Gallatin County voters: we heard you.

In two different elections, you rejected proposals to replace your aging Law and Justice Center. And we understand. The price tags for those proposed bonds were a lot to swallow.

But we listened. And we’re coming back to you this November, voters, with a project that is less expensive for you and still addresses the needs of our courts – a critical pillar of our democracy and economy that we are obligated to provide for our citizens.

In this November’s election, Gallatin County is asking voters to decide on a bond to replace the current Law and Justice Center in Bozeman. The bond would pay for a Gallatin County courts building that will house four District Courts, two Justice Courts, Clerks of Court, Youth Court and Probation, Standing Master, Self-Help Law Center, a security detail office, and a public community and jury assembly room.

Instead of coming to voters asking for $71 million or $59 million like we did in the past, we have pared the design and functions of this building down to a simple courts building with an ask of voters we feel is more reasonable: $29 million. 

This new building is the only cost-effective solution to Gallatin County’s long overdue need for safer and more efficient courts.

The current building is unsafe and a disaster waiting to happen.  

The Law and Justice Center is a cinderblock building with no rebar that was built in the 1960s as a Catholic high school. It was never designed to be a courts facility.

It is structurally unsound, does not have a fire suppression system, and is missing secured separation between crime victims and their accused, jurors and counselors, family members in dispute, and the public from all of these groups.

These amount to a disaster waiting to happen to the hundreds of community members who work in and enter the building each day. 

The current building is too small and the resulting logjam of cases is hurting us county-wide.  

Gallatin County’s District Courts handle a civil and criminal caseload requiring at least seven judges. Three District Court judges are currently shuffling that load.

The State has given us a fourth District Court judge. But Gallatin County is responsible for providing that new judge and their support staff with a workplace and we have nowhere to put them.

Without adequate personnel and space to hear and process all these cases, the result is a logjam pushing some cases months and years out. 

The impact of this logjam on civil cases is devastating. Highly emotional family law cases can be dragged out for years. Small businesses have gone bankrupt before seeing their day in court.

Justice delayed is justice denied. We need better space to provide the access to justice our citizens are entitled to.

The need for a new building is not going away so the county has worked hard to reduce costs. 

We get it. Voters are tired of paying more taxes. We are taxpayers ourselves and feel your pain.

But the county is constitutionally required to provide these services and spaces. Courts are not optional. They are a necessary pillar of our democracy. And an update for our local courts is long overdue – architects told the county in 1999 that the current building is structurally unsafe.

The cost for taxpayers is $6.70 for every $100,000 of assessed property value (NOT what Zillow says your house could sell for). So a home assessed at $500,000 would pay $33.50 annually, for example.

That cost for will decrease as the cost of the bond is spread across a larger population as our county continues growing and more taxpayers share the burden.

We have worked hard to reduce this project’s cost by using savings and existing funds, finding creative funding mechanisms, and spending federal funds to buy a new sheriff’s office building in Four Corners to reduce the size and cost of this building.

If this bond does not pass, we are uncertain of exactly how we will move forward. But what we do know is that any other options will be more expensive and inefficient, costing taxpayers more in money and time over the long haul.

Gallatin County citizens deserve safer and more efficient courts, and a new building is the only cost-effective solution to this longstanding issue.

For more information on the bond, visit gallatin.mt.gov.

Ballots for the Nov. 2 election will be mailed to Gallatin County active registered voters on Oct. 13. They are due back no later than 8 PM on Election Day. For more information on voting, visit gallatinvotes.com.

Scott MacFarlane, Joe Skinner, Zach Brown
Gallatin County Commissioners

We have gathered a list of fun fall and Halloween events for you to attend this year. We will update the list as more events are added to our calendar, add your own events for free:

Bozeman Maze

6am-9pm Wed & Fri 10am-9pm Sat 12-6pm Sun
1340 E Valley Center Rd, Bozeman MT  $10
Ages 4+, Free - ages 3 and under, some reservations required check site for details.

Montana Corn Maze

10am-7pm Wed & Fri, Sat 4605 W Cameron Bridge Rd,  Manhattan, MT  $10
Ages 4+, Free - ages 3 and under, some reservations required check site for details.

Activities include a 5-acre maze full of fun, frustration, and triumph, 3 different levels of maze challenges, a Barrel train for kids, Trikes for adults and older kids, and a wagon ride to and from the maze.

