Doug's Missoula Blog

University of Montana Charter Day Feb 13, 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Kueffler) — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 17:11:00 +0000

The University of Montana in Missoula is celebrating its 120th anniversary since its Founding Charter from the State Legislature in 1893.

The are a number of special events scheduled, one of which is free cupcakes. Food always brings out the best in us. Particularly pastry.

Check out the special Charter Day Website for more information and schedule.

U of Montana Basketball Teams Split with Montana State

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Kueffler) — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 18:57:00 +0000

Grizzly men were successful against the Bobcats last night here in Missoula, 76-71 in a thrilling overtime game. The LadyGriz lost to their MSU opponents, 58-49. For the LadyGriz, cold shooting and turnovers cost them again. Katie Baker, with 23 points, led the Ladies, but she didn't have enough help. At 5-2 in the Big Sky, Montana remains in second place, behind the MSU at 7-1.

The men's hero of the night was Mike Weisner who drained a 3-pointer with 3.4 seconds to go in regulation to tie the score at 66. The Grizzlies dominated the overtime. Kareem Jamar of the Grizzlies led all scorers with 23. The Montana Grizzlies share the top spot in the Big Sky Conference with Weber State. Both teams carry a 8-0 record in League play.

KPAX TV photo

Montana brought out the old Copper and Gold uniforms for "throwback" night at the Adams Center.

UM photo

Missoula Winter BrewFest III, Friday Feb 15, 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Kueffler) — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 18:03:00 +0000

From the Missoula Downtown Association:

Friday, February 15, 2013 – 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm -

Downtown Missoula - Caras Park

There will be giant heaters and bonfires to warm your bones.

Music by: Kung Fu Congress and more.

Join us for a night of fine winter brews at the This event will be held at Caras Park and features more than 30 beers on tap, a wine bar, food and live music. $10 gets you a 7-ounce signature tasting glass and two drink tokens – additional tokens are just $1 each. Come early for best selection.

Must be 21 years old to attend. Bring your ID and please Drink Responsibly.

Missoula VA Primary Care Clinic Flu Shot Nurse

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Kueffler) — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 21:26:00 +0000

This is the lady who administered my flu shot here at the Missoula Veterans Primary Care Clinic on Halloween. She was even cuter in person.

Missoula VA Clinic Flu Shot Nurse on Halloween

Missoula Winter Market - like a street market and farmers market combined.

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Kueffler) — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 19:26:00 +0000

The Missoula City Council gave the go-ahead for a new "Winter Market" to operate when colder weather forces street markets and farmers markets to close.

The new Market is slated to run every Friday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends the downtown markets are closed.

The Missoula Winter Market will hold a grand opening Friday, Oct. 26, with trick-or-treating from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and a costume contest for children.

The Winter Market is housed in a building at 2036 Mullan Road, near the West Broadway intersection. (The building formerly housed The Dollar Stop Plus+)

Montana Festival of the Book 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Kueffler) — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 20:27:00 +0000

This week marks the 13th annual Montana Festival of the Book in Missoula. Here is a link to the complete schedule of events: Festival Schedule

(It is four pages long so be sure to scroll down to see everything. The last page includes a map.)

Missoula Dirty Dash Fun in the Mud

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Kueffler) — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 18:25:00 +0000

To quote from the Dirty Dash Missoula website: “Missoulians relish getting dirty and can cowboy up to any challenge…you wear it on your bloodstained, trout-smelling, beer-soaked sleeves.” Well, I can’t think of anything a kid of any age would enjoy more than running and sliding around in the mud, and I have two free registration entry codes to give away. The Missoula Dirty Dash is set for September 15th at the Missoula Equestrian Park on North Avenue out behind Big Sky High School. I will provide the Codes to the first person who e-mails me at dkueffler@gmail.com. THIS SAVES YOU $50 ON EACH OF TWO LATE ENTRY REGISTRATIONS!
By the way, the Missoula race site includes one of the largest muddy slip n’ slides in the country!

(To use the free entry codes you will enter the numbers I provide when you register on the Dirty Dash Website.)

Montana Wildfire Season Nearly Over

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Kueffler) — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 16:40:00 +0000

Overnight temperatures are falling down to freezing in the high country and forest fires are calming down. Lightning strikes still account for new fires, but the end of the camping season will shut down the people-caused fires.

The drought made this fire season one of the worst in our past ten years, and the forecast future weather patterns may bring extreme fire danger for decades to come.

I have been out camping three to four days a week, returning home to mow the lawn, etc, and I haven't been in "range" for blogging. Keeping my writing going during the summer months has been difficult.

Now that school is back in session and the University of Montana Grizzlies are back in action, I will be sticking closer to home. The weather is still nice during the day, about 80 degrees, but we were in the 30's here overnight.

