NVPL Youth Laptop Lounge
Youth Laptop Lounge, for ages 10-16, is held Wednesdays from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in the North Valley Public Library Community Room. Come in after school to use a library laptop to access the internet and do your homework. No library card is required. Contact Caitlin at 777-5061 for more info.
Habitat for Humanity
Ravalli County Habitat for Humanity is seeking volunteers for the following committees:
Building Committee, meets ad hoc, contact Rick at 207-0285; Family Selection/Support Committee, Meets ad hoc, contact Jess at 544-3250; Public Relations & Fundraising Committee, meets at 6 p.m. on third Tuesday of month, Marcus Daly Hospital (Hamilton), Conference Room D; Volunteer Relations/Church Relations Committee, meets ad hoc – contact Ruth at 375-5106. For more information: Website: http://www.ravallihabitat.org/; phone: 375-1926.
Ernst Peterson Photo Contest
The Annual Ernst Peterson “Photograph Montana” contest, set up to improve the conservation of the Ernst Peterson Photograph Collection – housed at the Ravalli County Museum, is back! The contest (in its 19th year) invites photographers from all over Montana, amateur and professional alike, to showcase the “Best of Montana” photographs. During the contest, a portion of the vast Peterson collection is on display and interpreted, along with the contestants work. A modest entry fee is collected and set aside for the ongoing preservation of the collection. The deadline to get your photos in is January 28. The exhibit will be on display from February 2 through March 31. The judging and awards ceremony will take place on March 1 at 6 p.m. For more information or to download a form, go to www.brvhsmuseum.org or on Facebook at Ravalli County Museum or drop on in to the Museum at 205 Bedford, Hamilton, 363-3338.
Wednesday, January 4
BRVHS annual meeting
The 2012 Bitter Root Valley Historical Society board takes office at the Annual Board Meeting held Wednesday, January 4 at 10 a.m. at the Ravalli County Museum. This meeting is open to the public and members are invited. For more information, contact the Museum at 363-3338 or stop in at 205 Bedford, Hamilton.
BPL Preschool Story Time
Preschoolers are invited to meet in the children’s corner of the Bitterroot Public Library on Wednesday, January 4 to enjoy “New Year’s Kitties” with storyteller Dixie Stark. 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.
NVPL Toddler/Preschool Storytime
Toddler/Preschool Storytime at North Valley Public Library will be held Wednesday, January 4 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Enjoy movement, singing and stories at the Music Makers Storytime! Melissa Sparks will lead this engaging and enriching activity; this month’s theme is Careers and Transportation. A healthy and delicious snack is always provided, thanks to Friends of the Library. For information contact Caitlin at 777-5061.
Stevensville Playhouse auditions
Auditions for “Finian’s Rainbow” will be held Wednesday and Thursday, January 4 and 5, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Stevensville Playhouse. Parts to fill include Finian (male 35-50, Baritone), Woody (male 20-23, Baritone), OG (male mid-teen to 25, Irish brogue), Sharon (female 18-30, Soprano), Senator (male 40-50), Buzz (male 30-40), Sheriff (male any age), Shears (male tall and lean), Robust (male), Chorus parts for men, women and children 8-13 years old. Cold reading from script. Prepared song not required, everyone will sing selections from the score. For info call 777-2722.
Economist to speak
Economist Loretta Napoleoni will speak at Chapter One Book Store in Hamilton on Wednesday, January 4 at 7 p.m. Napoleoni will be talking about her most recent book, “Maonomics: Why Chinese Communists Make Better Capitalists Than We Do,” published by Seven Stories Press.
Napoleoni probes the Chinese “economic miracle,” contrasting China’s focus on economic opportunity and the fair distribution of wealth with the West’s emphasis on democratic principles and voting. She asserts that classical Marxism isn’t so much an attack on capitalism as a critique, and that the Chinese have embraced his view of the profit motive as something that can be harnessed for the benefit of the people.
Napoleoni is the author of the bestselling book “Rogue Economics: Capitalism’s New Reality” (a Publisher’s Weekly “Best Book” of 2008), and “Terror Incorporated: Tracing the money behind global terrorism.” She has worked as a correspondent and columnist for La Stampa, La Repubblica, El País, and Le Monde, and spoke on the economics of terrorism for Google UK and TEDTalks. She teaches economics at the Judge Business School in Cambridge, England.
Her presentation is free, and open to the public. Chapter One is located at 252 Main Street in Hamilton. For more information, contact Chapter One Book Store at 363-5220, or books@chapter1bookstore.com.
