Free workshops on healthy living are held every monday night at 6:15 p.m. at Active Care Family Chiropractic on Main Street in Stevensville. Are you looking for better health, increased vitality and energy, injury prevention, and longevity? Dr. Kimberly Maxwell may have the answers you've been looking for. Call for weekly topics and reservations, 777-1048.

Yoga in the Root

Yoga in the Root offers hatha yoga on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9 to 10:15 a.m. in Stevensville at Active Care Chiropractic at 504 W. Main St, and vigorous ashtanga yoga on Wednesday nights from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Hamilton Carriage House at 310 N. Fourth St. in the main floor conference room. For more information, call Jill at 370-9252 or e-mail yogaintheroot@gmail.com.

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.

Great Freedom meetings

Great Freedom offers a free open meeting each Tuesday evening from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Hamilton Carriage House at 310 N. Fourth St. The meeting introduces a way of living as complete rest and ease in every moment. For more information, call Jill at 370-9252 or go to www.greatfreedom.org.

Toastmasters Club

Toastmasters Club #347 meets every Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the Duran Learning Center, St. Patrick Hospital, Missoula. Visitors and new members are welcome to attend this premier communication and leadership organization. For more information call Jim Mickelson, 728-9117.

5 Valley Arabian Horse Assn.

The 5 Valley Arabian Horse Association's monthly meeting is on the first Thursday of every month. The group meets at various locations in the Bitterroot. For more information call Shelagh at 273-4317. If you love Arabians, come join!

Life drawing sessions

Artists are invited to an open Life Drawing Session every Wednesday from 9:45 to 11:45 a.m. at Common Ground Center, 258 Roosevelt Lane, Hamilton. Fee is $9 per session or 3 sessions for $25. RSVP to Laura, 363-4198 or Toddy, 961-4959.

Adult Dancercize

Adult Dancercize with Elenita Brown is held on Mondays and Thursdays. Stretch, strengthen and express, using a variety of styles and music. For more information call 777-5956.

Special Olympics fundraiser

The Bitterroot Valley Stars Adult Special Olympics Team is selling Diners Club Books for 2007. These books allow you to buy one meal at restaurants in Ravalli and Missoula Counties and get a second meal of the same or less value free or at a reduced price. The books are $29.95 each or $26.95 each if you buy two or more. They are available at these Bitterroot Valley locations: Super 1 Foods courtesy counters in Hamilton and Stevensville; Coffee Cup in Hamilton; Valley Drug in Stevensville (in the ice cream parlor, and at Bitterroot Stoves and Billiards, 1345 Hwy. 93 N. (between Hamilton and Victor). The Bitterroot Valley Stars Special Olympics Team will get 40% of the selling price of each book.

North Valley Library expands hours

The North Valley Public Library in Stevensville will be open for expanded winter/spring hours beginning January 2. The new hours will be Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (First Fridays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.), and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The library will be closed on Monday, December 30, and Monday, January 1 for the holidays.

Metcalf Refuge launches owl exhibit

The Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center is now hosting an Owl exhibit that is open for family viewing through mid-January 2007. This professional exhibit features nine mounted species of owls native to Montana. Natural history facts, along with myth and legend are included in the exhibit for not only educational value, but also entertainment. Lee Metcalf Visitor Center Contact Station volunteers have a CD recording to play if visitors wish the added ambiance of actual owl sounds. This is the first of a series of monthly themes going into 2007 in which we hope the visiting public will find interesting to attend. Whiskey Bill and Waterfowl are two future exhibit themes.

The Stevensville Ranger Station (USFS) donated several owl specimens; Keith Krejci, volunteer, constructed the exhibit stand; and volunteer Carolyn Jones, who has BA in History from Colorado State University along with museum experience at the Daly Mansion, did the bulk of research and production for this exhibit.

The Visitor Center is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Persons wishing to volunteer at the Visitor Center to provide auxiliary exhibit information or to assist in designing future exhibits should contact Bob Danley at 777-5552, ext. 203.

New Year's Eve Ball

The Bitterroot Blaze Semi-Pro Football Team will be hosting the Bitterroot Blaze New Year's Eve Ball on Sunday, December 31 at 8 p.m. at the Bedford Building in Hamilton. Tickets are $25/single or $45/couple and can be purchased from SK Cuts/Bittersweet Salon, Big Sky Rental Center, Blaze Football players, Blaze Cheerleaders or by contacting Marjean Hellyer at 363-1309. This semi-formal event includes dinner, dancing, DJ, door prizes, silent auction and bar. All proceeds will benefit the Bitterroot Blaze. For more information call 363-1309 or 360-1188.

