Community Calendar

Bitterroot 3 on 3 Tournament

The Friends of the Hamilton Schools Foundation will be having its 3 on 3 Bitterroot Classic Basketball Tournament in Hamilton at the Hamilton High School Gym on the weekend of March 25 and 26. Age divisions include men's and women's, ages 19-35 and 35 & over and youth grade divisions are grades 4-6, 7-8, 9-10, and 11-12. There will also be free throw and 3 point contests and concessions will be available throughout the weekend. All entrants receive t-shirts with great prizes for first and second place teams in each age/grade division, as well contest winners.

Entry blanks are available at Universal Athletics in Southgate Mall; in Hamilton at J & J's Furniture, Shirts Etcetera or the Hamilton School District's administration office, or by calling 363-2338. Sign up soon - entries must be received on or before March 17. This event draws teams from throughout Western and Central and South Central Montana and is a great weekend for everyone!

Academy Day scheduled

The U.S. Naval Academy announces that representatives from the United States Naval Academy, United States Military Academy, United States Air Force Academy, United States Coast Guard Academy, Navy ROTC, Army ROTC and Air Force ROTC and staff from each of the Montana Congressional Offices will be available at the 4th Annual Academy Day scheduled for Saturday, April 22. All participants will be available to provide information regarding their programs and application procedures. In addition, a local high school counselor, who has visited and trained at the Naval Academy and assisted candidates, will be available to talk with counselors and parents.

This unique opportunity to meet with all of these representatives at one location is open to all Montana high school students. Interested middle school students are also invited to attend. Parents and high school counselors are strongly encouraged to participate.

Academy Day will take place on Saturday, April 22, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., at the St. Patrick Hospital Conference Center, 500 West Broadway, in Missoula.

Sexual Assault Responder Training

SAFE (Supporters of Abuse Free Environments) will present a Sexual Assault Responder Training on Friday, April 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Marcus Daly Conference Area in Hamilton. This workshop is open to the public and free of charge. It is designed for counselors, victim and child advocates, health care professionals, law enforcement officers, prosecutors and any others who may be in a position to respond to sexual assault victims. Credit is available. Call 363-2793, ext. 14 to register and for further information.

The 11th Annual Job Fair will be held Monday, April 17 at the Hamilton High School Gym from 5 to 8 p.m. Employers wanting to participate must register by calling Vicki at Bitterroot Job Service at 375-6045 by April 10. For more information call 375-6045.

Hospice annual teleconference

Each year the Hospice Foundation of America (HFA) presents a nationally recognized distance learning program, live via satellite, to more than 125,000 people in 2,000 communities. For more than a decade, this annual educational program has been instrumental in educating health care professionals and families on issues affecting end of-life care. It also provides an opportunity for a wide variety of professionals ­ including doctors, nurses, ethicists, educators, social workers and bereavement counselors ­ to share and exchange ideas and obtain continuing education credits.

This year HFA's 13th Annual National Bereavement Teleconference focuses on "Pain Management at the End of Life." The teleconference will examine the gap between knowledge and application of effective pain control in the person with a terminal condition, including pharmaceutical, psycho-social, spiritual, and complementary aspects of pain management. Moderated by Frank Sesno, Professor of Public Policy and Communication at George Mason University and Special Correspondent with CNN, the program will be broadcast Wednesday, April 5, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Seventh Day Adventist Church, 119 West Bridge Road, Hamilton.

Sesno will lead the panel of noted authorities that includes: Yvette Colon, MSW, ACSW, BCD; Kenneth J. Doka, PhD, MDiv; W.A. Drew Edmondson, Attorney General of Oklahoma; Kathleen M. Foley, MD; Kelli Gershon, APN, RN; William Lamers, Jr., MD; Brad Stuart, MD; and Douglas J. Weschules, PharmD, BCPS.

This distinguished panel of ethicists, educators and hospice experts will look at laws and regulations that hinder the practice of pain management. Discussions will examine ways in which health care workers and the general public can work together to improve the societal approach to pain management.

