Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Community Calendar

Hamilton Senior Center activities

Monday - noon lunch, cloggers at 1:30 p.m.; bingo at 7 p.m.

Tuesday - line dancing at 9 a.m.

Wednesday - noon lunch, bridge at I p.m., cloggers at 5 p.m.

Thursday - exercise at 9 a.m.

Friday - noon lunch.

Victor Senior Center activities

Sundays - AA meeting, 7 p.m.

Monday-Thursday - Men's Coffee, 8:30-10 a.m.

Mondays & Wednesdays - Exercise, 10-11 a.m.

Monday-Friday - Lunch, 11:30 a.m. Includes salad bar, main course, 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.

Lilies of the Valley

Any women who enjoy singing two- and three-part harmony to a wide variety of piano-accompanied music are invited to join Lilies of the Valley singing group. No auditions are required for participation. Have fun sharing your time and talent under the direction of Thelma Laws. The group meets Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. at 611 N. 6th in Hamilton. For more information call Lola, 363-4633.

VFW meetings

VFW Post 1430 meets the first Monday of every month at 8 p.m. at the American Legion Hall in Hamilton the Woman's Auxiliary meets at 7 pm.

Overeaters Anonymous

Overeaters Anonymous is a Twelve Step program that deals with eating behaviors. Is one of your goals to reach a healthy weight? This program offers a solution within reach of all those who want to find relief from an obsession with food. It meets weekly on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 203 Main Street, Stevensville, as well as on Saturdays at 10 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 1220 W. Main St., Hamilton. For information, call 777-7160.

La Leche League

La Leche League is an international mother-to-mother network for moms who want to breastfeed their babies. Bitterroot LLL chapter meets in the North Valley Public Library community room the third Thursday of each month at 10:30 a.m. Mothers and children and pregnant women are welcome. Call 239-5039 for more information.

Suicide Loss Support

When you suffer a loss due to suicide the grief is overwhelming. Most people don't know "just how you feel." What you can expect from SLS is someone who has experienced a loss from suicide to listen to you privately, or in a group setting. You may choose to be present but it is ok not to speak if you are not ready. SLS cares. Your loss matters and your grief is very real. SLS will support you in every way possible. Contact Shaun or Barbara Jo DesJardins, 777-3853.

Golden Agers

The Golden Age group meets every Friday from 8 to 10:30 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.

Saturday Kids Activities

Join the Montana Natural History Center each Saturday at 2 p.m. for a different exciting children’s program. Admission is 50 cents for kids, $1 for adults and members are free. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Programs run about an hour to an hour and a half. Great for kids ages 5 and older. The center is located at 120 Hickory, Missoula.

Daly Mansion Holiday Tours

The Daly Mansion invites the public to celebrate the holiday season by touring the mansion. Beautifully decorated for the holidays, the Daly Mansion will be open for tours every Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. through December 22. Entertainment and refreshments will be provided during the Friday evening tours. Entertainers include the Montana A Cappella Society (Nov. 30), Russell Perri (Dec. 7), Tim Shonkwiler (Dec. 14), and the Jack Frost Trio (Dec. 21). Tour prices are $8.00 for adults, $7.00 for seniors, $5.00 for children 6-17 years, and free for children 5 years and under. For more information, call 363-6004.

SEE Sign Cooperative Learning Group

SEE Sign Cooperative Learning Group meets Mondays at 5:30 p.m. at Active Care Chiropractic in Stevensville. Facilitators are Gayle Thom and Jenn Closson. Admission is a donation toward copies/ink. For more information email Jenn Closson at jennksc@hotmail.com.

Yoga in the Root

Yoga in the Root now offers a night class, beginning Iyengar style, Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in Stevensville. In addition, there are general hatha classes at 10:30 a.m. Mondays and at 9 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Vigorous ashtanga classes are at 9 a.m. Mondays and 10:30 a.m. Thursdays. The program is at Active Care Chiropractic at 504 Main St. Call Jill at 370-9252, or e-mail yogaintheroot@gmail.com for information.

Senior Center bridge

Just a reminder that bridge is a game you can play for life, it is always a mental exercise that keeps our brains and wits sharp. If you don't play yet keep your eye peeled for the announcement of the fall free bridge lessons. These classes will teach you the basics and you can move on from there. If you already play bridge and want to play duplicate bridge, games are on Wednesdays at the Hamilton Senior Center at 1 p.m. You will need to bring a partner or call Judy Dameral at 363-0738. She will assist you in finding a partner.

The Morning Gig

Attention musicians! St. Stephen's is recruiting musicians for "The Morning Gig." At 11 a.m. on Sunday morning, gather at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church on Main Street in Stevensville to practice, and then play. Sleep in! Play nine holes! Then come play music. There is a place in the band for everyone - whatever you play, you'll have a spot. If your music teacher is bugging you to practice this summer, come and jam! Just dug your clarinet out of the closet? Here's a place to tune it up. Help everyone be more creative! For more information call Suzanne at 529 6194 or email sartley@bresnan.net.

Florence American Legion

The American Legion Post 134 meetings are held the second Thursday of each month at the IOOF hall in Florence at 7 p.m.

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 Russell Vogel, 777-4427.

Waldorf Play Group

The Waldorf Play Group meets every Tuesday at Common Ground in Hamilton, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with snack provided. Parents are encouraged to attend with their young children (ages 1 to 5) to explore imagination play, with fairy tales, songs, and seasonal creative activities. All are welcome. Contact Kim Delvo at 369-0213 for more information.s

Library storytimes

The North Valley Public Library in Stevensville offers story times for children ages seven and under on Wednesdays at 11 a.m. Volunteer Sandra Wilson shares stories, songs and crafts with children and their families each week. Alternating weeks feature special themes such as letters, numbers or pets. No registration is required. For more information, call the library at 777-5061.

