A team of scientists from Montana State University’s Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology published research earlier this month evaluating the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines and seeking to learn more about how long the resulting antibody protection may last.

The study, “Titers, Prevalence and Duration of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in a Local COVID-19 Outbreak and Following Vaccination” published in the journal Vaccines, was conducted using volunteer subjects and data collected in Gallatin County beginning in March 2020, shortly after the first COVID-19 cases were reported in Montana. Around 170 volunteers had their blood drawn — many on a monthly basis — to assess whether there were antibodies present and, if so, how the titer, or concentration of antibodies in the blood, changed over time.

For associate research professor Jodi Hedges, the study provided an opportunity to conduct real-time research on a public health issue in her community. As more Montanans and Americans receive vaccines, she said the study was a way to engage the public in critical science.

“I loved the fact that the volunteers were up for coming back to give samples every month for a year,” she said. “The enthusiasm for the project and encouragement of the participants was great. It was fun to be able to tell them their antibody status in a time of such uncertainty. This whole project was really gratifying.”

The research team also included Deann Snyder, instructional lab manager for the Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, research associate Amanda Robison, associate professor Matt Taylor and Regents professor Mark Jutila.

Antibodies are an immune response triggered by exposure to something foreign, like a virus, said Hedges, who led the study. Humans produce antibodies both in response to natural infection and after vaccination. The higher the concentration of antibodies, the more an individual is protected from future infection. But a major question was whether a symptom-less case of COVID-19 triggered a measurable antibody response.

“We wanted to measure the extent of asymptomatic infection by measuring antibodies in people,” Hedges said. “What if a bunch of us already had antibodies?”

As it turned out, asymptomatic infection in the community was less prevalent than initially thought, especially when a person hadn’t been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19. But Hedges and her team found that asymptomatic infection still led to an antibody response, so they sought to learn more about those antibodies.

“We were interested from a diagnostic standpoint, to see how long after infection we could see if someone had had it, as well as to see how long that protection lasted,” said Hedges.

For most study participants, antibody levels began to wane after five or six months, the team found. For those with the highest starting levels of antibodies, the time before antibody levels dropped could be as long as a year.

Hedges noted that the human antibody response triggered by a vaccine is much stronger. For maximum protection, she said, even those who have already had and recovered from the virus should be vaccinated.

“It’s an important takeaway from this that there’s a lot of variability. Just because you had it, it doesn’t mean you have a strong antibody response,” she said.

Part of the reason that immunity lasts longer after vaccination is because of memory B cells, said Hedges. A type of blood cell, memory B cells retain a genetic blueprint for the antibodies they create, meaning they can continue to create those same antibodies in the future. Memory B cells can be maintained in the body for decades, well after antibody levels have waned.

Hedges explained that these cells are why many modern vaccines administered to young children can provide protection for their entire lifetime. Memory B cells are created after natural infection, but in a lower concentration than is triggered by a vaccine, meaning the immune response is stronger after vaccination.

 “Groups have measured memory B cells in people in their 90s and 100s who have memory B cells from the 1918 flu pandemic,” she said. “If you made antibodies once, you have the memory B cells to make them again.” 

Wardens are seeing many water recreators out of compliance

HELENA – Unseasonably warm weather is occurring early in Montana, and many boaters and anglers have been going to the local reservoirs and other waterways to get some relief from the heat. However, along with having fun, folks need to follow all the laws while out and about.  Wardens have been checking a slew of boaters and anglers recently, and some common issues are recurring as summer is getting underway:

• License possession while fishing: Many anglers contacted this spring and summer have not had their license in possession while fishing. This is a requirement by law. Anglers are required to produce their fishing license when requested by a game warden.
  
  A good recommendation is to carry the original printed license and hold a digital “copy” on a phone as a backup. The digital phone copy is legal, provided the license is quickly accessible and saved as a PDF, *screenshot of the license or a photo of the license.  Sometimes, anglers have tried to rely on spotty cell phone service to look up their licenses via the internet, which has not always worked. Save a copy that you can find immediately! 
  
  Watch a video on how to carry a digital license >>

• *ALS Receipts and screenshots of “Items Held” on the MyFWP page do not count as licenses. 
  
  

• Required Safety Equipment on boats: Multiple citations have been issued this summer for insufficient safety equipment on boats.  By law, the following are required for noted watercraft: 
• A wearable U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal floatation device must be readily accessible for every person on the vessel, regardless of age. This includes, but is not limited to, all boats, kayaks, paddleboards, jet skis and canoes.

