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.”

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!

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. 

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.

HRDC is pleased to announce the successful purchase of property in Gardiner, Montana to help address the community’s workforce housing needs. The property, located at 40 Jardine Road, consists of a three-bedroom home on 4.6 acres. HRDC is working to design a development consisting of a mix of ownership and rental opportunities to meet community needs.

HRDC has been working closely with the Gardiner community since 2015 to assess housing needs and identify potential solutions. Both availability and affordability of homes in the Gardiner community has continued to deteriorate for local workers as more homes are converted to second homes or short-term rentals. This has affected small businesses, local schools, and community organizations.

For the past five years, identifying a property for the development of new affordable housing has been a priority. HRDC staff has vetted properties as they come to market, worked with community members to find out when properties may be available, and talked with owners
about potential development partnerships. This new property represents the culmination of these efforts, and the opportunity to make a significant contribution to the community’s housing needs.

While still in its early development phases, HRDC hopes to engage community members throughout 2021 to refine the proposed project.

For more information about HRDC, visit thehrdc.org.

The Salvation Army is taking its iconic red kettles virtual. This holiday season, The Salvation Army is seeing a greater need for their services – more than any in recent history. COVID-19 has not only created a bigger need for the organization to fill, it will also decrease the number of traditional red kettles our community used to seeing on street corners and at store entrances each Christmas season.

 
That’s why The Salvation Army is offering the Virtual Red Kettle. It allows the community to support their neighbors in need and allows them to participate in the traditional red kettle experience, all without ever leaving their homes. It’s the ultimate socially distant way to give back this holiday season.

 
Donors can go online to bozemanredkettle.org to give a gift or create their own fundraiser for The Salvation Army. Donations given to the Bozeman campaign stay in the Bozeman community. For example, a gift of $25 could provide a toy for two children this Christmas. When you click the donate button, you’ll hear an actual Salvation Army bell ring!

 
Last holiday season, The Salvation Army raised more than $126 million nationally through red kettles. Due to closing of retail stores, a decrease in foot traffic, consumers carrying less cash and coins, The Salvation Army could see up to a 50 percent decrease in funds raised nationally through red kettles. If this happens, our ability to provide services for the most vulnerable every day and during disasters would be severely reduced.

 
People count on The Salvation Army to be there when they need help. Now, we’re asking for assistance. We are calling on the community to donate their time and/or money to help rescue Christmas for their neighbors in need. Here are some other ways we’re making giving back easier and safer than ever:
 
• Make a donation to The Salvation Army at bozemanredkettle.org
• Give cash, change or use Apple Pay or Google Pay at an in-person red kettle
• Sign up to become a bell ringer at volunteer.usawest.org  (The Salvation Army has adopted nationally mandated COVID-19 safety protocols)
 
The red kettle tradition began in 1891 when Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee wanted to help feed needy citizens in San Francisco. McFee remembered the ferry landings in Liverpool England, where people would sit with small kettles that travelers would toss spare change into to help the less fortunate. Placing his own kettle on Market Street in Oakland California, McFee was able to help individuals on Christmas. The idea traveled to Boston in 1897 and the Red Kettle Campaign has been a tradition ever since.

With the holiday season comes the idea of giving gifts, and, according to Montana State University Extension, gifting an asset can be not only a great opportunity to express love and affection but also an opportunity for the gift to become a living legacy. Children and grandchildren could have the opportunity to participate in the management of a family business or could finance their education using assets gifted from family members.

According to Marsha Goetting, MSU Extension family economics specialist, the types of property that can be living legacies include almost any item with monetary value. Examples include real estate, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, certificates of deposit, U.S. savings bonds, cars or trucks, livestock, and cash. 

“Giving away assets may sound simple at first, but federal gift tax laws should be followed to avoid potential problems later,” Goetting said. "While Montana does not have a gift tax, the federal government levies one upon transfers of real and/or personal property made during life if the person making the gift does not receive something of similar value in exchange.”

For example, if a father gives his son land with a fair market value of $100,000, the father has made a $100,000 gift. If the father sells the same land to his son for $1,000, he has made a gift of $99,000, the difference between the fair market value and the value received.

Federal law permits an annual exclusion of up to $15,000 on gifts below which payment of gift tax is not necessary, Goetting said. The recipients do not have to be family members and no gift tax return needs to be filed for gifts up to $15,000. 

