Wednesday, January 18
BPL Preschool Story Time
Preschoolers are invited to meet in the children’s corner of the Bitterroot Public Library on Wednesday to enjoy “Hovering Helicopters” with storyteller Mark Rhodes. 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. It’s time to “Stay and Play” after story time. Youngsters stretch their creativity while participating in open-ended play activities. For information, call 363-1670.
NVPL story time
Music Makers Storytime will be held Wednesday, January 18 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the North Valley Public Library Community Room in Stevensville. Enjoy a library storytime filled with rhythm… and books! Bring some energy this week and explore the world of careers and transportation through music and movement. Melissa Sparks leads this enriching activity and a healthy snack is always provided. Contact Caitlin at 777-5061 with any questions.
Hunter safety classes
Two hunter safety classes will be held at the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge in Stevensville. Registration will be January 18 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Classes are being held earlier this year to accommodate the March 15th deadline for special tags that FWP has in place. Registration is required with on-line sign ups strongly encouraged. The class is free of charge but any child that is under 18 must bring a parent with them to sign up for the class. Adult students and parents are most heartily encouraged to attend. All class sessions must be attended by students with safety criteria met to attain a certificate. Minimum age to attain a certificate is 11. All activity is at the refuge. For more information call Jerry Donaldson at 550-9422, Pat Ahlin 777-2805 or FWP at 542-5518.
Thursday, January 19
FWP Commission
Montana’s Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission will meet Jan. 19 in Helena at FWP headquarters, 1420 East 6th Ave., beginning at 8:30 a.m.
The FWP Commission will make final decisions on the biennial fee rule for Smith River State Park and the 2012 Helena urban deer plan.
The commission will consider proposals on: FWP budget and legislative priorities for the year; repeal of outdated FWP Commission policies; a no wake area at commercial boat marinas statewide; a grazing lease on First People’s Buffalo Jump State Park; the 2012 peregrine falconry take; commercial fishing regulations at Canyon Ferry Reservoir and Lake Helena; a winter bison management harvest; and an extension of the wolf hunting season in the Bitterroot Valley’s wolf management unit 250.
Information will also be presented to the commission on FWP’s finances and the 2012 hunting season setting process.
Plans to augment the turkey population in Chouteau County and transplant bighorn sheep on Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park lands will be considered too.
The full agenda, background on the scheduled topics, are on the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov on the home page under the heading FWP Commission.
The FWP website will offer live streamed audio of the meeting, or the public may view a live television feed at FWP regional offices.
‘Friendly Visitor’ training class
On Thursday, January 19, the Hamilton RSVP Volunteer Center will be offering a “Friendly Visitor” training class from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. The purpose of the friendly visitor program is to alleviate the loneliness and isolation of seniors. Also, the visitor provides information about community resources available to seniors to help retain their independence as long as they choose. Friendly visiting can be as rewarding to the volunteer visitor as it is to the person visited. It affords the reward of helping others, of enriching one’s life through new interests and of making a difference in the life of someone who truly does need and appreciate the companionship of the visitor. The class will be held in the conference room at The Council on Aging, 310 Old Corvallis Road, Hamilton. There is no charge for RSVP volunteers and a $5.00 fee for the general public. Seating is limited so call 363-1102 to register.
Back Country Horsemen
Bitterroot Back Country Horsemen host their monthly meeting on Thursday, January 19, at the Corvallis School Cafeteria on Eastside Highway in Corvallis. Potluck dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. and the general meeting starts at 7:00. Program speaker is Dr. Tom Currier, DVM, from Ambrose Veterinary Clinic in Stevensville. Guests are welcome, and for more information call Karen at 961-0101 or check the website at www.bchmt.org/bitterroot.
Art club
Join the North Valley’s Art Club. The first meeting will be held on Thursday, January 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the North Valley Family Center and is open to anyone interested in art/drawing, from beginning to experienced, and everyone in between. Bring your own materials. The first meeting will focus on costume figure drawing. Call for more information, 273-0142. The North Valley Family Center is located at 5501 Hwy 93 N, in Suite 3 of the Florence Business Center in Florence, beside the Town Pump.
