Wednesday, October 26
BPL preschool story time
Preschoolers are invited to meet in the children’s corner of the Bitterroot Public Library on Wednesday to enjoy “Going Batty” with storyteller Sally Blevins. Story time begins at 10:30 a.m. and is designed for children 3-5 years of age. All story times are free and open to the public. For information, call 363-1670. You’re welcome to wear costumes!
NVPL preschool story time
The North Valley Public Library is having a Music Maker’s Costume Party for preschoolers on Wednesday, October 26 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Melissa Sparks will lead the storytime in rhythm, fingerplays, movement and read aloud stories to help build early literacy skills and music appreciation. Come in costume and bring a treat to share and celebrate the Halloween season. The reading will be Maurice Sendak’s “Where the Wild Things Are”. For more information contact Caitlin at 777-5061.
Alcohol service training
Western MT Addiction Services will be hosting two Responsible Alcohol Sales Service Trainings on October 26 and November 9. The classes are from 9 a.m. to noon at WMAS, 209 N. 10th St in Hamilton and there is a $15 material fee. This is the state-approved training from the Dept. of Revenue. Call 532-9149 to hold your space.
Golden Age birthday party
The Shenanigans are scheduled to entertain at the birthday party on October 26 at the Golden Age Club, 727 S. Fifth, Hamilton. The program begins at 2 p.m. with refreshments served after the program.
Girls’ class
“Girls Today, Women Tomorrow” class for girls ages 9-12 will be held at the North Valley Family Center, Wednesdays, October 26 through November 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. Girls can learn to identify and build on their strengths, engage their humor and share their natural and ordinary courage, support their desire for genuine relationship and ignite their potential to work together. The North Valley Family Center is located at 5501 Hwy 93 N, Suite 3, in Florence, just behind the Town Pump. For more info call 273-0142.
Thursday, October 27
Stevi school facility committee
The Stevensville School Board Facility Committee will meet on Thursday, October 27 at 10 a.m. in the Swank Construction trailer.
Book discussion group
“Brown Bag It” Book Discussion Group will meet Thursday, October 27 from noon to 1 p.m. in the west meeting room of the Bitterroot Public Library. The group will be discussing “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” by Mark Twain. These book discussions occur monthly the last Thursday of the month. Everyone is welcome.
South Valley Civic Group
The next meeting of the South Valley Civic Group will be held on Thursday, October 27 at 6 p.m. at the First Baptist Church. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and pie will be served. Attend and bring a friend. Everyone is welcome.
Main Street membership social
The Stevensville Main Street Association will host a membership social on Thursday, October 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Bitterroot Star, 215 Main in Stevensville. All new, renewing and potential members are welcome to attend this free event. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be served. For more information contact SMSA at 777-3773.
Exhibit opening
An opening of “Taking Stock: A Study of Historic Agricultural Buildings in the Gallatin Valley” will take place Thursday, October 27 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Ravalli County Museum in the Old Courthouse. Maire O’Neill curator and associate professor at the School of Architecture at MSU, will give a presentation at 7 p.m. This drawing project was directed by Maire O’Neill, associate professor in the School of Architecture from 2004 to 2009. Between 2004 and 2009 approximately 80 buildings were recorded for the project involving hundreds of hours of fieldwork and studio work with architecture students. The exhibit presents extant historic buildings on early farmsteads in the Gallatin Valley, which are rendered in pen and ink in precise plan, section, and elevation drawings. These simple drawings are elegant and inspiring architectural art. The exhibit runs through January 6. For more information contact the Ravalli County Museum at 363-3338.
Free lecture
“Lessons from Aboriginal Australia: Stories and adventures of an American/German family living with the Nyigina People” is the topic of a free lecture on Thursday, October 27 at 7 p.m. at Between the Worlds Metaphysical Store, 205 W. Main, Hamilton. Darrel Combs, founder of the Earthwinds Nature and Tracking School in Villach, Austria, will give a free presentation on the experiences he and his young family had during their two-year stay with the Nyingina people of Northern Australia. He will share with you the joys and struggles a western family had while immersed in a remote outback Aboriginal community. What does it take to survive in a vast desert savanna? How do you deal with poisonous snakes, crocodiles, cultural differences, alcoholism? What would it be like to be adopted into a community where people share most of their material belongings? Come find out.
Friday, October 28
Children’s play group
Ready! Set! Play! will take place Friday, October 28, from 10:30 to 12 noon, for children ages 2-5 and their parents. Parents play an important role in supporting children’s growth and development. Learn ways to support children’s learning through fun and interactive activities. It’s free at the North Valley Family Center, 5501 Hwy 93 N, Suite 3, in Florence, beside the Town Pump. For more information call 273-0142.
