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.

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

Suicide Loss Support holds informal meetings the second Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the community room of the North Valley Public Library, 208 Main and the fourth Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at Aspen Hospice, 230 Marcus St. in Hamilton.

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 Barbara Jo Burditt, 777-3853, or Brian Cherry, Ravalli County Youth Suicide Prevention Coordinator, 360-2708.

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.

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.

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. WIC eligibility guidelines are: yearly gross of $19,240 for family of 1 (including unborn child; $25,900 for 2; $32,560 for 3; $39,220 for 4: $45,880 for 5; $52,540 for 6. For each additional member add $6,660.

Weekly Grief Support Group

When you grieve the death of a loved one, you sometimes hide it so others think you’re over your sorrow and loss. Here is a support group that offers an opportunity to share grieving experiences and grow from them. You are invited by Marcus Daly Hospice to an opportunity for unloading your mind and heart. Come to this free Grief Support Group offered every Tuesday from 2 to 3:30pm, held in the Marcus Daly Hospice Center’s comfortable living room from now until the end of June. This group is open to anyone in the community. For additional information, call Cathy at 375-4752.

‘Stevi Night Out’

“Stevi Night Out” is held every Sunday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Olde Coffee Mill, 225 Main in Stevensville. All ages are welcome for possible activities such as board games, conversation, cards and musical jam sessions (bring your instrument). Coffee and iced tea is available.

Five Valley Chorus

Five Valley Chorus holds weekly rehearsals on Tuesday, at 7 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 308 W. Pine in Missoula and on Mondays at 7 p.m. at Glacier High School, 375 Wolf Pack Way in Kalispell. They invite women in the area who enjoy singing to join them for an evening of fun with music. For more information contact Cindy Morin at 251-3006.

Sapphire Quilt Club

The Sapphire Quilt 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.

Daly Mansion tours

The Daly Mansion is open from mid May until mid October. Tours are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the hour 7 days a week. Cost is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and $5 for children 6 -17, 5 yrs & under free. The Mansion also has an elevator and handicap access. Come see the restoration in progress. Book your weddings for 2009. Call 363-6004 for more information or visit the web site at HYPERLINK "http://www.dalymansion.org" www.dalymansion.org.

Salsa Groove Workout

Salsa Groove Workout classes will be held at Sapphire Dance Studio, 217 Main in Stevensville on Mondays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Fridays from 9 to 10:15 a.m. and on Thursdays from 12 to 1 p.m. at River Street Dance, 421 N. 2nd in Hamilton. Get in shape and have fun with this low impact dance workout. Improve your cardiac health while strengthening and toning your body. Increase core awareness and improve agility all while learning to dance to basic Latin rhythms of salsa, mambo and cha-cha-cha. Beginners are welcome. Attire requirements are comfortable workout clothes and workout shoes you can move in (tennis, cross trainers,

running, etc.) Although partnering techniques will be covered, this is not a partnering class. Cost is $10 per class/$36 per 1 month series of 4 classes, with a first class special of $5. For more information contact Kimberlee Carlson, 777-2579; salsagrooveworkout@mac.com.

Daly Mansion membership drive

The Daly Mansion Preservation Trust is conducting a Just A Dollar A Day Membership Drive. Grants, donations and tours provide significant support to restorations and some operational expenses. However, they do not cover all operation expenses including utilities through the winter months. The average power bill at the Daly Mansion during the winter months is $5,000 per month. The Trust’s goal is to reach fifty new members at a $365 Daly Club level - a dollar a day to keep the doors open through the winter and year-round. The public and business community are encouraged to become members by contacting the Mansion or by sending membership funds to The Daly Mansion, P.O. Box 223, Hamilton MT 59840. For more information about all membership levels or to become a member, call 363-6004.

Bitterroot Waldorf enrollment

The Bitterroot School (TBS) is dedicated to nurturing the whole child (head, hands, heart) and enriching the community through the wisdom of Waldorf education. Join this endeavor to build a community supported Waldorf School in the Bitterroot Valley. TBS is currently accepting applications for a parent/child nursery and mixed age kindergarten class. Waldorf education honors the wonder of childhood. For more information about TBS contact Pam, 381-0145 or Kim, 369-0213.

