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

Bike Walk Bus Week in Missoula Sept 8-14

F.Y.I. - The 22nd annual celebration of active, sustainable, healthy transportation, Bike Walk Bus Week, launches on Sunday and runs through Saturday, Sept. 8-14.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of Sept 9

Trail 103.3 DJs share what's happening in Missoula this week: 24th Annual Parade of Homes, Tons of Live Music all over town & more!... more

Elite Runners to Participate in the Missoula Mile on Sept. 8

F.Y.I. - The region’s fastest runners will step to the starting line of Run Wild Missoula’s Missoula Mile on Sunday, September 8 during Sunday Streets Missoula. ... more

Missoula Firefighters Host Firefighter Combat Challenge Sept. 7-8

The Missoula Firefighter Combat Challenge Team, with the current team World Record, is hosting the regional Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge in Missoula September 7- 8th.... more

Riding on a Ferry to Prince Rupert

By DONNA HULL - Hello from the Alaska Highway. What is a Missoula boomer doing on a road trip in the wilderness of the Yukon, Northern British Columbia and Alaska? Come along and find out!... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of Sept 2

Trail 103.3 DJs share what's happening in Missoula this week: Out to Lunch, Downtown ToNight, Tons of Live Music all over town & more!... more

PHOTO GALLERY: Griz Roll Appalachian State in Season Opener

By AUSTIN SMITH - (PHOTO GALLERY) Led by reinstated quarterback Jordan Johnson, the Montana Grizzlies opened their 2013 season with an unchallenged 30-6 victory over the Appalachian State Mountaineers.... more

How to Segment Your Customer List

By MARK RIFFEY - Have you heard that you should "segment" your customers before marketing to them? Ever wondered what that means, much less how you'd do that? ... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of Aug 26

Trail 103.3 DJs share what's happening in Missoula this week: Out to Lunch, Downtown ToNight, Tons of Live Music all over town & more!... more

No-Wait Nonresident Deer Hunting Licenses Going Fast

F.Y.I. - With fewer than 300 no-wait nonresidents deer combo hunting licenses left for sale out-of-state hunters still hoping to trek to Montana this fall need to move fast.... more

Prepping Kids for Grizzly Game Day

By KIM S. - In addition to dressing our kids to the nines for game day,safety is our number one priority. Here are some Grizzly game day safety tips for parents with little ones. ... more

Roots Fest This Weekend in Downtown Missoula August 23-25, 2013

By LINDA McCARTHY- The 8th annual River City Roots Festival is coming up this weekend August 23-25 in Downtown Missoula--showcasing live music, juried art, family fun, food, drink and a four-mile run.... more

Let’s Take a Road Rrip to Washington Wine Country

By DONNA HULL - Ever wonder what’s on the other side of the Bitterroot Mountains? Well, I can tell you—it’s the wine country of Walla Walla, Washington.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of Aug 19

Trail 103.3 DJs share what's happening in Missoula this week: Out to Lunch, Osprey Baseball, Tons of Live Music all over town & more!... more

Seahawks or Broncos?

By LINDA McCARTHY- Since Montana is essentially halfway between Seattle and Denver, Missoulians are oftentimes split between their love of the Mariners and the Rockies, the Seahawks and the Broncos.... more

Which Matters Most When Hiring: Experience or Cultural Fit?

By MARK RIFFEY - Doctor Obvious says "Hiring the right people is crucial for any small business." But what matters most when hiring? Experience? Attitude? Cultural Fit?... more

Hunters Must Expect to See Bears

With Montana's upland game bird season opening Sept.1—and the bow hunting season set to open Sept. 7—remember that hunters will soon be sharing the landscape with bears.... more

Griz Tabbed 20th in the Sports Network’s Preseason Top 25 Poll

The University of Montana Grizzlies are ranked 20th in the nation in The Sports Network’s pre-season top 25 poll which was announced today (Tuesday, Aug. 13) by that organization.... more

Tour of Historical Buddha Relics Makes First Visit to Missoula

A world-wide free public exhibit of ancient and sacred relics of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni and other great Buddhist masters will be on display in Missoula Aug. 16-18 at the Missoula College.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of Aug 12

Trail 103.3 DJs share what's happening in Missoula this week: Out to Lunch, Osprey Baseball, Tons of Live Music all over town & more!... more

Whitefish hosts the Huckleberry Days Arts Festival Aug 9-11

By MOLLY PRIDDY - Huckleberry Days (Aug. 9-11) is one of the biggest art festivals hosted in Whitefish over the summer, drawing in thousands of patrons and more than 100 vendor booths.... more

Getting Kids to a New Dentist? It’s not Like Pulling Teeth Anymore!

By KIM S. - Upon moving to Missoula, one of the first things we did is find a doctor and dentist for the kiddos. A fun dentist experience? Who knew?!... more

Missoula Symphony in the Park: Sunday Aug 11, 2013

By LINDA McCARTHY- The Missoula Symphony will host its annual Symphony in the Park this Sun., Aug. 11, 2013 This FREE event is a ‘do not miss’ event for Missoula! ... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of Aug 5

Trail 103.3 DJs share what's happening in Missoula this week: Out to Lunch, Osprey Baseball, Tons of Live Music all over town & more!... more

Enjoying the Great Outdoors in and Around Missoula

By LINDA McCARTHY- One of the best things about living in Missoula, Montana is the access you have to the wild open spaces and recreation places throughout the region. ... more

Miracle Fish

By ROB BREEDING - I caught a trout the other day. Then another, almost. That second fish exploded out of the water, holding itself above the Flathead River by the fury of its beating tail. ... more

