Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Community Calendar

Scottish Country Dances

The Bitterroot's Scottish Country Dance group meets on Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Hamilton Senior Center, 820 N. 4th. Newcomers are always welcome. Scottish Country Dance is a social form of dance analogous to American Square Dancing. The jigs, reels, waltzes and strathspeys are performed to music in the Celtic tradition. Robert Hunn, the teacher, is a certified Scottish Dance instructor with over 40 years of dancing experience. The ages of group members have ranged from grade schoolers to well beyond. No previous dance experience of any kind is required. For more information contact Robert at 363-2413, or Deborah at 961-4436.

Fall CSA signups

It's time to sign up for the Homestead Organics Fall CSA share. Join the Fall "cupboard club" and enjoy 3 boxes of seasonal vegetables over a six-week period. With instructions for using and storing nourishing greens, potatoes, peppers, onions, garlic, carrots and more, your share will help you eat and support local, organic food. The CSA begins in October; membership cost is on a sliding scale for a "generous" or a "double" share. Call 363-6627 for more information or to join, or stop by the farm stand on Tuesday or Thursday from 2 to 7 p.m. at 175 Skalkaho Rd. south of Hamilton.

Applications are being accepted for the 27th Annual McIntosh Apple Day, to be held Saturday, October 7, at the Ravalli County Museum in Hamilton. Billed as the 'Biggest Bake Sale Under the Big Sky,' this festival celebrates when the Bitter Root touted the largest apple orchards in the world.

Vendor spaces are available to artists, craftsmen, food vendors, farmers and commercial businesses. Eight- to nine thousand visitors usually mingle through the grounds to listen to live local music all day, and smell the aroma of fresh squeezed apple juice and apple butter bubbling over an open fire. There are kids' games galore, a mega raffle, and lots of activities.

Fee for a 10' by 10' space is $75, and a limited amount of electric outlets are available for $80. Space is $90 for commercial food vendors, up to 10' by 20'. Non-profit organizations may register for $50. For more information, or to receive an application contact rcmuseum@cybernet1.com or call 363-3338.

Garden volunteers needed

Volunteers are needed to help harvest at Hamilton's Daly School Community Garden, and to transport veggies to Haven House. Volunteers are encouraged to take a box of fresh food home as well. Use your love of gardening to help feed members of your community, by contacting Ellie Currey at Bitter Root Land Trust, 375-0956.

Stevi Main Street Megabucks event

Buy a chance to win $20,000 and support the good works of the Stevensville Main Street Association. The Stevensville Main Street Association will be calling local businesses during the week of September 18-22 to promote the Megabucks Raffle. No more than 800 tickets will be sold at $50 each and one lucky person will win between $5,000 and $20,000 in cash. The winner will be announced at the Boast and Toast dinner and auction on Saturday, October 7 at St. Mary's Family Center. To purchase tickets or for more information, contact the Stevensville Main Street Association, 777-3773.

It's Time to Talk Day

Imagine a single day where women and men, teenage girls and boys, grandmothers and grandsons turn to each other and actually talk about a problem that is more common than breast cancer and more insidious than AIDS. A problem that by its nature makes people uncomfortable: domestic violence.

"It's Time to Talk Day" is Thursday, September 21. Sponsored by Liz Claiborne Inc., Redbook magazine and Verizon Wireless, the day is dedicated to getting people talking about domestic and dating violence.

To mark the day, Supporters of Abuse Free Environments, Inc. (SAFE) will place table tents at Hamilton restaurants - encouraging people to spend part of their lunch hour joining other Americans by talking about the fact that nearly one in three women will be abused in her lifetime. Police, women's shelters and government officials alone cannot prevent abuse. But everyone can take this initiative and make it their own - helping to reach millions of people over the course of one day.

You can make a difference on September 21. Talk to someone in your life about domestic violence. If you're not sure how to get the conversation started please see Liz Claiborne's educational handbooks, which are designed to give you practical and easy advice on ways to begin to talk about the issue. The handbooks are available at www.loveisnotabuse.com. For more information, contact SAFE at 363-2793.

AARP driving class

AARP is presenting its driver safety program at Marcus Daly Hospital on September 21 and 22 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. This date has been changed from the earlier announcement.

