Bozeman, MT March 2024

Trex® Composite decking pictured in

Trex® Composite decking pictured in Clamshell

Home Sweet Home

Home. So much contained in that little four letter word. Home is our grounding. Our base. Our launchpad. It’s where we start and end each day. And while the particulars look different for each of us, the meaning and value it holds for all of us is undeniable.

Author Wendy Wunder said, “The magic thing about home is that it feels good to leave, and it feels even better to come back.” As we thought about home, we wanted to highlight what makes it special to our readers.

I’ve lived in many different houses throughout my life and it made me think about what really makes them a “home”. It didn’t matter whether I owned the house, was renting, or even just staying with family or friends for a while. It wasn’t important that the accommodation was fancy… or not. It was about love and the people who shared experiences there. I think of my home (wherever it may be) as a sanctuary, a space to truly unwind, relax, be vulnerable, heal, laugh, be silly and of course recharge. It makes me think about all that those walls have seen, happy times, moments of sadness and growth, and always so much love surrounding all of those experiences.

We feel like the lucky ones as we learned more about the businesses and individuals that comprise this city and hope the small lens into their lives and work brings people in this community together.

As you flip through the pages of this issue, we hope you’ll feel encouraged and connected to the people around you—in your city, neighborhood and most all of, your home.

Every month, we hear from readers who enjoy reading this publication. They say they feature it as coffee table art or an accessory in their home. We feel proud to create a resource that is valued in our community and strive every month to deliver the value you expect. Thanks for letting us be a part of your home.

Cheers,

MAGGIE HEBRON, PUBLISHER @BOZEMANCITYLIFESTYLE

March 2024

Maggie Hebron | maggie.hebron@citylifestyle.com

Tara Johnson | tara.johnson@citylifestyle.com PUBLISHER ASSISTANT

Hailey Livingston | hailey.livingston@citylifestyle.com

Camille Bissell, Hailey Livingston, Katie Thomas

Bruce Muhlbradt | 406 Photo

LEARN

Voted best bank/credit union 5 years in a row!

city scene

1: Colonel Eric Hastings, founder of Warriors & Quiet Waters, classical piano recital which raised $129,000 for combat veterans 2: Sweet Pea Festival of the Arts Annual Ice Carving Competition 3: Constructive Solutions Inc. Green Drinks networking event 4: Build Physio Gym Grand Opening Party 5: Delicious Forager’s Grits from Mountain Provisions at Bozeman Winter Farmer’s Market 6: Bozeman Symphony’s Conductor Norman Huynh at the Wilson Auditorium

STUDIO MACLEOD

business monthly

Welcoming Dr. Jeffrey Williams to Bozeman for your skincare needs!

Jeffrey Williams, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist who grew up in Bozeman and is happy to be back serving the Gallatin Valley. He joins the Epiphany Dermatology team with a passion for dermatology and extensive experience with various skin conditions, including skin cancer, eczema, psoriasis, acne, and general medical dermatology. Call Epiphany Dermatology at (406) 545-2555 to schedule with Dr. Williams today!

epiphanydermatology.com

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Standing Garden Box DIY Course

Constructive Solutions will be hosting a DIY course at the Emerson. The course will include three classes, once a month in March, April, and May. Classes will last two hours each, and will cover tool safety, cutting, and fastening. In the final class, you will build a standing garden box that you will take home with you, just in time for Mother’s Day. Sign up and reserve your spot at theemerson.org/adult-classes

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Ballroom Dance Bozeman’s Moonlight Ball

Enjoy an elegant night of dancing in a wide variety of styles (waltz, foxtrot, rumba, cha-cha, swing, etc.) at Ballroom Dance Bozeman’s Moonlight Ball! Singles and couples are both welcome. You don’t need to be an expert dancer to attend. Formal attire, plus clean dance shoes (not the ones you wore outside) to protect the floor. Live music by Kate & the AlleyKats. $30 per person. Saturday, March 2nd, 7-10pm, at Bozeman Senior Center, 807 N Tracy. ballroomdancebozeman.org

Want to be featured?

CURATED DESIGN

Curating a design plan is more thank just copying a Pinterest or Instagram photo. It involves real people, their lifestyle, their expectations and their point of view. Unique personalities are reflected by lifestyle choices; design can mirror that. Curation accounts for all the nuances of life to provide space for experiencing while expanding the opportunities for growth and change. Design is not static - it flows.

