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 News & Opinion’ Category

Canada Legalizes Recreational Marijuana, but Border Rules Still Apply

By MOLLY PRIDDY - No marijuana is allowed in or out of the country through the borders, even if it's legal in the U.S.... more

Archery Hunter Breaks Arm in Grizzly Bear Attack Near Gardiner

By JOLEEN TADEJ - An archery hunter was attacked by a grizzly bear Saturday near Gardiner, sustaining wounds to his arm and face.... more

Really Bad Advice

By MARK RIFFEY - Business is hard enough without taking bad advice.... more

Hiring Right Saves Money

By MARK RIFFEY - I know… when you find a highly qualified candidate, you don’t want to look for disqualifying info. Do it anyway.... more

Liz Marchi: Picking Raspberries

By LIZ MARCHI - The greatest reward for me in my modicum of new found patience is picking raspberries... more

Griz Look To Swat Hornets At The Start of Big Sky Play

By ERIC TABER - The Montana Grizzlies return home this week seeking the program's 200th win inside Washington-Grizzly Stadium.... more

Between A Rock And A Hard Place

By MARK RIFFEY - Ego-free discussion is likely the sole route to business survival.... more

Stay Safe on the Water This Labor Day Weekend

By JOLENE TADEJ - Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wants to remind boaters to be safe on the water this weekend. ... more

Tickets Still Available for Home Opener

By ERIC TABER - What could be better than watching football under the lights at Washington-Grizzly Stadium on a late summer evening in Missoula?... more

This Labor Day: Drinking and Driving Will Cost You

This Labor Day, increased patrols are being deployed across the state of Montana to crack down on impaired driving. ... more

4 Reasons to Use Social Media in Your Business

By EMILY JOHN - If you haven’t yet started your business’s social media page, here are some reasons why you shouldn’t delay any longer.... more

Brain Injury Alliance of Montana’s Inaugural Big Sky Chalenge Hike Aug 25th

Don't miss our Inaugural Big Sky Challenge Hike with proceeds benefiting brain injury survivors and caregivers!... more

What’s Your Secret?

By MARK RIFFEY - Do the thing. Even when you're horrible at it.... more

Dickenson Returns to Celebrate Hall of Fame Induction

For the first time in over a decade, Montana legend Dave Dickenson will return to Missoula for a Grizzly football game when he celebrate his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.... more

Mount Sentinel to Close Monday due to Extreme Fire Danger

By BECKY GOODRICH - Due to extreme fire danger and Stage II fire restrictions, open space on Mount Sentinel will be closed for a 24-hour period this Monday and Tuesday.... more

Stage II Fire Restrictions to Begin Friday on City Open Space

By BECKY GOODRICH - Stage II fire restrictions will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Friday 8/10, on City of Missoula open space and conservation lands, including Mount Sentinel, the North Hills, Mount Jumbo.... more

The Self-Managing Business

By MARK RIFFEY - What does it take to create a self-managing business? Is if even possible?... more

Liz Marchi: Summer on the Ranch

By LIZ MARCHI - Life is good. Summer in Montana…like nothing else. ... more

Affordable Housing Area For Missoula On The Way

By CINDY CUMMINGS - Missoula is a great place to live and work, and it’s one of Montana’s favorite cities for a day out too. ... more

Keeping Vigilant on Protecting Montana’s Waterways

With summer half over, more than 50,000 watercraft have been inspected at Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks aquatic invasive species inspection stations around the state.... more

Horseradish and the Pursuit of Perfect

By MARK RIFFEY - What insignificant thing brings people back again & again?... more

Many Glacier Campground Adds Restrictions After Grizzly Bear Sighting

A northwest Montana campground has temporarily banned tents and soft-sided campers after a grizzly bear made its way into the area.... more

4th of July Out to Lunch Offers Independence Day Celebration for All!

Join us in celebrating Independence Day in the heart of Missoula with a special Out to Lunch in Caras Park on Wednesday, July 4 from 11am-2pm!... more

Sheep Return to City Open Space, Pet Owners Required to Leash Dogs Near Herd

By BECKY GOODRICH - Visitors to City open space are reminded: leash your dog when hiking near grazing sheep this summer.... more

Montana Homestead Declaration – Why it’s Important for Homeowners

By ALLISA WINBERG - The state of Montana has a wonderful Homestead Exemption Act that is designed to protect the investment you have made in your home. Here are the details.... more

What’s Your Growth Plan?

