Our newest employee, Taylor Moorman, is now the editor, and main writer of our newsletter.  Each month, Taylor will be assembling a collection of interesting articles, calendar of events for the Bozeman area, featured local businesses, recipes, featured websites and more, all with an eye to what would interest busy moms. And of course, we will keep you up to date on events and people at the studio.

Taylor is an English graduate student and a creative and exciting young lady.  I enjoyed reading her articles for this month's issue and I know you will too!

We want feedback! Please let us know what you like and what you don't and what you would like to see.  The newsletter is for you, we want it to add real value to your lives. email us at robin@robinhickman.com.

Enjoy!

Robin

by Taylor Moorman

(Next time you pose for a portrait, this will give you something to smile about, and make you grateful for modern dentistry! - Robin)

Today we clean off our pearly whites with plastic bristles, twice a day, with toothpastes that cater to a wide range of tastes, from cinnamon to bubblegum and promoted by logos from Aquafresh to Dora the Explorer.  But our carefully tended teeth are the current results of a long history of nasty habits, most resulting from a vain desire to have cake, eat it too, and then show none of the resulting problems.  From cloth-stuffed cheeks to buying teeth from peasants, the truth of the tooth really did hurt.

Ancient Rome- the dominant patriarchy enlisted slaves to clean their teeth and invented an early form of mouthwash. The secret ingredient?  Human urine, especially the Portuguese variety, favored for its apparent strength.

Ancient Japan- Feeling like you blend into the rest of the common herd?  Perhaps you should try the trick that Japanese nobility once used.  In order to distinguish themselves from slaves, the wealthy would mix iron filings and tea into a type of glaze and brush it on their teeth. The result?  A lovely blackened smile signaling one’s status and wealth.  The practice continued in varying degrees until the 19^th century, and even today some Asian countries still practice tooth blackening as a coming-of-age ritual.

1498- The direct predecessor to the modern toothbrush.  The inventive Chinese give the world the first toothbrush.  For at least a hundred years, people brushed their teeth with the stout, firm bristles of cold weather hogs, set neatly into bone and bamboo.

Late 1500s- Despite the invention of the boar bristled toothbrush in China, Queen Elizabeth I had an issue with her dental care.  Reported to be a humorous woman who loved to laugh, her fondness for sugary delicacies began to take its toll on her smile.  As she lost teeth to decay, she filled in the gaps and rounded out her cheeks with cloth to improve her appearance.  Taking their lead from the queen, it became fashionable for aristocratic women to blacken their teeth to show their wealth; a few blackened teeth meant you had the money to buy sweet things for your not so sweet teeth.

1700s- Eat a few too many sweets and now have the rotting molars to prove it?  Not a problem for wealthy Europeans in this time period; they would simply seek out a willing young peasant who, lacking the money for saccharine delights, usually had much healthier, whiter teeth than his or her richer counterpart.  Then the acting dentist would simply yank out the offending tooth and replace it with the freshly pulled healthy donor tooth in the available socket. 

1940s- Believe it or not, most Americans did not brush their teeth until soldiers returning from World War II brought the practice back to their families.  While today not many choose to flash gleaming black teeth or gaps in their smiles, we have our pretty smiles thanks to an Army-enforced regulations.

July Featured Business

Head east to find Head West

By Taylor Moorman

            The elegantly scripted sign in red neon is the first indication that you’re at the right place.  A little store of contradictions, housing both the old and new, the vintage and the modern, Head West celebrated its grand opening in historic Bozeman downtown the last weekend in June, and it’s a place well worth celebrating.

            “Western clothing has a nice vintage, retro appeal to it,” said owner Charlie Brooks. The former of owner of Bozeman’s Rethreads opened his original consignment store in 1986, knowing that he wanted to continue in retail.  With help from the experience of merchandising from store manager Terra Combs, twenty –three years later, Head West brings together the best in the world of retail: new clothes capture a fresh Western feel in the front of the store, while a mixed collection of consignment clothes and vintage finds await the curious shopper in the back.

            “We try to make it a fun experience to come in here,” said Brooks.  The casually classy atmosphere lends itself to that goal, with deep red curtains framing dressing rooms and a plush couch and a seating area offering rest to the weary. The selection of potential wardrobe additions is excellent and holds choices for men and women. There are new and retro accessories in the wide array of sunglasses and hats.  The vintage merchandise is well-priced and interesting to browse.  Make sure you check out the silk slips from earlier decades, the vintage men’s socks in the glass display case under the register, and a personal favorite: a mix of new, unique, and vintage jewelry also in the display case.

