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

Roasted Pepper Grilling Sauce

An alternative to the traditional Argentinean Chimichurri sauce for grilling this summer, this recipe has become my favorite Spanish summer sauce to use for grilled meats, fish and vegetables.... more

Busy Business Owners Have No Time

By MARK RIFFEY - The average CEO says they only spend about 25% of their day doing what they feel is meaningful work. Does that sound like your typical work day?... more

Garden City Brew Unveiled July 10; Benefits WORD

The Missoula County Tavern Owners Association as well as four local breweries are pleased to announce the next Garden City Community Brew-- Lemon Lager brewed by Big Sky Brewing Company. ... more

Henderson & Wagenmann Named to Preseason All-America Team

By DAVE GUFFEY - The University of Montana’s Ellis Henderson and Zack Wagenmann were both named to The Sports Network’s 2014 preseason All-America second team.... more

Missoula Police Crack Down On DUI Over The Holiday

Missoula Police and Montana Highway Patrol officers will be out in force over the long holiday weekend to aggressively target drivers under the influence of alcohol and drugs.... more

Entire Sun Road Expected to Open by Holiday Weekend

The entire Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park is anticipated to be open to vehicle travel by this weekend, allowing access to Logan Pass.... more

Missoula to Host Regional Firefighter Combat Challenge July 4-5

The Missoula Combat Challenge Team, holding two World Championships and the current team World Record, will be hosting a regional competition in Missoula July 4th and 5th in Downtown Missoula.... more

July Courses at the Glacier Institute

The Glacier Institute has announced it’s July courses, which will get you outside and enjoying the Flathead!... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of June 30

Check out the various bands and live music all over town sprinkled with an occasional farmers market and fundraisers. ... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of June 30

This Week's Jobs: An Archivist, Volunteer Coordinator, Machinist, Paralegal, Delivery Driver/loader and a Deli Supervisor.... more

Becoming an Outdoors Woman Summer Workshop August 1-3

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' popular Becoming an Outdoors-Woman summer workshop is set for August 1-3 at Boulder Hot Springs near Boulder.... more

Let’s Talk About Toilet Paper

By BOB WIRE-We're talking about toilet paper. I won't even get into that whole "over vs. under" issue. That's a passionate holy war akin to the Mac vs PC debate. A little toilet paper cultural history here:... more

How to Eat Local & Stay Healthy

By KRISTEN LEE-CHARLSON -Eating local means contributing to the local economy. A dollar spent locally generates twice as much income for the local economy. When businesses are not owned locally, money leaves th... more

Miso Glazed Ahi Tuna

By JAMIE LIPHARDT - After procuring some sushi grade ahi tuna, I decided that indeed, Asian was the flavor profile I was in the mood for.... more

Help Them Produce Their Best Work

By MARK RIFFEY - No matter what business you’re in and what summer does to your workload – summer is a great time to implement improvements that help your staff produce their best work.... more

City of Missoula Serious About Fireworks Enforcement

The use of most fireworks in the city of Missoula is illegal, and City leaders are serious about enforcement.... more

Chilled Yellow Corn Soup

By CHEF HOWARD KARP-Perfect for summertime get togethers and family style dinners, here’s a refreshing and tasty chilled soup that presents well with striking colorful garnishments.... more

Lady Griz To Be Tested Early in 2014-15

By JOEL CARLSON-After opening at home against Montana Western on Nov. 17, Montana will play 3 of its next 4 games on the road against teams that advanced to the WNIT in March.... more

Business is Personal: Even Black Cats Need a Reason Why

By MARK RIFFEY - I didn’t do a Friday the 13th promo last week. Did you? There are all kind of reasons to do a promotion, but they are more productive if there’s a reason behind them – even if the reason ... more

Garden City River Rod Run to Celebrate 50 Years of the Ford Mustang

The 14th Annual Garden City River Rod Run will celebrate 50 Years of the Ford Mustang in Caras Park, Friday and Saturday, June 27 and 28. ... more

Rain and Birds

By BRUCE AUCHLY-Rain, rain and more rain. Oh yes, and snow in the mountains. Must be June in Montana. While all that moisture is good for fish, it can wreak havoc on land based critters, like birds.... more

No. 1 Big Sky Men’s Athlete: Montana’s Dave Dickenson

By JON KASPER - A few blocks north of the oil refinery in a middle-class neighborhood, he was bound to be playing sports.One day it was football, the next basketball or baseball. ... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of June 23

Check out the various bands and live music all over town sprinkled with an occasional farmers market and fundraisers. ... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of June 23

This Week's Jobs: A foreign Car Auto technician, CNC machine operator, Direct Support Professionals, Life Enrichment Coordinator, Preschool teacher and full & part-time Caregivers. ... more

Staying Motivated And Avoiding Coupon Burnout

By ERIN TURNER- Have you hit burn out in your couponing? Does the thought of clipping another coupon cause you to have a melt down? ... more

Prevent Conflicts With Bears

By BRUCE AUCHLY - Here are some tips from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks that will help in preparing for bear-safe outings this summer.... more

DeCuire Announces Griz Basketball Coaching Staff

By DAVE GUFFEY - First-year University of Montana men’s basketball mentor Travis DeCuire has selected his assistant coaches, he announced today (Thursday, June 19).... more

Local Artists and Missoula Food Bank Partner for Hunger Awareness

Empty Bowls, Full Souls is an annual hunger-awareness event hosted by Missoula Food Bank. This year’s event will take place at Ten Spoon Vineyard + Winery on Wednesday, June 25 from 6-8pm. ... more

Bob Wire’s On the Course. FORE!

