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.

Bereavement Support Group

Marcus Daly Hospice is offering a Support Group for grieving family members and friends who have lost a loved one to any cause. The group meets every Tuesday, from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. in the Hospice Center living room. The purpose of the support group is to share grieving experiences and to learn how to heal and grow from ongoing bereavement stages. You will receive printed information to review and keep for your ongoing use. For information and registration, contact Cathy Palmer, Marcus Daly Hospice Bereavement Coordinator, at 375-4752.

Peace & Justice Film Series

The University of Montana Students for Peace & Justice and the Jeannette Rankin Peace Center sponsors the Spring Peace & Justice Film Series. Films are Thursdays throughout the spring semester at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. at the UC Theater at the University Center, 3rd floor. The films are free and open to the public, with free parking after 5 p.m. There will be a discussion after each film. All of these movies are thought provoking, so stay and share your thoughts and opinions. Or just stay and listen to what others have to say. You are welcome regardless of where you find yourself on the political spectrum. Diversity of opinion leads to richer discussions and deeper understanding. For more information about the series visit www.PeaceAndJusticeFilms.org and the complete film series poster will soon be available at www.JRPC.org. Discussion will follow each screening.

Tax return preparation help available

Now through April 11, AARP Tax-Aide volunteers will be available at the Hamilton Senior Center to assist moderate to low income taxpayers of all ages with the preparation of their federal and Montana tax returns. Special attention will be afforded to seniors 62 years of age and older.

As in past years, appointments are encouraged and, while walk-ins will be accepted, they are discouraged due to the long waiting time involved. Volunteers will be available at the Hamilton Senior Center from 1 to 4 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Call 363-5181 for an appointment.

Volunteers will also be at the Stevensville Senior Center on Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m. Appointments may be made by calling the Center at 777-5681.

Volunteers will be required to see an original or copy of your Social Security card and a photo ID before preparing your tax return. You should also bring with you last year's tax return and anything you have received in the mail concerning 2006 taxes.

Seniors who do not have to file federal and state income tax forms but are eligible for the Montana Elderly Homeowner/Renter Credit will receive special attention this year. Assistance in preparing this form will be provided at the Hamilton Senior Center every Tuesday from 1 to 3 p.m. No appointments are required. Service will be provided on a first come, first served basis. Call the center at 363-5181 for additional details.

Planning Board to address Zoning and Streamside Setbacks

On Wednesday, February 21, the Ravalli County Planning Board will discuss two major issues with respect to long-range planning:

Countywide Zoning - The Board will receive a progress report on various aspects of the countywide zoning effort.

Streamside Setbacks - The Board will discuss the attached proposal, which outlines the creation of a broad-based committee to explore the County's options with respect to streamside setbacks.

This meeting will be held in the Commissioners' meeting room and will begin at 3 p.m. (the above discussions may be preceded by other items on the agenda). If you are unable to attend the meeting, you may submit written comments by mailing to Ravalli County Planning Department, 215 S. 4th Street, Suite F, Hamilton MT 59840 or e-mail to planning@ravallicounty.mt.gov.

Women Helping Others

Women Helping Others (WHO) will not be meeting the second Wednesday of February (resume in March). WHO will be holding its monthly meeting on Saturday, February 24, at the Stevensville Hotel, from 2 to 4 p.m. This special day will be a tea with guest bringing "fancy" treats instead of potluck. For more information call Deby at 531-0273 or April at 777-1245. WHO will be hosting "game night" every First Friday at the Main Street office in Stevensville. Starting at 6:45 p.m. come and play scrabble, chess, Hearts or Spades, cribbage, chess, backgammon or a number of other games. Game night will be held every First Friday. Great way to spend a family night out, challenge a classmate or other school and have some fun. Bring a game if you have one. For more information call Deby, 531-0273.

Trapper Education Class

The Montana Trappers Association will conduct a free trapper education class in Missoula, Saturday, February 24, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) regional office, 3201 Spurgin Rd. The class will include furbearer identification, regulations, safety, ethics, trapping techniques, equipment, demonstrations and fur handling. Class participants will receive a certificate of completion, the National Trappers Association trapping handbook, workbook and other informational material. The class is open to the public, and an adult must accompany those under the age of 10. Students should bring lunch, a pen and pad of paper. For more information and to register, contact Joe Miller at (406) 677-3608 or the Missoula FWP office at 542-5500.

