Rummage items needed
West House Crisis Stabilization Facility is having a Rummage Sale on May 18 and needs items donated to sell. All proceeds go to help people with mental illness purchase medications and other special items. Bring your used items to the West House parking lot, 1404 Westwood Drive, Hamilton (near the West bridge). Cut-off date for bringing items will be Tuesday, May 7. Questions may be answered at 532-8990.
Museum art donations needed
Donations of used art, jewelry and antiques are needed for the annual Stevensville Historical Museum’s Used Art, Jewelry & Antiques Sale which will be held Friday, May 3 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, May 4 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 309 Main Street, Stevensville. Those who donate to the sale are invited to attend a Pre-Sale Party on Thursday, May 2 from 7 to 9 p.m. with hors d’oeuvres and door prizes. Call 777-5126 or 777-3201 to make arrangements to donate items for this sale.
Wednesday, April 17
NVPL National Library Week
Celebrate the importance of your library with events and activities that showcase the North Valley Public Library. Discover the Stevensville Community Garden on Wednesday with a packet of free seeds for every patron and information about the garden. Support the library on Friday and Saturday during the Friends of the Library Book Sale, and all week long put your name in a drawing to be eligible for great community oriented prizes. For more information on the library and activities during National Library Week, check out www.northvalleylibrary.org or call 777-5061.
BPL Preschool Story Time
Preschoolers are invited to meet in the children’s corner of the Bitterroot Public Library on Wednesday, April 17 to enjoy “Put a Poem in Your Pocket” with storyteller Jamie Ogden. 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
North Valley Public Library’s Storytime and Craft is an enriching early learning program for toddlers and preschoolers, with picture books, fingerplays and songs, and a craft. At each storytime, a healthy snack is provided and there is time to play and socialize with new friends. This week, bring your little one to learn about goats and meet a baby and mama goat. North Valley Public Library is located at 208 Main Street, Stevensville. For more information, call the library at 777-5061.
Blood drive
A blood drive will be held Wednesday, April 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bitterroot National Forest office in Hamilton. The blood mobile will be in the parking lot. For appointment visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code bitterrootforest or call Joni at 363-7182.
Rotary Club
Lance Richardson, co-owner of Ridgeway Pharmacy and Mail Pharmaceutical Delivery, will be the speaker for the next meeting of the Hamilton Rotary Club on Monday, April 22 at 12 noon at BJ’s Restaurant, 900 N. 1st Street, Hamilton. This meeting is open to the public. For further information call 363-2960.
SAFE Book Club
SAFE is hosting a book club discussion on Wednesday, April 17 at 12 noon at the Hamilton Carriage House. Come join in the discussion of “Salvage the Bones” by Jesmyn Ward. For more information, contact Jamie at 363-2793.
RCEDA
Ravalli County Economic Development Authority will hold its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 17 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the RCEDA office, 274 Old Corvallis Road, Hamilton. The meeting is open to the public.
Community Potluck
The Center for Spiritual Living invites everyone to a Community Potluck Dinner, Wednesday, April 17 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Homestead Organics Farm owner Laura Garber is hosting Minh, a farmer from Vietnam, for several weeks as part of Mansfield Scholarship farmer exchange project. Come hear about the project and help welcome Minh to the Bitterroot Valley community. Bring a potluck dish to share; table service provided. The Center for Spiritual Living is located at 1720 N. First Street, Suite C in Selway Commons, north of Sears in Hamilton. For further information call 381-2355 or visit www.cslbitterroot.org.
Thursday, April 18
Beginning Birder Class
Bird watching is a very popular activity and according to a United States Fish and Wildlife Service report, over 45 million people bird watch in the United States alone. Do you wish you could identify the birds that you see? Do you want to learn more about their behavior and habits? If so, you may want to consider joining Bitterroot Audubon members for two evening classes and two field trips designed for beginning birders. The classes will cover bird identification, optics, behavior, habitat, birdsong, migration, and much more. Classroom sessions will take place on Thursdays, April 18 and 25, and the field trips will take place on Sunday, April 28 and Saturday, May 4. Cost for the class will be $25/Audubon members and $35/non-members. Pre-registration is required and limited to 20 participants. For more information or to pre-register, call Leslie Nyce at 961-3808.