The next day class is scheduled on October 2 and 3 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Jones Korman Insurance Agency, 518 S. 1st Street, Hamilton. Space is limited so register early. There is no written test. Montana mandates an insurance discount for qualified graduates.

Upper Lolo tour

On Thursday, September 21, there will be a field tour of sites undergoing restoration work as part of the Lolo National Forest's Upper Lolo Watershed Restoration project. Forest Service staff will help lead the tour. Anyone interested in this process and/or watershed restoration in Montana is urged to attend, and particularly those who want to learn about culvert replacement.

Tour participants will rendezvous at 9:30 a.m. in the Conoco parking lot at Highway 12 and Highway 93 in Lolo on Thursday, September 21; the tour should end by 3 p.m. The tour will proceed up Highway 12 about 25 miles to the Upper Lolo Creek area, which includes Granite Creek, Lee Creek, Lost Park Creek and the East and West Forks of Lolo Creek. The Upper Lolo area is the focus of a large restoration effort intended to reduce stream impacts from historic logging activity. Attendance is free and lunches will be provided, but attendees must provide own transportation. The tour will be canceled if rain is excessive.

For more information, contact John Zelazny, Executive Director, Montana Trout, 542-7445.

League of Women Voters

The Open Lands Bond will be the first topic presented at the League of Women Voters of Ravalli County general meeting on Thursday, September 21 at 12 noon in the downstairs Community Meeting Room in the Bitterroot Public Library, 306 State St, Hamilton.

The Open Lands Bond is a proposed $10 million bond for Ravalli County. Tonia Bloom and Rod Daniel will explain why the bond is being proposed, how it would work and what it could accomplish in the valley to help preserve open lands and working farms and ranches. Open Lands Programs are an important and valuable land use tool in many parts of the country. In Montana voter-approved bonds have supported Open Lands Programs in Gallatin and Missoula Counties and have successfully protected critical lands and significant amounts of agricultural land from development. Come and learn about this important issue that will be on the ballot in November.

The meeting will also be the introduction to the LWVRC study of Voting Systems. This fall the local League will be scrutinizing the various "new improved" and "tried and true" methods of voting that are in use.

Meetings of the LWVRC are free and open to the public. For information contact Peggy Munoz 363-2744.

Lone Rock Park Board

The Lone Rock Division of the Ravalli County Park Board will meet Thursday, September 21 at 8 p.m. at the Three Mile Fire Hall. The topic will be grading specs. The public is welcome.

Democratic Mule Team

Ravalli Democratic Mule Team will meet on Friday, September 22, in Hamilton, at noon at B.J.'s Restaurant, for a luncheon meeting. Please note the change of date and place. Guest speaker will be Neal Ullman, President of Forward Montana. Ullman has served in staff positions for Montana Democrats, and is now active among young Democrats.

American Legion District 5 meeting

Jim Clegg, Commander of American Legion Post #124 in Frenchtown, has announced that District Five, American Legion, Department of Montana will be holding their annual Fall Meeting at the Frenchtown Community Church on Friday, September 22. Registration will start at 5 p.m. and the meetings will start with a Joint Banquet at 6 p.m. The guest speaker for the banquet will be the National Commander of the American Legion, Paul Morin of Massachusetts. The Community Church is located at the junction of Mullan Road and the railroad tracks. The business meetings will follow the banquet. The American Legion meeting will be conducted by District Commander Elmer Palmer of Lolo, and the American Legion Auxiliary meeting will be conducted by District President Deanna Smith of Frenchtown.

The banquet will be attended by Tempe Regan, the 2006 National Sporter Champion of the American Legion Shooting Sports program. Regan's team is sponsored by Ray Welch Post #13, Saint Regis.

Frenchtown Post #124 will be the host of the meeting. Reservations for the banquet can be made by contacting Adjutant Rodney George at 406-626 5819.

Fall festival marketplace

The Fall Festival Marketplace will be held Saturday, September 23 at First Christian Church from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be secondhand items, arts and crafts, homebaked goods and breakfast and lunch will be available. Enjoy live music. For every $5 spent, enter to win a $25 gas card. The church is located at 328 Fairgrounds Road in Hamilton, across from the high school.