A Midsummer Night’s Stream

By MATT DEVLIN - Picture the river as it lays in wait. In perfect veiled darkness, our finned friends hold like sails in the wind, controlling with every pitch and pull, their own place in the world.... more

Griz Football Players Report for First Fall Practice on August 6

By DAVE GUFFEY - The UM football team starts its preparation for the 2013 football season on Sun., Aug. 4, as the Grizzlies welcome their returning players and newcomers to fall camp.... more

Enjoy the Silence of Missoula

By ANNIE GRAHAM - I live 20 minutes from downtown Missoula and I am blessed with silence. I can hear the crickets chirping in the fields and my son can talk to an owl while he weeds the garden.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of July 29

Trail 103.3 DJs share what's happening in Missoula this week: Out to Lunch, Missoula Farmers' Market, Osprey Baseball, Downtown ToNight & more!... more

Montana Diva Foundation Hosts 2013 Celtic Festival of Missoula

By LINDA McCARTHY- The Montana Diva Foundation hosts the fourth annual Celtic Festival of Missoula July 26-28 in Caras Park in the heart of Downtown Missoula. ... more

The Best Surprise is Truly No Surprise

By MARK RIFFEY - Hotels often provide fuel for writing and a recent trip I took was no exception. Hospitality 101: everything that impacts a guest's stay is everyone's job - particularly simple little things.... more

Griz Total More than 700 Hours of Community Service

By JOEL CARLSON - UM Athletic Director, Kent Haslam announced that Montana’s student-athletes spent over 700 hours engaged in community service last year.... more

Pair of Lady Griz Hoopsters Sign European Contracts

By JOEL CARLSON - Emboldened by the news that her former Lady Griz teammate, Alyssa Smith had signed a professional basketball contract, Katie Baker decided to look at similar options for herself.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of July 22

Trail 103.3 DJs share what's happening in Missoula this week: Out to Lunch, Missoula Farmers' Market, Osprey Baseball, Downtown ToNight & more!... more

Scott Gragg’s New Title: Marathon Man

By JOEL CARLSON - All anybody really wants, when they are minutes away from starting a 26.2 mile marathon, is a moment of levity. Scott Gragg, UM Assistant Head Football Coach found his on Sunday.... more

Kidsfest 2013 Slated for July 30 at Caras Park

Hey Kids! Join Missoula Parks and Recreation for Kidsfest 2013, a free summer celebration for Missoula families at Caras Park on Tuesday, July 30 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. ... more

Two Unique July Festivals Make Missoula Special

By LINDA McCARTHY- For a unique Missoula experience, don’t miss out on the International Choral Festival July 17-20 and the Missoula Celtic Festival July 26-28.... more

Spend the Day (or Night) at Painted Rocks Reservoir

By DONNA HULL - Do you like to go exploring? My husband and I were curious about Painted Rocks Reservoir and decided to find out why friends and neighbors RAVE about it. All I can say is WOW!... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of July 17

Trail 103.3 DJs share what's happening in Missoula this week: The International Choral Festival, Out to Lunch, Missoula Farmers' Market, Open Mic Night and More!... more

Missoula Marathon Festivities Bring Thousands to the Garden City

By LINDA McCARTHY-One of Montana’s largest events takes place this weekend (July 12-14, 2013) right here in the Garden City, as thousands of Montanans and out-of-staters flock to the Missoula Marathon.... more

Commissions, Collaborations, and the Workshop Life

By MONTE DOLACK - As a maker of paintings I am constantly thinking about images and concepts I want to create. Some of them have been put off for years and others have just come to light.... more

The Most Expensive, Stressful Thing On Your Desk

By MARK RIFFEY - Nothing destroys a work day like distractions. Clutter doesn't help - and I mean clutter of all kinds - physical as well as electronic. These things are waiting to distract you. Eliminate them.... more

Knitters ‘Bomb’ the Flathead

By JUSTIN FRANZ - Kalispell’s Camus Creek Yarn is behind a growing trend in the Flathead: yarn bombing. The Main Street in Kalispell has been beautified with the intricacies of yarn.... more

Make it Missoula Monday – Week of July 8

Trail 103.3 DJs share what's happening in Missoula this week: Missoula Osprey, Downtown ToNight, Out to Lunch, Monday Night Movie, Community Unite and more!... more

Celebrating America’s Independence in Missoula, MT U.S.A.

By LINDA McCARTHY - Independence Day. Why don’t we call it that anymore? Instead we call it the "Fourth of July"? As for me, I'm celebrating INDEPENDENCE DAY in Missoula, MT U.S.A.... more

End of and Era: Annette Rocheleau Hanging up Her Whistle

By JOEL CARLSON - Annette Rocheleau, who has been with longtime Montana coach Robin Selvig as a player or assistant coach for all but 13 of Selvig’s 798 career wins, has announced her decision to retire.... more

Summer Heat Has FWP Watching Conditions For Possible Fishing Restrictions

With recent temperatures leaping into the 90s throughout Montana, state fishery officials are gearing up now should the need arise to protect wild fish. ... more

The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation Issues $35,000 Challenge Grant for All-Abilities Playground Project

The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation has issued a $35,000 challenge grant essentially doubling the impact of dollars donated for the All-Abilities Playground at McCormick Park. ... more

Family Adventure: Exploring the Clearwater Canoe Trail

By ANNIE GRAHAM - If we can take our six children (all with varied personalities and needs) on a canoe trip, then so can you. Our latest adventure: The Clearwater Canoe Trail.... more