Glacier Sotheby's International Realty

Bozeman Cost of Living Declines

noreply@blogger.com (glaciersir) — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:53:00 +0000

The Bozeman Daily Chronicle ran a story on August 25th about the cost of living in Bozeman. Falling home prices have contributed to a decline in the cost of living here. Housing prices and the cost of living are both are still about 2% above the national average, but that's significantly less than what they have been. Read the article...

Photo by Erik Petersen/Bozeman Daily Chronicle

Historic Southside Properties For Sale in Bozeman

noreply@blogger.com (glaciersir) — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:04:00 +0000

Founded by John Bozeman in 1864, the city of Bozeman, Montana, has a very well-preserved historic downtown and neighborhoods. In fact, Bozeman has nine historical districts and more than 40 individual properties are listed on the National Historic Register. Currently, we are listing four properties in historic neighborhoods on Bozeman’s south side, ranging from a starter home or rental property for only $189,000, to an artfully preserved 4,000+ square-foot historic home for $599,000. The south-side historic neighborhoods are close to MSU and to Bozeman’s historic downtown, with its shops, restaurants and art galleries.

305 E. Story

This is a great little rental cottage that is just a few blocks from downtown, and a block away from two great city parks for swimming, hiking, walking the dog and cross country skiing. The summer Farmer’s Market, a great playground and the beautiful new Bozeman Public Library are all nearby. This home has had a solid rental history at $900 and $950 per month for the last 2.5 yrs. Keep it as a steady rental, or do a little re-modeling for a darling starter home. Offered at $189,000. MLS# 167547

722 S. Grand Ave.

Built in 1920, this darling cottage has two bedrooms and one bathroom, beautifully refinished wood floors through most of the home, and new tile floors in the kitchen and bathroom. A large room in the basement with an egress window could have potential to add another bedroom and/or hobby or office space. The large lot has mature trees, a fenced back yard and a detached garage with alley access and extra parking. This cottage was fully re-wired in 2004 and completely re-modeled in 2008. Offered at $269,000. MLS# 171671

502 W. Story

This charming 3-bedroom 2-bath bungalow was built in 1930. It’s close to MSU, downtown and the lovely Cooper Park. The main level has oak floors, 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom with new tile and new flooring. The lower level has a separate entrance, an egress window in the bedroom and laundry area, a living room, bathroom and an extra room. It has a 2-car garage as well. This is a great house to remodel or just enjoy it’s historic charm and lovely neighborhood. Offered at $299,900. MLS# 171898

603 S 3rd Ave

This 4190-square-foot house has 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. The home has been beautifully maintained and updated, while minding the integrity of its origin. Original features include the dual interior staircase and welcoming covered front porch. This home features an expansive 2nd floor master suite with a large walk-in closet and claw foot soaking tub, and a very unique 3rd floor suite with a private bathroom. The brilliantly colored main level boasts a spacious living area/family room with lots of natural light, an updated kitchen with Sub Zero refrigerator, sitting area with a wood burning stove, and an extra room, currently used as a bedroom. The dining area adjoins the living area and opens to the very private, south-facing side yard which is completed by a wood deck and mature landscaping. There is plenty of storage throughout this spectacular gem! Offered at $599,000. MLS# 163943.

Click here for more information and photos about each of these properties and more.

It’s Sweet Pea Week in Bozeman

noreply@blogger.com (glaciersir) — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 13:38:00 +0000

Most people don’t equate the delicate and fragrant sweet pea flower with music, dance, arts and crafts, or theater; but in Bozeman, Montana, Sweet Pea means “Art” with a capital A. The 33rd annual Sweet Pea Festival of the Arts is this weekend, August 6,7 and 8 in Bozeman’s Lindley Park. The mission of the (almost) all volunteer-managed community festival is simply, “to promote and cultivate the arts.” And that it does.

Sweet Pea brings in nationally known music and dance to its Lindley Park stages. This year, Sweet Pea presents big band swing ensemble Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, blues legend Curtis Salgado, Austin singer/songwriter Carrie Rodriguez, and the eclectic and versatile Fishtank Ensemble. The Soul Street Dance Company from Houston, Texas, will perform high-energy street dance, Shakespeare in the Parks, the Intermountain Opera and others will perform theatrical productions, and kids will participate in a Montana Children’s Theatre production of Robin Hood. Kids and family activities, arts and crafts vendors, food concessions (all of which benefit local nonprofit organizations), an art show, a flower show, a parade, a children’s run and a week’s worth of activities leading up to Sweet Pea weekend make this festival truly mind-boggling in its scope.

Last night, Wednesday, August 4, was the Bite of Bozeman, which closed down Main Street so that more than 40 food vendors could set up shop. Thousands of people strolled up and down Main, or sat at long tables together sharing food and listening to the bands that were stationed at various points along the route. Tuesday's Chalk on the Walk brought artists of all ages downtown to decorate the sidewalks along Main Street and last Saturday’s Sweet Pea Ball drew swing dancers in vintage attire to the Emerson Ballroom.

So why is it called Sweet Pea? It was named after the Sweet Pea Carnivals held in Bozeman from 1906 to 1916 (according to the Bozeman Daily Chronicle). The Gallatin Valley had a thriving sweet pea industry and the sweet pea was one of the most popular flowers in the nation in the early 20th century.

Anyone interested in attending this year’s Sweet Pea Festival will need a wristband, which costs $10 in advance and $15 at the gate. You can buy them at Jacob’s Crossing, 424 E Main Street, today, Thursday, August 5, and at the Festival gates starting at 4 pm on Friday, August 6.

For more information, visit http://www.sweetpeafestival.org/ or call the Sweet Pea office at 406-586-4003.

Explore Southwest Montana's Jefferson River Valley

noreply@blogger.com (glaciersir) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:40:00 +0000

There’s much to explore in this pastoral valley, about 50 miles west of Bozeman.

The Jefferson River is a well-known section of river explored by Lewis and Clark. The river, named by Lewis and Clark for the third president, Thomas Jefferson (their patron at the time) was intended to be called the Jefferson from down near Dillon all the way up to Three Forks. However, the upper section from Dillon to Twin Bridges was re-named the Beaverhead at a later time. Still, the 77 mile section from Twin Bridges to Three Forks is an incredible stretch for bird watching and fishing, and is a great float to take by canoe and experience a bit of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.

