carried at least one ton of supplies to keep them alive for the first year until they turned “sourdough,” or turned for home. Hauling their gear on their backs over the 3,525-foot pass one heavy load at a time, their goal was Lake Bennett, where they could build a boat and float the remaining 600 miles to Dawson City. Now I was leaving my own footprints as the first artist-inresidence to officially walk the entire trail.
Today the Chilkoot is a through-hike, part of Klondike Goldrush International Historic Park. As many as 50 hikers a day cross over Chilkoot Pass, retracing the steps of the prospectors and native Tlingit traders before them. Ecologically stunning, the trail rises from Alaskan coastal rainforest through alpine tundra and into the subalpine boreal forest of British Columbia. An unusual addition to the natural wonders of the trail is the “sacred trash”—rusty tins and frying pans, moss-covered boards and bits of heavy machinery abandoned by the prospectors in their rush to get to the gold fields. These castaways are now an archaeologist's road map to the past so the trail wardens and park rangers make sure they are carefully preserved as found. As with any residency, the most precious gift for an artist is time. While most hikers are on the trail for three to five days, I’ll be around to see the weather change, talk to new people as they pass by, and watch myself grow as an artist. I was hiking alone, but my first evening reminded me that this is a social trail. All the hikers stopped at the same campgrounds, shared the same cooking tents and bear-proof storage, struggled up the same 1,000foot ascent of slippery boulders on the Golden Stairs, and basked in the same sunshine once they reached Canada. It was hard not to make new friends, and I chatted with people from ages 7 to 82, locals from Skagway and Whitehorse and travelers from Spain and Poland. This is a trail of stories and memories, and that’s why I was there. As a documentary animator I was unearthing stories on this trail and mixing them with my own experiences to bring new art into the world. The things I remember most from my trips into the
20 Aug. 10-23, 2012
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gallery
A postcard from Chilkoot Pass
wilderness are the moments I’ve recorded in my sketchbook. The creative act solidifies my memory of a place, perhaps because I take the time to translate it into something physical. When I look back at the drawings years later, I feel the mosquito bite on my knee, hear the sounds of my companions setting up camp, catch the scent of the forest on the breeze. My goal with this residency was to bring this vibrancy to my fellow travelers and pool our memories into a collective portrait of the trail. At the top the Chilkoot Pass, I asked them to write or draw one memory on a self-addressed postcard. One year from now, I will drop all those postcards in the mail as an unexpected trigger to a vibrant memory of their authors’ adventures. In the meantime, some of those postcards will become part of an animated documentary about the trail. Though the Stampeders were seeking gold in the Klondike wilderness, the vast majority didn’t find their fortune. From their letters and diaries, we can see they did find other things: adventure, suffering, love, and insight into human nature at its best and worst. At the end of my own journey, as I read through some of the postcards people wrote to themselves, I saw these same things. Ultimately, this is what makes these places worth preserving.
More Results Selling more real estate than any other firm in Big Sky for the second year running.
Corrie Francis Parks is an animator and photographer living in Big Sky. You can read her detailed trail journal and see more artwork from the residency at klondikeletters. com, and see some of her animation and photography work at corriefrancis.com.
Prominent Western artists coming to Big Sky Paint Out BIG SKY – Well-known Western artists are returning to Big Sky this summer for a plein air paint out, Aug. 15 – 19. The public will be able to observe the artists painting outside, view studio art, attend workshops and a reception, and purchase paintings created during the four days. The program will be based out of the ‘Easels under the Big Sky’ headquarters in Town Center, at 175 Aspen Leaf Drive in the Peaks Building between the Hungry Moose and the fire station in Town Center. The studio will be open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. every day of the event. The reception will be Saturday, Aug. 18 starting at 6 p.m. Ten percent of all sales that evening will be donated to the arts program at Ophir School.
For more information or to get invovled, contact Debbie Crowther at (406) 995-4354 or debcrow@3rivers. net; Pat Scott at (406) 995-3006 or patriciascott@gmail.com. The following artists are planning to attend the paint out: Wesley Drake Tom Gilleon and Laurie Stevens Frank Hagel Louise Lamontagne Dave Mensing Caleb Meyer Lori McNee Robert Moore Nick Oberling Bob Schlegel Janet Sullivan Steve Oiestad Jeff Walker (probable) R. David Wilson Michele Usibelli
Jason Parks, Broker 406.580.4758
Branif Scott, Broker 406.579.9599
Ania Bulis, Broker 406.580.6852
Sandy Revisky, Broker 406.539.6316
Jackie Miller, Broker 406.539.5003
*Based on 2011-2012 information from Gallatin Association of Realtors MLS Data
www.purewestproperties.com | 406.995.4009
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business
Big Sky Weekly
Remote-control car track opens in Big Sky
Lone Peak Brewery expanding to accommodate music, bigger events
By renae counter
By tyler allen
big sky weekly editorial assistant
BIG SKY – Add remote-control car racing to the list of outdoor recreation activities for the whole family. Rudy Noorlander, owner of the winter snowmobile outfit, Alpine Adventures, recently opened a remotecontrol car track in Big Sky next to the Exxon gas station on Highway 191. Noorlander, who has worked in Big Sky for more than 20 years and has run a snowmobile rental operation here for eight seasons, said he wanted to bring another niche to Big Sky for tourist and locals to enjoy.
Full day rentals include an extra battery pack and a quick charger. With time and pending interest, Noorlander hopes to expand and improve the track to incorporate a lap counter and timer. Also, since the cars are waterproof and virtually indestructible, he plans to build a winter track to continue the racing year round. For more information or to schedule a race time, contact Noorlander at (406) 580-3812.
Currently, he has four remote control cars and a track for racing. The cars can be rented for $1 a minute, with the first lap free in order to test the course.
big sky weekly staff writer
BIG SKY – Big changes are in store for Big Sky’s lone brewery. By this winter Lone Peak Brewery will have installed a larger kitchen across the hall, expanded the bar into where the existing kitchen is, and opened a new space on the second floor. First, the plan is to construct the new kitchen in the space where the game room is now. The shuffleboard and ski ball will move upstairs. Then they will expand the bar into the old kitchen space, adding 10 – 12 seats. “The goal is to have the new kitchen constructed and functioning, and the bar expanded by Thanksgiving, December 15 at the latest,” said Steve Nordahl, co-owner of the brewery with his wife Vicky. They also hope to have an upstairs waiting area ready by that time. In addition to functioning as a laid-back area for people to wait for tables in
Photo by Renae counter
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22 Aug. 10-23, 2012
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the restaurant, the second floor will also be a spot to host musical events, banquets and private affairs, Nordahl said. He plans to have a stage built in the space upstairs this winter and capacity for 75 – 100 people during musical events. “We would like to be able to do pseudo-VIP parties up there,” he said, “because people at the [Yellowstone] Club would like to go out but still be able to hide. That’s what they come [to Big Sky] for.” “The [upstairs] space will be an evolution as we see what people are into, what works,” he said. “We had a five-year plan to take over the whole building, and we’re on schedule.” The next phase should begin this coming spring, with construction of an outdoor beer garden south of the front entrance. The brewery plans to remain open during renovations.
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FLATHEAD LAKE HISTORIC TIMBER was harvested from pristine wildlands surrounding Flathead Lake at
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the turn of the 20th Century. Millions of feet of this lumber sank to the bottom of the Flathead, where the cool water preserved and enhanced the beauty of the wood over the last 100 years. Northwest Management Inc. is salvaging the submerged logs with the aid of scuba divers, giving new life to this uniquely beautiful, brilliant colored timber. Every aspect of these “historic timbers” is hand manufactured piece by piece by our well trained staff who sort and select materials designed to meet your specific needs.
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business - chamber news Wayfinding sign plan submitted to government agencies
Big Sky Weekly
Moonlight Basin to host August Business After Hours
By robin brower-mcbride big sky chamber of commerce
BIG SKY – The Big Sky Chamber of Commerce would like to invite all current and welcome current and potential members to the upcoming Business After Hours, Thursday Aug. 16, at the Moonlight Lodge, from 5:40 – 7:30 p.m. If you couldn’t make our annual dinner, we’re encouraging everyone to come out for this opportunity to indulge in good conversation over tasty morsels while catching up on the exciting changes taking place in our community. Let’s all get together for an evening of networking, socializing and dining with colleagues, new and old. Those who stay to dine will receive 10 percent off at Jack Creek Grille. Remember to bring extra business cards to win advertising with the Chamber. For more information, call (406) 995-3000
The Big Sky Chamber of Commerce is submitting a wayfinding sign plan this August to the Montana Department of Transportation for review and approval. The graphics pictured above are an example of the proposed design. The next steps are to submit to MDT and to Gallatin and Madison counties for final approval, and to send to contractors to bid out. The goal, according to the project’s manager Ryan Hamilton, is to get the signs up as soon as possible.
On Saturday Aug. 18, Moonlight Basin will host its Moonlight Adventure Day, a free public program from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. During the morning, the Jack Creek Preserve team will teach water monitoring, and in the afternoon, there will be an interactive wildlife education session.