By MARK RIFFEY - Are you a doer or an operator? Your growth path depends on the answer.... more

Getting Started, Part Two

By MARK RIFFEY - Last week, we started talking about a young man asking for advice getting started in his handyman business.... more

Learning Lessons from Missoula’s Philanthropists

Missoula has a solid history of charitable giving.... more

“Bears of Durango” Triumphs at International Wildlife Film Festival

“Bears of Durango” received dual awards during a ceremony at the 41st annual International Wildlife Film Festival (IWFF) on Saturday, April 21st.... more

Boat Carrying Zebra Mussels Stopped at Anaconda Inspection Station

By JOLEEN TADEJ - The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Anaconda watercraft inspection station intercepted a boat carrying zebra mussels Friday. ... more

Getting Started, Part One

By MARK RIFFEY - How do you get started in a handyman business? Part one of a two part series.... more

Make Montana Home

By LIZ MARCHI - I Made Montana Home and it’s made my life enormously rich in the things that are meaningful.  Find your meaning in Montana.... more

Too Much Water?

By BRUCE AUCHLY - This year when winter ends, and yes someday it will, talk will turn from snowfall and ice depth to snowmelt, runoff and flooding.... more

Unmet Needs

By MARK RIFFEY - Is there anything that we aren’t doing for you that you wish we would take care of?... more

Mount Jumbo South Zone Opens Friday, March 30

By BECKY GOODRICH - Mount Jumbo’s South Zone will reopen to public use on Friday, March 30, bringing the area’s annual winter wildlife closure to a close.... more

Death Over Dinner

By LIZ MARCHI - Death over dinner is a nonprofit with a goal of getting us to have the most important conversation we are not having, how we want to die.... more

Grizzly Bears Reported Out on Rocky Mountain Front

Just in time for the beginning of spring, grizzly bears have been reported out on the Rocky Mountain Front.... more

Always Done It That Way?

By MARK RIFFEY - A review of systems that fails to review readiness for the next three to five years of operation isn't doing you any favors.... more

Ask Questions While The Answers Still Matter, Part 1

By MARK RIFFEY - Timely questions can save a client relationship and pay years of dividends to your business.... more

What Would They Do To Put You Out Of Business?

By MARK RIFFEY - How would they price, market, sell, deliver, service, and communicate?... more

Dickenson to be inducted into College Football Hall of Fame

By ERIC TABER - On Monday, the National Football Foundation announced that Dickenson will be immortalized as one of the greatest college football players of all time.... more

Legendary Missoula Organizations Support Skilled Workers

Western Montana Lighting and The Silver Foundation come together to support non-traditional students seeking education in the trade industries.... more

Liz Marchi: 2018

By LIZ MARCHI - The best laugh I got from New Year’s greeting yesterday was Happy 2018, may you look 20 and feel 18.... more

Parks and Recreation Sponsors Christmas Ever-Green Tree Recycling Program

By BECKY GOODRICH - Missoula Parks & Rec encourages Missoulians to conserve area landfills by recycling Christmas trees. ... more

Planning 2018 Got You Wrapped Around The Axle?

By MARK RIFFEY - How to find two hours a day of quiet time to get your 2018 planning finished.... more

Plan a Sober Ride This Holiday Season

By TRAVIS WELSH-Remember to play it safe this holiday season and always plan your sober ride before the festivities begin.... more

Liz Marchi: The Times of Our Lives

By LIZ MARCHI - My kids get very annoyed at the time I spend on Facebook but I love being visually reminded of what I was doing 8 years ago because I DON’T REMEMBER.... more

What’s Freedom Mean To Your Business?

By MARK RIFFEY - When you ask business owners why they started their company, you frequently hear these words: Freedom and opportunity.... more

Hauck’s Coaching Contract Has Incentives for Wins, Grades

Montana football coach Bobby Hauck’s contract has a base salary of $185,000, with incentives for student-athlete grades, graduation rates and wins.... more

Headspace, Creativity and Cartooning

By MARK RIFFEY - The blank slate is a challenge. But why?... more