Monday, Dec. 28th, 2020

9 Tips On How To Store Your Wine


Wine is very delicate and needs to be stored in a certain manner to ensure it doesn’t get destroyed. Overlooking these storage guidelines is usually the main reason behind wine spoilage. If you have over three or more wine bottles on your rack, this is the last thing you’d want to happen.

If you’re a wine enthusiast, you need to learn how to store your wine correctly. By observing the correct storage measures, you’ll be able to preserve the wine’s quality and value. Read through the tips below to ensure your wine is stored properly.

1. Store Your Wine At The Ideal Temperature
One of the most crucial factors to consider when storing wine is the temperature in the storage room. This is usually the case because wine tends to be very sensitive to very warm or cold temperatures. Because of this, you should always store your bottles, including any single-serve wine, at a temperature of between 12 to 19ºC. This is also true for any wine you’ve placed into decanters.

You should also avoid constant temperature fluctuations or risk destroying your collection. Avoid taking bottles in and out of the wine cooler to ensure the temperatures don’t fluctuate greatly. Otherwise, the cork’s continuous expansion and contraction might let in the air inside and destroy the wine.

2. Ensure Proper Humidity
You should always store your bottle of wine in the right humidity levels. Ideally, your storage area’s humidity should be around 70 percent. Remember, dry air will cause the corks to dry out over time, leading to the entry of air into the bottle. As a result, your wine might get destroyed due to the effects of oxygen.

Wine bottles shouldn’t be stored in highly humid environments since this makes the labels come off from the bottles. If you’re looking to sell your wine in the future, issues like this would make it harder to sell. Likewise, extremely humid conditions promote the growth of molds due to the excessive moisture. To address this issue, you should invest in a dehumidifier.

3. Invest In A Wine Refrigerator
For long-term storage of your wine, a wine refrigerator, also popularly referred to as a wine cooler, is the ideal storage option. Compared to a regular fridge, a cooler is the ideal storage space for your wine because:

• It guarantees proper humidity and optimal temperatures since its temperatures range between 10 to 15ºC. In contrast, the fridge is very dry and cold, and this can severely degrade or spoil your wine.

• It prevents cross-contamination from food and other beverage odors, which might destroy the wine’s quality.

• It prevents the wine from freezing, pushing out the cork, and exposing it to oxygen.

4. Store Your Wine In A Convenient Location
While it’s vital to ensure that your wine is stored in a safe and conducive environment, you also need to make sure that it’s easy to access. Wine is typically a great conversation starter, so it’s a good idea to store where it’s easily visible and accessible. Find an area where you can quickly and effortlessly access your wine and enjoy your favorite drink.

5. Assess The Wine You’re Planning To Place In Storage
Before you even store your wine, there are several things you need to consider, including:
• The type of wine you’re looking to place in the storage.
• Are you planning to store the wine in a wine cellar or a wine cooler?
• How long do you looking to store the wine?
• What quantity of wine are you looking to store?
• It’s important to ask yourself these questions to understand which storage option is more suitable.


6. Store The Wine Bottles Horizontally
If you have unopened wine bottles, the best way to store them would be to place them horizontally. This long-term storage method is advised since it prevents the cork from becoming dry. Storing your wine bottle horizontally is more space-efficient, making it an excellent choice if you only have limited space. This method also makes it easy to access your bottles.

7. Store Your Wine Far From Direct Sunlight
You should always store your bottle of wine in a dry and dark place to protect its superb taste. Doing this is crucial because direct exposure to fluorescent lights and sunlight leads to the oxidation of sulfur-causing amino acids. This leads to the wine having a weird odor.

Storing your wine away from direct sunlight is especially vital for white wine. This is because they come in bottles that aren’t dark; hence, they’re more exposed to incandescent light which can ruin the wine’s integrity. To ensure your wine is protected from light exposure, make sure to store it inside a cabinet with UV-resistant doors. You can also choose to wrap it with a cloth or place it inside a box.

8. Protect Your Wine Bottles From Vibration
When considering the perfect storage area for your wine, make sure to opt for a place that’s not near vibration sources such as a stereo system, a washer, or dryer. This is because even the slightest vibration causes sounds and movements that can affect your wine’s aging process and ruin it. It’s best to store your wine in a cellar since this area is usually safe from vibrations.

