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

Fantastically Festive Pinterest Christmas Projects

By ERIN TURNER - It’s Christmas season and Pinterest is alive with an endless world of ideas, inspirations, recipes, and whatever else you can imagine for the holidays. ... more

Photo Gallery: Lady Griz vs Tennessee State

By AUSTIN SMITH - The Lady Griz rolled to a 71-48 victory on Saturday night to close out the 32nd annual Lady Griz Classic. The Montana ladies won the tournament.... more

Make It Missoula Monday: What’s Happening This Week

Trail 103.3 DJs share what's happening in Missoula. This week, it's First Friday gallery night, Missoula Area Dubstep Monday, UM Jazz Holiday Swing benefit, and more.... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs of the Week | December 3

Make It Missoula posts local jobs from the Missoula Job Service. This week's listings are a tribal non-profit Executive Director, a Backend Developer, and a Truck Driver.... more

Baker earns MVP, leads Montana to title

(PHOTO GALLERY) The Lady Griz overcame a dialed-in Vandal offense Thursday evening in the first game of the 32nd Annual Lady Griz Classic, ... more

Missoula Story of the Week: National Meth Awareness Day

By TOM DIDDEL - Meth use in Montana has declined dramatically since 2005. National Meth Awareness Day aims to continue the trend through education.... more

Goin’ in THE Missoula Tunnel

By BRIAN MARSH - Missoula is a weird, wonderful, and soulful place - the word 'soul' is right in the name - and its soul is manifest in surprising and singular ways.... more

Humanure and Composting Toilets

By PAUL WHEATON - Recently, I visited Missoula’s wastewater treatment plant to learn about the reuse of treated wastewater as a source of irrigation and fertilization.... more

Lots On Tap This Week For Missoula Sports Fans

By JIM O'DAY - If you're a College Sports Fan, there are a number of events scheduled in the next few days in and around Missoula.... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs of the Week | November 26

Make It Missoula posts local jobs from the Missoula Job Service. This week's listings are a Licensed Addiction Counselor, a Staff Accountant, and Shelter Support Staff.... more

Start the holiday season with a Montana Celebration

By DONNA HULL - Do you enjoy holiday celebrations as much as I do? A little snow, some sparkly Christmas lights and maybe a cup of hot chocolate and I’m ready to celebrate!... more

Beer Salvation: How a Hobby Changed a Life

By JESSICA STUGELMAYER - For Martha Gergasko, beer was the key to her salvation. Missoula’s home brew club, the Zoo City Zymurgists, has a key role in its beer culture.... more

White-tailed Deer, Elk Harvest Up on Rocky Mountain Front

By BRUCE AUCHLY - Hunters on the Rocky Mountain Front took home more elk and white-tailed deer than average but fewer mule deer during the general big game season, which ended Nov. 25.... more

UM Sports Trivia

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: Griz and Lady Griz basketball, recently fired Jon Embree of Colorado, and Larry Hagman of Dallas TV Fame.... more

Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus

By MAGGIE PLUMMER - Maggie's blog tells of of the life-saving liver transplant her sister received at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Scottsdale three years ago this month. ... more

Avail-TVN Named One of Fastest Growing Tech Companies in North America

By MYERS REECE - Avail-TVN, a company with Flathead roots and a primary office in Kalispell, recently was named the sixth-fastest growing tech company in North America. ... more

Make It Missoula Monday: What’s Happening This Week

Trail 103.3 DJs share what's happening in Missoula. This week, it's the Thanksgiving Beer Run, the Montana Musicians Showcase, and loads of live blues, jazz, and more.... more

Wildcats rain threes, upend Lady Griz in Vegas

Senior Kenzie De Boer scored 18 points and sophomore Kellie Cole added 14 off the bench to lead the Montana women’s basketball team to a 69-65 overtime victory over UNLV.... more

Become an MCT VIP | Join the MCT First Friday Holiday Event

By LEISA GREENE - MCT is about giving. All Missoulians are welcome to join this season's First Friday at the MCT Center for the Performing Arts on Dec. 7 from 4-8 p.m.... more

Tips for Smart, Thrifty Holiday Shopping

By ERIN TURNER - Just because Black Friday's over doesn’t mean you missed all the deals! They may not be as obvious, but if you do your homework you'll find them.... more

PHOTO GALLERY: UM Grizzlies vs San Diego

By AUSTIN SMITH. The Montana Grizzlies were victorious Saturday night, a 67-66 barnburner that takes the team to 4-1 in non-conference play.... more

Griz win nail biter 67-66 over San Diego

Forward Kevin Henderson nailed a three-point shot with 2.5 seconds remaining in the game to give the host University of Montana Grizzlies a dramatic 67-66 victory over the University of San Diego Toreros.... more

Lady Griz edge out UNLV 69-65 in overtime

Senior Kenzie De Boer scored 18 points and sophomore Kellie Cole added 14 off the bench to lead the Montana women’s basketball team to a 69-65 overtime victory over UNLV.... more

Missoula Story of the Week: Ski Season Starts in Montana

By TOM DIDDEL - A recap of the past week's most talked-about story in Missoula. This week, it's Western Montana's early winter storms and the start of ski season.... more

Bob Wire, A Jewelry Salesman’s Worst Nightmare

By BOB WIRE - When it comes to jewelry, I’m not exactly in the same class as Mr. T. I do appreciate the occasional statement piece, as long as it's tasteful and refined.... more

