Wednesday, January 15
Bitterroot College Advisory Council
The Advisory Council for Bitterroot College University of Montana will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday, January 15 at 3 p.m. at the Human Resource Council Building Conference Room, 316 N. 3rd Street, Hamilton. The BC Advisory Council is a public board and welcomes members of the public to observe and participate at its meetings. The meeting agenda and supplemental meeting materials are available on the BC website at Advisory Council Meetings or by calling the BC Business Office at 375-0100.
Daly Mansion Preservation Trust
The Daly Mansion Preservation Trust will be holding its annual meeting on Wednesday, January 15 at 3 p.m. in the Daly Mansion Kitchen. A slate of board member nominations will be presented for vote by the DMPT Board of Directors along with a general DMPT business agenda. This is a public meeting. For more information, call April at 363-6004, ext. 3#. The Daly Mansion Preservation Trust is a non-profit organization. The Daly Mansion is located at 251 Eastside Hwy between Hamilton and Corvallis.
Drum Circle
A Drum Circle will be held on Wednesday, January 15 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Center for Spiritual Living. African Hand Drumming allows us to access the Universal heartbeat that exists within and around all things. Bring your drum, rattles, and other instruments and come be part of the fun. No drum? No worries! There will be plenty of extras. Let your Inner Drummer out! The Center for Spiritual Living is located at 1720 N. First Street, Suite C in Selway Commons, north of Sears in Hamilton. For information call Carolyn at 375-2548 or visit www.CSLbitterroot.org.
Thursday, January 16
Darby Lil’ Guy Wrestling
The Darby Wrestling Club will be having Lil’ Guy Wrestling sign-ups for all children 6-14 years old on Thursday, January 16from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Darby School Cafeteria. Lil’ Guy Wrestling is a 4 to 6 week wrestling program with meets on some Friday evenings and Saturdays beginning February 17 and running through mid-March. After the first 4 weeks, wrestlers will have to qualify to continue the next 2 weeks. Come join the fun and let your little athlete learn a new sport and burn off some of that extra winter energy! If you can’t make the scheduled sign-up date or need assistance with the cost of the program, contact Robin Conner at 821-4864. DWC is also looking for qualified volunteer coaches to help build our program. Contact Robin Conner 821-4864 for more information or if you are unable to make the scheduled signup date.
Natural history talk
A Natural History Exhibit is ongoing at the Ravalli County Museum, 205 Bedford, Hamilton titled “How Well Do You Know And Observe Your World?” now through April. The Thursday night lecture series continues on January 16 at 6 p.m. with a panel discussion on “Forest Wood Products” with Paul Moore from the Montana Dept. of Natural Resources, Byron Bonney of the Bitter Root RC&D Area, and Julia Altemus of the Montana Wood Products Association. The museum’s large courtroom is full of hundreds of rare objects and close-to-home historic images, with cutting edge hands-on interactive experiences for all ages that make history come alive, all educational, informational, necessary and fun things for all ages. For more information call 363-3338.
Back Country Horsemen
Bitter Root Back Country Horsemen host their monthly meeting on Thursday, January 16, 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. Program speaker is Larry Peterman, Chief Flight Nurse for LifeFlight. He will describe what LifeFlight has to offer and how back country enthusiasts can prepare for and assist with their medical services. The trail project committee will report on work being considered for 2014, and they need additional trail project suggestions from members. Guests are welcome, and for more information call Karen at 961-0101 or check the website at www.bchmt.org/bitterroot.
Stevi COW meeting
The Stevensville Town Council will hold a Committee of the Whole meeting on Thursday, January 16 at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall to discuss a priority list for sidewalk repairs and improvements.
PFLAG
PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) will meet on Thursday, January 16 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the community basement room of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 600 S. Third Street, Hamilton. This month PFLAG will show “Bridegroom,” a documentary that explores the journey of Shane and Tom, two young men in a loving and devoted relationship that was tragically cut short. The story also provides a detailed account of how people without the legal protections of matrimony can find themselves shut out and ostracized by family, friends, and the community. This progressive and bold documentary blows the door wide-open on the issues of marriage equality and human rights. PFLAG’s missions include support, education, and advocacy for families, LGBT people, and allies. For more information, find PFLAG on facebook or visit pflaghamiltonbitterroot.org.