However, if you live close to a highway or subway, the cellar doesn’t completely prevent vibration. In such scenarios, you should get a bubble wrap or Styrofoam to cover your wine before you place it in the cellar.

9. Storing Opened Wine Bottles
If you want to store a bottle of wine that’s already been corked, make sure to recork it immediately. Before doing this, place a wax paper around the cork. This wax paper helps prevent external things from falling into the wine and allows the cork to slide into its original position effortlessly. A rubber with a stopper is also a viable option if the cork is already destroyed and can’t be reused.

Takeaway
Properly storing wine is something that many people often struggle with and, due to this, end up ruining or spoiling their collection. If you don’t want to experience a similar issue, make sure to follow the tips above on storing your wine safely. With proper storage, you never have to ever worry about compromising the integrity and quality of your wine.

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Monday, Dec. 21st, 2020

Hydrogen-supported life beneath glaciers the subject of MSU team’s recent publication

Using years’ worth of data collected from ice-covered habitats all over the world, a Montana State University team has discovered new insights into the processes that support microbial life underneath ice sheets and glaciers, and the role those organisms play in perpetuating life through ice ages and, perhaps, in seemingly inhospitable environments on other planets.

Doctoral candidate Eric Dunham of MSU’s Department of Microbiology and Immunology in the College of Agriculture, along with mentor Eric Boyd, published their findings in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences this week. The work examines the ways water and microbes interact with the bedrock beneath glaciers, using samples of sediment taken from glacial sites in Canada and Iceland.

“We kept finding organisms in these systems that were supported by hydrogen gas,” said Boyd of the inspiration for the project. “It initially didn’t make sense, because we couldn’t figure out where that hydrogen gas was coming from under these glaciers.”

A team of researchers, including Boyd, later discovered that through a series of physical and chemical processes, hydrogen gas is produced as the silica-rich bedrock underneath glaciers is ground into tiny mineral particles by the weight of the ice on top of it. When those mineral particles combine with glacial meltwater, they let off hydrogen.

What became even more fascinating to Boyd and Dunham was that microbial communities under the glaciers could combine that hydrogen gas with carbon dioxide to generate more organic matter, called biomass, through a process called chemosynthesis. Chemosynthesis is similar to how plants generate biomass from carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, although chemosynthesis does not require sunlight.

To learn more about what those chemosynthetic microbes were doing, Dunham used samples of sediment from the glaciers in Canada and Iceland. He grew samples of the living organisms found in the sediment in a laboratory, watching them over several months to see if they would continue to grow in the simulated environment.

“The organisms we were interested in rely on hydrogen gas as food to grow, and most are also anaerobes, meaning oxygen will kill them,” said Dunham, who is originally from Billings and is entering the final semester of his doctoral studies. “One of the most critical steps in preparing these experiments, and easily the most stressful element, was getting those samples into bottles and flushing out all the oxygen as quickly as possible, so I didn’t kill the organisms I was trying to study.”

Over months of preparing and observing the microbial cultures, Dunham found that not only was it possible to track the communities’ growth in the lab environment but also that the type of bedrock underlying a glacier influenced how much hydrogen gas was produced, which in turn led to the presence of microbial communities that were better adapted to metabolizing hydrogen. Samples taken from the Kötlujökull Glacier in Iceland, which sits atop basaltic bedrock, produced much more hydrogen gas than the samples from Robertson Glacier in Alberta, Canada, which has carbonate bedrock beneath it.

As they use that hydrogen gas to generate energy, said Boyd, the microbes also pull carbon dioxide out of the air to create biomass, replicate and grow. That ability to “fix” carbon is a critical climate regulation process, another similarity to photosynthesis in plants.

“Considering that glaciers and ice sheets cover about 10% of the Earth’s landmass today, and a much larger fraction at times in the planet’s past, microbial activities such as the ones Eric measured are likely to have had a major impact on Earth’s climate, both today and in the past,” said Boyd. “We’ve known for a while that microorganisms living beneath ice sheets or glaciers can fix carbon, but we never really understood how. What Eric’s pioneering work shows is that not only are these organisms completely self-sustainable in the sense that they can generate their own fixed carbon, they also don’t need sunlight to do it like the rest of the biosphere that we’re familiar with.”