Haunted Mountain Theater

7pm & 8:30pm Fri. Oct. 22, Sat. Oct 23, Fri. Oct. 29, Sat. Oct 30 
Museum of the Rockies 600 West Kagy, Bozeman  $16/adult, $12/child

Experience the Northern Rocky Mountains’ spookier history and folklore to life through an approximately 50-minute production that blends live-theater with the museum’s Taylor Planetarium’s state-of-the-art capabilities.

Screams Come True: Haunted House & Hay Maze

7-10pm Fri. Oct. 22 & 29, 6-10pm Sat. Oct 23 & 30, 3-10pm  Sun. Oct 31 $10

Prepare yourself for the event of the year! Screams Come True is back for its 2nd year, open October 23-24, and October 30-31.

Family Fun Halloween Fest

11am-7pm Sat. Oct. 23   Headwaters Ranch 9700 Clarkston Rd, Three Forks  $25 - $30

Family Fun Halloween Event including horse-drawn haunted wagon ride, inflatable bouncy house, kids face painting, pumpkin patch, and food trucks.

Escape Cabin

5-10pm Sat. Oct. 23  Lewis & Clark Caverns 25 Lewis and Clark Caverns Rd., Whitehall  $5

Can you unlock the mystery in time? 

Downtown Trick or Treating Cancelled

4-5pm Fri. Oct. 29  Main Street in Downtown Bozeman  FREE

Downtown Bozeman, Bozeman

Ballroom Dance Bozeman's Ghouls' Night Out

7-10pm Fri. Oct. 29  Bozeman Senior Center 807 N. Tracy Ave, Bozeman  $15

Music provided by multiple-award-winning Joe’s DJ Service. Singles/couples welcome. Attire: Costume or dressy casual-remember clean dance shoes. Masks optional, air cleaners running, surfaces sanitized, hand sanitizer onsite.

Open Mic Night - Halloween Themed

7-9pm Fri. Oct. 29  Steep Mountain Tea House 402 E. Main St., Bozeman  FREE

Run for Your Life Halloween 5k & Kid's Run/Walk

9:30am Sat. Oct. 30  MSU Football Stadium Parking Lot OR Virtual from Anywhere, Bozeman

Run for Your Life Halloween 5k & Kid’s Run/Walk: A fun run for a deep purpose to support the Help Center’s suicide prevention services. Grab your friends, family, and dogs for a Halloween-themed run/walk. In-person or virtual options to participate!

Old Saloon Halloween

2pm Sat. Oct. 30  The Old Saloon 210 Railroad Ln, Emigrant

Eat, Drink and Be Scary! Bring the whole family this Halloween weekend for an all-ages carnival in the Livery Stable with: Face Painting Pumpkin carving & decorating Games Costume Party Adults only at 7pm with live music at 9pm. Prizes for costumes.

Family Grossology Halloween Party

2-5pm Sat. Oct. 30  Museum of the Rockies 600 West Kagy, Bozeman
Included with membership/admission

Start your Halloween celebrations with MOR's grossest annual tradition! Come in costume to see disgusting science, make some icky crafts, and check out what your scabs look like on the big screen.

Anderson's Dreadful Drive In

Terrapin Flyer

7-11pm Sat. Oct. 30  ELM 506 7th Ave, Bozeman  $15 (Adv.) $18 (DOS) + applicable fees

Logjam Presents is pleased to welcome Terrapin Flyer for a live Deadhead Halloween.

Bozeman Symphony: SYMPHONIE FANTASTIQUE

7:30-9pm Sat. Oct. 30  & 2:30-4pm Sun. Oct. 31
Willson Auditorium 404 W. Main St., Bozeman  $27+

Celebrate a haunting Halloween weekend with the Bozeman Symphony’s performances of Symphonie Fantastique, a rare sonic event that may not be witnessed in Bozeman again for decades to come.

Spooky Science

11am-2pm Sun. Oct. 31  Montana Science Center 2744 W Main St, Bozeman 

Join us for a spooky good time on Halloween! Hands-on science experiments and related crafts will be out at the Science Station. Wear your costume for an extra sweet treat.

