Wednesday, January 20

Avalanche Training
The West Central Montana Avalanche Center and Bitterroot Ridgerunners Snowmobile Club will host an avalanche awareness and response class on Wednesday, January 20 at 7 p.m. at the Snowmobile Groomer Shed, 660 Grantsdale Road, Hamilton. Participants will learn how to recognize and avoid dangerous avalanche conditions. Updates on the latest equipment will be discussed. Participants will learn how to conduct a search for victims if an accident occurs. Participants who own an avalanche beacon should bring it with them. The public is welcome. For more information contact Bob Egusquiza at 208-724-6723.

Thursday, January 21

Friendly Gardner’s Club
The Friendly Gardener’s Club of Darby/Conner will be having their monthly meeting on Thursday, January 21, at 12 noon. You are invited to join in this fun, social get together – an interest in gardening is not essential. For meeting location and further information contact the club president at 821-2229.

Building Community Book Club
Help make your community strong! Join the book discussion of “The Different Drum: Community Making and Peace” by M. Scott Peck. This six-week book discussion will explore the true meaning of community and the four stages of community building according to Peck. It will also look at patterns of group behavior, our capacity for transformation, and the stages of spiritual growth. This discussion will be valuable for anyone interested in building a vibrant, healthy community. Purchase the book from your favorite book source. The second session is Thursday, January 21 from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. at The Center for Spiritual Living, 1720 S. 1st Street, Hamilton (north of Sears). For more information call Kris at 307-274-6850.

Balance workshop
“How to Improve Your Balance and Prevent Falls and Injuries” will be presented Thursday, January 21 at 2:30 p.m. at the St. Francis Pastoral Life Center, 5th Street, Hamilton. This presentation by local Physical Therapists will include a balance assessment and tips on how to strengthen your balance and make changes to prevent falls and injuries. Everyone is invited, bring a friend! No RSVP needed. For information call the St. Francis Health & Wellness Ministry at 363-1385.

Main Street business social
The Stevensville Main Street Association will hold a business social on Thursday, January 21 at 6 p.m. at Lutzenhiser Jewelry, 118 Main in Stevensville. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine, and hear how Kate and Robert Lutzenhiser have maintained a successful jewelry business for over 25 years with their unique style of marketing and promotion. Robert and Kate started the First Friday program in Stevensville and this is an opportunity to benefit from their experience. Learn some marketing tips that really work and network with other downtown Stevensville business owners. Call Joan at 777-3773 for more information.

Back Country Horsemen
Bitter Root Back Country Horsemen host their monthly meeting on Thursday, January 21, 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. If you are a rider or hiker who wants to help keep trails open and meet like-minded folks, you’re invited to attend. The trail project committee asks members and guests to think about trails they want to be considered for 2016 projects. Horse safety and first aid training, packing activities and potential trail rides will also be covered. Guests are welcome, and for more information call Karen at 961-0101 or check the website at www.bchmt.org/bitterroot.

Stevensville COW
The Stevensville Town Council will hold a Committee of the Whole meeting on Thursday, January 21 at 7 p.m. at the Stevensville Town Hall. The Council and the Park Board will discuss Town Park Rules and Regulations.

Friday, January 22

Eagles Taco Night
Tacos and more will be served Friday, Jan 22 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Eagles Lodge, 125 N. 2nd, Hamilton. Order tacos, burritos, quesadillas and taco salads, by item. The public is invited.

BPL Family Night
Family Night at the Bitterroot Public Library will take place Friday, January 22 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Enjoy a “Let it Snow” evening story time with engaging activities designed for children ages 3-8 and their families. Stories and songs will be followed by sensory snow bins and snowman and snowwoman games!

Family Fun Night
Want a wonderful way to spend some time with your family? Come to Friday Family Fun Night! Great fun and food for the entire family on Friday, January 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Hamilton City Hall (Bedford Building), 223 S. 2nd St in Hamilton. What can you expect? A great meal, fun for the kids, time with your family, parenting tips and bingo complete with prizes and lots of laughs, all free. Sponsored by the Bitterroot Cares for Kids Network. Call 532-9149 for further info or check out the website at www.bckn.weebly.com.

