The Story Behind the "M"

The "M" is 620 feet above the Missoula Valley floor. It is 125' feet long and 100' feet wide. University of Montana forestry students cut the switchbacks into the side of the hill in the early 1900's. The first "M" was assembled out of whitewashed rocks in 1909, and given a fresh coat of paint by freshmen every year, until 1968, when all those rocks were cemented together with concrete.

Photo by Nelson Kenter, kenterphotography.com

Archive for the ‘Blogs’ Category

Early Runoff: Is the Skwala Hatch Finished? A Rundown of Area Rivers

By BRYCE MCLEAN - Here's a complete run down of the areas rivers so you can make an educated decision on where you want to fish this week.... more

Make it Missoula Monday – Week of April 8

Trail 103.3 DJs share what's happening in Missoula this week: Moscow Monday, Monday Night Movie, Community Tap Night, A Place at the Table, & Exploring Missoula's Urban Islands.... more

Polishing Silver the Modern, Frugal Way

By ERIN TURNER - Here's a quick, easy and frugal way to polish tarnished silver using a sink, tinfoil, hot tap water and 1/4 cup of salt. Viola! The Silver lining!... more

Things To Do When You Are Bored at Work That Might Help Your Career

By JENNIFER LODINE-CHAFFEY - Do you ever feel that you have nothing to do at work? Here is a list of things to do that just might help you overcome your boredom and help further your career:... more

The Politics of food, Being an AG-Tivist

By KRISTEN LEE-CHARLSON - Why HB574 is Important: When it comes to fresh milk and dairy products, I want to be able to support the farmer(s) of my choice and procure the foods that I believe to be healthful for... more

The Snow is Gone

By BILL CARAS. The snow is gone. What does that mean for spring gardening? Well, first of all, let me say there may still be more snow - who knows? March weather is notoriously unpredictable here in the Missou... more

WineGuyMike: State of Grape

WINEGUYMIKE - To understand the State Of The Grape one must first realize where it all began. In the late sixties and very early seventies wine was identified by wine drinkers as red and white.... more

Building More Sustainable Communities: Like Minded Efforts in Palmerston North and Missoula

By LINDA MCCARTHY - I recently took a field trip with Massey University's Christine Cheyne to learn about Palmy’s efforts to build a more sustainable community and to share what Missoula is doing to be more s... more

Claire Lynch Headlines at Ruby Jewel Jamboree in Missoula, April 5th

By MARK VOSBURGH - Nationally acclaimed International Bluegrass Music Association artist, Claire Lynch headlines the Ruby Jewel Jamboree in Missoula, April 5th at Ruby's Reserve Street Inn.... more

Missoula Businesses Tell Dogs to ‘Take a Hike’

By ALLISON BYE - Alpine Canine and Quicks Paws are two local businesses that have come up with a unique way for dogs to get their daily dose of exercise and fun.... more

Fancy Footwork, Glittery Vocals Galore in MCT’s ‘Footloose’

By BRIAN D'AMBROSIO - Footloose opens at the Missoula Community Theatre on Friday, April 26, and runs through Sunday, May 12. Tickets go on sale April 8.... more

UM Sports Trivia | April 1

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: Joscelyn Tinkle, Brittany Griner, Dennis Murphy, Mike Montgomery, and March Madness!... more

More Realignment Changes Taking Major Toll On FCS Football

By JIM O'DAY - The continued exodus of teams from the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision is concerning, and could eventually have a dramatic impact on schools such as UM and MSU.... more

Under the Southern Cross-Monte Dolack Travels to New Zealand

By MONTE DOLACK - I recently traveled with my wife and fellow artist Mary Beth Percival to the other side of the world on tour of New Zealand. Here's what we discovered...... more

Make It Missoula Monday: What’s Happening This Week April 1

Trail 103.3 DJs share what's happening in Missoula. Monday Night Movie at the Top Hat, Spoken Word Poetry Club, GPS Navigation Basics at REI, Kevin Van Dort Blues, & First Friday.... more

DIY Underbed Dresser and Storage

By LISA HENSLEY - We've run out of space for dressers in my boys' room, so I repurposed the drawers from an old, ugly dresser and a nightstand into two underbed storage sets!... more

Alpine Canine’s Buddy Buses Run on Time So Dogs Can Run Off-Leash in Missoula

By PAM VOTH - Alpine Canine offers hikes to over 200 Missoula dogs per week with hikes tailored to every type of dog. All hikes include pick-up and drop off in one of Alpine Canine’s buses or van.... more

Would You Like Some Flirting with that Coffee?