The Nature of Bozeman is also how I feel about its reflection through design and architecture. For whom are we designing? What do our clients want to experience in that space that we help them create?

Curated Design is about giving more that expected, surprising the senses, and exceeding expectations. It is a personal experience.

- Kris Nunn

krisnunn.design

CALL OR TEXT: 971-404-1812

Kitchen Essentials 5

ARTICLE BY CHEF EMILY HAHN

SMITHEY 10” CAST IRON SKILLET

Masterfully hand-crafted in Charleston, SC.

CUISINART HAND IMMERSION BLENDER

I do not prep a day in the kitchen without this baby! Soup, salads, sauces, oh my!

LE CREUSET 32 QUART  DUTCH OVEN

Enough surface area to sear, braise, bake, make soups, and more!

KUDU 2 OPEN FIRE GRILL

Easy to cook on, and the flavor from the wood is incredible!

DEXTER RUSSEL  9” OFFSET SERRATED KNIFE

This inexpensive bread knife will change your life!

ARTICLE BY HAILEY LIVINGSTON

THE HRDC’S COMMITMENT TO PRESERVING HOMES, SHELTERING THE UNHOUSED, AND SUPPORTING THE BOZEMAN COMMUNITY

TRAILBLAZING THE PATH TO HOMEOWNERSHIP

Nestled in the heart of Bozeman, the Human Resource and Development Council (HRDC) serves as a beacon of hope for the residents of

rent, pushing residents like first responders out of the community to find more affordable housing. The partnership between the City

WHILE HRDC HAS AMBITIOUS GOALS THIS YEAR, FROM TRANSPORTATION TO CHILDCARE, THEIR COMMITMENT TO HOUSING REMAINS UNWAVERING.

Gallatin County. Since its founding in 1975, the HRDC has worked endlessly to address all sorts of issues in the community. From emergency assistance to senior services to community development, the HRDC stands to benefit each individual in the Gallatin Valley. The HRDC constantly assesses the community’s needs to assist and effectively serve local residents. In most recent years, as anyone living in Bozeman can attest, the HRDC has found an overwhelming need for affordable housing.

The organization’s passion for affordable housing began in the 1990's with a partnership with the City of Bozeman; they worked together to create housing for first responders. During this time, Bozeman started seeing a harsh spike in the cost of homes and

of Bozeman and the HRDC led to the first-ever community land trust in Montana. Together, they organized homes and places to live for the first responders, a preschool, and various community spaces.

As exciting as it is to build new developments, one of the most essential jobs HRDC does is preserve existing units and renovate them for future generations. Take the Boulevard Apartments in downtown Bozeman, for example. When the private owner of the Boulevard Apartments wanted to sell, they could have renovated them and turned them into luxury apartments, selling them at a high price. Instead, the owner worked with HRDC to buy time to secure financing to purchase the building and completely renovate the apartments while keeping them affordable.

Through partnerships like the one with the City of Bozeman or the owner of the Boulevard Apartments, the HRDC can address the costly nature of housing developments and directly contribute to the maintenance of affordable housing. This partnership, however, does not have to be with just a business or extensive housing development; they offer this service to any home or property owner. Locals can collaborate with HRDC to ensure their homes are sold affordably, with pricing tailored to their local industry wages. This unique approach allows homeowners to earn equity while capping it to retain a fair price.

As a partner in other affordable developments, HRDC embeds a right of first refusal at the 15 year mark to ensure affordability is maintained, a practice integral to HRDC’s mission.

While HRDC has ambitious goals this year, from transportation to childcare, their commitment to housing remains unwavering. Over the past few months, HRDC board conversations have revolved around obtaining and dedicating 100 acres for future development, a venture through partnerships and community involvement.

THE PROGRAM EMPOWERS

LOCALS, PROVIDES A TAX BENEFIT, AND GUARANTEES THE HOME’S FUTURE AFFORDABILITY.

Want to get involved? For those eager to contribute to the betterment of the Gallatin Valley, HRDC is a fantastic place to start. From assisting local seniors to staffing a food drive, the HRDC is always looking for more ways to involve the community, and you could be a crucial part of the future of the Gallatin Valley.

As Bozeman continues to grow in size and popularity, it is essential that we, as community members, work together to maintain affordability for generations to come. The HRDC stands as a local service provider and a catalyst for change. By constantly addressing the community’s needs and working tirelessly to serve those in need in Bozeman, the HRDC has paved the path to homeownership for a brighter future for all.

