News from the Northside Westside

By KD Dickinson and Jean Clark

This fall has been a special gift, with the beautiful weather. One doesn’t have to go far to enjoy a little outside time in the evenings after a hard days work. One of our favorite evening activities is to go for a modest walk or even a strenuous hike. With so many trails taking off from different places in town, one can be up and above it all in minutes.

A leisurely walk down the Kim Williams Trail will remind anyone how gorgeous our valley is and how generous our community has been. Another favorite walk, a little more of a workout, is a hike up Waterworks Hill that takes off from the lower Rattlesnake. This will give you a really nice view of the sunset, nice prairie flowers, sweeping hills and a nice vantage point of the Rattlesnake Wilderness.

But we especially enjoy the trails up Sentinel. Wow, talk about getting above it all. In a matter of minutes you can be perched above the valley with a bird’s eye view of both town and the wilderness.  It’s such a great workout, but you can make it as strenuous or as leisurely as you please. There’s often a sense of camaraderie with your fellow hikers, even if it’s just a friendly nod and smile. There’s an unspoken mutual greeting of “Wow, what a great place to walk, a nice evening, and a good life here in Missoula.”

Whether you hike to the “M”, stroll around your neighborhood, wander the Lincoln Hills Loop or summit the Pengelly Trail, it’s all about appreciation of the peace and beauty we share in our community. A special thank you goes out to all those who worked so hard to preserve this space and make our community so much richer.

Remember, next time you’re sitting in traffic, the hills are all around you, and you can escape to them so easily, even if only in your mind for a few minutes during your busy work day.

Garden Party is a Blast

By KD Dickinson and Jean Clark

News from the Northside/Westside neighborhood:

It’s hard to believe that August is here and kids are getting ready for school. There’s been a buzz of activity in college rentals, which is a sure sign of fall around the corner.

Every August one of the best parties in Missoula happens in the Northside-Westside neighborhood. We are so looking forward to this year’s annual MUD Garden Party.

MUD stands for The Missoula Urban Demonstration Project. It is a nonprofit organization that envisions an engaged community of empowered and aware individuals enjoying sustainable living through both community interdependence and self-reliance. MUD fosters sustainable living practices by providing a tool library, educational outreach opportunities  and a community-focused demonstration site to residents of the Missoula urban.

This year’s event happens on August 28. If you were at the party last year, you know how they like to do it up! Come dressed to dance the night away to some great live music, indulge with local beer and a silent auction. A delicious dinner and entertainment are included in the entrance fee. This year’s party is titled “Get Dirty Missoula,” a tribute to their revitalized workshop series and all their upcoming site renovations.

All proceeds directly benefit MUD and help ensure that next year will be as fruitful and productive as this past year. Contact them at 721-7513 to volunteer or donate! Tickets are $10 for members and $15 for non-members; beer and wine cost extra.

It’s groups like MUD that make Missoula a fantastic place to live, so if you get a chance, check it out.

Summer Nights on the Northside/Westside

Well, summer seems to have arrived with warm weather and all. After traveling throughout the South in June, we are so thankful for our mountain climate that cools off in the evenings; it’s really hard to beat our beautiful Missoula nights.

Two of our favorite things to do in the evenings are in the Northside/Westside neighborhood. Downtown ToNight is Missoula’s favorite evening music and food festival. Offering an outdoor venue for live music, food vendors, and beverage garden, this event also highlights a weekly family activity and, as always, is free to attend downtown in Caras Park from 5:30 to 8:30 Thursday nights.

 Our other favorite night time activity is the Missoula Outdoor Cinema. This harkens you back to the days of the drive-in theatre. Classic films are projected onto a large outdoor screen, attached to the Headstart School at 1001 Worden Ave. on the Northside. Cozy up to the friendly atmosphere and enjoy the freshly popped popcorn under the stars: BYO seating, movie starts at dusk, picnic food welcome, no alcohol or smoking please, $5 donations suggested. This is held every Saturday night until Sept. 5^th.

And speaking of neighborly, we’ll all be celebrating at the Grand Opening of HomeWORD’s Equinox project at 1515 Liberty Lane from 4 – 6 pm. on Thursday, July 30^th. The public is invited and of course fun, games and refreshments will abound. We’ve been watching this greenbuilt – low and moderate income housing project in the works for a year now and can hardly wait to see people moving into our neighborhood; it’s another enthusiastic foot forward for Missoula.

