Montana State University Extension is offering an Alzheimer’s disease awareness program for children that provides a storybook and a reading guide for parents or guardians, teens, aunts, uncles or grandparents who want to help young children understand the disease.

According to Jennifer Munter, grant manager for the MSU Extension Rural Prescription Opioid Misuse Education and Awareness program, the guides contain questions to encourage conversations about the storybook and activities for children. They also offer information on the common emotions children may feel regarding Alzheimer’s.

“The goal of these guides is to help the reader fully engage themselves with the child while at the same time following with the concepts of the book,” Munter said. “By doing so, the reader and the child may gain a better understanding of the feelings children encounter and the perceptions they may have about the behaviors a person with Alzheimer’s disease may show. When children can gain knowledge about the disease and ask questions, they may have an easier time adapting to the changes they see and experience.”

Munter and Marsha Goetting, MSU Extension family economics specialist, collaborated on this project. Both of them have had experiences with dementia-related diseases taking away members of their families. Goetting lost a parent to Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia, and Munter’s father-in-law lived with Parkinson’s disease.

Munter is a recent graduate in community health from MSU’s College of Education, Health and Human Development. She volunteered to develop the reading guides during her senior year at MSU. Prior to returning to college, she had a 15-year career as an early childhood educator. 

“Jennifer had over a decade of experience working with children and their families, so her ideas for questions and activities to enhance the storybook’s lessons were invaluable,” Goetting said. 

Individuals who know someone with Alzheimer’s and have a young child who would benefit from gaining an understanding of unusual behaviors their loved one may have can receive one free storybook. An order form can be found at https://alzheimers.msuextension.org/parentmaterials. 

A grant from the Montana Geriatric Education Center at the University of Montana provided funding to purchase the storybooks. Additional support came from the Alzheimer’s Association Montana Chapter and the Montana Alzheimer’s Disease/Dementia Work Group.

With so much progress and so many positive developments, the world is moving back towards normal. For Kenny Chesney, who postponed his 2020 tour, that has meant an incredible adjustment to the way he brings his music to No Shoes Nation.
 
While many possibilities were weighed, with the varying local statutes and practices and social distancing, touring in 2021 would mean that a good percentage of people would not be able to come to the show. Rather than disappoint any of the fans, especially with safety precautions varying from city-to-city, he has decided to move his tour to 2022.

ALL of the stadiums on the 2021 itinerary will still host Chesney’s 2022 tour. It will be a completely new show with a new name, new line-up, lots of new music and plenty of the songs people come to hear. The details are being finalized now, however fans can expect details very shortly.
 
ALL current tickets will be honored for the rescheduled show date. If you love your seat, do nothing. You’re all set. Beginning today, March 22, patrons unable to attend the rescheduled shows may request a refund at the original point of purchase.
 
“We have waited for so long, I can’t play knowing I would disappoint a portion of No Shoes Nation who wouldn’t be able to get into the stadiums and the amphitheaters,” Chesney says. “There’s no way around that this year. As much I hate postponing further, I would hate telling people who waited we won’t be able to let them come due to capacity restrictions. That’s just not fair.”

 
Messina Touring Group will announce the rescheduled dates for Chesney’s 2022 tour shortly.
 
      No Shoes Nation --
      It has been too long, and I miss you guys.
      You know how you feel when the music starts, the show open rolls, the lights spin?
      And it builds, and then... I walk out and see you?!
      That is the greatest moment, and it starts the biggest rush I’ve ever experienced.
 
      We have waited, and we have hoped...
      Talked to medical experts, stadium people, local officials across the country.
      I hate what I’m about to tell you.
      With all the progress being made around the pandemic, there is still too much unknown.
      What we’re hearing changes daily... anything is possible...
      But if we can only do two-thirds of the audience?
      Who decides who doesn’t get to come to the show we’ve all been waiting for?
      If we have to have social distancing measures, how far apart will you be?
 