By MICHAEL MALLORY - “Hey, Hun! What can I make for you?” says the half-clothed young lady waiting at the window of a bright red coffee stand off South Russell Street.... more

Boycott Big Sky Brewing? No Way!

By BOB WIRE - In Montana, HB616, the so-called “brewery killer” bill and Missoula's Big Sky Brewing's support of the bill--has created a Facebook flurry. Boycott Big Sky Brewery? No Way! Read more and learn... more

The Mighty Missouri: My All Time Favorite Trout River

By BRYCE MCLEAN - As much as I love the movie "A River Runs Through it" and as amazing as the fishing on the Blackfoot can be, my all-time favorite trout stream Has to be the Missouri.... more

Maundatum – Maundy Thursday

By BRIAN MARSH - ‘Maundy Thursday’ gets its name from the middle English and old French term ‘mande’, itself a derivative from the Latin term ‘mandatum’, which means ‘commandment’.... more

Pairing Wine With Food for Easter Dinner

WINEGUYMIKE - For wine, Easter may be the most important holiday of the year when you consider its use in religious ceremonies. But pairing wine with food is always a fine balance.... more

Snowbowl Expansion Delayed as U.S. Forest Service Investigates

By KARL SCHNEIDER - Nearly a decade ago, Montana Snowbowl announced a plan to nearly double the size of the ski hill. The permit process and economics of the plan have been slow to materialize, but that may be ... more

Building Entrepreneurship in Palmerston North New Zealand

By LINDA MCCARTHY - Palmerston North is a hub of activity for entrepreneurship. It is remarkable how much education and business development focus is centered on creating and distributing something new.... more

Local Gym Owner Hopes Second Chance Will Make it Work

By AUSTIN GREEN - “We move as a group! Don’t quit! Don’t quit!” His commands were directed a dozen fit young men, the latest guinea pigs in Mike Scialabba’s ongoing fitness experiment.... more

UM Sports Trivia | March 25

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: It's all MARCH MADNESS of course!... more

4 Tips For Getting a Job With A Missoula Non-Profit Agency

By JENNIFER LODINE-CHAFFEY - Finding the right job in the non-profit sector, is fine, but what about those who want to serve their community? Here are some tips for those of you seeking work at a non-profit:... more

Make It Missoula Monday: What’s Happening This Week

Trail 103.3 DJs share what's happening in Missoula. The Josh Ritter & the Royal City Band with Lake Street Dive, The Big Lebowski, Tom Catmull, Pint Night for the Glacial Lake Missoula Chapter, and more!... more

Homemade Household Cleaners

By ERIN TURNER -In preparation for spring cleaning, I've come up with three different recipes for a natural and inexpensive glass and household cleaner. It's Green Cleaning at its best!... more

Our Marriage Survived a Partial Bathroom Remodel

By BOB WIRE - There are three words that, when spoken together, have the power to blow a marriage apart like a hamster in a microwave: HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.... more

Sit Happens Training and Footloose Montana Present Trap Release Workshop

By PAM VOTH - Important Trap Release workshop presented at SIT Happens by Footloose Montana, March 23 from 1-3pm. Learn important and life-saving techniques and hands on practice for releasing a pet from a tra... more

The Elusive Skwala Hatch

By BRYCE MCLEAN - I have been fishing the skwala hatch since I was 10 years old. And after all that time I've learned: If you think you "definitely" know when it's going to happen, you are most certainly going ... more