SAFE support groups

SAFE, Supporters of Abuse Free Environments, hosts weekly ongoing support groups for women and children. Women’s groups focus on healing from domestic and sexual violence, building self-esteem, inner reflection, creative expression and other topics of interest to women. Come as often or as little as you want. Groups are held weekly on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Children’s Groups are held on Tuesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Children work on self-exploration, boundaries, and conflict resolution. This group is for ages 5 to 12. Teen Group is held every Thursday from 4 to 5:30 p.m. This group is for ages 13-18 and focuses on teen issues, dating and healthy relationships. Groups are held at SAFE in our Community Resource Building, 150 Morning Star Way, Hamilton. Free childcare is available. For more information contact SAFE, 363-2793.

Caregiver coffee break

Are you one of the millions of Americans who help someone else by providing companionship, preparing meals, running errands, driving to doctors appointments or by simply doing whatever needs to be done to assist someone who is ill or homebound?

Aspen Hospice recognizes the complexity of caregiving and offers a time of respite. Whether or not the person you care for receives services from Aspen Hospice, you, as a caregiver, can find encouragement, support and information at the Caregiver Coffee Break every Wednesday from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at 230 Marcus Street in Hamilton. Stop in anytime and stay as long as you like. Reservations are not required and coffee breaks are provided at no charge. For additional information, contact Elizabeth at 777-5009.

TOPS meeting

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Chapter 343, meets every Thursday morning at 9 a.m. in the Community Baptist Church, 409 Buck St., Stevensville. TOPS is a non profit weight loss support group Guests and new members are welcome. For more information call Jerry Sue at 777-5355.

Tax counseling

Volunteer AARP tax counselors will be available to help seniors with their tax returns starting the first week in February. Appointments are available in Hamilton on Monday, Wednesday or Friday from 1 to 3 p.m. by calling the Hamilton Senior Center at 363-5181. In Stevensville appointments are on Thursdays from 1 to 3 p.m. by calling the Stevensville Senior Center at 777-5681.

Taize prayer service

A Taizé Prayer Service will be held every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. through March 18 at the United Methodist Church, 216 College, Stevensville. Gathered in the presence of Christ, participants sing uncomplicated repetitive short songs like breath prayers, uncluttered by too many words, allowing the mystery of God to become tangible through the beauty of the Spirit in its simplicity. For more information call 777-5443.

Global Warming, Changing CO₂urse

Interested in joining a Bitterroot study group?

The Northwest Earth Institute, based in Portland, Oregon, has been developing study guides on a variety of topics for over 15 years. Their sense is that the most appropriate responses to the issues will be developed at the local level. For each topic they put together sample reading materials on a topic outline designed for use by the group. Once formed, the group is encouraged to augment their discussion with local resources. Where appropriate, the group can go on to explore local, regional or national level actions. You can go to the NWEI web site (nwei.org) for their mission statement and the topics they have developed to date.

Cary Davis, a Stevensville resident, is interested in starting a discussion group on their most recent study guide, Global Warming. Again, their website spells out the four-meeting outline they propose to cover this topic. Both the topic and the availability of local resources seem apt for the Bitterroot where many individuals have relevant experience.

The best discussions involve people with varying levels of engagement on the topic and a wide range of views.

The calendar for the group will be set at an introductory meeting after 10 indications of interest are received. The only cost for participation is $20 for the NWEI study guide. For more information, you can reach Cary Davis at 406-218-8370 or caryd@aol.com.

The Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center has two new displays on exhibit titled: Invasive Weeds and Marmots. Both offer timely and useful information related to the upcoming spring. Of special mention are the papier-mache marmots of Bitterroot Bill, Refuge resident yellow-bellied marmot, made by the Victor school kindergarten (guided by Jan Julin, teacher and Jennifer Ogden, art teacher). By the way, an early spring is predicted by Bitterroot Bill. The Visitor Center is open weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Dance club

The Big Sky International Dance Club invites you to join other new dancers and learn the basics. This free dance club is specifically for singles, young couples and middle age folks; also youth ages 13+. Learn beautiful turning couple dances, mixers and international line dances requiring lots of energy, a great way to get your exercise and meet new friends. Meetings are every Thursday and Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. in Corvallis. Call 961-8866 for information and directions.

Hippity-Hop over to the See’s Candy Trailer for your chocolate Easter bunnies and decorated chocolate eggs. Soroptimist of Hamilton offers the See’s Candy Shop to help fundraise for local needs. The trailer is staffed by volunteers from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.  You’ll find the trailer in the parking lot of First Security Bank on the corner of First and Main in Hamilton.

Stevensville Growth Plan meetings

All Stevensville residents are welcome to attend a public meeting on Wednesday, March 19 for input to update the Stevensville Comprehensive Growth Plan.  The Plan was last updated in July of 2002.  Meetings will be held at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Main Street Association Office, 102B Main Street.  

Two meetings have been scheduled to enable as many folks as possible to attend and give their input on the following areas:  community facilities such as utilities, roads, sidewalks, parks and schools; ideas for additions to categories contained in the comprehensive plan; ideas on proposed changes to the rules that guide new residential and commercial development; changes or additions to the top 10 Goals listed in the present plan to protect the treasured attributes of Stevensville; ideas and thoughts about "What is our growth area”; and comments and concerns to address the "character" of the community.   The comments will be recorded and input applied to update the Town of Stevensville Comprehensive Plan.

