Friday, Feb. 24th, 2023

Smith River permit drawing results available

GREAT FALLS – The permit lottery results to float Smith River State Park in 2023 are now available online on FWP’s website. In addition to the online results, successful applicants will be notified via email. Links within the email will allow permit holders to download and print their float permit, as well as access important and detailed information regarding their upcoming Smith River float. Permits are required to float the iconic 59-mile stretch of the Smith River, which is celebrated for its spectacular scenery, remote location and excellent trout fishing.

The number of applications received this year was down slightly from 2022, with 14,497 applicants who were awarded a total of 1,470 float permits for launch dates between April 1 and Oct. 31. Montana residents drew 902 float permits, while nonresidents drew 568 permits. Every date between April 1 and Aug. 21 had all available permits allocated. The Smith River is typically floatable from mid-April to mid-July.  

For applicants who were unsuccessful in the regular permit drawing, Smith River Super Permit chances are available through March 23 for $5 each. One Super Permit winner will be allowed to launch on any date of their choosing. Chances may be purchased at FWP’s online licenses service webpage. The Super Permit drawing will be held on March 29. 

Floaters may also call the Smith River Reservation and Information Line at 406-454-5861 beginning Monday, March 6, to request any remaining launch dates or canceled permits. The call line will be open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to noon.

Floaters should be aware of the following items this year:

  • Floater registration will occur via phone, two days in advance of each scheduled launch date. In addition, the river rangers will assign a one-hour time interval for each float group to approach the boat ramp to launch.
  • Camp Baker is now a day-use only site, with no overnight camping allowed, except for the period of Sept. 1 through Nov. 30.
  • Pit toilets will continue to be provided in 2023 and floaters will not be required to pack-out human waste. Beginning in 2024, it is anticipated that mandatory human waste pack-out will be required.

For more information about Smith River State Park visit:  https://fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/smith-river.

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Thursday, Feb. 23rd, 2023

HRDC Seeks to Raise $1,000 Per Week for 10 Weeks to Help Fund Bozeman’s Only Pay-What-You-Can Restaurant

Committed to Combatting Food Insecurity, HRDC Seeks to Raise $1,000 Per Week for 10 Weeks to Help Fund Bozeman’s Only Pay-What-You-Can Restaurant

Over the past eleven years, HRDC’s Fork & Spoon restaurant has worked to ensure all community members have a warm meal to eat. Today, the significant rise in food costs has placed additional pressure on individual and household budgets making the restaurant’s pay-what-you-can model a solid tool that can be used to help stretch household incomes. HRDC is seeking the community’s participation in raising $10,000 over the course of 10 weeks to help meet the increase in demand at Fork & Spoon. To encourage donor participation, an anonymous donor has generously offered to match every dollar raised up to $10,000.

Supporters of HRDC and Fork & Spoon realize the direct impact their giving has on others in the community. Forty percent of Fork & Spoon’s annual operating budget comes directly from community donations, and so far, donations to the restaurant sit at just 23 percent of their overall budget with just 4 months remaining in their fiscal year to raise the difference. Andy Galloway, program manager, knows first-hand just how far donations go in helping keep the restaurant open for everyone. “Our social enterprise approach to running a restaurant has been very well received by community members. Without donor support, we would not have been able to serve over 22,000 meals last year, many of which were to those experiencing food insecurity.”

Fork & Spoon operates as a social enterprise in several ways. The pay-what-you-can model generates a nightly income from patrons who are able to pay, which in turn offsets the cost of diners who are only able to make a partial contribution, or in some cases, no contribution toward their meal. Additional revenue is generated through the restaurant’s catering and take-and-bake programs which offer a wide variety of delicious, scratch-made meals. When not in use during Fork & Spoon’s business hours, the dining room space is rented to groups for meetings and events while the kitchen space is rented to small entrepreneurial food-related businesses. All generated income is directly reinvested back into Fork & Spoon operations.

