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 ‘All Featured’ Category

Shake Off the Winter Blues and Try Some Brews

Come on out to Caras Park for the fifth annual Winter BrewFest on Friday, Feb. 27, 2015 from 5-10 pm featuring live entertainment, beer, wine, food and more!... more

Small Town Seeley Lake Working to Create a Big Nordic Ski Vision

By MARK VOSBURG - Inspired by the birth of the Maine Winter Sports Center, a group of Seeley Lake (population 1,659) residents formed the Seeley Lake Regional Outdoor Center for Kinetic Sports (ROCKS).... more

Rocket Mass Heaters: The Absurdly Efficient, Cheap, and Comfortable Way to Heat Your Home

By PAUL WHEATON - So what’s the big deal? Well, Rocket Mass Heaters are one of the most sustainable and affordable heat sources in the world! ... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of Feb 16

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN- Thursday night's matchup of the Oregon State Beavers and the Utah Utes will feature two of UM's top all-time players in Wayne Tinkle and Larry Kryskowiak-now head coaches. ... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of Feb 23

Check out the various bands and live music all over Missoula sprinkled with an Independent film or a fundraiser. ... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of Feb 16

Jobs this week: A CAD Drafter, Executive Director, Shuttle Bus Driver, Service Technician, Equipment Operators, Weed Education Assistant, Accountant/IT Porfessional, and More! ... more

Griz Win an Emotional Triple Overtime Thriller, 83-81 at UNC

By DAVE GUFFEY -Jordan Gregory made two clutch free throws with 2.2 seconds left in the third overtime, and the visiting Griz defeated Northern Colorado 83-81 in a BSC game Saturday evening. ... more

Bears Rally Late, Stun Lady Griz at Dahlberg Arena

By JOEL CARLSON-Northern Colorado trailed by 10 points with eight minutes remaining Saturday afternoon against Montana at Dahlberg Arena, where the Lady Griz had won 23 straight games against Big Sky Conference... more

New Year for Hunting & Fishing Licenses Begins March 1

March 1 begins the new 2015 license year for Montana hunters and anglers. The new license year is especially important for early-season anglers, and for those who enjoy ice fishing.... more

Inside the Glamorous World of Journalism

By BOB WIRE- Another Friday morning, another tedious story meeting at the newspaper. I had bigger fish to fry. That’s why I smelled like fish...... more

Mount Jumbo – Daylight Turns to Dark, Marvel Fades to Fear

By By NICK MERTES- Our eyes locked. He reared back and then quickly struck the ground with his hooves, like he was revving his engine, looking to fight. He was ready to go, but was I?... more

North Hills – Making Peace With the Rural-Urban Medley

By BELLE GASH-GILDER - There are a number of different places to begin to explore the North Hills. I started at Mountain View Trail which literally literally starts in someone’s yard. ... more

Looking to Disrupt a Market?

By MARK RIFFEY - We earn the privilege to stay in our market every day. When we don’t, we often expose opportunity we’ve ignored, provoking someone to disrupt a market.... more

Pad Thai

By JAMIE LIPHARDT - Pad Thai is one of my all-time favorites. I crave it. It’s all encompassing with sweet, sour, spicy, hearty, light, healthy and satisfying all in one big bowl. ... more

DIY Pantry: Homemade Condiments are Healthy and Frugal

By ERIN TURNER- I recently taught a class called “Homemade Instead” where we talked about making things at home instead of purchasing them commercially--including condiments.... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | Feb 9

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

The Stitt Era Begins

By DILLON TABISH - Longtime Division II coach makes the jump to Montana to take over one of the most successful college football teams in the FCS.... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of Feb 9

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN- Thursday night the Lady Griz face maybe their most significant challenge in their drive towards a possible Big Sky title and the right to host the Conference tournament.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of Feb 9

Check out the various bands and live music all over Missoula sprinkled with an Independent film or a fundraiser. ... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of Feb 9

Jobs this week: A Hotel Sales Manager, Resource Conservationist, Receptionist, Concrete Pump Operator, Production & Facilities Manager and more! ... more

Gregory Scores a Game-High 17 Points as the Griz Beat Vandals 70-56

By DAVE GUFFEY - The Grizzlies had four starters score in double figures and senior guard Jordan Gregory had a game-high 17 points, as host UM defeated visiting Idaho 70-56 Saturday Night.... more

Lady Griz Stay Atop Big Sky with Second-Half Rally

By JOEL CARLSON-Montana trailed 48-37 at the half and was in a tie game with two minutes remaining, but they scored the final 13 points to pull out an 87-74 victory over Idaho Saturday.... more

Better Than Netflix: The Roxy is Your Community Cinema

By Matt Anglen- Missoula is firmly rooted in what I call Movie Season. It’s the time of year when all you want to do is warm yourself by the glow of celluloid and think about spring.... more