An Ode of Gratitude on Thanksgiving

By BRIAN MARSH - To celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday in Western Montana, I've penned an ode of gratitude.... more

Football in the rear-view mirror

By JIM O'DAY - With football, volleyball, cross country and soccer now in the rear-view mirror, it’s time to support the men’s and women’s basketball programs at UM.... more

Griz have 17 players named to 2012 All-Big Sky Football Team

The Grizzlies had four players named to the first team and one second team pick, as well as 13 players named honorable mention all-conference.... more

Compost-Based Bio-Energy Systems

By PAUL WHEATON - When done properly, composting creates a great deal of heat – heat that can be harnessed to heat water and create usable energy.... more

ALCOM to Open Manufacturing Facility in Bonner

F.Y.I. - One of America’s fastest-growing and most respected brands of aluminum trailers will soon be made in Missoula County. ... more

Missoula Restaurants Offer Thanksgiving Dinner, Without the Work

By MICHELLE BEAHM - If you want a traditional meal without the traditional hassle, a few Missoula restaurants will be open so you can enjoy a traditional food coma.... more

Make It Missoula Monday: What’s Happening This Week

Trail 103.3 DJs share what's happening in Missoula. This week, it's the Turkey Day 8K and 3K road races, the Community Hockey Cup Benefit, loads of live music & more.... more

Eleven Tricks to Keep Holiday Guests Happy

By ERIN TURNER - This week marks the beginning of holiday guest season. Here are a few of my favorite tips to make guests happy and keep your stress to a minimum.... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs of the Week

Make It Missoula posts local jobs from the Missoula Job Service. This week's listings are for a Software Engineer and a non-profit Development Coordinator.... more

Lady Griz Play Like Veterans, Win Big at Idaho

This time there would be no Memorial Gym magic. The Lady Griz basketball team jumped out to a 39-23 halftime lead and rolled to a 71-50 win over Idaho Sunday afternoon at Moscow, ID. ... more

Say Hello to the Missoula Street Style Fashion Blog

Meet Jaclyn Baird, the owner of MaudeLady Vintage, a Missoula boutique and vintage fashion shop. She's eager to help you show off your own Missoula street style.... more

Lady Griz Play Idaho in Early Season Non-conference Matinee Sunday in Moscow

By UM SPORTS INFORMATION: The Montana women’s basketball team will continue its early-season non-conference schedule with a matinee at Idaho Sunday at Moscow, Idaho. The Lady Griz and Vandals will tip off at ... more

Photo Gallery: Griz Fall to the Cats 16-7 in 2012 Brawl of the Wild

By AUSTIN SMITH - The Montana Grizzlies suffered their third home loss Saturday, a season-ending 16-7 struggle against their conference rival the Montana State Bobcats.... more

A Double Rainbow Double Take

By BRIAN MARSH - A recent happenstance walk home through my neighborhood resulted in a beautiful, unexpected surprise: A double rainbow arching over Missoula.... more

Police Department Plans for Extra Enforcement for Griz-Cat Weekend

FYI - The Missoula Police Department & Montana Highway Patrol will staff additional DUI enforcement patrols along with downtown and party patrols for this Griz-Cat Weekend.... more

Scenic Artist Brings “Miracle” Director’s Vision to Life

By BRIAN D'AMBROSIO - Yana Dryden isn’t just painter. She's the scenic artist creating backdrops for MCT’s upcoming production of Miracle on 34th Street The Musical.... more

City of Missoula Explains Police Department and Coronor’s Office Response to Hyde Family Incident

FYI - Missoula Police Department issues a statement regarding the manner in which police officers and Coroner's Office responded to the death of Cash Hyde.... more

Photo Gallery: Griz Win Big Over Minot State 82-53

By AUSTIN SMITH - ‘Tinkle’s Titans’ flexed some serious Montana muscle Wednesday evening to secure a contested 82-53 win over the Minot State Beavers. ... more

How to Keep Deer from Eating Your Stuff

By PAUL WHEATON - The creative ways people attempt to control deer seem endless, but they aren’t generally effective. There is ONE thing that really gets it done.... more

Santa Claus Comes to Missoula on Friday, Nov. 16

Welcome Santa to Missoula this Friday! Santa makes his arrival in Missoula at Southgate Mall with fanfare, goodies, and dancing on Friday, Nov. 16 at 6 p.m.... more

At Long Last: My First In-Person Griz-Cat Game in 5 Long Years

By JIM O'DAY - For the first time in 5 years, I'll be at the Griz-Cat game in person. Each of the past 4 years, I was in Indianapolis representing the UM as the AD.... more

Photo Gallery: Lady Griz Trounce MSU-Northern 75-45

By AUSTIN SMITH - Freshman Shanae Gilham earned her second ‘Player of the Game’ honors Tuesday evening as the Lady Griz trounced the MSU-Northern Skylights 75-45 for their third win this season.... more

From Afghanistan to the Back of the Pack

By HEATHER JENNER - While moving from Afghanistan to Missoula was hard, joining Run Wild Missoula and the Back of the Pack was one of the smartest things I've done.... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs of the Week

Make It Missoula posts local jobs from the Missoula Job Service. This week's listings are a Mobile Medical Truck Driver, a Staff Accountant, and a Youth Program Specialist.... more

Maiden Missoula Review: Powder Tails

By LEAH LEWIS - Ski season is almost here! I know what you’re thinking: My butt's gonna be so wet on the chairlift. Good news! Powder Tails has your backside.... more