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 ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of August 4

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

New Fireline Grill Opens at Splash Montana

Splash Montana is proud to announce the ALL NEW Fireline Grill, a mobile kitchen offering fresh, restaurant-quality food options to guests at Splash Montana and in Playfair. ... more

Earning Return Business, Part Two

By MARK RIFFEY - Not long ago I heard someone say “Excuses are a lie wrapped in a reason.” Training is a critical component to building a team that brings clients back repeatedly.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of July 28

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

Kidsfest 2014 Slated for July 29 at Caras Park

Join Missoula Parks and Recreation for Kidsfest 2014, a free summer celebration for Missoula families at Caras Park on Tuesday, July 29 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.... more

Earning Return Business

By MARK RIFFEY - When you make client service decisions, do you weigh the cost of losing the client?The incremental cost of service is usually tiny compared to losing the client.... more

Monte Dolack: Nature of Art

By MONTE DOLACK-My personal creative and restorative touchstone to nature is not far from our Missoula home. It is The Crown of the Continent ecosystem and the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. ... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of July 21

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

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of July 14

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

Consistency is Critical to Repeat and Word-of-Mouth Business

By MARK RIFFEY - What inconsistencies can you address to increase repeat and word of mouth business?... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of July 7

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

Busy Business Owners Have No Time

By MARK RIFFEY - The average CEO says they only spend about 25% of their day doing what they feel is meaningful work. Does that sound like your typical work day?... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of June 30

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

Help Them Produce Their Best Work

By MARK RIFFEY - No matter what business you’re in and what summer does to your workload – summer is a great time to implement improvements that help your staff produce their best work.... more

Business is Personal: Even Black Cats Need a Reason Why

By MARK RIFFEY - I didn’t do a Friday the 13th promo last week. Did you? There are all kind of reasons to do a promotion, but they are more productive if there’s a reason behind them – even if the reason ... more

Garden City River Rod Run to Celebrate 50 Years of the Ford Mustang

The 14th Annual Garden City River Rod Run will celebrate 50 Years of the Ford Mustang in Caras Park, Friday and Saturday, June 27 and 28. ... more

No. 1 Big Sky Men’s Athlete: Montana’s Dave Dickenson

By JON KASPER - A few blocks north of the oil refinery in a middle-class neighborhood, he was bound to be playing sports.One day it was football, the next basketball or baseball. ... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of June 23

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

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of June 16

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

Registration Open for Mollie Summer Adventures for kids and +50 Grandparents

Register now for MOLLI Summer Adventures Grandparent/Grandchild Camp will taking place on Tuesday, June 24 and Wednesday, June 25.... more

Cate No. 1 on Big Sky’s “25 Greatest Athletes” List

By JOEL CARLSON - Shannon Cate ranks No. 1 on the Big Sky Conference’s list of “25 Greatest Female Athletes,” but she needs some convincing.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of June 9

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

Not Your Grandfather’s Beekeeping Course

If your grandfather kept honeybees, chances are he didn’t read trade journals, attend conferences, or keep up with the latest developments in honeybee research. He didn’t have to. Things are different toda... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of June 2

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

Choose your Legislature Carefully

By MARK RIFFEY - What does "serve the people" really mean? Primary season is upon us. It's time to pick someone to serve the people's needs, collectively and individually--and that applies to business too.... more

Sunday Streets Missoula, Higgins Edition, June 1, 2014

Get Moving and Get connected while celebrating sustainable transportation and healthy living at the Higgins Edition of Sunday Streets Missoula on June 1, 2014 ... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of May 26

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

Grizzly Athletics Receive 1.5 Million Bequest

By JOEL CARLSON - To give back to the school that gave him his business foundation Jim Hilleboe has signed a $1.5 million bequest to the University of Montana earmarked for facility improvements.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of May 19

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

Jamar Named Griz Hoops MVP for the Third Season in a Row

By DAVE GUFFEY - Kareem Jamar was named the 2013-14 Grizzly Basketball's MVP, and other award winners include Mario Dunn, Joey Petschl and Brandon Gfeller. ... more

You Aren’t the Business owner You Need to Be

By MARK RIFFEY - Are you preparing yourself so that you're ready to lead the company your business will be in six, nine or 12 months? Are you learning enough to be ready to manage your company's needs?... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of May 12

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

Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is Saturday May 10

Stamp Out Hunger® is a nationwide effort by the National Association of Letter Carriers and the USPS. Each year communities participate to raise resources for their local food banks.... 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

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

Choose Your Market Or Craft It? Or Both?

By MARK RIFFEY - Sometimes you choose your market, and sometimes it chooses you. Today, we get a little of both.... 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

Tourist Season is Coming. Are You Ready?

By MARK RIFFEY - It's almost tourist season. Are you ready? Is your facility ready? Here are some steps to help you make tourist season better than expected:... more

Over 30 Beer-Themed Events Planned for Missoula Craft Beer Week

By RYAN NEWHOUSE - Missoula Craft Beer Week is returning to Missoula April 27-May 3 and is bigger and better than ever, including over 30 beer-themed events throughout the week.... 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

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

Griz “D” Solid in Spring FB game; Nguyen Paces the Offense

By DAVE GUFFEY - The University of Montana’s annual spring game and football scrimmage was highlighted by the dominant play of the defense.... more

Business Rules of the Road

By MARK RIFFEY - While they vary from person to person, our values are the central driving force in our everyday lives. It's worth considering where your rules come from and how you use them.... 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

Customer Relationships – Do Yours Mature and Adapt?

By MARK RIFFEY - Why do our companies, software, processes, communications and systems so infrequently adapt to the state of our customer relationships?... 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

Breaking Through Business Frustrations

By MARK RIFFEY - What things about your business are you fed up about? Sometimes it might be everything or the biggest things, but at other times the tiniest of things.... 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

Lady Griz Fall to San Diego 60-57 (Photo Gallery)

Amy Kame scored a game-high 25 points to lead San Diego to a 60-57 victory over Montana Monday night in the second round of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament.... 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