Copies of the Comprehensive Plan are available at the Stevensville Main Street Office and Town Hall.  If you would like a copy e-mailed to you, call in your request to the Main Street Office at 777-3773.

Your ideas, input and concerns are all important and you will have the opportunity to participate in the process. Mark your calendars and plan to attend one of the sessions on March 19th.

The Stevensville Main Street Association is facilitating this process on behalf and in coordination with the Town of Stevensville Planning and Zoning Committee.

Poets for Peace

The Jeannette Rankin Peace Center (JRPC), the UM Students for Peace and Justice (SPJ), the UM Excellence Fund and the Associated Students of the University of Montana present Poets for Peace, an evening of music and readings from the heart for peace in the world, Wednesday, March 19 at at 7 p.m. in the Wilma Theater. Poets for Peace will be a fundraiser for the Montana Military Family Relief Fund. Tickets will be $5.00 at the door. Music from singer-songwriter Amy Martin will start off the event. More than 30 Montana poets will read their work, including Stevensville resident Greg Pape, Poet Laureate of Montana and University of Montana Professor, and Ed Lahey, 2008 winner of the Governor's Award for a lifetime achievement in literature. The other Poets for Peace are: Judy Blunt, Heather Cahoon, Vic Charlo, David Dale, Sandra Alcosser, Philip Burgess, Marnie Prange, Casey Charles, Chris Dombrowski, Roger Dunsmore, Joanna Klink, Gary Lundy, Brandon Shimoda, Deborah Slicer, Prageeta Sharma, Joe McGeshick, Rob Schlegel, John Holbrook, Sheryl Noethe, Jennifer Greene, Mandy Smoker, Mary Jane Nealon, Zan Bockes, Janet Zupan, Melissa Kwasny, David E. Thomas, Robert Lee, Michael Revere and Mark Gibbons.

The Montana Military Family Relief Fund (MMFRF), signed into law in 2007 by Governor Brian Schweitzer, provides monetary grants to families of Montana National Guard and Reserve Component members who on or after April 28, 2007, are on active duty for federal service in a contingency operation. MMFRF grants are intended to help Montana families defray the costs of food, housing, utilities, medical services, and other expenses that become difficult to afford when a wage-earner has temporarily left civilian employment to be placed on active military duty.

Hand drumming class

Matthew Marsolek, band leader of Drum Brothers, will be starting a new beginning hand drumming series in Missoula on Wednesday, March 19 at 8 p.m. The five-week series will be held at 500 W. Front St. and classes will run on consecutive Wednesdays. The cost is $50 for the five-week series and $11 for single classes. Participants will learn beginning hand drumming techniques, rhythm awareness, and rhythms in the Mande tradition of Mali and Guinea, West Africa. Come experience the joy of community music-making. Extra drums are available. For information and to register, contact Matthew at 406-726-4448 or matthew@drumbrothers.com.

Victor School Family Resource events

“Albertsons Community Partners – Giving back for youth. One card at a time.” Victor School Family Resource Center is partnering with Albertsons in support of school FRC programs. Register your Albertsons card and shop for groceries at Albertsons. Go to http://www.albertsons.com/abs_inthecommunity/, click on

“In The Community” for Community Partners link (on the right hand side of the page) to register on line or fill out form from the FRC.

Love the World International Food & Family Fun Night Potluck Dinner –

Wednesday, March 19, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Victor School Multi-Purpose Room. Bring

your favorite international food dish, family, friends and your appetite to this

community event. There will be a tasting contest, music, games and free recipes.

Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held April 10 and 11. This is also the Academic Fair. Plan on visiting your Family Resource Center.

Safe driving course

AARP is presenting its driver safety program at Marcus Daly Hospital on March 20-21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. You must attend both days. The fee is $10.00 and pre-registration is required. Contact Jones Korman Insurance Agency at 363-6583 for registration information. The next class will be April 17-18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There is no written test. Montana mandates an insurance discount for qualified graduates.

Mountain Top Ministries will have donated items for sale in the upcoming Action Auction on Thursday, March 20 (call 360-0990 for details). Proceeds are donated to people in dire financial need. Anyone wishing to donate can call Dancing Bear at 363-0323. Past recipients of money raised by Mountain Top Ministries include a single mother of four who has two children with Type I diabetes and no health insurance; the family of a stroke/seizure victim; and a cancer patient. If interested in volunteering with Mountain Top Ministries, attend a business meeting on Saturday, March 22 at 2 p.m. at the Coffee Cup in Hamilton.

Trout Unlimited

Trout Unlimited will hold its regular monthly meeting on Friday, March 20 at 7 p.m. at the Hamilton Elks Lodge. The featured topic will be “State of the Bitterroot River – 2008” presented by FWP fisheries biologist Chris Clancy. Clancy will cover a number of fish-related topics about the Bitterroot drainage, and will answer questions about anything fish related. Topics discussed will include: Bitterroot River trout population trends through 2007; where are all the bull trout going? This includes a discussion of a new graduate study on bull trout starting in 2008; a summary of two graduate studies on Skalkaho Creek that may help understand why we are paying for two large siphons under the creek; whirling disease continues to spin in the upper river; streamside setbacks and the o-zoning hole; impacts of heat, drought, and development. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the Hamilton Elks Lodge, 203 State Street. The meeting is open to the public and there is no charge for admission.