Scottish Irish Festival meeting
The Bitterroot Scottish Irish Cultural Association will meet Thursday, January 19 at 7 p.m. at Hidden Legend Winery in Victor. The association is looking for volunteers to help plan the 2012 Bitterroot Scottish Irish Festival. Held in August this event is quickly becoming a destination for traveling families. With an attendance of 6800 in 2011 and an estimated attendance of 10,000 in 2012, the need for many like minded people to come together and make this event a huge success is great. It does not matter if you are Irish or Scottish, you just need the love of the culture and the richness it brought to the Bitterroot Valley. For more information go to www.bitterrootscottishirishfestival.org or call 406-274-8886.
PFLAG
PFLAG’s January 19 meeting at 7 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church’s community basement room at 600 S. Third St. in Hamilton will have a Hamilton High School student, as the guest speaker. He is one of only 26 youth in the nation who serves on The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) for the Trevor Project. He will speak about its mission and his advisory role. YAC serves as a liaison between youth nationwide and The Trevor Project, as it relates to young people and the issues surrounding suicide, sexuality and gender identity. Also, the short film “Trevor” which was the winner of the 1994 Academy Award for Best Live Action Short will be shown.
The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. It is determined to end suicide among LGBTQ youth by providing life-saving and life-affirming resources including our nationwide, 24/7 crisis intervention lifeline, digital community and advocacy/educational programs that create a safe, supportive and positive environment for everyone. The crisis line is 866-4U-TREVOR.
Suicide is a health problem. Montana’s suicide rate is the highest in the nation. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for Montana youth. Gay youth are four times more likely to commit suicide than heterosexual youth. Attend this informational meeting and consider becoming a member of the local PFLAG chapter as it attempts to reduce suicide in our valley communities. Visit PFLAG on Facebook or at PFLAGHamiltonBitterroot.org.
Stevi special council meeting
The Stevensville Town Council Council will hold a special meeting on Thursday, January 19 at 6:30 pm in the Town Council Chambers. The following items will be up for discussion and/or vote: approval of contract for Police Department DUI task force; approval of contract between the Town of Stevensville and State of Montana Main Street Association; approval of job description for water/sewer operator. Following the special meeting, the council will hold a Committee of the Whole meeting to discuss: update of water/sewer projects from PCI and HDR engineering firms; presentation/update on Police Department operations; matching funds for the TIFD project.
BPL Indy Film Series
The Bitterroot Public Library will show “Last Train Home” on Thursday, January 19 at 7 p.m. in the west meeting room of the Bitterroot Public Library. This film paints a portrait of China’s rush to economic development. It provides a picture and the impact of 130 million Chinese migrant workers journey to their home villages for the New Year, the largest human migration in our time. The event is free and open to the public.
Art history lecture
The Montana Museum of Art & Culture at The University of Montana will present a lecture by David Emmons, UM history professor emeritus, on Copper King Marcus Daly at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, in the Performing Arts and Radio/Television Center’s Masquer Theatre.
Brandon Reintjes, MMAC curator of art, will offer opening remarks on Frances Carroll Brown, Daly’s granddaughter and subject of the MMAC exhibition, “Frances Carroll Brown: Bitterroot Portraits,” on display until Feb. 25 in the PAR/TV Center’s Paxson Gallery.
Emmons has written extensively about the Irish in Montana, including Marcus Daly and the Anaconda Copper Mining Company. He is the author of three books and numerous articles and received the Outstanding Teacher Award and the Burlington Northern Faculty research award during his 37-year tenure at UM.
Brown (1909-2002), despite the prominence of her family name, has never been the subject of art historical inquiry or had biographical information compiled. Brown’s paintings were recently cleaned and conserved, and the drawings were reframed and stabilized using archival materials thanks to a grant from the F. Morris and Helen Silver Foundation.
MMAC’s gallery hours are noon to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday. For more information call 243-2019 or go online to http://www.umt.edu/montanamuseum.
Friday, January 20
Toddler Time
Ready!Set!Play! Toddler Time will take place Friday, January 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon at the North Valley Family Center in Florence. Parents and other family members play an important role in supporting children’s growth and development. Ready! Set! Play! utilizes Montana’s Early Learning Guidelines to help parents and caregivers learn ways to support children’s learning through fun and interactive activities. The event is free. The North Valley Family Center is located at 5501 Hwy 93 N, Suite 3, Florence Business Center, in Florence, behind the Town Pump. Call 273-0142 for more information.
