Wednesday, January 11
BPL preschool story time
Preschoolers are invited to meet in the children’s corner of the Bitterroot Public Library on Wednesday, January 11 to enjoy “Penguin Pals” with storyteller Kristen Weese. 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 storytime
Read for Peace Storytime will be held Wednesday, January 11 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the North Valley Public Library in Stevensville to celebrate Martin Luther King Day. Hear stories about his life and about how to make the world a more peaceful place. Make a craft that will be a symbol of kindness to hang on the library’s peace tree. A healthy snack is always provided. Contact Caitlin at 777-5061 with any questions.
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.
Thursday, January 12
‘Welcome Baby’ meeting
Join Welcome Baby, the North Bitterroot Valley’s baby connection. Next meeting is Thursday, January 12, from 10 a.m. to noon at the North Valley Family Center in Florence. Come meet other new or expecting parents in the Bitterroot Valley. Welcome Baby meets on the second Thursday of each month from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, and hosts discussions on topics related to you and your new baby, by experts in their fields. All are welcome, and meetings and classes are free. Bring your baby, and come join the fun! January’s topic is on healthy baby crying. The period of purple crying, a new way to understand your baby’s crying, what is normal and what to expect, will be presented by Allison Dunne. The North Valley Family Center is located at 5501 Hwy 93 N, in Suite 3 of the Florence Business Center, in Florencem adjacent to the Town Pump. Call for more info: 273-0142.
Stevi school facility committee
The Stevensville School Board Facility Committee will meet on Thursday January 12 at 10 a.m. in the Swank Construction trailer.
Women Newcomer’s Club
The Bitterroot Women Newcomers’ Club will meet on Thursday, January 12 at 10:15 a.m. at the First Christian Church in Hamilton. Guest Martha Piersma of Red Bird Yoga will speak about the health benefits of practicing yoga. For more information contact bitterrootnewcomers@yahoo.com or 777-0377.
Stevensville Civic Club
The Stevensville Civic Club will meet Thursday, January 12 at 12 noon at St. Mary’s Mission visitor center (basement). Lunch is $6. Members and potential members are encouraged to attend.
Green Thumbs Up
The Green Thumbs Up garden club will meet Thursday, January 12 at 2 p.m. in the Community Meeting Room, downstairs in the Bitterroot Public Library, Hamilton. Bill Kindzerski, prolific local gardener, will be discussing planning this year’s vegetable garden: garden prep, best yielding varieties, when to plant, secrets to early starts. The meeting is free and open to the public. For further information call Susan Duff, 961-5455.
Dirt Dabblers Garden Club
Little Britches Dirt Dabblers Garden Club will hold a planning meeting on Thursday, January 12, at 6:30 p.m. at Ginny Coleman’s home. The group will be planning the new year’s activities. Bring your ideas. Everyone is welcome. Call Ginny Coleman at 381-5566 for more information.
Yoga classes
Jumpstart 2012 with a commitment to health! Free introductory yoga classes will be held Thursday, Jan. 12 at 6 p.m., Monday, January 16 at 6 p.m. and Tuesday, Jan. 17 at 9 a.m. at Yoga in the Root in Stevensville. Call for details.
Tea Party Patriots
The Ravalli County Tea Party Patriots invite you to a question and answer session with Brad Johnson, one of the Republican candidates for Secretary of State, on Thursday, January 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Willow Court Apartments, 150 Skeels Ave, Hamilton (from Hwy 93 turn east on Foxfield by Tire-Rama, dead ends at Skeels, turn right, apts on left, park across the street). For more information contact Jennine Jones, 381-0314, donandjennine@gmail.com.
BPL Fellowship Club
The Bitterroot Public Library’s Fellowship Club will be meeting on Thursday, January 12, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. to discuss “Becoming Like God: Kabbalah and Our Ultimate Destiny” by Michael Berg.
