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Table of Contents

PUBLISHER Matt Gibson GENERAL MANAGER Lynne Foland EDITOR Skylar Browning PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Joe Weston BUSINESS MANAGER Yvette Erskine ARTS EDITOR Erika Fredrickson PHOTO EDITOR Chad Harder CALENDAR EDITOR Jonas Ehudin STAFF REPORTERS Rob Harper, Patrick Klemz COPY EDITOR Samantha Dwyer EDITORIAL INTERNS Mike Gerrity, Megan McLean ART DIRECTOR Kou Moua PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Jenn Stewart ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Carolyn Bartlett, Steven Kirst, Chris Melton CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING MANAGER Miriam Mick CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Tami Johnson FRONT DESK Lorie Rustvold ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Hannah Smith

Welcome: A few things to know before we start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 People to meet: Twenty-four characters who help make Missoula tick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Places to be: Mapping the spots Missoulians frequent most . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Help along the way: Numbers you need, from politics to police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Things to do: Fifty-one ways to become a little more local . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Soundtrack: A past-to-present rundown of the local music scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 Calendar of Events: 8 Days a Week, Fall Semester edition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 Spotlights: Hemp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 Hip hop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 Hardbounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67 Cover photo by Chad Harder

Advertising Focus Pages Advertiser Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 Best of Missoula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Bitterroot Valley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Dish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Downtown Missoula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Healthy Living . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Hip Strip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Jewelry, Arts & Crafts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Lodging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Pamper Yourself . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Real Estate & Rentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Sportin' Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Mailing address: P.O. Box 8275 â&#x20AC;˘ Missoula, MT 59807 Phone number: 406-543-6609

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Welcome

photo by Chad Harder

Lay of the land A few things to know before we start by Andy Smetanka So. There you are. Welcome to Missoula. I see you’ve already started growing your hair out, and you’re lookin’ good. Once you get past that annoying middle stage where it’s all hanging in your eyes, you’re golden. Listen, the editor of this newspaper asked me to pull you aside and bring you up to speed on Missoula. Pretty exciting, huh—a whole new city and a whole new life stretched out before you. I know you’re anxious to get started—I can see you looking ever my shoulder at those girls playing Ultimate (the game with the Frisbee) over there. So I won’t get all heavy on you and I’ll keep it short.

You’ll hear Missoulians talk plenty about how perfectly marvelous it is here and blah blah blah soon enough. What I figured I’d do is take you by your moist little hand and lead you around the truth a little: Missoula can be a tough place to live. For starters, the weather. There were about three days last year where it wasn’t raining, snowing or suffocating in wildfire smoke. On the other hand, the skiing was great. But winter also means inversions, a local weather phenomenon in which—to get all technical on you—a high pressure system hovers over the mountains and compresses cold air down into the valley, basting your lungs with horrible crap for two weeks.

Okay, jobs. Well, unless you’re independently wealthy or have aspired your whole life to work at an art-food café or bohemian coffee shop, you’re often making a less-than-lateral move if you decide to stay here after you graduate. Enjoy those loans while you can, because once that robe comes off you’ll be lined up behind two guys with master’s degrees for the privilege of slinging overpriced sandwiches and sun-dried tomato omelettes for eight bucks an hour. However, even if you don’t fall into one of the aforementioned categories, it’s still just possible to make it here if you’re enterprising and resourceful or just plain determined enough, and willing to take your lumps. If Missoula Independent FRESH FACTS, 2008

you can make a living here and have enough time left to fly-fish, you’re living the dream. Everyone’s dream is to make a living doing something they love. The ultimate Missoula dream, of course, is to get paid for fly-fishing. As one of about 10 people in Missoula who doesn’t care a whit about fly-fishing, I have been clinging to the ragged fringe of the economic periphery for years now. Coincidence? No. What kind of people are Missoulians? We’re friendly, outdoorsy, smug about our little corner of paradise. We value community, or at least talk a good game about it. We recycle (everything except glass—a real blow to our collective selfesteem) and clean up after ourselves and look down on people and places that don’t. We consider ourselves a settlement apart

from the rest of Montana as well as the rest of the country, a bluegreen harbor in a red-state sea. We take pride in our local b u s i n e s s e s — y o u w o u l d n’ t

“Missoula’s Golden Age is always Before You Got Here, and we never let you forget it.” believe the stink when Starbuck’s moved in downtown—so don’t bother telling us about how Missoula would be perfect if only it had this or that corporate amenity like they do back home. We don’t want to hear about it. The downside to

eeping Missoula’s History Alive! The Museum was established in 1975, to collect, preserve and interpret the history of Missoula, Fort Missoula, the history of forest management, and the wood products’ industry in western Montana.

all this civic-mindedness is that we tend to view visitors as interlopers, refugees from other failed utopias, and potential despoilers of our earthly para-

Located on 32 acres at the core of historic Fort Missoula (1877-1947) the Museum has over 25,000 objects & 13 historic structures The M ai open S n Museum is u mme Mon. - Sat. r Hours 10 Sun. N

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Missoula Independent FRESH FACTS, 2008

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dise. We bemoan “progress” where most places would welcome it, like with the new Hooters, and we constantly mourn the passing of vacant lots and buildings that we didn’t give a crap about until someone decided to tear them down or

turn them into condos or office suites. Missoula’s Golden Age is always Before You Got Here, and we never let you forget it. We Missoulians have this annoying habit of giving standing ovations after every sit-down concert. Every concert. Part of it is that we’re thrifty and not shy about squeezing every last drop out of an admission price, and man, do we grumble over ticket prices. (There’s nothing new about this: Missoulians bitched about paying three bucks to see Al Jolson in 1921 and we haven’t stopped bitching since.) But what we’re really doing through this wearisome marionette ritual, I maintain, is applauding ourselves. The sound of all those hands clapping is the sound of an endearingly narcissistic community adoring itself all the more through the performer. It’s downright embarrassing when

photo by Chad Harder

the performers themselves know it wasn’t that good. Or when the house is only half- or three-quarters full, which it often is, because less than one-tenth of Missoulians 40 years and over will attend performances whose performers haven’t been profiled on National Public Radio. Anything else just isn’t “culture,” so they have to stay home and wash their hair that night. For our faults and touchy sore spots, few and whimsical as they may seem to outsiders, we Missoulians also tend to be friendly and genuine. Ask us for directions and we will probably walk you there and invite you to a potluck afterwards. We’re good people. Don’t go disrespecting our seniority, though— then we can turn it on.

Well, off you go. Lots to do and see. Let me just tell you a couple more things in parting. One is that the best things in Missoula are the free ones. Summer nights lolling on the bridge. The first wake-up-tosnow morning of the year. Cooling off in a swimming hole 10 minutes by mountain bike from your dorm room. Those little cones of bugs whirling over the trees in Caras Park, I’ve always liked those. Study biology and tell me why they do that. The last thing is, make friends here. Easy. It’s a friendly place, and full of great stuff for friends to do. Be a productive member of our turtlenecked utopia. Make us like you and we’ll maybe let you stay. Missoula Independent FRESH FACTS, 2008

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People to meet

Doubletree fly-fisherman photo by Chad Harder

Introductions Twenty-four characters who help make Missoula tick by Independent staff

The Meter Maid Lady Typically in a town our size, what matters isn’t as much what you know, but who you know. Here’s a rundown of Missoula’s most noteworthy movers, shakers and, in some cases, playmakers.

John Engen Missoula elected its 50th mayor two years ago, at a time when City Council was rife with infighting and weekly meetings sounded more like schoolyard squabbles than civic discourse. Enter Engen, a Hellgate High grad who immediately helped usher in a more congenial tone and, most importantly, got stuff done. You get the sense he really cares about the city, which is a pretty cool thing to see in a politician these days. 14 Missoula Independent FRESH FACTS, 2008

You mustn’t sweat getting busted for parking violations in downtown Missoula since the fine runs only a couple bones. But do get acquainted with Cyndie Winchell, a 20-year meter maid veteran who is, oddly enough, nice enough to be deservedly named 2008 Downtown Employee of the Year. People treating her with respect will typically get off without charge, if you can catch her before she prints out your fine.

Dennis Washington The only man south of Whitefish ( William Foley) and east of Bozeman (Ted Turner) that can say, with any degree of accuracy, “I can buy and sell this town.” The 74year-old Washington made his fortune—

Forbes listed his net worth at $2.8 billion last year—buying foundering companies and rebuilding them, including his biggest financial success, Butte’s Continental Mine.

Tom Catmull The people of Missoula love this hard working and humble musician. He plays music anyone can dance to—we use the word “dance” loosely, judging from some of the more drunken Union Club crowds—by playing choice covers and almost anything from his extensive catalogue of beloved originals. (And a word of note: While Catmull gets all the pub as frontman, his band, The Clerics, deserve a truckload of praise, as well.) More than anything, though, fans flock to Catmull because he’s a good guy who loves what he does, and it shows.

Pat and Carol Williams Progress comes in pairs. And if you’re hanging around enough political events, chances are you’ll meet one of Montana’s most influential public duos: former Montana Congressman Pat Williams and his wife, State Senate President Carol Williams. Together, they’ve paved a political legacy that helped usher in a generation of landmark national wilderness preservation laws and pushed for more responsible corporate taxes. At the state level, Carol has fought for children’s health care, full-time kindergarten and numerous conservation measures. Yet they still help out on local campaigns— Pat currently serves as a director for Western Progress, a progressive Rocky Mountain think-tank.

Ellie Hill Sometimes it seems the executive director of Missoula’s Poverello Center is everywhere—on newscasts, in newspapers, at fundraisers, around downtown hot spots—all the time. Running the city’s only homeless shelter can be like that. Lately, Hill’s made headlines for proposing a new, Pov-run daytime drop-in facility (neighbors balked—loudly—at the plan) and repeating in our Best of Missoula poll as readers’ favorite activist. No doubt, she’ll make headlines again soon.

Uncle Bill—aka Bill Stoianoff—and his signature links at the Clark Fork River Market or at Joint Effort on Brooks Street.

regularly competes for national player of the year awards. Any remaining skeptics of women’s hoops should take note; she’s got serious game.

Dudley Dana The Missoula art community has had its share of comings and goings over the years, but one constant remains Dudley Dana and his expansive, diverse and imminently approachable gallery. Let us add this adjective, too: tasteful. Western kitsch is kept to a

The Rickshaw Folks When the gap between two downtown drinking establishments seems cavernous— whether due to apparel or chemical restrictions—these guys are your only hope. Imagine those man-powered cabs used by old Hollywood to represent urban Asia, then attach a bicycle to the front…You now have a bike rickshaw, also called a pedicab, and one of latenight’s most fun, funky and safe modes of transport.

Scott Cooney This mega-developer’s increasing influence has become quite a topic of discussion. He owns most of Bonner and prime Missoula properties like the Lincoln School, which means as the usual stories of zoning, growth and development play out in our neck of the woods, Cooney’s name will probably be attached.

Chris Henry

Henry is the unofficial leader of Zoo Town’s electronic music scene, as well as a lead promoter of popular touring hip hop shows. In fact, you could say the entrepreneur helped introduce these genres to Missoula with his persuasive vision and animated personality. Donald Molloy The Mayor photo by Chad Harder Part owner of Ear Candy Music and the The presiding judge of western Badlander compound, he’s constantly Montana’s U.S. District Court branch speaks bluntly and carries a big stick—one minimum, replaced instead with walls of gor- flying in exalted underground DJs and craftthat often makes waves on the regional and geous landscapes, portraits and Dana’s own ing new ways to get the most trippy, experinational environmental scenes. For example, stunning photography. In the last few years, mental and sonically revolutionary music to Bush-appointed U.S. Fish and Wildlife the Dana Gallery hasn’t just established itself our mountain town. Director H. Dale Hall took the gray wolf off as Missoula’s finest art gawking hot-spot, but the Endangered Species List this past winter. also developed a national reputation—two of Josh Slotnick the last three years, the Oil Painters of Security of the “home” and “land” is Judge Molloy, effectively, put it back on. America have held their national juried show attained when people’s needs are met—and, there. as much as anything, we need healthy, local Uncle Bill food. As distant food sources remain vulnerOne bite of this man’s sausages and you able to dirty bombers—and dirty petrol corget an idea of what’s meant by the term Mandy Morales Entering her senior season, this fiery, porations—only locavores can escape the co“master charcutiere”—and you don’t even have to speak French. Uncle Bill’s handcraft- high-scoring point guard is poised to dependency. Avoid this by meeting Slotnick, ed, gourmet dogs taste unlike anything you’ll become the greatest Lady Griz in the pro- who, as co-founder and director of find at the store, probably because he uses gram’s storied history. And this ain’t just a the Garden City Harvest-PEAS Farm, is a leadeverything from fresh morels and ginger to local thing—Morales, who’s averaged 17.9 ing force in feeding Missoulians the local milk (yep, milk) and jalapeños. You can find points a game throughout her UM career, bounty. Missoula Independent FRESH FACTS, 2008

sharp conversation makes it easy to be enamored by his character.

Angela Goodhope Montanans voted in 2004 to allow legal access to medical marijuana, and Missoulians followed two years later by voting to make weed low on local law enforcement’s priority list—you know, so they could work on actual crime. Goodhope stands like the Montana David before the bloated Drug War Goliath in this mess as leader of Citizens for Responsible Crime Policy. The group continues to work tirelessly to allow “Big High Country” residents legal access to the herbal pain medication. Cyndie Winchell

photo by Chad Harder

George Dennison

Jim Crumley

Few people know that University of Montana President George Dennison fancies himself, among other things, a globetrotting historian. Dennison—who earned his doctorate in history from University of Washington in 1967—has traveled to numerous countries in Central Asia to ink partnerships and set up exchange programs for UM. And sometimes all that travel pays off in other ways. Last year, for instance, Dennison was in China when a group of students staged a sit-in in his office to protest UM’s business deals with contractors who use sweatshop-labor.

Our favorite local crime fiction author serves as a human cairn. He’s become a point of reference, a testament to the fame of Missoula’s writing scene ever since his arrival in the mid-1980s. His gritty crime novels, short stories and screenplays are beloved by the community—including Ray Bradbury, who named the detective in his mystery trilogy “Crumley” as a tribute. But Crumley

Amy Martin Political rallies, children’s educational projects, UM campus events, you name it—Amy Martin and her guitar are there. Martin is probably the biggest activist/singer in Missoula, if not Montana, and her lyrics are almost a living journal for the issues of the day, both locally and globally.

Jag Technically, this border collie doesn’t even reside in Missoula. But Gov. Brian Schweitzer’s ever-present best friend makes more waves here than his owner. On Aug. 5, Jag was booted from the Missoula County Fair—no dogs allowed—and a year earlier he was cited for hanging out downtown without a leash. That’s not to mention Jag’s book signing at the 2007 Festival of the Book— he’d just published First Dog, a children’s book about his time romping around Helena.

Consonant Girl Along with Pete Talbot and Rebecca Schmitz, semi-anonymous political blogger “jhwygirl” anchors one of the more politically intriguing of western Montana’s many news and views blogs, 4&20 Blackbirds. Her near-daily posts dig into local issues with equal parts explanation and clear commentary. She’s also a huge fan of Rep. Denny Rehberg, but don’t tell her we said so.

Bob Giordano Doubletree fly-fishermen

There exist in Missoula more outThe Doubletree Hotel is famous spoken spokesmen for political causes for providing the backdrop to some than this alternative transportation totally Cabella-ed out fishermen doing advocate. But, while environmental their best Brad Pitt a la A River Runs Josh Slotnick groups probably won’t install your solar photo by Chad Harder Through It impression. Conspiracy thepanels and taxpayer groups certainly orists insist the constant presence of such cast- himself is the romanticized subject, just as won’t help you file, Giordano can help you ers is paid for by the hotel, but, so far, to no much as his writing. He’s a fixture at some of get that old Schwinn running from the floor Missoula’s best local bars, where his razor of his nonprofit Free Cycles bike shop. avail.

Missoula Independent FRESH FACTS, 2008

Cole Bergquist Next to head coach Bobby Hauck, no other Griz gets dissected more than the team’s starting quarterback. This year, Bergquist starts his second season under center for the maroon and silver, and his first without stud running back Lex Hilliard, who was drafted by the Miami Dolphins. All eyes will be on the California native, who, judging from his 2,623 passing yards last season, should be up to the task.

