Volume XXI, Number 9

Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Hospice Volunteer Training

Join participants at Marcus Daly Hospice to learn about the compassion, care and support provided by Hospice. Volunteer training will be on October 13 and 14 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and October 15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Conference Room B, Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital. All Hospice volunteers are important and may choose to:

- Visit with patients and families, provide relief to caregivers, and be available to listen and offer compassionate support when needed.
- Assist families with grief and bereavement.
- Help with fund raising and outreach.
- Assist with clerical and administrative duties.

Call Johanna, Hospice Volunteer Coordinator, at 375-4713 for more information and to reserve a place at the training. Volunteers are the heart of Hospice.

Boy Scout Popcorn Sale

The Boy Scouts will once again be visiting your neighborhood for their annual popcorn sale. This is a great opportunity for you to purchase many varieties of delicious popcorn and to support the Boy Scout program. It also provides the experience of salesmanship and meeting the public to the boys.

The Bitterroot scouts are known for being among the top sellers in the state of Montana. The funds they earn go toward helping to finance troop activities, camperships, and even college scholarships.

The boys visiting your home will be in uniform so as to be easily identified. The sale begins October 1 and will run through the 22nd. If you are missed and would like to order some popcorn, contact Laurie Burnham at 363-5675.

Bitter Root Valley Chorus

Practices for the Bitter Root Valley Chorus' 33rd Christmas season have begun in the Hamilton High School chorus room, located on the south side of the building, the second door from the right. Peggy Leonardi will once again be the director and inspiration.

The performances will be Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon, December 10 and 11, and will include Vivaldi's "Gloria" and other selected Christmas music. Cost of music will be around $12.00.

All residents of the valley who enjoy singing are welcome to participate in this wonderful experience, both past performers and newcomers. For further information, contact Tricie at 961-1789 or Laurie at 363-5675.

Adopt-A-Shelter Dog Month

October is Adopt-A-Shelter Dog Month and to kick off the month BRHA will hold its second annual "Adoption Reunion" and Fisher Radio will hold Sav-A-Day on Saturday, October 1.

Fisher Radio has donated $550 to Sav-A-Day at the animal shelter and has chosen October 1 as the day to help house, feed, care and promote the adoption of all the homeless critters in Ravalli County. The shelter operates 365 days a year and a Sav-A-Day sponsorship covers the cost of the bare necessities to keep the doors open for one day.

Festivities for the "Adoption Reunion" will begin at noon and everyone that has adopted from BRHA is invited to "leash-up" and attend for an afternoon of fun. You don't have to bring your furry friends (but why wouldn't you want to?) and if you haven't adopted from BRHA that's ok too... everyone is invited! See the shelter and meet the staff and wonderful critters.

From noon to 3 p.m. there will be "hot dogs" on the grill and cold drinks for the humans along with special treats for the four-legged party goers! Prizes will be awarded to the youngest, the oldest and the best dressed former residents and a photographer will be circling the grounds to snap a picture for the "Forever Home" wall. To help support the shelter's spay/neuter program, the Bitterroot River Lodge, located south of Hamilton, has donated a romantic two-night stay in one of their beautiful cabins and raffle tickets will be on sale with the winner drawn at 2 p.m.

Nothing adds more warmth to a home or offers a better greeting after a hard day's work like a wagging tail and folks are encouraged to celebrate Adopt-A-Shelter Dog Month by visiting the shelter, located at 262 Fairgrounds Road in Hamilton. There are lots of great pets in need of loving homes and each dog adopted from BRHA during October will receive free micro chipping as part of their adoption package.

For more information on the Adoption Reunion, Adopt-A-Shelter Dog Month or the shelter's Sav-A-Day sponsorship program, call Vicki at 363-5311.

Kumamoto marching band to perform

The Japan Friendship Club of Montana, along with the Montana Arts Council and Missoula Cultural Council, announces the appearance of an outstanding musical group from Montana's sister state of Kumamoto, Japan.

The Senshu University Tamana High School Drum & Brass Corps will arrive in Missoula on Sept. 29 and will perform at four different venues before returning to Japan on Oct. 7:
- Friday, Sept. 30 - Sentinel High School football game halftime
- Saturday, Oct. 1 - UM Homecoming Parade, Griz football pregame show
- Monday, Oct. 3 - Hamilton Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m., no admission charge
- Thursday, Oct. 6 - Hellgate H.S. Auditorium, 7:30 p.m., no admission charge

The Corps hails from Senshu University High School in Tamana City, Kumamoto Prefecture. The band has performed previously in England and France and earned a gold medal in Japan's 2004 national brass band competition.

