Monday, Mar. 18th, 2024

Free, Immersive Art Experience Opens at Story Mansion

Random Acts of Silliness invites the public to visit the Cabinets of Curiosity. This immersive art experience welcomes visitors into the world of the mysterious Raven’s Eye Society, a fictional club of individuals who collected fantastical and magical objects and displayed them in ornate cabinets. Guests can explore the Story Mansion, interacting with the cabinets, reading about the origins of the collections, and solving a riddle. They may even be inspired to create a collection of their own! 

“Rather than being told to keep their hands to themselves, visitors (we're anticipating over 10,000)  are encouraged to interact with the collections. They are also invited to pretend together that we live in a world where magic exists. That combination of active engagement and shared storytelling is, to me, as close as it gets to true magic.” said Anna Visscher, Chief Shenanigans officer at Random Acts of Silliness.

Cabinets of Curiosity are sometimes referred to as the world’s first museums. They were a real fad starting in the 16th century, when well traveled people would create ornate displays of unusual objects collected on their adventures. In trademark fashion, Random Acts of Silliness has taken this real historical artifact and given it a fantastical, whimsical twist. Rather than real collections, the objects in these cabinets of curiosity were created by talented Montana artists: Amy Ho, Christine Martin, Deva Gallagher, Marla Goodman & David DiGiacomo, Kelly Hartman, Sarah Washko, Kirsten Kainz, and Steve & Cedar Allison-Bunnell.

Artist Marla Goodman loves the opportunity for visitors to engage with art in a new way. “My dream in creating a piece of an immersive community experience like this is to provide a spark of imagination that visitors can play with. If we can induce a smile or a giggle I’m happy. And with a little luck we can surprise, delight, even amaze.” 

The collections will be on display from March 23rd - April 14th at the Story Mansion. Visitor hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 1pm - 5pm, and Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9am - 5pm, open until 7 on Saturdays. No reservations are required for the general public but group reservations are available on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings via the RAS website. This installation is best suited for ages 5 - 105. Admission is free.

This installation is presented in partnership with Bozeman Parks and Recreation and the Friends of the Story Mansion. It is free for our community to enjoy thanks to generous support from sponsors Peace Design and an anonymous donor. For more information please visit our website.

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Application deadline for deer and elk permits is April 1

HELENA – Hunters have until April 1 to apply for deer and elk permits and nonresident combination licenses. Hunters can buy licenses and apply for permits on the FWP website; click on “Buy and Apply.”  

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks offers several tools to help hunters navigate the application process. Click here to watch a video tutorial for Montana residents; click here to watch a video tutorial for nonresidents. To see a playlist of all FWP’s hunting license video tutorials, click here.

For help with understanding how bonus points are used, you can visit fwp.mt.gov/buyandapply/hunting-licenses/bonus-points

A new online feature this year is the option for applicants to reapply for the same offerings as last year with just a simple click, eliminating the need to search through previous applications.

Most FWP offices will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The licensing call center will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through April 1; after April 1, the hours will return to 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The call center can be reached at 406-444-2950. 

Regulations changes

Before you purchase your licenses and permits, be sure to check the 2024 regulations. Several changes take effect this year.

In Regions 6 and 7, regulations are in place that restrict antlerless mule deer harvest to occur only on private land in FWP Regions 6 and 7, including private lands enrolled in the Block Management Program. That means all mule deer B licenses in Regions 6 and 7 will be valid only on private land. This restriction also applies to those hunting districts (HDs) in Regions 6 and 7 that allow antlerless mule deer harvest on a general license.

Also in Region 7, the commission voted to split the region into north and south segments for antelope hunting. The dividing line will be the Yellowstone River. North of the river, licenses will be 007-21 (either-sex) and 007-31 (doe/fawn). South of the river, licenses will be 007-20 (either-sex) and 007-30 (doe/fawn). Archery only licenses will remain the same, 900-20.

In Region 4 HDs 410, 411, 412, 417, 419 and 426, the general deer license changed to antlered buck only. As a result, the only antlerless mule deer hunting available in these HDs is via B licenses through the draw. In addition, these B-licenses will be valid only on private land.