Monte Dolack: Art and Travel

By MONTE DOLACK-Sometimes you don’t have to travel far for a change of scene. Traveling, even close to home sheds new light, not only on the eye but into the mind and heart as well. ... more

Volunteers Needed at YWCA Missoula

Do you have a desire to make a big impact in your community? YWCA Missoula is looking for passionate Volunteers for our Domestic/Sexual Violence and Youth Empowerment Programs.... more

Montana Football Class of 2015

By DAVE GUFFEY - UM is pleased to announce its new signees and the class of 2015 Grizzly Football players. ... more

Lady Griz Open Second Half on the Road

By JOEL CARLSON-The Montana women’s basketball team will open the second half of the Big Sky Conference schedule with road games this week at Eastern Washington and Idaho.... more

Mount Jumbo – Rising Above a Rude Awakening

By HENRY CRIST- Sometimes, little adventures change your entire perspective, and you’re a different person because of them. My adventure wasn’t a heart racing one, but it was just what I needed.... more

Sandwich Guy

By BOB WIRE- During Grizzly games I've been helping out at Paisano's Sandwich Counter. Oh, don't worry—I'm not actually handling the food. I handle the money and the schmoozing.... more

Spaetzle with Smoked Kielbasa

By CHEF HOWARD KARP- Here’s a recipe for Spaetzle--which is a rough form of noodles or dumplings. There’s no rolling or cutting involved in making it.... more

The Pace of Change

By MARK RIFFEY - If things have seemed a bit frenetic in your business lately, you’re not alone. Things are changing faster than ever, including the pace of change.... more

Crazy Canyon – An Easy Climb in Nature’s Cathedral

CHARLES EARLY - I decided to hike Crazy Canyon with a friend in early Fall. Although this is a popular hike, we didn’t see another person, which only added to the beauty of the trail.... more

FWP Access Program Offers Tax Credits to Landowners

Landowners have until March 15 to submit applications to Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks for enrollment in a program that may qualify them for up to $2,000 in annual tax credits.... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | Feb 2

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

Soup: The Frugal Friendly Meal

By ERIN TURNER- Soup is one of those dishes which I don’t think receives enough credit. It's easy, frugal, freezes well and is nutritious. And, it's perfect for the pantry challenge.... more

Feller Collects First Big Sky Conference Player of the Week Award

By JOEL CARLSON-The Lady Griz team played its way into first place in the Big Sky Conference last week, and the wins earned McCalle Feller her first career Big Sky Player of the Week award.... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of Feb 2

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN- Fifty years ago this week Montana was rocked by the death of one of its most prominent athletes in the prime of his life. In 1965, Anaconda native Wayne Estes was on a path to be a All-... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of Feb 2

Check out the various bands and live music all over Missoula sprinkled with an Independent film or a fundraiser. ... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of Feb 2

Jobs this week: A Public Information Officer, Excavation Foreman, Camp and Crew Members, Engine Boss, Licensed Massage Therapist, Receptionist and more! ... more

Grizzlies Lose 70-69 Heartbreaker at Sacramento State

By DAVE GUFFEY -In a game showcasing the two best teams in the BSC, it was the Sacramento State Hornets who escaped with a 70-69 victory on a three-pointer with six seconds remaining.... more

Lady Griz Outlast Hornets 94-86

By JOEL CARLSON-Montana had the final surge and gave the Lady Griz a victory over Sacramento State and a two-game lead in league standings at the midpoint of the Big Sky schedule.... more

Spinach Salad with Fennel, Apple and Citrus Vinaigrette

By CHEF JAMIE LIPHARDT-A great salad to accompany the most simple or the most elegant meal.... more

Lady Griz Hunting For First Place This Week

By JOEL CARLSON - The Lady Griz will look to play itself into first place in the Big Sky Conference standings this week when it hosts Portland State (TONIGHT) and Sacramento State at Dahlberg Arena. ... more

The Seinfeld of Blog Posts

By BOB WIRE- You think it's a cakewalk, coming up with a new topic to write a thousand words about every week? And not be about farts? Not that Missoula isn't rife with material. ... more

Ch-paa-qn Peak

By KIAN BERTIN - People from all over the world have summited this mountain. “Pride of Britain,” one of the rocks has written into it. Another one reads, “I hate this damn wind.”... more

Planning For a Strategic Tradeshow

By MARK RIFFEY - Trade shows aren't vacation. They're strategically important. Plan them that way.... more

Liz Marchi: On Birthdays and Aging

By LIZ MARCHI - Sunday was my 61st birthday. The great thing about a January birthday is that you spend the entire month thinking about the New Year, goals, planning and “getting ready.” ... more

Office of Emergency Management: Be Prepared, Make a Plan

The Missoula County Office of Emergency Management reminds us to be prepared and to have a plan--including an emergency kit in the event something unexpected occurs.... more

Crazy Canyon

By LIONE CLARE - I was happy to be back in the woods about to climb a mountain, an activity much more accessible and frequent in my hometown of Sitka, Alaska.... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | Jan 26

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