Big Sky Blog

Well, what do you think? After a few months of the modified “Cutline” theme, which I had tinkered with endlessly and still couldn’t get just right, it was time for a change. This new theme is called “YGoMystery” and although it is dark around the edges, I like that the content is highlighted — clearly distinguishable from the sidebars. Pretty sure that I accounted for everything in making the switch – recent comments, archives, Flickr pix, etc. Let me know what you think in the comments, or if you find any glitches. Thanks!

In 1864, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, anxious to create new free territories during the Civil War, signed an act establishing the Montana Territory. Montana became a state 25 years later.

Shameless Plug Alert: Meet Kirk Maier. He’s an author who bills himself simply as “a Montana conservative.” He likes to write: not only does he have a blog, but he’s also written two books. One is fiction, titled “A Conspiracy Of Death,” and in it Maier integrates his love of writing with his background as a deputy sheriff and coroner in North Central Montana. The other book is “Right Of Center: Say What’s On Your Cynical Mind,” in which Maier “takes on issues previously shrouded in hyper-sensitive political correctness.” Although I haven’t read the books yet, a quick read of some of his blog entries leads me to believe that both books will be well-written and insightful.

The “Big Sky Podcast” – also known as “Small Town, Long Streets” and hosted by Craig from MTPolitics.net – is now officially history. Craig hosted an hour-long discussion with me and Rob (aka Wulfgar!), and we were joined by callers GiftShoppeGuy, Moorcat, and Shane Mason (thanks guys!). The topics ranged from the history of the Montana blogosphere, the influence of milblogs and warblogs, the community aspects of blogging (esp as it relates to Montana), the role of MySpace and LiveJournal in the blogosphere, the unique nature of Montana blogging, and even some references to prehistoric times (BBS, Fidonet, etc). It was a good hour of interesting conversation, although I’m probably biased :-)

Side note: I wondered why no lady bloggers called in, and after the podcast suggested to Craig that perhaps a “Ladies of The Montana Blogosphere” podcast might be in order for a future episode. Patia, Moos, Amber, Jen…I’m looking in your direction!

You can listen to the podcast by either clicking here (wma), or by clicking here (mp3) — you can either listen to it stream, or download for listening later on your player of choice. Craig, Rob, and callers – thank you much – it was fun!

Some of you might already know that Craig of MT Politics has been experimenting with podcasting lately…he’s had a good run, interviewing interesting people, but now he’s hit the bottom on the barrel: me. Yep – tonight (Tuesday) Wednesday at 9:00 pm (Mountain Time), Craig will be talking with me. You can listen in by going here. But there is good news: there will be another guest – the shy, soft-spoken, retiring gentleman from Bozo known as Wulfgar. The three of us will talk about topics various and sundry, notably the Montana blogosphere, and I’m pretty sure that it’s a call-in show, so if you want to experience the thrill of saying “Long time listener, first time caller!” then ring us up!

UPDATE: as noted by Walter in the comments, the podcast/interview is on WEDNESDAY, May 23, at 9:00 pm (mt time). And the other guest is indeed Rob Kailey, who writes under the nom de blog of “Wulfgar!” And yes, the exclamation point is required for Wulfgar!.

Looking for something to do over the next several weeks? GiftShoppeGuy has a handy list of events in North Central Montana in places such as Lewistown, Shelby, Conrad, and Great Falls. Included are events such as fairs, picnics, golf, swimming, and lots more.

Montana is the only state in the country that provides for double proxy marriages — meaning that neither party need be present at the actual ceremony. Instead, stand-ins represent the bride and groom.

This is horrible: an airplane carrying two skydiving instructors, two skydiving students, and one pilot crashed near Marion today, killing all five people. The company, Skydive Lost Prairie, is located in NW Montana east of Kalispell. What a tragedy…my friend Ida did a skydive with the company about three years ago, and we were worried about the actual jump – not the plane ride. My sympathies to the families of all of the victims. Related: a Flickr group of pictures from 2005.

Rabbi Chaim Bruk of Bozeman was at the White House yesterday (Thursday, May 3) for the National Day of Prayer event with President George W. Bush.

While there, Rabbi Bruk had his picture taken with Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester and Representative Dennis Rehberg, and others.

If you’re a fan of Willie Nelson, listen up: the legendary musician will perform a free concert in Choteau on July 3rd! There aren’t too many tickets, compared to the size of the audience that Nelson normally commands, so the distribution of the tickets is pretty complicated:

Any adult with identification as a Teton County resident can claim four tickets on one of two distribution dates.
One batch of 1,500 tickets will be available on Saturday, May 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — or as long as they last — at the Choteau High School front lobby. The second batch of 1,500 tickets will be available from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 16, at the school.
Identification can be a current driver’s license, voter registration card or even a utility bill. People who get their four tickets aren’t eligible to get more, except through a lottery.
Fans outside of Teton County will get their chance at any unclaimed tickets from 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 19, at the school. The Chamber of Commerce Web site at www.choteaumontana.com will post how many tickets remain after May 16.
The final 200 tickets will be distributed through a lottery. Anyone can write their name, address and phone number on a postcard marked “Willie Nelson Ticket Lottery” and mail it to Choteau Jaycees, P.O. Box 274, Choteau, 59422.
Drawings will be held on June 1, 8, 15 and 22, with 25 people winning two tickets each time.

Small concert, big headliner = Choteau Pride!