Wednesday, September 19
BPL Preschool Storytime
Preschoolers are invited to meet in the children’s corner of the Bitterroot Public Library in Hamilton on Wednesday, September 19 to play some Olympic games and hear a few books with storyteller Sally Blevins. Story time begins at 10:30 a.m. and is designed for children 3-5 years of age. All story times are free and open to the public.
RCEDA board meeting
The Ravalli County Economic Development Authority will be holding its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, September 19 at 3 p.m. The meeting will be held at Ravalli Entrepreneurship Center, 274 Old Corvallis Road, Hamilton.
Florence Trail Cleanup
The Florence Civic Club will hold a Trail Clean Up on Wednesday, September 19 from 7 to 8 p.m. Bring your gloves! Cake treat to follow. Meet at the Town Pump parking lot. For more information call Ann at 273-4333.
Seed documentary screening
A screening of the documentary film “Bitter Seeds,” an internationally award-winning film that explores the impacts of how we grow food, weighing in on the worldwide debate over the changes created by industrial agriculture, the patenting of seeds and GMOs, will be shown Wednesday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Hamilton Library. Sponsored by Sustainable Living Systems, there will be a short introductory talk about why SLS is part of the international lawsuit regarding the patenting of seeds led by the Public Patent Foundation. The event is free and open to the public.
Thursday, September 20
NVPL ‘Lunch and Learn’
If you’re a “crafter”, or even if you’re not, you are invited to a very crafty Lunch and Learn program on Thursday, September 20, from 12 noon to 2 p.m. in the Community Room of the North Valley Public Library, Main St., Stevensville. The guest speaker will be Diana Griffin, who honed her crafting skills as a Scout Mother for many years. Come and learn easy ways to create fun decorations and gifts for the coming holidays. Bring your lunch if you wish, and beverages and desserts will be provided by the Friends of the Library.
BPL computer classes
A class on Introduction to E-mail will be held Thursday, September 20 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on the main floor of the Bitterroot Public Library in Hamilton. The class is hosted by the Web On Wheels Bus. Preregistration is requested by calling 363-1670.
NVPL computer class
Did you know the North Valley Public Library offers free tech classes every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month? These are small, hands on classes available to novices or those looking to brush up on specific skills. On Thursday, September 20 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., the library is offering an Introduction to Microsoft Word class. The library’s tech specialist will go over the basics of creating, customizing, saving and printing a Microsoft Word document. Space is limited; call or stop into the library to sign up. North Valley Public Library is located at 208 Main Street, Stevensville. For more information, call the library at 777-5061.
Daly School grant meeting
A public meeting will be held in the library of Daly Elementary School during the open house on Thursday, September 20 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at 208 Daly Ave., Hamilton. Come hear about Daly School’s grant application to the Department of Commerce.
Museum talk
Dr. Emmie de Wit will present “Catching the Flu: of Birds, Pigs and Humans” on Thursday, September 20 at 6 p.m. at the Ravalli County Museum in Hamilton as part of the Science in Wonderland exhibit. Influenza has been in the news a lot recently. Swine flu, H5N1 bird flu and influenza pandemics have become common terms. But what makes these viruses so different and why is everyone so worried about them? Why do some influenza viruses give us a bad cold, whereas other flu viruses can be lethal? Why is it easy to become infected with human flu, but not so easy to get bird flu? Emmie de Wit has done research on human, avian and swine influenza viruses for more than 10 years, trying to answer these questions. In her presentation, Emmie will talk about the answers she and others have found.
PFLAG Hamilton-Bitterroot
PFLAG Hamilton-Bitterroot will meet Thursday, September 20 at 7 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on 600 S. Third St. in the community basement room. Cesar Hernandez, PFLAG Western Field and Policy Manager from California, is the guest presenter. He is in town to be a presenter at the Pacific Northwest Regional Conference in Hamilton September 21-23 at the Bitterroot River Inn. To register and for schedule see pnwpflag.org. All non-profit allies of PFLAG are invited to attend this presentation, which will assist many community boards. There is no charge for his presentation entitled “Establishing Winning Board and Leadership Practices.”
Strong leadership is the foundation for a strong organization. This workshop will help participants learn the proper function of boards and the specific roles and responsibilities of the board members and leaders.
Friday, September 21
North Valley Pachyderm Club
The North Valley Pachyderm Club will meet Friday, September 21 at noon at The Frontier Café, Hwy 93 in Stevensville. Guest speaker will be State Representative Pat Connell, HD87, talking about fracking. The North Valley Pachyderm Club meets the first and third Friday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. at the Frontier Cafe. The club is an educational arm of the Republican Party. All are welcome.