Jill Holder, HRDC’s Food and Nutrition Director, is grateful Fork & Spoon has been able to make a tangible difference in the lives of so many community members, “We believe nobody should ever have to

go to bed hungry. If we meet our goal, our spring fundraiser will allow us to continue to serve nutritious, chef-prepared meals to everyone who walks through our door, regardless of how much money they have in their pocket.”

Fork & Spoon is open for dinner Sunday through Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Nightly dinners can be prepared as take-out orders, and fresh-frozen meals are also available for pick-during these times as well. On Fridays, walk-in service is available from noon to 3:00 pm to pick up to-go meals or something from the take-and-bake freezer to warm up later.

More information about HRDC’s Fork & Spoon restaurant can be found here. For all other HRDC programs or services, visit thehrdc.org

 

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FWP Commission approves fishing regulation change for Holter Reservoir

New regulation increases possession limit for yellow perch  

HELENA – FWP’s Fish and Wildlife Commission has adopted a new regulation for yellow perch in Holter Reservoir near Helena. 

Effective immediately, the new regulation is 25 perch daily and 50 in possession. Previous regulations allowed both a daily and possession limit of 25 perch.   

Perch numbers in Holter Reservoir have increased over the past few years. The Upper Missouri River Reservoir Fisheries Management Plan guides Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks to maximize fishing opportunities when yellow perch abundance increases above goal objectives in the plan. This is now the case with perch, and the rationale behind the regulation change.  

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Top 5 Treats For Your Dogs On Their Day Out

Taking your dog out for a day of exploration can be a rewarding and enriching experience for pet owners. After ensuring your pet is properly vaccinated and all necessary precautions are taken, you can embark on an exciting and memorable outing. Whether hiking down trails, taking a scenic drive through the country, or enjoying some time in the park with your pup, you'll create indelible memories and strengthen the unstoppable bond between you and your four-legged friend. When going out with your beloved canine companion, prepare to come across new sights and smells, enjoy opportunities to socialize with other pet owners, and deepen the connection that has made you family - all while having an absolute blast!

 
Here Are 5 Treats For Your Dogs On Their Day Out
 
Meaty Treats
Why not treat your beloved pup to something special? Give your furry friend the gift of delectable flavors with meaty treats on their day out! These treats are made from premium ingredients and provide an enjoyable experience for any dog.
 
The combination of delicious, natural flavors can excite any pup. These treats will tantalize their taste buds and give your furry companion a little extra burst of enthusiasm for their fun day in the park or at the beach. So why not show them your love and appreciation with some irresistible meaty treats on their next adventure?


 
Kibble
A day out with your furry friend is a great opportunity to provide them with healthy and nutritious food. Kibble offers the perfect solution - dog-friendly ingredients, varied flavor options, and simple preparation.
 
Not only will they love the taste, but it's also easy for you to bring along on every outing. Its air-dried texture locks in all the necessary vitamins and minerals to keep your pet healthy and full of energy for an enjoyable day out. Give your dog Kibble next time you go on an adventure!
 
Cheesy Snack
Spoil your pup with a delicious and nutritious treat they won't resist! A cheesy snack is a perfect way to reward them during playtime on their day out. Made with real cheese, this snack will make tails wag with delight and leave them as satisfied as a content pup should.
 
It's also packed with vitamins and minerals that help support your pup's overall health, so you can relax knowing they're getting the best nutrition. Give your dog something special to look forward to on their next play date, and grab a pack of cheesy snacks today.
 
Veggie Treats
Taking your dog out can be a great way to bond and explore the world together - but don't forget to bring some veggie treats along for the ride! Veggie treats can provide the same satisfying and guilt-free snacking that your pup loves without any added fat and calories in a traditional meat treat.
 
From seasoned carrots to apple slices, adding naturally sourced ingredients like these will make their day extra special as they explore all the new textures and flavors. So next time you take your pet on an adventure, remember those vegetable-based treats and a scratch behind their ear - they'll thank you for it!
 
