January 2010

1st-December 31st - BIKE WORKNIGHTS--ONGOING all year. 6-8pm Tuesdays and Thursdays in the garage at 425 E Aspen Street. For a $10 donation get help with your bike maintenance needs, or volunteer your time to help us refurbish used bikes for donation to our community. We have low-cost bikes for sale or trade for volunteer time.

September 2010

3rd - Ennis On The Madison Fly Fishing Festival. Celebrate the art and sport of fly-fishing in Ennis, Montana. Festival information: www.madisonriverfoundation.org

4th - Mountain Fest Big Sky Resort Mountain Village Celebrate Summer and Labor Day weekend at Big Sky Resort. 1st Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta, Music by the After Midnight Band, food, a 5k Race, children's activities and much more.

4th - The Arts Council will again be hosting the annual Big Sky Chili Cook-off over Labor Day weekend at Big Sky Resort. Come up and taste the different recipes or just listen to the free music in the Mountain Village Plaza. This is always one of Big Sky’s best and most fun events! For more details on any of the events listed above, or to get on the ACBS email list, please visit www.bigskyarts.org or call (406) 995-2742

4th - Antelope archery season begins. fwp.mt.gov.

10th-12th - Universal Athletics warehouse sale, fairgrounds. Contact Bret at 406-587-1220 or 406-570-9025 for more information, public hours Fri 9am-9pm, Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 11am-5pm.

10th-12th - Galloping Dog Agility Club NADAC Trial held at the Circle L arena. Please visit www.gallopingdog.com for more details and information on agility.

10th - Montana Brewers Association Brewers Festival, Gallatin County Fairgrounds. montanabrewers.org.

10th - Big Sky Chamber of Commerce Tournament, noon. Call 406.995.5780 for details or to enter.

11th - Free Concert in the Park Featuring The String Jumpers (acoustic swing jazz) Saturday, September 11th, 2010 4-6pm Center Stage, Town Center Park Big Sky Town Center, Big Sky For more information call 570-2417 or visit our website at bigskytowncenter.com

11th - We are pleased to announce the second annual Tour de Cure Montana Cycling Event scheduled for September 11, 2010. This fundraising event for the American Diabetes Event will start and end at the Missouri Headwaters State Park near Three Forks, west of Bozeman. Last years' event was a tremendous success thanks to the support and assistance we received from organizations such as yours. We look forward to an even bigger event this year, and thank you in advance for your assistance in promoting this event to your readers. Early promotion of the Tour de Cure is important because it gives riders time to do the physical training and fundraising to prepare for the September 11 Ride. It also alerts your readers to a very important and prestigious event in their neighborhood for which they may want to be involved as a sponsor, volunteer, or cyclist.

12th - West Yellowstone Foundation Golf Tourney, 10am. Call 406.995.5780 for details.

15th - Bighorn sheep hunting season begins. fwp.mt.gov.

15th - Black bear season begins. fwp.mt.gov.

15th - Moose hunting season begins. fwp.mt.gov.

15th - Mountain goat hunting season begins. fwp.mt.gov.

17th - Ennis art walk, 5-8pm. Ennischamber.com.

18th - AGR House - Testy Fest at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds Warm Up Arena, public hours: 7pm-11:30pm $10.00 at the gate or in advance at Mixers.

21st - Last Bogert farmers market.

23rd - Big Night in Big Sky Equinox Celebration Free Concert featuring Big Water Soul-O Tour Closing Show One Man, A Guitar named Audrey and a Dream on Wheels Center Stage - Town Center Park Big Sky, MT Thursday, September 23rd – 4:00-8:00pm For more information call 570-2417 or visit our website at bigskytowncenter.com

24th - Harvest Celebration Dinner An annual benefit to support the initiatives of Western Sustainability Exchange, featuring delectable appetizers, entrees and desserts prepared by renowned chefs from sustainably produced, local foods. Join us for the 2010 Harvest Celebration Dinner, September 24 at Chico Hot Springs! westernsustainabilityexchange.org.

24th-26th - Belgrade's biggest event of the year is the Fall Festival. Sponsored by the Belgrade Chamber of Commerce, the Fall Festival is held in conjuntion with Belgrade High Schools Homecoming. Three days of events to enjoy. Besides the usual homecoming activities: Powerpuff Football, Pep Rally and the big Homecoming Game, there is also the festival. The Fall Festival is on Saturday the 19th starts with a Pancake Breakfast, Parade, Free BBQ, Arts & Crafts, Inflatibles, Games, Entertainment and Food. There is also a Drama Production to end the festivities. belgradechamber.org.

