Wednesday, September 17
Beekeeping events
The University of Montana will be abuzz with two conferences for those interested in bees and beekeeping Wednesday through Saturday, Sept. 17-20.
The two events – the 37th Annual Western Apicultural Society Conference and the second International Conference on Hive and Honeybee Monitoring – will be held on the third floor of the University Center in the Ballroom and the UC Theater.
Subjects will include topics such as bees and climate change, using acoustic scanning to detect hive exposure to pesticides and critical issues facing bees and beekeeping.
Bee expert Eric Mussen of the University of California, Davis, will present a keynote address Thursday titled “Changes in Beekeeping Over Three Decades.” A second keynote by G. Philip Hughes of the Whitehouse Writers Group will be held Friday and is titled “Let Me Tell You ’Bout the Birds and the Bees: Neonic Pesticides and the Prospects for Future Life on Planet Earth.”
Twenty-one concurrent short courses ranging from candle making to queen rearing will be available Saturday morning.
Conference registration costs $175 for all four days, $65 for one day and $15 to $30 per day for students. Attending four short courses costs $30. Vendor spots range from $15 to $40. For a full conference schedule or to register, visit http://ucanr.edu/sites/was2/.
The conferences are being held in conjunction with the first annual Missoula Honey Harvest Festival, a free, community event that will be held Saturday, Sept. 20 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the UM Oval. That event is open to all, and families are invited to bring the whole hive.
Public lecture
“Be the change you want to see” is the title of a free lecture by Rae Linden, MA at the Bitterroot Public Library on Wednesday, September 17 at 6 p.m. Rae will talk about The Cycle of Change, providing insight and information on the steps involved and how to use it effectively for personal and/or global change. Rae is a teacher and therapist with a private practice in Corvallis.
Thursday, September 18
Pesticide disposal
September 18 is the day for western Montanans to dispose of pesticide wastes through the Montana Pesticide Waste Disposal Program. Disposal is free for the first 200 pounds and 50 cents per pound above that for licensed private applicators, but pre-registration is required so the collection can be managed safely and efficiently. Participants who want to dispose of pesticides must pre-register with the Montana Department of Agriculture. They can obtain the form at: http://agr.mt.gov/agr/Business/Pesticides/Environmental/Disposal/Forms/New_Registration_Form.pdf
They should then mail the form to Montana Department of Agriculture, Pesticide Disposal Program, P.O. Box 1054, Glasgow, MT 59230.
Applicators should use the disposal program if they have unknown pesticide products due to worn product labels, unregistered pesticide products or unusable pesticides, Tharp said. The Montana Pesticide Waste Disposal Program has collected more than 455,600 pounds since it began 20 years ago, with the most common pesticides collected being DDT, chlordane, 2,4,5-T and strychnine.
Tharp also gave advice for disposing of empty pesticide containers. He said the applicators must power-wash or triple rinse the containers, then discard the liquid (rinsate) in pesticide tanks or spray it over a site that’s listed on the pesticide product label. They should then puncture the container, so it can’t be reused.
The Montana Department of Agriculture Pesticide Container Recycling Program has collected more than 288,000 pounds of pesticide containers in the past five years, Tharp said. Shredded plastic from these containers is recycled to create non-consumer items, such as drain tile, speed bumps, pallets and landscape edging.
Readers should contact Carli Lofing at (406) 228-9512 for additional questions, registration information and costs. For more information on the pesticide waste program, go to http://agr.mt.gov/agr/Programs/Pesticides/Environmental/Disposal. For more information on the pesticide container recycling program, go to http://agr.mt.gov/agr/Programs/Pesticides/Environmental/ContainerRecycling/index.html.
Back Country Horsemen
Bitter Root Back Country Horsemen host their monthly meeting on Thursday, September 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. Completed and future trail projects will be reviewed, and program speaker is Mike Hoyt, author of the new guide book “Bitterroot Mountain Trails, volume 1.” This first volume covers trails from Lolo Peak to Mill Creek and Mike will discuss trails rated best for horseback riders. Guests are welcome to attend, and for more information call Karen at 961-0101 or check the website at www.bchmt.org/bitterroot.
