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

Expectations of Parenthood

By ERIN TURNER - This summer my oldest child turns 16 yrs old. Where did the time go? I'm reminiscing about that first pregnancy--which seems like only a moment ago.... more

Summertime Is Time to Mess Around

By BOB WIRE - Summer camps. Play dates. Dropping off. Picking up. Enough. The revolution is on. It’s summertime, for cryin’ out loud! It’s the Season of the Kid.... more

No Customers Beyond This Point

By MARK RIFFEY - I’m in the market for a new-to-me rig. I don’t switch rigs very often, so it’s a slow process to make sure I buy it right.... more

Whitewater Kayaking – Taking That Next Step

by JASON SHREDER. It’s crazy but as many kayakers as there are in Missoula one would think that it would be easier to find people to paddle with, but it’s a struggle for people that start out on their own. ... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | July 20

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of July 20

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN- While Bob Stitt’s new team open the season against a reigning national Champion in North Dakota State his former team gets their shot at a defending national champ.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of July 20

Check out the various bands and live music all over Missoula sprinkled with a sporting event, film or a fundraiser. ... more

On the Grill: Backyard Stir Fry

By PAUL SIDORIAK - Love Chinese style stir fry but don't like heating up the kitchen This summer? Why not do in on the grill? Here's my a recipe and step-by-step directions.... more

Junkpole Fence: Freaky Cheap Chicken/Deer Fence

By PAUL WHEATON - We needed a permanent fence that would keep flighty chickens (layers) in and keep the deer and the wild turkeys out. This fence went up mighty fast and cheap.... more

What Do You Do About Bad Competitors?

By MARK RIFFEY - I don’t talk much about competitors. First, because you have far more to gain by investing time and effort into improving your own business.... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | July 13

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of July 13

Check out the various bands and live music all over Missoula sprinkled with a sporting event, film or a fundraiser. ... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of July 13

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN- Kraig Paulson was the first Griz to make “ 37” significant and began the tradition of passing the number onto to a Montana native.... more

Filling Cracks With Automation and Metrics

By MARK RIFFEY - Metrics tell you what happened and in some cases, what is happening, but they don’t tell you what to do next. By themselves, metrics can get lonely.... more

Beat The Heat Roll-Up Snack

By ERIN TURNER - We had friends visiting and their son has Juvenile Diabetes so I wanted to be sure I had appropriate food and snacks for him. Here's one that fits the bill and beats the heat:... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of July 6

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN- OOPS!!... We made a significant blooper in this space a few weeks ago and need to correct the record.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of July 6

Check out the various bands and live music all over Missoula sprinkled with a sporting event, film or a fundraiser. ... more

Dry Rot in the Bitterroot

By ROB BREEDING- The 10th percentile in June means most rivers will be nearly bone dry in August.... more

Good Metrics, Better Metrics

By MARK RIFFEY - Hiding inside most good metrics is better, actionable information.... more

The Children’s Museum is Volunteer Missoula’s Organization of the Month!

By JENNIFER PEPPROCK- Volunteer Missoula chose The Children’s Museum Missoula as our organization of the month! The Children's Museum has been "Making it Matter" in Missoula since 1994.... more

Liz Marchi: Maintenance

By LIZ MARCHI - Maintenance has never been a sexy concept for me. I like startups, building, remodeling. As I age, all of that is changing. Maintenance is EVERYTHING. ... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | June 29

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of June 29

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN- After three years of legal wrangling the University of North Dakota has begun the process of selecting as nickname to replace “Fighting Sioux.”... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of June 29

Check out the various bands and live music all over Missoula sprinkled with a sporting event, film or a fundraiser. ... more

Psychedelic Trout

By ROB BREEDING- Being late for fishing may be an unpardonable sin for Norman Maclean, but I know one far worse: not going fishing at all.... more

It’s Summertime in Montana

By TOM BENSEN-Gauging from the thermometer, summer is here. If you love concerts and summertime events, here are some MUST things to do in Missoula and Montana.... more

The Importance of Performance Metrics

By MARK RIFFEY - Quality and performance metrics drive your business. Do you know your critical metrics?... more

“And we Were Young:” Animated World War One doc illuminates soul, spirit of conflict

By BRIAN D'AMBROSIO-“And We Were Young,” the animated documentary of Montana artist and filmmaker Andy Smetanka, illuminates the experiences of American doughboys in WWI.... more

Somewhere Beyond Lewistown

By ERIN TURNER - Somewhere beyond Lewistown, MT is the heart of “Nowhere” in a quaint little town called Winnett, Montana.... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | June 22

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of June 22

Check out the various bands and live music all over Missoula sprinkled with a sporting event, film or a fundraiser. ... more

If Charlie Russell Painted Missile Silos

By MONTE DOLACK- What if Montana’s famous cowboy artist, Charlie Russell was living today? I have mused many times as to what shape his artworks would yield in today's world.... more

Emergency Notifications: Smart911 is Your Answer

By NICK HOLLOWAY - The Missoula Office of Emergency Management reminds us: May is National Wildfire Awareness month. Is your family’s ready should a wildfire threaten your property?... more

The Care and Feeding of Leads

By MARK RIFFEY - Coming up with the right question can be a lot harder than not having the answers. And answers are better than assumptions.... more

Liz Marchi: Digital Detox

By LIZ MARCHI - This weekend was Big Sky Dev Con in Bozeman. This was year 5 of the event which is another of those little known but extraordinary things going on in Montana. ... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | June 15

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of June 15

Check out the various bands and live music all over Missoula sprinkled with a sporting event, film or a fundraiser. ... more

Quest for Land: My Advice for Permies and Homesteaders
Part 3 of 3

By PAUL WHEATON - I want to grow the future of permaculture. Not just with my ideas, but with 20 different artisans in seed and soil. Each permie would have their own vision for what is “best”.... more

The Care and Feeding of Leads

By MARK RIFFEY - How are you caring for the warm leads that you get each day? It matters.... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | June 8

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of June 8

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN-This coming Thursday (June 11) marks the 135th anniversary of the birth of pioneering Congresswoman Jeanette Rankin. ... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of June 8

Check out the various bands and live music all over Missoula sprinkled with a sporting event, film or a fundraiser. ... more

Top 9 First Friday Shows You Don’t Want to Miss

By MATT ANGLEN - First Friday Art Walk happens every single month in Missoula, come rain, or sleet, or pounding blizzard. Here is our top 9 list of Must See Events:... more

Sunshine Marketing as Self-Defense

By MARK RIFFEY - Have you ever signed a non-compete, non-disclosure clause as a condition of employment? Do you make your employees and / or contractors sign one?... more

Saving Money on Your Summer Vacation

By ERIN TURNER - Here are some tips for making lifelong memories on your summer vacation without breaking the bank.... more

Salmonfly Mania in Missoula

By TONY REINHARDT -The time has finally arrived! Many anglers wait all year to chase the Salmonfly hatch, and you won’t find a much better place to do it than in Missoula. ... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | June 1

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of June 1

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN- With the Early opener against North Dakota State the Grizzly football team will have two open weeks during the midst of the season.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of June 1

Check out the various bands and live music all over Missoula sprinkled with a sporting event, film or a fundraiser. ... more

Ladybugs To The Rescue

BY BOB WIRE- An estimated 10 quintillion insects are creeping around on the planet right now. That’s roughly the number of emails Hillary Clinton deleted from her personal account.... more