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Aug. 10-23, 2012 25
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NEW LISTING
TRACT 3 SECTION 5
$4,000,000 • #175378 • Call Erin 579-3583
• • • •
162.4 +/- acres section 5 zoned commercial/residential close to hunting, skiing, hiking great mountain property
NORTH FORK ROAD
• • • •
• • • •
4 bd, 4 ba, 3,500 +/- sf furnished with over $124,000 furniture next to flowing creek with outstanding views heated 2 car attached garage
216 +/- acres, old growth forest, meadows ap. 3/4 mile of North Fork flows through borders public lands, private road outstanding Spanish Peak views
• • • •
LOW DOG ROAD
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• • • •
$1,295,000 • #184968 • Call Stacy or Eric
3 bd, 3.5 ba, 3,000 +/- sf beautiful furnishings secluded and private ski-in/ski-out from rear patio
• • • •
• • • •
$589,000. • #181216 • Call Tim
condo unit #1659, 3 bd, 4 ba, 1,950 +/- sf ski/in, ski/out, upgraded free standing condo great furniture package, indoor hot tub Spanish Peak views, agent owned
3 bd, 3.5 ba, 4,181 +/- sf custom home ski-in/ski-out, beautiful furnishings great rental history, immaculately maintained includes: www.bigskyvacationrental.com
GALLATIN HIGHLANDS
ARROWHEAD CONDO
$695,000 • #176399 • Call Don
20 +/- acres, spectacular views located on gentle slope, private driveway ideal for a new home, well is drilled convenient to all of Big Sky
NEW LISTING
MOONLIGHT MTN HOME
BEAVER CREEK W, LOT 13
CRAIL RANCH TOWNHOME $899,000 • #180839 • Call George
$3,500,000 • #157326 • Call Don
Big Sky Weekly
$575,000 • #180951 • Call Stacy
• • • •
20 +/- acres, meadows, old growth fir trees fabulous Gallatin Range views south facing, includes Locati house plans minutes from Big Sky Town Center
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• • • •
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2500 LITTLE COYOTE RD • • • •
$495,000 • #183440 • Call Stacy
2 bd, 3 ba, 2403 +/- sf members private clubhouse w/ pool, kitchen adjacent to Big Sky Golf course additional den/bonus rooms sleeping
261 HERON DRIVE
SKYCREST CONDO #1708
$389,000 • #183610 • Call Tripp 579-6978
• • • •
4 bd, 3 ba, 2776 +/- sf close to Hebgen Lake panoramic view of the mountains full daylight basement
• • • •
$325,000 • #184872 • Call Leah 539-7665 2 bd, 2 ba, 1,725 +/- sf, exquisitely furnished stone fireplace, outdoor terrace, sun room views of Lake Levinsky and Lone Mountain ground levelunit, parking garage, storage
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$264,500 • #181905 • Call Lincoln 682-5002
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GALLATIN RIVER FRONT $250,000 • # 184874 • Call Brooms 580-4290
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MADISON COURT # 17 • • • •
• • • •
GALLATIN CABIN
$199,000 • #180293 • Call Eric
2 bd, 2 ba, 1,207 +/- sf furnished condo corner unit, spacious kitchen 1 car attached garage close to Big Sky Town Center
.6 +/- acres, back to the Gallatin River 4 bd septic installed, 25 GPM well drilled between Bozeman and Big Sky off Hwy 191 a rare opportunity, build dream home here
CASCADE LOT 69B
• • • •
$190,000 • #183761 • Call Lynn 581-4268 406 +/- sf dry cabin, outhouse 1 +/- acres, picnic area, fire pit 150’ Gallatin river frontage borders USFS, great access
$225,000 • #183317 • Call Stacy or Eric
.86 acre lot premier mountain enclave w/ views ski in/ski out lot could be combined with next door
RAMSHORN, LOT 4 • • • •
$189,500 • #180395 • Call Don
nice level building lot all season easy access great views of Porcupine Creek electricity and phone to lot
LOOKING GLASS RD LOT 63 • • • •
$225,000 • #181151 • Call Stacy
.25 +/- acre level building lot overlooks golf course great views of the surrounding mountains municipal water, sewer, utilities are adjacent
22 PRIMROSE LANE
$72,500 • #184268 • Call Stacy or Eric
• • • •
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Stuart Koch, Sales Associate, 406.581.1225
26 Aug. 10-23, 2012
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outlaw news Outside magazine names Outlaw Partners one of America's ‘best places to work’ in 2012
W HERE B IGGEST S KIING
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SANTA FE – Outside magazine named Outlaw Partners to its “Best Places to Work” list on Aug. 2. Outlaw was ranked No. 83 out of 100 companies selected for 2012. In the article’s intro, author Gordy Megroz explained the criteria: “Enlightened companies seek ambitious individuals who work hard, think big, and crave life-affirming careers, lunchtime bike rides, and soul-expanding travel.” All the companies selected for the list had a common thread, Megroz said in a phone interview. “They provided employees with great opportunities to go out and enjoy the outdoors and exercise.” Megroz wrote about Outlaw culture: “Long hours, lots of creative energy flowing throughout the office, and people passionate about their work—that’s Outlaw in a nutshell.” He also noted perks like season passes to the local ski area, gym passes, the occasional cat-skiing trip in British Columbia and multi-day raft trips. A skier himself, Megroz said the cat skiing trips definitely stuck out in his memory. “Not too many companies offer that. That sort of sold me.” The in-house music studio for blowing off steam on the drums is also “cool and different,” he said. Outside went through a yearlong selection process to create the ‘top 100,’ identifying nonprofit and forprofit organizations with at least 15 employees working in a U.S. office. Participating companies received confidential employee-satisfaction surveys and employer-questionnaires to collect information about benefits, compensation, policies, job satisfaction, environmental initiatives and community outreach. Best Companies Group, an external partner, analyzed the results and selected the companies that best enable employees to pursue active lifestyles while also supporting their social and environmental contributions. Outside senior executive Michael Roberts described the top 100 as
“forward-thinking companies [that] believe success depends on helping their employees live more active and fulfilling lives.” In addition to lauding environmentally and community minded companies, Megroz said the idea was to highlight those that “just seem like the Outside readers’ ideal place to work.” Outlaw, a fully integrated marketing, consulting, video production and media firm based in Big Sky, was founded in 2009 and has grown quickly. It now serves more than 400 clients and also owns and publishes the Big Sky Weekly, Mountain Outlaw magazine and explorebigsky.com. "It's truly an honor to be recognized among such a prestigious list of companies,” said Outlaw CEO Eric Ladd. “Our team works incredibly hard to represent our clientele, and we’re very fortunate to work in this beautiful mountain town." "We always wanted to create a fun, dynamic company and have our team equally inspired with the projects and clients we work with," said Outlaw COO Megan Paulson. "To be named as one of the top 100 in the county is something we can all be very proud of." The online story gets significant traffic on outside.com, Megroz said. “I wouldn't be surprised if you get quite a few resumés flowing your way.” Other businesses on the list include Osprey Packs, New Belgium Brewing, Horny Toad, Smith Optics and Backbone Media. From Montana, Mercury CSC, the ZaneRay Group, Seeley Lake Elementary School, Adventure Life and River Design Group were also included. The full list of 100 is available at outsideonline.com/bestplacestowork. Profiles of the top 10 performing small, medium, and large companies will be published in the September issue of Outside magazine, available on newsstands Aug. 14. E.S.
Build your dream and let the memories begin.
loneviewridge.com
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Big Sky Weekly
business profile
Hang up and slow down • Maintenance AsphaltAsphalt Paving Paving • Maintenance • Seal Coating Seal Coating • Lot Striping • Patchwork Crack Sealing Lot Striping Patchwork • Crack•Sealing Owner Supervised - 30 years Experience Owner Supervised 30 years Experience
The New Clothesline Company hangs your dryer out to dry
Serving all of Southwest Montana Serving All of Southwest Montana
1st PROOF
ate, and return within five working days for completion of your file. is greatly appreciated in returning this proof even if the ad is approved as is.
TREE REMOVAL 995-7852
By samuel sveen REMOVING ........................................ ❑DEAD AND INFESTED TREES big sky weekly contributor Grants Available for BOZEMAN – Carol Bildahl has twisted the classic wooden laundry rack into cated changes ............... ❑ Home Fire Suppression a sleek, space-saving, anodized aluminum work of design: the LOFTi and AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE DATE
proof will not be sent out to customer.
DUO, by The New Clothesline Company.
Approved RC&D Hazardous Fuels After a visit to her family’s home in Ireland, the entrepreneur brought the urned before publication, Statewide Publishing will not be responsible for any inaccuracies in the advertisement. Reduction Contractor old-fashioned air-drying method back to Bozeman, creating a new, much
Designer: LDM
sexier version for the American consumer. Based on the ‘Slow Movement,’ which advocates a cultural shift toward slowing down life's pace, the laundry still dries—just more slowly, and gentler, too.
Proofed by: ______ N:_____A:_____P:_____
Tom Newberry:
995-7852
BigSkyTrees@aol.com
The LOFTi rack pays for itself within a few months, Bildahl says. The average American electric dryer is not only the size of a small European car, but is
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Call for appointments in Bozeman or Big Sky
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CREEKSIDE DINING | 406.587.3114 4 blks S. of 4corners on Hwy 191 | Mon-Sat / 8am-3pm
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Big Sky Weekly
Classifieds also the largest energy suck in the house—even more than, say, your fridge. Plus, Bildahl points out, your clothes retain what they would otherwise be losing to your dryer’s lint trap. While gaining exposure through trade shows, websites, and a few retailers so far, the former Connecticut resident launched the business in December 2011 and is already distributing worldwide while working from her Bozeman home. Although its design is seemingly simple—a few parallel rods hanging from the ceiling— Bildahl spent nearly four years developing it. The wooden rack was indeed inspiration, but she sought improvements: sturdier, space-saving, shipping-friendly, customizable, aesthetically pleasing. Working with a designer, she created a final product that was small, lightweight and colorful, with an instructional assembly video to match, sans language barrier. The user can alter the rack’s size by adding or removing tubing segments, and raise or lower it with a system of pulleys and rope. Hanging from the ceiling, the LOFTi not only saves space in a cramped laundry room, but also takes advantage of the fact that heat rises. For Bildahl, the LOFTi location of choice is on her porch, the Bridger Mountains as the backdrop. The New Clothesline Company has also created a smaller accessory rack called the DUO, which can snap onto the end of the LOFTi or hang on its own. While the larger rack is suited for heavier items like jeans or towels, the DUO is better for smaller articles like underwear and reusable baby diapers. Websites including Amazon, organize.com, stackandstacks.com, and clotheslines.com are selling the LOFTi and the DUO, as are several stores in Big Sky and Bozeman. In order to keep costs down and make the products affordable to consumers, Bildahl is manufacturing, packaging and shipping them in an Asian factory. In Bozeman, Bildahl has teamed up with a handful of other local upstarts to create a shipping deal with FedEx, which has made a Bozeman warehouse doable, as opposed to the usual shipping centers of Seattle or Los Angeles.
for rent
for sale
RENTALS RAFTS/TUBES, DRIFT BOATS, RV'S, TRAILERS, SKI BOAT, BABY GEAR BigBoysToysRentals.com 406-587-4747
Southfork home for sale in Big Sky Finished in 2009, 3 bedroom, 2.5/ bath, ~2000 sq ft, open floor plan, very efficient, low heating costs, hardwood floors, outdoor deck. $389,000. Call 406-595-6641
services
Unfurnished 1 BR condo with loft in Meadow Village near postoffice, bank and bus stop. All utilities included except telecom,TV and internet. No pets allowed. $625/mo. Telephone Guy Glenn, (406)656 0769- leave message.