The teleconference is produced by Hospice Foundation of America, a not-for-profit organization, which acts as an advocate for the hospice concept of care through ongoing programs of professional education, public information and research on issues relating to illness, loss, grief and bereavement. This year the program is sponsored by the Foundation for End of Life Care and Purdue Pharma and produced in cooperation with the Adventist Communications Network, the Association for Death Education and Counseling, the National Association of Social Workers, and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

Continuing education contact hours (CEs) will be available through the Hospice Foundation of America for nurses, social workers, counselors, funeral directors, clergy, psychologists, physicians, EMS personnel, EAPs and nursing home administrators. There is a $25 processing fee for the first certificate requested, $10 for each additional certificate, payable to HFA, to be turned in with your completed evaluation on the day of the teleconference. CE's are also available after the conference online at the HFA website at www.hospicefoundation.org, and payable through credit card.

Preregistration for the teleconference can be done by phone by to March 21, 2006. Attendees can order the companion book at that time. For more information, call Cathy Palmer, Marcus Daly Hospice, 375-4707.

Spring Turkey Season

Special permits are no longer required for turkey hunters in Ravalli County this spring. An over-the-counter turkey license and associated prerequisite licenses are the only requirements.

Spring gobbler licenses, valid April 8-May 21, are available from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, on-line at the FWP website fwp.mt.gov, and from license outlets throughout the state.

Turkeys are found primarily on private land in Ravalli County, and hunters are encouraged to secure landowner permission before planning a hunt in the area. Access may be limited in some areas.

The state total combined bag limit of the spring and fall seasons cannot exceed two turkeys per hunter. Hunters may harvest only one male turkey in Ravalli County during the spring season.

Details on spring turkey hunting in the general hunting areas and special permit areas are available in the 2006 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations available at FWP regional offices and FWP license providers after March 9.

Hunters who wish to hunt in a special turkey permit area this spring must apply by March 15 for a permit and must purchase a spring turkey license before hunting.

Special spring turkey permit areas in western Montana include Granite, Mineral, Missoula, Lincoln, Sanders and Powell Counties.

Applicants for spring turkey permits may apply in writing, by visiting a Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks office or by downloading an application from FWPıs web page, fwp.mt.gov. Applications must mailed to the FWP Regional Office managing the special permit area where the applicant would like to hunt.

A written application must include name, address and ALS number. Applicants must indicate which special permit hunting area the application is for and include a $5 nonrefundable drawing fee.

Father Ravalli Park fund raising

A new community-built Play Structure for Father Ravalli Park in Stevensville has been approved. The build date is May 2006. A volunteer group is seeking funds for the new play structure. If you have any questions, ideas, or would like to help with the fund raising process, contact Tonya Smith at tonyam239@yahoo.com, or 239-9431. Donation containers can be found at the Frontier Café and Fireside, or you may send donations to: Father Ravalli Park, PO Box 376, Stevensville MT 59870. Approximately $40,000 is needed to complete the project.

Saturday Science Day

"Keeping Your Eyes on the Skies" is the title of the next Saturday Science Day offered by the Health Careers Opportunity Program on April 1.

The event, which is open to all area ninth-grade students, will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the University of Montana.

During "Keeping Your Eyes on the Skies," students will work alongside UM researchers to study real-world atmospheric chemistry issues.

Participants will measure air pollution components such as volatile organic compounds and particulate matter, as well as get a hands-on demonstration of how geographic information systems technology is used to document and map findings in environmental health studies.

To be considered for the Saturday Science Day, students must fill out a short application form. Ninth-grade students from any area school are welcome to apply, but those from low-income households or families whose parents do not have bachelorıs degrees will be selected first.

Students selected to attend will receive a $30 stipend. Those who come from outside Missoula also will be given an additional sum to help with transportation costs.

Deadline for applications is Friday, March 17. For more information or to request an application form, call Faith Price, HCOP coordinator, at 243-4095. The application form also is available online at the HCOP Web site, www.umt.edu/hcop/SSEP.pdf.

