Be aware of changing and dangerous water conditions

HELENA – Escape the summer heat and enjoy a cool adventure over Father’s Day weekend, when everyone in Montana can fish for free.

While anyone can fish without a license on June 17-18, all other fishing rules and regulations are in effect and must be followed.

All would-be anglers are encouraged to be aware of boating and water safety on Montana’s rivers and streams. With recent heavy rains and snow runoff, many of Montana’s rivers and streams are swollen and dangerous.

To view current waterbody restrictions, visit https://fwp.mt.gov/news/current-closures-restrictions/waterbody-closures.

Additionally, those with watercraft of any kind must remember to stop at all AIS inspection stations.

For water and boating safety tips, click on the Recreation tab at fwp.mt.gov and choose your activity. 

For more information on AIS, including how to locate your nearest inspection station, visit to www.cleandraindrymt.com

There’s a real art to proposing, and it’s unfortunate that most of us only get one shot to nail it. That means preparation is crucial, and not something you can afford to skip over.

To that end, here are the things you need to keep in mind as you plan a proposal that will echo through the ages.

Choosing the Perfect Moment: Timing Your Proposal

Picking the right time for your marriage proposal can make all the difference. A well-timed question ensures that both you and your girlfriend are in a positive mindset, creating an emotional atmosphere perfect for this life-changing moment. One key aspect to consider is selecting when she'll least expect it, making the event even more memorable.

Focus on significant moments in her life, such as special events or milestones that hold meaning for both of you. For example, plan around important dates like anniversaries or incorporate unforgettable surprises related to her interests. This way, presenting her with a stunning lab-grown diamond engagement ring from VRAI will not only symbolize commitment but also resonate deeply with shared experiences.

Remember that impeccable timing can create an experience filled with romance and intimacy, one that your partner will undoubtedly cherish (and brag about) for years to come!

The Art of Surprise: Creating a Unique and Unpredictable Atmosphere

A key aspect of an unforgettable marriage proposal lies in the element of surprise. Crafting a unique, unexpected ambiance will not only keep your girlfriend on her toes but also heighten the emotional impact when you finally pop the question.

To start with, be mindful of her preferences and expectations. While some may appreciate grand gestures in public settings, others could prefer intimate or private proposals. Strike a balance between incorporating meaningful elements without making it obvious that they're part of your plan. If you’re already familiar with event planning, it should be straightforward.

Consider working with confidantes to set up decoys, such as fake outing plans, to throw off suspicion further. Employ subtle cues like playing "your song" or including symbolic tokens leading up to that crucial moment.

By carefully curating unpredictability into every facet of your epic proposal plan, you'll create an atmosphere where anticipation builds naturally and leaves both you (and any potential witnesses) exhilarated by the outcome.

Location, Location, Location: Scouting Out Breathtaking Venues for Popping the Question

The venue you choose for your marriage proposal can play a significant role in setting the stage for this memorable occasion. Beyond creating an impressive backdrop and atmosphere, it should reflect your relationship's essence and hold emotional significance for both you and her.

Begin by considering locations that represent pivotal points in your love story, such as where you first met, shared unforgettable memories, or celebrated milestones together. Alternatively, opt for more scenic venues like secluded beaches if you travel to California, picturesque parks or enchanting rooftop settings overlooking breathtaking skylines

.Keep practical aspects in mind as well. Ensure the location is easily accessible to avoid unnecessary stress on this big day-traffic jams are hardly romantic! Also think about privacy levels according to her preference, from intimate proposals away from prying eyes to elaborate public reveals with friends and family nearby.

Ultimately, selecting an awe-inspiring venue shows your thoughtful planning efforts and heightens excitement when presenting that precious engagement ring, making it a moment she'll treasure forever.

Personal Touches That Matter: Incorporating Her Interests and Love Story into the Plan

To make your marriage proposal stand out, infuse every aspect of the event with personalized touches that speak directly to her heart. By showing attention to minute details like incorporating her hobbies or your love story highlights, you're creating a truly customized experience that she won't forget anytime soon.

Brainstorm ideas based on her favorite movies, books, or road trip destinations. Add subtlety, including poetry from a beloved author or a sweet serenade inspired by her favorite song, or really anything that evokes warm memories and sparks joy in her. Another simple yet highly effective way is weaving in nostalgia through cherished mementos or inside jokes unique to your relationship's history.