Carlton Ridge hike

There will be a Bitterroot-Mission Sierra Club group hike on Saturday, September 23 to the Carlton Ridge Research Natural Area. Join the Bitterroot-Mission Group of the Sierra Club and local scientists and hike the long, forested ridge northeast of Lolo Peak in the heart of the 16,000-acre Lolo Creek Roadless Area. The 920- acre Carlton Ridge Research Natural Area (RNA) was set aside by the Lolo National Forest in order to protect the unique and scientifically valuable forest communities that are found there. Natural stands of western larch and alpine larch occur, including the rare larch hybrid site. Hikers will be joined by Drs. Stephen Arno and Clint Carlson, both retired research foresters who will provide insights into the attributes and scientific values of the Carlton Ridge RNA. Expect a moderate 10-mile hike with some off-trail hiking to reach the RNA. The different species of larch will be in varying colors of gold, yellow, and green. Contact John Wolverton at 543-6696 for more information.

Activities Fair

Kids First of Ravalli County and the Hamilton Parks Board are co-sponsoring an event for Bitterroot Valley families on Saturday, September 23 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Claudia Driscoll Park, located at 10th and Main, in Hamilton. The Activities Fair will highlight over 30 local recreational programs offered by a wide variety of organizations. Instructors, leaders, and representatives will be available to meet families, answer questions, hand out schedules and information, and sign up new members. In conjunction with this event, the public is invited to help celebrate the 1st Birthday of the Canyon Hideaway Playground with cake and punch. For more information on this event, call Paula Wood at Kids First, 375-9588.

Square dance club

Boots 'n Calico Square Dance Club will holds its first dance of the new season on Saturday, September 23, at the Senior Citizens Center, 820 N. 4th in Hamilton. The events will start with a potluck dinner at 6 p.m. followed by a plus workshop and then the first dance of the new season at 8 p.m. The dance level will be mainstream with plus tips. Round dances will be provided between tips. Callers will be Ray Dunbar and Barry Bartlette. All dancers in the area are invited to attend.

Victor Homecoming events

Victor Homecoming is September 23. A breakfast will be served in the multi-purpose room from 8 to 10 a.m. Ham and cheese omelets with the trimmings will be served for $4 per person. The parade will be 11 a.m. on Main St. A Tailgate Party will be held on football field at 12:30 p.m. with concessions, caramel apples, Italian sodas and a split the pot raffle. Game time is 1 p.m. versus St. Regis. The Homecoming King and Queen will be announced prior to the game.

Florence Homecoming events

Florence Carlton High School will hold a Student Game Night on Wednesday, Sept. 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the football field. The Coronation Ceremony will be held at the gym on Friday at 2 p.m. Royalty will be named at the ceremony. The Music Boosters will host a Pancake Feed in the Old Gym from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. A School Parade will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. The homecoming game will be at 1 p.m. against Seeley-Swan. A dance will be held Saturday evening from 8 to 11:30 p.m.

Library Used Book Sale

Attention all bibliophiles! The annual Friends of the Bitterroot Public Library Used Book Sale is coming soon to the Community Meeting Room in the basement of the Bitterroot Public Library at 306 State St. in Hamilton. The sale hours will be Tuesday, September 26 and Wednesday, September 27 from 6 to 9 p.m., Thursday, September 28 and Friday, September 29 from 12 noon to 6 p.m., and Saturday, September 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. On Tuesday evening only there will be a $2.00 admission for adults. And Saturday will be the ever-popular Bag Day when all the books that can be stuffed in a grocery bag are $1.00 - bring you own bags or we will provide them.

Volunteers are needed to help set up and sort books as well as during the sale. Set up times are Saturday, September 23 and Sunday, September 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A sign-up schedule is posted on the Friends of the Library bulletin board in the library. Donations to the book sale may be brought to the Bitterroot Public Library during regular open hours. Please do not put donated materials in the book return boxes.

For information contact Book Sale co-chair Jo Frankforter, 375-1993 or the Bitterroot Public Library, 363-1670.

