New West Network

My Page: Kaylee Porter

race your wiener dog!

If you have a pet, want a pet or would just like to see dozens of bandana clad wiener dogs racing, Caras Park in downtown Missoula is the place to be this Saturday.

That’s where the 3rd annual Pet Fest, Western Montana's largest pet showcase and adoption event will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring pet product vendors, other exhibits, animal rescues and shelters, entertainment and contests.

For those looking to adopt a pet, 10 shelters and rescues from around the state will have their animals at the event. This includes Western Montana humane societies, Montana's Parrot and Exotic Bird Sanctuary and Great Pyrenees and Great Dane rescues. There will be a parade of adoptable pets at 11:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. [more]

affordable housing

Senator Max Baucus and Missoula Mayor John Engen cut a red ribbon at the opening of the Burns Street Commons affordable housing project Wednesday afternoon, the third affordable housing project developed by the North-Missoula Community Development Corp. since it opened its doors in 2000.

The brightly colored, 17-unit housing complex, located at 1400 Burns, is available to first-time homebuyers who otherwise might not be able to afford a home. Those who make 80 percent of the Missoula median income, which is $31,000 for a single person, $35,450 for a couple and $39,850 for a family of three are eligible and three units have already been sold.

“It takes vision to get from the mud lot that was here even as little as a year ago to where we are today,” Engen said. [more]

downtown master plan

Parking in downtown Missoula may be difficult sometimes, but that’s nothing compared to planning the city’s parking layout for the next 20 years.

To help with this task, members of the public were invited to comment on the parking aspect of the city’s Greater Downtown Master Plan Wednesday night at the downtown Holiday Inn. Dennis Burns, Vice President of Studies & Operations at Carl Walker, Inc. (the group working with Portland, Ore.-based consultants Crandall Arambula), gave a public presentation of city’s current parking situation and what it’s options for the future are. [more]

a non-profit feels the squeeze

For years, finding affordable housing in Missoula has been a difficult task. Soon, due to rising land and building costs, providing it may be just as hard for Habitat for Humanity of Missoula.

“Over the past 20 years it’s phenomenal how much [building] cost have gone up,” Missoula Habitat for Humanity executive director Dave Chrismon says. “Since Habitat here in Missoula began back in 1991 we’ve seen lot sizes go down and down and lot prices go up and up.”

Back then they paid about $8,000 for quarter-acre lots. Now they are now paying $39,000 for lots less than half that size, Chrismon says. [more]

park-n-ride (a rented bike)

With gas prices soaring and downtown parking spaces as elusive as ever, many Missoulians are looking for new and cheaper ways to get around. One often-overlooked option, the vivid blue cruiser bikes available for rent through Missoula Parks and Recreation, might not be new to Missoula, but the price is definitely right -- they’re free.

The "Blue Bikes" program is in its second year, but few people knew about the program last year and those who did were often thwarted by a confusing computerized lock system, says Jason Pignanelli, outdoor specialist for Missoula Parks and Recreation.

They changed to a simple padlock and key system this summer, however, and Pignanelli says it much easier for people to use. There are still plenty of bikes up for grabs most days though because there are rarely more than five or six checked out at a time. [more]

From The New West Blog

Last year a district in Alberta, Canada tried to create “wind development-free zone” along the base of the Rocky Mountains. This effort was unsuccessful, but according to a recent Great Falls Tribune article, the issue of restricting wind turbine placement has resurfaced in the rural Canadian town of Pincher Creek and the result of this battle could be of interest to northern Montana communities as more wind farms are constructed. [more]

wildfire

A 100-acre grass fire that ignited northwest of Missoula Sunday night near the railroad tracks at Indreland Road, off Highway 93, has been contained, but is not out.

Eight to ten firefighters from Frenchtown and the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) will continue to mop up the fire throughout today. It will most likely be a few days before it is declared totally out, however, because the fire crew has to walk the area to ensure none of the grass is still smoldering, Cindy Super, fire prevention coordinator for the DNRC said.

The fire, started by sparks from a passing train, was reported at about 6 p.m. by a homeowner in the area who called 911. It spread quickly through dry grass, but no homes were damaged. [more]

growing the green economy

The Sustainable Business Center, a nonprofit that would house close to 20 local green building and sustainable living companies, hopes to set up shop on Russell Street in Missoula.

These types of businesses are often small and undercapitalized, explains Rick Wishcamper, founding partner of the Rocky Mountain Development Group, which is organizing the project and purchasing the property. The Sustainable Business Center’s aim would be to strengthen them.

“It will grow the businesses that grow the green economy,” Wishcamper said. [more]

sipping whiskey in Montana

Last month, brothers Damon and Eric Ristau opened the Missoula headquarters for their video production company Firewater Film. Since starting the company in 2003, the Ristau brothers have made mostly commercials and documentaries, but this summer they have other plans.

In July, they'll begin shooting their first full-length feature film titled "The Best Bar in America.” The brothers describe the Montana-based adventure-comedy about three men who travel the state’s bars, taverns and saloons as a “belligerent ‘Sideways’ where instead of sipping wine in California they are sipping whisky in Montana.” [more]

politics

Enthusiastic Ron Paul supporters waited through a $45 a plate dinner, multiple GOP speakers and an auction conducted by Conrad Burns to hear their candidate speak Friday night at the 2008 State Convention Banquet.

They say it was worth it.

“He was fantastic,” said Elena Gagliano, a retired Philipsburg Mont. resident. “He believes in freedom and I’m sick and tired of infringement on my life.”

Paul, a tenacious, long-shot former Republican presidential candidate who has found considerable support in Montana with his message of small government and constitutionalism, received a warm welcome from the large crowd at the Hilton Garden Inn in Missoula. Montana GOP chairman Erik Iverson said nearly 470 people were in attendance—a record for the summer convention. [more]