• JCT Construction LLC,2150 East I Rd, Ballantine, 59006, 696-2772, Tim Broadbent, service
  • Goss Builders, 3933 Cambridge Dr, 59101, 200-1505, Lance Goss, general contractors
  • Avior Group LLC, 1736 N Chestnut Circle, Mesa, AZ 85213, 480-216-0330, Brian Boyette, service
  • GST Air Duct Cleaning,  1725 Avenue C, 59102, 794-2210, Gregory Scott Thorson, service
  • Dirt Hunter LLC, 6345 Pleasant Hollow Trail, Shepherd 59079, 690-5954, Mike Hunter, service
  • Casie & Chandler Cleaning, 3314 Broadwater Ave, 59102, 598-9842, Casie Spainhower/Chandler Carra, service
  • Z-Nith Racing, 1734 Columbine Dr, 59105, 606-2239, BenjaminTorppy, service
  • A&C Works, 4708 Cheyenne Trail, 59106, 591-5485, Casey Hafner, service
  • Omar’s Sharpening, 1507 Yellowstone Ave, 59102, 200-4574, Omar Taylor, service
  • Shilo Automatic Sprinkler Inc, 1224 11th Ave N, Nampa, ID 83687, 208-466-0006, Stanley Beus, service
  • Main Street Menswear LLC,  300 S 24th St W, 59102, N/A, Steve Johnson, retail sales
  • LJK Construction, 803 Wyoming Ave, 59101, 591-3356, Leo Pinnick/Kalib Slovarp/Justice Lofgren, general contractors
  • Sacred Haven, 1643 Lewis Ave Ste 2, 59102, 598-7528, Ashley Breit, service
  • Sue’s Mobile Massage, 1600 Ave E #45, 59102, 307-461-0529, Susan Vogel, service
  • Tex Jawort Photography, 2224 Hwy 87 E #43, 59101, 969-1646, service
  • Bella Spa, 300 S 24th St W, 59102, 850-5756, Raphael Corcos, retail sales
  • Builders of Billings, 703 N 17th St, 59101, 672-4912, Travis Thonney, general contractors
  • Konstruksie Inc, 3727 Colton Blvd, 59102, 208-4760, Megan & Daniel Boschert, service
  • Sophie’s Kitchen, 149 Shiloh Rd Ste 3, 59106, 206-434-1996, Dylan Brumwell, restaurants
  •  Fit 406 Bootcamp, 2135 Grand Ave, 59102, 690-7987, Brenda Hageman, service
  • The Lawn Dawgs Lawn Service, 2910 Miles Ave, 59102, 861-0329, Jordan Hart/Madeline Wright, service
  • GLF Inc, 2616 Prongorn Dr, Laurel 59044, 697-6578, Nathan Fjelstad, general contractors
  • Anderson Towing LLC, 706 Central Ave, 59102, 894-2566, Cameron Cochran, service
  • Anderson Towing II, 706 Central Ave, 59102, 894-2566, Cameron Cochran, service
  • Anderson Towing III, 706 Central Ave, 59102, 894-2566, Cameron Cochran, service
  • Anderson Towing IIII, 706 Central Ave, 59102, 894-2566, Cameron Cochran, service
  • Unalome Massage, 131 Moore Ln Ste F, 59101, 697-8538, Nikole Ellestad, service
  • Happy Acres General Contractor, 305 1/2 Calhoun Ln, 59101, 696-1794, James Halligan, general contractors
  • The Grass Guy Lawn Services, 427 Lordwith Dr Apt 1, 59102, 670-1827, Gregory Short, service
  • Honey, Bee Naturals, 2435 Custer Ave, 59102, 915-202-6961, Alexandra Myran, retail sales
  • Selah Clinical Services, 1629 Ave D Ste 4, 59102, Erin Rodriguez, service
  • Tzar Salon, 710 Grand Ave Ste 4, 59102, 694-1403, Evgenia Allison, cosmetology
  • Dedicated Construction Management LLC, 710 Larry Ct, Waukesha, WI 53186, 414-431-8555, Keith Turbin,  general contractors
  • Bullseye Electric LLC, 5800 Thunder Ridge Rd, 59101, 679-4442, Shawn & Brian McNeil, electrical contractors
  • 1537 Avenue D, LLC, 1537 Ave D, 59102, 256-2366, Taylor McCabe, service
  • Island Mountain Development Group, 1537 Ave D, 59102, 256-2366, Taylor McCabe, service
  • 406 Haylo, 3177 Sage Hollow Rd, 59101, 200-0024, Catina Keeley-Sanford, service
  • Briper Cleaning, 4540 San Fernando Dr, 59101, 598-1144, Jandi Farnsworth, service
  • Cha Cha Churro, 546 Oakmont Rd, 59105, 702-0644, Vernon Austin, restaurants
  • Wanda’s Brew, 11 Willow Bend Dr, 59102, 534-6265, Wanda Kalgren, retail sales
  • Olive Branch Services, 1719 Walter Rd, 59105, 861-9991, Laverne Higbee, general contractors
  • A1 Fitness repair, 5229 King Ave W, 59106, 371-1244, Ryan Strawbridge, service