Dances of Universal Peace

The Dances of Universal Peace are hosting a non-alcoholic evening on New Year's Eve. A clothing and sports equipment exchange will be held from 5 to 6 p.m; potluck dinner at 6 p.m.; variety show at 7:30 p.m.; dances from the world's spiritual traditions at 9 p.m. and chanting and meditation for world peace at 11:45 p.m. All are welcome, a $5 donation is suggested. The event will be a Common Ground Center, 258 Roosevelt Lane, Hamilton. Call Brian at 363-4026 to sign up for the variety show or for more information.

First Night

First Night Missoula is preparing for the 13th annual New Year's Eve community-wide alcohol-free celebration of the arts. First Night 2007 will showcase over 100 performances and activities in more than 30 venues throughout downtown Missoula, the University of Montana campus and Southgate Mall from 1 p.m. until midnight on December 31. Music, theatre, dance, children's programs, visual arts and more highlight this magical daylong event. The festival promises something for everyone, including a shuttle service for all participants provided by Beach Transportation. Admission buttons are $10 in advance ($15 on December 31) with children ages 7 and under free, and are available at over 20 locations throughout Missoula and in the Bitterroot Valley. For the full schedule of events visit www.firstnightmissoula.org.

Special events include the annual Children's Hat Parade at Southgate Mall at 1 p.m. (bring your own hat anytime after 12 noon and the Mall will provide decorations); the Twilight Gathering and bonfire at the Bank Street Pedestrian Plaza; the First Night Idol contest, featuring selected high school singers on stage at the Wilma Theatre; featured artist Elizabeth Carlisle, Hellgate High School graduate and now a touring country musician; Butte's Dublin Gulch, Helena's Watercarver's Guild and Kalispell's Cocinando; plus the midnight Grand Finale at the University Center on the UM campus, featuring the Drum Brothers and the Ed Norton Big Band.

First Night Missoula is produced by the Missoula Cultural Council. For more information, including volunteer opportunities, call Carolyn Gibbons or Tom Bensen at 549-4755.

Hamilton Players auditions

The Hamilton Players will be holding auditions for the musical, "Mame," on January 2 and 3 at 7 p.m. at the Hamilton Playhouse, 100 Ricketts Road. Roles are available for approximately 16 men, 16 women, and one boy (age 9-12). Auditioners are asked to dress for movement. Auditions will be cold readings from the script. No experience or preparation is necessary and the public is invited and encouraged to audition. Scripts are available for check out at Chapter One Book Store in Hamilton. Performance dates are February 23-25, March 1-4, 8-11. For more information or to schedule a private audition (due to conflicts only) call Gina at 363-3630 or April at 375-9050.

MS Support Group

The Bitter Root Valley Multiple Sclerosis Support Group will hold their monthly meeting Tuesday, January 2, at the Willow Court Apartments meeting room, 150 Skeels Avenue in Hamilton from 9 to 10:30 a.m. There will be a social time to reminisce the old year and share hopes and goals for the new year. This meeting is open to anyone who is a caregiver or may require a caregiver.

Refreshments will be served. 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.

Lunch and Learn Series

The Bitterroot National Forest invites the public to the resumption of its "Lunch and Learn" informational series. These one-hour programs are designed to update and inform the public about various topics related to the Bitterroot National Forest and are held at the Bitterroot National Forest Supervisors Office located at 1801 N. 1st Street, Hamilton (across the street from Farmers State Bank) from 12 to 1 p.m. on the following dates for these topics:
Jan. 3 - Wildlife of the Bitterroot
Feb. 7 - Fish Migration in the Bitterroot
Mar. 7 - Wildflowers of the Bitterroot
Bring a lunch and learn about your national forest.

Ice skating classes

Register for Learn to Skate Basic Skills classes on Saturday, January 6, from 10 to 11 a.m. at Glacier Ice Rink. Saturday morning classes for all ages and abilities start January 20. Adult only classes will be held at noon on Mondays starting January 22. Cost is $100 for 8 classes (sign up by January 6 and pay only $90.) Classes include 30 minutes of instruction and 20 minutes of practice time. Sign up on Saturday, January 6 and skate for free from 10 to 11 a.m. For more information call 543-5889.

Fur handling workshop

A fur handling workshop will be offered in Deer Lodge on Sunday, January 7, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. The workshop, sponsored by the Montana Trappers Association, will offer information and demonstrations on fur handling safety, ethics and techniques. There is no charge for the workshop, and no age limitations on participants. The class will be held at The Potting Bench, 604 Mitchell St. in Deer Lodge. To register, contact Ed Hebbe III, at 406-846-2304. Workshop participants should bring a chair, lunch and dress warmly.