• All vessels 16 feet in length and over must have one U.S. Coast Guard approved throwable personal flotation device that is immediately available for use.

• Children under 12 years of age must wear a life jacket on a boat less than 26 feet in length that is in motion.

• Towing/Skiing:
• There must be at least two people on board a towing vessel, one operator/driver and one observer. If the operator is 12 or younger, the observer must be at least 18.
  
  
• The person(s) being towed must be wearing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket

• Fire extinguishers: All motorboats must carry a U.S. Coast Guard-approved type B fire extinguisher. 
• * Exception: motorboats less than 26 feet long that are propelled by an outboard motor and are completely open construction (no closed spaces where gasoline fumes may be trapped) are not required to have a fire extinguisher.

• Validation Decals on Boats: Wardens have found that most boats have followed this rule, however, a few boats are still missing their required decal.
• All motorboats, sailboats or personal watercraft that are registered in Montana must display two validation decals. Current validation decals are red in color and are in effect for a three-year period expiring Feb. 28, 2023. Validation decals may be obtained, free of charge, at any Fish, Wildlife & Parks regional office or at the fwp.mt.gov website.

• AIS Check Stations:

• ALL WATERCRAFT are required to stop at all open AIS check stations. Folks doing “drive-bys,” whether intentionally or unintentionally, are being cited.
  
  
• ALL NONRESIDENT WATERCRAFT must be inspected before launching in Montana. This is required by law. 
• Proof of Inspection Paperwork: Many nonresident boats that have been contacted do not have their proof of inspection paperwork in their boat while on the water. Please always carry these.

For more information on fishing or boating laws, please pick up a copy of the 2021 Fishing Regulations or Montana Boating Laws. Good luck and be safe out there!

Sweet Pea Festival is pleased to announce that wristbands for this year’s festival are on sale now.

The 2021 Sweet Pea Festival will take place August 6-8, 2021, at Bozeman’s Lindley Park. This year’s festival will provide all the wonderful arts and entertainment festivalgoers have come to expect, but with a few minor changes for admission to the festival.

The health and safety of festivalgoers is paramount. Therefore, this year’s festival capacity is slightly reduced. It’s important to purchase wristbands early to ensure admission. You can preorder your wristband online now at the festival website: https://sweetpeafestival.square.site/ for pickup at the Sweet Pea office through August 5 or orders can be mailed if placed by July 28. Purchasing wristbands in advance will allow for fast, contactless delivery as well as efficient and expedited entry to the festival. Beginning July 2nd, wristbands will be available at local outlets. Also, new this year - children 12 and under are free. No wristband is needed for admission.

Wristbands will not be sold at entry points, nor will pickup of pre-ordered wristbands be available at the gates. Remaining wristbands will only be available for purchase at the Festival’s new main box office found in front of the library during the festival. Prices go up if purchased after August 5.

For more information or to purchase wristbands please contact the Sweet Pea Festival office at 406-586-4003 or visit the festival website at https://sweetpeafestival.org.

ABOUT SWEET PEA FESTIVAL:
 
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 and The Bite of Bozeman starting off the festivities of Sweet Pea Week.  The festival includes everything from music, theatre and dance, to children’s activities, arts, and crafts vendors 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. Where art and community meet.

The wine business has evolved in recent years, especially concerning how the sales are conducted. International wine internet sales are trending up, while joints and tasting room sales and trending down. Selling to a direct user through an internet store enables you to expand your business more and create numerous other benefits and opportunities. The following are reasons why you need to consider selling fine wine globally online.

Conventional sales channels are becoming Unreliable
Wine tasting rooms and restaurant sales have deteriorated throughout the past years, while the number of clients shopping online is growing steadily. Consumers enjoy the convenience of being supplied with their bottles of wines at home. They like how the internet offers them more options, information, and control. Users who have visited a tasting room during vacation also love continuation with the brand while back at home. When a consumer purchases wine online, they get to buy on their schedules. Besides, they can read and write reviews concerning your products, get other significant information, and proceeds to stay informed about your brand.

Ecommerce is Developing Fast and Represents a Great Opportunity
Ecommerce has been advancing rapidly, and it will continue to do so. International e-commerce portal retail sales are expected to meet a total of roughly 3.9 trillion dollars in the next five years. Still, the best wine companies such as https://worldwine.com.au/ are taking advantage of selling wine over the internet. They focus on offering their clients the best services and don't miss out on sales. However, with several wineries still not selling online and delivering to the consumers, there is a massive opportunity to set up yourself apart by offering an interactive, easy internet shopping experience for your clients.