Spirits, Folklore and Legend: A Cemetery Walking Tour

4-5:30pm Sun. Oct. 31  Sunset Hills Cemetery, Bozeman 

Step back in time as you walk through this historic graveyard, learning about mysterious local legends, spooky folklore, and local history.

Gillette Manor Haunted House

4-8pm Sun. Oct. 31  11 E Main St, Bozeman FREE donations go to Haven

Come and enjoy the spookiest place in Bozeman - Gillette Manor! In the heart of downtown, Gillette Manor is full of grim grinning ghosts, spooky screaming skeletons, and harrowing Halloween haunters! We're just dying to see you! Come visit us . . . . if you dare!!

Past 2021 Events:

Ghosts of Bozeman's Past: Sunset Hills Cemetery Walking Tour

4-5pm Sun. Oct. 10   Sunset Hills Cemetery, Bozeman  $12 adults, $10 seniors, kids 12 years and younger free

Join us for a historic walking tour of Bozeman's Sunset Hills Cemetery.

Jr Carpenter Pumpkin Carving Contest

11am-1pm Sat. Oct. 16 All Kenyon Noble Locations FREE

Kenyon Noble is holding our 23rd annual Jr Carpenter Pumpkin Carving Contest! Come for some free festivities for ages 0-12 and compete to win some awesome prizes! All Kenyon Noble locations will have their own contest, see you soon!

Fall Festival

11am-4pm Sat. Oct. 16 Gallatin Valley Mall FREE

This free event will include a vendor market showcasing local makers and their unique offerings, plus numerous other activities for kids of all ages throughout the mall. Check out the bounce house, face painting, pumpkin decorating with Giggles, photo booth, free Halloween costume grab bags from Montana Parent Magazine, and lots more great giveaways. Plus yummy festival eats including fresh kettle korn and cotton candy!

BPS Cemetery Tours

4-7 & 9pm Sat. Oct. 16  Sunset Hills Cemetery, Bozeman $5

Come out and have a spooky evening ghost hunting the sunset hills cemetery. Learn how to be a ghost hunter for the evening. Learn how to use equipment and will have a history folder of things about the cemetery. We will have hot cider and cocoa.

Oktoberfest

7-11pm Sat. Oct. 16  Rockin' TJ Ranch 651 Lynx Lane, Bozeman  $65 per person

An OktoberFest full of beer, brats, and entertainment by the Brewery Follies Show! $65 per person includes the Brewery Follies show, souvenir shot glass, and dinner buffet! Beer & wine cash bar.

Murder & Mayhem in Gallatin County

6-7:30pm Thu. Oct. 21  Gallatin County Courthouse 311 W. Main, Bozeman  FREE

Gallatin History Museum curator Kelly Suzanne Hartman chronicles each tale, allowing the reader to follow along the path of the investigations and the pursuit for justice.

A Montana State University economist recently published two articles in respected economic journals examining influencing factors and impacts of seasonal agricultural labor.

Diane Charlton, an assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Economics in MSU’s College of Agriculture, researches agricultural production, labor migration and development economics. Her paper, written with MSU coauthor Brock Smith and Alexander James of the University of Alaska, “Seasonal Agricultural Activity and Crime” appeared in the American Journal of Economics. Another paper, “Seasonal Farm Labor and COVID-19 Spread,” was published in Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy. Both were published in early September.

The first paper combines data on local criminal activity and seasonal demand for farm labor in counties across the nation that have high rates of agricultural production from 1990 to 2016. Charlton and Smith decided to collaborate on the topic after they saw newspaper articles suggesting many U.S. residents assume that migratory agricultural workers increase local crime rates.

“To our knowledge we are the first to examine how seasonal labor-intensive agricultural activity impacts local crime rates,” they wrote. “An estimated 38% of seasonal fruit, vegetable and horticultural workers were classified as migratory from 1990 to 2016, and approximately 48% were unauthorized immigrants over the same span.” 

After analyzing 27 years’ worth of data, Charlton and Smith concluded that the increase in agricultural labor force reduces property and violent crime rates, and possibly the number of property crimes. The paper attributes these findings to the fact that harvests enhance opportunities in the local labor market, thereby reducing the incentive to commit crimes. It also notes that previous research generally has found that foreign-born immigrants are no more likely than natural-born citizens to commit crimes. 