Between Whitehall and Three Forks, a small side trip takes you to Lewis and Clark Caverns, a Montana State Park well worth a visit. Montana’s first State Park is an underground extravaganza of stalagmites, stalactites, columns and caves. The 2-mile guided tour is naturally air-conditioned and takes about two hours to complete. It’s a perfect break on a hot summer’s day!

Here’s a good website for more information about the Lewis and Clark Trail: http://www.lewis-clark.org/

For the more adventurous—and perhaps for a cooler day—a nice afternoon might be spent soaking at Renova Hot Springs outside of Whitehall. Two hot water springs seep into a side channel of the Jefferson River just a few miles south of Whitehall, along Point of Rocks Road. Volunteers have built rock pools around the seeps in the river channel so the hot water and the cool river water mix together to create soaking pools in the 110- to 120-degree range. The stars need to be perfectly aligned, so to speak, so cross your fingers that the river water is flowing at the right level and the right temperature to create the perfect soak. It’s a primitive hot springs, and frequently you can have the place to yourself.

Don’t forget the recreation opportunities in the upper elevations provided by the rugged Tobacco Root Mountains. With 26 peaks over 10,000 feet high, serious mountain climbers and easy family hikers have plenty to explore. This mountain range is about 26 miles long and 18 miles wide and provides nearly unlimited opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, camping, hunting and more.

Here’s a great youtube video of some hiking scenes in the Tobacco Roots:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCbmz1p4qNw&feature=related

Glacier Sothebys has a new listing in the Jefferson River valley, for those intrigued by this area off the beaten path. Check out the Jefferson River Ranch for a beautiful vacation retreat or year-round residence. It’s truly a luxury home and is ready for horses too!
http://www.bridahamcollection.com/property/jefferson-river-ranch/

Iron Horse Ranch, 6439 Tepee Ridge Road, Bozeman, Montana

noreply@blogger.com (glaciersir) — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 14:27:00 +0000

Northeast of Bozeman, near the Bridger Bowl ski area, is a perfect little ranch that will capture your heart and soul. In a private equestrian community on 40 acres, architect Jonathan Foote created an original masterpiece. Those who are fortunate enough to sit awhile and enjoy this peaceful hideaway will want to stay forever. Although built in 1996, you get the sense that the residence has truly stood the test of time. The salvaged homestead logs, stacked stone and stout timbers belie the modern amenities of this unique property which is bordered by Bridger Creek, has a private pond and lush, open pastures. Improvements include a guest apartment, large garage shop, hay barn and a 75’ x 88’ heated indoor riding arena with six adjoining stalls.

This mountain ranch is for the horse lover who appreciates spectacular scenery, one-of-a-kind rustic elegance, and exemplary design and expert craftsmanship. Iron Horse Ranch was featured in the June 1999 issue of Architectural Digest. In the article, “Rethinking Ranch Style in Montana,” Foote explains that the house “is nestled down so it doesn’t invade the land.” Jonathan Foote pioneered current trends of historic renovation and regional design, and is noted for the innovative reuse of indigenous hand-hewn timbers, stone, and for situating buildings in their natural environment.

“One goes from a very dramatic landscape to an intimate shelter,” explains Foote. The naturally warm interior invites you in through an entry foyer. Off of the foyer is the unique eat-in kitchen, glassed on both sides to accentuate the views of the Bridger Mountains to the northwest and the private pond and gardens in the backyard. The kitchen is equipped with top notch appliances, cherry stained cabinets and maple counter-tops. Warm summer evenings invite diners to relax on the covered deck off the kitchen. Larger dinner parties can be accommodated in the great room which features adjoining dining and living areas. Here a stacked stone fireplace and media center provide entertainment, a bronze chandelier with mica inserts brings down the scale to create intimacy, and a cozy loft creates an escape for the young and young at heart. Beyond the main living area is the guest wing with private bath and adjoining bedroom.

Also off the foyer is a sitting room that leads to the master wing, which includes a private office and adjoining powder room. On the opposite side of the wing is the master bedroom with stone fireplace, walk-in closet and master bath with antique tub and separate stone shower. Throughout the residence heat is provided by a radiant in-floor system. The square-cut timbers were salvaged from a two-story structure found in Belgrade, Montana, which became the core of the house. Some of the walls of the interior are plaster. The ranch has the scale and character of a small homestead, with its various sheds and the shelter of the trees. “All of the facilities are within walking distance of the house,” Foote says of the gracefully scaled outbuildings. “One person could run the whole place.”

The ranch compound features a sand-filled 110-foot outdoor round pen, dry lot with three-sided stalls, implement storage, hay barn and three-car oversized garage with storage and attached covered carport. The heated indoor arena is steel frame with wood siding. A large two-story apartment with kitchen, laundry, bath and bedroom is attached. On the opposite end of the arena are six stalls with removable panels, hay storage, heat and automatic waterers. Day runs for horses and cattle pens are well thought-out and functional.

Offered at $2.75 million

The Livingston Roundup

noreply@blogger.com (glaciersir) — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 13:43:00 +0000

While summer is rodeo season in the West, Fourth of July weekend is known as “Cowboy Christmas” for all the rodeos that take place across the region. The rodeo in Livingston, Montana, known as the Livingston Roundup, is one of the best and boasts the 10th highest purse in the nation. Cowboys from all over the West and as far away as Louisiana and Missouri competed in this year’s rodeo and were joined by more than 10,000 spectators on the nights of July 2nd, 3rd and 4th at the Livingston Fairgrounds.

The Livingston Roundup is one of the three PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboy’s Association) “Gateway Rodeos” held in Livingston, Red Lodge, MT, and Cody, WY, the same weekend. Often, the cowboys travel between the three, often driving all night to get to their destinations.

Bareback bronc riding, bulldogging (steer wrestling), team roping, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing (the only event for women) and bull riding are the rodeo competitions. Though many of these events are based on the early days of ranch work, modern techniques have evolved so that calf roping remains the only professional rodeo event still actively utilized in ranch life. Even “breaking” colts is a much tamer affair, the goal being to minimize bucking rather than using it as a primary tool to wear a horse down.