Take Control of Your Business and Increase Your Profit
This industry is not just related to wine production. It also concerns how you are marketing and telling your brand story. Deciding to sell your wine through your online shop, you are in a position to control advertising and share your brand's story with your clients freely. Opportunities are, your resale business associates are not doing good to your brand in terms of shared values and what makes you unique. Moreover, your CRM, portals, online ads, and email marketing are just a few of the tools related to your disposal in the wine Network marketing world. They can accompany each other perfectly well and build efficient integrated advertising campaigns working well for your brands and truly sharing your story.

Additionally, you can keep the real data gathered by the tools and utilize it in your favor. Also, you can identify and know what you need to adjust to hit reasonable goals, numbers and to increase your reach and profit. It would also be best to make decisions based on real data and enjoy seeing your numbers growing.

Suppose you are a wine retailer or a winery interested in improving your brand profitability and presence and decided to sell fine wine over the internet. In that case, you should consider working with reputable companies like worldwine.com.au/, and you will get assistance on how to go about it.

The Sweet Pea Festival is pleased to announce the 2021 winners of their annual poster, adult and children’s t-shirt design contests. Additionally, this year the Festival added a new category for the best coffee mug design.
  
This year’s poster contest winner is Ali Swain, a 20-year-old student who resides in Bozeman. “I moved here from Chicago because I absolutely fell in love with the people and the area. I come from an artistic family and have been drawing ever since I could hold a pencil. I am actually newer to painting, as I normally stick to drawing.” Some of Ali's passions include skiing, writing, and traveling. She will attend MSU in the Fall, pursuing a major in pre-veterinary sciences. “Because of my love for animals I decided to paint a moose,” Ali stated. “I am very honored to be a part of this year’s festival that’s so unique to Bozeman. I can’t wait to attend!”

 
Josie Trudgeon is the winner of this year’s adult t-shirt design contest. “I am a Butte artist and photographer. I’m honored my work was chosen for the 2021 Sweet Pea t-shirt! I remember the buzz surrounding the Sweet Pea Festival when I first moved to Bozeman in 1999.  I had to look up what a sweet pea was, and they quickly became a favorite flower. I grow them every year. Floral is my favorite subject to paint and draw. I work in oil, acrylic and watercolor.” Josie holds a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and Communication from Saint Cloud State University. Married with two teenage children, Josie has lived in Butte since 2002.

 
Ten-year old Kaia Batton is this year’s children’s t-shirt design contest winner. Kaia lives with her mom, dad, and brother. She has two dogs, two tortoises, and three hermit crabs. Kara loves dragons, the book series Wings of Fire, and looks forward to attending middle school next Fall. She also likes creating art, performing aerial silk, rafting and boating, camping, and playing with her friends.

This year, Sweet Pea Festival also held a contest for the design of a coffee mug. Coco Costigan’s hand-thrown pottery mug was the winning design for this first-of-its-kind contest. Coco has been creating art in clay since 1992. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in ceramics from California State University, Long Beach, in 1996. Coco, her husband, and their two children moved to Bozeman in 2019. She currently works and teaches in her home studio. Coco’s realist/sculptural work will be on exhibit at the Jessie Wilber Gallery in the Emerson Center for Arts & Culture in August 2021. A limited number of Coco’s Sweet Pea Festival mugs will be numbered and signed.

Congratulations to COCO COSTIGAN for winning Sweet Pea's first ever COFFEE MUG contest. These mugs are so beautiful and truly a work of art. Coco wins $1000 and will make a limited amount of numbered mugs for us to sell at the Festival. You can pre-order them now and pick up between July 26 & August 3 at our office.

 
For more information or to place your preorders for this year’s coffee mug please contact the Sweet Pea Festival office at 406-586-4003 or visit the festival website at https://sweetpeafestival.org. Posters, postcards and t-shirts will be available online and at the Festival.

ABOUT SWEET PEA FESTIVAL:
 
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 and The Bite of Bozeman starting off the festivities of Sweet Pea Week.  The festival includes everything from music, theatre and dance, to children’s activities, arts and crafts vendors 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. “Where art and community meet.”

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks recently completed its annual report to NorthWestern Energy for the Madison River drainage.  

Through its Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license, NorthWestern Energy provides mitigation funds to protect and enhance Madison River basin fisheries. FWP’s report details how these mitigation funds were used in 2020 to complete fish population monitoring in Hebgen Lake and in two sections of the Madison River. 