“The gifts can also be used in other efficient ways,” Goetting added. “A grandmother in Billings gifted $15,000 to her adult granddaughter. The granddaughter split up the gift by putting portions in Montana Medical Care Savings Accounts, an IRA and a Montana First Time Home Buyer’s Account. In doing so, the grandmother’s gift saved her granddaughter $1,635 in state and federal income taxes.”

A copy of the MontGuide “Gifting: A Property Transfer Tool of Estate Planning” is available at https://store.msuextension.org/publications/FamilyFinancialManagement/MT199105HR.pdf. Physical copies are also available at local MSU county or reservation Extension offices.

Montana State University Extension has a new, free, 40-page color booklet available about diagnosing herbicide injury on plants.

“While herbicides are useful tools for managing weeds, sometimes they can also injure desired plants,” said Noelle Orloff, a diagnostician in the Schutter Diagnostic Lab. “This injury is referred to as non-target injury, or damage to plants other than the target weeds intended to be controlled by an herbicide application.”

Orloff said non-target herbicide injury is a continuing concern in Montana. For example, plant samples assessed for herbicide injury symptoms by MSU’s Schutter Diagnostic Lab increased 90% between 2013 and 2018, from 60 to 115 samples annually. The new guide is part of a response to help MSU Extension agents and others diagnose herbicide injury issues. Orloff said diagnosis can be difficult because symptoms may look like those caused by insects, disease or weather conditions. Another goal of the guide is to help pesticide applicators understand and prevent common causes of non-target herbicide injury, Orloff said.

The guide describes common causes of non-target herbicide injury, such as herbicide drift and herbicide carryover; operator error and faulty application equipment; and environmental and plant factors that make herbicide injury more likely. It summarizes how to prevent herbicide injury, then describes how to diagnose herbicide injury, including a list of evidence to gather and questions to ask. It also includes a key to plant symptoms, as well as photos and descriptions of plant symptoms for different types of herbicides. The guide is written by Orloff; Jane Mangold, MSU Extension invasive plant specialist; and Tim Seipel, MSU Extension cropland weed specialist. The printed guides are funded by a grant from USDA-NIFA.

A printed copy of the spiral-bound booklet (EB0232) is available to order from the MSU Extension Distribution Center. A nominal shipping charge will be applied. Orders may be placed by visiting www.msuextension.org/store or calling 406-994-3273. The booklet is also available as a downloadable PDF at store.msuextension.org/publications/AgandNaturalResources/EB0232.pdf
and as an HTML website at msuextension.org/pubs/herbicideinjuryguide/index.html.

Plumbing is anything that transports fluids to various locations for various purposes. Plumbing includes pipes, fittings, pipes fixtures, and various other apparatuses for carrying fluids around. In the United States, plumbers are trained on how to install, repair, and maintain plumbing systems. Plumbing repairs can be very costly, especially if you do not have professional expertise, but there are many plumbing companies that offer their services at reasonable rates and charges. This article provides a brief overview of the many types of plumbing systems that are found in homes.

Common Types of Plumbing Systems
The most common type of plumbing system in the home is the toilet. A toilet is a device that is attached to a sink. A typical toilet consists of a bowl and some parts of the pipe system. The pipes are usually made of copper or plastic, and there are also some which are made of cast iron and made into some special fixtures.

A bathtub is another type of plumbing system used in the home. Bathtubs are usually made up of plastic piping and fixtures that carry water into the tub and out of it. These pipes and fixtures can vary greatly from one bathroom to another. You can even have a bathtub that has a jetted spray feature and a showerhead in it.

A sink is a device that sits under a faucet. In older homes, the sink was usually connected to the faucet through a hole in the sink, but in newer homes, the sink usually sits atop the faucet and has its own pipe system. There is usually a small pipe attached to the faucet that is used to draw water. When the water reaches the sink, it goes through the pipe system until it reaches the drain. When the drain is full, the water travels back to the faucet, and the cycle continues.

The next type of plumbing system is the hot water heater. Hot water heaters are usually installed in the basement or on the first floor of the home. These devices heat water in a tank that contains a coil. The heating coil is located in a tank that is filled with water, and in order to turn on the device, a switch is used.

The next type of plumbing system is the gas line that connects the hot water heater to the rest of the plumbing in the home. A gas line is also known as a gas pipe. A hot water tank also called an ice box, contains liquid fuel to burn the gas to produce steam. The water in the tank is burned as fuel for producing steam in a system similar to a boiler.

Finally, the electric line connects the hot water tank and the plumbing in the home to the electrical power source. The water is heated when the tank is filled with gas and this system usually has two electric wires. These wires run to a thermostat that controls the temperature. The thermostat is a device that controls the heat to control the water heater.