'Moon Walk' Series

Once a month, as the full moon glows, it seems safe to venture out into the dark while the moon makes shadows. You can still smell the flowers, feel the wind, hear the water, and sense the wildlife.

For the seventh year, the Bitterroot National Forest offers a series of interpretive “Moon Walks” from June through October. These walks are based on the book by Francis Hammerstrom, “Walk When the Moon is Full,” which is about her children and the nature walks they took every month under the full moon.

The Bitterroot National Forest invites you to join interpreters and naturalists for these evening presentations. In June, July and August, the hour and a half programs begin each night at 8 p.m. on the full moon. In September and October, the programs begin at 7 p.m. In addition, this year we will offer leisurely guided walks, one hour prior to the June, July and September programs. Below are the topics that will be featured during the “Moon Walk” series.

Monday, September 15 – “Aquatic Moon” at the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge. Learn about types of aquatic life in the Bitterroot Valley and efforts by local scientists to conserve some of these species.

Tuesday, October 14 – “Ghost Moon” at the Larry Creek Group Campground in the Bitterroot National Forest. Gather around a campfire to hear ghosts of the Bitterroot Valley share stories of their lives and untimely deaths.

For more information, contact Julie Schreck at 375-2606.

Safety Workshop

A safety workshop sponsored by the Montana State Fund will be held Thursday, September 11 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon at the Bitterroot River Inn in Hamilton. This free safety training seminar is available to all businesses, organizations, owners, managers, and employees in Ravalli County. You do not need to be a client of the Montana State Fund to attend.

Christian music concert

The Ineloquent, a contemporary Christian band based out of Minneapolis, MN will be playing a free concert on Thursday, September 11 at 7 p.m. at Lone Rock Bible Church, 1142 Three Mile Road in Stevensville. The Ineloquent formed in January of 2006. Since that time, they have played at churches, colleges, festivals, youth groups and youth camps across the country and have shared the stage with artists like Caedmon's Call and StorySide:B. Their musical style would best be described as vocal-driven pop/rock. This concert is open to anyone and all ages are encouraged to attend. There is no charge for the concert but an offering will be taken to support the band. For more information call 777-3484.

Green Thumbs Up

The Green Thumbs Up gardening group will meet on Thursday, September 11 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Public Meeting Room, downstairs in the Bitterroot Public Library, 306 State Street, Hamilton. The meeting is open to all area gardeners interested in sharing their knowledge of gardening in the Bitterroot Valley. David Irwin, of Environmental Measurements USA in Victor, will be speaking on soil testing as it relates to the home gardener.

Pachyderm Club

The North Valley Pachyderm Club will meet Friday, September 12, at noon at the Frontier Cafe, U.S. 93 in Stevensville. The speaker will be announced at the meeting. All are welcome.

MCT Volunteer Night

Do you want to know more about acting? Dancing? Singing? Sewing? Carpentry? Lighting? Sound? Props? Do you have talents and skills sitting in the back of a dusty drawer that hasn’t been opened in years? Do you have an interest in live theatre but have never been sure what you can do to get involved? Learn the answers to these questions at MCT Volunteer Night on Friday, September 12, 7 p.m. at MCT Center for the Performing Arts, 425 E. Broadway Street in Missoula. Bring a friend to be entered into a special drawing! RSVP to or contact Greg Boris at 728-1911 for more information.

Jenn Adams in concert

Singer songwriter Jenn Adams will be performing Friday, September 12 at 8 p.m. at the Downtown Dance Collective in Missoula. Tickets are $10 and $12.

Florence Homecoming pancake breakfast

On Saturday, September 13, Florence-Carlton Music Boosters will be hosting their annual Homecoming Pancake Breakfast immediately following the homecoming parade in the old gym. Enjoy pancakes, sausage, applesauce, and much more while supporting your Florence-Carlton music department. For more information go to http://www.florence.k12.mt.us.

Green Home Tour

The Bitterroot Green Home Tour will be held Saturday, September 13, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy the art of green building in five Bitterroot homes by seeing how passive solar power works, discover the functional beauty of an Earthship, explore the use of solar technology, tour a straw-bale structure, and learn how recycled material can be revived.

