Final Race in Montana Enduro Series to Take Place at Local Family Ski Hill Great Divide Outside Helena!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-COURSE LOCATION ANNOUNCED FOR THE MONTANA ENDURO SERIES FINALE

August 27^th, 2014

The Montana Enduro Series will make its final stop at Great Divide Ski Area in Marysville, MT, on Saturday, September 6.  The fourth leg of the mountain bike race series will feature a trail maintained by the members of the Helena-based Gravity Guild mountain bike club.  The series is in its inaugural year and is run by the Montana Bicycle Guild, a Helena-based nonprofit.

"We've been working hard with Great Divide to make our last race of the season the best one yet," said Denny Palmer, of the Montana Bicycle Guild.  "It has been a bit of a process to make this race happen, but everyone involved has been really great to work with and we're excited to run this race in a location where many people may not have gotten a chance to ride."

Great Divide will be running its grill and the Missing Lynx Saloon will be open for the racers and spectators. JP Stanek, Mountain Manager at Great Divide, said that "We are excited to host the final event in the Montana Enduro Series and hope to provide a fun experience for Montana’s vibrant and enthusiastic mountain biking community."

The race is an enduro-style mountain bike race which combines cross-country and downhill riding.  Competitors are given an allotted period of time to ride to the top of each downhill segment.  They are timed as they race downhill to the start of the next climb.  There are various categories of racers based on skill level, gender, and age.  The winner of each category is the racer with the fastest combined time from all of the timed segments.

"Enduro racing is the most popular kind of mountain bike racing there is right now.  We've had people from all over the state traveling to each of our races this summer," Palmer said.  "This last race at Great Divide will be a great send-off for the season."

More information is available at www.montanaenduro.com , www.facebook.com/montanaenduroseries , and www.skigd.com .

Helena Area Long Range Transportation Plan Meeting September 3rd

August 20, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE           

For more information:

Jeff Key, Project Manager, RPA, (406) 447-5000

Informational meeting to discuss the Greater Helena Area Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) – Lewis and Clark County & City of Helena

Helena - Lewis and Clark County, the City of Helena, and the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) have initiated a community transportation planning process to update their existing Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP).  The Plan provides a blueprint for guiding transportation infrastructure investments based on identified needs.  The second of three informational meetings will be held on Wednesday, September 3, 2014 at the West Valley Fire Station, 1151 Forestvale Road. The meeting will begin with a presentation at 6:00 p.m., followed by a question and answer period. Time for informal discussions with the project team will be available after the conclusion of the question and answer period.

The purpose of the meeting is to review the transportation system issues and areas of concern, and to ensure that all of the major transportation problems have been identified and included in the analysis. A summary of the existing and projected transportation system conditions will be presented. This is an important opportunity to learn about the LRTP Update and to express your thoughts on existing and future transportation conditions in the Greater Helena area.

The LRTP is intended to facilitate community goals and improve the transportation infrastructure and services within the Greater Helena area to meet the needs of existing and future demands.   

Participation is a very important part of the process, and citizens are encouraged to attend the meeting and participate.  Opinion, comments and concerns may be submitted in writing at the meeting, by mail to Jeff Key, Project Manager, Robert Peccia and Associates, PO Box 5653, Helena, MT. 59604, or by email to jeff.key@rpa-hln.com

                                                                                                 

Please indicate comments are for the Greater Helena Area LRTP.  RPA and the project partners will collect and consider all comments to better understand the potential transportation system issues and concerns within the Greater Helena area.

Future announcements will be made prior to all events through the local media and the LRTP mailing list.  Interested parties are encouraged to join the study mailing list by submitting their name and contact information to Jeff Key at email: Jeff dot Key at rep-hln dot com. 

A website has been developed and can be accessed at:

                                http://www.helenaarealrtp.com/

or, visit the project’s Facebook page at:

                               

                                https://www.facebook.com/HelenaAreaLRTP

Lewis and Clark County, the City of Helena, MDT and RPA attempt to provide accommodations for any known disability that may interfere with a person participating in this meeting.  Alternative accessible formats of information presented at the meeting can be provided upon request.   Accommodation requests are encouraged at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.  For further information, call (406) 447-5000 or (406) 447-8099.

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Project name:  Greater Helena Area Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) - 2014

Lewis and Clark County & City of Helena

Great News! Caird Will be Cleaned up to Residential Standards!