GILLEY

&

DRAWING HOUSES, DESIGNING BUSINESSES, AND BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS GILLEY

ARTICLE BY KATIE THOMAS

Sitting on West Olive Street is an unassuming golden bungalow, where two kittens recline on architectural drawings. The drawings depict a variety of structures, from residences to spin studios. The parents of these felines are Duncan and Allison Gilley, a husband-and-wife architecture team who have been practicing in Bozeman since 2003.

After working in architecture in Chicago for 10 years, the Gilleys relocated to Bozeman and worked for a handful of local firms.

Photograph by Chloe Nostrant

Eventually, they started their own design and build business, but when the 2008 recession hit they were forced to take jobs outside the industry. Things picked back up fairly quickly, and the arrival of Covid ultimately resulted in the Gilley and Gilley of today.

Offering both commercial and residential architectural services for new construction and remodeling, the Gilleys work with companies like Reworks Carpentry, Total Quality Construction, Stillwater Builders and others to bring their clients’ visions to life. “People often come to us for custom design solutions,” says Duncan. “Because our setup is relatively small, we have the flexibility to recognize each client’s specific needs, and within reason, we can give it to them.”

Both Allison and Duncan attribute their success to their shared philosophy of prioritizing relationships. They hold communication and service in high regard, lending them a superior collective approach. “We sometimes get clients who have never done this before,” Allison explains, “and we get to educate them, help them get comfortable with the unknown and build trust.”

“We focus on being personal while following protocols,” adds Duncan, “which is part of the responsibility of doing it right. And the project is always better off for it.”

What about all the rapid growth and change going on in Bozeman? “Our view is that we have a responsibility and stewardship to do things right, and to leave the community better than it was,” says Allison. “Hopefully our work’s legacy is that it fits in here, with that Bozeman je ne sais quoi.”

Photograph by Chloe Nostrant

Photography by Bruce Muhlbradt |

ZEN S PACE

YOUR BACKYARD OASIS

PHOTOGRAPHY

From exquisitely hand crafted saunas to luxurious and exceptionally designed hot tubs, locally owned and operated Mountain Hot Tub have been creating yearround backyard sanctuaries for more than 35 years.

Saunas can help the body and mind adapt to stress and aid in recovery after hitting the slopes. Mountain Hot Tub assembles each and every sauna by hand at their Bozeman workshop, from the barrel, cabin, and the unique pod design styles.

ZONE BLUE

What’s the secret to a happy, healthy, and long life? Believe it or not, it’s actually quite simple: There are no secret ingredients, no sizable expenditures, and absolutely zero manufactured elements of any kind. Dive in with us as we share insights from our interview with the internationally renowned Blue Zones Founder, National Geographic Explorer, and award-winning journalist who is revolutionizing the way Americans make choices that can lead to living your best life.

For over twenty years, Dan Buettner has been fully committed to studying the health and longevity of Americans as well as influencing the proper and attainable health-centric environments our communities should embody. What started with identifying five “blue zones” around the world where people are both living longer as well as enjoying a higher quality of life in their elder years has now also evolved into proactively creating eco-systems where our communities engage in setting the standard for clean health.

If you haven’t subscribed to watching “Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones” streaming on Netflix, do yourself a favor and soak up the well-documented views into how Ikaria, Greece, Loma Linda, California, Sardinia, Italy, Okinawa, Japan, and Nicoya, Costa Rica exemplify the basis behind the Blue Zones truth and have since inspired Dan and his team to further extrapolate how we can manufacture healthy blue zone lifestyles in virtually any city and within our homes by way of intentional adaptation.

Most of us are well aware of the “American way of life” we reside in, that being one of convenience in all shapes and forms. We excel in offering the most fast food options in any country. We rank at the top of the most cars per household. We embrace a sedentary at-home lifestyle. And, for many of us, it stems from our childhood to no-fault of our own; comfort foods and Friday night pizza deliveries, complacent recliners and cushy car commutes. In short, however, now more than ever we categorically live in a country where processed foods and ultra-convenience, unfortunately, translate to life-threatening health diseases and a lack of organic joy.

What is the best news of all? All of these characteristics are wildly easy to overcome with effortless, yet conscious pivots to making better decisions with our time, our food, and our focus. Ask yourself: Are you driving or walking? Are you connecting socially? Set your sights on avoiding the majority of processed foods and start eating a largely whole-food and plant-based diet that will (statistically) give you another 10-12 years on your life.

