Swim lesson signups
Sign up now for all Summer Swim Sessions at the Bitterroot Aquatic Center. All sessions run Monday through Thursday for two weeks. Session 1: June 18th-June 28th; Session 2: July 9th-July 19th; Session 3: July 23rd-August 2nd; Session 4: August 6-August 16th. For more information visit the website, www.bitterrootaquaticcenter.com or call 375-8200.
Veterans Benefit Walk/Run
The 1st Annual Veterans Benefit Walk/Run (5k/10k) will be held Saturday, July 28 at The Canyons Athletic Club, 472 Tammany Lane in Hamilton. Fun for the whole family and it’s for a great cause – helping our Montana veterans. Pre-register by July 1st and save $5. Race day registration begins at 8 a.m. Race starts at 9 a.m. $20 before July 1st, $25 after July 1st or on race day, $5 each for kids 8-12. There will be food, refreshments, and medical aid on site. Go to www.valleyveteransservicecenter.org to download entry form. Questions: call the office at 363-9838 or Tony (event coordinator) at 396-2755.
Free spay/neuter program
Fox Hollow Animal Project is offering 600 free spays/neuters and rabies vaccinations for free-roaming cats living in Ravalli County. This offer is made possible due to a grant from PetSmart Charities. The offer will end when the grant monies run out. Residents of Ravalli County can call 273-6007 to make an appointment.
Daly Mansion Sunday tours
The Daly Mansion Preservation Trust is starting a new series of special Sunday tours every Sunday throughout the summer season entitled My Favorite Things. These tours will feature Daly Mansion Tour Guides’ favorite Mansion objects and stories. Attendees with find out about items that are normally not on display and will have the opportunity to hear stories that past visitors may have never heard before. Tours begin at 10 a.m. with the last tour starting at 3 p.m. For more information regarding Sunday tours or general tour information, call 363-6004.
Call for artists
Bitterroot Art Guild is seeking vendors for “Art in the Park” July 27 and 28 at Legion Park in Hamilton. The application fees will go to scholarships for high school seniors in Ravalli County. Call 821-4678 if you want an application.
Children’s theater workshop
The Stevensville Playhouse is offering a Children’s Summer Workshop July 23-Aug 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day. There are openings for 15 children, ages 7-16. The workshop will include acting, set building, costuming and some lighting. Cost is $100 per child. For more information 360-9121.
Thursday, May 31
Museum photography presentation
A lecture “How Photography Frames our Perceptions” with Katie Knight will be held Thursday, May 31 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Ravalli County Museum, 205 Bedford, Hamilton. This presentation and discussion of nearly 100 photographs, from early experiments through contemporary media, provides a lens for understanding our history, identity, values, aesthetics, media, and politics. Soon after photography was invented in 1839, lower cost portraits became available and painters were liberated from the demands of realistic representation. Photographs quickly began to communicate and construct our sense of who we are and how we want to be seen. Exploring the world and social issues, documentary photographers created visual narratives that have impacted the collective conscience and national policies. The power of photography is skillfully exploited by marketing campaigns that stimulate desires for products and candidates. At the same time, photography can be seen as an increasingly popular folk art practiced by millions of people who use cameras to narrate life stories that focus on what we value, remember, and want to share. Sponsored by Humanities Montana, in association with the Daly Mansion. For more information call 363-3338.
Museum photography lecture
A lecture entitled “How Photography Frames our Perceptions,” will be presented by Katie Knight on Thursday, May 31 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Ravalli County Museum, 205 Bedford, Hamilton. This presentation and discussion of nearly 100 photographs, from early experiments through contemporary media, provides a lens for understanding our history, identity, values, aesthetics, media, and politics. Soon after photography was invented in 1839, lower cost portraits became available and painters were liberated from the demands of realistic representation. Photographs quickly began to communicate and construct our sense of who we are and how we want to be seen. Exploring the world and social issues, documentary photographers created visual narratives that have impacted the collective conscience and national policies. The power of photography is skillfully exploited by marketing campaigns that stimulate desires for products and candidates. At the same time, photography can be seen as an increasingly popular folk art practiced by millions of people who use cameras to narrate life stories that focus on what we value, remember, and want to share. For more information call 363.3338 or visit www.brvhsmuseum.org.
