Local Rapper Visits Cameroon:
Bozeman resident and rapper Ajax Starglider toured the African Nation of Cameroon in early May with other hip hop artists and a production crew in tow. The group performed at local venues, participated in medical clinics and played at the infamous Douala Central Prison. They were warmly welcomed by Cameroonians, signing autographs, participating in multiple radio interviews and appearing on several different TV shows. The production crew documented their time there in order to explore the cause of the recent riots, the corruption surrounding their government, the beauty of the people and the resurgence of real hip hop in Africa. Moxey Creative will be releasing the documentary “Nobodies from America” to Film Festivals in 2009.
Ted’s Montana Grill Opens in June:
Ted’s Montana Grill, founded by Ted Turner and award-winning restaurateur George McKerrow Jr. is slated to open June 2 in Downtown Bozeman’s historic Baxter Hotel. The Bozeman restaurant, the company’s 57th nationwide, will occupy 4,800 square feet in the 79-year-old hotel. The company has renovated the space, but has preserved many of the classic architectural touches. The Grill will seat 128 indoors, with two outdoor patios that can seat a total of 96 additional guests during warm-weather months.
People are also reading…
New Conductor for the Bozeman Symphonic Choir:
The Bozeman Symphony Society recently announced the appointment of Russell Millburn as Conductor of the Bozeman Symphonic Choir. Educated in Leuven, Belgium, Millburn received his Masters at the Institute of Music and Drama in vocal performance and pedagogical studies. His teaching experience includes vocal instruction at the Conservatory of Music and Art in Leuvan, and the Conservatory of Music in Anderlecht, Brussels and the Bozeman Public Schools. Additionally he is a freelance tenor soloist and ensemble member of various vocal organizations, most notably, the Flemish Radio Choir, Cappalla Brugensis and Psallentes, which perform in public concerts, live radio broadcasts and recordings throughout Europe. “I’m excited for all of us at the Bozeman Symphony Society to have the opportunity to work with Russell,” said Matthew Savery, Music Director and Conductor of the Bozeman Symphony Society.
Big Timber Cowboy Poet Awarded:
Big Timber Cowboy Poet Gwen Peterson was recently awarded a first place prize at the 18th Annual Midwest Book Awards, sponsored by the Midwest Independent Publishers Association. The Annual Awards attracted 167 nominations from 78 publishers from 12 Midwestern states in our region. Peterson’s 2007 book, How to Shovel Manure published by Voyageur Press, won the humor category.
Paradise Valley Tower Home Featured Nationally:
Bozeman local Ron Gompertz can’t seem to stay out of the national news, first with his controversial Chrismukkah Web site, then with his Bozeman-based Eco Auto business and now with his alternative “tower house” he has built among the log cabins of Paradise Valley. This unique house was featured in the April/May edition of Outside’s Go magazine, a branch of Outside targeted specifically towards a male audience. Check out the article by local writer Ray Sikorski at www.outsidego.com/index.
GVLT Seeking Accreditation:
A national commission is seeking public comment on the Gallatin Valley Land Trust’s (GVLT) conservation work. GVLT is in the first group of land trusts nationwide to apply for accreditation through the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, established to ensure high standards of ethical and technical operations in response to the tremendous success and growth of land trusts like GVLT across the nation in recent years. According to Executive Director Stephen Johnson, GVLT has worked with 70 families to permanently conserve over 50 square miles of private land in Gallatin County and the surrounding counties. The Commission invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on pending applications. Comments will be most useful by June 14, and must relate to how GVLT complies with the specific established quality standards. To learn more about the accreditation program and to submit a comment, click on the link to the Accreditation Commission from GVLT’s Web site at www.gvlt.org.
