Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Community Calendar

Hamilton Senior Center activities

Monday – 11:45 lunch, cloggers at 1:30 p.m.; bingo on 1st & 3rd weeks, pinochle on 2nd week, 7 p.m.
Tuesday - line dancing at 9:30 a.m., cloggers at 3 p.m.
Wednesday – 11:45 lunch, bridge at 1 p.m., cloggers at 5:30 p.m.
Thursday - exercise at 9 a.m.; pinochle on 3rd week, 1 p.m.
Friday - line dancing at 9:30 a.m., 11:45 lunch
Saturday - pancake breakfast on 1st & 3rd Saturdays, 8-10 a.m.
Sunday - bridge, 1 p.m.

Stevi Senior Center activities

Monday-Friday - Lunch, 11:30 a.m.
Monday - Bridge and Special Music, noon.
Monday & Saturday - Pinochle, 7 p.m.
Tuesday - Exercise class, 10-11 a.m.
2nd Tuesday - Quilters, 6:30 p.m.
Every Other Wednesday - Fiddlers at Lunch
3rd Wednesday - Special Birthday Dinner, noon, with music. Blood pressures taken.
Thursday - Exercise class, 10-11 a.m.
1st & 3rd Thursday – American Legion Bingo, 7 p.m.
For more information call the Center at 777-5681 04 777-5707.

Victor Senior Center activities

Sundays - AA meeting, 7 p.m.
Monday-Thursday - Men's Coffee, 8:30-10 a.m.
Monday-Friday - Lunch, 11:30 a.m. Includes main course, salad bar, beverage, dessert. Seniors $3.25, under 60 years $5.75. (RSVP 642-3320)
Tuesdays - Bingo, 7 p.m.
Wednesdays - Pinochle, 7 p.m.
Fridays - Ladies' Coffee, 10-11 a.m.

Al-Anon

The Stevensville Al-Anon Group meets each Thursday from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the North Valley Public Library. Anyone who is affected by the compulsive drinking of a relative or friend is invited. For more information call 375-9996.

Gamblers Anonymous

Gamblers Anonymous classes are held at Community Baptist Church, 409 Buck St., Stevensville, on Mondays and Thursdays from 7 to 8 p.m.

Ask yourself these questions:

1) Have you ever felt remorse after gambling?
2) Do you often gamble until your last dollar is gone?
3) After you have won did you have a strong urge to return and win more?

If you answered yes to any of these questions this class might be good for you. For more information call 777-3897.

VFW meetings

VFW Post 1430 meets the first Monday of every month at 8 p.m. at the American Legion Hall in Hamilton. The Women's Auxiliary meets the first Monday of every month at 7 p.m. at 649 Grantsdale Road. For more information call 363-3889.

Overeaters Anonymous

Overeaters Anonymous is a Twelve Step program that deals with compulsive eating behaviors. It offers a solution within reach of all those who want to find relief from the obsession with food. It meets weekly on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. at St Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 203 Main Street, Stevensville, and on Saturdays at 10 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 1220 W. Main St., Hamilton. For information, call 777-7160.

Golden Agers

The Golden Age group meets every Friday from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at 727 S. 5th in Hamilton. If you are a senior citizen and are bored, looking for fun or just want something new to experience, attend and enjoy good food, live music, dancing and fellowship. Cost is $5. Snacks are potluck. Exercise classes are held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9 a.m. Blood pressure is checked every first Wednesday of the month.

Florence American Legion

The Florence American Legion Post 134 meets the second Sunday of the month at Glen's Cafe in Florence. Meetings begin at 1 p.m. For further information contact Post Commander Claude Nichols at 273-3051.

Stevensville American Legion

The Stevensville American Legion Post 94 meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at the Post Home on Middle Burnt Fork Road. For more information contact Jerry Esmay, 777-5517.

Corvallis American Legion

The Corvallis American Legion Post 91 meets the third Thursday of every month at 7:30 p.m. in the Corvallis High School library. For further information contact Post Commander Alex Ivanoff at 961-8997 or Post Adjutant Roy Meyer, 961-4272.

Lilies of the Valley singing group

The Lilies of the Valley Ladies Ensemble welcomes you to share your time, talent, wit and humor in the joy of singing together, short programs to share with others. No auditions to participate, only your love of the language of music and the desire to sing it in melody and harmony. Come and relax Thursday evenings, 7 to 9 p.m., at 211 N. 6th St., Hamilton. For more information call Thelma, 363- 1598, or Lola, 363-4633.

WIC clinics

A WIC clinic is offered the first through the fourth Wednesdays of each month at the United Methodist Church in Stevensville, the second Monday of each month at the Church of the Nazarene in Victor, and the third Monday of each month at the Darby Clubhouse.

Sapphire Quilt Club

The Sapphire Quilt Club meets monthly on the second Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Stevensville Senior Center, 100 Mission Street. Teaching of short cuts and easy techniques begin at 6:30 p.m. Join this fun group of people to learn about quilting. For information, contact Linda Powell at 777-1070.

Grief Support Groups

When you grieve the death of a loved one, you sometimes hide it so others think you’re over your sorrow and loss. Marcus Daly Hospice offers an opportunity to share grieving experiences and grow from them.

For the men in our community dealing with the death of a loved one, Marcus Daly Hospice offers a men’s breakfast support group. The Men’s Bereavement Support Breakfast meets at 9 a.m. every second and fourth Friday of the month in the Marcus Daly Hospice dining room. Breakfast is provided for a $3 donation per person. Call 375-4752 to reserve your spot.