Also, HDs 410 and 417 the general deer license structure changed to limited-entry permit only, meaning hunters with a general license can no longer hunt and harvest mule deer bucks in these HDs.

HD 426 will remain a general license for antlered mule deer bucks during the archery season and the first three weeks of the general season, but the last two weeks of the general season will only be open to hunters with a limited-entry permit.

HDs 411, 412 and 419 will remain general license for antlered bucks during both the archery and general mule deer seasons.

Get your 2024 Conservation License

If you’re heading out this year to recreate on state land, you need to make sure you have your 2024 Conservation License.

This license is required to recreate on fishing access sites, wildlife management areas, wildlife habitat protection areas and most Montana Department of Natural Resources Lands. State parks do not require a Conservation License. Anyone 12 and older needs to have a current Conservation License.

Recreationists who arrange a trip through a guide or outfitter, including tubing trips and horseback riding trips, need to make sure they follow Conservation License requirements.

These licenses can be purchased online at ols.fwp.mt.gov/, at any FWP office or any of FWP’s 290 license providers located throughout the state. They cost $8 for residents, $4 for resident youth ages 12 to 17 and seniors 62 and older, and $10 for nonresidents.

If you’re a hunter, trapper or angler, the Conservation License is purchased when you purchase your other licenses.

Tips and reminders 

  • Don’t wait until the last day to apply. 

  • A valid driver's license or valid photo ID is required to purchase a license.

  • If you’re applying for a special license or permit, you will need to have a valid email address.

  • The Online Licensing System is available from 5 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. 

  • A separate and rotating moose, bighorn sheep or mountain goat SuperTag lottery for resident hunters will be conducted annually. Montana residents will receive one free chance in the lottery for every General Elk or General Deer License purchased. 

 Application deadlines  

  • Smith River Super Permit – March 22 

  • Paddlefish (white tag) – March 22  

  • Deer and Elk

    • Special Permits – April 1

    • Special Licenses – June 1  

  • Nonresident combination licenses – April 1

  • Bighorn Sheep – May 1  

  • Bison – May 1  

  • Moose – May 1  

  • Mountain Goat – May 1  

  • Antelope – June 1  

  • SuperTags

    • Antelope, Bighorn Sheep, Bison, Deer, Elk, Moose, Mountain Goat, and Mountain Lion –July 1  

  • Mountain Lion Special Licenses – July 22  

For more information on Montana hunting licenses and permits, go to fwp.mt.gov/buyandapply/hunting-licenses.

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Sunday, Mar. 17th, 2024

Montana State scientists publish novel research on how individual cells respond to viral infection

A neuron grown in a micro gel infected with HSV-1 that expresses a yellow fluorescent protein. Image courtesy of Matthew Taylor.

BOZEMAN
– A team of scientists from Montana State University recently published unique research examining how individual cells respond to viral infection. The work used state-of-the-art technology to culture cells and track infection in real time; it is the first known project to use microfluidic technology to culture, infect and track infection on a single-cell level. 

Scientists from MSU’s College of Agriculture and Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering collaborated on the interdisciplinary work, which also involved MSU’s Center for Biofilm Engineering. The results of the project were published last week in Science Advances, one of the nation’s leading scientific journals, in a paper titled “Single-cell herpes simplex virus type 1 infection of neurons using drop-based microfluidics reveals heterogeneous replication kinetics.”

The faculty leaders on the project were Matthew Taylor, associate professor in the Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, and Connie Chang, who spent nearly a decade in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering before taking a faculty position at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. Other members of the team included graduate students Jake Fredrikson, Luke Domanico and Shawna Pratt, as well as Emma Loveday, who finished her postdoctoral work while involved in the project and is now an assistant research professor in the MSU Center for Biofilm Engineering.

“It was truly a collaborative effort,” said Taylor. “The engineering principles and the technology behind it was all from Connie’s lab. Jake was just brilliant and had figured out how to grow neurons inside these little gels, basically on a micron scale. Each little bead grew a single cell." 