Winter raptor workshop

Winter is a great time for observing raptors around the Bitterroot Valley. Bitterroot Audubon Society is offering a Winter Raptor Workshop. One evening class and one mid-day field trip will cover tips for winter raptor identification, behavior, habitat and migration. The classroom session will take place on Friday, February 23 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Bitterroot National Forest Service Office in Hamilton with the field trip on Saturday, February 24. The instructor will be Steve Hoffman, Montana Audubon's Executive Director and founder of HawkWatch International. Cost for the workshop will be $15.00 and pre-registration is required; space will be limited to 20 participants. The workshop is open to birders of all abilities from beginner to those with more experience. For more information or to pre-register, call Leslie Nyce at 961-3808.

Contra Dance

There will be a Contra Dance on Saturday, February 24 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Corvallis Grange. The Crested Hens will provide live music. All dances will be taught, you do not need to have a partner, beginners are welcome, families are welcome. Refreshments will be provided. Admission is $5.00 per adult, $10.00 for a family. To find the Corvallis Grange, turn west at the Corvallis (Woodside cutoff) junction 2 miles north of Hamilton, then turn right again just 100 yards west of the junction light at the big Grange sign.

Christian Motorcyclists events

The Christian Motorcyclists Association will hold its Montana State Leadership Conference on Saturday, February 24 at First Baptist Church, 201 8th Avenue, Helena. The free conference runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Larry Banister, CMA State Coordinator, will be the featured speaker. For more information call 475-3766. On Friday and Saturday, March 9-10, Christian Motorcyclists Association will hold Montana State Seasons of Refreshing at First Baptist Church, 201 8th Avenue, Helena. Joe Maxwell, CMA Northwest Regional Evangelist, will be the featured speaker. Friday's hours are 5:30 to 9 p.m., and Saturday's hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The public is welcome. Registration is $10 single/$15 married couple. Lunch is available for $6.00. RSVP at 475-3766.

Mardi Gras Dance Party

River Street Dance Theater will host its 4th annual Mardi Gras Dance Party and Silent Auction Fundraiser on Saturday, February 24, from 7 to 11 p.m., at the studio at 421 N. Second Street, Hamilton. Featured entertainment will be two bands, "Joan Zen" and "Free Range." Admission is $10.00. Refreshments will be available.

Hamilton Players fundraiser

The Hamilton Players will be hosting the VERY fun fundraising event, "A Night At The Oscars" on Sunday, February 25 beginning at 5 p.m. at The Pharoahplex Theater (Old Corvallis Road) in Hamilton. Join them as they roll out the red carpet. A live tele-cast of The Oscars will be on the big screen. Walk the red carpet, wine and dine, choose your favorites, and win prizes. MAPS will be on-hand to film the evening including live shots on the big screen of you and your friends waltzing down the carpet, dodging the paparazzi and being interviewed by Roan Jivers. Tickets are $25.00 per person and are available at the Hamilton Playhouse Box Office and The Pharaoplex Theater. Playhouse box office hours are Monday-Friday, 2-6 p.m. See an Oscar nominated film at The Pharaoplex and while you are there purchase your tickets to "A Night At The Oscars." For more information or to purchase tickets over the phone with a credit card, call 375-9050 during playhouse box office hours.

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.

Stevensville Science Fair

The Stevensville Science Fair will be held Tuesday, February 27 in the Stevensville School multipurpose room. Displayed will be projects from Stevensville students grades 7-12. Judging will take place between 1 and 3 p.m. The fair will then be open to the public from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Those students grades 7-12 with projects rated as superior will advance to the State Science Fair at the University of Montana in Missoula March 19-20. Volunteer judges are needed for the local Science Fair. If you interested contact Terry Rosin at 777-5481, ext. 120 or the Junior High School office, 777-5533.

IDEA PTA lecture series

IDEA PTA President Doug Cochran-Roberts is presenting a class on "Help for Very Challenging Behaviors."�Dates and times are Thursday, March 1, 6 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, March 10, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Thursday, March 15, 6 to 9 p.m.; and Thursday, March 22,�6 to 9 p.m. Credit of up to 15 hours OPI renewal credits or 1 semester UM credit is available. The class will be held in the Big Sky High School library in Missoula. Parents and students may attend at no charge. Register at www.CSPD.net or at the door.