Victoria Bentley is the Owner and Director of Bentley Bodies, a premiere mind-body-wellness boutique committed to healthy lifestyle choices. Locations are in Big Sky and Bozeman. bentleybodies.net
help wanted Choppers is hiring experienced line cooks and servers. Call 995-3830 to schedule an interview.
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“It’s really great and easy to do business in Montana,” Bildahl said. The New Clothesline Company launched two weeks before Christmas 2011 on fab.com—a website featuring high-end design goods—and moved over 800 pieces through two separate product pushes. Since then, the company’s strong online presence has set in motion deals with major retailers like Crate & Barrel and various international distributors. The product will soon be available in Canadian stores and already has an exclusive UK retailer. Going forward, Bildahl would like to be able to donate her product to lower-income families or Habitat for Humanity, and perhaps outfit an entire ‘eco-dorm’ at Montana State University. She also envisions adding a line of organic detergents and other laundry accessories.
Home of tHe
One obstacle is that in many urban neighborhoods in the U.S. there are restrictions against hanging laundry. The LOFTi could slide in as a neat solution there, too, Bildahl says. thenewclotheslinecompany.com
Fulton/Hertz/Hoover Wealth Management Group 875 Harmon Stream Blvd., Suite 200 Bozeman, Montana 59718 (406) 556-4407 (800) 995-3443 www.fhhwealthmanagment.com
Riding a bull market is easy
Contact: Koy M. Hoover, CFP Vice President/Investment hooverk@stifel.com
Email classifieds and/or advertising requests to: media@theoutlawpartners.com
(406) 995-2055
(It’s the bear market that can throw you off) We are please to support Professional Bull Riders Association
Classifieds!
Member SIPC and NYSE | stifel.com
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30 Aug. 10-23, 2012
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Big Sky Weekly
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environment Natural gas prices surge with this summer’s heat By tyler allen
NorthWestern Energy issues RFP for renewable energy projects
Thompson pointed to renewable energy as a sensible economic solution.
big sky staff writer
Natural gas prices in the U.S. have soared this summer, stimulated by increased air conditioning use due to record heat. One of the country’s largest natural gas facilities, Henry’s Hub in Louisiana, saw prices spike from April’s record low of $1.85 per million British thermal units to $3.14/MBTU in July—a 70 percent jump in cost. “Couple [the] heightened cooling demand with decreasing production in natural gas, and it becomes apparent that natural gas is just as volatile of a commodity as oil,” wrote Parker Thompson in a July 31 blog post for THB Energy Solutions. Based in Gallatin Gateway, Energy Solutions is one of the area’s leading geothermal installers. Thompson, the company’s renewable energy consultant, took a look at the rising costs and possible repercussions. He explained that as natural gas prices fell to a 10 year low to meet the cost of electricity, utilities switched to using natural gas to fire power plants. Oil companies then directed attention to extracting more profitable oil. As natural gas reserves dwindled quickly, commodity traders pushed the price higher and higher. By late July, natural gas was trading at a seven-month high. Whether the price of natural gas will continue rising or will come back down with the coming winter is still unsure, Thompson said. “Either scenario could play out,” he wrote. “What this situation further demonstrates is that fossil fuels are merely market driven commodities.”
“Renewable energy, on the other hand, is far less susceptible to the energy markets. After all, the sun is providing us constant, free energy. Once you make a capital investment in photovoltaics, solar thermal, geothermal heat pumps or wind turbines, you are buffering yourself from high market volatility of fossil fuels.” In a demonstration of that volatility, prices for natural gas actually fell last week with the heat abating around the country. Additionally, the peak of the coal-to-natural gas switch is “probably behind us,” for the season, according to Addison Armstrong, senior director of market research at Tradition Energy, quoted in the Wall Street Journal’s Market Watch. This means that utilities will be burning more coal to produce energy at least in the short term, and the price of gas will continue to fall. But a cold winter could drive the price of natural gas back up if there is a heavy heating demand. While fossil fuel markets have been “on a roller coaster ride in the last 10 years,” the financial return on renewable investments can be as high as 20 percent, depending on the system type and design, Thompson noted. The Federal government is offering 30 percent tax credits on renewable energy investment through 2016, making investing in renewables more reliable than the stock market or hedge funds, he said. To see the full post visit thbes.com/blog.
Big Sky Weekly
BUTTE – NorthWestern Energy has issued a Request for Proposals seeking up to 45 megawatts of renewable energy generation. The RFP is intended to identify resources to help NorthWestern meet obligations for costeffective renewable energy from communityowned projects in Montana. Under current legal requirements, NorthWestern Energy projects an additional need for renewable energy projects starting in 2013. The proposed projects should qualify under Montana’s community renewable resource statutory requirement. Proposals are due by Sept. 28, 2012. In a press release, the utility encouraged local developers, Montana businesses, energy companies and landowners to submit qualifying projects that provide a “homegrown renewable energy resource for the benefit of electricity consumers in Montana.” Contact Steve Lewis or Tim Castille at Lands Energy Consulting for more information. Lewis can be reached at slewis@landsenergy. com or (206) 726-3695. Castille can be reached at castille@landsenergy.com or (503) 704-4313. The RFP is available at landsenergy.com.
Northfork PRESERVE bigskytowncenter.com
Where Big Sky Comes Together
NORTHFORK PRESERVE 216+/- acres with apx ¾ mile of both sides of the Northfork. Incredible building site with views of Yellow Mountain. Borders public land, great access to cross country ski trails and the Spanish Peaks. Offered at $3.5M
farmers market: Join 80+ vendors every Wednesday from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at fire Pit Park for the farmers market, starting July 11. • fresh Produce, herbs, plants, flowers, freshly prepared food, baked goods • Local and regional artisians • Live music and much more!
D O N P I L OT T E , GRI
RRS SFR
BROKER Ranch & Recreational Group Prudential Montana Real Estate Cell 406-580-0155 RanchMT.com
An independently owned and operated member of The Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc. Prudential is a registered service mark of The Prudential Insurance Company of America. Equal Housing Opportunity. All information contained herein is derived from sources deemed reliable, however, is not guaranteed by Prudential Montana Real Estate, Managing Broker, Agents or Sellers. Offering is subject to error, ommissions, prior sales, price change or withdrawal without notice and approval of purchase by Seller. We urge independent verification of each and every item submitted, to the satisfaction of any prospective purchaser.
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Aug. 10-23, 2012 31
LONE MOUNTAIN RANCH
ADVENTURES & FINE DINING
JOIN US FOR OUR SUMMER 2012 DAY ADVENTURES FLY FISHING
Our ideal location in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and extensive permits for fishable waters provides for exceptional fly fishing experiences. All guides are ORVISŽ endorsed and provide personalized instruction based on anglers’ skill level and preferences, while learning the science of fly fishing and surrounding ecosystem. Trips include guide fees, flies, transportation, shuttle service, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. Walk/Wade Half Day Walk/Wade Full Day (includes lunch) 1 angler $250/trip 1 anger $375/trip 2 anglers $275/trip 2 anglers $425/trip 3 anglers $325/trip 3 anglers $475/trip
Drift Boat Full Day (includes lunch) 1 or 2 anglers $450
DINING LODGE & SALOON
Our cuisine is an epicurean exercise taking advantage of locally produced offerings and prepared to satisfy the kind of appetite that develops after outdoor adventures. Join us in the Dining Room for an elegantly casual evening or stop by the Saloon for small plates, like our Pulled Pork Sandwich. Dinner, Tuesday-Friday, 5:30-9pm (by reservation) Saloon 4-10pm, Live Bluegrass Wednesdays at 8pm *Taxes and gratuities not included in above pricing; contact LMR for full details and reservations
HORSEBACK RIDING
Our experienced wranglers and horses will guide you through some of the most diverse and spectacular scenery in the west, including the bordering Lee Metcalf Wilderness, Gallatin National Forest and Yellowstone Park. Riders ages 6+ of all ability levels welcome. 2 Hour Group Rides $65 per person 2 Hour Private Rides $130 per person
YELLOWSTONE PARK VAN TOURS
Our seasoned naturalists share an unrivaled intimacy and understanding of the Park Tuesdays and Fridays, 7:30AM-5PM. All tours leave from the Ranch Outdoor Shop and include lunch, your guide, transportation from Big Sky and Park entrance fees. Group Park Tours, $195 per person Private Tours, $650 for 1-4 people; $50 for each add. person
GUIDED HIKING
Join us for a half day and full day guided hikes in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, including Yellowstone Park. Every guided experience is planned with the abilities and interests; hikes include guide and transportation. Half Day Hikes $125 per person All Day Hikes $195 per person (includes lunch)
PH: (406) 995-4644 Lon eM ou ntain Ran ch .com Reser vat ions@LM Ran ch .com
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Section 3:
Big Sky Weekly
Aug.10-23, 2012 Volume 3 // Issue No. 16
life, land and culture
entertainment Nashville singer/songwriter Stephanie Quayle is returning to her native Montana for the Big Sky Songwriter’s Festival Aug. 15 – 19. Quayle will take part in many of the workshops and panels and also perform live at the festival. Contributor René Kraus interviewed Quayle on the phone this summer as a precursor to the festival.
The future of country music Stephanie Quayle By René kraus
big sky weekly contributor
“Ain’t No Housewife,” which is now available on iTunes. When Quayle moved to Nashville in November of 2011, she knew she’d found home. “Here, everyone speaks my language, or I speak theirs,” she says. Quayle finds it easy to express her various sides in Nashville—a humanitarian, an artist and a songwriter. It’s a supportive and exhilarating environment for a musician, she says. Today, her musical influences include Patsy Cline, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire. Quayle loves the ‘old country’ style and heart, yet also listens to contemporary artists such as Miranda Lambert. She has performed all over the U.S. in pursuit of her dreams.