Doggie Desserts
Treating your pampered pup to a delectable Doggie Desert is a great way to make their day extra special! These doggy-approved treats blend natural ingredients and flavors with crunchy texture for a delightful, tail-wagging yummy indulgence.
 
Whether you choose bite-sized biscuits in sweet or savory flavors or delicate, cheesy desserts, these delicacies are all crafted with the same care and attention you lavish on your furry best friend every day. Feeding dog treats from Doggie Desserts will make them feel extra spoiled - after all, every pup deserves only the very best.

 
Why Should You Buy Dog Treats Online?
Shopping for dog treats online from https://cbdfx.com/collections/cbd-for-pets/ offers convenience, a great selection of options, and often more value for your money. You can buy quality treats from specialty pet shops without leaving your home's comfort; you can even set up a recurring order so that you never run out of your pup's favorite snack.
 
Plus, since no shipping costs are involved when buying online, you can often get the same snacks at better prices than you would find in retail stores. With so many different flavors and varieties, shopping for treats online will surely please you and your pup.
 
Why Is It Essential To Give Treats To Your Dog While On A Day Out?
Taking your pup with you on an outdoor adventure can be so much fun, but it's also important to remember how essential treats are when you're out and about. Fetching a stick or returning after venturing too far off can be tiring for your furry 'friends,' and ensuring they're well-fed and hydrated helps immensely.

 
Having treats within reach can also help distract them from anything that might bother them, like a noisy siren or loud fireworks in the distance. Furthermore, treats are great rewards for tricks or good behavior; not only does this make the little ones feel appreciated, but it also strengthens your bond with them as their trust increases. All these reasons add up to why giving dogs treats is so important no matter where you are.
 
Wrapping Up
Bringing your pet dog treats while on a day out is always a good idea to reward them for their companionship and motivate them. It also shows that you care about their well-being and happiness. Treats will boost your pet's energy levels, improve their focus during walks, and provide balance when boredom sets in. However, it is essential to remember that treats should not make up the bulk of your pet's diet. They should be given occasional rewards or snacks when they deserve them while being mindful of potential allergic reactions. As long as you stick to healthy food options with natural ingredients and limit portion sizes accordingly, giving treats while on the town can be an enjoyable experience for you and your four-legged friend.

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Tough Winter Season Creates Additional Financial Pressure For HRDC'S Thin Emergency Shelter Budget

BOZEMAN — For the third time this winter season, HRDC issued a Code Blue notice at its shelter to provide those who are experiencing homelessness a safe respite from the region’s frigid temperatures. The current weather conditions place all community members at high risk for exposure-related injuries, especially those who are unsheltered and are living in make-shift settings in cars, campers, and other vehicles.

When the Code Blue safety designation is deployed, HRDC’s shelter remains open around the clock and any guests with suspension notices are allowed to return to the shelter temporarily. In addition, HRDC’s staff members ramp up their street outreach efforts to encourage those without a roof over their heads to come into the shelter to ensure their safety. Given the below normal temperatures forecast over the next couple of days, Code Blue will remain in place until 9:00 am Friday morning.

Pushing HRDC’s shelter to its financial limit is the number of record low temperature days this winter. A significant increase in operating costs have been incurred in order to provide a warm, safe place to sleep for those who are most in need in our community. With occupancy rates remaining steady, the shelter houses upwards of 80 guests each evening, most of whom who are employed in the area but have been unable to secure affordable housing.

Jenna Huey, HRDC’s Emergency Shelter Services Manager, discussed the Code Blue warning designation this morning saying, “Each time temperatures dip to these extremes, it is a costly but necessary action for us to keep our facility operating 24 hours a day. While our Bozeman Warming Center does not have the funding to be fully open during daytime hours, as always, our guests’ safety remains our top concern.”