Stevensville Museum
A general meeting of The Stevensville Historical Museum will be held Thursday, April 18 at 4:30 p.m. at 517 Main Street, Stevensville. Officers will be elected at this meeting. New members are welcome to attend. Call Stacey at 777-5126 for more information.
Take Back the Night
The Eighth Annual Take Back the Night will be held on Thursday, April 18 at Hamilton City Hall. 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 at 5:30 p.m. with peace songs and fun led by every local kid’s favorite musician, Chip Jasmin. At 6 p.m., there will be a free pizza party, followed by sign-making led by local high school students.
At 7 p.m., participants will line up for a 14-block march through downtown Hamilton. Goodies will be served at City Hall following the march. At 8 p.m. there will a sharing circle at City Hall for young adults and adults.
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 sexual violence. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Everyone deserve to be safe from violence in their own homes and streets. Join in to promote peace in our families and community.
For more information, call Jamie, Sonya or Wendy at SAFE, 363-2793. For more information on Sexual Assault Awareness Month, including information on talking to your kids about safe and healthy relationship, visit the National Sexual Violence Resource Center at www.nsvrc.org.
Trout Unlimited
On Thursday, April 18, Chris Clancy, indefatigable fisheries biologist with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, will fill members in on the latest data on the river, test their knowledge of native trout, and present some new thoughts on Painted Rocks Lake.
The title of Chris’s talk is “State of the River: Rethinking Painted Rocks, hybrid cutthroat quiz and other paraphernalia.” The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the Hamilton Elks Lodge, 203 State St in Hamilton. The public is invited to attend and there is no charge for admission. For more information, contact douglas.p.nation@gmail.com or gchester55@aol.com. Dinner with Chris at Spice of Life will be at 5 p.m. before the meeting. Long-time TU supporter and Spice of Life owner Karen Suennen will be donating 10% of the proceeds to the club.
Back Country Horsemen
Bitter Root Back Country Horsemen host their monthly meeting on Thursday, April 18, at the Corvallis School Cafeteria on Eastside Highway in Corvallis. Potluck dinner is served at 6:30 p.m. and the general meeting starts at 7:00. Information on this year’s trail projects, horsemanship clinics and the Wilderness Skills Weekend will be discussed. Program speaker is Burleigh Curtis who will talk about Ravalli County Search and Rescue. Guests are welcome, and if you are interested in keeping trails in our public forests open and accessible for riding and hiking, this group works to accomplish that. For more information call Karen at 961-0101 or check the website at www.bchmt.org/bitterroot.
Stevi COW meeting
The Stevensville Town Council Committee of the Whole will meet Thursday, April 18at 6:30 p.m. The council will discuss the following topics: proposed ordinance for Stevensville Airport; proposed animal ordinance; Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
Friday, April 19
Forest Friday breakfast
Bitterroot National Forest Supervisor Julie King will hold this month’s Forest Friday breakfast on Friday, April 19 from 7 to 9 a.m. at Perkins Restaurant, 1285 N. 1st Street in Hamilton. The public is invited to join her for breakfast and discussion. This month’s topics and speakers include: Trails & Timber – How upcoming logging activities at the Bass Creek Recreation Area could affect your hiking or recreation plans with Dan Ritter, Stevensville District Ranger; Look What Wants to Come for Dinner – New Forest Invaders and Noxious Weeds with Gil Gale, Range Program Manager.
Forest Fridays were started last year 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 some information about what’s happening on the National Forest. For more information contact the Bitterroot National Forest at 363-7100.
Driver safety class
A Driver Safety Class will be presented at Marcus Daly Hospital in Hamilton on Friday, April 19. 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.
NVPL Book Sale
The Big Spring Book Sale will be held Friday and Saturday, April 19 and 20, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Community Room at the North Valley Public Library, Main St., Stevensville. Children’s books and books for teens; romance, mysteries set the scene; true adventures, history books; learn to be a better cook. Take your pick for each occasion, just for the price of a kind donation. For information call Beverly, 777 2505.
