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Opinion: Small towns, big thinking
Published
11 years agoon
Posted By
AdminBy Eric Ladd
Explorebigsky.com Publisher
Small Town America never ceases to amaze me; here in Big Sky, we can see the power of the individuals, grassroots organizations and small businesses who help make our country great.
This past week, I found inspiration in two examples of locals thinking big, making change and progress happen.
This new company based in Big Sky was founded to help people live healthier, more self-sufficient lifestyles. End result: an Earthship in Big Sky. This fully off-the-grid home was built primarily from recycled materials with a sustainable design.
For all the world’s naysayers, it is inspiring to witness doers like the Big Sky Earthship team of Michael Reynolds, Scott Maybee and Jeff Saad. In two-and-a-half weeks, the 2,500-square-foot home went from a conception, to dried-in; without any connection to a primary power source, it will maintain at 65 degrees year round. We’re all going to envy Saad’s power bills – or lack thereof – come February. Find more at seven-directions.com.
2. First Security Bank
Hoping to take advantage of lower interest rates, I’ve been trying to refinance my home loan over the past 10 months via large nationwide banks like Citi Bank. I have paid my loan without fail every month for a decade and have great credit. After wasting countless hours with call center loan agents, paying for appraisals and bank fees, I was turned down on my loan because I’m self employed and don’t fit into “new government loan regulation standards.” Hard to imagine that a leading national bank, recently bailed out with our tax dollars, has regulations so stringent that a person who has kept current with his loan through the recession cannot refinance that same loan.
Enter Joe Miller at First Security Bank in Big Sky. Fourteen days later, my loan was approved and his friendly local staff did all the work. First Security has recently created new loan packages for primary home loans. The thick stack of applications on Miller’s desk combined with his smile said it all. “We are amazed on how many loans we are getting approved for locals,” he said. Kudos to First Security Bank’s board for making intelligent decisions about expediting the process of approving sensible loans.
Remember the power of shopping local. Support small town living. Our country’s future relies on it.
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February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
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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
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
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We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a
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We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a limited palette to create different color combinations? Are you tired of carrying around 15-20 different tubes when you paint plein air? Have you ever wanted to create a certain “mood” in a painting but failed? Do you create a lot of mud? Do you struggle to achieve color harmony? All these problems are addressed in John’s workbook in clear and concise language!
Based on the bestselling “Limited Palatte, Unlimited Color” workbook written by John Pototschnik, the workshop is run by Maggie Shane and Annie McCoy, accomplished landscape (acrylic) and plein air (oil) artists,exhibitors at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery and members of the Big Sky Artists Collective.
Each student will receive a copy of “Limited Palette, Unlimited Color” to keep and take home to continue your limited palette journey. We will show you how to use the color wheel and mix your own clean mixtures to successfully create a mood for your paintings.
Each day, we will create a different limited palette color chart and paint a version of a simple landscape using John’s directives. You will then be able to go home and paint more schemes using the book for guidance.
Workshop is open to painters (oil or acrylic) of any level although students must have some basic knowledge of the medium he or she uses. Students will be provided the book ($92 value), color wheel, value scale and canvas papers to complete the daily exercises.
Sundays, April 14, 21 and 28, 2024
Noon until 6PM.
$170.
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14 (Sunday) 12:00 pm - 28 (Sunday) 6:00 pm
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Come join us at Cowboy Coffee as we celebrate a fun night of drinks, games, and meeting others within the community. This event is from 6-8 and all are welcome
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Come join us at Cowboy Coffee as we celebrate a fun night of drinks, games, and meeting others within the community. This event is from 6-8 and all are welcome to come, if you don’t know who to bring come alone this is a great mixer event! This is an event hosted by Big Sky OUT as we work to provide queer safe spaces throughout the community.
Time
(Sunday) 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location
Cowboy Coffee
25 Town Center Ave. Big Sky, MT 59716