“While economic shocks that attract new workers to the region are sometimes associated with increased crime rates, positive economic shocks can also deter crime by providing alternative economic opportunities,” said Charlton. “The effects of seasonal agricultural labor booms on local crime rates is not obvious.”

In the second paper, Charlton examined the relationship between influxes of migratory agricultural workers and COVID-19 in agricultural counties by looking at month-to-month variations in agricultural employment and confirmed cases.

The analysis found that counties where 100 additional workers in fruit, vegetable and horticultural production were employed had 4.5% more COVID-19 cases, or around 19 additional positive cases per 100,000 residents. Migration might help explain the association between farm employment and COVID-19 incidence, and Charlton notes several potential contributing factors. 

Those factors include the fact that many migratory farm workers live below the poverty line, reside in densely populated quarters and often lack access to health care or health insurance. Many farm workers report working even while ill, perhaps because they fear losing hours of pay or because they simply feel well enough to keep working, posit the authors. Surveys suggest that there is a higher hesitancy to seek public services or potentially to get vaccinated since many are undocumented immigrants.

Farm work itself does not necessarily increase the spread of COVID-19, Charlton said. The paper notes that there is no statistically significant association with COVID-19 incidence when it comes to crops that are harvested mechanically, such as grains and oilseed, or in livestock agriculture. Fruit and vegetable crops, which are mostly harvested by hand, showed greatest positive association with COVID-19 incidence.

“Understanding which commodities or agricultural activities are most highly associated with COVID-19 spread can help producers and managers throughout the food supply chain prepare for and mitigate losses and future risk,” Charlton wrote. “The findings from this paper can help inform which agricultural industries were most exposed to coronavirus-related risks in worker health and labor supply in 2020 and determine priority strategies for managing potential disruptions to farm labor supply in the future.”

CBD is a widely popular wellness product for pets. Cannabinoids in this compound offer a plethora of health benefits for your pet dog. If you are considering CBD oil for your dog, here are some questions you need answers to.

#1 Is the Pet CBD Oil Exclusive?
CBD oil for dogs is exclusively formulated for your canine friend. The product contains the appropriate level of CBD and other cannabinoids to suit the needs of your dog. It is highly recommended to avoid human CBD products for dogs and other pets. CBD products for humans contain a higher level of THC and have many benefits, but can cause adverse reactions for dogs.

#2 How Safe is CBD for Dogs?
Scientific studies have proved that CBD oil for dogs is 100% safe. Most pet dogs do not experience any side effects. However, some may go through a few episodes of nausea or diarrhea. Some dogs feel drowsy after consumption of CBD oil. In any case, the side effects of CBD oil are less intense than other modern medicines. You can use it safely to treat canine anxiety, arthritis, and seizures.

#3 What is the Recommended Dosage?
Administering the correct dosage of CBD oil is essential to achieve the desired results. However, the dosage differs based on the weight of the dog. For instance, a chihuahua and a mastiff cannot benefit from the same dose of CBD oil.

The general rule is to give 1 mg of the oil for every 10 pounds. You may want to start small, observe the results and increase the dosage as needed. Discuss dosage with your veterinarian before you take the plunge.

#4 How Does CBD Work for Your Dog?
All mammals, including dogs, have a signaling system called the endocannabinoid system. The system plays a vital role in regulating certain body functions such as appetite, sleep, and moods.

The cannabinoid in the CBD reacts with the endocannabinoid system and helps achieve homeostasis. In other words, CBD oil reacts to balance out the internal processes and supports the body's inflammatory response.

#5 What are the Important Benefits of Using CBD Oil?
• CBD works at the molecular level. It can be used to treat the following conditions.
• CBD resolves mobility issues in older dogs.
• CBD relieves the pet of joint stiffness and pain from an injury or joint pain due to old age.
• Separation from a loved one, fireworks, or changes to routine can make a dog stressed and anxious. CBD can make your pet dog feel calmer during such difficult situations.
• CBD promotes long-term health by supporting neurological functions and cardiovascular performance.

#6 How to Identify a Good Brand of CBD Products for Dogs?
To identify a reliable CBD oil for dogs, make sure the chosen brand satisfies the following conditions.
• Is the product 100% plant-based?
• Have third-party labs tested the product?
• Does the product list all its ingredients?
• Does the product offer proper dosing instructions?
• Is it vet-approved?
• Has the brand used the CO2 extraction method?
• Is the product free of residual chemicals?

