Wednesday, July 23
Senator Walsh outreach
The Missoula Field Office of Senator John Walsh will conduct outreach hours in Hamilton and Stevensville on Wednesday, July 23. Walsh’s Field Representative and Marine Corps veteran Maureen Porter will be available to meet with constituents in Hamilton from 11 a.m. to 12 noon in the Planning Conference Room, Administration Building, 215 S. 4th Street, Third Floor, and in Stevensville from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Town Hall, 206 Buck Street. All constituents are welcome to visit with Porter to share concerns, information and ideas, and possibly open casework. No appointments are necessary.
Drum Circle
The Center for Spiritual Living invites everyone to a Drum Circle on Wednesday, July 23 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at River Park gazebo in Hamilton. In case of rain, meet at the Center. Bring your drum, rattles, and other instruments and be part of the fun. For information, contact Chris at 240-9050.
Astronomy program
International award-winning astronomer, Kevin Manning, brings his unique astronomy program, Astronomy for everyone: Size and Scale of the Universe” to the North Valley Public Library on Wednesday, July 23 at 7 p.m. Kevin has worked with NASA, the Chandra X-Ray Observatory, and the Brookhaven National Laboratory. Now retired, Kevin has created a mobile astronomy program that tours the country annually. Come and learn about the planets, stars, nebulae and more! Kevin’s presentation concludes with a guided viewing of the night sky through his telescopes. Families, children and adults are all welcome! This event is free to the public, but space is limited. Call the library at 777-5061 or email maryw@northvalleylibrary.org to register. More info at www.lookuptothestars.com.
Thursday, July 24
Community Band fundraiser
The Bitterroot Community Band will be holding its annual strawberry shortcake fundraiser at the Daly Mansion on Thursday, July 24t. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the performance starts at 7 p.m. Admission is $5.00 for adults, $2.00 for children, and $15.00 for a family. Strawberry shortcake will be sold at intermission for $3.00 by members of the Women’s Club to benefit the band.
Friday, July 25
Accordion Assn. picnic
Join the 5 Valley Accordion Association on July 25-27 for their annual Picnic and Dance at the American Legion Hall at 754 Middle Burnt Fork Road in Stevensville. The theme this year is the 50’s and admission is free, so come dressed up and have some good food and fun! Overnight campers welcome. For info, call 642-6677.
Blue Mountain Observatory Public Nights
Explore planets, nebulae, star clusters and distant galaxies during three upcoming free public observing nights on July 25, August 22 and September 19 at the Blue Mountain Observatory. Children are welcome at the events. The observatory, located atop Blue Mountain at an elevation of 6,300 feet, is operated by the University of Montana. Astronomers will be on hand at all events to talk about what’s being viewed through the telescopes, point out constellations, show attendees how to find interesting celestial objects with the naked eye or a pair of binoculars and discuss recent astronomical discoveries.
Observing begins about an hour after sunset, and organizers recommend bringing warm clothes for cool evenings and a flashlight for the walk from the observatory to the parking lot. Viewing nights will be canceled if the sky is cloudy or thunderstorms threaten. Before heading to the observatory, call 243-4299 for weather and cancellation updates.
For more information on the observatory, directions and a map, visit http://cas.umt.edu/physics/Blue_Mountain_Observatory/.
Saturday, July 26
Lake Como Triathlon
The sixth annual Lake Como Triathlon will take place Saturday, July 26 at the Lake Como Recreation Area. It will begin at 7 a.m. and last until around 2 p.m. Participants will compete in a 0.9 mile swim, 12.6 mile bike ride and 7.7 mile run. The event is open to the public but parking is limited, so carpooling is encouraged. All vehicles also need a day or season pass to park in the Lake Como Recreation Area. The $5 day passes can be purchased on site, at all Forest Service offices, and at area retailers including People’s Market and Mr. T’s in Darby, and Angler’s Roost, Bob Ward’s, Lone Pine, Town Pump South, and Riverside in Hamilton. For more details visit www.lakecomotri.com.
First-Time Home Buyer Class
The Bitter Root Resource Conservation and Development Area, Inc. (Bitter Root RC&D) will hold its next nationally-certified First-Time Homebuyer Group Education class on Saturday, July 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Bitterroot Valley Board of Realtors, 224 N. 4th Street, Hamilton. Attendance the full day is required for certification. The charge is $50 per household to cover instruction and the cost of reference materials. Attendance also entitles participants to free individual financial counseling and post-purchase counseling.
The class is presented by Sara Ann Briggs, who is certified in three areas of housing counseling from the NeighborWorks Center for Homeownership Education and Counseling: Pre-purchase group education; One-on-one counseling, and Post-purchase group education. The Bitter Root RC&D can now offer new programs to the residents of Ravalli County, including the required follow-up counseling for ehome participants.
The time couldn’t be better to purchase a home because interest rates remain low and housing stock in the area is abundant. The first step to the home-buying process is pre-purchase counseling. Certification is required in order to qualify for many loans (MBOH, Rural Development, FHA, etc.). Most lenders require that anyone on the loan must take the course. Additionally, HUD requires that the class be taken prior to signing a purchase contract; therefore, Briggs urges first-time homebuyers to not wait until the last minute to take the class. Offered will be up-to-date information on Rural Direct Loans and HRC Down Payment Assistance Deferred Payment loans. Most importantly, the class will help novice homebuyers maneuver through the entire process of homeownership.