Looking further afield at the other planets in our solar system, Boyd notes that two of the critical elements scientists look for when evaluating habitability are water and a source of energy. The newfound knowledge that self-sustaining microbial communities can flourish in icy environments through the generation of hydrogen gas is a critical step toward identifying potentially habitable environments on other planets.

“There’s lots of evidence for ice and glaciers on other planets,” he said. “Are they habitable? We don’t know. Could there be microbes living under ice sheets on planets with bedrock similar to those that Eric studied? Absolutely. There’s no reason to think otherwise.”

For Dunham, whose undergraduate and postbaccalaureate research focused on health sciences and virology before shifting to biogeochemistry, the most rewarding part of the new discovery is exploring how various Earth processes fit together and influence one another in ways that the scientific community is only beginning to unlock.

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Montana Science Center receives a vehicle donation from a local business


Montana Science Center is humbled to announce the donation of a large truck, donated by local business, Supply Squad. The truck will be used, at first, to transport exhibits, materials and equipment for the Science Center. In the future, Montana Science Center hopes to transform it into a mobile “STEAM” truck to serve as an outreach vehicle for science, technology, engineering and math programming to the greater Gallatin area. This truck will not only allow them capacity for new exhibits, but will also serve as a mobile science center to surrounding rural communities.

Montana Science Center’s goal is to spark curiosity in science and technology to promote life-long learning by lowering barriers to access to STEM education through interactive experiences both at the Center and through outreach-based programming. In a typical year, the Science Center welcomes visiting classrooms to engage in standards-aligned science activities through the high-tech makerspace, STEAMlab. However, due to the pandemic, students have been unable to visit the Science Center. This truck donation will allow the Education Team at the Science Center to develop new and exciting programs for the public, to schools and to rural communities for enrichment field trips in STEAM topics.

“The Bozeman community is always very good to the Science Center. This vehicle donation is such an amazing validation of our programs and services that staff at Montana Science Center provide to students of all ages,” says Executive Director, Abby Turner. “We are so grateful for the support from Supply Squad and can’t wait to develop our ideas surrounding this opportunity! We want to thank Sandi and her team for their support of STEAM education in our community, particularly at MSC, with this donation.”

Supply Squad, a locally owned and operated commercial supplies distributor, has been supporting local businesses throughout the Gallatin Valley since 1972. While they are known in the business community for their huge variety of products, free next day delivery and legendary customer service, they have also been an active supporter of education behind the scenes through the annual School Supply Program and donations to local schools. “As we upgrade our delivery fleet, we want to do something special with our retired vehicles ,” says Sandi Sniscak, President of Supply Squad. “Education has always been part of our brand and an area the whole Squad is passionate about so we’re thrilled to contribute to Montana Science Center’s goals for STEM education.”

 

The Montana Science Center is currently offering virtual, take-home and limited onsite programs. During the closure this summer, staff put extensive work into developing COVID protocols and adapting the building for safe, interactive experiences while limiting visitation numbers. Programs include a weekly Science Club, private Preschool Science classes, daily STEAMlab Open Labs, and take home STEAMkits. “We have been working collectively with families in the Valley to create meaningful experiences for children of all ages as we navigate the changing conditions during these times,” says Turner, “we hope to provide these experiences while meeting the needs of students no matter how they’re learning.” All programs require registration via the website at MontanaScienceCenter.org.

In addition to programs, Montana Science Center introduced two new exhibits for engagement this fall - a NISE Network exhibit entitled Sun, Earth, Universe and one developed by the MSC team called Dangerous Nature. MSC looks forward to welcoming patrons back, safely, into the Science Center. In 2021, funding will be secured to develop this vehicle donation into a mobile “STEAM” truck with field trip options available for schools, small groups and preschools throughout our area. With support from the community, Montana Science Center looks forward to continuing to provide quality, interactive STEAM experiences to students of all ages.

Please contact the Montana Science Center for additional questions and clarifications. They can be reached at 406-522-9087 or info@MontanaScienceCenter.org

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Thursday, Dec. 17th, 2020

Tippet Rise Art Center Launches Online Library of Free E-Books


Tippet Rise today announced a new section of its website offering beautiful, interactive eBooks inspired by the land, poetry, and music, all available to enjoy for free.
 