Photo courtesy of Stephanie Quayle
NASHVILLE – Born in Bozeman, Stephanie Quayle grew up on a bison ranch where music played at home seven days a week. As a young girl, Quayle sang in a choir, gave impromptu performances and did anything she could to expose herself to music. She wrote her first song at age 12, yet didn’t really see music as a career option. That view changed during her time as an exchange student in Switzerland. There, she was introduced to a Swiss band and performed with them all over the country. From that experience, she knew music was her future—but not yet specifically country music. Quayle moved to Los Angeles after high school, looking to find her way. But, she says, she soon tired of the L.A. dictates on who she should be, how she should look, what she should wear, and especially, how she should sing. Then, in 2009, she suffered the loss of a loved one, a profound experience that changed her entire outlook. Quayle knew she had to bring more to her craft than just songs—she wanted to infuse them with a sense of drive and determination, and through her music, demonstrate the support and encouragement she received during a difficult time in her life. That fall, Quayle was invited to Maria Shriver’s Women’s Conference, where she performed and shared her story. Also that year, she self-released
but exceptional. She regularly consults a “wall of songs” in her studio, where each work in progress is categorized by its emotional content. She hopes to have this collection ready for performing and recording sometime in 2013. Meanwhile, Quayle is regularly performing in the bars, cafés and hole-in-the-wall joints that make Nashville so special. After one recent performance at which she followed music legend Jerry Foster on stage, Quayle received her greatest professional compliment. After she performed, Foster approached her. “You are the future of country music,” he said. For more information on Stephanie Quayle, visit stephaniequayle.com.
At the first annual Big Sky Songwriters Festival this August, Quayle is looking forward to introducing her music colleagues to her original home. This event is the start of something extraordinary, she says. Quayle has been a friend of the festival founder and organizer, David Goodwin, for many years. When he invited her to perform, she readily agreed, but knew that wasn’t quite enough for her. She wanted to help bring the energy, passion and excitement of this type of event to Montana, to help it grow into a Big Sky institution. “When it’s right, it’s very easy and natural,” Quayle said. “That’s how it is to be working to bring awareness of this event and helping to make it a major event for Big Sky. It’s fun and just right for me."
SKIN•HAIR•NAILS
facials with coupon
11 Lone Peak Dr. #203 (Town Center, Above Grizzly Outfitters) Big Sky, MT 59716 (406) 995-2722 www.bigskyhair.com
Healthy Skin by Christy Skaggs Next up for Stephanie Quayle: working on a collection of songs that are not just OK,
styleseat.com/christyskaggs 406.539-3313
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Aug. 10-23, 2012 33
entertainment
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Big Sky Weekly
The Jaybirds
Bluegrass, roots rock coming up for Thursday free concerts By Brian Hurlbut
arts council of big sky
BIG SKY – Award winning bluegrass band John Reischman and the Jaybirds will play at the Town Center Park on Thursday, Aug. 16, and the irresistible old fashioned guitar band Mike Beck and the Bohemian Saints will play the following Thursday, Aug. 23. Both concerts are part of the Arts Council of Big Sky free summer concert series. Years of European and North American tours, five critically acclaimed albums, two Juno nominations and two Canadian Folk Music Award nominations—there is a buzz around John Reis-
chman and The Jaybirds. Like the well-known mandolin player at its helm, the group describes
The Jaybirds describe their version of bluegrass as “at once innovative and unadorned, sophisticated and stripped-down, happily old-fashioned, yet unselfconsciously new.” its take on bluegrass “at once innovative and adorned, sophisticated and stripped-down, happily old-fashioned, yet unselfconsciously new.”
A genial blend of story-telling and sideshow humor provides the backdrop to its studied performance of original songs, instrumentals and newly arranged traditional material. Hailing from the variegated ranks of the contemporary West Coast acoustic music scene, each of these 'birds has earned his wings. Bluegrass Unlimited magazine describes tone-master and composer John Reischman as “one of the world's undisputed masters” of the mandolin, a frequent accolade since his days with the Tony Rice Unit and California's Good Ol' Persons. Mike Beck composes most of the music for his band, Mike Beck and The Bohemian Saints. Their sound reflects a love for the Byrds, Burrito Brothers and the Rolling Stones, and their live show is reminiscent of the energy of the Grateful Dead. The San Franciscobased group has played together since 2002, and wherever they go their loyal fan base follows. The band's music is aired on all five of California KPIG Radio stations, via the station's popular website, kpig.com, and on NPR Radio, CBC, Sirius and the BBC. The April 2009 issue of Western Horseman listed two of Beck’s songs in the “13 Best Cowboy Songs of All Time”(“In Old California” and “Don’t Tell Me”).
Mike Beck and the Bohemian Saints
34 Aug. 10-23, 2012
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All of this summer’s concerts are free and take place in Town Center Park on Ousel Falls Road in Big Sky. The park opens at 6 p.m., and music typically starts at 7 p.m. Food and beverages from local vendors will be available. Glass containers and pets are not allowed. Admission is free and suitable for all ages, and there is plenty of parking. For more information on these concerts and to hear songs from the artists, visit bigskyarts.org
ARTS COUNCIL OF BIG SKY PRESENTS
AUGUST 10-12
FREE MUSIC CENTER STAGE IN
TOWN CENTER PARK MUSIC STARTS AT 6PM NIGHTLY
FRIDAY- WINE TASTING 4-6 PM $20/TICKET, TOWN CENTER PARK
MUSIC/ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: ERIC FUNK
SATURDAY - OPEN REHEARSAL WITH ENSO QUARTET 10AM, TALUS ROOM, THE SUMMIT
BOSTON BRASS
SATURDAY - LECTURE WITH ERIC FUNK “ HOW TO ENJOY CLASSICAL MUSIC” 2:30PM, TALUS ROOM, THE SUMMIT
PERFORMANCES BY
Friday, August 10:
Saturday, August 11:
ENSO STRING QUARTET Sunday, August 12:
IMANI WINDS
B I G S K YA R T S . O R G
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Stay connected • Get involved • Never miss a story
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Aug. 10-23, 2012 35
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outdoors
Big Sky Weekly
Couple touches down in Big Sky during flight around Lower 48 By Tyler Allen
big sky weekly staff writer
BIG SKY – A yellow Piper Cub sped down the runway early on Friday morning Aug. 3, lifting into the bright blue skies above West Yellowstone. After two days in southwest Montana, Dana Holladay and Meredith Tcherniavsky were headed for Boise, Idaho, back in the air to embark on the rest of a two-month journey around the country. Flying between 500 and 1000 feet above the ground, and at a leisurely 75 mph, the couple aims to visit all 48 of the contiguous states this year. Their 1938 Piper J-3 Cub airplane can fly about 400 miles, or three hours, on a tank of fuel. However, they usually stop more frequently than that, “since the cockpit is small and very cramped,” Holladay said. The 90 horsepower plane weighs just 720 pounds, he said, so they take advantage of the cool mornings to fly, since hot air reduces lift and knocks the small airplane around.
photo courtesy of Dana Holladay and Meredith Tcherniavsky
Holladay and Tcherniavsky, who are from Rockville, Md., said they’ve “always dreamed about flying around the United States and exploring the American countryside from this unique perspective.” They’re writing a book about their adventure called Fly the Airplane, which they hope to publish at the end of 2012.
T EN
During their two days in southwest Montana, they stayed with their friend Paul Bousquet who has a second home in Big Sky. They explored Yellowstone, walked up to Ousel Falls and rode chairlifts at the resort. This was the first time either of them had been to Montana, and they were impressed by the view of Lone Mountain.
“This resort is so spectacular,” Holladay said. “I can't wait to return here in the winter to do some snowboarding.” The trip had been gone smoothly until they left Montana, when the couple had to land in Burley, Idaho due to strong headwinds that slowed the plane to 45 mph. They hope to be back in Maryland by Labor Day. Follow Dana Holladay and Meredith Tcherniavsky’s journey at holladayaviation.com.
Y FIFTH AN N
Truth & Beauty
SARY ER IV
TW
Both are commercial pilots and flight instructors, though Holladay quit his job to take this trip, which began July 1.
“We’re healthy enough to do it, and we’ve seen a lot of friends die recently from cancer, drunk drivers, et cetera. You just don’t know how much time you have on this earth,” he said.
h
Y SAR
IVER
ANN
BOZEMAN, MONTANA
406.586.1500 JACKSON, WYOMING
307.733.0733
www.onsitemanagement.com 36 Aug. 10-23, 2012
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Architect: Candace Miller Architects
Photography: Gordon Gregory
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outdoors
Big Sky Weekly
Mystery Ranch supports wounded vets on Mt. Rainier
Guide Andy Politz, veteran Keith Zeier and guide Art Rausch climbing Mount Rainier in Washington. Zeier’s leg was amputated above the knee after he was wounded in an IED explosion in Afghanistan. Both Zeier and Victor Munoz, a double-leg amputee, summited the mountain on July 12 with Camp Patriot, an organization created to take disabled U.S. veterans on outdoor adventures. Bozeman-based company Mystery Ranch provided the packs and some tactical support. Photo by Tim Gates, Mystery Ranch Backpacks
Guide Art Rausch and veteran Keith Zeier climbing near the summit of Mount Rainier. The climbers left Muir Camp (elevation 10,080 feet) at 10 p.m. and returned to the trailhead at 6 p.m. the following day. This was Camp Patriot’s sixth successful summit bid on Mount Rainier. Photo by Tim Gates, Mystery Ranch Backpacks
Big Sky Hikers' summer 2012 schedule Date
Rating-Hike
Trailhead
Length
Climb
Leaders
August 16
A Deer Lake
Deer Creek
9.5 miles
3,200 ft.
Lud Long (995-3931)
B Sheep Lake
Sheep Creek
12 miles
2,600 ft.
