Bozeman — Come make memories that will last a lifetime at The Big Sky Country State Fair where memories are made! The Big Sky Country State Fair is July 19th-23rd and tickers are on sale now! The Big Sky Country State Fair is offering seven amazing ticket packages to choose from. Don’t forget to buy early for HUGE savings! All pricing increases at midnight on Tuesday, July 18th and all other ticket packages are no longer available. The ticket packages include Online Fair Admission, Advance Weekly Pass, Date Pack, MyKiss Pack, Carnival Wrist Bands, Bozeman Ranch Rodeo Roundup (Grandstand seating only) and Hero’s Day.

Online Gate Admission prices are discounted to $7 senior (62+), $10 Adult, and $4 Youth (6-12), Children five an under are free.

Advance Weekly Pass includes a package of five tickets- one admission for each day of Fair, day specific.

Date Pack includes two, one-day-use carnival wristbands and two, one-day-use adult Fair admission. This may be used any day and save 25% off of on-site price.

MyKiss Pack includes one carnival wristband for Wednesday, July 19 ONLY from 1-6 pm and one, one-day-use adult Fair admission. Save 45% off of on-site price.

Carnival Wristband one-day-use either Wednesday-Saturday 1-11 pm and 1-6 pm Sunday. Save 20% off of on-site price.

Hero’s Day is FREE one-day-use adult Fair admission for all first responders, veterans, and military personnel with valid ID. Hero’s Day is Sunday, July 23rd only.

Bozeman Ranch Rodeo Roundup is a reserved grandstand ticket but does NOT include your gate admission. Standing room only is still available around the arena and is free with gate admission.

With a record amount of free stage entertainment, the fair will have multiple activities for family members to enjoy or participate in. Families can enter the Competitive Exhibits Competition, Arena Cross Racing, and the Barnyard Brawl! A few of the free stage entertainment includes the all-new Barnyard with the Petting Zoo, Barnyard Races and Agriculture Educational displays, Sea Lion Splash, Flores Thrill Show, Canine Stars, Ladybug and Butterfly Encounter, Chicago Dancing Honey Bears, John Cassidy Magic Show, an Escape Artist, and Hypnotist. Make sure you also enjoy the carnival, our brand-new food vendors, Monster Truck show, and three nights of concerts! Concerts include Flo Rida with DJ Kronick on July 19th, Gary Allan on July 20th, and Billy Currington with Matt Stell on July 21st.

All tickets are available to purchase at 406statefair.com

The Depot's 2023 special exhibit “Crossing Borders” chronicles Highway 89 from Canada to Mexico through drawings, photographs, and film. The artist, Caroline Lavoie, is a professor in Land, Architecture and Environmental Planning at Utah State University. “Crossing Borders: The Landscapes & Communities of Highway 89,” provides a contemporary context for the traveler’s experience as Highway 89 links seven national parks across the Mountain West, and is sometimes called the National Park Highway. 

To celebrate our community, and our section of the 1800-mile-long highway in Park County, the Depot will offer Roadside Bites: A culinary journey of the chefs and restaurants along Highway 89 from Wilsall to Gardiner during the artist reception on Friday, June 9th at 6 p.m.

Visitors are welcome Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

The popular ongoing main exhibit “Rails Across the Rockies: A Century of People and Places” introduces visitors to the rich history of railroading in Montana. It gives special attention to the Northern Pacific and its central role in the opening of Yellowstone, America’s first national park, through Livingston beginning in the 1880s. 

In addition to its main and special exhibit, the museum also presents “Remarkable Migrations,” an adaptation of the groundbreaking exhibit by the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming. The exhibit uses art, science, and multimedia to delve into the challenges and triumphs of herds as they cross geographic, cultural, ecological, and political boundaries. 

Operated by the Livingston Depot Foundation and located at 200 West Park, the Depot is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is a nominal admission, and group visits are also welcome by special arrangements. Additional information can be obtained by visiting www.livingstondepot.org.  

