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 ‘Lifestyles’ Category

Western Montana’s River Lovers Brace for Early Runoff

Rivers throughout western Montana could get lower than normal this summer, as an unusually low snowpack has melted away two or three weeks earlier than usual.... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of May 25

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN- The coaching change in the Florida Gators men's basketball inspires two trivia related to UM Athletics.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of May 25

Check out the various bands and live music all over Missoula sprinkled with a sporting event, film or a fundraiser. ... more

Summer Season Begins in Glacier National Park

Memorial Day Weekend marks beginning of primary visitation season at national park.... more

Splash Montana Opens for Lap Swims this Weekend

Due to cool temperatures in this weekend’s weather forecast, Splash Montana waterpark will be open for lap swim only on Saturday and Sunday, May 23 and 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.... more

Mowing the Grass to Make Some Lettuce

BY BOB WIRE- My son, Rusty is trying to get a part-time job for the summer. Rather than donating plasma or sperm, I suggested he try his hand at lawn mowing.... more

Pasternak is the 2015 Northern Rockies Physical Therapy Scholarship Recipient

Northern Rockies Physical Therapy (NRPT) is proud to announce Sentinel High School Graduate, Sydney Pasternak, as the 2015 Northern Rockies Physical Therapy Scholarship recipient.... more

Quest for Land: My Advice for Permies and Homesteaders Part 2 of 3

By PAUL WHEATON - When it came to picking a piece of land, I have a powerful bias. I just love Missoula, Montana. Someday I want to be able to say that I grow a lemon tree, outdoors, in Montana.... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | May 18

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of May 18

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN- In September of 1993 the Griz debuted a new radio play-by-play voice, Mick Holien, and a new furry Mascot, Monte and the program really took off. ... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of May 18

Check out the various bands and live music all over Missoula sprinkled with a sporting event, film or a fundraiser. ... more

Celebrate Kids’ Day at the Carousel

A Carousel for Missoula will be celebrating its 20th birthday on Sat., May 23. Come enjoy FREE rides on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. ... more

Motivational Words for the Boys of Summer

BY BOB WIRE- To inspire my fellow denizens of the diamond, I’ve prepared a motivational speech that I’ll break out as soon as we hit our first slump. ... more

Out to Lunch & Downtown ToNight Summer Series Kicks Off

The 2015 Summer Series kicks off June 3rd and 4th and is sure to be exciting as the MDA celebrate 30 years of Out to Lunch and 15 years of Downtown ToNight.... more

Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) Spring Workshops Offered by FWP

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' Becoming an Outdoors Woman Program (BOW) is sponsoring several workshops: Firearms Shooting, Muzzle Loading & Primitive Skills, and Nature Journaling.... more

Downtown Flower Baskets Scheduled To Go Up May 14

By Tom Aldrich for the Missoula Downtown Association Missoula’s beloved Downtown Flower Baskets will be installed this Thursday, May 14 beginning at 5:30 p.m. A total of 98 baskets will be moved from Pink ... more

2 Rivers + 2 Hours = Missoula Fun

By JASON SHREDER - Many towns, such as Boise, Asheville, and Bend boast great river opportunities in or close to town--but here's why Missoula trumps them all when it comes to river fun.... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | May 11

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of May 11

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN- Former UM head coach Bobby Huack had hoped to be back at the helm of the Grizzlies this season, but at least he will get a chance to see the Griz on film.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of May 11

Check out the various bands and live music all over Missoula sprinkled with a sporting event, film or a fundraiser. ... more

Quest for Land: My Advice for Permies and Homesteaders Part 1 of 3

By PAUL WHEATON -Decades ago I was obsessed with gardening and outgrew my urban lot. I needed more space. Not only for my horticultural endeavors, but I needed to expand into all sorts of animals.... more

Register Now for Missoula’s Only Dog-Friendly Fun Run and Pet Expo

Missoula Parks & Recreation and Missoula Animal Control invite you and your four-legged buddy to the 4th annual Doggie Dash pet expo and fun run on Sunday, May 17, at Silver Park.... more

This Man’s Job is Breathtaking

BY BOB WIRE- I recently went in for a pulmonary function test. I’ve been having trouble breathing since, oh, 2008, and this spring it got pretty bad.... more

Lady Griz Hand Out Annual Awards, Kellie Cole-Rubel Named MVP

Kellie Rubel was named 2015 Most Valuable Player, and Montana’s other two seniors, Maggie Rickman and Carly Selvig, were both double award winners at this week's awards banquet.... more

Bike Going-to-the-Sun Road

By DILLON TABISH - After a mild winter, plow crews are making quick work of Going-to-the-Sun Road and are already just shy of Logan Pass.... more

Habitat for Humanity is Volunteer Missoula’s Organization of the Month!