25th - Bozeman Jaycees - Demolition Derby, at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds Anderson Outdoor Arena, Registration 8am-11:30am, Public Hours Noon-5pm, Admission $10 adults, $5 13-17, 12 & under are free.

25th - Public Lands Day - FREE Admission Days. All national parks, national wildlife refuges, and many areas managed by the Bureau of Land Management will offer FREE admission on September 25 (Public Lands Day), and November 11th (Veterans Day).

25th - West Yellowstone Old Faithful Cycle Tour. What a terrific way to wind down a summer of riding and a unique way to experience Yellowstone National Park. Fall is a gorgeous time to be in the Park the elk are bugling, the aspens have turned to gold, and the nearly crowd-free thermal areas continue to beckon the explorer. The supported ride is sixty miles round trip, with options available for one way travel. Cyclists in the tour can take advantage of two feed stations, three sag wagons, on-course bike mechanics, and end the day with a group meal. The tour is limited by the National Park Service to the first 350 riders that complete the online registration. For more information click here www.cycleyellowstone.com.

25th - Gardiner Brewfest in the Park. Event starts around 3:00pm until dusk. Live music starting around 4:30pm For additional information, contact the Gardiner Chamber of Commerce at 848-7971.

25th - Bangtail Buster mountain bike ride. Welcome to the first annual MSU MTB Race weekend, to be held just 16 miles North of beautiful Bozeman, Montana. This year’s courses will showcase some of the best local trails, providing an excellent weekend of riding for seasoned racers and beginners alike! The XC race will consist of a point to point on the Bangtail Divide Trail No. 504. Men’s A/Pro/Cat. 1 will start at the Stone Creek trailhead, racing 22 miles to the Brackett Creek trailhead. All other racers will start at the bottom of Olson Creek Rd, where at the top the course will diverge for Men’s B/Women’s A and Men’s C, then continuing on to the Brackett Creek trailhead. Both courses begin with approximately 45 minutes of steady climbing, then continue to snake along the Bangtail ridge, with a final ascent up Grassy Mountain. Then comes the fun with a fast, flowy, 20+ minute descent down to the Brackett Creek trailhead and finish line.

26th - Montana Bicycle Racing Association Grassy Mountain Super D. The Super D race will look familiar to the XC racers, starting again at the top of Grassy Mountain and ending at the Brackett Creek trailhead for all racers. Again, the course is about 5 miles long and takes approximately 20 minutes, with only one blip of uphill at about the halfway point. There are a couple of rocky sections, but this descent is characterized mostly by buff, flowy curves and occasional tight switchbacks. SHUTTLES: It is recommended for groups with more than one vehicle in their party to leave one at the bottom (Brackett Creek Trailhead) and drive the other to the top of Olson Creek Rd. There will also be some shuttle cars provided. From the top of Olson Creek Rd, racers will need to walk (or ride, hopefully) about one mile to the start line at the top of Grassy Mountain.

27th - PGA- West Yellowstone Chapter Golf Championships, 10am. Call 406.995.5780 for details.

29th - Lone Mountain Ranch Wine Dinner, 995-4644. Lone Mountain Ranch is teaming up with Stonefly Vineyards of California for a wine dinner on September 29. $75 dinner includes hors d-oeuvres and a 4 course gourmet meal paired with wines from Stonefly Vineyards. Wines will include recent vintages of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Steve Ross with Vintage Wine Estates will be talking about each wine served. Join us for a delicious evening! Call 995-4644 for reservations.

30th - Lewis & Clark Caverns tours end for the season.

October 2010

2nd - Proposed Closing Day - Big Sky Resort

2nd - Bozeman Energy Tour - Co-hosted with Refuge Sustainable Building Center, 9:30-12:30pm. 406-443-7272.

3rd - Red, White and Blue Scramble, Bridger Creek Golf Course. Shot gun at 10am. Entry fee includes 18 holes, lunch, prizes and fun and is $20 for sph and $45 for non sph. Format is a 4 person scramble playing the red, white and blue tees. Sign up by calling 586-2333

4th - MSU Homecoming Week begins

8th - Join us for the 15th Annual Bridger Raptor Festival at October 8, 9 and 10 in 2010. Our keynote address on Friday, October 8, 2010 will be given by Dr. Steve Running one of the nation's foremost experts on climate change will be this year's keynote speaker. Haggar Auditorium at MSU Museum of the Rockies. Dr. Running's work as a lead author of the 2007 United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report - which presents strong evidence that humanity is artificially warming our world - recently brought him a share of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the IPCC committee and Al Gore. For updated information and schedules, visit our website at www.bridgerraptorfest.org

8th - MSU Homecoming Pep Rally, 6-7:30. Downtown. Help the community get pumped for the big game! Free food, drinks, Bobcat gear and live music begins at 6:30pm!