HELENA – On Wednesday, May 18, Gov. Greg Gianforte signed the last of nine Montana Chamber of Commerce proposed bills into law. These bills, largely centered around tort reform, were championed by the Montana Chamber throughout the 68th Legislative Session. Working to improve the state’s business climate, policy priorities for the Chamber included modernizing ballot initiatives and reforming different elements of litigation including insurance claims, third-party litigation financing, and product liability.

“The Chamber shared a number of priorities with Governor Gianforte, especially around tax reform,” said Todd O’Hair, President/CEO, Montana Chamber of Commerce. “We are especially proud of the passage of HB212, which raised the business equipment tax exemption to $1 million, taking thousands of small businesses, farms, and ranches off the tax rolls.”

David Bell, President & CEO of ALPS Insurance, said, “We could not be more pleased with the leadership of the Montana Chamber of Commerce on tort reform this session. From helping lower insurance premiums through claims cooperation reform to protecting consumers from predatory litigation financers, they are working in the best interest of Montana businesses, and we were happy to collaborate with them throughout the process.”

The Montana Chamber is the only organization representing the general interests of virtually all industries and served as a powerful voice to help defeat legislation that would have undermined tax increment financing districts used to improve communities; made it difficult for banks to do business; and destabilized Montana’s worker’s compensation system.

Courtney Kibblewhite, the current Chair of the Montana Chamber of Commerce Board, appreciates that this organization can act as a sword and shield in the legislature. “Our staff led the way on extensive tort reform to lower the cost of doing business, encouraged entrepreneurship and workforce development, and defeated bills that would discourage business in Montana. Like most small business owners, I’m busy with the day-to-day operations of running a business. I’m grateful for the Montana Chamber of Commerce for watching out for our interests as a family-owned small business.”

The Montana Chamber also weighed in on more than 100 other pieces of legislation in accordance with the four pillars of their ten-year strategic plan, Envision2026.
Addressing workforce development was a key priority and took a variety of approaches. These included advocating for childcare programs, supporting additional funding for career and technical education (CTE), and allocating funding for innovative affordable housing solutions. The Chamber also supported other successful bills that funded infrastructure and encourage entrepreneurship in Montana.

A detailed list of the bills the Montana Chamber proposed, supported, and opposed this session can be found here.

Montana Chamber priority bills passed that lower the cost of doing business in Montana:
· SB 93 (Sen. Mike Cuffe – Eureka) strengthens transparency and reporting requirements for the ballot initiative process to maintain trust in the process and ensure legitimacy of proposals.
· SB 216 (Sen. Steve Fitzpatrick – Great Falls) institutes common sense product liability reforms to protect manufacturers and Montana businesses from frivolous lawsuits.
· SB 269 (Sen. Greg Hertz – Polson) sheds light on the shadowy industry of third-party litigation financing to protect consumers and encourage transparency.
· SB 165 (Sen. Barry Usher – Billings) requires claimants to cooperate with insurers who are investigating and adjusting claims to expedite reasonable claim adjustment.
· SB 236 (Sen. Greg Hertz – Polson) creates standards for time-limited demand letters to reduce unreasonable settlement demands.
· SB 260 (Sen. Dan Salomon – Ronan) ensures that captive insurers or self-insured companies are not subject to a bad faith claim merely for defending themselves in a case.
· SB 279 (Sen. Steve Fitzpatrick – Great Falls) raises the fair offer-of-settlement threshold to $3 million, incentivizing parties in more cases to settle at reasonable amounts, rather than pursuing expensive trials.
· HB 410 (Rep. Brandon Ler – Savage) reduces the time for service of process (the amount of time to serve a case after the case has been filed) down to two years, better allowing businesses to gather evidence and defend themselves in a lawsuit.
· HB 971 (Rep. Josh Kassmier – Fort Benton) explicitly states that the inclusion of a greenhouse gas and climate analysis in a Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) review is not required.

Bozemanites are extremely proud of their breathtaking natural surroundings, diverse outdoor activities, and thriving arts and culture scene. Plus, with around 300 sunny days per year, there’s a lot you can do around here, from world-renowned fly fishing and Yellowstone National Park excursions to cultural events and gourmet dining experiences. After all, there’s a good reason why Bozeman has a reputation as being "the most livable place." But what is there to do for seniors, especially if they don’t feel like going on a hike or taking on one of the many adventures available around here?

