May be moving to Bozeman, Montana - have crunchy questions

[guestmama9911]

We're looking at 2 grad programs, and Bozeman is one of them.

To help us make our decisions, can you tell me what we're up against crunchy-wise?

Vaccines?
Homeschool?
VBACs?
Public breastfeeding?
Crunchy stores or farmers markets?
Backyard chickens?
LLL meetings?
Curbside recycling?
Yarn shop?

Anything else you can share?

Thanks!

[Amberenergy]

[QUOTE=alisaterry;13503696]We're looking at 2 grad programs, and Bozeman is one of them.

To help us make our decisions, can you tell me what we're up against crunchy-wise?

Vaccines?
Homeschool?
VBACs?
Public breastfeeding?
Crunchy stores or farmers markets?
Backyard chickens?
LLL meetings?
Curbside recycling?
Yarn shop?

Vaxes are easy to get out of, standard form.
Yes lots of homeschoolers and activities for them.
Yes VBACS, I know someone who had one thru the birth center
Hmmm. I haven't seen lots of public bfing but maybe cos its soooo cold here!
Yes coop is vy crunchy and many many farmers markets, even a winter one at the Emerson this week I think.
YOu would have to be out a bit for the backyard chickens.
LLL I think so.
Yes just started curbside recycling, but there are private cos too, we do our own, tons of centers around town.
Yes, downtown there is STIX, awesome and a few other shops too.



Anything else you can share?

It's a great place to live. MSU is a fun school. Right now they are doing a ton of road work, so be forewarned!

Good luck!

[guestmama9911]

That's exactly what I needed, thank you!

[Delight]

On my block alone, there are 4 families with chickens...and we live only 4 blocks from downtown. Good luck with your decision...we LOVE Bozeman!

Oh, and yes to LLL. There is also a babywearing group and an AP playgroup.

[Amberenergy]

Oh yes, there are chickens near downtown, that's the more cool and funky artsy part of town. The downside for us is houses are older, not as well insulated, way expensive, and also the pollution is higher esp north of town due to the old ways of doing things...ie dump a bunch of toxins in a pit and let it sit.
The community garden shares are going at 30/share. It's near Langohrs right on the trail system and near the climbing rock...can't wait to ride my bike down to the library!

[Delight]

Originally Posted by Amberenergy

Oh yes, there are chickens near downtown, that's the more cool and funky artsy part of town. The downside for us is houses are older, not as well insulated, way expensive...

True But there are are lots of cool rentals that have all dropped significantly in price over the last couple of months. We'll probably never buy a house in Bozeman, but we love our rental. It's a small home in an older neighborhood...but is only 15 years old (and much more efficient). We really like Luna for rentals: www.lunaproperties.biz.

[Keeper at Home]

Originally Posted by alisaterry

We're looking at 2 grad programs, and Bozeman is one of them.

To help us make our decisions, can you tell me what we're up against crunchy-wise?

Vaccines?
Homeschool?
VBACs?
Public breastfeeding?
Crunchy stores or farmers markets?

Vaccines - Unless you go to a ND, most of the peds here are pretty mainline about vaccines. However, we are seen at perhaps the largest, most non-crunchy medical associates office in town and they haven't given us a hard time about not vaccinating. As long as I'm not hassled, I'm happy.

Homeschool - There seems to be a pretty significant number of homeschoolers around. I belong to a Yahoo group for homeschooling families in the area: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BHN/. There you can find many resources for homeschooling in Bozeman.

VBACs - Bozeman Deaconess has banned them for the time being : but a new midwife-run birth center opened here last fall (Bozeman Birth Center) that accepts VBAC mothers. I had a successful VBAC there this January and it was incredible. The midwives are highly qualified and respectful of your wishes. I couldn't recommend it more.

Public breastfeeding - I've never encountered any opposition to it, and I've breastfed just about everywhere! However, I do use a nursing cover so in most places people don't seem to notice what I'm doing.

Crunchy stores/Farmer's markets - We have a Co-Op, which is wonderful for organic and local foods. During the summer there are two farmer's markets per week and during the winter there is an indoor one (though I've never been, so can't say how extensive it is).

