Where to find help for depression.

by Bridget Wermer

Depression is a reality. Every year more than 15 million people in the United States are affected by the illness and contrary to general belief, it is not a result of having a weak mind—anyone can fall victim to depression. I remember when I first realized I was depressed—I was sad, lonely, and overwhelmed, but had no clue what to do or where to turn for help. Googling things like “help me,” “help centers,” and “depression help,” proved unfruitful. Then I moved to Bozeman.  Suddenly I found several resources to choose from, each with their own specialties and areas of expertise—no one has to feel alone and without help in this town. Here’s a local roundup of some help centers in the area that will fit just about anyone’s needs.

Montana State University’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) is located right on campus, providing counseling to both students and faculty. This confidential, comfortable, and safe establishment helps over 1,500 individuals annually and serves a variety of problems including family struggles, school stress, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, grief, and trauma. CPS also offers a broad range of group classes to help those who would rather find support from their peers. Oh, and did I mention that CPS is free?

Comfy quarters at MSU’s Counseling & Psychological Services

Located on the south side of campus, Psychiatry Associates (PA) offers advanced treatment and therapy including psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and psychotherapy. PA treats emotional and behavioral disorders by focusing on prevention, early detection, and support. Their trained psychiatrists provide each patient with the best treatment option—no case has the same treatment process here. I personally worked with PA and found them to be extremely attentive to the unique characteristics in my case; I would recommend them to just about anyone.

Psychiatry Associates building

The Hope House (HH) treats extreme cases, providing 24-hour monitoring for people over 18 with critical mental illness. HH maintains a safe, therapeutic environment where patients can feel protected and cared for. They even have an onsite nurse who administers medications and provides medical attention when needed. Although HH offers individual, group, and family therapy,  they specialize in emergency situations—when it feels like you can’t get through the day without harming yourself or others, please search for help here.

Hope House common area

Remember, depression is normal—it happens to 1 in 10 people. If you’re feeling depressed, get help right away. It will save you a lot of pain and suffering and with all the options in Bozeman, there’s no reason not to.

In the event of an emergency, call CPS at 994-4531 (during office hours),  campus police at 994-2121,  the Bozeman Help Center at 586-3333, or 911.

Matching mood and brewery.

by Morgan Solomon

Every now and then it’s good to treat yourself and some friends to a beer. But not just any old Bud-like brewskie from the Loaf ‘N Jug— I’m talking about a tasty, one-of-a-kind microbrew that quenches your thirst and satisfies your taste buds .  Lucky for us, Bozeman has several craft breweries, each with its own atmosphere and brewing style—so there’s something for every attraction and taste. Here’s one beer enthusiast’s guide to find what you’re looking for this winter season.

Comfy & Cozy
Located on the northeast side of town, Bozeman Brewing Company‘s tasting room and bar is a small, intimate establishment where you can sit back and enjoy a conversation—although you may have to  nudge noses to hear each other on a busy Friday night. You’ll find born-and-bred Bozemanites lining the bar chatting about the epic ski conditions or the killer lines they rode that morning . As for BBC’s beer, they have a variety of hops, malt, barley, and wheat combinations, but are best known for their Bozone Amber—a smooth, revitalizing beer that perfectly balances hops, barley, and malt.

Author’s choice: The Bozone Hefeweizen is a refreshingly light, unfiltered beer that brings a fruity taste to the table. I’ve heard people say they taste anything from cherries to bananas—I personally taste the bananas.

Bozeman Brewing Company’s local scene

Variable Vibes
Bozeman’s northern-most brewery, the 406 Brewing Company, is a nuevo-rustic joint with benches retrofitted from beams that  held up the Lehrkind’s Brewery before prohibition. This brewery has some irregular vibes, ranging from a quiet place to get some work done to a lively dance floor with a backdrop of local music. The beer is just as variable as the atmosphere, but you’ll always find a variety of lagers and American ales to satisfy a plethora of tastes.

Author’s choice: The JAMber Ale is a simple amber beer that doesn’t overpower you with sweetness or bitterness. I often think of vanilla or caramel after my first sip.