Preschool play time
Ready Set Play! will be held Friday, September 21 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the North Valley Family Center in Florence for pre-school children and their parents. “The Leaf Man” story and activity will help children develop fine motor skill and eye hand coordination, encourage critical thinking and help develop spatial arrangement abilities. For more information call 273-0142.
PFLAG Pacific Northwest Conference
The annual PFLAG (Parents & Friends of Lesbians and Gays) Pacific North West Conference kicks off on Friday, September 21 at the Bitterroot River Inn in Hamilton. The theme is “Big Sky/Big Dreams.”
“We are thrilled to bring PFLAG chapters as well as other allied groups from all over Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, and Montana together in Hamilton for a fun-filled weekend that will inspire them to renew their commitment to advocating for equality and dignity for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community,” said PFLAG’s volunteer regional director and Pride Foundation board member Kathy Reim, who will travel to the conference from Skagit County, Washington.
The local host chapter PFLAG Hamilton-Bitterroot has organized local tourism activities to welcome conference participants to the community. Activities include hikes, a bike ride, Daly Mansion tour, auction of a half day float and fishing trip on Sunday afternoon and viewing of coffee roasting followed by a welcome and introduction to the downtown area of Hamilton. Tourism options can be viewed at www.pflaghamiltonbitterroot.org. Keynote speaker Dr. Robert Minor, emeritus professor of religion at the University of Kansas, will address how to defuse religious arguments used to justify discrimination of LGBTQ people. Following his presentation, there will be a no-host reception with Walla Walla wine as well as beer from a local brewery and entertainment by local talent.
Saturday’s offerings begin at 9 a.m. and include workshops which are pertinent to many non-profit organizations and who are all invited to attend. The presentations will include, how to avoid volunteer burnout, creating a plan for your organization, how to better engage straight allies in faith communities, a panel on transgender experiences, how to have a more fulfilling relationship geared toward LGBTQ couples, and techniques which promote safe schools for everyone. Jody Huckaby, Executive Director of PFLAG National, will be the special guest presenter. Huckaby, was born and raised in Eunice, Louisiana, has served as the Executive Director of PFLAG National since 2005. Jody brings a unique family perspective to his role with PFLAG because he is gay and has three gay siblings and four straight siblings. During his time with PFLAG, he has become a visible spokesperson on issues impacting LGBT families and allies, appearing on Oprah and being quoted in national news outlets such as Newsweek, ABC News and in the Associated Press.
Lesbian icon, singer-songwriter Cris Williamson will perform a benefit concert for the Bitterroot PFLAG chapter at the Victor Performing Arts Center on September 22 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.brownpapertickets.org
Conference sessions continue Sunday morning exploring how to build more successful boards of directors, understanding leadership styles and how to carry forth the hope and inspiration of the conference back to the various communities represented from across the region. Jean Hodges, Vice President of PFLAG National, will round out the conference with, “Heading Home with Hope,” where she will share her experience of family and community transformation.
Teachers and all categories of counselor professionals will receive continuing educational credits for each program attended up to a maximum of 10 credits if all conference presentations are attended.
For a full schedule and registration information, visit www.pnwpflag.org. Those needing a ride to and from the Missoula airport to the conference should email John at cummings1@bresnan.net. For local information on the Bitterroot Valley’s tourist offerings, visit www.pflaghamiltonbitterroot.org.
Bone marrow drive
Kyle Anderson is hosting a Bone Marrow Drive at Stevensville High School on Friday, September 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, September 22 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at Health Options Clinic in Missoula to help add potential marrow donors to the national BeTheMatch Marrow Registry and to help raise money to process the cheek-swab samples that are taken. If you can spare $5 or want to sign up as a potential donor, go to http://www.bethematchfoundation.org/goto/kylespage1 to learn more and get started. This is Kyle’s senior project and he could use your help in spreading the word around. He’s hoping to get 50 potential donors signed up. Magda Silva, NW Regional director for BeTheMatch, is flying in from Portland to help him run it. Donors must be between the ages of 18-60 and in good health. If you signed up previously you do not need to sign up again. To register and/or donate come to the drive to do the cheek swab on site. This is the best way to start the process. Or you can go to my “Be The Match” webpage to order a swab kit to be mailed to your house, to make an on-line financial donation.
Artist’s talk
Bobbie McKibbin, of Drawn West Studio, will be giving a free Artists Talk on Friday September 21 at 7 p.m. at River’s Mist Gallery of Fine Art in Stevensville. McKibbin is one of the foremost pastel landscape artists in the nation and will be featured in the National Pastel Magazine in February 2013. Recently retired from a professorship of painting at Grinnell College, McKibbin has works hanging in 50 corporate offices and 10 museums including the National Museum of American Art at the Smithsonian Institution. To view her work and read about what inspires her, go to www.drawnweststudio.com. Refreshments will be served. Come early to assure a seat. The gallery is located at 317 Main Street in Stevensville. For more information call 777-0520.
