Volume XIX, Number 33

Wednesday, March 10, 2004

Ravalli Democratic Mule Team

Ravalli Democratic Mule Team will meet on Friday, March 19, for a luncheon meeting at the Banque/Exchange at 12 noon. The guest speaker will be Bob Ream, Chairman of the Democratic Party of Montana, who will present a program on Election 2004. To reserve a seat, call Bill Knox at 961-6945, or Ian Root at 777-5587.

Tire of Montana's tax structure? This is your opportunity to see exactly what the Legislature has in mind for tax restructuring. The meeting will be held Wednesday, March 10, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at The Exchange, 225 W. Main, Hamilton. Come and give your legislators your input. This no-host reception is sponsored by the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce. For for information call Diane at 363-2400.

Art-related classes

Art Missoula LLC announces several new art classes to be taught by Conrad Johnson.

"The Business of Art" will be presented Saturday, April 10 from noon to 2 p.m. This is an introductory seminar on how to be a better professional artist. Topics include: business plan, marketing, presentations, public relations, and knowing your marketplace.

Three unique art sessions are also planned for Tuesdays from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Oil Pastel will be offered April 6, 13 and 20. Paper Mache will be offered April 27, May 4 and 11. Paper Sculpture will be offered May 18, 25 and June 1. Each three-week session will encourage discovery and application of specific techniques. To sign up call 549-0422.

Conrad Johnson originally moved to Missoula in 1970 as volunteer photographer for the Great Burn Wilderness Study. Johnson attended University of Montana majoring in science and art. He achieved a BFA in Design from Minneapolis College of Art and Design in 1980. An expert photographer specializing in architecture, fine art and advertising, his clients include Mitsubishi Audio Video, Sunset Magazine, Henry Ford Museum, First Interstate Bank and the Getty Conservancy.

Bluebird box-building program

It may be cold outside but it is time to start thinking about nesting birds. Join members from Bitterroot Audubon and Teller Wildlife Refuge to learn about Bluebirds in the Bitterroots and how to build nest boxes for them. Each family will make their own nest box and take it home in hopes of attracting Bluebirds. The program will take place in the newly remodeled education room in the Slack Barn at Teller Wildlife Refuge on Sunday, March 21 at 2 p.m. Space is limited; preregistration is required by March 17. For more information or to preregister, contact Leslie Nyce at 961-3808.

Native American Culture Camp

A Native American Culture Camp for ages 8 to adult will be presented by Traditional Games Society June 22-27 in Great Falls.

People of all cultures developed traditions of competition proving skill, cunning or intuition. Games from all over the world were shared along trade routes. However, in the past century, the traditional games of many cultures have faded out of the experience of new generations. Generic, Olympic-type competitions have replaced cultural games for tribal youth. In that games were a prominent way of passing on customs, traditions and heritage, those pathways to the traditional values have been lost.

The old time Native American games of strength, skill, stamina and intuition were played by all ages of tribal members. Within the community of the tribe there was an obligation to share the economic gain of superior abilities with others. Competitions taught social responsibility for others and gave personal strength to spiritual values of their way of life.

For over a decade the Traditional Games Society has collaborated with urban and reservation Indian experts in researching and reviving the tribal games in central and western Montana. Indians from the Blackfeet, Salish-Kootenai with the Little Shell Tribe of the Chippewa Cree have partnered with the University of Great Falls and Montana State University - College of Technology to demonstrate and teach the traditional tribal games to Indian children and adults and to public school teachers. Both colleges offer renewal or undergraduate credit for camp attendee.

This summerıs cultural camp is being held from June 22-27 on the campus of the University of Great Falls, in Great Falls.

It will provide instruction to classroom teachers and urban and reservation Indians about the history of the games, the culture of Montanaıs tribes, and the value of the games in conveying values and life skills to young developing Indian children over a century ago. Participants will also be taught how to make traditional game equipment, beading, drum techniques, drum making, traditional horse competitions, native dancing, stories and canoe skills.

It is the hope that educators who attend the camp will integrate their newfound knowledge about the games in their classroom curricula.

