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

Families Invited to Play All-Abilities Baseball at McCormick Park

Parks & Rec and the All-Abilities Playground Project to host Missoula’s first adaptive baseball league for people with and without disabilities beginning Saturday, June 14.... more

Griz Great Larry Krystokowiak Named No. 2 Male Athlete in Big Sky History

By JON KASPER- Larry Krystkowiak, a 6-foot-4 budding prep star from Shelby, Mont., ranks second on the Big Sky Conference's list of "50 Greatest Male Athletes.... more

Johnson Named to CFPA’S Quarterback Watch List

By DAVE GUFFEY-The University of Montana's Jordan Johnson has been placed on the 2014 College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) FCS Awards Watch List for quarterbacks.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of June 9

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

Easy Batch Eggs

By ERIN TURNER- Here's my new favorite way to cook a large batch of eggs. It's quick and easy!... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of June 9

This Week's Jobs: An Administrative Assistant, Communications Director, Professional Driver, Paralegal and Administrative Assistant.... more

TV or Not TV, That is the Question

By BOB WIRE - Our 32” tube TV, which seemed like a JumboTron when we bought it in 2002, had gone to that big Radio Shack in the sky. Buying a new set was going to require some major education.... more

A Graduate’s Guide to Grilling on a Budget

By BLAINE KELTON - So you've just graduated from college, you're broke and you're hungry. Here are few tips on how to grill on a budget without compromising the integrity of your meals. ... more

The Next Generation–Take a Kid Fishing!

By TONY REINHARDT - Do you remember the first time you went fishing, or the first fish you caught? Odds are it was a father, grandpa, or mentor who took you out on that first trip. ... more

How Different Would the World Be if Everyone Ran?

By EVA DUNN-FROEBIG - Distance Masters Runner of Year, Anne Audain reflects on the impact of running in our world: “Running gave me the courage to fight the great fight".... more

Not Your Grandfather’s Beekeeping Course

If your grandfather kept honeybees, chances are he didn’t read trade journals, attend conferences, or keep up with the latest developments in honeybee research. He didn’t have to. Things are different toda... more

Cabela’s Prepares for Grand Opening of Missoula Store

Cabela’s Incorporated, the World’s Foremost Outfitter® of hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, will celebrate the grand opening of its Missoula Cabela’s Outpost store Thurs., June 12.... more

Glacier Park Prepares for Busy Summer

Plow crews are ascending Going-to-the-Sun Road, clearing several feet of snow and preparing Glacier National Park for the upcoming summer season.... more

Montana Women: Key Players in the Startup World

By LIZ MARCHI - I struggle every day with intensity. All in, push to the goal line has always been my style. That’s not a good style for ageing so I am trying hard to be more focused.... more

Selvig’s Career No. 2 on Big Sky’s “Greatest Moments” List

By JOEL CARLSON - The Big Sky Conference office suggested this article, an ode to the No. 2 entry on its “25 Greatest Women’s Moments” list, be titled “Death, Taxes and Robin Selvig.” ... more

DeCuire Formally Introduced as Griz Basketball Coach

By DAVE GUFFEY - Travis DeCuire was formally introduced as the UM's 27th men’s head basketball coach today at a press conference in the in UM’s Adams Center/Dahlberg Arena.... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of June 2

This Week's Jobs: A Journeyman Lineman, Programmer, Auto Parts counter Person, Delivery Driver and Small Engine Mechanic.... more

Quick and Easy Shower Cleaning

By ERIN TURNER- I have a secret weapon that helps me maintain a sparkling clean shower--it involves one small tool and two ingredients you'll find around the house.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of June 2

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 2

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN- Travis Decuire got off to a fast start at Montana as a player. In his first start as the Griz point guard in November of 1991 Decuire helped lead the Griz to a 77-38 rout of PAC-12 powe... more

Hall Breaks School Record, Griz Conclude West Regional

By JOEL CARLSON - Montana senior Lindsey Hall broke her own school record in the 100-meter hurdles Saturday evening at the NCAA West Regional, but she came up short in her attempt to make nationals in the event... more

Former Griz Standout Travis Decuire Named Montana Basketball Coach

Travis DeCuire (pronounced: dee-cure) has been selected to be the University of Montana’s 27th head men’s basketball coach, announced UM Director of Athletics Kent Haslam on Saturday, May 31, 2014. DeCu... more

Reversing Desertification

By PAUL WHEATON - Man-made desertification impacts climate change more than the burning of all fossil fuels. This includes contributions to greenhouse gasses, and overall warming.... more

Local Leaders Seek Input Regarding Re-integrating Previously Incarcerated Individuals

The community is invited to a special meeting on Tuesday, June 3, to talk about previously incarcerated individuals who are re-integrating into the community. We know that every year about 1,200 people in Monta... more

Meet My Dentist, Dr. Mandible

By BOB WIRE - I just got home from a trip to the dentist. I hate the dentist. HATE the dentist. Oh, I don’t mind having my teeth worked on, I just can’t stand the guy who does it.... more

The 2014 Out to Lunch & Downtown ToNight Seasons Kick-Off June 4 & 5

Missoula’s favorite summer dining and entertainment series in Caras Park kicks off June 4 & 5, 2014.... more

Choose your Legislature Carefully

By MARK RIFFEY - What does "serve the people" really mean? Primary season is upon us. It's time to pick someone to serve the people's needs, collectively and individually--and that applies to business too.... more

Wagenmann on the 2014 College Football Performance Awards Watch List

By DAVE GUFFEY - The University of Montana's Zack Wagenmann has been placed on the 2014 College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) FCS Awards Watch List for defensive linemen.... more

High Water is Dangerous For All Boaters–Be Prepared or Don’t Go!