Lutheran Easter events

Our Savior Lutheran Church of Stevensville invites all members of the community to participate in worship at this holiest time of the Christian year. The Maundy Thursday service on Thursday, March 20, 7 p.m. will be the confirmands’ first opportunity to celebrate Holy Communion as the congregation celebrates Christ’s Last Supper with his disciples. The Good Friday Tenebrae service of darkness will be held Friday, March 21 at 7 p.m. The resurrection of the Lord will be celebrated with Holy Communion in both Easter services on March 23. The joyous day begins with a sunrise service at 6:30 a.m. Following the first service at about 7:30, the traditional Easter breakfast will be cooked and served by the men of the congregation. Proceeds raised from the breakfast freewill offering are pledged to missions. At approximately 8:30 a.m. there will be an egg hunt for the children. Sunday school and the adult Bible class will meet at 9 a.m. The Easter Festival service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Our Savior is located at 184 Pine Hollow Road southeast of Stevensville. For more information call 777-5625.

Pachyderm Club

The North Valley Pachyderm Club will meet Friday, March 21, at noon at the Frontier Cafe, Hwy. 93, Stevensville.  Guest speaker will be Doug Mood who is up for re-election to the Public Service Commission.  North Valley Pachyderm Club meets the first and third Friday of each month from noon to 1 p.m.  All are welcome.

Democratic Mule Team

The Ravalli County Democratic Mule Team Luncheon will be held on Friday, March 21 at noon at The Exchange, upstairs at the Banque Club on Main Street in downtown Hamilton. The speaker is Senator Carol Williams. All are welcome. For reservations, call Corrine at 544-8586.

Book discussion group

A group discussion of “13 Reasons Why” by Jay Asher will be held Friday, March 21 at 7 p.m. at Chapter One Book Store, 252 Main, Hamilton.  The book concerns issues of teen suicide.

‘Song of the Shadows’

“Song of the Shadows,” a cantata for Easter, will be presented on Good Friday, March 21 at 7 p.m. at Stevensville United Methodist Church, 216 College. This is a beautiful and moving choral work. The community is invited to this free concert. For more information call the church at 777-5443.

Episcopal Easter events

Good Friday services will be held Friday, March 21 at noon at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Hamilton and at 7 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Stevensville. The Great Vigil of Easter will be Saturday, March 22 at 7 p.m. at St. Paul’s. Easter Day services will be held Sunday, March 23 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s with an Easter egg hunt following and at 11:45 a.m. at St. Stephen’s. Everyone is welcome.

Martial arts seminar

Jim Dean, award-winning martial arts champion, will be presenting a seminar on Saturday, March 22 from noon to 6 p.m. at The Canyons Athletic Club in Hamilton. Dean has been Excel Karate League Champion many times over as well as Man of the Year and Man of the Decade. He has been inducted into the EKL Hall of Fame and won many medals at the martial arts world symposium. Dean will be discussing sparring techniques. The seminar is hosted by Hamilton Tae Kwon-Do. For more information call 360-5420.

Easter egg hunt

The annual American Legion Post 94 Easter Egg Hunt will be held Saturday, March 22 at Lewis & Clark Park in Stevensville at 10:30 a.m. Ninety dozen eggs will be placed in four separate areas for the following age groups: 0 to 3, 4 to 6, 7 to 9, and 10 to 12. One gold and silver egg will be hidden in each area. Find the special egg and win a special prize! Bring a basket or bag to hold your eggs.

Public Access Association

Members of the Public Land/Water Access Association, whose mission is to defend the people's right to access to public lands and waters, will gather in Bozeman on Saturday, March 22 for their Annual Membership Meeting.

The PLAAI event will be at the Wingate Inn, 2305 Canton St. in Bozeman, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Highlight of the day will be a presentation by Jim Posewitz, director of Orion The Hunters' Institute. Posewitz is famous nationally for his knowledge of hunting and the history of wildlife conservation in the USA.

Attendance is free and open to the public.

PLAAI is the most aggressive organization on the Montana scene to tackle the thorny issue of access to public lands and waters being cut off by blockage of public rights of way. A number of cases now in progress will be discussed at the meeting.

The schedule also includes a learning session on how people can determine if a road or right-of-way is truly public or not.  The first session of the day, beginning at 9:30 a.m., will be a review of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, the blueprint for managing wildlife created by hunters, anglers and others over the past 100 years.

The schedule will conclude with the regular annual business meeting and a meeting of the Board of Directors.

To see the full agenda or contact PLAAI go to www.plaai.org or email info@plaai.org or call John Gibson, 406-656-0384.

Easter egg hunt

There will be a free Easter egg hunt on Saturday, March 22 at 4 p.m. at Qwivels Fun Center, on Highway 93 south of Victor. There will be over 5000 eggs hidden this year, and children will meet the Easter Bunny. For more information call 642-6426.

Square dance club

Boots ‘n Calico Square Dance Club will hold an Easter dance on Saturday, March 22 at the Hamilton Senior Center, 820 N. 4th. The mainstream class will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. followed by the Easter Dance. This will include pie walks and a chance to win some excellent pies. Dance level will be mainstream with an occasional plus tip from 8 to 10 p.m. Round dances will be provided between tips. The caller will be Ray Dunbar. Club members will supply a variety of pie treats and finger food for refreshments. For further information call George Mason, 375-9575, or Cheryl Trams, 777-4209.

Light of the Valley Easter events

Light of the Valley will hold and Easter Sunday Celebration on March 23 at 10:30 a.m. Join in a celebration of Christ’s resurrection. The service will include music by Light of the Valley vocalists, guest soloist and recording artist Cissy Padgett form Helena, a human video by Passion Youth Ministries of Light of the Valley and an Easter message by Pastor Art Huwe. Easter breakfast will be served at 8:30 to 10 a.m. with donations going to the church’s Romania Mission. Light of the Valley is located at 103 N. Kootenai Creek Rd., Stevensville.