Positive answers to these questions imply that you have made the right choice.

The Montana Trout Foundation (MTF) is once again requesting grant proposals from individuals or groups this fall; the deadline for submission of the proposals is December 1, 2021 (preference is to receive applications electronically, PDF is ideal). MTF works to preserve and enhance Montana's one-of-a-kind trout resources through funding scientific research, fisheries education, and trout habitat enhancement.

This year's grant cycle is intended to promote restoration and enhancement of wild trout habitat.

Other funding sources for improving fisheries habitat, such as Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks' Future Fisheries Improvement Program, are intended for project implementation. An MTF grant can fund initial project assessment, planning, and design that will qualify a project for additional funding through these other sources. Applications will be reviewed later in the fall and winter, and grants funded beginning in the spring of 2022.

To apply for a grant or for more information about The Montana Trout Foundation, visit the MTF website at www.mttroutfoundation.org.

Celebrate a haunting Halloween weekend with the Bozeman Symphony’s performances of Symphonie Fantastique, a rare sonic event that may not be witnessed in Bozeman again for decades to come. The last time the Bozeman Symphony presented Hector Berlioz’s fantastical masterpiece of human emotion was May 1, 1977. Sergei Prokofiev’s whimsical yet dramatic Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major will open the concert starring brilliant Italian-born pianist Rodolfo Leone. 

Music Director Norman Huynh will conduct Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique as it was intended since its premiere in 1830, with massive bellowing church bells, a dramatic voiceover by Montana Shakespeare in the Park’s Kevin Asselin, two harps, and more, to tell this riveting tale of love and jealousy.   

“We are bringing in 900-pound custom-casted bells that Berlioz scored intending to depict the gates of Hell opening up. Eight years ago, I was in a performance where these bells were used and it was truly spine-tingling to hear,” said Huynh. “I’m so thrilled that Bozeman will be one of the few places in the world to hear this piece in the way it was intended.” 

Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique, written in five movements, tells his story as an artist gifted with a lively imagination who has poisoned himself with opium in the depths of despair because of hopeless, unrequited love for Irish actress Harriet Smithson.  
 
“We can all relate to having a crush on someone. Berlioz used those feelings of obsessive love as inspiration to compose this massive spectacle of emotion through sound and music,” said Huynh. 
 
In addition to Berlioz’s iconic finale, Music Director Huynh will open the performance with one of his favorite composers, Sergei Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major. Prokofiev’s distinct style will be on display as the Bozeman Symphony musicians and guest pianist Rodolfo Leone perfectly blend rapid and percussive playing with lyricism and rich harmonies throughout the three movements.

“Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 is a piece that demands extreme technical skill. There is a point towards the end of the first movement where it is almost as if smoke is flying off the keyboard from the pianist’s fingers moving at a breakneck speed,” said Huynh. Guest pianist Rodolfo Leone will bring these lush melodies and firework machine-like rhythms to life for the perfect start to this explosive program. 

Performances will be held in person on Saturday, October 30th at 7:30 PM and Sunday, October 31st at 2:30 PM, at the Willson Auditorium (404 West Main Street), downtown Bozeman. The Saturday, October 30th performance of Symphonie Fantastique will be livestreamed on the Bozeman Symphony's website, YouTube, and Facebook starting at 7:30 PM. Pre-concert talks with Music Director Norman Huynh will take place beginning at 6:30 pm Saturday and 1:30 pm Sunday at the Willson Auditorium and are available to attend with the purchase of your concert ticket. These performances would not be possible without strong community support and sponsorship. The Symphony wishes to thank David Ross and Risi for their season sponsorship, Thomas J. Scanlin for his supporting sponsorship, and Gary and Margaret Kachadurian for generously sponsoring the livestreaming of the Saturday evening performance. 

Ticketing: Individual tickets are available for purchase online at bozemansymphony.org or by phone at 406-585-9774. Tickets at the door based on availability. Adult tickets range from $27.00-$67.00.  Student discounts are available. Please contact the Bozeman Symphony at 406-585-9774 or info@bozemansymphony.org with questions you have regarding performance, ticket sales, venue, seating information, and COVID-19 safety protocols. 