We did a bit of digging and found out how senior Bozemanites spend their time.

1. Engage in Local History at the Museum of the Rockies 

If you didn’t have the time to dive into local history as a young adult, you can visit the Museum of the Rockies as a senior and engage in local history and learn more about the region's natural and cultural heritage. As a renowned research center, the museum also features a wonderful collection of dinosaur fossils (one of the largest in the world), including specimens like the Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops. Moreover, visitors can explore permanent exhibits such as "Living History Farm" showcasing pioneer life, "Enduring Peoples" detailing American Indian cultures, and hands-on interactive science displays at Martin Children's Discovery Center.

Aside from its impressive regular exhibitions, the museum also hosts temporary exhibits covering diverse themes of art, history, and science. With a variety of fascinating displays and experiences designed to captivate guests of all ages, a visit to the Museum of the Rockies promises an educational and enjoyable outing for seniors.

Side note: Kids and teenagers also love this museum, so you can spend an entire afternoon with your nephews and enjoy some quality time together.

2. Art and Music-Related Activities

There are scientific studies that show you can enhance seniors' lives through art and music, either through practice or observation (or both, of course). Therefore, Bozeman's vibrant music scene is the ideal environment if you enjoy listening to good music and admiring beautiful art.

Bozeman offers a rich selection of symphonies, theaters, and live music performances that cater to various tastes. The Bozeman Symphony Orchestra, for instance, is a prestigious ensemble that regularly performs classical masterpieces and contemporary works throughout the concert season. They often host renowned guest artists and collaborate with local choirs to present exceptional shows.

Furthermore, Bozeman's lively arts community supports many smaller performance spaces like the Verge Theater and Rialto Bozeman. These venues offer intimate settings for enjoying local bands, open mic nights, talent showcases, and live theater performances.

3. Explore the Local Farmers' Market

There’s no other place in town where you can meet with dear old friends and find out the latest news than the Bozeman Farmers Market! This event is held every week from June through September and allows residents to buy fresh, locally-sourced produce, baked goods, meats, and cheeses. It also features handcrafted items like jewelry, pottery, clothing, and home decor made by talented local artists.

And if you want something different, you must try the Bogert Farmers' Market held on Tuesdays throughout the summer months. It offers not only fresh food and artisanal products but also promotes local music and arts by hosting live performances to entertain visitors.

4. Enjoy a Weekend Out with Family and/or Friends

Senior Bozemanites have plenty of centers, clubs, and wellness areas where they can gather, socialize, and enjoy fun activities. And whenever you feel like something new, there is a wide range of amazing eateries where you can have brunch with your friends and loved ones. Live music can also be found at restaurants and breweries throughout the city, and you can even choose the genre, from jazz to bluegrass to rock.

Plus, seniors interested in cultural activities can participate in group outings to local museums or theaters and explore nearby attractions with their peers. There are also plenty of seminars and workshops on topics like health management, technology skills, financial planning sessions, and other relevant subjects to support lifelong learning.

In Summary

Due to its diverse offerings and welcoming atmosphere, Bozeman is a truly exceptional city to spend your golden years. Here, you have unparalleled access to breathtaking natural beauty combined with a vibrant arts and culture scene that caters to all interests and preferences.

Moreover, the city's strong emphasis on local products and sustainable living is evident in its thriving farmers' markets, ensuring residents have an opportunity to support their community while enjoying the freshest produce.

Overall, Bozeman's unique blend of natural wonders, community-driven events, and resources tailored for seniors makes it an ideal destination for retirees who seek an enriching and fulfilling experience during their retirement years.

BOZEMAN — Kevin Hock likes rocks. He likes the way they look under flowing water. He also likes to find them, smash them and make them. 

The Montana State University ceramics major even has an exhibit on campus, displaying artwork he made from local rocks, an exhibit that has benefitted from a few new tools in the College of Arts and Architecture that have helped Hock and others develop their craft more quickly and efficiently. 