Incorporating these meaningful elements not only communicates just how much you've been paying attention but also helps deepen emotional connection during this monumental occasion. Your thoughtfully planned gestures will undoubtedly result in an absolutely unforgettable proposal.

Enlisting Friends and Family for a Heartfelt Group Effort

While marriage proposals can be intimate, one-on-one experiences, there's often something incredibly special about involving people close to your hearts. Enlist the help of friends and family in executing your epic proposal plan, and it'll not only add an extra element of surprise but also signify how important their presence is moving forward as a couple.

As you involve loved ones, consider the level of participation that best suits her personality. From surprising cameos or recorded messages to full-on flash mobs featuring everyone she adores, choose options that strike the perfect balance between heartfelt moments and overwhelming surprises.

Keep in mind that these valued participants should feel comfortable with their part. After all, this event touches on emotions not just for you two but also those who care deeply about your relationship's success. An overwhelmingly joyous group effort will make your girlfriend feel truly loved during such a monumental decision.

Capturing Memories Forever: Organizing Photography or Video to Cherish the Event

Preserving the emotions and reactions during a marriage proposal is priceless, allowing both you and your girlfriend to look back on this heartfelt moment for years to come. By arranging professional photography or videography services in advance, you can relax knowing that these magical memories will be captured flawlessly.

When choosing a photographer or videographer, consider their style and abilities in capturing candid shots, as genuine emotion makes for the most touching keepsakes. Ensure they're discreet enough not to spoil the surprise but remain ready to seize every vital instant.

Alternatively, enlisting friends or family members with artistic talents can add an intimate touch as well. Regardless of who documents this eventful day, whether you’re hiring professionals or relying on loved ones' skills, making sure it's recorded beautifully means reliving those emotions anytime while also sharing them with future generations as your love story continues.

The Last Word on Epic Proposals

While planning is important, don’t get too bogged down in the details as the day approaches. Listen to your heart, and always think of your girlfriend’s personality and tastes, to make good choices here.

Sweet Pea Festival of the Arts is working hard to bring back The Bite of Bozeman. However, vendor participation is needed for this beloved event to return to Downtown Bozeman. Sweet Pea Festival must receive a substantial number of vendor commitments by July 2, 2023, for The Bite of Bozeman to take place. With enough vendors, The Bite of Bozeman will be held rain or shine on historic Main Street in downtown Bozeman Wednesday, August 2, 2023, from 5:00PM-8:00PM, and will feature local food, live music, and the fun of dining in the middle of Main Street.

What’s different about this year’s planned The Bite of Bozeman? Vendors will be offering small “bites” of their most popular dishes for the price of $5 per bite. The smaller offerings will expedite service, thereby allowing patrons to visit multiple vendors to sample a variety of food from some of Bozeman’s best restaurants. Vendors may also include additional menu offerings at prices they establish. Also new this year, The Bite of Bozeman will include a competition. Each vendor will display a unique QR Code. Patrons can scan the QR Code to cast their vote for “The People’s Choice Best Bite of Bozeman.” Winning vendors will get bragging rights and receive a one-year, quarterly advertisement in Distinctly Montana. The Bite of Bozeman is a free, family-friendly event open to the public.

If you are a food vendor and would like to be part of this iconic event, please apply via the Sweet Pea Festival of the Arts website: https://sweetpeafestival.org/sweetpea-events/.  For more information contact Sweet Pea Festival of Arts at (406) 586-4003. 

ABOUT SWEET PEA FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS:

The Sweet Pea Festival is a three-day festival of the arts held in Bozeman, Montana, since 1978. Festival dates are always the first full weekend in August with other events, such as Chalk on the Walk starting off the festivities of Sweet Pea Week.  The Festival includes everything from music, theatre and dance to children’s activities, an Artist Marketplace with artists from Bozeman and around the country, and adult painting workshops. The Sweet Pea Festival is committed to its mission statement of “promoting and cultivating the arts.”

Hundreds of volunteers run and organize this annual event, a testament to the community’s desire for its ongoing success. All monies raised above what is needed to operate the Festival are given back to the community in the form of grants for the arts, art education, and special projects in the Bozeman area.``

HELENA – Going fishing soon? Don’t forget your camera. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wants to feature your fun on the next fishing regulations booklet. Winners will see their work on the front and back cover of the 2024 fishing regulation booklet.

