Archive for the ‘Family’ Category
Enjoy the Silence of Missoula
By ANNIE GRAHAM - I live 20 minutes from downtown Missoula and I am blessed with silence. I can hear the crickets chirping in the fields and my son can talk to an owl while he weeds the garden.... more
DIY Window Cleaner
By ERIN TURNER - We are mid-summer right now and you know what I can’t avoid at this point? My dirty windows. Here's my simple and frugal DIY recipe for window cleaner:... more
Fairy Tale and Super Hero Festival is Saturday July 27
Come to the Fairy Tale and Super Hero Festival at Dragon Hollow Play area on Sat., July 27, from 10am to noon. Kids will enjoy fun, food and activities. The first 450 will receive a Tooth Fairy bag.... more
The Kids Are Not Alright
By CHERY SABOL - While older workers may emerge battle-weary from the recession, will the youngest members of the work force come out permanently scarred?... more
Greg Brown’s Self-Explanatory Life
By BRIAN D'AMBROSIO - Legendary folk singer and song writer,Greg Brown returns to Missoula on July 27. His connection to Montana stretches back some time and no doubt he'll be doing some fishing while he's here... more
Kidsfest 2013 Slated for July 30 at Caras Park
Hey Kids! Join Missoula Parks and Recreation for Kidsfest 2013, a free summer celebration for Missoula families at Caras Park on Tuesday, July 30 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. ... more
Inspiring Curious Learners with a Lesson on Hummingbirds
By BRANDON KENDALL - As a teacher, I don't have all answers. As I tell my students, I'm learning as well. I see myself as I life-long learner and I try to inspire that in my students.... more
Volunteering for Fun and Employment
By CHERY SABOL - Stymied in your job search? A new study suggests a powerful way to help yourself find a job is to help your community first. Volunteering increases your likelihood of finding work by 27%.... more
Homemade Strawberry Jam
By ERIN TURNER - Yesterday I created some memories with my kids when we visited a nearby U-Pick strawberry patch and made homemade strawberry jam--pure magic!... more
The Easy and Frugal Way to Clean Your Shower Floor
By ERIN TURNER - With three boys who like to go barefoot in the summer, I struggle keeping the shower floor clean. Here's a little secret that is both easy and frugal.... more
The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation Issues $35,000 Challenge Grant for All-Abilities Playground Project
The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation has issued a $35,000 challenge grant essentially doubling the impact of dollars donated for the All-Abilities Playground at McCormick Park. ... more
Family Adventure: Exploring the Clearwater Canoe Trail
By ANNIE GRAHAM - If we can take our six children (all with varied personalities and needs) on a canoe trip, then so can you. Our latest adventure: The Clearwater Canoe Trail.... more
Summer Safety Around Water
By BRUCE AUCHLY - Summer swimming in Montana's lakes and rivers can be a great way to cool off if a few simple precautions are taken. How simple? Try these tips:... more
No Fireworks on FWP Land or City Limits of Missoula
UPDATE: Fireworks are illegal on FWP lands and within the city limits of Missoula. The City of Missoula plans vigorous enforcement of the City’s fireworks laws during this holiday week.... more
Save Money by Knowing Your Usage Patterns
By ERIN TURNER - It seems one of the most frequent questions I get is: “How do you know how much to stock up on an item?” It's pretty simple: know how much you use of that item.... more
How to Avoid Fraudulent Job Scams
By CHERY SABOL - Fraudulent job scams on the Internet swindle money or personal information out of people made vulnerable by their unemployment. Here are some things to be wary of:... more
Weekend Fun with Missoula Parks and Recreation
Join Missoula Parks and Recreation this weekend for a Kids’ Fishing Derby, Splash Montana Water Volleyball league and Adult Night, Open Ropes Course and Skateboard Mentors at MOBASH Skatepark.... more
Taking a Break: Summer Camps in Missoula
By BRANDON KENDALL - Summer has finally come to Missoula. For parents interested in continuing your child's learning process this summer, here are some fun, well-balanced ideas.... more
Family-Friendly, Frugal Camping
By ERIN TURNER - Every year for the last 6 years, we have gone on a camping trip with our kids when school gets out. We stayed a variety of campgrounds during the week. Every one had its pros and cons. ... more
Silent Man: A Life of Bill Bowers
By BRIAN D'AMBROSIO - World class mime Bill Bowers performs at the MCT Center for the Performing Arts on June 28. “An Evening with Bill Bowers: Stories With and Without Words” - All tickets $20. Proceeds be... more
Missoula Gift Guide: Last Minute Gifts for Dad
By KIM S. - This blog post is for the women who like myself find themselves at the LAST minute wondering how they can make a Missoula Father’s Day special.... more
Frugal and Natural Weed Killer
By ERIN TURNER - On our farm weeds are the bane of our existence. Here are some tips for making your own natural weed killer that won't break the bank.... more
Survival Swimming Lessons for Peace of Mind Around Water
By KIM S. - Almost everything our family wants to do this summer involves water. Enrolling our kids in survival swimming lessons (ISR) went to the top of our "To Do" list. ... more
Challenge Yourself — by Running
By EVA DUNN-FROEBIG - Eva Dunn-Frobig blogs about how to challenge yourself by running. Her own story is shared, along with the story of Brian Boyle, Iron Heart author, as examples. ... more
Summer Jobs for Students in Missoula
By CHERY SABOL - School's out for the summer, and the good news according to the Missoula Job Service: there are jobs available for Missoula students. ... more
Easy German Chocolate Frosting
By ERIN TURNER - Here's a super yummy and super easy German Chocolate Cake Frosting recipe using coconut milk for the German Chocolate Cake lover in your family!... more