Huey continued, “There is a big misperception in our community that HRDC’s emergency shelter is funded by a government entity. While we are very grateful for the investment the City made in our shelter for summer operations, our annual costs this year far exceed any funding provided. Our facility is highly dependent upon the generosity of donors across our community, and every donation truly makes a difference whether its $5 that can be used to purchase a warm pair of socks or $500 that be used toward keeping our building warm. We encourage everyone to consider giving to our shelter to help us meet the most basic of needs in our community.”

Cash donations to the Warming Center can be made online by visiting https://thehrdc.org/donate/ or can be submitted by mail to HRDC, c/o The Warming Center, 32 S. Tracy Avenue, Bozeman, MT 59715

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Wednesday, Feb. 22nd, 2023

Factors to Know About Car Title Loans


If you're considering taking out a car title loan, it's important to understand the details before signing any paperwork. Car title loans are secured loans that allow you to use your vehicle as collateral. These loans can be beneficial if you need quick access to cash, but they should be used with caution. Here are a few factors you need to know before taking out a car title loan.

How Do I Qualify?
Depending on your location, to qualify for car title loans in Montana, you must own the vehicle outright with no liens placed against it. You will also need proof of income and valid identification, such as a driver's license or state ID card. Additionally, some lenders may require additional information, such as insurance documents or registration papers for your vehicle.  

It's important to note that having bad credit does not necessarily disqualify you from obtaining a car title loan since these types of loans are secured by the value of your vehicle rather than your credit score. This is why borrowers need to know their vehicles' worth before entering into agreements with lenders to get the best terms possible.

The Risks Involved
The most obvious risk associated with taking out a car title loan is that if you default on payments, your vehicle could be repossessed by the lender to recoup their losses. Many lenders charge high interest rates and fees, making repaying the debt more difficult than anticipated and leaving borrowers in an even worse financial situation than when they began. For this reason, it is important for borrowers to carefully read all terms and conditions before signing any contracts or agreements with lenders, so they fully understand what they are getting into before committing themselves financially.  

Many lenders have been accused of predatory lending practices aimed at vulnerable consumers who may not fully understand what they are getting into when taking out these types of loans. It'sIt's important for borrowers to research potential lenders thoroughly and ensure they understand all terms and conditions before entering into any agreement, so they don't end up paying more than necessary in interest or fees over time.

What Are the Alternatives?
There are a variety of alternatives to car title loans that can help you get the cash you need without putting your vehicle at risk. One option is a personal loan from a bank or credit union, which can provide quick access to funds and generally have lower interest rates and fees than car title loans. These types of loans may require a higher credit score than car title loans but can still be an option for those with bad or no credit.
 
Another alternative is to take out a secured loan against an asset such as home equity, investments, or savings accounts. These loans can give borrowers access to funds and require less paperwork than traditional consumer loans since an asset secures them. These loans' interest rates and fees vary depending on the lender, but they are generally lower than car title loan rates.

 
If you need access to funds quickly, some lenders offer payday loans which can provide borrowers with a short-term loan, usually paid back within two weeks or less. These loans often come with very high-interest rates and fees, so it is essential to understand the terms before signing any agreement.
 
Car title loans can be a great way to access quick cash, but they should be used cautiously. Ultimately, it's up to each borrower to decide which option makes the most sense for them based on their financial needs and situation.

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Montana State marks 20 years of progress bringing women to engineering and computer science


BOZEMAN
— When Christine Foreman came to Montana State University 20 years ago as a postdoctoral researcher, only three of 54 tenure-track faculty and less than 12% of students in MSU’s Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering were female, mirroring a national underrepresentation of women in the field.

For Foreman, as for other women navigating male-dominated professions, the experience was daunting at times but ultimately galvanizing. In 2012 she was appointed director of MSU’s Women in Engineering program by Brett Gunnink, who had become the college's dean and made recruiting female students a top priority, consistent with MSU's land-grant mission and inclusive culture.

