Welcome to the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Chatter

This update is brought to you two times a month by the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce. We want to let you know what is happening in the Valley and give you the opportunity to promote what is happening in your business.

Announcements are limited to 40 words and can have a link to your website. Non-profit organizations that are members of the Chamber can submit for free. There will be a $10 fee per submission for business members. The bulletin board will be emailed on approximately the 1st and the 15th of each month. Announcements must be sent to localinfo@bvchamber.com, three days prior to the bulletin. In the subject line put BULLETIN.

Previous Newsletters
June 2008 (pdf)
August 2008 (pdf)
October 2008 (pdf)
December 2008 (pdf)
March 2009 (pdf)
June 2009 (pdf)
September 2009 (pdf)
January 2010 (pdf)

Looking for previous Chamber Chatters?
Visit the archive.

If you drive Highway 93 in the Stevensville area between McCalla and Kootenai Creek, keep posted on the construction schedule, detours, delays and closures on www.us93steviwye.com

The site is designed to keep you, the traveling public, informed about what to expect as this part of the highway is widened. Access Daily Updates including any schedule changes, delays or closures so you can plan your trip through this area accordingly.

If you regularly commute through this section of highway, bookmark the site to check each day before you go.

This project includes complete reconstruction of the existing roadway, including grading, gravel surfacing, plant mix surfacing, landscaping, two new bridges and the removal of the existing bridges over Macalla Creek and Kootenai Creek just south of Stevensville on Hwy. 93.

The US Highway 93 South road construction schedule as shown is the original schedule established for the project. Weather and other factors may delay some of the work in some cases. Check the Daily Updates on WWW.US93STEVIWYE.COM for information on current activities, delay or closure notices.

CHAMBER BULLETIN COMMUNITY SERVICE BULLETIN BOARD
January 15, 2008

YOU are invited to join Julie Foster (Ravalli County Economic Development Authority) and Rick O’Brien (Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce) for breakfast (no host) at Perkins, January 20th at 9:00 A.M.

Purpose: To brainstorm our ideas and add yours for weathering the stormy economic situation.

Through the Ravalli BEAR (Business Expansion and Retention) program, Rick and Julie have recently spoken with a few business owners and key employees in the log home industry. We would like to share with you some ideas that have surfaced that might make sense for YOUR businesses.

Briefly, one idea involves a “worker cooperative” which is a business owned by workers in any given industry. Worker cooperatives contract with participating companies to provide various or specific services. This can provide significant benefits to all parties…………

Companies that contract with worker cooperatives realize significant savings in human resource expenses and payroll taxes. A worker cooperative is NOT an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).

Burley Mfg is an Oregon worker cooperative that manufactures bicycle trailers with sales of over $8 million per year!

The second idea is to work on a collective marketing plan that would enable as many as possible that could provide quality goods and services to produce a turn-key or semi turn-key home or commercial building package.

If you are interested, just give us a call or email and we will make the reservations!

Julie @ RCEDA: 375-9416 Email: julie@rceda.org

Rick @ BVCC : 363-2400 Email: ceo@bvchamber.com

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PR, Fund Raising and Church Relations Ravalli County Habitat for Humanity Habitat for Humanity of Ravalli County (HFHRC) will hold a volunteer information meeting Thursday, January 22, from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. downstairs at the Bitterroot Public Library in Hamilton. HFHRC is dedicated to providing simple, decent, affordable housing in Ravalli County and recently purchased a new home site in Hamilton. Please come to our meeting to learn more about how you can participate in what we have planned for Ravalli County in 2009! For more information, please contact HFHRC via phone at 375.1926, via email at ravallihabitat@yahoo.com, or visit us on the web at www.ravallihabitat.org.

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CITY OF HAMILTON GROWTH POLICY - JANUARY MEETING DATES

January 28 - Parks & Recreation Chapter

All meetings begin at 6:00 pm at City Hall. For additonal information or questions please contact:

Kate McMahon -- (406)863-9255 -- kate@appcom.net

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The Bitterroot Job Service Employers’ Committee (JSEC) in partnership with Darby Public Schools are organizing the youth oriented Career Day at Darby High School on January 26th, 2008. Linda Valentine of the Human Resource Council WIA Youth Employment Program, and Vickie Steele a Bitterroot Job Service Program Operator are coordinating the committee’s efforts along with members of the Bitterroot JSEC’s and Joe Yanzick, counselor at Darby High School.

The Career Day will consist of many wonderful presenters from a variety of occupations. Some highlights will include speakers from regional and local businesses and many other professional individuals representing a variety of career choices for teens to consider. These professionals are showing their commitment and dedication to area youth by providing information about career opportunities to young adults in our community.

JSEC surveyed the teachers and students to determine which industries they were interested in learning about, and put together a program that encompasses a variety of occupations. The students will rotate through different stations containing interactive, informative sessions regarding career opportunities and skills required to pursue specific occupations.

When adult role models get involved, the students also get involved. Providing career information while interacting with these bright minds is a positive experience for students, teachers and presenters alike.

This is an important activity for the students of Darby High School. If you would like more information please contact Joe Yanzick at Darby High School (406 821-3252or Linda Valentine at (406) 363-6101, extension 236.

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HILARIOUS, FUN-FILLED CHARITY WINTER GOLF TOURNAMENT APPROACHES—

Are you tough enough? It’s time to dust off your putter, put aside the winter blahs and sign up for the Hamilton Soroptimist award-winning Winter Golf Tournament to be held Saturday, February 7, 2009 in downtown Hamilton. To register a team call Mary Alice Holloway at 381-1335. To donate a prize item, call Colleen Murphy-Southwick at 375-9050. To become a business sponsor, call Pat Murphy at 360-5568

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January is National Blood Donor month and Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital and the American Red Cross are having a blood drive on January 22 from 11:30am to 5:30pm in the Marcus Daly Conference Rooms B & C - call 375-4451. Donors please remember to eat complete meals and drink plenty of water before donating blood and for more information visit www.mdmh.org. Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital, Quality Care Close to Home.

