Wednesday, February 8
Lone Rock park board
The Lone Rock division of the Ravalli County Park Board will meet Wednesday, February 8 at 7 p.m. at the Three Mile Fire Hall. The public is welcome.
Daly Mansion board
The Daly Mansion Preservation Trust Board will meet Wednesday, February 8 at 5 p.m. at the Mansion. The public is welcome.
Quiet Waters Initiative program
On Wednesday, February 8, the Clark Fork Coalition (CFC) will host a happy hour presentation and conversation about the Quiet Waters Initiative. This presentation is held in partnership with the Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (BHA), and will inform participants about the Quiet Waters Initiative, which seeks to prevent a proliferation of motorized watercraft in places where motorized watercraft or high speeds are not appropriate. Participants will also hear a summary of water-related bills going through the State Legislature. The presentation is from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. at the Clark Fork Coalition office, 140 S. 4th St. West, Missoula.
The Quiet Waters Initiative is directing attention towards the upward trend of motorized watercraft on rivers and streams in Montana. Local conservation groups are concerned that a continued increase in motorized watercraft will cause harmful impacts to water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, and damage the overall river experience for others. In addition, motorized watercraft have become more powerful over the years and more adaptable to smaller water bodies. The Initiative is a proposal to put restrictions on bodies of water where motorized watercraft is not appropriate.
Jeff Lukas, BCA Montana Chapter Organizer, will bring participants up to speed on the concerns that sparked the Initiative, what local rivers would be protected, and explain how to sign a petition to let Fish Wildlife and Parks know how much Montanans value their quiet rivers. CFC Executive Director, Karen Knudsen, will then give participants an overview of what this year’s legislative session could mean for our watershed, and how to speak up for clean water.
The February 8th event is part of the Coalition’s “Water Walks and Talks” learning series, which keeps citizens informed about hot topics and recent developments in the Clark Fork River watershed. For more information on the Walks & Talks series, and the Clark Fork Coalition, visit www.clarkfork.org.
Thursday, February 9
Women’s Newcomers’ Club
Are you new to the Bitterroot Valley? Have you been here for awhile and would just like to meet new people? If so, the Bitterroot Women’s Newcomers Club welcomes you to the next meeting, on Thursday, February 9 from 10 a.m. until 12 noon at the First Christian Church, 328 Fairgrounds Road in Hamilton. Guest speaker will be Chef Peter Ribera from Barcelona, Spain. After the meeting members will sample his cooking and members’ comfort foods that will be provided. For more information call Deb Tennant at 503-871-9249.
Selway-Pintler Wilderness BCH
Do you love the rugged beauty of our Montana wilderness? Does preserving our wilderness trails and making new riding friends sound like fun? Or, would you like to learn how to pack? If so, you’re invited to attend the Thursday, February 9 SPWBCH general meeting at 6:30 p.m. The board meeting starts at 5:30 p.m.; all are welcome. The meeting will be held at the Bitterroot National Forest building located at 1801 N. 1st St in Hamilton. Entry is in the rear of the building. There will be the usual “trail talk” and discussions on summer projects. Valentine desserts and coffee will be served. Guests are always welcome. For more information call Mike at 777-4383.
Ernst Peterson Photo Contest Opening Reception
An opening reception for the Ernst Peterson Photography Contest Exhibit will be held Thursday, February 9 at 6 p.m. at the Ravalli County Museum, 205 Bedford, Hamilton. Renowned photographer and Montana native son Ernst Peterson was a photographer with a far-reaching reputation. The museum honors the privilege of housing Peterson’s collections each year with the Ernst Peterson Photograph Montana Contest, which began as a way to raise funds to preserve and digitize this important historical collection. Come look at our beautiful state and surrounding areas through the eyes of diverse artists, and their submitted photography. Light refreshments will be served. Exhibit runs through April 13.
Ionic Lodge #38
Ionic Lodge #38 will hold the monthly Stated Communications Meeting on Thursday, February 9 at the Lodge, 115 S. 3rd Street in Hamilton, for the discussion of business that regularly comes before the Lodge. The Stated Communications will be opened on the Master Mason’s Degree, Entered Apprentice Degree or Fellow Craft Degree if a Brother(s) of these Degrees are present. An almost light meal of mac & cheese will be served in the Lodge dining hall at 6:30 p.m. with the meeting to begin promptly at 7:30 p.m. Sojourners (visiting Brothers) will be provided assistance if their Masonic work is a little rusty. For further information contact Rick Laible (Trestle Board Editor), (406) 531-4456, ricklaible@aol.com.
Fellowship Club
The Bitterroot Public Library’s Fellowship Club will meet Thursday, February 9 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. to discuss the book “The Miracle of Mindfulness: A Manual on Meditation” by Thich Nhat Hanh.
