New West Network

My Page: Alison Grey

<< Newer articles <<    Author Home     >> Older articles >>

Gallatin Valley Non-Profit Series

Successfully breaking into the high-tech market as a start-up company is a difficult endeavor, especially in a rural state like Montana. TechRanch, founded in 2007, is non-profit organization with a primary mission to foster the development of an innovative economy in the low-income, rural state of Montana through business educational programming and support.

As one of our state’s leading business development assistance organizations, TechRanch helps entrepreneurs, through education, resources and ideas, pursue ventures in high technology markets. Their goal is to help new businesses succeed more quickly and with less investment capital than they otherwise would have had, giving them a better shot at success.

The success of these companies can translate to increases in employment in rural areas, new sales revenue to the state and giving Montana companies a more competitive edge. Cindy Taylor, chairwoman, expands on TechRanch and their efforts. [more]

Southwest Montana’s Guide to Cross Country Skiing

When Melynda Harrison moved to Southwest Montana, she searched area bookstores for a guide book detailing the region’s cross country skiing trails. She realized there weren’t any. So, Harrison set out on a mission to visit all the area trails and write her own guide book about where to go cross-country skiing.

“I had a great guide book about cross country ski trials in Jackson Hole,” she said. “When I moved to the Bozeman area looking for something similar, and I realized there wasn’t anything.”

Her book, Ski Trails of Southwest Montana, details the top 30 cross country and snowshoe trails in Big Sky, Bozeman and the Paradise Valley.

With winter well-under way, it’s the ideal time to break out the Nordic gear and get out into the seemingly limitless outdoor paradise in our backyard. We asked Harrison to detail a few her favorite spots, and while narrowing them down was a bit difficult, here are her favorites: [more]

Gallatin Valley Non-Profit Series

Skiing has long been a Bozeman tradition. Organized skiing in the area dates back to 1935, when the first ski lift was constructed near Karst Camp in the Gallatin Canyon. With the creation of Bridger Ski Bowl (later to be known as Bridger Bowl Ski Area), the community rallied together to create the first organized Ski Club. Since then, organized skiing has come a long way with the creation of the Bridger Ski Foundation.

Hundreds of kids have gone through the ranks at BSF, including Olympians Leif Zimmerman and Jeff Johnson, NCAA Champion Dan Brelsford and a handful of U.S. Team members including, Kathy Andrerson, Mitze Cain Bowen, Travis Svensrud, Stuart Jennings, Paul Swenson and Kari Swenson.

Today, with seven board of directors, a bookkeeper, an office manager, coaches and hundreds of parent volunteers, the Bridger Ski Foundation is pursuing its status as a non-profit community based volunteer organization and striving to provide educational, competitive and social activities fostering personal and athletic excellence with an emphasis on youth, while encouraging participants of all ages. Kris Holland, BSF office manager, expands on the organization and its efforts.
[more]

Current Status of the Gallatin National Forest Travel Plan

This is the first winter that the revised Gallatin National Forest Travel Plan is in implementation. After a contentious year filled with a number meetings and negotiations regarding winter access to the area between the Forest Service and local advocacy groups led by skiers and ice-climbers, the Gallatin National Forest Service has begun work on the first phases of the plan.

Today, if you drive up Hyalite Canyon, you might be wondering why the road hasn’t been plowed and when will that happen? Where are the guardrails? Has work begun on other road improvements and safety features? Where are the educational signs to educate users on access and travel? Where’s all the money coming from to fund this, and what happens if it dries up?

The Travel Plan is legally in place, but its implementation is in the beginning of a multi-year, multi-phase process, with a number of factors, including weather and funding, impacting the timeliness of its implementation. And, with two pending lawsuits challenging the plan, it could potentially face even further roadblocks or changes.

Here is an update on what is going on now at Hyalite Canyon and what we can expect to see in the coming year:
[more]

Local Belgrade Artist

There is a certain fluidity about pottery, the transition between taking a chunk of clay, spinning it on the wheel, and molding a form from it, that has both intrigued and inspired Carl Sheehan for more than three decades.

“There’s a sensuous feeling of working with clay, taking a hard lump of clay, spinning it in on the wheel and turning it into a soft, almost liquid-like form and then creating something beautiful from it, that keeps me interested,” said Sheehan, who operates out of his garage-turned studio, Fire Hole Pottery, located just west of Bozeman.

Looking around Sheehan’s studio, two themes are immediately evident: family and pottery. Adorning the walls are a lifetime of pictures and children’s art projects, a mix of memories proudly displayed that paint the picture of both his career and his personal life.
[more]

Gallatin Valley Non-Profit Profile Series

There are an estimated two million HIV/Aids orphans in Uganda, with estimates that that number will grow to upwards of eight million in the next decade as more parents succumb to the disease.