Friday, June 1
Clothing drive
First Baptist Church in Stevensville will hold its 3rd Annual School Clothing Drive from June 1 to July 20. Donations of both new and used clothing, sizes 3T to X-Large Youth (16) are needed, including pants, shirts, socks, underwear (new only), coats, hats, mittens, boots, shoes and backpacks. Drop off locations are Farmers State Bank, Super One (outside Ravalli County Bank) and First Baptist Church Office just north of 402 Church Street. Distribution will be July 30 and July 31 at First Baptist Church. For more info or a pick up, call Beth Perkins at 207-5748.
Stevi Streetscape groundbreaking
There will be a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, June 1 at 11 a.m. at the corner of 2nd and Main in Stevensville for the first phase of the Stevensville Streetscape Project. The public is invited.
North Valley Pachyderm Club
The North Valley Pachyderm Club will meet Friday, June 1, at noon at the Frontier Café, Hwy 93 in Stevensville. Guest speakers will be candidates for Commissioner Matt Kanenwisher’s seat. 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.
Psychic Fair
Three days of psychic and healing services will be held at Between the Worlds in Hamilton starting June 1 at 2 p.m. Saturday hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday hours are 12 to 6 p.m. This fundraising effort will benefit Montana Integrative Therapies, a non-profit organization which secures funding for alternative healing therapies for those who are chronically ill, in hospice, or in extended care facilities. Exceptional practitioners, selected by their peers, will be offering a wide range of services: Tarot, Astrology, Palm, Clairvoyant and Past Life readings, Aura Photography, Myo-Neuro Release, and Energy work.
First Friday at NV Library
Folk rock music in Stevensville! According to band members, Greg Bartlett and Jay Calkins, the Bitterroot Range band is a group of “rough shod musicians” inspired by the legendary tunes emanating from the Grateful Dead, Rolling Stones, Johnny Cash, Neal Young, Bob Dylan, and Woody Guthrie. Bartlett and Calkins play a wide variety of instruments including the banjo, dobro, acoustic and electric guitars, harmonica, kazoo, mandolin, pump organ, ukulele and upright bass. The Bitterroot Range will perform at the North Valley Public Library on Friday, June 1 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Admission is free and all ages are welcome. Light refreshments will be served. Join your friends for a fun time on First Friday listening to classic folk rock music and songs performed by some very talented local musicians. North Valley Public Library is located at 208 Main Street, Stevensville. For more information, call the library at 777-5061.
Dance performance
The Elenita Brown Dancers will present “Dancing Through Light and Shadow,” a Dance Performance of Contrasts on First Friday, June 1 at 7 p.m. at the Stevensville Senior Center, 100 Mission Street. Donations will be accepted.
Art exhibit
Kate Davis photography will be the guest artist for June at River’s Mist Gallery of Fine Art in Stevensville. Davis has been actively involved in wildlife art since 1975 when her pen and ink drawings were first published in the Cincinnati Zoo News. She is an internationally recognized wildlife artist and a national award-winning taxidermist, and has been an illustrator for the National Parks system. The source and inspiration for Kate’s depictions are birds in the wild and the resident eagles, hawks, owls, and falcons of Raptors of the Rockies, both past and present.
Also featured are Stephanie J. Frostad’s oils and graphite. Frostad studied at Studio Arts Center International in Florence, and has exhibited throughout the United States, Canada, China, Italy and New Zealand. Her work is held in numerous public and private collections including the University of Washington Medical Center, the University of Victoria, B.C., the Montana Museum of Art & Culture and the Missoula Art Museum. Frostad received a Montana Arts Council Individual Artist’s Fellowship in 1994. The budding artist is Bronson Jensen. An artist’s reception will be held Friday, June 1 from 6 to 9 p.m. The Show runs June 1 through July 2. The gallery is located at 317 Main Street in Stevensville. For more information call 777-0520.
Art exhibit
The show, “Exile on the West Fork” opens at Art City in Hamilton on June 1 with a Friday evening reception for the artists from 5 to 8 p.m. “Exile on the West Fork” is where Richard Lande both paints and draws inspiration for his impressionist Bitterroot landscapes and pop art portraits. Lande, whose background is as a cartoonist and graphic artist, creates images that capture personality, and a sense of place, in cabins, outbuildings and antique vehicles as well as people. Woodcarver Joseph Thompson makes his lathe turned and carved wooden vessels extensions of the natural forms he finds in the standing dead timber he collects from many locations Montana
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.