PFLAG Support Meeting
This month’s PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) support meeting will be held Thursday, September 18 from 7 to 9 p.m. at SAFE’s Community Room, 150 Morning Star Way, Hamilton. An open discussion and refreshments will be provided. PFLAG’s mission includes support, education, and advocacy for families, LGBT people, and allies. PFLAG welcomes the participation and support of all who share in the vision and mission. For more information, find PFLAG on facebook or visit pflaghamiltonbitterroot.org or call 375-6573.
Quantum physics presentation
A free presentation, “The Aboriginal Dreamtime and Quantum Physics” with Jim Tree-Gilmore, will be held Thursday, September 18 at 7 p.m. at the Bitterroot Public Library community room. 306 State, Hamilton. Join James Tree-Gilmore for a presentation about the oldest surviving religion in the world and the most up to date findings of modern science. Jim brings unique insight into the meaning of human existence by blending what he learned staying with Aboriginal Elders in Australia and his studies of the Quantum science of Holodynamics. Jim is an engaging speaker who has traveled the world studying the healing practices of many different cultures. Learn more at www.jimtree.com.
Friday, September 19
North Valley Pachyderm Club
The North Valley Pachyderm Club will meet Friday, September 19 at 12 noon at the Frontier Café, Hwy 93 in Stevensville. Guest speaker will be Lawrence VanDyke, candidate for Montana Supreme Court. 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.
Golden Age dance
Friday night dances at the Golden Age Hall in Hamilton at 727 S. 5th continue with the next one scheduled for Friday, Sept. 19 from 7:30 to 10 p.m. This is a non-alcoholic and non-smoking venue with potluck snacks at music break. Cost is $3.00 a person. For info or is interested in joining the organization, call 240-9617.
Saturday, September 20
Golden Age garage sale
The Golden Age Club will hold a garage sale and bake sale on Saturday, September 20 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the hall at 727 S. 5th in Hamilton. Donations of good new and used items for the sale as well as baked goods are being accepted. Call Bob at 363-0142 for information on donating. All proceeds will benefit the club and help support club activities including pinochle parties, exercise classes, dances, etc.
Farmers Market Harvest Fest
In celebration of the fine people who grow the tasty food that keeps us alive and healthy, Hamilton Farmers Market, on 2nd, 3rd and Bedford Streets in Hamilton, will host a Harvest Fest on Saturday, September 20 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The Largest, Smallest and Craziest Veggie, Fruit and Flower Contest is open to all! Since the Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off has migrated north, large pumpkin entries can be submitted as long as they can be carried into Market by humans and not a forklift! Ribbons and Market tokens will be awarded as prizes at 11 a.m.
Mini Pumpkin Painting for Mini Kids on the Museum lawn will be staffed by volunteers from the County Extension office with favors for all entries and a grand prize awarded.
Boxes of Market Bounty from the market’s farmers will be the drawing prizes beginning at 10 a.m. Registrants must be present to win.
Hamilton Farmers Market Co-op has been serving the farmers and crafts people of Ravalli County for more than 20 years by providing a shady place to sell their homegrown produce, fruit, cheese, and eggs, and their handcrafted wares and art. Come celebrate the best our Valley has to offer, where your neighbors put community back into commerce!
Wilderness celebration
Music, wilderness skills demonstrations, food and reflections come together at Missoula’s Silver Park in a Forest Service sponsored celebration of 50 years of Wilderness on Saturday, September 20 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Festivities start at 11 a.m. and are free. Music will be supplied by Jack Gladstone and Rob Quist and the Black Mountain Boys. People can add their thoughts about wilderness to a growing journal. From 3 to 4 p.m. people can tour a series of educational stations to prepare them for a wilderness experience and help them plan where and when to visit. Traditional tools, such as a cross-cut saw, will be demonstrated. Food vendors will be onsite.