Nature Detectives Camp

Nature detectives study signs and tracks to learn more about animal behavior, they look closely at animal skulls and think about adaptations, and they search for insects as they explore the diversity of life in a field.  Second through fifth grade students are invited to do this and more at the Montana Natural History Center’s Spring Break Nature Detectives Day Camp.  This camp will keep kids engaged in learning and having fun during the break from school with exploration, local field trips, games, and arts and crafts.  Camp will meet March 24-28 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily with extended drop off and pick up hours.  The program cost is $150 for Montana Natural History Center members and $190 for non members. Registration is now open and space is limited. To register, contact the Montana Natural History Center at 327-0405 or learn more at www.MontanaNaturalist.org.

Pesticide monitoring presentation

The Montana Department of Agriculture will host a question and answer evening at the Hamilton Middle School Auditorium on Monday, March 24, at 7 p.m., regarding plans for groundwater and surface water monitoring for pesticides (herbicides, insecticides, fungicides) in the Bitterroot Valley during the summer of 2008. The department supports the safe and legal use of pesticides but also understands the need for protecting our water resources. Water monitoring is conducted across the state to ensure that no adverse impacts are occurring to Montana’s water resources from the use of pesticides.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the 2008 water monitoring project in the Bitterroot Valley with interested members of the community. Monitoring will largely take place on the valley floor from Lolo to Darby. Groundwater samples will be collected from shallow private wells, and surface water samples will be collected from the Bitterroot River as well as some of its tributaries.

The meeting will be hosted by Montana Department of Agriculture hydrologists Rick Mulder and Christian Schmidt. If you have an interest in water quality or have questions, comments, or concerns for the department, attend this meeting. The Hamilton Middle School is located at 209 S. 5th St. Call 406-444-5400 if you need more information.

Discussion group

A discussion group is forming for those interested in learning more about how to activate the information found in the famous book and video, “The Secret,” or for those who would like to fellowship with others who follow the “Abraham” teachings. Weekly meetings will start Tuesday, March 25 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Corvallis. Call 961-8866 for directions.

Stevi school levy information meeting

Stevensville School Superintendent Kent Kultgen will provide a public information session concerning the upcoming high school levy on Wednesday, March 26 at 12:45 p.m. at the Bitterroot Star office, 215 Main. The Stevensville School Board set a high school levy of $170,000 for operational funds which will be put before the voters on May 6, along with the election of three trustees. Kultgen will answer questions and address concerns regarding the upcoming election.

Three Mile water meeting

The Bitter Root Irrigation District will hold a public meeting on the Three Mile Gravity Water System on Wednesday, March 26 at 7 p.m. at the Lone Rock School gym. There will be discussion, question and answer period, and important irrigation information.

Mining City Hoopfest

The Mining City Hoopfest has been scheduled for March 28-30 in Butte. The tournament will feature divisions for boys and girls in the 5th-8th grades. All teams will play three games in pool play followed by a single loss tournament on Sunday. Games will be played in the Maroon Activities Center, the Butte Civic Center, the Butte Central High School Gym and the McKinley School Gym. The fee to enter a team is $150 per team. Interested teams may obtain information by calling 723-606 during the work week or 498-4538 in the evenings and on weekends.

Benefit Performance to Stop Violence Against Women and Girls

The public is invited to a special live performance reading of “A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant and A Prayer: Writings to Stop Violence Against Women and Girls” on Friday, March 28 at 7 p.m. at River Street Theatre in Hamilton.

“A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant and A Prayer” is a groundbreaking collection of monologues by world-renowned authors and playwrights, edited by Eve Ensler and Mollie Doyle. The performance will feature works by Alice Walker, Carol Michele Kaplan, Nicole Burdette, Kathy Najimy, Maya Angelou, Patricia Bosworth, Kimberle Crenshaw, and Robin Morgan. Most pieces are not suitable for children.

Tickets are $5 at the door, with proceeds supporting Supporters of Abuse Free Environments, Inc. and V-Day. V-Day is a global movement to end violence against women and girls that raises funds and awareness through benefit productions of playwright and founder Eve Ensler’s award-winning play, “The Vagina Monologues.” To date, V-Day has raised over $50 million to support education, public awareness and services to stop violence against women and girls – including the Karama program in the Middle East, more than 5,000 community-based anti-violence programs, and shelters in Kenya, South Dakota, Egypt and Iraq.

Join us for the first V-Day Hamilton, Montana celebration. Coffee, cookies and conversation will follow the performance. For more information call S.A.F.E. at 363-2793 or visit www.vday.org.

Vigilante Theatre production

The Vigilante Theatre Company’s newest musical comedy, “Radio Montana,” by Greg Owens, will be presented Friday, March 28 at 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s Family Center. It’s a cold snowy night in Montana but a warm glow is radiating over the airwaves from KUKU Radio. The “crackpot Laureate of Montana” has come to visit and sing a few songs. The area’s news central is keeping us up-to-date on the storm outside and inside the sudio. There’s young love under the pressure of the future and old friends are wrangling the winds of the past and present. It’s a beautiful land we live in, full of good hearts and good times, but still is never as easy as a song. Thanks to “Radio Montana,” Greg Owens’ characters and the Vigilante Theatre Co., by the end of the evening we will all feel a little bit warmer.

