Emigrant, MT  – AMB West Chairman and Owner Arthur Blank purchased Paradise Valley Ranch (PVR) in 2019, at which time he pledged to preserve the ranching traditions, wildlife habitat and scenic beauty of the property. On April 19, Blank made his commitment to the community official when he established a conservation easement on the spectacular 8,800-acre ranch in partnership with the Gallatin Valley Land Trust (GVLT). The conservation easement permanently limits residential and commercial development on the property and allows for agriculture and outdoor recreation to continue. This is the largest conservation easement in Paradise Valley to date and the third property owned by Mr. Blank to be conserved.

“Paradise Valley Ranch is not only a stunning property in the heart of Paradise Valley, it provides critical wildlife habitat and is rich in agricultural opportunities,” said AMB West Chairman Arthur Blank. “It was very important to us when we purchased PVR that the land was conserved and managed in a thoughtful, responsible way and could serve as a resource for the community. We are proud to have partnered with GVLT to finalize a conservation easement ensuring that the natural beauty, ecosystem, and native landscape that makes the ranch so special with be preserved in perpetuity.”

Paradise Valley Ranch is located 10 miles south of Livingston, Montana, on the western edge of Paradise Valley about 30 miles north of Yellowstone National Park. The property is mostly native rangeland and encompasses Antelope Butte, a prominent and scenic landscape feature that can be seen from across the valley. The ranch’s irrigated hayfields and vast meadows provide beautiful scenery, grazing for cattle, as well as important winter range for elk, mule deer and numerous other species. The property lies close to seven other conserved properties, anchoring an open landscape rich with wildlife and historic farms and ranches. The ranch will remain in active agricultural production and is currently leased out to local farming and ranching families.

In 2020, soon after PVR was purchased, AMB West established a community elk hunting program providing access to the ranch annually. The program was developed to serve local Park County and greater Montana residents and aims to promote further conservation efforts on the property. AMB West and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation partnered with local and regional directors of the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), the Game Warden and local biologists to structure the program.

Hunts are lead-free and are awarded through a lottery system free of charge. In addition to the hunting program, PVR hosts a weather station to collect fine scale climate monitoring data, which helps local ranchers plan for drought and other extreme weather conditions.

“With the increasing rate of growth and development in the valley, we are grateful to Mr. Blank for ensuring this iconic ranch stays open forever” said GVLT Conservation Director Brendan Weiner. “With over 40 existing parcels, this spectacular property could have been easily subdivided and developed but the conservation easement ensures it will stay whole.”

GVLT has been working in Park County for over 20 years and currently holds 16 conservation easements in the county in addition to over 100 conservation easements across southwest Montana. To meet growing interest from Park County landowners, GVLT recently hired a full-time project manager solely focused on conservation work in Park County. While Mr. Blank generously donated the financial value of this conservation easement, GVLT has also developed public and private funding sources that allow the organization to purchase conservation easements from interested landowners which will enable a greater number of landowners to utilize this tool. Landowners interested in GVLT’s conservation programs should contact GVLT’s Park County Program Manager, Cole Herdman, for more information at: cole@gvlt.org or 406-285-1826. 

What is a conservation easement?

GVLT partners with private landowners to conserve working farms and ranches, fish and wildlife habitat, open lands and scenic views. To protect these special places, GVLT uses conservation easements, which are voluntary agreements with landowners that limit the type and amount of development on a property while keeping it in private ownership. Each easement is tailored to the specific property and runs with the title of the land in perpetuity. GVLT is responsible for upholding the easement’s terms. Because a conservation easement limits development rights and therefore decreases the value of the land, landowners may be eligible to write off the difference as a charitable donation. In some cases, landowners receive financial compensation for a portion of the value of the conservation easement. The public benefits from the protection of conservation values such as prime agricultural soils, wildlife habitat, river corridors and the overall character of our region.

