Archive for the ‘Blogs’ Category
Seth Godin’s Poke the Box: A Review
By JENNIFER SHRYOCK. Seth Godin’s latest book is called Poke the Box. It is a quick and worthy read that will infuse innovation and energy to your job search.... more
Farmer’s Markets . . . Missoula Style
By LEAH LEWIS. Maiden-Missoula Product Review: Missoula Farmer's Market. If you live in Missoula or are planning on visiting this summer one thing you are surely looking forward to is the opening of the Farme... more
Clean, Sustainable Wood Burning
By PAUL WHEATON. The Missoula Urban Demonstration Project celebrated earth day last Sunday. I got together with the Missoula Free Cycles folks and we found a way to do a bit more than most folks for earth day.... more
The Every Day-ness of Earth Day
By RYAN NEWHOUSE. April 22 is nationally recognized as Earth Day, that one day of the year where kind-minded folks and hip organizations bring out their recycling, plant gardens and clean up parks, beaches and ... more
Hard Ground
By DANIELLE LATTUGA. Smoke and I are often less than poetry on six feet. We’re more like a blob of bubble gum stuck to someone’s shoe. Sometimes the poetry comes later, when my body is not beat down, and t... more
Protecting the Greatest Investment
Real estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments most people experience in their lifetimes. Considering the upside cost and the large downside risk, it would be foolish to consider a de... more
Tactical Urbanism
By RYAN NEWHOUSE. First, let me be clear. I am in no way condoning mischief. I just want to share information about a movement in American small towns called “Tactical Urbanism.”... more
What’s Happening This Week
IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening the week of 4/18/11.... more
“Save It” with Menu Planning
By ERIN TURNER. WIN A MENU PLANNING BOARD. It’s 4:30pm, what are you having for dinner? If you have no clue, then you could benefit from menu planning. Menu planning has given me freedom while my family bene... more
Creating Crafty Crayons
By LISA HENSLEY. You’ve probably accumulated assorted crayons that still have some life left, but aren’t necessarily in their prime. Why throw them away? You can repurpose them into new crayons that frankl... more
Youth Kayaking
By JASON SHREDER. The future of whitewater kayaking, and most other sports lies in the hands of the youth. The younger generation of kayakers keep pushing the limits of kayaking and are discovering what is pos... more
It’s All Relative
By ELKE GOVERTSEN. My grandpa died this week and Missoula lost some of its twinkle. So if you read this website to try to understand why Missoula is so special, think of this: there are little houses, on quiet ... more
Me, My Dad and the University of Montana Golf Course
By TODD WOLVERTON. My dad, Garrett Wolverton, was a fixture in the Missoula golf community for nearly 30 years in Missoula. First at the University Golf Course, then at Larchmont.... more
The Smell of Home, in Missoula Candles
By LEAH LEWIS. Maiden-Missoula Product Review: Last Best Candles. As my grass is still more brown, there is a thirty percent chance of snow showers, and the fact that my pedicure is woeful at best, I think I... more
Taste Buds Do a Happy Dance at New Tamarack Brewing Company in Missoula
By RYAN NEWHOUSE. On Monday April 11, Tamarack Brewing Company’s doors quietly opened to the Missoula public and there was much rejoicing – at least by me and the small crowd who had to check it out.... more
The Resume Objective? I Object!
By JENNIFER SHRYOCK. Opening argument: People of the court, I intend to demonstrate that the Resume Objective is outdated, irrelevant, and self-serving. Rather than waste prime resume real estate with an Objec... more
Power – My “Mane” Man
By SUZANNE MILLER. Power came into my life during a period of sadness, confusion, and stress. I had no business buying a horse. My love for Power was based on a relationship that I can have with few others.... more
A Railroad Ran Through It
By RYAN NEWHOUSE. Every time I see a train I am reminded of my bike. Does that happen for anyone else? For those in Missoula who regularly use the Kim Williams Nature Trail, Riverfront Trail or Bitterroot Branc... more
Migratory Notions and Desert Solidarity
By CLAY SPRINGMEYER. A Day in the Life a UM student--backpacking in the desert of Utah. If there's one thing I've learned from my backpacking journeys, it's that things rarely go exactly according to plan. Tha... more
#1 Gyro is My Favorite!
By PAUL WHEATON. #1 Gyro is my new favorite! Their gyros and greek fries are excellent! And they easily have the best spanakopita. This post features a review of Missoula's #1 Gyro.... more
What’s Happening This Week
IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening the week of 4/11/11.... more
Frugality as a Lifestyle – Part 2
By ERIN TURNER. Statistics show that money is the primary cause of divorce in America today. Because I counseled engaged couples for years, I know first hand how money can negatively impact a marriage.... more
Old Dawgs, New Tricks
By JASON SHREDER. Last weekend I drove over to the Lochsa River, one of my all time favorites. It was a classic Lochsa weekend, rainy, snowy, with an occasional beam of sunshine. The crowd, mostly from Misso... more
Phoenix Part III: Luigi’s
By BOB ZIMORINO. Every restaurant kitchen is different. This is a case of size mattering. It dictates the types and sizes of the equipment that you have, which in turn dictates the amount of inventory that you... more
Maiden Missoula: Barney Jette Jewelry
By LEAH LEWIS. One thing the Maiden is very fond of is jewelry! Who doesn't love a little sparkle? The most coveted (yet affordable) jewlery comes from an unassuming little shop on Higgins in Downtown Missou... more
Pioneer Amongst the Pines: Part 2
By TODD WOLVERTON. This would turn out to be the very inauspicious beginning to what has turned out to be a long, and distinguished career in women’s golf for Ann Loughlin.... more
2,500 New Missoula Jobs!