George Tallichet (993-2909)
C Mica Creek
Storm Castle
6 miles
800 ft.
Woody Burt (995-2761)
A Mystery Hike
TBD
TBD miles
TBD ft.
Rumsey Young (995-2629)
Trust us
B Mystery Hike
TBD
TBD miles
TBD ft.
George Tallichet (993-2909)
Trust us
C Mystery Hike
TBD
TBD miles
TBD ft.
George Macdonald (995-7172)
Trust us
August 23
Comment Trailhead near Raynolds Pass
Bike to Farm trips continue in August GALLATIN VALLEY – After four rides to four different Gallatin Valley farms this summer, the Bike to Farm series is continuing in August. As of late July, 35 people had participated in the guided group bike rides and farm tours. There will be two rides in mid-August, one day trip and one overnight. Starting at 10 a.m. in Bozeman from the Leaf and Bean Coffee House (35 West Main Street), the riders will head out to a local farm, where farmers will give an hour-long tour. Scheduled farm visits include a day trip to Slabtown Farm on Sunday,
Aug. 12, and an overnight trip to Norris Hotsprings, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 18 – 19. Riders will be need to bring their own lunch and be prepared to ride 20 to 75 miles. The Norris includes camping, music, dinner and a free soak in the hot springs. There will be a nominal fee for this trip. The Human-Powered Mountaineers, 406 Brewery and the Leaf and Bean Coffee House sponsor the rides. Check out Human-Powered Mountaineers Facebook events page for more information, or the blog’s event page at humanpoweredmountaineers.blogspot.com.
CINNAMON LODGE & ADVENTURES MEXICAN STEAKHOUSE • SALOON • RIVERFRONT CABIN RENTALS
Open Every Night At 4pm
8/18 - BASS CAMP HIP HOP SHOW 10PM 8/24 & 8/25 - GROOVIN ON THE GALLATIN MUSIC FESTIVAL CALL 406-995-4253 FOR INFORMATION!!
CinnamonLodgeandAdventures.com Located 11 Miles South of the Big Sky Intersection on Highway 191
BIG SKY’S ONLY FULL-SERVICE WORKOUT FACILITY OPEN 5 A.M.-10 P.M. 7 DAYS A WEEK DAY, WEEK AND YEAR-LONG MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE VISIT OZSSAGE.COM/GYM.PHP FOR DETAILS 32 MARKET PLACE, MEADOW VILLAGE, BIG SKY (406) 995 4522
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Aug. 10-23, 2012 37
HELMS JAMISON KULESZA
Big Sky Lifestyle Properties 201 SPRUCE CONE : $345,000 • 4 BR, 2BA, 2000 sq. ft. • Hand hewn logs and steam shower • Walking distance to a dozen restaurants • Current HOA dues $334/year and taxes $1817/year • $1450 monthly mortgage payment*
* Based on 10% down, 4% APR and 30 year mortgage. Contact your lender on rates, approval and availabilty.
365 ANTLER RIDGE : $599,000 • 4 BR, 3.5 BA, 2,850 sq. ft. • On-mountain views with off-mountain pricing • Near nordic ski trails • Current HOA dues $800/year and taxes $3131/year
To Big Sky Resort & Moonlight Basin
N
Anler Ridge
spanish peaks club house
settlement trail spanish peaks gatehouse
64 Rd ote oy le C Litt
201 Spruce Cone
64 Lone Mountain Trail
To bozeman To yellowstone
ousel falls rd
south fork rd
yellowstone club gatehouse
We have access to opportunities at Yellowstone Club, The Club at Spanish Peaks, Meadow & Mountain Villages, Moonlight Basin and the Canyon
bigskysothebysrealty.com
Tallie Jamison 406.600.8081
Ryan Kulesza 406.539.4666
Gear reviews
Black Diamond Focus climbing harness By pat wolfe
big sky weekly contributor
Since getting the Black Diamond Focus this spring, I’ve spent many hours climbing and hanging in it. A versatile harness, it’s low profile enough for sport climbing, but comfortable and durable enough for long trad routes. The small, auto-locking waist buckle doesn’t push into my belly and is easy to adjust. The leg loops are not adjustable, but a few inches of elastic keep them in place—something some of my women friends say is uncomfortably snug but has never bothered me.
can be hard to feel and pull gear off of, but it’s nice to have the extra space on longer routes for hanging lightweight extras like a raincoat. This harness is perfect for climbing in Gallatin Canyon, Blodgett or other long free climbs, but less suited to big walls or ice. blackdiamondequipment.com $79.95
1/2 price appetizers
after Thursday concerts 9-11pm
b word of mouth fresh, unique cuisine
warm, friendly atmosphere
hand-crafted cocktails, extensive wine & beer selection
serving late night 5-11pm daily
The best thing about the Focus is that it has lot of room for gear. There are four gear loops on the sides, a full strength haul loop on the back for a tag line, plus another gear loop that spans across the back. The secondary tag loop is so thin that it
for reservations, call 406-995-2992, opentable.com located in West Fork Meadows, Big Sky
spread the word...
Orthaheel Bryce: No ordinary flop By mike martins
big sky weekly staff writer
The flip flop hasn't changed much since its origins by the ancient Egyptians 6,000 years ago. Prolonged use tends to lead to significant pain in the user's feet, legs and ankles—at least that was the case until Orthaheel applied its Vionic sports recovery technology to the age-old footwear. Orthaheel is a shoe and sandal company specializing in technology designed to heal and restore the natural alignment of the foot and ankle. I recently tried out the Men's Bryce and put it to the test by logging miles on the beaches of Thailand and through the city streets of Seoul, South Korea. The first thing I noticed was the comfort that usually takes a month or two
of breaking in with typical flip flops. The Bryce immediately fit the shape of my foot. The Vibram soles gripped any trail I trucked, and the footbed cushioned every step. Backed by the American Podiatric Medical Association and endorsed by Dr. Andrew Weil, a pioneer in integrative medicine, Orthaheel sandals are made from durable leather and have flexible, lightweight construction. Due to the footbed technology, they cannot be submerged in water. Through sand, streets and many miles of airport alleyways, the Vionic Bryce by Orthaheel kept my journey pain free. Available in khaki or black/grey. Women’s model is the Cascade. orthaheelusa.com $79.95 – $89.95
DJ Miss Il l aneous
PORTION OF THE PROCEEDS GOES TO BENEFIT FAMILY OUTREACH explorebigsky.com
Aug. 10-23, 2012 39
EVENTS big sky
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Planning an event? Let us know! Email media@theoutlawpartners.com and we’ll spread the word.
Bozeman
Big Sky Farmers Market
GCF Farmers Market
Big Sky Town Center Wednesdays, 5 p.m.
Gallatin County Fairgrounds Events Park Saturdays, 9 a.m.
Moonlight Basin’s Yoga on the Deck
Moonlight Lodge Monday and Friday thru Aug. 31 Hike, Bike and BBQ
Moonlight Basin Tuesdays thru Sept. 4, 4:30 – 9 p.m.
Bozeman REI Aug. 23, 6:30 p.m.
Livingston Art Walk
Agents of Hope Carnival
Concert by Atmostphere
Bogert Park Aug. 11, 1 p.m.
Strand Union Sept. 10, TBA
Bridger Creek Boys
Bozeman Brewing Co. Aug. 13, 5p.m. Jazz and more with Kelly Roberti
Bozeman Public Library Aug. 13 & 20, 7 p.m.
Mountain Grip
Jake and Bill Fleming
Choppers Pub Aug. 16, 10 p.m.
Bozeman Public Library Aug. 13, 7 p.m.
Big Sky Songwriters Festival
Rockin’ TJ Ranch Farmers Market
Big Sky Resort Aug. 17, 18
Rocking TJ Ranch Mondays, 5 p.m.
Disc Golf Tournament
Bogert Famers Market
Big Sky Community Park Aug. 18, 9 a.m.
Bogert Park Tuesdays, 5 p.m.
Mathias and Friends
Lunch on the Lawn: The Duplikates
Choppers Pub Aug. 18, 9 p.m.
Emerson Center for the Arts and Culture Aug. 15, 11:30 a.m.
Lone Peak’s Revenge
Big Sky Resort Aug. 18 – 19, 9 a.m.
Bike Maintenance Basics
Bozeman REI Aug. 16, 6:30 p.m.
Mike Beck and the Bohemian Saints
Music on Main: Whitewater Ramble
Big Sky Town Center Aug 23, 7 p.m.
Downtown Bozeman Aug. 16, 6:30 p.m.
The Tyler James Brigade
Choppers Pub Aug. 23, 10 p.m.
Always, Patsy Cline
Ellen Theater Aug. 16 – 19, 8 p.m. Lunch with Patrick Lencioni
Bozeman Chamber of Commerce Aug. 16, 11 a.m. The Hooligans
Bozeman Public Library Aug. 19, 4 p.m. Cruisinae on Main Car
Groovin’ on the Gallatin
Cinnamon Lodge Aug. 24 – 25 This year’s Groovin’ on Gallatin will feature eight bands and 15 DJs. This two-day event will be held at the Cinnamon Lodge in Big Sky. There will be food available from Cinnamon Lodge and beer from Lone Peak Brewery.
Downtown Bozeman Aug. 19, 9 a.m. Darrell Scott
Ellen Theater Aug. 21, 7 p.m. Lunch on the Lawn: The Bridger Strings
Emerson Center for the Arts and Culture Aug. 22, 11:30 a.m.
west yellowstone All that Ugly
Wild West Pizzeria and Saloon Aug. 11, 9p.m. Smoking Waters Mountain Man Rendezvous
West Yellowstone Aug. 11 – 12, 9 a.m. The Bad Intentions
Wild West Pizzeria and Saloon Aug. 17, 9 p.m. Kennedy and the Assassins
Wild West Pizzeria and Saloon Aug. 18, 9 p.m. Fish Camp Boy
Wild West Pizzeria and Saloon Aug. 23, 8 p.m.