ABOUT AMB WEST

AMB West is a holding company comprised of Arthur Blank’s for-profit and non-profit guest ranches in Paradise Valley, Montana. The ranches include Mountain Sky Guest Ranch, West Creek Ranch, Paradise Valley Ranch, and The Ranch at Dome Mountain.  AMB West melds the missions of guest ranching, philanthropy, non-profit convening, working ranch lands and conservation to achieve best-in-class hospitality and stewardship practices.  

ABOUT GVLT

GVLT connects people, communities, and open lands through conservation of working farms and ranches, healthy rivers, and wildlife habitat, and the creation of trails in the Montana headwaters of the Missouri and Upper Yellowstone Rivers. For more information, visit www.gvlt.org.

What: Ridgeview Elementary School in Belgrade is running an exciting and fun-filled Cereal Knock Down Challenge. They have collected at least 800 boxes of cereal to donate to the food bank after the students host a domino-style knock down at the school. The Gallatin Valley Food Bank will be at the school collecting the donated cereal immediately after the knock down occurs to help support families across Gallatin Valley who are experiencing food insecurity.


When: Friday, May 12th at 1:45 pm
Where: Ridgeview Elementary School, 117 Greenbelt Drive, Belgrade
Contacts: Maggie Monaghan, Ridge View Elementary School Counselor, 406-924-2042  Jon Horn, Operations Manager, Gallatin Valley Food Bank, HRDC, 406-586-7600

HRDC’s Gallatin Valley Food Bank provides local support for local families and functions as a critical link between food and the people who need it. The food bank’s mission is to improve food security throughout Southwest Montana. Nutrition is vital for everyone in our community, and we serve anyone who needs help stretching their food budget.

As a private, not-for-profit Community Action Organization focused on building a better community through its nearly 50 initiatives, HRDC combats poverty in southwestern Montana and believes everyone deserves the opportunity to be financially stable. Donors, volunteers, and community members can find out what we have in common at https://thehrdc.org/

A Gallatin High School Senior is Raising Awareness about the Fast-Growing Crisis Facing Young Adults in Southwest Montana

Last year, HRDC provided services to 125 teens and young adults between the ages of 16 and 24 who were facing housing insecurity through its Blueprint Continuum program, double the amount served the year prior. Designed with an empowerment mindset, participants are provided with an array of tools to create achievable goals while gaining knowledge and resources to successfully navigate into adulthood through work experience, focused direction, and inspiration.

“We are very proud of our Blueprint program and our successful history over the past decade in supporting youth who are experiencing homelessness or who do not have a fixed, regular or adequate nighttime residence. Unfortunately, we’ve continued to see an increase in the number of students who find themselves in vulnerable housing situations across Gallatin Valley, and it is only with the financial support of our community that we can help keep teens and young adults safe and in school while helping them prepare well for adulthood,” said Jeremy Alcoke, HRDC’s Blueprint Continuum supervisor.

Alcoke continued, “When Emersen York approached us with her idea to raise both awareness and money in support of our program, we jumped on board immediately. Not only is she serving as a role model for other students who wish to make a difference, her fundraising efforts help amplify everything we are doing to help young people with nowhere else to turn. We couldn’t be more grateful for Emersen and her commitment to our organization.”

York, a senior at Gallatin High School, was motivated to find a way to make a difference in her community as she began to formulate a plan for her senior project. As a small business owner in a joint venture with her sister that creates and sells crocheted animals on Etsy, York chose to partner with a local small business, Montana Shirt Company, to help her gain knowledge about growing a business from the ground up. Together, they developed a community outreach plan which included creating a t-shirt that could be used to raise awareness of a community issue with proceeds from t-shirt sales going to a nonprofit of her choice. When she learned about Blueprint and the critical support it provided to other teens, she reached out to Alcoke to pitch her fundraising support. The final details fell into place with the help of Jared Goering, President at Montana Shirt Company, who helped York with a t-shirt design that includes an outline of the state of Montana with the word “cares” incorporated into the simple, but inspiring message.