      I have held on all these months,
      thinking I was going to get to see your faces soon.
      On bad days, that thought made me smile, gave me patience, inspired me to be my better self.
      Seeing your faces, though, reminds me of what I said when we postponed last year:
      I won’t take chances with people I love.
      I also don’t want to come out there after all this time and not deliver the best show I ever have to all of you!
      If I can’t give you more than you expect, it feels like I’m letting you down.
      And I’d rather let me down than any of you.
 
      So, here comes reality.
      We’re moving to 2022...
      Where I feel better about us all being together safely.
      I’d rather keep everyone safe + know we can rock for years to come.
      -- Kenny

Bears are emerging from dens with the onset of spring, and people are reminded to “Be Bear Aware.”

Bears can be found throughout Montana. In recent years, grizzly bear populations have expanded and bears are sometimes found in historic ranges beyond western Montana

As bears begin foraging for food, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is asking residents to remove or secure food attractants such as garbage, bird feeders and pet food. The most common human-bear conflicts involve unsecured food attractants.

People venturing into the outdoors should “Be Bear Aware” by following these precautionary steps:

• Carry and know how to use bear spray.
• Travel in groups whenever possible and plan to be out in the daylight hours.
• Stay on trails or rural roads.
• Avoid carcass sites and concentrations of ravens and other scavengers.
• Watch for signs of bears such as bear scat, diggings, torn-up logs and turned over rocks, and partly consumed animal carcasses.
• Keep children and pets close.
• Make noise, especially near streams or in thick forest where hearing and visibility is impaired. This can be the key to avoiding encounters. Most bears will avoid humans when they know humans are present.
• Don't approach a bear.

If you are camping in bear country, follow these guidelines:

• Camp away from areas where you see grizzly signs.
• Keep a clean camp at all times. Keep tents and sleeping bags free of food.
• Follow all food storage regulations. Contact the applicable land management agency to learn what food storage rules apply where you’re recreating. Hang all food, trash and other odorous items well away from camp and at least 10 feet above ground and 4 feet from any vertical support, or store in a bear-proof container. Livestock feed should be treated the same as human food.

Anglers also need to practice safe behavior in bear country:

• Don't leave fish entrails on shorelines of lakes and streams.
• Sink entrails in deep water.
• If you don't properly dispose of entrails you increase danger to yourself and to the next person to use the area.

March is many things, the month of my birth, St. Patricks Day and the beginning of spring, but before spring it's Spring Break. If you aren’t taking a big trip to a far off place, you’ll be looking for some adventure in town so I’ve recycled this list of staycation ideas for any Bozemanite from a few years ago and updated it for Covid:

1. Visit a Museum
Bozeman has one of the greatest museum’s in the Rocky Mountains, the Museum of the Rockies [600 W Kagy Blvd]. MOR’s newest exhibit Savage Ancient Seas Exhibit, move over dinosaurs! Massive marine monsters have emerged from the sea to engage visitors. The MOR is open daily from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Walk-in visitors and members are welcome as long as the museum has not reached its daily capacity limit, reservations are available, and mask are required.

Sorry, but The Gallatin History Museum [317 W Main St] is currently closed. Look for them to open back up this summer with many new exhibits!

For kids 10 and under the Montana Science Center [2744 W Main St] will keep the kids entertained, and teach them something too. The number of visitors is currently limited to 25 people at one time, schedule your visit and/or check on space available in Spring Break Camp is available at https://montanasciencecenter.org/.

The American Computer & Robotics Museum [2023 Stadium Drive] is the world’s oldest continually operating museum dedicated to the history of the information Age. Closed on Mondays.

Save a little dough and check out an Explore Bozeman pass with your library card at www.bozemanlibrary.org or visit the Information Desk at the Bozeman Public Library. Must be 18+.

2. Go For a Hike
We’ve got two Top 10 Hikes Around Bozeman lists for you on our website, from 1.6 to many, many miles, we’ve got you covered. Just starting out with an easy meander, hit the Gallagator Trail easy to access and a cool way to check out Bozeman. Drinking Horse Trail & the M trail are a great way to get a good look at Bozeman from above and not too difficult a hike. South Cottonwood Creek Trail is great for hikers and mountain bikers. Hiking is always free and refreshing!