Golden Age Halloween Party
A Halloween party with costumes and prizes is planned for the regular dance night of Friday, October 28 at the Golden Age Club, 727 S. Fifth, Hamilton. Prizes will be awarded for the best man’s costume, best ladies’ best couple and the funniest. Bob Olson’s new Bitter Root Five band plays for the dance that night – music starts at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 29
Chicken chat
Sam’s Spade Garden Tools and Wares is sponsoring a panel of three
seasoned chicken owners, Rod Daniel, Karla Wiencek and Linda Griggs,
and invites you to a question and answer session for chicken owners. This will be an open discussion so bring all your questions, concerns and challenges you have run into this season. This free talk will be held on Saturday, October 29 at 11 a.m. in the Bitterroot Public Library Meeting Room. For more information contact Sam’s Spade at 363-1293.
Montana Horse Welfare Council
The first annual meeting of the Montana Horse Welfare Council will be held Saturday, October 29 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Humane Society of Western Montana, 5930 Hwy 93 South, Missoula. The Council’s mission is to promote equine welfare through owner assistance and education, information and law enforcement training; veterinarian contacts, hay/feed bank and foster/placement network. The meeting will feature speaker Shannon Alexander of Western Montana Equine Rescue. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to get involved in this opportunity to help Montana equines. The MHWC is a Montana non-profit group. For more information contact Joanna Dove, President, Helena, 406-461-4088; or visit www.mthorse.org.
Fall Festival
A Fall Festival will be held Saturday, October 29 at 4 p.m. at Rocky Mountain Grange. This family event will offer pony rides, all ages costume contest, gourd chucking, dinner, and too many Harvest and Halloween activities to list. Cost is $4 per child (suggested donation). For more information call 363-7288.
Republican spaghetti dinner
The Ravalli County Republican Central Committee will sponsor the annual Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser, “2012 Election Kickoff – Take Back Our State” on Saturday, October 29 at the Eagles Lodge, 125 N. 2nd in Hamilton. Social hour is 6 to 7 p.m. with dinner at 7:30. The main speaker is Steve Daines, running for Denny Rehberg’s Congressional seat. The emcee is County Attorney Bill Fulbright. Several gubernatorial candidates will also be in attendance. The event includes dinner, music, auction, and door prizes galore. For tickets call 207-7630. Seating is limited.
Red Ribbon Mash
Is there anything scarier than disco? Come to the Red Ribbon Mash 2011 and find out! Open and free to all Ravalli County teens, the Red Ribbon Mash happens Saturday, October 29 from 8 to 11 p.m. at the Bedford Building, 223 S. 2nd St., Hamilton, as part of Red Ribbon Week 2011. There will be great food, wonderful prizes, a live band, D.J., costume contest and a dance contest to K.C. and the Sunshine Band’s “I’m Your Boogie Man.” The winners of the Red Ribbon Poetry Contest will be announced. Celebrate living your life free from addiction at this fantastic party sponsored by Tobacco Free Ravalli and the Prevention Program at Western MT Addiction Services.
Museum ‘Ghost’ Tour
On Saturday, October 29 from 9 p.m. until 3 a.m., Ravalli County Museum will host a tour of the Museum that takes place in the dark, during the “witching hour”. There will be EMF (Electromagnetic Frequency) detectors, recording devices, thermometers and cameras to try and capture evidence of haunting. Be sure to bring your camera (a flashlight is also recommended.) From disembodied voices, to lights coming on by themselves, to the elevator moving up and down and opening on its own – many of the staff at the Ravalli County Museum have experienced unexplainable phenomena in the corridors of what was once the Ravalli County Courthouse. Experience a tour of the local Museum from a very different angle! Take a walk down the dark passageways in the basement, experience the energy of the judge’s chambers, sit quietly in the old courtroom and decide for yourself… The cost is $20.00. Space is limited, so sign up early by calling the Museum at 363-3338 or drop on by at 205 Bedford, Hamilton. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. No one under the age of 12 will be admitted. This can be a frightening experience that is not suitable for children.
Monday, October 31
Stevi school menu
October 31-November 4
Monday – Breakfast: Cereal, fruit, milk; Lunch: Mummy wraps, cat eyes, witches’ moons, bread, butter, milk
Tuesday – Breakfast: Fruit bars, fruit, milk; Lunch: Mac & cheese, fresh veggies, apples, bread, butter, chocolate or regular milk
Wednesday – Breakfast: French toast, fruit, milk; Lunch: Chicken fajitas, lettuce, salsa, plums, bread, butter, milk
Thursday – Breakfast: Danish, fruit, milk; Lunch: Sloppy Joe, taters, banana, bread, butter, milk
Friday – Breakfast: Cereal, fruit milk; Lunch: Corn dogs, glazed carrots, applesauce, bread, butter, chocolate or regular milk.
Halloween party
Get your costumes ready for the 2nd Annual Trunk or Treat with guest appearance by “SLASH,” the Missoula Maulers mascot, on Monday, October 31 from 4 to 7 p.m. at The King’s Christian Church, 9830 Valley Grove Drive, Lolo. Outside there will be many festive trunks of treats and inside there will be free food, games and more treats for the whole family. For more information call 273-0682.
