La Cuisine Founder Tina Cusker found herself craving fellowship during the COVID restricted months and was inspired by current events to act on designing a store committed to providing social experiences that would bring gathering back to the heart of the home and building a stronger community through our partnerships and endeavors. Enhanced by her European culinary and travel journeys, Tina hopes to inspire La Cuisine patrons to have confidence they can once again open their homes and gather friends and family for an exceptional culinary experience.

La Cuisine offers a curated selection of gourmet cookware, cutlery and gadgets along with locally made products from artisans such as Basiclai, Lulu Pottery and Montana Block Co., and top European brands including Staub, Zwilling, and Denby. La Cuisine features a commercial kitchen for a state-of-the-art culinary learning experience. Tina has partnered with instructors and world-class chefs across the Gallatin Valley to bring forth a kitchen curriculum to serve every level of home cook from the curious beginner to the passionate foodie. Students may choose from a vast array of cuisine, technique focused and entertaining style classes.

Gift giving will be exceptionally easy thanks to gift cards, complimentary gift wrapping and a Bridal registry service.

The kitchen will be available as an intimate event space for less than 25, and commissary kitchen rentals to wholesale food providers, in addition to private cooking classes for unique celebrations and corporate team-building events.
The inaugural cooking class, Let’s Get Sauced! is scheduled for Tuesday, September 28 at 6:00PM featuring Chef Sadie Morales from Sadie’s Catering. It is the sauce that takes your dinner from ordinary to extraordinary. Participants will learn how you can transition three mother recipes into six while they sip on preselected wine pairings. James Beard award-winning Chef Tory McPhail will host the second class on Tuesday October 5th with an autumn harvest, elegant 4-course menu. Tickets for all weekly classes can be purchased online or by calling the store, and wine can be ordered from The Wine Gallery by 3PM on the day prior.

The store will host official Grand Opening festivities and ribbon cutting on Wednesday, September 29 at 4:00PM. This event, free to attend, is co-hosted by the Bozeman Chamber of Commerce and will feature autographed cookbooks, giveaways, complimentary hors d’oeuvres and store discounts.

Soon to be Bozeman’s premier gourmet cookware store and culinary classroom, La Cuisine offers more than 1,000 unique products for the kitchen and operates the most innovative cooking school in southwest Montana, with plans to conduct more than 50 classes yearly taught by local chefs and instructors with shopping also available online at www.lacuisine-bozeman.com.

La Cuisine is located at 2405 W. Main, Ste 6, next door to PhD Skis.

WHITEHALL – Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park will move to off-season hours of operation starting Friday, Oct. 1.  

From Oct. 1 through April 15, 2022, the main visitor center will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. The center will be closed Mondays and Tuesdays and observed holidays on these dates: Nov. 11 and 25, Dec. 24-26 and 31, and Jan. 1.  

Park trails remain open for walking or mountain biking. Though the water facilities are shut off for the winter, the campground remains open, offering both electric and non-electric sites as well as reservable cabins.  

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park is about 15 miles southeast of Whitehall, along Montana Highway 2. For more information about the park, please visit stateparks.mt.gov/lewis-and-clark-caverns or call 406-287-3541. 

BUTTE – Game wardens with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks are seeking information on a bull elk that was shot and killed northwest of Butte last week.  

The six-point bull was killed on private land along North Browns Gulch Road about 5 miles northwest of Butte. The bull elk carcass was abandoned in the field after it was shot.  

Wardens interviewed a witness, who reported hearing gunshots around 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 10. The witness observed a pickup truck at the scene, shining a spotlight on the dead elk, then fleeing the area toward Hail Columbia Road. The pickup was described as being dark in color with “Chevrolet” on the tailgate. The truck bed also had a silver Delta toolbox.  

Anyone with possible information is encouraged to call the FWP violation reporting hot line at 1-800-TIP-MONT. Callers can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.  

Anyone with possible information can also contact Butte Game Warden Regan Dean at 406-490-9377. 