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Downtown Livingston Aug. 24, 5:30 – 8 p.m. Kaneae’s River
Pine Creek Lodge & Café Aug. 24, 7 p.m. 2nd Annual Art on the Lawn
Cobalt Moose Art Studios Aug. 25, 5 – 8 p.m. 17th Annual Madison River Run
Ennis Lions Club Park Aug. 25, 8 a.m.
virginia city The Brewery Follies
H.S. Gilbert Brewery 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Grand Victorian Ball of 1865
Virginia City Community Center Aug. 18, 7 p.m. Living History Weekend: The Flour Riot
Loose Pooch
Aug. 18-19
Wild West Pizzeria and Saloon Aug. 24, 9 p.m.
6th Annual Blues Fest
livingston & paradise valley Honky Tonk Heroes
Chico Hot Springs Saloon Aug. 11, 9p.m. Russ Ringsak & The Mudcats
Chico Hot Springs Saloon Aug. 12, 9p.m. Livingston Farmers Market
Bale of Hay Saloon Aug. 24 – 26, 9 p.m. Living History Weekend: Women of Alder Gulch
Aug. 25 – 26
norris hot springs music Eli Madden/Luke Flansberg
Aug. 11, 7 p.m.
Sacajawea Park Aug. 15, 5 p.m.
Mathias
Pine Creek Open Bluegrass Jam
Free Radicals
Pine Creek Lodge & Café Aug. 16, 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 17, 7 p.m.
Depot Roundhouse Roundup
Depot Lawn, Livingston Aug. 17, 6 – 9 p.m. Speakeasy
Aug. 12, 7p.m.
Brandon Taylor & The Tenants
Aug. 18, 7 p.m. Julie Elkins and John Lowell
Aug. 19, 7 p.m.
Pine Creek Lodge & Café Aug. 17, 7 p.m.
Tim Fast
The Saddle Tramps
Charley Orlando
Chico Hot Springs Saloon Aug. 17 – 18, 9 p.m.
Aug. 25, 7 p.m.
Lacy J. Dalton Concert
Music Ranch Montana Aug. 18, 7:30 p.m. Brewfest in the Park
Arch Park, Gardiner Aug. 18, 3 – 10 p.m.
40 Aug. 10-23, 2012
The Clintons
Gallatin County Fairgrounds Events Park Aug. 11, 9 a.m.
Classical Music Festival
Big Sky Town Center Aug. 16, 7 p.m.
Chico Hot Springs Saloon Aug. 19, 9 p.m. Sacajawea Park Aug. 20, 6 p.m.
Emerson Center for the Arts and Culture Aug. 11, 4 p.m.
John Reischman and the Jaybirds
Bozeman REI Aug. 22, 6:30 p.m.
Montana Rose
MSU Extension specialists
Rainbow Ranch Lodge Thursdays thru October, 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. Big Sky Town Center Aug. 10 – 12, 4 p.m.
Citizens and Connectivity: Volunteers Tracking Grizzly Bears
Backpacker Magazine Get Out More Tour
Home & Garden Tour
RR Wine Academy
Big Sky Weekly
Aug. 24, 7 p.m.
three forks Rockin’ The Rivers music festival
Aug. 10 – 12 rockintherivers.com
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EVENTS
Big Sky Weekly
Kirkwood Resort and Marina Historic Crail Ranch turns 110 fifth annual trout cook-off Harvest Potluck is Aug. 26 By Renae Counter
big sky weekly editorial assistant
HEBGEN LAKE – Kirkwood Resort and Marina is holding its fifth annual Trout Cook-Off Saturday, Aug. 18.
cooking utensils and barbeque equipment. There are two chances to win the cook-off. The top $250 prize will be judged by Chef Jim Gray, “The
Last year the event hosted approximately 300 people, and the resort is anticipating reeling in a larger crowd this year, according to Kirkwood manager Pamela Svieinson.
By Anne Marie Mistretta big sky weekly contributor
BIG SKY – Back in the day when folks homesteaded, trapped and mined here to make a living, “spooning” had nothing to do with spoons, and an invitation to dinner meant Potluck. On Sunday, Aug. 26 the Historic Crail Ranch will recreate those days with a Harvest Potluck from 2- 5 p.m. All are invited to this free event, which will take place at the Crail Ranch on Spotted Elk Road in Big Sky.
“Last year the event doubled from the year before,” Sveinson said. Photo courtesy of Pamela Sveinson
The event starts at 9 a.m. with Zumba by the lake, followed by the second Annual Hebgan Lake Sailboat Reggata hosted by the Hebgan Lake Yacht Club starting at 10:30 a.m. Throughout the day, chefs will prepare their best trout recipes. Chefs using fish caught in Hebgen Lake this summer will get additional points; even more bonus points will go to those using fish caught the weekend of the event. “The first couple years we had professional chefs come in for the event and they were beaten by the local fisherman who got the extra points for catching the fish in Hebgen Lake,” Sveinson said. There are still openings for people to show off their trout cooking skills, she said. The resort will provide
Kitchen Guy” from Missoula, and Suzi Rasdale, who will also be the musical entertainment for the evening. The $150 people’s choice award will be the attendees chance to sample the trout dishes and vote on their favorite. Along with cash, the winner is also awarded bragging rights.
Come to this festive feast to help the community celebrate the Crail Ranch’s 110th birthday, to savor an old-fashioned harvest stew prepared by Buck’s T-4, and to enjoy
music and entertainment. Please bring along homemade bread, your favorite dessert, or some fruit to share (no cream-based products please). After all—it’s an old-fashioned Potluck dinner. Complimentary beverages will be served. The Crail Ranch is an original settlers’ homestead and museum. Horses and bikes can be parked outside the ranch gates. Overflow parking for cars is located at the Community Park. A shuttle will be available from the park to the Crail Ranch. RSVP if you plan to attend at crailranch@cox.net. Tell us your name and the number coming. But remember—no spooning allowed!
Throughout the evening there will also be free beer tasting from Montana breweries, kayak rides and fly casting lessons. Awards for both the sailboat regatta and trout cook-off will be presented at 7 p.m. and followed by an evening of live music by Rasdale, an open jam session and a bonfire beside the lake. For further information or entry forms, contact Kirkwood Resort and Mariana (406) 646-7200 or visit kirkwoodresort.com. "Milk-break"
Photo courtesy of Crail Ranch
Montana Raptor Conservation Center open house, Aug. 26 By emily stifler
big sky weekly managing editor
BOZEMAN – Nigel the saw-whet owl, Pilgrim the turkey vulture, Bu the great horned owl, Chaco the Swainson’s hawk and Sammy the red-tailed hawk all live at the Montana Raptor Conservation Center northwest of Bozeman. These birds were brought to the center for rehabilitation, but because their injuries were too severe for release back into the wild, they’re now permanent residents. A nonprofit conservation organization, MRCC was founded in 1988 as Big Sky Wildcare. “As more people moved into the area, we were seeing negative results with wildlife,” said MRCC director Becky Kean.
By 2001, the group’s focus had narrowed to birds of prey, so its name changed as well. Because raptors are predators, they’re important indicators of the health of an environment, Kean said. “They’re at the top of the food chain in the bird world... If the raptors weren’t around, there would be rodents and insects everywhere. These guys help keep that a healthy balance in the bird world.” Today the raptor center provides veterinary and rehabilitative care for injured birds of prey from around Montana. Designed specifically for raptors, the facility has a flight barn for flight assessment and conditioning. Currently it’s caring for 25 injured raptors and has seven permanent ambassador birds.
On Sunday, Aug. 26 from noon to 4 p.m., the raptor center will host its second annual open house. Because it’s a rehabilitative facility, not an educational center, it isn’t open to the public, so the open house is a rare opportunity, Kean said. In addition to live ambassador raptors, the event will feature kid’s activities, food and beverages, and raffle prizes, including a chance to tour the facility. Local roaster Redbird Coffee has made a special blend for the Raptor Center and donated one-pound bags of coffee to the center for purchase during the open house. The Raptor Center is off Springhill Road just past Sypes Canyon Road and the fire station, at 161 Bent Wing Road. For more information call the center at (406) 585-1211.
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Aug. 10-23, 2012 41
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Big Sky Weekly
The enchanting power of the three-legged coyote Over the years folks has asked me if it’s true that I been alive fer countless centuries, and if so, how come? So I’ll tell ya. ‘Twas quite a few centuries ago, long befer Montana was a state. Matter of fact thar warn’t no Indians in the land, neither. One day I seen this coyote with only three legs. I pondered how he lost his fourth leg. Was he borned thataway? Did he lose it in a fight with a cougar or a bear? Either way, it was plain to see that that coyote had a plum determination to survive. Well, while I was a comtemplatin’ that three-legged wonder, he turned and looked me straight in the eyebone. A thought come powerful in my head, one I’d had many a time. My favrit past time was encouraging folks and doin’ kind deeds, and right then I thunk how wunnerful it’d be to be to influence and help folks… forever. Whilst me and that coyote stared each other down, that desire burned strong within me. Now, over the centuries I been follerin’ that determination ever since,
helpin’ and encouraging folks. That there coyote is still around too. Later, after the Indians came to this land, I noticed one warrior what was plum dejected cuz he warn’t no good with the bow and arrow. I watched him from my secret perch in the woods as he was out in the meadow practicing, missin’ everthing he shot at. Then that three-legged coyote came a trottin’ by through the meadow. The coyote jerked his head to the side jest fer a moment and caught that Indian eyebone to eyebone. A fierce determination pulsed through the warrior. As I watched him over the next few years, the warrior eventually became the most skilled archer in the tribe. He was so precise and powerful with his bow and arrow it only took him one arrow each time he went hunting for deer, buffalo, mountain lion or bear. He became the mightiest hunter and warrior in the land. Centuries later, in the early 1900s, as European settlers began moving to Montana, I seen one young feller get all fussied up when the gal of his affection turned him down to go to the town dance. He had a big chin (kinda
like that modern feller, Jay Leno) and knowed he din’t catch the eye of the young ladies. Well, one day whilst he was a walking home from school he seen that three legged coyote crossin’ the road. As the coyote looked to his left, then his right fer horses or wagons chargin’ down the road, he caught that homely feller square in the eyebone. Fer just a couple seconds they connected, eyebone to eyebone. Right then, that young feller was struck with a fearless determination to do what it took to eventually git that gal to marry him. After many persistent approaches follered by many disappointments and failures, he eventually won the young lady’s heart over. They got married and enjoyed a nice life together, having children and grandchildren over the years. I swear that Leno feller is a descendant of his. I seen many innerestin’ events happen to folks what caught the eye of the three legged coyote. Over the years, many folks have pursued him just to catch him with a glimpse, eyebone to eyebone. But he’s still a wild animal and ain’t one to reckon with.
