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 ‘Community’ Category

Thinking Outside the Food Box for the Pantry Challenge

By ERIN TURNER - A month-long Pantry Challenge really forces a person to be creative. It's pushed me to think outside of the box and break food habits I'd fallen into. ... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs of the Week | February 11

Make It Missoula posts local jobs from the Missoula Job Service. This week's job listings are for a Children's Counselor and an On-Call Dental Assistant.... more

Make It Missoula Monday: What’s Happening This Week

Trail 103.3 DJs share what's happening in Missoula. This week it's the Flavors of Mardi Gras, Missoula Maulers, Leftover Salmon, Valentine's Day with Tom Catmull and more!... more

My Sanity: Just Out of Reach

By BOB WIRE - After spinal fusion surgery Bob Wire describes himself thus: "I am a pathetic worm. A writhing, whining, grunting, squirming carcass of need."... more

Missoula Story of the Week: Restoring Brennan’s Wave

By TOM DIDDEL - One of Missoula’s best downtown spots for outdoor and water-sports enthusiasts is in need of donations in order to make necessary repairs.... more

Electric Versus Compressed Air Vehicles

By PAUL WHEATON - Electric Versus Compressed Air Vehicles...that is the question. Some pros and cons to both plus some cool video!... more

Time Demands of an Intercollegiate Athlete: By a Student-Athlete

By JIM O'DAY - It's challenging for student-athletes to be competitive on the playing fields, courts and courses as well as the classroom. It's a delicate Balance.... more

Fly Fishing the Brown Trout Capital of the World

By TOM GALLAGHER - After leaving Christchurch, we began a 1,000-mile, one week loop through New Zealand. There was some Montana-worthy fly fishing involved.... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs of the Week | February 5

Make It Missoula posts local jobs from the Missoula Job Service. This week's listings are for an Employment Specialist and a test for openings at the Missoula Police Department.... more

WineGuyMike: Ice-Wine

By WINEGUYMIKE - (VIDEO BLOG) Making wine each and every vintage can be very difficult. Winemakers are at the mercy of Mother Nature and never know for sure until harvest time what the bounty of the crop has y... more

How to Quit your Job Gracefully

By JENNIFER LODINE-CHAFFEY - When you quit your job gracefully you'll have better chances of good references and finding a new job. Here are some tips for doing it right.... more

Make It Missoula Monday: What’s Happening This Week

Trail 103.3 DJs share what's happening in Missoula. Russ Nasset, Hump Night Bingo, Kraptastic Karaoke, lots of live music, and more!... more

Tips For NOT Eating Out

By ERIN TURNER - Eating out is expensive! Here are some tips for how to avoid the "eating out trap" and why a little planning can pay big dividends with your household budget.... more

Coming Soon: Reality Plays Itself at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival

For 10 days in February, the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary with the best nonfiction films of the past year and the past decade.... more

Worst Part of Surgery Recovery? Daytime TV.

By BOB WIRE - I’m bed-bound for two weeks, flat on my back after spinal fusion surgery. The physical pain is nothing compared to the mental agony of watching daytime TV.... more

That Old-Time Sound: Chad Fadely, Montana Mandolin Master

By MARK VOSBURGH - When Chad Fadely was 15, his dad picked up his fiddle and returned to playing old-time music. Predictably, for a teenager, Chad "absolutely hated" it.... more

Missoula Story of the Week: Replace Historic Maclay Bridge?

By TOM DIDDEL - Maclay Bridge has been an iconic structure on the west side of Missoula since 1893. Due to engineering concerns, it may be in jeopardy.... more

UM Students Team Up with St. Jude Hospital for Up ‘Til Dawn Fundraiser

Up ‘til Dawn is a nationwide college letter-writing fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Hospital. The Feb. 28 event will be held at the University Center on campus.... more

Christchurch, New Zealand: A City that Lost Its Heart and Found Innovation

By LINDA MCCARTHY - We visited Christchurch’s Central Business District as they rebuild after earthquakes. I am impressed and inspired after seeing their innovative efforts.... more

UM Sports Trivia

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: Lots of Super Bowl smack and the loss of NFL Agent, Ken Staninger of Missoula.... more

“What If” Zucchini Picatta (Video Blog!)

By BOB ZIMORINO - (VIDEO BLOG) In my previous video blog, I showed you the art of saute. Building on that post, let's explore Zucchini Picatta. Watch how easy this is!... more

Are You Up for the Annual Pantry Challenge?

By ERIN TURNER - On February 1, we'll start a month of trying to use what we have on hand and not buy groceries. It's called the Pantry Challenge. Are you up for it?... more

Make It Missoula Monday: What’s Happening This Week

Trail 103.3 DJs share what's happening in Missoula. This week it's a Run Wild Missoula Beer Run, Cooking Classes at the Good Food Store, lots of live music, and more!... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs of the Week | January 28

Make It Missoula posts local jobs from the Missoula Job Service. This week's listings are for a Licensed RN/LPN, a non-profit office manager & a Front Counter Glass Salesperson... more

Startup Weekend Proves Missoula’s Entrepreneurial Chops

By COLIN STONER - My takeaway from Startup Weekend was that Missoula needed an event like this. It was proof positive that we can create a startup ecosystem in Missoula.... more

