Diaper drive
In a neighbor helping neighbor effort, First Baptist Church in Stevensville is collecting diapers and wipes for those in need. Drop off your donations at First Baptist Church office, located just south of 402 Church Street in Stevensville, during the month of March. Diapers and wipes will be distributed by Pantry Partners after collection. Sizes 2 and up are preferred. If you have any questions or need to arrange a pick-up, call Beth Perkins at 207-5748.
Library reading program
Learning to read begins before children start school. Young children need to develop important language and literacy skills before they can actually learn to read.
Parents and other caregivers can start now to help their children develop these skills. The Bitterroot Public Library and the Darby Community Public Library have partnered to bring a March workshop series that demonstrates how parents can use five familiar and easy-to-use practices to develop language and other early literacy skills in children from birth to age five. Workshops will be offered at both libraries on Thursdays in March. Children’s librarian Sally Blevins of the Bitterroot library and Wendy Campbell, director of the Darby library, are presenting the workshops as a team, offering workshops each Thursday in March at both locations.
Each of the Every Child Ready to Read workshops explains why the skills are so important, demonstrates how to help children learn the skills, provides titles of high-interest books that are age appropriate, and sends parents and caregivers home with early literacy activities they can incorporate into their family’s daily routine.
Children who start kindergarten with well-developed early literacy skills have an advantage. Children who start school ready to learn to read have greater success throughout their school years.
Every Child Ready to Read was developed by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) and the Public Library Association (PLA), divisions of the American Library Association, in conjunction with national reading and education experts. The newly released second edition of Every Child Ready to Read® offers research-based practices that adults and children can enjoy together while helping children learn early literacy or pre-reading skills. The practices are talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing.
Both libraries are offering workshops for parents and other caregivers, along with their children from birth to age five, that demonstrate how to use these practices. For more information about upcoming Every Child Ready to Read workshops, as well as other materials and resources for parents and caregivers, contact the Bitterroot library at 363-1670 or the Darby library at 821-4771. Registration is still open. Enrollment is limited.
Tai chi
Join instructor Steven Smith for free Tai Chi on Mondays from 1 to 2 p.m. in River Park in Hamilton. Learn how to move better, feel better and live better. It’s the perfect time to get healthy in mind and body. For more info: EarthSkyTaiChi.com/monday-tai-chi.
Darby Bread Box collections
The Darby Bread Box is collecting the following items for the months of March, April and May:
peanut butter, cereal, canned fruit. The items can be taken to the Bitterroot Credit Union and People’s Market in Darby. All donations are appreciated.
Wednesday, March 21
BPL Preschool Story Time
Preschoolers are invited to meet in the children’s corner of the Bitterroot Public Library on Wednesday, March 21 to enjoy “Imagine That!” 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. “Stay and Play” activities will take place after story time.
NVPL Toddler/Pre-School Storytime
The North Valley Public Library will hold Toddler/Preschool Storytime on Wednesday, March 21 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. This enriching storytime and craft hour is geared towards ages 2-7 with an accompanying adult and teaches children how to love to read by making literacy fun through stories, rhymes and crafts. This week’s theme is “On a Rainy Day” and it is sure to be a fun time whether the sun is shining or the rain is falling. A healthy snack is always provided. North Valley Public Library is located at 208 Main Street, Stevensville. For more information, call the library at 777-5061.
Thursday, March 22
BPL ‘Fun With Words’ workshop
A “Fun With Words” Ready to Read program will meet Thursday, March 22 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the downstairs meeting room of the Bitterroot Public Library in Hamilton. The workshop presents the five early literacy practices along with simple activities that parents, caregivers, and children (age 2–5) can enjoy together while learning new words and their meanings. Register at 363-1670.
WNET brown bag lunch
Thursday, March 22 will be the second WNET (Women’s Network for Entrepreneurial Training) brown bag lunch presentation of the year at Liaisons Coffee House, 111 N. 2nd from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m (you can order lunch if desired). The topic will be Social Media featuring Cynthia Rademacher of CMR Marketing Strategies. Social media is the most potent force in marketing and public awareness today. Make sure to bring your lunch for the on-hour presentation and Q & A. Afterwards there will be time for general networking. For more information call 375-9416.
