Wednesday, March 25
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.
Thursday, March 26
Mindfulness gathering
Learn gentle ways to address your stress level as the demands of spring grow on Thursday, March 26, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Crescent House Healing and Arts Center, 258 Roosevelt Lane, Hamilton. The gathering will focus on breath practices, moving meditations and developing the skill of Open Mind (knowing and not knowing), and will close with a short Tea Ceremony to experience mindfulness while eating and drinking. Cost is $5. Call Star Jameson for more information at 546-5344.
South Valley Civic Group
The South Valley Civic Group will meet Thursday, March 26 at 6 p.m. at the library in the Darby High School (park on the north side). Membership fees are due for the year. Bring a friend and come early to get a good seat. Bring all your ideas. Call Annie Edwards, President, at 381-9302 for more information.
Stevensville Town Council
The Stevensville Town Council will meet Thursday, March 26 at 7 p.m. at the town hall, 206 Buck. On the agenda is a presentation by Sonny LaSalle on “Future Needs of Marcus Daly Hospital” and a discussion/decision on waiving the right of first refusal on a portion of MFCU property adjoining the well field, as well as a discussion on Airport Environmental Assessment public meeting advertisements, to name a few.
Friday, March 27
Driver safety class
Marcus Daly Hospital is sponsoring the newly designed Smart Driver Safety Course on Friday, March 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The four-hour course will emphasize how driving has changed, new vehicle technologies, safe driving practices and skills, recognizing the importance and benefits of assessing driving skills, and safe driving actions. The state of Montana mandates discounts for qualified drivers. There are no tests or exams to complete. The course is sponsored by AARP and the cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-AARP members. Call 363-6583 to make a reservation. Spaced is limited.
South Valley Pachyderm Club
The South Valley Pachyderm Club featured speaker on Friday, March 27 will be Jerry Fleischman. The title of his presentation will be “Dreams and Visions of America” which will be very interesting and informative. The club meets at 12 noon on the second and fourth Fridays of each month at BJ’s Restaurant, 900 N. First Street, in Hamilton. The South Valley Pachyderm Club is an officially recognized allied organization of the Republican Party. Members of the public are welcome.
K of C Fish Fry
The Knights of Columbus will hold their final Lenten Friday Fish Fry on Friday, March 27 from 5 to 6:45 p.m. at St. Francis Pastoral Center, 411 S. 5th Street, Hamilton. The all-you-can-eat meal consists of fish, fries, coleslaw, and mac & cheese, vegetables, dessert and soft beverage. The price for the meal is $10 per person; children under nine eat free so bring the kids! A family of 4 or more (2 adults and children) will eat for $35.00. Wine can be purchased separately. The Who Dats will provide entertainment. There will be no fish fry in April due to Easter services. For information contact Nick Hooper at 381-1200.
Eagles Taco Night
Tacos and more will be served Friday, March 27 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Eagles Lodge, 125 N. 2nd, Hamilton. The public is welcome.
Golden Age dance
Dance at the Golden Age Hall on March 27. Dancing begins at 7 p.m. to the Don Welch band. Potluck snacks are served during the break, so bring some snacks. You will hear good live dance music and have a good floor to enjoy the music on. Admission is $3.00 per couple. Income from the dances will help repair a roof that has some leaks. Make plans now to join us at the Golden Age Hall for an evening of dancing. For information, call Bob at 363-0142.
Performing arts series
“Red Baraat” will perform on Friday, March 27 at 8 p.m. at the Hamilton Performing Arts Center at Hamilton High School. Formed in 2008, Red Baraat is a pioneering eight-piece band from Brooklyn, New York. Conceived by Sunny Jain, the group has drawn worldwide praise for its singular sound–a merging of hard driving North Indian bhangra rhythms with elements of jazz, go-go, brass funk, and hip-hop. Their records have received feature attention and critical praise in major outlets including the Wall Street Journal, NPR, Weekend Edition, and the BBC, and the group’s frantic touring schedule
continues without rest–touring nearly 200 dates a year–to major festivals like Bonnaroo, Central Park Summerstage, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass and Bumbershoot. For personal assistance with your ticket purchase, call the BPAC box office at 363-7946 or visit Tuesday 11-5 or Friday 10-4 at 127 West Main Street in downtown Hamilton.
Saturday, March 28
Kite making workshop
“Let Your Imagination Soar: A Mini Exhibit & Model Kite Building Event” will be held Saturday, March 28 at 10 a.m. at the Ravalli County Museum, 205 Bedford, Hamilton. Welcome the beginning of Spring with this family-friendly event where you get to be the engineer! The museum will provide the materials, the plans and some friendly folks to help you build your kite. When it is complete, you’ll get the chance to test the aerodynamics of your creation. While you’re here, be sure to look up and see what the wind’s blown in at Ravalli County Museum! Call 363-3338 for more info.
Stevi farmers market meeting
The Stevensville Farmers Market group will meet Saturday, March 28 at 2 p.m. at the Main Street Association office, 102B Main. Bakers, food vendors, local produce growers and crafters are welcome. Contact Stacie Barker, market master, at Staciebarker65@gmail.com or 381-6145 for more information.
Country dance
BItterroot Dancers, Inc. is sponsoring a country western dance on Saturday, March 28 at the Hamilton City Hall, Bedford Building. The New-Matics Band will be playing from 7 to 11 p.m. Admission is $8. Kick up your heels! Call 381-1392 for more information.