In all, 44 musicians and drill team performers will perform in western Montana, led by three adult directors. The school's principal also will accompany the band, as will a reporter from Kumamoto's largest daily newspaper. While in western Montana, the band will do a bit of sightseeing in the Bitterroot Valley and make an overnight trip to Kalispell and Glacier National Park.

St. Maryšs Harvest Dinner

St. Mary's Parish in Stevensville is hosting a Harvest Dinner on Sunday, October 9, at the Family Center, 400 Charlos, Stevensville from 4 to 7 p.m. The menu includes roast pork, baked chicken, potatoes, gravy and dressing, peas, homemade applesauce, rolls, pie (apple or pumpkin), coffee, tea and punch. Prices are $6.50 for adults, and $20.00 for a family of four.

Galilee Baptist services

Galilee Baptist Church, "a place to belong, place to grow, a place to be loved," is located at 208 Higgins Lane, Stevensville (at the corner of Eastside Hwy. and Higgins Ln.) Sunday School and adult classes are held at 10 a.m. with a Sunday morning service at 11 a.m. and a Sunday evening service at 6 p.m. Bible Study is held every Wednesday at 7 p.m. For more information call 777-5194.

Country music concert

You can take the girl out of the country, but you can't take the country music out of the girl! Country singer Lorrie Davis will be the featured guest artist for the Down Right Country concert, October 2, Sunday, 7 p.m. at the Hamilton Senior Center Community Room, 820 N. 4th.

Lorrie Davis grew up in Colorado in a home full of music, listening to the old time greats, Jimmy Rodgers, Jim Reeves, Patsy Cline, Kitty Wells, and others of that era. She moved to Montana in 1979, where her parents ran the Bum Steer in Florence. Davis sang with the house band, and with the Shawn Rey band in Stevensville. Raising a family kept her busy and away from much singing for a few years. When she was 25-32, Davis sang with Dean Porter's band at the Riverside and the Haywire band at the Brass Rail. Circumstances took her to other parts of the country, and upon moving back to the Bitterroot Valley, she found that most of the bands and dance floors were gone. Getting a career in nursing has kept her busy since, so most of her music has been singing at weddings, funerals and at church. But the country music that was so much a part of her early life, is always ready to come out at a moment's notice! Down Right Country band member, Firp Redman, says, "This lady can really belt 'em out, or is equally at home with a soft love song!"

So come on out for an evening of foot stompin' music with Lorrie and the rest of the Down Right Country gang, including "new guy" lead guitarist and vocalist, Del Olson. Admission is $4.00. For more information, call 363-6226.

Bitterroot Life Chain

The 18th annual Life Chain will be held nationwide on Sunday, October 2. The local Bitterroot Life Chain will take place along Highway 93 in Hamilton from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Hundreds of Ravalli County Christians and their clergy will line the sidewalks for approximately one mile. Participants will pray for revival in their community and nation, and an end to abortion in our nation. Signs will be passed out to those joining the Life Chain. This stand of solidarity by Ravalli County Christians will be made to openly but quietly communicate their belief that abortion is grievously wrong and that local churches "oppose the unmerciful killing of pre-born children." Individuals whose churches are not planning to participate as a group should stop by the Life Chain information table about 2:15 p.m. in the parking lot behind Cornerstone Realty, next to Cenex. Small children under close parental supervision are welcome, as are elderly folks who may bring lawn chairs. The Life Chain is the largest pro-life event in Ravalli County and, nationally, one of the largest grassroots events in the history of our nation.

The Montana Farmers Union's (MFU) 90th annual meeting and convention will be held October 21-22 at the Heritage Inn in Great Falls. This is the time for members of the grassroots organization to debate, develop and direct MFU policy for the coming year.

"This year's theme 'Growth & Prosperity' cannot come at a more critical time in the survival of farmers, ranchers and the communities we all live in," said MFU President Brooks Dailey. "We know the struggle that faces our industry and now is the time to step forward and make positive changes."

Special guest speakers include Governor Brian Schweitzer, Olympic gold medalist Rulon Gardner, Taylor Brown, Northern Broadcasting System, and Niel Ritchie, League of Rural Voters. Nightly entertainment will be provided by Montana grown talent: musician Ken Overcast and magician Dan Jimmerson. Activities for MFU youth of all ages are provided throughout the convention.