For anyone in our community dealing with the loss of a loved one, Tuesday afternoons from 2-3:30 p.m. a bereavement support group meets in the Marcus Daly Hospice Center living room. All are welcome.

For more information, call Cathy Palmer, LCPC, Bereavement Coordinator, at 375-4752.

Library Storytimes

The North Valley Public Library in Stevensville offers story times for children ages seven and under on Wednesdays at 11 a.m. No registration is required. For more information call the library at 777-5061.

Preschool story time

Preschool story time is held every Wednesday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Children’s Corner of the Bitterroot Public Library in Hamilton. For more information call the library at 363-1670.

Toddler story time

Toddler Story time is held every Friday from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. in the downstairs meeting room at the Bitterroot Public Library in Hamilton.

Spanish conversation group

Habla Espanol? Do you travel? Do you work with Latinos? Do you just want to keep your mind sharp? If you are a beginner or just a bit rusty, join the Stevi Spanish Conversation Group at the North Valley Public Library Wednesdays from 6 to 7 pm to brush up on your Spanish language skills. This is not a class to learn to speak Spanish. It will be an informal, weekly gathering to practice speaking the Spanish language. The focus will be role playing for situations experienced during travel and everyday life. For more information, call the library at 777-5061.

Soroptimists

Soroptimist International of Hamilton meets the first and third Thursdays of each month at noon at BJ’s Restaurant and the second Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the Forest Service building. Soroptimist is a worldwide organization for women in management and professions working through service projects to advance human rights and the status of women. All interested business women are encouraged to attend.

Rotary Club

The Hamilton Rotary Club meets Mondays, 12 noon, at “Papa Bear’s Den” on the east side of The Three Bears Creamery Cottage, 1659 N. 1st Street, Hamilton. For information about Rotary, call 363-2960.

PFLAG Chapter

Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) meets every fourth Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, in the basement, 600 S. 3rd St., Hamilton. The building is handicap accessible from DeSmet Street through the back door of the church. For more information contact Terry Moran, 363-7656.

‘Science of Mind’ fellowship

Science of Mind fellowship gathers every Sunday at 10 a.m. at the Carriage House in Hamilton to watch a downloaded message from Seattle's Center For Spiritual Living. Join like-minded metaphysicians in spiritual community. For info call Barb Lucas, 375-9996.

Women’s writing group

The Women's Collaborative Writing Group, focusing on women's issues, meets at SAFE in the Bitterroot, 150 Morning Star Way, Hamilton, on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. For more information call Theresa Rivera, advocate, at 363-2793, ext 12.   

Legion bingo

B-I-N-G-O! Join American Legion Fort Owen Post 94, in Stevensville, for free popcorn and an entertaining evening of bingo. The action starts at 7 p.m. at the Senior Center in Stevensville on the first and third Thursdays of the month. Bring the entire family. All prizes are cash and proceeds go to support American Legion youth activities.

Cancer Support Group

A Cancer Support Group is held each Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the North Valley Public Library Community Room. The group is for cancer patients, cancer survivors and family and/or caregivers. For more information contact Diane Howard at 777-2385 or 363-8543.

Hamilton Garden Club

The Hamilton Garden Club meets the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at a member’s home. For more information call 961-1678 or Linda at 961-0209.

Veteran-to-Veteran (V2V) meetings

The V2V outreach group meets every Friday morning at 8 a.m. in the backroom at BJ’s Restaurant in Hamilton. These informal meetings are for all veterans from the Boxer Rebellion to the present. Many veterans have both unresolved and resolved issues from their experiences in the military that impact their lives today. At the meetings veterans can discuss whatever they want and the outreach group gives veterans an opportunity to get together to share information and talk about issues. For further information contact Dan Mayer (961-1577) from the Bitterroot Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America.

Vietnam Veterans of America

The Bitterroot Chapter #938 of the Vietnam Veterans of America meets the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Human Resources Building, 316 North 3rd Street, Hamilton. Enter through the north door. Vietnam era veterans often need assistance with problems and issues and many have similar stories. The Bitterroot Chapter VVA is your organization to provide the opportunity to obtain and share information, to organize grass root activities, lend a helping hand, and offer assistance to all veterans in dealing with the Veterans Administration. Also, through the National VVA organization, the local chapter supplies input to state and federal government legislators on issues important to veterans. For more information contact Bill Decker at 369-0544.

Library Tot Time

A weekly Tot Time program for parents and children not yet in school is held every Tuesday from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Darby Community Public. Enjoy reading, art, music and snack. The program is free. For more information call the library at 821-4771.

Darby food collection

The Darby Bread Box, a local food bank in Darby, will be opening January 4, 2010. During November and December, organizers are collecting canned fruits and vegetables and peanut butter. Drop off donations at People’s Market or Bitterroot Community Credit Union. Any kind of donation would be appreciated.

Kiwanis seeking donations

The Bitterroot Valley Kiwanis Club is once again filling food baskets for families in need in the Bitterroot Valley. For over 30 Bitterroot Valley Kiwanis has provided between 280-320 baskets to families for the holiday season. These baskets include food and essentials items for families. The club is seeking donations of food items or money to help this year’s program. If you are interested, send a donation to Bitterroot Valley Kiwanis, 610 N 1st St, Suite 5, PMB 5, Hamilton MT 59840. You can also call Tyler Claxton at 370-6208.

Hamilton Elks dinner

The Hamilton Elks host a dinner open to the public every Wednesday night at the Hamilton Elks Lodge, 203 State Street. The menu is different each week and the cost is $8.00. Serving begins at 6 p.m. All proceeds benefit the Elks scholarship fund.