Comrade Calendar Of everyone on this list, no one keeps their finger as firmly on the pulse of Missoula than our own good doctor, Comrade Calendar. As the purveyor of our

paper’s weekly calendar of events, he packs more info into eight days of the week than you can possibly imagine. From late-night, ear-splitting concerts downtown to early-morning, kid-friendly readings at the library, he’s got the scene covered. (Don’t even mention karaoke. My goodness, does he have that covered, as well.) Weekend climbs? Check out his work in Mountain High. Local political rallies? He’ll have that in Agenda. If it’s happening, Comrade Calendar usually knows about it. And if he doesn’t, somebody didn’t do the following: e-mail info to calendar@missoulanews.com, fax it to 406543-4367, or stop by 317 S. Orange St. If you’re planning an event, Comrade Calendar should be the first person you get to know.

Jag

photo by Chad Harder

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Places to go

The Markets photo by Chad Harder

Where it’s at Mapping the spots Missoulians frequent most by Independent staff There exist in and around Missoula a handful of hot spots that even the most secretive locals will admit are worth sharing. These are the places the community tends to rally around, whether for historical significance or civic pride. Chances are, if you hit any one of them, we’ll see you—and a lot more of our friends and neighbors— there.

The Hip Strip The story goes that residents of this area just south of the Higgins Avenue bridge first dubbed it the Hip Strip back in 1972. Many of the storefronts have changed since then, but not the vibe—some of Missoula’s best eats (The Bridge Pizza, Big Dipper, Hob Nob

Café, Le Petit Outre), drinks (Kettlehouse Brewery, Bernice’s Bakery), books (Shakespeare & Co.), flicks (Crystal Video, Roxy Theater), clothing (Betty’s Divine, Blackbird Kid Shop, Selvedge Studio), tunes (Ear Candy Music) and more come from the locally owned businesses along this stretch of Higgins Avenue and Third Street.

Blue Mountain Whether you’re wanting to walk a (leashed) Fido along the wheelchair-accessible Bitterroot River trail, toss a round of disc golf amid towering ponderosas, take the horses out for a trail ride or churn through the trails on your ATV, this 5,500-acre multiple-use recreation area has what you want, and in spades. Only a 10-minute drive southwest from downtown separates you from

these popular hills, so there are few excuses for not taking advantage of the site.

The Badlander/Palace/Golden Rose/Savoy complex This place is a labyrinth of local entertainment, a nearly 30,000-square-foot multiuse facility situated in the heart of downtown. The Badlander (208 Ryman Street) hosts everything from weekly KBGA college radio DJ nights and dance parties to traveling bluegrass bands and jazz-filled evenings of martini-styled lounging. The Palace is also musically inclined, but with more of a basement party feel featuring pool tables, video games and an array of comfy second-hand couches. The Golden Rose remains one of the last and more beloved smoke-filled, holein-the-wall dives in downtown Missoula, and Missoula Independent FRESH FACTS, 2008

the Savoy next door is stocked with liquor and gaming machines for the gambling enthusiast. Getting lost within this complex constitutes a great night out.

The Markets This has become an all-encompassing term to define the original Farmers’ Market near the XXXXs, the People’s Market a few blocks south and the Clark Fork River Market under the Higgins Avenue bridge, all of which make it very easy to wake up on Saturday mornings. With a seemingly endless supply of fresh veggies, locally made crafts and organic meats, the markets draw just about everyone. That makes it as much about finding good eats as finding out from friends how last night actually ended.

The Rattlesnake No city in the country as big as Missoula has such easy access to a wilderness area as we do to the Rattlesnake—something you’d do well to not take for granted. Whether you’re looking to tease a cutthroat or bomb some singletrack, the 55,000-acre Rattlesnake National Recreation Area and Wilderness, located just north of town, has a large enough array of trails and secret spots to keep adventurers busy for a weekend—or a lifetime.

Charlie B’s There’s no sign out front and the windows are blacked-out. Inside, it’s smoky and people don’t really care what they look like. In the back, beyond the busy pool table and unfaltering barflies, some of the best Cajun this side of the Big Easy gets served out of the tiny Dinosaur Café. The classic portraits on the walls, snapped by the late photographer Lee Nye, seem to watch over everything. Charlie B’s ( “at the corner of space and time”) is a place where you order whiskey with your beer and prepare to stay awhile. You’re bound to learn something about this town each time you step into Missoula’s most iconic watering hole.

Jerry Johnson Hot Springs About 63 miles southwest of Missoula on Highway 12, Jerry Johnson becomes a hightraffic hangout as the fall months bring colder weather and the urge to soak. Nothing beats submerging in natural hot springs during a light snow, or getting the blood pumping by alternating between the warm pools and the nearby river. To get there, take Highway 12 west from Lolo to the Warm Springs Park bridge trailhead—it’ll be where all the cars are parked. Cross the big wooden bridge over the Lochsa River and follow the easy, mile-long trail to the pools. And one

major note for newcomers: Pick up after yourself. Just because everyone knows about Jerry Johnson doesn’t mean it should be trashed with beer cans and cigarette butts.

Missoula Art Museum Often overlooked as one of the city’s best treasures, the free museum (335 N. Pattee) offers a stocked calendar of events and a dynamic rotation of exhibits from both local and international artists. Discover the relatively new space at a monthly Artini event, or by taking part in one of the dozens of mid-day classes and evening artist lectures. And when you’re done taking in the artwork, just marvel at the building itself—an extensive renovation and expansion in 2006 updated the historic Carnegie Library and former MAM, and created 6,000 square feet of exhibit space.

Break Espresso Things get done in record numbers at this legendary student hangout. Judging by the copious amounts of open laptops, jugs of caffeinated drinks and heads buried in textbooks, Break Espresso (432 N. Higgins Avenue) may just be the coolest study hall this town has to offer. Late hours, good brew and plenty of spacious hardwood tables make it the perfect place to cram before your next exam.

The Hip Strip photo by Chad Harder

Missoula Independent FRESH FACTS, 2008

The Wilma, at left photo by Chad Harder

The Wilma Recently the Indy quashed rumors that the historic Wilma Theatre provided the inspiration for David Lynch’s Blue Velvet. But that doesn’t make it any less intriguing. Built in 1921, the Wilma has been a center for arts

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Help

photo by Chad Harder

Missoula’s 4-1-1 Numbers you need, from politics to police by Rob Harper Moving into a new place can be intimidating—you don’t know anyone, you don’t know how to get anywhere and you don’t quite know anything about the different scenes. Fear not. In addition to covering some of the essentials—police, health care, nonprofits—we’ve compiled a number of different ways to get involved in Missoula. It’s an election year, which means there will be plenty of opportunity to let your voice be heard. If you want to talk progressive politics, head over to the Badlander after 5 p.m. on Mondays for Forward Montana’s Progressive Happy Hour (208 Ryman Street) featuring regular guest speakers, candidate discussion forums, make-it-yourself Bloody Mary’s and free fried chicken that shows up a little later, after the booze and political spin starts to sink in. Wax about all things Republican at the Missoula Pachyderms’ (327-1224) regular discussion groups on Fridays at noon at the Montana Club (4561 N. Reserve Street). 30

Missoula Independent FRESH FACTS, 2008

If you want to go directly to the candidates, Barack Obama has a campaign office located in the heart of downtown (218 E. Front Street). The Missoula County Republicans recently opened their campaign headquarters, with information about John McCain and local candidates, at 3601 Brooks Street. If you are more interested in issues than candidates, here are a few other ways to get involved. Talk to Ross Prosperi at the Missoula chapter of Montana Conservation Voters (542-1055) to learn about green-friendly candidates running for office this fall. Or, check out the Jeannette Rankin Peace Center’s (519 S. Higgins Avenue, 543-3955) robust calendar of events and happenings. They’re carrying on the tradition of the first woman ever elected to the U.S. Congress and the only person who voted against the country’s involvement in World War II. Moving beyond politics, there’s still a lot to learn about what Missoula offers.

First, you may need a place to call your own. The Missoula Housing Authority (549-4113) can help by identifying all the unsafe and unsanitary dwellings in town. If you are a student, you get access to the ASUM Off-Campus Renter Center (2432017), which can address all your questions and concerns and offer advice about your housing rights. Here’s an important heads up: When you’re budgeting for your monthly rent, make sure to save enough coin to register your ride. While there are plenty of perks to living in Montana—no sales tax, for one—car registration can be steep. Missoula’s Department of Motor Vehicles (258-4847) will supply you with all the paperwork and let you know exactly how much to make the check out for. For extra assistance with everything from daycare to support groups, the United Way of Missoula County (549-6104) and the Human Resource Council (728-3710) have everything you need to know.

Don’t be scared to look stuff up yourself, either; Missoula’s official city website (ci.missoula.mt.us), county website (co.missoula.mt.us) and the Montana website (state.mt.us) have all the information you ever needed and more about your new home. And just in case you don’t have the time to surf the web, Missoula’s convenient First Call for Help (2-1-1) is an information service that can steer you toward whom you need to talk to and how to reach them. If you’re having a problem that’s perhaps a bit more pressing—as in, needing the long arm of the law—then you may want to call the Missoula County Sheriff ’s Office (2584810). If you’re a student, try calling the University of Montana Campus Police (243-6131). Call the Crime Victims’ Advocates Office (830-3830) if you’re dealing with an issue of abuse or harassment. And, as always, if there’s an immediate emergency, just call 9-1-1. Now that some of the logistics are out of the way, let’s cover how to live right in Missoula.

For instance, want to grow your own food? Garden City Harvest wants to help you with their network of community farms where you can volunteer to help harvest vegetables for neighbors who could really use them, exchange volunteer hours for fresh veggies, or grow your own. Depending on what neighborhood you’re in, you can call one of several local gardens after getting their number from Tim Hall, community garden director (550-3663). Along the same lines, learn sustainable living practices from recycling to harvesting and storing produce with the Missoula Urban Demonstration Project, aka MUD (721-7513). Students should take note of available internships, where you can receive credit for volunteering. An unfortunate number of people are unknowingly one financial emergency away from not being able to buy food. If you become one of them, call Missoula Food Bank (549-0543). On the other hand, if you’re looking to help assuage a problem all too common in the Garden City, give them a ring to donate or volunteer. Then tell your friends, too.

As long as we’re growing locally, let’s talk about sustainable building, too. If you’re looking to find or hoping to get rid of building materials, call Home Resource (5418300). They collect and sell re-usable items from sinks to hardwood. If you need a way to get there, borrow a bike, build a bike or fix your existing bike with the help of the good folks at Free Cycles Missoula (541-PATH). Once you get your blood pumping with all the pedaling, it’s time to sign up for a number of different youth or adult sports programs with Missoula Parks and Recreation (721-PARK). They do a great job keeping Missoula busy, healthy and active— with everything from soccer to swimming— and their website is a good place to keep pace with their seasonal schedule (http://www.ci.missoula .mt.us/ParksRec/). Once you sign up for a softball team, you’ll need someone to listen to all your onfield heroics. The Missoula Humane Society (549-3934) can help you find a new best friend, and there’s no better way to ease into Missoula than with a dog by your side or a cat welcoming you home.

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“Wouldn’t it be too bad if we left this world and hadn’t done all we could for peace?”

Missoula Independent FRESH FACTS, 2008

Quick Guide

To the winners of our annual readers’ poll Arts & Entertainment

Best Movie Theater

Best Art Gallery

1. Wilma Theatre 131 S. Higgins 728-2521 • thewilma.com 2. Carmike 10 3640 Mullan Rd. 541-7467 • carmike.com 3. The Roxy 718 S. Higgins • 728-9380

1. Dana Gallery 246 N. Higgins • 721-3154 danagallery.com 2. Missoula Art Museum 335 N. Pattee • 728-0447 missoulaartmuseum.org 3. Monte Dolack Gallery 139 W. Front 549-3248 • dolack.com

Best Local Actor 1. Cody Hyslop 2. Howard Kingston 3. Alex Wells

Best Local Actress 1. Margaret Johnson 2. Becky Wilson 3. Whitney Wakimoto

Best Local Artist 1. Monte Dolack 2. Kendahl Jan Jubb 3. Michael deMeng

Best Local Band 1. Tom Catmull and the Clerics tomcatmull.com 2. Reverend Slanky myspace.com/reverendslanky 3. Volumen volumen.net

Best Local Filmmaker 1. Doug Hawes-Davis 2. Gita Saedi 3. Andy Smetanka

Best Local Musician 1. Tom Catmull tomcatmull.com 2. David Boone davidboone.net 3. Amy Martin amymartin.org

Best Local Photographer 1. Chad Harder 2. Michael Gallagher 3. Jeff Childre

Best Local Writer 1. James Lee Burke 2. David James Duncan 3. James Crumley

Best Video Rental 1. Crystal Video 614 S. Higgins • 543-3456 crystalvideo.blogspot.com 2. Crazy Mike’s 1003 E. Broadway; 2230 N. Reserve 721-8935 3. Hastings 2501 Brooks 542-1077 • gohastings.com

Fashion & Beauty Best Cosmetics 1. Skin Chic 101 S. Higgins 541-8466 • skinchic.com 2. Dillard’s Southgate Mall 721-3100 • dillards.com 3. Macy’s 110 N. Higgins 542-6000 • macys.com

Best Day Spa 1. Sorella’s 207 E. Main • 721-3639 sorellasdayspa.com 2. Cedar Creek 216 W. Main #210 • 5430200 cedarcreekspa.com 3. The Spa at the Peak Health Center 5000 Blue Mountain Rd. 251-8200 peakmissoula.com/spa

Best Hairstylist 1. Kim DeAnda (Tangles) 2. Andrea “Drue” CayfordNemitz (Twigs) 3. Wendell Peterson (Tangles)

Best Intimate Items 1. Victoria’s Secret Southgate Mall 721-1811 victoriassecret.com 2. Bella Donna 208 N. Higgins 549-4000

Missoula Independent FRESH FACTS, 2008

3. Midnight Dreams 2700 Paxson St. 542-6227 midnightdreamslingerie.com

Best Jewelry 1. Rockin Rudy’s 237 Blaine 542-0077 • rockinrudys.com 2. Miss Zula’s 111 N. Higgins 541-7376 • misszulas.com 3. Barney Jette 228 N. Higgins 721-1575 barneyjettejewelry.com

Best Kids’ Clothing 1. Blackbird Kid Shop 525 S. Higgins • 543-2899 2. Whippersnappers 127 N. Higgins 728-7400 whippersnappersmt.com 3. Children’s Place Southgate Mall 728-2152 • childrensplace.com

Best Men’s Clothing 1. Betty’s Divine 521 S. Higgins 721-4777 • bettysdivine.com 2. Desmonds 129 N. Higgins 728-8233 desmondsmt.com 3. Goodwill 2300 Brooks • 549-6969 esgw-nrm.easterseals.com

Best Optician 1. Rocky Mountain Eye Center 700 W. Kent Ave. • 541-3937 rockymountaineyecenter.com 2. Dr. Sandy Sheppard 700 South Ave. W. #G 549-4851 3. Dr. Jeff Lebsock (Costco) 3220 N. Reserve 728-7371 • costco.com

Best Place for a Hair Cut 1. Tangles 275 W. Main 728-0343 • tanglesmt.com 2. Roosters Men’s Grooming Center 216 E. Main 728-4247 • roostersmissoula.com 3. Sorella’s 207 E. Main • 721-3639 sorellasdayspa.com

Best Shoe Store 1. Hide & Sole 236 N. Higgins 549-0666 2. Dillard’s Southgate Mall 721-3100 • dillards.com 3. Montana Bootlegger Southgate Mall 721-3451 • theclogstore.com

Best Tanning Salon 1. Brown Sugar 1220 SW Higgins #3 541-4441 2. Rayz of Lite 1575 Benton Ave. Suite B 543-0205 3. Sunshine Factory 1533 South Ave. W. 721-7722

Best Tattoo Parlor 1. Painless Steel 1701 S. 5th St. W. 728-1191 painlesssteeltattoo.com 2. American Made 234 W. Front 721-3830 • amtattoo.com 3. Altered Skin 103 Brooks 549-8544 • alteredskin.com

Best Thrift Store 1. Goodwill 2300 Brooks • 549-6969 esgw-nrm.easterseals.com 2. Secret Seconds 1136 W. Broadway 549-1610 ywcaofmissoula.org/secret 3. Bargain Corner 200 S. California St. 543-4926

Best Women’s Clothing 1. Betty’s Divine 521 S. Higgins 721-4777 • bettysdivine.com 2. Macy’s 110 N. Higgins 542-6000 • macys.com 3. Dillard’s Southgate Mall 721-3100 • dillards.com