Labyrinth Open Walk

Redsun Labyrinth will hold a Fall Equinox Open Walk on Saturday, September 23 from dusk to 10 p.m. The labyrinth will be surrounded by luminaria and there will be music. There will be a bonfire (fire restrictions permitting). Wear warm clothes and bring a flashlight. An open walk means you can come and walk the labyrinth anytime during the evening. There is no formal program. The labyrinth is always open so if you can't make this event feel free to visit another time. A $3.00 donation is suggested. Redsun Labyrinth is located at 1802 Pleasant View Dr., west of Victor. For information call 642-6675.

Country music concert

The monthly Down Right Country music concert will feature Russell Perri on Sunday, October 24 at 7 p.m. at the Hamilton Senior Center, 820 N. 4th. After filling in for a few shows, Down Right Country is happy to have Perri with them full-time. Perri plays piano and bass guitar. Admission is $4.

Hamilton Players to perform 'Radio Cavalcade of Stars'

The Hamilton Players invite you to be a member of a live studio audience for two hours of comedy, music, and mystery in the style of the Golden Days of Radio featuring the continuing Adventures of Dick Darkness, Private Eye on Sunday, September 24 at 7 p.m. at the Hamilton Playhouse. Written and directed by Steve Fullerton, the "Radio Cavalcade of Stars" will feature a cast performing an old-time radio serial (with live sound effects) on the Hamilton Playhouse stage and will also include a special musical tribute to Jean Wrobel. Between chapters, you'll be treated to great 40's era songs, fun skits, and even some audience participation. Be sure to "tune in!" Tickets are $10.00 reserved seating and are available at the Hamilton Playhouse Box Office. For more information or to purchase tickets over the phone with a credit card, call 375-9050 during box office hours.

Chess Club

The North Valley Public Library Chess Club will hold its monthly play on Monday, September 25 at 7 p.m. at the North Valley Public Library community room on Main Street in Stevensville. All levels of play are welcome. For more information call Ian Root, 777-5587.

Small Steps to Big Success

"Small Steps to Big Success & Working Through the Tuff Stuff" is the topic of the eighth in a year-long series of community seminars sponsored by the Stevensville Main Street Association. This seminar will focus on "the success perspective, small steps with huge impact" and will be Monday, September 25 from 6:30 to 8 p.m., at the Main Street office located at 102B Main St. Guest speaker is Kim Gibbs, a nationally known motivational speaker recognized for her enthusiastic presentations. Her two decades of experiences in business, sales, athletics and parenting prove to be a rich source of eye-opening insights as well as a never-ending supply of hilarious and life-changing stories.

Gibbs is the author of "Make a You Turn; Pivotal Points of Perspective." Her focus on putting perspective into action for high performance results has restimulated prominent organizations and transformed the way thousands of people live and work. Whatever level of responsibility, you'll benefit from Kim's powerful presentations on how perspective drives you to achieve your personal best. And you'll never look at life the same way again!

Upcoming seminars are scheduled for the 4th Monday of each month and will include and update to the "Budget" class held in February, "Good Debt-Bad Debt," and "Looking at 2007 - A New Year." These seminars are made possible by a grant from the Stevensville Community Foundation. For more information about the seminars or the Main Street organization, call 777-3773.

Public meetings planned to discuss Draft Western Montana Grizzly Bear Management Plan

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will hold several public meetings around west-central Montana this month to discuss a draft management plan and programmatic environmental impact statement (EIS) for grizzly bears in 17 counties located in western Montana.

A meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 25 meeting at the Daly-Leach Memorial Chapel, 1010 W. Main in Hamilton. The Missoula meeting will be held Sept. 26 at the Missoula FWP office, 3201 Spurgin Road, and the Seeley Lake meeting is planned for Sept. 27 at the Senior Citizens' Center. All meetings will be held from 7 to 9 p.m.

The draft Grizzly Bear Management Plan for Western Montana was developed to address the future of grizzly bear management in western Montana outside of the Greater Yellowstone Area. The plan focuses on grizzly bear populations or potential populations in the Northern Continental Divide, Cabinet-Yaak, and Bitterroot Ecosystems, as well as surrounding areas.

In response to an increase in the number and distribution of bears in western Montana, FWP developed the programmatic EIS to evaluate current management programs and ensure the future success of grizzly bear conservation.