FWP uses these estimates — which have been conducted since the 1960s — to monitor the health of the river’s trout populations.  

Last year, biologists found that the number of brown and rainbow trout at least 6 inches long remained below the 20-year averages in the upper Madison River, except for rainbow trout in the Varney section, which runs from Varney Bridge to just above the Eight Mile Ford Fishing Access Site.  

There, biologists found an estimated 2,401 rainbow trout per mile, the highest abundance observed in more than 20 years. However, the majority of these fish — more than 2,000 per mile — were age-1 rainbow trout, and only 250 fish per mile were over 11 inches long. Estimated abundances of brown trout in the Varney section remained relatively stable for the fourth consecutive year at 1,339 fish per mile, which is 82 percent of the 20-year average for the section. 

In the Pine Butte section, which is the 3.5 miles of river upstream of Lyons Bridge, biologists found an estimated 2,152 rainbow trout per mile, which was similar to 2019 estimates. However, brown trout in that section declined by about 15 percent from 2019 to 1,367 fish per mile. The abundance of rainbow and brown trout over 11 inches long declined from 2019 estimates. 

Biologists used gill nets to estimate the abundances of trout in Hebgen Lake. Estimated abundances of both rainbow and brown trout declined in Hebgen Lake in 2020, but they remain near long-term averages of 12.9 brown trout per net and 6.3 rainbow trout per net. 

NorthWestern Energy mitigation funds were also used to complete a creel survey on Hebgen Lake in March by gathering information on angler satisfaction and catch rates. This, along with data gathered from gill-netting efforts, will help inform fisheries management of Hebgen Lake.
 
To see the full report, please visit go.usa.gov/x6yMf. 

Bozeman Celebrity Dog BaconBit, the Queen of Cactus Records & Gifts in downtown Bozeman, passed away at the age of 12 ½ on Monday, June 14th 2021.

BaconBit was best known as the greeter at and unofficial mascot for Cactus Records, where she spent the majority of days during her life. Despite spending a great deal of time sleeping on the job (often obstructing customer’s ability to navigate the store) – especially later in life - she was considered by locals and tourists alike to be their favorite Cactus Records employee.

She was also known as an ambassador at SLAM (Support Local Artists and Musicians) festivals, and sometime usher at many live music performances at Live from the Divide (where she was often invited to be on stage with performing musicians).

Her favorite holiday was Record Store Day and she was very happy that she felt well enough to briefly attend 2021 Record Store Day “Drops #1” 2 days before her death. The celebration of Record Store Day “Drops #2” on July 17th at Cactus Records & Gifts will be held in her honor.

When not working, BaconBit’s favorite past times included hiking the Bozeman area’s countless dog parks and trails (though her favorite was Beehive Basin in Big Sky), laying down in cool mountain streams, going to live concert events, riding in the car, listening to and collecting vinyl records, playing with other dogs, and sleeping. Most of all, though, she loved meeting people, which made her such a natural in her position as greeter at Cactus Records.

She is survived by her sister Bumbles The Dog (formerly known as Bumbles The Puppy), her father Mike “Bueno” Good, and a slew of current and former coworkers and customers at Cactus Records, who made up her very large family, each member of which loved her dearly.

She was, in short, “The Best Lady,” and she will be missed by many.

Commemorative BaconBit Prayer Candles can be purchased at Cactus Records & Gifts, located at 29 W. Main in downtown Bozeman, and soon to be available on the web. As per BaconBit’s request, $1 of each BaconBit Prayer Candle sold will be donated to Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter.

Low flows, high water temperatures reach closure criteria  

TWIN BRIDGES – A full fishing closure is in effect once again for a portion of the lower Ruby River due to low flows and high water temperatures.  

The closure extends about 14 miles, from the Duncan District Road crossing downstream to the confluence with the Beaverhead River. This is the second time this year a fishing closure has been implemented in this section of the Ruby River.  
Flows in the Ruby River at a U.S. Geological Survey gauge near Twin Bridges dipped below 20 cubic feet per second on June 16, well below the fifth percentile of historic daily flows for that date, which is 45 cubic feet per second. Water temperatures also exceeded 73 degrees for three consecutive days from June 13 to 15.  

These flow and temperature values meet the established criteria for closing this portion of the river to fishing. Low flows and high water temperatures have been driven primarily by very low snowpack, water supply and inflows to the river. Dry conditions are expected to continue throughout the summer. 