Club Boxing

Club Boxing's Friday Night Fights is coming to the Ravalli County Fairgrounds in Hamilton on January 12. Club Boxing is entering its sixth season with shows across the state. This will be the first Club Boxing event in Hamilton. Anyone between the ages of 18 and 39 wishing to box can preregister by calling 1-888-702-4007. There are three 90-second rounds with 90-second rest. In case of a draw, boxers fight one more round to determine the winner. Winners receive $125 and losers earn $50. Fighters are matched by weight and level of experience. First time boxers are welcome. All bouts are sanctioned by the Montana State Board of Athletics. Gates open at 6 p.m. and first bell is at 7:30 p.m. General admission is $15, ringside $20, and a VIP table for six is $160. Advance tickets may be purchased over the phone by calling 1-888-702-4007.

Bowhunter Education Classes

Bowhunter education classes will begin earlier than usual this year in Missoula with the first class scheduled for January. Ten classes are planned for Missoula between January and May. The January and February class schedule includes four classes offered on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Missoula Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) office, 3201 Spurgin Road. Students can elect to take a class Jan. 20, Feb. 3, Feb. 10 or Feb. 17. Students must also complete a half-day field course set for Saturday, March 3.

To register for a January or February class, students must stop by the Missoula FWP office during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., on or after January 8. Classes are limited to 35 students, and registration is open until the class fills. A parent or guardian must accompany students under 18 to register.

By state law, all first time bowhunters must pass the bowhunter education course in order to purchase a bow and arrow license. All bowhunters born after January 1, 1985 must also show proof of completing a hunter education program.

For more information or to request a copy of the schedule, contact the Missoula FWP office at 542-5500 or log onto the web site: fwp.mt.gov. and follow links to "Education" and then "Hunter Education." Bowhunter education courses will be offered in many other west-central Montana communities beginning in March. These schedules and dates will be announced as soon as they are available.

MSU prospective student program

Montana State University will open its campus, classrooms and activities to potential students during MSU Friday, the university's campus visitation program, set for Friday, January 26. Among the many MSU Friday activities are campus tours, sample classes taught by some of MSU's 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 the program have the opportunity to check out Bridger Bowl, Big Sky and Moonlight Basin ski areas at a discounted rate on Saturday, Jan. 27 and/or Sunday, Jan. 28. Students wishing to spend a night on campus with a current student, sample food and experience campus life after hours, may contact the Residence Life Office at (406) 994-2661 to find out more about its Host Program. The cost of the program is $50 per night.

For more information about MSU Friday, contact the MSU Office of Admissions at (1-888) MSU-CATS, or (406) 994-2452.

Warm 4 Winter blanket drive

Help local Montana families in need stay warm this winter. Donate new blankets and pillows to help those less fortunate stay warm and cozy. Tools 4 School Montana hopes to gather 600 to 800 new blankets and pillows. Drop off any new blanket or pillow at any of the following locations: By Owner Realty, 410A N. First St., Hamilton; Don's Home Center, 776 N. Hwy 93, north of Hamilton; Ravalli County Bank, 224 W. Pinckney St., Hamilton, and Valley Mortgage, 977 S. Shoshone Loop, south of Hamilton. Or donate online at www.Tools4SchoolMontana.org. All donations are 100% tax deductible. New blankets and pillows will be distributed Saturday, January 27, at the old Corvallis Fire House, 297 Second Street, Corvallis. For more information call 961-8800.

Emergency Preparedness Task Force

All first responders, private physicians and clinicians, hospital personnel, and other care providers are invited to a Ravalli County Emergency Preparedness Task Force presentation for on Monday, January 29 at 6:30 p.m. in the Commissioners Meeting Room located at 215 S. 4th in Hamilton.

The title of the talk will be "Medical Aspects of Biosafety Level 4 Agents." Presenters are Marshall Bloom, MD, Associate Director, Rocky Mountain Labs, and George Risi, MD, Infectious Disease consultant to Rocky Mountain Labs.

At the completion of this lecture the learner will:
1. Have an understanding of the importance of BSL-4 research
2. Understand what makes an organism a BSL-4 agent
3. Understand that many BSL-4 agents are not contagious from one person to another
4. Understand the educational plan for the health care community regarding care of a patient infected with a BSL-4 agent

The Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) meeting will follow at 7:30 p.m.