Saturday, September 22
Youth Waterfowl Hunt
Youth, aged 12-15, may hunt waterfowl in the Waterfowl Hunt Area of Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge on September 22 and 23. Each youth must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult who is at least 18 years old. Youth also cannot hunt without having attended a hunter education course. All Montana waterfowl hunting regulations apply during this special hunt. Call 777-5552 for more information.
Harvest Fest
Hamilton Farmers Market will host the 2012 Harvest Fest and Giant Pumpkin Contest on Sept. 22 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on 2nd, 3rd and Bedford Street in Hamilton.
Besides the Craziest, Smallest and Largest (non pumpkin) Veggie and Flower Contests open to all, the Guess the Weight of the Giant Pumpkin Contest will include a pumpkin for adults as well as one for children to guess. There will be Mini-pumpkin Painting for Mini Kids, giant pumpkin carving by local artist Pam Watts and a drawing for gift boxes of veggies.
The Giant Pumpkin Commonwealth will give awards for the largest long gourd, field pumpkin, tomato and watermelon as well as prizes for the heaviest giant pumpkin. Rumor has it that there is one weighing more than 1000 pounds growing somewhere in Polson and it will be coming to the Harvest Fest! If you’ve got one in your garden, consider bringing it in. There will be a forklift to make things easier. For contests details, call 961-0004.
More parking for the farmers market is now available on highway 93 across from Bedford Street. Be sure to use the pedestrian flags as you cross the road.
Whaley Homestead open house
The Whaley Homestead, listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, will be open for public viewing on September 22, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Homestead Act. The Whaley Homestead is located at the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge and staff will be on hand to conduct tours and interpretive talks focusing on this structure’s cultural and historic significance. All interested persons are invited to attend. Call 777-5552 x 203 for more details.
Harvest Family Day
Harvest Family Fun Day will be held on Saturday, September 22 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the North Valley Family Center in Florence. This is the day when both the daytime and nighttime are of the same length of time. Once the autumn equinox passes, the nights begin to get longer and temperatures will start to fall. Everyone is welcome to share traditional arts, activities and food to celebrate! Balance eggs, make an Indian corn necklace, make a dream pillow for the longer nights, make leaf prints and etchings. Bring seeds from your garden to share or exchange. Share a meal of corn pudding, pumpkin pizza and chili. Bring a potluck dish or pickles, jam, or jelly from your own harvest to share. For more information call 273-0142.
Daly Mansion art show
Troy Collins, a well known western impressionist, will be displaying his artwork at the Daly Mansion on Saturday, Sept 22 during regular tour hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. On Sunday, Troy will be doing a painting demonstration from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Mansion Trophy Room. Tours will be self-guided and refreshments will be served. This is the last day of regular tours for the season. A portion of the sales of artwork will be donated to the Daly Mansion and The Margaret Daly Memorial Arboretum.
NVPL Wii Weekend
Have fun with your friends and family playing a variety of Wii games at the library on Saturday, September 22 from 12 noon to 3:30 p.m. at the North Valley Public Library. The games are projected onto a big screen for ultimate fun. The library hosts Wii weekend every fourth Saturday in the community room. All are welcome at this free and fun program. North Valley Public Library is located at 208 Main Street, Stevensville. For more information, call the library at 777-5061.
PFLAG benefit concert
Noted singer/songwriter Chris Williamson will be performing in concert on Saturday, September 22 at 7 p.m. at the Mary Stuart Rogers performing Arts Center in Victor in conjunction with the PFLAG Pacific Northwest Conference in Hamilton. Chris is “about the best writer and interpretive singer around,” said Bonnie Raitt. A Black Hills native, raised in the Rockies, much of Chris’s music today is about returning home to her beloved West, paying tribute to the mountains, the prairies, and the people she holds so dear. Ticket prices range from $23 to $50. For tickets and information, go to http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/244727, or call 1-800-838-3006.
Labyrinth Fall Equinox Walk
The 13th annual Fall Equinox Open Walk will be held at Redsun Labyrinth on Saturday, September 22 from dusk to 10:30 p.m. The labyrinth will be surrounded with luminaria. There will be music but no bonfire this year due to fire conditions. Dress warmly and bring a stone to leave if you wish. If you cannot attend this event, come and walk anytime. Brochures and information are available at the gate. A $3 donation is asked to help maintain the labyrinth which is located at 1802 Pleasant View Drive, west of Victor. Visit www.redsunlabyrinth.com for more information and directions.