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Daly Mansion History Classes

The Mansion’s Volunteer History Mystery Team will be presenting Daly Family historical classes on some Saturdays during the months of Jan., Feb., March & April. Class will start at 10am in the Trophy Room of the Mansion and length of class will be approximately 1-2 hours. Cost of each class is $5. Free to Volunteers of the Daly Mansion. Class size is limited. Please make your reservations early by calling Darlene 363-6004 ext. 4#.

Class Schedule:

January 17 - DALY ACRES

Presenter: Don Erdman

The class will explore the many acres of the land Marcus Daly purchased from homesteaders to make up his 22,000 acre Bitterroot Stock Farm. Learn how to read legal descriptions and find them on a map.

January 31 - JAMES WATSON GERARD

Presenter: Dan Rulli

James Watson Gerard: Columbia University educated lawyer, and diplomat was a National Guardsman, New York state Supreme Court justice, U.S. Ambassador to Germany from 1913-1917, a noted author, film maker, folklorist, political operative for the Democratic Party, and the son-in-law of Marcus Daly. Gerard married Mary Daly, daughter of Marcus Daly, in 1901. During his lifetime, he maintained an interest in the Montana properties and investments of the Daly family, and had a ranch of his own north of Hamilton, Montana. Discover this fascinating life in a two hour, interactive class session on January 31 at 10:00 AM in the Trophy Room at the Daly Mansion.

February 7 - BASEMENT TREASURES

Presenter: Lois Klement

Lois will bring her favorite “Box of Stuff” from the Mansion Basement Archives. Each participant will select a paper from this Wonderful Box of Assorted Things. The class will examine the items and discuss the contents noting the date and personal names involved.

February 21 - THE RACE IS ON!

Presenter: Rick Lubansky

The focus of the class will be Thoroughbred horse racing during the time that Marcus Daly was involved Rick will share stories about some of Daly’s famous horses and other characters he interacted with during his racing and breeding days.

March 7 - GOLD RUSH TO COPPER KING - MARCUS DALY & MINING

Presenter: Paul Mogensten

The class will explore the mining interests of Marcus Daly and his heirs, beginning with Daly’s activities in Gold Rush California, his involvement in Butte, Montana and the continuing mining investments of his heirs. If time permits, the class will evaluate these interests in regard to their historical and economical significance within the broader mining industry.

March 14 - WELCOME HOME

Presenter: Darlene Gould

The class will include a Power Point presentation of the homes the Daly’s lived in during their lifetime in Montana. Emphasis will be on the four different homes that were built in the Bitterroot Valley and became known as the Daly Mansion.

March 21 - DRESSING VICTORIAN

Presenter: Gretchen Spiess

Gretchen, of the Blue Parrot Tea Room in Stevensville, will be discussing Victorian Dress during the years of 1890-1915. Gretchen will help you identify items you may already have in your closet that would work for your costume and showing dress from that period of time.

April 18th - BIRDING AT THE MANSION

Presenters: Ned & Gigi Batchelder

Learn about all the wonderful species of birds that reside on the Mansion grounds and how to attract them to your yard. This class is an interactive class with both inside and outside class time. Please wear appropriate clothing for outdoors the day of the class.

April 25th - A WALK AMONG THE MANSION TREES

Come join Certified Arborist, Sylvia McNeill, for a walk among the Mansion trees. Learn more about the many species that exist on these beautiful grounds and others which would prosper in our climate and community. Weather permitting this class will be held outside, wear comfortable shoes and appropriate outer clothes. If inclement weather, class will be held in the Trophy Room.

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2009 Winter Special Olympics volunteers needed for Tuesday, January 27th and/or Wednesday January 28th. You can volunteer for just one day or both days. The event is held at Lost Trail Powder Mountain Ski Resort. No winter sports skill required. Just be ready for a day full of fun and smiles.

If your company grants Community Volunteer Hours to your employees, consider allowing them to participate in this amazing experience.

If interested in participating, please contact Carla Christofferson at 363-3028 or Dixie Dies at 961-4812.

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The Rib Hut - BBQ Tex/Mex Restaurant located at 1094 S. 1st in Hamilton is pleased to announce their JOIN OUR BIRTHDAY CLUB! When you come in ask your server for the information and sign up for the whole family. On that special day receive your lunch or dinner free!

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MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW for the Chamber’s Annual Banquet to be held Friday, February 13 at the Bitterroot River Inn …. Prizes --- Food --- Award Winners --- AND FUN!

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Celebrate the beginning of a new presidency at a ball hosted by the Democratic Women's Club the evening of January 20th at the Bitterroot River Inn. All profits will benefit S.A.F.E Reservations are required. Tickets may be purchased at Chapter One in Hamilton or by contacting Susan Johnson at semjsimeroth@yahoo.com or 363-2676. Dancing by Big Sky Mudflaps, music, food, big screen connection to Washington, DC and more! Additional information is available at www.ravallidemocrats.org

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The Grizzly Triathlon will open registration this Monday, January 12th around 8am at www.signmeup.com. The race will be Saturday, April 11th 2009. Happy New Year, and happy training! Giles (via Antara...I think this is going to fill up fast. For those of you considering this...it is a sprint tri, 1000 yd. swim in the Griz pool, 12 mi bike, and 5k run. Weather- you never know...but it is a BIG coming out of hibernation tri event.)