In late 2020, the ceramics program acquired three new kilns — oven-like machines that produce high enough temperatures to harden, dry or chemically change objects made from clay — from the Dutch company Blaauw. The gas-powered machines are controlled by computers, which makes them easy to use and programmable to within a degree of temperature. 

“They’re incredibly efficient and incredibly accurate,” said Josh DeWeese, ceramics professor and director of MSU’s School of Art. “They’re very predictable. We know what we’re going to get each time.” 

Common clays used in ceramics need to be fired at 2,000 to 2,300 degrees Fahrenheit to set and harden. The new kilns can be started in the evening, perform their task overnight and cool off by morning, according to DeWeese. 

That process would take about three days when using a different model gas-fired kiln, DeWeese said. He also said the new kilns use about a quarter of the energy as other kilns, making them more cost and energy efficient. 

“The new kilns give us the capability to fire more frequently, which gives students the ability to learn more about the process, get results quicker and make adjustments,” DeWeese said. 

Two of the Blaauw kilns are large machines used to set clay.  

The third is called a gradient kiln, which is used for testing materials. Administrators in the art school said they know of only one other U.S. college that has a Blaauw gradient kiln. 

The ceramics department acquired the kilns through MSU’s Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences Grant Program for the International Wild Clay Research Project, which studies wild, local materials used in ceramics and was co-founded by DeWeese. 

Hock, who thought about also majoring in geology, said the project has helped him focus his work.  

“Rocks are a cool tool to learn about different geological processes that form our landscape,” he said. 

A shelf at his workstation holds a stack of tiles, each about 2 inches wide and 19 inches long. The tiles are coated in glazes that get darker from left to right, resembling paint color strips. They are test pieces for glazes Hock has created. 

The process starts with finding rocks – Hock is currently working with basalt and granite from the Yellowstone River.  

He smashes those rocks with a hammer, a process Hock describes as “a soothing stress reliever.”   

Then, he heats the stones and transfers them to a ball mill, where they are grinded down. The resulting powder is made into a paste, which becomes the glaze. 

The glaze is applied to a strip of tile, which is then inserted into the side of the gradient kiln. The kiln heats sections of the tile to different temperatures, causing the glaze to react differently, which produces variations in color and sheen.  

“It’s been a great resource to quickly test materials and find out what temperature they work at,” Hock said. 

He uses these glazes on the mugs, bowls and ceramic rocks that sit on a shelf adjacent to his test tiles. 

Some of those items were part of a portfolio he put together to win the Cory and Diane Pulfrey Ceramics Scholarship. The scholarship awarded him $2,500, which he said will go toward tuition, allowing him more time to explore rivers and mountains in search of new materials instead of working at a bakery. 

To accompany the scholarship, Hock has an exhibit in the Dean’s Gallery at Cheever Hall. His piece is a pile of what appear to be shiny, multicolored river rocks but are actually ceramic creations. 

“I’ve chosen just to make rocks out of rocks,” he said. “But I’m really glad it’s fooling people.” 

Hock plans to graduate in the fall of 2023, but in the meantime is excited to split his time between nature and the ceramics lab. 

“I’m really looking forward to this summer,” Hock said. “I’m excited to have more time to research and test new materials.” 

HELENA – A mistake in last week’s drawing for some moose and big horn sheep licenses will result in fewer licenses issued than were originally drawn. 

The mistake occurred when quotas were incorrectly entered into the drawing system by licensing staff and resulted in more licenses being drawn in some districts than what the quota dictated. 

The affected sheep licenses are:

• 482-20: drew 20 applicants, but the quota was 15.
• 482-30: drew 40 applicants, but the quota was five.
• 622-30: drew 20 applicants, but the quota was 10.
• 680-31: drew 40 applicants, but the quota was 30. 

The affected moose licenses are:

• 270-50: drew three applicants, but the quota was two. 
• 332-00: drew eight applicants, but the quota was six.   
• 341-50: drew three applicants, but the quota was two. 

