Bozeman Stingers Coming to Big Sky TABLE of CONTENTS
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Jan. 17 - 30, 2020 Volume 11 // Issue #2 Chief Farhat’s final call Resort tax approves 1% increment TIGER grant public discussion Wolf reintroduction: 25 years later Bozeman Stingers coming to Big Sky TABLE OF CONTENTS LOCAL.........................................................................4 SPORTS.....................................................................33 REGIONAL NEWS BRIEFS...........................................8 BUSINESS..................................................................39 OPINION....................................................................10 HEALTH.....................................................................45 OBITUARIES...............................................................11 FUN...........................................................................47 OP NEWS..................................................................12 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT.........................................49 ENVIRONMENT & OUTDOORS..................................17 DINING......................................................................62 Jan. 17 - 30, 2020 Volume 11, Issue No. 2 Owned and published in Big Sky, Montana Chief Farhat’s final call Big Sky Fire Department Chief William Farhat, a veritable community hero, is stepping down after PUBLISHER 7 eight years of service to the Big Sky community. Farhat will be replaced in the interim by Deputy Chief Greg Megaard. Eric Ladd | [email protected] EDITORIAL Resort tax approves 1% increment EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, VP MEDIA 5 At their Jan. 11 open board meeting, the Big Sky Resort Area District tax board approved two applications Joseph T. O’Connor | [email protected] from the Big Sky Water and Sewer district that call for $35 million in resort tax funding, paid for through a tentative 1 percent resort tax hike. DIGITAL EDITOR, STAFF WRITER Michael Somerby | [email protected] TIGER grant public discussion SPORTS EDITOR / DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR On Jan. 9 the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce held a public discussion regarding concerns and the plan of Doug Hare | [email protected] 6 action for critical upgrades slated to occur along Lone Mountain Trail and Little Coyote Road beginning ENVIRONMENTAL & OUTDOORS EDITOR next summer, paid for by money awarded to the county in 2018 by a federal Transportation Investment Jessianne Castle | [email protected] Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant. STAFF WRITER, DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR Brandon Walker Wolf reintroduction: 25 years later 17 It’s been a quarter of a century since wolves were controversially reintroduced to Yellowstone National DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR, SOCIAL MEDIA Park. EBS Environmental Columnist Todd Wilkinson provides insight into the status of the watershed ASSISTANT | Kirby Grubaugh event, including population statistics for not only wolves, but also the species they prey on. CREATIVE Bozeman Stingers coming to Big Sky LEAD DESIGNER The Bozeman Stingers, a member of the Black Diamond Hockey League comprised of several ex- Marisa Specht 35 professional athletes, are hosting an outdoor hockey game at the Town Center Rink in Big Sky on Jan. GRAPHIC DESIGNER 25 where they will take on the Sun Valley Suns. The Stingers hope to make the outdoor showcase an ME Brown recurring annual event. SENIOR VIDEO EDITOR Ryan Weaver LEAD VIDEOGRAPHER Jennings Barmore SALES AND OPERATIONS CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Megan Paulson | [email protected] VP, SALES AND MARKETING EJ Daws | [email protected] VP OF EVENTS Ennion Williams | [email protected] MEDIA AND EVENTS DIRECTOR Ersin Ozer | [email protected] BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT LEAD Sam Brooks | [email protected] CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER Blythe Beaubien | [email protected] CONTROLLER Treston Wold Shrouded in snowfall, skiers and boarders chat to pass the time riding Big Sky Resort’s Swift Current lift before getting a chance to hunt CONTRIBUTORS untouched tracks. PHOTO BY JONATHAN STONE Kathy Bouchard, Reagan Colyer, Jeannie Counce, Mead Gruver, Anna Husted, Ted EDITORIAL POLICIES Kooser, Sara Marino, Scott Mechura, Em- EDITORIAL POLICY LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ADVERTISING DEADLINE ily Stifler Wolfe, David Tucker, Matt Volz, Outlaw Partners, LLC is the sole owner of Letters to the editor allow EBS readers to For the January 31, 2020 issue: Dr. Andrea Wick, Todd Wilkinson Explore Big Sky. EBS reserves the right to edit express views and share how they would like to January 22, 2020 all submitted material. Printed material reflects effect change. These are not Thank You notes. the opinion of the