In recent years, the Ranch Rodeo has become a popular event around the West. In the ranch rodeo, cowboys demonstrate the skills required for ranch work by competing in team events that include team branding, doctoring and sorting, as well as ranch bronc riding, and wild cow milking.

The 86th annual Livingston Roundup gets started on Friday afternoon with a parade down Main Street and a party in Sacagawea Park. Each night the rodeo is followed by an impressive fireworks display. It's a great celebration of the American West and our nation's independence. And it's fun for all ages!

The Augusta Rodeo

noreply@blogger.com (glaciersir) — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 20:56:00 +0000

In Montana, the last weekend of June is famous for the Augusta Rodeo. Considered one of the best rodeos in the state, the small ranching town in north central Montana comes alive with a parade on Saturday, the “Slack” (where competitors qualify for the Rodeo) on Saturday night, and the Rodeo on Sunday afternoon. Augusta’s Main Street is filled with people drinking, partying, enjoying the weather and visiting with their neighbors. Latigo and Lace, a local boutique and art gallery, hosts an art opening on Saturday night, this year’s show was inspired by Montana author’s book titles—the artists were invited to create a painting interpreting one of the titles. The opening draws a diverse crowd: ranch owners, workers, out-of-state landowners, and local residents come to enjoy all that Sara Walsh, the owner, creates.

Many wandered to the Buckhorn Bar to buy a drink and then walk over to the Rodeo grounds for the Slack. With drinks in hand my friend and I walked down the alley as six members of the Sheriff’s Department strolled by and gave us a friendly hello. We stood by the gate to the arena to be near the horses and the cowboys. Kent Mosher, a great cowboy, was leading his four-year-old granddaughter around on a kind horse talking with his friends and neighbors. Mary Sexton, the Director of the Montana Department of Natural Resources, was in the stands with her friends. Summer finally got into full swing this weekend with temperatures in the 70s and clear skies. The country looks so lush; the wildlife are so happy! We ended the evening by returning to Ringside and having a barbecue on the deck, while watching the sunset and the mule deer grazing in the meadow below. It was a wonderful Augusta weekend!

Moose Mountain Lodge in the scenic Trail Creek area

noreply@blogger.com (glaciersir) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 16:13:00 +0000

Moose Mountain Lodge, 1680 Harrison Meadows Road, Bozeman

This amazing property is located along one of the prettiest roads in Southwest Montana, between Bozeman and the renowned Paradise Valley. The home was designed by the current owners and built by Moose Mountain Log Homes out of Canada. The home is over 7,800 square feet in size, made entirely of hand-hewn logs with no chinking—it is truly a masterpiece! The property itself is on 120 acres at the end of Harrison Meadows Road, just 1.5 miles off Trail Creek Road between Bozeman and Paradise Valley, Montana. The views are of the gorgeous forests and meadows along these Gallatin Range foothills, with the peaks of the rugged Absaroka range just within sight to the south, and the Bridger Mountains can be seen from the deck gazebo to the north. The property backs to 640 acres of State land—quite a back yard!

There are six bedrooms and five bathrooms in the main home; plus, when it's needed, there is a guest cabin down below the home with two more bedrooms and one bathroom. The great room is a spacious room with lofted ceilings, high windows and a stacked rock fireplace. Multiple doors throughout the home lead to the wrap-around deck and outdoor patio areas. Enjoy an outdoor fireplace on the front deck, or have a bonfire in the built-in firepit by the barbecue patio... or, head down to the stocked trout pond for some fishing and a scenic picnic.

This lodge could serve as an amazing family reunion getaway spot, or even a corporate retreat. The location is hard to beat—just 25 minutes to Bozeman or to the Paradise Valley. Accessed via Trail Creek Road, this scenic road enjoys quite a history as well. The mining town of Storrs was located just a few miles north of Moose Mountain Lodge, from 1905 to 1912. The town had 500 residents, a hotel, post office, and saloon. Now there are only a few remains left of the town, including a large brick wall along Trail Creek Road. The fairly substantial wall is the remains of the coke ovens that were used as part of the process of refining some of the mined materials. There is even an old railroad bed among the meadows and willows just to the right of Trail Creek Road as you head south from the Interstate. Rumor has it the railroad line used to be called the “Turkey Trail” because of all the wild turkeys in the area. There are still a few turkeys around in the fall, so it must be true!

Moose Mountain Lodge is offered at $4.7 million.
MLS# 168913
Listed by Chanelle Zimmer, 406-581-3855

Bozeman Dressage Clinic with Ellen Eckstein

noreply@blogger.com (glaciersir) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 14:52:00 +0000

Ellen Eckstein, an international level dressage trainer and rider, was in Bozeman last weekend to conduct a four-day clinic. About 12 riders and horses participated in the clinic, which was held at Jess and Meggan Holloway’s “Pretty Good Horse Barn” in Gallatin Gateway. The event was a tremendous success, with horses and riders making profound changes, resulting in lighter, more balanced and relaxed horses that are truly working from their hindquarters through their toplines.

What is extraordinary about Ellen’s approach to dressage is the freedom it brings to each horse. Done wrong, dressage can compress the horse, restraining him and keeping him from moving freely. The result can be a very tight and uptight animal. Ellen’s approach gives the horse a place to go by allowing him to step sideways with his hindquarters, rearrange himself and push off with his inside hind leg into a more engaged, forward and round frame that starts from behind, where horses naturally initiate movement when left to their own devices. The horses in this clinic demonstrated that freedom of expression and movement that comes from feeling truly balanced.

Ellen has been teaching and training extensively for 35 years. She holds USDF Gold and Silver Medals earned at the FEI (International) levels. Her professional life has been dedicated to successfully integrating the simple, yet profound, concepts she learned from her 30-year mentor/student relationship with the legendary horseman Tom Dorrance, and from her European classical and competitive dressage training. Ellen’s approach to each horse and rider reflects her belief in the innate goodness in each person, and in the intrinsic willingness in the horse. Her goal is to enhance the relationship between horse and rider by fostering understanding, and to give the rider the tools and techniques to safely and successfully ride and train his or her own horse.

Ellen is the co-author of the groundbreaking new book and DVD, Bringing it Together, which explains the philosophy and methodology she has developed over her 35 years of training and teaching. For more information visit www.ellenecksteindressage.com/.