Those gel beads were created using drop-based microfluidics, a process by which scientific experiments can be carried out on a microscopic scale more quickly and with less expense than through standard means. Chang likened the beads to tiny spheres of gelatin, made of a matrix that allows cells to grow just how they might in a petri dish, but with each individual cell in its own environment.

Fredrikson, who completed his Ph.D. in chemical and biochemical engineering in the spring of 2023, worked extensively on growing neurons – individual nerve cells – inside the tiny beads created through microfluidics. Once that process had been streamlined, the team introduced the cells to herpes simplex virus-1, a common virus that causes cold sores.

“It was basically a tiny tissue made in the lab, where we could infect it and watch virus infection happen in 3D and in real time,” said Chang. “Working with the Taylor lab was like the perfect blend; an engineer and a biologist working together to discover and do something totally new. This is the first time anyone has ever grown neurons at the single-cell level on this type of droplet." 

The specific virus the team used had a uniquely engineered quality: It would fluoresce in different colors under a microscope, giving the team a visual trigger as infection progressed in the individual cells. When the virus infected the cell, it would appear yellow, and when it started replicating – the goal of viruses inside their host to perpetuate infection – it turned red. The cells were exposed to varying amounts of the virus to examine how they responded.

But not every cell responded the same way, Taylor said, which was unexpected. While most of the cells turned yellow, not all of them went on to turn red, meaning that some cells were effectively stopping the virus from replicating itself.

“The kind of remarkable thing is that every cell was exposed to an amount of virus that should produce infection,” said Taylor. “We know that the cells are infected because they’re yellow. Now we’re decoupling the process of infection from productive replication. We’re kicking the roots of virology, challenging these assumptions of what people think infection means and finding gaps between what we think is happening and what really is." 

But how and why were some cells able to interrupt the viral replication process? That question will guide extensive future research, Taylor said.

“If cells can naturally shut down herpes viruses, and neurons can control it well, is there something that we can use to further limit productive replication? People have been trying to block herpes infection for eons, unsuccessfully,” he said. “But is there a way that we could shut down the virus and keep it from replicating?”

Further, said Chang, the implementation of microfluidics technology and the team’s first-of-its-kind examination at a single-cell level could create avenues for studying other types of cells, such as brain or lung cells, and examining the cellular response to other infections in search of treatments and cures. 

Because drop-based microfluidics enables experimentation on such a small scale, it decreases the cost of research, widening access for scientists to conduct more cutting-edge research at less cost. The potential applications are endless, Taylor said.

“Microfluidics is very adaptable, and if you work with a very talented engineer like we did, they can design all sorts of architecture that can do different manipulations to the process,” he said. “What it really changes is that now you’re using much smaller quantities of everything. You can find rarer cell types, use less primary material and analyze larger quantities with less input.”

It took a collaboration across disciplines to precipitate such a novel accomplishment.

“These are always the best projects, the ones that bridge disciplines, where you’re merging your expertise with somebody else’s expertise,” said Chang. “Those are always the most high-impact, interesting and fun projects, and that’s why I’ve always loved this intersection of biology and engineering, bridging different disciplines.”

Taylor agreed, adding that the project wouldn’t have seen the success that it did without the blend of outstanding graduate students, inquisitive faculty and labs like the Center for Biofilm Engineering that coalesced at MSU. 

“I’m most proud of the paper because it really demonstrates the heart of collaboration,” he said. “We just got the right match at the right time for it to be magic, and it really was magic. It was an amazingly productive collaboration.” 

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FWP, MSU seek help from anglers who catch tagged fish in upper Missouri River Basin

BOZEMAN – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff, in cooperation with Montana State University, have begun tagging trout in the Big Hole, Beaverhead, Ruby and Madison rivers.

This tagging effort is part of ongoing research that aims to address trout declines and fish health concerns in the upper Missouri River Basin. Staff plan to tag fish each year for the next three years. With help from anglers, these tags will help researchers identify individual fish and monitor their health, survival, movement and other indicators over time.