Based on these staggering numbers, as well as a religious revelation, founder and chairman, Duncan Hill, created Uganda Orphans Fund in 1992, with a mission to rescue, nurture and love Uganda's future leaders. Recognized as a non-profit ministry in the U.S. and as a Foreign NGO (non-government organization) in the Republic of Uganda, UOF has, thus far, built homes and community centers for orphans in 12 Ugandan districts.

With a 12 member, strictly volunteer, board in U.S., and a six member board and salaried employees in Uganda, UOF relies solely on donations and contributions to fund the construction of homes and pursue their mission of improving the lives of orphaned children. Hill expands on UOF and their efforts. [more]

Drink beer, shoot the shit, warm the toes

Once the final lift at Bridger Bowl closes for the day, The Grizzly Ridge prepares itself for the influx of local skiers and boarders that faithfully make their way to the little base area bar and café to wind down with booze and grub.

It’s Friday, the opening day at Bridger, and in come the dirtbags, Sixer, Tommy Boy, Tully, Tony V. and all the other regulars, recognized by an assortment of nicknames, that have earned themselves a coveted spot in owner Don Bockhahn’s book of tabs. A tab gets you a monthly bill instead of paying daily, and to get one, you have to know the owner, and you better keep the payments on time, at least somewhat. The shit-talking commences, the pitchers come back for refills and it’s just like the place never closed down for the summer.

“At Bridger, you know everybody, it’s like a family,” said Bockhahn. “I like the good karma here. People are positive. I mean, who’s gonna be in a shit mood after skiing all day?" [more]

Gallatin Valley Non-Profit Series

The Gallatin Valley is home to over 200 non-profits. These organizations do not hinge on metropolitan amenities, and are often created to stimulate local communities of the West. As part of our New West economy, NewWest.Net/Bozeman is highlighting Gallatin Valley organizations in a weekly series.

With increasing teenage birth rates in Gallatin County over the past several years, the spread of sexually transmitted infections, as well as the high cost of contraceptives and its financial burden on Montana women, access to quality, affordable reproductive health care and education is a vitally important aspect to our community.

Bridger Clinic, with 24 staff members and four volunteers, was founded in 1972, and is a non-profit clinic with a mission to provide reproductive and related health care in a setting which respects the dignity, well-being and privacy of each individual. They are also committed to the provision of educational programs that enhance information and understanding about sexuality and reproductive health.

The clinic estimates that of the young and low-income women in need, only 39 percent receive family planning services. This is due, in large part, to federal flat-funding for family planning services, leaving smaller clinics vulnerable and reducing funds for marketing and education in larger clinics. Stephanie McDowell, associate director, expands further upon Bridger Clinic and its efforts. [more]

Kicking Off the Holiday Season

The summer construction, detours and traffic that accompanied the downtown makeover are dwindling to a distant memory, and Bozeman’s newly beautified Main Street is ready to host its most popular event of the season, The Christmas Stroll, kicking off this Saturday from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

With more than 6,000 people that flock to the streets to ring in the holiday season, the Stroll, in its 27th season, draws more people to Bozeman’s Downtown than any other community event, said Ellie Staley, program director for the Downtown Bozeman Partnership, which hosts the event with Bridger Bowl Ski Area.

“The stroll really marks the kick-off to the holiday season,” she said. “There was definitely some frustration over the summer with construction, but Downtown Bozeman is looking more beautiful than ever, and we’re excited to put the summer behind us and focus on the year to come.”
[more]

Gallatin Valley Non-Profit Profiles

“Good Morning. This is Doug Chabot from the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center with an early season Avalanche Information Bulletin...”

Before most of us head into the backcountry in Southwest Montana in search of powder and great turns, we count on this familiar voice to inform us on snow pack and mountain conditions. With daily updates and avalanche advisories on the Gallatin National Forest, which encompasses some 10,000-square-miles and five major mountain ranges, Chabot and the crew at the Avalanche Center, provide skiers, boarders and snowmobilers with the necessary information to make better, and safer, decisions in the backcountry.

Founded in 1990, the Friends of the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center (Friends of GNFAC) is a non-profit with a mission to promote avalanche awareness in Southwest Montana and financially assist the GNFAC in their operations. With 11 board members, a part-time education coordinator and several avalanche awareness instructors, the Friends lead avalanche lectures and classes, as well as support GNFAC through funding equipment purchases and educational materials as well as contributing to their operating costs.

Treasurer and Education Coordinator Jay Pape, expands on the organization and its efforts. [more]

<< Newer articles <<    Author Home     >> Older articles >>