“I honestly didn’t know about the homeless youth issue in my community. It hit home with me because I’m a teen too, which made me care about other teens struggling with their basic needs. I believe all kids deserve the chance to be cared about and feel loved. I felt like if I don’t know about this issue, then there are a lot of other people that don’t know about it either. The bottom line is that I wanted the community outreach portion of my senior project to be something that had a big impact on helping kids my age that are homeless and struggling while also bringing more awareness to this problem in my community," explained York when asked why the work of Blueprint spoke to her so directly.

As for supporting Emersen in her small business start-up and fundraising project, Goering has this to say, “We at Montana Shirt Company love supporting our local Montana community any way we can. When Emersen approached us with a project to help a local nonprofit in the Bozeman area, we loved the idea and opportunity.”

For a limited time, Montana Cares t-shirts are available for purchase for $28 with the net proceeds ($18) going directly to Blueprint. The shirts are available in person at Montana Shirt Company located at 127 E. Main Street in Bozeman, or online at https://www.montanashirtco.com/products/montana-care

York, Alcoke, and Goering are quite pleased with the initial results of the Montana Cares t-shirt sales which netted $726 for HRDC’s Blueprint Continuum program on the first day they were offered to the public.

York is an honors student and hopes to attend the University of Hawaii to earn a degree in business. “I’m an entrepreneur at heart! My senior project further demonstrated to me that with creativity and determination, I can build a successful business and make a difference in my community at the sametime.”

For more information about HRDC’s Blueprint program, visit https://thehrdc.org/emerging-adults/young-adult-housing/

The Montana Shirt Company is dedicated to creating insanely comfortable, highly durable, and well-designed products that represent the last best place. Learn more at https://www.montanashirtco.com/

As a private, not-for-profit Community Action Organization focused on building a better community through its nearly 50 initiatives, HRDC combats poverty in southwestern Montana and believes everyone deserves the opportunity to be financially stable. Donors, volunteers, and community members can find out what we have in common at https://thehrdc.org/

Contemporary art is more than just decoration. Through abstract forms, unconventional compositions, and symbolic imagery, modern art makes us question and explore our own beliefs and perceptions about art and the world in general.

It’s inspiring, thought-provoking, and engaging. And equally important to artists and aesthetes alike, modern art beautifies and breathes life into a space.

Perhaps that’s why Bozeman residents take art so seriously. After all, beauty begets beauty, and Bozeman itself is surrounded by serene natural beauty. A perfect combination of mountain vistas and gorgeous scenery on one hand and modern construction and well-preserved historic buildings on another, it’s no wonder Bozeman is home to a thriving modern art scene.

If you’re wondering where to buy unique contemporary artworks in Bozeman, you only need to look at the many galleries, art fairs, and festivals to see countless beautiful art pieces. But don’t forget various online platforms, too, as they offer a wide range of contemporary pieces from both local and international artists.

Art in Bozeman

Bozeman has a thriving art scene with a rich community of both artists and art lovers. The city’s natural beauty, cultural history, and vibrant atmosphere all contribute to the creation and appreciation of art.

When it comes to modern art, in specific, Bozeman boasts a diverse and talented artist community. From painters to sculptors to photographers to mixed-media artists, the city is full of talented modern artists that consistently produce outstanding artwork.

You don’t have to look far to find truly unique, amazing contemporary art pieces in Bozeman. The city boasts dozens of art galleries and many festivals, fairs, and art studios where exceptional artists display and sell their work.

Art Galleries
Bozeman is home to dozens of art galleries, many of which showcase contemporary and modern artworks. Integral to the arts, galleries give local artists a place to show off their work and a chance for visitors to explore and purchase unique pieces.

Some popular contemporary galleries in Bozeman include Visions West, Sundog Fine Art, Montana Trails Gallery, Misco Mills, and many more.

Art Festivals
Bozeman hosts numerous art festivals and fairs throughout the year, providing locals and tourists opportunities to engage with the city’s art scene.

For example, the first weekend in August (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) is dedicated to the Sweet Pea Festival, an art show that showcases a wide range of creative works by local artists. The Bozeman Fall MADE fair is another artsy event where local artisans and artists can show off their unique handmade artworks.