  • Jt Radiance, 5639 Mountain front Ave, 59106, 396-2261, Jason Thompson, retail sales
  • Gratitude in Action Foundation, 10 S 30th St, 59101, 694-5401, Richard & Terri Todd, antique & second hand stores
  • Big Sky Building of Montana LLC, 3801 Chamberlain Dr, 59101, 290-4048, Dustin Pagitt, general contractors
  • Creative Mechanical Solutions, 3485 Stone Mountain Cir, 59106, 608-513-5900, Nicholas Chaffin, general contractors
  • IT&M Division Inc, 1101 Chestnut St, Helena, 59601, 495-1543, June Bricenco, service
  •  Arris inc, 5155 Bains Gap Rd, Anniston, AL 36205, 256-237-1601, Charles Kujala, service
  • Zasra Co, 517 Alderson Ave, 59101, 671-7567, Andria Wolf, retail sales
  • McClintock’s Guns, 3461 Masterson Cir, 59106, 208-6736, Edward McClintock Jr, retail sales
  • Vantage Construction LLC, 2251 Red Bridge Rd, Laurel, 59044, 939-4263, Adam Richter, general contractors
  • Kron Furniture, 144 Terry Ave, 661-2593, Karmen Kron, service
  • Warrior’s Services and Repair, 3283 Rosebud Dr C2, 59102, 855-7461, Barry Wattles, service
  • Superior Heating Cooling and Electrical LLC, 141 W Hilltop Dr, 59105, 670-5620, Allen Search, service
  • Malax Massage LLC, 6924 Kirby Rd, Shepherd 59079, 208-5140, Chantal Hale, service
  •  Lock Doctor, 1270 Lockwood Rd, 59101, 591-4744, Xzlmar Anderson, service
  • JMB Properties LLC, 4206 Woodgrove Dr, 59101, 670-3937, Jason Buehring, general contractors
  • Mia Yegen LLC, 306 N 30th St, 59101, 861-2836, Mia Yegen, retail sales
  • Lil’ Market, 207 N 28th St Ste 130, 59101, 534-2116, Larry Mathew, retail sales
  • Shaggy’s Yard Care, 315 Broadwater Ave, 59101, 208-4195, Kaiser Justin, service
  • Rocky Mountain Wellness LLC, 2108 Broadwater Ave STE 104, 59102, 839-4018, Jennifer Keeland, service
  • Rings & Things, 202 S 29th St, 59101, 876-4572, Paul Fletcher, service
  •  J and B Contracting Services Inc, 27 Whitebird Creek Rd, Columbus 59019, 390-1275, Brook Anderson, general contractors
  • RDH on Demand LLC, 5663 Yellowstone Trail, Huntley 59037, 425-0022, Tracy Enterline/Lynsee Openshaw, misc
  • Adama Cleaning and Home Services, 2810 Grelck Ln, 59105, 871-1341, Jennifer Taylor, service
  • J&K Drywall and Paint LLP, 134 Yellowstone Ave, 59101, 860-8035, John Keller, general contractors
  • Smith Musical Minutes, 4224 Chicago Rd, 59105, 860-5739, Nicole Smith, misc
  • Christina’s Chic Boutique, 376 Future Cir, 59102, 307-277-0267, Christina Taylor, retail sales
  • David Johnson Cleaning Service, 43 Prince of Wales Dr, 59105, 694-4900, David Johnson, service
  • Brown Brothers Waterproofing LLC, 15354 E Hinsdale Cir, Centennial, CO 80112, 720-496-2950, Lisa Williams, service
  • Rae Massage, 511 N 30th St, 59101, 633-0974, Delaney Rae Sharbono, service
  • Fortney & Weygandt Inc, 31269 Bradley Rd, North Olmsted, OH 44070, 440-716-4000, Mitchell Lapin, general contractors
  • Dreamland Construction, 610 Richard St, 59101, 200-0397, Tyrel Moore, general contractors
  • Karp’s  Carpentry, 2206 Alamo Dr, 59102, 671-8272, Rick Karp, general contractors
  • Guaranteed Auto Repair LLC, 3906 1st Ave S, 59101, 860-5312, Kristina Johnson/Joe Schlosser, service
  • Million Dollar Plaster, 2616 Old Hardin Rd #35, 59101, 224-3609, Donald Tripp, general contractors
  • Northwest Timber Products LLC, 1929 Bozeman Trail, 59715, 570-4898, Steven Schlegel, general contractors
  • Old Frontier Leather Works, 139 Lewis, 59101, 671-5015, Ronald Garritson, retail sales
  • Dream Fabrications, 11 Sombrero Dr, 59102, 561-6409, William Lenzen, service
  • Peterson & Sons, 3527 Tigard Ave, 59101, 696-5015, Jesse Peterson, service
  • Anchor Truck & Tractor Services LLC, 614 1st Ave unit 944, Laurel 59044, 281-3291, Brooks Murphy, service