“We know this is disappointing for the people affected by this mistake, and we’re very sorry. We are putting the resource first, and here that means following the science for population management and ensuring that we meet hunters’ expectations for a quality hunt,” said FWP Deputy Director Dustin Temple. “In this circumstance, that means pulling back some of the licenses drawn to ensure the health of the sheep and moose populations in these areas.”

During drawings, FWP’s system allocates licenses in order, meaning the system knows which hunter was the first to be drawn, the second, third and so on. Because the drawings are done in this fashion, FWP staff can determine who was mistakenly awarded licenses beyond the appropriate quota. 

“This is the fairest way we know to fix this mistake, but it will mean some hunters who thought they were successful in the drawing, will not get a license,” Temple said.

Quota ranges are determined by the Fish and Wildlife Commission. FWP biologists set annual quotas for many species within the ranges approved by the commission. For instance, the commission might approve a quota range for a moose license of 1 to 10. FWP biologists look at numbers on the landscape, as well as other factors, and set a quota of two for that license. 

This solution will be implemented as soon as possible. The moose, sheep, goat and bison drawing occurred May 12. Staff realized the error May 16 and put a block on the ability for successful applicants in the affected districts to purchase their license. FWP staff are removing successful applicants based on their place in line in the original drawing. Once the system completes the corrections, the affected hunters will be notified by phone and email, and their MyFWP accounts will be updated. At this point, successful applicants will be able to purchase their licenses.

Since being ordered to close on April 20, 2023, food samples – including salmon and morel mushrooms – from Dave’s Sushi have been collected and analyzed. To date, all samples have come back negative for a series of pathogens and toxins. A thorough investigation led by the Gallatin City-County Health Department, with support from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is still ongoing and it is known that this investigation may not be able to identify a specific pathogen/toxin as a source of the outbreak that impacted 50 people. Three individuals had severe outcomes, including hospitalizations, and the deaths of two individuals are being investigated after eating at the restaurant.
The manner and cause of death for these two individuals will remain pending until autopsy and toxicology results are available.

In addition to the initial investigation of persons who became ill, the Gallatin City-County Health Department and the Department of Public Health and Human Services in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are also conducting an epidemiologic study to compare the menu items eaten by persons who became ill to the menu items for persons who also ate at the restaurant during the same time period but did not become ill. The preliminary analysis strongly suggests that the morel mushrooms were the food item that caused the outbreak and that other menu items that did not contain morel mushrooms were not associated with persons becoming ill. Dave’s Sushi has removed and discarded all morel mushrooms and other food inventory, and has corrected all violations from the April 18, 2023 inspection.

On May 17, 2023, the Gallatin City-County Health Officer determined that there is no longer an imminent health hazard preventing the establishment from reopening and rescinded the Closure Order and instituted a new Health Officer Order. This new order requires specific corrective actions that Dave’s Sushi has to satisfy prior to the restaurant re-opening for food service to mitigate any future risks to public health. The corrective actions include providing the health department with specific standard
operating procedures, including procedures for addressing biological toxins. Other actions include mandatory staff training for all food handlers and management staff; providing the names of the staff member(s) who have supervisory and management authority to the Health Department; successfully passing required inspections; and providing a fresh food inventory.

Once Dave’s Sushi has completed all required corrective actions, it can reopen.

“Foodborne illness outbreaks are a serious public health concern. We remain committed to working with our state and federal partners on further investigational activities and remain deeply saddened for all those affected by this outbreak,” said Gallatin City-County Health Officer Lori Christenson. “The Health Department and Dave’s Sushi took prompt action to reduce the possibility of new illnesses by closing the restaurant during the detailed investigative work. A foodborne illness outbreak can be disruptive, frustrating, feel scary, and, most tragically, result in death or severe injury. With the findings from the preliminary analysis pointing towards the morel mushrooms and required actions Dave’s Sushi must take prior to reopening, there is no known public health reason for the establishment to stay closed.”

The public can find more information about ford-borne illnesses here.