North Valley Pachyderm Club
The North Valley Pachyderm Club will meet Friday, April 19 at 12 noon at the Frontier Café, Hwy 93 in Stevensville. Guest speaker will be County Attorney Bill Fulbright. The North Valley Pachyderm Club meets the first and third Friday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. The North Valley Pachyderm Club is an educational arm of the Republican Party. All are welcome.
Eagles dinner
Chef Greg will be serving Friday night dinner on April 19 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Bitterroot Eagles Lodge at 125 N. Second, Hamilton. The menu will be meatloaf with mashed potatoes, veggies and dessert. Proceeds go to the Bitter Root Eagles Scholarship program.
Golden Age dance
At the dance on Friday, April 19 at the hall at 727 S. Fifth, Hamilton, the Golden Age Club members will honor Lyle Instness who has been playing in the dance bands for many years and is retiring. Dancing begins at 7:30 p.m. will music by the Valley Rhythm Boys. Bob Olson’s New BitterRoot Five will play on April 26. There is a charge of $3 per person. On April 24, birthdays and anniversaries will be celebrated with a program and refreshments. The next business meeting is May 1 following the 12 noon potluck.
Music for the Museum
“A Spring Evening of Eclectic Music for the Museum” will be held Friday, April 19 at 6 p.m. at the Ravalli County Museum, Hamilton. Musicians include bluegrass musicians Mike and Tari Conroy; First Presbyterian Church Bell Choir; pianist Joan Roe, and a special surprise guest. Beverages and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Tickets are $25 ($20 for members)and are available at the Ravalli County Museum, The Music Box, Chapter One Books or through a Bitter Root Valley Historical Society Board Member. Included in the evening’s festivities will be an in-depth, behind the scenes look at Ravalli County Museum. Your “Back Stage Pass” includes a behind the scenes tour and a look into the past, present and future of events and exhibits. Come away from this experience with a better understanding of what is housed at the Museum, from thousands of historic photos, documents and artifacts to 150+ years worth of newspapers preserved in the newspaper collection vault. Just what does it take to run the largest archival Museum in Ravalli County? What archival materials are used in day-to-day operations? What does it take to create an exhibit or event and what are the costs involved? There will be a drawing for door prizes and gifts for donations made during this event.
Saturday, April 20
Beekeepers of the Bitterroot
Beekeepers of the Bitterroot will meet on Saturday, April 20 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Western Montana Addiction Services, 209 N. 10th St, in Hamilton (note change in location and enter from the Marcus Daly Hospital side).
The meeting will discuss installing bee packages, swarm prevention, and combining and splitting hives. The public is welcome to drop in to any meeting. Those who will be getting Western Montana bee packages on May 3 should call Tracie Norman at 381-3053.
Horsemanship Clinic
Bitterroot Back Country Horsemen invites the public to a free defensive horsemanship class on Saturday, April 20. Using members’ stock for demonstration, participants will review various ways to safely handle stock while trail riding and traveling into the backcountry. Members of the public are encouraged to attend and learn more about how to ride safely and what Bitter Root BCH does for our local trails. The event takes place at C-Max Stables (657 Bass Lane, Corvallis) from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, with chili provided for lunch. Bring your own chair. For more information, contact Jack or Lisa Emory at 961-1363 or check the BCH website at http://www.bchmt.org/bitterroot/ under training.
Victor Community Garden Day
Victor Community Garden folks (gardeners and sponsoring organization) will gather at the garden on Saturday, April 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a work day to spruce it up and get ready for the growing season. Participants will make a huge compost pile, refurbish the paths, weed the native plants area, and get to know one another. The Job Corps and Youth Home volunteers will lend a helping hand. For lunch, barbecued burgers and drinks will be provided and folks will bring a potluck dish. The organic garden has thirty-nine 20′ by 20′ plots that are nearly all spoken for, plus two for native pollinators and one for fruit. Compost, mulch, tools and automatic watering are all provided for the $26 yearly fee that includes a port-a-potty. The community is welcome to come out and see how the community grows its own food. For information call Jill at 642-3601.