Each tag has a unique number and will be attached to the fish near the dorsal fin. Anglers who catch a tagged fish should use clippers to remove the tag as close to the skin as possible while minimizing handling time and exposure to air, then submit a report for each tagged fish they catch. These reports will include information such as the tag number, date, location, condition of the fish, gear type used, and whether the angler released or harvested the fish.

A how-to video on this process is available on FWP’s website.

Anglers who submit reports may also be eligible for rewards. Blue tags will be entered into a drawing for gear and fishing trips. Yellow tags are each worth $100.

Anglers can submit reports by visiting mtcfru.org/msutag or by calling 406-994-2384.

“Anglers play a critical role in this study,” said Mike Duncan, FWP’s fisheries program manager in southwestern Montana. “When they submit reports on tagged fish, they are helping gather important information on the health of the fishery.”

Anglers and other recreationists may also see creel clerks from MSU while they’re on the river. These clerks will be interviewing recreationists as part of the research effort.

This research kicked off last year when annual sampling found fish numbers to be at or near historic lows in sections of these rivers. Since then, FWP has been working closely with MSU in hiring three PhD students and additional staff to study fish mortality, recruitment and health.

To learn more about this cooperative research effort, click here.

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Lawyer and historian Paul Wylie to receive honorary doctorate from Montana State

BOZEMAN – Since his graduation from Montana State University in 1959, Paul Wylie has published three books — with more in progress — though what he has accomplished across his four distinct careers could probably fill at least a couple more.

Wylie, who grew up in White Sulphur Springs before graduating from MSU — then called Montana State College — has worked over the past six decades as a chemical engineer, a lawyer, a historian and an author. For his illustrious career and ongoing support of his alma mater, he will receive an honorary doctorate from MSU at the university’s spring commencement on Friday, May 10.

“Paul Wylie is a stunning example of what an individual can accomplish through dedication, hard work and above all, curiosity,” said MSU President Waded Cruzado. “Throughout his life, he has demonstrated a deep dedication to the state and people of Montana. He has contributed to every element of our land-grant mission through his scholarship and engagement, and his continued support of MSU has opened new opportunities for a new generation of students." 

Wylie, who had heard a suggestion that he may be nominated for an honorary degree, had largely discounted the possibility, so when he heard from Cruzado that the nomination had been approved, he said he nearly fell over.

But for those who nominated Wylie, the honor comes as no surprise at all.

“Paul's contributions to industry, to the law, and to the history of Montana have commanded respect and acclaim in all of these sectors of society,” wrote Mary Murphy, an emeritus professor of MSU’s College of Letters and Science and co-director of the Ivan Doig Center, in a letter nominating Wylie for the honorary degree. “We in the Department of History and Philosophy are extraordinarily pleased to nominate a person who has had the skill, creativity and determination to master three disciplines, who has made a point of supporting the university in a myriad of ways … and who has made a mark on the intellectual life of Montana.”

After graduating with a degree in chemical engineering, Wylie worked as a rocket engineer for three years before becoming a patent examiner. While working full-time for the U.S. Patent Office, he attended law school, taking night classes at American University in Washington, D.C.

His experience with the patent office and his technical background made him a natural fit for practicing patent law, and he spent the next three decades working on everything from intellectual property to patent infringement and royalties. In the 1980s, he served as an expert witness on the high-profile Polaroid v. Kodak case, which centered on the intellectual property behind instant color photography.

Wylie continued to practice law, opening a private practice in California before ultimately returning to his home state in 1990. While he continued to operate as a legal consultant, he also indulged a longtime interest in Montana history, researching and writing historical nonfiction. Collaborating with faculty in the MSU Library’s Archives and Special Collections, he published his first book in 2007: a biography of legendary Montanan Thomas Meagher titled “The Irish General.” Research for that book also led Wylie to write “A Coroner’s Inquest into the Death of Thomas Francis Meagher,” a play that has been performed around Montana, including in the Old Supreme Court Chamber of the Montana State Capitol in Helena and the historic Madison County courthouse in Virginia City.