Suppertime at SVCFC 

Suppertime@SVCFC is a free community dinner for families and those needing a good, nutritious meal. Meals are served on Tuesday and Thursday from 6 to 7 p.m. at South Valley Child and Family Center, 515 Madison in Hamilton. All meals are prepared in a professional kitchen by volunteers. The program is funded by contributions, donations and grants. Any help is appreciated. If you or your group would like to volunteer or donate, call SVCFC at 363-3450.

Stevensville Awana

Awana kids’ club is a program for children ages 3 years-6th grade at First Baptist Church, 402 Church, Stevensville. It meets on Tuesdays after school from 4 to 5:30 p.m. during the school year. There are games, Bible stories, snacks and age appropriate curriculum. Awana is an international kid's club open to any child. For more information call Lynn Baker at 531-2684.

Lone Rock Awana

Lone Rock Bible Church, 1142 Three Mile Creek Rd., Stevensville, invites all children from preschool (age 4) through sixth grade to come to Awana Club, every Wednesday through March 24, from 2:45 to 4:30 p.m. at the church. Awana is one of the largest nondenominational children's and youth ministries in the world, focused on spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ through the local church. Each week the boys and girls will learn Bible verses, have a Bible story time, and play organized games. For more information call the church office at 777-2592.

MAC High School Youth Group

Six MAC (Montana Association of Churches) churches including Faith Lutheran, First Presbyterian, Corvallis United Methodist, United Methodist-American Baptist Federated, First Christian and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church are sponsoring a community youth program for all high school students. The MAC youth group meets on Monday nights from 6 to 8:15 p.m. at the Carriage House located at 310 N. 4th Street, Hamilton. Dinner will be provided by the churches at 6:30 p.m. Music will start at 7 p.m. followed by a short message given by the ministers of the above churches, an activity, fellowship and more music will follow. All community high school students are welcome. Call 363-7656 for more information.

MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) Group

For over 35 years, MOPS has been creating authentic communities where young moms gather to experience encouragement, support and hope. But, it doesn’t stop there. Through training and development customized to women in this stage of life, and through do-able service opportunities, MOPS grows moms to make a better world.

Although mothering preschoolers is at times a lonely challenge, MOPS is providing a welcome break for moms; a chance for moms to make new friends, enjoy a relevant speaker, discussion time and snacks, and most importantly, an opportunity for moms to know they are not alone in the struggles and joys of raising young children.

The new Bitterroot MOPS group meets at Lone Rock Bible Church, around the corner from Lone Rock School, just off Eastside Hwy, down Three Mile Creek Road, between Stevensville and Florence. The group meets every other Tuesday, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Age-appropriate childcare including snacks, stories and activities, is available for children up through age five.

For more information about Bitterroot MOPS, contact Jeannie Tischler at 777-0506.

IDEA MT meeting

Idea Development Entrepreneurial Association, Montana (IDEA MT), a network referral group dedicated to the advancement of small business in the Bitterroot, meets the first and third Wednesdays at 7 a.m. in Stevensville. The group is open to all local entrepreneurs or want-to-be entrepreneurs who are interested in developing or growing a small business. For more information contact Sue at 240-7862 or Jane at 531-9556.

Waldorf Playgroup

Waldorf Playgroup, Parent/Child Classes meet Tuesdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Bitterroot Public Library in Hamilton, and Daly Mansion Children's Garden. Welcoming parents, expecting parents, and children birth to 6 years for creative play, songs, stories, baking, crafts and gardening in a homelike setting. For more information contact Kim at 369-0213 or Elissia at 381-1981. Waldorf Playgroup, Parent/Child Class is sponsored by the Bitterroot School. More information about the Bitterroot School and Waldorf education can be found at www.thebitterrootschool.org and www.whywaldorfworks.org.

Preschool Story Time

Preschoolers are invited to meet in the children’s area of the library on Wednesday, January 13 to enjoy stories read by Allison Jessop. This story time begins at 10:30 a.m. and is designed for children 3-5 years of age. Toddler story time for babies through age 2 meets on Friday, January 15 at 10:30 a.m. in the downstairs meeting room of the library. Both story times last approximately 45 minutes. For more information, call Sally at 363-1670.

Photo contest

The 18th Annual Ernst Peterson "Photograph Montana" Contest is now accepting entries. Enter your "Best of Montana" images! In the classifications of Professional and Amateur, the Categories are: Scenic, Color; Scenic, Black and White; All other categories in black and white OR color People; Domestic Animals; Wild Animals; Macro (other than flowers); Flowers; Structures; Abstract/Manipulated; Humorous; Junior Category (12 and under, any topic, any subject, Black and white OR color).

Awards will be presented in all categories, as well as a People's Choice Award for entire contest, and a Grand Prize. Submission deadline is January 30, 2010. The Photo Exhibit will be February 3-April 15, will a Judging and Award Ceremony on April 4 at 11 a.m.

Download entry forms at www.brvhsmuseum.org or stop in and pick one up! For more information, contact the Ravalli County Museum at 363-3338.

Lifelong Learning course registration

Community members age 50 and older can explore topics ranging from history, literature and writing to Big Sky Country, the Middle East and Xinjiang, China, in winter courses offered by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Montana.

The courses, taught by dynamic UM and community educators, will take place during January and February. Registration is now open for all winter courses. Complete course descriptions, times and locations are on the institute’s Web site at http://www.umt.edu/ce/plus50.