Trout Unlimited
Bitterroot Trout Unlimited will meet Thursday, January 16 at 7 p.m. at the Hamilton Elks Lodge, 203 State St in Hamilton. Mike Lemoine will give the program entitled “Muddling through the day: History of the Muddler Minnow and the fish that inspired it.” Perhaps no fly is as versatile as the celebrated Muddler Minnow. Since its invention by Dan Gapen in Michigan and its perfection by the expert flytiers at Dan Bailey’s shop, the muddler has found utility in almost all fishing situations. However, it is an imitation of a little understood group of fishes, the sculpins. Although commonly overlooked or disregarded, sculpins are prevalent in troutwaters. Former BRTU board member and UM Grad student Mike LeMoine has spent years trying to understand sculpin ecology and will present the biology behind muddlers to improve your angling experience. Although Midwestern angling expert Tom Wendelberg said many years ago that “You can’t fish a muddler wrong,” after Mike’s talk, you will know how to fish a muddler right! The meeting is open to the public and there is no charge for admission. For more information, contact BRTU Chapter President Ross Rademacher (monkeykatet@gmail.com) or Greg Chester (gchester55@aol.com).
Friday, January 17
BPL Story Time
Young children are invited to meet in the children’s corner of the Bitterroot Public Library on Friday, January 17 to enjoy “Let’s Play!” with storyteller Sally Blevins. Hear great stories and try some activities and crafts! 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. Following Story Time for Kids, everyone is invited to stick around for some open-ended play activities which encourage problem solving, communication, and creativity.
North Valley Pachyderm Club
The North Valley Pachyderm Club will meet Friday, January 17 at 12 noon at the Frontier Café, Hwy 93 in Stevensville. Guest speaker will be Valerie Stamey, County Treasurer. The North Valley Pachyderm Club meets the first and third Friday of each month from 12 noon to 1 p.m. The North Valley Pachyderm Club is an educational arm of the Republican Party. All are welcome.
DCPL book group
A Brown Bag Lunch Winter Book Series begin Friday, January 17 at the Darby Community Public Library “Into the Wild” by Jon Krakauer is available for pick up at the library. Call 821-4771 for more information.
Lions Club eyeglasses drive
Donate your old eyeglasses to the Hamilton Lions Club and help people throughout the world. Eyeglasses will be collected on Friday, January 17 from 5 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, January 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Resolution Expo at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds Event Center. The glasses will be cleaned, sorted according to prescription, and redistributed to Third World countries. Glasses can also be dropped off at Big Sky Eye Care, Bitterroot Eye Associates, Bitterroot Valley Lanes bowling alley, First Security Bank, Marcus Daly Hospice Center, Ravalli County Bank, Ravalli Family Eye Care, Rocky Mountain Optical Services, and American Savings Bank.
Resolutions Expo
Find your future at the Resolutions Expo Friday and Saturday, January 17 and 18 at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds Event Center. This event is designed to showcase the wide array of activities and services available in our community. If your resolutions include finding new places to volunteer, hobbies to pursue, getting healthier, more financially secure, enhancing personal safety, or having more fun in the Bitterroot—this is the place to be. After hours opening will be Friday, January 17 from 5 to 7 pm. with a no host bar and hors d’oeuvres from the Chamber of Commerce. On Saturday, January 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. there will be live demonstrations on women’s self defense, casting clinic, driving impairment, cooking, skin care, and dance. There will be giveaways and discounted services. Admission is free. Lunch will be available. Call 363-3411 for more information.
Bitterroot Dancers
A country western public dance sponsored by Bitterroot Dancers, Inc. will be held Friday, January 17 from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. at the Bedford Bldg/City Hall (2nd floor), 223 S. 2nd, Hamilton. “Pay Dirt” band will provide music. Admission is $7.00. A no host bar is available.
Saturday, January 18
Bowhunter Education Classes
Six bowhunter education classes will be offered in Missoula in 2014, with the first two classes scheduled for January 18 and February 1. Online registration and the complete class schedule can be found at fwp.mt.gov.
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 an in-person field course. Field courses for online students will be offered in Missoula on Feb. 2, March 23, May 15 and June 12. For more information about the online class and to register for a field day, go online to fwp.mt.gov. 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.
Sustainable ag business workshops
Looking to start a farm or ranch? Wondering how you can make your start-up successful? The Community Food & Agriculture Coalition is offering a series of workshops from January through March 2014 designed to help beginning farmers and ranchers the skills and resources needed to launch their own businesses in Montana. The Planning for On-Farm Success program is modeled after successful farmer training programs happening across the country and brings together expert farmers and ag professionals from across the state to help you build a sustainable, successful farm business. These workshops will be offered on Saturdays (9am-1pm) on January 18, February 8, March 1, and March 22. Workshops will be offered in person at MSU Extension’s Missoula office (2825 Santa Fe Ct) and will be offered live online for participants across the country. For more info on topics, instructors, costs, and what you’ll get out of it, visit http://missoulacfac.org/planning-for-on-farm-success.html. To register, contact Annie Heuscher at annie@missoulacfac.org or 406-763-6862.
