Wednesday, October 19
Stevensville Growth Policy meeting
A public meeting to review and take comment on the draft Stevensville Growth Policy Update will take place Wednesday, October 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Town Council Chambers, 206 Buck Street. The first public review draft of the Stevensville Growth Policy update is available at www.planstevensville.com. For more information contact Matthew Rohrbach at matthew.landsolutions@blackfoot.net or by phone at 206-679-0563.
Thursday, October 20
White Ribbon Week
October 21 to 28 is White Ribbon Week, a community-wide event to raise awareness about domestic violence in Ravalli County.
Show your support for ending domestic violence by wearing a white ribbon during the week. Ribbons are available at SAFE and the SAFE Thrift Store on Old Corvallis Road. You can also request ribbons to pass out at your church, business, book club, cook-out or other gathering by calling 363-2793.
We all have an interest in ending domestic violence. Wearing a ribbon is a simple way to send a powerful message: We all deserve to live in homes that are safe and free from violence. When you wear a white ribbon, you tell people who are experiencing domestic violence their community is supportive and invested in healthy relationships. You tell people who use physical, emotional or sexual violence in their relationships that it is not condoned. And, you tell fellow community members it’s time to join hands to end intimate partner violence.
Some people wear a ribbon to honor lives lost, some to connect with their own experiences. Some people want to show support for victims, some want to raise the standard for how we treat one another. Some people wear a ribbon to start a conversation, and some to renew their commitment to building a healthier community.
The White Ribbon Campaign is sponsored by the Ravalli County Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence, a group of community members from law enforcement, health care, religious, educational, business, and social service organizations, as well as those interested in improving the community’s response to domestic and sexual violence.
For more information or to request ribbons, contact Jamie at 363-2793 or jogden@safeinthebitterroot.org.
Bitterroot Community Symposium
The Bitterroot Community Symposium will be held at the Bitterroot College on Thursday, October 20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The event, also sponsored by the Montana Campus Compact, Bitterroot Collective Impact and Service Year, will identify and address local issues to discuss ways nonprofits, local government and community members can meet community needs through collective impact – the collaboration of key sectors as an innovative way of addressing and solving community issues.
The schedule of events features a keynote address by Deb Halliday, senior policy adviser for Montana’s Office of Public Instruction; a networking lunch during which nonprofit representatives can meet with interested potential volunteers; two rounds of breakout sessions that discuss various topics related to public communication, national service, grant writing, and engaging students and educators in community service; and an example of collective impact in Montana through Graduation Matters Montana.
All community members, educators, students, nonprofit staff, board members and elected officials interested learning more about collective impact and its potential for creating change in the Bitterroot Valley are encouraged to attend. Registration costs $15 and includes lunch.
To register for the Bitterroot Community Symposium and view the full schedule of events, visit Bitterroot College’s website at http://www.umt.edu/bitterroot-college.
Parks & Recreation Board
The Montana State Parks & Recreation Board will meet on Thursday, October 20 at 8:30 a.m. at the Bitterroot River Inn, 139 Bitterroot Plaza Drive, Hamilton. The Parks Board will take action on the 2017 Biennial Fee Rule and First Peoples Buffalo Jump Prairie Dog Management Plan as well as the Off-Highway Vehicle and Snowmobile Program Grant Awards. The Board will also hear informational presentations on Land Reconciliation, Classification and Prioritization, the Heritage Resource Strategic Plan, and Park Naming Proposal.
The public is invited to attend this meeting. Public comment for items not on the agenda is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. The Board may take action on all matters specifically noted on this agenda. Agenda times may vary as much as one hour – earlier or later. On Wednesday, October 19, Board members will tour Fort Owen State Park near Stevensville and the Daly Mansion in Hamilton. To view the Montana State Parks & Recreation Board Agenda or for more information about agenda items, visit: http://stateparks.mt.gov/about-us/parksBoard.html.
Gardener’s Club
The Friendly Gardener’s Club of Darby/Conner will be having their yearly fund-raising auction on Thursday, October 20 at 12 noon. You are cordially invited to attend this fun auction, it is a great place for early Christmas shopping – you never know what you’ll find! For location and further information contact the club president at 821-2229.