Beer Battle: Montana Taverns Versus Montana Breweries

By RYAN NEWHOUSE - If you have enjoyed a pint of Montana beer in your favorite bar or brewery recently, chances are you have heard about the legislative “slug fest” playing out in Helena this session.... more

Missoula Art Beat: Photographer Jane Goffe’s Quiet Moments

By BRIAN D'AMBROSIO - Goffe’s images – stark Missoula railways, poised barnyard and agricultural scenes, and windshield-shattered pickup trucks--express her primary manner of feeling, of communicating, of l... more

The Roving Diner: The Buck Snort

By BOB ZIMORINO - The 'Roving Diner' serves up a restaurant review on Evaro, Montana's own Buck Snort Bar and Casino and Mr B's Chophouse--the restaurant within. ... more

The Weight

By BRIAN MARSH - What's my secret, to my weight loss you ask? P90X? Weight Watchers? Sensa? Liposuction? Nope. Simply go on what I call the 'Low Employment/High Anxiety Diet'.... more

How About the Griz and Lady Griz!!!

By JIM O'DAY - Regardless of what happens later this week in their NCAA Division I basketball tournaments, the Montana Griz and Lady Griz have a lot to be proud of this past season.... more

UM Sports Trivia | March 18

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: It's ALL Griz and Lady Griz Tourney action of course!... more

Croquet, Young Entrepreneurs and Tea in Missoula’s Sister City

By LINDA MCCARTHY - This week I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon having lunch and playing croquet with John Wall in Missoula's Sister City of Palmerston North, New Zealand.... more

Rotisserie Chicken and Pecan Salad with Roasted Asparagus

By PAUL SIDORIAK - One of the easiest ways to eat healthy when faced with a busy schedule is to let someone do part of the work for you. Using a rotisserie chicken from the market is a great way to save time.... more

Preserving Your Greens

By ERIN TURNER - Do you hate when lettuce goes bad? Here's a tip on avoiding a bag full of stinky, blackish-green slime, and preserving lettuce using a food sealer and mason jars. ... more

Make It Missoula Monday: What’s Happening This Week

Trail 103.3 DJs share what's happening in Missoula. The Dinner Show at the Top Hat, Chug for Charity (Draught Works) for Casa of Missoula. Open Mic Night & more!... more

WineGuyMike: Mission Sustainable with Halter Ranch Vineyards & Winery

WINEGUYMIKE - Halter Ranch Vineyard's philosophy is simple: Grow premium grapes, incorporate Old World technique and New World technologies, to produce elegant wines in a sustainable way.... more

Strong Men Also Cry

By BOB WIRE - Are you surprised at my tears, sir? You know what, sometimes your ol’ buddy Bob just has to have himself a good cry. That’s right: strong men also cry.... more

Passion and Community Set Community Leaders Apart

By LINDA MCCARTHY - Palmerston North and Missoula have both benefited from the endeavors of John Wall and John and Jenny Hornblow--passionate leaders and supporters of the Missoula and Palmerston North Sister C... more

Are Pre-Determined Tournament Sites in the Big Sky’s Future?

By JIM O'DAY - Missoula is benefitting this week by hosting both the men’s and women’s Big Sky Basketball Tournaments. But is this format is economically feasible, or should the league look at predetermined... more

Tyler Barham: Working on a Nashville Dream

By BRIAN D'AMBROSIO - Dreams without application are barren hallucinations. Tyler Barham is fully invested in his dream – a fantastic trip with a trajectory that could one day get a whole lot more unbelievabl... more

Happy Birthday Jack Kerouac

By BOB WIRE - My best friend and I are just back from a landmark road trip to see the original manuscript for Kerouac’s iconic book, “On the Road"--the King of the Beats’ massive outpouring of creative br... more

On the Grill: Colors of the Flag of Ireland…Kebabs

By PAUL SIDORIAK - This year for St. Patrick’s Day, I plan to represent the colors of the flag of Ireland on a shillelagh and make St. Patrick’s Day kebabs.... more

UM Sports Trivia | March 11

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: Lady Griz Senior night, Griz and Lady Griz Tourney action, and more!... more