Wylie connected with his first publisher in part thanks to childhood friend and fellow White Sulphur Springs native, the author Ivan Doig, and recalls the invaluable support he received from MSU.

“I had tremendous help from the MSU Library and from faculty,” Wylie said. “I just got tremendous research support, authoritative comments and encouragement to keep going.” Throughout his years as a writer, Wylie has employed MSU graduate students in the writing and researching processes.

Wylie has since published two other books. “Blood on the Marias,” published in 2016, recounts the 1870 Baker Massacre in which nearly 200 members of the Blackfeet tribe were killed, and “Montana State’s Golden Bobcats” tells the story of the 1929 MSU basketball team that won a national title with coach Schubert Dyche and players Brick Breeden and Max Worthington, alongside other well-known names in Bobcat Athletics history.

Working on “Blood on the Marias” gave Wylie an important introduction to Indigenous history and culture in Montana, he said. In researching and writing the book, he was inspired to support Indigenous students at MSU, specifically in his home college of engineering. As a step toward that goal, he and his wife established the Paul R. and Arlene M. Wylie Student Endowment Fund for Native American Students.

“One of the greatest joys of serving as a college dean is the opportunity to meet and work with outstanding students as well as highly achieved alumni — alumni such as Paul Wylie,” wrote Robert Marley, who served as MSU’s dean of engineering from 2001 to 2013, in a letter supporting Wylie’s honorary doctorate. “[His] stature amongst those who have previously been awarded this honor is extremely high, by achievement and character. Every citizen of Montana can be proud of Paul’s impact and accomplishments and to know he is one of their own.”

The Wylies have also demonstrated continued support of the MSU Library and Bobcat Athletics, and while Paul Wylie’s accomplishments are many, he has still more projects in mind. He is working on a fourth book and hopes his varied career can serve as an inspiration to current and future MSU students to follow their own curiosities.

“I hope students can look at what I’ve done and remember that they don’t have to stay with just one thing,” Wylie said of the legacy he hopes to leave. “I hope someone will say, ‘I can do something different with my life.’” 

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Friday, Mar. 15th, 2024

Fairweather Fishing Access Site reopened

CLARKSTON – Fairweather Fishing Access Site has reopened.

The site was closed temporarily starting in January due to ice jams and flooding. Those conditions have improved, allowing the site to reopen to public access.

Fairweather Fishing Access Site is along the Missouri River, about 8 miles downstream of Missouri Headwaters State Park.

Recreationists are encouraged to use caution when visiting rivers because of unseen hazards, as well as flow and ice conditions that can change suddenly. For more information about river recreation safety, visit fwp.mt.gov/activities/boating/river-ethics.

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Montana State to award posthumous honorary doctorate to I-Ho Pomeroy at spring commencement

BOZEMAN — Montana State University will recognize I-Ho Pomeroy, a restaurateur who served on the Bozeman City Commission for a decade and was known for her generous support for the people in her community, with a posthumous honorary doctorate in humane letters at spring commencement.

Pomeroy passed away from cancer March 12, 2024, at her home in Bozeman.

Honorary doctorates are the university’s highest form of commendation. They are conferred upon individuals who have excelled and made outstanding contributions to society. MSU's spring commencement ceremonies are scheduled for Friday, May 10, at the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse.

“I-Ho Pomeroy’s connection to Montana State University and the Bozeman community runs deep,” said MSU President Waded Cruzado. “Her efforts have fed generations of MSU students and community members at her beloved I-Ho’s Korean Grill, and she broke barriers as the first immigrant and person of color to serve on the Bozeman City Commission. For giving generously to others, we are indebted to her and proud to call her a Bobcat.”

Pomeroy – who was born and raised in South Korea before moving to the U.S. with her husband, Derik, in 1988 – owned and operated the award-winning I-Ho’s Korean Grill in Bozeman for more than 25 years. The popular eatery started in 1997 as a food cart before moving into a brick-and-mortar space near campus in 1999 and then to a space near the Gallatin Valley Mall in 2015. In 2022, the restaurant moved into its current space at 321 W. Main St.