Community Conversation
“Creating a World that Works for Everyone” will be the topic of a Community Conversation on Thursday, October 20 from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. in timely, community conversations on current global issues that affect all of us such as fear, violence, GMOs, poverty, environmental destruction and racism led by Kris Bayer. Participants will hear and be heard as they explore solutions and ideas that are consistent with the goal of creating a world that works for everyone. October’s discussions will focus on: Global Transformation through Individual Transformation. What does global transformation mean to me? What can one person in Hamilton, MT do to transform the world? These brown-bag discussions are held at The Center for Spiritual Living, 1720 S. 1st Street (north of Sears). For more information, call Kris at 307-274-6850 or visit CSLBitterroot.org.
Pine beetle presentation
What is the Mountain Pine Beetle outbreak telling us? Diana Six, Professor of Forest Entomology/Pathology at the University of Montana, will be giving a free lecture on the Mountain Pine Beetle outbreak at the North Valley Public Library on Thursday, October 20 at 6 p.m. Professor Six’s presentation will focus on how scientists in Montana are learning about the evolution of symbiosis by studying the genomes of fungal species associated with bark beetles. As a beetle and fungus become dependent, their futures become intertwined. With climate change hurtling them toward the unknown, will the beetles’ symbiotic fungi help or hinder their survival? The North Valley Public Library is located at 208 Main Street, Stevensville. For more information, call the library at 777-5061.
Back Country Horsemen
Bitter Root Back Country Horsemen host their monthly meeting on Thursday, October 20 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 p.m. Trail project leaders will report on trail work completed this summer and fall. Guests are welcome, and for more information check the website at www.bchmt.org/bitterroot or contact Bonnie Morgan at 406-381-9021.
Operation Christmas Child
With only five weeks until Operation Christmas Child National Collection Week, you’re to the annual countdown event, Thursday, October 20 at 7 p.m. at Cornerstone Bible Church, 280 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton. Organizers will share happenings of the past year, upcoming events, have information and materials to help you pack your shoeboxes. Guests speakers, fun and prizes await you. Call Greg at 360-4253 for more information.
Friday, October 21
North Valley Pachyderm Club
The North Valley Pachyderm Club will meet Friday, October 21 at 12 noon at The Frontier Café, Hwy 93 in Stevensville. Guest speaker will be Jessica Sena. The North Valley Pachyderm Club is an educational arm of the Republican Party. All are welcome.
Smart Driver Class
An AARP Smart Driver Class (Driver Safety) will be presented on Friday, October 21 at 6 p.m. at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital, 1200 Westwood Drive in Hamilton. The class lasts approximately four hours. While this safe driving strategies class is designed for drivers age 50 and over, all drivers are welcome. The class fee is $15.00 for AARP members and $20.00 for non-members. There are no written exams or driving tests. Montana mandates an insurance discount for qualified graduates. Pre-registration is advised. To sign up, contact Jones-Korman Insurance at 363-6583 or, for further information, call Bob Graler, Instructor, at 381-4428.
Family Movie Night
A free Family Movie Night will be held Friday, October 21 at 6 p.m. at Hamilton City Hall, 223 S 2nd Street, Hamilton, hosted by The Place.
Bring your family and come to free movie night for an evening of fun! The movie “Silver Bells” will be showing—and there will be free popcorn, candy, nachos, and pop! For more information contact Jesse at (406) 350-2360 or email h2hm@hotmail.com.
Saturday, October 22
Hunters breakfast
A free drive-through breakfast of burrito and coffee will be served to hunters on Saturday, October 22 from 3:30 to 6:30 a.m. at the DOT weigh station on Hwy 93 south of Darby. This is sponsored by the Conner Wesleyan Church, 4674 US Hwy 93, seven miles south of Darby. Happy Hunting!
Museum Ghost Tours
Become a paranormal investigator for the night on October 22, 29 and 31, gathering evidence and exploring rooms in the Ravalli County Museum, 205 Bedford, Hamilton, that are not on the regular tour! This event is done in the dark, with flashlights, and special ghost hunting equipment. Take a break during the long evening for some divination! Rune and Numerology readings available throughout the night for an additional $5 apiece. Tickets are $20 for members, $25 for non-members. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult; please, no one under the age of 14. This can be a frightening experience that is not suitable for children. For more information call 363-3338.
