Big Sky Blog

Sarpy Sam has a potentially rage-inducing post up…it seems that the school that his young’un attends is requiring that he complete a form for free/reduced price lunches in the school cafeteria. But there’s a twist: Sam’s child doesn’t purchase cafeteria food, as Sam’s Darling Wife packs her a healthy meal every day. So why should Sam have to fill out this ridiculous form? I like how Sam plans to handle this — and hope he gives us an update tomorrow. And to other Big Sky Bloggers — have you heard of this, or been told that you must fill out the application for free/reduced price lunches for any of your kids?

During last weekend’s Montana Blogger Bash (Kimbear Edition), a new Big Sky Blogger was found: Amber! You know the drill: click on over to Amber’s place, welcome her to the Big Sky Blogosphere, and be sure to toss her into your blogroll. Sounds like the MBB was quite a success – I’m kicking myself for not making it down to Billings. The “regulars” were there, of course, but there were even Special Guest Stars: Sarpy Sam and Karbon Kounty Moos and Pandora! More evidence here. Sounds like a great time – you guys rock!

The BRAC commission voted today to keep a flying mission at the 120th Air National Guard unit in Great Falls…perhaps not quite as newsworthy to folks in other areas of Montana, but the news was certainly well-received here in Great Falls.

I’m new here, but just wanted to post about our new home! We’ll be living in the Helena area. We’re putting our house up for sale here, and are busy packing and purging. Our sanity is kept by staring at all of the pictures we took in May when we bought our land!

We’re very impressed with all of Montana, from east to west, but the people in particular were the biggest suprise. I am just amazed by the spirit of the people in so many different areas that volunteer and do so many things together to help each other and their area. Every town we read about had some community project that saved everyone tax money and provided a chance to get together and accomplish something that everyone wanted. My husband looks forward to the privelege of volunteering for the fire patrols, as I am raring to go with the 4-H and community projects.

We thought we would have a hard time integrating ourselves because of very well deserved resentment of outsiders, but just on our small trip, our future neighbors were already helping us get to know the area and people! We look forward to earning the affections of our community.

We’re hoping to move by November, so here’s to the most wonderful state in the country!

I’m not sure what to make of Jeff Knows. It’s a strange and hilarious site, and it is owned and operated by a young man here in Montana. It’s not a blog, although some of the entries certainly are blog-like. I particularly like his rant about Hot Topic. Heh. He has entries about lots of topics, and you could spend quite a bit of time just wandering around.

Six Things About Montana: this was originally posted here nearly one year ago, but it deserves to be posted again so that everyone can enjoy it (either again, or for the first time). Anything to add?

Here is a pretty comprehensive list of Montana radio stations, sorted by town. Can’t vouch for the currency of the list, but a cursory look seems like it is fairly up-to-date. Links to many of the stations’ websites, too. Or you can view Montana stations sorted by call sign. My favorite local station (as of about four weeks ago) is 107.1 FM, also known as “SAM.” The station adopted the “Jack” format about a month ago, and retired the death-metal format that it had followed for years. The new format has critics, but an unscientific poll over at GreaterFalls.com shows that at least some of the locals enjoy the new sound.

Politics make for strange bedfellows…while I may disagree with many of the positions taken by the folks over at Left In The West, they are promoting a non-partisan cause that you can contribute to: a skatepark for Missoula. There’s even a formal mission statement from the Missoula Skatepark Association:

The Missoula Skatepark Association formed in 2000 as a way to prove to the City of Missoula that skaters could be organized and united in an effort to get a free, public, skatepark in our town.

If you’d like to contribute, there are several options, including some pretty cool swag.

I’ve seen a lot of discussion on the blog about people looking to move to Montana but holding off for fear they will not find a good job. Hope I am not violating any protocol on this blog by mentioning a job opportunity.

My company, LexBlog, is relocating from Seattle to Bozeman. We are the nation’s leading provider of professional marketing blogs to professional services firms throughout the country. Yes, by offering a turnkey blog solution so they are empowered to share their intellectual capital, one can grow a good sized and profitable company.

Among other positions, we’re looking to add a a dynamic professional to serve as Sales Support & Customer Service Manager to perform both sales support and long-term projects involving new business opportunities, blog site set up and customer training.

Click to my blog to learn more.

My computer seems to be going haywire and I will attempt to write this yet again! :0)

I logged onto the Bozeman Chronicle and noticed an ad for the Village Downtown. They appear to be townhomes but start at $615,000. This makes the “Palo Alto in the Rockies” comment seem to be even more accurate doesn’t it?

This so reminds me of California, minus the wages of course, that I could cry. I could move of course to another city in Montana but no other city has given me the feeling that Bozeman does. I wonder how many more people will move here before that feeling starts to diminish.