Its golden color makes 406′s Hop Punch IPA  look pretty tasty

Loud & Lively
Ah, my favorite: Bridger Brewing. Recently established, this brewery arguably makes the best-tasting beer in the valley—and it’s right next to campus. Although they’re known for their hoppy IPAs and Pale Ales—not to mention their pizza—Bridger offers several rotators and seasonal options. Its prime location makes it easy to wind down after a full day of classes or to meet up with friends to discuss the grueling chemistry test you just finished. Open seven days a week, this brewery is never empty and hosts a slew of musicians to satisfy those who enjoy a band with their beer.

Author’s choice: The Antilogy Black IPA is a dark beer with a hoppy side that fronts the rest of its flavor. It has a strong lemony aroma with a smooth aftertaste.

Try Bridger Brewing’s top-selling beer, the Vigilante IPA

Out of the Ordinary
To bring something new to your palate, head on over to the Lockhorn Cider House for some handcrafted hard cider. A friendly establishment on the east end of downtown, Lockhorn offers several flavors of cider, but those with a sweet-tooth beware: this cider is in its purest and simplest form—no unnecessary sugar added. As you sip your cider, enjoy the twang, pang, and strum of local musicians in the foyer most Wednesday and Thursday nights. Oh, and don’t forget to try their hot cider outside by the patio fireplace.

Author’s Choice: The Ginger Cider blends the spice of ginger and the tart, yet sweet side of an apple together into one drink— it will satisfy just about all your taste buds.

Lockhorn’s Ginger Cider ready to drink

ASMSU fuels your fun with activity fees

by ASMSU

The Associated Students of Montana State University (ASMSU) is your student body government. Our mission is to be the voice of students and to provide diverse, student-oriented programs and services through responsible management of student activity fees.

ASMSU gives away new t-shirts for old ones

As elected officials, ASMSU executives and senators represent you, the student body. We strive to respond to your needs, concerns, and expectations to make your experience at Montana State an enjoyable one. Each student pays over $85 per semester to ASMSU, amounting to over $2 million annually. So Bobcats, we’ve got your money—over $650 in your four years at MSU (and even more if you really like school)—and I’m here to tell you, we do plenty of really cool stuff with it.

Your money pays for sweet trips like this

For instance, we have an Outdoor Recreation Program, which offers equipment rental, group outings, instructional classes, a resource center, bicycle and ski workshops, and more. Check out montana.edu/outdoorrecreation for info. We also fund the Leadership Institute (which brings in speakers such as climber Conrad Anker) and the Sustainability Center, which runs the campus recycling program and works to make our campus more sustainable. We fund the KGLT Radio Station at 91.9 FM and the student newspaper, the Exponent. We are the largest community supporter of the Streamline Bus and fully run the late-night buses on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights to get you downtown and home safely. We have the Exit Gallery, which is a student-run art gallery, and the Procrastinator movie theater, both in the SUB. We also offer affordable daycare, legal services, and tutoring.

ASMSU helps the Sustainability Center make a difference

So make sure to utilize ASMSU services— you’re paying for it! And get involved by working in one of our programs or representing your peers as a senator. Finally, I invite you to come to our office with suggestions, complaints, concerns, or even just to chat. We’re in SUB 221, directly next to the Ask Us desk. You can also e-mail us at [email protected]

A guide to Bozeman’s coffee and tea shops.

by Morgan Solomon

With so many coffee shops in town, it can be overwhelming to decide where to get the drink you’re looking for. Here is a simple guide to get you started.

STRAIGHT-UP BLACK
So, you like your coffee black, cowboy? Do you prefer the kind that’s strong enough to make a horseshoe stand upright and your lips pucker? Perhaps you have a craving for a coffee with hints of cinnamon or chocolate to awaken your taste buds? Stop at Zocalo or International Coffee Traders for a cup-o’-joe to ease the stress of school and perk up the cranium. Both shops offer coffee from all over the world. Roasted in small batches, the warm coffee flavor is preserved for your enjoyment.

Zocalo Coffee

Hot tip: Café M offers a weekly house blend from Ghost Town Coffee Roasters that you can’t get anywhere else.

Author’s choice: Sumatra Tano Batak (nutmeg, toffee, and chocolate brownie) from Zocalo.

SOMETHING SWEET
Craving desert after dinner or a delicious reward for studying hard? Check out the Leaf & Bean for their lattés, mochas and hot chocolates. Don’t forget to glance at the specials board  for their specialty drinks. Need a little spice with your sugar? Wild Joe’s has a unique selection of chai lattés with various proportions of sugar and spice.