HTH!

[elanorh]

I don't know about a yarn shop but there are a couple nice fabric shops (or were, last time I was downtown) - the Silver Thimble with dressmaking fabrics as well as cottons, and then another which is strictly quilting fabrics.

The downtown is really nice, and summers are wonderful in Bozeman. I was a hall director there for three years in the late 90's. You will probably like the atmosphere in campus and in town.

There is a really good FP there too - delivered my cousin's baby. The baby had a tongue-tie and the FP identified that within three days of birth, clipped it, and told mom to just keep up nursing. Encouraged her natural birth too. I can get his name if you need an FP once you get there (PM me).

The Co-op has some really great stuff and there's a good community of folks who use it, IME. While it's been awhile since I've lived there, I doubt that has changed.

[nick&jonmom]

Wanted to comment on homeschooling in Bozeman.

There are TONS of homeschoolers here, myself included. There are also TONS of activities for homeschoolers pretty much everyday. There are two homeschooling co-ops, one christian based and one non-affiliated, just kids getting together with their parents to learn. It is really a fantastic homeschooling community. The only thing I'll bring up as a possible negative, depending on your affiliation, is that it is largely a christian community of homeschoolers. Many are open and nonjudgemental that I have been around, but sometimes there is that feeling of elitist if you know what I mean. There is a bozeman homeschool yahoo group: [e-mail] You might check that out and you could even joun and post there if you have more specific questions. Anyway, it is an awesome place to homeschool!

Also, the state itself is pretty easy to hs in as well. As far as I know you just register and that's about it. It's recommended that we keep a log of hours, jsut in case we are asked for it, but no one I've meet has ever been asked.

We moved here 8 months ago from NM and we absolutley without a a shadow of a doubt love it here and are just so excited that we get to raise our kids in such a beautiful, fun and open community......

Knit shops: Stix and one other downtown (don't know it's name) are both really cool. They both have knitting groups that are fun. I occasionaly go to the one at Stix, which has sooooo many yarns to choose form it's overwhelming!

Farmers Markets: very fun and tons of stuff. Not sure that I'd say it's 'crunchy' though. But, most people here are very natural and into organic etc...but not really crunchy at least to my standards. I'm more used to dreads and people such as that that I would classify as crunchy. But, still there is a huge natural living community.

The Food Co-op is amazing, the best I've seen. It's huge and has a deli with seating upstaris, really yummy food; it is really a great store!

Good luck with your decision!

[pettigrew]

Waldorf

Hi I am moving back to the Bozeman area and I was wondering if you guys know if there are any waldorf homeschoolers around Bozeman? I would really like to get involved with some different groups of like minded mommas!

[nick&jonmom]

Not sure if there are specific Waldorf homeschoolers here or not, I haven't ever heard. I know what Waldorf education is, so with homeschooling is it just using a Waldorf based curriculum? I suppose I could ask on our yahoo group and let you know....

[pettigrew]

Thanks!

[Amberenergy]

For those moving to Boze, the Police Report is priceless:

(there's a fan page on facebook too)

http://bozemandailychronicle.com/police_reports/

If you need a chuckle or smile, read away

[pettigrew]

Vbacs

Below is a form to have your OB sign if he refuses to let you have a VBAC. The author anonymously posted this on Facebook and it has been making its rounds on the internet. Enjoy!




I, the undersigned physician, have, in violation of the Consumer Bill of Rights and Responsibilities, the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, the Patient Self Determination Act, the ethical guidelines of the American Medical Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Constitutional Law (the right to privacy and self determination protected by the 1st and 14th amendments), international tort law, and case law (of particular interest "In re A.C.", 1987, "In re Fetus Brown, 689 N.E.2d 397, 400 (Ill. App. Ct. 1997)", and "In re Baby Boy Doe, 632 N.E.2d 326 (Ill. App. Ct. 1994)") and the Patient Rights as determined by this institution, deprived my client,_____ _________ __, of her right to self determination and her right to bodily integrity by ignoring her repeated refusal for delivery by repeat cesarean section. I acknowledge that by refusing to honor my client's denial of consent, I have not only violated the above laws, but I also affirm that I have used unwarranted and unethical pressure including emotional threats to my client's and her unborn child's life and safety, in my attempts to obtain such consent. I further affirm that I have stressed the risks of vaginal birth after cesarean, but neglected to inform my patient of the risks of delivery by repeat cesarean section. I further affirm that I understand, that should I resort to physical force, including but not limited to physical or chemical restraints, to compel my client's cooperation, I will be guilty of criminal battery, which is defined as "any form of non-consensual touching or treatment that occurs in a medical setting".

