The Bozeman community continues to pull together to help friends and neighbors in the wake of a deadly explosion that rocked the downtown two weeks ago.
The March 5 explosion claimed the life of Tara Reistad Bowman, 36, and crumbled Main Street businesses, including Boodles restaurant, Montana Trails Art Gallery, LillyLu's children's store and Tolstedt Architects and caused significant damage to the Rocking R Bar, the Pickle Barrel restaurant, the Rocky Mountain Rug Gallery and Starky's Authentic Delicatessen.
Authorities announced last week that the explosion was caused by a separation on a two-inch NorthWestern Energy service line between the main gas line and the meter for the Montana Trails Gallery.
Since the devastating blast, the downtown community has been pulling together to help those affected by the blast. A fund has been established to help residents and employers.
The Downtown Bozeman Relief Party will be held from noon to midnight Saturday, March 28 at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds to raise funds to help those who lost jobs and housing in the March 5 explosion.
Food will be catered by Kountry Korner Café and there will be a no-host bar provided by the Rocking R Bar with all profits being donated.
Activities include face painting for the kids, a large silent auction with items donated by local businesses and individuals.
There will also be a downtown photo contest and display sponsored by F-11 photography with prizes for the best shots of downtown including $100 for first place, $50 for second place and $25 for third place.
Music will be provided by the following groups:
Noon to 1:15 p.m. - Saddle Tramps (country)
1:15 to 2:30 p.m. - Jamelution
2:30 to 5 p.m. - Bigsby Jones (original rock)
5 to 8 p.m. - Exhumed (old rock)
8 p.m. to midnight - Comstock Load (classic rock)
Montana Ale Works on East Main Street announced it will hold a benefit as well.
That event will be from 8 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday with monies raised going to support the Downtown Relief Fund.
The event will feature music by four musicians whose homes were destroyed in the explosion. Tips given to the band will go to help those musicians.
Another business, Kitchen T.L.C. is also stepping forward to help those affected in the blast. It will donate 10 percent of the product price for its sweet chocolate pizza products purchased online at www.KitchenTLC.com to the Downtown Relief Fund.
Buyers can go to www.KitchenTLC.com and select the option to have 10 percent contributed to the fund when checking out.
Anyone wishing to donate directly to the Downtown Relief Fund can deliver contributions to any First Security Bank location or mail it to HRDC - Downtown Relief Fund, c/o First Security Bank, P.O. Box 910, Bozeman, MT 59771.
(From March 12, 2009)
The community is pulling together in the wake a deadly explosion that devastated downtown Bozeman last week.
Community members are showing their support for those affected by the blast by hosting fundraising events and establishing funds to raise money.
The explosion that happened at 8:12 a.m. Thursday, March 5, leveled Boodles restaurant, the Montana Trails Gallery, Lily Lu's and Tolstedt Architects. Tara Reistad Bowman, 36, who was at work inside the art gallery that morning was killed in the blast.
The Downtown Relief Fund has been established to help residents and employers. The First Security Bank Foundation got the monetary ball rolling with a lead grant of $25,000.
"The outpouring of support by the community has been amazing. This fund is a way everyone can participate in the effort. And the gift from First Security Bank Foundation is a great start to getting downtown Bozeman residents and employers get back on their feet," said Chris Naumann of the Downtown Bozeman Partnership.
Others are stepping in too, including the Bozeman Watch Company that is donating $500 for each timepiece sold.
"I mean, Main Street is a small place. Bozeman is a small place, although it's grown it's still, you know, a relatively small town. We all know each other, one way or another, walking down Main Street. Like I said, we've done a number of charities, but none so close to the heart I would say," Bozeman Watch Company CEO Christopher Wardle said.
Another opportunity to help out will be at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds where the Downtown Bozeman Association will host a fundraiser from noon to midnight on Saturday, March 28.
The event will include live and silent auctions, bands, food and beverages. Money raised at the event will go to help those who have been displaced from their homes or who are now out of work. A fee will be charged at the door.
Even the online community is getting involved.
A "tweetup," or in-person meeting for people who communicate on the social networking site, Twitter, has been scheduled at the Bacchus Pub to raise money for those affected by the blast.
The group, bozemantweeple, had planned a gathering for those in its network, but the gathering turned into a fundraiser after the blast.
A gathering, called a tweetup will be held Wednesday, March 18 at the Bacchus Pub. There's still room to sign up. Cost is $10 at the door.
Visit bozemantweeple.com to find out more about the event.
