Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Community Calendar

Chantilly performances

Come one! Come all! To cheer on the heroine, Amanda Goodsort, as she fights against the villain Judge Mortimer Harshly and his accomplice, Peachy Jamm, who is pretty, but has no heart. Laugh at the witty jokes of our Native American friend, Lonely Wolf, and sigh happily over the budding romance between Little Victoria who has just come home on the stage to the handsomest army officer she ever saw, Lt. Pete Bogg! Laugh, cry, and bond with these characters, and enjoy some wonderful food catered by Food Fetish, a casual dinner with barbecue sandwiches and Wilcoxson's ice cream for dessert. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for students and seniors, and $15 for children. Performances are July 9, 10, 14 and 15 at 7 p.m. and July 11 and 16 at 2 p.m. Advance reservations can be made by calling 777-2722. For more information visit www.chantillytheatre.org.

Wanted - talented individuals in song and/or instrument. The Victor Civic Club will be sponsoring a talent show, "Victor Idol" on Chief Victor Day, August 12. Judges will receive applicants from 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. in the Pavilion at Victor Park. Ten applicants will be given five minutes to display their talent. This is for amateurs only. There will be a fee of $10 for application. Prizes are: 1st Place - $100 Cash, 2nd Place - $50 Cash. Winners will be announced at closing of events in the pavilion. A sound system will be provided if needed. Call 961-3037 for more information.

Multiple Sclerosis Support Group

The Bitter Root Valley Multiple Sclerosis Support Group will hold its monthly meeting Tuesday, July 11, at the Willow Court Apartments meeting room, 150 Skeels Avenue in Hamilton from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Refreshments will be served. Come enjoy a social visit. The venue is handicapped accessible and open to anyone with MS, MS caregivers or family members. Contact LaRoy Williamson at 360-1117 or Nancy Holzer at 363-1149 for additional information.

'Big on Bugs' Discovery Day

Buzz by the Montana Natural History Center for interactive invertebrate fun on Saturday, July 29 between noon and 4 p.m. Meet live insects and learn about where they live and what they do. This back by popular demand program is free with MNHC admission (MNHC members free!). Learn more at www.MontanaNaturalist.org.

Prairie Keepers July events

Prairie Keepers' native plant sales, workshops, weed pulls, and collection parties engage citizens in native plant restoration in the Missoula and Bitterroot Valleys. Prairie Keepers are committed to native plant restoration through stewardship and education through free and fun workshops. Here are Julyıs exciting events:

The Soil is Alive!, July 6 from 6 to 9 p.m., UM Diettert Garden Greenhouse (behind the new Lewis and Clark apartments on Higgins, Missoula). What goes on underground in the wild prairie? Wildflower and grass roots intermingle with fungi, insects and bacteria...in fact most of the action is invisible to the naked eye. Come and learn about it from plant and soil ecologists while helping to harvest roots from an ecology research project. Participants get free native prairie plants and snacks. Learn more at ..

Leafy Spurge Flea Beetle Collection Party, July 11 at 6 p.m., parking lot at UM Golf Course. Free. Learn more at www.MontanaNaturalist.org.

Wildflower Gardening, July 25 at 7 p.m., Nature Adventure Garden at Fort Missoula. Free. Learn more at www.MontanaNaturalist.org.

The Prairie Keepers program is a partnership with the Montana Natural History Center, the Missoula County Weed District, the Ravalli County Weed District, the Montana Native Plant Society, and the University of Montana Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program.

Child care provider training

Child Care Resources will hold a beginning level course for child care providers called "Paints, Parks and Prisms: Planning for Outdoor Fun" on Monday, July 10 from 7 to 9 p.m. in Missoula. Would you like some new ideas for outdoor activities? Outdoor fun isn't just bike riding or water play. Gather ideas for outdoor fun - games, science activities, art projects, field trips, and more. Cost is $7.50. Preregister by visiting the CCR website at www.childcareresources.org or by calling 728-6446.

St. Mary's Mission archery shoot

Calling all archers! A 3-D Shoot will be held on the grounds of the Historic St. Mary's Mission, W. 4th St., Stevensville, on Saturday, July 8. Registration is from 8 a.m. to noon, with the shoot starting at 8:30 a.m. Cost is $15.00 per adult, with lower prices for teens and children. There will be special events, medals, prizes - good family fun. Proceeds go towards the restoration and preservation of the Historic St. Mary's Mission. For further information, call Flying Arrows Archery, Victor, at 961-3991.

