RASS training
Western MT Addiction Services Prevention Program will be holding a Responsible Alcohol Sales and Service training on Thursday, March 19 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at 209 N. 10th, Suite C in Hamilton. The cost of the training is $15 for materials (cash only). The “Let’s Control It” curriculum is approved as a state-mandated RASS training by the MT Dept of Revenue and participants will receive a certificate of completion. For information or to register call 532-9149 or email ffavara@wmmhc.org by March 18.
Hay quality workshop
Dr. Emily Glunk, MSU Extension Forage Specialist, will be presenting a talk on growing quality hay from planting to harvest and using hay analysis to inform decision making on Tuesday, March 19 from 12 to 1:30 at the Frontier Café in Stevensville. $5 fee includes lunch. RSVP at 375-6611.

‘Youth Mental Health First Aid’ Training
‘Youth Mental Health First Aid’ Training, similar to ‘First Aid’ and CPR, will be held Thursday, March 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Bitterroot Public Library, 306 State St, Hamilton.
‘Mental Health First Aid’ teaches individuals how to help those experiencing mental health challenges or crises. Mental health challenges – such as depression, anxiety, psychosis and substance use – are shockingly common in the United States. More than one in five American youth will have a mental health problem in any given year. The National Council for Behavioral Health certifies individuals throughout the nation, including Youth Dynamics, to provide Youth Mental Health First Aid courses to prepare their communities with the knowledge and skills to help individuals who are developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. Identified on SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices, the training helps the public better identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses. For more information on Mental Health First Aid, visit www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org.
The training is free and lunch will be provided. Visit the Youth Mental Health First Aid page on the website www.youthdynamics.org, call Kristin Thompson at (406) 245-6539 or visit the Facebook events page-Youth Dynamics of Montana.

Friendly Gardener’s Club
The Friendly Gardener’s Club of Darby will be holding their monthly meeting on Thursday, March 19 at 12 noon. You are cordially invited to this fun, social get-together. No gardening experience or skills are required. For location and more information call the club president at 821-2229.

Museum photo exhibit
Ever wondered what a darkroom looked like in the sixties? Come see what Ernst Peterson’s looked like, built by Paul Stanton and Ken McBride, using Peterson’s own equipment. Stanton generously donated the equipment to Ravalli County Museum, 205 Bedford St., Hamilton, for the 22nd Annual Ernst Peterson Photo Contest and Exhibit. With almost 240 photo entries, including an entry from a 2 year old who already loves photography, you can vote for your favorite one. The most votes wins the People’s Choice Ribbon. The awards ceremony will be held on Friday, March 19 at 6 p.m. where you can meet the judges, Mark Mesenko and Perry Backus.

Back Country Horsemen
Bitter Root Back Country Horsemen host their monthly meeting on Thursday, March 19, 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. Program speaker is Dr. Tom Currier, DVM, owner of Ambrose Veterinary Clinic, who will talk about spring equine care. Upcoming trail projects and horsemanship clinics also will be discussed. Guests are welcome and if riding and hiking on trails is important to you, this group works to preserve that value. For more information call Karen at 406-369-0725 or check the website at www.bchmt.org/bitterroot.

Equine nutrition workshop
Dr. Emily Glunk, MSU Extension Forage Specialist, will be presenting a talk on equine grazing and nutrition on Tuesday, March 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Cowpoke Ranch Supply in Corvallis. Get tips on grazing your horses for long-term pasture health and productivity. RSVP at 375-6611.

Colon Cancer Awareness Class
John Moreland, MD from the Bitterroot Physicians Clinic, will be presenting this month’s Healthcare Education Series class on Colon Cancer. This class is sponsored by Soroptimist of Hamilton and will take place on Thursday, March 19 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital in the Blodgett/Canyon View conference rooms. March is National Colon Cancer Month. The American Cancer Society projects that colon and rectal cancer will kill 49,700 Americans and there will be approximately 93,090 new cases of colon cancer. The 5-year survival rate for those with colon or rectal cancer treated in the early stages, before it has spread, is greater than 90%. Celebrate Colon Cancer Awareness Month by learning what is fact and fiction. For more information, visit www.mdmh.org/hes or call 363-2211.