Participants must ride on buses (the park-n-ride vans) and can meet them at two locations: K-mart parking lot in Hamilton or Super 1 parking lot in Stevensville, both at 9 a.m. Tickets ($10) may be purchased at the bus that morning or at the following locations: Bitterroot Community Market and Bitterroot Star in Stevensville, Sunelco on Hwy 93 near Victor, and Chapter 1 Bookstore in Hamilton.

For more information, call Gretchen at 207-3738 or Jill at 642-3601.

Flea market

A flea market will be held Saturday, September 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hamilton Senior Center, 820 N. 4th. There will be new and used items, antiques, collectibles, arts and crafts, books, birdhouses and birdfeeders, dolls, household items, tools, health products and more. Lunch of donuts, rolls, sandwiches, soup, dessert and coffee will be available. Rent a table for $5. Call 363-5181 or Katie at 363-2316.

Museum wine tasting

The Stevensville Historical Museum will hold its annual wine tasting fundraiser on Saturday, September 13 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on the Museum grounds at 517 Main. Enjoy a samling of distinctive wines, delicious hors d’oeuvres and live music. Tickets are $20 and all proceeds benefit the Stevensville Historical Museum. For more information contact Victoria at 777-3928.

Spaghetti dinner

Marie Baker is hosting a Spaghetti Dinner at First Baptist Church on Saturday, September 13 from 5 to 8 p.m. to raise money for her mission trip to Africa. There will be a silent auction and the winner of the raffle will get to shave Pastor Ben Baker's head! Everything is by donation, come eat up and enjoy!

Dance class

Folkworld’s Big Sky Dance Club is offering free dance class for young and middle-aged couples, singles and teens starting September 14 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Masonic Temple, 115 S. 3rd St., Hamilton. For more information contact Glory Corbett, 961-8866.

Audubon field trip

Bitterroot Audubon’s meeting on Monday, September 15 will feature a kick off to the Chapter’s adoption of the newly established Bitterroot River Important Bird Area (IBA), which is a 30,000-acre corridor stretching from Woodside Crossing to Lolo. The IBA program is a global initiative in partnership with Birdlife International to identify, monitor and protect a network of sites that are critical for the conservation of birds. Join Sam Lawry, Teller Wildlife Refuge’s Director of Conservation, and Sherry Ritter, Wildlife Biologist & Audubon Field Trip Coordinator, to learn about the ecology of the river as well as the birds and wildlife that inhabit this IBA.

The evening will begin with a brief indoor presentation, followed by a birding field trip into the Refuge’s wetlands until dusk. Dress for the weather.

The meeting and field trip will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Teller Wildlife Refuge Education Center. Follow the Eastside Highway 1 mile north from the center of Corvallis and turn left (west) on Quast Lane. Follow Quast Lane to the T and turn left. The Education Center is on the right. The meeting is free, and the public is invited to attend. Contact Sherry Ritter (777-7409) for more information.

Stevensville Schools open house

Stevensville Schools invite you to an Open House on Tuesday, September 16 from 5 to 8 p.m. Meet the administrators, teachers, staff and students of the school district. Other youth organizations and businesses will be present to provide you with information about the many possibilities for children and families in the Stevensville community. Soup and pie will be available for sale, proceeds benefiting the Family Resource Center. For more information contact Lisa Butler, Family Resource Coordinator, 777-5481, ext. 351.

Movement workshop

A free introductory workshop on Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement will be held Tuesday, September 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Yoga in the Root, 217 Main, Stevensville. Want to kick higher? Garden longer? Hike farther? Improve balance? Learn how to move smarter so you can move with greater agility. If you’re trying to maintain personal fitness goals, an athlete wanting to improve your game or anyone recovering from an injury or dealing with chronic pain (including repetitive strain) Awareness Through Movement lessons will help increase your range of motion and help you move with greater ease. A 5-class series will start Tuesday, September 23 at 7:30 p.m. at Yoga in the Root. Cost is $10 per class/$45 for series. For more information contact Kimberlee Carlson, 777-2579; HYPERLINK "mailto:kimberleec@mac.com" kimberleec@mac.com.