Hamilton Players announce season

The Hamilton Players Inc., Hamilton's non-profit community theater, announce its 2006-2007 season. The Hamilton Players Mainstage season begins in June with the musical "Oliver" opening in June. Performance dates are June 16-18, 22-25, 29-30, and July 1-2. The second summer production will be the comedy "Noises Off" with performances on August 11-13, 17-20, and 24-27.

This year the players offer a holiday production of "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever." This adaptation of the classic book will be December 7-10, and 14-17. The winter musical will be "Mame" with performances on February 23-25, March 1-4, 8-11, 2007. The final Mainstage production will be the comedy/drama, ³Crimes of The Heart,² April 19-22, and 26-29, 2007. Also, the Hamilton Players will be offering five additional productions during their Fringe Benefit Series. They include "The Radio Cavalcade of Stars," "Always...Patsy Cline," "A Tuna Christmas," "A Valentine's Day Show," and "The Vagina Monologues."

To purchase Main Stage Season Tickets or for more information regarding all Hamilton Players productions, auditions, volunteer opportunities, and programming, call 375-9050.

Florence Hunter Education Class

Registration for the spring Hunter Education Class will be held Thursday, March 16, at 6:30 p.m. in room 201 of Florence High School. The class dates are March 27, 38, 29, 30, 31 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. with a limit of 30 students. A parent or guardian and the student must attend registration. Students need to be registered before they can attend classes. All persons born after January 1, 1985, are required to provide proof of completion of a hunter safety and education course. The course is open to adults as well as youths age 11 or older (need to turn 12 during the current hunting season). The course is taught by volunteer instructors and is free. The students must attend all classes and bring a pencil or pen. For more information call FWP at 542-5500 or Vern Shreve at 273-6243.

4-H Foundation banquet

The Montana 4-H Foundation will hold a fund-raising banquet Saturday, March 25, to benefit 4-H youth. The banquet, themed "Oro y Plata -- Treasuring Youth," will be at Zoot Enterprises in Bozeman.

Anyone is welcome to enjoy the evening, which will include live and silent auctions, meals donated by Outback Steakhouse of Bozeman and live entertainment by "Open Range." Tickets for the fund-raiser are $50 per person. Tables can be sponsored for $400.

Supporters from across the state have contributed trips, lodging packages, artwork and items made by 4-H kids. A buffalo hunt donated by St. Labre Indian School and a miniature sheep wagon by artist Jim Dolan are among the featured auction items.

Montana 4-H is the youth development program of MSU Extension and the largest after-school program in the state, reaching nearly 25,000 youth ages 6-18 according to 4-H enrollment statistics. For more information or to reserve seats, call (406) 994-5911. To view photos of featured silent auction items, visit www.montana4h.org.

Public scoping meeting set for RML master plan

The public is invited to learn about a master planning effort at Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML) and can offer comments during an official Scoping Meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 23, in the Hamilton High School commons room. Public comment will be accepted from 8 to 9 p.m. A poster session, featuring information about the master plan and the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will address the master plan, runs prior to the public comment period, from 7 to 8 p.m. Because the Scoping Meeting is an official National Environmental Policy Act proceeding, NIH cannot respond to questions or comments made during the public comment portion of the meeting. The comments will, however, be documented and addressed in the draft EIS.

The Office of Research Facilities (ORF) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is overseeing the RML master plan and the EIS. ORF representatives will be present at the meeting to receive oral and written comments. The meeting is the first opportunity for people to share their views about the content they want included in the RML master plan and EIS. ORF plans to release the draft master plan and EIS for public review in June and anticipates completing both documents in early 2007.

Scoping comments must be postmarked by April 18, 2006, to ensure they are considered. A master plan is a long-range planning document that provides land-use guidance. The RML master plan will identify the long-term facility and space needs for the campus and will contain specific plans and proposals for addressing the needs in a coherent, consistent and cost-efficient manner. The master plan, which is a Department of Health and Human Services requirement for its campuses, and the EIS will cover several issues, including landscaping, traffic, parking, lighting and general site development.