Darby Community Potluck
Enjoy an evening of fun! A Darby Community Potluck will be held Thursday, March 19 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Darby Clubhouse. Bring a dish and join in for live music by Crazy Creek, demo square dancing, giveaways and updates on town happenings. Non-profit groups and local businesses are encouraged to attend. This event is hosted by the small town renaissance group – a community coalition working to create “the best place to live, work and play in Montana.” This is a free event and all are welcome.

Equine ownership series
“12 Months of Pasture” is the next in a series on Responsible Horse Ownership. The talk will be held on Wednesday, March 19 at 6 p.m. at Cowpoke Ranch Supply, 1308 Eastside Hwy, Corvallis. For more information contact Andrea at 961-4917.

Trout Unlimited
Montana TU Executive Director Bruce Farling will speak at the Thursday, March 19 BRTU meeting. The meeting will start at 7 p.m. at the Hamilton Elks Lodge at 203 State Street in Hamilton. Farling will make a presentation on the copper mine being proposed for a tributary of the Smith River.
Copper mining turned the upper Clark Fork River into the world’s largest Superfund site and essentially sterilized the stream from its headwaters down to Missoula. Only in recent years and after countless hours of labor and the expenditure of billions of dollars is the Upper Clark Fork haltingly being brought back to life. The storied Smith River is one of Montana’s true natural treasures, and its stunning scenery and fishing have been enjoyed by many anglers.
Montana TU is at the forefront of efforts to put the skids on the proposed Smith River mining project. Farling will describe the proposal, the efforts being undertaken to combat the mine, and how BRTU members can become informed and active on the issue.
Bruce will also describe some of the antics of the Montana Legislature and how fishing and water quality may be impacted.
The program is free and the public is invited to attend.

Stevi COW meeting
The Stevensville Town Council will hold a Committee of the Whole meeting on Thursday, March 19 at 7:30 p.m. (immediately following a special meeting of the Council at 7 p.m.). The COW agenda includes a review of water/sewer rates.

Horsemanship clinic
Bitter Root Back Country Horsemen invite the public to their second free horsemanship clinic of the year on Saturday, March 21. Using members’ stock for demonstration, participants will learn how to navigate obstacles, solve problems that arise with their stock and perform various skills challenges. Members of the public are encouraged to attend and learn more about how to safely handle their stock while trail riding. The event takes place at C-Max Stables (657 Bass Lane, Corvallis) from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, followed by a chili feed. Bring your own chair if the weather is bad for use in the indoor arena. For more information, contact Bonnie Morgan at (406) 381-9021 or check the BCH website at http://www.bchmt.org/bitterroot/ under training.

Travelers’ Rest Volunteer Open House
Montana State Parks will be hosting a Volunteer Open House at Travelers’ Rest State Park on Saturday, March 21 from 1 to 4 p.m.
After setting a record for visitation in 2014, Travelers’ Rest State Park in Lolo is seeking new volunteers to add to the visitor experience at this National Historic Landmark. Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer is invited to attend the Open House. Staff and existing volunteers will be on hand to share the stories of Travelers’ Rest and explain the roles volunteers play in preserving and interpreting the wonders of the park.
“Volunteers provide critical services to our visitors from across the state and around the county” said Park Manager Loren Flynn. “Without them, we wouldn’t be able to provide daily guided tours, personal interpretation or field trips to the 2,000 students that come here for place-based education every year.”
Volunteers fill a variety of roles, including park information specialist, roving interpreter and educator. For 2015, the park is especially in need of educators and park information specialists, particularly on weekends. New for this year is a position as evening roving interpreter. According to Flynn the fastest growing segment of park visitors are local residents coming into the park for evening walks, jogging or watching wildlife.
“We’d like to have knowledgeable volunteers on site to answer their questions about not only the history of the site but the flora and fauna, park rules, and other opportunities within the park. Given our small staff, we simply can’t provide that service without a strong volunteer presence.”
During the open house, volunteers will also hear about training and learning opportunities available only to Travelers’ Rest volunteers. Snacks and drinks will be provided.
For more information about volunteer opportunities at Travelers’ Rest State Park, call Loren Flynn or Alyssa Womer at 273-4253.