Rulon Gardner's appearance is sponsored in part by Montana Farmers Union Insurance, which will hold its annual meeting on Friday, October 21, in conjunction with the MFU Annual Meeting and Convention. For more information contact MFU at 406-452-6406.

Conservation and renewable energy tours

On a Gallatin Valley farm, pumps vary their speed to match demand and save tens of thousands of gallons of water, along with thousands of dollars in electricity and labor costs. In a Missoula neighborhood, solar heated buildings are so energy efficient that they produce most of the energy they consume. In the upper Musselshell River Valley, wind generators spin off clean electricity and provide another crop for farmers and ranchers. And in Billings, solar homes in west side subdivisions, some of them 20 years old, continue to save energy and dollars.

All these are sights you can see firsthand this fall on a series of four conservation and renewable energy tours, sponsored by NorthWestern Energy (NWE) and organized by AERO, Montana's Alternative Energy Resources Organization. The tours are free to the public and will feature experts knowledgeable about the energy systems highlighted in the tours. Save these dates and times on your calendar and mark these places on your map:

Thursday, October 13, 2 to 4 p.m., a tour at the Droge Farm near Manhattan. The Droge family has been saving water, electricity and money for the last three years, thanks to a technological refinement to their pumping system. Variable speed drives have been used on pumps in commercial and industrial applications for decades, but irrigation is a relatively new application for this technology. The Droges irrigate seed potatoes, small grains, and alfalfa hay crops using three center pivots and ten wheel lines, drawing water from two wells.

Friday, October 28, 10 am to 3 p.m., in Missoula, participants will tour two sites; the Gold Dust Apartments vast array of solar and energy-saving technologies, such as Energy Star (high efficiency) appliances; MUD (Missoula Urban Demonstration Program) solar greenhouse; and presentations by staff of the UM College of Technology on green building design and renewable energy. If you are interested in "green" and energy efficient building, saving money and conserving energy you will want to attend these tours.

Friday, November 11, a series of windpower workshops from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hutterite Colony near Martinsdale on the upper Musselshell. Currently they have the largest operating array of wind machines (12 sixty-five KW machines) in the state. This windpower tour will include measuring windspeed and siting wind generators, through contracting and financing, to maintenance and repair.

Monday, November 14, taking off at 9:30 a.m. from Rocky Mountain College on a tour of west side solar homes in Billings, ending around noon. Tour participants will be viewing several solar homes and touring one solar home whose systems have been in operation for two decades. These homes all feature different designs using solar energy and conservation principles effectively.

NorthWestern Energy is sponsoring these tours to publicize the many ways that Montanans can work with their electric utility to save energy and money and tune into our state's abundant clean renewable resources. These tours are free except for the cost of catered lunches to be served in Missoula and at the Martinsdale Colony. For more information ­ exact times, directions to the sites, details on the programs ­ contact AERO in Helena, 406-443-7272, or e-mail aero@aeromt.org.

Blessing of the Animals

St. Paul's Episcopal Church located at 600 S. Third Street in Hamilton will be celebrating its fourth annual observance of the Feast of St. Francis with a Blessing of the Animals on Sunday, October 2, at 4 p.m. in the church building. All types of animals are invited ­ dogs, cats, horses, guinea pigs, parrots, etc. ­ and all will receive an individual blessing. All creatures must be kept under control and not running loose. A reception will follow with dog biscuits, cat nibbles, carrots, and people food. A delightful event for critters and people alike! For further information, call the Rev. Jean Collins at 549-5872.

Child care provider orientation

Are you interested in learning more about the rewards and requirements of running a child care business? Child Care Resources can help you create a nurturing environment for children and a vital business. CCR promotes high quality, readily available and affordable child care for families in Missoula, Mineral and Ravalli counties. Child Care Resources is sponsoring a Child Care Orientation for individuals interested in having a child care business in their homes. The next orientation will be Tuesday, October 11 in Hamilton. Contact Child Care Resources at 728-6446 in Missoula or 363-4599 in Hamilton to inquire about a child care licensing packet, location, and details for the next child care orientabon.