Library story time

The Bitterroot Public Library in Hamilton will begin its Fall Story Time series on Wednesday, September 17, at 10:30 a.m. when reader April Hawkes presents, “Gimmee, Gimmee, Gimmee.” Story time takes place in the children’s area of the library and is designed for children 2-3 years of age. It lasts approximately one hour. Siblings are welcome to attend. For more information call the library at 363-1670.

Montana Road Show

The Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce presents a very special After Hours Event, Thursday, September 18 from 5:30 to 8 p.m.: A Montana Road Show! Appraiser Timothy Gordon will be available to evaluate art and collectibles at the Mildenberger Motors showroom, 1717 N. 1st St., Hamilton. Gordon is an experienced appraiser and dealer of public and private collections, estates, corporations and museums, consulting with art museums and private collections nationally and internationally. He has worked in film and television as an antiquarian historian for the PBS Series, “Frontier House” and as a featured appraiser on Fox Networks FX Collector Show. Hosts D.A. Davidson & Co., Professional Consultants, Inc. and Mildenberger Motors are inviting the public to this unique and exciting opportunity. Fine art, fine food and delicious drinks will be offered, along with special collectible displays, artists’ reception plus the brand new line of 2009 models from Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, Pontiac and GMC.

Caregiver conference

Ravalli County Caregiver Conference will be held Thursday, September 18, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Bitterroot River Inn, 139 Bitterroot Plaza Drive, Hamilton. Pre-registration deadline is September 5. To register call Kathy Flynn, 327-4594 or Joanne Verwolf, 363-5242, or email: iserenity@summitilc.org. This conference is free and provides an educational and networking opportunity and chance to increase skill levels and earn CEUs. Presentation topics are: MindBody Connection for Stress & Communication; Safe Transfers; Storykeepers-Recording Life Stories; Legislative Issues; Consumer/Caregiver Panel; How to Work with the Elderly; and Consumer Fraud. In addition to these presentations, there will be many free giveaways and door prizes.

Former governor to speak in Victor

Former Montana Governor Judy Martz will be the guest speaker on Friday, September 19 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, September 20 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Bitterroot Church of the Nazarene, 150 A Street in Victor. Admission is $5 per person. Martz, Governor of Montana from 2000-2004, Montana Lieutenant Governor from 1996-2000, Olympic speed skater at the 1964 Winter Games and married mother of two grown children, will be speaking on exercising a Christian world view. Also speaking will be the sister of Governor Martz, Penny Barney, who is affiliated with the Strategic Prayer Task Force of Montana. She will be providing information on what has happened through prayer in the State of Montana.

To plan for seating and food, you are asked to RSVP either by email to: church@bitterrootnazarene.org or by calling the church office at 642-3838. If there is no answer, leave a message. Childcare will be provided at the cost of $1.00 per hour per child. Indicate the number of children you will need childcare for during both Friday night and Saturday morning sessions. A continental breakfast will be provided at the Saturday morning session. Governor Martz will also be speaking during the morning worship service on Sunday, September 21 at 11 a.m.

Electronics waste collection

An Electronic Waste Collection will take place on Saturday, September 20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds north lot. Cost will be: $5 per TV and $1 for Monitors, CPUs, DVD players, VCRs, printers and copiers. There will be no charge to drop off cell phones, mice, keyboards and speakers. No appliances will be accepted. The event is sponsored by Ravalli County Environmental Health Department, Montana DEQ, EPA and Chem-Safe Environmental, Inc. For more information, contact the Ravalli County Environmental Health Department at 375-6565.

Singles trail ride

There will be a trail ride for singles (18 and over) on Sunday, September 21 at Larry Creek Trail. Meet at the Larry Creek Trailhead south of Florence between 9 and 10 a.m. to saddle up. Leaders will head out at 10 a.m. sharp. Bring your own horse; no dogs allowed. Gather for lunch at the Frontier Café after the ride. For more information call Tanya 546-9838 or email 2trailsbecome1@live.com.

Fall Fashion Preview for a Cause

The 5th Annual Fall Fashion Preview, a fund-raiser for the South Valley Child and Family Center, will be held on Saturday, September 27, from 6 to 9 pm at the St. Francis Center, 401 S. Fifth Street, Hamilton.