This is the third original play that author composer Greg Owens has written for the Vigilantes and they’ve all been uniquely different. “Radio Montana provides plenty of fun and good tunes to create a great evening for all.

 Tickets are $35 each or $30 each for a table of eight and can be purchased at the Old Coffee Corral or Stevensville Feed and Farm. Proceeds will go toward the purchase of a new defibrillator for the Stevensville Volunteer Fire Department. For more information contact Chrissy at 360-6789.

Farmers Market vendor meeting

Valley Farmers Market Co-op will hold its Annual Vendor Meeting on Saturday, March 29 at the Corvallis Grange just off Dutch Hill Rd at 1 p.m. There will be a business meeting, board member election, yearly registration and booth space assignments. If you are a current vendor, and have yet to receive your registration packet, or if you are a new vendor who lives in Ravalli County, and 50% of the wholesale value of your product is added here in Montana, and you would like to have a booth at the Market, call Laura Craig, Market Manager at 961-0004, for more information. The farmers market is especially looking for gardeners and mini-farmers who are planting bumper crops they would like to sell to their neighbors and friends at Market. Buy local!  Buy Bitterroot!

4-H Carnival

The community is invited to "Your Passport to Adventure" 2008 4-H Carnival, Saturday, March 29, 5 to 8 p.m. at the Corvallis High Gymnasiums. Passports can be purchased for $5.00 from a 4-H member, the county extension office, or at the door. With a passport you can tour the world as each 4-H club represents a different country. Each country will feature a different game. Passports can also be used to purchase dinner at the food booths. Buffalo Jump Gallery has donated a fine art print for the door prize and the silent auction will have something for everyone! A community dance will follow from 8 to 10 p.m. For more information call Ravalli County Extension, 375-6611.

Spring Contra Dance

A spring contra dance will be held Saturday, March 29 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Corvallis Grange. Live music will be presented by The Crested Hens

Calling all spring chickens - join in celebrating spring with a spring in your steps. All dances will be taught, you do not need to have a partner, beginners are welcome, families are welcome. Cost is $5.00 per adult, children under 12 free. To find the Corvallis Grange, turn west at the Corvallis (Woodside cutoff) junction, which is 2 miles north of Hamilton, then turn right again just 100 yards west of the junction light at the big Grange sign. Refreshments will be provided.

Corvallis Events Center fundraiser

The fifth Annual Wild West Casino Night, a fundraiser for the Corvallis Community Events Center, will be held on Saturday, March 29 in the First Interstate Building at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds. This event is the single largest fund raising event with all proceeds going to help with construction costs at the Corvallis facility located on Eastside Highway in Corvallis.

This very popular event has become one of the real "happenings" in the Valley and has grown over the years to include a live Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Shoot Out during the afternoon featuring former World Series of Poker Champion Huck Seed. This event starts with registration at 10 a.m. and play beginning at 11 a.m. Entry fee for this event is $500 with 50% of the entry fees being paid out in cash prizes and the remaining 50% going to the Corvallis facility.

The evening festivities begin at 6:30 where a $25 entrance ticket entitles guests to drink tickets, food, dancing and $500 in "funny money" that they use to play a wide assortment of casino oriented games. They collect their winnings throughout the evening and use it to bid on numerous items at the end of the evening. There will be both a live and silent auction as well as other wonderful events during the night.

Advanced tickets are available at First Security Bank (Hamilton and Corvallis branches), Aurora's Salon, Allegra Printing in Hamilton, Wilson Motors or through the website at www.gocorvallis.com. Information is also available at 381-5272.

Audubon field trip

Judy and Bob Hoy will be leading a field trip on Sunday, March 30, from 2 to 4 p.m. on the Hoys’ property on the east-side of the valley. The outing will combine a short birding walk on level ground with the opportunity to closely examine the un-releasable birds that Judy uses for educational programs. On the birding walk, participants will look for various species of chickadee, woodpecker, nuthatch, jay, finch, sparrow, California Quail, and potentially some raptors. The captive birds that Judy will present include a number of hawks and owls. Birders of all ages and abilities are welcome. Families with children are encouraged to participate. Bring binoculars, a field guide, and dress appropriately for weather conditions and for walking in the field. There is no charge for participation. Call Judy Hoy (777-2487) or Kate Shick (381-1115) for directions and to coordinate carpooling.

Taste It Party

Try out a new recipe and taste what others bring at a Taste It Party on Sunday, March 30 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in Corvallis. Call 961-8866 to register or for more information.

Needlefelting class

A beginner needlefelting class will be held for Safe Haven Llama and Alpaca Sanctuary on Monday, March 31 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. The cost is $45 per person and will include a kit of llama and alpaca fiber. Limited seating is available for ages 12 and older. Prepayment is required. Contact Char at 961-4027 for more information. A second beginner class will be held on April 12 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Crisis line volunteer training

Supporters of Abuse-Free Environments, Inc. (SAFE), is currently recruiting volunteers to assist with its 24-hour crisis hotline.

SAFE provides services for domestic abuse and sexual assault - including the crisis line, advocacy, adult and child support groups, emergency shelter and transitional housing for those in need.

Hotline volunteers provide information and a listening ear to victims of domestic violence or sexual assault and other callers. Volunteers respond to many types of calls and needs, from requests for emergency shelter to general inquiries about domestic violence and sexual assault. Hotline volunteers provide non-judgmental support for victims, abusers, their families and friends.

Volunteers answer SAFE’s crisis line during nights and weekends via cell phones. They receive support from SAFE’s staff and other volunteers. In addition, volunteers complete an intensive training.

