All posts in September 2010
Missoula Constitutional Symposium
This event is looking at the Constitution of Montana to consider whether to convene another constitutional convention. Also, discussion on the impact of technological developments on the right to privacy and the interpretation and application of the right to a clean and healthful environment as well as much more. I am confident that this is a don’t miss event, but for those of us working folks it is difficult to take time off of work, it would be nice if anyone attending could give feedback to us. If you are attending, please let me/us know what it was like and anything you want to share about the event. Thank you. Here is the link for complete information: http://www.montanalawreview.com/id62.html
‘Fighting Back by Climbing Mountains’ TONIGHT at the Roxy
You really should go hear Scott Wood speak tonight at The Roxy Theater at 5:30 PM. He will be talking about his two year struggle with cancer and subsequently his summit, August 4th, of Mount Rainier (14,411 ft) in Washington state. This is a major physical challenge for even the strongest mountaineer and Scott has done it, a 43 year old lung cancer patient who has undergone over two years of intensive chemotherapy. Wow! Truly an amazing and inspiring story!
The goal of Scott’s Mount Rainier summit is to promote the Missoula based FIT TO FIGHT program and its inspirational message that we can be ‘Stronger than Cancer’. Come meet Scott, hear his story and find out what it means to be Stronger Than Cancer.
You can also read about his climb on his blog: http://scottisstrongerthancancer.blogspot.com/
STRONGER THAN CANCER ‘Fighting Back by Climbing Mountains’
The Roxy Theater, 718 S. Higgins Ave.
Wednesday, September 29th, 2010
Beverages & Appetizers at 5.30pm
Presentation at 6.15pm
Donations to FIT TO FIGHT Appreciated
Living in Missoula
No matter what neighborhood you live in there is so much to embrace in Missoula. Our lifestyle in this beautiful place surrounded by so much activity and open space is something we get to enjoy any time we want to. We all got here in different ways and for different reasons ended up choosing this as our home. Would you share your story of how you got here and why you decided to stay in Missoula with us? We would love to hear, meanwhile take a moment to enjoy this video. http://wn.com/university_of_montana_lifestyles_in_missoula
Moon-Randolph Homestead
Info from Rachel Bemis (Missoula Federal Credit Union and NMCDC board president) about the upcoming Fall Gathering:
MOON-RANDOLPH HOMESTEAD FALL GATHERING!
Where: Moon-Randolph Homestead, 1515 Spurlock Road When: Saturday, October 2 at 2 PM
It’s that time of year, friends: time for the most rusticated shindig on the Missoula social calendar! The Moon-Randolph Homestead, its caretakers and the North Missoula Community Development Corporation cordially invite you to the Tenth Annual Homestead Fall Gathering, Saturday, October 2, starting at 2 PM. $5 suggested donation, or $10/family Program is as follows:
2 PM: Cider Pressing and Games
3 PM: Harvest Swap
4 PM: Potluck Dinner
5 PM: Raffle Drawing
6 PM: Bonfire
If you can, please bring: APPLES in good condition to press in our hundred-year old mill. Some bruising and wormholes okay, but no rotten ones, please. A POTLUCK ITEM with a family story or tradition behind it. Bring an entrée, dessert or salad that means something to you and yours. Bonus points awarded for typing the story up on a small accompanying card to share! If you want to bring stuff to grill, the coals will be red-hot and ready at 4! HARVEST GOODS TO SWAP: If you pickle, can, dry, hunt, wild-harvest, preserve in any fashion, please bring your harvest bounty to swap for other goodies. Venison sausage? Dried morels? Pickled beets? Dandelion wine? Granny’s famous skunk chitterlings? Bring it on! Please wear sensible footwear and bring an extra layer of clothing. The Fall Gathering is an annual fund-raising event for the Homestead and its parent organization, the North Missoula Community Development Corporation. Shuttle service available from parking area. For more information, call the Moon-Randolph Homestead at 728-9269 or the NMCDC at 829-0873.
Rachel BemisReal Estate Loan Officer
Homecoming Parade
By Jean Clark, Downtown/Heart of Missoula Neighborhood Advocate
Fall is definitely settling in and so is Griz Football. Frenzied fans, supportive alumni and fun loving community members will be gathering downtown this Saturday for the annual homecoming parade.
The University of Montana Homecoming Parade is Missoula’s largest parade with over 100 entries. The parade begins at 10 a.m. on North Higgins Avenue and ends at the University of Montana. This parade draws visitors from in state and out of state, and precedes the Montana Grizzlies Homecoming football game.
I’ve seen some reminders about staying out of the road and out of the way of the parade that morning and I think that’s probably a really healthy reminder to keep in mind. Be careful out there and hang on to those little hands.
The downtown is going to be packed with parade goers and farmer’s market attendees this Saturday. It should be an energy level like no other Saturday. Come early, stay late, share in some positive cheer and have a safe and fun Saturday downtown in my neighborhood.