For information contact Art City at 363-4764 or Vivian Yang at 363-3198.
Saturday, June 2
Pancake breakfast
A pancake breakfast will be held Saturday, June 2 from 8 to 10:30 a.m. at the LDS Church in Stevensville. Cost is $3 per person or $10 per family. There will also be a bake sale. All proceeds will go towards Keegan Robertson’s Eagle Scout Project. The project is erecting a flagpole at the LDS Temple in Spokane. For more information contact Keegan at 369-8013.
‘Pull Weeds for Wildlife’ event
Join a friendly competition pulling weeds to benefit wildlife. On Saturday, June 2, come out to Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge (just north of Stevensville) from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to help improve wildlife habitat. Last year volunteers pulled 2,200 pounds. This eighth annual free event offers a nice prize for the “most pounds pulled” and other door prizes. Bring water, gloves, and dress for the weather. Call by May 31 to register for your free lunch at 777-5552.
Agricultural challenges seminar
Reserve the date and make plans to attend: “The Human Cost Of The Animal Rights Movement” on Saturday, June 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Willing Servants, Inc. will be hosting this free presentation. Keynote speakers will include Sue Wallis, the United States representative on the board of the International Equine Business Association, chief executive of Unified Equine, LLC, a Wyoming State Representative, and a rancher from Recluse, Wyoming; Theresa Manzella, professional horse trainer and breeder and also founder of Willing Servants Horse Rescue; and Clay Dethlefsen, President of Western Predator Control Association who will be giving a presentation on wolf attacks and diseases.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the challenges the agricultural community faces with the animal rights movement and what you can do to restore and manage your businesses in this volatile marketplace.
The event will be held at RLP Auction House in Victor. For more information call 363 2898 or 546-WHOA (9462).
Blood pressure checks
Curious about your blood pressure? Come to your local farmers market and get your blood pressure taken for free. Then talk with someone at the booth about small and simple changes you can make in your life to reduce your risk of high blood pressure and high cholesterol, or ways you can reduce your blood pressure and cholesterol. The blood pressure and cholesterol booth will attend various Farmers Markets throughout the summer. Hamilton: June 2, July 7, and Aug 4; Florence: June 9, July 14, and Aug 11; Stevensville: June 16, July 21, and Aug 18; Darby: June 26, July 24, and Aug 21. If you have any questions contact your MSU/Ravalli County Extension Office at 375-6611 or email ravalli@montana.edu.
Eagles installation
Bitterroot Eagles Aerie and Auxiliary #1693 will install new officers on Saturday, June 2 at 6 p.m. at the Eagles Aerie in Hamilton. The ceremony honors the new officers for the 2012-13 year and recognized the outgoing officers for their service to the community. In addition, mothers and fathers will also be honored. A potluck dinner will follow the ceremony. Meat, potatoes, rolls and coffee will be furnished for the potluck. Those attending are asked to bring a side dish, salad, or dessert, and try to sign up by June 1 at the Eagles bar, 363-1113, for a head count.
Sunday, June 3
Variety Show
The Hamilton Senior Center is presenting its third annual Variety Show on Sunday, June 3, at 7 p.m. Cost is $4.00 per ticket with all proceeds going to the Senior Center’s operating budget. The fund-raising event will include music, skits, poems, dance routine, refreshments, etc. Also included in the evening’s program will be drawings for the many great gifts being offered for a raffle that has been organized by the center to help with fund-raising efforts. The Center is located at 820 N. 4th St. in Hamilton. For more information contact Jean at 363-3206.
Monday, June 4
Stevi school menu
June 4-6
Monday: Breakfast – Cereal or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Cook’s choice, bread & butter, milk
Tuesday: Breakfast – Waffles, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, carrots, grapes, bread & butter, milk
Wednesday: Breakfast – Cereal bars, fruit, toast, milk; No lunch (last day of school).
Rotary Club
During the month of June, Hamilton Rotary Club is featuring the theme, “Ravalli County Wildlife Month.” Speaker for the Monday, June 4th meeting will be Chris Clancy, fisheries biologist with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. 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.