Think beyond the brag board. We’re looking for unique or unusual photos, perhaps a state record fish or a fish never previously seen on the cover. Help FWP show what diverse fish can be found in Montana.

Photo contest:

• Photo must be vertical (portrait) mode, or suitable for tight vertical cropping to fit the available space on the regs cover.
• Photo must be a minimum resolution and size of 6 inches tall at 300 pixels-per-inch.
• FWP will feature your name on the front cover as credit. Please specify how you would like to be credited.
• Please include a short description of the photo, so we can provide some caption information.
• Ownership of the photo is retained by the photographer, who may use his/her image for other purposes.
• Please do not send photos of fish that have been mounted.
• Photo must be taken in Montana.

Art contest

• Kids 12 and younger are invited to submit a colored drawing of a fish that lives in Montana.

Please send in your best photo and drawing today! Email to fwpphotocontest@mt.gov. Deadline is Oct. 15.

Winners will receive their photo on the cover, a subscription to Montana Outdoors Magazine and a Montana Outdoors t-shirt.​

Go fish!

ENNIS – A hunter killed a grizzly bear in self-defense last week in the Madison Range southeast of Ennis.

The person was hunting black bears in a remote parcel of private land in the backcountry on June 5 when he was charged by a grizzly bear. The hunter shot and killed the bear with a pistol and was not injured.

The hunter notified Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks the same day. Officials from FWP, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest conducted a field investigation with help from the landowner and confirmed the bear mortality. The investigation is ongoing.

The bear’s behavior appeared to be defensive in the surprise, close encounter with the hunter. The 15-year-old female grizzly had previously been captured for research purposes in 2013 and had no known history of conflict with people. No cubs were seen with the bear. The bear died outside the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem grizzly bear recovery zone, and inside the demographic monitoring area.

Be bear aware

Montana is bear country. Grizzly bear populations continue to become denser and more widespread in Montana, increasing the likelihood that residents and recreationists will encounter them in more places each year.

Avoiding conflicts with bears is easier than dealing with conflicts. Here are some precautions to help residents, recreationists and people who work outdoors avoid negative bear encounters:

• Carry bear spray and be prepared to use it immediately.
• Travel in groups whenever possible and make casual noise, which can help alert bears to your presence.
• Stay away from animal carcasses, which often attract bears.
• Follow food storage orders from the applicable land management agency.
• If you encounter a bear, never approach it. Leave the area when it is safe to do so.
• Keep garbage, bird feeders, pet food and other attractants put away in a secure building. Keep garbage in a secure building until the day it is collected. Certified bear-resistant garbage containers are available in many areas.
• Never feed wildlife. Bears that become food conditioned lose their natural foraging behavior and pose threats to human safety. It is illegal to feed bears in Montana.

Hunting in places that have or may have grizzly bears—which includes areas of Montana west of Billings—requires special precautions:

• Carry bear spray and be prepared to use it immediately.
• Look for bear sign and be cautious around creeks and areas with limited visibility.
• Hunt with a group of people. Making localized noise can alert bears to your presence.
• Be aware that elk calls and cover scents can attract bears.
• Bring the equipment and people needed to help field dress game and remove the meat from the kill site as soon as possible.
• If you need to leave part of the meat in the field during processing, hang it at least 10 feet off the ground and at least 150 yards from the gut pile. Leave it where it can be observed from a distance of at least 200 yards.
• Upon your return, observe the meat with binoculars. If it has been disturbed or if a bear is in the area, leave and call FWP.

Grizzly bears in the lower 48 states are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Management authority for grizzlies rests with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, working closely in Montana with FWP, the Forest Service, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Geological Survey, Wildlife Services, and Native American tribes. This collaboration happens through the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee.

For more information and resources on bear safety, visit fwp.mt.gov/conservation/wildlife-management/bear.

Celebrating the 33rd Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed 33 years ago on July 26, 1990.
 
In honor of this historic civil rights law, the City of Bozeman is celebrating this anniversary throughout the month of July!
 