South Valley Civic Group
The next meeting of the South Valley Civic Group will be held on Thursday, March 22 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Silver Spoon in Darby. The March meeting will include nominations and elections for the SVCG President, Secretary and up to three Board of Director positions. Bring your business cards. Get ready to network.
Museum Civil War display
Ravalli County Museum will unveil a new Civil War Display to the public on Thursday, March 22 at 6 p.m. Civil War artifacts are from the military collections housed at Ravalli County Museum and on loan from local “history buffs.” See Civil War era swords, uniforms, ammo, photos, and much, much more. Also included in the display are Civil War photos and stories of soldiers from the Bitter Root Valley. For more information contact the Museum at 363-3338 or visit online at www.brvhsmuseum.org. The Ravalli County Museum is located at 205 Bedford, Hamilton.
Stevi Town Council
The Stevensville Town Council will hold a regular meeting on Thursday, March 22 at 7 p.m. at the town hall, 206 Buck. Agenda items include discussion and decision on town’s participation in Montana Rail Link shortfall financing. A complete copy of the agenda is available at the North Valley Public Library and at the Clerk’s Office at 206 Buck. Prior to the meeting, there will be a public hearing at 6 p.m. on proposed improvements to the Town’s wastewater treatment plant.
Victor park board
The Victor Park District will meet Thursday, March 22 at 7 p.m. at the Farmers State Bank meeting room in Victor (enter rear door from the south parking lot). There will be discussion of the upcoming Highway 93 Citizens Advisory Committee meeting and spring maintenance. Call Roger De Haan at 961-3953 with any questions.
Friday, March 23
Child health screenings
Child Find free health screenings and kindergarten registration will be held Friday, March 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Washington School in Hamilton. Call 363-2144 to make an appointment.
Details: Child Find is awesome! It is free health screening for kids six and under. They can choose to do a review of immunization records, vision screening, hearing screening, speech/language screenings and developmental screenings all for free! Child Find is also the start of kindergarten registration so parents can come and get their child tested and sign up for
kindergarten, they can also bring in their child’s kindergarten packet (which can be picked up at the school beforehand or they can get it at registration). Appointments are appreciated, but walk-ins are also welcome.
Library Web on Wheels Branch
Missoula Public Library’s Mobile branch, the Web on Wheels (or WOW) Bus is coming to Victor and Florence to provide free computer and internet use and free computer classes. The bus is outfitted with eight computers, internet access, a reference librarian, and is handicap accessible. Free services range from internet access and information resources to passport and notary services to free computer classes on a variety of subjects and one-on-one assistance for those with computer or library questions. Patrons can even place holds on items with the pickup location being the WOW Bus.
Scheduled dates and classes are:
Victor: 9 a.m. to 12 noon every other Friday, behind Victor School
Classes 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Friday, March 23 – eBooks/eReaders
Friday, April 6 – Computer Basics
Friday, April 20 – Photo Editing
Friday, May 4 – Excel
Florence: 1 to 4 p.m. every other Friday, at Florence-Carlton School District Office
Classes 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Friday, March 23 – eBooks/eReaders
Friday, April 6 – Computer Basics
Friday, April 20 – Photo Editing
Friday, May 4 – Excel
For more information and a complete schedule of stops and classes, visit www.missoulapubliclibrary.org/branches or call the bus at 406-531-8400.
South Valley Pachyderm Club
Representative Gary MacLaren (R), HD 89, who is running for Montana Senate, District 45, and Dave Hedditch, Chairman, Ravalli County Airport Board, will be speaking at the Friday, March 23 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.
Film showing
“The Economics of Happiness,” a film created by Helena Norberg-Hodge of the International Society for Ecology and Culture (ISEC), will be shown Friday, March 23 at 7 p.m. at the Bitterroot Public Library meeting room in Hamilton.Tthe video seeks to provide clarity on the way forward, away from corporate globalization, towards more truly sustainable ways of living. It covers a range of interconnected topics, including public policy choices, local initiatives in food, energy, education, business and banking, the need to bridge the North-South divide, and the influence of the economy on our psychological well-being. The free showing is sponsored by Sustainable Living Systems. For more information call Jill at 642-3601.