"Our goal is to find ways to fit grizzly bears in across a broader landscape as a part of Montana's wildlife heritage and respond to the increasing number and distribution of bears," said A. Dood, FWP Endangered Species Coordinator. "After completing the grizzly bear plan for the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, we began the process of reviewing our programs for the rest of western Montana."

The draft EIS is available for review in Bozeman at FWP's Region 3 Headquarters (1400 South 19th Avenue), and in Helena at the FWP Headquarters, the Montana State Library, and the Environmental Quality Council. It is also available on FWP's website at: http://fwp.mt.gov/publicnotices/notice_1137.aspx or by calling the FWP regional headquarters in Bozeman at 406-994-4042. Email comments by Oct. 3, 2006 to FWPGrizzlyMgtPlan@mt.gov or mail to A. Dood, FWP, 1400 South 19th Avenue, Bozeman MT 59718.

Driver's education class

Initial signup is underway for Stevensville High School's driver education class running approximately October 4 through Nov. 21. Any high school student who is at least 14-1/2 years of age by Oct. 10, 2006 or older from any school or home school in the valley is eligible for the class. Cost is $250. The first information meeting for students of Stevensville High School will be Monday, September 25 at 12:10 p.m. in the high school, room #3. Bring a lunch. Out of district and/or home school students may register by phone. Call John Munk, 777-5539, to sign up.

Conference examines ecosystem restoration

Legal and policy issues related to the restoration of the Clark Fork River Basin are the focus of the 30th Annual Public Land Law Conference to be held at the University of Montana Sept. 25-27.

"The Law of Ecosystem Restoration: National Policy Implications of the Clark Fork River Basin Natural Resource Damage Program" will begin with a keynote address by Deputy Secretary of the Interior Lynn Scarlett on Monday, Sept. 25.

Scarlett will present "From Resource Damages to Restoration: An Evolution Toward Partnerships" at 7 p.m. in the University Center Theater.

UM President George Dennison will introduce Scarlett and announce the appointment of the Public Land and Resources National Advisory Board at the University.

The keynote address and a reception following the event are free and open to the public. During the conference, experts from across the nation will discuss the best way to address the diverse needs and concerns of multiple stakeholders in affected areas. They also will examine the appropriate balance between assessing damages for past harms and fully restoring impacted resources. Because many issues raised in the ongoing Clark Fork River Basin restoration reflect national concerns about natural resource damage assessment and implementation, the conference will explore how lessons learned from the process might be translated into national policy initiatives or applied in natural resource damage programs elsewhere.

Events for registered participants begin Monday with an optional tour of the Milltown Dam removal and restoration site. Conference sessions run from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26, and from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27. UM law Professor Raymond Cross will give the conference closing remarks. There will be ample opportunity for those attending the conference to participate in facilitated discussions during the events. All sessions will be held at the University"s School of Law Castles Center.

The conference offers 11 Continuing Legal Education credits for attorneys. Faculty members and full-time students may attend the conference at no charge but are asked to register in advance. Registration forms, conference fees and a complete schedule of events are online at http://www.umt.edu/publicland/conference.htm.

This year's Public Land Law Conference is presented by the Public Land and Resources Law Review, a student-run publication of UM's School of Law, in partnership with the University's Public Policy Research Institute. For further information, call 243-6568 or e-mail plrlr@umontana.edu.

Republican Women's Club

The Ravalli County Republican Women's Club will meet Tuesday, September 26 at noon at The Banque Club in Hamilton. The featured speaker will be Dan Huls, President of both the Ravalli County Planning Board and the Right to Farm and Ranch Board. The subject of his talk will be the Open Lands Bond ballot measure which will be on this November's ballot. The luncheon meeting is open to men and women alike, and reservations can be made by calling Karolyn at 961-5207.

Stevi board work session

The Stevensville School Board of Trustees will hold a work session on Tuesday, September 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Stevensville High School learning center to discuss the proposed building program and administrative procedures.

City Life Community Center

There will be a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, September 26 at 12 noon at the future site of the City Life Community Center, corner of Fairview and Washburn in Missoula (across from Montana Club South). This 34,000 sq. ft. community center for teens and their families will feature a cafe, education classroom, gymnasium, teen center, alternative sports arena and offices for as many as nine non-profit agencies. Cake and coffee will be served at the groundbreaking. For more information call Brent Gyuricza, 531-0753.