Food & Drink Best Asian Food 1. Sa Wad Dee

221 W. Broadway 543-9966 sawaddeedowntown.com 2. Mustard Seed Southgate Mall • 542-7333 mustardseedweb.com 3. TIE: Vietnam Noodle 2100 Stephens • 542-8299 vietnamnoodlerestaurant.com Hong Kong Chef 2009 Brooks • 549-6688

Best Bakery 1. Bernice’s Bakery 190 S. 3rd St. W. • 728-1358 bernicesbakerymt.com 2. Le Petit Outre 129 S. 4th St. W. 543-3311 lepetitoutre.com 3. Great Harvest 1407 S. Higgins 728-4549 greatharvest.com

Best Bartender 1. Jeremy Kehoe (Sean Kelly’s) 2. Al Pils (Kettlehouse) 3. Claude Alick (Golden Rose)

Best Breakfast 1. The Shack 222 W. Main • 549-9903 shackcafe.com 2. Hob Nob 531 S. Higgins • 541-4622 3. Paul’s Pancake Parlor 2305 Brooks • 728-9071

Best Caterer 1. Two Sisters Catering 111 N. Higgins 549-3005 twosistersofmontana.com 2. TIE: Bravo! Catering 224 N. Higgins 541-4900 bravocatering.net Creative Catering 131 N. Higgins • 721-1418 creativecateringmt.com 3. North Fork Catering 425 S. Orange • 360-5040

Best Chef 1. Tie: Bob Marshall (Biga Pizza)

Dan Zachary (Sean Kelly’s) 2. Scott Gill (Scotty’s Table) 3. Pearl Cash (Pearl Café)

Best Coffee 1. Butterfly Herbs 232 N. Higgins 728-8780 butterflyherbs.com 2. Break Espresso 432 N. Higgins 728-7300 3. Loose Caboose Multiple Locations 728-1748

Best Coffee Hut 1. Loose Caboose Multiple Locations 728-1748 2. Break Espresso 432 N. Higgins 728-7300 3. Liquid Planet 223 N. Higgins 541-4541 liquidplanet.com

Best Convenience Store 1. Grizzly Grocery 447 Hill St. • 721-2679 2. Holiday on Higgins 605 S. Higgins 721-6911 holidaystationstores.com 3. Ole’s Multiple Locations • 728-2575

Best Delicatessen 1. Worden’s Market 451 N. Higgins 549-1293 • wordens.com 2. Good Food Store 1600 S. 3rd St. W. 541-3663 goodfoodstore.com 3. Dominic’s 600 South Ave. W. 543-0193

Best Desserts 1. Mustard Seed Southgate Mall 542-7333 mustardseedweb.com 2. Bernice’s Bakery 190 S. 3rd St. W. 728-1358 bernicesbakerymt.com 3. Red Bird 120 W. Front #105 549-2906 redbirdrestaurant.com

Best Family-Friendly Restaurant 1. Montana Club 2620 Brooks; 4561 N. Reserve 543-3200 montanaclub.com 2. Finnegan’s 700 E. Broadway 542-2752

3. TIE: Ruby’s Café 2101 Regent St. 728-9890 Applebee’s 4041 Brooks • 251-4020 applebees.com

2. El Diablo 1429 S. Higgins 728-9529 3. Butterfly Herbs 232 N. Higgins 728-8780 butterflyherbs.com

3. TIE: The Bridge 600 S. Higgins • 542-0002 bridgepizza.com Worden’s Market 451 N. Higgins 549-1293 • wordens.com

Best French Fries

Best Mexican Food

Best Restaurant

1. Iron Horse Brew Pub 501 N. Higgins 728-8866 ironhorsebrewpub.com 2. Hoagieville Multiple Locations 543-5265 3. Hob Nob 531 S. Higgins 541-4622

1. El Cazador 101 S. Higgins • 728-3657 2. Fiesta En Jalisco 3701 Brooks; 5055 N. Reserve 728-1323 3. Taco Del Sol 422 N. Higgins 327-8929 • tacodelsol.com

Best Microbrewery

1. Red Bird 120 W. Front • 549-2906 redbirdrestaurant.com 2. Pearl Café 231 E. Front 541-0231 • pearlcafe.us 3. Biga Pizza 241 W. Main 728-2579 • bigapizza.com

1. Good Food Store 1600 S. 3rd St. W. 541-3663 goodfoodstore.com 2. Farmers’ Market Downtown Missoula Seasonal; Sat. 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. 3. Orange Street Food Farm 701 S. Orange • 543-3188

1. Kettlehouse Brewery 602 Myrtle St. 782-1660 kettlehouse.com 2. Big Sky Brewing 5417 Trumpeter Way 549-2777 bigskybrew.com 3. Bayern Brewing 1507 Montana St. 721-1482 bayernbrewery.com

Best Restaurant Service

Best Hamburger

Best Milk Shake

Best Restaurant Wine List

Best Fresh Produce

1. Missoula Club 139 W. Main • 728-3740 2. Fuddruckers 2805 N. Reserve 721-4577 fuddruckers.com 3. The Old Post 103 W. Spruce • 721-7399 oldpostpub.com

Best Ice Cream 1. Big Dipper 631 S. Higgins 543-5722 bigdippericecream.com 2. Cold Stone Creamery 3275 N. Reserve 549-5595 coldstonecreamery.com 3. Dairy Queen Multiple Locations 549-6075 dairyqueen.com

Best Liquor Store 1. Grizzly Liquor 110 W. Spruce • 549-7723 grizzlyliquor.com 2. Krisco Liquor 1300 S. Reserve, Suite E 549-7242 3. Diamond Jim’s Multiple Locations 829-9898

Best Local Brew 1. Kettlehouse Cold Smoke 2. Big Sky Moose Drool 3. Big Sky Summer Honey

Best Lunch for Under $7 1. Taco Del Sol 422 N. Higgins • 327-8929 tacodelsol.com

1. Uptown Diner 120 N. Higgins 542-2449 2. Big Dipper 631 S. Higgins • 543-5722 bigdippericecream.com 3. Dairy Queen Multiple Locations 549-6075 dairyqueen.com

Best New Restaurant 1. Ciao Mambo 541 S. Higgins • 543-0377 ciaomambo.com 2. James Bar 127 W. Alder • 721-8158 3. Scotty’s Table (new location) 131 S. Higgins • 549-2790 scottystable.net

Best Pizza 1. Biga Pizza 241 W. Main • 728-2579 bigapizza.com 2. The Bridge 600 S. Higgins • 542-0002 bridgepizza.com 3. MacKenzie River 2510 Grant Creek Rd; 137 W. Front 721-0077 mackenzieriverpizza.com

Best Place to Eat Alone 1. Taco Del Sol Multiple Locations 327-8929 • tacodelsol.com 2. Good Food Store 1600 S. 3rd St. W. 541-3663 goodfoodstore.com

1. Red Bird 120 W. Front #105 549-2906 redbirdrestaurant.com 2. Pearl Café 231 E. Front 541-0231 • pearlcafe.us 3. Scotty’s Table 131 S. Higgins 549-2790 • scottystable.net

1. Red Bird 120 W. Front #105 549-2906 redbirdrestaurant.com 2. Finn & Porter 100 Madison St. 542-4660 finnandporter.com/missoula 3. The Depot 201 Railroad St. W. 728-7007

2. Pearl Café 231 E. Front 541-0231 pearlcafe.us 3. The Keep 102 Ben Hogan Dr 728-5132 thekeeprestaurant.com

Best Salad 1. Good Food Store 1600 S. 3rd St. W. 541-3663 goodfoodstore.com 2. Biga Pizza 241 W. Main 728-2579 • bigapizza.com 3. Iron Horse Brew Pub 501 N. Higgins 728-8866 ironhorsebrewpub.com

Best Sandwich 1. Worden’s Market 451 N. Higgins 549-1293 • wordens.com 2. Staggering Ox 123 E. Main; 1220 SW Higgins 327-9400 staggeringox.com 3. Doc’s 214 N. Higgins 542-7414

Best Seafood 1. Sushi Hana 403 N. Higgins 549-7979 sushihanamissoula.com 2. Nara Korean BBQ & Sushi 3075 N. Reserve 541-0731 3. Finn & Porter 100 Madison • 542-4660 finnandporter.com/missoula

Best Retail Beer Selection 1. Orange Street Food Farm 701 S. Orange • 543-3188 2. Worden’s Market 451 N. Higgins 549-1293 • wordens.com 3. Liquid Planet 223 N. Higgins 541-4541 liquidplanet.com

Best Steak

Best Retail Wine Selection

1. Good Food Store 1600 S. 3rd St. W. 541-3663 • goodfoodstore.com 2. Orange Street Food Farm 701 S. Orange • 543-3188 3. Rosauers 2350 S. Reserve 721-5430 • rosauers.com

1. Worden’s Market 451 N. Higgins 549-1293 • wordens.com 2. CVS 1914 Brooks 728-1380 • cvs.com 3. Good Food Store 1600 S. 3rd St. W 541-3663 goodfoodstore.com

Best Romantic Dining 1. Red Bird 120 W. Front #105 549-2906 redbirdrestaurant.com

1. Lolo Creek Steakhouse 6600 Hwy 12 W. 273-2622 2. The Depot 201 Railroad St. W. • 728-7007 3. Outback Steakhouse 2415 N. Reserve 327-6900 • outback.com

Best Supermarket

Best Vegetarian Food 1. Tipu’s Tiger 2. Good Food Store 1600 S. 3rd St. W. 541-3663 goodfoodstore.com 3. Hob Nob 531 S. Higgins • 541-4622

Missoula Independent FRESH FACTS, 2008

MOUNTAIN IMPORTS Import Auto Service & Parts Registered Technician • Quality work at reasonable prices! Most knowledgeable VW, Audi, BMW, Volvo specialist in town! * Audi * Volkswagen * Volvo * BMW * Asian Models & Other Imports AUTHORIZED WARRANTY SERVICE & PARTS

721-3395 • 1800 So. 3rd West www.mountainimports.com

ASXNÜ:YaO\ONÜwÜ/WZVYcOOÜ9aXONÜ 8Oa,OVQS_W MYW Best Waiter/ Waitress 1. Joe Black (The Keep) 2. Nikki Drewry (Sean Kelly’s) 4. Alison Zmud (Scotty’s Table)

Goods & Services Best Antiques 1. Montana Antique Mall 331 Railroad St. W. • 721-5366 montanaantiquemall.com 2. Curiosity Shop 1804 North Ave. W. 542-0097 3. Circle Square Second Hand Store 519 N. Higgins 549-3512 • 2ndhand.com

Best Apartment Rental Agency 1. Garden City Property Management 422 Madison St. 549-6106 • gcpm-mt.com 2. Bitterroot Property Management 414 W. Broadway 549-9631 biterrootmanagement.com 3. Grizzly Property Management 1601 South Ave. W. 542-2060 • grizzlypm.com

Best Auto Repair 1. Kent Brothers Automotive 127 S. 4th St. W. 728-1747 2. Hellgate Conoco 711 E. Broadway • 549-7504 3. Curt’s Auto Care 721 Mount Ave. #A 728-7472

Best Big Box Store 1. Costco 3220 N. Reserve 721-1535 • costco.com 2. Target 2420 N. Reserve 543-4000 • target.com

3. Best Buy 2640 N. Reserve 829-0409 • bestbuy.com

Best Camera/ Photo Store 1. The Dark Room 135 N. Higgins 549-1070 darkroomofmontana.com 2. Best Buy 2640 N. Reserve 829-0409 • bestbuy.com 3. Yellowstone Photo 321 N. Higgins 728-7637 yellowstonephoto.com

Best CDs and Music 1. Rockin Rudy’s 237 Blaine • 542-0077 rockinrudys.com 2. Ear Candy Music 624 S. Higgins 542-5029 earcandymusic.nu 3. Budget CDs 1910 Brooks • 543-4792

Best Computer Repair Shop 1. Computer ER 2100 Stephens #105 541-2600 computer-er.com 2. ReCompute Computers 1337 W. Broadway 543-8287 3. TIE: Dr. PC 225 N. Higgins 542-7722 mydoctorpc.com The Computer Guys 1015 Mount Ave. #C 542-2800

Best Daycare Provider 1. Fort Courage Childcare 2839 Fort Missoula Rd. 327-4067 2. Organic Sprouts 251-1502 • organicsprouts.net 3. Lil’ Griz Club House 912 Kensington Ave. #A 549-4848

Best Department Store 1. Macy’s 110 N. Higgins 542-6000 • macys.com 2. Dillard’s Southgate Mall 721-3100 • dillards.com 3. Target 2420 N. Reserve 543-4000 • target.com

Best Dry Cleaner 1. Green Hanger 146 Woodford; 960 E Broadway 728-1948 2. Missoula Textiles 111 E. Spruce; 1201 Burlington 543-5171 • missoulatextiles.com 3. Fresh Natural Cleaners 1132 SW Higgins 542-8100 • naturalcleaners.com

Best Financial Institution 1. Missoula Federal Credit Union Multiple Locations • 523-3300 missoulafcu.org 2. First Interstate Bank Multiple Locations 523-4200 • firstinterstatebank.com 3. First Security Bank Multiple Locations 728-3115 • fsbmsla.com

Best Florist 1. Bitterroot Flower Shop 811 S. Higgins 542-0309 bitterrootflowershop.net 2. Garden City Floral 2510 Spurgin Rd. 543-6627 gardencityfloral.com 3. Flower Bed 2405 McDonald Ave. 721-9233 flowerbedandgallery.com

Best Furniture Store 1. Wagner’s Home Furnishings 916 SW Higgins • 728-3214 wagnershomefurnishings.com

2. Ashley Furniture 3025 Paxson St. 542-2222 ashleyfurniture.com 3. Furniture Row 3411 N. Reserve 728-3420 furniturerow.com

Best Hardware Store 1. Montana Ace @ Tremper Shopping Center 2301 Brooks • 728-3030 montanaace.com 2. TIE: Lowe’s 3100 N. Reserve 329-1800 • lowes.com Home Depot 2725 Radio Way 523-0901 homedepot.com

Best Head Shop 1. Down Under (Closed) 2. Ear Candy 624 S. Higgins • 542-5029 earcandymusic.nu 3. Urban Kings 103 E. Main • 549-0626

Best Hobby/ Craft Shop 1. Treasure Chest 1612 Benton Ave. • 549-7992 2. Michaels 2850 N. Reserve 542-0128 • michaels.com 3. Bathing Beauties 501 S. Higgins Ave. 543-0018 bathingbeauties.us

Best Home Accessories 1. Pier 1 Imports 2800 N. Reserve 728-3347 • pier1.com 2. Target 2420 N. Reserve 543-4000 • target.com 3. TIE: Ashley Furniture 3025 Paxson St. 542-2222 • ashleyfurniture.com

Red Rooster Trading 301 N. Higgins • 543-7777

Best Independent Book Seller 1. The Book Exchange 2335 Brooks 728-6342 • booksmontana.com 2. Fact & Fiction 220 N. Higgins 721-2881 factandfictionbooks.com 3. Shakespeare & Co. 103 S. 3rd St. W. 549-9010 shakespeareandco.com

Best Laundromat 1. Green Hanger 146 Woodford; 960 E. Broadway • 728-1948 2. Sparkle Laundry 812 S. Higgins • 721-5146 3. Mullan Station 3420 Mullan Rd. • 721-5989

Best Lawyer 1. John Bennett (Bennett Law Office) 135 W. Main • 543-5803 bennettlawofficepc.com 2. Paul Ryan (Paul Ryan and Associates) 218 E. Front #210 542-2233 paulryanlaw.com 3. Morgan Modine (Modine Law Office) 215 W. Broadway 542-1111 • modinelaw.com

Best Lodging 1. Doubletree Edgewater 100 Madison 728-3100 • doubletree.com 2. C’Mon Inn 2775 Expo Pkwy 543-4600 • cmoninn.com 3. Thunderbird Motel 1009 E. Broadway 543-7251 • thunderbirdmotel.net

Best Motorcycle/ ATV Dealer 1. Montana Harley Davidson 5106 E. Harrier Dr 721-2154 • mtharley.com

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2. TIE: Mike Tingley’s SuzukiYamaha 2150 South Ave. W. 549-4260 miketingleyssuzuki.com Kurt’s Polaris 2904 W. Broadway 541-3651 kurtspolaris.com

Best New Car Dealer 1. Bitterroot Motors 3943 Brooks 251-2525 bitterrootmotors.com 2. 4 Seasons Motors 1600 Stephens 728-2510 • 4seasonsmotors.com 3. Karl Tyler Chevrolet 3663 N. Reserve 721-2438 • montanachevy.com