MS Support Group

The Bitter Root Valley Multiple Sclerosis Support Group will hold its monthly meeting Wednesday, October 5, at the Willow Court Apartments meeting room, 150 Skeels Avenue in Hamilton from 10 a.m. to 11:30 m. Join members for a social hour of visiting and enjoying refreshments. 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.

Aquatic Center Golf Tournament

The Bitterroot Aquatic Center is hosting its 3rd Annual Golf tournament this Saturday, October 1 at the Hamilton Golf Course. Teams are needed, so grab your friends and join this Four-Person Scramble. Shotgun start at 9 a.m. Entry fees are $50.00 per person and lunch is provided. Funds raised from this event will help support free and reduced swimming lessons for kids. Call 375-8200 for more information.

Peace and Justice Film Series

The University of Montana Students for Peace and Justice and the Jeannette Rankin Peace Center announce their sixth Peace and Justice film series. The fall 2005 series begins Thursday, Sept. 29 and continues for nine weeks at the University of Montana campus. This fall select films will continue to feature special guest speakers to help facilitate audience discussions.

The opening film of the series, "Powder River Country," released by High Plains Films in 2005 shows at 6 and 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 29. This film examines the area from the peaks of Wyoming's Bighorn Mountains stretching northeast over 11 million acres known as the Powder River Basin; a landscape of rolling hills, big skies, and subtle beauty, rich in the history of our American roots. Native Americans lived here for centuries. For nearly 200 years, generations of homesteaders have ranched and farmed these high plains. The rush for a new source of natural gas is transforming the remote region and the future of agriculture is uncertain. Local filmmaker Marianne Zugel will lead a discussion after the screenings. 

Films throughout the semester begin at 6 p.m. and repeat at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday nights through December 1 at the University of Montana campus. The events are free and open to the public at the UC Theater on the third floor of the University Center. Parking is free after 5 p.m. For more information, call the JRPC at 543-3955.

RML Community Liaison Group

The Rocky Mountain Laboratories Community Liaison Group (RML CLG) is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, October 5. The meeting will be from 7 to 9 p.m. in Conference Rooms B-C at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital, 1200 Westwood Drive, Hamilton.

The RML CLG includes representatives from local government, education, business, medical and emergency services, and community and civic groups. According to RML Associate Director Marshall Bloom, M.D., the RML CLG represents a long-term commitment to more structured interactions with the community.

Tentative agenda items include a presentation regarding the upcoming RML Master Planning process, a progress report on the RML construction projects, and an update on the lawsuit settlement agreement involving the Integrated Research Facility. The public is invited to attend the meeting.

Wellness lecture

One Source Healing Arts Center will be hosting the 2nd Annual Florence Wellness Lecture Series beginning Wednesday, October 12. Lectures will occur on the second Wednesday of the month, from 7 to 8 p.m. at One Source Healing Arts Center, 5549 Old Hwy 93, Florence. All events are free of charge. The October 12 lecture will be "Boosting the Immune System." Hillery Daily, ND, will discuss various nutritional, herbal and homeopathic modalities to improve immune function before the cold and flu season is upon us. Dr. Daily will also cover measures to take early in the course of an illness. The presentation will be followed by a question and answer session.

Retired educators conference

Members of the Montana Retired Educators Association, AARPšs Educator Community, will have their annual meeting this year in Butte on October 2-4. The location will be the Copper King Hotel, 4655 Harrison Avenue. The theme of the conference is Maintaining A Butte iful Retirement. Pat Searle of Butte is chairperson of the conference, assisted by Marie Handley of Clinton, State President of MREA and Don and Clarice Walters of Bozeman, Co-Executive Directors of MREA.

The Executive Board will meet on Sunday, October 2, at 5 p.m. at the Copper King Hotel. Convention registration will take place on Sunday, 7 to 9 p.m. and resume on Monday at 8 a.m. The convention will begin on Monday, October 3, at 9 a.m.

Last minute reservations may be made by calling directly to the Copper King Hotel, phone 1-800-332-8600 or 1-406-494-6666 - ask for the MREA block of rooms. Bob Facincani, 117 Aspen Lane, Butte unit treasurer, is caring for Registrations and Convention Information. All MREA/AARP members are welcome to attend. For further information call Pat Searle, phone (406) 782-7798.

MSU-Bozeman to host prospective student program

Montana State University will open its campus, classrooms and activities to potential students on MSU Friday, MSU's campus visitation program, set for Friday, October 21.