This year’s event will include runway fashions from Bella Boutique and Bella Sole, as well as entertainment, a silent auction, wine tasting and hors d’ouerves. Tickets are $25 per person, and are available at Bella Boutique and Chapter One Books in Hamilton. Raffle tickets will be available at the event.

South Valley Child and Family Center is a private Montana non-profit organization offering a wide range of services to ensure that the physical, mental, social and emotional needs of children and families are met through prevention, comprehensive and caring service, collaboration and advocacy. Prevention of mental illness and psychosocial disorders in our youth is a priority for South Valley Child & Family Center.

In addition to proceeds from ticket sales and the silent auction, Bella Boutique and Bella Sole have pledged to contribute 100% of saleroom proceeds during the event, and 25% of all runway fashions purchased no later than October 11, 2008. For more information, contact South Valley Child & Family Center, 363-5013.

Fools Theatre production

Fools Theatre will present William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream September 25-28 and October 2-5. Nightly show times are 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Magic, love spells, and an enchanted golf course provide the materials for one of Shakespeare's most delightful comedies. When four young lovers flee their privileged homes and their own star-crossed relationships and take to the forest surrounding the The Athens Golf Club, their lives become entangled with a royal fairy feud and a caddy's get-rich-quick scheme. The result is a marvelous mix-up of desire and merriment. The funniest thing to happen to golf since Caddyshack! Tickets are $12.00 reserved seating and are available at the Hamilton Players Box Office (100 Ricketts Rd., 406-375-9050), Tuesday-Friday 1-5, one hour prior to show times, and online at hamiltonplayers.com.

Fashion Show

Everyone is invited to attend the fall luncheon and style show, “100+ Years of Fashions,” put on jointly by the Ravalli County Republican Women and the Victorian Ladies’ Tea Guild. The luncheon will be held on Saturday, September 20, at 11:30 a.m. at the Bitterroot River Inn in Hamilton. Members of both groups will be modeling fashions from the 1700s through the 1930s. There will be good food, raffles, and door prizes. For tickets and more information, call Karolyn Simpson at 961-5207.

Paper drive

The Hamilton Garden Club will hold a paper drive on Friday, September 26 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Safeway parking lot. Newsprint, aluminum cans and can tabs will be accepted (sorry, no cardboard).

Lifelong Learning classes at Daly Mansion

Community members 50 and older can explore topics ranging from art, music and writing to history, politics and global warming in fall 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 Sept. 29-Nov. 7. Courses also will be offered on Mondays and Tuesdays, Oct. 6-28, at the Daly Mansion in Hamilton.

Registration is now open for all fall courses. An annual Osher Lifelong Learning Institute membership fee of $20 is required to enroll. The registration fee for each course is $50.

Registration forms, complete course descriptions and detailed information about instructors are online at http://www.umt.edu/ce/plus55. For more information, call UM Continuing Education at 406-243-2905 or e-mail dannette.fadness@umontana.edu.

An open house will be held at the Daly Mansion from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23, for those 50 and older who want to know more about lifelong learning in the Bitterroot. Hal Stearns will present “Bitterroot Valley Tales” during the event, which is free and open to the public.

Scarecrow Festival

Stevensville’s Third Annual Scarecrow Festival is calling for artists (individuals or groups) to enter their work in the famously popular outdoor event to be held on First Friday, October 3. The deadline for the $10.00 entry fee and completed entry form will be Friday, September 26. Entry forms are available on line at www.sassart.org and hard copies are at several Main Street businesses including: Stevensville Main Street Association, the Bitterroot Star office, and Valley Drug and Variety.

Cash prizes to be decided by popular vote and awarded: 1st Place - $300.00, 2nd Place - $200.00, 3rd Place - $100.00. New this year, a juried panel will award two Artistic Merit prizes of $50.00 each.

In addition to the more traditional Scarecrows, this year’s festival will be open to street performers as Live Sculpture applying for sidewalk spaces along Main Street. The live performers will not be included on the ballot for the popular vote, but will be invited to submit contact information and artistic statements. For more information regarding entry requirements and how you can support this terrific public art event, please see the SASS website www.sassart.org , call Katy at 370-8084 or write to SASS, P.O. Box 808, Stevensville MT 59870.