This training focuses on children and youth/adults who struggle to comply, regulate their emotions and behavior and express their needs. Instead, they communicate with the most challenging behaviors -- excessive noncompliance and stubbornness, running away, hitting/kicking, tantrums/meltdowns, biting/spitting, yelling/screaming, excessive withdrawal or hyperactivity. These children, youth or adults disrupt daycares, preschools, classrooms, group homes or schools. They cause high levels of frustration for all who provide essential care, instruction or support for daily needs.

The Missoula area IDEA Parent/Teacher Association focuses on services for special-needs students. For more information contact Mary Hall, 721-7133.

Stevi spelling bee

The Stevensville School Spelling Bee will be held Friday, March 2 at 2 p.m. in the Stevensville Elementary gym.

Bluegrass Festival fundraiser

A spaghetti dinner fundraiser for the Bitterroot Valley Bluegrass Festival will be held Friday, March 2 at The Kitchen, 102 S. 2nd in hamilton. There will be two seatins, at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. Cost for adults is $10; kids eat for $6. Live music will be provided by Bittersweet and Mike and Tari Conroy. For more informatin call (406) 381-0135.

Sunday Gathering

On Sunday, March 4 at 10 a.m. at the River Street Dance Theatre on 2nd and River in Hamilton, The Sunday Gathering, A Celebration will be held. Everyone is welcome and families are encouraged to attend. There will be an activity or story for children. The Sunday Gathering is designed for those seeking insights in a supportive spiritual community. It meets the first Sunday of every month. It is not allied with any sect, denomination or political organization. It does not engage in controversy. It is a group of individuals wanting to celebrate the diversity of oneness, and wanting to support one another on each person's path. There will be folks coming from different beliefs and practices and this is cause for celebration. It is requested that scents not be worn due to people's allergies. Feel free to come in your ski clothes. For more information call Joan Perry at 961-3706 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

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. The Mar. 7 meeting will be on Wildflowers of the Bitterroot. Bring a lunch and learn about your national forest.

'In the Green' benefit

You are invited to an evening of Art and Jazz to benefit the Western Montana Rite Care Language and Literacy Clinic. Enjoy a chat with regional artists and a live art auction, and dance to the music of the Platinum Street jazz quintet. The evening will also feature complimentary hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar and a silent auction of wonderful items donated by local businesses. Help children with communication challenges by attending this event on Friday, March 16 at Joker's Wild at 6:30 p.m. Call 243-5261 for tickets and information.

Elk Foundation banquet

The Bitterroot Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) will hold its fourteenth annual Banquet on Saturday, March 17, in the First Interstate Event Center at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds. Chapter members are excited as there is finally enough room for all the people that want to come. The meal will be a prime rib and chicken buffet catered by the Banque Club. There will be a live and silent auction, general raffle and many games. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. with a live auction at 6 p.m. Reserve your seat before March 10 by calling Sue at 777-0214 or Mike at 240-0273.

MSU All-School Rodeo Reunion

Montana State University's All-School Rodeo Reunion is set to coincide with the MSU Spring Rodeo April 6-7, 2007. "All past rodeo athletes and supporters are invited to attend and help spread the word," said Lana Tibbetts, a member of the reunion organizing committee. The reunion will be one of several planned for all varsity athletic programs as the Worthington Arena and the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse turn 50 years old. Rodeo reunion headquarters will be the Holiday Inn with a social scheduled for Friday night and banquet/style show on Saturday afternoon. For more information and to provide the reunion committee with information on how to contact you, contact Tibbetts at (406) 485-2997, Mike Germann at mgermann@venturewestrealty.com or (406) 580-4842, or Peggy Lucas (406) 570-8264.

Bitterroot Birding and Nature Festival

Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge, in concert with 70 Bitterroot Valley partner businesses, organizations and individuals, has announced that public registration for field trips and workshops is now open for the 2007 Bitterroot Birding and Nature Festival (Festival) in Stevensville. This can be accomplished by visiting the Festival web site at www.bitterrootbirdfestival.com. Be aware that the Festival operates by donation only, so this is a real value for attendees. There are over 48 activities planned during the June 22-24 dates. Numerous field trip opportunities to find birds, butterflies, wildflowers, stars and bats are the Festival's core programming. All family members should find activities suited to their needs, especially kids. This is highlighted by the 2007 Jr. Duck Stamp Award Ceremony, 3rd annual Adventure BioThon, Tee Off With A Birdie Golf Tournament, juried Art Show (featuring artists such as Monte Dolack), and a Kite and Birdhouse building contest.

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