An annual institute membership fee of $20 is required to enroll. Registration for each course costs $60 plus fees where applicable. A variety of discounts are also offered/

To register or for more information, call UM Continuing Education at 243-2905 or e-mail dannette.fadness@umontana.edu.

The institute also will host its third annual “Behind the Scenes at the Symphony” in conjunction with the Missoula Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra’s music director, Darko Butorac, and executive director, John Driscoll, will offer glimpses of what goes into a Missoula Symphony performance during two different presentations from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16 and 23, in UM’s Todd Building Room 204. Then, participants can attend a symphony rehearsal at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, in the University Theatre.

“Behind the Scenes at the Symphony” is free to institute members, but space is limited. To RSVP, call 243-2905 or e-mail dannette.fadness@umontana.edu.

Bitterroot Library schedule

January 13 - Preschool Story Time, 10:30-11:15, Children’s Corner; “Feelin’ Froggy” with storyteller Allison Jessop

January 14 - Fellowship Club, west meeting room 6-7:30, discussing “The Prophet” by Kahlil Gibran

January 15 - Toddler Story Time, downstairs meeting room, 10:30-11:15

January 18 - Closed for Martin Luther King Day

January 20 - Preschool Story Time, 10:30-11:15, Children’s Corner; “Wishing On a Star” with storyteller Karen Fields

January 22 - Toddler Story Time, 10:30-11:15, in the downstairs meeting room

January 27 - Preschool Story Time, 10:30-11:15, Children‚s Corner; “Wild About Books” with storyteller Paula Prescott

January 28 – “Brown Bag It” Book Club, 12 noon to 1:00, “The Surrounded” by Darcy McNickel

January 28 - Foreign Film Night, 7 p.m. west meeting room, “Munyurangabo” by director Lee Isaac Chung (Rwanda)

January 29 - Toddler Story Time, 10:30-11:15, in the downstairs meeting room.

Red Cross blood drives

January 14 - Pinesdale Community, 4:30 to 7:30. For appointment call Spencer, 961-3693. This is Spencer’s Eagle Scout project.

January 18 - Darby Community, Darby HS, 10 to 4. This blood drive is in honor of Miriam Bender, a student who is receiving blood transfusions. For appointment call the school, 821-3252.

January 23 - Iron Horse Athletic Club, 10 to 2. Blood mobile will be in the parking lot. For appointment call 363-0300.

Humanitarian aid opportunity

Dr. Richard D. Northcott, founder and chairman of Kid’s Hope, the Canadian Humanitarian Organization for International Relief, will be in Hamilton at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital on Wednesday, January 13 at 2 p.m. in Conference Room B. Dr. Northcott will take 30 minutes to share heartfelt stories and outline a very special volunteer opportunity for medical personnel and other interested individuals.

Canadian Humanitarian is a non-religious, non-political developmental aid organization that focuses on helping orphaned and vulnerable children and their families in Ethiopia and other developing nations with programs such as Kid’s Hope Ethiopia. A community based care project, Kid’s Hope Ethiopia cares for over a 100 orphaned and homeless children that are enrolled at two centers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The centers provide the children with access to education, medical care, and a youth center where children can participate in a variety of clubs and activities and receive help with their homework.

As part of Kid’s Hope Ethiopia, Dr. Northcott and volunteers travel to Ethiopia two to six times a year. While there, volunteers assist with medical exams, community workshops, English classes, project evaluation, recreational and art activities and much more.

If you are interested in giving of your time and yourself to make a positive influence in the lives of these less fortunate children, join Dr. Northcott on Wednesday, January 13, 2 p.m. at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital, Conference Room B, and find out more about this volunteer opportunity. The Kid’s Hope Ethiopia project welcomes all individuals but is in need of individuals with medical skills and knowledge.

More Suppertime!

Suppertime@SVCFC will be offering Italian Suppertime starting January 13. Every Wednesday evening from 6 to 7 p.m., SVCFC staff will be serving up great Italian Suppers for families and those in need in our community. Free meals are served from 6 to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 515 S. Madison in Hamilton and soon on Wednesdays starting January 13. Call 363-3450 for further info, to volunteer or to donate.

Divorce & shared parenting class

A class on Divorce & Shared Parenting will be held January 13 and 20 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Carriage House, 310 N. 4th Street in Hamilton. Parental separation is tough on all members of the family, especially children. If you and your children's other parent are divorced or separated, this class offers comprehensive, confidential and caring assistance. Families First provides a two-part series designed to help do what is best for your kids. Co-parents are asked to take separate classes; pre-registration is required; call 721-7690. Cost: $25/series.

Democratic Central Committee

The Ravalli County Democratic Central Committee will meet on Wednesday, January 13 at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held at the North Valley Public Library, 208 Main St., Stevensville (across the street from and one block north of Valley Drug). A spring fundraising event, and 2010 campaign planning and candidate training will be discussed. All Democrats who wish to attend are welcome. If you have any questions, contact John Meakin at 777-4421.

Women Newcomers Club

Bitterroot Women Newcomers Club welcomes ladies who would like to make new friends in the Valley to attend the Thursday, January 14 meeting at 10:30 a.m. upstairs at the Ravalli County Museum on 3rd and Bedford in Hamilton. Contact Doreen Burgess at 363-5422 for more information.

SASS

The Stevensville Art & Sculpture Society (SASS) will meet Thursday, January 14 at 10 a.m. at the Bitterroot Star office, 215 Main, Stevensville. Guests are welcome.