Anyone with questions about the master plan may contact Pat Stewart at RML (363-9324, pstewart@niaid.nih.gov) or Ron Wilson (301-496-5037, wilsonron@ors.od.nih.gov). All comments and questions about the EIS should be directed to Valerie Nottingham by e-mail at nihnepa@mail.nih.gov or by writing to Valerie Nottingham, Chief, Environmental Quality Branch, Division of Environmental Protection, Office of Research Facilities, NIH, B13/2W64, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda MD 20892. Individuals may also telephone Nottingham at 301-496-7775 or send facsimiles to 301-480-8056.

RML, a 33-acre campus in southwest Hamilton, is a component of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), based in Bethesda. NIAID is a part of the National Institutes of Health, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIAID supports basic and applied research to prevent, diagnose and treat infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, influenza, tuberculosis, malaria and illness from potential agents of bioterrorism. NIAID also supports research on transplantation and immune-related illnesses, including autoimmune disorders, asthma and allergies.

People to People fundraiser

The Bitterroot students who were selected to be part of the People to People Student Ambassador Program are planning a fundraiser for their trip to Australia in June 2006. On Sunday, March 19, a spaghetti dinner/silent auction/raffle drawing will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 1220 W. Main Street in Hamilton from 4 to 8 p.m. The cost of the dinner is $5 for an individual and $15 per family. The silent auction will be held during this time with a wide selection of donated items. Also, the drawing will be held for the $500 gift certificate to Sportsman's Warehouse at the end of the dinner. Tickets are available up to the time of the drawing. Help these deserving students get to Australia to represent our country and our communities. Call Dana Bourne at 363-1097 for more information.

Bitterroot River Cleanup

Bitterroot River Cleanup is scheduled for Earth Day, Saturday, April 22. The river cleanup is a group volunteer activity sponsored by Trout Unlimited, the Ravalli County Fish and Wildlife Association, Bitter Root Water Forum, and the newly formed Federation of Fly Fishers.

To participate, select a stretch of river to remove trash from. Call Phil Romans (363-0744, or email at promans@aol.com ) with your choice. Forty-gallon trash bags will be provided. Bags will be at fly shops and sporting goods stores in advance of the date. Two boats will be assigned to each stretch and a few people to each take out. If the area you select is already covered, you may be asked to do a section before or after your selection so as much of the river as possible can be cleaned up.

Dumpsters will be provided on that day in two locations: Anglerıs Roost and one other place to be announced at a later date. There will also be a provision to bring larger items to the dump with a pass will be provided in advance. The DNRC and Bitterroot Conservation District requires that no large items whose removal will heavily silt the river should be moved. Keep in mind the rights of the landowner on each side of the river and stay below the high water line at all times in any area near private property.

At 4:30 p.m., folks who participate in the Annual River Cleanup are invited to a barbecue at Angler's Roost. There will be food and fun for everyone. When you call with your clean up area let Phil or Doreen Romans know if you will be attending the barbecue so there is enough food for everyone. If you would like to volunteer to flip burgers and brats, or mind the food tables, call Will McDowell, 327-8443. Join in celebrating our beautiful Bitterroot River and keeping it that way!

Wilderness Lecture Series

The theme for the 27th Annual Wilderness Issues Lecture Series at the University of Montana is "Native Peoples and Conservation." These Tuesday evening lectures are held in UM's Gallagher Business Building, Room 106, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. All lectures are open to the public and free of charge.

On Tuesday, March 21, the topic will be "Where Forests Meet the Sea: Custom, Crisis and Conservation in the Solomon Islands," with Chris Filardi, Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, American Museum of Natural History.

Ten Star basketball camp

Applications are now being evaluated for the Ten Star All Star Summer Basketball Camp. Camp is by invitation only. Boys and girls ages 10-19 are eligible to apply. Past participants include Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan, Vince Carter, Jerry Stackhouse, Grant Hill and Antawn Jamison. Players from all 50 states and 18 foreign countries attended the 2005 camp. College basketball scholarships are possible for players selected to the All-American Team. For a free brochure, call 704-373-0873.