The Tippet Rise Library offers:
·       Program books from past seasons at the art center. They include interviews of musicians, insights on each concert, and a wide range of essays exploring classical music history and the art, nature, and history of Tippet Rise.
·       Books that are a result of the art center’s collaboration with the musicians and composers featured in its Music Downloads Library, featuring biographical information about each artist, lush photographs and essays.
·       A collection of interactive books of music, poetry, photography, and narrative by Tippet Rise co-founder, Peter Halstead.
 
The Tippet Rise Library with its collection of free eBooks can be found at https://tippetrise.org/library
 
About Tippet Rise Art Center
Tippet Rise Art Center is located in Fishtail, Montana against the backdrop of the Beartooth Mountains. Set on a 12,000 acre-working sheep and cattle ranch, Tippet Rise hosts classical music performances and exhibits large-scale outdoor sculptures. Tippet Rise is anchored in the belief that art, music, architecture, and nature are inextricably linked in the human experience, each making the others more powerful.

 
For more information about Tippet Rise, please visit www.tippetrise.org

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10 Things to Consider When Buying a New House

Purchasing a house is a very responsible step, as most Americans buy homes once in their lives. Since it's not a common activity for most people, they hire real estate agents to help choose a good home. 

However, never underestimate your strength in choosing a top-notch house that corresponds to all your needs. If you know nothing about real estate, scroll down below and find the top ten things to consider when buying a new house. 

Price
For most people, price is a deal-breaker. A new house should fit a budget. Therefore, it's easy to narrow the search by avoiding too expensive homes. Don't forget to set the minimum limit not to spend your time on small or poor-quality homes. 

If you're a learner who wants to have a big house in the best location, you should find a high-paying job after graduation. To increase your chances of getting hired by a top-rank company, you should have a high college score.

Therefore, don't be shy to ask professional academic writers for help online. They can help you get high grades with no hassle.

Size
Don't choose a big home just because you can afford it. The size of your home should correspond to your needs, and every room should be utilized. Otherwise, unused rooms in your house will likely become storage spaces.

Vise versa, if you purchase a too-small house, you will feel uncomfortable in your home. Therefore, you need to evaluate your needs and plans to choose a property with the corresponding number of bedrooms and bathrooms. 

Location
Location is an essential factor that you should take into account, choosing a home. 

Some people like suburban territories. Others adore crowded areas. Therefore, you need to pick a location that you like the most.

You should consider if there are parks in your area. Don't forget about the remoteness of work, school, and shopping centers from your home.  

Community
All students know that it's vital to live with roommates who don't bother them. Thereupon, you need to pay close attention to neighbors. Feel free to talk to people who live near the desired house. It will help you pick a great home.

In case you're a student, who works part-time to rent an apartment and not share your living space with roommates, you may experience a lack of time. A paper writing company like Essay Pro will help you delegate assignments to work and study without compromising anything. 

Viewing Options
Most houses aren't available for viewing 24/7. As usual, viewing is scheduled. Therefore, you need to create a list of the top homes that you want to see first and arrange your schedule to check them out as soon as possible. Remember, other people may also want to purchase the best value home faster than you.

Appliances
Even though you purchase a new home, you should pay closer attention to appliances in a building. To avoid unexpected issues and extra renovation expenses, you have to check the appliances' quality in a house.

If you're a student who knows nothing about engineering and has no idea how to check appliances at home, spend some time boosting your knowledge. If you don't even have a few spare hours a day to learn more about appliances, ask for assistance. 

Online paper writing platforms like MyAssignmentHelp can do your homework fast and effortlessly. If you didn't hear about this website before, ask users on the Internet, "Is MyAssignmentHelp legit?" to learn more.

Mortgage Rates
According to the latest stats, only 16% of people buy new homes for cash. Therefore, if you decide to purchase a home, you need to pay closer attention to mortgage rates, especially for your first home. Don't hesitate to hire an expert if you don't know how to calculate loan payments. 

Purpose
There are various types of houses. For instance, detached or semi-detached houses are perfect for those who aren't afraid of year-round land maintenance. However, if you prefer to take care of your home inside only, a condo is the best pick. 

Garage and Place for Parking
If you have more than one car in your family, you need to take a closer look at the number of parking places available. Also, you need to make sure that there is some extra space for cars or parking lots for guests in your community. 