Sunday, October 23
Center for Spiritual Living
“Taking Care of the Heart With Mindfulness” will be presented on Sunday, October 23 by Susan Curtis, a mindfulness teacher and Missoula VA physician who will inspire you to care for yourselves on the deepest level! Each Sunday morning at 10 a.m., CSL hosts inspirational speakers who share insights of their spiritual perspective at 1720 N. 1st Street, Suite C in Selway Commons, north of Sears in Hamilton. Meditation is at 9:30 a.m. Refreshments and meaningful conversation follow at 11:15 a.m. For further information call Dave at 381-2355 or visit CSLbitterroot.org.
Accordion jams
Five Valley Accordions Halloween Party Jam and Dance (with costumes) will be held Sunday, October 23 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Rustic Hut, Hwy 93, Florence. Admission is $4 at the door.
Dance, dance, dance to waltzes, swing, 2-step, and polkas! Come dance to lively music by accordions, guitars, keyboard, banjo and more. New players are always welcome too! Lots of fun, make new friends and enjoy the old ones.
Additional jam sessions are November 13, November 27 and
December 11 (Christmas party and bake sale).
Monday, October 24
Stevi school menu
Monday: Breakfast – Breakfast Pizza or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Pizza, peas & carrots, pineapple, bread & butter, milk
Tuesday: Breakfast – Bagel with cream cheese or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Taco Salad with lettuce & salsa, chips, oranges, bread & butter, milk
Wednesday: Breakfast – Cereal or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Tuna Salad Sandwich, taters, apricots, bread & butter, milk
Thursday: Breakfast – French Toast or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Spaghetti, tossed salad, grapes, bread & butter, milk; Ala Carte – Pizza
Friday: Breakfast – Scrambled Eggs or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Chicken Tenders, corn, mixed fruit, bread & butter, milk.
Drum Circle
African Drum Circle will take place Monday, October 24 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), Hamilton. Donations taken. For information, contact Jerry at 381-7220 (jelb229@aol.com).
RML Community Liaison Group
The Rocky Mountain Laboratories Community Liaison Group (RML CLG) is scheduled to meet on Monday, October 24. The meeting will start at 7 p.m. at the Golden Age Club, 727 S. 5th St. in Hamilton.
Agenda items include updates of: Zika virus research projects at RML; the RML Master Plan; the status of RML construction and renovation projects.
The public is invited to attend and participate in the meeting. The RML CLG includes representatives from local government, education, business, medical and emergency services, and community and civic groups. The RML CLG represents a long-term commitment to structured interactions with the community. The group began meeting in 2002.
Technology Levy Presentation
A presentation on the proposed Technology Levies will be held Monday, October 24 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the North Valley Public Library community room. Stevensville School Superintendent Dr. Bob Moore will present information and answer questions regarding the proposed Technology Levy for the Elementary and High School Districts. Information will include current age and status of educational technology in the District, an explanation of the change in laws regarding technology depreciation funds, and the proposed costs associated with each levy. Light refreshments will be served.
Tuesday, October 25
Republican Women
Ravalli County Republican Women’s Club will hold its monthly meeting and lunch on Tuesday, October 25 at 11:30 a.m. at BJ’s Restaurant in Hamilton. Guest speakers will be State Representatives running for re-election talking about the pros and cons of the initiatives on the ballot: Ed Greef, HD88, I-182; Ron Ehli, HD86, I-181; Nancy Ballance, HD87, CI-116 and Theresa Manzella, HD85, I-177.
Wednesday, October 26
Zen Buddhism Class
Zen Buddhism class takes place Wednesday, October 26 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Center for Spiritual Living, 1720 N. First Street, Suite C in Selway Commons, north of Sears, Hamilton. Over the past year, the class has studied the basic sutras of the Buddha as translated by Thich Nhat Hanh, and now will listen to talks by various Buddhist teachers, starting with Anam Thubten, author of “No Self, No Problem” and “The Magic of Awareness,” who came to the US from Tibet and who speaks very good English. Listen, discuss, and then sit in meditation for a time. The class meets the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month and is led by Jill Davies (642-3601). Donations taken.