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

Spring Flyfishing Highlights and the Pursuit of a Dream

By BRYCE MCLEAN - (VIDEO) My dad, brother, and I have long dreamt of catching some big 'uns on a salt water fishing trip. The dream will soon be reality.... more

Missoula Home to World Champion Cribbage Player

By ALYSE BACKUS - The best cribbage player in the world is DeLynn Colvert. He's one more example of the many intriguing, unique people who call Missoula home.... more

The Most Expensive Advertising Ever

By MARK RIFFEY. Are you wasting those carefully planned advertising investments? The most expensive investment we can make is one that's wasted.... more

Coal Trains Cause Concern for Missoula Citizens

By MARK BOATMAN - As more coal trains run through Missoula from the Powder River Basin, some citizens are voicing concern over increased pollution and noise.... more

City Council Member Has Long Road to U.S. House

By ERIK ANDERSON - City Councilman Dave Strohmaier wants to be Montana’s next congressman, without having to run against his hometown of Missoula.... more

Start ‘Em Young! The Paxson Elementary School Running Club

By EVA DUNN-FROEBIG - When my son started kindergarten at Paxson Elementary, I was really excited for him to be part of was the Paxson Running Club.... more

Photo Gallery: Missoula Maggotfest 2012

By AUSTIN SMITH - Every year, rugby clubs from all over the world bring their traditions to Missoula's infamous Maggotfest. You'll want to see the photos, of course!... more

Missoula’s Josh Farmer Band: Good Vibrations

By LEISA GREENE NELSON - The Josh Farmer Band took second place at Sean Kelly's Top of the Mic finals. To Josh, it's not where you end up, but the journey that matters.... more

Missoula Story of the Week: Orange Street Food Farm

By TOM DIDDEL - A recap of the past week's most interesting or unusual story in Missoula. This week, Orange Street Food Farm got a new door, courtesy of a minivan.... more

Make It Missoula Monday: What’s Happening This Week

Trail 103.3 DJs Mike and Rob share what's happening in Missoula this week: The Mickey Hart Band, the Missoula Farmers' Markets, and more fun for a warm Missoula week.... more

Firm Ground: Black Coffee Makes Its Mark in Missoula

By DILLON KATO - Black Coffee Roasting Company, started in 2010 by Matt McQuilkin and Jim Chapman, has been carving a niche in Missoula's gourmet coffee world.... more

Eat Local and Eat Well with Community Supported Agriculture

By ERIN TURNER - Community Supported Agriculture farms have started to become popular in Missoula. They're a great way to eat healthy, local, economical food.... more

Parenting Sucks. And I Love It.

By BOB WIRE - Parenting is rewarding. It’s also a constant string of surprises and dilemmas. If we knew what was in store for us, the species would've died out ages ago.... more

Multimedia: In Search of the Best Deli Sandwich in Missoula

By AMY ETTINGER & JACOB McHUGH - We talked to locals, foodies, and restaurant employees to narrow down the selection of deli sandwiches in Missoula.... more

20th Annual Garden City BrewFest Awards Released

The 2012 Beer Awards for the 20th Anniversary Garden City BrewFest – held last Saturday in Caras Park – have been released. And the winners are.... more

Kayaking is FUN!

By JASON SHREDER - Whether you paddle casually or attack the biggest rapids in the world, just make sure you're kayaking for the right reason: To have fun.... more

Find the Perfect Band or DJ for Your Missoula Wedding

By AARON TRAYLOR - Here are some tips for helping you find the perfect Missoula band or DJ to entertain the guests at your wedding.... more

Homeword Aims to Change the Image of Affordable Housing

By ANDREW FISHER - Homeword, a Missoula non-profit, wants to change the image of affordable housing by creating sustainable, community-oriented buildings.... more

A Mothers’ Day Feast: Grilled Shrimp & Veggie Rosemary Skewers

By PAUL SIDORIAK - With Mothers' Day coming up this Sunday, I'd like to offer up one of my (and my mom's!) favorite grill recipes: Shrimp & Veggie Rosemary Skewers.... more

Running a Long Way: The Spokane River Run Ultramarathon

By ANNA RUSSELL - I never thought I would run an ultramarathon, but after racing in the River Run 50K Ultramarathon in Spokane recently, I think I've changed my mind.... more

Video: Nonprofits, University Offer Options to Reduce Drunk Driving

By GRADY HIGGINS and MATT HUDSON - Volunteers and student-supported services are working to reduce drunk driving and make the late-night streets of Missoula safer.... more

Spring Runoff: Big Wheels Keep on Turnin’

By MATT DEVLIN - When the rivers are blown and life is playing like a bad country song, there's only one thing to do: Ride it out in hope of clear, trout-filled waters.... more

Local Vitamin Manufacturer Reaches Global Markets

By JON TWEETEN - In an inconspicuous building on Third Street, Nutritional Laboratories International makes supplements and vitamins that are sold all over the world.... more

Make It Missoula Monday: What’s Happening This Week

Trail 103.3 DJs Mike and Rob share what's happening in Missoula this week: Live music, pub trivia, the MCT production of "West Side Story," and more Missoula fun.... more

Frugal Living: Eat Tapas, Cut Your Grocery Bill

By ERIN TURNER - Serving tapas-style food, a traditional Spanish small-plates meal, is a delicious, easy way to cut your grocery budget significantly.... more

