Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Valley News at a Glance

Framework for Evaluation of the Draft Zoning Regulations

Lutheran Preschool openings

TGRF grant cycle deadline

AmeriCorps VISTA looking for volunteers

Births

Obituaries

In order to guide public comment and review of Ravalli County’s draft zoning regulations and matrix, the County’s zoning consultants developed an evaluation framework. The framework and the draft zoning regulations and matrix can be accessed at the countywide zoning project website: http://www.ravallicounty.mt.gov/planning/CountywideZoning.htm. Evaluation forms and all other public comment on this draft of zoning regulations (dated May 23, 2007) should be submitted to the Planning Department by February 29, 2008. Contact the Planning Department with any questions.

Our Savior Lutheran Preschool of Stevensville is taking registrations for the three-year-old class. Teacher Karen McHale and her students would welcome new friends as together they read new books, make new treasures, discover new facts, pursue new adventures. If you and your three-year-old have Tuesday and Thursday mornings free, call 777-5625 for more information.

TGRF Scholarships available

The Greater Ravalli Foundation has announced that 2008 Scholarship Applications are now available. The Scholarship Applications are on hand to be picked up in the counseling offices at each of the Ravalli County Public High Schools. Contact your school counselor for more information. Deadline for submission of the scholarship application is March 15, 2008.

The GRF scholarship is available to Ravalli County High School students who have lived in Ravalli County for the past 3 years or a senior who has attended grades 11-12 in Ravalli County and plan to attend an accredited post-secondary school full-time. The awards are for students who demonstrate exceptional desire and commitment to further their education and training. Applicants must have a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.0 or greater and be a candidate for graduation in the spring.

The goal of TGRF is to financially support the growth and development of Ravalli County's school children K-12, by addressing four specific needs which comprise the basic essentials of daily life in the Bitterroot: Educational facilities, supplies and grassroots programs; scholarships for all levels of academic ability; sustenance, such as winter clothing, hot meals and other food programs, and various capital line items as they arise. Information and donation forms may be accessed on line at www.tgrf.org.

As the holiday season brings thoughts of giving back, a new public service campaign has been launched to enlist Montana residents to “fight poverty with passion” by joining VISTA, the AmeriCorps program that fights poverty. The campaign draws attention to the 37 million Americans – including 13 million children – who live in poverty and to the changing face of poverty, which today is often hidden and found within working families. It encourages Americans to dedicate a year of their lives to fight poverty by joining VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America).

VISTA was founded in 1964 as part of the War on Poverty. Since then, more than 177,000 Americans have answered VISTA’s call to devote a year of full-time service living and working in low-income communities to help eradicate poverty. Made part of AmeriCorps in 1993, VISTA provides 6,500 opportunities each year for individuals to create and expand programs that fight illiteracy, improve health services, foster business and economic development, increase housing opportunities, and otherwise help low-income individuals and communities toward self-sufficiency.

“VISTAs live and serve in some of Montana’s poorest rural and frontier areas mobilizing local resources and giving people in poverty the tools they need to help themselves,” said Jacqueline Girard, director of the Montana office of the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that oversees AmeriCorps VISTA.

In Montana, an estimated

In return for a year of service, VISTAs receive a variety of benefits, including a modest living allowance, health care, and relocation expenses. At the completion of their term of service, VISTAs also receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $4,725 to use toward college or to pay off qualified student loans, or VISTAs can choose to receive a stipend of $1,200. While VISTAs appreciate these benefits, most say the most attractive part of VISTA is the skills and leadership they gain and the deep sense of satisfaction they feel when they know they’ve made a difference.

“My year of service has opened me up to new experiences that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. It has brought a new direction to my life,” said Brent Wilson, VISTA member working with Family Promise of Gallatin Valley which is an interfaith network of local congregations organized to help Gallatin Valley’s homeless families with children. After completing his year of service in January, Wilson will be traveling to Ireland to work directly with homeless individuals as a full-time volunteer through Simon Communities of Ireland.

To learn more and apply, visit AmeriCorps.gov http://www.americorps.gov/ or call 800-942-2677. AmeriCorps VISTA is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that also oversees Senior Corps and Learn and Serve America. The mission of the Corporation is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement though volunteering and service.