3. Go Skiing or Skating
An obvious choice for local spring breakers is a trip to Bridger Bowl and/or Big Sky Resort. March is a great time to get some spring turns in!

Both Haynes Pavilion and Ressler Motors Ice Rink at the Ice Barn [901 N. Black Ave] are available to rent for special events, subject to availability, visit www.bozemanhockey.org/privateicerental for availability.

4. Get Downtown
Downtown Bozeman has plenty of eye candy (window displays), go for a stroll and see what you find. Stop into an art gallery, retail store, grab a cup of coffee or tea, and shop until you drop. Take a pic at one of Bozeman's many outdoor art displays and save your memories forever.

5. Jump
Need to get the kids out and bouncing? Try Jump Time! Multiple adventures await, including battle beam, Storm Castle Tour, Slam Dunk Basketball, Ninja Warrior course, climbing wall and much more!

6. Get Creative
Arts on Fire is a locally owned Paint Your own Pottery Studio! You paint it, they fire it, which can take 7-10 days. Kids and adults are welcome & no reservations needed.

Whatever you choose for Spring Break we hope it’s awesome and safe, and be sure to check out our Events Calendar with all the up to date info for fun stuff anytime: http://bozemanmagazine.com/events/calendar

A wild cottontail rabbit in Yellowstone County has tested positive for rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2). This positive result is in addition to four feral domestic rabbits that tested positive in Yellowstone County in February. The four feral rabbits were part of a population of about 40 rabbits, all of which are reported to have died. Another single rabbit later tested positive from an area nearby.

RHDV2 is a highly contagious and fatal disease that affects lagomorphs (hares, rabbits and pikas). Although it is considered a foreign animal disease, RHDV2 has been confirmed in North America in domestic and feral rabbits, as well as wild jackrabbits, hares and cottontails. In the United States, RHDV2 has been detected in Ohio, Washington, New York, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Florida, Texas, and most recently, Montana.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wildlife health team investigated this recent outbreak in wild cottontail rabbits in collaboration with the U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory.

RHDV2 is highly contagious among rabbits, hares and pikas, and can be transmitted by direct contact with infected animals or through contact with infected carcasses, blood, excrement, or contaminated surfaces such as cages, food, water, bedding, clothing or shoes. Scavengers can also move the virus around on the landscape by moving infectious carcasses or carcass parts.

RHDV2 does not infect humans. However, rabbits may die of other diseases that can infect people. People should properly dispose of rabbit carcasses found within Yellowstone County.

• Wear disposable gloves
• Double or triple bag the carcass
• If possible, spray the outside of the bag with a disinfectant
• Place bagged carcass and gloves in a dumpster that will ultimately be taken to a landfill
• Wash hands after handling a carcass

To decontaminate areas touched by a dead rabbit, a bleach-water solution (1/2 cup bleach in 1 gallon of water with a contact time of 5 minutes) is the best disinfectant. Use caution as this solution is corrosive and can damage clothing. 

People are important in helping prevent the spread of RHDV2. Do not move rabbit carcasses, other than to properly dispose of them. If you find one dead, please search the area, including outbuildings, to ensure no additional rabbits remain there to infect other rabbits. If feral or wild rabbit carcasses are discovered in an area, report the event to the FWP Wildlife Health Lab (406-577-7880 or 406-577-7882). To report sick or deceased domestic rabbits, contact your local veterinarian or the Department of Livestock (406-444-2976).

Bozeman, MT— Effective March 12, 2021 at 6:00 a.m. Bozeman Commissioner Michael Wallner resigned his position as a City Commissioner on the Bozeman City Commission.
 
In an email to City Manager Jeff Mihelich, Commissioner Wallner says,
 
“Dear Bozeman City Commissioners and City Manager Mihelich, 
 
It is with a grateful heart that I hereby notify you that today I am resigning from my position on the City Commission of the City of Bozeman, Montana. 
 
As you and I have discussed, it has been a great honor to serve with you and my fellow Bozeman City Commissioners. While my resignation may seem abrupt to some, my family, colleagues, and close friends know that it is something I have been contemplating the past several months. 
 