Helping You Find Your Dream Property in Montana

noreply@blogger.com (glaciersir) — Mon, 31 May 2010 13:49:00 +0000

I have been in love with Montana since first driving across I-90 in May of 1971 heading west with my first husband to see if the state of Idaho actually existed (since we had never known anyone from there). We were both astounded by the horizons with clouds…no, those were mountains covered with snow 360 degrees around us. I remember we stopped in Butte, having read about an Italian restaurant that was highly rated. We drank martinis and had bad pasta served by waitresses in white patent go-go boots. We camped in the back of our Jeep and shivered as it began to snow.

I returned to Montana to buy a ranch in 1977 in the Madison Valley, another stunning large valley surrounded by mountains. As my soon-to-be second husband and I descended Norris Hill we pointed out a spot to the south of the valley that we thought was the coolest and said we wanted to buy a ranch there. It was just east of Cameron up Bear Creek. The ranch real estate broker told us about a property there but it was already under contract. The owner showed it to us and he won our hearts and we said, “let us know if it becomes available.” And it did! We bought the 800-acre ranch with two other partners; we were risk-takers even at 30 years old. Then we realized we needed cows and needed to learn a lot in a short time. That was how we learned to depend on our neighbors and the previous owner. They all taught us a great deal and we were eager to work hard. For a city girl, living on a ranch with no telephone (we took our calls at the Blue Moon Saloon) I learned to not stereotype the ranchers and enjoyed learning about what they thought. I also learned that I loved being around the animals, horses, cows, bulls, kitties and puppies.

Now when guiding buyers in Montana to their perfect Montana vacation property I get to know them and what their favorite activities are. If they love to ski, being near Bozeman or Big Sky or Red Lodge is ideal. If they love to fish, pretty much anywhere in southwest Montana is great. If they need to be close to an airport, Bozeman’s is the best. If they want few people and great views, peace and serenity, Augusta and the Rocky Mountain Front are very special. Big Timber is a charming town with The Grand Hotel and great fishing. I believe Big Timber is also the headquarters of the Ivy League in Montana—a lot of ranchers there graduated from Ivy League schools. If a buyer is interested in wilderness, fishing and hunting, Bull Lake in northwestern Montana is a very special place. If you are looking for milder weather the Bitterroot Valley, around Victor is great for fishing and hiking and socializing.

Whatever your outdoor passions, there is a place in Montana where you can live your dreams. I sure did, and I’ve never looked back.

Spring Gardening in the Gallatin Valley

noreply@blogger.com (glaciersir) — Mon, 24 May 2010 14:13:00 +0000

Bozeman, Montana, got its start in the late 1800s as an agricultural community supplying food for the miners at Alder Gulch near Virginia City, Montana, 67 miles from here. American Indians knew it as the "Valley of the Flowers." Abundant water and fertile ground make it a great place to garden, but gardening here has its challenges.

Today is May 22 and it is snowing. These fat, wet flakes won’t stick around long, but they can make it difficult for a newly seeded garden. For that reason, Memorial Day is the start of the planting season for warm-weather seeds. Plants like tomatoes and peppers are best started indoors and transplanted to your garden after danger of frost is past. Snow in June is not unusual around here so you still need to be prepared with something to cover your plants with should the weather decide to throw us a curve ball.

When the sun is shining, the garden stores are bustling. One of the best is Cashman Nursery & Landscaping on Springhill Road. They have an extremely helpful staff and a large selection of very healthy plants. Early in the spring, they offer Saturday morning seminars on everything from starting vegetables inside, to building raised beds, to pruning and planting trees. Because of the annual Sweet Pea Festival in August, sweet peas are a very popular flower in the valley. Cashmans offers a seminar on how to grow prize-winning sweet peas to enter in the Festival’s flower show. But be advised, people are not the only ones who love sweet peas. Deer and rabbits and birds find their leaves delicious, especially when they are very young. Cover your sweet peas with netting to protect them while they are young.

Vissers Greenhouses off of Norris Road near Churchill is a wholesale greenhouse that opens its doors to the public during the month of May. They have row upon row of flowers, vegetables and herbs to choose from, as well as beautiful hanging baskets and containers, all at about half the price of the retail outlets that they sell to.

It may be late in coming, but by July, the abundance that the Gallatin Valley has always been known for is on display at the local farmers’ markets. The Gallatin Valley Farmers’ Market operates on Saturday mornings from 9 am to noon at the Fairgrounds starting July 12th. The Bogert Farmers’ Market takes place on Tuesday nights from 5 pm to 7:30 pm at Bogert Park on the south side of downtown Bozeman.

For more information about gardening in the Gallatin Valley, visit the Montana State University Extension website.

noreply@blogger.com (glaciersir) — Mon, 17 May 2010 13:02:00 +0000

Historic Ringside Railroad Depot
3314 Sun Canyon Road., Augusta, Montana

This historic train depot has a ringside seat at the spectacular Rocky Mountain Front, "the backbone of the world." Built in the early 1900s, the depot was moved in the 1990s from Augusta, Montana, to this 34-acre property just four miles from town, and meticulously renovated to retain its historic charm throughout. The Big Sky Journal and Montana Magazine have both published articles about this charming and unique historic Montana home.

“Ringside” sits on a hillside overlooking horse corrals, barn and a very large round pen all built from reclaimed timber. From the covered front porch, which spans two sides of the home, the views of the Rocky Mountain Front, only five miles to the west, are stunning. Prehistoric men and women hiked through this area on the “Old North Trail” and you can still see Native American teepee rings here. Endless space, peace and quiet, and amazing recreational opportunities abound: the Bob Marshall Wilderness with its 1.5 million acres of pristine mountain terrain, the Sun River Wildlife Management Area, Willow Creek Reservoir and Sun Canyon, are all exceptional places to ride, hike, fish and hunt. Ringside is only four miles from the charming ranching town of Augusta, where Montana's largest one-day rodeo is held every summer. And, it’s only an hour’s drive from Great Falls International Airport.

The 2,336 square-foot home has two bedrooms and two and ¾ baths. The great room and dining area have a Rais Wood Stove. The modern kitchen was built for entertaining; it has two Whirlpool dishwashers, a Jenn Air Range and a Commercial DCS Stove. The property also has an artist studio and a carport/storage space.

