Wednesday, April 18
BPL preschool story time
Preschoolers are invited to meet in the children’s corner of the Bitterroot Public Library on Wednesday, April 18 to enjoy “All the Pretty Horses!” with storyteller Diane Ackermann. 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.
NVPL storytime
A special Storytime celebrating Earth Day will be held Wednesday, April 18 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Storytime is an important activity for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. It enriches literacy skills and instills an early love for reading and the library. This week, hear fun stories about Mother Earth and plant seeds to take home and to be planted in the Stevensville community garden. 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.
Baby Sign Language Class
Would you like to jumpstart your baby’s language development? Enhance your child’s self-esteem? Stimulate your baby’s intellectual development? Strengthen your parent-infant bond or reduce your child’s communication frustrations?
Marcus Daly Rehabilitation Services offers a six week Baby Sign Language Class in the spring and fall for children 6 months to three years of age and their parents and siblings.
Spring class begins April 18. The class will meet every Wednesday for 6 weeks from 6 to 6:45 p.m. in the Marcus Daly Rehabilitation Service’s pediatric gym. The gym is located inside the new Marcus Daly Rehabilitation Center at the west end of 1200 Westwood Drive, Hamilton. Amy Yockey, MS, CCC/SLP, an accomplished, licensed Speech Therapist at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital, will be teaching this class. If you have a child in your life 6 months to 3 years of age, call Marcus Daly Rehabilitation Services at 375-4570 to reserve your spot. The fee is $25 and space is limited.
Backyard Chicken workshop
Have you ever thought how nice it would be to have your own hens and fresh eggs? A presentation on raising chickens will be held at the North Valley Public Library community room on Wednesday, April 18 and 25 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Learn the basics of raising your backyard chicken flock. MSU/Extension Nutrition Educator and local poultry expert, Virginia Chaffin, will lead this informative two-part workshop. The first workshop will cover topics such as breeds, buying chicks or adults, the basics of brooding and coops, equipment and feed. This class is free and open to the public. North Valley Public Library is located at 208 Main Street, Stevensville. For more information, call the library at 777-5061.
Irrigators’ weed meeting
Irrigators and pond owners are invited to attend a meeting to learn about treatment options, regulations and permits needed for treating ditches and ponds for aquatic weeds and algae. The meeting will be held at the Corvallis Grange on Wednesday, April 18 beginning at 7 p.m. The Grange Hall is located about 1/8 mile west of Highway 93 on Dutch Hill Road.
Thursday, April 19
RASS training
State-mandated Responsible Alcohol Sales and Service training sessions will be offered by WMAS Prevention Programming on April 19, May 8, May 17 and June 19. Any community members who are not yet certified are welcome to attend and newly hired employees may take the training within 60 days of hire. The training is offered from 9 a.m. to noon in Hamilton and there is a $15 materials fee. Call to preregister by the day before the class is held. At least five participants are needed to hold a class. All classes are at 209 N. 10th Street, Suite C (the brown building) in Hamilton. For more information call Ryan at 532-9146.
End-of-life ethics presentation
Marcus Daly Hospice is hosting the Hospice Foundation of America’s 2012 Spring Program, End-of-Life Ethics, on Thursday, April 19, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. in conference rooms B/C of Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital in Hamilton. The program will examine, using a case study approach, the ethical issues and dilemmas that emerge at the end of life, the principles of ethical decision-making and the effects of these decisions on staff and families. This program is recommended by the Hospice Foundation of America for professionals that includes clergy, counselors, nurses, nursing home administrators, social workers, case managers, psychologists, physicians, funeral directors, marriage and family therapist, caregivers, and those working with death, dying, grief or bereavement. The program is useful for all levels of education – entry level, intermediate or advanced as well as the public. The Hospice Foundation of America’s program is divided into four segments: Why should we look at end-of-life care? How do we decide ethical issues? Who decides ethical issues? What should be decided? A 30-minute discussion will be held after the presentation. Continuing Education credits are available through the Hospice Foundation of America for a fee of $30 online or $40 by mail until May 3rd. The presentation is free and everyone is welcome to attend. For additional questions call Marcus Daly Hospice Services at 363-6503 or visit www.marcusdalyhospice.org.
