1) Have your septic tank system inspected and pumped regularly Sludge in large quantities can only be eliminated by a professional pumper. You should have a pumper inspect your septic system to...

Happy New Year all. I hope you had a healthy and happy holiday season and are now finding yourselves ready to take on 2022. Wow, it's hard to believe it's already 2022 - every year there is a bit of...

As the New Year begins, we'd like to share a story with you of how a local family was able to fulfill their promise. Local residents like Les and his family can find support to navigate life's...

What is a dog symbol? For that matter, what is a conditioned instinct? Well, when we look at dreams, most images in dreams are symbols. Symbols are expressions from the human psyche (our psychology...

It's that holiday time of year when we give thanks and gifts to our neighbors, friends and family. I want to let you know how grateful I am for you. It truly is an honor to represent our district....

Missoula Aging Services (MAS) announced the expansion of a program to connect older adults with online resources, family and friends. Technology can address many of the challenges associated with...

Many, many, moons ago whenever I took to the hills, there was some good advice in that famous packers guide and artist Joe Backs book, "Horses, Hitches and Rocky Trails." Have yer check list so ya...

Thanks to advances in veterinary medicine and increased nutritional knowledge, many animals are living longer lives. This means there are more and more senior pets out there who tend to have specific...

HOW DOES YOUR SEPTIC SYSTEM WORK? The septic tank holds the wastewater from homes or businesses until solid debris settles at the bottom of the tank (the sludge layer) and lighter waste, such as oil,...

Depression is a common affliction. The percentage of people suffering from depression is staggering. Of course, the pandemic contributed to these numbers, but even before the pandemic the numbers were...

Missoula Aging Services is hosting Medication Review appointments in partnership with the University of Montana Skaggs School of Pharmacy. The hour-long appointments will be with both a UM...

What a glorious September we had: sunshine, minimal smoke and still a busy economy. I recently had a lovely visit with Grace at Mission Mountain Mercantile and Nathan, wearing his hat as chair of the...

What season is it? It is Medicare's Annual "Open Enrollment" which happens, Oct. 15 – Dec. 7 and is coming up quickly! What can Medicare beneficiaries do during "Open Enrollment"? • Change...

When young children play together, they often begin to assume the behaviors and dress styles of their peers. They tell their parents how they want to dress and are adamant about what is acceptable as...

Many veterinary clinics are implementing routine Wellness Exams. These are examinations of pets who appear healthy. These physical exams also include questions about your pet's lifestyle with a focus...

Anthropomorphism (pronounced: ann-throw-poe-MORF-ism) is the term used to define when we give animals (or inanimate objects such as rocks & trees) human characteristics. Here are a few examples:...

During its reorganization period, the Sewer Board has developed an "Action Plan." The purpose was to create a working document that would guide the actions of the board over the foreseeable future....

I often think of September, and not January, as the new year in our calendar. Kids are with new teachers, summer vacations are over and we're all settling back into a routine of sorts. It's a time to...

Last spring the voles really did a number on my plants. They ate the bark off trees and the roots off several flowers and bushes. Is there any way to prevent damage next spring? Yes, but there is no...

Happy Fall, Now that temperatures are dipping it is once again time to apply for Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) and Weatherization. The State of Montana, through the Department of...

Many moons ago, while be'n a glutton for punishment, I made a trip to the wild horse corrals near Sparks, Nevada to get a couple of broomtails. While wait'n on things to happen, I noticed a black man...

What could conscious evolution possibly mean? Well, we know that consciousness is an awareness of people, events, objects and ourselves. We also know that evolution is a natural process that results...

There's still some of us around that milked the cows by hand. My first encounter with this age-old routine came when I was 11. I'd been hired out to Uncle Lesile for the summers' hay'n. A bad storm...

Summertime in Montana brings warmer temperatures, blue skies, and blooming wildflowers. This summer, however, much of Montana is blanketed in smoke, and the lack of moisture paired with record heat...