Today the engineering college has 22 tenure-track women faculty, and 660 of its students, or nearly 20%, are female. That progress will be celebrated Friday evening at the 20th annual Women in Engineering Dinner, which will convene nearly 400 attendees, mostly female engineering undergraduates, at the MSU campus.

“It’s really powerful to see so many female engineers and computer scientists together in one room, because often, in the lab or the field, we’re in the minority,” said Foreman, the college’s associate dean for student success and a professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering. “At the dinner, there’s an energy that comes from gathering this whole community. We can celebrate and take power from that.”

The event, which Foreman organizes each year with help from the Women in Engineering program’s student advisory board, kicks off with a networking session where students meet prospective employers who sponsor the event. The highlight of the dinner is professional female engineers speaking about their experiences and offering guidance.

This year, in celebration of the event’s 20th anniversary, the speakers are four MSU alumni who graduated two decades ago: Michelle Haught is an engineer-turned-entrepreneur who also teaches in MSU’s Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship; Laura Jennings is a research professor at the University of Montana; Jessica Salo is a civil engineer focusing on municipal water and wastewater systems; and Libby Solomon leads hardware testing at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center.

“Connecting with successful female engineers can have a really powerful role modeling effect,” Foreman said. “Hearing these speakers’ stories, hopefully students will learn that there are so many different paths open to them for achieving their goals.”

MSU pioneered efforts to recruit women students into engineering under Lloyd Berg, who headed the chemical and biological engineering department for 33 years until 1979. Many of those female graduates climbed to top positions in companies like 3M and Boeing, and the Women in Engineering program emerged as a way to connect them with MSU students at events like the dinner, which started in 2003 with 50 attendees.

Maddie Bach, now a junior majoring in electrical engineering, attended the dinner four years ago when she was in high school in Billings. The event includes up to 30 high school students from around the state each year.

“It was a good way to meet faculty and talk with students about their experience,” said Bach, who now serves on the Women in Engineering advisory board. “That really inspired me to get involved when I came to MSU.”

“The best part of the Women in Engineering program is the community,” Bach added. “I’m still in the minority being a woman in electrical engineering, but it’s really cool to get together with women in other engineering disciplines, whether for studying or at the events.”

Jenna Brogen, a senior majoring in civil engineering and the president of MSU's student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers, got involved with Women in Engineering as a freshman and has served on the advisory board since she was a junior. “Especially during my first couple years in college, it was really rewarding to go to the events and learn about things like scholarship opportunities and connect with peers in a relaxed environment,” she said. “Mostly, it's a way to get together and build community.”

There’s still more to be done to show young women that engineering and computer science are professions where they can do more than just fit in — where they can excel, Foreman said. And the engineering college’s strides in the past 20 years mark not just progress but the creation of a supportive environment that's already empowering students who choose MSU, she added.

“Even if young women don’t feel those possibilities and that community where they are now, we want them to know that those exist at MSU,” Foreman said. “This is something we are very committed to.”

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Tuesday, Feb. 21st, 2023

Rock star: Montana State Earth sciences professor receives grant to study geologic history of the Rockies

BOZEMAN – Though the rock you idly kick along that mountain trail isn’t sentient, it does have a long memory – one that a Montana State University researcher is tapping to reveal the geologic history of southwest Montana dating from hundreds of millions to billions of years ago.

Devon Orme, assistant professor of geology in MSU’s Department of Earth Sciences in the College of Letters and Science, has been awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation to apply techniques she helped develop to unlock the unknown “deep-time” history of western North America.

Along with collaborators from Idaho State and Columbia universities, who will work in the Teton and Uinta ranges respectively, Orme and her students will analyze rocks in the mountains of southwest Montana to better understand the continent’s ancient tectonic activity. Some of the rocks they will study are more than 3 billion years old.