Bitterroot Swim Team registration
Bitterroot Swim Team registration will be Thursday, April 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. at St. Francis Parish Community Center, Hamilton. There will be a mandatory parent meeting from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Competitive swim season runs from June 1-Aug 5, ages 5-18, daily practices at the Bitterroot Aquatic Center. For more info, to apply for a swim scholarship and to print registration form, go to bitterrootswimteam.org.
Back Country Horsemen
Bitterroot Back Country Horsemen host their monthly meeting on Thursday, April 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. Dr. Tom Currier, DVM, will discuss spring tune-up issues for horses and riders, and guests are welcome. For more information call Karen at 961-0101 or check the website at www.bchmt.org/bitterroot.
PFLAG
The Hamilton-Bitterroot PFLAG (parents, families, friends of lesbians and gays) support group will meet Thursday, April 19 at 7 p.m. in the community basement room at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at 600 S. Third St. in Hamilton. PFLAG promotes the values of inclusiveness, safety and respect for all people. The PFLAG Pacific Northwest Regional Conference which is September 21-23 in Hamilton will be presented. The conference details and other resources can be viewed at PFLAGHamiltonBitterroot.org
Trout Unlimited
You won’t want to miss the next Bitterroot Trout Unlimited Meeting on Thursday, April 19. The speaker will be Mike Ruhl from Yellowstone National Park who will speak about “Native Fish Management and Angling in Yellowstone National Park.” The best job in the world? Mike Ruhl, a Fisheries Biologist in Yellowstone National Park, may have it. Over the course of the year he works in the best Native Trout fisheries in the world including rarely visited headwaters of Yellowstone Lake. The Park recently completed its Native Fish Conservation Plan, and TU was a major player. Anglers will not only benefit from this new plan, but angler volunteers can play a major role in the conservation effort. If you want to learn how you can help protect this unique resource for the future by fishing in some seldom visited spots, don’t miss Mike’s
program. This will be the last BRTU program until October. The meeting will be on Thursday, April 19 at 7 p.m. at the Hamilton Elks Lodge, 203 State St. It’s open to the public and there is no charge for
admission. TU members will be having dinner with the speaker at 5 p.m. prior to the meeting at Spice of Life where owner Karen Suennen will donate 10% of the proceeds to the TU chapter.
Sex trafficking presentation
A presentation to raise awareness of domestic minor sex trafficking will be held Thursday, April 19 at 6 p.m. at the Hamilton Playhouse, 100 Rickets Road. The presentation will feature the documentary “Sex + Money: A National Search for Human Worth” with guest speaker from the Ravalli County Sheriff’s Department. The event is hosted by Soroptimist International of Hamilton in conjunction with SAFE.
Stevi Council COW meeting
The Stevensville Town Council will hold a Committee of the Whole meeting on Thursday, April 19 at 6:30 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 206 Buck Street, Stevensville. Agenda items include: final review of the proposed Sign Ordinance; presentation on Twin Creeks Subdivision by Nathan Lucke, Territorial Landworks, with proposed changes for conditions of approval; transient vendor license final review; flood insurance program; and computer usage policy.
BPL Fellowship Club
The Bitterroot Public Library Fellowship Club will meet Thursday, April 19 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the West Meeting Room of the Library, to discuss the book titled “Taking the Leap: Freeing Ourselves from Old Habits and Fears” by Pema Chodron.
This gently encouraging book by popular teacher Chodron applies Buddhist wisdom to the problems of deeply ingrained reactions. Chodron writes that “we already have what we need” to change and heal. Chodron draws on the Buddhist concept of shenpa to help us see how certain habits of mind tend to ‘hook’ us and get us stuck in states of anger, blame, self-hatred, and addiction. She explains how by recognizing these patterns, and uncovering three basic human qualities which we all possess, i.e. natural intelligence, natural warmth, and natural openness, we can begin to take a bold step towards a positive transformation for ourselves and for our troubled world. The book provides insights, practices, and techniques that can be easily used by anyone as valuable tools for change in uncertain times.
Pema Chodron is an American Buddhist nun in the lineage of Tibetan master Chogyam Trungpa. She is resident teacher at Gampo Abbey in Nova Scotia, the first Tibetan monastery in North America established for Westerners. Chodron is also the author of many books and audio-books, including the best-selling “When Things Fall Apart,” “Don’t Bite the Hook,” “The Wisdom of No Escape,” and “The Places That Scare You.”