The City is welcoming the disability community to participate in four Community Chats throughout the month. If you are someone who identifies as having a disability, these chats are for you! You will have the opportunity to participate in engaging dialogue with City staff where you can share what it is like living with a disability in Bozeman through your stories and lived experiences. You’ll also have the opportunity to share your thoughts on what inclusivity in Bozeman means to you and provide suggestions on how we as a community can shape Bozeman into a city where we all thrive and feel a sense of belonging.

 
This month-long celebration is a part of a larger Belonging in Bozeman plan. You can learn more about this plan and sign up to participate in a Community Chat at: engage.bozeman.net/belonging.

BOZEMAN — The Science Math Resource Center at Montana State University, a STEM outreach center housed in the Department of Education, is offering free citizen science kits to 10 Montana programs that serve middle school students. Applications are due Friday, June 23, and kits will be sent to successful applicants immediately afterward. Programs are asked to use the materials by Sept. 30 and fill out a short post-program survey.

Each kit includes a video tutorial, instructor's guide and physical materials to complete two citizen science projects from instructions online: one on Alzheimer's disease and another on relationships between the eye and the brain. Programs may keep all the supplies for future use. No prior experience teaching STEM content is necessary.

Citizen science is the practice of people of any age volunteering to contribute data and observations that help professional scientists solve real-world challenges. The activities in the kit are connected to two national online citizen science projects: StallCatchers, which helps accelerate Alzheimer’s research, and Eyewire, which is helping scientists create a detailed map of neurons in the brain.

The kits are supported by the MSU Outreach and Engagement Council as part of its seed grant program to promote engagement with external partners, improve quality of life and benefit the public. MSU student Chloe Moreland, a senior from Snoqualmie, Washington pursuing degrees in cell biology and neuroscience and English, created the kits.

To apply, visit www.montana.edu/smrc/citizenscience.html.

A parcel of land owned by Bozeman Health near the hospital campus growing new varieties of peas, chickpeas and durum wheat for MSU's Foundation Seed Program. MSU photo by Marcus "Doc" Cravens

BOZEMAN — A property in the Gallatin Valley with a long history of agricultural use will enter a new chapter as Montana State University’s Montana Agricultural Experiment Station leases it to grow seed for crop varieties developed by the university’s plant breeding programs for Montana producers.

The roughly 317-acres of farmable land within the Highland Glen area, bordered by Kagy and Highland boulevards and Bozeman Trail Road, will be planted this spring with new varieties of peas, chickpeas and durum wheat as part of MSU’s Foundation Seed Program.

The property, which is owned by Bozeman Health, is a significant addition to the other 1,200 acres of Gallatin Valley farmland that MAES owns or leases for foundation seed production and agricultural research, according to David Gettel, MAES farm operations manager. The new lease is for five years with the option to be extended.

“It’s not often you get access to a good piece of farmland this close to town, so this is a great opportunity for us,” Gettel said.

MSU’s Foundation Seed Program grows the first generation of seed for crop varieties that the university’s researchers breed for the needs of Montana growers facing climate, pest and soil challenges across the state. This year MAES is growing 22 of its 27 new varieties in-house, with the others grown by MAES Research Centers or contracted to local growers.

“Our breeding programs keep putting out new varieties every year, and we need the acreage to be able to get the seed out to Montana farmers,” Gettel said. The property is also conveniently situated between the MSU campus and the Fort Ellis Research Farm, which will make it easier for staff traveling to cultivate and monitor the fields, he added.

Over the past decade, MAES has added two new breeding programs — for durum wheat and pulses, which include green and yellow peas, chickpeas and lentils — to its existing programs for barley, winter and spring wheat. Foundation seed is the first generation of seed that is then distributed to seed growers, who in turn produce seed for commodity growers.

“We’re the first step in the multiplication and purification process,” said Doug Holen, manager of the foundation seed program. “The need for the university to have more land is really a sign of the success of our breeding programs and the demand from Montana growers.”

Roughly one-third of the Highland Glen property will be in foundation seed production, with another third in a rotation crop such as barley and the final third kept fallow. The rotation crop and fallow help prevent plant disease and ensure fertility to meet the high standards for seed production, Holen explained.

The property was previously farmed by the Kraft family, who leased it from the health system starting in the 1960s. The Bozeman Health board had purchased the 500 acres encompassing the farmland in 1956, to ensure essential health services would be available to the communities of southwest Montana, and relocated the hospital to a portion of the property in 1986.