This lucid and beautiful guide to Eastern meditation provides Westerners with a method of learning the skills of mindfulness – of being awake and fully aware.
Thich Nhat Hanh’s gentle anecdotes and practical exercises show that the contexts for being mindful are numerous and close at hand: washing the dishes, answering the telephone, drinking tea. His compassionate spirit and method of meditation will help readers – whatever their tradition or beliefs – arrive at greater self-understanding and peacefulness.
The Miracle of Mindfulness is special because its clear and simple emphasis on basic practice enables any reader to begin a practice of his or her own immediately. One’s breath, after all, is hardly attached to any particular creed.
Thich Nhat Hanh, poet, Zen master, and chairman of the Vietnamese Buddhist Peace Delegation during the Vietnam War, was nominated by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., for the Nobel Peace Prize. The author of A Guide to Walking Meditation, Being Peace, and Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life, The Sun my Heart, among many other books, Thich Nhat Hanh lives in exile in France. He has also made annual visits to the United States and Canada to conduct week-long retreats organized by the Buddhist Peace Fellowship.
The Fellowship Club meets every second Thursday of the month in the West Meeting Room of the Bitterroot Public Library and is free and open to anyone seeking to promote individual and collective well being.
Call 363-1670, or email jacostant@gmail.com for more information.
Stevensville Town Council
The Stevensville Town Council will meet Thursday, February 9 at 7 p.m. at the town hall, 206 Buck. Action items include discussion/decision on Mayor’s appointment of Roxanne Wagner as Finance Officer; approval of North Stevensville Tax Increment Financing Industrial District work plan and budget; approval of Stevensville Airport Targeted Economic Development District work plan and budget; approval of agreement between the Department of Transportation, FAA and the Town of Stevensville for Special Flight Inspection of the PAPI on Runway 12 at the Stevensville Airport; establish Committee of the Whole agenda topics for 2017, to name a few.
Saturday, February 11
Beekeepers of the Bitterroot
Beekeepers of the Bitterroot will be holding their regular monthly meeting on Saturday, February 11 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Hamilton Assembly of God at 601 W. Main Street (enter at rear). Bring a nonperishable item as donation to their food bank. Guest speaker will be Rick Molenda from Western Bee in Polson. Come and learn more about honeybees and beekeeping in the Bitterroot. For more information about the club go to www.beekeepersofthebitterroot.org.
DAR
The Bitterroot Chapter of DAR will meet Saturday, February 11 at 1 p.m. at the Salvation Army Building, 355 Russell Street (behind the Good Food Store), Missoula. The program will be Chief Looking Glass and the Nez Perce Flight.
Estate planning workshop
The United Methodist-American Baptist Federated Church, 211 N. 6th, Hamilton, will be offering an afternoon of information on Saturday, February 11 at 2 p.m. concerning how your estate will be settled, how to lower your taxes now and the taxes of those you want to provide for later, the best way to provide for your favorite charity and how to pre-plan your own funeral. A representative from Daly Leach Chapel and Crematory, Financial Planner, Jay Klawon and Jennifer Lint, Attorney at Law will be among the presenters. There is absolutely no cost to attend.
Cowboy Ball
Grab your sweetheart and round up your friends for the 6th Annual Bitterroot Cowboy Ball on Saturday, February 11 at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds in Hamilton. Russ Nasset & the Revelators will be playing great dance music, food and beverage will be available for purchase, feed buckle raffle, live auction, calf-pie bingo and games of chance will benefit rodeo grounds improvement projects. It all starts at 5:30 p.m. and goes until midnight. Just $10 gets adults in the door, $5 for students and kids under 5 are free. Reserve a table for 8 guests – $150 includes entry and drink tokens. ‘Sweetheart tables’ for you and your sweetie are $50 in advance. For more information, stop by the fairgrounds office, call 363.3411 or visit the website at www.rcfair.org.
Methodist Valentine’s Dinner
The men of the Stevensville United Methodist Church are sponsoring an elegant Valentine’s Dinner for the community on Saturday, February 11 at the church Fellowship Hall located at 3rd and College. The dinner will be catered by Caffe Firenze of Florence and will feature your choice of prime rib or chicken piccata. The meal will include potatoes, vegetable, spring green salad, fresh baked rolls, chocolate mocha cake, punch and coffee. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. The cost is $25 per guest which includes gratuity. The tickets are available by calling the church office at 777-5443, Tuesday to Friday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. or by calling Dean at 777-5471. Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance. Couples and singles are welcome. The event is alcohol-free.
Square dance club
Boots & Calico Square Dance Club will have its special Sweethearts Dance with Barry Bartlette calling on Saturday, February 11. Don Scheline will be providing the Round Dance music. The evening starts out at 7 p.m. with a half hour of Round Dancing, followed at 7:30 with Barry calling the Mainstream dance till 9:30. The club’s home base is at the Golden Age Center, 5th & Baker Streets, Hamilton. Spectators always welcome.