North Valley Pachyderm Club
North Valley Pachyderm Club will meet Friday, January 20 at noon at The Frontier Café, Hwy 93 in Stevensville. Guest speakers will be State Senator Jim Shockley, candidate for Attorney General, and Terry Nelson, who will talk about the role of Ravalli County Republican Central Committee. 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.
Hamilton Schools meeting
Hamilton School District 3 will hold a public meeting for the superintendent candidates on Friday, January 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Hamilton High School Commons, 327 Fairgrounds Road.
Saturday, January 21
Bowhunter Education Classes
Six bowhunter education classes will be offered in Missoula beginning in January and online registration is open now for all classes.
The first two class options are Saturday, Jan. 21 or Saturday, Feb. 11 from 8:30-5:30 p.m. at the Missoula Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) office, 3201 Spurgin Road. Students that take either of these classes must also complete a half-day field course on Sunday, Feb. 12 from 1-4pm.
Interested students can see the complete Missoula bowhunter education class schedule and register online now at fwp.mt.gov. Follow links to Education and Hunter Education.
Montana also offers online bowhunter education classes for anyone 18 years and older. Most of the coursework is completed online, and then students must complete a field course to receive their certification card. Field courses for online students will be offered in Missoula on Feb. 12, April 29, May 24 and June 21. For more information about the online class and to register for a field day, go online to nbef.org. There is a $20 fee for the online course.
By state law, all first time bowhunters must complete a bowhunter education course in order to purchase an archery license in Montana. Bowhunters born after January 1, 1985 must also show proof of completing a hunter education program.
Library closure
The North Valley Public Library will be closed Saturday, January 21 while library staff and volunteers paint the interior of the building. The painting project will help spruce up the library while funds are raised to complete the proposed remodel of the entire library. If you are interested in serving on either the Building or Fund Raising Committee, call the library at 777-5061. The North Valley Public Library is located at 208 Main Street, Stevensville.
Family Fun Day
Family Fun Day: Dessert Bingo will be held Saturday, January 21 from 12 to 3 p.m. at the North Valley Family Center. Dessert Bingo is better than a cakewalk. Bring a dessert to exchange for bingo cards. Bingo winners will have first pick of the desserts. Play until all of the desserts are gone. The event is free and for all ages. The North Valley Family Center is located at 5501 Hwy 93 N, Suite 3, Florence Business Center, in Florence, behind the Town Pump. Call 273-0142 for more information.
Public dance
There will be a public dance on Saturday, January 21 from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Rocky Mountain Grange, Hamilton. Call Richard at 360-2900 for more information.
Sunday, January 22
Five Valley Accordion Assn.
The Five Valley Accordion Association will hold its next jam/dance session on Sunday January 22 at the “Rustic Hut” in Florence from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is $3.00 for members, $4.00 for non-members, and free for performing musicians. Live music is performed by accordions, guitars, banjos, bass, and drums. Come enjoy the music, dancing, fun, and fellowship. For more information call Mike Jones at 642-9693.
Monday, January 23
Stevi school menu
Monday, January 23-27
Monday: Breakfast – Cereal, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Cheese-filled breadsticks with marinara sauce, broccoli Normandy, Mandarin oranges, bread & butter, milk
Tuesday: Breakfast – Pancake-on-a-stick, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Chili & crackers, fresh veggies, banana, bread & butter, chocolate or regular milk
Wednesday: Breakfast – Bagel & cream cheese, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch; Beef steaks, mashed potatoes & gravy, pears, bread & butter, milk
Thursday: Breakfast – Fruit bar, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Chef’s salad with smoked turkey, cheese & lettuce, oranges, bread & butter, milk
Friday: Breakfast – Cereal, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Hot dogs, taters, applesauce, bread & butter, chocolate or regular milk.
Rotary Club
Bill Goslin, Wilderness Ranger on Stevensville Ranger District, will be the speaker for the next meeting of the Hamilton Rotary Club on Monday, January 23 at noon at BJ’s Restaurant, 900 N. 1st Street in Hamilton. Goslin will be presenting a program on hiking in the Bitterroot. This meeting is open to the public. For more information call 363-2960.