Closures of this nature are designed to protect fish that become more susceptible to disease and mortality when conditions, such as low flows and high water temperatures, combine with additional stressors.  

This is especially expedient this year as recent fish surveys found low numbers of trout in the lower Ruby River. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks biologists estimate there are about 191 fish per mile at the upper end of the closure area, which has a long-term average of about 700 fish per mile. At the lower end, there are an estimated 31 fish per mile, compared to a long-term average of about 800 fish per mile.  

“From a fisheries perspective, we’re at historically low trout abundances in the lower Ruby,” said Matt Jaeger, FWP’s Hydropower, Native Species and Beaverhead-Ruby Program Manager. “So that, in combination with poor snowpack and low precipitation leading to low flows and high temperatures, is why we feel an angling closure is warranted.” 

Ruby River water users are also taking steps to keep flows above 20 cubic feet per second, in accordance with the Ruby Valley Users Drought Management Plan. Stored water users have taken a 15 percent reduction in allocated water, and decreed water users have taken a voluntary 10 percent reduction in allocated water, according to Bill Wood, the Dam Tender for the Ruby River Water Users Association.  

“We’re trying to balance the needs of users who rely on water from the Ruby while maintaining flow levels that fish need,” Wood said. “Water levels at Ruby River Reservoir peaked at 93 percent of capacity this year, which is the first time since 2003 that the dam didn’t spill.” 

The section of the Ruby River between Duncan District Road and the confluence with the Beaverhead River will remain closed to fishing until daily average flows exceed 40 cubic feet per second for seven consecutive days, or until Oct. 15, 2021. 

Perhaps the biggest benefit of borrowing money in the form of a home equity loan is its flexibility. Typically used to cover large, long-term expenses, the cash this loan provides you borrowed against the equity value of your home can be significant depending on your financial health and how much equity you have built up.

The Basics
Before you consider how you can use this loan, you should have a firm grasp on the facts of the actual loan and process itself. Although there is a considerable amount of flexibility there will still be qualifications you need to meet and steps you need to take. Factors like your credit score, debt-to-income ratio, and a documented ability to pay back your loan are three great examples of qualifying pieces of the process. You can review a guide that includes everything you need to know about taking out a home equity loan so you can use what you have built up in the most efficient and beneficial way. You should expect about a 30–45-day period between when you close on this loan and when you receive the funds so factor that timeline into your plans when you are determining what you will use it for, and when you will begin the application process.

Debt Management
For people whose biggest goal is debt management, a home equity loan can be a favorable solution. This lump sum loan can allow for you to either pay off a singular large debt or consolidate several debts into a more manageable monthly format. If the interest rates are more favorable on your home equity loan than they are with your existing debts that using one to pay off the other will save you more money in the long run by allowing you to apply more of your payment towards principle and less towards interest.

Home Renovations
It is extremely common for homeowners to tap into their homes value to add even more value via a renovation or remodel. Depending on the size of your intended project your personal savings might not be the most economical way to fund it, and credit cards typically carry high interest rates making them a less desirable choice as well. Take some time to learn about smart ways to use your home equity for remodeling so that you have a frame of reference when you set your project budget, as well as when you discuss your intentions during the application process.

College Expenses
Tapping into your home’s equity is a great way to help cover the expenses of college, namely tuition payments. Since it is uncommon that the college student themselves will be the homeowner with the available equity to receive the loan, this scenario is a partnership typically between parents who wish to assist in the financial burden of college and their children. It is essential that every hopeful student develop a plan for college that includes paying for it. A home equity loan provides the borrower with a lump sum of cash so you will also need to plan for how that cash will be allocated and managed through the student’s overall college lifespan.

The ELM Opens This September

Musicians and music lovers alike are eager for the return of live music. For Bozeman, Montana,  it’s coming back in the form of an exciting new music venue!

The ELM will be located on the corner of South 7th Avenue and Short Street in Bozeman’s up-and-coming Midtown District. The ELM aims to be the best venue of its size in the Western US, with best-in-class sound and production, excellent sightlines, and efficient customer circulation throughout the building.

The two-story, 1,100 capacity concert venue will open its doors on Sept. 3, 2021, with a performance from eight-time Grammy nominee Death Cab for Cutie. 

Tickets for the grand opening and initial lineup of events will go on sale this Friday, June 18, and will be available online only at logjampresents.com starting at 10 AM MT.
 

“Bozeman, we can’t wait to play a show to break in The Elm for the beautiful venue's grand opening this September!  Get your tickets and we’ll see you there!”

- Death Cab for Cutie