Reputation of Builder
Don't forget to examine a builder's reputation. Feel free to ask neighbors and surf the Internet to read unbiased reviews. Feedback can bring a lot of helpful information about different companies. 

For instance, students who always get help with homework online want to delegate their papers to experts only. Therefore, they check reviews on paper writing companies like EssayShark before making payments.

Final Words
If you're about to buy a new home, never compromise on your desires and underestimate your capabilities to choose a perfect house. For sure, you have to admit the recommendations of experts from different niches. Nevertheless, always make the final decision by yourself. 

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Wednesday, Dec. 16th, 2020

Fish and Wildlife Commission approves CWD management hunt in several Region 3 hunting districts


The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission last week unanimously approved a chronic wasting disease management hunt for white-tailed deer in several hunting districts in southwest Montana.

From Dec. 15 through Feb. 15, unused 2020 general deer licenses will remain valid for either-sex white-tailed deer harvest, and unused 2020 003-00, 331-00 and 399-00 deer B licenses will remain valid for antlerless white-tailed deer harvest within the CWD management hunt area. Now that the general deer hunting season has ended, no additional licenses can be purchased, except the 003-00 deer B license, which will be sold until Jan. 15, 2021.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff proposed these adjustments for places where FWP’s surveillance efforts have found relatively high prevalence of CWD among white-tailed deer.

The primary goal of this CWD management hunt is to reduce densities of white-tailed deer in these areas in order to slow the spread of CWD among white-tailed deer and to mule deer, elk and moose. FWP also hopes to further improve understanding of CWD distribution and prevalence through continued testing of hunter-harvested deer.

The CWD management hunt will be in the following deer hunting districts and hunting district portions:

  • HD320 – Those portions within the Jefferson River watershed. Those portions within the Madison River watershed are excluded.
  • All of HD 322
  • All of HD 324
  • HD 325 – Those portions within the Blacktail Deer Creek watershed and north of Clark Canyon Creek. Those portions within the Beaverhead River watershed south of Clark Canyon Creek are excluded.
  • All of HD 326
  • All of HD 329
  • HD 330 – Those portions within the Ruby River watershed. Those portions within the Madison River watershed are excluded.
  • All of HD 331
  • All of HD 340​

As always, landowner permission is required before hunting.

CWD in southwest Montana

CWD is a contagious neurological disease that infects deer, elk and moose. It is always fatal, and there is no known cure. It was first found in Montana in 2017.

CWD was detected among white-tailed deer in the Ruby Valley in 2019. These deer are contiguous with white-tailed deer and moose throughout the Ruby, Jefferson, Beaverhead and Big Hole valleys. They are seasonally connected to populations of elk, moose and mule deer.

Hunters play a significant role in FWP’s management efforts for CWD. By late November, FWP’s surveillance of hunter-harvested white-tailed deer in southwest Montana found prevalence levels ranging from 8.3 percent in HD 320 to as much as 50 percent in a localized portion of HD 322, where about 2,000 white-tailed deer are routinely counted in spring.

Without population reductions, prevalence is expected to increase substantially in the coming years throughout these white-tailed deer populations.

Continued CWD sampling


Hunters who participate in the management hunt are encouraged to submit samples for CWD testing. FWP has provided resources to help hunters collect and submit samples for testing on their own. These resources can be found on FWP’s website by visiting https://go.usa.gov/xA3wH.

FWP will also provide limited staffing to assist hunters who need help collecting samples from their harvested animals. Beginning Dec. 21, CWD sampling stations will operate one day per week, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at FWP offices in the following locations:

  • Mondays: 730 N. Montana St., Dillon
  • Tuesdays: 1820 Meadowlark Ln., Butte

CWD is not known to infect humans. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people not eat meat from infected animals and have their harvested animals tested before eating them if they were taken from an area where CWD is known to exist. For more information on CDC recommendations, please visit https://go.usa.gov/xAcnc.

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MSU receives approval as COVID-19 vaccine provider

Montana State University has received Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approval to be a COVID-19 vaccine provider for its students and is making plans for the storage and distribution of the vaccine — dependent upon federal and state supplies and priorities.

“We are planning as far ahead as we can, as it will be a complicated process to store and administer the vaccine,” said Jim Mitchell, associate vice president for student wellness at MSU.