Art Walks
The Bozeman Art Walk is held on the second Friday of the month of June through September. Free and open to the public, this highly popular art event allows visitors to explore art galleries and studios while enjoying live music and refreshments.

Businesses and galleries feature a variety of artworks; from modern paintings and sculptures to handmade jewelry and ceramics, the Downtown Bozeman Art Walk has something for everyone.

Art Markets
If you’re looking to not only buy modern art in Bozeman but also interact with local artists and perhaps even gain insight into their creative process, you’ll be happy to hear that the city has occasional art markets and pop-up shops.

While not exactly frequent or regular, these events are a great opportunity for local artists to display and sell their work. Art markets create a lively atmosphere and offer a chance to find some truly unique modern art pieces, including paintings, drawings, sculptures, and more.

Open Studios and Workshops
Some artists in Bozeman occasionally open their studios to the public or offer workshops, providing an intimate experience to engage with the creative process firsthand. Visit artist studios or participate in open studio events or classes, where you can directly connect with artists and purchase their artwork.

Online Art Platforms
Finally, many artists sell their works through online platforms, so if you want to buy unique abstract paintings created by both local and international artists, don’t forget to check them out.

Platforms like Etsy, Artsy, and online art galleries like Singulart offer a wide variety of modern artworks from artists all over the world, including Bozeman. Whether you live in Bozeman or simply want to support local artists, buying artwork through online platforms like these is a great way to discover and support Bozeman artists. 

 Zillow is one of the most popular online real estate marketplaces in the US, connecting millions of buyers and sellers with real estate agents and lenders. Zillow offers a variety of products and services to help consumers navigate the real estate market, including Zillow mortgage leads. These leads can be a valuable source of new business for mortgage professionals, but they also come at a cost. In this article, we will explore the concept of Zillow mortgage lead cost, how they work, and whether they are worth buying.
 

 
Zillow mortgage leads are leads generated by Zillow's online real estate marketplace. When potential homebuyers or sellers visit Zillow's website to search for homes or request information about a property, they may be prompted to provide their contact information. This information is then sold to mortgage professionals as Zillow mortgage leads. Mortgage professionals can use these leads to reach out to potential customers and offer their services.

Zillow mortgage leads are sold on a cost-per-lead (CPL) basis. This means that mortgage professionals pay a predetermined amount for each lead they receive from Zillow. The cost per lead can vary depending on several factors, including the location of the lead, the type of lead (buyer or seller), and the number of other mortgage professionals competing for the same lead.

When a mortgage professional purchases a Zillow mortgage lead, they receive the lead's contact information, including their name, phone number, and email address. Mortgage professionals can then use this information to reach out to the lead and offer their services. It is important to note that Zillow mortgage leads are not exclusive, meaning that multiple mortgage professionals may purchase the same lead.

One of the main benefits of buying Zillow mortgage leads is that they can be a valuable source of new business for mortgage professionals.
 
Zillow is one of the most popular real estate websites in the US, with millions of visitors each month. This means that there is a high potential for mortgage professionals to reach a large audience of potential customers through Zillow mortgage leads.
 
Another benefit of Zillow mortgage leads is that they can be a cost-effective way to generate new business. While the cost per lead can vary depending on several factors, Zillow mortgage leads are generally less expensive than other forms of advertising, such as print or radio ads.
 
4. How can mortgage professionals maximize the value of Zillow mortgage leads?
 
To maximize the value of Zillow mortgage leads, mortgage professionals should focus on building a strong relationship with the lead as quickly as possible. This can involve reaching out to the lead as soon as possible after receiving their contact information, offering personalized and timely communication, and providing valuable information and resources to the lead throughout the home buying process.

 
Additionally, mortgage professionals can increase their chances of success with Zillow mortgage leads by using a variety of marketing strategies, such as email marketing, social media marketing, and content marketing.
 
By providing helpful and informative content to potential customers, mortgage professionals can establish themselves as industry experts and build trust with their leads.
 
Mortgage professionals should also track and analyze their results with Zillow mortgage leads. By measuring the success of each lead and identifying areas for improvement, mortgage professionals can adjust their strategies and maximize their return on investment.
 