Best Pawn Shop 1. Liquid Assets 434 N. Higgins 542-6606 2. A Nickels Worth 2424 W. Central 728-2112 3. Circle Square Second Hand Store 519 N. Higgins 549-3512 • 2ndhand.com

Best Personal Trainer 1. Laura Bender (Bodies by Bender) 113 W. Main 728-4395 bodiesbybender.com 2. Bruce Wallwork (Wallwork’s Gym) 101 S. Higgins #11 327-9989 3. Rhea Fuller (Momentum) 214 1/2 E. Main 541-7474 momentumat.com

Best Pet Care/Boarding 1. Dog Logic 1200 Shakespeare St. 327-9663 nocagesmontana.com

2. GoFetch! 517 S. Higgins; 627 Woody St. 543-2551 gofetchdog.com 3. Quick Paws 901 S. 2nd St. W. 721-1943 • quickpaws.net

Best Pet Supplies 1. PetSmart 2850 N. Reserve 549-9188 • petsmart.com 2. GoFetch! 517 S. Higgins; 627 Woody St. 543-2551 gofetchdog.com 3. Pet Nebula 2100 Stephens Ave. 541-9929

Best Plant Nursery 1. Caras Nursery & Landscaping 2727 S. 3rd St. W. 549-3242 2. Pink Grizzly 1400 Wyoming St. • 728-3370 3. Marchie’s 1845 S. 3rd St. W. • 542-2544

Best Ranch Supply Store 1. Quality Supply 2801 W. Broadway 549-2355 qualitysupply.com 2. Cenex 4570 N. Reserve 543-8383 cenexmontana.com

Best Real Estate Agent 1. Mindy Palmer (Lambros ERA) 3011 American Way 532-9213 mindypalmer.com 2. Rochelle Glasgow (Prudential Missoula) 148 South Ave. W. 728-8270 rochelleglasgow.com 3. Pat McCormick (Properties 2000) 1200 S. Reserve Suite F 728-8850 properties2000.com

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Best Store for Home Appliances

Best Used Car Dealer

1. Vann’s 3623 Brooks Suite A 541-6000 • vanns.com 2. Sears Southgate Mall 523-3200• sears.com 3. Best Buy 2640 N. Reserve 829-0409 • bestbuy.com

1. Eide Motors Inc. 3010 S. Reserve 721-2323 eidemotorsmissoula.com 2. TIE: Sunshine Motors 3309 W. Broadway 728-2626 sunshinemotors.com Missoula Car and Truck 450 N. Russell • 543-6600 missoulacarandtruck.com

1. Eric Ravitz 610 N. California 721-1646 2. Lisa Lovejoy 500 W. Broadway 721-5600 3. TIE: Mary Langenderfer 500 W. Broadway 721-5600 Sandra Shepherd 2827 Fort Missoula #102 327-3290

Best Veterinarian

Best Health Clinic

1. Minott Pruyn (Pruyn Veterinary Hospital) 2501 S. Russell • 829-8150 2. Sara Stephens (Alpine Veterinary) 500 S. 5th St. W. 728-4605 3. Sandy Moore (AnCare) 1440 S. Russell • 728-0408

1. Blue Mountain Clinic 610 N. California St. 721-1646 bluemountainclinic.org 2. Western Montana Clinic 500 W. Broadway 721-5600 westernmontanaclinic.com 3. TIE: Curry Health Center 634 Eddy Ave. 243-2122 • umt.edu Partnership Heath Center 323 W. Alder 258-4789 co.missoula.mt.us

Best Store for Home Electronics 1. Best Buy 2640 N. Reserve 829-0409 • bestbuy.com 2. Vann’s 3623 Brooks Suite A 541-6000 • vanns.com 3. Costco 3220 N. Reserve 721-1535 • costco.com

Best Store for Musical Instruments 1. Morgenroth 1105 W. Sussex 549-0013 montanamusic.com 2. Electronic Sound & Percussion 819 S. Higgins 728-1117 • espmusic.com 3. Outlaw Music 1706 Brooks St. 541-7533 outlawmusicguitarshop.com

Best Street Vendor 1. CaseDogs (aka Chicago Hot Dog) 2. Jaffery 3. Mother Trucker

Health Best Chiropractor 1. Anthony Lambert (Lambert Family Chiropractic) 1320 S. 3rd St. W 541-9355 missoulachiropractic.com 2. Cory Gray (Health Options Clinic) 3031 S. Russell • 549-4067 3. Linda Matz (Matz Family Chiropractic Center) 800 Kensington #100 549-2006 matzfamilychiropractic.com

Best Dentist

Best Toy Store 1. Learning Tree Southgate Mall • 543-0101 learningtreemontana.com 2. Rockin Rudy’s 237 Blaine 542-0077 rockinrudys.com 3. Walking Stick Toys 829 S. Higgins 543-1179 walkingsticktoys.com

1. Ike Heaphy 712 Kensington Ave. 543-8347 2. TIE: James Bigelow 628 South Ave. W. 534-0300 Ronald Rosser 690 SW Higgins• 543-3159 Scott Schroeder 2445 S. 3rd St. W. • 542-0030

Sporting Goods, Montana Style

Best Doctor

Best Massage Therapist 1. Andrea Utick (Lotus Light) 360-9209 2. Maura Buck 531-9957 3. Rosie Smith (Moondance Massage) 240-9103

Best Optometrist 1. Sandy Sheppard 700 South Ave. W. #G 549-4851 • eyefinity.com 2. Michael Simon (Montana Eyecare) 726 Kensington Ave. 549-9413 3. Kim Everingham (Rocky Mountain Eye Center) 700 W. Kent • 541-3937 rockymountaineyecenter.com

SPORTING GOODS

You, Missoula! 721 Mount (Behind the old Showcase Video)

Missoula • 728-3220 3015 Paxson 9-9 Daily, 9-8 Sat., 10-6 Sun.

Hamilton • 363-6204 1120 N. 1st 9-8 Daily, 9-6 Sat., 10-4 Sun.

Missoula Independent FRESH FACTS, 2008

GRIZZLY LIQUOR 549-7723 • 110 W. Spruce St. • grizzlyliquor.com

Best Physical Therapist 1. Angela Vap (Alpine Physical Therapy) 5000 Blue Mountain Rd. 251-2323 alpineptmissoula.com 2. TIE: Axis Physical Therapy 420 N. Higgins #B 542-3333 • axispt.org Mitch Rost (Rost Rehabilitation) 1200 S. Reserve 544-2878 3. Edie Smith (Missoula Physical Therapy Center) 1805 Bancroft St. 543-4890 • missoulapt.com

Nightlife Best Bar 1. Charlie B’s 428 N. Higgins 549-3589 2. The Badlander 208 Ryman • 549-0235 myspace.com/thebadlander 3. Sean Kelly’s 130 W. Pine • 542-1471 seankellys.com

Best Bar for a Stiff Pour 1. Al’s & Vic’s 119 W. Alder • 728-4804 2. Charlie B’s 428 N. Higgins 549-3589 3. The Badlander 208 Ryman • 549-0235 myspace.com/thebadlander

Best Bar to Hook Up 1. The Rhino 158 Ryman • 721-6061 2. Stockman’s 125 W. Front • 549-9668

3. Iron Horse Brew Pub 501 N. Higgins 728-8866 ironhorsebrewpub.com

Best Beer Selection 1. The Rhino 158 Ryman • 721-6061 2. Iron Horse Brew Pub 501 N. Higgins 728-8866 ironhorsebrewpub.com 3. Sean Kelly’s 130 W. Pine • 542-1471 seankellys.com

Best Bloody Mary

2. Arriba (Closed) 3. The Old Post 103 W. Spruce 721-7399 oldpostpub.com

Best Karaoke Bar 1. Westside Lanes 1615 Wyoming St. 721-5263 missoulabowling.com 2. VFW 245 W. Main • 728-7749 3. AmVets 225 Ryman • 543-9174

1. Last Run Inn at Snowbowl 549-9777 montanasnowbowl.com 2. Sean Kelly’s 130 W. Pine • 542-1471 seankellys.com 3. The Old Post 103 W. Spruce 721-7399 oldpostpub.com

Best LGBTI Scene

Best Casino

1. Finn & Porter 100 Madison St. 542-4660 finnandporter.com/missoula 2. James Bar 127 W. Alder • 721-8158 3. The Badlander 208 Ryman • 549-0235 myspace.com/thebadlander

1. Flippers 125 S. 3rd St. W. 721-4895 2. Diamond Jim’s Multiple Locations 829-9898 3. Lucky Lil’s Multiple Locations 721-5770

Best Club DJ 1. DJ Mermaid (Adelaide Every) 2. TIE: Tallest DJ (Aaron Traylor) DJ Dubwise

Best Happy Hour 1. Jaker’s 3515 Brooks 721-1312 • jakers.com

1. AmVets Club 225 Ryman • 543-9174 2. Club Q Elks Lodge 112 N. Pattee St. 543-9434 3. The Rhino 158 Ryman • 721-6061

Best Martini

Best Poker Game 1. Oxford 337 N. Higgins 549-0117 • the-oxford.com 2. Silvertip Casino 680 SW Higgins • 728-5643 3. Stockman’s 125 W. Front • 549-9668

Best Pool Table 1. Palace Lounge 147 W. Broadway 542-5295 myspace.com/ thepalacemissoula 2. Al’s & Vic’s 119 W. Alder • 728-4804 3. The Rhino 158 Ryman • 721-6061

Best Sports Bar 1. The Press Box 835 E. Broadway 721-1212 pressboxsportsbar.com 2. Red’s 217 Ryman • 728-9881 3. Paradise Falls 3621 Brooks • 728-3228 paradisefallsmissoula.com

People & Media Best Activist

1. Union Club 208 E. Main • 725-7980 2. The Badlander 208 Ryman • 549-0235 myspace.com/thebadlander 3. AmVets Club 225 Ryman • 543-9174

1. Ellie Hill 2. TIE: Amy Martin Bob Giordano 3. Matt Singer

Best Place to Hear Live Music

1. Skylar Browning 2. Joe Nickell 3. TIE: Rob Chaney Andy Smetanka

1. The Badlander 208 Ryman • 549-0235 myspace.com/thebadlander

1600 S. 3rd St. West 406.541.FOOD 7am to 10pm Every Day

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2. Union Club 208 E. Main • 725-7980 3. Top Hat 134 W. Front • 728-9865

Best Place to Dance

One of Missoula’s Natural Wonders

Open 7AM-11PM Mon-Sat • Sun 9AM-10PM 543-3188 • 701 South Orange Street

Best Journalist

Best Local Cop 1. Shawn Paul 2. Guy Baker 3. TIE: Mark Muir Dick Lewis

Best Local Politician 1. John Engen 2. Jon Tester 3. Jason Wiener

Best Local Sports Figure 1. Monte the Bear 2. TIE: Griz Running Back Lex Hilliard Griz Football Coach Bobby Hauck

Best Local Website 1. NewWest.net 2. Missoulanews.com 3. Missoulian.com

Best Radio Personality 1. Tracy Lopez (Trail 103.3) 2. Craig & Al (KYSS 94.9) 3. H. Rap (KBGA 89.9)

Best Radio Station 1. Trail 103.3 2. KUFM 89.1 3. KBGA 89.9

Best School Teacher 1. Kathy Owens 2. TIE: Dean Peterson, Debbie Thompson, Julie Line, Wayne Seitz

Best TV Newscast 1. KPAX 2. KECI 3. KTMF

Stacy Jennings

Leather Goods Footwear 236 N. Higgins 543-1128

Over 25 styles in stock Men’s • Women’s

Thanks, Missoula! Best TV Personality 1. Jill Valley 2. Mark Heyka 3. Heidi Meili

Best UM Professor 1. Garry Kerr 2. Harry Fritz 3. Garon “G-Whiz” Smith

Sports & Recreation Best Bike Shop 1. Missoula Bicycle Works 708 S. Higgins 721-6525 missoulabicycleworks.com 2. The Bike Doctor 1101 Toole Ave. 721-5357 3. Open Road 517 S. Orange 549-2453 orbicycleandnordic.com

Best Bowling Alley 1. Westside Lanes 1615 Wyoming St. 721-5263 missoulabowling.com 2. Five Valleys Bowl 1515 Dearborn Ave. 549-4158

Best Day Hike 1. Rattlesnake 2. The M 3. Blue Mountain

Best Fishing Guide 1. Stacy Jennings 2. Tony Schoonen Sr. 3. Damon Cox

Best Fly-fishing Shop 1. The Kingfisher 926 E. Broadway 721-6141 kingfisherflyshop.com

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2. Grizzly Hackle 215 W. Front • 721-8996 grizzlyhackle.com 3. Missoulian Angler Fly Shop 401 S. Orange • 728-7766 missoulianangler.com

2. Trail Head 221 E. Front 543-6966 trailheadmontana.net 3. REI 2230 N. Reserve #300 829-0432 • rei.com

Best Golf Course

Best Paddle Sports Shop

1. UM Golf Course 515 South Ave. E. 728-8629 • umt.edu/golf 2. Canyon River 1268 Bandmann • 721-0222 canyonrivergolfcommunity.com 3. Larchmont 3200 Fort Missoula Rd. 728-4416

Best Gun Shop 1. Brady’s Sportsman’s Surplus 2315 Brooks @ Tremper Shopping Center • 721-5500 sportsmanssurplus.com 2. Bob Ward & Sons 3015 Paxson St. 728-3220 • bobwards.com 3. Sportsman’s Warehouse 2323 N. Reserve 523-9000 sportsmanswarehouse.com

Best Health Club 1. The Women’s Club 2105 Bow St. 728-4410 • thewomensclub.com 2. Peak Health and Wellness 5000 Blue Mountain Rd. 251-3344 • peakmissoula.com 3. YMCA 3000 Russell 721-YMCA • ymcamissoula.org

Best Mountaineering Gear 1. Pipestone Mountaineering 129 W. Front 721-1670 pipestonemountaineering.com

Best Park

3. Brady’s Sportsman’s Surplus 2315 Brooks 721-5502 sportsmanssurplus.com

1. Canoe Rack 501 N. California 251-0040 • canoerack.com 2. Trail Head 221 E. Front 543-6966 trailheadmontana.net 3. Edge of the World 618 S. Higgins 721-7774 edgeoworld.com

Best Ski Shop 1. Gull Ski Shop 2601 W. Broadway 549-5613 2. Bob Ward & Sons 3015 Paxson St. 728-3220 • bobwards.com 3. Trail Head 221 E. Front 543-6966 trailheadmontana.net

Best Snowboard Shop 1. Edge of the World 618 S. Higgins 721-7774 • edgeoworld.com 2. Bob Ward & Sons 3015 Paxson St. 728-3220 • bobwards.com 3. Gull Ski Shop 2601 W. Broadway 549-5613

Best Sporting Goods 1. Bob Ward & Sons 3015 Paxson St. 728-3220 • bobwards.com 2. REI 2230 N. Reserve #300 829-0432 • rei.com

1. Caras 2. Bonner 3. Greenough

Best Place for People Watching

Uniquely Missoula Best Church Choir 1. Holy Spirit Episcopal Church Choir 2. SHEC 3. Christian Life Center

Best Festival/Event 1. Garden City Brewfest Caras Park; Early May Annually 2. Out to Lunch Caras Park; Every Wed. June - Aug, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. 3. River City Roots Festival Downtown; August 23-24 rivercityrootsfestival.com

Best New Building 1. Caffè Dolce Corner of Brooks and Beckwith 2. Treasure State Bank 3660 Mullan 3. Millennium Building 125 Bank St.

Best Nonprofit Organization 1. The Poverello Center 535 Ryman St. 728-1809 2. YWCA 1130 W. Broadway 543-6691 ywcaofmissoula.org 3. TIE: Humane Society of Western Montana 5930 Hwy 93 S. 549-3934 • myhswm.org Missoula Food Bank 219 S. 3rd St. W. 549-0543 missoulafoodbank.org

1. Southgate Mall 2901 Brooks shopsouthgate.com 2. Farmer’s, People’s and Clark Fork Markets Downtown Missoula Seasonal; Sat. 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. 3. Caras Park

Best Place to Take Out-of-Towners 1. Farmer’s, People’s and Clark Fork Markets Downtown Missoula Seasonal; Sat. 8 a.m. –12 p.m. 2. Out To Lunch Caras Park; every Wed. June – Aug, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. 3. A Carousel For Missoula 101 Carousel Dr. 549-8382

Best Place to Walk Dogs 1. Jacob’s Island Bark Park 2. Blue Mountain 3. Kim Williams Trail

Best Playground 1. Dragon’s Hollow at Caras Park 2. Bonner Park 3. Westside Park

Best View 1. From The M 2. The Keep/Highland Golf Course 3. Top of Mount Sentinel

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Dave Dillion Owner

Missoula Independent FRESH FACTS, 2008

Things to do

Missoula Art Museum

Photo by Chad Harder

Extreme makeover Fifty-one ways to be a little more local by Independent Staff limb Mount Sentinel—to the top. Discover that “The M” is only onethird up the hill and that a better view can be had from the real peak.