Sunday, September 23
Founders Day
Celebrate the founding of the first pioneer settlement in Montana on Sunday, September 23 at 2 p.m. at St. Mary’s Mission, west end of 4th Street, Stevensville. Founders Day begins with a re-enactment with a cast of Salish Tribal Members dressed in full regalia plus local actors as the Jesuit Missionaries. The celebration takes place on the grounds at St. Mary’s Mission against the backdrop of the Salish Indian Encampment and mountain men with pack animals. The 200th anniversary of the birth of Father Anthony Ravalli will be recognized by Ellen Baumler, Interpretive Historian with the Montana Historical Society. The ceremony is free of charge. A fundraising barbecue will be available from 3 to 4:30 p.m. by the Knights of Columbus. Guided tours at reduced rates will be led from 1 to 4 p.m. St. Mary’s Gift Shop and Museum is open from 1 to 5 p.m. with a new book, “Father Anthony Ravalli, S.J.” on sale. Discover the first roots of Montana. For more information call 777-5734.
Stevensville Awana
Awana is set to begin again in Stevensville on September 23. All kids ages 3 years-8th grade are welcome to come each week on Sundays from 5:30 to 7:15 p.m. at Community Baptist Church, 409 Buck St. Awana is an international and interdenominational kids club that stresses evangelism and discipleship is open to any child. Children learn about Jesus, memorize scripture, earn awards, play games and are instructed by trained leaders and helpers. Call Lynn Baker, 531-2684, or Mark Jensen, 777-7246, for more information.
Monday, September 24
Stevi school menu
Sept. 24-28
Monday: Breakfast – Cereal or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Beef steaks, mashed potatoes and gravy, glazed carrots, pineapple, bread and butter, milk
Tuesday: Breakfast – Waffles or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Chicken enchilada casserole, corn, grapes, bread and butter, milk
Wednesday: Breakfast – Bagels with cream cheese or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Cheese-filed bread sticks with marinara sauce, fresh veggies (broccoli, carrots and celery), applesauce, bread and butter, milk
Thursday: Breakfast – Pancakes or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Chicken and noodles, broccoli Normandy, tossed salad with ranch, kiwi, bread and butter, milk
Friday: Breakfast – Egg wraps or yogurt, fruit, toasts, milk; Lunch – Cheeseburgers with lettuce, tomatoes and pickles, baked beans, oven-baked taters, fresh pears, bread and butter, milk.
MCT performing arts classes
Afterschool performing arts classes for grades K-12 will be held September 24/25 through November 2 culminating with a production of “The Hobbit.” MCT’s classes take place following school on Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. Performance details will be available on the first day of classes. All children participate in an audition, are cast in a role, and perform in the show. Register by September 21. Performances take place November 3 and 4 at 3 and 5 p.m., at the MCT Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets go on sale October 29 at 9 a.m. For more info, call 728-7529.
Tuesday, September 25
Republican Women’s Club
The Ravalli County Republican Women’s Club will hold its monthly meeting and lunch on Tuesday, September 25 at 11:30 a.m. at BJ’s Restaurant in Hamilton. Guest speakers will be State Representative Ed Greef, HD90, Nancy Balance, running for HD89, and Brad Johnson, running for Secretary of State. Ravalli County Republican Women meet the fourth Tuesday of each month.
MSU college fair
Montana State University’s admissions office will have a representative at Hamilton High School on Tuesday, September 25 from 1:15 to 2:45 p.m. to help prepare students for the college application process and beyond. Anders Groseth, an MSU admissions representative, will offer students his expertise on how to apply for admission and funding opportunities. He will also share information on the degrees available and college life in general. For more information, call the MSU Office of Admissions, (406) 994-2452.
BPL Used Book Sale
Attention all bibliophiles! The 2012 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 St. in Hamilton September 25-29.
The sale days will be Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m., Wednesday from 10 a.m. 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 Tuesday evening only there will be a $3.00 admission for adults. The price for all items is $1.00 per inch thick. Saturday all day will be the ever-popular Bag Sale when all the items that can be stuffed in a grocery bag are $2.00 per bag – bring your own bags if possible. Another popular feature of the book sale is free books all week long outside on the sidewalk. On Saturday after 2 p.m. there will be a Truckload Sale – $15.00 per load! Bring your own truck and load it up! Starting on Tuesday at 6 p.m. and ending at 2 p.m. on Saturday there will be a silent auction of special books.
Volunteers are welcome and needed to help set up and sort books before, as well as during, the sale. Set up times are Saturday and Sunday, September 22-23 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.