Montana State University Professor Devon Orme poses for a portrait in her Traphagen Hall lab on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Bozeman, Montana. The rocks she is holding were found together but their difference in age is over 2 billion years. MSU photo by Colter Peterson

All the ranges in the study are part of the Rocky Mountains, which stretch 3,000 miles from the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia in Canada to west-central New Mexico. The development of the Rockies is believed to have begun about 100 million to 80 million years ago, when the eastern edge of the Pacific oceanic plate continued to slide beneath the western edge of the block of Earth’s crust known as the North American Craton, which – in southwest Montana – sits “in our backyard,” Orme said.

The exact timing of this mountain-building event in southwest Montana is debated, and parts of what happened prior to that remain a mystery, as eons of erosion stripped away layers of rock and left a 2 billion-year gap in the geologic record known as the Great Unconformity. But now, Orme said, scientists can reconstruct the story by analyzing geochemical properties in rock that existed through the ages and is exposed in the Rocky Mountains.

“Rocks in the Beartooth, Bridger, Gallatin and Tobacco Root ranges hold the history and memory of geologic processes,” Orme said of the mountain ranges near Bozeman.

The research will build on a previous MSU study of the Beartooth Mountains in south-central Montana and northern Wyoming. A recently published paper in the journal Tectonics describes how the geologic history of the range was reconstructed with deep-time thermochronology using the mineral zircon, a process which Orme helped develop nearly 10 years ago. The technique exploits various degrees of damage to the crystalline structure of zircon and its uranium, thorium and helium content to find out when and how many times the rock was exposed to heat after being buried under sediment, then cooled after being uplifted during periods of faulting and erosion. The paper’s lead author, Chance Ronemus, conducted the work in Orme’s lab at MSU as a master’s student from 2019 to 2021.

Ronemus and the MSU team applied the method to rocks collected throughout the Beartooth range, including 2.8-billion-year-old samples taken from the top of Montana’s highest mountain, 12,807-foot-tall Granite Peak. The peak is well-known for being difficult to climb, so it wasn’t just the laborious sample analysis that “was a heroic effort by Chance,” Orme said.

The work proved that some of the rock comprising the Beartooths rose and fell many times before taking the shape we see today. It also helped validate the deep-time thermochronology method, which is being adopted by geologists around the globe who are excited by its potential, Orme said.

“In the last three years, use of the technique has exploded,” Orme said. Outside of North America, “researchers in China and India, for example, are applying it – it’s really cool to see the global ripple effect.”

Closer to home, the NSF funding will allow researchers to apply the technique to samples taken from a 400-mile segment of the Rocky Mountains. The three-year grant will provide opportunities for students from each institution to gain field and laboratory experience at all the study sites. From MSU, one graduate student and four undergraduate students will participate.

Primary objectives of the study are to fill a billion-year gap in the rock record along the western margin of the North American Craton, also known as Laurentia, and contribute to knowledge about Laurentian tectonics and the breakup of the supercontinent Rodinia, which occurred between 750 and 630 million years ago.

The teams also will collaborate with the Idaho Museum of Natural History to create a mobile exhibit highlighting the ancient history of the charismatic mountain ranges in the study. The exhibit will visit museums that serve rural, Rocky Mountain communities and tell the stories the rocks on that mountain path have stored in their ancient memories.

"The mountains have a much longer geologic history than the geologic processes that shaped the topography we see today,” Orme said. “My goaI is to reconstruct this entire history.”

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Taped Glasses: A Fashion Statement for the Ages 

Taped nerd glasses have long been the uniform of the vintage nerd. But why? We explore more below - we’ll also list some of our all-time favorite nerds on film and give you some tips to avoid needing to deploy the taped glasses look! Let’s dive in.

Why Would Anyone Wear Taped Glasses, Anyway?

Glasses featuring obvious tape on the bridge of the nose remain a key element of the classic ‘nerd’ look. But why? Well, the tape is there as a repair, holding together specs that have broken. The implication is that the wearer isn’t fussed about how they appear or whether their classmates will laugh at their DIY eyewear. This plays into the long-standing idea of the nerd as somewhat of a social outcast who isn’t concerned about fashion or outer appearances - because they’ve got so many amazing things going on in their brains, after all!