Stevi Civic Club

The Stevensville Civic Club will meet Thursday, January 14 at noon at St. Mary's Historic Mission meeting room. As always, lunch is $6 and guests are welcome.

Green Thumbs Up group

The Green Thumbs Up gardening  group will meet on Thursday, January 14 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the public meeting room downstairs in the Bitterroot Public Library, 306 State Street, Hamilton. The  meeting is open to all gardeners interested in gardening in the Bitterroot Valley. John Stroud, of Stevensville, will speak on the propagation and cultivation of the bitterroot, the flower after which our valley is named. Stroud has created bitterroot gardens at several area museums and will soon establish another at Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge. Members should particularly note that this meeting will begin at 1 p.m., an hour earlier than usual.

Stevi school board facility committee

The Stevensville School Board Facility Committee will meet on Thursday, January 14 at 2 p.m. in the Superintendent’s office.

Parents as Leaders workshop series

A workshop series on Parents as Leaders will begin Thursday, January 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Local Living Family Center, 5501 N. Hwy 93 in Florence (behind Town Pump). Dinner will be provided. Childcare is available when requested the day before class. The first class is “Get to Know your Strengths” followed by “The Right Question Project on January 21; “Visioning on January 28; “Organizing” on February 4; “Action Planning” on February 11; and “Effective Facilitation” on February 18. To register or for more information call 273-0142 or HYPERLINK "mailto:adunne@wordinc.org" adunne@wordinc.org.

Selway-Pintler Wilderness Back Country Horsemen

It’s time to start dreaming of the mountains and warm spring trails! Join the Selway-Pintler Wilderness Back Country Horsemen’s next meeting on Thursday, January 14 at 7 p.m. at Lakeland Feed & Supply in Hamilton. Entry is through the warehouse westside door; meeting room is upstairs. Refreshments will be coffee and cookies. Members will be discussing cookouts, camp outs, pack trips, group activities and work projects. Visitors and guests are always welcome. For other information contact Kathy or Joe at 821-0921.

Cross Country Ski Club

The Bitterroot Cross-Country Ski Club will present a program on Travel in Mongolia at its meeting Thursday, January 14 at 7 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church, 1220 W. Main St. in Hamilton. Come hear Members Sonja and Jay Skovlin as they present a program about their summer in Northern Mongolia, south of Siberia, relating their experiences as graduate students while traveling, studying diverse cultures, and meeting with the local people in a quality of life improvement project.

Fellowship Club

The Bitterroot Fellowship Club will meet Thursday, January 14 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Bitterroot Public Library in the west meeting room. Joseph A. Costantino, Ph.D., will facilitate a discussion of “The Prophet” by Kahlil Gibran. “The Prophet” is a book of 26 philosophical poetic essays written in English in 1923 by the Lebanese American artist, poet, philosopher and writer Kahlil Gibran. In the book, the prophet Al-Mustafa who has lived in the foreign city of Orphalese for 12 years is about to board a ship which will carry him home. He is stopped by a group of people, with whom he discusses many issues of life and the human condition.

The BPL Fellowship Club is free and open to anyone seeking to promote individual and collective well-being. For more information call 363-1670.

Democratic Mule Team

The Ravalli County Democratic Mule Team Lunch will be held on Friday, January 15 at noon at Mitchell’s Conference Room (formerly the Papa Bears Den) at 1659 N. Highway 93 behind the Victorian Casino in the Tammany Square in Hamilton. The guest will be Victoria Clark, Interim Director or the Bitterroot College Program of the University of Montana. She will be discussing the recent developments of the Bitterroot College Program. All are welcome to attend. For reservations and questions, call Corrine at 544-8586.

Gallery talk

River’s Mist Gallery of Fine Art, 317 Main, Stevensville, will be hosting a free Gallery Talk on Friday, January 15 at 7 p.m. Bobbie McKibbin of Drawn West Studio will be giving a presentation on pastel techniques and the business of art. Mckibbin taught for many years at Grinnell College before retiring in Stevensville. Her works have been shown in more than 25 galleries and in the collections of over 19 corporate offices. She has immense knowledge, not only of the art world, but art as a business. For more information call 777-0520.

Pancake breakfast

The Hamilton Senior Center, 820 N. 4th, will hold a pancake breakfast on Saturday, January 16 from 8 to 10 a.m. The menu will be pancakes, French toast, scrambled eggs, bacon, fruit, juice and coffee.

Bus rides to Lost Trail Ski Resort

The Hamilton Lions Club and the Greater Ravalli Foundation are sponsoring ski bus rides to Lost Trail Ski Area on Saturdays on January 16, 23, 30, Feb. 6, 13 and 20. Cost is $5.00 per rider. Discounted ticket prices are: under 13, $15.00; 13 and older, $20.00. Adults are welcome. Riders need to bring exact amounts for riding and skiing; no checks accepted. The bus loads at 8 a.m. at Westview Center in Hamilton and departs at 8:30 a.m. The bus leaves the mountain at 4 p.m., returning to Westview at 5 p.m. where parents and guardians can pick up their children. All skis and boards must be in a bag and are carried in an escort vehicle. Boots and lunch bags can be carried on bus. If rental is needed a signed rental slip must accommodate the rider. Rental forms will be available at the bus with rental fees paid at lodge when getting equipment.  

Model Railroaders

The Bitterroot Model Railroaders announce the first run of the new year on their HO layout in the Kohl Building on Stevensville's Main Street, on Saturday, January 16, the third Saturday of the month. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. And, as always, it's free and it's fun!

