Recent Tags in Helena

BL Gloop and Mπ

These two taggers have been active around town in the past few months. The BL/Gloop tag is from mid-November (See: Elsewhere) and the Mπ—I think—is from this summer.

Mπ makes some other, more clever stencils including a sidewalk stencil of some shriveled up wicked witch feet under the Allegra building and a funny Civic Center image with a paintbrush for a minaret. (The Civic Center thing is a wheat paste poster.) After they appeared this summer I had hoped to see more over the weeks but I think it must have been a weekend project, because nothing new has appeared.

BL/Gloop is all over, mostly with the same purple paint marker but with a rattle can in a few hidden away places. All tags.

I’d be interested to hear of other places where new tags have shown up.

Mr. Bollé’s Unexpected Gift

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A No Sweat regular—Rodger—gave a generous Christmas gift to the Sweaties this weekend: enough 1980s vintage sunglasses to cover the counter-top.

According to Eli, Rodger’s professional skiing career was sponsored by Bollé and as a part of the deal he was given many, many pairs of sunglasses. Maybe he didn’t want to lug them around anymore because he decided to give them all a good home. There were over 20 pairs, more than enough for the whole Eller family and all the employees. (I got a pair!) Thanks Rodger.
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Lazy Sunday at Home

Ginger Candied Martini

from Davar Ardalan/NPR

from Davar Ardalan/NPR

The martinis my dad made for us at Christmas were inspired by a recipe he heard on NPR. For the curious, here it is

  • 1 ounce fresh-squeezed ginger juice
  • 1 ounce triple sec
  • 3 ounces Grey Goose vodka
  • 1 ounce pineapple juice
  • 1 ounce Rose’s lime juice

You can find the original story on the NPR website.

A Closeknit Christmas Celebration

After an afternoon of visiting with McK’s parents, looking after the house sitting, and sharing a sublime Christmas dinner—it was great Mom!—we all warmed up to conversation and cocktails.

After dinner cocktails with Jeep and the Caseys.

After-dinner cocktails with McK, Jeep, and the Caseys.


Dad made several rounds of ginger martinis, a perfrect after dinner drink.

Dad made several rounds of ginger martinis, a perfrect after dinner drink.

Little Bannack faught sleep to keep up with us all.

Little Bannack faught sleep to keep up with us all.

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McK posted herself in front of the fire for most of the night.

McK posted herself in front of the fire for most of the night.