Plumbing Repair Companies
There are many plumbing repair companies out there that are ready to give you advice about the various types of plumbing systems that are used in homes and the Yukon Heating and Plumbing repair companies that will work with you to fix your plumbing system. However, before hiring a plumber, it is important to find a company that has experience with the kind of plumbing that is involved with your home and the type of system you have.

There are many plumbing repair companies that advertise themselves as having knowledge about all types of plumbing. The important thing is to do some research into the plumbers before you hire them. If you find one that has a large amount of experience with plumbing but doesn't have a great reputation, then you may want to look elsewhere to find a qualified plumber.

Find someone with experience and someone who can take care of your home when it needs fixing. Don't take chances by hiring an inexperienced plumber, because you could end up having to pay more for the work than what you would have to.

You can find plumbing repair companies in your local phone book. you can also find some plumbing repair companies online.

A plumber is a person who provides plumbing services. Plumbing refers to any method that carries liquids for various purposes. Plumbing systems include septic systems, sewage, underground, and surface-water systems. The word "plumbing" has come from "plastra", an ancient form of water treatment that involves the use of salt or potassium as part of the treatment process.

Plumbing System
A plumbing system consists of different components and equipment. It comprises the pipes themselves, such as tubs, toilets, sinks, faucets, showers, sinks, baths, showers, kitchen sinks, toilets, drains, and toilets. These are then followed by valves or valve boxes. Water is pumped through the pipes via the valves. When you turn on the toilet, water is passed through the pipes and then into the drain.

Another important component of the plumbing system is the tank. The tank can be made of steel or concrete, depending on the type of system it serves. In addition to the tank, there are valves which are used to control the flow of water from the toilet and into the tank.

Plumber also refers to someone who works with Danforth Heating & Plumbing systems such as sewer lines. The system will either run inside a house or outside of the house; in either case, the plumber's work is to maintain, repair, install, or replace any plumbing system in the house.

Basic Functions of a Plumber
A plumber is also referred to as sewer man because he or she works with sewer lines and the pipes and equipment that serve them. Plumbers carry out their job by installing pipe joints, fixing clogs in the pipes and cleaning out any clogs before they cause major problems. Plumbers also use special equipment to clean out drains and sewers and to check for leaks.

Plumbers also have to do minor repairs on the sewer line or drain. These repairs include replacing damaged pipes, cleaning out blockages, repairing damaged joints, and tightening and lubricating the pipe. They also perform maintenance on valves to check for leaks. leaks, repairing damaged pipes and fixtures and unclogging clogs. If there is a problem with a pipe or drain, plumbers will need to fix the leak or repair the pipe by either replacing it or by adding a new one.

Plumbers also install and repair drains and sewer lines if the homeowner doesn't know how to do it themselves. When a homeowner isn't skilled in plumbing repair or installation, it's best to contact a licensed plumber. To find a licensed plumber, a good source of information to look up plumbers in your area is the Better Business Bureau. Plumbers should also be licensed, bonded, and insured.

Plumbers also need to have a license, be properly trained and have undergone proper training and examinations to safely and efficiently carry out their work. This training and certification are very important if they are going to be using a particular type of plumbing system, such as plumbing for your home. Licensed plumbers should be properly trained to work with the equipment that is being used to install, or repair the plumbing system on a home, as well as having been properly insured.

Plumbing safety training includes basic techniques for plumbing systems as well as procedures for installing and repairing the plumbing system. Plumbers should be able to teach you how to identify dangerous substances in the home. Plumbers should also be able to show you how to use equipment safely. While some types of plumbing systems can be used by non-experienced people, plumbers need to be able to teach the steps involved in handling those types of plumbing systems.

Once you have been trained by a certified plumber, it is important that you keep your home well maintained so that the plumber knows exactly what to do if there is a problem. Or a hazard in your home. Plumbers are often asked to come to your home to help you keep it safe and ensure that all household chemicals, liquids, materials, gases, foods, and medications are kept in good condition and in an appropriate place.

Plumbing inspections, repairs, and installations are not inexpensive to do and a plumber will charge a lot of money to do a job. This is why it is important to research a plumber before making an agreement. If you are planning to hire a plumber, you should make sure to ask lots of questions. It is important that the plumber can give you honest answers so that you can get a true picture of how much money you will have to pay him or her for the service.

Once you find a reputable plumbing contractor, they will likely offer to let you call their office and talk to a professional plumber at a later time, usually for free. They will be able to tell you exactly what they charge for the service and you will be able to see what is included in the contract.