The furnishings are also available for sale and may be purchased separately. A 284-acre adjacent property bordering State Land is also available for $495,000.

Offered at: $499,500
MLS# 167986
Vivian Bridaham 406.580.7516
Vivian.bridaham@sothebysrealty.com

Life with Horses in Montana

noreply@blogger.com (glaciersir) — Mon, 10 May 2010 14:15:00 +0000

Horses are an integral part of life in Montana. Whether you ride them or not, you can’t help but notice them everywhere this time of year, grazing in green pastures against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks. Many people move here so they can own a piece of land and keep horses. It’s a lot of work, and not inexpensive, but those who choose a life with horses in Montana would not have it any other way. I’ve heard that horse energy is the closest thing to perfect human energy, and that riding a horse is like getting an energy tune-up. Maybe that's why being around them makes us feel so good and balanced.

There is an endless supply of horse activities all over Montana. Whether you are a western rider and just want to hit the trail or you like to compete in reining, reined cow horse, cutting or rodeo, you can find it here. Believe it or not, there’s a lot of English riding going on too, from dressage to three-day eventing to stadium jumping. There are several world-class trainers and clinicians coming to Gallatin County to share their knowledge with students of horsemanship. You can audit these clinics for a small fee (though some are free to watch) or you can saddle up and participate.

I’ll just list a few upcoming clinics here. You can find information about more clinics and horse happenings in the Gallatin Valley and across Montana at the Gallatin Valley Horse Resource website and at the Bozeman Dressage and Combined Training website.

June 3-6, Ellen Eckstein, a Grand Prix dressage rider and trainer from Templeton, California, will conduct a clinic at Holloway's Pretty Good Horse Barn (770 McReynolds Road in Gallatin Gateway, near Bozeman). Ellen has been teaching and training extensively for 35 years. She holds USDF Gold and Silver Medals earned at the FEI (International) levels. Her professional life has been dedicated to successfully integrating the simple, yet profound concepts that she learned from her 30 year mentor/student relationship with the legendary horseman Tom Dorrance and with the European classical and competitive dressage system. Ellen’s approach to each horse and rider is based upon the belief in the innate goodness in each person, and in the intrinsic willingness in the horse. Her goal is enhance the relationship between the two by fostering understanding and to give the rider the tools and techniques to safely and successfully ride and train his or her own horse. For more information, contact Darcy Minter at dminter@westernfolklife.org.

June 25-28, Buck Brannaman, one of the best-known practitioners of “natural horsemanship,” will conduct a horsemanship clinic at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds in Bozeman. Natural horsemanship is a philosophy pioneered by Tom Dorrance that is focused on working with the horse's nature, and using an understanding of how horses think and communicate to train the horse to accept humans and work confidently and responsively with them. One of Brannaman's stated goals is to make the animal feel safe and secure around humans so that the horse and rider can achieve a true union. For more information, contact the Double Diamond Halter Company at 406-582-0706.

July 23-25, Bryan Neubert will conduct a colt-starting and horsemanship clinic at Holloway's Pretty Good Horse Barn (770 McReynolds Road in Gallatin Gateway near Bozeman). Bryan is another former student of Bill and Tom Dorrance and has spent 20 years cowboying and riding colts on some of the biggest ranches in Nevada and California. Thirteen of those years were spent as cowboss in charge of cattle, horses and the cowboy crew. He has had valuable experience working with wild horses in Nevada, as well as conducting demonstrations on wild horse handling across the country. For more information, contact Jess Holloway at 406-763-4113.

Montana Luxury Wilderness Estate, Bull Lake, Montana

noreply@blogger.com (glaciersir) — Sun, 02 May 2010 17:26:00 +0000

Rugged. Luxurious. Pristine. This 7.58-acre northwest Montana wilderness estate sits on a lake surrounded by mountain peaks and adjacent to the magnificent Cabinet Mountain Wilderness area. If you are looking for a home with all the modern amenities, far from the madding crowd, yet convenient to reach, this beautiful and unique home and property may be just what you are looking for. Twenty-two miles North of Noxon, Montana, and just 55 miles south of the Canadian border, this property is convenient to two international airports in Spokane, WA, or Kalispell, MT (both are 2.4 hours away). The estate sits at an elevation of 2,450 feet and the immediate high mountains are 6,000’ to almost 10,000’ high. Surrounded on three sides by Montana Fish and Wildlife Management System of 2,000 acres and directly adjacent to the 94,000 acre Cabinet Mountain Wilderness Area, the private, secure, serenity of this special wilderness estate is seldom found anywhere in the modern world. It has a helicopter pad with lights, and a seaplane/boat dock; home/lodge with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths; a guest house with 2 bedrooms and 2 baths; and a 3-car garage/shop with a small gym. The home overlooks Bull Lake, a pristine 4.5-mile-long lake filled with trout and Kokanee Salmon.

The Location
The nearby Cabinet Mountains Wilderness contains some of the most beautiful sub-alpine scenery in western Montana. Sandpoint, ID, and the Schweitzer Basin Ski Area are conveniently located about an hour west of the estate. World famous Lake Pend O'Reille is only 35 minutes west. There you can enjoy floating restaurants, golf courses and beautiful resorts. Private jets can land in nearby Sandpoint and in Coeur d' Alene, ID. Seaplanes and private helicopters can land at the estate site itself. There's a boat and seaplane dock right below the home-lodge.

The estate enjoys it's own, mild, micro-climate with many, many, sun-filled days and brilliant, star-filled nights. There are no visible neighbors and only 3 or 4 small, off-site lights are visible at night a mile away, up lake. The estate is easily accessed by the low-user, open-all-year Montana State Highway #56. This remote site will never have any visible neighbors and yet it's convenient to all essential services and to all world class, outdoor recreation areas. It is also near 133 hikeable, high-mountain lakes in millions of unspoiled acres, with numerous streams and other lakes filled with game fish of many species. Outdoor activities are essentially unlimited in scope.

The Home
The estate is gated and its 2 homes have a modern security system in place. The main, lodge-like home is solidly constructed of custom-designed, highly detailed wood and natural stone, and vast expanses of low-e, insulated glass, and is approximately 4000 square feet in size. A library wing and great room with a half bath are joined by a low-rise, open stairway and the cozy 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms are on a slightly lower level. The mountain and lake views are extraordinary from the many large windows found everywhere throughout the home. The details in this home are very special, with Montana native stone fireplaces, imported Italian tile in the gourmet kitchen, custom-designed 10" wide fir planks, and stone flooring. Exterior decks and porches provide outdoor spaces to enjoy the views.