The BPL 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.
Friday, April 20
Forest Friday Breakfast
Bitterroot National Forest Supervisor Julie King will hold this month’s Forest Friday breakfast on Friday, April 20 at BJ’s Restaurant, 900 N. 1st street in Hamilton. The public is invited to join her for breakfast and discussion from 7 to 9 a.m.
Forest Friday’s are a new event, started in 2012 by the Bitterroot National Forest. They occur every other month and are a no-host breakfast meeting at a local restaurant with the goal of sharing good food, great company, and a little information about what’s happening on the National Forest.
This month’s topics include wildfires in the Bitterroot and an update on recent trail improvement projects. For more information contact the Bitterroot National Forest at 363-7100.
NVPL book sale
The North Valley Public Library will hold its Big Spring Book Sale at the Community Room of the Library, Main Street, Stevensville, on Friday, April 20, and Saturday, April 21, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. Books, books and more books in every genre imaginable, with more children’s books, some for teens and lots of fiction and non-fiction of every description. All you can carry just for the price of a donation. These good books need a good home. Come see for yourself.
North Valley Pachyderm Club
The North Valley Pachyderm Club will meet Friday, April 20, at noon at The Frontier Café, Hwy 93 in Stevensville. Guest speakers will be Republican candidates for HD90, incumbent Ed Greef and his opponent Ron Pifer. Attendees will also hear from candidates running for Clerk of District Court, Maureen Presswoood and Paige Trautwein. 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.
Zinke to speak
State Senator Ryan Zinke of Whitefish, former Commanding Officer of SEAL Team 6, will be speaking and answering questions on Friday, April 20 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Hamilton Senior Center on Friday, April 20 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. He is also running for Lieutenant Governor and will field questions concerning SEAL Team 6 and his vision for the future of Montana. Refreshments will be served.
‘Take Back the Night’ event
The Seventh Annual Take Back the Night will be held on Friday, April 20. This year’s event includes many family-friendly activities, so all members of the community can show support for healthy and safe relationships.
The evening will start with a community potluck at 6 p.m. at Hamilton City Hall. At 6:30, Brevy Walden will lead drumming and music for all. Bring your own bucket or noisemaker to join the fun. Drumsticks will be provided (for keeps) for everyone.
At 7:30, participants will form a bucket brigade for a 14-block march. Goodies will be served at City Hall following the march. At 8:00, there will be readings and adult reflective time at City Hall.
Take Back the Night marches and rallies are held throughout the world each year to advocate for the rights of everyone to feel safe from violence, inspire communities to take a stand, and to raise awareness about violence against women. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Everyone deserves to be safe from violence in their own homes and streets. Join in using voices (and drums) to promote peace in families and community.
For more information, call Jamie, Sonya or Wendy at SAFE, 363-2793.
Film showing
Calvary Baptist Church, 330 3rd Avenue, Victor, will present a free showing of the film “Courageous” on Friday, April 20 at 7 p.m. Child care will be provided. All are welcome.
Saturday, April 21
Home Improvement Workshop for Women
Soroptimist Options for Women and Habitat for Humanity will sponsor a free workshop on home improvement for women on Saturday, April 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 502 S. 4th Street, Hamilton. Call 360-7332 to register or for more information. Gain a basic understanding of how your home works, and how to manage basic repairs yourself. This “hands on” workshop will cover the basics on how to locate your home’s electrical, gas and water shutoffs. Save time and money by gaining basic plumbing, electrical, yard maintenance and power tools skills.
Drug Take Back Day
With mounting concern over the ill effects of medication disposal to the environment, Valley Drug and Variety in Stevensville is sponsoring a prescription drug Take Back Day which is designed to provide the public with a way to properly dispose of unused or expired medication.
Residents can bring all their unused or expired prescription drugs or over-the-counter medicines to Valley Drug & Variety on Saturday, April 21, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be a Take Back station set up in the foyer at the rear entrance to Valley Drug. Stevensville Police Department and Valley Drug & Variety are partnering on this event and will have a police officer available to assist in the collection and disposal of these unused medications.
It is important to dispose of medication properly to protect both people and the environment. In addition to the environmental impact of trashing and flushing medications, there is a risk of unused drugs getting in the wrong hands. The Office of National Drug Control reports that prescription drugs are the drug of choice among 12 and 13 year olds, while a third of all new abusers of prescription drugs are between 12 and 17.