It tastes even better than it looks.

Hot tip: If you find yourself at International Coffee Traders try the London Fog. It’s to die for.

Author’s choice: Red Velvet Mocha from the Leaf & Bean.

TEA
Need something that’s less harsh on the pearly whites or  just more of a tea person? Check out Townshend’s Tea Company. No matter what you’re looking for, their assortment of teas will satisfy your taste buds. Need caffeine to keep you awake? Ask for the yerba máte. If you need something to calm the body and soul, try one of the non-caffeinated herbal or apothecary teas.  Need help in the flavor department? Licorice and sarsaparilla are sweeter teas, while black and green teas from China and Japan bear bitter and raw flavors.   Looking for something entirely different? Townshend’s employees will help you find the exact tea to curb your thirst.

Some of the many teas at Townshend’s Tea Company

Hot tip: Wild Joe’s has a good selection of teas too, although not a varied as Townshend’s.

Author’s choice: Sweet Chamomile Mint (herbal) from Townshend’s Tea.

Sweet Chamomile Mint tea

MEAL & COFFEE

While many coffee shops provide pastries and cookies to go with your coffee, sometimes you need a pick-me-up with your midday meal. Sola Café and Rockford Coffee Roasters offer spectacular lunches for a relatively cheap price. Sandwiches, salads and desert are all on the menu with your choice of medium or dark roast coffee.

Hot Tip: Sola also has a special house blend from Ghost Town Coffee Roasters that you can’t get anywhere else.

Author’s Choice: Bolivia Amor Des Dios medium roast (not always available) from Sola.

Coffee Shop Locations:

Café M: 777 East Main
International Coffee Traders: 720 South 10th
Leaf & Bean: 117 East Main
Rockford Coffee Roasters: 628 West Main
Sola Café: 290 West Kagy
Townshend’s Tea Company: 402 East Main
Wild Joe’s: 18 West Main

Returning to the Museum of the Rockies as a college student.

by Maggie Hickman

Growing up in less than a block from the Museum of the Rockies (MoR), I was somewhat of a fixture at this world-class institution. I never got sick of looking at the seemingly endless collection of fossils and artifacts, not to mention the triceratops sculpture that roared when it sensed movement. (Whatever happened to that thing, anyway? It would provide the perfect homey touch to my rundown rental house.) Then I entered middle school, and immediately became too cool to learn about the rich and dynamic history of my state. I was more interested in re-watching The Lizzie McGuire Movie for the umpteenth time than learning about the newest paleontological discovery by Jack Horner. (Fun fact: Jack Horner was the scientific adviser for all three Jurassic Park films.)

“Big Mike”  guards the museum entrance

Recently some free tickets landed in my lap, and I decided it was time to return to MoR after my extended hiatus. To bring things full-circle, I brought my mom. As soon as we parked, I threw open the car door and skipped to the front doors. Yes, it was as if I was a kid again, with my mom following close behind.

Giving the clerk our tickets, I pondered the best placement for my admission sticker, then promptly  peeled off the back and slapped it on my forehead.  My mom rolled her eyes. “Are you going to wear that the whole time? Maybe we should get you a stroller so I can keep track of you, too,” she teased.

Fossils in the Hall of Teeth and Hornes

Wandering into the featured exhibit, “Geckos—Tails to Toepads,”  I immediately found myself captivated, stopping at every display. I read each gecko’s informational blurb in its entirety, and viewed each species from all angles of their glass enclosure. (Fun fact: Many geckos have “disposable” tails that can be released in an attack.  The broken tail wriggles to distract the predator and muscles around the wound quickly seal torn blood vessels while the lizard escapes.)

Day Gecko

Meandering from one gecko species to the next, my mom and I  conversed about evolution and whether or not Charles Darwin had written anything on geckos.  We even tried in vain to explain to one another the complex science of how geckos obtained their colors and camouflage.

It wasn’t all adult talk and pretentious references to On the Origin of Species, however.  At one point I squealed, “Mom! Look!  This one has polka dots!” (Spotted animals are cool at any age.)   It was nearly impossible not to feed off the enthusiasm of the awe-inspired children, who were as psyched about a Native American “metate” (essentially a big rock used for grinding grain and seeds) as they were about the hyperactive gecko making gravity-defying leaps from branch to branch.

