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

The Perfect Pair: Montana Craft Beers & Fly Fishing

By MATT DEVLIN & BRYCE MCLEAN - There's no better way to beat the heat than enjoying a cold beer while flyfishing. Here are our favorite local beer and river pairings.... more

Former Olympian Suzy Favor-Hamilton’s Path to Happiness

By BRIAN D'AMBROSIO - While 3-time Olympian Suzy Favor-Hamilton's public persona was upbeat, inside she fought depression. Today, she shares her path to happiness.... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Listing: August 6

Every Monday and Thursday, Make It Missoula will post a featured local job listing from the Missoula Job Service. Today's listing is a Housekeeping Manager Position.... more

Make It Missoula Monday: What’s Happening This Week

Trail 103.3 DJs share what's happening in Missoula this week, including the full schedule of events at the Western Montana Fair!... more

4-H Kids Go for Gold (and Blue) at the Western Montana Fair

By ERIN TURNER - The Western Montana Fair opens this Tuesday, but for 4-H kids, the fair started months ago. Stop by to congratulate them on their hard work!... more

Third Annual Celtic Festival Missoula: For the Fans

By LEISA GREENE-NELSON - On July 28, the Third Annual Missoula Celtic Festival took place with beer, food, dancing, and music. For the bands, it's all about the fans.... more

Missoula Day Hikes: Rattlesnake National Recreation Area

By BRIAN D'AMBROSIO - The 61,000-acre Rattlesnake National Recreation Area is positioned at the northern city limits of Missoula. It's heaven on earth for avid hikers!... more

Young Men, Fire, and the Missoula Fire Lab

By MARK VOSBURGH - It's August, it's hot, and it's fire season. If you haven't read Norman Maclean's Montana literary classic, "Young Men and Fire", now is the time.... more

New “Zoo City” License Plate Provides Recreation Grants for Low-Income Kids

a NEW Parks and Recreation license plate, featuring Missoula artist Monte Dolack’s iconic print, “Zoo City” benefits Youth Recreation Grants for Low-income kids.... more

A Fond Farewell to Beer League Softball

By BOB WIRE - I’ve never been the best player on the team, but I can guarantee that no one had more fun playing slow-pitch, D League Missoula softball than this guy.... more

How to Use Social Media to Help Your Job Search

By JENNIFER LODINE-CHAFFEY - While social media can be a very effective tool in your job search it can also threaten your odds of finding employment. ... more

Monk’s Bar Presents Jeanne Jolly

By LEISA GREENE-NELSON - Monk’s will feature Jeanne Jolly on Saturday, Aug. 4 along with the dynamic duo Montana Skies. It'll be an evening of extraordinary talent.... more

Small Town Fun at Creamery Picnic in Stevensville

By DONNA HULL - Don’t you just love a parade? I do. And, that’s where you’ll find me on Saturday, August 4, 2012 for the 100th Creamery Picnic Parade in Stevensville, Montana.... more

What Does the Future Hold? Long-Range Planning for Run Wild Missoula

By DAVID SCHMETTERLING - Here in Missoula, we have a successful running club: 1400+ runners of all levels, a fantastic marathon, and more. What does the future hold?... more

MCT’s Next Step Prep Program: A Scholarship and a Gift of Hope

By LEISA GREENE-NELSON - Many MCT Next Step Prep students would never have the opportunity to attend if it weren’t for the scholarship program.... more

Meet Your Neighbor David Lewis at the Stevensville Creamery Picnic

August 3-5 Montanans can learn about the local dairy industry and meet local dairy farmers, like David Lewis and his family, at the Stevensville Creamery Picnic and Milk Run.... more

Make It Missoula Monday: What’s Happening This Week

Trail 103.3 DJs share what's happening in Missoula this week: Kids Fest at Caras Park, Gillian Welch plays the Wilma, Out to Lunch and First Friday. Busy Week!... more

Paul Wheaton’s CFL Video goes live

By ANDY COMMONS - Think CFLs are good? Paul Wheaton has just produced a video that says otherwise. Andy sheds light on the issue.... more

Save Big As We Say Goodbye to Missoula’s Kmart

By ERIN TURNER - On September 30, the Missoula Kmart will close its doors for good. It is sad to see the end of an era, but the silver lining is that everything's on sale!... more

Keep Your Home Safe from Wildfire

It’s that time of year again. Here are some tips to safeguard you, your family and your home from a wildfire. ... more

UM Sports Trivia

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - The Montana Lady Griz basketball team opens their regular season in Philadelphia against 'Big Five', Temple.... more

In the Fast Lane on the Highway to Hell

By BOB WIRE - Now that I have a teenager in Driver’s Ed, I’m the one who has to start following all the rules of the road.... more

Celtic Festival Missoula and the Highlander Beer Evolution

By LEISA GREENE-NELSON - Saturday, July 28 is the 3rd Celtic Festival. It's bigger than ever with 2 stages, 10 bands, triple the volunteers, and plenty of Highlander Beer.... more

On the Grill: Cheese-Stuffed Burgers & Curly Hot Dogs

By PAUL SIDORIAK - I get nostalgic about the summer memories a meal of burgers and dogs evokes. For fun, here two new twists on a classic American summer meal.... more

MCT’s Next Step Prep Program: A Family Affair

By LEISA GREENE-NELSON - Sending Libby Carlson to MCT's Next Step Prep drama program is a goal her whole family supported. On July 26, the troupe performs a cabaret.... more