Photography workshop 

The Ravalli County Museum and the BRVHS will sponsor a photography workshop with Les Bury on Saturday, January 16 from 11 a.m. to approximately 1 p.m. at the Ravalli County Museum, 205 Bedford, Hamilton. The workshop is open to ages 12 and up. Space is limited so call 363-3338 to reserve your seat now.

Trapped pet release workshop

Footloose Montana will hold a Trapped Pet Release Workshop on Saturday, January 16 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Carriage House, 310 N. 4th Street, Hamilton.

Many Montanans think trapping is a relic of the mountain man days, but each year tens of thousands of potentially lethal traps are set on Montana’s public lands. If your dog got caught in a trap, would you know how to rescue it? Learn how at this workshop. Recent incidents involving the death or injury of pets in popular recreation areas point out how important it is to be aware of traps. Learn how to act quickly and potentially save your pet’s life.   

The event is sponsored by Footloose Montana, a group educating concerned citizens about traps on public lands. Call 274-7878 for more information or email HYPERLINK "mailto:info@footloosemontana.org" info@footloosemontana.org.

Rowley Memorial Scholarship Party

Jake Rowley’s family and MAPS invites you to celebrate his life (1990–2009) with food, fun and fond memories on Saturday, January 16, from 4 to 7 p.m. at The MAPS Media Institute, Westview Center, 103 S. 9th Street, Hamilton. All are welcome to come see the house that Jake built. For more information call 363-8321.

MLK Day Celebration

The Bitterroot Human Rights Alliance will be hosting its15th annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration on Saturday, January 16, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 1220 W. Main St. in Hamilton. This year’s after-dinner presentation will feature guest speakers: Travis McAdam, Executive Director of Montana Human Rights Network and 4th generation Montanan, and Stewart Brandborg, President, Bitterrooters For Planning, long-time Bitterroot resident and activist, addressing “A Refresher Course on the History of Anti-Government/Anti-Environmental Extremism.”

The membership meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. with potluck at 6:30 p.m. and presentation at 7:30 p.m. For more information call 363-1329.

Square dance club

Boots ‘n; Calico Square Dance Club will continue with the beginner class on Saturday, January 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Hamilton Senior Center, 820 N. 4th. Following the class will be a regular club dance. The dance level will be mainstream with plus tips about every third tip. Rounds will be provided between tips. The caller will be Ray Dunbar. Club members will provide refreshments. For more information call Donna Hicks, 961-0111, or Jeanne Burruss, 961-3468.

Live music

Folksinger/songwriter Paul Arnoldi will perform traditional folk songs and originals on Saturday, January 16 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Hidden Legend Winery.

Stevi school board policy committee

The Stevensville School Board Policy Committee will meet Monday, January 18 at 8:40 a.m. in the Superintendent’s office.

German lessons 

Learn German: 45 minute parent-child classes will start Monday, January 18 at 10 a.m. and run for 12 weeks at the Hamilton Seventh Day Adventist Church, 117 W. Bridge Rd. For registration information, call Elke West, 375-9243 or visit HYPERLINK "http://www.musiclingua.com" www.musiclingua.com.

After-school theater classes

The second semester of Hamilton Playhouse after-school classes kicks off January 18. The classes are designed around age groups from 5 to 18, with separate classes for each age group. The lessons include almost every aspect of the theater experience, from backstage to performance. Registration forms are available at the Hamilton Players box office. Registration is $200 for the 16-week program. The students will have a performance showcase May 14 and 15.

Bitterroot Audubon 

Bitterroot Audubon’s January meeting will feature a presentation on the Clark Fork-Grass Valley Important Bird Area (IBA) by Jim Brown, past president of Five Valleys Audubon and Montana Audubon. The Clark Fork-Grass Valley IBA encompasses about 25,000 acres of river corridor and adjacent uplands between Missoula and Huson. Jim will focus on the birds found on the IBA as well as the conservation opportunities and accomplishments facilitated by the presence of the IBA. The IBA program is a global initiative to identify sites containing critical bird habitat and to stimulate local conservation efforts. The Bitterroot River IBA has been the focus of the attention of Bitterroot Audubon for the last two years, and could be the cornerstone of similar conservation efforts in the Bitterroot.

 Come join Bitterroot Audubon on Monday, January 18 at 7 p.m. for Jim’s stimulating presentation. The program will be at the Bitterroot National Forest Headquarters (Hwy. 93 at the north end of Hamilton). Enter the building from the west side. The meeting is free, and the public is invited to attend. For further information, contact Kay Fulton, 642-3794.

Stevi Horizons

Come join Stevensville Horizons for their January meeting! Horizons is a community development program that focuses on reducing poverty while building the leaders within the community. Learn what your community has done and how you can participate. Join them on Tuesday, January 19 at the Stevensville Main Street Association from noon to 1 p.m. Lunch is provided. For questions or dietary requests, contact Katelyn Andersen, MSU/Ravalli County Extension Agent, 375-6611.

Sons of Norway

Bitterrootdalen Lodge, Sons of Norway, will meet on Tuesday, January 19 at at 4:30 p.m. at the Hamilton Senior Center, 820 N. Fourth. Dan Rude, International President, representing Lodges in Canada, Norway and the US, will install officers for 2010. The Lodge will sponsor a potluck, serving "lapskaus" (a delicious Norwegian stew of beef and pork); members and guests can bring side dishes. Those members who have been gifted with vests should wear them for the installation and for a photo opp. The public is always invited to attend and anyone with an interest in Scandinavia, and learning the culture, is welcome to be a member.