In his continuing work to demystify and teach the ancient, esoteric texts of Kabbalah, Berg suggests that the time is right for people to break free of “ego nature” and achieve total joy and immortality; in other words to “become like God.”
Advising ruthless honesty about human life – its pain, suffering, and death – and then providing an escape plan based on those truths, Berg uses the tools of Kabbalah – such as the Zohar, the key text of the discipline – as well as the collective energy of all the individuals sharing this path to help form that critical mass that will allow everyone to realize their true, joyous nature. This book gives readers the methodology to be applied at every moment to destroy ego, begin transformative sharing, and create a path to their true, godlike nature.
Michael Berg is son of eminent Kabbalist Philip Berg, director of the Kabbalah Center in New York. At age 28 Berg edited the first complete English translation of the Zohar, a 23-volume compendium in Aramaic of virtually all knowledge pertaining to the universe. He also authored several books on Kabbalah, including ‘The Secret: Unlocking the Source of Joy and Fulfillment’, and national bestsellers ‘The Way’; ‘Well of Life’; ‘What God Meant’; and ‘Days of Connection.’
The Fellowship Club meets every second Thursday of the month and is free and open to anyone seeking to promote individual and collective well being.
Call 363-1670, or email jacostant@gmail.com for more information.
Cross Country Ski Club
Keep up with the latest in cross/country ski gear and equipment by coming to Bitterroot X/C Ski Club Meeting on January 12 at 7 p.m. The owners of the Valley Bicycle and Ski Shop, Randy, Kerri, Tony, and Annie, will present demonstrations and recommendations on range of new gear that is available and will answer your all questions. They will also have some ideas on warm-up exercises and waxing as well as information on some bicycle equipment. As always, treats will be served. All are welcome. The meeting is held at the First Presbyterian Church, 1220 W. Main St. in Hamilton.
Friday, January 13
Driver safety class
An AARP Driver Safety Class will be presented at Marcus Daly Hospital in Hamilton on Friday, January 13. The class begins at 9 a.m. and will last approximately four hours. This safe driving strategies class is designed for drivers age 50 and over but all drivers are welcome. The class fee is $12 for AARP members and $14 for non-members. Attendees are requested to bring a check made out to “AARP” for class fees. Pre-registration is requested. Contact Jones Korman Insurance at 363-6583 for further information. There is no written test. Montana mandates an insurance discount for qualified graduates.
Tot Time
Music and Motion Tot Time will be held Friday, January 13 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon at the North Valley Family Center. Come enjoy the many wonders of music, singing and dance with your toddler. This month’s theme focuses on different modes of transportation and careers and is facilitated by Melissa Spark. The North Valley Family Center is located at 5501 Hwy 93 N, Suite 3, Florence Business Center, in Florence, behind the Town Pump. Call 406-273-0142 for more information.
South Valley Pachyderm Club
Brad Johnson, Republican candidate for Montana Secretary of State, will be speaking at the Friday, January 13 meeting of the South Valley Pachyderm Club. The club meets at 12 noon on the second and fourth Fridays at BJ’s Restaurant, 900 N. First Street, in Hamilton. The South Valley Pachyderm Club, is an officially recognized allied organization of the Republican Party. Members of the public are welcome.
Darby Dog Derby
The Bitterroot Mushers invite you to the family friendly Fifth Annual Darby Dog Derby on January 13, 14 and 15. On Friday, January 13, drop by the Mountain Spirit Inn at 7:30 p.m. to meet the mushers. Little Blue Joint will have their truck open to the public. On Saturday, January 14, come see the teams take off for the fifth annual running of the Darby Dog Derby. Races include sprint, skijor, and long distance classes. Events start at 9:30 a.m. at the Gibbon’s Pass Snowmobile parking lot at Lost Trail Pass on Hwy 43. The mushers and dogs take off again Sunday the 15th at 9 a.m. for the second heat of races. At noon on Sunday bring the kids between 4-12 years old for the pee-wee 100-yard dash. Some dogs and sleds will be available for the youngsters. Five dollar entry fee for the pee-wee race. For more information contact Nicki Arndt, positivechangesllc@yahoo.com, 406-369-0707, or visit www.bitterrootmushers.org
Saturday, January 14
Flea market
A flea market will be held Saturday, January 14 from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Hamilton Senior Center, 820 N. 4th. Many new and used items will be featured. Food will be available. Rent a table for $5 by calling Katie at 363-2316 or 363-5181.