Chantilly Theatre auditions

The Chantilly Players, Inc. of Stevensville are holding auditions on Tuesday, March 14 at 7 p.m. for the fund-raising event, "Spring Fever, Vaudeville." Vaudeville is a style of live, multi-act theater which flourished in North America from the 1880s through the 1920s and includes magicians, animal acts, musical numbers, comedy, skits, dance, acrobatics, and more. A wide range of the talented and Œuntalentedı folks are encouraged to audition. There will be some casting of specific vignettes or bring your own acts on the night of the audition. Performance dates for this fund raiser are April 7 and 8, 2006. For more information or if you need to schedule an alternate audition date, contact Doreen Roos at 273-3019 or the Chantilly Theatre at 777-2722.

Trout Unlimited meeting

The next Bitterroot Trout Unlimited meeting will be Thursday, March 16 at 7 p.m. This special program will be held the Darby Public Library. The program will be presented by local flytying expert Wes McKay. McKay, who is the lead tier for the FlyFishing Center, has agreed to share some of his tricks and secrets in creating the patterns for which he is becoming so well-known. Rumor has it that Wes will demonstrate how to craft his unique and special skwala pattern. This is a complicated pattern with many steps, but it is one of the most effective skwala patterns around.

This meeting will be held in the Darby Public Library. Last year, BRTU teamed up with long time member and supporter Stanley Falkow to dedicate a section of the library to fly-tying, and also bought an impressive flytying desk for the library. If you have not seen this library, the Falkow Flytying Collection, or the desk, this meeting will be a good excuse to mosey up the valley to Darby. By special arrangement with librarian Amy Lee Fannin, the entire library will be open that evening so that folks can look around. As a result of Falkow and TU's efforts, the Darby library has decided to make fishing and hunting a major focus, and the chapter has committed to maintaining the desk and donating additional books for the collection. The library is reached by turning east off of Hwy. 93 onto Tanner Street and driving one block to Marshall Street. There is also a sign on Hwy. 93 indicating where to turn.

The meeting is open to the public and there is no charge for admission. For more information, call BRTU Chapter President Eddie Olwell (777-1449) or Doug Nation (363-2137).

Dawgfest 3 on 3 tourney

The Dawgfest 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament will be held Saturday and Sunday, April 29-30 at University of Montana-Western at Dillon. Divisions include both boys and girls, grades 3-4, grades 5-6, grades 7-8, grades 9-10, grades 11-12, and six adult divisions. Cost is $80 per team. Awards will be given to 1st and 2nd place in each division. For more information call Kevin Engellant, 406-683-7317 or Mark Durham, 406-683-7509.

Emotional Abuse Workshop

During the 2006 Spring Semester, the Montana Western School of Outreach is offering a variety of classes and workshops.

"Emotional Abuse: The Least Understood Form of Abuse in Children and Adults" is scheduled for Friday, April 21, Saturday, April 22 and Sunday, April 23.

Workshop hours are Friday from 6-9 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Evidence is mounting that emotional abuse is a major epidemic in our culture and yet it is the least known about and understood form of abuse. Unlike sexual abuse and domestic violence, there has been very little public education on the subject.

Students, professionals working in the helping professions and laypersons will benefit from the informative presentation. The workshop will discuss emotional abuse, its prevalence and its treatment.

Featured speaker for the workshop is respected and internationally known author, therapist and educator, Beverly Engel.

She is a psychotherapist with over 25 years of experience and recognized as an expert in the fields of abuse, women's issues, relationships and sexuality. Engel has shared her expertise through television, appearing on many national programs including "Oprah." She has been a keynote speaker and workshop leader through out the United States and Canada.

Engel is the author of "Breaking the Cycle of Abuse," "The Emotionally Abusive Relationship," "Honor your Anger," "The Power of Apology" and "Women Circling the Earth."

The workshop is approved for 15 hours through the Board of Social Work Examiners and Professional Counselors.

There is a $130 registration fee. To register by phone or for more information, call 1-866-799-9140 or email at outreach@umwestern.edu.