By JENNIFER SHRYOCK. To ensure the economic vitality of our best place, Mayor Engen launched the five-year Best Place Project in February 2010. The Project is a public-private partnership focused on “smart, ... more
Delusions and the Dream
By DANIELLE LATTUGA. I can have these dreams of what I want to accomplish, with Smoke. I can recognize that some of them may come true and some may not. But, I know that none of it will happen, if I don’t c... more
Sepp Holzer is Coming to Missoula!
By PAUL WHEATON. Sepp Holzer has done so many huge things, that his property is crawling with dozens of doctoral students doing their thesis work based on Sepp's work. And he's coming to Missoula!... more
From UM J-School to the Big Screen: A Writer Makes His Dream Come True
By VERINA PALMER MARTIN. I’m in awe of visionary souls who contribute to the world from the artful metaphors that float from their minds and through their fingertips to become a tangible opus. Carlos Pedraza... more
What I’m Seeing
By BILL CARAS. So, it snowed in April. No big deal for plants and gardens. Snow actually protects foliage, flowers, etc. from the air which can be much colder and, thus, more damaging than frozen water.... more
Going the Distance
By RYAN NEWHOUSE. Have you ever wanted to challenge yourself on a bike? I’m not talking about skid-stopping on a “fixie,” although that is one of my lifelong goals, and I’m not talking about riding in ... more
Frugality as a Lifestyle
By ERIN TURNER. I used to believe being frugal meant you were poor and led a really boring life. Now that I’ve crossed over and entered into the "Frugal Life", I know better. Yet as my family and I have quic... more
Missoula Seeing Spring Thaw in Real Estate!
While spending is still more responsible than it was prior to the crash, consumers are beginning to feel more confident in their financial security. Folks are shopping, and eating out, and even looking for upg... more
Kayaking Essentials
By JASON SHREDER. I remember when I first started I had an old paddle, a spray skirt with a hole in it, a nerdy looking Pro-Tec helmet, nose plugs so tight I could barely talk, and some other pieces of gear t... more
Phoenix Part II Luigi’s
By BOB ZIMORINO. The next few blogs are from my time in Phoenix and are more often than not stories, some heartbreaking and some hysterical but all of them true. I couldn’t make up the stuff that happened wh... more
From Rags to Retreads
By LEAH LEWIS. Maiden Missoula--a Product review of Made-In-Missoula products. Keeping Missoula green is as easy as shopping! Thankfully, several local artists and a local business called RETREAD are bringing... more
A Pioneer Amongst the Pines Part 1
By TODD WOLVERTON. It was a typical summer day as I stood with a 7 iron in hand. I must have hit about 70-80 balls as I noticed an older woman walking toward me. She has a big smile, big sunglasses and is kin... more
Q & A: Tips for Teens’ First Resume
By JENNIFER SHRYOCK. I was recently asked "Do have any helpful tips for teens with no previous work experience who are writing their first resume?" My #1 piece of advice is: Focus on the skills you bring to th... more
Mead I Say More?
By RYAN NEWHOUSE. I met Ken Schultz of Victor’s Hidden Legend Winery, an award-winning Montana meadery, and there I deepened my knowledge and appreciation for the oldest alcoholic beverage in the world--"hone... more
A Seasoned Horsewoman
By SUZANNE MILLER. I'm delighted to be considered a “seasoned horsewoman.” I was well into my forties before I began down the path to becoming a horsewoman – not exactly a kid with wet ears.... more
Bike Panniers from Kitty Litter Buckets
By PAUL WHEATON. Watch this cool video and read the story about a couple of guys riding across America and discovering Missoula. ... more
Cleaning Your House for Less This Spring
By ERIN TURNER. Hooray, for spring! I’m so anxious to open the windows, shake out the rugs and clean, clean, clean! When my home is clean and organized, my family knows there will be peace throughout the l... more
Heirloom Seeds
By LISA HENSLEY. Living in the Garden City has inspired many people to try their hand at growing stuff. If you want to try growing some of your own food: Try Heirloom Seeds.... more
Are You Drawn or Driven?
By JASON SHREDER. I have been kayaking for 10 years now. In those 10 years I have spent a lot of time on the water. 8 out of those 10 years I have spent over 200 plus days each year on the river. To say the ... more
Spring Has Sprung, Now Clean Up That Bike
By RYAN NEWHOUSE. We’ve officially survived a long, wet winter. Congratulations! And though we in Montana know that the weather can turn on a dime and there are no guarantees the sun will shine (this month),... more
Suzy Creamcheese
By BOB ZIMORINO. The next few blogs are from my time in Phoenix and are more often than not stories, some heartbreaking and some hysterical but all of them true. I couldn’t make up the stuff that happened wh... more
Golf As We Know It – In Montana
By TODD WOLVERTON. It has been a long, hard winter; far longer and harder than I expected. It’s only supposed to be 40 degrees today, yet I cannot get my mind off of one thing, “I wonder when the driving... more
Queen of Anything — Teen Career Talk
By JENNIFER SHRYOCK. What do you get when you mix 200 high school young ladies, 30 area business women, and magic wands galore in the UC ballroom for a day? The answer is: Queen of Anything!... more