8th - Antelope archery season ends. fwp.mt.gov.

9th - MSU Homecoming Parade, 10-noon. Stake out a prime spot early to join in the celebration of this long-lasting tradition on Downtown Bozeman’s Main Street. The homecoming parade starts at 10am during the Homecoming Weekend in October with the game following at 2PM at the MSU stadium. Visit www.montana.edu for more information.

9th - General antelope hunting season begins. fwp.mt.gov.

9th - General pheasant hunting season begins. fwp.mt.gov.

9th-10th - GAS/MSU CX Weekend. montanacycling.net.

10th - Bozeman Amateur Hockey Association adult league begins. bozemanhockey.org.

16th - 31st annual BSWD Back to Bridger Run, winddrinkers.org.

17th - Deer & elk archery season ends. fwp.mt.gov.

17th - Mountain lion archery hunting season ends. fwp.mt.gov.

21st-22nd - Deer & elk youth hunting season. fwp.mt.gov.

22nd - Now in its 25th year, the Ennis Hunters Feed is held every year on the Friday before rifle season opens and welcomes hunters, families, friends and food enthusiasts. Chefs of all abilities offer up their best and most creative wild game dishes for all to vote upon on Main Street. Prizes are awarded for Best Chili, Best Non-Chili and Most Unusual with the coveted trophy going to the Best Overall entry (won last year by Brad DiIorio at the Claim Jumper Saloon). You may also purchase a Hunters Feed long-sleeve tee or a 50/50 raffle ticket to help support this free Chamber event. Please call 406.682.4388 before October 22nd to register your wild game dish.

23rd - Fall mountain lion season begins. fwp.mt.gov.

23rd-November 28th - General deer & elk hunting season begins. fwp.mt.gov.

29th-31st - Little Bear School House Museum Antique Show at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds Exhibit Buildings 1 & 2, public hours Fri 5pm-9pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-3pm, Admission $4 good all three days.

29th - GNFAC 12th annual Powderblast, Emerson Cultural Center. mtavalanche.com.

29th - Haunted House presented by Rotary & Manaia located at 207 S. 2nd 7-10pm; $5.00 Brad 222-4628.

29th - Halloween Children's Parade, downtown Big Timber. 406-932-5131.

29th-30th - Living History Weekend: All Hallows Eve, Virginia City. Experience the Spirits of the past that bring the scary side of the 19th century to life on the Trail of Fear, and the Terror Train. Experience tasty treats in Nevada City, with traditional foods, and spiced cider. Enjoy a ghost tour with Spirit Tailings author Ellen Baumler. The train ride is by reservation. For more info and to make train reservations, please call 843.5247

30th - Montana Bicycle Racing Association mule cross. montanacycling.net.

31st - Fellowship Baptist Church-Halloween Family Festival at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds Indoor Arena, 5:30pm-8:30pm.

31st - Big Sky Fire Department Haunted House & Halloween Activities. Join in the spooky festivities! Fun for all ages. 6:00-8:00pm.

31st - Halloween Costume Run, 9AM, 1.1, 3.0, and 5.4 miles, starts at Grant and 11th. Runs around campus. Prizes for best costumes. winddrinkers.org.

31st - Calling all ghosts and goblins! Emerson Center artists, tenants and staff welcome you to trick-or-treat at the Emerson-if you dare! Come enjoy a mug of hot cider and a lively open house for children of all ages in a creative and safe environment. Don't forget your costume!

31st - Family Harvest Festival, Livingston Fairgrounds. 6:30-8:30pm. Bring food item or donation. 222-3144.

31st - Elks Lodge Halloween Party, Livingston. Age 0-6 6:30-7:30 7 + 7:30-8:30.

31st - Downtown Bozeman Trick or Treat, 3-6pm. Join us for a spooktacular, safe evening of traditional trick or treating in downtown! Parent's let your kids enjoy the brisk outdoors on the Friday night before Halloween weekend in Downtown Bozeman and gather goodies at over 75 businesses! Hot drinks will be available at the Downtown Visitor's Center at 224 East Main Street. See you there!

November 2010

1st - Sage grouse season ends. fwp.mt.gov.