New Triangle Park Has a Labyrinth!

I attended the Rose Garden Park Neighborhood Council meeting Tuesday evening.  On the agenda were transportation and the new zoning plan , but the highlight of the evening was the celebration of the new Triangle Park with an informal presentation by Tim Skufca and an ice cream social.   Living Art suggested the centerpiece of the new park and Tim continues to be the driving force behind its completion and maintenance. 

The park is at the intersection of Plymouth and Mount and was conceived when the old fire station was demolished to make way for the new one.  The park has received two small grants from the city but the majority of it has resulted from the hard work of the people of the neighborhood and the generosity of groups like the Montana Native Plant Society.

All of the elements of the park are recycled, from the bricks of the old fire station to the concrete from the old sidewalks to the sand from the excavation for a building on campus.  Xeriscaped with native plants and mulch from Missoula Parks, it is a testament to creating treasure from trash.

And…AND…it has a labyrinth!  The bricks from the old fire station were hauled across the street, cleaned, and elaborately placed into Missoula’s only meditative labyrinth.  It is surrounded by a modest ampitheater of reused concrete from an improperly poured foundation.  The neighborhood envisions its use as a theater, a meeting place, (“concerts!” was the suggestion I heard from the back row) and a place of quiet contemplation.

Business Building Community

As our community and nation continue to face economic uncertainty, the protection of business and industry at a local level will become even more critical for long term sustainability.  In ways often not comprehended, regulatory issues directly affect the way citizens can start or stay in business. Any regulatory barriers or obstacles preventing reasonable business building in Missoula have a direct negative effect on employment, the ability for citizens to “buy local, spend local”, and the tax base for the City.

Building Business Community’s concept grew from acknowledging that fact and has identified the 2009 City Council election as a business development campaign.  The goal will be:

• To promote the importance of business development in Missoula,
• To create greater awareness of how local government impacts business development,
• To better inform business community about city council candidates,
• To hear candidates’ ideas for business development and the City budget,
• And finally to provide informal social networking between candidates and the business community.

The core organizations currently involved with the business development campaign represent a substantial cross section of Missoula citizens.  When considering the involvement of The Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce, The Missoula Organization REALTORS®, and The Missoula Building Industry Association; individuals are represented that have distinctive political, economic, and personal values.  However, the underlying commonality is the recognition that business development and protection is good for Missoula and the regulatory decisions that are made should help support it.

Business development brings so many positive things; an increased tax base, jobs to support  Missoula citizens, and most importantly a personal pride in our community. 

The Business Building Community will be holding a candidate forum on July 21st from 3:30-5:30pm.  Come enjoy some hors d’oeuvres and hear what the 2009 City Council candidates have to say.  In addition to that, please stay tuned for continued communication.  If you would like more information, a voter registration card, or would like to get more involved in this campaign; please contact Ruth Link at 406-728-0560 or rlink@missoularealestate.com.

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Business Building Community Candidate Forum
   Open to the Public!

Date: July 21, 2009
Time: 3:30-5:30pm
Location: The DoubleTree

Join us for an informative evening to show your interest for business development in Missoula.  There will be time for drinks, snacks, and networking.  Its important to hear what our City Council Candidates have to say and how they may help grow business in the Missoula Community!

Event Highlights

• 3:30-4:00pm, Meet & Greet
• 4:00-5:00pm, Overview of the Importance of Business Development in Missoula and Introduction of Candidates with Q & A to Present their Goals for Business Development in Missoula
• 5:00-5:30pm, Networking with Candidates
• Beer, Wine, & Snacks Provided
  (Includes Cash Bar)

Candidates filed for City Council Election 2009!

Offices on the Ballot?

1. Mayor
2. Municipal Judge
3. One representative from each of our 6 Wards

(blue denotes incumbant)

Candidates:

Mayor: John Engen
Municipal Judge: Donald Louden

Ward 1: Dave Strohmaier, Ryan Morton
Ward 2: John Hendrickson, Cynthia Wolken, Roy Houseman
Ward 3: Bob Jaffe, John Quandt
Ward 4: John Wilkins
Ward 5: Dick Haines, Mike O’Herron
Ward 6: Marilyn Marler, Kathy Greathouse

___

• Voter registration must be completed 30 days prior to the election for mail-in ballots
• You can turn your mail-in ballot into the election office at the courthouse the November 3rd.  Please note: they must have it in hand, not postmarked by that date.
• No Primary will be held, City Elections on November 3rd!