The Art of Saute, Part One

By BOB ZIMORINO - Big Louie taught me the secrets of a successful restaurant sauté chef, and I'm passing them along. Learn them and you can cook nearly anything.... more

Ruby Jewel Jamboree: The Growling Old Men

By LEISA GREENE NELSON - The next concert in the bluegrass Ruby Jewel Jamboree series is tonight, May 4, from 7-10 pm. Free bluegrass pickin' session afterward, too!... more

Take This Hair and Cut It

By BOB WIRE - Men love getting hair cuts. We get to sit in one of the coolest chairs ever invented while an attractive young woman runs her fingers through our hair.... more

Things To Do in a Small Montana Town at Night

By AARON TRAYLOR - In most small towns in Montana, the city goes quiet as soon as the sun goes down. I'm here to help brainstorm ideas for entertaining you and your friends without big town entertainment.... more

Missoula Story of the Week: Missoula Under National Scrutiny

By TOM DIDDEL - A recap of the past week's most talked-about story in Missoula. This week, it's the national investigation of the handling of local sexual assault cases.... more

UM Sports Trivia

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Chris digs up some trivia on Josh Osweiiler, Alysheba--winner of the 1987 Kentucky Derby, Marc Mariani and other tid-bits--all with ties to Missoula! ... more

Sean Kelly’s Top of the Mic: The Finalists

By LEISA GREENE NELSON - This Saturday is the final round of the Sean Kelly's Top of the Mic competition. Check out the line-up and enjoy Missoula's musical talent!... more

Missoula Restaurant Owners & Chefs: Bob Zimorino of Red Pies Over Montana

In the latest installment of the Missoula Restaurant Chefs & Owners series, Bob Zimorino of Zimorino's Red Pies Over Montana answers Make it Missoula's questions.... more

Sean Kelly’s Top of the Mic: Esprit de Corps

By LEISA GREENE NELSON - Sean Kelly's Top of the Mic contest is both a stage for Missoula's musical talent and a way for musicians to overcome their fears and limitations.... more

Make It Missoula Monday: What’s Happening This Week

Trail 103.3 DJs Mike and Rob share what's happening in Missoula this week: First Friday Art Walk, Garden City BrewFest, live music at the Wilma, and Bike, Walk, Bus Week.... more

Frugal Living: Go Green and Grow Your Own Food

By ERIN TURNER - Growing your own food is making a huge comeback. Not only are homegrown fruits and veggies healthier, but you can save a ton of money, too.... more

Spring Yard Work: More Fun with a Beer in One Hand

By BOB WIRE - Last week, I passed on grass. This week, I passed out on the grass. But not for the reason you might expect.... more

Missoula Gets Its First Craft Beer Week

By RYAN NEWHOUSE - Missoula is devoting a whole week to craft beer. It starts Tuesday, May 1 and ends with the 20th Annual Garden City Brewfest at Caras Park on May 5.... more

Missoula Story of the Week: Pertussis Outbreak in the Bitterroot

By TOM DIDDEL - A recap of the past week's most talked-about story in Missoula. This week, it's the pertussis outbreak in Ravalli County that's forced school closures.... more

A Missoula Jamboree Family

By LEISA GREENE NELSON - Thanks to Missoulians Lou and Phyllis Erck, Missoula is now home to the bluegrass Ruby Jewel Jamboree, which starts Saturday, April 28.... more

Best Places on Mothers’ Day: A Missoula Top Five

By AARON TRAYLOR - Break out of the same old Mothers' Day routine with some new ideas for treating mom to a fun, memorable day in Missoula.... more

Safety and Self-Defense for Runners

By EVA DUNN-FROEBIG - On Monday, Run Wild Missoula and the Runner’s Edge hosted a “Safety and Self-Defense for Runners” seminar. Here's some tips for running safely.... more

How to Escape the Boat Hatch

By BRYCE MCLEAN - It's no mystery that spring brings good dry fly fishing the Bitterroot. But to escape the crowds, you've gotta venture to other rivers around Western Montana.... more

A Sunday Afternoon Yard Sale on the Lochsa River

By JASON SHREDER - It’s that time of year where flocks of Missoulians head over Lolo Pass to run the Lochsa River. Just remember: Don't cheer 'til both feet are dry.... more

Frugal Living: Use Your iPhone to Save Money

By ERIN TURNER - When a friend told me about the money-saving couponing apps for the iPhone, I realized I was missing out on some major couponing technology!... more

Make It Missoula Monday: What’s Happening This Week

Trail 103.3 DJs Mike and Rob share what's happening in Missoula this week: The UM production of Chicago, The 40th Annual YMCA River Bank Run, live music, and more.... more

Missoula Story of the Week: UM Football Harassment Complaint

By TOM DIDDEL - A recap of the past week's most talked-about story in Missoula. This week, it's the federal harassment complaint lodged against the UM football team.... more

Bob Wire Will Pass on Grass

By BOB WIRE - April 20 has a significance to enthusiasts of a certain pungent, smokeable herb, but in spite of the culinary creativity it inspires, I say nope to dope. ... more

Contain Yourself: How to Plant a Container Garden

By BILL CARAS - Gardening in containers is easy and rewarding. In our Missoula climate, many plants love containers and can be more productive than when planted in-ground.... more

Maiden Missoula Review: BijaBody Tea

By LEAH LEWIS - Missoula-made BijaBody Tea is delicious, amazingly good, and part of the proceeds go to global programs that help impoverished women.... more