Initial test results indicate PKD as likely cause 

LIVINGSTON – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks fisheries biologists are monitoring an area of the Yellowstone River where several dead mountain whitefish have been observed.  

Anglers first reported seeing a small number of dead fish over Labor Day weekend. On Sept. 8, FWP staff floated between the Grey Owl and Mallard’s Rest fishing access sites and observed 57 dead whitefish. They collected several dead and dying fish to submit them for testing.  

Tests that have been completed so far on some of the collected fish indicate they likely died of proliferative kidney disease, or PKD — a condition caused by a parasite affecting salmonids, such as mountain whitefish and trout. PKD has affected fish in the Yellowstone River in recent years, the most significant outbreak happening in 2016. 

Biologists will continue to monitor conditions on the Yellowstone River. No trout mortality was observed during monitoring efforts to date. At this time, no closures or restrictions are expected for the Yellowstone River or its tributaries.  

Anglers can help reduce stress for fish by following these practices when catching and releasing fish, though fish mortality may still occur:  
• Land the fish quickly.  
• Wet your hands before handling the fish.  
• Keep the fish in water as much as possible.  
• Remove the hook gently. Using artificial lures with single and barbless hooks can make hook removal faster and easier.  
• Let the fish recover before releasing it. 

Montana State University will honor Taylor Brown, a widely respected broadcaster, rancher and former state legislator, with an honorary doctorate during commencement ceremonies set for Friday, Dec. 17, in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse.

Today the state’s Board of Regents approved an honorary doctorate for Brown, a third-generation Montana rancher from Sand Springs and a two-term state senator. Brown has also had a prominent career in television and radio broadcasting spanning more than 40 years.

Brown was born in Sheridan, Wyoming, and grew up on his family's cattle ranch in eastern Montana near Sand Springs. He attended high school in Lewistown and received a bachelor's degree in animal science from MSU, where he also served a year as student body president.

After graduation, Brown returned to his family’s ranch, then started his broadcasting career in Billings as a farm broadcaster with Northern Broadcasting System. He and his wife, Shannon, later purchased the radio network in 1985 from future U.S. Senator Conrad Burns. Today Northern Broadcasting includes the Northern Ag Network, the Northern News Network and flagship radio station KGHL AM-790 and FM 94.7. It provides radio, television and digital content dealing with agriculture, markets, state news and weather to approximately 70 stations in four states. As a result, Brown has been regarded for decades as one of Montana's most recognizable radio voices, particularly in rural areas.

“It would not be exaggerating to say that today virtually every farmer, rancher and agribusiness person in the state of Montana knows of Taylor Brown and his involvement with agriculture and public education,” Pat Hatfield, former head of the Department of Animal and Range Sciences in the MSU College of Agriculture, wrote in materials nominating Brown for the honorary doctorate.

Brown served two terms as a state senator from 2009 to 2016, where he represented Montana Senate District 22. As a legislator, he chaired both the agriculture and education committees and served as majority whip. He was known in the Legislature as a supporter of agriculture, Montana State University, MSU Extension and the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station.

During his time in the Montana Legislature, Brown helped to lower business equipment taxes and worked to significantly reform worker’s compensation costs. He helped restore critical investment in ag research and worked to increase support for career and technical education. Brown was also a champion for the creation of the WIMU Regional Program in veterinary medicine, which helps Montana resident students receive a reasonably priced veterinary education. He was also important to passing funding to expand the WWAMI Medical Education Program for the first time in 40 years, allowing entering classes to grow from 20 Montana resident students per year to 30. Brown led the effort for the Montana University System’s first performance-based funding, and he supported holding tuition costs steady for Montana students and their families during the 2013 and 2015 Legislatures.

Hatfield said that Brown has committed himself to sustaining agriculture in Montana through service and outreach. Brown is an advocate for rural farm and ranch families and is a supporter of 4-H, FFA, the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity and the REAL Montana leadership program. In 2009, Brown launched an agriculture information website, northernag.net, and he is also a past president of the National Association of Farm Broadcasters.

