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    Prairie Pillars Fall:
    A bit of Sheridan County history went up in smoke on November 18. By Lou Mandler

    Farmlands Becoming Grounds for Hunters
    Hunting is big business. And it's getting bigger. Especially in the prairie country of the northern plain states. See article in
    New York Times

    Alaskans Adopt Flaxville
    Fall River, Massachusetts to Fairbanks and Ketchikan, Alaska to Flaxville, Montana. by Lou Mandler

    Jason DeShaw BiodieselTour
    The S.A.V.E. Foundation  make stop in Plentywood, promoting use of Biodiesel.

    Canada to Mexico
    The Port of Raymond to Culbertson makes up the northernmost segment of “Great Plains International Trade Corridor”  

    Forgotten Border
    Many say the USA's northern border — more than 4,000 miles of open and largely unprotected land — remains a
    dangerously weak link in the nation's post-9/11 effort to shore up security against terrorist attacks.  Read "Focus shifts north
    amid terror fears" USA TODAY By Mimi Hall.

    4 Lanes for Highway 2
    For the last decade, residents of northern Montana have been praying for asphalt to stave off the disappearance of their
    dwindling ranching and farming towns.

    Opportunities for the Northern Great Plains
    Read this eye opening report from the Northern Great Plains, Inc.



    Birding
    America's fastest growing outdoors activity and Montana is leading the way.

    Energy Out of thin air
    U.S. winds could generate more electricity in 15
    years than all of Saudi Arabia's oil, without being
    depleted . . . . and Montana leads the nation in
    wind energy power potential . . .

Ideas &  Opportunities . . . .

    15 Million Dollar Wired Grant Awarded to Montana
    The Workforce Development Unit at the OCHE offices recently collaborated with the Governor's Office of Economic
    Opportunity, the Department of Labor and Industry and other various agencies to apply for a grant available through the U.S.
    Dept. of Labor. The Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development in Selected Regions (WIRED) grant was
    created to assist regions that have industries in decline or have an area in need of industry growth.

    New Valley Mulit-Purpose Event Center
    Glasgow is home of the Ice Dawgs youth hockey team, but the multi-purpose building is used year around for many other
    community events and activities.To get started a $20,000 grant was awarded by the Montana Department of Commerce’s
    2006 Tourism Infrastructure Investment Program (TIIP)

    Biomass has Future in Ethanol, but Hurdles Loom
    The study, released by the Biotechnology Industry Organization, said farmers could use biomass -- made by using waste
    from corn, wheat and other crops -- to produce ethanol. But removing it from their land would require farmers to adopt new
    land management practices and a costly upfront investment of about $100,000 in new planting equipment.

    $200,000 in Tourism "Bed Tax" Grants Awarded
    Governor Brian Schweitzer announces that Lewistown’s Charlie Russell Chew Choo Dinner Tour Train, Polson’s John
    Dowdall Theatre, the Culberston Museum, Glasgow’s Pioneer Museum and Valley Event Center, Bozeman-based Montana
    Shakespeare in the Parks and the Utica Community Center are the recipients of $200,000 from the Montana Department of
    Commerce’s 2006 Tourism Infrastructure Investment Program (TIIP) “bed tax” grant funds.

    Special Events Grant Program Funds Available
    Governor Brian Schweitzer announces that Montana communities, organizations and tribal governments sponsoring or
    planning new annual events are invited to apply for $50,000 in state tourism “bed tax” grant funds available from the Montana
    Department of Commerce, Travel Montana Special Events Grant Program (SEGP). The SEGP application deadline is
    January 12, 2007.

    Toungue River Ranch Possible Addition to Public Lands
    More Than 18,000 acres located 30 miles southwest of Miles City under consideration by State Land Board. As a member of
    the State Land Board, Montana State Auditor John Morrison got his first look at new state lands being considered under the
    recently-formed land banking program.

    Whole Foods Offers Cards to Fund Wind Power Market
    Top US natural and organic foods retailer Whole Foods Market began selling "wind-power cards" that seek to fund and
    market the growing renewable energy

    Philanthropy From the Heart of America
    Article appearing in the New York Times, by David Leonhart, October 11, 2006. Forwarded to Sheridan County Online by
    Cathy Cooney, Program Director of the  Montana Community Foundation/Women's Foundation of Montana  --
    Valley County, not far from the center of Nebraska, seemed to be one of those Great Plains communities that was dying.
    From World War II to 2000 it had lost almost half its population, and the decline was gathering speed at the end of the
    century. The I.G.A. and Jack & Jill grocery stores closed, as did most mom and pop gas stations and the local dairy
    processing plant. In the last five years, though, something utterly unexpected has happened. The decline has stopped.