Fur handling workshop
A fur handling workshop is scheduled for Saturday, January 14 in Deer Lodge. The all day workshop, sponsored by the Montana Trappers Association, will offer information and demonstrations on fur handling safety, ethics and techniques. There is no charge for the workshop, and students of all ages are welcome. The class will be held from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Spark and Arc Welding, 604 Mitchell St. in Deer Lodge. To register, contact Ed Hebbe III at 406-846-2304. Workshop participants should bring a chair, lunch and dress warmly.
Travelers’ Rest storytelling series
Visit Travelers’ Rest State Park near Lolo and engage in the age-old Salish tradition of sharing history through storytelling during the cold winter months. The one-hour programs begin at 11 a.m. on all Saturdays during January, February and March.
January programs include:
Jan. 14: Salish Tribal History & Culture, Salish Tribal Elder, Louis Adams
Jan. 21: Kootenai Stories for All Ages, Vernon Finley, Kootenai Tribal Member
Jan. 28: Origin of Place Names Given by Lewis & Clark, Jack Puckett, Retired US Forest Service Ranger
For a complete line-up of the Winter Storytelling Series, visit the Travelers’ Rest website at travelersrest.org, email info@travelersrest.org or call 273-4253.
Admission to the programs is $4 per adult, and children under 18 and all current Travelers’ Rest Preservation and Heritage Association (TRPHA) members are free. All programs are held at the Holt Museum and Visitors Center at Travelers’ Rest State Park. To reach the park, travel approximately ½ mile west of Lolo on Highway 12.
Stockgrowers banquet
The Bitterroot Stockgrowers Association will hold its Annual Dinner at the St. Mary’s Family Center in Stevensville on Saturday, January 14, starting at 5 p.m.
Guest speaker at this year’s dinner will be State Senator Taylor Brown. Senator Brown serves the eastern part of the state and is widely known as one of the nation’s leaders in agricultural broadcasting, as well as owner of the Northern Broadcasting System in Billings. Taylor will be sharing his thoughts on the “Financial Future of the Ag Industry” and what should be done to position ourselves to ensure successful operations in these ever changing times.
Free seminars will also be offered from noon to 4 p.m. at the Family Center with presentations by Dan Lucas, MSU Granite County Extension Agent, on “Raising a Champion Animal & Quality Assurance”; John Paterson, MSU Beef Specialist, on “How Rainfall, and Drought Management Influences Forage Quality and Cattle Performance”; and Justin Morris, NRCS Rangeland Specialist on “Unlocking the Power of Pasture”.
Also from noon to 4 p.m. there will be a “Mini” Farm Fair with many local businesses available to discuss your agricultural or ranching needs. 4-H and FFA members are encouraged to attend.
The cost is $25.00 per person, which includes an association membership. For more information or to purchase dinner tickets, contact the BSA Secretary Treasurer at 546-7058. Space is limited.
Draft Horse and Mule Club
The Bitterroot Draft Horse and Mule Club will host its annual membership meeting and potluck dinner on Saturday, January 14 at 6 p.m. at the Stevensville Methodist Church at 216 College St. Prospective new members with a strong interest in learning more about and participating in a multitude of club activities are invited to come. Bring a side dish and come meet current members for an evening of fun. Regular meetings are held on the second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at 102B Main in Stevensville. For further information contact Kent or Marylou Connor, 961-3602.