To receive approval as a vaccine provider, MSU had to demonstrate that it has access to the subzero freezers necessary to store the Pfizer vaccine as well as redundant electrical power for the freezers to ensure their continuous operation. The Pfizer vaccine must be stored at temperatures of minus 90 degrees Fahrenheit or below; the Moderna vaccine must be stored below minus 4 degrees.

“We’re doing the backup electrical systems this week,” Mitchell said. “The setup and operation of the freezers will be done well in advance of the arrival of the vaccines.”

Timing and vaccine priorities are being determined by federal and state governments. In Gallatin County, front-line health care workers started receiving COVID-19 vaccines earlier this week.

“It’s very important for everyone to remember that we still need to be vigilant about wearing our masks and staying socially distanced,” Mitchell said. “Just because vaccines are on the way is no reason for us to let up on our discipline. Thousands of people are still dying every day across the country, and our health care system is very stressed. There is certainly a light at the end of the tunnel, but the tunnel is still very long.”

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Tuesday, Dec. 15th, 2020

The Outdoors Are Calling. Should You Answer?


The great outdoors.

These days, after being trapped indoors for so long, we don’t just yearn for it, we’ve gained an even greater appreciation of it. After being deprived of being able to easily access and just go out and experience them for so long, it feels one would be in a rush to go back out there and dive headfirst into it, right?


After all, if you think about it, it should be safer out there, right?
You can’t get any more “social distancing” than a trip outdoors.

However, that’s not to say we should hop on our cars and head out. Like all things, you need to prepare appropriately. And as such, we’ve compiled a list of things you can do so that you can best prepare for that outdoor trip you’ve been sorely missing.

Staying Safe, Safe, and Safe

Of course, the first thing you’ll think about when you think of doing pretty much anything these days is safety. There is still a pandemic raging after all. Aside from social distancing and having a few spare masks, there are other areas of safety you should consider.

Danger lurks on every corner, after all, be it natural or man itself.

And as such, feeling safe is paramount and something we all strive for.

One of the things you should look into immediately, and can be used even outside of your planned trip, would be non-lethal self-defense. The easiest and probably one of the first things you can look into are pepper spray and stun-guns.

If you’re careful enough, want something with good stopping power and is relatively inexpensive, then look into pepper spray. If you don’t want the hassle of figuring out the best way and distance of using pepper spray, and you don’t mind getting up close and personal, then maybe a stun gun could do the trick for you.


Another more straightforward and far safer non-lethal form of self-defense would be noisemakers. It can be very effective in driving people and, more importantly, wild animals away, without having to resort to violence. If you can solve the problem with a noisemaker, you should immediately do so.

Another thing you could look into are metal or aluminum bats.

We’re not kidding. They’re highly effective, require no prior experience and balance both close range and some distance. It’s simple and effective.

However, if you need something a little more than that in order to feel extra safe during your trip, you can explore firearms. Getting into the specifics of what you may need will require an entire article in itself, but one pro-tip we can give you is that you can check out Shooting Mystery’s website if you want to learn more about what could work best for you.


After all, you can’t put a price on safety. And in times like these, safety is one of the things we need to feel the most in this world.

So if you’re going to plan for a trip, feel safe with the level of safety you have.

Plan Smart, Plan Ahead

Now that you’re bringing a level of safety you’re comfortable with; now that you’re sure you’re going to be okay, you can dive into the logistics of your trip. We can't stress enough how important it is to plan and map out every aspect of your trip.

Where are you going? Is it near where you live, or hours away? Is it going to be a long trip? An overnighter? Or perhaps a day trip?

What kind of experience are you and the people you’re with, if ever you’re a small group, going for? Are you guys going to rough it out, really rely on yourselves and what nature has to provide, or are you more for the glamping experience?

For that matter, are you using a Tent or an RV?

And once you’ve set up your home base, what activities are essential for you to do? Do you want to go rafting or climbing? Maybe hiking or biking? Depending on your answers to these questions, the place where you end up going may vary, so be sure to do your research!

Your enjoyment depends on whether you’re going to go to the right place for you, or not. This is especially important if you’re thinking of bringing along kids. But with the state of everything right now, maybe it’s best to leave the kids at home if possible.

They can come along once the world is a little bit safer, a little bit healthier.

What’s Cooking?