The Caird property, currently owned by Montana Businesses Assistance Connections (MBAC), will be cleaned up to residential standards. Cleaning up to residential standards will allow the property to be sold without deed restrictions based on the industrial/commercial standard of cleanup initial planned and allow for full utilization of the B1 zoning. The additional cost will be around $58,000. Two-third of the cost can be addressed with funds available by an environmental trust. More details soon. - Matt E

City of Helena Sign Ordinance Update:

From City of Helena Zoning Officer Elroy Goleman:

The City of Helena Website has  link to the information for the proposed sign ordinance update. The information can be viewed by going to the following link:

http://www.helenamt.gov/cd/planning/current-projects.html 

Under current project you will need to click on the 2014 Sign Ordinance Update link. this will take you to the general website write up which contains links at the bottom to the Summary of Changes and to the copy of the Proposed Sign Ordinance. 


Also if you have questions concerning the proposed changes, please contact the City Planning Division of the Community Development Department at 447-8490 or by email at: citycommunitydevelopment@helenamt.gov 

[From an email sent to City Employees August 2014]

Green Infrastructure Amendments for Helena's Boulevards!

[Update: Both amendments passed. The storm water amendment was modified to clarify that City approval of such features could be conditional on requirements for both installation and maintenance, which "may" include additional cost to adjoining property owners.]

Friends,

Click to View Amendment 1

This coming Monday, August 18th, I will propose two amendments to the City of Helena Boulevard Landscaping and Public Tree Ordinance (Title 7, Chapter 10 of Helena City Code). Details of the ordinance linked here.

One amendment [shown right] is to ensure that fruit trees be allowed with the condition that the adjacent property owner collect fruit to prevent nutrient diversion into city storm water collection. This will allow residents or perhaps even public parks, such as the envisioned green concepts of an "Edible Forest" in the 6th Ward.

Click to View Amendment 2

The second amendment [shown right, fact sheet below] allows for additional green infrastructure concepts that can help meet regulatory requirements for storm water, allow narrower safer streets, and help maintain the health of boulevard trees by directing rain water to the boulevards rather than expensive central treatment
.                

Please let me know if you have any questions and let your Helena City Commission know of your support for these amendments.

Sincerely,

Matt E

Matthew Elsaesesr, Commisser
City of Helena, Montana, USA
406.431.0815

Montana Country Singer Jason DeShaw Wins National Award!

NEWS RELEASE

TO:             ALL MEDIA

FROM:       Legendary Artists/Joy Novota, Executive Agent – 406-227-6961

RE:             Montana Country Singer Wins National Award from National Alliance on Mental Illness

DATE:         July 3, 2014

Jason DeShaw, Montana’s own country singer, has been selected to receive NAMI’s (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Lionel Aldridge Champions Award. This award recognizes an individual living with a mental illness who has exhibited courage, leadership, and service on behalf of all people living with mental illness.  In selecting DeShaw for this award, the NAMI Board recognizes him for his efforts to be a voice for those who struggle with mental illness.  DeShaw will receive the Champions Award at the 2014 NAMI National Convention this September in Washington, D.C. where he will also perform for the attendees. 

Jason DeShaw is a beacon of light in a dark world of mental illness and addiction. As a presenter, DeShaw is sharing his hard-fought struggles through story and song.  His goal is to reach out to others who are looking for hope with mental illness and addictions.  His authenticity gives people permission to feel and acknowledges them as valued members of humanity.  As a country singer, DeShaw has opened for The Oak Ridge Boys, Little Big Town, and Emerson Drive.  Having performed across the United States, Canada, and Europe, he has been featured in two television specials.  His is a down-home, front-porch style with a soulful sound.  

Emmy award winning documentary filmmaker, Justin Lubke, is researching a potential documentary about DeShaw, and an NBC affiliate is also exploring a new television special. In October, DeShaw will be the featured speaker for the NAMI South Dakota state convention which will present a special focus on mental illness beginning in childhood and adolescence.  For information on booking speaking/singing engagements for Jason DeShaw, contact 406-227-6961.  

View short video:

Jason DeShaw's "Serenity in the Storm"

July issue of "On The Gulch: A Newsletter For and About City of Helena Employees"

Click here to download. Click on images below to view.