Then it was the durndest thing. As the young lady went to the back of the restaurant to visit the ladies’ room, she heard a big ruckus goin’ on out back. She ran out just in time to see that restaurant owner banging a ladle against a pot, trying to git that three-legged coyote’s attention since he’d been digging in the trash. The owner knew about the enchanting power of the three-legged coyote and hoped to catch him, eyebone to eyebone. And then, like it was in slow motion, the three-legged coyote raised his head. The coyote stared the restaurant owner square in the eyebone, and then slowly turned his head to the girl. They also locked eyebones together. Suddenly both the restaurant owner and the young gal swelled up their chests, glowing, as a big smile beamed across their faces. Dogged determination entered their souls, as both decided nuthin’ would stop them from achieving their dreams. That was three years ago. Now that restaurant owner gots a fine successful restaurant, and that young lady went off to competing in the World Olympics in gymnastics.
Well, lately that three-legged coyote has been hanging around Big Sky. Just recently one young lady came here as a tourist with her family. She was feelin’ kinda dejected cuz she been doin’ poorly in her gymnastics, so her family brung her here to git her mind off her woes.
Yep friend, I still see that three legged coyote ever onc’t in a while in Big Sky and marvel at his enchanting power. Through the eyes of one who has seen the power of determination, we realize the ability within ourselves.
They was all eatin’ dinner at a small restaurant whilst the waitress was tellin’ them how the restaurant was about to close its doors fer good. The owner was throwin’ in the towel.
Buscrat's fables are simple stories that teach a moral. Buscrat welcomes you to visit buscratsfables.com and post your comments regarding the fable.
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Aug. 10-23, 2012 43
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some restaurants do italian food. some do chinese food.
WE DO BIG SKY FOOD
Big Sky Weekly
Got Noxious Weeds? We can help! The Gallatin/Big Sky Noxious Weed Committee
provides free onsite assistance, including identifying weeds on your property & recommending treatment methods.
For assistance, contact Jennifer Mohler at 406‐209‐0905 or bigskyweeds@gmail.com, and visit www.bigskyweeds.org. Noxious Weed Spotlight: Yellow Toadflax
Yellow toadflax, commonly called butter & eggs, is a non-native perennial that was introduced as an ornamental plant. Reproducing from seed and creeping roots, it alters and simplifies the species composition of natural communities and can lead to serious erosion problems. It’s invading pristine areas, including Yellowstone National Park. Control toadflax by cutting, pulling, or spraying seed stalks prior to seed set. Learn more at
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wanderer at rest
Cheetah sheep By jamie balke
big sky weekly columnist
As a child, I don’t think I ever fully appreciated a county fair. As an adult, they fascinate me. I love these events for the boundless enthusiasm, energy, lights and color. I attended the Gallatin County Fair this summer and was reminded of the first fair I saw through adult eyes.
I consented to try a ride that was supposed to simulate paragliding. My friend and I spent a great deal of time speculating as to where we would land when we would undoubtedly be catapulted to our deaths by the dubious ride. I wagered it would be the deep fryer of the funnel cake stand, while my friend held fast to his prediction that we would be impaled on the basketball hoops. In the end, the ride was a total blast.
At the time, I was working near Jackson, Wyo., and a college friend was scheduled to come into town for Next, we walked around and a visit. It had already been a hectic checked out the different animals. week. Sleep deprived, I drove from In one of the work to pick Toddlers are not pavilions we him up at the encountered renowned for their aim, airport. Being sheep that had from the East which the piglets found been totally Coast, he was out firsthand as they were shaved, wearvery excited flung haphazardly into the ing spandex to experiunforgiving bucket walls. clothing. One ence Western was rockculture, so we The toddlers were timed. ing a leopard went straight print number. to the county Tired, I didn’t immediately recogfair. nize the spandex and for a fleeting moment of incredulity I thought First on the agenda, we met up with we’d stumbled upon a cheetah my roommate’s co-workers to watch sheep. pig wrestling. I wasn’t sure what to expect, and I wasn’t prepared for As our group wandered about the what it actually involved. fair eating everything in sight, riding questionable rides, and even First, toddlers in costumes ran after winning a prize, I was euphoric. baby pigs in a mud pit, tackled them, This colorful show of massive proclutched them to their tiny chests, portions captivated and thrilled me. ran over to a bucket and dumped the squealing piglets in. Toddlers are not Overall, it was an excellent evening renowned for their aim, which the spent with friends. By the end I piglets found out firsthand as they was so tired I thought I might pass were flung haphazardly into the unout, was a bit nauseous, and utterly forgiving bucket walls. The toddlers satisfied to the core of my being. were timed. This was an all-night extravaganza of pig wrestling with different age brackets. As we were leaving, we noticed that the preparations for the advanced age group involved spraying even more water into the mud pit.
Jamie Balke moved to Bozeman in the fall of 2009. She can generally be found behind the cover of a book, meandering down a trail or desperately trying not to kill houseplants.
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Big Sky Weekly
Adventures between Montana and Alaska
Time well spent By mike mannelin
big sky weekly contributor
The air is easy to breathe. It isn’t hot or cold, and the wind carries with it the aroma of 1,000 blooming fireweed, forget-me-not, chocolate lily and lupine flowers. The sun has just picked itself out of the abyss below the horizon. As it works its way off the ground and into the sky, the southeast wind calms to a simple breeze. The airspace above me is filled with seagulls, ducks, cranes and magpies.
It’s taken me a couple of months to adjust to the lack of noise here. As I walk down the trail through the tundra, I hear the birds singing, the creek rippling, and the river meandering toward the ocean. About once a week the natural sounds are accompanied by the foreign noise of an airplane bringing supplies and human contact to our neck of the woods. I can hear an airplane about five miles away, which is before the pilot announces his arrival on the VHF radio.
Bear Lake, Alaska
level in the river rises and falls with a margin of around six inches, depending on the rain. Foxes and bears wander through the yard. Swarms of gnats and mosquitoes hover in what seem to be random places. Anywhere else I could be living right now, all these things would amount to nothing happen-
Photo courtesy of Mike Mannelin
ing. Here, that nothing is just about perfect. Mike Mannelin spends his summers in Alaska with his wife and dog, counting migrating salmon at a remote spot on the Alaska Peninsula. He is always looking forward to his next tram lap with friends in Big Sky..
The short hand on the clock spins I look across Bear Lake at the mountains. around twice for every rotation of our A glacier hangs onto one of the peaks, planet. Many people today will be its icy cracks growing all summer long. cramming in as many tasks as possible Quite a few during that time patches of period. Goals It feels as though I’ve snow hang will be met and on amid been freed from some new ones created. the green kind of gravity—not in Communications grass on the are being sent rest of the a physical sense, but a and, simultanemountains gravity that pulls memously, others around the bers of American society are received. I lake. imagine people towards a conventional in a city, rushEach day, ing from place idea of time managethe clouds place, focuspaint a difment that isn’t reflected to ing on projects ferent picupon, but accepted as immediately at ture of the hand. surrounda given. ing world. Some days they stretch themselves thin along ridges. Other days they hang as a low fog, covering only the lake. The high wall of mountains at the back of the lake separates the Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea, also separating two different weather patterns. Just like Lone Mountain in Big Sky creates its own weather, these mountains have a unique ability to hold up a stop sign to the clouds, causing them to form their own wall above the ridgeline. Today, the high, silvery gray clouds are joined together by glowing white ones, the sun shining through to light up sections of a mountain.
Spending enough time at this particular GPS coordinate has slowly pulled me away from all those things. A complete sense of contentment combined with a lack of urgency places me in a balance similar to what I feel when riding the Lone Peak Tram in January. It feels as though I’ve been freed from some kind of gravity—not in a physical sense, but a gravity that pulls members of American society towards a conventional idea of time management that isn’t reflected upon, but accepted as a given. The tall grass lining the sides of the bear trails has grown to four feet tall, and it waves in the wind. The water
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Aug. 10-23, 2012 47
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Noun: wild or rough terrain adjacent to a developed area Origin: shortened form of “back 40 acres”
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.
Off road motorcycle racing By Joe Miller
big sky weekly contributor
A common misconception about motorcycle racing is that it’s a relatively passive sport, since bikes are operated by a twist of the throttle. In reality, off-road racing requires a high level of fitness, endurance and mental cunning to be competitive. Professional motorcycle racers have aerobic fitness levels comparable to World Cup soccer players and maintain full time training and diet regimens. An off road motorcycle weighs more than 220 pounds and requires a considerable amount of body strength to maneuver around tight corners and over rocks. At the starting line, racers are inevitably managing nerves and adrenaline. And at the Big Sky XC, competitors never really settle into a comfortable groove—the difficult terrain and loose rocky ground requires full attention from start to finish. If the conditions are dry, dust makes the visibility poor. Too much rain makes the course slick, which quickly drains the competitors’ energy. Racers not only have to deal with their own physical and mental fatigue, but also machine related fatigue. As a race wears on, heat generated from front and rear brake rotors can decrease braking efficiency. The motorcycle’s suspension and clutch components also change due to heat generation throughout a race, which can alter the bike’s handling.
This is how Big Sky gets into hot water.
2011 Big Sky XC Pro Race Winner Rory Sullivan
photo by Crystal Images
A rider must keep continuous mental notes on energy and hydration, feedback from the motorcycle, changes to the course conditions, and the whereabouts of other racers. Off-road motorcycle racing is also highly specialized, with different regions of the country hosting events defined by their unique terrain. Athletes in the Southwest compete in high speed desert races that sometimes share courses with off road trucks and buggies. Races in the Midwest and along the East Coast are most often held in wooded areas where trails can be just wide enough to allow a set of handlebars to pass. In the Rockies, most races are technical, mountainous and rocky.
