Exhibit of Rare Scandinavian Artifacts Opens soon

“The Vikings Begin” will feature boat burial artifacts, helmets, swords, jewelry, glass vessels, bowls and more. The collection of artifacts comes from the Gustavianum Uppsala University Museum in Sweden and is making its first-ever tour of the United States.

To understand the story of how the Vikings began, the exhibition explores their relationship with the outside world, their spiritual and magical beliefs, the role of warfare, the importance of water and waterways, and how trade routes influenced their world. The collection includes weapons for both attack and defense and also smaller treasures such as jewelry and objects of magical importance.

“The Vikings Begin” is divided into thematic sections on Viking warfare, maritime trade, ship burials, Norse gods, the Baltic Sea and geopolitical relationships with other cultures. The exhibition will shed new light on how early Viking society was organized, the role of women and the culture's reach to the East and the West.

The exhibition is based on research by Dr. Neil Price, Charlotte Hedenstierna-Jonson, and John Ljungkvist and will tell stories about the society and its people.

“The Vikings Begin” exhibition will be on display at the Museum of the Rockies through Sept. 19. For more information visit museumoftherockies.org.

Academic Technology and Outreach and the Master of Science in Science Education program at Montana State University will offer three noncredit courses for teachers focusing on online instruction. Registration is now open for these fully online courses, which will take place from June through August.

"Foundations of Online Teaching" will take place June 7 through July 9. This course will help online instructors improve their skills, maximize student engagement and build high-quality online courses. Participants will be introduced to the basics of online instruction using many of the current pedagogical approaches. The course covers topics such as how online teaching differs from classroom teaching; keeping online students engaged; and maximizing the features of a learning management system. The fee is $275, and continuing education or Montana Office of Public Instruction units can be earned for an additional $25.

“Advanced Online Teaching” will run July 19 through Aug. 20. Participants will learn more advanced features and strategies of online instruction. These strategies include the expanded features of learning management systems; using supportive technologies such as podcasting, webinars, Zoom and other applications; and gamification options. Successful completion of the “Foundations of Online Teaching” course or an equivalent course or significant experience with teaching online is a prerequisite. The fee is $375, and continuing education or Montana OPI units can be earned for an additional $25.

“Teaching Science Online” will occur July 24 to Aug. 21. This course covers the top pedagogical skills every online science teacher needs to facilitate effective and exciting online science learning experiences. Teachers who complete this course will have new skills to identify and evaluate tools and to clearly describe online instructional challenges related to the science they are teaching. They will also gain experience with various pedagogies applicable to online science learning. “Foundations of Online Teaching” is recommended as a prerequisite, but it is not required. The fee is $275, and continuing education or Montana OPI units can be earned for an additional $25. 

These courses are designed for both new and experienced online instructors who are teaching at the middle school, high school, community college or university level.

MSSE program alumni can receive a discounted registration fee of $75 for “Foundations of Online Teaching” and “Advanced Online Teaching.” For discount codes contact MSSE at 406-994-5679 or msse@montana.edu. Group rates for organizations enrolling 10 or more participants are also available for “Foundations of Online Teaching” and “Advanced Online Teaching.” Contact Mark Chakoian at mark.chakoian@montana.edu or 406-994-7957 for information about group rates.

Upon satisfactory completion of these courses, participants will be issued a digital badge.

For more information or to register, visit ato.montana.edu/continuinged/ or contact Academic Technology and Outreach at 406-994-6550 or ato@montana.edu. 

ATO at MSU works across the university to support and advance its land-grant mission through unique and innovative opportunities for online learning; continuing, professional and lifelong learning; and outreach and engagement.

Last year’s Montana Farm Bureau Virtual Farm Fair was so well received that the state’s largest agricultural organization is again holding their Virtual Farm Fair April 26-30. The Virtual Farm Fair features lively videos from Farm Bureau members’ farms and ranches. Although the videos are directed toward a fourth-grade learning level, they are appropriate, fun and educational for all ages—even for parents. These farm-fresh videos offer corresponding activities and lesson plans.

Monday, April 26

Calving season on a Montana ranch

Join us for a day in the life of a rancher during calving season. Ranchers have to know just when and how to help deliver a healthy baby calf, and will show you how.

Tuesday, April 27

Making Montana pasta & All-Terrain Vehicle Safety

How does Montana wheat become Montana pasta? Ride along with a Montana farmer as he delivers his wheat crop, then take a spin around important safety tips for handling ATVs.

Wednesday, April 28

Exploring the food chain on a Montana farm

How does meat get to your plate? Take a tour of a Montana family-owned meat processing plant for a lesson on the food chain.

Thursday, April 2 9 (twenty-nine)

The ultimate recycling machine - Montana cows!

Healthy soils grow healthy plants to nourish healthy cows and provide healthy meat for you and me! Learn how cows help recycle nutrients and care for the land.

Friday, April 30

Horsing around on a Montana ranch

Saddle up for a lesson on how to care for and nourish your favorite four-legged friends and learn safety tips to help you enjoy your time around horses! 

As of April 26, parents and teachers are urged to tune in to Facebook @montanafarmbureau or mfbf.org. The videos will be accompanied by activities and recommended resources on the MFBF website under MY-Ag. The videos will then be available on-demand at mfbf.org. Missed the 2020 Virtual Farm Fair? Those are still posted, as well, at mfbf.org.

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This is an offer for ALL visually impaired peoples 18 and older in the state of Montana.