Eating in the great outdoors can be one of the highlights of your trip. Planning for it to go right and making sure the menu is served properly throughout the entire trip – be it a day or even more – can be a little challenging and daunting,

You have to rise to the challenge!

So be sure to know what it is precisely you want to eat and work your way back through all the details. How will you be cooking your meals? How will you be storing them and how long will each of the ingredients last?

Can you prepare some of it at home and just bring it along, or does it need to be ready there?

Be sure to have everything ready – from your tools to your ingredients and a means of storage – and you’ll be all set.

One pro-tip we would give though is to consider where you’re going, and what you’ll be doing for your trip, as well as the vibe you’re going for. With that taken into consideration, you can build your menu to supplement the overall experience you’re going for.

You rarely get to do something like this. So why not make it the best possible experience you can, right?

Are You Ready?

Safety, preparedness and food – now that you know what you need to make a successful day trip or camping session, the ball is now firmly in your court. Remember our tips and tricks, be thoughtful, plan and be prepared for anything – be it good or bad.

If you do, you’re sure to have a wonderful time when you finally make your way to that outdoor trip you’ve been dreaming of for a while now.

Good luck!

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Friday, Dec. 11th, 2020

The Salvation Army Bozeman is in urgent need of toys to help fulfill the Christmas wishes of more than 400 children in need in Gallatin County

Help is needed! The Salvation Army Bozeman is in urgent need of toys to help fulfill the Christmas wishes of more than 400 children in need in Gallatin County. There are a few ways to donate toys:

• “Adopt” a child through Angel Trees at Ressler Motors or Gallatin Valley Mall
• Drop off any new, unwrapped toy at The Salvation Army located at 32 So Rouse St
• Purchase a toy online and have it shipped directly to The Salvation Army at 32 South Rouse Bozeman, MT 59715  

Toys must be received by December 15 to make sure they are given to a child in time for Christmas.  Please help us get the word out to ensure every child in Gallatin County has a toy on Christmas morning. For any questions or for an interview, please reach out to Lt. Rick Larson at 400-683-6788. 

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Personal Finance Tips for Your 20s

Every decade has its personal finance challenges. In your 20s, you have an opportunity to lay the groundwork for a great financial future, but if you are like most people your age, you also don't know much about money, investing, saving, and debt. You may also be dealing with a substantial amount of student loans, and you might have credit card debt as well. The tips below can help you manage all of these things and thrive financially throughout your 20s.

Make a Budget
Making a budget is not about deprivation. It is about knowing what money you have and where it is going, and you can think of it as freeing you since you always know what you can spend. Creating a budget is easy with an app, which can track and categorize your spending for you. You can also track your budget manually if you prefer. Creating and sticking to a budget is a good habit to get into and carry throughout your life.

Deal with Your Student Loans
You need to stay on top of your student loan payments. This can be confusing if you have multiple loans, and you might want to consider refinancing them with a private lender. This can give you one monthly payment, which can be less than what you’re currently paying. In the long run, you should have a plan to pay off your student loans to ensure that they do not become a burden for decades.

Deal with Your Credit Cards
You may have graduated from college with credit card debt or built some up shortly after graduating. If so, you need to pay this off as quickly as possible and get into the habit of paying your balance in full monthly after that. You might want to look into getting a zero-balance card and rolling your other balances onto that, but watch out for a jump to a high-interest rate after a certain period of time, such as six months or a year. If you truly cannot control your spending with credit cards, you may want to get rid of them all except for one secured card in case of emergencies.

Savings
There are two types of savings you should be working on at this point. One is emergency savings. With enough in this fund, you will not need to fall back on your credit card. Standard advice says you need three to six months in this account, but you may want to vary this based on your comfort level and personal situation. If your company has a retirement fund, you should be putting money away in this as well, particularly since your workplace may match your contributions.

Set Financial Goals
Whether you want to retire before you're 50, invest in real estate, or build a family fortune that you can leave for your children, this is the time to set goals that you can spend decades or a lifetime on. In particular, you can turn your focus to this once you have your debts under control and are building up savings elsewhere. Write down your goals and make a plan to help you meet them.

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This is so typical of a sign in, which we should not have to do to check if we or some one in our party got a permit. I have been working or "creating an account" for 30 minutes and just get the same ...

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Sunday, Mar. 10, 2024