Biking the Hiawatha Trail With Kids
By ANNIE GRAHAM & BRANDON KENDALL - This year for our Memorial Day weekend adventure, we decided to bike the Route of the Hiawatha, a 15 mile “Rails to Trails” bike path that begins in Montana and ends in I... more
There is Nothing Like Coming Home to Missoula, Montana
By LINDA McCARTHY - We have returned to the Garden City just in time to enjoy a glorious summer in Western Montana, and there is no place we would rather be. It’s wonderful to be home in Missoula!... more
Our New Zealand Adventure: Coming to a Close
By LINDA McCARTHY - Our time in Missoula's Sister City, Palmerston North, New Zealand has been an adventure and has given us a greater appreciation for our community, our state and our country. We can't wait to... more
Hotel Deer Lodge: Townsfolk Stake Future in Gorgeous Relic
By BRIAN D'AMBROSIO - They say that he who loves an old house never loves in vain. Then, perhaps, he who rescues an endangered historic structure loves even more fully.... more
Being Frugal Versus Cheap: There’s a Difference
By ERIN TURNER - I astounded some folks when I paid $80 for a gallon of maple syrup. "What happened to the "Coupon Queen” you ask? My response: there's a difference between being frugal and being cheap.... more
The Royal Treatment by the Rangitane Tribe of New Zealand
By THOMAS P. GALLAGHER - This week my family and I met Rangitane tribal chief, Wiremu Te Awe Awe, and his wife, Trieste, who introduced us to the marae of the Rangitane Tribe and New Zealand's Māori society. ... more
Beans, Beans the Frugal Fruit
By ERIN TURNER - I admit I am a canned bean user and lover, but I've discovered they're not that frugal. I was stunned to do the math on the cost of canned versus dried beans.... more
Mother’s Day Manicotti On the Grill
By PAUL SIDORIAK - Mother's day only happens once a year, so this year, instead of going out to brunch, I decided to do a special Manicotti--on the grill no less! Here's my recipe and instructions.... more
Volleyball in Palmy
By LINDA MCCARTHY - Here in Palmerston North, New Zealand, I have been fortunate to connect with a group of passionate volleyball players, and I have had more fun playing with them than anything else I've done ... more
The Secrets to Growing Healthy Hair Fast and Naturally
By ERIN TURNER - I'm trying to grow my hair out. After much research, I've discovered some tips and recipes that are alternatives to shampooing--oh and I'm saving money too! ... more
3 Most Important Things for Finding a Job
By JENNIFER LODINE-CHAFFEY - Do you ever wonder what employers are looking for? In my experience at the Missoula Job Service, here are the 3 most important things for finding a job.... more
On the Grill: Carne Asada with Grilled Veggies and Guacamole
By PAUL SIDORIAK - If you're hungry for an alternative to skirt or flank steak, grill up some carne asada. Paired with grilled veggies and guac, it's a perfect summer meal.... more
Backpacking in New Zealand
By LINDA MCCARTHY - Last weekend we went backpacking (or tramping as they call it here in New Zealand). We chose a relatively easy and short hike into the Ruahine Forest and made plans to spend the night at the... more
Todd Snider: A Singer’s Life of Jest, Sarcasm and Politics
By BRIAN D'AMBROSIO - Todd Snider, an alt-country, folk/rock, singer/songwriter plays this Tuesday, April 30th at the Elk's Club. He unapologetically cusses, parties, touts drugs, and hammers Republicans in hi... more
Wellington: New Zealand’s Capital City
By LINDA MCCARTHY - We spent last weekend in New Zealand’s capital city Wellington, a two-hour drive south of Palmerston North. Wellington is the self-proclaimed Capital of Cool.... more
Local Jobs: What are Employers Looking For?
By JENNIFER LODINE-CHAFFEY - As a local job seeker, do you ever wonder what employers are looking for? Here are some of the most important traits that employers are looking for in potential employees:... more
Homemade Pizza: It’s Yummy, Healthy and Frugal
By ERIN TURNER - Here's a Healthy, inexpensive and YUMMY recipe for homemade pizza. Not only is the clean-up a breeze, but it makes me a hero in the eyes of my kids!... more
Palmerston North Public Library: a New Zealand Gem!
By LINDA MCCARTHY - It’s National Library Week in the United States, and Palmerston North’s modern and cutting-edge public Public Library is one of the community's greatest assets. ... more
Run Wild Missoula Encourages Community to Continue to Run and Honor Boston
Run Wild Missoula encourages the community to continue to run and race in honor of those affected by the violence at the Boston Marathon, including at the Superfun(D) 10k, 5k and 1 mile on April 20 in Bonner.... more
Missoula Agencies Encourage Families to Unplug and Play
Let's Move Missoula and Unplug and Play Outside-April 21-28. A week-long series of SCREEN-FREE activities for Children including a free Unplug and Play Outside Festival on Apr 21, from 1-4pm.... more
More than 60 Employers Slated for Western Montana Career Fair on April 25
By CHERYL SABOL - Western Montana's largest Career Fair will be held on Thursday April 25th at the Hilton Garden Inn. Employers...it's not too late to sign up. ... more
Frugal, Healthy, DIY Air Fresheners
By ERIN TURNER - Our homes are places where good memories are created and smells play an important role in that. Here is a frugal, healthy and DIY idea for creating air fresheners.... more
Will dogs Rule and Cats Drool? The Bidding War is On!
By PAM VOTH - Will Dogs Rule and Cats Drool? The Bidding War is ON. One year of bragging rights is up for auction. So Jump In Now to Vote Early and Vote Often!... more
Auckland New Zealand for Easter
By LINDA MCCARTHY - We had an opportunity to get away from Palmerston North and spend Easter weekend in Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand at just under 1.4 million people. ... more