Wednesday, December 6
Climate science forum
The Montana Institute on Ecosystems, in partnership with MSU-Extension in Ravalli County, will host a free educational climate science forum in Hamilton on Wednesday, December 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Bedford Building, 223 S. 2nd St., Hamilton (upstairs). It will feature presentations from authors of the recently released 2017 Montana Climate Assessment, a two-year effort by university faculty and students, state and federal agency researchers, non-profit organizations, resource managers, and citizens from across the state that describes past and future climate trends that affect the water, agriculture, and forestry sectors of Montana.
“The 2017 Montana Climate Assessment can act as a tool to help the citizens of Montana understand past patterns in different regions of Montana and what the climate projections are for each so that projections can be used to inform long range planning as a prudent business practice in the sectors addressed,” said Bruce Maxwell, lead author of the Agriculture chapter and co-Director of the Montana Institute on Ecosystems at Montana State University.
Members of the local community working in the water, agriculture, and forestry sectors will also be giving presentations during the event. These include Dr. Zach Miller, Superintendent of the Western Agricultural Research Center, Gil Gale, U.S. Forest Service Invasive Species Program Leader for the Bitterroot National Forest, Dan Huls, owner/operator of Huls Dairy, and Byron Bonnie, Community Forester for the Bitter Root Resource Conservation and Development Area. Additionally, event attendees will have the opportunity to provide input and feedback for future climate assessments after the presentations.
The Bitterroot Climate Science Forum is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served during the event.
To learn more about the Montana Institute on Ecosystems, visit http://montanaioe.org/. To learn more about MSU-Extension in Ravalli County, visit http://msuextension.org/ravalli/.
Corvallis Christmas Celebration
The annual Corvallis Christmas Celebration will take place Wednesday, December 6, beginning at 6 p.m. with the lighting of the lights on the Marty Litvin memorial tree in front of Corvallis High School. The celebration will continue inside the high school with songs performed and led by the Corvallis High School choir, refreshments, and an appearance by Santa Claus with treats for children. Participating organizations are the Corvallis Civic Club, the Bitterroot Women’s Club, and the American Legion Auxiliary #91. Special thanks to Bitterroot Tree Service for assistance with the lights for the tree. The event is free and open to the public and community members are cordially invited to come and help kick off the holiday season. For more information, contact Carol Peterson at 961-3362.
Thursday, December 7
Lone Rock Park Board
The Lone Rock Park Board will meet Thursday, December 7 at 7 p.m. at 1064 Three Mile Creek Road. Everyone is welcome. For information contact Colleen at 777-3710.
Healing Community with Systemic Constellations
On Thursday, December 7 you can explore the potential for supporting collective healing through “Family Constellations,” the work of Bert Hellinger, a psychotherapist and former priest who developed this three-dimensional group process. During this workshop you will learn a process that supports and strengthens healthy and well-connected community systems and map out a collective issue for healing. You’ll be invited with the other attendees to represent the parts of the system to acknowledge what is true and move into wholeness. Facilitator Harold Shinsato has been practicing Systemic Constellations since 2011. By donation. Meet from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at The Center for Spiritual Living, 328 Fairgrounds Road (across from Hamilton High School). For more information call Harold at 777-3892, or visit CSLBitterroot.org.
Saturday, December 9
Christmas bazaar
The Victor Community Church will hold its Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, December 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Soup will be served. The public is welcome. The church is located at the corner of 5th and Martin in Victor.
BRHA Cookie Walk
Do yourself a favor this holiday season and skip all the fuss of baking your holiday sweet treats by attending the unique “Cookie Walk” and Bake Sale on Saturday, December 9, hosted by the Bitter Root Humane Association.
Talented area bakers have been busy whipping up their favorite holiday cookies in every flavor, shape and size. Shoppers can tour the cookie tables and choose their favorites in any quantity (sold by the pound) and stock up on all the other individually priced sweet treats of pies, cakes, breads and candies, some of which are County Fair ribbon winners. And, there will also be goodies for your four-legged furry friends! To round out the event, some great gift items, including wonderful unusual cookie jars and tins, handmade holiday stockings and whimsical pet items will also be on the sale tables to treat yourself or all those lucky folks on your holiday shopping list.
The event is being held on Saturday, December 9 at the Bitterroot Valley Board of Realtors Building located at 224 N. 4th Street in Hamilton. The doors will be open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Plan to come early for the best selection since this event has sold out in the past!
All proceeds from sale will be used by BRHA to assist animals in need throughout the coming year. For more information or to preorder pre-made cookie gift platters contact Mary at 642-3785 or email dogmommary@aol.com.