Meetings on hunting reg proposals

Hunting regulation proposals for the 2010-2011 hunting seasons will be the subject of public meetings across west-central Montana’s Region 2 in January.

Comments collected at these meetings or submitted in writing will be weighed as the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission finalizes hunting regulations in February. All meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. Meetings scheduled in the Bitterroot are: Hamilton: January 20, Bitterroot River Inn, 139 Bitterroot Plaza Drive; Darby: January 21, Darby High School Cafeteria, 209 School Dr.

A complete list of the proposals and the schedule for public meetings statewide can be found on FWP’s Web site at fwp.mt.gov, Click 2010-11 Hunting Season Comments. Comments, due by 5 p.m. on Jan. 22, 2010, may be submitted at the public meetings, or on the FWP Web page. Written comments may be sent to: FWP—Wildlife Bureau, Attn: Public Comment, P.O. Box 200701, Helena MT 59620-0701. For other questions, call 542-5500.

Healthy Montana Kids information program

South Valley Child and Family Center presents a free program on “The Healthy Montana Kids Program - Healthcare for Your Children” on Wednesday, January 20 at 6:30 p.m., 515 Madison in Hamilton. Every parent of a child less than 19 years of age should know of the new Healthy Montana Kids (HMK) program that brings together Medicaid and CHIP. There are new eligibility rules and the benefits are great. Even though your child may not have qualified in the past, new rules may help her/him to qualify and benefit from this free or very low cost coverage. Lynn Solomon, HMK outreach specialist, will present information and answer questions. Call 363-3450 for more information.

RML Community Liaison Group

The Rocky Mountain Laboratories Community Liaison Group (RML CLG) is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, January 20 at 7 p.m. in conference rooms B-C at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital, 1200 Westwood Drive, Hamilton. Agenda items include presentations on electron microscopes used at RML and on the campus recycling program. Progress reports also will be given on building renovation, site improvement, and land purchases. The public is invited to attend and participate in the meeting.

The RML CLG includes representatives from local government, education, business, medical and emergency services, and community and civic groups. The RML CLG represents a long-term commitment to more structured interactions with the community. The group began meeting in 2002.

Trout Unlimited

The January Bitter Root Trout Unlimited meeting will be Thursday, January 21 at 7 p.m. at the Hamilton Elks Lodge, 203 State Street. Travis Horton, the Native Fish Coordinator for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, will give a presentation about Montana’s Native Trout programs. This will be a great opportunity to learn about what makes Montana’s fisheries so special. For more information, contact Bill Bean at 363-6158, Fishaus@blackfoot.net.

Guardian Angels benefit

The premiere of “My Ex-Husband’s Visit” and “The Lost Montana Monolog” will be the feature performances of “A Mid-Winter Showcase” to be held January 22, 23 and 24 at the Dunrovin Ranch Dance Hall in Lolo.

“My Ex-Husband’s Visit” and “The Lost Montana Monolog” were written by University of Montana staff member Wendy Woollett, a “cancer over-comer” and author of “The Montana Monologs.” The event is a fundraiser for the Guardian Angels Foundation, a nonprofit organization that gives financial assistance to cancer patients with uninsured medical expenses.

The showcase will take place at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 22-23, with a matinee performance from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 24. Cost for the Friday or Saturday evening performance is $20. The Sunday matinee includes a light barbecue dinner and cast party after the performance. Cost of Sunday’s event is $30. Reservations are requested.

The Dunrovin Ranch Dance Hall is heated but is an outdoor venue, so those who attend the performances should bundle up and be prepared for the weather. To make reservations, call the Dunrovin Ranch at 273-7745 or e-mail info@dunrovinranchmontana.com.

Snow Day at Daly Mansion

It's sledding and snowmen at the Daly Mansion on Saturday, January 23 from noon to 3 p.m. Bring the kiddies and your sleds. The Mansion "bunny hill" will be open for sledding. Build your best snowman, snow fort, or snow angel, have some hot cocoa and chili while you warm up in the Mansion Trophy Room. There will also be a Souped Up Sled contest. Decorate or build your sled at home, bring it to the Mansion, and enter it in this zany contest. Prizes and activities make up this fun family event. No snow? No problem! There will be lots of non-snow family activities planned. Admission is $5.00 for adults and $2.00 for children; children under 6 will be admitted free. For more information, call 363-6004, ext. 3#.

Darby Adult Education

Darby Adult Education spring classes will begin the week of Monday, February

15. Course list (mailer) will be available on Monday, January 25 or visit

http://www.darby.k12.mt.us/, and click on Adult Education. All registration fees are due by Monday, February 8. For information call 821-2305.

Parent education classes

A class on teen development for parents will be held January 26 and 27 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Corvallis Middle School Room 22. Instructor Jackie Johnson-Wirth will lead a discussion on what makes middle schoolers and teenagers unique and different from their younger and older selves. To register, contact Jenell Semple at 961-3007.

Veterans affairs officer to visit

Len Leibinger, Regional Service Officer for the Montana Veterans Affairs Division in Missoula, will be available to veterans and their dependents who have questions or need to file a claim with the Dept. of Veteran Affairs on January 26 at the Stevensville Town Council Chambers from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and at the Hamilton Job Service Office from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Book discussion group

The Bitterroot Public Library's "Brown Bag It" Book Discussion Group will meet Thursday, January 28 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. in the west meeting room of the library. Discussion will be on One Book Montana's "The Surrounded" by author D'Arcy McNickle. New members are welcome. Bring your lunch!