In place of your toaster, keep a fruit bowl on the counter. Create a low-level junk food drawer. Stop buying processed meat, potato chips, sweetened snacks like cookies and candies, and worst of all, sugar-sweet beverages, and start buying more beans, nuts, grains, and tea.

“Am I going to tell you to never have these? No, people deserve to treat themselves. But you’ll do yourself an enormous favor if you just don’t bring those into your home. If you want to go out for those treats, go ahead,” Dan says.

“Simply just don’t bring them home, and you’ll cut out 70-80% of consumption right there.”

Buettner’s first cookbook, The Blue Zones Kitchen, is a fantastic resource featuring ingredients and cooking methods that can increase longevity, wellness, and mental health. The recipes also include lifestyle tips such as proper portion sizes and the best times to eat dinner. Plus, check out his additional seven books that dig deep into the exact foods you should eat to how your circle of friends and family can influence your quality of life.

Who do you hang out with? Happiness is contagious. “The Blue Zone approach is to go through your contact base and think of some friends whose recreation is pickleball, biking, or gardening. Who will care about you on a bad day and have a meaningful conversation? Identify one or two friends who are vegan or vegetarian and show you how and where to eat whole foods. Actively invite them out for lunch, and bring them into your social circle: this will have a bigger, long-term impact on your behavior than any new diet or exercise, and it costs you zero. Plus, there is a ton of data that shows it works, and it’s long-term.”

“We are marketed the idea that if we change our behavior by exercising more, taking the right supplements, trying this longevity or that anti-aging hack, that we will

Follow

lose weight and get healthy, yet it never works for the longterm,” says Dan. The Blue Zones approach is not trying to change your behaviors, it is asking you to change your surroundings…your eco-system.

Every time you go out to eat, you will consume an extra 300 calories that are laden with more sodium, sugar, and oil than eating at home. “Get your hands on a plant-based cookbook, pick a dozen recipes, and cook those with your family on Sundays. If you make the effort to cook it with your family, you will gain the skills and learn to make some good and whole food plant-based recipes.”

And, we would be remiss not to attend to the travelers at heart who would love to indulge in a luxurious resort paired with the facets of an actual Blue Zones destination. Dan highly recommends seeking out Silvestre in Nosara, Costa Rica where the experience offers wellness programming, fully-equipped kitchens, and outdoor activities that will fuel your inspiration for a healthier life.

Tap into Dan’s wisdom that is creating a new category of places that are not merely the legacy of a healthy culture, but more consciously created by enlightened individuals that are intent on supercharging healthier communities!

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRUCE MUHLBRADT |

406 PHOTO

Sara Koelzer Q&A with

Helping 137 families last year get into homes in a challenging environment, Sara Koelzer of Guaranteed Rate ended 2023 ranked number one in volume in Montana—in part due to the product offerings of her company Guaranteed Rate—along with her team’s speed, execution and exceptional pricing. A home purchase can be an overwhelming process for many, but Koelzer strives to make things simple and fun—and urges an early start, education and knowing your comfort zone.

“There is so much more to a mortgage than just the rate—so you really need to align yourself with a seasoned professional who can guide and educate you with all of the best possible financial options available.”

We saw a 20-year historical high in rates in 2023.  How did you manage to successfully navigate that environment?

Even though rates were high we used creative strategies like temporary rate buydowns to help buyers purchase with credits from the seller to assist with obtaining a lower rate. It really was a perfect combination for many buyers. As the home prices in Bozeman softened a bit, sellers were at a bit of a disadvantage, so they were willing to give more in concessions and our buyers were not forced to be competing in multiple offer situations. This tool allows the buyer to have a reduced rate over a period of typically two to three years with the opportunity to refinance at any point down the road.

What is the best way to prepare for the homebuying and lending journey?

I am really big on education for my clients. My motto is everyone gets an answer to help you become a homebuyer, no matter your credit score or current financial situation. We look thoroughly at each individual’s circumstance to give them specific advice based on their needs. Even if a client cannot purchase today, we are advising steps in order to become a homebuyer in the future.

With that being said, I think there is a misconception out there that buyers today are just taught to “shop rate” and everyone is searching online for the best deal. The internet is a wealth of information, but it also is very deceiving especially if you are first time homebuyer and don’t fully understand all terms and how mortgage loans work.