Figure out how to navigate roundabouts. You know, those circle things in the road that are big in England. They’re big here, too. Learn how to get around one or you’ll be in a pickle pretty quickly. Plot a community garden. In a town that prides itself on sustainable living, these 15-by15-foot parcels are worth their weight in gold. 38

Missoula Independent FRESH FACTS, 2008

Bring something extravagant to your next potluck. Since these events happen approximately 37 times a week, it’s worth it to up the ante every so often by bringing choice items like marinated elk steaks or stuffed morels to balance the never-ending supply of growlers, backyard squash and Costco chicken (disguised, of course, in Tupperware with some barbecue sauce). Skip a day of work and ski Snow Bowl. Don’t finish the day without a signature Bloody Mary at The Last Run Inn.

Get a free membership to Missoula in Motion’s Way to Go! Club. By pledging to walk, bike or ride the bus at least once a week to work or school (call 523-4961), club members receive, among other things, a free gift, tons of information about alternative transportation and, best of all, a guaranteed ride home via taxi (up to four times per year) should you get stuck late at work or there’s a family emergency. Build a solid sandal tan. In October.

Indulge in a glass of fresh-pressed apple juice at the Moon-Randolph Homestead. The city owns the 470-acre historical site, located at 1515 Spurlock Road. Call ahead at 728-9269.

tissue, just in case civic pride makes things a bit dusty by the river. Plan ahead for the SOS Ski Fair. The annu-

ing stores and, well, everywhere, really—regularly draws thousands of art seekers to downtown Missoula and a few alternative Northside spots.

Buy guns. After all, this is Montana, where gun groups estimate that as many as 85 percent of households have a gun. Although, confirming that statistic is tough because Montanans don’t really go for gun registration. Hunt something. After all, this is Montana, where one in five over the age of 16 hunts— the highest rate in the nation. Tip generously. That means leaving at least two on a 10 after lunch and placing more than just your spare change in the coffee joint’s tip jar. In this town, where master’s candidates compete with adjunct professors for gigs waiting tables, those tips make a big difference. Take a load off inside the historic Florence Hotel lobby. The building, now an office and retail complex (111 N. Higgins Avenue), was constructed in 1941 and features some of the most comfortable leather couches and chairs in town. Buy a Subaru with at least 180,000 miles on it. Add a bike or canoe rack first, then liberally cover entire vehicle with nonprofit and anti-war bumper stickers. Point out the narcs at Hempfest. Remind at least two stoners that this annual Caras Park event is more about promoting hemp products than legalizing marijuana. Brake for squirrels. Or chipmunks. Or dogs. Or bicyclists. Basically, if you’re driving and something smaller than your vehicle approaches the curb, stop.

Le Petit Outre

al winter gear swap—it relocated to Big Sky High School from UM last year—draws literally thousands of local powder hounds looking to buy and sell discounted gear. Drown your sorrows at Charlie B’s (“at the corner of space and time”). Lift your spirits with dinner from the backroom Dinosaur Café (428 N. Higgins Avenue). Play a round of golf at the UM golf course. As you go from tee to tee, picture how the grounds will look in a few years, when the University of Montana follows through on expansion plans and builds new dormitories and classrooms on the site.

Ride a horse on the outside row at A Carousel for Missoula. Make sure to score the brass ring out of the dragon’s mouth and gift the free ride to the toddler sitting on the horse beside you.

Build a tall bike at Free Cycles. The volunteer-run nonprofit (732 S. First Street W.) provides free bikes and parts to conscientious locals.

Take a second to read the story of how the carousel was built. (It’s carved into the concrete slab outside the front door.) Bring a

Load up on free wine and snacks during a First Friday Art Walk. The monthly tour of art exhibits—at galleries, coffee shops, cloth-

Try the La Parrilla (130 West Broadway) scavenger hunt. Good luck finishing it—the out-of-town naked mountain hikes usually curtail our efforts—and winning free burritos for the remainder of the month. Shun television. If you do own a television, insist to appalled friends that it’s only for watching movies. When guests visit, make sure your set’s hidden by a tapestry. Conduct your own taste test among the three Missoula microbreweries: Big Sky, Kettlehouse and Bayern. Declare the winner by purchasing a growler of the winning brew. Find your favorite wine from Ten Spoon Vineyard and Winery. Afterwards, make it your mission to convince out-of-state skeptics that Missoula wine ain’t bad. Make babies. Nothing gets you more cred in Zoo Town than carrying around a wee one in Missoula Independent FRESH FACTS, 2008

employees at the outlet on West Broadway to tell you a little bit about the businessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s late founder, Bruce Lee. Dumpster dive at the end of the semester. Where do you think we scored that sweet Lay-Z-Boy? Get your next pet from the Humane Society of Western Montana. If your house is already crawling with furry friends, at least donate to the agencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;wish listâ&#x20AC;? with things like pig ears and catnip. Pick up your dogâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s crap. Seriously. We get that dogs are part of the Missoula ethos. But their waste ainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. el Mount Sentin

a shoulder sling. Babies, we hear, even trump black labs as status symbols. Wear maroon and silver on a Saturday.

Pretend to know what the guy at Albertsons is talking about when the discussion turns to â&#x20AC;&#x153;prevent defenseâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;blitz packages.â&#x20AC;? Test the Evening in Missoula blend from Montana Tea & Spice. Ask one of the

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People watch from the front window stools at Taco del Sol. We recommend doing this over an order of fish tacos and a glass of horchata.

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Missoula Independent FRESH FACTS, 2008

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Tailgate outside WashingtonGrizzly Stadium on game day. Find out how beer tastes at 8 a.m. with approximately 20,000 of your closest friends. Catch air at Missoula’s MOBASH Skatepark. Make sure to skate the brick section of the McCormick Park complex—this was included to replicate the old brick banks that used to be found near the UC on the University of Montana campus. Yell your head off at a Missoula Maggots rugby match. Even better, make it a point to do so at the team’s annual Maggotfest, held every spring. The team, which has been around since 1976, plays year-round. Yell your head off at a Missoula Maulers hockey game. Even better, make it a point to do so at the team’s season opener Sept. 26 at Glacier

Ice Rink. The team, affiliated with the Northern Pacific Hockey League, debuted last year and plays through February. Pick five categories from the Best of Missoula listings starting on page 32 and try each of the top three finishers. Judge for yourself what number two can Charlie B’s do to overcome number one.

Photo by Ch

ad Harder

Grow facial hair. Don’t trim anything. Ever. Well, at least until spring. Hike the Blue Mountain Saddle. Or Ch-paa-qn. Or to the Blodgett Canyon Overlook. Point is, get out. Most anyone can do these hikes, and the views make each worthwhile.

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Eat an omelet at The Shack (222 W. Main Street). Realize that they’re famous for a reason. Host a Missoula movie marathon stocked with selections from Crystal Video. The store (614 S. Higgins Avenue) keeps numerous DVDs and VHS

tapes by Missoula filmmakers on hand, including footage of the 2000 Hells Angels riots prod u c e d b y Tu r t l e M a g i k Productions; the award-winning documentary by High Plains Films, This is Nowhere; Bitterroot filmmaker John D.

Albertsons Eastgate Drug Eastgate Veterinary Crazy Mike’s Video Quiznos Sandwiches Shipping Depot Ace Hardware O’Reilly Auto Parts Montage Salon Cellular Plus

Everything you need and just what you want! 42

Missoula Independent FRESH FACTS, 2008

Nilles’ first feature, Little; and a collection of Andy Smetanka’s music videos titled Now That’s Just Super. Adopt a local band as your favorite. Attend at least a few of their shows a month. Become their friend on MySpace. Buy lots of band merch. Read Norman Maclean’s A River Runs Through It. Commit one passage to memory so you can impress out-oftown guests. (Ours: “My father

Support one of the 1,524 registered nonprofits in Missoula County—with your time, not just your money. That figure, by the way—courtesy of the National Center for Charitable Statistics— means there’s approximately one 501(c)(3) for every 66 residents. Spend a day perusing at the Missoula Art Museum. Ignore the titles of the paintings, sculptures and photographs, and conjure up something new to call each one.

Danielle DuPuy presents...

had Hard

C Photo by issoula sel for M A Carou

was very sure about certain matters pertaining to the universe. To him, all good things— trout as well as eternal salvation—come by grace and grace comes by art and art does not come easy.”) Put a pumpkin on Main Hall. Just kidding—we would never advocate such a dangerous, timehonored tradition. No, really. Spoil yourself at Red Bird. Find out exactly why this restaurant (120 W. Front Street) has been considered the finest in Missoula since it opened in November 1996.

Get out of your comfort zone. If you’ve never been, check out the Missoula Symphony Orchestra and charismatic conductor Darko Butorac. If you’ve never tried it before, learn how to kayak so you can join those who entertain on Brennan’s Wave. Whatever. Just find something you haven’t sampled that’s a staple of Missoula and see what it’s like. Make your own “Things to do list” that rivals ours. Feel free to send it to us for possible use in next year’s issue. Have fun.

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Soundtrack

Volumen

Now hear this A past-to-present rundown of the Missoula music scene by Erika Fredrickson f you want to get cozy with the Missoula music scene, you’ll need something old, something new, something country and a whole lot of compilations. To get a sense of who’s hot now and who was hot then, here’s a list of 11 essential albums to aurally navigate through this musically inclined town.

Various bands, Ram it Home If you listen to independent rock music and you move to Missoula, you will hear about Jay’s Upstairs—a lot. Rather than die of boredom listening to people talk about the good old days when smoke-filled, booze-soaked shows ruled the day, you might want to just pick up a copy of this classic Jay’s Upstairs compilation. It’s a smorgasbord of the local bands who played regularly during the late’90s: Helltones, Spanker, Mike and Rick, Sasshole, Fireballs of Freedom, Oblio Joes 44

Missoula Independent FRESH FACTS, 2008

and Volumen. Ram it Home shows the variety of garage-surf, DIY punk and joke rock that once made Jay’s the center of this town’s music universe.

fastest punk rock songs in the West. It’s an essential record to understand what happened when the kids of Missoula started picking up guitars.

Fireballs of Freedom/Humpy, Garden City All-Star Blackout Invitational This 1998 split EP gives a taste of two dynamic bands integral to the music community, both on stage and after hours. If you can’t understand a word the Fireballs sing, than you have a pretty good idea what it was like to talk to them at a house party. And Humpy, well, Humpy had the

Oblio Joes, Lo! You could probably put just about any Oblio Joes album on this list, but Lo! contains songs like “Ginger,” “Sorry Entertainer” and “Survival Song,” which turned regular people into hot and bothered fans back in the mid1990s. Singer/guitarist John Brownell writes heartachingly great storylines about oddball characters and scenar-

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ios. Though the Obes broke up just over a year ago, they were one of the longstanding rock bands in Missoula. You can now hear three of the band’s former members in a new outfit, Secret Powers. Volumen, How do you Spell? Another longstanding band, but these guys are still around. Volumen are often compared to Devo, though they’re so much more than that. Spacenerd rock wizards might be the best way to describe them, so you can imagine that songs about mighty dwarves fighting in the sky and a miniature Jesus action figure— who dances—fit right in with the Volumen mystique. Brothers Shane and Bryan Hickey are sweatband wearing, video-gaming and, most importantly, essential figures in the local rock scene. (As is their other brother, Colin, who fronted one of Missoula’s best live bands, The International Playboys, and who now books acts at the Badlander.) In fact, it’s amazing how each of the Volumen has evolved over the years. Shane now owns a computer consulting company and Bryan runs Big Dipper. Guitarist Doug Smith works as a big-shot wine rep at the Good Food Store, drummer Bob Marshall is best known these days as the owner of Biga Pizza and keyboardist Chris Bacon heads up the Missoula Skatepark Association when he’s not managing Edge of the World. But rest assured, before they were pillars

Missoula Independent FRESH FACTS, 2008

of the community, these guys were—and still are, evidenced by an epic Rocky Horror-themed Halloween show last year—fullblown new wave rockers. Various artists, Landlocked! Vi-Thompson Overdrive took its name after local talk show host Vi Thompson. The Jolly Ranchers was current Ear Candy Music owner—and former Oblio Joe, current Secret Powers member— John Fleming’s first Missoula band. Phantom Imperials utilized Scarface samples and was comprised of the Dundas brothers (Missoulian sports columnist Chad and ex-Indy arts editor Zach). All these bands happened to be playing across the street the night the Roxy Theater burned down in 1994. For some reason, that seems to be appropriate considering how the bands on this Wäntage USA release were, pardon the cliché, all about burning down the house.

Bob Wire, Sentimental Breakdown Bob Wire might be more essential live. There’s something about getting to see the man (aka

Ednor Theriault) in all his cowboy hat wearin’, smart-ass actin’, guitar strummin’ glory. But Sentimental Breakdown is a boiled down showcase of Theriault’s songwriting talents. It’s tongue-in-cheek wrapped in great country ditties. And if you’re turned off by the whole “country” idea because all you know is Big & Rich and Rascal Flats, hold on. This is real country, what some people like to refer to as “alternative” country. And if you’re going to be in Montana, this album is a good way to get out of your safety zone of NYCstyled club shows or, if you do like twang, your nasty obsession with suburban pop country.

Various artists, Hits from the Hive Local promoter/producer Niki Payton had the foresight to document some of the most interesting musicians of the past couple years with this CDB Records compilation. Hits from the Hive includes the likes of once Farmers’ Market-playing trio Hills Bros.; Razz m’ Tazz, which is two

girls with a keyboard who’ve since made the move to Portland; playful pop darlings Two Year Touqe and many others. A lot of these bands have moved on to bigger cities—you’ll soon learn that “East Portland,” as Missoula is known, churns through bands pretty regularly—but they represent the best of the recent past, when music venues were spare and house shows were king.

Stomping Ground, Midnight on the Highway Stomping Ground is arguably the biggest country act in Montana, and while we tend to lean more to the indie rock side, we have to admit country matters in these parts. These guys—led by magnetic frontman Shane Clouse—are more Waylon than Toby Keith, fortunately, and their sharp songwriting combines a certain amount of Montana pride with smart storylines; it ain’t brainless redneck music. More than anything, they bring out a crowd—their live shows are legendary.

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David Boone

David Boone, Hard Enough to Bend Missoula’s music environment isn’t always an indicator of Montana life—this is, after all, a comparatively progressive college town in the middle of Big Sky Country. But singer-songwriter David Boone is someone who knows

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about landscapes filled with broken down cars, barren main streets and living in a poor-man’s economy, having grown up in Seeley Lake under tough circumstances. Boone takes a Bruce Springsteen approach to his music and, in Hard Enough to Bend, he perches carefully between totally falling apart emotionally and storytelling with a sturdy backbone. Boone

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Tarkio, Omnibus Before University of Montana alumnus Colin Meloy became a big-shot in the Decemberists, he cut his teeth in a local band called Tarkio. Frankly, Tarkio never gained popularity among

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tours coffeehouses like a caffeine addict. If there was a town bard it would be him, and this album is his best work.

Missoula Independent FRESH FACTS, 2008

the rock scene of the mid-1990s. But here’s a little secret—it’s because they were ahead of their time. You can hear the roots Americana, alt-country sound that became a little more popular a little later. This double-album, released early last year by Kill Rock Stars, complete with liner notes thick on Missoula nostalgia, is great to listen to now that you’re not too punk for country.

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Black Velvet Elvis, Black Velvet Elvis We’ll end with a nod to the next generation. Punk and new wave are back, thank Danzig, and Black Velvet Elvis is leading that charge. Lead singer Olivia Britz is all soulful Misfits, twisted Dwarves, woah-woah Ramones and, fortunately, her own thing, too. This is a spanking new album and already one of our favorites. Hopefully the band sticks around longer than many of its more anxious predecesors.