“For many of us, her restaurant was a weekly destination for lunch and a prime meeting location near campus,” her nominators wrote.

In January, Pomeroy was named a semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation’s 2024 Outstanding Restaurateur Award in the Mountain region. The prestigious James Beard Awards recognizes chefs, restaurateurs, authors and journalists for their excellence throughout the United States.

Pomeroy also served for a decade on the Bozeman City Commission, first being elected in 2013. She won re-election in 2017 and 2021 and then stepped down from the role in 2023 after being diagnosed with a glioblastoma brain tumor. City officials said she was the first immigrant and first person of color to serve as a Bozeman city commissioner.

In a letter supporting Pomeroy’s nomination for the honorary doctorate, Cyndy Andrus, then-mayor of Bozeman, called her a “dedicated commissioner and champion for the underserved.

“I-Ho has devoted her time on the commission to issues affecting nearly every Bozeman family,” Andrus wrote. “… The city of Bozeman has greatly benefited from her unique perspective as the Commission’s first immigrant and woman of color. That will be missed, but she has paved the way for a new generation of city commissioners.”

Andrus concluded, “You would be hard-pressed to find someone who has impacted our community more than I-Ho.”

In an interview that appeared in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle announcing Pomeroy’s resignation from the Bozeman City Commission, then-Deputy Mayor Terry Cunningham applauded Pomeroy’s efforts on the commission related to such issues as mental health services and affordable housing. 

“She has been sort of the champion of the underdog, people who are not dealt the greatest hand, so that’s been her legacy,” Cunningham said.

Pomeroy was also known for her generosity, nominators wrote. Beginning in 2001, she held a string of fundraisers and benefits at I-Ho’s Korean Grill, with the proceeds going to both local nonprofits and international disaster relief efforts. All efforts have been born of a desire to do something to help, she said in a 2007 article in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle.

Proceeds from recent fundraisers have benefited relief efforts in Ukraine, the Bozeman-based nonprofit ROC Wheels, victims of a 2023 earthquake in Turkey and victims of the 2018 Horseshoe Fire near Clarkston.

“She has a reputation as one of the most generous spirits in Bozeman,” her nominators wrote.

At MSU, Pomeroy has shared her time and expertise by serving as a guest lecturer in the Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship and on multiple panels, including a 2022 panel featuring female entrepreneurs of color in Bozeman.

For more information about MSU’s spring commencement, visit montana.edu/commencement.

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Discovering the Ideal Italian Cheeses for Pizza Toppings

Pizza is one of the most beloved and iconic Italian dishes. While the base and sauce play crucial roles, the cheese topping is undoubtedly the star of the show. Pizza-making is taken seriously in Italy, with specific cheeses carefully selected to achieve the perfect flavor and texture.

In this article, we’ll explore Italian cheeses used as pizza toppings. We'll delve into these beloved dairy delights' rich history and distinct flavors.

Top Italian Pizza Cheeses

Below, we’ve curated a list of the finest and most popular types of cheese that Italians make and recommend as pizza toppings. You can often find them in local grocery or cheese stores or online stores – find out more at our website Dolceterra.com.

Mozzarella: The Classic Choice

When it comes to traditional Italian pizzas, mozzarella reigns supreme and is the go-to cheese in many Italian restaurants. This semi-soft cheese, made from cow's milk, is the quintessential topping for classics like Margherita and Neapolitan-style pizzas.

Its mild flavor and creamy texture melt beautifully, creating a delightful interplay with the tomato sauce and crust.

Gorgonzola: A Bold and Creamy Twist

For those seeking a more adventurous pizza experience, Gorgonzola is an excellent choice. This Italian blue cheese, made from cow's milk, boasts a creamy texture and a distinct, tangy flavor.

Gorgonzola is often paired with sweet ingredients like honey or pears to create a delightful contrast on pizza.