Training will begin Monday, March 31, from 6 to 9 p.m. at SAFE.

Over the course of two weeks, volunteers will learn about domestic violence and sexual assault from a variety of perspectives through presentations by survivors, fellow volunteers, medical practitioners, law enforcement officers, judges, mental health counselors, professional service providers and others. In addition, volunteers will have the opportunity to practice skills such as active listening and crisis intervention techniques. Total training time is 24 hours.

For more information or to register, interested community members should call Wendy McGourty at SAFE, 363-2793.

Off Road User Association

Ravalli County Off Road User Association monthly meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 1 at 7 p.m. at the Bitterroot Ridge Runners groomer shed, 663 Grantsdale Road in Hamilton. All members and anyone interested in joining are encouraged to attend. For directions or questions contact Mike at 642-9079 or 544-5027.

Multiple Sclerosis Support Group

The Bitter Root Valley Multiple Sclerosis Support Group will hold its monthly meeting Tuesday, April 1, at the Willow Court Apartments meeting room, 150 Skeels Avenue in Hamilton from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Join others to share information, ask questions or visit with Friends. Refreshments will be served. The venue is handicapped accessible and open to anyone with MS, MS caregivers or family members. Contact Maggie Manning at 531-2133, Mark Mattingly at 363-2079, or LaRoy Williamson at 360-1117 for more information.

Film release party

Don't miss Academy-Award winning filmmaker Barbara Trent Wednesday, April 2 as she celebrates Empowerment Project's newest documentary, “Soldiers Speak Out” and the re-release of her Oscar-winning film, “The Panama Deception,” at The Roxy Theater, 718 S. Higgins Ave. in Missoula. A wine and cheese reception opens the event at 6:30 p.m., followed by the program and screening at 7 p.m. A $10 donation is suggested ($5 Living Lightly). The event is sponsored by the Jeanette Rankin Peace Center and Students for Peace and Justice. For more information and to RSVP call the Peace Center at 543-3955 or email peace@jrpc.org.

MCT performance

Curtain Up! Performing Company goes live! “Believe in the Magic of Rock & Roll” starring Eden Atwood and Tezz Yancey will be presented April 4-6 at the MCT Community Theatre, 200 N. Adams, Missoula. This live rock concert features professional guest artists with the talented triple threats of “Curtain Up!” and encompasses rock ‘n roll from Elvis to Led Zeppelin. Tickets are $15 each and can be reserved by calling 542-0730.

Montana State Fund Safety Workshop

The Montana State Fund is offering a Safety Workshop in Hamilton on Thursday, March 20 at the Bitterroot River Inn from 8:30 a.m. to noon. You do not have to be a client of the Montana States Fund for you and your employees to attend this workshop, but registration is appreciated so Bryan Page, MSF presenter, has enough material. Call Dale Hanson at Western States Insurance in Hamilton, 363-3543, to register or for more information.

Animal Poster Contest

Montana Companion Animal Network (MTCAN) is looking for kids in grades K-5, 6-8 and 9-12 to illustrate and promote acts of kindness towards animals. Winning posters will be chosen from each grade category, with one overall winner. Posters will become part of the promotional campaign for the 2008 ASPCA Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month this April.

Posters must be on white paper up to size 11” by 14” and the words “Be Kind to Animals” should appear as part of the poster. Entries must have the artist’s name, address and phone number on the back and be received by March 21, 2008. Mail entries to: MTCAN, 458 Warp Drive, Corvallis MT 59828.

Winners will receive a tee-shirt depicting their drawing and the overall winners poster will also appear on the MTCAN website. All entries will be displayed at a community event in April and become the property of Montana Companion Animal Network for use in our educational and fundraising programs. For more information call Mary at 642-3785 or email at info@mtcan.org.

Daly Hospital blood drive

Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital will hold a blood drive on Thursday, April 3 from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. in conference rooms B/C. Someone in Montana needs blood every 27 minutes, and the American Red Cross helps meet the needs of those individuals. Each whole blood donation can help as many as three people. Blood can only come as a gift from people, together, we can save a life. Call Gary Schulz at 375-4451 to schedule your appointment.

Archaeological lectures

Seven free lectures for those interested in learning more about the state’s archaeology and history will take place during April.

The events celebrate Archaeology Month and are sponsored by the University of Montana Anthropology Students Association and the Montana Archaeological Society.

All lectures will be held from 7 to 8 p.m., and some presenters will bring artifacts for people to examine.

A complete schedule of lecture dates, locations, titles and presenters follows. For more information, call Chris Merritt at 243-6249.

1. Friday, April 4, University Center Room 330: “Public Archaeology in Montana” by UM anthropology doctoral student Helen Keremedjiev.

2. Monday, April 7, University Center Alumni Board Room: “The Yellowstone Archaeology Project” by UM Assistant Professor Doug MacDonald.

3. Wednesday, April 9, Fort Missoula Historical Museum: “Archaeology of the Jocko Lakes Fire” by C. Milo McLeod, Lolo National Forest archaeologist.

4. Tuesday, April 15, University Center Room 333: “The Big Timber Chinese Community” by UM anthropology graduate student Justin Moschelle. Includes artifacts.

5. Tuesday, April 22, University Center Room 332: “The Historical Archaeology of Fort Owen” by UM anthropology graduate student Don Merritt. Includes artifacts.

6. Thursday, April 24, University Center Room 331: “Historic Settlement and Mining of the Garnet Range” by UM anthropology graduate student Brent Rowley.