 
Rodolfo Leone, piano - The brilliant 29-year-old Italian-born pianist Rodolfo Leone, whose career is supported by the Amron-Sutherland Fund for Young Pianists at the Colburn School, was the first prize winner of the 2017 International Beethoven Piano Competition Vienna. Described as “a true sound philosopher” (Oberösterreichische Nachrichten), Rodolfo released his debut album on the Austrian label Gramola in May 2018. The all-Beethoven disc features two pillars of the piano repertoire: the “Hammerklavier” Sonata and the “Waldstein” Sonata. His playing has been described as having “impeccable style” and “absolute technical control” (Il Nuovo Amico).

Rodolfo’s recent seasons include a collaboration with James Conlon and LA Opera and debuts with the San Diego Symphony (Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1) conducted by Michael Francis, Pasadena Symphony (Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21) with conductor David Lockington, and Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra (Beethoven’s Concerto No. 5, “Emperor”) with Sascha Goetzel; he also performed Beethoven’s Triple Concerto in Walt Disney Hall under the baton of Xian Zhang. In May 2019, he gave a recital tour in Austria, culminating in a performance in Vienna at the Brahms-Saal of the Musikverein. He also performed recitals in Los Angeles and Naples, Florida, and appeared on the chamber music series Le Salon de Musiques in Los Angeles. As a 2018-19 Performance Today Young Artist in Residence, Rodolfo’s live recordings were broadcast nationally throughout the United States.


A native of Turin, Italy, Rodolfo made his orchestral debut in 2013 performing Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Haydn Orchestra of Bolzano and Trento (Italy). He toured Italy with that orchestra the following year performing Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 1. Rodolfo made his North American debut in 2014 performing Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Toronto Concert Orchestra. Since then, he has performed with, among others, the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra with Stéphane Denève and the Colburn Orchestra at Walt Disney Concert Hall; and recitals at Festival Napa Valley and the Soka Performing Arts Center. He has also performed chamber music with Lynn Harrell, Fabio Bidini, Andrew Schulmann, and the Viano String Quartet.


Rodolfo has performed extensively throughout Europe, North America, and China. These performances include debuts in venues such as the Musikverein in Vienna, Steinway Hall in London, the Music Hall of the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, the Politeama Theatre in Palermo, the Mozart Concert Hall of Accademia Filarmonica and Teatro Carlo Felice di Genova in Italy, and the BASF Gesellschaftshaus in Germany. A top-prize winner of several major piano competitions, Rodolfo was awarded top prizes at the 2014 Toronto International Piano Competition and the 2013 Busoni International Piano Competition. Pianist magazine described his concerto performance during the 2017 International Beethoven Piano Competition as a “communion with the orchestra” that “was raptly convincing… robust and joyful.”


Rodolfo is currently based in Los Angeles where he previously studied at the Colburn Conservatory of Music. He holds both a Master of Music degree and an Artist Diploma from Colburn, where he studied with Fabio Bidini.  He previously studied at the Hans Eisler School of Music in Berlin, Germany and at the G. Rossini Conservatory in Pesaro, Italy.  

Bozeman, MT— On October 11, 2021 the popular Sourdough Canyon Trail and area will be closed for four weeks as helicopter work begins on City of Bozeman land. The trail and project area will be closed to keep members of the public and work crews safe as tree removal activity, including helicopters flying trees overhead, will be ongoing.

The closure and the associated work is a part of Phase 2 of the City’s Sourdough Fuels Reduction Project, which is a part of the joint Bozeman Municipal Watershed Project (BMWP) in partnership with the Custer Gallatin National Forest.
 
Implementation work in the Bozeman Municipal Watershed has already begun. Project crews working on the Sourdough Fuels Reduction project are already working on the city-owned sections within the project area in preparation for the helicopter logging operations beginning October 11, 2021.  Recreationists who visit the area prior to the trail and area closure can expect to see additional vehicle traffic on the Sourdough Trail and hear chainsaw and equipment noise. 

The work on the city owned lands compliments the work underway on National Forest System lands. 
 
Project Manager and Engineer Brian Heaston says, “Public health and safety are always the top priority for the City of Bozeman. This week we ask that for everyone’s safety, please stay on the trail in these areas, keep children and pets near you, don’t impede ongoing work, and take necessary safety precautions.  As we move towards the trail closure date please plan to find other trails to visit and respect the closure.”