Public viewing and ballots will be available 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, October 3. Other Main Street First Friday activities will include a pumpkin carving contest, horse-drawn wagon rides, Oktoberfest accordion music, Main Street Open Houses offering refreshments and fun!

Campground restoration project

A campground restoration project will take place at Slate Creek Campground on Saturday, September 27. Meet at the Bitterroot National Forest’s West Fork Ranger Station at 10 a.m. Volunteers are needed to help with the restoration of Slate Creek Campground, which is located near Painted Rocks Reservoir. The group will be installing fire rings, a campground sign, campsite markers and a new bulletin board. No experience is necessary and all ages are encouraged to attend. Bring water, lunch and work gloves. Call to sign up or for more information: Joe at 821-3269 or Janeen at 381-2951. This project is in honor of National Public Lands Day.

Stevensville Playhouse production

The Stevensville Playhouse season opens with the comedy, "Arsenic and Old Lace.” Show dates are Friday and Saturday, Sept. 26-27, Oct. 3-4 and Oct. 10-11 at 8 p.m.

Sunday matinees will be presented Sept. 28, Oct. 5 and Oct.12 at 2 p.m. The theater is located at 317 Main. For ticket information call 777-2722.

Apple Day

Applications are being accepted for the 29th Annual McIntosh Apple Day, to be held Saturday, October 4, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the grounds of the Old Courthouse, now the Ravalli County Museum in Hamilton. Billed as the ‘Biggest Bake Sale under the Big Sky,’ this festival celebrates when the Bitter Root was hailed as having the largest apple orchards in the world. Last year about 10,000 visitors enjoyed the fall day listening to live local music and savoring the aroma of apple butter bubbling over an open fire. There are children’s activities, a raffle, silent auction and lots of activities to entertain. Watch while fresh pressed apple juice is being made, have sliced apples topped with homemade caramel, and partake of over 700 handmade apple pies. This event is a major fundraising effort for the Ravalli County Museum and is made possible by the efforts of over 100 volunteers, sponsors, vendors and donors.

Vendor spaces are available to artists, craftsmen, food vendors, farmers and commercial businesses. Space is limited, late registration fee will begin after September 13. Fee for a 10’ x 10’ space is $65, and a limited amount of electric outlets are available for $75. Space is $85 for commercial food vendors, up to 10’ x 20’. Less $20 per space for Valley Farmers Market Cooperative Vendors and Non-profit organizations.

For more information, or to receive an application contact rcmuseum@qwestoffice.net or call 363-3338.

Local food event

'Root Food - for Sustainability is a catered dinner and speaker event that will be held Friday, October 3 at the Hamilton City Hall at 6:30 p.m. The dinner, catered by Riversong Gourmet, will be a fund raiser for SLS, and also a community education event. The speaker is Bruce Smith, Extension agent from Glendive, who is leading the charge for building a local food system in a Montana community. His talk will be "Why Local Food and What We are Doing About It." Some of the things he is organizing: a producers' marketing co-op with online ordering, a local food restaurant, microbrewery, and local food store, a culinary/cooking school, a shared-use commercial kitchen starting local brands of value-added products, community gardens with high tunnels. There will also be a silent food auction. Tickets ($30) must be purchased by September 20 and will be on sale at Chapter One Bookstore and at the Bitterroot Star.

Walk to Fight Arthritis

The Arthritis Foundation is seeking walkers to participate in the Arthritis Walk on October 4 at the River Walk, near the Parks and Recreation Building in Missoula. The Arthritis Walk is the Arthritis Foundation’s signature event that takes place in communities nationwide to raise funds and awareness to fight arthritis, the nation’s most common cause of disability. The event features both a three-mile and one-mile course, with activities for the entire family. Participants walk in honor of a friend or family member with arthritis, while those with arthritis wear blue hats to signify their action in taking control of their condition. Pet owners are invited to bring their dogs along to walk with them. To participate in the Arthritis Walk, volunteer or to form a team, visit www.MissoulaArthritisWalk.kintera.org or call the Arthritis Foundation at 406-600-4649.