Silver Park is a new 14.5 acre park in Missoula, located directly west of McCormick Park and the Osprey’s ballpark while abutting the Clark Fork River. The park is accessed via Cregg Lane off Orange Street near the bridge.
Fifty years ago Congress passed the Wilderness Act and President Lyndon B. Johnson signed it into law. The legislation initially established 9.1 million acres of wildlands for the use and benefit of the American people. Since then Congress has added over 100 million acres to this unique land preservation system. The 1964 Wilderness Act defines “Wilderness” as areas where the earth and its communities of life are left unchanged by people, where the primary forces of nature are in control, and where people themselves are visitors.
Fall Plant Exchange
A fall plant exchange will be held Saturday, September 20 at 11 a.m. at Sam’s Spade, 111 S 4th St, Hamilton. Bring your autumn divided perennials, labeled and free of pests, to trade with other gardeners. This is not limited to plants. You may bring anything garden related (tools, gloves, books, houseplants, collected seed, stories of the season). At the end of the event (12:30 p.m.) you may take your excess plants home or leave them for new gardeners to start their own perennial gardens, and new gardeners are invited to select excess plants at 1 p.m. Email questions to samantha@samsspade.com.
Harvest dinner
A Harvest Potluck Dinner and Pollinator Workshop, for community gardens, the garden clubs and all others interested, will be held Saturday, September 20 at the Corvallis Grange. the potluck dinner starts at 5 p.m. with the workshop around 6:30 p.m. Bring food made from your harvest. Donation asked for venue expenses only. Two bee researchers will present: botanist Marirose Kuhlman will talk about her native bee monitoring program on MPG Ranch, show some photos of various native bees and plant species, give some basic bee requirements and show off her lovely mounted bee display case. Leah Grunzke will go over the basics of pollinator gardening and habitat requirements (what types of flowers attract different pollinators, planting suggestions), the life cycle of native bees and how they differ from honeybees (in terms of biology, nesting, pollination, beekeeping), and the specifics of building a variety of insect nesting houses. She will bring an assortment of bee houses, some cases of mounted bees, and a couple of field microscopes for looking closer. There will be booklets on bee identification to take home. The event is sponsored by Sustainable Living Systems, www.sustainablelivingsystems.org.
Sunday, September 21
Center for Spiritual Living
The Center for Spiritual Living will host Jim Tree-Gilmore presenting Native American Spirituality and Oneness on Sunday, September 21 at 10 a.m. September talks are dedicated to Interfaith Celebration of Oneness. Music with LeGrande Harvey. Refreshments and conversation follow at 11:15 a.m. Come early for Meditation at 9:30 a.m. The Center for Spiritual Living is located at 1720 N. First Street, Suite C in Selway Commons, north of Sears in Hamilton. Further information call Dave at 381-2355 or visit CSLbitterroot.org.
Faith series
For a fresh look at faith, join Faith Lutheran Church in the presentation of “Animate: Faith” starting Sunday, September 21, immediately after worship at 10:45 a.m. with God: Faith Is a Quest. This seven-week program will conclude on November 2. Contact the office at 363-2964 for more information. Faith Lutheran Church is located at 171 Lewis Lane (across from Murdoch’s, Hwy 93), Hamilton.
Monday, September 22
Stevi school menu
Monday: Breakfast – Waffles or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Grilled cheese sandwich, tomato soup, fresh carrots, pears, bread & butter, milk
Tuesday: Breakfast – Muffins or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Chalupas, refried beans, oranges, bread & butter, milk
Wednesday: Breakfast – Cereal or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch- Chicken & noodles, tossed salad, apricots, bread & butter, milk
Thursday: Breakfast – Pancake on a stick or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Shepherd’s pie, green beans, bananas, bread & butter, milk
Friday: Breakfast – Scrambled eggs or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Chicken sandwich, fresh veggies, pineapple, bread & butter, milk.