Friday, January 6
North Valley Pachyderm Club
The North Valley Pachyderm Club will meet Friday, January 6 at noon at The Frontier Café, Hwy 93 in Stevensville. Rick Hill, candidate for governor, will be the guest speaker. The North Valley Pachyderm Club meets the first and third Friday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. at the Frontier Cafe. The North Valley Pachyderm Club is an educational arm of the Republican Party. All are welcome.
Model Railroaders
The Bitterroot Valley Model Railroaders will make their first run of the New Year on Friday, the first one of January. The layout will be running from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Kohl Building behind Valley Drug. Come stretch the holiday season out just a little bit longer!
Art exhibit
River’s Mist Gallery of Fine Arts will be presenting the first public showing of the art of Daniel Agosto with works in watercolor, colored pencil, pastel and graphite.
Agosto’s early work included textile design at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology and commercial art for Danziger/Wallach Studio and Warsaw Studios in New York. He also freelanced as a commercial artist in New York and the Caribbean Islands before moving to Montana. Also featured this month will be photography by Mary Hurley and budding artist Kyle Stevens. An artist’s reception will be held Friday, January 6 from 6 to 9 p.m. The show will run through January 30 with gallery hours 11-6 Monday through Friday and Saturday 11-5. The gallery is located at 317 Main Street in Stevensville. For more information call 777-0520.
MAM art auction exhibition
The Missoula Art Museum (MAM) will present MAM’s 40th Benefit Art Auction featuring the works of 95 artists from across the state and country. The exhibition will open on Friday, January 6 with a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. to honor the participating artists. The auction event – cocktail hour with art preview, seated dinner and live auction – will again be held at the Holiday Inn Downtown at the Park in Missoula on February 4.
For the 40th anniversary of this important annual fundraising event, MAM will celebrate the scores of generous auction artists that have participated throughout the years. In addition, Montana artist Bill Ohrmann, who donated art to MAM’s very first Benefit Art Auction in 1972, and has continued to donate ever since will be specially honored.
The theme of this year’s event, “It Was 40 Years Ago Today,” will take us back in time to the decade of the original MAM Auction. Co-Chairs Pat and Jeff Aresty have led a dedicated and creative committee of eighteen volunteers to make this exhibition and auction even more enjoyable.
Tickets are $80 for members, $100 for non-members, $100 at the door, and $800 for a table of 10 by Jan. 27.
Visit www.missoulaartmuseum.org or call 728-0447 to purchase tickets, a MAMbership, or a table by January 27, 5 p.m.
Saturday, January 7
Lost Trail ski bus
The bus to Lost Trail Ski Area will begin running Saturday, January 7 and will run every Saturday through February 18. Cost is $5 per person. Ride the bus and receive discounted lift ticket prices: under 13 – $15.00; 13 and older – $20.00; adult – $20.00. The bus loads at 8 a.m. at Westview Center in Hamilton and leaves the ski area at 4 p.m. sharp, returning to Westview by 5 p.m. Riders must have exact money for riding and skiing; no checks. All skis and boards must be in a bag and will be carried in an escort pickup. Boots and lunch bags will be carried on the bus. If rental is needed a signed rental slip must accompany the rider (sponsors cannot sign slips). Rental forms are available at the bus. Rental fees are paid at lodge when getting equipment. The ski bus is sponsored by Hamilton Lions Club and The Greater Ravalli Foundation.
Snowmobile safety course
A free snowmobile safety course, sponsored by the Bitterroot Ridgerunners Snowmobile Club, will be conducted by FWP certified instructors in Hamilton on Saturday, January 7. Classes will include first aid, snowmobile safety, survival, maintenance, Montana snowmobile laws, maps and compass and safety guide. Montana snowmobile safety education certified patches and certificates will be issued upon completion of the class. For more information and to register, call Lee at 370-0849.
Good-Time Jamboree
The January Bitterroot Valley Good-Time Jamboree on Saturday, January 7, opens with the always enjoyable music of The Bitterroot Range: Jay Calkins, Marcus Swafford, and Greg Bartlett. Next will be the blended voices of The Turner Family singers. Dominic Farrenkopf will be there as cowboy comic and poet Dusty Trail, with his trick pony Thunder. Students from Dance-EFX will do dance demonstrations. Singer-guitarist Charla Bauman brings us her own “Classic to Casual” songs. Roy Stricklan will close the show with a taste of ‘50s rock and roll. The concert will run from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at The Rocky Mountain Grange Hall, 1436 S. 1st Street (93 Highway South), just south of the Valley Pet Clinic, Hamilton. For more information call Clem, 961-4949.