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48 Aug. 10-23, 2012
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Professional off-road racers are frequently paid to compete in a specific racing discipline and may rarely travel beyond their region. Big Sky has become a unique event due to its ability to attract top racers from every major off-road racing series.
Kenda Big Sky XC, Aug. 24 – 26 Now in its third year, the Kenda Big Sky XC has rapidly gained a national reputation for its excellent venue and demanding course layout. This year, the event will bring high-end competitors from the X Games, as well as families from across the country. The Big Sky event is a Hare Scramble, which means the course is a closed track with rugged terrain that tests riders’ skills and endurance. These events draw a wide range of participants, from children as young a 4 to adults over age 60. Big Sky’s proximity to Yellowstone National Park is another draw.
Jake Campos
Tana Brennan won the mutton busting at the 2012 Big Sky PBR
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Big Sky Weekly
Meagan Malone
2012 Big Sky PBR results Card/Permit Card Card World C Card Card World C Card World C
50 Aug. 10-23, 2012
Contestant
Long Go
Brant Atwood Cody Campbell Ty Pozzobon Cody Martin Dakota Beck Aaron Roy Jarrod Craig Zach Peterson
Score 88 86 85 84 88.5 0 85.5 82
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Short Place 2 3
1 4
91 88.5 89.5 89.5 0 88 0
Average Score 179.0 174.5 174.5 173.5 88.5 88
Place 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
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Big Sky Weekly
Second annual Big Sky PBR knocks Big Sky off its feet, again By taylor anderson
big sky weekly editorial assistant
BIG SKY – Chad Berger probably didn’t have too much fun watching riders romp his bulls last August during Big Sky’s first Professional Bull Riding event. This year, Berger’s bulls were tougher, tossing riders in three, four, five seconds—well short of the eight seconds needed to post a score. Still, a few athletes rode for eight, and Brant Atwood took Beau Hill’s place at the top of the podium. Although the Big Sky event was again part of the Touring Pro Division, there was a different vibe this year. As with the previous year, the pre-event hype filled town for months beforehand. The Calcutta auction and concert the first night were well attended and filled with energy. The vendor village sent smells and displayed artisanship from local businesses hours before the show.
aerial view of the arena (and some good material for Flint). Mutton busting was a hit again, and 6-year-old Tana Brennan got a standing ovation from the 2,500 in attendance after clinging onto her sheep for a wild ride that got her a night-best 85 points. The event was less about firsts (as last year’s was) and more about the riders. Returning Big Sky
"We planned our trip around the Big Sky PBR and will again next year." - Carol Powell, Nashville, TN
PBR winner and fan favorite Beau Hill was tossed out of the mix early after a brief five-second ride, and the crowd was left looking for someone new to root for.
But this wasn’t the crowd’s first rodeo. Many in the sold out bleachers had returned from last year’s award-winning event, back to see the bulls, the riders, and entertainer Flint Rasmussen with his clown around antics and dance moves that make him one of the best in the sport.
Brant Atwood filled the role after etching his second go ride for the night’s best score of 91.00, putting him far ahead of then-leaders Cody Campbell and Ty Pozzoban, each with 179.00 points on the night.
Geyser Whitewater brought back its busses this year, with rafts strapped atop for a good
With the lead in hand, Atwood watched anxiously as riders were tossed off the beasts, some
less painfully than others. Dakota Beck strapped onto his bull needing just 88.50 points to catch Atwood’s lead. The stagehands pulled back the chute, slammed it against the gate, and Beck held on for dear life before getting tossed after five seconds. In Big Sky PBR fashion, Atwood got a chance to win $2,000 in cash for one more eight-second ride. He stepped into the chute and onto his bull, Jacked Up. It wasn’t clear whose side the crowd was on for Atwood’s last ride. Whether it was for the oneton beast or the 170-pound cowboy on top didn't matter, the cash prize just wasn’t in the cards for Atwood, and he was tossed before reaching the money mark. After the awards ceremony, Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real stepped off their tour bus and onto the stage centered at the base of the vendor village and rocked hundreds of likely new fans for an after party show in the Town Center. More quickly than it came, the Second Annual Big Sky PBR ended. With the vendor village, the bleachers, the stage and the arena all gone the next day, the sageless area east of the Town Center will perhaps sit for another year, waiting for the announcement of next year’s event.
Jake Campos R to L: Brandon Bates, Jim Murphy, Big Sky PBR 2012 Champion Brant Atwood, and Eric Ladd pose at the awards ceremony.
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Mike Martins
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Jake Campos
The calcutta auction and the Morgan Frazier concert were held the evening of July 31.
Lone Peak Brewery sold draft beer in the vendor village.
Jake Campos Geyser Whitewater pulled up buses again for an aerial view.
Jenny Ladd
Jake Campos
These cowboys were watching the action from behind the chutes.
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"Sky Ride," a sculpture by Sandy Epstein, was the trophy for the champion Brent Atwood.
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PBR promoters donate to injured rider BIG SKY—When the chute gate opened, Rapid Revolver came out hard, throwing bull rider Skyler Johnson off the front. Johnson, originally from Stanton, N.D., was the third rider out of the gate at the Big Sky PBR. It was his 21st birthday. He remembers the bull spinning above him and then stepping on his chest. “He kind of stomped all over me a couple of times,” he said. The bull stepped on Johnson’s head, ripping his helmet off. As he was standing up, the bull—luckily hornless—rammed Johnson in the face. “I finally got away and got out of arena but couldn't catch my breath. They said I went to my knees and [then] passed out because I couldn’t get enough oxygen.” When he came to, Johnson wasn’t hurting, so he stood up. When he started coughing up blood he knew something was wrong. Big Sky Fire took him in an ambulance to Bozeman Deaconess Hospital, where emergency room doctors found he had broken ribs and a collapsed lung. The ER doctors asked him to spend the night in the hospital, but Johnson was traveling with two other bull riders who had to be in Oregon the next day. Johnson has been on the road ever since and talked to the Big Sky Weekly from his cell phone in Idaho on Aug. 8. He was headed home. “I’m healing up, just taking it easy,” he said. “I probably wouldn’t be here if it wasn't for my helmet.”
The only bull rider in his family, Johnson has been riding bulls since he was 14. He loves everything about it, he said—“being on the road, being your own boss, the adrenaline rush.” Although he’s broken bones before, Johnson hasn’t had any internal injuries like this, he said. “That’s a heck of a way to spend your 21st birthday,” he said. The event promoters are going to make a donation to help pay Johnson’s medical bills. "As a PBR fan and sponsor, I’m very aware of the dangers of this sport and appreciate the fact these riders are putting their lives on the line for our entertainment," said Eric Ladd, CEO of Outlaw Partners, the company that helped organize the Big Sky PBR. Johnson does have health insurance, but since he can’t ride, he can’t work. Ladd encouraged other fans that want to help to make a donation.
Jake Campos Skyler Johnson after the incident.
"We wish Skyler a full and speedy recovery and hope to see him at next year's event," Ladd said.
Those interested in donating to Skyler Johnson’s medical bills can contact Outlaw Partners at (406) 995-2055.
John Marshall
Skyler Johnson suffered internal injuries after being thrown during the first round of the PBR.
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John Marshall
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Mike Martins
Cowboys stood proud during the opening ceremony.
A bullfighter faced down a bull during the short go.
Jake Campos Nashville country music star Morgan Frazier put on a great show July 31.
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Jake Campos Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real rocked the housethe night of Aug. 1
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Jake Campos Beer, anyone?
Jake Campos Jace Hill showed some preseverence during mutton busting, a quality that's made his dad Beau Hill one of the best bull riders in the world.
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thank you to our sponsors, vendors and fans for making this such a great community event TITLE SPONSOR: Yellowstone Club PRESENTING SPONSOR: Continental Construction EVENT PRODUCTION: Outlaw Partners Freestone Productions CHARITABLE SPONSORS: Yellowstone Community Club Foundation Yellowstone Park Foundation Big Sky Community Corp. Big Sky Fire Department BIG SCREEN SPONSOR: Black Bull MUTTON BUSTING SPONSOR: Moonlight Basin BARREL SPONSOR: Fay Ranches LODGING SPONSOR: Big Sky Resort EXIT GATE SPONSOR: Lone View Ridge
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CHUTE GATE SPONSORS: Fay Ranches Haas Construction STOA Management Jack Daniels Centre Sky Architecture Ressler Toyota of Bozeman PROGRAM & GOLDEN BUCKLE TICKET SPONSOR: Jeff Helms VIP ARENA BANNER SPONSORS: Fulton, Hertz, Hoover Wealth Management / Stifel Nicholas Bill Earls Savantage ARENA BANNER SPONSORS: Bucks T4 Olive Bs Big Sky Western Hammond Big Sky Sothebys Blue Ribbon Builders Nordic Hot Tub Simkins Hallin Ousel & Spur
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First Security Bank Geyser Whitewater Buscrat Lone Peak Cinema GOLDEN BUCKLE TENT SPONSORS: Natalie’s Estate Winery Lone Peak Brewery Wrap Shack BSCC Grizzly Outfitters YCCF Continental Construction Outlaw Partners Creighton Block Yellowstone Park Foundation Half Moon Saloon VENDOR VILLAGE: Half Moon Saloon Scissorbills Choppers Broken Spoke Burger Bar Gourmet Gals Lone Peak Brewery Wrap Shack Ressler Toyota of Bozeman
Moonlight Basin Delaware North Willow Boutique Big Horn Boutique Gallatin River Gallery Stone Legends OTHER SPONSORS: Lone Pine Builders Ryan Kulesza & Tallie Jamison 320 Guest Ranch Sam Byrne The Signature Group - Branif Scott, Ania Bulis, Jason Parks Arts Council of Big Sky Jan and Jim Cummings Big Sky Town Center Mountain Home Electric Titan Rentals Big Sky Build Montana Office of Tourism Big Sky Convention & Visitors Bureau New Holland
THANK YOU FANS, FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS OF THE Big Sky PBR!