Call the Bitter Root RC&D office at 363-5450 to reserve your space with your $50 deposit.
Expedition Days
Join Montana State Parks for Expedition Days at Travelers’ Rest State Park on Saturday, July 26 beginning at 8 a.m.
The fun begins with a bird walk at 8 a.m. followed by a pancake breakfast at 9 a.m. Enjoy a variety of activities throughout the day including Native American games, the Tools of Lewis and Clark, guided tours and nature hikes along Lolo Creek, “Inside Travelers’ Rest” programs, fly casting demonstrations and information from Casting for Recovery, historic re-enactors and so much more.
Food and beverage will be available from Lolo Peak Brewery, UpNSmokin’ BBQ and the Lolo Ice Cream Truck. A community concert will begin at approximately 3:30 p.m. with music from country artist Josh Harty, followed by Trent Atkins, front man for the band The Workers. Headliners Shane Clouse and Stomping Ground are scheduled to take the stage at 7 p.m.
Admission to the event is free and donations are welcomed. A portion of the proceeds from food and beverage sales will go to support place-based education at Travelers’ Rest State Park and community projects in Lolo.
For more information contact the Travelers’ Rest State Park office at 273-4253. A complete schedule of events can be found at www.travelersrest.org.
Chalkfest
Calling all artists young and not so young. The 7th annual Chalkfest will take place Saturday, July 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with an awards presentation at 3 p.m. The sidewalk in front of Sam’s Spade, 111 S Fourth Street in Hamilton, will be transformed into colorful works of art. Age categories from 6 and under up to adult will be represented and there is no charge to participate. All you need to bring is enthusiasm and creativity; chalk and encouragement will be supplied. Visit www.samsspade.com for more information.
Daly Days at Mansion
The Daly Mansion will be hosting a wide variety of Daly Days activities on the grounds and in the Mansion Saturday and Sunday, July 26 and 27. Daly Days is Hamilton’s hallmark event celebrating Hamilton’s Heritage. Saturday’s grounds activities include stepping back in time during a 1870s-1880s mining camp courtesy of Badwater Land & Mining Company, Bitterroot Ragtime performances, vintage cars, Daly vintage farm and playground equipment, display of recently restored original Daly carriages, pony rides provided by Parson’s Pony Farm, Vicki the Victorian Clown, Children’s Tea Parties in the Mansion Playhouse, a Chuck Wagon, bake sale and hot dogs. Inside the Mansion, guests will step back in time to the 1920’s and visit with Mrs. Daly and her family, servants and guests. Saturday evening the Mansion will be hosting a concert by Western Music Association award-winning performer, Belinda Gail. Also known as America’s Western Sweetheart, Ms. Gail will be performing a solo concert on the Mansion grounds. Concert goers can also purchase a concert ticket to include a Chuck Wagon Dinner. Sunday’s activities include a Silent Movie Festival featuring Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin short films in the Mansion’s Trophy Room complete with ragtime piano accompaniment (courtesy of Joan Roe) and popcorn. For complete fee and schedule information, visit www.dalymansion.org. Self guided tours of the Mansion will be offered at a special reduced rate of $6 per person, and children 12 and under will be admitted free Saturday and Sunday.
Eagles lunch
The Bitterroot Eagles Auxiliary will be selling pulled pork sandwiches with salad on Saturday, July 26 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 125 N. 2nd in front of the Eagles Lodge.
Sunday, July 27
Sacred Circle discussion
The Center for Spiritual Living presents a Sacred Circle discussion following a video message from Rev. Kathianne Lewis on Sunday, July 27 at 10 a.m. Come early for meditation at 9:30. This is also Potluck Sunday. Bring your favorite dish to share and enjoy fine fellowship in a loving environment at 11:30 a.m. 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 Dave 381-2355 or visit CSLbitterroot.org.
Book signing
A book signing with author Dan Holland will be held Sunday, July 27 at 2 p.m. at West Fork Gallery, 4955 Sawmill Lane, Conner. Holland, a longtime summer resident of the West Fork and author of many books, will be signing copies of his newest book of poetry, “A Poet’s Gift To Anglers.” The book became available just a few weeks ago at the Gallery and is already a great seller among those that enjoy the river. Eloise Findley, owner of the gallery, says,” I can’t imagine a better gift for those that appreciate the art of fishing!”
Monday, July 28
Rotary Club
Dr. Marshall Bloom, Associate Director of Rocky Mountain Laboratories, will be speaking at the next meeting of the Hamilton Rotary Club, on Monday, July 28 at 12 noon at BJ’s Restaurant, 900 N. 1st in Hamilton. Dr. Bloom will be presenting, “What’s new at RML”. The meeting is open to the public. For further information, call 363-2960.
Thursday, July 31
Grief coping workshop
A free workshop on coping with grief facilitated by: Mary-Ann Bowman, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., and Kendra Tucker, MSW candidate, will be held Thursday, July 31 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Guardian Healthcare Center, Stevensville (next to Super One off Highway 93). Are you or someone you know affected by grief? This class is designed to help individuals learn about the symptoms of grief, the grieving process, and coping skills. The course content applies to grief resulting from the loss of a loved one, as well as life transitions and other events. Call (406) 243-5666 to register. Space is limited.