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 Lifestyles & Entertainment’ Category

Smile Empty Soul Plays the Wilma May 16th

Veteran Rock Group, Smile Empty Soul plays at the Wilma Theatre on Friday, May 16th as part of the Wayne Static (Static-X) headlining "Civil Unrest Tour".... more

The Search for Mentors

By LIZ MARCHI - As I look back on my career journey, I look at the role mentors played in guiding my choices in life and work. What’s a mentor? For me, it was someone whom I admired and wanted to emulate. ... more

My Deal of the Week: Chick Days

By ERIN TURNER-I always like to look back over my week and determine my best deal. This week, hands down, it had to be Chick Days at the local feed store--60% off ducks and 2-for-1 geese. ... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of May 5

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

This Cinco de Mayo, Missoula Police Ask: Who’s Your Sober Driver?

This Cinco de Mayo, the Missoula Police Department is cracking down on impaired driving, and those who are caught will be arrested. ... more

REALLY Saving Energy

By PAUL WHEATON -Recently, I was invited to give a TED Talk. I chose to speak about the fact that pollution and war are icky and both are rooted in energy. Here's what I said:... more

The Missoula Community Theatre Announces 2014-15 Season

The Missoula Community Theatre announces its season line-up for the 2014-2015 season, and by all accounts, it’s going to be big….really big! ... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of April 28

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

Is American Idol Really That Bad?

By BOB WIRE -Is American really such a bad thing? Normally I would say the show is a cultural black hole. But it’s kind of fun when I watch it with my wife and daughter.... more

My Favorite List of Frugal Spring Cleaning Methods

By ERIN TURNER- It's spring cleaning time. Here is a list of some of my favorite ways to clean and refresh the house without breaking the bank this spring: ... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of April 21

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

Do You Know What’s Under There?

By BOB WIRE -The day I pulled on my first pair of boxer shorts is the day I became a Man. I was probably 12 or so when I graduated from tighty whities.... more

Missoula Community Theatre’s Les Miserables Opens April 25th

Les Misérables, the Missoula Community Theatre’s final production of the season opens on Friday, April 25th and runs April 25-27, April 30-May 4 and May 7-11. Performances are at 7:30pm.... more

2014 Garden City BrewFest Slated for Saturday May 3, in Caras Park

Check Out the 2014 Garden City BrewFest on Sat. May 3, 2014 in Caras Park from noon to 8 pm. The BrewFest again serves as the culminating event of the Missoula Craft Beer Week. ... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of April 14

In addition to the Wildlife Festival happening this week, check out the various bands and live music all over town sprinkled with an occasional fundraiser. ... more

Ten Things I Dig About Missoula

By BOB WIRE - I thought I'd make a list of things I dig about Missoula. To spice things up a bit, I've also collected a few opinions from Regular Joes asking: "What do you love about Missoula?"... more

‘Winter in the Blood’ Screening in Whitefish, Bigfork

By DILLON TABISH -A conversation with filmmaker Andrew Smith, whose critically acclaimed film 'Winter in the Blood' will be screening in Whitefish, Bigfork.... more

Mark Your Calendars for the 2014 Griz Got Talent and Monte Awards

The University of Montana Department of Athletics and Copper Connection will host the newly expanded Griz Got Talent and Monte Awards on Tuesday, April 29, at 7 p.m.... more

How to Remove Pilling and Make Sweaters New Again

By ERIN TURNER- Here's an easy, do-it-yourself way of removing pilling from sweaters and fleece coats. ... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of April 7

Check out the various bands and live music all over town sprinkled with an occasional fundraiser. It's all happening this week in Missoula, MT... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of March 31

Check out the various bands and live music all over town sprinkled with an occasional fundraiser. It's all happening this week in Missoula, MT... more

20 Surefire Signs You’re Married to a Guitar Player

By BOB WIRE - We guitar players...we’re weird. We know it. If your partner is a guitarist, well, you have my sympathies. Here are twenty ways a guitar freak keeps your life interesting. ... more

Future and Past

By LIZ MARCHI - How do Buddhist and Baptist compare and contrast? The poverty in the deep south of my childhood was not unlike what I saw in recent trip to Myanmar. ... more

Yonder Mountain String Band Plays the Wilma April 11 & 12

Yonder Mountain String Band has always played music by its own set of rules. Bending bluegrass, rock and countless other influences, Yonder has pioneered a sound of their own. ... more

Look Out It’s Spring

By BRUCE AUCHLY - Some things in life we can delay, stop, even ignore without consequence. The changing seasons are not in that category. Animals are much more in tune than us with the changing seasons.... more

406 Mom: Mommy and Me Book Club

By KIM S. - Prior to having kids I used to read a book every now and again. I was even in a book club. This winter I decided to restart the club but as a mommy and me book club. ... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of March 24