5th-7th - Bridger Ski Foundation Ski Swap, at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds Exhibit Buildings. Hours: Consignments Fri: 10AM-7PM $1/item Swap to Club Members: Sat: 9AM-10AM Swap to Public: Sat: 10AM-5PM, Sun: 10AM-2PM Pick up on Sunday: 2PM - 5PM

5th-7th - Bozeman Gourmet Adult Tennis Open. $29 per player per singles event; $24 per player per doubles event. jswanson.mta@gmail.com.

7th - 8th Annual Fall Health Festival, Livingston Fairgrounds, 7am-1pm. 823-6710.

7th - West Entrance to Yellowstone Closes to motorized traffic. Yellowstone reopens to winter over the snow travel by guided snowmobile or snowcoach tours starting December 15, 2009.

8th-11th - Greater Yellowstone Coalition "Gearing Up For Winter - Wildlife Watching Trip in Yellowstone National Park" trip. Join GYC's conservation staff, Yellowstone park interpretive guides, and special guests at the famed Lamar Valley's Buffalo Ranch for a wildlife watching adventure.

12th-14th - Herb Kirk Junior Tennis Open, Bobcat Tennis Center. $28 per player for singles event; $18 per player for doubles event. jswanson.mta@gmail.com.

13th - Jim Banks Turkey Trot, 9:00 AM, Fellowship Meeting Hall, Spirit Hills and Springhill Rd, 2.7 and 4.4 miles, free turkey prizes. winddrinkers.org.

13th - Eagle Mount Winter Ball. Since 1985, the annual Winter Ball has been Eagle Mount’s signature event. eaglemount.org.

14th - General antelope hunting season ends. fwp.mt.gov.

15th - Bison hunting season begins. fwp.mt.gov.

18th - Cat/Griz MSU/Downtown Pep Rally, 6pm. On Thursday, November 18th at 6:00pm on Main Street at the intersection of Willson and Main Street, we will be throwing a Pep Rally in Downtown Bozeman to show our Bobcat Spirit and help send the MSU football team to Missoula in high spirits! The football coaches, players, spirit squad, drum line, alumni and our very own Champ will be talking and cheering about this year\'s Cat/Griz game and helping to get the community excited. There will also be free hot dogs and hot drinks available. There will also be free Bobcat gear thrown into the crowd and other prize packages raffled off throughout the event such as; tickets to the Cat/Griz game, free dinners at sponsor locations, ski and eat packages and more! So, come downtown to the MSU/Downtown Cat/Griz Pep Rally and show your Bobcat spirit! Go Cats!!! downtownbozeman.org.

20th - Bon Appetite fun run, 9:00 AM, if you don't want the competitive atmosphere of the Huffing race below, meet at former Sports and Courts and run any distance and go to breakfast afterwards. winddrinkers.org.

23rd-27th - The Yellowstone Ski Festival, West Yellowstone. This is a must for every cross-country skier! West Yellowstone literally comes alive in lycra in November. Hundreds of Nordic ski enthusiasts from all over the world, novice to expert, gather to learn more about the sport, practice techniques and see new equipment. Early snows, superb grooming, racing opportunities and the Nordic Skiing Exposition make this an especially inviting time. On-snow clinics take place between November 24-28. SuperTour Ski Races are scheduled for Friday and Saturday. Web: www.yellowstoneskifestival.com and www.rendezvousskitrails.com (for races)

25th - Huffing For Stuffing Thanksgiving Day Run. Kids' Run at 8:00am, 10K at 8:50am, 5K at 9:15am and [NEW] Untimed 5K event for noncompetitive runners and walkers at 9:15am. Start/Finish at Museum of the Rockies. Race proceeds to benefit the Gallatin Valley Food Bank. winddrinkers.org.

25th - Proposed opening day, Big Sky.

26th-27th - Help Center, Inc.-Holiday Festival of Arts & Crafts at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds Exhibit Buildings, Fri 12pm-5pm, Sat 10am-4pm, Admission $3/day, 11 yrs & older.

28th - General bighorn sheep hunting season ends. fwp.mt.gov.

28th - Black bear hunting season ends. fwp.mt.gov.

28th - Moose hunting season ends. fwp.mt.gov.

28th - Mountain goat hunting season ends. fwp.mt.gov.

28th - Fall mountain lion season ends. fwp.mt.gov.

December 2010

1st - Christmas Bird Count, West Yellowstone. Join us for the 7th annual West Yellowstone Christmas Bird Count in conjunction with the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center and the Sacajawea Audubon Society. Enjoy a day of birding in the West Yellowstone/ Hebgen Lake area. Meet at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center at 8:00 am $5 fee. Contact: (406) 646-7001 for more information.

3rd - Livingston Holiday Stroll, 4-8pm. livinston-chamber.com.