Sunday, February 12
Center for Spiritual Living
“The Divided Self – Coming Together in Harmony” featuring Saladin Frank Pelfrey, a retired psychologist and Sufi tradition teacher, will be presented on Sunday, February 12 at 10 a.m. at the Center for Spiritual Living, 1720 N. 1st Street, Suite C in Selway Commons, north of Sears in Hamilton. To bring inclusiveness into reality, our first challenge and continued challenge comes from learning to recognize the divided self and realize the whole being. Meditation is at 9:30 a.m. Refreshments and meaningful conversation follow at 11:15 a.m. For further information, call Dave Schultz at 381-2355 or visit CSLbitterroot.org.
Accordion club
Five Valley Accordion will hold a Valentine Dance and Jam on Sunday, February 12 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Sunrise Saloon in Missoula. Admission is $4 for members, $5 at the door. Dance your blues away and meet new friends.
Monday, February 13
Stevi school menu
Monday: Breakfast – Pancakes or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Mac & Cheese, green beans, apples, bread & butter, milk
Tuesday: Breakfast – Muffins or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Quesadilla with lettuce & salsa, refried beans, peaches bread & butter, chocolate or regular milk
Wednesday: Breakfast – Cereal or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Sweet & Sour Chicken over rice, stir-fry veggies, mandarin oranges, bread & butter, milk
Thursday: Breakfast – French Toast or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Pizza, fresh veggies with ranch dressing, bananas, bread & butter, milk
Friday: No School – President’s Day break
Rotary Club
“Frequently Asked Banking Questions” will be discussed by Christian vanAs and Chris Edwards at the next meeting of the Hamilton Rotary Club on Monday, February 13 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.
Green Thumbs Up
Green Thumbs Up Garden Club will meet Monday, February 13 at 2 p.m. in the downstairs meeting room of the Bitterroot Public Library in Hamilton. The meeting is free and open to the public. Local gardening expert and garden club member Margaret Sharp will assist in an open discussion of gardening tips, tricks and techniques. Whether you are interested in seed starting, plant selection, cover crops, winter care of houseplants or some other topic, you are encouraged to share your questions and expertise. This meeting was rescheduled from January due to weather. People are welcome to bring any garden-related items to place on the free table. Contact Karen at 381-1395 for more information.
Drum Circle
An African Drum Circle will be held Monday, February 13 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at The Center for Spiritual Living, 1720 N. 1st Street (north of Sears). 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. By donation. For information, contact Jerry at 381-7220 (jelb229@aol.com).
Tuesday, February 14
RCEDA
Ravalli County Economic Development Authority will hold its regular monthly Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday, February 14 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., and the regular monthly meeting of the Board of Commissioners on Wednesday, February 15 from 3 to 5 p.m. Both meetings will be held at the RCEDA office, 274 Old Corvallis Road, Hamilton. These meetings are open to the public.
Stevi school board
The Stevensville School Board of Trustees will hold a regular board meeting on Tuesday, February 14 at 7 p.m. in the Stevensville Music Center Choir Room.
Saturday, February 18
Square Dance Club
Boots & Calico Square Dance Club will have Ray Dunbar calling a Mainstream dance on Saturday, February 18 at the Golden Age Club at 5th & Baker streets in Hamilton. Plus dancing from 7 to 7:30 p.m., Mainstream 7:30 to 9:30, round dancing between sets with Don Scheline providing the round dance music. Spectators are always welcome.
Stevensville Playhouse benefit
As a member, season ticket holder or patron, have you ever wondered where the actors wait before going on stage? Or where set pieces are stored? Or how actors know when to make their entrance?
As an actor, have you ever spent a rainy/snowy evening in “the tent” behind the theater? As a parent of a young actor, have you worried about your child slipping on steps behind the theater? As a set construction volunteer, have you ever had to dig platforms out of the snow? Or removed most everything from “the shed” to get that door you need in the back?
For all these reasons and many more the Stevensville Playhouse board of trustees has undertaken a project to build an addition onto the back of the theater. This additional space would provide a Green Room (where actors wait before going on stage), rest rooms, dressing rooms, prop and costume storage, and set storage/shop.
The board is hosting a fundraiser on Saturday, February 18 at 6 p.m. at the Stevensville Playhouse, 319 Main Street, Stevensville.
Montana sized hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer and nonalcoholic beverages will be served. Professional entertainers include pianist Kendall Norris, mime Christian Ackerman, Josh Farmer, jazz, rock, folk and soul musician, and Jenn Adams, guitarist/singer/songwriter.
There will be a silent auction of mostly local products and gift cards, plus two quarters of locally grown beef.
Tickets may be purchased at stevensvilleplayhouse.org or by calling 777-2722.