Billings Clinic’s Simulation and Experiential Learning Lab (SELL) has earned full five-year accreditation for teaching and education by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH).

Full SSH Accreditation requires a peer-reviewed, customized evaluation of the program’s core processes as well as documented outcomes in the category of teaching/education.

Accreditation is awarded to programs that demonstrate regular, recurring simulation educational activities with clearly stated objectives (knowledge, psychomotor skills and behaviors) and provide evidence of ongoing improvement of educational activities. This includes the four education standards of education design, qualified educators, educational activities, and evaluation and improvement.

The SELL program was created at Billings Clinic to improve patient safety by promoting health care education and practice of skills, high risk and low volume scenarios and teamwork interactions. Simulation imitates real world processes and is used to educate health care professionals to respond quickly and accurately to all kinds of health care scenarios. An increasing body of knowledge suggests that patient care providers using evidence-based simulation as part of their initial and ongoing training are able to demonstrate improvements in patient outcomes.

Commercial

  • City Of Billings/Langlas & Assoc., Inc., 2801 3rd Ave N, Com Addition, $7,360,000
  • NA/Stock Construction Company, 223 Shiloh Rd, Com Remodel, $67,900
  • NA/Stock Construction Company, 223 Shiloh Rd, Com Remodel, $59,001
  • NA/Stock Construction Company, 223 Shiloh Rd, Com Remodel, $150,000
  • NA/Stock Construction Company, 223 Shiloh Rd, Com Remodel, $40,000
  • Smith, Charles Daniel/Jones, Tim O – General Contractor, 3420 Granger Ave S, Com Fence/Roof/Siding,  $18,500
  • City Of Billings/Themoos/Amestoy, Greg/Brian – Electrical Contractor, 1112 Black Otter Trl, Com New Other, $22,000
  • School District #2/Billings School District 2, – Electrical Contractor, 1812 19th St W, Com New Other,  $9,200
  • 2646 Grand Ave Llc/Williams, Courtney – General Contractor, 2646 Grand Ave, Com Remodel, $46,500
  • Lynne J Zimmer Revocable Trust/Lennick Bros. Roofing & Sheetmetal, 5250 Midland Rd, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $7,50
  • Douglass, Harlan D & Maxine H/Kujala, Charles Jason – Service, 2717 King Ave W, Com Remodel,  $72,870
  • Glynn Abbey Development Llc/Griffin, Max – Service, 2980 Glynn Abbey Way, Com New Other, $8,333
  • Glynn Abbey Development Llc/Griffin, Max – Service, 2980 Glynn Abbey Way, Com New Other, $8,333
  • Glynn Abbey Development Llc/Griffin, Max – Service, 2980 Glynn Abbey Way, Com New Other, $8,333
  • Glynn Abbey Development Llc/Griffin, Max – Service, 2980 Glynn Abbey Way, Com New Other, $8,333
  • Glynn Abbey Development Llc/Griffin, Max – Service, 2980 Glynn Abbey Way, Com New Other, $8,333
  • Glynn Abbey Development Llc/Griffin, Max – Service, 2980 Glynn Abbey Way, Com New Other, 50,000
  • RPS, Llc/Ferch, Timothy – General Contractor, 2505 Montana Ave, Com Remodel, $6,500
  • Tru 2005 Re I Llc/Langlas & Assoc., Inc.640 S 24th St W, Com Remodel – Change In Use, $1,000,000
  • Western Livestock Reporter/Cop Construction Llc – General Contractor, 112 S 18th St, Demolition Permit Commercial, $36,510
  • Phillips 66 Company/Cop Construction Llc – General Contractor, 1910 Minnesota Ave, Demolition Permit Commercial, $285,00