Operation Christmas Child meeting
Operation Christmas Child will meet on Monday, January 23 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Cornerstone Bible Church, 280 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton. Operation Christmas Child brings hope to the hopeless and love to the unloved. Join and discover how God can multiply your efforts and bring hope and love to many more children in desperate situations. Contact Greg Reinhardt, Area Coordinator, at 360-4253 or shoebosgreg@gmail.com for further information.
Tuesday, January 24
Republican Women’s Club
Ravalli County Republican Women’s Club will hold its monthly meeting and lunch on Tuesday, January 24 at 11:30 a.m. at BJ’s Restaurant in Hamilton. Guest speaker will be Sandy Welch who is running for Superintendent of Public Instruction. Ravalli County Republican Women meet the fourth Tuesday of each month.
Diabetes Education Series
Back by popular demand, Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital and its Medical Staff are offering a free six part Diabetes Educational Series beginning Tuesday, January 24 at 5:15 p.m. to be held at the hospital. This brand new Diabetes Education Series has 13 medical experts that are excited to share life changing information and answer your specific questions. Some of the many topics covered in this series are living with diabetes, heart care, kidney care, carbohydrate counting, meal planning, managing medications, caring for wounds, effects of exercise and more.
This series is all-new and was designed based on feedback from last year’s participants. There will be six educational sessions, two lectures and four round table discussions. The lectures will be one hour and the round table discussions are 1.5 hours. The round table discussions do have limited seating and registration is required. If you or a loved one have diabetes or are at risk for developing diabetes, make plans to attend this free educational series. For more information and to register for the Round Table discussions visit mdmh.org or call 363-2211.
Stevi school board
The Stevensville School Board of Trustees will hold a work session on Tuesday, January 24 at 7 p.m. in the Stevensville High School Learning Center to discuss options to offset a 2012-13 budget shortfall.
Wednesday, January 25
Avalanche awareness class
The Bitterroot National Forest is hosting a free avalanche awareness class on Wednesday, January 25 from 7 to 9 p.m. in Hamilton. The class is for downhill and cross-country skiers, snowboarders, snowmobilers, snowshoe enthusiasts, mountaineers, winter recreationists and anyone else wanting to learn about avalanche awareness and winter safety. The introductory level class will take place at the Bitterroot National Forest Office in Hamilton at 1801 N. First Street.
Bitterroot National Forest Hydrologist Ed Snook said, “The program will include information about avalanche terrain, mountain weather, snowpack, stability evaluation and decision making, proper winter clothing and survival gear, and avalanche rescue.” The class is being taught by Snook and Forest Service Engineer Rich Raines, both trained and certified avalanche specialists. Class size is limited to 30 participants. To register, call 363-7100.
Sections of Western Montana are currently under an avalanche advisory due to dangerous conditions at higher elevations. Anyone venturing out into the backcountry should be prepared and fully alert of the changing weather conditions and avalanche dangers by visiting www.missoulaavalanche.org
For more information contact the Bitterroot National Forest or visit www.fs.usda.gov/bitterroot.
Thursday, January 26
BPL book discussion group
Join the Brown Bag It Book Discussion Group on Thursday, January 26 from noon to 1 p.m. in the west meeting room of the Bitterroot Public Library in Hamilton to discuss Ron Suskind’s “Hope for the Unseen.” Meetings are held on the last Thursday of the month and newcomers are warmly welcomed.
Marcus Daly Hospital Foundation benefit
Max Coleman, regional owner at Exit Realty Montana, Inc. in Hamilton, met Steve Morris’s Wellness Challenge proposed in February of 2011. The Challenge was for Max to lose 81 pounds by December 31, 2011 and achieve his ideal weight of 256 pounds. Exit Realty International further upped the ante by pledging a $5000 donation to the Marcus Daly Hospital Foundation Wellness Fund when Max succeeded. In addition, Max solicited community support in the form of a pledge drive that would increase the donation to the Hospital Foundation. Although it was close, on December 31, Max officially weighed in at 255 pounds, exceeding his goal by one pound! Join Max and community members at Higher Ground Brewing Company in Hamilton on Thursday, January 26 from 4:30 to 8 p.m. for a Pint Night Fundraiser in honor of Max’s achievement and the Marcus Daly Hospital Foundation. Pledges are still being accepted at DalyHospitalFoundation.org.