Sunday, January 24

Center for Spiritual Living
The Center for Spiritual Living hosts Lea Guthrie presenting “Heart Centered Visioning – Setting Personal Intentions For The New Year” on Sunday, January 24 at 10 a.m. Enjoy a morning of great music, sharing, and inspiration for 2016. Stay for a baked potato bar and a two-hour workshop beginning at 12:30 p.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. For further information call Dave at 381-2355 or visit CSLbitterroot.org.

Monday, January 25

Stevi school lunch
Monday: Breakfast – Waffles or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Meatballs, Mashed potatoes & gravy, Peaches, bread & butter, milk
Tuesday: Breakfast – Muffins or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Tacos, Refried beans, Oranges, bread & butter, chocolate or regular milk
Wednesday: Breakfast – Cereal or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Chef’s Salad with ham & cheese, Apricots, bread & butter, milk
Thursday: Breakfast – Pancake on a stick or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Sloppy Joes, Taters, Grapes, bread & butter, milk
Friday: Breakfast – Breakfast Pizza or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Sea Wonders, Cole slaw, Pineapple, bread & butter, chocolate or regular milk.

Rotary Club
Susanne Meikle, President of Montana Work Solutions, LLC, will be speaking at the next meeting of the Hamilton Rotary Club, on Monday, January 25 at 12 noon at BJ’s Restaurant, 900 N. 1st Street, Hamilton. The meeting is open to the public. For further Rotary Club information, call 363-2960.

Computer Basics Workshops
Brian Bridges, IT Administrator at Darby Schools, will conduct two Computer Basics Workshops at the Darby Community Public Library. The first will be Monday, January 25, from 4 to 6 p.m., the second will be Monday, February 1, from 4 to 6 p.m. The workshops will focus in the following areas: computer familiarity, operating systems, using programs, troubleshooting, Internet and email. Registration is required. For more information, call the library at 821-4771.

Drum circle
African Drum Circle will take place Monday, January 25 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Bring your drum, rattles, and other instruments and be part of the fun. No drums? No worries, there are instruments to share. Drum Circle meets the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at The Center for Spiritual Living, 1720 N. 1st Street (north of Sears). For information, contact Jerry at 381-7220 (jelb229@aol.com).

Fish & Wildlife Assn.
The general meeting of the Ravalli County Fish & Wildlife Association will be held Monday, January 25 at 7 p.m. at the Daly Leach Meeting Room, 1010 W. Main, Hamilton. Guest speakers will be Gavin RIcklefs from the Bitter Root Land Trust and Paul Hayes from Friends of the Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge. Ricklefs will be speaking on the benefit to wildlife with the Open Land easements countywide. Hayes will be speaking about the Friends of the Lee Metcalf Refuge and what the Open Land easements mean to the Refuge. Meetings are open to the public. Anyone interested in wildlife issues is encouraged to attend. Contact Tony at 381-0587 for more information.

Tuesday, January 26

Republican Women’s Club
Ravalli County Republican Women’s Club will hold its monthly meeting and lunch on Tuesday, January 26 at 11:30 a.m. at BJ’s Restaurant in Hamilton. Guest speaker will be Dan Whitesitt, County Treasurer. He will give a “State of the Treasurer’s Office” address.

Winter survival class
Gear up and get ready for some winter fun this New Year by attending a Search and Rescue Winter Survival class at the North Valley Public Library. There is still plenty of snow to enjoy so make sure you’re ready by attending this free class. This informational session will be held on Tuesday, January 26 at 6 p.m. in the Community Room of the Library. Everyone interested in winter survival tips or wanting to learn more about the Ravalli County Search and Rescue should make sure they attend this class. Teens, adults, and families are invited to attend. This course will cover recognizing different snow conditions, cold survival, gear recommendations, how to get involved with your local Search and Rescue Team, and much more. North Valley Public Library is located at 208 Main Street, Stevensville. For more information, call the library at 777-5061.