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Brennan’s Wave

Sept. 2008 Tuesday 2 Sept. New textbooks and sharpened pencils may indicate another summer’s end, but nothing screams back-toschool spirit like the priceless theatrics of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks. Swing by the UM Oval for All’s Well That Ends Well at 6 PM. Free. Call 994-4591. Or if you’d rather keep the afternoon light, soak up the waning days of sun while sipping some ginger ale to settle that Labor Day Weekend tummy. Wednesday 3 Sept. If you missed the first night of Shakespearian entertain-

Arts & Entertainment Fall Semester

photo by Chad Harder

ment, waltz onto the oval for a romantic encore of The Tragedy of Macbeth at 6 PM. Free. Call 994-4591. Friday 5 Sept. Bidding farewell to long summer days doesn’t mean an end to Missoula nightlife, especially not First Friday. Artistic spirits gather for a fresh taste of aesthetic influences and, well, who doesn’t love free drinks? Start your monthly journey at your favorite downtown gallery at 5 PM. Free. If you’re in search of a little hope, maybe the stars can help forecast positive happenings. Top off your evening with a trip to the Blue Mountain Observatory,

Missoula Independent FRESH FACTS, 2008

where the interplanetary voyeur in you can get its asteroids off at 9 PM. Free. Call 243-5179 for weather and cancellation updates. On the other hand, a little laughter may be what you need to boost your spirits. Check out singing comedian, impersonator, ventriloquist and winner of “America’s Got Talent” Terry Fator at the University Theatre at 8 PM. $45.50. Call 243-4051. Absorb Hmong cloth work when the Montana Museum of Art and Culture’s Meloy Gallery presents an opening reception for an exhibit of Southeast Asian textiles called Weaving Cultures at 4 PM. Free. Call 243-2019.

Saturday 6 Sept. The Poverello Center presents the third annual Double Haul Fly Fishing Fundraiser, which begins early in the day and works like this: You register to take part in a catch-andrelease fishing tourney on the Clark Fork, Bitterroot or Blackfoot Rivers—or just spend the day rafting one of them local beauties—and then complete the day with a blowout-style party. Get the ball rolling when you call 728-1808. As the wind begins to pick up that tinge of crisp fall and chilly winter, you’ve still got a chance to pick up some late season edibles at Missoula’s weekly street parties of photosynthesis: The Missoula

Farmers’ Market, located at the north end of Higgins Avenue, and the Clark Fork River Market, which sets up camp beneath the Higgins Avenue bridge near Caras Park. Both offer a wealth of options for your beta carotene jones starting at 8 AM. Free to browse, sample and greet friends. If road racing isn’t your forte, push your pedal to the metal with fellow rough riders during the “Last Chance Pedal Dance” Crosscountry and Downhill Mountain Bike Race at the Bitterroot Resort at 8:30 AM. $25. Call 531-1216. Speedos and spandex and tennies—oh my! Make more than a splash when you compete in the MTCC Garden City Triathlon, which begins at 9 AM at Frenchtown Pond State Park. $65. Call 243-5177. Are you hemped out from the summer’s festivities? Well, don’t relinquish your power quite yet—it’s that time of year again, so grab your favorite hoop and saunter down to Caras Park for an afternoon of live entertainment and loads of cannabis fun when Hempfest fires up at noon. $5 includes raffle ticket/free under 13. Call 542-8696. (See Spotlight in this issue.) Welcome a grand new Missoula institution during the grand opening of the Zootown Arts Community Center (ZACC), 235 N. First St. W., which begins at noon, runs through 8 PM and features music, art projects, dancers, poets, face painters and food worth a thousand words. Free. Call 549-7555. After sweating through the day’s aches and pains, enjoy a relaxing evening with Missoula Outdoor Cinema’s Monty Python’s Life of Brian at 8:30 PM at Missoula Head Start, 1001

Worden Ave. on the Northside. $5 suggested donation. Call 829-8414. If you’ve got the golden eye of a bargain-hunter and can easily spot a $3 Patagonia fleece or a $10 cherry coffee table, then hustle down to the UM parking garage—next to the library—for the World’s Biggest Garage Sale at 9 AM. Free. Call 243-5874. Sunday 7 Sept. Jump-start the afternoon with a “gemütlich” celebration honoring Missoula’s cultural ties with the Fatherland city of Neckargemünd during the 15th Annual Germanfest at Caras Park at 3 PM. Free, though dunkeles Bier ist nicht. Call 532-3240. If you long for the era of musical trucks and snow cones, you may be outta luck, but you can still satisfy your creamy desires during an Ice Cream Social at 3 PM on the 400 block of University Ave. Free. Monday 8 Sept. Express your interest in the historical mining tales of Butte and Anaconda during a two-day Osher Lifelong Learning Institute course that begins at 3 PM. Then hop on the senior bandwagon—or bus-wagon, that is—and join the rest of your cohorts for an historical tour of the towns themselves on Tue., Sept. 9 at 8 AM. $65. Call 243-2905. Feed your musical ears with the talent of Aneta Panusz and her harpsichord stylings at 7:30 PM in the UM Music Recital Hall. Free. Call 243-6880. Tuesday 9 Sept. Buttress your personal bridges of understanding— and enjoy a fine party to boot—during the African American Studies’ 40 th Anniversary Celebration in the UM University Center at 8:30 AM. Call 243-2302.

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Society beckons you, with all that youthful assistance and hospitality—attend the Fall Volunteer Fair to satisfy your thirst for dignified work at 10 AM in the UM University Center. Call 243-4442. To quote their press release, this show will be “pure, fresh, organic summer sound. So go ahead, scratch it, sniff it, squeeze it, bite it until its juices slide down your elbows and leave you satisfied.” Find out exactly what that stomach-churning string of sick has to do with G Love & Special Sauce when they grace the Wilma Theatre stage once it’s warmed up by Tristin Prettyman at 8 PM. $27.50. Wednesday 10 Sept. Hempfest wouldn’t be complete without another festival of some sort thrown into the mix. Trade your bongs for brews when Caras Park hosts the mysteriously named Maverick Brewfest at 4 PM. Be on the lookout for roving bike gangs. No, just kidding. We’ve got another eight years of peace again. Friday 12 Sept. Familiarize yourself with the grizzled visages of Missoula’s famed hill-toppers the Rocky Mountaineers as you join them for a three-day expedition to Kinnerly Peak (9,944 feet) in Glacier National Park. They claim the route is mostly class 3, with a couple of class 4–5 pitches thrown in for terror value, so if that means something to you, have harness, helmet and camping gear ready when you call Forest at 240-7612. Saturday 13 Sept. As the wind begins to pick up that tinge of crisp fall and chilly winter, you’ve still got a chance to pick up some late season edibles at Missoula’s weekly street parties of photosynthesis: The Missoula

Farmers’ Market, located at the north end of Higgins Avenue, and the Clark Fork River Market, which sets up camp beneath the Higgins Avenue bridge near Caras Park. Both offer a wealth of options for your beta carotene jones starting at 8 AM. Free to browse, sample and greet friends. It’s time for another season of happy tailgaters and a hardto-beat football lineup with the UM Grizzlies taking on Southern Utah for their first home game, which starts at 1 PM at Washington–Grizzly Stadium. Learn to energize your downward dogs, or spice up your weekly yoga class in other ways, when a Shake, Rattle & Pose Yoga Dance Fusion: Create Your Own Class workshop is hosted by the Downtown Dance Collective, 121 W. Main St., at 9 AM. Call (206) 883-8172. Sunday 14 Sept. Escape the chaos of a violent world for an afternoon when the Jeannette Rankin Peace Center hosts its annual Peace Party at 4 PM. Free. Call 543-3955. While the football season has merely begun, it’s time to launch another solid year of athletic performance—and avoidance of justices of t h e p e a c e — w i t h U M ’s Homecoming Kick-off Celebration at 1 PM in Southgate Mall’s Clock Court. Free. Call 243-5211. Saunter into an elegant evening with classical entertainment and a taste of Montana’s finest orchestral musicians when the String Orchestra of the Rockies performs at the UM Music Recital Hall at 7:30 PM. For ticket info call 728-8203. Nothing gets your heart racing and ears pounding like a little punk-esque jam here and there—mob into the

Missoula Independent FRESH FACTS, 2008

Wilma, 131 S. Higgins Ave., at 8 PM for a headlining performance by Rancid, featuring support from Less Than Jake and The Reptile Dysfunction. Doors open at 7 PM. $19.99. Call 728-2521. Tuesday 16 Sept. The good folks at Paddle MT offer you a chance to hone those pre-Industrial Revolution skills as they lead off a two-month workshop titled “Build Your Own Cedar Strip Canoe” at 6 PM. Classes meet Tue. and Thu. at 6 PM, and Sat. at 9 AM through Tue., Nov. 18, for a total of 80 hours of work time. $950/$400 each additional friend or family member, plus $2,800 for materials and maybe some extra shop time. Of course, you’re getting a cedar strip canoe, which can cost over $4,000. Before “Lil” became a popular prefix in the rhyming world, Ant and Slug taught the Midwest a little something about true hip hop. Wa t c h A t m o s p h e r e ’s renowned MCs perform at the Wilma Theatre, 131 S. Higgins Ave., at 8 PM with guests Abstract Rude, Blueprint and DJ Rare Groove. $28/$26 advance. (See Spotlight in this issue.) Wednesday 17 Sept. Gear up those fashionista eyes for a chance to groom your room as part of UM Homecoming’s festivities, this one amounting to a Griz Dorm Decorating Contest. Free, I mean, how could they charge you money for you to dress up your digs? Call 243-5211. When it comes to our proud Grizzlies, the fun just don’t stop—swing by the UM Oval to officially fluff up the rough-and-tumble crew for another winning season with a bonfire and fireworks dur-

ing the Homecoming Pep Rally at 8 PM. Free. Call 243-5211. Thursday 18 Sept. Fight, but in a nonviolent way, for an end to racial violence and prejudice with the help of local bands and speakers at the YWCA’s Rock Against Racism concert beginning at Caras Park at 3 PM. Free. Call 543-6691. The mission to end ignorance doesn’t have to stop with racial injustice—help the Missoula AIDS Council continue to educate the community about AIDS myths and realities when they host Opening Ceremonies for the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt at 5 PM in the Adams Center. Free. Call 543-4770. Here’s your chance to check out some authentic creations when the University Center hosts the Homecoming Art Fair at 9 AM each day through Sat., Sept. 20. Free. Call 243-5714. Top off the week’s prideful— did you forget to hang the rainbow banner out your dorm room window?—activities with some Griz grub during a Homecoming Buffet Dinner at UM’s Lommasson Center Food Zoo at 5 PM. Call 243-6439. Scoop all that old crap out of the attic and bring it on down to Hamilton’s Mildenberger Motors showroom, 1717 N. First Ave., at 5:30 PM, where the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce presents A Montana Road Show, a local version of the beloved public television series that manages to capture all the magic and drama of antiques appraisal. Free. Call 363-0266. Friday 19 Sept. Homecoming and reunions seem to be the theme this week—share your fondest

UM memories with fellow classmates when the Alumni Association hosts the Class of 1968 40th Reunion Luncheon at 11 AM. Free. Call 2435211. In further celebration, honor valued UM graduates during a Distinguished Alumni Award Reception at 6 PM. Free. Call 243-5211. With nary a hint of smug pessimistic self-satisfaction, Earth Folk presents a screening of the toxic global warming comedy Everything’s Cool at 7 PM at the Open Way Mindfulness Center, 702 Brooks St. Free. Call 5430130 or visit earthfolkhome.com. While there is a slim chance you’re not Jewish, people of all faiths—including those of us with none at all—are invited by Temple Har

Shalom to spend time with the eccentric and lovable Rabbi Gershon Winkler, whose program “Kabalah of Autumn” comprises a 7 PM Shabbat service this evening and an 8 PM Havdallah service on Sat., Sept. 20. Call 549-9595. After exchanging college anecdotes, slip on your dancing shoes and groove into the Holiday Inn-Downtown at the Park for the All Alumni Social and Dance at 9 PM. This one really gets wild, folks, so keep the kiddos safely locked in the panic room. Call 243-5211. Saturday 20 Sept. As the wind begins to pick up that tinge of crisp fall and chilly winter, you’ve still got a chance to pick up some late season edibles at Missoula’s weekly street parties of pho-

Henry Rollins impersonates Hunter Terry, frontlines summer administrator for the Buffalo Field Campaign, as part of his spoken word appearance at the Wilma Theatre at 8:30 PM on Wed., Oct. 15. $20/$17–20 advance.

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Expires 1/1/09

Missoula Independent FRESH FACTS, 2008

tosynthesis: The Missoula Farmers’ Market, located at the north end of Higgins Avenue, and the Clark Fork River Market, which sets up camp beneath the Higgins Avenue bridge near Caras Park. Both offer a wealth of options for your beta carotene jones starting at 8 AM. Free to browse, sample and greet friends. Wipe the dust off last year’s Griz gear because, alas, that grand day we know simply as Homecoming is here—enjoy a parade at 10 AM on North Higgins Avenue and some pre-game hoopla before the UM Grizzlies football team takes on UC Davis at 1:05 PM. Call 243-5211. While it’s tough to compete for fans on Homecoming Weekend, sneak out at halftime and lend your support to Griz runners for the Montana State Invitational at the University Golf Course. Sunday 21 Sept. Get that booty off the couch and whip it into shape when the Two Bear Marathon— which offers a half marathon as well this year—bursts out of the starting gate at 7:30 AM from Skyles Lake Lane in Whitefish. The tax-deductible proceeds go to provide low or no-cost memberships to the Whitefish Community Aquatic and Health Center— aka “The Wave”—because everyone deserves to swim. $75. Call 250-6699 or visit twobearmarathon.org. Before you put on your pumpkin-carving game face, you might need a pumpkin. Raise your fall spirit and hop down to Frenchtown Opportunity Ranch for the second annual Old West Autumn Fest and hand pick your own delicious pumpkin along with other fall festivities at 10 AM. Call 329-1709.

SPOTLIGHT

weed to the rescue

Like a seed inadvertently dropped into a friend’s houseplant, the state of hemp’s legality is becoming a larger and more pressing issue each day. At first, the High Times readers and closet growers—like that little sprout pushing its way up among the ivy—were a minor subculture, or so we thought. But then, much like the glorious green spike-leafed beauty overgrowing the planter’s original occupant, it seemed like everyone came to favor the legalization of this particular plant. In our little bubble, the folks who’ve steadfastly placed their reputations, livelihoods and energy on the line for sensible The Caras Park stage may be the floral policy are those behind the Missoula Hempfest. This year’s day-long collection strongest draw, as speakers and musical of hemp-based vendors—think soap, acts keep the crowd fired up through the clothing, skin lotion, seedy snacks, long struggle. Smooth-voiced songster and multi-instrutote bags and th mentalist Eric m o re — b r i n g s WHAT: 13 annual Missoula Hempfest Solomon, pictogether a most WHEN: Sat., Sept. 6, noon–10:30 PM tured, is this unlikely collaboyear’s headliner, r a t i o n o f WHERE: Caras Park though where activists and HOW MUCH: $5 includes raffle would he be believers in the ticket/free under 13 without the rule of law, hiplocal support of pies and libertarians, hoodie-wearing scenesters and iNHUMANS, Miller Creek, MudSlide Charlie, Secret Powers and Jessica Kilroy? glaucoma-eyed seniors. I’d personally like to see a display— much like that celluloid museum exhibit featuring a strand of Superman’s hair—in which a thick hemp rope is used to lift all the legal paperwork resulting from this plant’s illegal status. Dream on, I suppose—that’s a lot of paperwork. Monday 22 Sept. Catch some good eats and lively beats when musician Larry Hirshberg performs at the Red Bird, 120 W. Front St., at 7 PM. Free. Call 3292906.

Missoula Independent FRESH FACTS, 2008

So, in hopes that this party will be the last before sweeping legislation brings hemp and hemp by-products into every home, business and public space, add your body to the fest and your voice to the choir.

Learn just exactly what you can do to prevent public lands and resources from becoming further ground into the dirt during the 32 nd Annual Public Land Law Conference in the University Center. 7 PM. Free.