Zoning Rewrite-A positive step for Missoula?

The public hearing for Missoula’s Zoning Rewrite was held on Monday evening in our City Council’s Chambers.  Although this heated issue had received harsh critiques in the past, Missoulians seemed to paint a positive picture during the hearing that went late into the evening on Monday.  As expected there are a couple “hot button” issues, including Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU’s),  but citizens realize how desperately the city needs to replace the antiquated Title 19.

The positive discussion continued at the Council’s PAZ Committee on Wednesday where compromises were reached on the issue of ADU’s.  The motions that were made restricted ADU’s from all Single Family Residential Zoning Districts, but allowed them by right in all Multi-Family Zoning Districts.  If you would like to make comment, those recommendations will be discussed Monday Evening the 6th of July. 

I encourage you to contact your City Council representative, or the PAZ Chair Bob Jaffe and applaud them for working together for the future of our community!

The Missoula Organization of REALTORS stood up in support of the rewrite.  While we recognize that the document is not perfect, the fact is: it is better than what we have today.  The city of Missoula can’t expect to handle growth and development in the 21st century with a document drafted in the 1930’s and revised more than 35 years ago!

If you have concerns and questions about how it may or affect your neighborhood, contact Laval Means at the Office of Planning and Grants or visit www.zoningmissoula.com.

Is the Missoula market on the upswing?

That was the question posed to us recently.  Those looking for a definitive yes or no can quit reading now.  If  that’s the answer you are looking for you won’t find it here.   Hopefully, if we have learned nothing else during the last couple of years, it is the importance of doing your own research, delving beneath the surface of what the nighly news says, and drawing your own conclusions.  Here’s what we know:  Fourth quarter 2008 showed significantly less market activity in all price ranges based on the number of sales.  First quarter 2009 remained fairly steady at that level.  Numbers aren’t in year for second quarter (ending June 30) but it appears there is a trend in some price ranges.  For example, sales under $150,000 are fairly flat; however there isn’t a lot of inventory in that price range.  On the other end of the spectrum, sales in the $350,000 and higher price range are also fairly flat.  The most market activity is in the $150,000 to $275,000 price range.  Add to the mix location, property condition, lending practices, appraisal requirements and you begin to get a whole picture.  Don’t fall for quick, easy answers.  Been there, done that.  Didn’t work out so well.

Out to Lunch

In Missoula being ‘out to lunch’ is a good thing. Out to Lunch in Caras Park is in its 24th year and is the perfect antidote to the Wednesday hump. Okay, it’s not actually IN my neighborhood, but it is in easy walking distance, which is one of the reasons I LOVE the Rose Garden Neighborhood!

Back to Out to Lunch…various food vendors under the tent, live music in the band shell (tent), kayakers performing amazing feats on the river at Brendan’s Wave, the best people-watching in town…what more could you ask for?

Have a taste for Pad Thai? Shaved Ice? Maybe you’re more of a pizza guy…the best and most varied menu in town is at Out to Lunch.

Are you a jazz fan? Rhythm and Blues? Maybe folk rock is your first love. You’ll find it all here and more, depending on the day.
Out to Lunch started 24 years ago with The Ed Norton Big Band…a group of local musicians to rival any swing band in the country. On this past Wednesday, the crowd was moving to the rockin’ blues of Zeppo Montana, blues with attitude. The band likes to boast that between them they have more than 250 years of musical experience, and it shows!

Out to Lunch is every Wednesday from 11 am to 2 pm at Caras Park on the river, below the Higgins Bridge. Bring your appetite, your family, and your inner child!

Missoula Made Fair June 14,2009

Sunday, June 14, 2009 at Caras Park downtown the Missoula Made Fair begins at 11:00 a.m. and concludes at 7:00 p.m.  There will be arts & crafts, live music, a kids’ dance party, food and drink.  Also there’s a family & hipster friendly alternative indie craft show featuring over 50 local & regional artists.  And there will be short drop-in workshops taught by local artists and Selvege Studio.  Check:  www.missoulamadefair.com  for details and information.    From:  Judy Wahlberg, University Area Blogger.