“Anyone who knows or works with Taylor Brown in any capacity knows how much he gives personally to a great many causes, and how he uses his own company as an example of the way business leaders can make a difference,” Hatfield wrote. “Not only does he donate generously of his personal time but he gives direct financial support to many worthwhile programs. He volunteers the powerful voice of his network, and its many affiliated radio and television stations, to generate unparalleled support for a long list of community service projects.”

Brown played a major part in securing private funding for MSU’s Animal Bioscience Building, which was completed in 2010. As the first chairman of the MSU College of Agriculture Development Board, Brown headed a grassroots effort to raise approximately $9 million of the $15.7 million needed for the building, rallying nearly 200 ranchers and businesses to help fund the facility. The building is now the permanent home of the MSU Department of Animal and Range Sciences.

“Taylor was an invaluable advocate for the Animal Bioscience Building,” MSU Alumni Foundation CEO and President Chris Murray wrote in a letter supporting Brown’s honorary doctorate nomination. “It was his loyalty, diligence and time which helped to ensure this building became a reality.”

Brown and his wife, Shannon, have three children, Travis, Courtney and Colter, who manage the family businesses: LO Cattle Company and Northern Broadcasting System.

More information about MSU's in-person and livestreamed fall commencement ceremonies is available online at montana.edu/commencement/.

WHITEHALL – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff at Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park are seeking volunteers to help with a post-season cleaning of the caverns.  
Volunteers in this event will get the chance to see the caverns up close as they work to reduce some of the impacts of visitors’ presence in the cave.  

The project will be Saturday, Oct. 2, and will begin with an orientation at 9 a.m. at the main (lower) visitor center. Staff and volunteers will then continue to the cave, toothbrushes in hand.  

During the season, algae, lint and dust have built up from thousands of visitors who have come to experience the cave, so it’s important to periodically clean the formations so they can continue to grow and change. Participants will help restore parts of the cave that have the most human impact. This follows other events happening nationwide as part of National Public Lands Day.  

Volunteers are asked to bring a mask, clean gloves (these can be gardening gloves), a water bottle, a headlamp, and clothing that have never been worn in another cave or mine. This is a precautionary measure to reduce the spread of white-nose syndrome in bats. Volunteers with helmets or kneepads are encouraged to bring them as well. All cleaning supplies will be provided by park staff.  

Those who would like to participate are asked to contact Zack Story as soon as possible. Please send an email to zack.story@mt.gov before Sept. 25 with your name, the number of people you would like to bring, any food requirements you may have, and the equipment you will be bringing or may need.  

Bozeman, MT— The City of Bozeman starts its vaccine incentive program for Bozeman residents this Wednesday, September 15, 2021. The program, which is funded using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars, intends to positively reward those who get vaccinated in the community.
 
The COVID-19 vaccine is available across the city and is a key tool in keeping our community safe from the impacts of the virus. The vaccine incentive program’s first priority is to encourage those who have not yet been vaccinated to get vaccinated, while also recognizing that there are many in the community who have already received the vaccine.

 
Program details:
• Any Bozeman resident who proves residency in the city of Bozeman and vaccination status who was vaccinated prior to September 15 may enter a raffle to win a 1,000 dollar visa gift card
• Any Bozeman resident who proves residency in the city of Bozeman and vaccination status who is vaccinated between September 15 and November 15 may submit to automatically receive a $25 dollar visa gift card and be entered into a raffle to win a 1,000 dollar visa gift card
• The program starts on September 15 and ends on November 15
• Residents must bring proof of residency in the form of any piece of mail and proof of COVID-19 vaccination to Bozeman City Hall Finance Department (121 N Rouse Ave) from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. to participate in the program
 
COVID-19 vaccines are widely available across Gallatin County at many locations including local pharmacies and your primary care physician. To find out more about dates, times, and locations visit, healthygallatin.org/covid-19-vaccines/
 

Most cannabis growers already know that light is needed to help their plants produce marijuana. What they might not know is how important choosing the right grow lights can be for their plants. A variety of options are available today, and finding the right ones to use today can make a huge difference in how the plants grow and how much they produce. Read below to learn more about why learning about grow lights is important and the benefits of choosing the right ones to use for cannabis plants. 