—Jonas Ehudin Tuesday 23 Sept. Now that you’ve made it into college, it’s high time you started considering other options—spend a titillating day chomping with college representatives in the University Center Ballroom

for the Missoula College Fair, where the signing bonuses start peeling off of fat bankrolls at 9 AM. Free. Call 531-3531. Friday 26 Sept. Your favorite slappers are back in action—don’t miss our ice hockey heroes, the Missoula Maulers, as they face off against the Coeur d’Alene Lakers at 7:30 PM at Glacier Ice Rink. Call 830-3264. As Monty Python once intoned, “Just remember that you’re standing on a planet that’s evolving/And revolving at nine hundred miles an hour/That’s orbiting at nineteen miles a second, so it’s reckoned/A sun that is the source of all our power/The sun and you and me and all the stars that we can see/Are moving at a million miles a day/In an outer spiral arm, at forty thousand miles an hour/Of the galaxy we call the ‘Milky Way.’” Top off your evening with a trip to the Blue Mountain Observatory, where the interplanetary voyeur in you can get its meteors off at 9 PM. Free. Call 243-5179 for weather and cancellation updates. Saturday 27 Sept. As the wind begins to pick up that tinge of crisp fall and chilly winter, you’ve still got a chance to pick up some late season edibles at Missoula’s weekly street parties of photosynthesis: The Missoula Farmers’ Market, located at the north end of Higgins Avenue, and the Clark Fork River Market, which sets up camp beneath the Higgins Avenue bridge near Caras Park. Both offer a wealth of options for your beta carotene jones starting at 8 AM. Free to browse, sample and greet friends. This might be your lucky

day—attend the First Annual Montana Fishing Community Bachelor and Bachelorette Auction at 7 PM in the UM University Center Ballroom and find out if a charmed trout is waiting for you. Sorry, ye whippersnappers— 21 and older only. Call 342-4114. Sunday 28 Sept. Nothing says “Sunday evening at the Wilma Theatre” like a nice hair-raising metal show from Trivium and All That Remains, which is just what you’ll find at 7:30 PM. $22/$19.50. Tuesday 30 Sept. Now that graduation is fastapproaching, decide if graduate school is for you during a Graduate School Workshop in Room 154 of the Lommasson Center at 3:30 PM. Free. Call 243-2022. And after that sobering dose of “life after the beer bong,” settle those career-jangled nerves with a spot of madcap comedy when the UM Department of Drama/Dance begins a two-week run of Larry Shue’s The Foreigner, directed by Missoula actor and playwright Chris Evans. The curtain rises at 7:30 PM in the PARTV Center’s Masquer Theatre. $13/$10 students and seniors. Call 243-4581.

October 2008 Wednesday 1 Oct. If senior year is approaching faster than expected, sooth your worries and attend a Graduate and Professional School Fair at 9 AM in the University Center Ballroom. Free. Call 243-2022. Thursday 2 Oct. Live vicariously through the mountaineering tales of audacious rock-rats when the Reel Rock Film Tour stops by Missoula for a showing of

The Sharp End at 7 PM in the UM Urey Underground Lecture Hall. $9/$7 advance. Call 243-5172. Friday 3 Oct. Bend it like the Lady Griz and stop by the UM University Soccer Field to watch them battle for goals against North Dakota at 4 PM. Free. Cruise downtown for another First Friday Art Walk starting at 5 PM, and don’t forget to stop by the Missoula Art Museum, 335 N. Pattee St., at 7 PM for a curator’s gallery talk and showing of Persian Visions: Contemporary Photography from Iran. Free. Call 728-0447. If there’s one thing I truly fear in this world, it’s acute contact conjunctivitis. That’s why I always carry a family-sized box of disinfectant wipes when I make the switchbacky trip to the Blue M o u n t a i n O b s e r v a t o r y, where my inner hypochondriac can wipe down the eyepieces after every nebula starting at 9 PM. Free. Call 243-5179 for weather and cancellation updates. Saturday 4 Oct. As the wind begins to pick up that tinge of crisp fall and chilly winter, you’ve still got a chance to pick up some late season edibles at Missoula’s weekly street parties of photosynthesis: The Missoula Farmers’ Market, located at the north end of Higgins Avenue, and the Clark Fork River Market, which sets up camp beneath the Higgins Avenue bridge near Caras Park. Both offer a wealth of options for your beta carotene jones starting at 8 AM. Free to browse, sample and greet friends. Chances are, it’s a crisp day, so you might as well bite into something equally as crisp, besides a fresh human head.

I suggest sampling the wares at the 28th annual McIntosh Apple Festival, which kicks off at 9 AM outside the Ravalli County Museum, 205 Bedford St. in Hamilton, and features an expanded farmers’ market, apple arts and crafts, apple butter, apple juice, caramel apples, 500 fresh handmade apple pies and more. Free. Call 363-3338. The stage isn’t the only place to catch your favorite dancers, so stomp onto the UM Oval for a Site-Specific Dance Concert at noon. Free. Call 243-4581. Monday 6 Oct. While documentary gurus typically descend on our lovely mountain town in early spring, there’s an autumnal opportunity to consider the cultural side of filmmaking when you attend the Montana CINE Cultural and Environmental Film Fest at the Roxy Theater, 718 S. Higgins Ave., at 9 AM and runs through Sun., Oct. 12. Call 728-9380. Thursday 9 Oct. See for yourself just how poised these fellas are for greatness when you take in a show by Minus The Bear, who play with Annuals and Themes at 9 PM at The Other Side, 1100 W. Strand Ave. $18/$20 under 21. Friday 10 Oct. St. Patrick House is the beneficiary of the monetary love you send their way when you attend the third annual Table Talk Fundraiser, which includes hors d’ouevres, drinks, a gourmet meal and dessert, at 5:30 PM at the Doubletree Hotel, 100 Madison St. As you sup and sip, you can say ‘sup to Missoula luminaries such as Lady Griz coach Robin Selvig, Missoula Symphony Director Darko Butorac, UM

Missoula Independent FRESH FACTS, 2008

President George Dennison and the probably lovely Miss Montana. $70. Call 329-5640. Encourage your ears to ring with musical delight when soprano Mercedes McCann performs at 7:30 PM in the UM Music Recital Hall. Free. Call 243-6880. Saturday 11 Oct. As the wind begins to pick up that tinge of crisp fall and chilly winter, you’ve still got a chance to pick up some late season edibles at Missoula’s weekly street parties of photosynthesis: The Missoula Farmers’ Market, located at the north end of Higgins Avenue, and the Clark Fork River Market, which sets up camp beneath the Higgins Avenue bridge near Caras Park. Both offer a wealth of options for your beta carotene jones starting at 8 AM. Free to browse, sample and greet friends. Everybody knows somebody who’s not straight, which means everyone—especially mental health professionals and HIV prevention providers—is invited to the UM campus, where the 2008 Montana LGBTI Summit: Working Toward Healthcare Equality circles the wagons and works for a brighter tomorrow. $25/$35 with continuing education credits. Call 829-8075 or visit mtgayhealth.org/ summit. Stride your support for healthy tickers when you put one foot in front of the other as the Montana Heart Association hosts the annual Heart Walk beginning at the UM Oval at 10 AM. Free. Call 829-3377. The pride just don’t stop as the Western Montana Gay and Lesbian Community Center celebrates its 10 th anniversary with the Hands Across Higgins demonstra-

SPOTLIGHT

gaseous environment

I recently biked past a car with a bumper sticker that read, “I love hip hop—I listen to it at every red light!” Curmudgeonly griping aside, it’s a simple point of fact that hip hop is here in Montana, and across the planet, to stay. Much like 1950s-era resisters of the rock ’n’ roll wave, those who steadfastly refuse to give hip hop an inch are beginning to appear like crumbly old bridge abutments, just waiting for the right flood tide to bring them down.

the joys available in our shared world.

The issue here is the lumping together of all examples of the genre. Sure, there’s crappy hip hop, just as there’s crappy Christian pop. Wait, is there good Christian pop?

Atmosphere is touring in support of their latest release, When Life Gives You Lemons, a collection of tracks examining the state of modern parenthood, the dangers and pitfalls attendant with a party Anyway, one example of the kind of lifestyle and at least one endorsement of some serious hip hop that revinner reflection els in melody, on the listener’s conscious lyri- WHAT: Atmosphere with Abstract Rude, Blueprint and DJ Rare Groove part. cism and positivity is that con- WHEN: Tue., Sept. 16, 8 PM And since structed by MC WHERE: Wilma Theatre we’ll probably Ant and DJ Slug, continue to have who together HOW MUCH: $28/$26 advance red lights and c o m p r i s e booming sysM i n n e a p o l i s - b a s e d A t m o s p h e r e . tems until gasoline hits about $7 a gallon, Rhymesayers labelmates with none other you might as well finally give hip hop a than Missoula’s favorite Muslim albino rap- chance. per Brother Ali, these two offer an acces—Jonas Ehudin sible and honest look at the maladies and tion at 4 PM and continues until 8 with local food vendors and entertainment from Out Words Radio, as well as an historical play charting t h e c e n t e r ’s p r o g r e s s over the years. Free. Call 543-2224. After such a feel-good day, you’ll feel like an emergent silkworm as you waltz into the UM University Theatre for the Missoula Symphony

Missoula Independent FRESH FACTS, 2008

Orchestra, which performs along with cellist Denise Djokic at 7:30 PM. Call 7213194 for ticket info. Monday 13 Oct. In a time of global disorder, ease your tensions with a humorous take on the World when Carlos Mencia stops by the University Theatre for a comedic performance at 8 PM. $37.50. Call 243-4051.

Saddle up for a honky-tonkin’ good time when the UM Rodeo Team hosts the annual Cowboy Ball fundraiser at the Lolo Peak Arena at 6 PM. $100. Call 728-5188 Wednesday 15 Oct. If you’re just getting into the groove of climbing—or any of a number of gear-intensive pastimes—and don’t want to break the bank with a pair of shoes—or whatever said rec

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Curley's 2915 Brooks • 721-4133 (next to Southgate Mall on the 93 strip) Are you looking for a great thick steak? At Curley's, we take pride in hand cutting our steaks to guarantee the best quality. We are a locally owned and operated Steak and Seafood house that will ensure you have the best home-made meal in Missoula. Non-smoking gaming area. Located next to the Southgate Mall on the 93 Strip. www.curleysbroiler.com $$-$$$

Biga Pizza 241 W. Main Street • 728-2579 Biga Pizza offers a modern, downtown dining environment combined with traditional brick oven pizza, calzone, salads, sandwiches, specials and desserts. All dough is made using a "biga" (pronounced bee-ga) which is a time-honored Italian method of bread making. Biga Pizza uses local products, the freshest produce as well as artisan meats and cheeses. Lunch and dinner, MonSat. A/C. Outside seating available. $-$$

Red Bird Restaurant & Wine Bar 111 North Higgins Ave. 549-2906 A hidden culinary treasure in the Historic Florence Hotel. Treat yourself to a sensuous dining experience, service, cuisine and ambiance delivered with creative and elegant detail. Seasonal menus featuring the freshest ingredients. Wine bar open Monday - Saturday, 4:00 - 10:30. Enter through the Florence Building lobby. $$-$$$

The Celtic Connection & Green Bicycle Tearoom LLC 114 E. Main St. Missoula 721-6725 The Celtic Connection, featuring the Green Bicycle Tearoom and Espresso Cafe, presents exclusive jewellery, gifts, clothing and music from Ireland, Scotland and the British Isles. The Green Bicycle Tearoom serves Barry's Irish Tea, fresh pastries and a High Tea with Scottish scones, berries and cream (Saturdays 2-4pm and reservations only).

Sushi Bar & Japanese Cuisine 549-7979 Corner of Pine & Higgins Located in beautiful Downtown Missoula, serving traditional Japanese cuisine and exquisite sushi. Sushi Hana offers a variety of traditional and local favorites, including nigiri-sushi, makisushi rolls and sashimi. In addition, we offer Tempura, Teriyaki and appetizers with a delicious assortment of sauces. Expanded selection of sakes, beer and wine. Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner. $$–$$$

Ciao Mambo 541 South Higgins 543-0377 Ciao Mambo, at the end of the Hip Strip on 4th and Higgins, serves up fresh, classic, immigrant style Italian food seven days a week. Terrific service and an extensive domestic and Italian wine list makes Ciao Mambo a hit for any occasion. Dinner only and take out service available. Ciaomambo.com or 543-0377. $--$$

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Food For Thought 540 Daly Ave 721-6033 Missoula “Original” Coffeehouse/Cafe located across from the U of M campus. Serving breakfast and lunch seven days a week. Also serving cold sandwiches, soups, salads, baked goods and an espresso bar til close. Sun thru Thurs 7am - 8pm Fri & Sat 7am - 4pm Sun 8am - 8pm. www.thinkfft.com $-$$ Good Food Store 1600 South 3rd Street West 541-FOOD Our Deli features all natural made-toorder sandwiches, soup & salad bar, olive & antipasto bar, fresh deli salads, hot entrees, rotisserie-roasted free-range chickens, fresh juice, smoothies, organic espresso and desserts. Enjoy your meal in our spacious seating area or at an outdoor table. Open every day 7am - 10pm. $--$$ Milo's 208 East Main 543-6418 Located in the back of the Union Club, Milo's is the home of the famous BLP burger (Bison, Lamb & Pork), which features all locally raised meat. Milo's also offers fresh soups daily, a BYOB (Build Your Own Bowl) pasta menu, and much more. A great place for vegetarians and carnivores alike! And, with 5 meals under $5, guaranteed to fill you up, what are you waiting for? Monday-Thursday 11-9, Friday 11-11, Saturday 4-11. $--$$

Missoula Independent FRESH FACTS, 2008

Restaurant & Wine Bar 549-2906 • 111 N. Higgins • Missoula www.redbirdrestaurant.com

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$…$5 and under $…$5 & under Baskin Robbins 1880 Brooks Street 542-2731 2230 N. Reserve • 543-2731 Unversity Center at U of M At Baskin Robbins we've been scooping your favorite flavors for more than 25 years. Treats include more than 40 flavors of ice cream as well as yogurt, custom cakes, pies, and desserts, icy cold Cappuccino Blast drinks, shakes, malts, sundaes & non-fat fruit drinks. Open Daily. What's your Flavor? $ Bernice’s Bakery 190 S. 3rd W. • 728-1358 Where Myrtle Avenue ends at Bernice's, a tiny bakery sits as a veritable landmark to those who enjoy homestyle baked goods, strong coffee, community, and a variety of delicious treats. Join us for lunch if you'd like. Crazy delicious. Crazy cheap. 30 years and still baking. Open Every Day 6AM to 8PM. $ Bucks Club 1805 Regent • 543-7436 Missoula’s best Food & Drink Values. 2-for-1 food specials daily. Eat the legend. Burgers for a buck. Over 1,000,000 sold. Great breakfast served daily. If you go away hungry, don’t blame us. Mon.–Sat. Open 7 AM and Sunday 8 AM. $

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Butterfly Herbs 232 N. Higgins • 728-8780 Celebrating 36 years of great coffees and teas. Truly the “essence of Missoula.” Offering fresh coffees, teas (Evening in Missoula), bulk spices and botanicals, fine

Missoula Independent FRESH FACTS, 2008

toiletries & gifts. Our cafe features homemade soups, fresh salads, and coffee ice cream specialties. In the heart of historic downtown, we are Missoula’s first and favorite Espresso Bar. Open 7 Days. $ Cold Stone Creamery Across from Costco on Reserve, by TJ Maxx & Ross • 549-5595 Cold Stone Creamery, the Ultimate Ice Cream Experience! Our smooth and creamy ice cream is made fresh daily using our secret recipe. Taste our mouthwatering ice cream creations. Enjoy our Healthy Indulgences: Sorbets, Smoothies, & Sinless Sans Fat Ice Cream. Treat yourself to a 10-minute vacation at Cold Stone Creamery. $

In thebitterroot Bitterroot Bitter Root Brewery 101 Marcus St Hamilton • 363-7468 Western MT's Bitter Root Brewery is located in downtown Hamilton just east of Hwy 93 at Main Street. Bitter Root Brewery offers the largest tasting room in MT, 10 handcrafted beers on tap and a full service grill with live music every Thursday & Saturday. Also, non alcoholic beer and a selection of handcrafted sodas are available to complement the fine food from The Brewer’s Grill. www.bitterrootbrewing.com $-$$ Internet Coffee Station 308 Main St. 777-2110 The Internet Coffee Station is proud to be in our new home in Downtown Stevensville, where we have extended our menu to Panini sandwiches, wraps, soups, salads and so much more. Free and fast Wi-Fi, great coffee drinks, Bagels on Broadway Bagels. Call us at 777-2110.