Nerds on Film

The nerd has got an impressive movie pedigree! Here are some of our fave nerds on film:
Egon Spengler
The brains behind Ghostbusters, Egon is book smart but awkward on the social front: the perfect nerd! He lists his hobbies as ‘spores, mold, and fungus.’ He’s also become one of the best-loved of the original Ghostbusters crew.

Professor Julius
The Nutty Professor from the original 1963 film is one of the most stereotypical representations of the nerd out there. With his thick-framed, taped glasses, shy demeanor, clumsiness, and super brain, Julius F. Kelp creates a serum that allows him to turn into his alter ego, Buddy Love…

Evie O’Connell
It’s not just the guys who get to be nerds! Evie O’Connell from The Mummy, played by Rachel Weisz, is both brainy and beautiful. She may be a librarian, but she’s also got some skills with a sword.

Napoleon Dynamite
One of the biggest nerds of the movie world, Napoleon Dynamite, was all too aware that ‘girls only want boyfriends who have great skills!’ This doesn’t stop him from helping his friend to victory in the class presidency contest.

Eugene Felsnic
The vintage nerd Eugene Felsnic appears in the movie Grease. Felsnic takes a lot of stick from the cool kids due to his thick glasses, bad jokes, and embarrassingly poor social skills. We still love you, Felsnic.

How to Avoid the Taped Glasses Look

Just because we’ve now largely taken the stereotypical nerd to our hearts - and embraced our inner nerdishness at the same time - doesn’t mean we’re happy to wander around with taped glasses in the event our spectacles break.

So how to avoid a potentially costly (and extremely inconvenient) breakage? Well, first off, choose high-quality spectacles. Cheaper, off-the-shelf store pairs may seem like a good idea, but there’s a high chance they won’t go the distance, and you’ll end up with a breakage on your hands. Check out the range at GlassesUSA.com for a vast range of high-quality, but affordable glasses and sunglasses, including prescription options.

And there are plenty of little steps you can take to prevent your specs from breaking day-to-day.
Like these:
• Keep your glasses in their case when you’re not wearing them.
• Before you sit down: check you’re not about to land on your glasses - this is one of the most common ways that specs get broken.
• If you play sports, consider purchasing a pair of special, reinforced frames and lenses to wear during this activity.
• If you notice any screws coming loose on your frames, tighten them as soon as possible.

Steering Clear of Scratches


It’s not just major breakages to steer clear of; there are also plenty of simple ways to avoid scratches to your glasses lenses which could compromise the clarity of vision they provide and shorten your specs’ lifespan.

Cleaning your glasses regularly is the easiest way to avoid lens scratches, as this ensures that debris is removed that could otherwise cause damage. Simply hold your glasses under warm running water, add a couple of drops of washing-up liquid to the lenses, gently clean them, and then rinse off carefully. Dry thoroughly with a soft microfiber cloth. Do this a couple of times a week.

If you do notice a scratch on the lenses, it’s important to take your spectacles to your eye care practitioner; they may be able to repair it, rather than you having to fork out for a brand new pair.

The Taped Glasses Takeaway

Since the 1950s, taped glasses, usually featuring thick frames, have been synonymous with ‘the nerd.’ Attitudes to this archetypal character have changed over the decades, and the nerd has now risen to become a generally loved character with audience members - sometimes even the hero of the movie! We’re right there behind them, cheering on their determination to be their own unique selves and not conform, sticking it to The Man along the way if they have to.

But just because we’re in their corner doesn’t mean we fancy breaking our glasses to get the tape-on-the-bridge-of-the-nose look. So use the tips above to keep your spectacles in perfect working order, whether you’re rocking the current clear frames trend or opting for chic-geek oversized black frames look. 