In mid-August we camped for three days at Beavertail Hill and woke up to find a FIRE CAMP being set up about 100 yards down the road! They work fast and soon there were big headquarters tents, eating tents and showering trailers set up and about 100 vehicles and 300 people! They are working on two nearby fires and the air is so smokey I woke up with a sore throat every day we camped. I am including a photo of the Fire Camp as it was just getting set up.

Summertime and Zurker

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Kueffler) — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 16:23:00 +0000

I keep so busy with yard work and other outside activities during the summer that I hardly have time to update my blog. This summer has been spent camping too, and we enjoy just getting away from town, doesn't have to be a long way or a really remote place, just someplace with trees, water, peace.

I recently joined a new social networking site, ZURKER, which, as of this writing, is still in Beta testing. The unique thing about ZURKER is that the members also are owners with shares. I joined because it may be something that really takes off. I am inviting you to check it out at this link: http://www.zurker.com/i-276158-dwdiwietuf

And I hope you are all having a terrific summer!

Missoula and Bitterroot Valley Hit with Big Storm

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Kueffler) — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 18:00:00 +0000

Gusting winds and heavy rainfall knocked down some trees and knocked out electrical power to parts of Missoula, Lolo and other towns in the Bitterroot Valley this morning.
The storm warning alerted us but other than closing windows and preparing for possible power outages by unplugging sensitive equipment there is little we can do about the weather.

After an hour or so, and several short periods without electricity, things have calmed down here (noon). At least there wasn't a lot of thunder and lightning which drives the dogs crazy. I have several small branches down from my Golden Willow tree but everything else seems intact.

Still, after seeing what tropical storms can do to oceanside communities, I think we are fairly fortunate to live inland and up in the mountains.

Red Fox on Mount Sentinel Trail Missoula

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Kueffler) — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 18:03:00 +0000

This skinny little fox was running up and down and various trails on Mount Sentinel on Sunday, evidently hunting. A friend of mine says he thinks it is a female because raising kids is extremely taxing on their bodies. This is the season for new babies. The video is only seventeen seconds long.

Bountiful Baskets Fruits and Veggies

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Kueffler) — Wed, 30 May 2012 18:41:00 +0000

I don't recall how my spouse initially discovered Bountiful Baskets.org but it has proven to be a wonderful and inexpensive source of vegetables and fruits which we receive every two weeks. For fifteen dollars, we get a big box that must weigh about 12 pounds. There are several Bountiful Baskets delivery sites around the county, state and the country as well.

Volunteers show up early and unload the groceries, then sort everything equally into boxes for each person who signed up and purchased for that week. We even volunteered once and found that it is backbreaking work for us older citizens. We really enjoy the big variety and never know what we may get. Last week there were apricots and blackberries, bananas, mangos, and a honeydew melon. Vegetables included corn on the cob, cauliflower, green peppers, carrots, red potatoes, and others. There are also add-ons that differ from delivery to delivery. One time we purchased 25 pound bag of carrots and another time we received a 38 pound box of lemons! Special bread packages and granolas are also available. There is even an "organic" box that may be purchased for an additional amount. We sign up by e-mail on every other Monday of delivery weeks.
Here is the URL for Bountiful Baskets, if you are interested: http://www.bountifulbaskets.org

Memorial Day and Snow Too!

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Kueffler) — Fri, 25 May 2012 14:59:00 +0000

Last Memorial Day weekend it rained all three days. This year the forecast is for more of the same, and our plans would put us at an even higher elevation and that means we may see SNOW!

Sometimes I wonder if we are really so crazy when we decide to camp out in our yard, in the motor home, with electricity, cable tv and internet. The pets seem not to care if we go anywhere, and once we are settled in, (in the motor home) it seems little different than going somewhere.

I think young people over-emphasize the importance of driving a long ways to have fun. Fun is made with the people you have around you. It doesn't matter so much what you are doing or where you are. My wife, our two dogs, our cat, a bowl of popcorn and a good movie. Oh Happy Day.

Missoula Morning: 25 degrees F. But it's May 11th!

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Kueffler) — Sat, 12 May 2012 04:30:00 +0000

We awoke to find frozen rose bushes, frozen tree buds and frozen water dish in the dog kennel. I never will get used to the Montana winter that just never seems to end. One year we had heavy, wet snow on June 4th. Hundreds of broken street trees. By that standard, of course, a few frozen roses is really nothing but inconvenient. We will buy new ones and replant. The trees should re-bud. And the dogs love licking the frozen water dish.

Missoula Little League Softball in Springtime

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Kueffler) — Wed, 02 May 2012 18:17:00 +0000

Missoula weather is often an obstacle to little league baseball and softball in the spring.
This morning, May 2, the temperature was 31 degrees. Yesterday it rained and the wind blew. Two days ago a 100-foot tall pine tree was blown to the ground.

But sometimes the weather is perfect; and such days are appreciated that much more. My granddaughter is at bat in this photo, and successfully too. In the background we can see the snow-covered runs at the Montana Snow Bowl ski area. Play ball in the morning and ski in the afternoon!