Gardening lecture
The second installment of the lecture series, “Grow Your Soil” given by organic farmer Rod Daniel, will take place Saturday, April 21 at 10 a.m. in the meeting room of the Bitterroot Public Library. Learn why worms are a great asset to the gardener. Rod Daniel has been cultivating worms for many years. A healthy population of red wigglers supply worm castings which can be used as a supplement for your potting and garden soils. Worms are incredible allies in building healthy soils, and Rod will enthusiastically share his experience. Participants will learn the difference among earthworms, night crawlers and red wigglers and will learn to cultivate and maintain populations of each. This free program is sponsored by Sam’s Spade Garden Tools & Wares and is open to the public. Call 363-1293 for more information.
Seed/Bedding Plant Swap/Sale
Sustainable Living Systems will hold its Annual Seed and Bedding Plants Swap/Sale for Earth Day on Saturday, April 21 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Rocky Mountain Grange (1 mile S. of Hamilton on Hwy 93). Set up is at 10 a.m. Cost is $5.00/table. Goodies will be available. Jill Davies will give a talk about the importance of seed saving at 1 p.m. because seed is at the heart of food security in every community, covering how to grow seed, how to keep varieties true-to-type, how to select for locally-adapted varieties, and other seedy topics. Anyone may bring seeds that they have produced to exchange, give away or sell, including seeds of vegetables, flowers, herbs, crops, green manures, etc.
Recycled Art Show
Art City reopens with its 14th Annual Recycled Art show in celebration of Earth Day. The art works, created from discarded materials and found objects, are a whimsical commentary on our throw away culture as well as a creative reuse what would otherwise be considered junk.
Artists are welcome to submit works in any media made with reused, discarded or repurposed materials. Bring work to Art City no later than Thursday, April 19.
There will be an opening reception at Art City on Saturday, April 21 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The work may be seen through May 26.
Art City is a co-operatively managed gallery featuring work by local artists. It is located in an historic downtown Hamilton building at 407 W. Main St. Spring open hours are Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and other days by chance or appointment.
For more information contact Art City at 363-4764 or Vivian Yang at 363-3198.
Earth Day event
An Earth Day Extravaganza will be held on Saturday, April 21 from 12 noon to 5 p.m. at Cottage Garden Greenhouse, located halfway between Stevensville and Florence on Eastside Hwy. There will be free gardening seminars on a variety of topics all afternoon beginning at noon, as well as impromptu discussions and tasty garden goodies to sample. Call 777-3061 for more information.
Methodist Youth Fundraiser
Stevensville United Methodist Youth Group is sponsoring a Spaghetti Feed Fundraiser on Saturday, April 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Stevensville Methodist Church, 216 College St. All funds raised will go to scholarships for youth to attend the Flathead Lake United Methodist Camp. This event is open to the public, and cost is by donation.
Farmers market vendor training
The Hamilton Farmers Market Co-op will hold a new vendor meeting Saturday, April 21 for vendors new to selling at the Hamilton Farmers Market. It will be a training session focusing on the Rules of the Market and how to increase your sales as a vendor. This meeting will be at the Corvallis Grange Hall at 1 p.m. Call for a New Vendor Information packet before the meeting as the packet will be reviewed at the meeting. Please note that new vendors must live in Ravalli County and their products must be grown or crafted in Montana.
The Hamilton Farmers Market Co-op’s opening day will be Saturday, May 5th with a May Fest for Children. This year there will be a Cinco de Mayo party and all local day schools and children’s programs are invited to have a free booth that day. A kids’ parade and May Pole dances will be held, plus a piñata silent auction fundraiser. The University of Montana Marimba Band will welcome in the summer! If you would like to promote your children’s group at Opening Market or submit a piñata for the auction, call Laura, Market Master, at 961-0004. Proceeds from the auction will be split equally between the piñata creators and the Market.
A Mother’s Day Cake Walk sponsored by SAFE, will be held May 12.
Laura Craig, Market Manager at 961-0004, will answer questions, mail Information Packets and opening day and piñata silent auction registration forms to you.
Come celebrate the market’s twentieth year of providing the best in locally handcrafted and homegrown Bitter Root goodness.