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Why Safety Is a Top Priority at Bozeman Elementary Schools


When it comes to student and staff safety, Bozeman is prepared. Bozeman administrators make safety a top priority each day in all Bozeman schools. No parent or administrator wants to reflect upon the unthinkable, but the school system wants to make sure students are fully protected in any situation, beginning with the very youngest in elementary schools. All safety procedures are determined and enacted in cooperation with Bozeman Law Enforcement.

With the increase in violent crimes and incidents in school buildings and on school properties across the United States, administrators, and law enforcement are leaving nothing to chance. When students do not feel safe and secure, they cannot learn.

Bozeman School District Safety

The Bozeman Public Schools District 7 is committed to safety and has implemented a variety of security measures. School district administrators collaborate closely with the Bozeman Police department, Fire department, County Emergency Services, and local hospitals and healthcare centers so that all schools are prepared in the event of an emergency.

The School District employs four SROs or School Resource Officers (licensed, sworn police officers) that work full-time for the school district. Safety audits are conducted for all school properties and include checks on access, communication systems, and potential environmental hazards.

All school buildings offer limited access to students and staff and feature very specific visitor check-in procedures now. The staff is required to always wear ID badges to be recognizable and visitors must have a visitor ID badge when frequenting school buildings.

Safety drills are conducted with the children throughout the school year. Detailed safety plans for all types of emergencies have been created and are constantly updated. But it doesn’t end there. Bozeman elementary schools benefit from two very important initiatives: Project Connect and the Secure-in-Place soft lockdown procedure.

Project Connect


Children spend most of their day at school, and families trust school administrators, teachers, and staff to keep their children out of harm’s way.

All schools in the Bozeman school district have implemented Project Connect. This project involves having parents and community volunteers greeting students and overseeing movement within school buildings and on elementary school playgrounds. Volunteers submit to a background check and have training available for working effectively at the school where they volunteer.

Welcoming greetings, interaction with students during lunch hour, a friendly chat in hallways, or a cheery goodbye at the end of the day’s end all contribute to having friendly assistance outside the actual classrooms. These volunteers bring added protection to the children in their care during the school day.

Secure-in-Place


Bozeman schools undoubtedly have the option of using full lockdowns should serious threats to schools be perceived, but Bozeman has added an extra layer of safety protection for its students and staff.  What’s the difference between a lockdown and a Secure-in-place?

School administrators together with the Bozeman Police Department have created a safety protocol if there is any suspicious activity involving police in the vicinity of schools even if it does not present a direct threat to the school itself or the students within. It is a type of “soft lockdown” where school administrators lock all exterior access points, so no one will be leaving or entering, but school activities will continue normally within school buildings. Once police deem that a threat is no longer present in the immediate area of the school, the secure-in-place protocol is lifted.

In May 2022, the Secure-in-Place protocol was activated for the Hawthorne and Whittier elementary schools because an armed suspect was in the area. The suspect never constituted a direct threat to the school or children, but choosing to exercise caution, school and law enforcement officials activated the protocol. 

Continuous communication between school district administrators and the Police Department took place for the duration of the Secure-in-place order. Bozeman High also enacted the protocol for several hours when a citizen reported suspicious activity near the high school. When law enforcement determined that there was no threat, the protocol was rescinded.

Bozeman Schools Look to the Future

Bozeman schools have been looking toward the future of security and student safety for several years. They have been gradually implementing steps to increase security measures. Security experts have participated along with local law enforcement in updating safety measures and providing feedback, especially for new school designs and renovations.

In some schools, entrances have been redesigned to direct visitor traffic to a designated office before allowing entrance to the school. Exterior access is limited so guests must use principal entrances. Door locks and security camera systems for schools are being improved with children’s safety in mind. New technology advancements like automatic door locking have been integrated into new school designs while renovations of existing schools will increase safety by integrating advanced security systems as well.

While school should be a time for learning, growth, and enjoyment, violence is a reality in our society. New technological advancements and close collaboration with law enforcement and emergency personnel are improving security. Bozeman elementary schools are prioritizing the safety of its students and staff through investment and engagement.

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