Home Town Proud

By JIM O'DAY - Cut Bank – and much of Montana for that matter, shows their hometown pride for Alexis Wineman, who was crowned Miss Montana 2012 last summer, and who appeared in the Miss America program in Las... more

UM Sports Trivia

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: Coach Wayne Tinkle hits the 47-year mark, NFL History making, Lady Griz hoops and more!... more

How to Use Coupons to Create a Wad of Pseudo-Cash

By ERIN TURNER - Once the clerk rang in all the coupons and Extra Bucks, I heard the words that make any couponer jump for joy…”Oh, maam your total is negative 14 cents, so you need to buy something else.... more

Heirloom Market Celebrates Official Grand Opening January 26th

By KRISTEN LEE-CHARLSON - On January 26th, the Heirloom Market is holding its official Grand Opening at the Missoula County Fairgrounds. Come celebrate with us!... more

From Missoula to New Zealand… or Bust!

By LINDA MCCARTHY - Our trip to New Zealand began like most from Missoula. Though it took 15 hours to get to LA, we found refuge in the Cook Islands en route to Christchurch.... more

On the Grill: Grilled Shrimp Salad

By PAUL SIDORIAK - Every once in a while, I get inspired to try something different or nontraditional on the grill. This week--it's Grilled Shrimp Salad.... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs of the Week | January 21

Make It Missoula posts local jobs from the Missoula Job Service. This week's listings are for an Ecologist/Photo-Interpreter and a Dually-Licensed Clinician.... more

Make It Missoula Monday: What’s Happening This Week

Trail 103.3 DJs share what's happening in Missoula. This week, Missoula Moves to Amend Rally, Cooking Classes at the Good Food Store, Open Mic and so much more!... more

Snowboarding in the Middle Ages

By BOB WIRE - One day last winter, the Wire clan piled into the 4Runner and hit the road for Discovery. Next time, we'll wear helmets to protect against dain bramage.... more

Get Tips to Snag a Job from the Missoula Job Service

By JENNIFER LODINE-CHAFFEY - The Missoula Job Service is offering a free seminar about tips to snag a job on Wednesday, January 23, from 2-4 p.m.... more

City of Missoula Receives Grant for Accessible Playground in McCormick Park

On Thursday, January 17, Mayor John Engen accepted a $150,000 grant from the Morris and Helen Silver Foundation to begin construction of a new, universally-accessible playground in McCormick Park.... more

Adventures with Missoula’s Sister: Our Sabbatical in Palmerston North, New Zealand

By LINDA MCCARTHY - It’s not every day you get the chance to live on the other side of the world, so when we had the opportunity to live in Missoula's sister city, we took it.... more

National Letter of Intent Signing Date Only 3 Weeks Away

By JIM O'DAY - In three weeks, UM and many other Division I intercollegiate athletic programs around the country will announce their in-coming football recruits starting with the 2013-14 school year.... more

Missoula to Host Montana’s First-Ever Startup Weekend

By COLIN STONER - A unique business opportunity is coming to Missoula this weekend, and it’s creating a lot of buzz amongst geeks, designers, and business-savvy locals.... more

The Art of Saute: Chicken Picatta (Video Blog!)

By BOB ZIMORINO - (VIDEO BLOG) Chicken Picatta is a classic Italian sauté style dish. Watch this series of short videos as I demonstrate the principles of sauté. ... more

UM Sports Trivia

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: Lady Griz hoops, and a host of NFL pairings and players.... more

Calling All Businesswomen: Join the MBN Annual Symposium

Sarah Calhoun, founder of Red Ants Pants, will be the keynote speaker at the Montana Businesswomen's Network Annual Symposium on January 26.... more

Videos: Non-Stop Fun on Skis with a Two-Year-Old

By TRAVIS GOODKIND - We took our son skiing for the first time last winter. He took to it like a fish to water, and is already hitting the slopes at Snowbowl this year.... more

The Present is the Gift

By BRIAN MARSH - More often than not, the best gifts are not objects.they are experiences.and given this reality, Christmas 2012 was the most memorable and meaningful holiday in the past 25 years of my life's j... more

Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup

By ERIN TURNER - Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup...it's not only food for the soul, it's cheap and it's a whole lot healthier for you and your family.... more

Make It Missoula Monday: What’s Happening This Week

Trail 103.3 DJs share what's happening in Missoula. This week, it's cheese-making at the Good Food Store, a Martin Luther King Day celebration at the Children's Museum & more!... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs of the Week | January 14

Make It Missoula posts local jobs from the Missoula Job Service. This week's listings are for a Conservation Lands Researcher, Psychiatric Rehab Support & a Shop Worker... more

Ski with the Legendary Glen Plake at Discovery on Monday

Infamous for his extreme skiing and trademark mohawk, Glen Plake will shred with locals on Monday, Jan. 14, from 12:30-3 p.m. at Discovery Ski Area near Philipsburg. ... more

Missoula Story of the Week: Local Students Talk with Astronauts

By TOM DIDDEL - On Tuesday, some Missoula students were able to talk to astronauts on the International Space Station about what it's like to live and work in space.... more

UM Sports Trivia

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: Griz and Lady Griz hoops, and a host of NFL pairings and players.... more