Among the many MSU Friday activities are campus tours, sample classes taught by some of MSUšs best professors, meetings with academic departments and a display of organizations and special services. There will also be presentations about special programs, scholarships and financing a college education. Panels for parents are also scheduled.

Cost for the one-day event is $15 per person, which includes lunch and activities. Students and family members attending MSU Friday will have the opportunity to attend an MSU Bobcat women's volleyball game free of charge. The game, against Northern Arizona, is scheduled at 7 p.m. Friday, October 21.

Students wishing to spend a night on campus with a current student, sample food and experience campus life after hours may contact the MSU Residence Life Office (406) 994-2661 to learn more about its host program. The cost of the program is $50 a night. For further information about MSU Friday, contact the MSU Office of Admissions at (1-888) MSU-CATS or (406) 994-2452.

Orchid Society

The Bitterroot Orchid Society will hold its fall meeting on Tuesday, October 4, at 7:30 p.m. at the Arts Building, Ravalli County Fairgrounds. Samantha O'Byrne of Sam's Spade Garden Tools and Wares will speak on current orchid growing practices. O'Byrne has just returned from visiting southern California orchid growers. All interested parties are welcome. For further information call Dorothy Robinson, 961-3451.

Salt Lake Repertory Dance Theatre to perform

The Repertory Dance Theatre of Salt Lake City will appear in concert at the Hamilton Performing Art Center (PAC), 327 Fairgrounds Rd. on Saturday, October 8 at 8 p.m. The company has presented concerts in more than 300 cities in the United States, Canada and Europe. In celebration of the company's 40th anniversary, the current company of eight dancers is touring the Northwest this season, under the direction of founding member Linda C. Smith. In Hamilton, the pieces to be presented are "Generations" by Pat Catterson, "Dance with Two Army Blankets" by Shapiro and Smith, "Duets to Brazilian-Indian Music" by Svi Gotheiner, "Here We Are" by Scott Rink, and "Sky Light" by Laura Dean. The concert program, full of engaging and energetic movement, contains witty and lighthearted works, as well as enlightening and dramatic dances. While they are in Hamilton, Repertory Dance Theatre will also be presenting "D Is for Dance" for area school children on Thursday, October 6, and a Master Class on Saturday, October 8, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for intermediate/advanced dancers aged 11 and older on the stage of the Hamilton PAC. Tickets are available at Chapter One Bookstore, 252 W. Main St. in Hamilton and at Rockin' Rudy's in Missoula. This residency is made possible by the support of the Hamilton Performing Arts Center, Ravalli County Bank and River Street Dance Theater.

Library storytime

The "Fall Under the Spell" Storytime Series at the Bitterroot Public Library is held every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. in the downstairs west meeting room of the library in Hamilton. The storytimes are geared toward preschool ages and last 30-45 minutes. On Wednesday, October 5, Isis Steiger will present "Africa." For more information call the library at 363-1670.

Parenting workshop

Kids First is offering The Nurturing Program, a parenting class for parents who have infants, toddlers, or preschoolers. This program teaches skills for raising children in a trusting and empathic household in order for children to care for themselves and transfer their caring to others. Parents will learn about effective discipline, nurturing oneself, expressing feelings and needs, age-appropriate expectations, handling stress and anger, and how to build their child's self-worth. All six sessions will be held at Westview Center, 9th and Main in Hamilton, beginning Tuesday, October 4 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The class is $10 per family, which includes a parenting handbook. Call Deb at Kids First to register for the class and to arrange free childcare: 375-9588.

Healthy living workshop

On Monday, October 3, learn how to arm yourself before the pandemonium of flu season occurs, at a free workshop presented by Dr. Kimberly Maxwell of Active Care Chiropractic. The workshop will be held at 504 Main from 6:15 to 6:45 p.m. Space is limited so reserve your spot by calling 777-1048.

Indoor Gym for tots

Are you looking for warm, safe place for your youngster to play inside? Come to Kids First Indoor Gym, beginning Tuesday, October 5, from 10 a.m. to noon. Kids up to age 6 can play with scooters, slides, a parachute, balls, pint-sized basketball hoops, a teeter-totter, tricycle, tumble on mats, and more. The suggested donation is $1 per family. Kids First is located in Westview Center at 103 S. 9th St., Hamilton. This parent-child event will be offered on Tuesdays through May, however Indoor Gym will be closed on October 25 and November 1. For more information about early childhood activities, call Deb at 375-9588.