There is an 1125-square-foot detached, heated, oversized, 3-car garage and shop (including a small gym) and a privately sited 1400-square-foot guest house with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.

Above both residences is a 500-square-foot, open-air, BBQ area and pavilion that sits up on a gradual hillside overlooking the clear blue lake and the massive, mountain peaks above. Custom-made, rocky stream and waterfall courses begin at the pavilion and flow to the ponds below.

Offered at: $2,795,000
MLS# 167891
For more information, visit http://www.bridahamcollection.com/ or call Vivian Bridaham 406.580.7516

Announcing New Affiliation with Glacier Sotheby's International Realty

noreply@blogger.com (glaciersir) — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 15:22:00 +0000

In a move designed to bring greater exposure to their high-end listings, two Bozeman Realtors join forces with an internationally well-aligned Realty group in Whitefish, Montana.

Bozeman, MT (PRWEB) April 5, 2010 -- Former Owner and Managing Broker of The Collections Sotheby’s International Realty in Bozeman, Montana, Vivian Bridaham, and Realtor, Chanelle Zimmer, announced their new affiliation with Glacier Sotheby’s International Realty (http://www.glaciersothebysrealty.com) of Whitefish, Montana in a strategic move that greatly expands their influence.

Bridaham said the new affiliation “brings a larger and stronger state wide presence to our prized listings in the Gallatin, Madison and Paradise Valleys.”

Bridaham specializes in luxury properties and ranch estates throughout the state of Montana. Zimmer is a vacation property specialist.

“Luxury properties such as that at Bull Lake in Lincoln County need wider exposure (http://www.bridahamcollection.com/property/montana-luxury-wilderness-estate/) than most in order to reach the kind of client capable of making such a purchase,” Bridaham said.

Bridaham and Zimmer work with a number of Wealth Management experts as well as CEO’s of national and international corporations. “But this affiliation will expand our reach.”

Bridaham has become an expert on conservation easements and the positive tax consequences of land use planning for large and high-end properties, she said. “It’s what I do best.”

Bridaham will continue as Managing Broker / Bozeman, under the Glacier Sotheby’s International Realty name.

Zimmer’s strong background in vacation rental property management has brought her national recognition in Conde Nast Traveler magazine as a Top-10 Villa Rental

Specialist in the U.S for 3 years in a row. She will serve Glacier Sotheby’s International Realty with Bridaham as a Sales Associate.

Bridaham and Zimmer may be reached at the Bozeman office 406-586-4408.

Their office website is www.bridahamcollection.com.

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noreply@blogger.com (glaciersir) — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:01:00 +0000

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A Winter Party

noreply@blogger.com (glaciersir) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:02:00 +0000

I went over to my friends' 300 + acre ranch just four miles south of Bozeman on a sunny Sunday afternoon around 2 p.m. Other guests were arriving for cross country skiing, snow shoeing, and ice skating. As I drove towards the house, crossing a large meadow, 40 head of Elk were laying down. The lead bull was sitting facing the herd and all of the other Elk were facing him. It was a very amazing sight on a glorious warm winter afternoon. I joined my friends skiing on the groomed trails, skiing next to the Spring Creek, crossing Sourdough Creek, and skiing through the trees past an inviting teepee and ending up at the small pond. A bonfire was roaring, cold beer and wine were stuck in the snowbank awaiting the thirsty guests. An ice hockey game was in progress. As the sun set we all entered the large house overlooking a beautiful pond and congregated in the kitchen. Chili was cooking, the fire was warming us all and we felt the glow on our faces from the day. The Abagail Ranch is available for sale so you can host these wonderful parties, call me to get the details.

Vivian Bridaham, Broker-Owner
406-586-4408

Bell Lake

noreply@blogger.com (glaciersir) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 19:32:00 +0000

The Tobacco Root Mountains in southwestern Montana have always eluded me. I have spent years staring at them and only ventured into their terrain once since I moved to Montana almost 10 years ago. This streak broke last weekend when I was fortunate enough to join my fellow backcountry ski partners on a trip to Bell Lake; with rumors of huge peaks, endless terrain and 2 feet of fresh snow. My expectations were immensely exceeded when we finished the 6 mile approach into the Bell Lake basin and the site of the yurt, which would be home for the next 3 days.

Photographer maestro Josh Gage had set up a few days prior and welcomed the rest of us with open arms and photos of the terrain he had been skiing the past few days. Unbelievable to say the least. Our excitement and confidence in the snowpack pushed us high up on Branham Peak right away to a couloir called The Contender. 2,000 feet of 50-60 degree slope, a mere 20 feet wide with hundred foot cliffs on both sides. Gazing back up the line we had skied was overly impressive, perhaps one of the most aesthetic things I have ever skied and only to be witnessed by the herd of 8 mountain goats promenading on the ridgelines above.

With 10 people crammed into a 20 foot in diameter tent, needless to say things were quite cozy. We cooked gourmet meals accompanied with plenty of wine that was carried in conditionally, for this was Valentines Day weekend, and we were with 5 women.

Sunday dawned crystal clear skies and fresh snow throughout the Bell Lake basin. 10 strong, we made our way up to the likes of Bell and Branham peaks, skiing untouched snow throughout the day. Glassing across a valley here and there, sights of our elated crew make their own signatures down pristine lines of powder through rocks, cliffs and chutes brought the feeling of individuality in the mountains and brotherhood together.

Another evening spent in this mountainous paradise chopping firewood, drying out gear, and sharing stories from the day, ever growing in intensity as wine and whiskey bottles pass around and around. This is living, I kept saying to myself, this is what it is all about: Friends and Mountains.

After taking a couple early morning runs down the North face of Bell Peak through a striking couloir splitting the 500 foot rock band, we packed up and braved the steep ski down the canyon through dense forest, passing a crew of folks heading up to share in the glory that is the Bell lake yurt. How was it? they asked. We looked at each other with wide eyed grins, and without much conversation, they knew what they were about to enter. Regrouping at the trucks, sharing high fives and eventually a burger at Café 287 in quaint Harrison, I looked back at the peaks of the southern Tobacco Root range as we drove from the Harrison Valley back towards Bozeman and bid farewell, but not for long.