McIntosh Apple Festival

The 29th Annual McIntosh Apple Festival will be held Saturday, October 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ravalli County Museum.

Come enjoy the crisp fall day in front of the Historic Courthouse, 205 Bedford St., Hamilton. This fundraiser for the museum includes and expanded Farmers Market, over 70 booths, artisans, kids activities, crafts, food booths, apple butter and many apple produce. For more information call 363-3338 or email rcmuseum@qwestoffice.net

Literature Seminar

The Bitterroot Public Library is pleased to sponsor the Marjorie Crawford literature seminar, making it available cost-free to the public. All books will be taught by Shawn Wathen of Chapter One Book Store.

October 7 & 9. “Castorp” by Pawel Huelle. Set at the dawn of the twentieth century, "Castorp" conveys with elegant restraint the accelerating pressure as Europe hurtles toward the First World War.

November 4 & 6 – “The Stray Dog Cabaret: A Book of Russian Poems” translated by Paul Schmidt. On New Year's Day, 1912, the Stray Dog opened in St. Petersburg. Its habitues included the greatest concentration of major poets in Russian history.

January 13 & 15. – “The City and the Mountains” by Eca de Queiros. Eca de Queiros's late novel is a hymn to country life satirizing the emptiness of city life and of modernity itself.

February 10 & 12 – “The First Man” by Albert Camus. The posthumous masterpiece from Nobel Laureate Albert Camus tells an unmistakably autobiographical story of a boy growing up in Algeria.

March 10 & 12 – “I'm Not Stiller” by Max Frisch. This novel is the story of an imprisoned man who claims to be another.

April 7 & 9 – “The Question of Bruno: Stories by Aleksandar Hemon.” Aleksandar Hernon's stories examine the overwhelming events of history and the effect they have on individual lives.

Classes will be held in the basement meeting room of the Bitterroot Public Library (west entrance) on Tuesday and Thursday mornings (dates indicated above) from 9:30 to 11:30. Books are available at Chapter One Book Store. The Bitterroot Public Library will have a limited number of copies for checkout. Call for information: 363-5220 or 363-1670.

Bioneers conference

Northern Rockies Bioneers will hold 6th Annual Conference October 16-19 in Bozeman.

The earth could reach an irreversible tipping point in less than a decade unless we quickly change our ways, warns NASA climate scientist James Hansen. In a recent study Hansen said, “If global emissions of carbon dioxide continue to rise at the rate of the past decade…there will be disastrous effects, including increasingly rapid sea level rise, increased frequency of droughts and floods, and increased stress on wildlife and plants due to rapidly shifting climate zones.”

In the midst of this urgency, the annual Bioneers Conference presents leading scientists and social innovators who are creating practical solutions to help restore the Earth’s imperiled ecosystems and heal our human communities.

Participate in over 20 workshops and Intensives over the course of the weekend including:

Biomimicry Workshop, Mushroom Cultivation, The Importance of Pollinators, Alternative/Green Building Panel Discussion, “Seeds of the Future”- permaculture, seed saving and wldcrafting in Montana, “City Repair”, Alternative Energy Systems, Youth leadership, Habitat Restoration, Arts and Media, Ecological Design, Indiginous Knowledge, Womens leadership, traditional medicine, environmental education, eco-nomics, activism, culture, spirit and community, food and farming and many more.

Enjoy the beautiful harvest of Montana Farmers at four Harvest Meals featuring local and Montana made products.

Network with individuals, businesses and non-profits from throughout the northern Rockies in our Exhibitors Hall.

The Northern Rockies Bioneers Conference targets all ages from the youth to elders. Children under the age of 13 are free. For registration, student discount, scholarships, to sponsor, and all information contact Lori Foster at lori@bornnetwork.org or HYPERLINK "http://www.bioneers.org" www.bioneers.org.

Yoga Retreat in Costa Rica

Join local teacher, Jill Hughes, on a yoga retreat at the rainforest ocean discovery center, Guaria de Osa, in Costa Rica Feb. 6-13. The trip includes daily guided tours through the most biologically diverse place on earth. For information about the trip, visit yogaintheroot.com or call 777-7011. For information about the retreat center, visit www.guariadeosa.com.

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