Residential

  • Clark, Nicholas R, 829 Cook Ave, Res New Garage, $34,944
  • Wentling, Gayle R& Margo L/mike’s Handyman Service, 1310 Cook Ave, Res New Garage, $33,000
  • Image Builders/Lantis Ty & Schmidt Greg – Service, 4647 Rangeview Dr, Res New Single Family, $446,429
  • Jake & Lindsey Wright/Dirk Arnold Construction, 1365 Tania Cir, Res New Single Family, $285,000
  • Mike Glennon/Britton, Matt – General Contractor, 1445 Topanga Ave, Res New Single Family, $226,008
  • Burke, Michael & Sherril F, 2101 Locust St, Res New Garage, $32,400
  • Sinhold, Nikolas, 1025 Cottonwood Blvd, Res New Garage, $43,776
  • J & J Boyer LLC/Design Builders, Inc., 2140 S Stone Creek Trl, Res New Single Family, $343,115
  • Haney, Bill D & Mitzie L/Cougar Construction, 330 Annandale Rd, Res New Single Family, $476,168

Wise Wonders’ Children’s Museum Executive Director, Kelli Toohill, announced that she is stepping down from her role as Executive Director of the Museum at the end of the summer due to her family relocating.

“It has been a thrill to start a non-profit from the ground up. I am excited about the adventure I am about to take with my family, but I am sad to leave the Museum,” says Toohill.

“We are fortunate to have had Kelli at the helm of this organization,” says Shawna Bonini, Board President. “She built a strong foundation at the Museum. We are sad to see her go, but feel confident that she is leaving us in a great position for a seamless transition.”

This news is coming on the heels of two other big changes at the museum. Wise Wonders recently announced their move to 3024 2nd Avenue North. This announcement was made at their annual gala, which also marked the first day for their new Assistant Director, Pete Bolenbaugh.

Wise Wonders’ Board of Directors have posted the Executive Director job description and have begun accepting applications. Learn more at www.wisewonders.org or contact Shawna Bonini by email at president@wisewonders.org.

The mission of Wise Wonders Children’s Museum is to engage curious, creative, and scientific minds in a playful learning environment for all children and families. Central to this mission is supporting STEM education through fun and interactive exhibits that support learning through play. Wise Wonders envisions a connected community that inspires a passion for lifelong family learning.

Wise Wonders is currently located at 110 N 29th St. in downtown Billings. For more information, visit facebook.com/ wise wonders children’s museum or wisewonders.org.

Alter Ego will be the headline entertainment at the Billings Clinic Foundation’s Street Party on Broadway Ave. for the 2019 Billings Clinic Classic, Saturday, Aug. 24.