Pasties Sale
Stevensville Senior Center will have a Pasties fundraiser on Saturday, March 21 at the Senior Center in Stevensville. The pasties will be made with beef and the usual vegetables and spices. The pasties can be ordered baked or unbaked. Place your order by Wednesday, March 18 by calling Patty at 777-1721 or Diane at 777-3759 to tell them how many pasties cooked or uncooked. Pasties are $3.50 each. Pasties need to be picked up at the Stevensville Senior Center on Saturday March 21 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Massa Youth Home Gala
On Saturday, March 21, the Linda Massa Youth Home is hosting its Annual Gala, ‘No Place Like Home,’ at the First Interstate Center in Hamilton. Proceeds from this fun and upbeat evening help provide shelter and care for homeless and at-risk youth in the Bitterroot Valley. The evening features dinner by Caffe Firenze, a hosted bar, live music, a photo booth and your chance to bid on a variety of unique live and silent auction items. Tickets are $60 and are available at lindamassayouthhome.org or by calling 541-1650.

Square dance
Boots ‘n’ Calico Square Dance Club will hold its “Recycle Square Dance Clothing Sale” on Saturday, March 21 at the Golden Age Hall, 727 S. 5th in Hamilton. Pre-round music will be from 7 to 7:30 p.m. followed by a mainstream dance from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Barry Bartlette will call. For more info on the clothing sale call Dee Moenich, 961-1728, or Laurie Dunbar, 961-4528.

Sunday, March 22

Monday, March 23

Stevi school menu
Monday: Breakfast – Waffles or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Sweet & Sour Chicken, stir fry veggies, rice, mandarin oranges, bread & butter, milk
Tuesday: Breakfast – Cinnamon rolls or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Quesadilla, Spanish rice, apples, bread & butter, chocolate or regular milk
Wednesday: Breakfast – Scrambled eggs or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Tater-tot casserole, mixed veggies, peaches, bread & butter, milk
Thursday: Breakfast – Pancake on a stick or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Pizza, corn, bananas, bread & butter, milk
Friday: Breakfast – Cereal or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Ham & Scalloped potatoes, green beans, fruit salad, bread & butter, chocolate or regular milk.

Rotary Club
Ed Snook, Forest Service Hydrologist, will be speaking at the next meeting of the Hamilton Rotary Club, on Monday, March 23 at 12 noon. He will speak about avalanche prediction, working with the state and what role that plays in helping the Forest Service plan their program of work during the winter months. The Club meets Mondays at noon at BJ’s Restaurant, 900 N. 1st Street, Hamilton. The meeting is open to the public. For further information, call 363-2960.

Driver ed course
Sign-up is underway for the next driver education course at Stevensville High School. This is open to any student who is at least 14-1/2 years of age by April 21, 2015 or older from Stevensville High School or a home school. Class runs approximately April 6 to June 10. The first informational meeting for SHS students is Monday, March 23 at 12:24 in high school room 128. Out of district and/or home school students may register by phone with John Munk at 777-5539.

Fish & Wildlife Assn.
The Ravalli County Fish & Wildlife Association will hold its general meeting on Monday, March 23 at 7 p.m. at the Daly Leach Meeting Room at 1010 W. Main St. in Hamilton. Guest speaker will be Jay Kolbe, Wildlife Biologist from FWP Headquarters. Jay will talk about the State Mountain Lion Plan he is working on. If you are someone interested in wildlife, practical science based management, etc. you are encouraged to find out more about the RCFWA. Meetings are open to the public.

Small business workshop
USDA Rural Development and Ravalli County Economic Development Authority will present a workshop on Wednesday, March 25 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Bitterroot River Inn Conference Room, 139 Bitterroot Plaza Dr., Hamilton, that will inform small businesses of Rural Development funding programs and the ways in which these resources can help small businesses to excel, grow, and create economic opportunities for themselves and our community. A feature of the workshop will be a presentation on USDA’s new Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Presentations on funding programs will be followed by questions and answers, an overview of application guidelines, as well as discussion with program experts on participants’ specific projects and application possibilities. To RSVP and for more information, visit the RCEDA website at rceda.org, or you may email julie@rceda.org, or call 375-9416.

Quilters’ Guild
The Bitterroot Quilters’ Guild will meet Wednesday, March 25 at 6:30 p.m. at Daly-Leach Community Room, 1010 W. Main, Hamilton. Quilt designer and author, Karla Alexander, is guest speaker. Karla has authored eight books published by Martingale, developed her own “stack and shuffle” technique and created a number of specialty rulers with Creative Grid. Her evening program topic will be “Lift the Quilts out of your Stash” and will include a trunk show. The public is welcome to attend.