It can be hard to put safety ahead of adventure but sometimes the only safe choice is to stay off the water. Here are some tips for navigating dangerously high waters in western Montana:... more

Still Water Season

By ROB BREEDING - If you don’t know what you’re doing, stay away from moving water in Montana for the next month or so. There are western Montana rivers no one has any business floating this time of year. ... more

Sunday Streets Missoula, Higgins Edition, June 1, 2014

Get Moving and Get connected while celebrating sustainable transportation and healthy living at the Higgins Edition of Sunday Streets Missoula on June 1, 2014 ... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of May 26

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN- Wayne Tinkle becomes the eighth University of Montana coach in the last 40 years to leave UM to take another Division 1 or NBA job. ... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of May 26

This Week's Jobs: A Human Resource Manager, HVAC Technician, Power Equipment Sales & Service Writer, and part-time Housekeepers.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of May 26

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

From Montana Dude Ranch Vacations to Owning the Bar W Guest Ranch

Thirteen years ago, Dave Leishman, sat at a desk, buried in papers, surrounded by the everyday life of a company he created from the ground up and wondered if there was more.... more

Splash Montana Water Park to Open May 24, Weather Permitting

Missoula’s outdoor waterpark, Splash Montana, will open for the 2014 season on Saturday, May 24, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., and will remain through Monday, May 26, weather permitting. ... more

If It’s Off the Wall, It Can’t Go On the Wall

By BOB WIRE -The struggle for supremacy in the wall hangings department is an ongoing concern in the Wire compound. Our solution is to relegate the more questionable stuff to the basement or the spare bathroom.... more

Grizzly Athletics Receive 1.5 Million Bequest

By JOEL CARLSON - To give back to the school that gave him his business foundation Jim Hilleboe has signed a $1.5 million bequest to the University of Montana earmarked for facility improvements.... more

5th Annual Missoula Mile Benefits Team Up Montana And Men’s Cancer Awareness

By Eva Dunn- Run Wild Missoula’s 5th Annual Missoula Mile will be on Sun, June 1 at 9:00 am. Proceeds benefit Team Up Montana and men’s cancer awareness and treatment programs. ... more

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month: Share the Road

Motorcyclists will be out in force as the weather gets warmer, which is why May is the perfect time for Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in Missoula.... more

Meat in Tube Form

By ROB BREEDING - Bologna gets a bad rap, probably because there’s so much lousy product crowding the deli sections of American grocery stores. But made well, it’s a fine sausage.... more

“Click It, Don’t Risk It” Campaign in High Gear for Memorial Day

This Memorial Day in Montana almost 50 law enforcement agencies across the state are adding patrols for the “Click It, Don’t Risk It” high-intensity traffic enforcement period May 19 through June 1.... more

Downtown Flower Baskets Scheduled For Hanging May 20

Missoula’s beloved Downtown Flower Baskets are scheduled to go up on Tuesday, May 20 beginning at 5:30 pm. Volunteers will place the baskets created by Pink Grizzly.... more

Wayne Tinkle Named Head Coach of Oregon State Men’s Basketball

Wayne Tinkle, who led Montana to three NCAA Tournament appearances, has been named the head coach of the Oregon State men’s basketball team.... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of May 19

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN- Montana lost a legal Pioneer and a great sports mom last week with the passing of Judge Diane Barz at the age of 70.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of May 19

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

Inexpensive Heat Mat for Seedlings

By ERIN TURNER- Soil temperature is critical for the sprouting of any seeds. If it is too cold, seeds will sit dormant and eventually rot. Here's a frugal alternative to a seedling heat mats: ... more

Award Winning Bluegrass Talent Junior Sisk Plays TONIGHT in Missoula

By MARK VOSBURGH - International Bluegrass Musis Award award winner, Junior Sisk and his band, Rambler's Choice plays the Ruby Jewel Jamboree in Missoula on May 12th.... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of May 19

This Week's Jobs: Direct-support professionals to work with developmentally disabled adults, Auto Detailer, Glazer, Small-Engine Mechanic/Technician, & Washer (semi-trucks). ... more

Hall Hangs on to Win Seventh Career Big Sky Title

By JOEL CARLSON - Montana senior Lindsey Hall won the heptathlon Thursday at the Big Sky Conference outdoor track and field championships at Flagstaff, Ariz.... more