Daly Mansion lecture series
The Daly Mansion Spring Lecture Series on Saturday, April 20 at 10 a.m. will feature Ellen Baumler on “How We Miss Them: Ghostly Gatherings from the Treasure State.” Basing her true stories on firsthand accounts, personal interviews, and historical records, Baumler’s well-researched tales have scared and delighted audiences of all ages. Haunted places include hotels, houses, cemeteries, mines and his-toric landscapes across Montana. With a ghostly twist on history, Baumler captures Montana’s cultural heritage and brings the state’s supernatural past to life. This is a community educational offering presented through grants and partnership with Humanities Montana. The presentation will be in the Trophy Room of the Daly Mansion, 251 Eastside Hwy in Hamilton. Admission is free with donations gladly accepted.
Farmers Market vendor training
The Hamilton Farmers Market is adding vendors for the 2013 market. A New Vendor Meeting will be held Saturday, April 20 for folks new to selling at the Hamilton Farmers Market. The Market has two main rules which make it unique: vendors must live in Ravalli County and their products must be grown or crafted in Montana. New Vendor Training will focus on the Market Rules, how to register and reserve a space as well as tips on how to increase your sales as a vendor. If you are interested and meet the primary requirements, call 961-0004 for a New Vendor information packet which will be mailed to you before the meeting. It contains the significant paperwork that keeps this Market organized and running smoothly. Hamilton Farmers Market opening day will be Saturday, May 4 with the May Fest for Children. A Mother’s Day Cake Walk sponsored by SAFE will be May 11.
Guitar workshop
A free, guitar workshop will be held Saturday, April 20 from 2 to 4 p.m. at The Music Box in Hamilton. There will be a discussion and demonstration of some techniques useful in playing lead, or melody for classic country, folk, swing, western swing, and similar styles. These workshops are basically demonstrations so there is no need to bring your guitar. For information call W. Clem Small, 961-4949.
WIC farmer training
Ravalli County WIC will be holding training for farmers who are interested in accepting WIC benefits during farmer markets, or farm stands this season, on Saturday, April 20 at 2:15 p.m. at the Hamilton Senior Center, corner of Adirondack and 4th Streets in Hamilton. Contact Margaret at Ravalli County WIC. 375-6685, to reserve your space. Plan on 1-1/2 hours for this training.
Dragon Brigade Pint Night
A Pint Night will be held Saturday, April 20 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Higher Ground Brewery in Hamilton. There will be a silent auction and proceeds benefit the Dragon Brigade Tae Kwon Do program.
Eagles Memorial Service
The Eagles Lodge will hold a Memorial Service on Saturday, April 20 at 6 p.m. at the Aerie Hall. This is a time to remember the dear Brothers and Sisters who passed away this past year. All Eagle families and friends encouraged to share in this special ceremony. The Old Timers Potluck will follow at about 6:45 p.m. in the Auxiliary Hall (upstairs.) This is held in recognition of service years by Brothers and Sisters. The entrée, potatoes and gravy, and coffee is furnished by the Aerie and Auxiliary. Attendees are asked to bring salads, side dishes or desserts. Sign up by calling 363-1113. All members, family and friends are encouraged to share this evening. Montana Worthy President Bill Wooley and and Montana State Madam President Jan Wooley will visit the Aerie on Saturday, April 20. In addition to Happy Hour, they will attend the Memorial Service and the Old Timers Potluck. Their Joint Project is the Montana Cancer Institute Foundation. Come in and say hello and thank them for them for their service to Montana State Eagles.
‘Monthly Grind’
The last Monthly Grind variety show for the season is sure to be a big hit on Saturday, April 20 at 7 p.m. at the Stevensville Playhouse. Tickets are $5 at the door or bring in a homemade dessert to share and get in free. Children 6 and under are also free.
Sunday, April 21
BPL volunteer week
The Bitterroot Public Library celebrates National Volunteer Week April 21-27 to honor the many volunteers who help provide services to the public. During this week BPL is also partnering with the local food bank, Haven House, to help collect nutritious foods for Ravalli County residents in need. BPL will waive overdue fines in exchange for a donation of non-perishable foods. Food can be dropped off at the library’s information desk during April 22-27. Food for Fines is for overdue fines, and cannot be used to waive fees for lost or missing items. Call 363-1670 for more information.