Square dance
Boots ‘n’ Calico Square Dance Club will host a dance on Saturday, March 28 at the Golden Age Hall, 727 S. 5th in Hamilton. Ray Dunbar will call a plus dance from 7 to 7:30 p.m. followed by a mainstream dance with plus tips from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 29
Our Savior Easter Week schedule
Palm Sunday, March 29 – 9 a.m. Procession with Psalms and reading of the Passion
Maundy Thursday, April 2 – 7 p.m., Sacrament of the Altar
Good Friday, April 3 – 7 p.m., Tenebrae Service of Darkness
Holy Saturday, April 4 – Easter Vigil
Easter Day, April 5 – Sunrise Service at 6:30 a.m.
Easter breakfast, April 5 – approximately 8 to 9 a.m.
Easter egg hunt, April 5 – 9:15-ish. (Guest children invited to share in the bounty! There will be plenty for all.)
Divine Service, April 5 – 10 a.m.
Our Savior, a congregation of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, is located at 184 Pine Hollow Road. One mile south of Burnt Fork Market, turn east on Pine Hollow, cross the tracks and the canal. The church will be on your left, marked by the three crosses of Easter. For more information, call the Church office at 777-5625 to leave a message, or call Rosanne at 239-5573.
Center for Spiritual Living
The Center for Spiritual Living hosts Andi Smith presenting “Demonstrating Affirmative Prayer In Action” on Sunday, March 29 at 10 a.m. Andi brings real life examples of using Affirmative Prayer to Co-create your life. Potluck Brunch and conversation follow at 11:30 a.m. Come early for Meditation at 9:30 a.m. The Center for Spiritual Living is located at 1720 N. First Street, Suite C in Selway Commons, north of Sears in Hamilton. Further information call Dave at 381-2355 or visit CSLbitterroot.org
Community Worship
Palm Sunday Community Worship will be held Sunday, March 29 from 6 to 7 p.m. at Cornerstone Bible Church, Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton. Sponsored by the pastors and churches of the Ravalli County Ministerial Association who offer their time together to share Jesus’ new life and unstoppable love with the community. Contact Pr. Brenda Strum to volunteer at bsatrum@gmail.com or 381-1919.
Monday, March 30
Rotary Club
Nate Barber, Forest Vegetation Management Officer (VMO) for the Bitterroot National Forest, will be speaking at the next meeting of the Hamilton Rotary Club, on Monday, March 30 at 12 noon at BJ’s Restaurant, 900 N. 1st, Hamilton. He will discuss what it takes to develop a timber sale from deciding where to go, layout and design to sale administration. The meeting is open to the public. For further information call 363-2960.
Blood drives
The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood during National Volunteer Month this April and make a difference in the lives of patients in need. The Red Cross salutes the hundreds of thousands of volunteers who help fulfill its lifesaving mission and encourages others to join their ranks as volunteer blood donors. Volunteer donors are the only source of blood products for those in need of transfusions. Donors of all blood types – especially those with types O negative, A negative and B negative – are needed to help ensure blood is available for patients this spring. Those who are unable to give blood can support blood donations and invite others to make a lifesaving donation by creating a SleevesUp virtual blood drive at redcrossblood.org/SleevesUp. To make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Upcoming blood donation opportunities
Darby: 3/30/2015: 2 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Darby Community Clubhouse, 106 North Main
Hamilton: 4/2/2015: 9 a.m. – 12:15 p.m., Bitterroot National Forest, 1801 North 1st Street; 4/14/2015: 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Grace Lutheran Church, 275 Hattie Lane.
Wednesday, April 1
Plant Swap & Sale
If you just can’t wait for the gardening season to begin, be sure to mark your calendar for Stevensville Garden Club’s third annual Plant Swap & Sale, to be held on Wednesday, April 1 (no joke!) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Community Baptist Church at the corner of Buck and Ravalli Streets.
There will be plants, seedlings, perennial divisions, seeds, books, and lots of other garden paraphernalia, as well as refreshments. Bring a garden-related item to ‘swap’ for other items, or if you don’t have an item to swap, shop at the sale table (prices range from 10¢ to $5.00).
Stevensville Garden Club holds this event each year to kick off the gardening season and stimulate community interest in gardening. Garden club members will be present to answer questions about gardening or about the garden club, which sponsors a variety of community events, such as Yard of the Year, Town Beautification, the annual Christmas Luncheon, and this year, in celebration of the garden club’s 75th anniversary, a summer flower show at St. Mary’s Mission. So, come by, have a piece of cake and a cup of coffee, and, regardless of the weather, start thinking about spring!
For more information call Judy at 961-0209.
Spiritual Video Masters Series
The Center for Spiritual Living will present a Spiritual Master Series film on Wednesday, April 1 at 6:30 p.m. “Cultivating Grace and Transforming Suffering” with Ram Dass, Jack Kornfield, and Krishna Das will be shown. They discuss significant transformational questions such as: How do we transform suffering into grace? How do we cultivate a process that allows grace to fill our lives? How do we turn anger into compassion – chaos into equanimity – separation into unity and oneness? The Center for Spiritual Living is located at 1720 N. 1st Street In Hamilton (north of Sears). For more information visit the website at CSLBitterroot.org.