UM drama production

The University of Montana Department of Drama/Dance is pleased to offer Steven Dietz's award-winning fantasy, "Still Life with Iris" which runs in the Montana Theatre of the Performing Arts and Radio/Television Center on campus September 26-30 and October 3-7 at 7 p.m., and September 30-October 1 and October 7-8 at 2 p.m.

"Still Life with Iris" is a whimsical adventure that follows a little girl's search for the simplest of things: home. Iris lives with her mother in Nocturno - a magical land where the residents work at night to create and update the world ordinary people see by day. The Great Goods, rulers of Nocturno, are determined to have the best of everything and, believing she is the perfect girl, choose Iris to become their daughter. To ease the pain of separating Iris from everything she knows, she is left with no memory of her home or her family. Using a single mysterious clue, Iris joins with friends she meets on her journey - Annabel Lee (a young woman from the sea) and Mozart (the composer at age 11) - and attempts to free herself from the Goods. "Still Life with Iris" is the first play for young audiences to receive the Kennedy Center's Fund for New American Plays Award.

Call the Drama/Dance Box Office at 243-4581, M-F from 11 :30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. to reserve your seats.

Library storytime

The Fall Storytime Series at the Bitterroot Public Library continues on Wednesday, September 27. Storytimes take place every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. in the downstairs west meeting room of the library at 306 State Street in Hamilton. The 30-45 minute programs are geared towards preschool ages. The September 27 program is "Splish, Splash" with Deb Steadman. For more information call the library at 363-1670.

Awana Club

Awana is set to begin again at First Baptist Church. All kids ages 3 years through 6th grade are welcome to come each week on Wednesdays from 3-4:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 402 Church St., Stevensville. Awana is an international and interdenominational kids club that is open to any child. They have a snack, play fun games, learn Bible stories, recite Bible verses and earn awards. The whole family is invited to join in at the kickoff Fun Fair on Sept. 27. Regular Awana will begin Oct. 4. Call 642-6996 for more information.

Chapter One Book Store events

Wednesday, September 27, 7 p.m. - "Open Mind" book discussion, focusing on books by Pema Chodron, led by Joan Perry.

Thursday, September 28, 7 p.m. - Motivational speaker Kim Gibbs will present "Make a You Turn."

Monday, October 9, 7 p.m. - William Kittredge will read from and sign copies of his new novel, "The Willow Field."

Wednesday, October 11, 5-7 p.m. - Meredith Brokaw will sign copies of her book, "Big Sky Cooking." Chapter One Bookstore is located at 252 Main in Hamilton.

Metcalf Refuge Hunter Blind Drawing

The hunter blind drawing and pre-hunting meeting for the opening weekend (September 30 and October 1) of the 2006 waterfowl season on Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge will take place on Wednesday, September 27 at 7 p.m. in the Okefenokee Room of the Lee Metcalf NWR Headquarters/Visitors Center building on Wildfowl Lane. Anyone interested in hunting waterfowl on Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge on opening weekend must attend. Participants must bring the following information to be eligible for the drawing: ALS #, 2006 Federal duck stamp, and photo identification.

Friends of NV Library tea

The Friends of the North Valley Public Library are planning a membership tea on Thursday, September 28 at 12:30 p.m. in the library's Community Room. Interested parties are invited to come and meet dedicated men and women who love books, who make a difference in this community and who have a good time doing it. Enjoy complimentary tea and crumpets (well, at least finger sandwiches and cookies) and interesting conversation. Hope to see you there. Hat optional. For more information call Bev at 777 2505.

Pain and Symptom Management Task Force

The Montana Pain and Symptom management Task Force will hold a general public forum on Thursday, September 28 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Stevensville Senior Center, 100 Mission. The facilitator will be Linda Looser with the American Cancer Society.

Fifty to 75 million Americans suffer with persistent (chronic) pain, and 42 percent of those affected experience such severe pain that they are unable to work or do normal daily functions. Inadequate treatment of pain is a significant public health problem in the United States and right here in Montana. Health, consumer advocacy groups and state agencies have joined together to form the Montana Pain and Symptom Management Task Force to address the issue of pain in Montana.

