The Bozeman Public Library Foundation is seeking submissions for its 2017 Atrium Gallery Exhibition Series. The Atrium Gallery located in the Library lobby will showcase both traditional and innovative contemporary art forms, as well as the work of both established and emerging artists of our region.

The Library’s primary objective is to feature exhibitions that will expand public appreciation of art and reflect the diversity of the community. Selections will be made by the Library Art Committee, which is made up of local artists, community members, Library Foundation, and Library staff. Each exhibit will run for one to three months, determined by the committee.

The Bozeman Public Library is committed to promoting the visual and aesthetic enhancement of the Bozeman community through this ongoing presentation of rotating exhibits of public art in the Library. Proposals must be received by April 30, 2016.  Incomplete or late proposals will not be considered. For complete description of the program and guidelines, visit www.bozemanlibrary.org/about/art.php. For additional information, please contact Paula Beswick at 406-582-2426 or director@bozemanlibraryfoundation.org.

Zoot Enterprises is inviting Montana artists to submit proposals for displaying their work in the Zoot Art Gallery. The museum quality gallery boasts 108 square feet of wall hanging space and large floor areas for sculpture. One exhibiting artist described it as “. . . arguably the finest gallery space in the area.”

Exhibits rotate approximately every three months, and are selected by the Zoot Committee for the Arts (ZCA). Application materials deadline is February 19, 2016 COB.

When Zoot founder and CEO Chris Nelson planned Zoot’s new headquarters building he required an unusual design element: space for a dedicated, first-rate art gallery. 

“Art spurs creativity in the work place and we wanted to have that environment here. It’s also important to provide local artists with a venue to display their works.” says Nelson.

All work sold through the gallery is commission-free. Underwriting is provided for artists’ opening receptions.

Public hours are 9 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday. For further information and to download the application materials visit the Zoot art gallery website at www.zootartgallery.com or contact the gallery coordinator, Darcy Barry at dbarry@zootweb.com

Player's auditions will be held this SATURDAY (January 9) at 10am. If you are interested in participating in the Winter Players' Show, please plan to attend. The show will be Black Diamonds, a period piece set in 1884 in Bozeman City, Montana Territory. Performances are scheduled for February 19, 20, 26, 27 & 28.  Many roles for high school and middle school actors. Some roles for elementary ages as well. Click to learn more.

Students in the Winter Players' Show need to participate in at least one after school class.

CLASSES BEGIN THE WEEK OF JANUARY 11.  Be sure to check out our new offerings! Dance for the Stage Class focusing on tap, but also teaching other dance form basics, will also resume on Thursdays from 4-5. Already enrolled CLUB Kaleidoscope families, please let us know which classes you will be taking this session.

The Inaugural Bozeman's Choice Readers' Poll results are here, and they're all yours!

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The key to rehabilitating wounded wildlife is understanding the extent of an animal’s injuries. At the Montana Raptor Conservation Center (MRCC), this step just got a lot easier thanks to the non-profit’s new digital x-ray machine.



When an injured raptor is admitted, MRCC staff stabilize it and perform an initial assessment, which most often involves an x-ray, explains Director Becky Kean. “The images produced by digital x-ray are far superior to those produced on traditional film, which allows us to really target our efforts. Hollow bird bones shatter on impact and leave lots of tiny fragments. With this technology, we can see the fine detail and determine a plan of attack,” she says. The plan could involve setting the bone with splints and tape or surgically with pins.

A golden eagle with a shoulder fracture was one of the first patients to be diagnosed using the new x-ray technology. “We were able to see through the scapula and coracoid into the joint to identify the damage—the detail was impressive,” Kean continues. “Having that visual really helped us set the joint and give the eagle a better chance at recovery and release.”

The digital x-ray is also efficient, adds MRCC Assistant Director Jordan Spyke. “In the past, we’d have to develop film and drive it to the vet for analysis. Now, we can e-mail a digital image in less than half the time. That shortens the entire diagnostic process, and gives us more time to tend to the birds,” he says. “It also saves on supply costs because digital x-rays aren’t developed with chemicals like film is.” Both Spyke and Kean appreciate the reduced exposure to harsh chemicals and radiation associated with traditional x-ray.

“Despite offering both clinical advantages and operational efficiencies, MRCC is the only raptor rehabilitation center in the state with such a high-tech tool, and that’s largely because of the purchase price,” explains MRCC Board President Rick Sanders. “We are fortunate that so many supporters helped us take this significant step. The Gallatin Valley really ‘gave big’ for the digital x-ray this spring, which was a huge push toward our goal.”

Sanders explains that a majority of the funds needed to purchase the technology came in during the inaugural Give Big Gallatin Valley, a one-day community fundraising event that brought in more than $235,000 for 100 local non-profits. “The increased awareness from that day gave us the momentum we needed to meet our goal,” says Sanders, noting that additional funds came from generous matching funds, individual donors, and our friends at the Sacajawea Audubon.

