Local news in brief

By Chronicle staff

MSU authors to sign books at Borders

On Thursday, Dec. 4, six Montana State University authors will sign books at Borders Books, Music, Movies and Café, 2855 N 19th Ave. in Bozeman. The event is free and open to the public.

Greg Keeler, English professor and author of the memoir "Trash Fish, A Life," will give a special presentation at 6:30 p.m. Keeler has published fiction, nonfiction, plays, songs, articles, essays and book chapters. He has published seven volumes of poetry, and wrote "Waltzing with the Captain," an autobiography of his relationship with writer Richard Brautigan.

  The other MSU authors include:

+ Dan Flory, history and philosophy, "Philosophy, Black Film, Film Noir";

+ David Parker, political science, "The Power of Money in Congressional Campaigns, 1880-2006";

+ Michael Reidy, history and philosophy, "Tides of History, Ocean Science and Her Majesty’s Navy";

+ Billy Smith, history and philosophy, "Class Matters, Early North America and the Atlantic World";

+ and Yanna Yannakakis, history and philosophy, "The Art of Being In-Between: Native Intermediaries, Indian Identity, and Local Rule in Colonial Oaxaca."

GLVT asking for transportation plan comments

The Gallatin Valley Land Trust is urging people to comment on the update to the Bozeman Area Transportation Plan before public comment ends on Friday, Dec. 5.

“This plan will profoundly shape the future livability of our community,” according to a GVLT press release. “It is only updated every five to 10 years and it is critically important for our government decision-makers to hear the concerns of bicyclists and pedestrians.”

To view a copy of the plan update, visit:

http://www.rpa-hln.com/bozeman/bozemantransplan.htm. Click on “Project Info” link for table of contents with links to PDFs for each chapter. Or hard copies are available at the Gallatin County Courthouse, City of Bozeman Planning and Engineering Department, City Hall, Bozeman Public Library and Renne Library at Montana State University.

E-mail your comments to scottr@rpa-hln.com; or mail them to Robert Peccia & Associates. Attn: Bozeman Trans Plan, P.O. Box 5653, 825 Custer Ave., Helena, MT  59604

Organic Association Conference Dec. 4-6

Anyone who has considered becoming or transitioning to organic farming or ranching is encouraged to attend the Montana Organic Association Conference Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 4-6 at the Bozeman Holiday Inn.

The first day and a half will be devoted to the Organic University and is designed so participants can leave the conference with a well started organic system plan for their farm or ranch.

  The general conference kicks off after lunch on Friday with sessions on marketing, new Farm Bill provisions, the latest research from MSU and more. Visit with Montana's organic processors and dine on Montanan-grown food.

  For more information visit www.montanaorganicassociation.org, call 406-871-0019 or email: conference@montanaorganicassociation.org

MSU adds online Native American Studies class

Montana State University is offering an online class in Native American studies, beginning in January.

The class is titled, "Native America: Dispelling the Myths," and runs from Jan. 14 through May 8. Students do not have to be enrolled in an MSU degree program to take the class.

Students who take the course can earn either three graduate credits at MSU or 45 renewal units for teachers through the state Office of Public Instruction.

Instructor Kristin Ruppel says the course will be particularly helpful for Montana teachers who need training to fulfill Indian Education for All requirements.

RY Timber employees back to work

RY Timber workers at both the Townsend and Livingston sawmills returned to work this week, following a two-week layoff.

Scott Stern, Montana operations manager, says about 190 workers were back on the job.

RY cited a national slump in home construction, and instability in the home mortgage business, when the company idled operations from Jan. 14 to Jan. 28.

The Townsend mill produces 2-by-4 and 2-by-6 studs and ships its lumber primarily to New York, Chicago and the Midwest.

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