From Lady Griz action Monday night against San Diego in the NWIT, to live music all over town. Check out everything that's happening this week!... more

Where is Flight 370? These Guys Have No Idea

By BOB WIRE-At last count, 26 countries were involved in the massive search for Malaysian Airlines Flight 370. Was it hijacked? Sucked up into the heavens? Check out these transcripts of radio communications.... more

Kathy Kallick Kicks Off 2014 Ruby Jewel Jamboree Bluegrass Concert Series on 4/7

Bluegrass season is here and the Ruby Jewel Jamboree kicks off the season on 4/7 with Kathy Kallick-- one of bluegrass’s most famous female singers and writers.... more

Sam Bush to Headline 2014 River City Roots Festival

By LINDA MCCARTHY - Sam Bush, 2009 Americana Music Association Lifetime Achievement award winner, will headline the Main Stage at the 2014 River City Roots Festival in Downtown Missoula, Montana.... more

Disconnecting to Reconnect

By BRIAN MARSH - i'm buying an alarm clock. why? because right now, i use my smartphone to wake me up in the morning. which means that i remain interconnected to the internet even when i sleep. ... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of March 17

Check out the St. Patrick's Day parties, the live music scene as well as theater and fundraisers in various venues all over town.... more

Frugal Living: Using Amazon to Save Money

By ERIN TURNER- Want to save money and living frugally, but not necessarily a fan of coupons? Here are some tips on saving money using Amazon.com... more

Highway 93 Haiku

By BOB WIRE-Highway 93 is my favorite Western Montana stretch of road. Few road experiences make your heart soar like it does the moment you set eyes on the Mission Mountains or Flathead Lake.... more

406 Mom: My Kids’ Obsession with FROZEN

By KIM S.- I might be the only parent out there who was sort of dreading the release of Disney’s Frozen on DVD. Now, my 4 and 5 year old's obsession has gone into overdrive.... more

Missoula’s 2014 St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festivities

By AUSTIN SMITH - Grab your shamrocks, green beer and Tylenol because Missoula’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities are coming up this Saturday, March 15! ... more

40 Days of Decluttering

By ERIN TURNER- This new challenge tackles all the “stuff” that seems to accumulate around the house. Clutter gets in the way emotionally and spiritually and binds us to those "things".... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of March 10

Check out the Live Music Scene as well as theater and fundraisers in various venues all over town.... more

Are Missoula Drivers the Worst?

By BOB WIRE-I grew up in a military family so we moved around a lot. All the towns I've lived in boast that they have the worst drivers in the world--Missoula is no exception.... more

Lend Me a Tenor Opens Friday, March 21st

MCT's 'Lend Me A Tenor' opens on Friday, March 21st. Don’t let the name fool you; this is not a musical comedy. It is definitely a comedy, though, about a musical—an opera, to be exact. ... more

Billings Landscaper Andrew Marble’s Brush with Oscar-Nominated “Nebraska”

By BRIAN D'AMBROSIO-Serendipity always compensates the prepared. And in the case of AJ Marble of Billings, it rewarded him with a brush with production on the set of the Oscar-nominated movie "Nebraska".... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of March 3

Check out the Live Music Scene as well as theater and fundraisers in various venues all over town.... more

The Dog Sled Days of Winter Are Here

By BOB WIRE-The Dog Days of Summer. Sounds pretty damned good right about now, huh? Well, barring a six-month coma, we’ll have to wait for it here in Missoula.... more

Mansfield Library Exhibit Documents History of Women in Montana

This year marks the 100th anniversary of woman suffrage in Montana, and the Mansfield Library at the University of Montana is showcasing exhibits documenting the history of women in Montana.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of Feb 24

Check out the Live Music Scene as well as theater and fundraisers in various venues all over town.... more

Nurse Bob is on Duty

By BOB WIRE-Welcome to Sick City! My wife and both kids have fallen ill. They are spewing gunk out of every orifice, and I am trying to avoid exposure to the nasty bug.... more

Monte Dolack: Magic Light

By MONTE DOLACK - Evening. Morning. In the gloaming when the light is soft and low. Magic light is painter’s light. It's known as the magic hour when the sun is near or below the horizon.... more

4th Annual Winter BrewFest Comes to Caras Park Friday, Feb 21

The Missoula Downtown Association and KettleHouse Brewing Co. will host the 4th annual Winter BrewFest on Friday, Feb. 21, 2014 from 5-10 pm in Caras Park.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of Feb 17

Check out the Live Music Scene as well as theater and fundraisers in various venues all over town.... more

Another Boring Romantic, That’s Me

By BOB WIRE- It's the little things. Like the way I have a nice hot cup of tea waiting for her after she shovels the driveway. Who says I'm not romantic? I got romance up the wazoo.... more