Florence Civic Club
The Florence Civic Club would like to invite interested citizens and those with a community project that might need help to attend the meetings. Meetings are held the first Monday of each month June 4 at the NOVA/Family Living Center Suite #3, located next to Town Pump in Florence. The next meeting is June 4. Meetings start at 7 pm and usually run an hour. For more information call Ann at 403-6491.
Tuesday, June 5
Stevensville School barbecue
The Stevensville School District will host a barbecue for the community on Tuesday, June 5, at 5 p.m. in front of the high school gym, to launch Graduation Matters Stevensville. Stevensville is on the march to ensure academic achievement and high school graduation for all students. The Stevensville School District has been working with prominent community leaders from local organizations to develop a lasting campaign to encourage students to stay in school through graduation. Graduation Matters Stevensville seeks to graduate students ready for college and careers through collaborative partnerships with community organizations, businesses, families and youth. Stevensville is joining a statewide effort, Graduation Matters Montana, launched by Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau to increase the number of students who graduate ready for college and careers.
Fly Fishers of the Bitterroot
The last meeting of the season for Fly Fishers of the Bitterroot will be Tuesday, June 5 at BJ’s Restaurant in Hamilton. Dan Shepherd, the well known managing partner of Grizzly Hackle in Missoula, who has been seen in “Wild on the Fly”, will be the featured guest speaker. Dan has his program in two parts: At 5:30 p.m. members will have the opportunity to compare and cast the latest generation of fly rods from Hardy, Sage, Winston, and others. The hands on demo will be held behind the restaurant on the grass inside the fairgrounds gate. Social hour, cocktails, and optional dinner will be around 6 to 7 p.m. Dan will then give a presentation on his fly fishing experience in Slovenia along with interesting anecdotes. This is a great opportunity to experience new innovations in equipment and see some terrific pictures from a fly fishing adventure. Anyone interested in membership in the club, come check it out! For information call Dorreen at 363-0744.
Victor Park Board
There will be a special meeting of the Victor Park District on Tuesday, June 5 at 7 p.m. at the Farmers State Bank meeting room in Victor. The purpose of the meeting is to resolve the recent tie election for the new board member. Call Roger De Haan at 961-3953 with any questions.
Bitterroot Community Orchestra concert
There will be a free concert showcasing the new Bitterroot Community Orchestra on Tuesday, June 5 at 7 p.m. in the Victor Performing Arts Center. This has been an eight-week pilot program sponsored by the Corvallis School District. The Orchestra encompasses young and old musicians from the area, even a few from Missoula, with many talented musicians, ready to entertain.
Basic electronics course
The Bitterroot College is offering a basic electronics course starting June 5 and running every Tuesday and Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. in Classroom 2, 274 Old Corvallis Road, Hamilton.
Do you work in construction or building maintenance? Are you thinking about going to college for engineering? Ever just wanted to know how your TV or cellphone or car battery works?
If you answered “YES” to any of the above questions then this is the course for you! Don’t miss this great opportunity to learn the fundamentals of electronics and electricity!
The course will be taught by Glenn Kimball and begins with relevant scientific history, followed by basic electrical theory, with emphasis upon how such theory is applied to common electrical disciplines, like electrical power generation, motors and electrical power distribution. Topics covered include electromagnetic wave radiation, its properties and measurement, alternating current (AC) principles, direct current (DC) circuits, Ohm’s Law, the properties of capacitive and inductive electrical reactance, pulse and resonant circuits, and voltage transformation. Knowledge of these essential concepts will lead to the comprehension of television, AM/FM radio, and today’s wireless communication and an understanding of electricity’s role in medical electronics and other applications common to today’s consumer and industrial devices. This elementary course is designed for persons engaged in electrical trades, and also students who wish to prepare themselves for college level electrical engineering curriculum. Prerequisites: A working knowledge of basic mathematical operations and simple mathematical equations.
Course fee is $250. Class size is limited; enroll now by calling 375-0100 or download registration form at http://www.umt.edu/bcp/documents/BCPContEd-Registration.pdf.
For more information on Bitterroot College Continuing Education, visit www.umt.edu/bcp/conted.aspx.