By BOB WIRE - Like a lot of men, I enjoy doing things that I’m not very good at. Like golf. I’ve played since high school, but never enough to get to the point where I’m consistently breaking 80.... more

Frugal Foodie: Intentional Leftovers

By KRISTEN LEE-CHARLSON - In times of economic struggles, often people cut their food budget, sacrificing the pleasure and fulfillment of true nourishment. But you don't have to.... more

What to do About Workplace Washout?

By CHERY SABOL - Most everyone has encountered an underachiever. These are the bounced checks of the work force. The Missoula Job service offers three ways to avoid them.... more

Bradford Lee Folk and the Bluegrass Playboys/Two Bit Franks

By LORL PARR - The Ruby Jewel Jamboree, once again bringing the premiere bluegrass of Bradford Lee Folk and the Bluegrass Playboys to Missoula on July 7, at 7PM at Ruby’s Inn on Reserve. ... more

New High Tech Company Opens in Missoula

Metals US, a Montana-based company with a sustainable metals processing technology, today announced that it will be headquartered in Missoula, Mont. The technology company offers cost effective and sustainab... more

Keep Backyards Bear Resistant

By BRUCE AUCHLY - Bear activity is picking up in many Montana neighborhoods and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is asking residents to keep bear attractants contained.... more

Partners in Business and Life

By LIZ MARCHI -In partnerships in business and life, don’t let yourself be emotionally sabotaged by someone you can’t count on. Move on, find your people and be productive.... more

World’s Largest Swim Lesson Event at Splash Montana This Friday

This Friday, June 20, tens of thousands of participants from hundreds of locations are teaming up to help prevent childhood drowning by spreading the word Swimming Lessons Save Lives™.... more

Ten Can’t-Miss Events in the Flathead This Summer

By MOLLY PRIDDY - Here’s a list of 10 of the most-popular events in the Flathead in the summer, so mark your calendar before it fills up.... more

As Movie Premiers, Cut Bank Readies for the Spotlight

By JUSTIN FRANZ-The small Hi-Line community of Cut Bank is bracing for its 15 minutes of fame as a feature length film of the same name is due to premier on June 16 at the Los Angeles Film Festival. ... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of June 16

Check out the various bands and live music all over town sprinkled with an occasional farmers market and fundraisers. ... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of June 16

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN- Sometimes a coaching change leads to immediate improvement, but for the Grizzlies it’s been a mixed blessing with the last 3 Griz football coaches having fewer wins in their first sea... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of June 16

This Week's Jobs: A Delivery Driver, Store Supervisor, Plastic Fabricator, Retail Positions, and four Retail Associates including Sales, Cashier, a Merchandise Processor and a Pricer.... more

Hall Finishes 7th in NCAA Hepthalon Finals and Earns All-American Status

By JOEL CARLSON-Montana senior Lindsey Hall capped her record-setting career with a seventh-place finish in the heptathlon Friday at the NCAA outdoor track and field championships in Eugene, OR.... more

Registration Open for Mollie Summer Adventures for kids and +50 Grandparents

Register now for MOLLI Summer Adventures Grandparent/Grandchild Camp will taking place on Tuesday, June 24 and Wednesday, June 25.... more

Ladder Golf, the Latest in One-Handed Sports

By BOB WIRE - It’s called ladder golf, and it is to white trash what polo is to the filthy rich. And I am hooked.... more

Cate No. 1 on Big Sky’s “25 Greatest Athletes” List

By JOEL CARLSON - Shannon Cate ranks No. 1 on the Big Sky Conference’s list of “25 Greatest Female Athletes,” but she needs some convincing.... more

Hall 10th After Opening Day at Nationals

By JOEL CARLSON - Montana senior Lindsey Hall scored 3,317 points Thursday on the opening day of the heptathlon at the NCAA outdoor track and field championships at Eugene, Ore., and is sitting 10th in the 24-a... more

Keen on Mason Bees

By PAUL WHEATON-And now boys and girls, it is time for Uncle Paul to tell you about the birds and the bees. Or, more accurately, the flowers and the bees. And, even more accurately: Flower sex.... more

Edible Weeds–If You Can’t Beat ‘Em, Eat ‘Em!

By KRISTEN LEE-CHARLSON - Fields of the pretty yellow flowers in the lawn; are they really so bad? Dandelion leaves, flowers, stems and roots are all edible if you have an organic yard!... more

Hall Hoping to Leave Mark at NCAA Track & Field Championships

By JOEL CARLSON - The one thing Montana senior Lindsey Hall's plump resume is lacking: A who-is-that-and-where-did-she-come-from performance on the national stage. She'll get that chance this week at the NCAA c... more

Sheep Grazing on City Open Space, Pet Owners Asked to Help Protect Herd

By BECKY GOODRICH-Missoula Parks and Recreation is asking dog owners to watch for sheep grazing on City open space, and leash their pets when hiking near the herd. ... more