Young camp attendees will be encouraged to form teams and compete in both individual and team competitions sponsored by the International Traditional Games Society on June 25-27 and in future years.

This camp is designed to increase Native American awareness about their tribal games and the ability of Indians to share their knowledge of the games into the future. It is hoped that through this project it will be understood that Indian games were not merely ³play², but rather an ³educational means to teach cultural values and survival." Individuals or agencies wanting to sponsor youth to attend camp can donate toward the scholarship fund, or directly register a youth. For more information and camp applications contact Deeanna Leader, Director of Indiana Education at 406-268-7340 or email deeanna_leader@gfps.k12.mt.us.

Spring pastry sale

The spring pastry sale will be on St. Patrick's Day, Wednesday, March 17 at the Hamilton Grange Hall.

The Democratic Women's Club makes 800 pasties, which you may order baked or unbaked. Each pastry sells for $3 and contains a complete meal in a pastry full of ground beef, potatoes, onions and spices. For vegetarians, 100 vegetarian pastries will also be made. All orders may be picked up at the Grange Hall between 1 and 6 p.m. Volunteers are welcome; soup will be provided for workers.

Place your order early with Lisa Thompson at 777-3145 or Pam Erickson at 363-1203.

Overeaters Anonymous

Overeaters Anonymous is a Twelve Step program that deals with compulsive eating behaviors. It offers a solution within reach of all those who want to find relief from the obsession with food. It meets weekly on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. at St Stephen's Episcopal Church, 203 Main Street, Stevensville, as well as on Saturdays at 10 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 1220 W. Main St., Hamilton. For information, call 777-7160.

AARP meeting

AARP will hold its regular monthly meeting on Saturday, March 27 at the Hamilton Senior Center, 820 N. 4th. Officers will assemble at 1:30 p.m and the meeting will start at 2 p.m. For more information call 961-3241 or 375-8255.

County spelling bee

The Ravalli County Spelling Bee is scheduled for Wednesday, March 17 at 7 p.m. in the Corvallis Middle School commons. Two representatives from each of the Ravalli County schools will represent their school in the competition.

The Treasure State Spelling Bee program is sponsored annually by Lee Newspapers of Montana, which owns the Missoulian and the Ravalli Republic newspapers, among others. Locally, the Ravalli County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Ernie Jean, organizes the competition.

To qualify to represent their school, students compete in a local school competition that includes students from grades five through eight. Each county private school as well as county home schools may send representatives.

The two top qualifiers in the county bee will be eligible to participate in the State Bee in Helena on April 3.

Home ownership classes set for first-time homebuyers

The only nationally certified homebuyer class available in Ravalli County will be held March 22-24 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Human Resource Council meeting room, 316 N. Third Street in Hamilton.

The class is especially beneficial to first-time homebuyers with below median incomes, but any potential homebuyer will benefit from the class. Anyone who has not owned a home for 3 or more years may be able to purchase a home for less in monthly payments than they are paying in rent. Monthly payments on a $100,000 home can be as little as $450-$550 per month. The class is sponsored by the Bitter Root Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) project in partnership with the Ravalli County Neighborhood Housing Association and the Human Resource Council. Completion of this class is required in order to qualify for some of the special homebuyer assistance programs.

One of the specific benefits of the course is to help families who are in the low to medium income brackets find downpayment funding at zero interest and reduced rates on loans. Classes are taught to professional bankers, real estate agents, insurance agents, architects and mortgage company representatives who volunteer their time. Cost of the class is $15, which covers the instructional materials. There is no cost to attend the first hour of class on Monday, March 22 so that participants have the opportunity to decide if the class will be worthwhile to them. Partial scholarships are available on a per case basis.

This class presents some exciting opportunities for homeownership in Ravalli County, according to Kit Sutherland of the RC&D. Several hundred students have taken this class in the last three years and more than 70 participants have purchased homes after attending this course.

Ravalli County Commissioners have received a grant that targets first-time homebuyers with a household member who has a disability. This grant administered by the Human Resources Council can provide up to $25,000 downpayment assistance without any interest charges or payments required for up to 30 years or until the sale of the home. Brendan Moles with the Human Resources Council in Missoula can be contacted at 728-3710 to see if you qualify and he will be at the class on Monday night.