Vaughn Kraft grew up farming the land with his dad, earned a bachelor’s in industrial arts from MSU in 1967, and ran a machine shop in Belgrade before taking over the family farming operation full-time in the early 2000s.

“I’m glad to see this land stay in agriculture,” said Kraft, who will now focus on farming his 80 acres along South 19th Avenue. His family grew foundation seed on contract for MSU in the 1960s and ’70s and planted MSU-developed varieties of barley and other crops, so he understands the importance of the seed program, he said.

“I think, of all the options, this is probably the best,” said Kraft, who had gotten to know Gettel in recent years and helped facilitate the connection between MSU and Bozeman Health to transfer the lease. “I thought it would be a perfect fit.”

The health system is thankful for MSU’s partnership in maintaining this open space and for advancing a connection to the region’s agricultural roots, according to Denise Juneau, Bozeman Health chief government and community affairs officer. Bozeman Health's Highland Glen property also offers trails popular with hikers, bikers and cross-country skiers, and those user groups will continue to have the same access to those trails, she said.

“Bozeman Health is inspired by a desire to take outdoor active and healthy lifestyles and combine them with traditional services, including behavioral health, to increase health and wellness in a way that is accessible to all,” said Juneau. “Trails are critically important infrastructure for an outdoor, healthy life, and preserving agricultural use on this property maintains a natural setting for this active transportation system. As we gratefully honor our 60-plus years of collaboration with the Kraft family, we can think of no better partner to continue the stewardship of these farmlands than Montana State University.”

“I am excited about this new partnership with Bozeman Health as it will allow us to expand the MSU Foundation Seed Program to meet the high demand for our seeds in Montana,” said Sreekala Bajwa, dean of MSU's College of Agriculture and MSU vice president for agriculture. “This effort will help more crop producers across Montana grow MSU varieties, which are the best for the Montana environment and go on to feed people in many parts of the world.”

The property’s three large fields, separated by a coulee, will provide enough acreage for MSU to raise three or more foundation seed varieties per year and will also provide numerous research opportunities for soil science, precision agriculture and more, Gettel said.

“We hold ourselves to a high standard in terms of being stewards of the land,” Gettel said.

1. June 5 - July 5: E Main Rouse to Church
2. June 19 - August 1: Church from Main to Babcock, and Babcock from Rouse to Church
3. August 7 - August 21: N Bozeman from Main to Mendenhall
4. August 21 - September 21: E Main from Bozeman to Rouse

All DTNBZN and Community Events will operate a planned and construction will halt or be redirected during these times.

Due to short staffing, the Gallatin County Motor Vehicle Department offices in Bozeman and Belgrade will temporarily reduce office hours to enable staff to maintain current workload.

Beginning Wednesday, June 14, the offices will be open to the public for the following hours during the work week:

• Bozeman office (Gallatin County Courthouse at 311 W. Main St.) – 10 AM to 5 PM
• Belgrade office (312 W. Main St., St. B-8) – 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM

While the offices will be closed to the public for a couple hours a day, staff will be on hand during those hours as it will allow them to catch up on paperwork.

The Gallatin County Motor Vehicle Department is responsible for titling, registration and collection of fees associated with motor vehicles in the county. Drivers’ licenses are handled by the state in a separate office.

Like many employers across the county, our Motor Vehicle Department is short staffed. The offices have a total of 16 positions but are currently down four people with another position reducing to half time soon.

Our motor vehicle offices are the highest trafficked of our county government offices, with more and more customers as our population continues growing. These reduced hours will provide breathing room for our current staff to handle their increased workloads.

We encourage residents to check our website to find information on options like online or mail-in renewals to save them a trip to our offices. We also have a live webcam for the lobby of the Bozeman office so residents can better plan their trips to the courthouse. And we are also going restart some of the programs that were great time-savers for businesses, residents, and staff during the pandemic. We will be announcing programs on the website as soon as they are available.

The reduced public office hours will remain in place until more staff hired. We will keep the public updated.

For information on job openings in the Motor Vehicle Department, and all other county departments, please visit www.governmentjobs.com/careers/gallatinmt. There you can see detailed job descriptions and apply today!