Master gardener course

Classes on many aspects of gardening will be offered to interested people on Thursday evenings starting February 1 and finishing April 19 in Stevensville. Horticultural topics will be taught by university professionals and experienced gardeners throughout the community. The program covers topics such as: annuals and perennials, woody trees and shrubs, soils, composting and fertilizer, vegetable and herb gardening, pesticide toxicology, integrated pest management, weeds and biological weed research, fruit production, attracting birds, pruning, trickle irrigation. Practical horticulture and gardening for this climate will be emphasized with each class. An outdoor pruning class at Canyon View Nursery will also be included. The 25-hour course also encourages volunteer work in the community of the student�s choice. To register, interested people need to contact Ravalli County Extension office in Ravalli County Administrative Center, Hamilton before January 19. The registration fee is $80 per person or $105 for couples. Space is limited to 35 people. For more information contact Ravalli County Extension Service 375-6611 or acxrj@montana.edu.

Swan photo exhibit at museum

"Splendid was the Trail," photographs of the National Forests by K.D. Swan, are now on exhibit at the Ravalli County Museum in Hamilton. Swan, 1889-1970, was a photographer in the Northwest in the early part of the 20th Century. During his USDA Forest Service career from 1911 to 1947, he captured the face of public lands, revealing its wildness and value to the American public. His messages of long ago still emanates from his images: the value of conserving public lands and the joy of living in magnificent wild places. The Museum, located on S. 3rd and Bedford in Hamilton, is open from 10 to 4 on Thursday, Friday and Monday, from 10 to 2 on Saturdays, and 1 to 4 on Sundays. For more information, call the Museum at 363-3338, or rcmuseum@cybernet1.com.

Peterson Photo Contest

The Ravalli County Museum is accepting entries now through February 26, 2007 for the 15th Annual Ernst Peterson Photo Contest. Judges are looking for photos that depict "The Best Of Montana." There are six categories, each in Black and White and in Color for a total of twelve categories. The categories are in "Scenic," "Animals," "Portrait," "Flowers," "Macro," and "Miscellaneous," (at the judges' discretion). Digital photos are allowed. Highly manipulated digital photos may be entered in the "Miscellaneous" category. Photographs must have been taken in Montana, Yellowstone, Glacier or the Selway/Bitterroot Wilderness, Peterson's primary areas of photography. Entries should not have been exhibited in a previous Ernst Peterson Contest. All photos must be at least 8" by 10", matted in white only, not framed. The Museum staff will attach a hanger on the back of each entry this year. There is a $2.00 entry fee for each photo submitted. Prizes will be awarded for all first place winners, and ribbons will acknowledge each second and third place. The Grand Prize winner will receive an Ernst Peterson Photograph. Mail entries to the Ravalli County Museum, 205 Bedford, Hamilton MT 59840, or bring them to the Museum. Write your name, address and phone number on each entry, plus the category you believe it to be in. For more information, contact the Museum at rcmuseum@cybernet1.com, noting "Peterson Contest" in the subject line, or call 363-3338, Thursday through Monday.

New hours for Forest Service office

The Bitterroot National Forest Supervisor's Office at 1801 N. 1st in Hamilton, has new business hours. The new hours are 8 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Women's Symposium

The Missoula Businesswomen's Network (MBN) will be conducting its 2nd annual Women's Symposium on Saturday, February 3. The event will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Missoula from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Keynote Speaker will be Marcia Wieder, America's Dream Coach. Marcia is internationally known for inspiring people in all walks of life. She has appeared on television shows such as Oprah and The Today Show, and is also the author of three books dedicated to achieving dreams. For more information about Marcia, log onto her web site at www.dreamcoach.com

The theme of the 2007 Women's Symposium is "Dare to Dream: Create a Life of Passion and Joy." In addition to the Keynote Address, MBN will be offering 16 different seminars and workshops addressing many issues that center on Motivation & Inspiration, Business, Relationships, and Health & Wellness. The focus of the seminars and workshops will be to provide tips, tools, and ideas for helping women achieve balance in their personal and professional lives. Throughout the day, the Symposium will also feature vendor booths and breaks offering refreshments.

The cost of a ticket to attend the day's workshops, vendor booths, lunch and keynote address will be $25.00 if purchased before January 15 for MBN members, $30.00 for non-MBN members. The cost after January 15 will be $30.00 for MBN members, $35.00 for non-MBN members. For attendees who wish to purchase a lunch/keynote address only ticket, the cost will be $15.00. The cost for vendor booths, which include one ticket for lunch and the keynote address, will be $60.00 for non-MBN members, and $45.00 for MBN members. The vendor booth cost increases by $10.00 after January 1. Early registration is recommended.

Founded in 1985, MBN is a non-profit organization focused on women supporting women in Missoula and its surrounding areas. Their goal is to help women increase both personal and professional effectiveness, and to balance all aspects of their lives. For more information about MBN, log onto www.discovermbn.com.

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