As I've told you here in the past, I've made it a habit to read the Declaration of Independence and Constitution at least once a year - and definitely on Independence Day.
To encourage Beacon readers to do the same, I usually post a link to read these documents. This year, however, I thought I'd give you something a little different...
Commentary: Independence Day in sight and sound
Freedom Machine
Gunsight from the port side waist gun on the B-17 "Sentimental Journey". - Mark Riffey photo for the Beacon
[read more]Dispatches
An Ideal Fourth for Every Taste
Sailing on Flathead Lake. Lido Vizzutti/Flathead Beacon
Some Fourth of July activities are obvious: The classic celebrations like fireworks, community fairs and parades are in abundance in almost every American town, including the Flathead (Find a full listing of these on our “Events” page).
But there are less traditional, and uniquely local, ways to celebrate the Fourth as well. In this section, we aim to highlight some Flathead excursions that we think hold promise for an especially memorable day – whether you’re looking for the valley’s best party spot or family-friendly activities.
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But there are less traditional, and uniquely local, ways to celebrate the Fourth as well. In this section, we aim to highlight some Flathead excursions that we think hold promise for an especially memorable day – whether you’re looking for the valley’s best party spot or family-friendly activities.
Commentary: Business is Personal
What if Henry Went After Your Market?
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In a room with 100 billionaires, 80 of them are just your average billionaire (whatever that is), 15 of them are high-achievers (within that group) and 5 of them can kick the crud out of the other 95 at anything laid before them.
Yet they’d all be billionaires.
I've seen this situation again and again. It's held true for photographers, welders, timber framers, people who write business columns – and many others. In other words, even in a room full of highly-successful people, 5% of them could kick the crap out of the others in business, tennis, mountain climbing or whatever they attempted.
The difference? Click that link on the right to find out.
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Yet they’d all be billionaires.
I've seen this situation again and again. It's held true for photographers, welders, timber framers, people who write business columns – and many others. In other words, even in a room full of highly-successful people, 5% of them could kick the crap out of the others in business, tennis, mountain climbing or whatever they attempted.
The difference? Click that link on the right to find out.
Sentimental Journey one of few B-17s still in flight
Flying Fortress Descends on the Flathead
Seth Tanner, right, and his father, Garth Tanner, inspect the Sentimental Journey on display at Glacier Park International Airport. The WWII B-17 was built in 1944. - Lido Vizzutti/Flathead Beacon
The B-17 Flying Fortress was built to be a battleship of the sky. Today, it has put its guns to rest and serves a new purpose. It is a flying museum.
On June 26, one of the only fully restored B-17s in the world landed at Glacier Park International Airport as part of an annual summer tour around the United States. Its name is the Sentimental Journey. It looks and feels like World War II, with all of the original gadgets but none of the firepower. On its side are the painted letters of its name and a large painting of famous WWII pinup girl Betty Grable.
[read more]
On June 26, one of the only fully restored B-17s in the world landed at Glacier Park International Airport as part of an annual summer tour around the United States. Its name is the Sentimental Journey. It looks and feels like World War II, with all of the original gadgets but none of the firepower. On its side are the painted letters of its name and a large painting of famous WWII pinup girl Betty Grable.
Plum Creek Layoffs
Plum Creek Timber Closes Mills in Pablo, Evergreen
Plum Creek Timber Co. closed its plants in Pablo and Evergreen on Friday because of a weak housing construction market and millions of dollars in losses.
Eighty-seven people were laid off at the Pablo sawmill, and 63 workers lost their job at the Evergreen mill and remanufacturing plant. Meanwhile, 23 employees were laid off at Plum Creek's Columbia Falls mill, which will remain open.
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Eighty-seven people were laid off at the Pablo sawmill, and 63 workers lost their job at the Evergreen mill and remanufacturing plant. Meanwhile, 23 employees were laid off at Plum Creek's Columbia Falls mill, which will remain open.
Setting Up a Tech Firm in a Remote Location
Bringing Technology to the Flathead, One Entrepreneur at a Time
Illustration by Stephen Templeton/Flathead Beacon
There’s technology rising up in these woods. With the global connection powers of the Internet, entrepreneurs such as Web development gurus are discovering that close proximity to a metropolitan center is no longer a prerequisite to run their businesses. They can set up shop in paradise without missing a beat.
It helps that the Flathead Valley has a quality infrastructure system, including a DSL circuit that is both extensive and modern. This serves as a welcoming sign for techies who are considering the Montana lifestyle. Lyle Phillips, president and chief executive officer for Montana West Economic Development, describes it this way: “For being in the sticks, we really do have good access to those needed utilities.”
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It helps that the Flathead Valley has a quality infrastructure system, including a DSL circuit that is both extensive and modern. This serves as a welcoming sign for techies who are considering the Montana lifestyle. Lyle Phillips, president and chief executive officer for Montana West Economic Development, describes it this way: “For being in the sticks, we really do have good access to those needed utilities.”
Commentary: Business is Personal
Out of Work? Check the Mirror
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A long time ago, I was sitting in a coffee shop talking to a older gentleman from Jackson Hole about our family's dream to move to the mountains. At the time, I had a great paying job and was negotiating to take it to the mountains with me (that later fell through).
He came to Jackson Hole in the 1960s with $200 in his pocket. 30 years later, he was still there and very successful, so I figured I could learn something from him. I wasn't kidding about those old guys last week.
He gave me some advice that has stuck with me since that time some 14 years ago. He said: "If you're coming to live in the mountains, you better bring your own job and your own woman, cuz we don't have enough of either one".
Which brings me to what's going on here. Lots of people out of work.
Many of you have what teenagers would call "mad (whatever) skills". In normal English, that means "valuable skills in (whatever you do)".
So now what?
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He came to Jackson Hole in the 1960s with $200 in his pocket. 30 years later, he was still there and very successful, so I figured I could learn something from him. I wasn't kidding about those old guys last week.
He gave me some advice that has stuck with me since that time some 14 years ago. He said: "If you're coming to live in the mountains, you better bring your own job and your own woman, cuz we don't have enough of either one".
Which brings me to what's going on here. Lots of people out of work.
Many of you have what teenagers would call "mad (whatever) skills". In normal English, that means "valuable skills in (whatever you do)".
So now what?
If alternative energy gains a foothold in the valley, it will start with small businesses
Tapping Clean Power
Ben Walters, right, helps Gary Neff, left, and one of his sons, Clayton Neff, secure two canisters in the front of a Chevrolet at H2 Pure Power in Kalispell. - Lido Vizzutti/Flathead Beacon
It all started with rising fuel prices, curiosity and a few mason jars. For two years, Carl Neff researched ways to increase the gas mileage in his 1997 Chevrolet Blazer. When the makeshift hydrogen fuel cell made from old glass jars failed, Neff turned to H2 Pure Power’s hydrogen canisters. Now, along with his father Gary and brother Clayton, Neff plans to start a family-owned and operated business installing the generators in cars and trucks in the Flathead Valley.
“I’ve always been interested in alternative energy sources,” Neff said while working alongside his father and brother last week to install their first canister at H2 Pure Power’s workshop in south Kalispell. “Not only will it help provide jobs for the community, but no matter what it affects everybody.”
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“I’ve always been interested in alternative energy sources,” Neff said while working alongside his father and brother last week to install their first canister at H2 Pure Power’s workshop in south Kalispell. “Not only will it help provide jobs for the community, but no matter what it affects everybody.”
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