Contra Dance
Contra Dance in the Bitterroot will be held Saturday, January 14 from 7 to 10 p.m. (6:30 practice session for new dancers) at the Rocky Mountain Grange, 1436 S. 1st St. (south of Hamilton on Hwy 93, east side). The caller will be Rab Cummings with music provided by the Celtic Knots. Cost is $5 per person or $10 per family. Dancers need no experience, all dances are taught, and singles are welcome.
The event is fragrance-free. For more information call 642-3601.
Sunday, January 15
MLK Day potluck
The Bitterroot Human Rights Alliance will host the 18th annual All-American Martin Luther King Day potluck on Sunday, January 15 at 6:30 p.m. at river Street Theatre in Hamilton. In addition to the potluck, the program will include a panel discussion on the Ravalli County Family Planning Clinic facilitated by BHRA board members and a dance with country-swing music provided by the Swingaderos. Call Bill for more information at 363-1329.
Monday, January 16
Stevi school menu
January 16-20
Monday: Breakfast – Cereal, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – BBQ pork riblets, stir-fry veggies, rice, pineapple, bread & butter, milk
Tuesday: Breakfast – Scrambled eggs, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Chicken & noodle casserole, peas & carrots, apples, bread & butter, milk
Wednesday: Breakfast – Fruit bar, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Tuna salad sandwich, taters, peaches, bread & butter, milk
Thursday: Breakfast – Waffles, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Taco salad with lettuce, cheese, salsa, chips, kiwi, bread & butter, milk
Friday: Breakfast – Cereal, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Chicken patty sandwich, potato salad, mixed fruit, bread & butter, milk.
Hamilton Rotary Club
Mike Hoyt will be the speaker for the next meeting of the Hamilton Rotary Club, on Monday, January 16, at noon at BJ’s Restaurant, 900 N. 1st Street, in Hamilton. Hoyt will be presenting a program on Cross Country Skiing. This meeting is open to the public. For further information call 363-2960.
BEAR volunteer service day
In recognition of National Mentoring Month, and in honor of MLK National Day of Service, the three youth mentoring programs offered by Bitterroot Ecological Awareness Resources Inc. (BEAR) are combining efforts and inviting participants to join youth and mentors in local service efforts Monday, January 16 from 4 to 8 p.m. Groups of youth and BEAR mentors will be: preparing a hot meal at the Carriage House, collecting recyclables door to door in Hamilton, posting flyers around town, and working at Ravalli County Recycles’ site. Join in for all or part of this time, caring for your community in the company of some of the valley’s coolest kids. Call Barb for more details: 363-5410×125.
Bitterroot Audubon
Bitterroot Audubon’s January 16 program will feature a presentation on the history and management needs of the bull trout, the Bitterroot River’s largest native fish species. Leslie Nyce, fisheries technician for the Montana Dept. of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, recently completed a two and a half year study of bull trout in the East Fork of the Bitterroot as part of her Master’s degree from UM. Leslie will present her findings and discuss how that information is important for the survival and management of Bull Trout. The bull trout is responsible for the Salish place names of areas near present day Missoula, Milltown, Butte and Bonner, and was historically caught in large quantities in those and other areas, yet today it is federally listed as a Threatened species. Leslie’s presentation will begin at 7 p.m. on Monday, January 16 at the Bitterroot National Forest Headquarters on Hwy 93 at the north end of Hamilton. Enter the building from the west side. For further information, call Kay Fulton at 642-3794.
Tuesday, January 17
Responsible Alcohol Sales & Service training
Western Montana Addiction Services will be holding a Responsible Alcohol Sales and Service training on Tuesday, January 17 from 9 a.m. to noon at 209 N. 10th Street, Suite C, in Hamilton. The cost of the training is $15 for materials. The “Let’s Control It” curriculum is approved as a state-mandated RASS training by the MT Department of Revenue and participants will receive a certificate of completion. For information or to register call 532-9149 or email ffavara@wmmhc.org. Register by January 16.