Get Inspired by Run Wild Missoula’s Beginner Runner Training Class

By EVA DUNN-FROEBIG - Were you inspired by the Missoula Marathon? Run Wild Missoula will offer a eight-week Beginner Runner Training Class starting Aug. 15.... more

Tired of Tilling? Try Seed Balls

By PAUL WHEATON - Ever thought of lobbing seeds into your field? No tilling, just a good arm? Seed balls are used in no-tilling cultivation to get seeds established.... more

An Evening with Gillian Welch at The Wilma Theatre

By LEISA GREENE-NELSON - On July 31, Missoulians can enjoy an outstanding evening of Gillian Welch and David Rawlings's harmonies and musical talent.... more

10 Heavenly Montana Hikes West of the Continental Divide

By BRIAN D'AMBROSIO - Nothing inspires like a heart-pounding hike into Montana's high country. Put these ten picks for memorable hikes on your Montana bucket list!... more

Make It Missoula Monday: What’s Happening This Week

Trail 103.3 DJs share what's happening in Missoula this week: Acoustic Pint Night for Peace, AniMeals Adopt-a-thon, Cigarette Girls Burlesque, and more!... more

Montana Summer Survival Guide: Go Jump in the…

By ELKE GOVERTSEN - The lakes of Montana are really the sprinkles to our family's ice cream, the little bits of extra fun and color, and in the summer, cool-down-ness.... more

Magpies, The Used Car Salesmen of the Avian World

By BOB WIRE - Magpies are like that dude from high school who tried to be the class clown but had the subtlety of a sledge hammer and the charm of Dick Cheney.... more

Severe Storms Forecast to Pummel Western Montana This Afternoon

By PAUL QUENEAU - Severe Storms forecast to pummel western Montana this afternoon. One-inch hail, damaging winds and flash flooding all possible.... more

Missouri River Fly Fishing, the Best in America

By BRYCE MCLEAN - I'm lucky to say I learned to fly fish on the mighty Missouri River. Last weekend, I was reminded why the river is the best dry fly fishing in America.... more

Steve Martin Fame to Rub Off on a Talented Missoula Band Friday Night

By MARK VOSBURGH - Steve Martin and the Lil' Smokies have things in common: Both work other jobs, both won band contests, and both will play Osprey Stadium on Friday.... more

Eliminate the Cost of Chicken Feed

By PAUL WHEATON - I used to sell my chickens for nearly the same price I paid for feed. I found ways to not only eliminate feed costs, but provide higher-quality feed! ... more

UM Sports Trivia

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Forty years ago this week a political decision that would change American history had its origins in mutual allegiance to a pro sports team. ... more

The Clumsy Ninjas Take on the Waterton-Glacier Relay

By EVA DUNN-FROEBIG - The Waterton-Glacier Relay is a 100-mile race from Cardston, Alberta to East Glacier. My team, the Clumsy Ninjas, were up for the challenge.... more

Make It Missoula Monday: What’s Happening This Week

Trail 103.3 DJs share what's happening in Missoula this week: Tryouts for the Hellgate Rollergirls, Steve Martin plays bluegrass, Downtown ToNight, and more! ... more

Kale Chips and More Easy, Healthy, Homegrown Summer Veggie Chips

By ERIN TURNER - Each week at the Farmers’ Market, I am asked two questions: 1) Do you have kale? and 2) Do you know how to make kale chips? Yes and yes!... more

Exploring the Teller National Wildlife Refuge

By BRIAN D'AMBROSIO - Teller National Wildlife Refuge, with its 1,200 acres of tranquil beauty in the Bitterroot Valley near Corvallis, is Montana’s only private refuge. ... more

Care and Feeding of Your Wedding Band

By BOB WIRE - It's wedding season. Here are some basic Dos and Don’ts for hiring a band from a guy who’s been there and has a stash of stolen wedding napkins as proof.... more

Missoula Story of the Week: Summer River Fatalities

By TOM DIDDEL - A recap of the past week's most talked-about story in Missoula. This week, it's the string of summer drowning fatalities on the Clark Fork River.... more

Can Pigs Build Ponds?

By PAUL WHEATON - Don't even THINK of using a pond liner if you have pigs around. Paul Wheaton shows us a better way to seal a pond using pigs.... more

On the Grill: Grilled Campfire Fajitas

By PAUL SIDORIAK - Grilling over a campfire sparks the inner caveman in many of us. With a little planning, you can make tasty meals that are as fun as a day at the lake.... more

The ‘Best’ in Missoula for Libations

By RYAN NEWHOUSE - The Missoula Independent announced the annual Best of Missoula winners, and I'm here to present what matters: The best places to get great drinks. ... more

Missoula Marathon Cool-Down: Set a Post-Race Running Goal

By EVA DUNN-FROEBIG - Scores of competitors from around the world ran the Missoula Marathon last weekend. To keep up the running mojo, try setting a post-race goal.... more

Take a Walk: The Glacial Lake Missoula High-Water Mark

By KP NICHOLS - 15,000 years ago, Missoula was underwater. Today, you can hike to the highwater mark on Sentinel and Jumbo and use your imagination to fill in the details.... more

MCT’s Next Step Prep Program: Fundraising with “Glamour and Goop”

By LEISA GREENE-NELSON - On July 10, MCT presents Susan Egan and Georgia Stitt in “Glamour and Goop,” a fundraiser for MCT’s Next Step Prep Scholarship Fund.... more

Summertime Is Time to Mess Around

By BOB WIRE - Summer camps. Play dates. Dropping off. Picking up. Enough. The revolution is on. It’s summertime, for cryin’ out loud! It’s the Season of the Kid.... more