The BMWP is a joint effort between the City of Bozeman and the Custer Gallatin National Forest to reduce forest fuel loads with the intent of maintaining a high-quality, predictable community water supply for Bozeman residents.  The project will help protect Bozeman’s primary drinking water supply in and around the Bozeman and Hyalite Creek watersheds, it will provide for more defensible space in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), and just as critical – will increase public and firefighter safety.

For more information on the Bozeman Municipal Watershed Project, updates on ongoing implementation activities, and additional resources visit www.bznwatershed.com To contact the City of Bozeman or the Custer Gallatin National Forest submit a question via www.bznwatershed.com/contact
 

For some entrepreneurs, owning a business is a dream come true. However, without proper stress management, that dream can quickly become a nightmare. What you need to ensure this doesn’t happen are the right stress management techniques.

With the right techniques, you can cope with the stress of owning a business, so that it, your team, and yourself thrive.

Stress Management Is Key
Stress management is a key element of keeping yourself and your business healthy. You should never feel guilty for stepping back to prioritize coping with the stresses and strains of owning your own business.

Stress-related burnout in business owners can affect physical and mental health, and it can slow down the company’s momentum. Managing and coping with stress isn't just better for you, it benefits the business. It can even be the reason you continue to operate or end up closing your doors.

What Is Stress Management?
Stress management involves learning various skills that can help you cope with the various stressors you encounter. Those skills may include time management, relaxation techniques, problem solving, and ways of improving interpersonal relationships.

By implementing those skills, you can transform stressful situations into opportunities for empowerment and growth. With that in mind, let’s explore stress management tips and techniques for business owners.

1. Identify Sources Of Stress
Stress management begins with identifying the stressors (sources or causes of stress) involved in owning a business. When you know what your stressors are, you can start finding potential solutions.

For business owners, a large portion of stressors stems from unsolved problems. It can be difficult to find ways to solve these issues when you’re constantly busy with 101 other things that demand your attention.

Take a step back from the situation and pinpoint the areas that are stressing you out. Next, identify your responses to those sources of stress. This may sound simple, but merely identifying your stressors is taking a step in the right direction. Knowing that you’ve begun to do something about the situation can help you feel better about things—and that’s only the beginning.

2. Identify Your Strengths
Identifying your strengths and areas of success is as important as identifying your stressors. Consider the areas in which you cope well with stress and the techniques or skills you use to do it. When you know what your strengths are in terms of managing stress, you can build on them or adapt them to help you cope with other stressors.

The other upside to identifying your strengths and successes is the positive attitude this can inspire in you. It’s especially helpful to do this if you felt despondent after identifying the challenging aspects of running your own business.

You can put the changes you make and the growth you achieve into perspective by noting areas of progress. No matter how small or insignificant they seem at the time.

3. Say “No”
Entrepreneurs who are trying to build a new business usually tend to say “yes” to virtually every project, commission, order, client, or another opportunity that comes their way. This is perfectly understandable. But it’s not the best approach in the long term. Learn to say “no” to requests that will not help you or your business achieve your goals.

By thinning out the amount of work that doesn’t add meaning to your business, you can remove unnecessary stressors and focus on meaningful projects. The boundaries that you create when you say “no” can help protect your physical and mental health as well as your company.

4. Learn To Delegate
Knowing that your employees don’t have the same level of investment in your business can make it tempting to try to do everything (or as much as possible) yourself. A situation like that is a recipe for stress and burnout.

Delegating or even outsourcing some tasks is an important part of managing stress when you’re a business owner. For example, if you struggle with writing copy for your website, blog, or social media posts, delegate the task to an employee who has the skill to do it. If no one on your team fits the profile, outsource the job to a content creator, freelancer, or SEO company.

5. Create A Strong Schedule
Not having a regular routine for your day or week can leave you feeling like a loose cannon, which can add to the stress you experience. Create a strong schedule to add structure to your day. You should find that this increases your sense of self-confidence that you can take what happens at work in your stride.

Our bodies appreciate routine, as it supports our circadian rhythm, which some refer to as our “body clock.” Take your own rhythms into account when planning your schedule. If you know that your concentration and energy levels dip mid-afternoon, avoid schedule intensive tasks for that period.