At NO COST to you, the student, Montana Association for the Blind will be hosting its Summer Orientation Program (SOP). This program is designed to help you regain your independence again by teaching skills inside and outside the home. 

The 4-week program will cover how to travel safety, computer instruction, writing alternatives, and so much more. Not only these classes will help, but you will be in a warm, safe environment with people who understand - because many of us have gone through it ourselves.

The (SOP) program will be hosted at Rocky College in Billings, June 14 to July 9. Again, the students pay nothing for room, board, and training.

Here is what one person said about the program: “What a pleasure to see an organization with sighted and unsighted people who bring together a program that enriches and creates the opportunity for sightless and poorly-sighted people to learn and enjoy things in life that they thought were gone forever. What a pleasure to see the transformation in such a short time.”

If you or someone you know and love has lost or is in the process of losing your/their sight, please contact Rhonda Cochrane at (406) 442-9411 or mabadmin@mabsop.org for more information and an application.

     The Office of Consumer Protection seeks to protect Montana consumers from, and educate them about, harmful and unfair practices by retail businesses. The Consumer Protection Act prohibits businesses from taking advantage of consumers.

     “Scammers are more active than ever and show no signs of slowing down. Montanans can take steps to protect themselves and loved ones so that their hard-earned money and identities are not used by con artists and criminals,”Attorney General Knudsen said.

Attorney General Knudsen encourages all Montanans to keep learning about common scams and offers these consumer protection tips:

     1)  For COVID-19 related charities, give to an established organization, rather than one that has sprung up overnight. Pop-up charities probably do not have the infrastructure to get help to the affected areas or people, and they could be collecting the money to finance illegal activity. 

     2)  Don’t send money to someone you don’t know, including someone you’ve only met online and over the phone. While real relationships are increasingly being started through online dating sites and mobile apps, it’s unfortunately extremely easy for scammers to set up a fake profile in order to connect with genuine users of the matchmaking services and then exploit the person’s feelings for the fake profile.

     3)  Don’t send money to a “government” agent who calls and threatens to arrest you. Thieves call taxpayers and claim to be IRS or law enforcement officials.  They misrepresent that you owe taxes or other debts.  They threaten to arrest you unless you immediately pay your “taxes” through a prepaid debit card or wire transfer.  They often alter telephone caller ID to make it look like the IRS or a law enforcement agency is calling. The callers use IRS titles and fake badge numbers to appear legitimate. They may use your name, address, and other personal information to make the call sound official.

     For ongoing consumer tips, follow OCP on Facebook.

     To report an attempted scam, use OCP’s online reporting form.  You can also talk to an OCP investigator by calling (800) 481-6896 or (406) 444-4500, emailing contactocp@mt.gov, or you may contact your local law enforcement agency. 

     Last year, 60 percent of inquiries to the Office of Consumer Protection at the Montana Department of Justice concerned scams or potential scams.  In 2020, OCP investigators fielded 5,190 inquiries from consumers, resulting in 1,099 filed complaints.  OCP reported a marked increase in applications to repair identity theft – 586 in 2020 versus 362 in 2019 – which it attributes to a rise in COVID-19 related fraudulent unemployment claims.

     OCP facilitated the return of more than $325,000 in recovered losses to consumers and prevented losses of an additional $470,000 last year.  On an encouraging note, OCP estimates consumers it spoke with were able to prevent more than $1.2 million from being lost by proactively recognizing and reporting scams.

1st Choice Realty Open, Call for appointment 278-9129

1st Liberty Federal Credit Union: Drive thru open  

Branding Iron Open : Bar 2 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.; Restaurant 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Bowling Alley and pool tables closed

Brown-Fitchner & Assoc. Business by phone or email; Open Mon-thurs 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Fri 8-3

Coaches Corner: Take out, curbside pickup and delivery. Free masks; 4:30 – 8 PM

Conrad Building Center Open

Country Charm Open Mon-Fri 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sat 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. In-store shopping limited to one; curbside delivery

Elings Insurance Office open, appointment recommended  

Folklore: Take out, curbside pickup and delivery. Free masks, 7:30 AM – 2 PM

Gary & Leo’s IGA:  Open, also providing delivery for AT RISK residents, free masks

H & R Realty Open, Call for appointment  271-2080

Home Café: Restaurant seating, open 6 a.m. - 2 p.m. Social distance seating to be followed

Independence Bank, Lobby and Drive-thru open.

Java Hut: Delivery and drive thru only. Free masks; 6:30 AM – 1 PM

Main Drive-in  Mon - Sat 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Marias Greenhouse Open 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. 576-7297

Northern Front Guns and Ammo Open Tues. - Sat. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Olsons’Drug and Village Drug: Both Open. Both will continue to offer home delivery 

Pet Paws Grooming and Supply Open 10 a.m. - 5 pm. Call for appointment 271-7394

Pondera County Insurance: ? Call for hours 271-2034

Senior Center Open for delivery and pick up only. Call 271-3911 to reserve a meal

Stockman Bank Lobbies open

Subway: Open for pickup and take out 10 AM – 8 PM

Sunset Dental Care Mon - Fre 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Super 8: Closed

The Keg: Open for pickup, takeout and delivery 11 AM – 8 PM

The Independent-Observer:: Lobby Open Hours 8 AM - 5 PM

Town Pump: Open 24 hours.

Windrift Hill Open Mon - Fri 8 a.m.  - 5:30 p.m., Sat 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.