The Business of Extraordinary Living

noreply@blogger.com (glaciersir) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:48:00 +0000

In March 2009, the Sotheby's International Realty brand began an exclusive relationship with The Wall Street Journal as the publication's first true, all-encompassing partner using both digital and print mediums to consistently reach its readers. As part of the partnership, the brand created a microsite called "The Business of Extraordinary Living" on www.wsj.com that features custom content, industry blogs and local market information written by Sotheby's International Realty professionals and The Wall Street Journal writers. It also showcases the brand's significant properties.

In 2010, our partnership with The Wall Street Journal will be taken to the next level with the reintroduction of our Business of Extraordinary Living microsite. This microsite will be enhanced to allow for better engagement of our global affiliate network by providing local content to local users within "The Address" a section of the microsite.

Click here to see the latest news and information posted to our microsite: http://online.wsj.com/ad/sir

Ode to good news

noreply@blogger.com (glaciersir) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:34:00 +0000

2009 year end numbers are in and we would like to share them with you...

February 9, 2010, The Bozeman Daily Chronicle; written by Robyn Erlenbush

Each year, we eagerly await the final December home closings to be entered and tallied. Once again, it's time to take our annual market-at-a-glance overview of some key statistics from the real estate happenings of 2009. The data presented in this article is from the Southwest Montana Multiple Listing Service (SWMLS). As important as it is to focus on the complete story, it is also refreshing to spotlight the good news and segments of the market that are leading the recovery in Bozeman. Two principal indicators are favorable: decreasing inventories and increased sales for the fourth quarter. And notably, the inventory levels for homes under $300,000 are at a very healthy supply rate.

For the complete article, flip to page D12 using the following link:

http://pioneer.olivesoftware.com/Olive/ODE/BDChronicle/SaveForOffline.htm?dochref=BDC%2F2010%2F02%2F09&doctitle=Bozeman%20Daily%20Chronicle%20Tuesday%2C%20February%C2%A009%2C%C2%A02010&uniqueid=262593_1265736555671

It's hard work to preserve Montana's soul

noreply@blogger.com (glaciersir) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:03:00 +0000

As reported by The Bozeman Daily Chronicle, Saturday, January 30, 2010- Opinion, Bob Ekey, Guest Columnist

Every once in a while it is nice to be reminded that patience and persistence pay off.

I was reminded of that a couple of weeks ago while attending a press conference in Helena where energy companies announced they were retiring decades-old oil and gas leases along the public lands of the Rocky Mountain Front.

The room was full of ranchers from the Front, hunters and anglers, oil company executives, conservationists and representatives of the Blackfeet tribe and we were all celebrating the same thing- the protection of the Front.

For complete article, flip to page A6 using the following link:

http://pioneer.olivesoftware.com/Olive/ODE/BDChronicle/SaveForOffline.htm?dochref=BDC%2F2010%2F01%2F30&doctitle=Bozeman%20Daily%20Chronicle%20Saturday%2C%20January%C2%A030%2C%C2%A02010&uniqueid=569574_1265054337812

A Weekend in Augusta, MT

noreply@blogger.com (glaciersir) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:06:00 +0000

This weekend, I drove up to Augusta, Montana on the Rocky Mountain Front. Leaving Bozeman, I drove NW to Helena (the State Capital) and had a delicious lunch at Ernie's Bistro in the Downtown Historic District. As I left, driving north towards Great Falls, about 5 minutes out of town, I felt my shoulders relax. Now becomes the favorite part of my trip; the development ends and the landscape becomes very large ranches and public land all filled with wildlife. You drive along spring creeks, which flow into the Missouri River with great fly fishing around Craig, and through canyons with Bighorn Sheep grazing on the rock walls. Just north of Wolf Creek you take the State Highway and head west. Passing through the famous Dearborn Ranch bordering the state highway for over 14 miles, and crossing the Dearborn River, used by fishermen and rafters.

As you approach the small town of Augusta, about 40 miles from the interstate you catch glimpses of the mountains of odd shapes: Haystack, Sawtooth, Castle Reef and Ear Mountain to the North near Glacier National Park. The mountains seen from Augusta are in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex encompassing 1.5 million acres, the 3rd largest wilderness complex in the U.S. Link to additional information on the complex: http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/flathead/wilderness/bmwcomplex.shtml

The small town of Augusta is primarily a ranching and outfitters' town. With services for the area: bars, restaurants and lodging, and a charming store called Latigo and Lace, the town feels a lot like the 1950's and is famous for the great "Augusta Rodeo" held the last weekend in June.

I drove 3.5 miles west of town toward the Wilderness where I own a small ranch that I have just put on the market, "Augusta Wildlands", a spectacular piece of Montana real estate. Link to listing: http://www.thecollectionsir.com/property/augusta-wildlands/ . The 284 acre ranch faces the mountains about 5 miles to the west, and to the north adjoins a section of State Land, used for cattle grazing by the neighboring rancher. The ranch to the east is on the plains, the T Bar Ranch running Red Angus cattle and owning land all the way back to town. The property adjoining mine to the south is a very special house, the old Augusta Railroad Station that was moved out to the 33 acres and restored. It is called "Ringside" and has been published in the Big Sky Journal, Home, and Montana Magazine. It has a wonderful horse set up: a large round pen, stalls, a barn and office all made out of old buildings. It seems to make the mountains even more spectacular with the old barn and round pen in the foreground.

The area is a recreation paradise. The Sun River Game Range is 5 miles to the west, land purchased by the State of Montana for Elk calving and Grizzly Bear habitat. It adjoins the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Willow Creek Reservoir is 2 miles north; great for boating and fishing. Sun Canyon leading to the Wilderness is just 4 miles NW; great for fishing, hiking, horseback riding and hunting.

I have learned after spending time here for 9 years that being close to the Wilderness and over 40 miles away from an Interstate Highway has the most relaxing effect on a person. You suddenly feel muscles relaxing, your mind quieting and just enjoying the peace and quiet. In the Fall I have been walking around the land at dusk and the only sound there is, is the Snow Geese wings flapping as they head to the Willow Creek Reservoir for the night. In the Spring, many birds are nesting or flying through to Canada: Curlews, Artic Terns and Hawks. I feel very fortunate to have experienced this special part of Montana, and learned to feel what Wilderness does to you.