Main Street Cafe upstairs 217 Main St. Hamilton • 363-4567 Danielle Dupuy presents...A little taste of France in the Bitterroot. French American Cuisine. Serving Lunch: Tues - Fri 11am - 2pm, Brunch: Sat & Sun 9:30am - 2pm and Dinner: Wed - Sat 5:30 - 9:30pm. River Rising Bakery 337 Main St Hamilton • 363-4552 Hamilton's newest bakery, deli, and espresso bar. Serving all butter pastries, delicious and nutritious muffins, cream scones, and delectable desserts. Or choose from our selection of home-made soups, salads, and sandwiches found nowhere else. Open 6:30am-5:30pm Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:00pm Saturday, 8:00am-2:00pm Sunday. Weekday local business lunch delivery available 9:00am -1:00pm. $-$$ jackson Jackson Jackson Hot Springs Jackson, MT • 834-3151 FINE DINING AT JACKSON HOT SPRINGS LODGE Our remodeled dining room, with its bank of picture windows, friendly fireplace and attentive staff, add to the relaxing ambiance. The individual dining selections vary from day to day with a spectacular new menu offered for every meal. The meals have become legendary in the Lodge dining room, a taste of the exotic served with genuine Montana hospitality. In the lounge and with your dinner, your favorite beers, wines and alcoholic spirits are available for your enjoyment.

Reserve St. $50. Call 2436481. You’ve long known you’re the Goddesses’ gift to humanity, you’ve just been looking for the right place and time to let your lovelight shine. Pick up a tip or two when Earth Folk presents a screening of How to Save the World—actually, it’s a documentary about biodynamic f a r m i n g ’s i n c r e d i b l e prospects in India—at 7 PM a t t h e O p e n Wa y Mindfulness Center, 702 Brooks St. Free. Call 543-0130 or isit ear thfolkhome.com. Or if you’d rather have a sober evening, bend your tin ear to some seasoned performers when the Piano Extravaganza invites UM faculty tinklers to strut their stuff

at 7:30 PM in the UM Music Recital Hall. $6/$4 students and seniors. Call 243-6880. Saturday 18 Oct. This is it: the last market morning of the 2008 season. The Missoula Farmers’ Market, located at the north end of Higgins Avenue, and the Clark Fork River Market, which sets up camp beneath the Higgins Avenue bridge near Caras Park, both offer a wealth of options for your beta carotene jones starting at 8 AM. Free to browse, sample and greet friends. Get your weekend off to a cultural start—or at least an interspecies one—as you bring your fluffly flea bag to Hamilton’s Chapter One Book Store, 252 Main St., where author Jan Fennell signs copies of her book The

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Dog Listener: Learn How to Communicate with Your Dog for Willing Cooperation at 11 AM. Free. Call 363-5220. Look, I’m not going to sit here and spout judgments regarding the decisions you got ahead of you, which revolve around the core conflict, “How much should I alter my mind for the LaserSpectacular, featuring the music of Pink Floyd, at 8:30 PM at the Wilma Theatre?” Really, that choice is yours and yours alone to make. $25/$19–24 advance, and price includes 3-D glasses. No kidding. Sunday 19 Oct. The YWCA of Missoula sponsors their annual Week Without Violence, which aims to highlight the issues of domestic and partner abuse

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activity requires—swing by the Outdoor Gear Sale in the University Center at noon and you’ll still have some cash left over for the hospital bills. Free. Call 243-5172. Leave the earplugs at home, it’s time to get a bit more intimate with Henry Rollins, godfather of many a ‘90s alternative band and former Black Flag frontman, as he sits us down for a chat in the cozy environs of the Wilma Theatre at 8:30 PM. $20/$17–20 advance. Friday 17 Oct. If your wine rack is looking bare these days, mingle with other winos and art gurus during the third annual Western Montana Wine Festival at 7 PM at the Hilton Garden Inn on North

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Missoula Independent FRESH FACTS, 2008

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Missoula Independent FRESH FACTS, 2008

While long, lithe limbs and piercing brown eyes don’t necessarily mean you’ll be a great country singer, they sure don’t hurt. Carrie Underwood rocks the Adams Center at 7:30 PM. $35–55, but unfortunately for you, Hoss, this gig’s sold out. Call 243-4051.

in our community with events every day throughout Missoula. Free. Call 543-6691. Wednesday 22 Oct. For the last time, folks, those aren’t bears stumbling around Pine Street every Mon. night—those are your City Council representatives. For something a bit more ursine in nature, you’re invited to Hamilton’s Chapter One Book Store, 252 Main St., where author David Knibb presents a slideshow to accompany his 7 PM reading from his book Grizzly Wars: The Public Fight Over the Great Bear. Free. Call 363-5220. Thursday 23 Oct. It’s a day for brilliance, creativity and literary excellence to shine when the Festival of the Book lands at

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Missoula Independent FRESH FACTS, 2008

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10 AM on the Montana Center for the Books’ doorsteps, 311 Brantly Hall on the UM campus and runs through Sat., Oct. 25., at locations around town. Free. Call 243-6022 or visit humanitiesmontana .org/bookfestival/bookfest.s html. (See Spotlight this page.) See what “shredding the gnar” truly means when you watch the globe’s best skiers and snowboarders battle extreme conditions during a Teton Gravity Research screening of the film Under the Influence at 7 PM in the UM Urey Underground Lecture Hall. Free. Call 243-5172. Friday 24 Oct. You’ve been searching and searching for a way to help today’s misguided youth relate to the New Testament, and here like a Halloween miracle comes the 8 PM opening of the Missoula Children’s Theatre’s production of Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice’s classic musical Jesus Christ Superstar: The Majesty Returns, which runs through Sun., Nov. 9. Tickets range from $15–20. Call 728-7529 or 0visit mctinc.org. Saturday 25 Oct. Postpone the leaf-raking for an afternoon and cart the kiddos down to McCormick Park for pumpkin-carving and a host of other feisty festivities during Family Fun Fest at 10 AM. Free. Call 721-PARK. If autumn festivities don’t spark your interest, run down to the Missoula Art Museum for a Festival of the Book reception and exhibit The Wide Open, which features the work of three noted photographers at noon. Free. Call 728-0447. Team up with some squad of do-gooders or another, keep

SPOTLIGHT

last best festival

Twenty years ago, local literary sovereigns William Kittredge and his wife, Annick Smith, edited what remains the definitive collection of Big Sky stories. The Last Best Place didn’t just allegedly coin our most overused—ahem, us included—promotional phrase, but also provided the most essential coffee table book of any self-respecting Montanan. At 1,160 pages and featuring 140 writers, this thing is just one gigantic, comprehensive monster. This year’s anniversary of the anthology’s publishing will be just one of several keynote events at the Festival of the Book. Now in its ninth year, the two-day and three-night gathering draws more than 75 authors to at least 60 different events. For instance, you can catch best-selling crime fiction author and part-time Lolo resident writer Thomas McGuane. James Lee Burke read from his latest, Swan We’ll admit it—we’re big fans of Peak, while sharing the stage with his Festival of the Book. But, much like the latdaughter, Alafair, and cousin, Andre Dubus est novel we’re reading—currently, The III, who are also writers. Or you could Turnaround, not attend one of t h a t y o u the dozens of asked—the only p a n e l d i s c u s - WHAT: Festival of the Book downside of s i o n s , w h e r e WHEN: Thu., Oct. 23 – Sat., Oct. 25 such a pageaccomplished turning event is writers offer tips WHERE: Various downtown locations re a c h i n g t h a t on, say, how you HOW MUCH: Free last page. Alas, can button up that’s something that sci-fi fantasy we haven’t manuscript you’ve been working on all experience yet with The Last Best Place. these years. Or, even better, you can find a We’re still in the 800s somewhere. seat inside the historic Wilma Theatre for Skylar Browning the final night’s gala reading by esteemed

your fellow hominids in mind and pay-it-forward with selfless acts during National Make a Difference Day. Call 243-4442. Monday 27 Oct. Needle, shmeedle—help the millions who suffer blood loss

and infection each year by popping into the third floor of the UM University Center at 10 AM for a Red Cross Blood Drive. Free. Call 543-6695. Tuesday 28 Oct. Settle down for an evening of live entertainment when the

UM Department of Drama/Dance begins a twoweek run of the controversial contemporary one-act play Coyote on a Fence at 7:30 PM in the PARTV Center’s Masquer Theatre. $13/$10 students and seniors. Call 243-4581.

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Thursday 30 Oct. Expand your awareness and fuel diversity when UM Day of Dialogue teaches us all a bit more about the give and take of cultural exchange starting at 9 AM in the UM University Center. Free. Call 243-5622. Friday 31 Oct. I’m not sure if they do this where you’re from, but here in Missoula, we dress up in costumes to celebrate a thing we all know as Halloween. Candy eating, pumpkin cutting and rump shaking typically ensue at any and all of our local public halls. Enjoy yourselves, don’t eat razor blade apples and be sure to take the costume off before you get in bed. Or not—who am I to limit your options? With the Day of Dialogue come and gone, it’s time to celebrate the Day of the Dead with a costume contest in the UM University Center at 6 PM. Free. Keep the Halloween mood mellow and listen to seasoned cellist and faculty member Fern Glass perform at the UM Music Recital Hall at 7:30 PM. $6/$4 students, seniors. Call 243-6880.

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Saturday 1 Nov. It’s a day for sports in the Land o’ the Griz and what better way to sport your school spirit than by watching the Grizzlies take on Northern Arizona at noon at UM’s WashingtonGrizzly Stadium? Then, get spiked when the UM volleyball team competes against Portland State at 7 PM in the West Auxiliary Gymnasium. Missoula’s flair wouldn’t be the same without folk tunes and dancin’ shoes, so grab your buddies and swing by the University Center Ballroom for a Town and Gown Dance at 7:30 PM. $8/$6 students. Call 243-5153.

Welcome the clarinetist with fingers of steel—and an embrochure to match—as Oskar Espina-Ruiz busts out a guest artist performance at 7:30 PM in the UM Music Recital Hall. $6/$4 students and seniors. Call 243-6880. Sunday 2 Nov. Tune your ears and bow in support of local musicians when the UM Orchestra Festival begins at 8 AM. Call 243-6836. Tuesday 4 Nov. Blow off school or work— actually, your job is required to let you leave and fulfill your patriotic duty—throw your voting hats on, and gear up for the ballots because Splendid Tuesday, aka Election Day, is here— and we all know how much this one counts. Just pray “you-know-who” doesn’t win. I mean, really. Ease your political tensions with a relaxing night of classical odes when the UM Department of Music hosts the UM Symphony Orchestra Festival Concert at 7:30 PM in the UM University Theatre. Free. Call 243-6880. Wednesday 5 Nov. Don’t miss the work of renowned artist and Meloy Gallery namesake—yeah, that’d be Henry Meloy—as part of the Montana Modernists exhibition at the Montana Museum of Art a n d C u l t u r e ’s P a x s o n Gallery at 11 AM. Free. Call 243-2019. Thursday 6 Nov. UM’s musical prodigies are looking to wear your [expletive] out like Easter clothes, so step out and enjoy the sounds of the Student Chamber Recital at 2:10 PM in the UM Music Recital Hall. Free. Call 243-6880. Friday 7 Nov. You’ve had nearly a month off since your last dose of culture, now get back on that horse before your aesthetics gland becomes fully

calloused: Missoula’s First Friday Art Walk kicks off at 5 PM at all the downtown galleries, barber shops, clothiers, cafes and elsewheres. Free, and usually there’s a bunch of complimentary cookies, wine, cheese, grapes and longing gazes from fellow art lovers. Saturday 8 Nov.

Mountain Films World Tour at 6 PM in the University Theatre. $13/$11 advance. Call 243-5172. Our Grizzly boys aren’t the only athletes who fight fierce—check out the UM Lady Griz—it’s basketball we’re talking about here, folks—as they tip-off against Wyoming State at 2 PM.

Prepare for holiday goodies and shed some pre-feast calories when the 5K Turkey Trot waddles into town, with the starting gun firing somewhere on the UM campus at 11 AM. $15. Call 243-5295.

Monday 17 Nov.

Tuesday 11 Nov.

Tuesday 18 Nov.

With any luck, last week’s election ensured that there will be a time for peace around the bend somewheres. You’re encouraged to honor those who’ve sacrificed for our country at the Veteran’s Day observance of your choice around town. Check out the vocal ranges and stylings of Missoula’s very own when UM Opera Theater shatters more than champagne flutes at 7:30 PM in the UM Music Recital Hall. $8/$3 students and seniors. Call 243-6880. Wednesday 12 Nov. Now that you’ve got your blood-sharing bearings straight, give it another whirl during the Red Cross Blood Drive: Griz-Cat Challenge beginning at 9 AM on the third floor of the UM University Center. Free. Call 543-6695. Friday 14 Nov. It would be foolish to miss highly anticipated jazz ensemble the Jubileers as they tear up the UM Music Recital Hall at 7:30 PM. Can you believe it’s free? Call 243-6880. Sunday 16 Nov. This semester’s about festivals galore, so don’t you dare screw up your festival average by missing out on the Banff Festival of

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Your ears will feel lifted, washed, permed and blown dry once they experience the harmonious calls of the Women’s Chorus at 7:30 PM in the UM Music Recital Hall. Free. Call 243-6880. If you’ve ever fantasized about drinking—I mean, working—through the wine country of Italy, or salsa dancing in a foreign land, start figuring out how you can reach those places once you attend a Work Abroad Workshop in room 154 of the UM Lommasson Center at 3:30 PM. Free. Call 243-2022.

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Check out UM’s tip-toed talent when the Department of Drama/Dance hosts the Fall Dance Showcase at 7:30 PM in the UM PARTV Center’s Open Space, a show that runs through Sat., Nov. 22. $8 per session. Call 243-5481. Wednesday 19 Nov. Be the first to see contemporary Mozarts shine like a golden orb tethered to the ethereal mists when the UM Department of Music hosts a Composers’ Showcase at 7:30 PM in the UM Music Recital Hall. Free. Call 243-6880. Friday 21 Nov. Raise money for the athletics we love so much—wait, aren’t athletics supposed to raise money for the school? Oh, well—during the 2008 Griz Auction at 6:30 PM at the Hilton Garden Inn on North Reserve Street. $75. Call 243-6481.

Missoula Independent FRESH FACTS, 2008

Give your regards to Broadway—I mean, Campus Drive—during a shot of spot-on and lively delivery from the UM Jazz Bands at 7:30 PM in the UM University Theatre. $6/$3 students and seniors. Call 243-6880. If you’re more into “American Idol” and less into jazz, swing by the UM Adams Center for the country croonings of Carrie Underwood at 7:30 PM as part of her Carnival Ride Tour. $35–55, but at press time, this show was already sold out. Call 243-4051. Saturday 22 Nov. And we thought the Hells Angels’ visit was going to bring the End Times to Missoula: Get your gameday party pants on because it’s time to show Bozeman’s Montana State University

who’s boss during another episode of our own little Montana Civil War, the GrizCat football game, which begins at noon at UM’s Wa s h i n g t o n - G r i z z l y Stadium. Wednesday 26 Nov. Save a penny or two in the name of Yuletide spirit and join the Clay Studio of Missoula, 110A Hawthorne St., for three weeks of holiday gift-making at 6 PM. If you’re above the age of 18, that is. $65. Call 543-0509 or visit theclaystudioofmissoula.org. Thursday 27 Nov. Whatever you believe about the glamorized story of noble and gracious American Indians hosting their pasty new “friends” for a meal to indicate their shared departure on a journey of respectful coexistence, you’ve

Missoula Independent FRESH FACTS, 2008

almost definitely been granted this day off from work, so what better to do to fill the time than eat massive lumps of the fattiest and starchiest grub around. Happy Thanksgiving. Friday 28 Nov. Nothing beats the alluring draw of handmade crafts when it comes to the holiday season—well, noting short of a well-filled highball glass, that is. Browse the works of the 28th annual Renaissance Arts and Crafts Fair at the Holiday Inn-Downtown at the Park, where you can begin to score some holiday goodies at 10 AM. Free. Call 538-2212. Sunday 30 Nov. Finish a long and relaxing holiday weekend with a fundraising performance of Handel’s Messiah in the UM University Theatre at 7:30

PM, the proceeds of which will go to support the homebuilding efforts of Habitat for Humanity. Call 243-2080. That should get you through the first couple months of campus related—and even community-wide—events. Feel free to pick up the Independent when it comes out every Thursday and get a lot more for nothing extra. And, if you’ve got something planned that you want the world to know about, let me know about it first by sending it to Comrade Calendar, c/o the Independent, 317 S. Orange St., Missoula, MT 59801. Alternately, include the info in an e-mail beamed at calendar@missoulan ews.com or fax your way to 543-4367. Study hard.

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