Ricotta: A Fresh and Versatile Option

Ricotta, a fresh, creamy cheese made from whey, is a versatile choice as a pizza topping. Its delicate flavor and soft texture make it a popular choice for white pizzas or as a base for other toppings. Ricotta can also be used as a dollop on pizza, adding a touch of richness and creaminess.

Provolone: A Melty and Flavorful Delight

Provolone, a semi-soft, smoked cheese made from cow's milk, is another excellent option for pizza toppings. Its smoky flavor and excellent melting properties make it a great choice for those who prefer a more robust cheese experience.

Provolone can be sliced or grated on top of the pizza, adding depth and complexity to the dish.

The Final Touch

Parmesan and Pecorino Romano: Completing the Pizza

No Italian pizza would be complete without a sprinkle of hard-pressed grated cheese. Parmesan, a hard, aged cheese made from cow's milk, adds a nutty, salty kick to the dish.

Pecorino Romano, a sheep's milk cheese, offers a tangier, more robust flavor profile. These cheeses are typically grated or shaved thinly over the pizza before baking, creating a crispy, flavorful crust.

A Cheese-Lover's Paradise: Unlocking the Flavors of Italy

Whether you prefer a classic Margherita or a more adventurous combination of toppings, the right cheese can elevate your pizza experience. Italy's cheese heritage is a tapestry woven with dedication, skill, and a deep respect for time-honored techniques.

So, whether you're a die-hard pizza traditionalist or an adventurous flavor explorer, let the melty, savory goodness of Italian cheeses be your guide. Experiment, savor, and discover the perfect harmony of flavors that will transform your pizzas into true masterpieces.

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8 Affordable Decorating Ideas for Bozeman Homes


Creating a beautiful, personalized living space doesn’t have to break the bank. For Bozeman residents, the key to affordable home decoration lies in embracing creativity, utilizing local resources, and making strategic choices that reflect personal style and the unique Montana lifestyle.

Here are eight budget-friendly decorating ideas that can transform your Bozeman home into a cozy, stylish haven.

1. Incorporate Local Nature

Bozeman’s natural surroundings offer a wealth of decorating possibilities. Collect pine cones, stones, branches, or dried wildflowers to create rustic, nature-inspired decor. Arrange your finds in glass jars, as centerpiece arrangements, or even create wall art. This approach not only brings a touch of the outdoors inside but also adds a personal touch that’s practically free.

2. DIY Artwork

Channel the creativity of Bozeman’s art scene by creating your own artwork. Use local landscapes, wildlife, or abstract designs inspired by Montana’s beauty to craft pieces that are uniquely yours. Even if you're not an artist, you can frame beautifully patterned fabric, create a collage of old postcards, or turn your own photography into wall art.

3. Upcycle and Repurpose

Scour Bozeman’s thrift stores, garage sales, and online marketplaces for furniture and decor items that you can upcycle. A coat of paint, new hardware, or a little creativity can transform outdated items into stylish treasures. Repurposing old items not only saves money but also gives your home a unique, eclectic feel that reflects your personality.

4. Mix and Match Textiles

Refresh your space with a mix of textiles like throw pillows, blankets, and curtains that you can sew yourself or find at discount stores. Look for colors and patterns that complement your existing decor but add a new dimension of warmth and comfort. Changing textiles is an easy and inexpensive way to update your home’s look with the seasons or current design trends.

5. Stylish Storage Solutions

Keep clutter at bay with chic storage options. Use baskets, decorative boxes, or even old trunks to store blankets, magazines, or toys. These storage solutions can double as decor, adding to the room’s aesthetic while keeping your space tidy and organized. A beautiful library bookcase not only offers ample storage but can also become a focal point of any room, especially when styled with personal items, books, and decorative pieces.

6. Accent Walls

Create an accent wall with paint or peel-and-stick wallpaper. This can dramatically change the look of any room without the expense of redecorating the entire space. Choose a color or pattern that reflects the natural beauty of Montana, or opt for a hue that adds warmth and depth to your room.