Births at Marcus Daly Hospital, Hamilton

11-14-07

Girl, 7 lbs., 8 oz., 19-1/2 inches, to Michelle and Brandon Wilton, Stevensville

11-17-07

Girl, 8 lbs., 5 oz., 20 inches, to Amanda and Patrick Darrah, Hamilton

11-20-07

Boy, 6 lbs., 13 oz., 18-1/2 inches, to Stacey and Justin Simmons, Hamilton

Boy, 8 lbs., 4 oz., 20 inches, to Cari and Phillip Ludlow, Stevensville

11-25-07

Girl, 6 lbs., 12 oz., 19-3/4 inches, to Sarah Ives and Nelson Davis, Hamilton.

11-30-07

Girl, 6 lbs., 12 oz., 19-1/2 inches, to Sarah Hauf and Chris Holder, Darby

12-1-07

Girl, 9 lbs., 2 oz., 22-1/2 inches, to Julia and Davin Athman, Hamilton.

12-7-07

Girl, 8 lbs., 10 oz., 20-3/4 inches, to Marina and Grant Bierer, Hamilton.

12-14-07

Girl, 7 lbs., 12 oz., 21 inches, to Brenda Williams and Josh Davis, Corvallis

Boy, 5 lbs., 6 oz., 20 inches, to Jana Leigh Housel, Hamilton

Boy, 6 lbs., 15 oz., 21 inches, to Tammy and Luke Wicke, Hamilton

12-17-07

Girl, 7 lbs., 6 oz., 20 inches, to Amy and Kyle Cianflone, Hamilton

12-18-07

Boy, 7 lbs., 1 oz., 20 inches, to Alison and Jonathan Whiting, Corvallis

12-19-07

Girl, 7 lbs., 5 oz., 20-1/2 inches, to Tiffanie McLeod, Victor

Girl, 6 lbs., 8 oz., 20 inches, to Christine and Jeffrey Snyder, Hamilton

Robert D. Nordahl
1935-2007

Robert D. "Bob" Nordahl, 72 of Florence, died at Community Medical Center in Missoula on December 25, 2007 of cardiopulmonary failure.

He was born on December 5, 1935 at Deer River, MN to Harry and Florence (Tripp) Nordahl. He graduated from Deer River High School and entered the US Army from 1955 to 1958. He spent a year and a half in Augsberg, Germany as a Tank Commander in the 188th Airborne Infantry Regiment. He also became a paratrooper.

On January 14, 1956 he married Shirley Sinkola. After moving from Minnesota to Missoula in 1958, Bob was involved in the trucking industry, was a lumber broker and in the logging business. In 1970 they moved to Stevensville and in 1989 to Florence. Bob received his private pilots license and flew his own plane several years. He enjoyed camping with his family, boating, fishing, hunting and the great outdoors. Bob enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. He loved to have a cup of coffee and tell jokes sometimes telling the same story over and over to anyone that would listen. He had a big heart and was always putting others needs ahead of his own. He will be truly missed by many.

His parents, brother Bill, sister and brother-in-law Lauretta and Jim Harwood, nephew Mark Nordahl and son Paul (2007) preceded him in death.

He is survived by his wife Shirley; sons: JayMe Nordahl (Kathy Anderson), Stevensville, Todd (Karen) Nordahl, Wichita Falls, TX, and a daughter-in-law Meliissa Nordahl of Florence; grandchildren: Patrick (Allison) Nordahl, Olin and Zachary Nordahl, Chayla and Cassie Nordahl-Pedersen, Keila Nordahl and Mandy Fadely, Uncle Don and Aunts Leota, Angeline and Betty Tripp and sister-in-law Marie Nordahl. Also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews and cousins and extended family and friends.

Memorial services will be held at Our Savior Lutheran Church on Pine Hollow Road, on Saturday, January 5, at 2 p.m. with Pastor David Renfro officiating. American Legion Post 94 will present Military Honors.

Internment of Bob's ashes will take place at the Pine Ridge Cemetery at Deer River, MN at a later date. A reception will follow services at the church.