Diversions

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Punk bands unite to put on Planned Parenthood benefit

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Benefit

In November there was a shooting at a Planned Parenthood clinic, remember? In Colorado Springs, Colo., where four people died. That incident may have been buried in the slew of other shootings around the country. But let us focus here. As the man fired 20 shots from his semiautomatic rifle, he made remarks about “baby parts.” We can reasonably take these as a reference to a video released by an anti-Planned Parenthood group, which depicts Planned Parenthood workers dealing in the acquisition and exchange of fetal human body parts for profit. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Diversions, Catly Fiorina, Planned Parenthood, President Obama, Railyard, Rick Perry

The Bar Tab: CJ’s—not bad for a bar with identity crisis

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CJ

If you’re just driving by, it’s hard to get a feel for CJ’s Bar and Grill. Located at 2455 Central Ave., CJ’s is nestled in a small strip mall next to a printer cartridge refill outfit. It’s also on the way to Target, so we pass by often. The exterior design of CJ’s is somewhat modern, with an almost cubist vibe. It looks like either a relic of the ’80s geometric period or a new architect’s attempt at “chic.” We weren’t sure what we were getting ourselves into when we chose this venue, but we thought it was worth a try. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Diversions, Applebee's, CJ's Bar and Grill, Jake's, Lisa Simpson

Analog is back: Record store to open on Minnesota Ave.

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Bowie

Michael Ludlam had been thinking of opening a used-record store for a couple of years, but when a storefront went up for rent at South 27th Street and Minnesota Avenue, he wasn’t sure he was quite ready to start a business. No matter. The location was too good to pass up. “I felt I had to jump on it when it was available,” he said. (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: Culture, Diversions, Crowne Plaza, David Bowie, For the Funk of It, Fox Theater, MetraPark, Michael Ludlam

The Bar Tab: A decent enough place, with one warning

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Decor

The Den could be described as conveniently located but easily overlooked. Recognizable but forgettable. It is tucked behind Lucky’s Market and has a street address of 1595 Grand Ave., but is actually located more than half a block north of Grand, just past the roundabout in the West Park Plaza. You would have to be looking pretty hard to see it while driving past on Grand. (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: Diversions, Lucky's Market, The Den, West Park Plaza

Northern chef takes culinary skills to Bobby Flay show

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Flay

Tim Freeman, executive chef at the Northern Hotel’s TEN restaurant in downtown Billings, wasn’t a fan of Bobby Flay growing up. In Flay’s television shows and in his best-selling books, Freeman said, he came across as arrogant and cocky. But on Jan.21, Freeman will appear on Flay’s cooking show, “Beat Bobby Flay,” on the Food Network. (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: Diversions, Bobby Flay, Food Network, Northern Hotel, TEN restaurant, Tim Freeman

Billings musician writes tunes for dogs—and their owners

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Taylor

Dog lovers know all too well the pouty eyes of a dog who has to be left at home alone. Whether dog owners are going to work, running errands or heading somewhere where their canine pals can’t come, there are times when Fido just has to hang at home alone. When musician Taylor Brown got his first dog, Nala, she started showing symptoms of separation anxiety. The sweet young French bulldog would tremble and cry when Brown would leave, and she was surprisingly destructive for her tiny size when left alone. (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: Diversions, Animal Clinic of Billings, Dr. Kenneth Brown, Kickstarter, Taylor Brown

At the Pekin Noodle Parlor in Butte, history’s on the menu

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Booth

BUTTE—On a visit to Butte early last fall, I heard two things over and over again. One was that Danny Wong’s hot mustard at the Pekin Noodle Parlor would clear your sinuses. The other was that the Chinese in early-day Butte had built tunnels under much of the Uptown and used them for a variety of nefarious purposes, including drug-running and kidnapping. (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: Culture, Diversions, China Alley, Danny Wong, Dick Gibson, Evel Knievel, Jerry Tam, Mai Wah Society

The Bar Tab: Entertaining episode enlivens tavern visit

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Fiddlers

Where is Fiddler’s Green? After hearing relentless media promotions singing this tavern’s praises, we assumed it would be easy to find. We were wrong. Even with GPS, we spent some minutes circling the area where the bar was supposed to be, then finally arrived at Fiddler’s Green, located at 5104 Southgate Drive, hidden within a maze of hotels, warehouses and industrial buildings. (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: Diversions, Fiddler's Green, Guinness, Ireland

A look back at the best of Last Best News, 2015

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Relay

In honor of the new year, let me offer up what I consider the best of the Last Best News stories of 2015. Early in the new year, in a Prairie Lights column, I wrote about a deeply religious overseas terrorist organization. The conclusions I drew from that slice of history would resonate throughout the coming year. (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: Diversions, Alexis Bonogofky, Brian D'Ambrosio, David Crisp, Doug Oltrogge, Jody Tenicin Smith, John Warner, Last Best News