Wouldn't it be nice if better ways to overcome pain could be created? Right now is your opportunity to fill out the task force's public survey. Your response to this survey will be instrumental in efforts to improve pain and symptom management. Come to the General Public Forum at the Stevensville Senior Center, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, September 28 to provide input and fill out your survey.

To learn more about ways to get involved in improving pain and symptom management in Montana, contact Kristin Nei toll-free at 1-877-488-7723, option 3 or kristin.nei@cancer.org.

Fall hunter education classes

Montana Hunter Education Class for Lone Rock will be starting with registration on Thursday, September 28 at 6 p.m. at the Lone Rock Middle School. The classes will be October 3-6 from 6 to 9 p.m.

Montana Hunter Education Class for Darby will be starting with registration on Monday, September 25 at 7 p.m. at the Darby School Lunch Room with a limit of 30 students. This is an abbreviated class with a home-study component. Students must pass a pre-test in order to continue with the class. The pre-test will be on October 10 at 7 p.m. The gun handling and test will be October 10-12 from 7 to 9 p.m.

A parent or guardian and the student need to attend registration and must bring a pen. Students need to be registered before they can attend classes. The students must attend all 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. For more information on classes call Vivaca Crowser at Missoula FWP at 542-5518 or go to www.fwp.mt.gov.

Benefit fashion show

Join Bella Boutique and West for a great evening of fun, fashion and fundraising. All of this year's proceeds will be donated to local primary school teachers to provide "pocket change" for their classrooms. The event will be held Friday, September 29 at 6 p.m. at the Bitterroot Bistro, 105 N. 2nd St, Hamilton. Tickets are $25 and includes appetizers and drinks. Raffle tickets will be on sale for a $500 shopping spree at both stores ($250 each store). For more information, call Bella at 375-1900 or West at 363-3388.

Stevensville Homecoming Parade

Stevensville High School will host the 2006 Homecoming Parade on Friday, September 29 at 3 p.m. The parade will line up on South St., next to Bitterroot Community Market and move north through town. Stevensville will play the Dillon Beavers at 7 p.m. that evening. Commercial or private entries are welcome and encouraged. If your business or organization would like to participate, call the High School office at 777-5481 to be sure you are scheduled on the Parade line-up.

Stevensville Homecoming Dinner

The Stevensville Junior Class will host the annual Homecoming dinner on Friday, September 29 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the school multi-purpose room. This year, instead of the traditional spaghetti dinner, the Juniors are cooking up yummy warm chili or clam chowder in bread bowls! This delicious dinner will be the perfect warm-up for the whole family before the Homecoming game. All of the food is donated by the students with profits going to help with the expenses of hosting the Junior-Senior Prom. The cost is $3 per person or $10 for a family. Come and support the Stevensville Junior Class!

Corvallis Harvest Dinner

The Corvallis United Methodist Church will hold its annual Harvest Dinner and Pie/Cake Auction on Monday, October 2. The dinner will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Adults are $6, under 12 is $3.50 and under 5 is free. The Pie/Cake Auction starts at 7:15 p.m. Piano music will be provided by Russell Perri. The church is located at the corner of Eastside Hwy. and Cemetery Road, one mile south of the Woodside Cutoff.

Square dance lessons

Learn to square dance in a 10-week session starting Wednesday, October 4 at the Square Dance Center, 9955 Hwy. 12, Lolo. The lessons will be held Wednesdays and Fridays at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $25 per person. The center is located 2.5 miles west of Lolo on Hwy. 12. For more information call 273-0652 or 273-0141.

Assistance for Business Clinic

The 2006 Assistance for Business Clinic (ABC) is scheduled for Wednesday, October 4 at the Bitterroot River Inn in Hamilton. The clinics are geared to new and established employer/business owners to give valuable up-to-date information regarding tax rules and laws. The Department of Labor and Industry, Job Service and Department of Revenue agencies will be giving presentations at the clinic. The program runs from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and includes continental breakfast and lunch. Registration is $35 for Chamber members and $40 for non-members. Call the Chamber at 363-2400 to register.