Kids and adults enjoy the gecko exhibit

Whether time really does make the heart grow fonder, or my mind had been opened by additional schooling,  I found myself appreciating the  lizards for more than just their pretty colors and their acrobatic ability to hang upside-down on branches. I could now acknowledge the properties and natural processes that create such a unique organism. Chemistry, physics, and evolution—to name a few—all had a part in the gecko’s creation. Wow, Mother Nature is truly impressive.

Some of the many types of gecko scales

Overall, my little jaunt to the Museum of the Rockies was not only a great way to spend an afternoon, it made me realize how I’d taken the place for granted.  How many people can walk across the street and find themselves face-to-face with a fossilized dinosaur rib taller than the average person?  Yep, we’re pretty damn lucky to have MoR in Bozeman, and this time, I won’t forget it.

Leg and rib bones of a Sarapod (Brontosaurus)

“Tails to Toepads” is one of the Museum’s rotating exhibits, and will only be on display until September 7, 2014.  The museum also includes permanent exhibits on dinosaurs, regional and American Indian history, a children’s discovery center about Yellowstone, a living history farm, and the Taylor Planetarium, which features one of the world’s most advanced projection technologies. For more information visit museumoftherockies.org.

How to build your résumé after college.

by Morgan Solomon

After you prop that ridiculous square cap on your head and throw a black robe over your shoulders, reality soon sets in: what now? Instead of hustling to that nine-to-five career, why not wait a while and “experience life”? You may be worried that if you don’t take the first job offer, you’ll go nowhere in life. But that’s not necessarily true—provided you don’t become a permanent couch potato. Here are some ways to build your résumé after college while still having a little fun and freedom.

1.) Get certified. If your outdoor passion offers some kind of certification or qualification course, do it. Becoming a certified fishing guide, raft guide, ski patroller, lifeguard, or first-aid provider will boost your résumé. It shows your employer you’re driven to pursue your goals and earn your dream job. It also offers a fallback occupation should you ever need it.

Get certified as a mountain guide

2.) Intern. Not quite ready for all the responsibilities and time commitment just yet? Feeling underqualified despite your $40k education? You have the knowledge but not the experience, so why not intern somewhere that you could see yourself working.  Having  the skills needed for your future job will set you apart from your peers and make your a more appealing applicant. Employers often don’t look at your 4.0 GPA,  but they do pay attention to your experience.

Click image to learn more

3.)  Give a year. Although you’re not getting paid, volunteering shows you are doing something valuable with your time. It also gives you a wider social network and a greater skillset. Try volunteering for something related to the jobs you may apply for in the future. Do you like to travel and help others? Spend a year serving with an organization like the Peace Corps or Americorps. These programs can provide you with resources, connections, and experience that will bolster your résumé.

4.) Do what you love.  If you love to ski and whitewater kayak, think about taking a seasonal job as a ski patroller or whitewater rafting guide.  Love horses? Work in a stable or at a guest ranch. This option not only offers a fun work environment with other people your age, it will provide you with new life experience. The ability to talk about your passions in relation to recent events makes you more interesting in an interview. Be careful, though—don’t take advantage of your job. Take responsibility for yourself and others. Your supervisor will be more likely to give you that glowing recommendation that makes you a better candidate for a management position.

Try working at a guest ranch

5.) Travel. Experiencing new cultures allows you to gain new perspectives on life and helps you understand new customs and beliefs. Traveling will help you develop your own opinions and ideas, making you a much more innovative and resourceful candidate. It will also make you a more interesting person—every excursion will have a story behind it, whether good or bad.  Use it to your advantage.

Life lessons above Machu Picchu, Peru

6.) Learn a new language.  A full-time job leaves little time for anything extra. Take advantage of the time you have now to enhance your résumé by learning to speak another language. Foreign-language skills open up doors and set you apart from the competition. With the growth in immigration and international business, fluency in another language is an invaluable skill and one you’ll never regret developing.

7.) Meet people. Networking—the first and foremost thing you can do to build your résumé. With today’s job market, it’s all about who you know. Employers often use recommendations to tip the scales when assessing applicants with similar qualifications. Attend social functions, join professional groups, and make a point of chatting people up when you see them around town. Yes, it can be intimidating to talk to people with experience—get over it and start a conversation.  This includes former professors and employers. Their recommendations may be the deciding factor on whether you get the job.