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 ‘Nightlife’ Category

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shaving: The Manliest of Father-Son Moments

By BOB WIRE- It’s a bittersweet thing, teaching your son how to shave. It’s a great bonding opportunity, but it also signals a big step away from childhood...and as most parents know, steps away from home.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of Feb 3

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

XX Things to Watch For in the Super Bowl

By BOB WIRE-Janet Jackson and 'Nipplegate' taught me a valuable lesson about the Super Bowl: don’t look away. You might miss something. Here are XX things to watch for this Super Bowl:... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of Jan 27

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

Americana? Don’t Fence (mender) Me In

By BOB WIRE - I have to credit Rigel Banqueshot for introducing me to alt-country. I probably would have stumbled across the genre on my own, but like your first acid trip, it’s good to have an experienced gu... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of Jan 20

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

I Got The Rubbermaid Blues

By BOB WIRE -I'm living in tupperware hell. I have banned the reuse of all plastic containers. I got overwhelmed with the mismatched lids and containers that overran our kitchen cupboards.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of Jan 13

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

Jeopardy Test Proves I am Dummer Than a Fifth Grader

By BOB WIRE - I took the online Jeopardy! test yesterday. Don’t bother setting your DVR; I won’t be appearing on the show any time soon.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of Jan 6

Check out the Live Music in various venues all over town. ... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of Dec 30

Live Music in various venues all over town. HAPPY NEW YEAR Missoula!... more

Gifts for Pets a Family Tradition

By BOB WIRE - What do you get for the pet who has everything? Let me answer that with another question: what pet doesn't already have everything? ... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of Dec 23

Live Music in various venues all over town including Nathan Eyre, David Baty, Band in Motion, and Larry Hirshberg. And check out the ECHO Christmas Eve Service at City Life Community Center.... more

Dear Santa, Here’s My List of Demands

By BOB WIRE - "Bob, what do you want for Christmas?" That question always freezes me up. But, since you asked, here goes: A jet pack, a robot maid, a cattle prod...oh, and.... ... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of Dec 16

Live Music in various venues all over town including John Floridis' Christmas Benefit Concert for the Poverello Center, Community U-Nite at the Kettlehouse to support Zootown Arts Community Center and and more!... more

You Can’t Put that Nerve-Shattering, Pants-Crapping Sound in a Radio Spot!

By BOB WIRE - Commercial radio has to run commercials to survive, right? Duh. It’s the first word in their name.But there are just some sounds that should NOT be on the radio.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of Dec 9

Live Music in various venues all over town and Feed the Zoo Fundraiser at Sean Kelly's for the Missoula Food Bank--featuring live music from a variety of bands as well as a raffle and more!... more

The Perfect Gift For Every Musician On Your List

By BOB WIRE - With Christmas creeping up like a Visa card-murdering sniper, here's my annual list of gift suggestions for the musicians on your list. This year, buy em' a hat.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of Dec 2

Live Music in various venues all over town, Jingle Bell Run/Walk 5 K, Tour of Trees Fundraiser, the 11th Annual Parade of Lights in Downtown Missoula, and much more!... more

Another Turkey Under the Belt

By BOB WIRE - I’d just pulled the bird, a mere 12-pounder, out of the oven after 3-1/2 hours of roasting. Was it fully cooked? 15 minutes per pound, twelve pound bird, three hours, right?... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of Nov 25

Live Music in various venues all over town, Turkey Day 8K and 3K Fun Run starting at McCormick Park. HAPPY THANKSGIVING MISSOULA!... more

Facebook Food Panics Turn My Stomach

By BOB WIRE - When I Facebook, it won’t be because they sell my personal info to advertisers and spammers, it will be because I can’t take one more shocking revelation that the food I’m eating will kill ... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of Nov 18

Happening this week: Live Music in various venues all over town Photos with Santa at the UC Center, Zac Brown at the Adams Center, and much more!... more

Why is Bob Wire So Angry Today?

By BOB WIRE - We get a lot of emails here at Bob Wire World Headquarters (not to mention the occasional foul-smelling parcel), and I thought it was high time I share some of them with you.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of Nov 11

Happening this week: Live Music in various venues all over town and the Griz vs Weber State on Saturday at Washington Grizzly Stadium.... more

Serving the Customer is Key to Customer Service

By BOB WIRE - It’s common knowledge that if you want to get out ahead of your competition, something as seemingly obvious as a swiftly returned phone call is a big head start.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of Nov 4

Happening this week: Food Fight Trivia & Pint night, Tom Catmull's new CD release concert, Bluegrass, Hip Hop, Jam, and Classical Music in various venues all over town!... more

Celtic Rock n’ Roll Giants, Gaelic Storm Plays in Missoula Nov 3rd

If you've seen the movie Titanic you've seen the Celtic rock n' roll giants, Gaelic Storm perform--and they're playing Missoula at the Wilma Theater on Sunday Nov 3rd.... more

Coming Full Circle in Three Chords

By BOB WIRE- “Can we play Louie Louie? You bet your ass we can play Louie Louie!” In 1984 when I was playing with my first band, Rotten Tuna, we only knew eight songs, and they all sounded like Louie Louie.... more

Added Patrols Working to Deter Impaired Driving for Halloween

If you think about driving drunk this Halloween, the Missoula Police Department has a message for you: Keep the party off the road. Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.... more

Lydia Brown and Robin Scott in Concert at MAM Dec. 13th

The Missoula Art Museum is pleased to announce the launch of its Chamber Music Series on December 13, 2013 at 7pm, with pianist, Lydia Brown and violinist Robin Scott at the Missoula Art Museum.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of Oct 28

Happening this week: Catamount, Larry Hirshberg, John Wayne & The Pain, Ted Ness and the Rusty nails, Chris Timmons, Mendelssohn Boston Tea Party, Zeppot MT, Day of the Dead & More!... more

Trick or Treating: How Old is Too Old?

By BOB WIRE- Halloween is upon us. Time to load up on little Butterfingers and remove the bulb from the porch light. Okay, it’s not my favorite holiday. Why? Simple. I’ve outgrown it. ... more

3rd Annual Ride for Tanner Rail Jam Nov 9 in Caras Park

FYI - Rail Jam to Benefit the Tanner Olson BMX Park in Downtown Missoula happens on November 9 from 4-10 pm at Caras Park. Be there or Be Square!... more

Wayfinding: Finding Your Way To And Around Missoula

By LINDA MCCARTHY - Ever notice how other communities have beautiful navigational signs that help guide you to your destination? Ever wonder why Missoula doesn’t? ... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of Oct 21

Happening this week: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis at the Adams Center, David Boone at Ten Spoon Vineyard Winery, Picking Circle at the Top Hat Lounge, UM vs E Washington, & More!... more