5. How can mortgage professionals evaluate the ROI of Zillow mortgage leads?
 
To evaluate the ROI of Zillow mortgage leads, mortgage professionals should track several key metrics, including the cost per lead, conversion rates, and customer acquisition costs. By measuring these metrics over time, mortgage professionals can determine whether Zillow mortgage leads are a cost-effective way to generate new business.

 
Mortgage professionals should also consider the lifetime value of their customers when evaluating the ROI of Zillow mortgage leads. While the cost per lead may be higher than other forms of advertising, the long-term value of a satisfied customer can be significant.
 
6. Are Zillow mortgage leads worth buying?
 
The answer to this question depends on several factors, including the mortgage professional's marketing strategy, budget, and target audience. Zillow mortgage leads can be a valuable source of new business for mortgage professionals, but they are not a one-size-fits-all solution.

Mortgage professionals who have a strong online presence and a targeted marketing strategy may be able to generate new business without the need for Zillow mortgage leads. On the other hand, mortgage professionals who are looking to expand their customer base and generate new leads may find value in purchasing Zillow mortgage leads.

Ultimately, the decision to purchase Zillow mortgage leads should be based on a careful analysis of the mortgage professional's specific needs and goals.
 
Takeaways
 
Zillow mortgage leads can be a valuable source of new business for mortgage professionals, but they come at a cost. Mortgage professionals should carefully evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of Zillow mortgage leads before making a purchase.
 
To maximize the value of Zillow mortgage leads, mortgage professionals should focus on building a strong relationship with the lead and using a variety of marketing strategies. They should also track and analyze their results to evaluate the ROI of their investment.

Billings, Mont. – Ideal Option, a national leader in outpatient medication-assisted treatment for addiction to opioids and other substances, has released its 2022 Annual Patient Outcomes Report for patients living in Montana.  
 
This report contains an aggregated view of patients’ geographic and demographic characteristics, their stage and duration of care, adherence to medication and their substance use over time based on lab specimens collected during 2022 from more than 1,700 patients. 

The data support the effectiveness of treating addiction with FDA-approved medications combined with regular lab testing to verify medication adherence, create accountability and ensure patient safety.  

Among Montana patients who remained in treatment from initiation to the maintenance stage of care during 2022, the report shows: 
• 93% less total opioid use 
• 97% less fentanyl use 
• 94% less heroin use 
• 87% less methamphetamine use 
• 84% less cocaine use 

The report also reveals synthetic drug use continuing to rise among enrolling patients in 2022, particularly fentanyl. Fentanyl is regularly mixed with other illicit drugs to make them more addictive, often without the user knowing.  

“Polysubstance use disorder is now the most common diagnosis at Ideal Option,” said Tim Kilgallon, CEO at Ideal Option. “In 2022, over half of all Montana patients tested positive for two or more substances at enrollment, and 24% tested positive for three or more substances.” 

The data corroborate state reports of the increasingly prevalent role that fentanyl plays in the substance use epidemic. According to data released by the Montana Attorney General’s Office, fentanyl seizures in the state have risen 11,000% since 2019. In 2022, task force agents seized 206,955 dosage units, triple the amount recorded in 2021. 

In addition, according to the most recent State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS) summary for Montana, opioids and stimulants such as methamphetamine were the most common substances associated with a fatal overdose from 2019-2020. Ideal Option data show that standard treatment for opioid use disorder dramatically reduces the use of methamphetamine in patients who test positive for both. 

View the full Ideal Option 2022 Annual Patient Outcomes Report for Montana here: https://www.idealoption.com/patient-outcomes. 

Ideal Option has helped more than 65,000 patients through a network of nearly 90 outpatient clinics across 11 states: Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon and Washington. 
 
With no waitlists and most forms of insurance accepted, including Medicare and Medicaid, patients can typically get started on treatment for fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, alcohol, or other substances within 1-3 business days. 
 