Foreign film series

The Bitterroot Public Library is continuing its Celebrating Cultural Diversity Adult Foreign Film Series this year with a showing of the film, "Munyurangabo” on Thursday, January 28 at 7 p.m. in the west meeting room of the library. It is a Rwanda based film, 97 minutes long by Director Lee Isaac Chung. It has won the "Independent Spirit Award” for “Director to Watch.”

After stealing a machete from a market in Kigali, Munyurangabo and his friend, Sanwa, leave the city on a journey tied to their pasts. Munyurangbo wants justice for his parents killed in genocide, and Sangwa wants to visit the home he deserted years ago. Though they plan to visit Sangwa's home for just a few hours, the boys stay for several days. Their friendship is tested when Sangwa's wary parents disapprove of Munyurangabo, warning that "Hutus and Tutsi are supposed to be enemies.” The showing is sponsored by the Annie Maclay Leffingwell Foundation. It is intended for mature audiences due to adult themes, language and sexual content. The showing is free.

Soroptimist golf tournament

You don’t need to travel to Arizona to play golf in January! It’s time to dust off your putter, put aside the winter blahs and sign up for the Hamilton Soroptimist Award-winning Winter Golf Tournament to be held Saturday, January 30, in downtown Hamilton. All funds raised through the tournament will go to the many organizations and programs supported by Soroptimist of Hamilton including SAFE, free mammogram program, women’s scholarships and many other organizations that support women and girls. The fun begins at the Eagles in Hamilton at 9:45 a.m. Participants must pre-register for this event as there is a limited number of teams. Entrance fee is $55 for caddyshack teams and $80 for traditional teams. To register a team, call Mary Alice Holloway at 381-1335. To donate a prize item or for more information, call Tawnya Mortenson at 363-7780.

Beginning beekeeping workshop

Montana State University will present a beginning beekeeping workshop on Saturday, January 30.

New beekeepers, including youth, can learn how to get started, first year management strategies and integrated pest management of honey bee pests and diseases. Participants will also learn about honey bee biology and beekeeping equipment.

Presenters are from MSU, Western Bee Supplies of Polson, and the Montana Department of Agriculture’s Apiary Division.

The workshop runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and takes place at the Plant Bioscience Building room 108 on the MSU Campus in Bozeman. The cost is $20 for adults and $15 for children 18 and under. Registration is due by Jan. 20 and is limited to 50 people. Send payment made out to Montana Agricultural Experiment Station along with your name, address and phone number to: David Baumbauer, Plant Growth Center, P.O. Box 172060, Montana State University, Bozeman MT 59717.

Workshop information is available at HYPERLINK "http://ag.montana.edu/plantgrowth/" http://ag.montana.edu/plantgrowth/ or contact David Baumbauer at (406) 994-2231.

Introduction to yoga

A free class on Beginning Sivananda Yoga will be held Saturday, January 30 at 9 a.m. and/or a children’s yoga class for kids ages 5 to 10 at 10:30 a.m. Classes will be at Yoga in the Root, 4071 Eastside Hwy, Suite A. Call Jill at 370-9252 for information.

Private Land/Public Wildlife Council

The Private Land/Public Wildlife Council will meet on February 1-2 in Lewistown at the Yogo Inn to discuss hunting and fishing access issues. Council members will meet Monday, Feb. 1, at 1 p.m. to determine priorities and begin to work on identified issues. The meeting will continue Tuesday from 8 a.m.- noon. The 15-member council, made up of landowners, outfitters, hunters, anglers, legislators, and an FWP Commissioner, is appointed by the Governor and charged with reviewing FWP hunting and fishing access programs, offering recommendations to help achieve program goals, and addressing issues related to private land and public wildlife. Members of the public are invited to attend the meeting and observe council proceedings. A public comment period is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 1. For more information about the PL/PW Council, contact Alan Charles, FWP Coordinator of Landowner/Sportsman Relations, by phone: 406- 444-3798, or by email: HYPERLINK "mailto:acharles@mt.gov"acharles@mt.gov . Or, visit the FWP Web site at HYPERLINK "http://%22h"fwp.mt.gov on the Hunting page under hunter access.

February library events

February is “I love to Read” Month at the Bitterroot Public Library in Hamilton.

February 3 - Preschool Story Time, 10:30-11:15 am, Children’s Corner; “Flying High with Kites” with storyteller Star Jameson

February 3 - Teen Advisory Board Meeting, 4:00-5:30 pm, in the downstairs west meeting room

February 5 - Toddler Story Time, 10:30-11:15 am, in the downstairs west meeting room

February 10 - Preschool Story Time, 10:30-11:15 am, Children’s Corner; “Be My Valentine” with storyteller Susan Powers

February 11 - The Fellowship Club presents discussion on the book Bhagavad Gita by Stephen Mitchell. 6-7:30 pm in the west meeting room of the library

February 12 - Toddler Story Time, 10:30-11:15 am, in the downstairs meeting room

February 17 - Preschool Story Time, 10:30-11:15 am, Children’s Corner; “It’s a Mystery” with storyteller Allison Jessop

February 19 - Toddler Story Time, 10:30-11:15 am, in the downstairs west meeting room

February 24 - Preschool Story Time, 10:30-11:15 am, Children’s Corner; “Living in Teepees” with storyteller Mark Rhodes

February 25 - Book discussion 12 noon to 1 pm, west meeting room, Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” will be discussed. Newcomers are welcome.

February 26 - Toddler Story Time, 10:30-11:15 am, in the downstairs west meeting room.