The amount of time, energy and effort required to meet my own high-standards in all the roles in my life require me to make this change. In short, I’m simply spread too thin. While I will miss this important role in public service, my family and my career deserve to be given my best efforts. 
 
I am concerned that my resignation may send an unintentional message to others in our community who may aspire to public service on the Bozeman City Commission. I strongly encourage my fellow citizens to continue to find ways to serve our community, including as an elected official. For my part, I was active in public service prior to my being elected on the City Commission. Now, I intend to remain active in public service as a private citizen. 

 
As always, thank you for your kindness, friendship, and understanding. 
 
Very respectfully, 
 
Michael Wallner”
 
The Bozeman City Commission will begin the process to replace the now-vacated seat. The dates for starting and completing that process have not yet been determined. The City of Bozeman will communicate the details for the process once they are set.

The process of appointing a new Bozeman City Commissioner can be viewed here:
www.bozeman.net/commission.

                                                                                                         Markus Spiske on Unsplash

There are many reasons why living a healthy lifestyle is good for you, but did you consider the financial aspect? Those in good health can experience fewer physical and mental health ailments, can be less likely to die young and tend to lead happier, fuller lives overall. The reduced cost of expenses in terms of medical services, long-term care and even unhealthy food and lifestyle habits can save you thousands of dollars over the course of a lifetime. The cost of your life insurance policy is no exception. When you eat well and exercise regularly, the cost of your life insurance premiums can drop. For those who want cheaper life insurance premiums, the answer lies in leading a lifestyle that makes you an asset rather than a liability to providers.

Greater Savings and Better Food
Eating a well-rounded diet saves you money on junk food, takeout, and expensive but completely non-nutritious meals. If you've been living off frozen and pre-packaged foods for a long time, the transition to healthy eating might feel daunting. But all you need to know is that eating from the earth is the best way to care for your body; the produce section should be the most important stop when you go to the grocery store. The bulk of your meals should be fruits and vegetables with some whole grains and proteins. Opting for lean meats or even vegetarian and vegan substitutes like tofu can lower your risk of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. Visit a local farmer's market or even start a garden to save more money on your monthly grocery bill.

Better Health and Lower Risks
When you work out at least five times a week, you can extend your life and enjoy it more. Increased strength, flexibility, endurance and energy levels can all contribute to a higher quality of life. Those who prioritize fitness tend to experience better physical and mental well-being. Start diversifying your physical activity to stay motivated and engaged. Anyone would get bored walking on a treadmill every day. Maybe you prefer swimming, hiking or dancing. Anything that gets you up and moving is a plus for your health; try working out with a friend or family member as well. It's easier to stay on top of your fitness when you have a partner who keeps you accountable.

Better Deals on Life Insurance
Selling a whole or universal life insurance policy might be right for you if you decide that your current one is no longer necessary. You should also use it for income supplementation in retirement or to cover your family after a financial hardship. The majority of proceeds are tax-free, so you can maximize on a high-quality policy's cash value without losing thousands to the IRS.

Good health can also enable you to get a lower premium on a better policy. Rather than having to compromise your death benefit or cash value just to afford premiums, you can improve your wellbeing to get much better offers. You'll find that being in shape and lowering your risks translates to greater diversity in life insurance. This means you can explore plans that actually serve as a form of investment while you're alive; in addition to providing your beneficiaries more when you eventually pass away, you'll also have the chance to cash in on a policy and enjoy it while you're alive.

The City of Bozeman has rolled out “How do YOU engage?” a community wide survey to gather input from Bozeman area residents about their preferred methods of communication and engagement. The survey will be open until the end of March and is available online at www.bozeman.net/engage. To attract a diverse audience of respondents the survey is available in both English and Spanish and can be printed and delivered to City Hall (either via mail or in person.)

Community Engagement is one of the Bozeman City Commission’s strategic plan priorities for 2021. The City Commission recently reviewed a draft of the city’s new community engagement initiative and will review the final draft later this spring. As a result of the work, the city will formalize and improve how the city engages with the public on city projects.