By JENNIFER PEPPROCK-Volunteer Missoula is excited to feature Habitat for Humanity as our organization of the Month! Habitat has been "Making it Matter" in Missoula for over 20 years. ... more

Carousel to Host Unusual Track Meet to Kick Off Kids’ Day 2015

Hey Kids--wanna barrel race on a stick pony? Toss stinky socks? Tumbe tires? Be a part of the first ever Kids’ Day Track Meet, Sat., May 23, from 8:30-9:30am at the Carousel! ... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of May 4

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN- With their second win this season the MSU Bobcat football team will have won 54 games during the Presidency of Baraack Obama more than any other president in Bobcat history.... more

Explore Downtown Missoula by Foot on a Historic Walking Tour

If you’re visiting Missoula and looking to explore the city a bit, the beautiful downtown area offers an array of locations rich in historical significance. The Missoula Downtown Association has a self-guided... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | May 4

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of May 4

Check out the various bands and live music all over Missoula sprinkled with a sporting event, film or a fundraiser. ... more

Pro Tips to Avoid Pain at Your Desk

By Clay Springmeyer - The human body wasn’t designed to sit hunched over a computer behind a desk all day. Here are a few tips that can help eliminate pains from a long day at the desk.... more

Fewer Surplus Nonresident Elk and Deer Hunting Licenses Available

Beginning Monday, May 4, nonresident hunters can choose among Montana's surplus deer, elk and big game combination hunting licenses and purchase them online or the FWP office.... more

Downtown Pianos Debut Public Art Friday, May 1

Four Play It Missoula! community pianos will be painted by local artists in the public’s view during First Friday Gallery Night this Friday, May 1 from 5-8 pm in Downtown Missoula.... more

Amphibians in the Spring

By BRUCE AUCHLY - Among the many harbingers of spring are frogs peeping. Boreal frogs are heard everywhere in the spring and early summer. ... more

Breunig & Gregory named Griz Hoops Co-MVPs

By DAVE GUFFEY-Martin Breunig and Jordan Gregory have been named the co-recipients of the Carl E. Dragstedt Award (Most Valuable Player) following the 2014-15 season in which UM went 20-13. ... more

AARP’s RealPad vs. the iPad: My Senior Moment

BY BOB WIRE- My Aunt Byrdona emailed me the other day. "I want to get this tablet," she wrote. "What do you think?” I clicked the link and there it was, AARP's RealPad, a tablet for seniors.... more

Carousel Carvings on Display at Annual Wood Carvers Show, May 2 & 3

The Ponykeepers of A Carousel for Missoula will be letting the chips fall where they may during the Western Montana Wood Carvers Show, May 3 & 4, at the Missoula Fairgrounds.... more

Glacier Park Plows Within Two Miles of Logan Pass

By JUSTIN FRANZ - Plow crews on Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road are within sight of Logan Pass.... more

Girls Empowerment Program Seeks Summer Participants

YWCA Missoula’s GUTS (Girls Using Their Strengths)! program is looking for girls age 9 – 18 to fill Summer Outdoor Adventure trips.... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | April 27

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of April 27

Check out the various bands and live music all over Missoula sprinkled with a sporting event, film or a fundraiser. ... more

Big Sky Basketball Tournaments Heading to Reno

The men's and women's BSC postseason basketball tournaments are headed to Reno. The Big Sky and the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority announced a three-year agreement.... more

Bee All You Can Bee

BY BOB WIRE- I was recently featured in a video called "Buggin' Out for the Butterfly House". In this follow-up blog I'll disccuss the green screen, lip synching, and flashing my grapes to the cast and crew.... more

Missoula Art Museum: American Abstract Artists June 5 – August 29

In 1997 American Abstract Artists donated 40 prints to MAM, and a portion of this remarkable portfolio was exhibited. For the first time, MAM is thrilled to show all 40 prints. The Exhibit runs June 5-Aug. 29... more

Liz Marchi: Manners, the Masters and Equal Pay

By LIZ MARCHI - Be on notice, hitting on women is unwelcome and exhibits the worst in manners. Sexist comments and jokes are NOT funny.... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | April 20

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of April 20

Check out the various bands and live music all over Missoula sprinkled with a sporting event, film or a fundraiser. ... more

LUNAFEST Film Festival: Supporting Women Filmmakers and YWCA GUTS Program

The LUNAFEST Film Festival returns to the Wilma Theater, May 7, at 7pm. LUNAFEST Supports Women Filmmakers and the YWCA GUTS! Girls Leadership Program.... more

International Wildlife Film Festival April 18-25, 2015

Missoula plays host to the highly anticipated International Wildlife Film Festival (IWFF) from April 18-25 at Missoula’s newly restored Roxy Theater.... more