In compensation for the above violations of my client's rights, I hereby guarantee the following:

a healthy baby, born in perfect condition, with no physical, mental or developmental deficits whatsoever, whether arising from surgery or any other cause
no complications for the infant, including but not limited to: persistent pulmonary hypertension, transient tachyon of the newborn, respiratory distress syndrome, iatrogenic prematurity, lacerations, or hematoma
a speedy, uncomplicated post-operative recovery for my client. Specifically, I guarantee that my client shall not experience nerve damage, organ damage, hemorrhage (whether sufficient to require transfusion or not), disability or disfigurement, intraoperative or postoperative infection of the wound or surrounding skin and tissues, post partum depression and post partum post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other conditions not listed here.
Signed,

[nick&jonmom]

Originally Posted by pettigrew

Below is a form to have your OB sign if he refuses to let you have a VBAC. The author anonymously posted this on Facebook and it has been making its rounds on the internet. Enjoy!




I, the undersigned physician, have, in violation of the Consumer Bill of Rights and Responsibilities, the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, the Patient Self Determination Act, the ethical guidelines of the American Medical Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Constitutional Law (the right to privacy and self determination protected by the 1st and 14th amendments), international tort law, and case law (of particular interest "In re A.C.", 1987, "In re Fetus Brown, 689 N.E.2d 397, 400 (Ill. App. Ct. 1997)", and "In re Baby Boy Doe, 632 N.E.2d 326 (Ill. App. Ct. 1994)") and the Patient Rights as determined by this institution, deprived my client,_____ _________ __, of her right to self determination and her right to bodily integrity by ignoring her repeated refusal for delivery by repeat cesarean section. I acknowledge that by refusing to honor my client's denial of consent, I have not only violated the above laws, but I also affirm that I have used unwarranted and unethical pressure including emotional threats to my client's and her unborn child's life and safety, in my attempts to obtain such consent. I further affirm that I have stressed the risks of vaginal birth after cesarean, but neglected to inform my patient of the risks of delivery by repeat cesarean section. I further affirm that I understand, that should I resort to physical force, including but not limited to physical or chemical restraints, to compel my client's cooperation, I will be guilty of criminal battery, which is defined as "any form of non-consensual touching or treatment that occurs in a medical setting".

In compensation for the above violations of my client's rights, I hereby guarantee the following:

a healthy baby, born in perfect condition, with no physical, mental or developmental deficits whatsoever, whether arising from surgery or any other cause
no complications for the infant, including but not limited to: persistent pulmonary hypertension, transient tachyon of the newborn, respiratory distress syndrome, iatrogenic prematurity, lacerations, or hematoma
a speedy, uncomplicated post-operative recovery for my client. Specifically, I guarantee that my client shall not experience nerve damage, organ damage, hemorrhage (whether sufficient to require transfusion or not), disability or disfigurement, intraoperative or postoperative infection of the wound or surrounding skin and tissues, post partum depression and post partum post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other conditions not listed here.
Signed,

That's wild and soooo cool!

[Amberenergy]

Pettigrew, you rock.

[kellid]

Originally Posted by Delight

True But there are are lots of cool rentals that have all dropped significantly in price over the last couple of months. We'll probably never buy a house in Bozeman, but we love our rental. It's a small home in an older neighborhood...but is only 15 years old (and much more efficient). We really like Luna for rentals: www.lunaproperties.biz.

hey sara! you all are back in bozeman? we are too! we just got back in february. hope you all had a great gal avant around the country.

Originally Posted by alisaterry

That's exactly what I needed, thank you!

good luck with your decision!

[roadfamily6now]

Oh Bozeman! I grew up there. Great town!