Patients can make an appointment by calling 1.877.522.1275 or visiting www.idealoption.com 
 
About Ideal Option  
Headquartered in Kennewick, Washington, Ideal Option was founded in 2012 and has since helped more than 65,000 patients through a network of nearly 90 office-based medication-assisted treatment (MAT) clinics across 11 states. With a mission to serve under-served communities, Ideal Option accepts most forms of insurance including Medicaid and Medicare. Financial assistance and payment plans are also available. 
 
Ideal Option's team of medical providers carry certifications in Addiction and Emergency Medicine, Internal, and Family Medicine, among other specialties. The company also employs social workers, caseworkers, counselors, and mental health practitioners. This holistic approach helps drive positive outcomes, including family stability, stable housing, improved overall health, and reduced rates of recidivism. 
 
In all the communities it serves, Ideal Option collaborates with existing stakeholders and providers to improve the continuum of care. This approach includes partnerships with emergency rooms and county jail systems, where individuals with substance use disorder often appear, as well as collaborating with numerous support agencies and municipal programs addressing social needs such as housing, mental health, and nutrition support.  

The Gallatin City-County Health Department, the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), other local health departments, and federal agencies continue to investigate the foodborne illness outbreak linked to eating food at Dave’s Sushi in Bozeman.

The investigational activities are ongoing, and DPHHS and the Gallatin City-County Health Department acknowledge that the investigation may not be able to identify a specific pathogen as the source of this outbreak. This outbreak appears to be isolated to people who ate at Dave’s Sushi between March 31 and April 17, 2023. The restaurant remains closed, and there does not appear to be any further risk to the public.

DPHHS recommends that individuals who experienced illness after eating at Dave’s Sushi in late March and April 2023 call and report their symptoms to their local health department so cases can be tracked as part of this outbreak investigation. Contact information for all local health departments is here. 

BOZEMAN - Community advocates for the creation of the Gallatin Valley Urban Transportation District (GVUTD) celebrated voters’ approval of the measure Tuesday night, saying that the newly established district will enable the Streamline bus and Galavan paratransit services to continue to meet the transportation needs of our community. The GVUTD will include all of Belgrade and Bozeman and areas in between.

“This is a great affirmation of support from voters that demonstrates the importance of these services to our community as it continues to grow,” HRDC President/CEO Heather Grenier said.

“Creating the UTD was needed to ensure that Streamline and Galavan continue to receive the federal transit funds that make up the largest portion of their budgets,” Grenier said.

While the Gallatin Valley was formerly viewed as a “rural” area in the eyes of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), it is now considered a “small urban” area. This means FTA funds can no longer go directly to HRDC (a private non-profit) to operate Streamline, and instead must be administered by a local government or by a transportation district. 

“The GVUTD is  the future home of Streamline and Galavan,” Grenier said. “The Districtwill have its own board, comprised of community members and representatives appointed by elected officials from the City of Belgrade, City of Bozeman, and Gallatin County.” 

“Having a structure, and a board, that is focused only on public transportation in our Valley will keep these services strong and ensure that they continue to keep up with the growing need for zero-fare, accessible transportation in the Gallatin Valley,” Greniersaid.

YES for Streamline Treasurer Mitch Bradley was grateful for voters’ support of the measure.

“We’re so thankful to the community for supporting this measure,” he said. “People in Belgrade, Bozeman and the surrounding area really respect Streamline and Galavan. It’s clear that they understand that these services benefit us all: They help get students, seniors, people with injuries and disabilities, including many veterans, where they need to go, along with community members who can’t or choose not to drive.”

“These services connect people to school, shopping, doctor’s appointments and visits with friends and family,” Bradley added. “I know, as a former business owner, that our local workforce and business owners depend on them.”

“Streamline also helps reduce traffic congestion, demand for parking and helps keep our air clean by reducing the number of cars on the road,” he said.

The GVUTD was on the ballot thanks to an incredibly successful signature-gathering effort last year. Advocates submitted 16,166 valid signatures to surpass the required goal of 12,935 by 3,231 (25% more than needed.)