Co-Rec Softball Tournament

The 9th Annual Costume Ball Co-rec Softball Tournament will be held Saturday, October 7 at Lewis and Clark Park in Stevensville. Costume is recommended. Prizes will be awarded. All proceeds benefit the Bitterroot Winter Special Olympics. Registration deadline is October 4, no exceptions. There is an 8-team limit. Entry is $150 for the double elimination tournament. Contact Cathi Cook for registration information, 240-3705 or 777-4486.

Women's flyfishing course

Want to learn all there is to know about flyfishing and have a pampered weekend all in one package? Jenny West, flyfishing guide from the Bitterroot Valley, and Stacy Jennings, casting instructor and fishing guide from Missoula, are teaming up to offer a women's fishing weekend at Teller Wildlife Refuge. Learn everything from choosing the right equipment, tying those difficult knots, learning about aquatic insects, wading techniques, casting efficiency, and knowing how to read a stream. You will also have a pampered experience with an all-inclusive package of yoga, massage, facials and exquisite organic catered meals provide by Paige McBride. There will also be a half day Bitterroot flyfishing float trip that will get you on the river casting from a boat.

The weekend will be October 6, 7, and 8. The price is $1450 and is all inclusive with 3 nights stay in one of Teller's charming farmhouses, meals, and your pampered experience. Come and cast your worries to the stream, escape reality and have fun during this exciting weekend getaway. For more information and contact information, go to Teller's website: http://tellerwildlife.org/women_flyfishing.htm.

Montana Rep production

Montana Rep Missoula (MRM) announces it will present David Mamet's "A Life in the Theatre" for one week only in thecrystal Theatre behind Missoula's newest bistro, 515 Restaurant.

"A Life in the Theatre" stars Howard Kingston and Monty Jenkins. This extraordinary two-person play examines the breadth and depth of the relationship of two men of the theatre, one on the way up and the other on the way down. In typical Mamet fashion, the lives of the characters are examined with great insight, wit and passion. The simple tale of two men in a dressing room reaches universal proportions in the hands of David Mamet, one of the world's most gifted writers. Roger Hedden, nationally known playwright and film maker, will direct the play.

Performances dates are Tuesday, October 10 through Sunday, October 15 at 8 p.m. Admission is $10 Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday and $15 on Friday and Saturday. All tickets are sold at the door prior to the performances.

Veterans affairs rep in town

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

Literacy Education & GED

Get your GED! Start making a change.Take the steps you need to complete your education. Adults 16 years and older and not enrolled in public school are welcome to enroll in Adult Basic Education/GED by taking the following steps.

Step #1: Attend Daytime Orientation Mondays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Human Resource Council Building, 316 N. 3rd St., Room 157, Hamilton GED Orientation and Testing Room.

Step #2: Take the Test of Adult Basic Education to determine the areas where you may need help. Mondays 1 to 4 p.m. Human Resource Council Building, 316 N. 3rd St., Hamilton, Room 110.

Step #3: Meet with Literacy Bitterroot staff to develop a class schedule based on your test results and objectives. GED classes are free and confidential. Call Literacy Bitterroot at 363-2900, 316 N. 3rd St., Hamilton MT 59840.

Teacher workshop at Metcalf Refuge

The US Fish and Wildlife Service, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and MT Audubon are sponsoring a Birds in the Classroom Teacher Workshop at the Lee Metcalf Wildlife National Refuge near Stevensville Oct. 19-20, 8:30-3:30 p.m. The workshop will include an introduction to the Flying WILD Curriculum and Educatoršs Guide.

Flying WILD is the newest program from Project WILD that introduces students to bird conservation through classroom activities and school bird festivals. It also supports educators by providing interdisciplinary, standards-based opportunities to engage students in real-world learning that helps them understand the importance of migratory birds and their conservation.

Participants will receive activity and field trip ideas along with educational materials, including a copy of the Flying WILD Guide. Teachers will be eligible to receive Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) credits.

Participants will also learn to identify some of the areašs birds, hear from area experts on current bird research projects, sample the wetlands and other outdoor classroom resources at the Refuge, and get a close up look at live raptors.

The workshop is limited to 25 participants, and the cost is $25 per person. The curriculum is targeted to middle school students but could be modified for any grade level. To register, contact Vivaca Crowser at FWP by calling 542-5518, or email vcrowser@mt.gov.