Melody Mileur, Communications Coordinator says, “The city’s work in engagement emphasizes the importance of a two-way exchange of information, ideas, and expertise between staff and community members. This survey helps us better understand how we can make that experience easier and more accessible for all.”

Dani Hess, Neighborhoods Program Manager adds, “The community engagement initiative and our ongoing work in diversity, equity, and inclusion are closely woven together. A major goal for each effort is to work with new and existing partners to diversify the voices we are hearing from and reduce barriers to participation for folks most impacted by city projects and policy."

The results from the community engagement survey will influence the final draft of the community engagement initiative. In addition to the survey, city staff are conducting small one on one meetings with key stakeholders across the community on how the city can improve its efforts in engagement.
 
More information about the initiative as well as links to the survey and printable options are available on the city’s website at www.bozeman.net/engage

HRDC’s Gallatin Valley Food Bank has been chosen to receive a donation of 500 hams from the Hormel® Cure 81® Hams for Hunger® program, in partnership with Albertsons and Safeway.

On Wednesday, March 10 at 10:00 am, Albertsons and Safeway will present the 500 hams to the organization at the Gallatin Valley Food Bank. HRDC and Albertsons/Safeway invite and encourage members of the press to attend. The hams will be distributed to customers as part of the organization’s emergency food box service.

“This generous donation of 500 hams from Hormel, Albertsons, and Safeway to our Gallatin Valley Food Bank will provide our customers with a tasty meat which can be enjoyed hot or cold,” says Jon Horn, HRDC’s Gallatin Valley Food Bank Operations Manager. “We are so grateful to receive this donation by Hormel's Cure 81 Hams for Hunger program and Albertsons/Safeway. Thank you for your support and commitment to giving back to our community.”

“Albertsons and Safeway are committed to our partnership with local food banks to help end food insecurity,” said Teresa Whitney, VP, Merchandising and Marketing with Albertsons Companies Intermountain Division. “We are grateful for the wonderful relationships we have with vendor partners, such as Hormel Foods. By working together, we can combine our efforts towards the same goal to battle hunger relief and to help support local families with their basic needs.”

“Hormel Foods is proud to partner with Albertsons and Safeway to support hunger-relief efforts in the communities served by the company’s Albertsons and Safeway stores,” said Kelsey Tynan, Hormel® Cure 81® brand manager at Hormel Foods. “The Hormel® Cure 81® Hams for Hunger® program highlights our long-standing relationship with Albertsons and Safeway, and we are honored to work together and make such a substantial contribution for those in need.”

Hormel Foods will donate more than 55,000 hams (an estimated retail value of $1.1 million or an equivalent of more than 1 million meals**) to charities nationwide through the Hormel® Cure 81® Hams for Hunger® program this year. ** Based on a 3-ounce portion and average boneless ham weight.

For more information about HRDC’s initiatives to address hunger, visit thehrdc.org/food- nutrition/.

Camp Big Sky is the popular youth day program designed to encourage kids to connect and experience something new and different daily. Camp provides a variety of enriching programming including, but not limited to, naturalist hikes, STEM projects, reading, creative ventures, interactive games and sports. Our campers range in age from entering 1st to entering 6th grade and are split into two camps- Pioneers for 1st-3rd graders and Explorers for 4-6th graders.

THE DREAM JOB
Camp Big Sky is looking for fun and energetic camp counselors who have experience working with children in a childcare setting. Spend your summer outside in the sun enjoying all of the classic summer camp fun. We spend our days doing themed activities and playing outside. Our campers love guided activities as much as they enjoy free-play at our various community park locations including playing in the creek and fort-building in the woods. Camp Big Sky is a wonderful opportunity to connect to the community and the next generation of excited outdoor enthusiasts. Come join our team!

To Apply:
 E-mail a cover letter and resume to Leisha Folley, Finance & Operations Director: leisha@bscomt.org. Deadline for applications is May 1st or until filled.

About Big Sky Community Organization:
The Big Sky Community Organization engages and leads people to recreational and enrichment opportunities through thoughtful development of partnerships, programs and places. To find out more about the Big Sky Community Organization visit www.bscomt.org