6. Find Helpful Tools
Downloadable software and apps, as well as other work tools, can help streamline or automate some of the tasks and processes that might be stressors for you. For example, if keeping track of invoicing and payments are causing headaches, it’s worth using invoicing software to alleviate the burden. Or if tracking employee hours is an issue, time tracking apps can streamline the process considerably.

Finding the right fit for you, your team, and your business may take some time, so prepare yourself for some trial-and-error.

7. Prioritize Time For Yourself
Too many entrepreneurs know that personal time is one of the first and biggest sacrifices they make when establishing and growing a business. Prioritize time for yourself to avoid getting sucked into the trap of all work and no play. Your stress levels will thank you.

Make a conscious decision to separate your work from your personal time. Unplug from your mobile phone, email, and work-related social media accounts. Spend time with family and friends. Indulge in self-care.

Your time off from work should be an opportunity to recharge mentally and physically so you can better cope with the demands of the next week at work.

Be Your Own Champion
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Most people's fear of snakes is determined by the specific species they encounter. Harmless gardens or other non-poisonous snakes, while not a pleasant sight, are not technically dangerous. Most people prefer to avoid the sight of a snake regardless of species, but for many, seeing a snake isn't necessarily a frightening experience unless it's an obviously poisonous species.

Rattlesnakes are one of those very obviously poisonous species. Their notable, rattling tale is a tell-tale sign that you have encountered a potentially dangerous species of snake. However, they are not dangerous by default. Many people are frightened of them and that is perfectly normal, but like many animals, rattlesnakes are as scared of us as we are of them. They will more than likely only attack if they feel threatened.

Keep in mind that If you are concerned about the presence of rattlesnakes or other species on your property, you can contact Complete Wildlife Removal for advice and guidance on how to approach this scenario. Whether you already have some on the property and are looking for removal or you live in an area where they are common and are looking for prevention methods, the professionals can guide you through whatever process you are in.

There are many different species of rattlesnakes and the type in your area depends on your state and what part of the country you currently reside in. Diamond rattlesnakes are a common species throughout the United States and they are one of the largest species. They are most common in the spring and summer after they emerge from their winter homes. You are more likely to come across one at dawn or dusk, but you may not notice them at all if you are on a trail or in an area with brush and other foliage they can easily use as camouflage. They primarily maintain a diet of smaller reptiles, birds, and rodents. Many states have made it illegal to kill rattlesnakes. They are an important part of the ecosystem, so in many states, if you encounter them, you are supposed to leave them be as harming them can result in a misdemeanor depending on the state you live in.

Some people may be concerned that despite their best efforts snakes may find their way into their home through plumbing in pipes. While not impossible, it is extremely uncommon. If you are worried about this, take a look at snaketoilet.com to learn more about this possibility.

Snakes bites are actually extremely rare and they are more likely to happen if the individual was intentionally behaving in a way that made the snake feel threatened. The rattlesnakes will do nearly anything they can to avoid humans, just like most of us do when we come across one of them. If the snake feels threatened because of something you have done, they will do something to protect themselves and that could include a bite.

If you encounter a rattlesnake here are some things to keep in mind to keep you and the snake as safe as possible:
• If you hear a rattle, do not panic. Figure out where the sound is coming from and move away from where it is coming from.
• Give the snake plenty of space.
• Keep dogs on a leash and warn others around you of the snake.
• Do not throw anything at the snake. They will take this as a threat and move forward to protect themselves.
• Move slowly away from either the sound or the visual you have on the snake.

If you were to get bitten by a snake, seek out medical attention immediately. If your dog was the one bitten, seek medical attention for them immediately as well. Dogs are over 25% more likely to die from rattlesnake bites than humans. There are vaccines they can receive ahead of time to help prevent this. If snakes are around your property or trails you regularly spend time on, this may be a smart idea.

Avoiding snakes is easy if you are somewhere outside of your home or property, but what do you do if they've arrived in your space? How do you keep them away?

• Make your home and property unattractive to snakes. Do not provide brush and other places for them to hide.
• Make sure rodents are not present in your space either. They are an easy, natural food source for many species of snakes.
• Keep harmless snakes around. These are not poisonous and can keep more dangerous species from wanting to inhabit the space.