Spiritual talk
The Center for Spiritual Living invites everyone to hear an inspiring message about finding one’s true self in our natural surroundings. Becky Lellek presents “Mother Nature – A Path To Presence” on Sunday, April 21 at 10 a.m. at the Center. Becky is a clinical hynotherapist and Sound Awareness Instructor. The Center for Spiritual Living is located at 1720 N. First Street, Suite C in Selway Commons, north of Sears in Hamilton. For further information call 381-2355 or visit www.cslbitterroot.org.
Monday, April 22
Stevi school menu
Monday: Breakfast – Waffles or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Chicken sandwiches, glazed carrots, mixed fruit, bread & butter, milk
Tuesday: Breakfast – Cereal or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Quesadilla with salsa, lettuce, refried beans, watermelon, bread & butter, chocolate or regular milk
Wednesday: Breakfast – Cinnamon rolls or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Spaghetti, tossed salad with ranch dressing, mandarin oranges, bread & butter, milk
Thursday: Breakfast – Pancakes or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, fresh veggies with ranch dressing, strawberry cups, bread & butter, milk
Friday: No School
First-time homebuyer class
The next Pre-Purchase Housing Counseling class that the Bitter Root RC&D will host is Monday, April 22-24 from 6 to 9 p.m. each night at the Human Resource Council Building, 316 N 3rd St., Hamilton. The fee for class is $40 per household. Bitter Root RC&D is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working in partnership with Montana Board of Housing, Montana Department of Commerce, NeighborWorks Montana and philanthropic donors. For more information call 363-5450 or go the web site www.bitterrootrcd.org/firstTimeHomeBuyer.htm.
Lone Rock trustee Candidate Forum
Lone Rock School will host a Trustee Candidate Forum on Monday, April 22 at 7 p.m. in the gym. Three candidates are running for two trustee positions: Deanna Stewart, Dan Metully and Wayne Stanford. The trustee election will be held on Tuesday, May 7 beginning as 12 noon. Absentee ballots will be available April 17. Contact Sandi Wilson at 777-3314, ext 220 to request an absentee ballot.
Fish & Wildlife Assn.
The Ravalli County Fish & Wildlife Association will hold its general meeting on Monday, April 22 at 7 p.m. upstairs at the Hamilton Fire Hall. Guest speakers will be Fish & Game Wardens giving a program on poaching cases. Meetings are open to the public and newcomers are encouraged to attend. For information call Dave at 777-5786.
Tuesday, April 23
RASS training
A state-mandated Responsible Alcohol Sales and Service training will take place on Tuesday, April 23 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at 209 N. 10th Street, Suite C, Hamilton. 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. There is a $15 materials fee. Call Ryan at 532-9146 to pre-register by the day before the class is held. At least five participants are required to hold a class.
Republican Women’s Club
The Ravalli County Republican Women’s Club will hold its monthly meeting and lunch on Tuesday, April 23 at 11:30 a.m. at BJ’s Restaurant in Hamilton. Guest speakers will be Dan Snyder, MT Tech, talking about water and irrigation, and Gary Carlson, who is running for State Republican Chair. Ravalli County Republican Women meet the fourth Tuesday of each month.
Rocky Mountain Ballet performance
Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre will perform “Going Viral,” the convergence of art and science, on Tuesday, April 23 at 7 p.m. at the Mary Stuart Rogers Performing Arts Center in Victor and on Friday, May 24 at 7 p.m. at the MCT Center for the Performing Arts in Missoula. Tickets are $15 and available at RMBT, 549-5155, and at each theater day of show. “Going Viral” is a series of four collaborative works between Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre Artistic Director and choreographer Charlene Campbell and concept and images created by Barbara Michelman. They were inspired by an extraordinary world viewed through an electron microscope. Using dance and projected virus images, “Going Viral” tells the tale of Polio, Influenza, Dengue Fever and Ebola, four deceptively beautiful and deadly viruses. Polio is performed to an original score by Hollywood composer Aaron Zigman. RMBT Artistic Director Charlene Campbell Carey and RMBT dancers have visited the Rocky Mountain Lab in Hamilton to see firsthand Ebola and other viruses.
Audiences attending “Going Viral” will experience an original contemporary multimedia presentation of dance that addresses the issues of the spread of viruses and the search for and use of vaccination to halt contagion, which in turn engages audiences in discussion on public health topics and vaccine awareness.
To find out more about “Going Viral” and Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre, visit www.rmbt.org.