3rd - Three Forks glitters with the excitement of the holiday season. Enjoy the crowning of the Christmas Stroll King and Queen, fireworks display, horse-drawn wagon rides, magic show, community cookie exchange, the 50/50 raffle drawing, and, at closing, the bonfire plus roasted marshmallows and s'mores. A visit from Santa, dozens of local crafters, a baking contest, gingerbread house contest, and specials in the area shops also help make up this annual event. threeforksmontana.com.

4th - Bozeman Kiwanis Club Pancake Feed at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds Exhibit Building 4, 7am-1pm, $5 adults, $2.50 children.

4th-5th - S and R Gifts-Craft Show at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds Exhibit Buildings 2 & 3, Sat 8am-4pm, Sun 12pm-5pm, admission $1 that goes to Eagle Mount.

4th - 30th Annual Christmas Stroll. Be a part of Downtown Bozeman’s greatest holiday tradition…the Christmas Stroll. On Sat., Dec. 5th at 4:30PM Santa Claus works his way from the Emerson Cultural Center down Main Street, singing Christmas carols and lighting the downtown holiday lights with more than 6,000 people in tow as Bozeman\'s annual Christmas Stroll gets people into the holiday (shopping) spirit. Enjoy horse drawn wagon rides, pictures with Santa Claus, the gingerbread house display, entertainment, holiday treats and much more! The fun lasts until 7:30PM. Check out the "current news" link on the homepage of this website to view the most recent list of activities at the Stroll or pick up a Stroll packet inserted into the Chronicle on the Friday prior to the Stroll! downtownbozeman.org.

4th - Old-Fashioned Christmas Celebration in Virginia & Nevada Cities, virginiacity.com.

8th-10th - National Guard Biathlon, West Yellowstone. This event is open to all interested skiers. No previous biathlon or shooting experience is necessary. A safety clinic will be held just prior to the start of the race. All new biathletes are encouraged to participate in the FREE "Try Biathlon" clinic at the range on Tuesday from 10:30am to noon. westyellowstonechamber.com.

10th-12th - Bozeman Trail Promotions - Cabin Fever Gun Show at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds Exhibit Buildings, Fri 5pm-8pm, Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 9am-3pm, $5 adult $1 children admission good all weekend.

11th-12th - WMI of NOLS Wilderness First Aid & WFR recert courses in Bozeman, MT.  When calling for help is not an option, the rules change . . . plain and simple! The Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS is defining the standards in wilderness medicine training. WMI of NOLS WILDERNESS FIRST AID COURSE  Bozeman December 11-12, 2010 Price: $250.00 per person. Two days of intense training in Wilderness First Aid. WMI will teach you the skills needed so you can care for an injured friend until the pros arrive. We promise you will learn lots while having tons of fun! These courses are open to everyone. No previous experience needed. A few spots are open on this WFA course to folks who need to recertify their Wilderness First Responder. Course Location: Lindley Park Center, Bozeman, MT. For these WMI of NOLS courses in Bozeman please make reservations through the Crossing Latitudes office. VISA, Master Card or checks are welcome. Please call or email for more information. 1-406-585-5356. Email: info@crossinglatitudes.com

12th - Big Timber Christmas Light Parade, 5pm. Downtown. livingston-chamber.com.

15th - West Entrance to Yellowstone Opens to Over-the-Snow Travel. Yellowstone re-opens to winter over-the-snow travel by guided snowmobile or snowcoach tours until March 15, 2011.

15th - Mountain grouse season ends. fwp.mt.gov.

16th - West Yellowstone Christmas Stroll. It's a time of rosy cheeks and laughter. Kick off the fun with the 6th Annual "Parade of Lights". There will be plenty of festivities for the kids and a Poker Stroll for the big kids (21 & over). Join your friends and neighbors as we light the Town Tree, greet Santa, and stroll the shops seeking just the right gifts.

16th-18th - West Yellowstone Sled Dog Races - "Rodeo Run." The yips of eager dogs will pierce the winter mornings as mushers prepare for the return of Sled Dog Races to West Yellowstone. After three-year hiatus, paws will pound across the Old Airport as sleds and mushers head off down the trail. Thursday 3-5 pm meet the mushers and their canine athletes in front of Wild West Pizzeria. Races begin at 9:00 both days with 12-dog teams the first off. 8-dog and 6-dog teams followed by Junior Race, 4 dog teams. Awards will follow Sundays races at Wild West Pizzeria. Contact: westyellowstonesleddograces.com; (406)646-4988 or rodeosconcrete@msn.com