Winter Dog Walking
Want to know how to care for your dogs in winter? What makes a good trail dog? Learn how to teach your dogs to be polite trail walkers, and about the dangers of walking with your dogs in winter, on Saturday, December 9 at 11 a.m. at the North Valley Public Library in Stevensville. Natasha Osborne, dog trainer and vet nurse, is back to teach more about our furry companions, and ourselves! The North Valley Public Library is located at 208 Main Street, Stevensville. For more information, call the library on 777-5061.
Centerpiece workshop
Create a holiday centerpiece on Saturday, December 9 at 12 noon at The O’Hara Commons, 111 S. 4th St, Hamilton. Nina Eadie, Montana Master Gardener and Superintendent of the Floral Department (Ravalli County Fair), will help you to create a beautiful centerpiece for your Christmas entertaining. All materials provided, including a glass hurricane and candle. Cost is $25 for embers $25 and $30 for non members. Limited space. Registration required, at info@theoharacommons.org or by calling 406-369-6451.
Soup cooking class
‘Four Soups for You’ cooking class will be held Saturday, December 9 at 12 noon at The O’Hara Commons, 111 S 4th St. Hamilton. Licensed Food Instructor for Life, Ginette RN, will provide instruction and taste testing of four unique soup recipes: Sweet Potato Corn Chowder, Roasted Red Onion & Poblano, Roasted Squash & Lentil and Lemon Curry Coconut Cauliflower. All the ingredients are plant based and no oils are used in these delicious and healthy recipes. Cost is $25 for members and $30 for non-members. Limited space. Registration required. For information email: info@theoharacommons.org or call 406-36-6451.
Sunday, December 10
Center for Spiritual Living
“Be Still and Know” by Saladin Frank Pelfrey is the Center for Spiritual Living’s Sunday presentation on December 10 at 9:30 a.m. Saladin will be sharing how breath, emptiness, and intent/no intent, dissolve barriers that derail our hearts and beings from the Real. Saladin has been actively walking the mystical path for the past 45 years. He finds spiritual expression in the many aspects of this wonderful journey. He holds the role of long time Guide in the Sufi tradition. Saladin spent several years teaching meditation and pranayama. He has had the deep blessing to study with teachers from many different traditions including Vedanta and Buddhism. He has worked as a psychologist/psychotherapist and osteopathic massage therapist. Center for Spiritual Living meets at 328 Fairgrounds Road, across from Hamilton High School. Come hear inspiring ideas and uplifting music. Meditation begins at 9 a.m. For further information call Dave Schultz at 381-2355, or visit CSLBitterroot.org or on Facebook: CSLBitterroot.
Monday, December 11
Monday: Breakfast – Waffles or yogurt, fruit, toast or cereal bar, milk; Lunch – Turkey & Cheese Sandwich, sweet corn, apricots, bread & butter, milk
Tuesday: Breakfast – Bagels & cream cheese or yogurt, fruit or cereal bar, toast, milk; Lunch – Beef & Cheese Chalupas, refried beans, orange slices, bread & butter, milk
Wednesday: Breakfast – Cereal or yogurt, fruit, toast or cereal bar, milk; Lunch – Christmas Dinner – Turkey & gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, mixed veggies, salad bar, bread & butter, milk
Thursday: Breakfast – Pancake on a Stick or yogurt, fruit, toast or cereal bar, milk; Lunch – Tater-Tot Casserole, green beans, pears, bread & butter, milk
Friday: Breakfast – Egg Wraps or Yogurt, fruit, toast or cereal bar, milk; Lunch – Chicken Sandwich, fresh veggies with ranch dressing, pineapple, bread & butter, milk.
Rotary Club
In celebration of the Christmas season, the Hamilton Rotary Club will host the Corvallis High School Chamber Choir directed by Nancy Brown at the Monday, December 11 meeting. The Club meets Mondays at 12 noon at BJ’s Restaurant, 900 N. 1st Street, Hamilton. The meeting is open to the public. On Saturday, December 16, Hamilton Rotary Club members and members of the Corvallis High School Interact Club will be ringing “Christmas Bells for Kids” at K-Mart, Super One and Hamilton Family Market. Proceeds will be distributed via gift certificates to local needy children to help them have a Merry Christmas. For further Rotary Club information call 363-2960.
Tuesday, December 12
Stevi school board
The Stevensville School Board of Trustees will hold a regular board meeting on Tuesday, December 12, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in the Stevensville Music Center Choir Room.