Sunday, January 8
Acoustic jam session
Everyone is invited to the music jam sessions at the Rocky Mountain Grange Hall south of Hamilton. The jams will resume normal schedule on January 8, meeting each Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. Players of all levels are invited to bring their guitars, mandolins, harmonicas, fiddles, banjos, dobros, or other acoustic instruments. Music includes old-time country, swing, cowboy, folk, old standards, etc. There is no charge for admission. Folks who just want to listen are encouraged to come – it’s always more fun with an audience. And don’t forget the monthly concert: The Bitterroot Valley Good-Time Jamboree. It’s the first Saturday of each month from 7 to 9:30 p.m., also at The Grange which is located about a mile south of town at 1436 S. 1st Street (93 highway), just south of the Valley Pet Clinic. For more information call Clem, 961-4949.
Accordion jam session
The Five Valley Accordion Association will hold its next jam/dance session on Sunday, January 8 at the Hamilton Eagles Lodge, 125 N. Second St., from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is $3.00 for members, $4.00 for non-members, and free to performing musicians. Live music is provided by accordions, guitars, banjos, bass, and drums. Come enjoy the music, dancing, fun, and fellowship. For more information, call Mike Jones at 642-9693. The second jam of January will be at the “Rustic Hut” in Florence on January 22. Details as above.
Lone Rock Park Board
The Lone Rock Division of the Ravalli County Park Board will meet Sunday, January 8 at 7 p.m. at the Three Mile Fire Hall. The public is welcome.
Monday, January 9
Hamilton Garden Club
Hamilton Garden Club will meet Monday, January 9 at 1 p.m. at the home of Elizabeth Kehmeier, 214 Wyant Lane, Hamilton (363-5693). Co-hostess is Karen Wilhelm (961-0097). The program will be traditional flower arranging by Elizabeth. For more information call one of the above numbers.
SAFE book club
SAFE (Supporters of Abuse Environments) is hosting a book club discussion on Monday, January 9, at 7 p.m. at Chapter One Book Store. Come join in the discussion of Sena Jeter Naslund’s “Ahab’s Wife.” For more information, contact Sonya at 363-2793.
Tuesday, January 10
Literature seminar
The Marjorie A. Crawford Literature Seminar sponsored by Humanities Montana at the Bitterroot Public Library occurs monthly and lectures are free and open to the public. Shawn Wathen will present a lecture on “R.U.R.” by Karel Capek on Tuesday, January 10 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the west meeting room of the library. Written in 1920, this play garnered worldwide acclaim for its author. Mass-produced as efficient laborers to serve man, Capek’s robots remember everything but think of nothing new. But what of the Utopian life they promise?
Veterans affairs clinics
Roxanne Blanche, Service Officer for the Montana Veterans Affairs Division in Missoula, will be available to veterans and their dependents that have questions or need to file a claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs on Tuesday, January 10 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Stevensville Town Council Chambers and from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Job Service Office in Hamilton. For more information call 542-2501.
Parenting classes
“Parenting With Love & Logic” classes for parents and other caregivers will be held Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the North Valley Family Center starting January 10 and running through January 26 from 6 until 8 p.m. Classes are free; call to register 273-0142 or e-mail tkutzleb@wordinc.org. Childcare is available, but limited. The North Valley Family Center is located at 5501 Hwy 93 N, Suite 3, Florence Business Center.
‘Terrific Tuesday’ Family Nights
Terrific Tuesday Family Nights are continuing at South Valley Child and Family Center. The Bitterroot Cares for Kids Network invites you and your family for this free event on Tuesday, January 10 from 6 to 9 p.m. Supper is served up at 6 p.m. featuring great family-style meals followed by a wonderful family film, winter craft projects and games. SVCFC is located at 515 Madison in Hamilton. Call 532-9149 for more information and come celebrate family!
Wednesday, January 11
Young Ag Couples Conference
Young farm and ranch couples from throughout Montana are invited to the 32nd annual Young Ag Couples Conference scheduled January 11-14 at the Best Western Helena Great Northern Hotel in Helena.
Couples will learn communication skills, successful agriculture practices, estate planning, and other aspects of leadership. Ron Hanson, an agriculture economist and agribusiness professor at the University of Nebraska, is among the featured speakers. Hanson will deliver a presentation about the need for communications in family farm operations.
The conference is sponsored by the Montana Department of Agriculture in cooperation with Montana’s agricultural organizations.
To qualify, couples must be actively engaged in agriculture or agribusiness. Participants usually are nominated by Montana agricultural organizations. However, couples who are interested in attending or learning more about the conference can contact Walt Anseth at (406) 444-2402 or by email at agr@mt.gov.
NARFE meeting
The National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) will hold the monthly no host luncheon meeting on Wednesday, January 11 at 11:30 a.m. in the north conference room of Perkins Restaurant, 1285 N. 1st Street, Hamilton. All members and their guests and those who would like to become members are invited, especially all current federal employees whose pay and earned benefits are being challenged. Contact Warren at 546-6706 for more information.