7. Wednesday, April 30, University Center Room 326: “The Chinese in Montana” by UM anthropology doctoral student Chris Merritt. Includes artifacts.

Musical offering

Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul -- an ensemble of African and Latin percussion and bass players, Irish instrumentalists and American soulful vocalists -- will perform on Sunday, April 6 at 7:30 p.m. at the University Theater on The University of Montana campus. Tickets are available at all GrizTix locations and cost $15 for students and $22 for the general public. Prices do not include ticketing fees. Call 888-MONTANA or visit http://www.griztix.com to purchase tickets. Ivers, an Irish-American fiddler who has been dubbed “the Jimi Hendrix of the violin” by the New York Times, has performed for presidents and royalty worldwide. She and three other musicians from diverse musical backgrounds formed Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul in 1996. For more information visit http://www.eileenivers.com and http://www.umproductions.org.

Weed clinic

The Ravalli County Weed District will hold a Land Resource Clinic on “How to reduce weeds and improve you landscape!” on Saturday, April 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Corvallis Grange. Topics covered will be: weed ID, herbicide safety, grass ID, native vs. non-native grasses, and land management trials on the Maclay Ranch. There will be some hands-on demonstrations for no till drill seeding, weed education trunks for schools, ATV/ Backpack sprayer calibration, monitoring, line transects and photo point documentation. Lunch will be provided. Cost is $5 per person. For more information or to sign-up call the Ravalli County Weed District at 777-5842.

UM garage sale

The World’s Largest Garage Sale returns to the University of Montana on Saturday, April 12. The sale runs from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., rain or shine, in the Parking Garage near the Mansfield Library. For $20 each vendor will receive two parking spaces to display their wares. Additional spaces are available for $10 each. Registration forms are available at The Source in the University Center, by calling 243-4636 or online at HYPERLINK "http://www.umt.edu/sa/umadv" http://www.umt.edu/sa/umadv. The World’s Largest Garage Sale is sponsored by UM Advocates, a volunteer student group that promotes the University through campus tours, community service projects, recruitment, orientation, and social and alumni functions. Proceeds from the sale of vendor spaces benefit the Advocates. Vendors keep all the money earned from sale of their items.

Hamilton Players production

The Hamilton Players will be performing the musical comedy "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" April 17 through 20 and April 24 through 27.

 "I Love You…" is a riotous journey through the spectrum of the modern male-female relationship. With charming lyrics, a lot of laughs, and a few sobs the show visits the topics of dating, friendship, lovers, husbands, wives and children.

 This hilarious revue pays tribute to those who have loved and lost, to those who have fallen on their face at the portal of romance, and to those who have dared to ask, “Say, what are you doing Saturday night?” This performance contains some adult themes and language. The box office is open for season ticket holders to make reservations beginning March 20, and to the general public beginning March 27. Thursday-Saturday performances begin at 8 p.m. and the Sunday performance begins at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 reserved seating and are available at the Hamilton Playhouse box office. Box office hours are Monday-Friday 2 to 6 p.m., performance Saturday 10 a.m. to noon, and one hour prior to show time. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 375-9050 during box office hours.

Post-abortion retreat

A Rachel's Vineyard retreat for women and men struggling with the psychological or spiritual pain of abortion is scheduled to take place May 2-4 at a private location between Helena and Missoula.

According to Theresa Burke, PhD, author of the Rachel's Vineyard retreat, many women and men seek help anywhere from five to 20 years after their abortion, suffering for years in confusion and silence.

"Rachel's Vineyard offers a chance to get away from all the daily pressures of work and family and focus on this painful time in your life through a supportive and non-judgmental process," said Burke, who added that married couples, mothers, fathers, grandparents and siblings, as well as persons who have been involved in the abortion industry have come to Rachel's Vineyard in search of peace and inner healing.

Rachel's Vineyard has grown substantially since it began as a handful of retreats in 1994. About 500 retreats will be offered this year throughout the United States and Internationally. Burke said Rachel's Vineyard is growing because it is an extremely effective program for deep, inner reconciliation and healing.

 "Do not continue to live in shame, fear or numbness," Burke said. "This is a beautiful gift you can give to yourself. The weekend is a unique process designed to release deep feelings of anger, ambivalence, grief and guilt that frequently accompany an abortion experience. The process is extremely helpful for those who struggle to forgive themselves or others. The weekend will help your soul find a voice and transform the pain of the past into hope."

According to Burke, Rachel's Vineyard is a "therapy for the soul," which combines psychological and spiritual healing through a unique and creative process.

The retreat fee is $150 which helps to cover the costs of the room, meals and retreat materials. Participation is confidential and open to all.

For more information or to register, call Susan Gliko at (888) 456-4673 or e-mail SusanMTRV@msn.com.

For more information about the symptoms of post abortion trauma, visit the Rachel's Vineyard website at www.rachelsvineyard.org.

Trappers Youth Camp

With a goal to put ethical responsible trappers afield, a Trappers Youth Camp will be held June 13-15 at Beaver Creek Park, 10 miles south of Havre. This is sponsored by the Montana Trappers Association and the Montana Dept. of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Call FWP for further information.

Relay for Life

The dates and location for the Relay for Life this year are June 28 at 6 p.m. and June 29 at 8 a.m. at Haynes Field in Hamilton. This year’s slogan is “Together, Let’s Corral Cancer.” If you are interested in having a team, contact Summer Howe, 363-4400 (Sterling Savings Bank). For any general information, contact Bonnie Wickham, 360-4373. “In our lifetime we will see a cure for cancer, not because we wished for it, but because we worked for it.”