7. Personalize with Photos

Displaying personal photographs can add warmth to your home and is incredibly budget-friendly. Create a gallery wall with thrifted frames painted to match, or hang a string of fairy lights and clip your photos along it for a whimsical touch. This personalizes your space and keeps cherished memories in view.

8. Reimagine Your Space

Sometimes, the most effective way to refresh your home doesn’t cost a dime. Rearranging your furniture, decluttering, or even swapping decor items between rooms can give your space a whole new feel. If you’re looking to update your living room, consider rearranging your layout, switching out throw pillows, or introducing new textures and colors for a fresh look.

Transform Your Home Without Emptying Your Wallet

Decorating your Bozeman home affordably doesn't mean sacrificing style or personal expression. By leveraging local resources, embracing DIY projects, and making thoughtful, strategic decor choices, you can create a space that’s both inviting and reflective of your personal style. Remember, the best home decor resonates with the people who live there, turning a house into a cherished home without stretching your budget.

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Wednesday, Mar. 13th, 2024

Preliminary proposals for 2025-2026 fishing regulations available for review

HELENA – If you’re interested in providing input on how Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is crafting fishing regulations for the next two years, now is your chance. FWP is taking public comment and asking for ideas on initial proposals for the 2025-2026 Fishing Regulations.  

The initial 64 proposals are online now and available for review and comment. Just go to  fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/public-comment-opportunities/fishing-regulations.   

FWP is also looking for ideas for regulation changes that aren’t captured in these initial proposals. To answer questions and get feedback on fishing regulations, FWP is hosting public meetings around the state. Staff will use the input to refine the regulation proposals that will go before the Fish and Wildlife Commission in October. The fishing regulations proposals that will be considered by commission will be available for public comment in August. The commission will adopt, amend or reject the proposals at its October meeting.   

Montana’s fishing regulations are split into three districts – west, central and east. Each district has standard regulations. Many of the proposals remove exceptions to district standards that are no longer biologically relevant. Others are intended to increase fishing opportunity, enhance conservation efforts for some species, reduce confusion or improve enforceability. All regulation changes are based on criteria or objectives outlined in the Statewide Fisheries Management Plan.  

Specific statewide proposals include improving definitions of different types of hooks and adjusting regulations for cleaning and transporting fish.  

In the Western Fishing District, proposals include adjusting northern pike possession limits, adjusting bag limits on the Blackfoot River and many tributaries, implementing gear restrictions on the Kootenai River below Libby Dam, and removing a lake trout slot limit on Whitefish Lake.  

In the Central Fishing District, proposals include allowing spearing for northern pike on Hauser and Holter reservoirs, removing spearing for burbot at Tiber Reservoir and Lake Frances, removing exceptions for walleye in the Missouri River from Toston to Canyon Ferry and reducing walleye bag limits from Holter Dam to Black Eagle Dam.  

For the Eastern Fishing District, proposals include clarification of paddlefish regulations because of the new fish bypass channel at Intake, the addition of a tag for paddlefish snagging opportunities in the Missouri River below Fort Peck Dam, regulations to conserve shortnose gar, and conservative crappie limits on Tongue River Reservoir. 

Fishing regulations are now under a process like hunting regulations, going through a comprehensive public review every two years. Fishing regulations are printed during odd numbered years.    

 The meeting schedule is as follows:     

  • Region 1: March 19, 6 p.m., Kalispell, 490 North Meridian Road   

  • Region 2: April 10, 6:30 p.m., Missoula, 201 Spurgin Road   

  • Region 3: March 28, 6 p.m., Bozeman, 1400 South 19th St.   

  • Region 4: April 4, 6 p.m., Great Falls, 4600 Giant Springs Road   

  • Region 5: March 14, 6:30 p.m., Billings, 2300 Lake Elmo Drive   

  • Region 6: March 13, 6 p.m., Glasgow, 1 Airport Road   

  • Region 7: March 21, 6:30 p.m., Miles City, 352 I-94 Business Loop    

FWP will be collecting comments through April 26. The department will also host at least one virtual meeting during this comment period.  

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