“Although it required a large investment, we’re certain this technology will be worthwhile in the long run,” Sanders continues. “It saves on two critical resources: money and time. And, that efficiency makes it possible to care for more birds.”
The advantages couldn’t have come at a better time, according to Kean, since MRCC is on pace to break every admission record since it was founded in 1988.  “We have treated 230 this year,” she says. “That’s up almost 25% over 2014 when we treated a total of 190 raptors.” It’s difficult to tease out what’s driving the increase—changes in breeding and migration patterns, increased awareness about the Center, or something else—but Kean and Spyke are prepared to rehabilitate and release as many wild birds of prey as they can.

“Thanks to everyone out there who supports us,” Kean says, “2015 has been a great year and we couldn’t do it without you!”

Over 7,600 Scouts in Montana were able to experience adventure, learn life-long skills and positively impact their families and their communities this year.  The Boy Scouts endeavor to build the best possible leaders, neighbors and citizens for our communities.
 
We recently helped Eric, a first-class scout attend Summer Camp at K-M Scout Ranch near Lewistown with a campership.  Eric comes from a single-parent home and they don’t have the financial means to participate in Summer Camp.  While at camp, he earned five merit badges and participated in other camp adventures.  Without donations, Eric would not have had the financial means to attend camp.  Today, as a Star Scout, he is helping younger Scouts learn the skills they will need to succeed.  Each day, your support would make stories like Eric’s possible.

We are launching our 2015 Year-End Campaign.  Our goal is to help an additional 80 scouts realize their potential through the Scouting program.  You see, even though we helped over 7,600 Scouts so far this year, there are still scouts in need of our support.  The Montana Council invests $250 per Scout per year offering the best possible program to our youth.

That’s why our goal for this campaign is to raise $21,000 by December 31st for the Mountain Valley District.  If we raise that amount, we’ll be able to support 80 more scouts.  FIRST, we need your help to make it happen.
 
Would you be willing to make a donation now to help us meet our goal and support more Scouts?  We simply can’t do it without you.  Your support will make a real, lasting impact in the lives of those who are still in need.
 
You can donate online at www.montanabsa.org/support.  Please make your donation today.  The impact you make on our communities is lasting.

Community Café hosts Bozeman High School ProStart culinary students as guest chefs. The Community Cafe is part of the HRDC’s Emergency Food and Nutrition Initiative, working to improve food security in SW Montana. The Café has been providing hot, nutritious meals to the community since 2012. As Montana’s only “Pay What You Can” Café, you pay whatever you feel the meal is worth. If you can pay more, please do. If you have a little less, pay what you can and enjoy!

This Friday, December 11th, the meal is being prepared in partnership with Bozeman High School’s ProStart Culinary Program. The ProStart Program helps develop aspiring culinarians in high schools across the nation, and hosts an annual state and national invitational competition. Last year, the program’s culinary students won the State Invitational after working at the Café, a feat we hope to help them to repeat.

This partnership supports provision of the Café’s three tenets of food, opportunity, and education by offering participants an opportunity to develop as a team while providing delicious, nutritious meals for our community. The meals being prepared by the students can be enjoyed from 5-7 pm at the Community Café, located at 302 N. 7th Avenue in Bozeman, December 11th, February 5th, March 4th and 25th, and April 15th and 29th.

The Community Cafe is part of the HRDC’s Emergency Food and Nutrition Initiative, working to improve food security in SW Montana. The Café was founded when an increase in families needing emergency food boxes was observed at the Gallatin Valley Food Bank. The Community Café is Montana’s only Pay What You Can restaurant, open 365 days a year for dinner from 5-7pm. The HRDC was established in 1975 and serves Gallatin, Park, and Meagher Counties in southwest Montana.  HRDC is a non-profit community action agency, dedicated to strengthening community and advancing the quality of people’s lives.  

Bozeman's 7th annual Baby Formula drive is about to kick off. Infants from the age of 1 day old to around 6-8 months rely solely on their mother’s milk or baby formula for food. Mothers who need to immediately return to work, have medical complications or can’t breast feed for one reason or another are forced to take up the very expensive option of formula. 

Our local food bank has an overwhelming need for formula, it is increasingly common for mothers on welfare to “stretch” their formula by adding too much water and subsequently hospitalize their children. Mothers don’t do this out of neglect; they just couldn’t afford to purchase more and don’t realize the consequences of thier actions.

The fact is, very few people donate formula to food banks. The Gallatin Valley Food Bank says that when they are lucky enough to receive any, it is usually off the shelves seconds after they put it on. It is one of the hardest items for them to stock.

So, in your holiday giving as you are looking over your list of charities, please pick up a can or two of formula and help us get these babies the food they need. I will be collecting formula from December 5th – December 20th to be delivered to the food bank. But, don’t forget you can also drop a can in the any Food Bank collection bin year round.

This year, Altitude Gallery (134 E. Main St.- drop off hours are 11:00-4:00 Mon.– Sat.) has been nice enough to act as a public drop off for any purchased cans. Or, feel free to call Kama at 509-939-5383 and I can come collect it from you.