Arts + Culture

The Man Behind the Murals

Parker Beckley, a self proclaimed rambler and weirdo, charms us with his wit, perspective, and talent Article by Chelsea Lyn Agro | Photography by Rick Szczechowski Parker Beckley’s artistic medium is goofiness. His large format murals appear around town at places like Bridge Pizza, where a pie soaring into a disc golf basket gets a second look and a grin from patrons. He sells stickers and t-shirts on his website ( ParkerBeckley.com ) and creates outlandish, whimsical content on Instagram...

Health + Wellness

All in the Ingredients

Local Larry Kolb Jr. has built his global career in dietary supplements and ingredient innovation Article by Julianne Bitely | Photography by Rick Szczechowski In an office on downtown Main Street Missoula, you’ll find the home office of TSI USA Industries—a global company with a local origin story. Larry Kolb Jr. shares how his journey has led him from a boy growing up on a ranch in Lolo to co-founding a multinational health and science company with divisions abroad in the UK, Oslo, Norway...

Life + Culture

Bring Your Game to the Green

Boys & Girls Club of Missoula puts the putt where it matters most Article by Marko Capoferri | Photography by Provided by BGCM Staff It’s fair to say that being a kid in any era—let alone in our increasingly hectic present-day—is fraught with challenges.  Now, add to all the normal hitches of growing up: a parent or parents forced to work multiple jobs, or a classroom stuffed to the brim with 25, 30 students all needing something individual from a teacher who’s overworked and underpaid.  ...

Food + Beverage

The Family Business

Bitterroot barber relishes his lineage of listening and caring for his customers alongside his son Article by Susie Wall | Photography by Rick Szczechowski There are two examples of “family” at Brassbound Barber. One example is the traditional father-son relationship between owner Bryan Kirkland and his son and apprentice, Austin Kirkland. The broader version of family is found among the boys and men who frequent the barbershop looking for a skilled shave or cut, but for community and...

Arts + Culture

A Binding Idea

FMC Books founder and owner Tara Hamma shares her reasons for opening the bookstore its intent for the community Article by Emma Trotter | Photography by Rick Szczechowski The awning outside FMC Books, a romance-focused bookstore that opened last summer downtown, is a lure in spring air—the brightly colored titles catch my attention and I’m already reeled in. I step inside, determined to find a fun read worthy of the sunniest riverbank. It’s no coincidence that the prettiest contemporary...

Professional Services

Empathy is an Element

Amy Downing, owner of Element Physical Therapy, offers her own personal connection to vestibular disorders in addition to specialized equipment and expertise Article by Marko Capoferri | Photography by Rick Szczechowski If you deal with a physical ailment, there’s a veritable laundry list of physical therapists here in Missoula that are all more than capable of helping you ease your discomfort and getting you back to a semblance of normalcy. But sometimes what manifests on the outside is...

Life + Culture

Candor With a Conductor

Julia Tai, music director of the Missoula Symphony Orchestra, gives a glimpse of her role in our musical Missoula Article by Susie Wall | Photography by Sam McGhee of Victory Media Despite her petite frame, Julia Tai commands the stage as music director of the Missoula Symphony Orchestra.  During each performance, whether at the Dennison Theatre or Caras Park, Julia swirls her black hair to the rhythm, her baton dancing in the air, as she leads talented musicians through compositions that...

Local Services

She's Stitched into the Fabric of Missoula

Operations Manager of Pine & Needle Cynthia Nesbitt has her finger on the pulse of print Article by Shelby Humphreys | Photography by Rick Szczechowski To understand the hard work and collaboration involved in bringing print projects to life, all you need to do is read the whiteboard in the back room at Pine & Needle Print Co. Messages on the board include: cheers to one supervisor who juggled several projects and got them all done ahead of schedule, kudos to another operator for...

Fitness

Daughter & Dad

Missoulian Amber Answine runs marathons with Dad at her hip Article by Kelsie Ring | Photography by Provided by Amber Answine Running a marathon is something only 1% of the population will complete in their lifetime. It’s a race that pushes you to your limit, challenges you mentally and physically, and brings a sense of fulfillment like no other. That said, there are no current statistics of people who run multiple marathons alongside their father but there is one local story that tells more...

Health + Wellness

A Group Effort for the Greater Good

National Public Health Week raises local awareness of the constant serviceability of public health in Missoula Article by Marko Capoferri | Photography by Rick Szczechowski April, in most of the U.S., means spring has arrived: new leaves pushing out of dull branches, lawns becoming green and vibrant, robins plucking worms from between the emerging grass blades to feed their newborns.  April in Montana can mean a blizzard or a golf outing, or both. Whatever the weather, the first full week of...