There is no cost to Gallatin County Voters for the creation of the GVUTD.

The Streamline bus service operates from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to  6 p.m. on weekends, and includes four Bozeman routes along with weekday commuter service to Belgrade. 

Galavan provides transportation to seniors and people with disabilities or injuries, including many veterans, on a flexible basis in Bozeman, Belgrade, Manhattan and Three Forks. 

The transition of governing responsibility from the HRDC Board of Directors to the GVUTD Board of Directors is expected to take two years. In the meantime, riders can expect both Streamline and Galavan service to operate as normal. 

 
This weekend, Beall Park Recreation Center will be home to Montana’s first-ever Crankie Fest, produced by Random Acts of Silliness.  A crankie is an ancient story telling device, consisting of a moving panoramic art scroll accompanied by music or a story. The scroll is cranked to move the story along, hence the name crankie. The crankie is an analog antidote to our fast-paced digital world. It enables intimate, slow, carefully crafted storytelling–and is utterly captivating. 

Our Crankie Fest will feature 10 original crankies with a mythical creature theme. Each piece was created by Montana artists including: Rachel Hergett, Kate Weiss, Eric Dymit & Fionn Mallon, Marissa Porte, Marla Goodman, the Tjernagel Family, Jill Logan, Grace Washko & Erin Corsi, Michelle Hall, and Cindy Owings.

The event will be headlined by internationally renowned crankie artist Katherine Fahey. Maryland based Fahey has mentored the Montana artists throughout  the creation of their crankies.

“Crankies bring together the visual arts and storytelling in an absolutely magical way.  Gallatin Valley audiences are going to be spellbound when they see what the artists have created.” said Danielle Thomsen, Executive Enchantment Director of Random Acts of Silliness.

The Mythical Creature Crankie Fest is presented in partnership with Bozeman Parks and Recreation and sponsored by the Yellowstone Club Community Foundation and Feed Cafe.

Due to limited capacity advanced tickets are required. The event is free with a suggested donation for those whose budget allows.

The Crankie Curious can preview some of the pieces and play with their own crankies at Wild Joe’s on May 4th from 4-6pm.

For more information and to reserve a spot visit the Mythical Creature Crankie Fest Page .

HELENA – With the high levels of snow and very warm temperatures this spring, boaters can expect high waters soon. The combination of high water and high expectations can be deadly when conditions are too extreme for safe boating.

It can be hard to put safety ahead of adventure when you've spent hours planning a boat trip, but sometimes the only safe choice is to stay off the water.

All water users should wear a well-fitted U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device, or life jacket, when on and around the water. If you are in a boat or even near a rapidly flowing river, wear a life jacket – it could save your life. If you fall into cold water without a life jacket, you could drown in a matter of minutes.

There are times, especially for less experienced boaters and floaters, when the dangers aren't readily apparent until they've entered the water. Boaters should make a study of high-water hazards and be prepared to cope with dangers that may include:

• debris in water
• cold water
• logs that get lodged together and block a boat’s ability to float through
• bridge abutments that catch debris and create swirling waves
• turbid, muddy water that makes other hazards in the water difficult or impossible to see
• the possibility of capsizing and having to rescue yourself or others
• boaters who get wet and need to be warmed quickly to prevent hypothermia

Here are some tips for navigating the dangers of high water:

• Don't boat alone.
• Make sure someone on shore knows where you plan to put in, take out and when you plan to return.
• If the water at in a stage you wouldn't choose to swim in, then don't launch your boat either.
• If you do launch, wear a well-fitted life jacket and, in rough waters, a helmet.

Boaters should not assume a river is the same as it was during a previous trip. Rivers change their channels, and new hazards, such as overhanging or broken tree branches and log jams, may exist.

Make it part of your plan to reschedule a trip if conditions deteriorate.

Anyone planning to recreate near water should first check the FWP website for safety information. Go to fwp.mt.gov/activities/boating/safety.

Additional fishing access site closures and restrictions are likely as spring runoff continues. For updates, visit fwp.mt.gov/news/current-closures-restrictions.