Health & Fitness:

    Medicare Revision Window Now Open
    Montana State Auditor and Insurance Commissioner John Morrison is reminding Montana Medicare beneficiaries that the
    annual Part D open enrollment period is open from now until December 31, 2006

    Childhood obesity epidemic drives more kids to bikes
    With national concern growing about expanding juvenile waistlines, there has never been a better time to get kids riding
    bikes. According to the Centers for Disease Control, youth obesity levels have quadrupled in the last twenty-five years. The
    Institute of Medicine notes that more than nine million children age six and over are obese.

    Surviving a heart attack when you're alone
    A cardiologist says if everyone who reads this and sends it to 10 others ~ you can be sure that we'll save at least one life.
    Read this...It could save your life.!!

    Minnesota Sets Bar on Health
    The land of 10,000 lakes has been named the healthiest state for the fourth consecutive year, according to a report released
    today by the United Health Foundation, a private, non-profit organization dedicated to supporting healthy communities.  
    Montana ranked 22, Louisiana last.

Montana News

    2006 State Tourism Public Comment Meeting Series Scheduled
    Montanans are invited to comment on and create the future vision, goals and direction for the state's tourism and recreation
    industry through the series of 7 public meetings. Who should participate in these meetings? Anyone interested and involved
    in Montana's tourism and recreation activities: citizens, business owners, tribal and community representatives, nonprofit
    organizations, public agencies and more.

    Montana's Big Game Hunting Season is in Full Swing
    Montana’s 2006 general big game hunting season—or rifle season—for deer and elk opened Oct. 22 and generally ends
    Nov. 26. For details on Montana’s fall hunting seasons, regulations, and specific season dates by hunting district, please
    see the print regulations available at all FWP offices and license providers, or visit the Hunting page on the FWP web site at
    fwp.mt.gov .  Also be sure to visit FWP’s Hunt Planner for district regulations and maps.

    2006 Watershed Symposium: Charting our Course in a Changing West
    The 2006 Watershed Symposium: Charting Our Course in a Changing West is scheduled for December 5-7 at the Great
    Falls Holiday Inn. This Symposium will help participants learn and use information that can help local efforts improve natural
    resources while maintaining community values.

    Two Centennial Farms & Ranches to be Honored by Montana Farmers Union
    Two Eastern Montana farm and ranch families who have maintained their family’s homestead land in the family for the past
    one hundred years, were honored at the Montana Farmers Union’s 91st Annual Meeting and Convention. MFU elects new
    president and board.

    Eastern Montana Colleges Receive WIRED Grants
    The Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education has chosen four post secondary institutions to receive funding under
    Montana’s New Homestead Act: Workforce Innovation and Regional Economic Development (WIRED).

    Gateway to Opportunity Forum Adds Energy Career Fair
    Reserve Thursday, January 4, 2007 for the fifth annual “Gateway to Opportunity”-a regional economic development forum to
    be held at Dawson Community College in the Toepke Center. It's an exciting seminar to help new and existing
    entrepreneurs and business people  in Montana and North Dakota to maximize their potential.

    Coal-To-Liquid Fuel Plant
    Governor Brian Schweitzer, on Monday October 2, announced an agreement with a team of companies to build one of the
    nation's first coal-to-liquid fuel facilities.



    Coffee-to-Compost Service
    This program involves volunteer bicyclists who collect 450 gallons of coffee grounds a month from local bakeries, delis, and
    coffee shops and transport them to the garden compost pile.


    Oregon Congressman Introduces Bike Commuter Act
    Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) introduces the Bike Commuter Act. The bill would amend a section of the IRS code
    to include bicycles in the definition of transportation covered by fringe benefits.

    Is this the shape of the future?
    The new smart for two was introduced at the North American Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan – the final stop on its
    international debut tour.

    Car Free in America?
    The Alternative is Rail, Buses, Bikes and Just Plain Walking. The Europeans and South Americans are far ahead of the car-
    dependent U.S. in taking back the streets.  
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