Halloween party
There will be a Halloween Party for all children in the community at St. Mary’s Family Center in Stevensville on Monday, October 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. This is the Halloween Party that both children and parents love, with the best décor, games with prizes around town, wonderful baked treats and refreshments. Meet your friends and neighbors. Parents are encouraged to accompany their children. Price of admission is a bag of candy per child. All children will leave with a bag of Halloween goodies.
Tuesday, November 1
Florence After School Team
Join FAST (Florence After School Team), a partnership of parents, Florence Elementary and Middle Schools and the North Valley Family Center in exploring interest, resources, and local talent for afterschool programming. Your input and support is needed. The next meeting is Tuesday, November 1 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the North Valley Family Center located at 5501 Hwy 93 N, Suite 3, in Florence, beside the Town Pump. For more information call 273-0142.
Food management class
A class on “Stretching Your Food Dollars” will be held Tuesday, November 1, at 7 p.m. at the South Valley Child and Family Center, 515 Madison Street, Hamilton. Learn and share tips and tricks to make maximum use of your food dollars with skills like using your slow cooker, planned leftovers and freezing meals. For more information call MSU/Ravalli County Extension Office, 375-6611.
Thursday, November 3
‘Termination Mechanics’ seminar
Employers are encouraged to attend the “Termination Mechanics” seminar, which will supply information on terminating employees properly, on Thursday, November 3 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Marcus Daly Hospital. This seminar is hosted by Job Service Employer Committee (JSEC) . Register by calling Heather Mousley at 375-6044 or e-mailing at hmousley@mt.gov.
A Capella Society supper
Gourmet pancakes and sizzling sausage links will be served up on Thursday, November 3 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Corvallis United Methodist Church, corner of Eastside Highway and Old Cemetery Road just south of Corvallis, to benefit The Montana A Cappella Society, the Bitterroot Valley’s own community-based, all volunteer musical group dedicated to storytelling through a cappella music. Bring the whole family for a great supper; entertainment will be provided. Free will donations accepted.
Friday, November 4
Emma’s House yard cleanup
Join the Darby Community Public Library and the Bitterroot Public Library in a community service project for Emma’s House, Ravalli County’s children advocacy center in Hamilton. Volunteers will be doing a fall yard cleanup on November 4 at 9 a.m. Bring garden tools such as rakes, trowels and gloves. Sign up in advance at either library: Darby Community Library, 821-4771 or Bitterroot Public Library, 363 1670.
First Friday at NV Library
North Valley Public Library will host Celtic Knots band Friday November 4, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The Celtic Knots is a five-member band featuring a wide variety of instruments including fiddle, Irish flute, guitar, penny whistle, Irish drum and Horu pipes. The band plays traditional Scottish Irish folk music, waltzes, polkas, jigs and reels. This performance is part of the monthly First Friday festivities in downtown Stevensville. Admission is free and light refreshments will be served. The North Valley Public Library is located at 208 Main Street, Stevensville. For more information, call the library at 777-5061.
Drama production
The Bitterroot Accidental Theatre Company will present the Montana premiere of David Mamet’s brilliant farce “November” on November 4-5, 11-12, 18-19 at 7 p.m. at the South Valley Child and Family Center, 515 Madison in Hamilton. An outrageous comedy about the potential and misuse of the highest office in the land, no rock is left unthrown or person unoffended. Called “maniacally funny” and “a raucous comedy” by top critics, it features Russ Lawrence, April Johnson, Molly Hill, Carrie Storrow and Terry Croghan. Tickets are $10 at the door. Rated ‘M’ for mature language.
Saturday, November 5
Free Cholesterol Screening
Mark your calendars Saturday, November 5 for the free Lipid Profile/Cholesterol Screening at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital from 7:30 to 10 a.m. in conference rooms B & C for all Ravalli County residents ages 18 and older. The screening will include Glucose and HDL, LDL, Cholesterol, Triglycerides and Chol/HDL Ratio, a value of over $100/person. Enter through the Hospital’s main entrance at 1200 Westwood Drive, Hamilton. Bring your drivers license or some from of identification, drink plenty of water but do not eat or have caffeinated drinks 8 to 10 hours prior to the screening. Test results will be mailed to you within one week. For more information visit mdmh.org or call Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital at 363-2211.
Veterans monument benefit
The Bitterroot Vietnam Veterans invite you to join in an evening of great food, music, dancing and fun on Saturday, November 5 at the Bedford building. Dinner with be catered by Caffe Firenze, followed by dance music from the 40s to the 70s and beyond, a mini concert by the Montana A Cappella Society, silent auction and door prizes. All proceeds benefit the Ravalli County Veterans’ Monument in Hamilton. Tickets are $25 each or two for $40 and are available at Chapter One Book Store, Massa Home Center, Vet Center or call Keith Kehoe at 375-9069 or 202-852-1575 for ticket delivery or questions.