My advice is to choose a local lender based on referral and experience and work one-on-one with them. Start this well in advance of wanting to look at properties with an agent. The general rule of thumb is the concept of "two's". Have two years of tax returns, W2’s, paystubs and bank statements all prepared and ready for your lender to review. It’s so important to work with your lender to figure out your comfort zone of payment before you begin the home search, you don’t want to end up disappointed learning the home you love isn’t within your qualification range.

CONTINUED >

We know that you don’t have a crystal ball, but what are the predictions for this year?

We are expecting a gradual steady decline in rates. The primary factor for mortgage rates is ongoing improvement in inflation. Bozeman is such a desirable place to live and we have more activity than a large part of the country. When you add the demand to move to Bozeman coupled with lower rates, that in turn spurs more activity and multiple bid offers driving price as well. Regardless, higher inventory will be very healthy for the market and we do expect that inventory to increase this year.

What new tools does Guaranteed Rate have that would be useful for a homebuyer trying to prepare for the process?

Last year we launched a new “soft pull” credit feature that allows any of our homebuyers to apply online and initially we only do a soft credit pull.  It gives the loan officer three credit scores from the bureaus accurately but there is no hard hit to your credit. It’s such a great way for many of my buyers who are not quite ready to make the full commitment to still apply and have me be able to give them a full pre-approval. It’s been a game changer being able to offer this to all clients.

MARCH 2024

events

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

MARCH 2ND

Ballroom Dance Bozeman’s Moonlight Ball

Bozeman Senior Center 807 N Tracy Ave Bozeman, MT | 7:00 PM

Enjoy the elegance at Ballroom Dance Bozeman’s Moonlight Ball! Singles and couples are welcome. You don’t need to be an expert dancer to attend! Formal attire, plus clean dance shoes (not the ones you wore outside) to protect the floor. Live music by Kate & The Alley Kats. $30 per person. ballroomdancebozeman.org

MARCH 8TH

Big Sky International Women's Day Group Ski

Big Sky Mountain Sports 54 Big Sky Resort Rd, Big Sky, MT | 1:00 PM

Grab your skis or board and join Girl Get After It and Big Sky Resort to celebrate International Women's Day with an empowering day filled with skiing, camaraderie, and fun, followed by a happy hour at The Umbrella Bar. This event is free to join and open to all skiers and riders. bigskyresort.com

MARCH 8TH

The North Face Presents: Reel Rock 18

Emerson Center for the Arts & Culture Crawford Theater 111 South Grand Avenue Bozeman, MT | 6:00 PM

Immerse yourself in four gripping new climbing films from across the globe: a visionary first ascent on Japan’s mythical Mt. Mizugaki; a climbing community held together in war-torn Ukraine; a treacherous free ascent of Jirishanca in the Peruvian Andes; and an exploration of Mallorca’s deep-water soloing. theemerson.org

MARCH 16TH

Pub 317's Run to the Pub

321 E Main St Bozeman, MT | 9:30 AM

10k and half marathon! The loop courses will have a few hills, winding roads, and great views. Each runner and walker will have an opportunity to win one of four trips to Ireland to take part in an Irish road race adventure! runtothepub.com

MARCH 16TH

Raptor Meet and Greet

Museum of the Rockies 600 W. Kagy Blvd. Bozeman, MT | 10:30 AM

What comes to mind when you hear the word, ‘raptor’? Join Montana Raptor Conservation Center educators at The Museum of the Rockies to meet their modern-day dinosaurs, birds! Drop in to meet a live hawk, eagle, or owl; touch raptor-related fossils, and learn about the similarities between living and extinct raptors. Included with membership or admission. museumoftherockies.org

MARCH 17TH

Butte's St. Patrick's Day Parade

Uptown Butte 300-304 E Granite St, Butte, MT | 12:00 PM

Butte has a strong Irish history from its mining days. The copper mine brought thousands of Irish immigrants to the area and their cultural impact on Butte never faltered. Consider celebrating this St. Patrick's Day in the "most Irish place in the U.S."! Events kick off with a parade in historic Uptown Butte. butteamericafoundation.org

“In

They were courteous, friendly and detail oriented. But mostly, they over-delivered on the services I paid for - a ceramic coating on my Tahoe. I can’t believe how good it looks. All of my future car-detail needs will go to these