The Hunger Games

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Kueffler) — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 15:11:00 +0000

For the first time in my life of 65 years, I attended a movie on opening day. In my case, a matinee of The Hunger Games on the large 3D screen at Missoula's Carmike 12.

Although I am a fan of the Hunger Games trilogy, which I have completed, I was somewhat disappointed in the movie. I think the film will probably do well at the box office since the hype has been huge and the fan base is already well-established. It is difficult to replicate, on film, the very personal experience we enjoyed in a novel that is written in a First Person voice. Update note: Hunger Games Box Office opening weekend was $150 Million! Higher than the 110-115 Million industry was predicting, and one of the largest opening weekends of all time.

I do like Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen. She is a remarkable talent with a face that demands attention. She could stare down Mike Tyson. I swear.

In Missoula, Spring Begins at 11:14 pm Tonight.

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Kueffler) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 17:55:00 +0000

Spring, the vernal equinox, begins here in the Northern Hemisphere on March 19, 11:14 pm, MST. As I write this is a little less than twelve hours away.

What new things will spring bring? Sprouts, and buds, worms and birds. I love spring! Other than nearly always catching a cold this time of year, I also remember falling in love, several times, during these months of renewal. I love spring!

The word equinox is derived from the Latin words meaning “equal night.” The spring and fall equinoxes are the only dates with equal daylight and dark as the Sun crosses the celestial equator. At the equinoxes, the tilt of Earth relative to the Sun is zero, which means that Earth’s axis neither points toward nor away from the Sun.

One more thing: I have never understood why we do not capitalize the seasons of the year.

Bronchitis Nearly Ruined San Francisco Vacation

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Kueffler) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 23:52:00 +0000

My "crud" turned into bronchitis that has lasted about 18 days. I am still not in the clear, breathing wise. I am exhausted from being sick all the time. We spent three days in San Francisco and it rained every day. Now THAT did not help my breathing! I only get sick about once a year, but this is the worst I've felt in about five years. At least it is not the Flu and I haven't vomited or had diarrhea. I can't wait til the weather gets warmer. It is snowing and blowing here in Montana today.

We Know It When We Have It

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Kueffler) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:20:00 +0000

I have the "crud." Headache all day, sore throat, running nose and phlegmy. In short, I am miserable. This is Day 3.

Mountain Lion Crossing

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Kueffler) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 01:07:00 +0000

Another reason to either LOVE or HATE living in Montana. We have had our fill of mountain lions this winter. When the snow gets deep in the high country, the deer and elk come down lower, and so do the mountain lions, coyotes and wolves.

I bought this sign as a gag gift for my wife, but it rings so true for how we live. There are no morning walks until daylight comes a little earlier.

University of Montana Missoula Charter Day 119th Birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Kueffler) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:30:00 +0000

The University of Montana will celebrate its 119^th birthday on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012, with a noon-hour birthday party followed by an evening Charter Day Awards ceremony and reception at 5:30.

The birthday festivities are held each year to celebrate the anniversary of UM's chartering by the Montana Legislature in 1893 and to honor the University and its dedication to excellence. All events are free and open to the public.

The noon-hour birthday party, which will feature free cupcakes and entertainment, will be held in the University Center Atrium.

The annual Charter Day Awards ceremony takes place in the University Center Ballroom (3rd floor), and will recognize exemplary campus and community members. (Begins at 5:30)

Missoula Mayor John Engen will attend the evening awards ceremony to present an official proclamation of University of Montana Day. A reception will follow the ceremony.

Come one, come all. It's free.

Lazy Man's Valentine

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Kueffler) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:33:00 +0000

Ski, Beer, Grammys or all three?

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Kueffler) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 20:31:00 +0000

I wonder how many "Brewfest" revelers tried to hit the fresh powder at Snow Bowl this morning. Good skiing for those who can remain upright. Three inches of fresh at the top; 29 degrees at the base as of noon, Sunday, Feb 12. Happy Birthday Abe. Grammy's tonight with Ladies Love Cool James (LL COOL J).

Brewfest In Missoula Feb 11, 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Kueffler) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:16:00 +0000

The old Safeway Grocery Store on West Broadway just adjacent to St. Patricks's Hospital, (how handy) will be the scene of malt debauchery and music Saturday, Feb 11, 2-8 pm, in Missoula.

Big Sky Documentary Film Festival Missoula Montana

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Kueffler) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Now in its 9th year, The Big Sky Documentary Film Festival has become the largest cinema event in Montana and the premier venue for non-fiction film in the American West. In 2010, the festival drew an audience of 12,000 and received nearly 1000 film entries from every corner of the globe. A unique setting for filmmakers to premiere new work and for audiences to see innovative new films and also classics in the genre, the festival presents an average of 125 non-fiction films annually at the historic Wilma Theater in downtown Missoula, hosting over fifty visiting artists.

The 2012 Big Sky Documentary Film Festival runs from February 17th to 26th in Missoula.
Here is a LINK to the Viewing Schedule.