Winter storytelling series
Join Montana State Parks (stateparks.mt.gov) at Travelers’ Rest State Park located in Lolo for the annual Winter Storytelling Series on Saturdays at 11 a.m. in January. On Saturday, January 18, join Salish Elder and tribal member Louis Adams as he shares the history, stories and culture behind Salish Place Names. He will focus on Salish place names in and around Missoula and the Bitterroot Valley. Louis Adams is a Bitterroot Salish tribal elder and educator who served in the US Navy as a gunner in the Korean Conflict of the 1950s. He is dedicated to preserving Salish language and culture. Adams is a member of the Salish-Pend d’Oreille Culture Committee Elders Cultural Advisory Council. Admission to each program is $4 per adult. Youths/teens under 18 and all current Travelers’ Rest Preservation & Heritage Association (TRPHA) members are free. Complimentary coffee, tea, hot chocolate and home-baked treats will be available at all programs. The Visitor Center and Museum will be open after the programs, from 12 noon until 3:30 p.m.
Cross country ski lessons
Ever wanted to learn to cross-country ski using classic technique? You furnish the skis and the Bitterroot Cross-Country Ski Club will get you started or help improve your skills. The Ski Club is offering its annual beginner and intermediate cross-country ski lessons this Saturday, January 18.
The lessons are free. Lessons start at 12 noon at the Chief Joseph Pass parking area. Everyone is welcome. Please arrive about 20 minutes early for sign-up. Again, you must bring your own skis. You should dress in layers and bring snacks and water. The classic cross-country skiing technique will be taught. The lesson will be from 60 to 90 minutes long.
Sunday, January 19
Golden Age dance
The Golden Age Club, 827 S. 5th in Hamilton, invites you to join them on Sunday, January 19 from 1 to 4 p.m. for a live band dance. Potluck snacks are served at intermission. Cost is $3.00 a person. If interested in joining the club, call 240-9617 for information.
Monday, January 20
Stevi school menu
Monday: Breakfast – Pancakes or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Hot pockets, peas & carrots, apples, bread & butter, milk
Tuesday: Breakfast – Ham bites or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Chicken enchilada, refried beans, mixed fruit, bread & butter, chocolate or regular milk
Wednesday: Breakfast – Cereal or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Mac & cheese, green beans, grapes, bread & butter, milk
Thursday: Breakfast – Waffles or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Shepherd’s pie, tossed salad with ranch dressing, mandarin oranges, bread & butter, milk
Friday: Breakfast – Cinnamon rolls or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Ham & scrambled eggs, hash brown potatoes, peaches, bread & butter, chocolate or regular milk.
Rotary Club
Jane Lambert, author of “Charlie Russell: The Cowboy Years” will be the speaker at the next meeting of the Hamilton Rotary Club, on Monday, January 20 at 12 noon at BJ’s Restaurant, 900 N. 1st Street, Hamilton. Lambert will tell some Charlie Russell stories and talk about some of his local connections. The meeting is open to the public. For more information call 363-2960.
Bitterroot Audubon
Bitterroot Audubon will meet Monday, January 20 at 7 p.m. in the conference room at the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center on Wildfowl Lane north of Stevensville. The meeting will feature a spectacular slide program on backcountry skiing in Antarctica by renowned local adventure guide and speaker Skip Horner. Skip recently returned from way down under after leading a group that spent two weeks sailing through an archipelago of glacier-covered islands along the Antarctic mainland. Each day they dodged icebergs and avoided the pack-ice, as they chose new ski ascents and descents. They shared the route with a great number of sea-birds, penguins, seals and whales. Skip will show many spectacular photos of these creatures during his program. For more information contact Kay Fulton at 642-3794.
Square dance class
Boots & Calico Square Dance Club is offering a beginner square dance class on Monday, January 20 at 7 p.m. at Hamilton High School. Cost is $30 for 10 weeks. Lessons are free to seniors 65 or older. Caller/teacher is Ray Dunbar. Pre-register by calling the high school office or you may register at the first class. Boots & Calico Square Dance Club meets every Saturday in January from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Hamilton Senior Center, 820 N. 4th. For more information call Ray Dunbar at 961-4528 or Pres. Bob Kaphammer at 363-4677.
Tuesday, January 21
RASS training
Western MT Addiction Services will be holding the Let’s Control It, a Responsible Alcohol Sales and Service (RASS) training on Tuesday, January 21 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at 209 N. 10th St Suite C in Hamilton. The cost of the training is $15 for materials (cash only). The “Let’s Control It” curriculum is approved as a state-mandated RASS training by the MT Dept. of Revenue and participants will receive a certificate of completion. If you trained in 2011, this is the time to be recertified. For information or to register call 532-9149 or email ffavara@wmmhc.org by January 20.