Vivian Bridaham
Broker-Owner
The Collection Sotheby's International Realty

REAL ESTATE CONNECT NYC 2010

noreply@blogger.com (glaciersir) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:20:00 +0000

Last week I had the opportunity to be a part of Real Estate Connect New York City: 3 jam-packed days full of the industry's best networking opportunities and the very latest business intelligence. Attracting over 1,300 world class leaders in real estate, technology, lending, title and financial services, this was certainly one of the most exciting conferences I've attended. Presented by Inman News, the information is cutting edge, relevant and informative! For over 13 years, Inman News has been presenting its bi-annual Real Estate Connect conferences in San Francisco and New York City ... I await the next! For additional information on Inman News, visit them online at http://www.inman.com/.

Harriet Kendall
The Collection Sotheby's International Realty
Marketing Coordinator, Office Manager and Sales Associate

MOVING LAND: Appraisal firm predicts slow sales for ranchland

noreply@blogger.com (glaciersir) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:40:00 +0000

As reported by Lauren Russell of The Bozeman Daily Chronicle: January 14, 2010

The next year in ranch sales will be like "trench warfare" for weary brokers trying to rebound after a dismal year for recreation-property sales, Clark Wheeler, a Bozeman appraiser, said in his firm's annual presentation to ranch brokers Wednesday.

Wheeler, of Norman C. Wheeler and Associates, told about 100 brokers from the Southwestern Montana Ranch Brokers that sales will probably remain slow for parcels of land larger than 1,000 acres, a sector of the market already struggling before the national financial crisis really took hold in 2008.

"It's going to be like being in the trenches," for brokers trying to sell these properties, Wheeler said. In general, sales volume will probably still be "very, very low."

At its 2006 peak, ranchland in Gallatin County was valued at about $14,000 an acre, Wheeler said, up from almost $7,000 per acre in 2005. A year later, that number had dropped to about $10,500 per acre, then $5,400 in 2008. By 2009, sales of land parcels larger than 160 acres were averaging about $3,800 an acre.

Losses in the value of this land range from 30 to 60 percent, he said. But he pegged overall value losses at 35 percent.

Despite the lower values, land still isn't moving, Wheeler said. Some sellers aren't lowering their list prices. The wealthy out-of-state residents, who historically make up about 90 percent of the ranch sales market, have disappeared. And the prices that these "unknowledgeable" buyers drove up still aren't affordable for most Montanans.

Most of the parcels that have moved in the past six months are priced between $10 million and $30 million, he said.

"Our market has become so dependent on outside buyers and outside wealth that it has created a product that's unavailable to locals," Wheeler said.

The value of agriculture land, however, has remained relatively stable in the central and eastern parts of the state. And, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, cropland values are faring better than those of rangeland and pasture land, which have decreased by as much as 30 percent in the last year.

Wheeler also identified several trends he predicts will emerge in the ranch market this year. New buyers will be looking to make more money off their investments by buying land with greater odds of appreciating, he said. However, fewer people will be snapping up large tracts of land for recreation and development purposes, uses that drove growth around Bozeman, Missoula and Kalispell before the start of the recession.

With the decline in land value, conservation easements are going to become less attractive to landowners, he said. Easements have depreciated along with the rest of the market, and in a time of fewer development pressures, their long-term regulations will cause buyers to pass over them in favor of less-restricted options.

The "saving grace" of the market this year, he said, will probably be land in limited supply, especially properties that border rivers or other water supplies.

"Those are the properties people want," Wheeler said. "Those are the properties that are going to hold because they're unique. There aren't as many of them left."

Greg Fay, of Fay Ranches, said that he thinks sales will improve in the next year as prices even out and buyers who want ranch land for "recreation, esthetics and a place to take their families," begin trickling back into the market.

"The property that is adjusting to the market is getting interest," he said. The flagging real estate market is also driving out brokers, which Don Vaniman, an independent broker and president of the Southwestern Montana Ranch Brokers Association, said is a good thing for the ones remaining.

When the market was booming, people with little experience got into the ranch sales business to make quick money. But with the bust, the association's membership has been cut in half, Vaniman said. "It's a good thing for the ones who are sticking with it," he said.

MUSEUM OF THE ROCKIES CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY BALL

noreply@blogger.com (glaciersir) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:51:00 +0000

Tickets go on sale Wednesday, January 13th for the 20th Anniversary Museum Ball to be held at the Museum of the Rockies on Saturday, February 13, 2010 from 6-11 pm in the museum's newly renovated lobby and galleries.

"Museum Ball patrons make it possible for every school child - be it from public, private, home or tribal schools - from throughout Montana to visit the museum for free as part of our Opening Doors for Montana School children program," said Iris Model, event Co-Chair. "We even help schools with travel costs." Since the inception of the private fund to support this program in 2005, the Museum Ball has raised $195,475 and as a result welcomed 37,366 school children to the museum.

"We are delighted to pay homage to Klein and Karen Gilhousen as Honorary Chairs for this year's Museum Ball in recognition of their generosity in supporting not only the Museum, but worthy causes through the Bozeman community," explained Penny Hatten, co-chair of the event.

In keeping with the Valentine's Day theme, each ticket sold comes with a chance to win a diamond from Alara Jewelry worth $4,600. "It's one way for us to thank the people who support the museum and its mission," added Hatten.

The evening's buffet will be catered by Bountiful Table with entertainment and dancing provided by Jeni Fleming and the Glen Johnston Swing Band. The live auction features unique opportunities such as a behind-the-scenes tour at People Magazine with a chance to sit in on a layout of a cover story, a chance to be a DJ for a day at My 103.5, and dinner with Dr. Waded Cruzado, MSU's new president, in her home. A complete listing of silent and live auction items is available on the website and interested people can bid remotely without attending the event.

Open seating tickets are $150 per person for Museum members and $175 per person for non-members and includes dancing, food, and an open bar. A portion of the ticket price is tax-deductible. Childcare is available through the Ridge.

For more information visit the Museum of the Rockies website at http://www.museumoftherockies.org/