Provide the Right Spectrum of Light
Different lights produce a different spectrum of light. This is easy to see in the difference between warm or cool light bulbs used throughout the house, and many people will have their preference. When it comes to cannabis plants, the right grow lights contain the full spectrum of light, allowing them to get what they need from the lights to truly thrive. Light bulbs that are not full-spectrum are not going to produce as good of results as ones that are, so choosing full-spectrum lights can lead to better yields. 

Provide Heat to Help With Climate Control
Plants need to be kept at the right temperature to grow, and cannabis is no different. Temperature can have an impact on plants, and it can impact whether the plant grows at all, how quickly it grows, and how big it grows. Cannabis can grow in a variety of temperatures but prefers warmer temperatures. Light bulbs can emit heat, so they can help make sure the cannabis plants are warm enough. It is important to be careful, however, as it's not a good idea to let the plants get too hot. 

Longer Time Before Replacement
Eventually, all light bulbs are going to go out. Depending on the amount used, it can be expensive to replace the bulbs regularly. Some light bulbs will burn out faster than others, so it's a good idea to opt for light bulbs that last longer. Depending on the price, this can help cut down on the maintenance expenses for growing cannabis, allowing for more funds to go to seeds and other supplies. 

Save on Energy Costs
The cost to operate a grow room, though it depends on the number of plants, can be expensive. For this reason, it's a good idea to opt for light bulbs that are more energy efficient. Some light bulbs require a lot more energy to operate, while others have minimal energy use. The lower the energy use is, the less the grower has to pay for the lights to help the plants grow properly and gain a higher yield. The right lights minimize the energy costs, while still providing the benefits of light to the cannabis plants.  

Today, growers have a number of options to choose from when they need lights for a grow room. A variety of light bulbs will have pros and cons, which can make finding the right bulbs a little more difficult. However, the right bulbs will include all of the benefits listed here, and more, so the grower can get a higher yield from their plants without spending a lot more money. Take a look at the different types of bulbs available today to see which ones will work great for your setup. 

HELENA – Montana's young hunters will have the state’s waterfowl and pheasants pretty much to themselves Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 25-26.

Licensed hunters ages 15 and under may hunt ducks, geese, coots, mergansers and ring-necked pheasants statewide on these two special days set aside for youngsters, but they must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult.

While the accompanying adult may not shoot, he or she can assist with setting decoys, calling and retrieving.

Prior to the youth hunt opener, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will release 2,700 pheasants on seven wildlife management areas. The WMAs that will receive pheasants include Canyon Ferry and Lake Helena in Region 3, Freezout and Beckman in Region 4, Grant Marsh and Yellowstone in Region 5, and Isaac Homestead in Region 7.

“We’re excited to give our youth hunters this new opportunity for success,” said FWP director Hank Worsech. “As we expand this program in the coming years, it will encourage hunter participation and recruitment across the state.”

The pheasants for the release were purchased with money that is set aside for pheasant stocking through the upland gamebird program.

This program will expand as FWP works with the Montana Department of Corrections to establish a gamebird-raising facility at the Montana State Prison. Birds raised at the prison will be used to stock appropriate state land in future years.

The statewide, two-day youth waterfowl and pheasant hunt is open to:

• legally licensed 12-15-year-olds who have completed hunter education and who are accompanied by an adult at least 18 years of age,
• properly certified and legally licensed apprentice hunters 10-15 years of age who are accompanied by a non-hunting adult "mentor" at least 21 years of age.

For more information on youth hunting opportunities, visit https://fwp.mt.gov/hunt/youth.