The theme of this year is Urban Classic, playing on the street party setting and classic downtown Billings elements. Proceeds benefit the Sustainable Fund for the Psychiatric Services Residency Program at Billings Clinic, Montana’s first and only psychiatry residency program. Alter Ego, from Montreal, Canada, is North America’s top party band.  Kicking off the evening will be Arterial Drive, a six-member band from Billings, who will perform during a festive cocktail pre-party. The 2019 Classic will be held outside on Broadway Ave., between 3rd Avenue North and 4th Avenue North. Billings Clinic Classic tickets range in price from $100-$200.

The Montana Chamber Foundation’s 2019 Governors’ Cup Golf Tournament and Sandbaggers Reception will be held in the Flathead Valley on Aug. 1-3. The reception is on Aug. 1 at the Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell. On Aug. 2 and 3, the Chamber will host the tournament at Eagle Bend golf course in Big Fork, Meadow Lake in Columbia Falls, Whitefish Lake (south). Started as the Centennial Golf Classic during the 100th celebration of Montana’s statehood in 1989, the Montana Chamber Foundation annually hosts more than 400 business and government leaders, representing over 100 businesses from across Montana, the entire U.S., and even around the world through the Governors’ Cup Golf Tournament. The event is specifically organized for networking and to promote the state’s growing opportunities for business and investment, as well as a charitable fundraiser for our various programs. Register at www. montanachamber.com

By Evelyn Pyburn

Why does the slogan “Make America Great Again” cause such angst for so many? Some say it is a threat!

I know the twisting of reason and words by those who supposedly feel threatened by it. So bizarre is the reasoning though, it’s hard to believe that they even believe what they say. That some might feel threatened there is no doubt – but, the reasons are not those given.

There is threat in the real meaning of the statement to anyone who wants power over others, who strive for the unearned, who (for whatever demented reasons) hates seeing people succeed, live life happily on their own terms, and stand independent of government.

“Make America Great Again” addresses the deeply entrenched, uniquely, American concept that the citizen is supreme to the state. The phrase boldly asserts that it has been that political philosophy that has allowed the emergence of the most productive, creative, wealthy, and happy of citizens, and in so doing, incidentally, built the most powerful and competitive nation that has ever existed. “Make America Great Again,” also recognizes that the decades- long trend toward socialism is the derailing of all those things, and declares the course must be changed.

“Make America Great Again” is indeed a powerful statement.

And, it gives statists – the world around — many reasons to feel threatened, because nothing could be more threatening to their goals, than such “ideas”. So, not only must they twist the meaning of the words, they must silence everyone who would attempt to explain otherwise, because even they understand that nothing is more potent than ideas, and in a free-wheeling discussion of ideas, they lose. So to advance socialism there can be no public discourse, no open debate, no unsanctioned speeches, no discussion of ideas. Even legislative processes that would craft public policies become too dangerous to pursue, because it would invoke the uncontrolled discussion of ideas.

The name calling – ever time it commences – is a concession by the antagonists that within the realm of ideas they are bankrupt, and the only chance they have of prevailing is through the name calling which is to shout “shut up.”

It must be the successful squelching of public debate and the discussion of ideas that has persuaded so many people – those who sincerely seek the wellbeing of the greatest number of people — to conclude that socialism is the means to do so, and that principles of freedom are not. It is otherwise incomprehensible to understand how so many people could otherwise reject what the very existence and status of this country has proven to be true – that no other system of government has ever done so much for so many.

As Dr. Milton Friedman stated, ““The record of history is absolutely crystal clear—that there is no alternative way, so far discovered, of improving the lot of the ordinary people that can hold a candle to the productive activity that is unleashed by a free enterprise system.”

When you look around any American city. Glance up and down the street of any American neighborhood. Contemplate the scope and breadth of all that is accomplished in this country every single day by individuals living free lives and pursuing dreams of self-fulfillment and creative challenge. When you can daily see the miracle of it all, and not be awed by the mechanisms that induces it, it is so astounding as to leave one speechless – and yet, as erroneous as it is, that is the  pervailing perception throughout, not just this country, but the world.

It is understandable why power -mongers of any sort who have subjugated their own populations – it is understandable why they would be threatened by anything that directs attention to the reasons the US is the country it is. They should — and are — quaking in their boots, at the attention President Trump has brought to the “ideas” behind that citizen empowerment. Tyrants everywhere should be concerned because nothing stands in the way of any, or every other country, of pursuing the same path – nothing but their people deciding that it what they want – and nothing will invoke those “ideas” more so than widespread discussion about them. The likelihood is that the smallest and poorest country in the world could quickly become an economic powerhouse in the world, should they but grant its population the same freedoms and unleash the pent-up potential of its people.