Domestic Violence training

The Medical Issues Committee of the Ravalli County Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence will host a training on domestic violence issues and resources for massage and physical therapists on March 21 and 23.

The training is offered Tuesday, March 21 from 7 to 8 p.m. or Thursday, March 23 from 12 to 1 p.m. Participants will have an opportunity to learn about domestic violence, and how to offer support and resources that enhance safety, particularly in a therapy environment. There will also be time for questions, discussion and sharing.

The training will be held at the Hamilton Carriage House, 310 N. Fourth Street. Complimentary dessert, coffee and tea will be served. The public is welcome. Massage therapists, physical therapists, chiropractors and other health care professionals are especially encouraged to attend. For more information, contact Jamie Ogden at 363-2793.

Audubon meeting

Bitterroot Audubon's March meeting will feature a presentation on wolves in Montana. Liz Bradley, wolf management specialist with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Park, will give the latest updates on wolf population status and pack distribution in Montana, with special emphasis on the Bitterroot area. She will also discuss FWP's wolf management plan and how this addresses conflicts with livestock and big game, as well as the new federal regulations that allow increased flexibility in wolf management. The meeting will be held Monday, March 20 at 7 p.m. at the Bitterroot National Forest Headquarters on Highway 93 just north of Hamilton. There is no charge, and the public is invited to attend. Park in the rear of the building, and enter through the rear door. Call Dave Lockman at 777-2929 for further information.

Artists' marketing workshop

The Montana World Trade Center at the University of Montana will host a Marketing for Artists Workshop on Saturday, April 15.

The workshop will run from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Gallagher Business Building Room 106. Artists will be taught business skills and be provided with resources related to their profession. The $45 registration fee includes lunch. Student registration is $25.

Topics will include the artist as a businessperson, principles of marketing for artists, Indian art and using the Internet to market your work, among others. Prominent artists such as Monte Dolack, Leslie Van Stavern Millar, George Ybarra, Kendahl Jan Jubb and Kent Epler are scheduled to appear. A full schedule is available at www.mwtc.org/.

To register, send your name, address, phone number, e-mail address and a check made payable to the Montana World Trade Center to MWTC, Gallagher Business Building Suite 257, University of Montana, Missoula MT 59812-6798. For more information, call 243-6982.

The workshop is sponsored by the Missoula Cultural Council, Missoula Art Museum, UM School of Business Administration, Missoula Area Economic Development Corp., Montana State University Extension Service, American Indian Business Leaders and MWTC.

St. Patrick's Day dinner

Historic St. Mary's Parish will be serving their annual traditional St. Patrick's Day Dinner of corned beef, cabbage, potatoes and carrots in the Family Center, 400 Charlos St., Stevensville, on Friday, March 17, from 4 to 7 p.m. 2006. Also available will be Irish Stew. Hot rolls, dessert and a drink will round out the menu. Cost of dinner will be $6.50 for adults, $17.00 for families, with a special rate of $3.50 for children under 10. There will also be hot dogs and chips available for the little ones, and children under 5 are free. Green beer will be available for adults, with the first glass free.

Stevi driver's ed class

The Stevensville High School will hold driver's education class with the initial sign-ups from March 13-22. Sign up at the Stevensville High School office, 777-5481, or call John Munk, 777-5539. Dates for the class are March 25 through April 17, approximately. Any high school student who is at least 14-1/2 years old by April 7, 2006 or older, from any school or home school in the valley, is eligible. Cost is $230. The first information meeting for the students of Stevensville High School will be held Monday, March 20 at 12:10 p.m. in the high school, room 3. Out-of-district and/or home school students may register by phone. Information will be mailed as soon as possible. Call John Munk, 777-5539, to sign up or.

Twelve Inquiries meeting

Open meetings providing an introduction to the Twelve Inquiries, will be held Mondays, March 20 and April 17, 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Bitterroot Public Library meeting room in Hamilton. The systematic approach of the Twelve Inquiries provides clarity and guidance for living with freedom and joy in all relationships and day-to-day life. The meetings are free and everyone is welcome.