Rotary Club
Representative Pat Connell, (R) HD 87, will be speaking at the next meeting of the Hamilton Rotary Club, on Monday, September 22 at 12 noon. Representative Connell will be speaking about changes in the log home industry and insect infestation in the forest. The Club meets Mondays at BJ’s Restaurant, 900 N. 1st Street, Hamilton. The meeting is open to the public. For more information call 363-2960.
MAPS after-school classes
All public and home-schooled 8th–12th grade students are invited to the MAPS Media Institute’s after-school classes (Music, Technology, Film & Design) which will begin September 22 at the new location, 515 Madison Street in Hamilton. Are you interested in songwriting, vocal and instrument recording, music sampling and then recording your finished product in the new MAPS Recording Studio? How about building robots, creating mobile apps or creating and designing your own video game? Maybe directing, editing or acting in a movie and learning every aspect of filmmaking, beginning with story conceptualization and finishing with public screenings of your video? Or learning how to create and use photography, illustrations, typography, color, 3D graphics, and animation to tell your story? To see the complete list of what MAPS classes have to offer, visit the website at www.mapsmediainstitute.com. After-school MAPS classes are always free of charge, to fill out an application visit the website’s ‘contact’ page and fill out an application. Or for more information contact MAPS Executive Director, Wendy Bauder, at 381-7230.
Fish & Wildlife Assn.
The Ravalli County Fish & Wildlife Association general meeting will be on Monday, September 22 at 7 p.m. at the Daly Leach Meeting Room, 1010 Main, Hamilton. Guest speaker will be Ben Deeble giving a presentation on Sage Grouse and what’s being done to keep their population thriving. Call Tony at 381-0587 if you have any questions.
Tuesday, September 23
Democrats’ Mule Team
Democrats’ Mule Team meets the fourth Tuesday of the month from 12 noon to 1 p.m. at TownHouse Inn in Hamilton. Next meeting will be Sept. 23. Everyone is welcome to join in the stimulating discussions and hear about all the latest political activities. Sandwiches are available for purchase. For more information call Becky at 369-5210.
Wednesday, September 24
BPL Used Book Sale
Attention all Bibliophiles! The 2014 Annual Friends of the Bitterroot Public Library Used Book Sale is coming to the downstairs Community Room in the Bitterroot Public Library at 306 State Street in Hamilton September 24-27. The sale times will be Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. On Wednesday evening only there will be a $3.00 admission for adults. The price for all items is $1.00 per inch thick.
The ever-popular Bag Sale when all the items that can be stuffed in a grocery bag are $3.00 per bag will be on Saturday – bring you own bags or we will provide them. Another popular feature of the book sale is free books all week long outside on the sidewalk.
Also the Silent Auction of Special Items will start on Wednesday at 5 p.m. and end at 6 p.m. on Friday.
Volunteersare welcome and needed to help set up and sort books before, as well as during the sale and for clean up after the sale on Saturday. Set up times are Saturday and Sunday, September 20 and 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A sign-up work schedule is posted on the Friends of the Library bulletin board near the front door of the library.
Donations to the book sale may be brought to the Bitterroot Public Library during regular open hours. Do not put donated materials in the library book return boxes. All proceeds from the book sale go to benefit the Bitterroot Public Library.
For information contact the Bitterroot Public Library at 363-1670.
Compost workshop
An Introduction to Compost Workshop, hosted by MSU-Ravalli County Extension, will be held Wednesday, September 24 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Homestead Organics in Hamilton. Classes will cover the basics of composting and decomposition, what to compost and what not to compost, developing your own compost recipe and how to use compost in your landscape. Bring work gloves and garden attire. RSVP required; $10 fee includes farm fresh snacks and class materials. Contact 375-6611 or ravalli@montana.edu to reserve your space.