Saturday, March 24
Daly Mansion lecture series
Daly Mansion Spring Lecture Series… Montana People and Places (March 24-April 26, 2012). Classes will be presented by our Volunteer Archives Team with special presentations by Dr. Dave Emmons and Montana Art & Cultural Museum Curator, Brandon Reintjes. Class fee is $5 per lecture. Daly Mansion Volunteers & DMPT Members attend free. Classes are held in the Trophy Room of the Daly Mansion located at 251 Eastside Hwy between Hamilton and Corvallis. Call 363-6004 ext. 4# to register for classes or for more information.
Saturday, March 24 – 10am – The Lectures of Professor K. Ross Toole, popular History Professor at the University of Montana in the late 1970’s, regarding Professor Toole’s lectures on Mr. Daly and the Bitterroot Valley – presented by Don Erdman.
Saturday, March 31 – 10am – Second half The Lectures of Professor K. Ross Toole – presented by Don Erdman
Saturday, April 14th – 10am – Bitterroot Stock Farm Engineer and prolific map maker M.D. Kippen “Brought to Light”~ presented by Lois Klemment
Saturday, April 21 – 10am – How did they get Metal from Rock?~presented by Paul Mogensen
Saturday, April 28-10am-Mrs. Margaret Daly – A Retrospective – presented by Darlene Gould
Saturday, May 5th – 10am – What’s in a Name? Origin of names in the Bitterroot Valley~ presented by Bruce Gould
Thursday, April 26th-6pm- Marcus Daly in Montana by UM Professor Emeritus Dr. David M. Emmons & Remarks on Frances Carroll Brown (Artist and Daly Granddaughter) by Brandon Reintjes, MMAC Curator of Art.
Waterfowl Day
Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge, in partnership with Bitterroot Audubon, will host Welcome Back Waterfowl Day on Saturday, March 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Refuge Visitor Center and along Wildfowl Lane. This special event is open to the public and, of course, the primary focus will be viewing all manner of birds using the Refuge wetlands. Bitterroot Audubon and Refuge staff will be present with high quality optical equipment to assist in identifying (informal duck identification workshop will continually be “looping” to assist beginning birders) and observing some 19 species of waterfowl present. Judy Hoy will also be present with several rehabilitated raptors. There will be several family-centric activities at the Refuge Visitor Center: birding (techniques, quizzes, reference materials), drawing (draw a duck 101), mammals (furs/skulls/tracks), and aquatic invertebrates (view the microscopic freshwater inhabitants). The keynote of these activities will be a living history of John James Audubon as naturalist performed in the outdoor amphitheater at 11 a.m. Bring your whole family to see the birds in their beautiful spring plumage. Drinks/treats will be provided by Bitterroot Audubon Society members and the Refuge staff. For more information or questions, call Bob Danley at 777-5552 x203 or email Bob_Danley@fws.gov.
Trapped pet release workshop
Footloose Montana will hold a Trapped Pet Release Workshop on Saturday, March 24, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Senior Center, 820 N. 4th in Hamilton. Montana has a furbearer trapping season from September through May and a year-round trapping season for predators and non-game species. Many Montanans think trapping is a relic of the past, but each year tens of thousands of potentially lethal traps are set on Montana’s public lands. If your dog got caught in a trap, would you know how to rescue your furry friend? Learn how to at the Trapped Pet Release Workshop. Many incidents involving the death or injury of pets in popular recreation areas point out how important it is to be aware of traps. Learn how to act quickly and potentially save your pet’s life. The workshop is sponsored by Footloose Montana, a nonprofit educational organization, promoting trap-free public lands for people, pets and wildlife. Call 274-7878 for more information.
Sunday, March 25
Five Valley Accordion Assn.
The Five Valley Accordion Association will hold its next jam/dance session on Sunday, March 25 at “Jokers Wild” (4829 N. Reserve) in Missoula. The event will run from 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is $3.00 for members, $4.00 for non-members, and free for performing musicians. Live music will be provided by accordions, guitars, banjos, bass and drums. Come join with us in the music, dancing, fun and fellowship. For more information call Mike Jones at 642-9693.