Several area banks participate in the Home Start program where the bank will match every dollar that the homebuyer puts into a homebuying account with three dollars up to a maximum contribution of $5,000 for the bank. The homebuyer is able to keep all of the Home Start money with no repayment if they stay in the home for five years. Other sources of assistance are available from Neighborhood Housing Services in Great Falls which can make up to $5,000 available as a no interest payment. The Ravalli County Neighborhood Association has worked with builders, lenders and others to produce some new homes that will be sold to qualifying households with a portion of the principal at zero percent interest.

If you are interested in this class, contact Bitterroot RC&D at 363-1444, ext. 5 to reserve your space.

Library storytime

The winter/spring storytime series at the Bitterroot Public Library in Hamilton continues Wednesday, March 17 when Cynthia Fleming presents "When Irish Eyes are Smiling." Storytimes are held at 10:30 a.m. in the downstairs west meeting room of the library. They last about 45 minutes and are geared toward preschool ages. For more information call the library at 363-1670.

Pregnancy Exercise Class

A pregnancy exercise class will be held Wednesday, April 21 at 5:30 p.m. at Me and Mom, 305 W. Main in Hamilton. Learn exercises to prevent and/or alleviate common pregnancy aches and pains. Call Misty Williams, MPT, at 363-2570 to reserve a spot.

'Food for Friends' Drive

Curves Fitness & Weight Loss Center, 204 Flower Street #3 in Hamilton, will be joining the Curves International "Food for Friends" food drive to benefit Haven house. Anyone joining Curves March 1-12 may bring a bag of groceries and have the $149 enrollment fee waived. The entire community is encouraged to drop off non-perishable food items at Curves during business hours. Last year Curves donated 1384 pounds of food to Haven House. For more information call 363-0393.

Spring pasty sale

The spring pasty sale will be held St. Patrick's Day, Wednesday, March 17 at the Hamilton Grange Hall.

The Democratic Women's Club makes 800 pasties, which you may order baked or unbaked. Each pasty sells for $3 and contains a complete meal in a pastry full of grand beef potatoes, onions, and spices. For vegetarians, 100 vegetarian pasties will also be made.

All orders may be picked up at the Grange Hall between 1 and 6 p.m.

Volunteers are needed to help; country cabbage soup will be provided for workers.

Place your orders early with Lisa Thompson at 777-3145 or Pam Erickson at 363-1203.

Wilderness first responder course

The Aerie School for Backcountry Medicine is now enrolling students for two courses at the Glacier Institute's Big Creek facility on the edge of Glacier National Park. An eight-day Wilderness First Responder course is offered from March 27-April 4 for $465. A two-day Wilderness First Aid class will be held April 3-4 for $125; CPR is offered the evening of April 2 for an additional $35. Lodging at Big Creek is available during both courses for an additional fee. For more information about these and other spring Aerie courses, call 542-9972 or visit Aerie's website at www.aeriebackcountrymedicine.com.

Western Heritage Parade scheduled

By Pat Rhodes

It is none too early to start thinking about hitching up the old gray mare to appear in Stevensville's Western Heritage Parade on June 19, according to parade chair Sherene Dewey.

The parade, which was a great success last year, again is completely non-motorized, Dewey said. Among the entries being encouraged to enter the event are representatives from pioneer families and historic businesses. And, there are 18 entry categories in all, Dewey said. Among them are the following:

- best adult mount for male and female
- best mount for eight to 12 year olds
- best led animal (for under eight year olds)
- western riding groups
- matched pairs
- family groups
- authentic Native American costumes
- single-horse hitch
- multiple-team hitch
- buggy
- historical/creative floats
- 4-H and FFA group entries
- historical entries
- comical category
- musical division

Ribbons and prizes will be awarded to first and second place winners in the parade along with participation ribbons for everyone. Dewey said there is no entry fee and committee is proving a conveyance for old timers who would like to ride. The parade is part of a whole weekend of events, she said. "We are encouraging people to wear costumes and for more parade entry information call Cheryl Disney at 777-5510.