Moon-Randolph Homestead
Coming up in early October is the annual public Fall Gathering at the Northside Homestead – keep your eyes open for this, as it is a family-friendly fun event. The Missoula community comes together at the homestead to share some excellent food, beer and fresh apple cider. Less than two miles from downtown Missoula, the old ranch is nestled in the north hills, hidden from town and the daily bustle of the urban life just below. The City owned farm is managed by the North Missoula Community Development Center (NMCDC) and has a cooperative agreement with the Parks and Rec Department. It consists of 470 acres and has full time caretakers who live and work there, offers private tours, events and gatherings. Field trips are offered by the public schools, summer youth mentoring programs happen, volunteer programs abound and wildlife in the area is often seen. It’s like stepping back in time. I will soon post the upcoming event with the date and time and more information.
Annual Spontaneous Construction Festival
Home ReSource is having their annual Spontaneous Construction Festival Saturday Sept 18th from noon to 7pm
Now located at the intersection of Russell and Wyoming in Missoula.
(Approx. 2 blocks north of The Good Food Store, and kitty-corner from Pink Grizzly)
Just a few blocks from our NE boundary (Russell and Third) we are lucky to have the new home of Home ReSources close enough to our neighborhood that one could ride a bike, push a wheelbarrow, walk or get their by car easily.
It gives me such a great feeling to know that all the things they have there might be reused somehow instead of sitting in a landfill. Cool stuff too!
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Home Resource is a non-profit building materials reuse center
They collect and sell re-usable building materials to reduce waste, build healthier communities, and promote a more vibrant and sustainable local economy.
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This weekend they are having their SEVENTH annual FUN event that attracts the most creative people in town. The Spontaneous Construction Festival, also called “SponCon”, is based around a building contest in which contestants have six hours to use any of the materials from Home Resource to build the most beautiful, functional, musical, or generally amazing creations possible. An exciting array of prizes from local businesses throughout Missoula and greater Montana are to be awarded to contest winners! SponCon ‘10 also features live music and a vibrant assortment of creative activities such the Art-a-Pult, the found object music studio, kids’ paint-a-door, food from No Bad Dogs and the Montana Cattle Company (more food vendors TBA), and beverages from Bayern Brewery.
Go to their website for more information about Home ReSource.
FARMERS MARKETS
When: Saturday mornings & Continues through Oct.23
Price: FREE
Your Farmer-Neighbors are in these places every Saturday ready and willing to share their bountiful harvest from their gardens. Sometimes the stands look like gardens themselves. I love the colors and the textures of the vegies all lined up. I love the smiling faces of the vendors and the people visiting all throughout each of the venues.
Location:
Clark Fork River Market takes place beneath the Higgins Street Bridge.
Missoula Farmers’ Market (which opens at 8:30am) is at the north end of Higgins Ave.
For non-edible, cool, wonderful artisan offerings visit:
Missoula Saturday Market (9am to 1pm) is at Higgins and East Pine Street.
Mighty Fine Pizza
If you are looking for pizza in Missoula, Grant Creek may not be top-of-mind. Certainly not Snowbowl. However, Snowbowl has some rockin’ good pizza baked in a wood oven. Summer hours are available on their web site. Watch the sun slip behind the mountain and enjoy a pizza from the deck.
Or……Mackenzie River Pizza is located at I-90 and Grant Creek Road. If you want great pizza and don’t have time for a mountain drive, stop in at Mackenzie River.
Finishing Up on North Higgins
By Jean Clark, Downtown/Heart of Missoula Neighborhood Advocate
Well it looks like they are finishing up the street and sidewalk improvements on North Higgins. I like it so far. I think it might really improve the quality of our visitor’s experience downtown. It definitely feels more aesthetically pleasing and safer to me as a pedestrian, bike rider and downtown shopper.
A long time ago I learned a valuable lesson from a very successful retail store owner, “It’s about selling a good product, but it’s more about selling a great experience.” This may be a step in that direction.
Here’s the short list of what has changed:
- Dedicated left-turn lanes for vehicles
- Protected bike lanes between the parked cars and the sidewalks on both sides of the street
- New pedestrian-scale, energy-efficient street lighting
- New street trees
- New pedestrian ramps at all the corners
- New landscaping
- A new street surface with durable new striping
Rendering of what we can expect on North Higgins
Of course there are all kinds of infrastructure upgrades that occurred that we can’t see underground. Hopefully those changes will be a good investment far into the future.
I am sure that a lot of businesses on that end of North Higgins have been adversely impacted while all of this construction has been going on. I am going to try to make a point this fall to ride my bike down there and specifically shop in those businesses and support them. I think it’s important that we as community members recognize the sacrifice businesses make when there’s major street disruption in front of their doors.
I hope that in the long run it will have been worth it and our city will be that much more attractive, enjoyable and safe for residents and visitors.