Life Montana Style: Recent Comments

Comment on Big Mountain Hits the Big Time

Glen Boulder — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 09:02:46 GMT

It's called a hostile takeover. These people from California could not even provide the services promised in their map and brochures. When they shortened the ski day because "it's too dangerous" at that hour, we knew they were crooks.

Comment on You Can Have it all in the Flathead Valley

Ryon Brewer — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:57:41 GMT

You Can Have More of it in Missoula! This week Mayor Engen and Commission Jean Curtis delivered the "State of Missoula" speech to a large crowd. The jist of their reports was very positive: Missoula continues to grow, overall growth was at 3.8% in 2007 with a positive outlook for 2008. Both city and county governments are focused on dealing with the quality of life issues this kind of growth generates. For example, in 2006 the passage of a large open space bond has led to the purchase of several key properties in Missoula County aimed at preserving our rural heritage. Second, work is proceeding quickly on "UFDA" (pronounced "oofduh") which is an important planning tool for managing growth in the urban fringe development area, where we expect 15,000 new homes in the next 20 years. Both governments continue to work toward extending our open space, parks and extensive trail systems to make sure the lifestyle we moved here to enjoy remains intact.

Comment on Snowmobilers Beware

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 10:50:16 GMT

Watch out for the moose too!

Comment on Lack of Salt Water in Montana's Northwest Corner

Annie Britz — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 12:09:03 GMT

As I often tell people, "if I didn't live here already, I would want to." Where is your backyard?

Comment on Lack of Salt Water in Montana's Northwest Corner

Rosie Shearwood — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 16:27:15 GMT

I am a 40+ year resident of Western Colorado, and have considered Annie Britz a good friend for about half of those years. I take some responsibility for re-kindling her passion for horses during those early years, and I love to read of her success in blending that love of horses with her business.
During a recent visit we discussed the differences (and similarities) of real estate markets in Montana and Colorado.
While we recognized that there does seem to be a general slowing of the market, high end property is still moving and being built, which in a way, exacerbates the problems facing both states. Multi million dollar homes require a sizeable work force to create and sustain them, and we in Colorado are finding there is precious little available housing for that work force. Our median house price here is right at $400,000 and rental units start at $1,500 (mobile home!) per month. This is placing tremendous pressure on our county to try to answer the "affordable housing" question, as they fear for the stability of our work force.
I love Montana, I have owned property there, and have family there. I see symptoms of growing pains that Colorado experienced some years ago during its boom of mountain development, and hope that the State of Montana will take a lesson from my state. Beautiful land attracts people, so it rests on the shoulders of responsible leaders to require responsible development.
Good luck Montana, and I look forward to visiting your fine state for years to come and finding it as lovely as it is today, and see you next summer Annie!

Comment on Montana is a nice little secret for now

Anonymous in Montana — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 00:28:23 GMT

Living in Montana to me means that when my car breaks down, it won't be long before I get help.

Late this summer after attending a classic car show, my husband and I were driving our classic car home when we had an unexpected mechanical failure that left us at a standstill on the side of the road. Not knowing how far help might be, my husband and I agreed that he would go for help and I would remain with the car. Five minutes later the first passerby slowed and inquired if I needed assistance. I thanked him but told him my husband had gone for help. The next two cars slowed, and only kept going after I gave them a thumbs up. Several other cars passed but then a husband and wife stopped, and after inquiring what had happened, also wanted to know about the classic car club of which we are members. By the time they finally left, we'd had a nice visit, and they had the name and meeting times of our car club which they said they might look into joining. They waved and smiled as they drove away and I felt like I had made two new friends. The next guy drove right past me, slowed a little, but continued to the interstate. "Well" I thought, "finally someone who didn't stop". Funny thing though, as he neared the interstate, I saw his brake lights as he pulled a u-turn and headed back my way. "Young lady", the older gentleman said gruffly, "I'm embarrassed to say that I passed you the first time - but I couldn't do it. I turned around and came back, what can I do to help?" I thanked him and told him that I appreciated his stopping but that my husband would return shortly. He nodded, turned around again and headed back towards the interstate. Just then, a pickup truck came around the corner and out jumped my husband and a thirty-something guy wearing Carharts and a broad smile. "Tough luck" he said shaking his head like he'd been there before, then he and my husband got to work.

15 minutes later we were back on the road and as we drove, I pondered how safe it felt to live in a place where friendly folks that I would probably never see again stopped what they were doing on a busy day to help another human in need. "You know", I said to my husband as we drove home, "things like that are why I love living in Montana.

If people want to move here who want friendly neighbors, and who want to be friendly neighbors in return, I say come on over. You couldn't choose a better place.

Comment on World Class Golf in the Flathead

NAD — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 11:31:16 GMT

SUMMER GOLF IN THE FLATHEAD HAS IT'S ADVANTAGES. YOU CAN PLAY UNTIL 10:00 P.M.

Comment on World Class Golf in the Flathead

Brian — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 09:38:25 GMT

I agree with Nad, fall is a good time to golf in the Flathead but I think summer is a better time of year. The days are longer so if you're in business meeting all day and you can't get away until late afternoon you can still make 18 holes.

Comment on Lack of Salt Water in Montana's Northwest Corner

Anonymous — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 15:44:20 GMT

nice work. Makes me want to live in your backyard