Chantilly improv games

Did you ever wonder how to do improv like on the TV show "What's My Line?" The Chantilly Theatre is starting an Improv Troupe. The games can be very easy, and anyone who is willing to learn is welcome, ages 16 to 106+. You too could be fun to watch just making it up as you go along. There will be some basic warm ups and learning the simpler games. Come down just to play and have some fun. Improv is great for building confidence and flexibility in all areas of life. It's like Aikido for Acting. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a smile. The first practice session will be Saturday, July 8, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the theater, 319 Main Street, Stevensville. For those who catch the improv bug and want to join the troupe, the Chantilly Improvisors (the ChImps for short) will hold a debut performance at the annual Chantilly Membership Meeting on July 22 (be prepared to attend more practice sessions).

Teen rafting adventure

Campus Life will sponsor a Rafting Adventure for youth grades 9 through 12 on July 11-14. The fun includes four days of rafting on 26 miles of the Blackfoot River, camping, friends, food, survivor games and more. Cost is $100 if registered by July 5, $110 after that, which includes everything.

Band performance

The Bitterroot Community Band will perform with other bluegrass musicians, on Thursday, July 6 at 8 p.m. at Claudia Driscoll Park, Hamilton.

Library storytime

The Bitterroot Public Library in Hamilton will continue its summer reading program on July 12. This season's theme is "The Imagination Factory." Presentations take place every Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. on the west lawn of the library at 306 State Street. Toddlers, children, and young adults are encouraged to sign up to receive prizes, treats and raffle tickets for hours spent reading. The July 12 program will be magician Jeff Lang, "The Flying J." Is it magic? Or is your imagination playing a trick on you? For more information call 363-1670.

'A Prairie Home Companion' show

Montana Public Radio is presenting a live national broadcast of "A Prairie Home Companion" with Garrison Keillor on Saturday, September 30 in the Adams Event Center in Missoula. Keillor, a long-time public radio favorite, will be joined by the Royal Academy of Radio Acting, sound effects guy Fred Newman, and Guy's All-Star Shoe Band as well as special guests. Tickets are $46 and $36, with a $10 discount for students under 18 and college students. The show is not recommended for children under 10 years old. Tickets are available at all GrizTix outlets, by calling 243-4051, or on line at www.griztix.com.

Veterans meetings

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 Veterans Affairs on Tuesday, July 11 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Stevensville Town Council Chambers and from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Hamilton Job Service office.

Treasure State Art Show

The Treasure State Fine Art Show will be held on the grounds of the Daly Mansion in Hamilton, July 7, 8 and 9 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Wildlife and Western art is featured, with 38 artist booths and over 90 artists represented in the silent auction. A benefit for the Ravalli County Museum endowment fund, admission to the grounds of the Mansion is $5 for daytime passes.

Special events for the weekend include a wine tasting reception for the artists on Friday, July 7 from 6 to 10 p.m. The Donald Maus Trio will be performing, and Food Fetish is catering elegant hors d'oeuvres. Admission includes a commemorative wine glass. Tickets for the artists' reception can be purchased at the Museum or Chapter One Book Store in Hamilton, Worden's or Rockin' Rudy's in Missoula for $30.

Saturday, the Gala Gourmet Dinner, catered by the Stock Farm Club, begins at 5 p.m. A Quick Draw will be held at 6 p.m., followed by the dinner and silent auction. Dress is Western chic or casual.

"It is such a wonder to be surrounded with so much fine art on exhibit in the Bitter Root," states Helen Ann Bibler, Executive Director of the Museum. "This is an opportunity to savor the beauty of these talented artists, and to visit with them about their works. We hope everyone takes advantage of this opportunity, and not to have to travel out of state to see such wonderful art."

For more information, and to see the participating artists, go to the web site at www.treasurestateartshow.com or call 406-381-0929.

Museum plant sale

Bitterroot plants are still available and are on sale at the Ravalli County Museum in Hamilton. Prices have been reduced to $8 a plant, $15 for two plants, and $22 for three.

"This is a real sale on our beautiful state flower," says Helen Ann Bibler, Museum Director. "It is a good time to purchase them, as they are in their waning state, they will hold well during the upcoming seasons and will winter well. We do provide instructions as to their care."

The Museum is located on S. 3rd and Bedford in Hamilton. Usual hours are 10 to 4 Thursday, Friday, and Monday; 9 to 1 on Saturday. For more information contact rcmuseum@cybernet1.com, or call 363-3338 during open hours.