“Make America Great Again,” is a throwing down of the gauntlet – a proclamation to the world that if anyone wants to do well, economically, they must do so on the merits of production and creativity and competitiveness. The vehemence against the statement speaks loudly as to its truth and unveils completely the deceit of all those who claim otherwise. How could they not be threatened?

“Make America Great Again” is no threat to the world – it is an invitation.

ROI Solutions, located on 24th Street West in Billings, has gained a contract with Hello Fresh to serve as its customer service call center, which will require adding 150 to 200 jobs by the end of the year. HelloFresh, is one of the leading food delivery companies in the country.

ROI Solutions, a Utah based company, added their first Montana location earlier this year.  Jesse Ross, local ROI Solutions manager said, “I know finding talent is a challenge for all companies, but we have been pleasantly surprised by the quality of employees we have been able to attract at our new Billings, Montana location.  We are a company that values our employees and works to provide a culture that is family friendly, fun, focused on customer service, providing a complete package for every employee.”

ROI Solutions is growing and having a call center up and running, was a deciding factor for HelloFresh to award us their business, said Ross.

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Montana’s residential property values increased an average of 12.5 percent over the past year, according to the Department of Revenue in its biennial reappraisal. The average increase for businesses was almost 10 percent.

Many communities saw property value increases in the double digits, with Gallatin County (Bozeman) having the highest of 23 percent for residential and 20 percent for commercial property. Yellowstone County had an increase of 7 percent.

Madison County had the biggest average increase of any county for residential property, at nearly 29 percent. Park County had the largest average increase for commercial property at 27 percent.

Property values in Ravalli County increased 12.3 percent, followed by those in Missoula at 12.1 percent, Flathead County at 11 percent, Lewis and Clark at 9.5 percent, and then Silver Bow County and Cascade at 9 percent.

Property value increases do not necessarily mean increases in taxes. Taxes are determined by the number of mills set by governing bodies such as counties and/or cities. State law limits tax increases, levied by taxing jurisdictions, to no more than half the rate of inflation, without a vote of the people.

From the Oil Patch Hotline

Because of the critical shortage of outbound crude oil pipelines in Canada, Enbridge Inc. is proposing an expansion of its older Express Pipeline.

The current pipeline runs 731 miles from Hardisty, Alberta (through Montana) to Casper, WY, and then connects to the Platte Pipeline.

The open season will end Aug. 7.

Built in 1997, the pipeline now carries 193,000 BOPD, and has enough capacity to increase shipments to 280,000 BOPD.

“Given the shortage of pipeline capacity out of the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin, Enbridge has been exploring options to provide industry with incremental near-term capacity,” said Guy Jarvis, executive vice president of the company’s liquids pipelines division. “The efficient expansion capacity on the Express Pipeline being offered in this open season will provide additional takeaway capacity, which we believe will be well received by the shipping community.”

In the fall of 2019 NorthWestern Energy will begin upgrading the 109-year-old turbines and generators in the Madison Powerhouse downstream of Ennis Lake. The original powerhouse building will remain in place, largely unaltered, while four new turbine-generator units are installed within it.  No alterations to the dam or flow conveyance structures are required by the project.

As a result of the highly efficient and modern equipment the peak capacity of the powerhouse will increase from 8 Megawatts to 12 Megawatts.  The new turbines will efficiently harness 95% of the power available from the water at the same flows used under the existing license, and that will result in almost 15,000 additional megawatt-hours for an average water year.

Construction work is scheduled to begin this fall at which time the powerhouse will be shut down and water usually conveyed through the powerhouse will be passed through the bypass channel. During some of the construction project, flows in the bypass channel between Madison Dam and Powerhouse will be increased significantly, but flows downstream of the plant will be unaffected during the project

The four generating units will be updated to a modern design, moving from two turbines per unit to just one. In addition to increased energy capacity and efficiency compared to the present generators, the new units will also be more fish friendly.