Farmers market WIC training
Ravalli County WIC will be holding training for farmers who would like to start accepting WIC coupons at markets or farm stands on Saturday, April 21 at 2:30 p.m. For information call Ravalli County WIC at 375-6685. You can also find out information on line about the Farm Direct Program: http://wic.mt.gov/farmdirect.shtml
Guitar workshop
A free workshop covering various styles of country fingerpicking guitar playing will be held on Saturday, April 21 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Music Box, 612 N. 1st, Hamilton. The basic styles of Mother Maybelle Carter, Merle Travis, Doc Watson and Chet Atlkins will be demonstrated and discussed. A simple finger roll will be taught as a technique for learning fingerpicking. For information call Clem, 961-4949.
Prophetic presentation
Rev. Dr. Jonathan Hansen, founder and president of World Ministries International, will share prophetic information on “America in Crisis” on Saturday, April 21 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 22 beginning at 10 a.m. at the Bitterroot River inn, 139 Bitterroot Plaza Drive in Hamilton. Dr. Hansen speaks to the presidents and governments of the world with a prophetic and apostolic mantle and prophesied 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. The event is hosted by Pillar of Truth Church. For more information call Mark Stoltzfus, senior pastor, 241-2432.
Sunday, April 22
Five Valley Accordion Assn.
The Five Valley Accordion Association will hold its next jam/dance Session on Sunday, April 22 at the “Rustic Hut” in Florence. 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 is performed by accordions, guitars, banjos, bass, and drums. Come join in the music, dancing, fun and fellowship. For more information call Helen Brady at 370-8452.
BPAC series
Legendary Grammy award-winning Sweet Honey in the Rock will be performing on Sunday, April 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center (PAC) in Hamilton. To purchase tickets, stop by the box office at
127 W. Main Street in Hamilton, or call 363-7946 for more information, or visit
Monday, April 23
Stevi school menu
April 23-27
Monday: Breakfast – Cereal or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Burrito, mixed veggies, pears, bread & butter, milk
Tuesday: Breakfast – Pancakes, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Chicken & noodles, tossed salad, apples, bread & butter, milk
Wednesday: Breakfast – Muffins, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Sloppy Joes, taters, peaches, bread & butter, milk
Thursday: Breakfast – Cinnamon rolls, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Chicken drumsticks, mashed potatoes, gravy, kiwi, bread & butter, milk
Friday: Breakfast – Cereal or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Corn dogs, baked beans, mandarin oranges, bread & butter, milk.
Rotary Club
Julie Altemus, executive director of the Montana Wood Products Association, will be the speaker at the next meeting of the Hamilton Rotary Club on Monday, April 23 at noon. Julie will be presenting information about the Wood Products Association which is the major voice for the wood products industry in Montana. The club meets Mondays at noon at BJ’s Restaurant, 900 N. 1st Street, Hamilton. There will be time for questions and discussion. This meeting is open to the public. For further information call 363-2960.
Tuesday, April 24
Republican Women’s Club
The Ravalli County Republican Women’s Club will hold its monthly meeting and lunch on Tuesday, April 24 at 11:30 a.m. at BJ’s Restaurant in Hamilton. Guest speakers will be Republican candidates for SD45, State Representative Gary MacLaren (HD89) and former State Senator Fred Thomas. Ravalli County Republican Women meet the fourth Tuesday of each month.
Job networking night
On Tuesday, April 24, Rural Employment Opportunities (REO), in conjunction with the Bitterroot Job Service, will be hosting a job networking event called Workers Employed through Community Asset Networks (WECAN).
WECAN is a community-based, collaborative program that connects job seekers to employment and networking opportunities, in addition to financial education information. Participants will have the opportunity to connect with fellow community members, share information about jobs and training opportunities, and learn about the new WECAN Online Network at wecanmontana.org. The program also provides opportunities for community members to volunteer as financial coaches or career mentors.
WECAN will hold a networking night for job seekers, community service providers, employers and local volunteers on Tuesday, April 24 at 5 p.m. at Liaisons Café, 111 N. 2nd, Hamilton. Food will be provided.
The event is for job seekers, individuals interested in receiving financial education information, and individuals interested in becoming career and/or financial education mentors.
Looking for a job can feel like work, but it does not have to be that way. A job network can also be a fun support network.
If you would like more information, contact Kristina Cerrone at (406)442-7850 or by e-mail at kristinac@reomontana.org.