Arts & Entertainment
New Big Sky taxi service shifts gears
Published
4 years agoon
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AdminBy Brandon Walker EBS LOCAL EDITOR
BIG SKY – Three years ago Ben Keefe came up with the idea to create a taxi service in Big Sky. Having ventured into the Uber realm with minimal success in the Big Sky community, he concluded that a consistent schedule was the key factor lacking to make the industry successful. Fast forward to present day and COVID-19 has altered that plan for now.
Keefe and his business partner, Jade Nef, have adapted their vision to fit the COVID-19 landscape—albeit in a complimentary way. Rather than providing taxi service for the time being, Mountain and Canyon Cab Company will offer grocery and food delivery to the hungry, holed up bellies of Big Sky.
“[I] just love this place and been living here for years and wanted to give back and help the community out,” Keefe said. MAC Cab will be providing their services free of charge, but welcome any generous contributions from those benefiting from their services, according to mountainandcanyoncab.com.
Originally from Albany, New York, Keefe and his wife relocated to Big Sky seven years ago. After trying his hand at a couple different jobs in town, he decided that he wanted to work for himself. Keefe already owns and operates his own home inspection company, Gallatin Home Inspections, which led him to seek help, in the form of a partner, to assist with the operations of MAC Cab.
Prior to the pandemic-related challenges, Keefe was faced with adversity in finding a business partner. “I have talked to multiple people over the past few years about that and…[we] weren’t on the same page about it,” Keefe said in a March 13 interview. “Then I finally got ahold of my friend, Jade, who is my now-business partner.”
Prior to the pandemic, Keefe and Nef were preparing to launch their business by the end of March. The plan was an on-demand taxi service to provide transportation throughout Big Sky, even offering airport rides dependent on demand at the time.
Projected hours of operation were slated for 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. in the winter with adjusted hours to offer more daytime service in the summer months. MAC Cab’s vehicles, 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrids, selected with sustainability values in mind, will even be complete with the traditional dome-style taxi light.
“Eventually we will just be 24-hour service, but for right now, starting off, those are going to be our…hours of operation,” Keefe said before COVID-19 events began to unfold.
Insert the unforeseen health crisis, stay-at-home directives, delays in obtaining their vehicles and MAC Cab has emerged with an altered plan to lend a hand to the community they aim to serve with their two-vehicle fleet.
“Starting when this is all happening is pretty scary,” Keefe said in a phone interview with EBS on April 9. “Just not knowing whether or not we would be able to make it work with…everything shutting down.”
Nevertheless, MAC Cab is forging on to assist their friends and neighbors, starting this week by reaching out to area businesses, asking if they need help with deliveries.
“Hoping we can help serve the community and just help everyone stay safe and get people what they need,” Keefe said. “…help the businesses maybe get a little more business in town—restaurants, grocery stores and stuff—and just help keep the town moving.”
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My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
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My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
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Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
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Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
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March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
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Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
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Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass St. Joseph Catholic Mission
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Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass
St. Joseph Catholic Mission
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