Helena, MT - The Montana’s Outdoor Legacy Foundation (MOLF) has received a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to focus on improving elk, mule deer and pronghorn migratory movements in southeast Montana. The grant provides MOLF and partners a total of $275,000 for priority work identified over the next two years. MOLF and our partners will contribute roughly an additional $1 million in matching funds and in-kind support.

“We are excited to work alongside our partners and private landowners to improve the migration of big game in Montana,” said Mitch King, Executive Director, Montana Outdoor Legacy Foundation. “We know where movements are inhibited and where habitats pose challenges, this funding allows us to put the research into action.”

In 2022, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department (FWP) identified five critical migration focus areas and supported research on big game movements to locate impediments impacting wildlife movements as well as areas where habitat degradation has fragmented wildlife movement and production. MOLF and the partners will use this research as the blueprint to remove or modify impediments and work to enhance grassland habitats important to wildlife and big game migration.

“Wildlife research is key to proper management, but without action that utilizes the information gained during the research to improve the landscape for those wildlife species we fall short in helping conserve the wildlife which we all love, said Brett Dorak, Miles City Wildlife Manager for FWP. “Being able to work with NFWF, MOLF, private landowners, and the other partners with these funds will help us address some key impediments to wildlife movements we have identified and improve access to critical habitats that pronghorn, elk, and mule deer require throughout all portions of the year for their survival now and into the future.

"MOLF’s southeast Montana project is a partnership between MOLF, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF), the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), FWP, BLM, FS and local ranchers & landowners. The project area includes four counties in southeast Montana (Custer, Carter, Rosebud and Powder River). As much of the project area is on private land, the ranching community in the area will play a key role in project implementation. MOLF and the other project partners will work with the agriculture community to identify cooperative projects to ensure that any work performed through the grant will not preclude the area’s traditional ranching and farming activities.

One of 13 projects selected by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), the grants will provide nearly $4 million in funding across the western U.S. to secure key migration paths and restore rangeland habitats for elk, mule deer and pronghorn. These grants were awarded through the Western Big Game Seasonal Habitat and Migration Corridors Fund, a partnership between NFWF, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and ConocoPhillips, with additional funding this year from the Bezos Earth Fund.

The City of Bozeman and Gallatin Valley Land Trust (GVLT) are teaming up to begin improvements at Burke Park/Peets Hill. Those visiting Peets Hill in the coming week can expect to see machinery and equipment making its way to the southern end of Burke Park where the new 12 acres were conserved as public parkland last January. Beginning the week of May 15, phase 1 will consist of the construction of two overlooks and All Abilities trail improvements on the newly purchased 12 acres.

“We couldn’t be more excited to take this important next step for Peets Hill,” Mitch Overton, Bozeman Parks & Recreation Director, stated. “Through an incredible partnership with GVLT and most importantly, the generosity of our community, we’re now able to create new trails, add fencing and trail signage, and establish three scenic overlooks. This park has a special place in our community’s heart, and this project is going to make it even better.”

The improvements are focused on providing expanded accessibility for everyone to enjoy the park and its views by incorporating principles of Universal Design. This includes building additional locations for seating to help protect native vegetation and creating more trail connections to facilitate users moving through the park to access other trail systems. Burke Park/Peets Hill is a beloved community asset, and so all improvements have been entirely informed by the community.

Over the last year, both GVLT and the City of Bozeman have solicited feedback on Burke Park Master Plan revisions through surveys and public meetings, collecting hundreds of responses and suggestions on how we can better care for Burke Park/Peets Hill. Community feedback clearly defined views of surrounding lands, preservation of native plants and wildflowers, and connectivity to other trails as the top priorities to enhance when making improvements.

“Peets Hill holds so many of our precious memories for those living in and visiting the Valley,” said Adam Johnson, GVLT Trails Program Manager. “It’s so important to us that these park enhancements honor the wishes of the community that fought so hard to protect the park and expand access to everyone.”

The construction area will not require prolonged trail closures, but park users should be mindful of the heavy machinery operating on Peets Hill, keep their ears and eyes open, and keep pets leashed and small children under control when entering posted construction areas.