SVCFC Pint Night
It’s Pint Night at the Bitterroot Brewery for SVCFC! This great fundraiser on Sunday, March 25 from 4 to 7 p.m. will be a night to remember featuring the amazing musical stylings of John Floridis and admission is free. The evening will include a silent and live auction, a split-the-pot door prize, a super raffle featuring Red Barn Bicycles, tempting samosas from Barbara’s and oooh and aaaah desserts from the Moon and Star Farm. All proceeds will benefit the great community programs at South Valley Child and Family Center. For more info call 363-3450.
Monday, March 26
Rotary Club
Major David F. Pierce, Corps Officer at The Salvation Army Community Center in Missoula, will be speaking at the next meeting of the Hamilton Rotary Club, Monday, March 26 at noon at BJ’s Restaurant, 900 N. 1st, Hamilton. David will discussing services provided by the Salvation Army locally and in Missoula. There will be time for questions and discussion. The club meets every Monday at noon at BJ’s. This meeting is open to the public. For further information, call 363-2960.
Fish & Wildlife Assn.
The Ravalli County Fish & Wildlife Association general meeting will be held on Monday, March 26 at 7 p.m. upstairs at the Hamilton Firehall, 179 S. 3rd St. Guest speaker Greg Munther will give a presentation on some of his hunting experiences. The meeting is open to the public.
Stevi school menu
March 26-30
Monday: Breakfast – Cereal or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Burritos, mixed veggies, applesauce, bread & butter, milk
Tuesday: Breakfast – Egg & cheese wraps, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Chili & crackers, tossed salad, apples, bread & butter, milk
Wednesday: Breakfast – Fruit bars, fruit, toast & milk; Lunch – Ham & scalloped potatoes, corn, peaches, bread & butter, milk
Thursday: Breakfast – Pancakes, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Beef steaks, mashed potatoes & gravy, kiwi, bread & butter, milk
Friday: Breakfast – Cereal or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Hot dogs, potato salad, mixed fruit, bread & butter, milk
Corvallis School book fair
The Corvallis Primary School Library is holding its annual scholastic
“Buy One, Get One Free” Spring Book Fair from Monday, March 26 to Friday, March 30. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday. For more information call 961-3261, ext. 307.
Tuesday, March 27
Stevi kindergarten registration
Stevensville Elementary School will hold Kindergarten Registration and Help a Child Grow, free health screening for ages 0-6, on Tuesday, March 27 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Stevensville Elementary Gym. Call the school to schedule an appointment, 777-5613.
German Music Lingua classes
German Music Lingua classes for ages 0-8 will be held Tuesdays from 10:15 to 11:15 starting March 27 at the kindergarten room of Blodgett View Christian School, 119 West Bridge Road, Hamilton. The new spring theme is: Life on the Pond. Visit www.musiclingua.com or call Elke at 375-9243.
Valley Christian info night
Valley Christian School is hosting an Elementary Information Night for preschool-8th grade on Tuesday, March 27 at 5:30 p.m. in the auditorium. Students and parents are invited to come learn more about the academics, middle school sports programs, elective courses, Bible and more. Come discover how Valley Christian School combines academics and Biblical worldview to create an education for eternity. An additional preschool and kindergarten roundup will be held Friday, March 30 at 2 p.m. Valley Christian School is an interdenominational Christian school located at 2526 Sunset Lane, Missoula. RSVP is appreciated. For more information call 549-0482, ext. 0.
Hwy 93 CAC meeting
The next US Hwy 93 Citizens Advisory Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 27 at 6 p.m. at the Victor School. The time and location have changed to accommodate a larger group.
Wednesday, March 28
BPL Preschool Story Time
Preschoolers are invited to meet in the children’s corner of the Bitterroot Public Library on Wednesday to enjoy “Jungle Jamboree!” with storyteller Sami Twedt. 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.
Growers/vendors meeting
Want to sell your produce & plants this year? New vendors are needed for the annual Bitterroot Valley Grower’s Market. A vendors meeting will be held Wednesday, March 28 at 7 p.m. at the Local Living Family Center, located near Town Pump in Florence. For more information contact Becki at 777-0949 or Suzanne at 777-0709.