author and is not necessarily Letters should be 250 words or less, respectful, CORRECTIONS ON THE COVER: the opinion of Outlaw Partners or its editors. ethical, accurate, and proofread for grammar Please report errors to [email protected]. Start ‘em young. Colt Berglund, EBS will not publish anything discriminatory or and content. We reserve the right to edit letters 14-months old, takes a break from his in bad taste. and will not publish individual grievances about OUTLAW PARTNERS & EXPLORE BIG SKY specific businesses or letters that are abusive, P.O. Box 160250, Big Sky, MT 59716 magic carpet laps next to the Madison EBS welcomes obituaries written by family malicious or potentially libelous. Include: full (406) 995-2055 • [email protected] Base to snack on a potato chip. Skiing members or from funeral homes. To place an name, address, phone number and title. Submit can be exhausting, so don’t hesitate to obituary, please submit 500 words or less to to [email protected]. © 2019 Explore Big Sky unauthorized reproduction prohibited stop for a snack while out on the slopes [email protected]. and always remember to enjoy the scenery. PHOTO BY ASHLEY BERGLUND #explorebigsky explorebigsky explorebigsky @explorebigsky 334 Nordic Lane ASPEN GROVES 5 BED + 5 BATH | 5,100 +/- SQ. FT. | $1,895,000 SKI-IN/SKI-OUT PROPERTY 4 Jan. 17 - 30, 2020 LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS Explore Big Sky Westward Social offers new dining Missing Big Sky man located in option to Mountain Village good health BIG SKY RESORT EBS STAFF BIG SKY – A 34-year old Big Sky resident was located alive on Jan. 3 BIG SKY– On the heels of the opening of six new dining choices in south of Big Sky after disappearing the morning of Jan 1. Rescue efforts Vista Hall, there is yet another new drink and dining option for Big Sky were carried out by the Gallatin County Sheriff ’s Office, Big Sky Search guests. Westward Social, a new bar and restaurant, completes the first and Rescue, Rocky Mountain Rotors, Civil Air Patrol, the Gallatin Val- phase of an ambitious re-imagination of the core village facility, The ley Heli and Ham crews, as well as numerous area volunteers. Exchange. Chris Kamman, was located near Buck Ridge after going missing “Expanding and enhancing our restaurant, lodging and après ski ameni- for almost two days when he went out snowmobiling alone on his ties in the Mountain Village is a core tenet of the Big Sky 2025 Vision,” 1999 snowmobile. said Troy Nedved, general manager of Big Sky Resort. “We also know our guests are looking for fun and memorable experiences, and that’s exactly Andy Dreisbach, a member of Big Sky Search and Rescue who served what they’ll find at Westward Social.” as the incident coordinator for this rescue effort, recognized the recov- ery for what it was: a team success. The new barbecue restaurant and bar, located on the ground floor of The Exchange, will be open for lunch, après and dinner. The restaurant “It was a successful mission,” said Dreisbach, an 11-year member of features long tables and cozy booths where friends and family can pass Big Sky SAR. “You know they don’t all turn out this way so when they shareable plates, explore craft cocktails, enjoy DJs and music, and—if do they should be celebrated. This was a very fortunate outcome and they would like— participate in a changing menu of novel Bar Olympic we should feel blessed and rejoice in that,” he added. Games and activities. BSSAR is always looking for volunteers, according to Dreisbach. “We encourage tables to challenge each other in a friendly contest of Those interested can apply online through the BSSAR website and Ro-Sham-Bo, Ring-Hook or Stein Hoisting,” said Adam Stevens, vice contact BSSAR with any additional questions. president of food and beverage at Big Sky Resort. Stevens also noted that the restaurant will host the Montana Stein Hoisting Champion- “What made this hugely successful was the local knowledge and the ships in March. talent of the Hasty riders that went out there,” Dreisbach said. “The participation by the community as a whole, I can’t speak enough to it.” In addition to indoor play, the large, heated Westward Social outdoor patio will offer an après destination on sunny days, as well as home to hilarious and messier games such as Gelande Quaffing—another cham- pionship event. Yellowstone goldmine film “Teams slide glasses of beer across ten foot tables which they have to catch and drink without spilling,” explains Stevens. “With Gelande ‘Paradise’ screening at WMPAC Quaffing, it is sort of hard to tell who has more fun—the contestants or the crowds.” EBS STAFF Westward Social is a Montana farm-to-table restaurant open daily BIG SKY – The National Parks Conservation Association is from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Reservations are available online, and walk- sponsoring the showing of an Erik Peterson Photography film, ins welcome. entitled “Paradise,” at the Warren Miller