            “We’re trying to build character here- clothing and attitude go a long way in doing that,” added Brooks.  You can contribute to that character as well as Head West is taking consignments. Call 406-587-2153 to make an appointment or check headwestbozeman.com for more information. 

Perhaps the best recommendation I can give comes from a recent shopper who wrote neatly in the guest book near the dressing rooms, calling Head West a “new downtown addiction.”  Stop by and indulge in a little obsession of your own.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/freecyclegallatinvalley/

“How does this work? One rule: everything posted must be free.” 

-Freecycle Network

            Everyone has been cutting corners here and there on incidentals in the past few months.  Maybe it’s saving a couple cents buying generic instead of brand name or forgoing a morning latte in favor of some Folgers brewed at home, but it seems undeniable that we’re watching closely where our dollars are going.  With the Freecycle Network, you don’t have to watch your dollars, cause they aren’t going anywhere. 

            An online network made up of over 6.9 million members across the globe, Freecycle features postings offering everything from dried flowers to teapots to baby monitors.  The only rule: everything has to be free.  You can also request items.  Bozeman and the surrounding Gallatin Valley communities have their own Freecycle website on yahoo.com. Last May, 1,334 messages were posted from group members in the Gallatin Valley area offering and requesting a veritable smorgasbord of free stuff.  

            According to the Freecycle website, the online version of trash into treasure began in 2003, when an Arizona man sent out an email to a few dozen friends introducing the Freecycle mentality.  The concept has since spread to over 85 countries, keeping 500 tons out of landfills everyday (freecycle.org).

Becoming part of the lovely free fest is easy.  Sign up for yahoo membership (it’s free), join the group, and take advantage of a swap meet that never gets old.

 

July

04  Fourth of July Festivities  
Big Sky Resort    995-5000

04  Red, White and Boom Celebration 
Gallatin County Fairgrounds  582-3270

10  ArtWalk     
On the second Friday of the month, June to September, head downtown to peruse displays of artwork from local art galleries and businesses along Main Street and at Emerson. Check out artists’ openings and take advantage of complimentary refreshments.
Information     586-4008

10  ArtWalk Drop-off
The Children’s Museum started a drop-off program during the Art Walk to give you a little extra time to enjoy the hors d’oeuvres and artistry.  Bring your children, 5-10, at the Children’s Museum of Bozeman at 202 S. Willson from 6-8 p.m. 
Children’s Museum    522-9087  

15-19  Gallatin County Fair
Sticky cotton candy, strains of music wafting to your ears as the scents of hay of livestock drift into your nose.  The fair is back! There are many children’s activities planned, including a petting zoo, grasshopper contests, and more.   For a broader range of entertainment, watch for mud bogging, animal shows, and exhibits as well as country star, John Michael Montgomery, performing Sunday, July 19.  
 www.gallatin.mt.gov/fairgrounds/   582-3270

23  Free Pregnancy Photography Class For Couples
Bring your belly, your partner, and whatever camera you have handy and professional photographer Robin Hickman, will teach you to take artistic photos of your pregnancy in your home without any fancy equipment.  Register to reserve your spot.
Robin Hickman Photography  585-7338

25  Peet’s Hill Hustle
Want to stretch your legs for a cause?  The Children’s Museum of Bozeman is sponsoring the first Peet’s Hill Hustle with a 5K run at 8 a.m. Preregister or show up early (7 a.m.) for race day registration and be sure to sign up the kids for a half K run and water bottle.  Don’t forget your disco pants; seventies-inspired clothing is encouraged to help you get your groove on.
http://www.cmbozeman.org/    522-9087

Other Events
Mondays   Sunrise Storytime
It’s a little after sunrise, but every Monday at 11 a.m., relax with your children (2-6) as the Bozeman Sunrise Rotary Club spin a yarn.  A surefire way to make Mondays a little easier… 
http://www.cmbozeman.org/    522-9087

Through September 7 Living History Farm
Step back a century to see how early Montana settlers once lived.  This new exhibit from the Museum of the Rockies features employees in period dress, living as our ancestors did.  Activities and socials are planned throughout the season.
Museum of the Rockies    994-2251

Through September 7 Star Signs
Cancer, Pisces, Taurus…oh my!  Astrological signs and constellations and more in an updated nightly show.
Taylor Planetarium     994-2251

Through September 28 Brewery Follies
A bit of raucous fun for adults, this cabaret-like show features songs, skits, and a taste of bawdy humor.  In Virginia City, make a day out it by visiting the historical buildings around the historical gold mining town.
Virginia City   http://www.breweryfollies.net/ 843-5218

Looking for something else?  Live music, classes, shows, and other events can be found at http://www.bozemanevents.net/ and http://www.bozemanonline.com/calendar.php.