Munthly, Weakly…

…and following in the tradition of such blockbusters as the School That Couldn’t Spell Straight comes this example from the Flamingo (or, as I like to call it, the Flaming O):

Not Just Weakly
(click image for bigger view)

May 30, 2006 | Filed Under business | Leave a Comment 

Homecoming Ideas?

Ryan Smartt left a lengthy comment on an earlier entry that probably deserves front-page exposure:

Hey guys and gals, I’m 19 and have lived in Great Falls for my whole life. in the years that I have lived here I have heard of numerous deployments of our military men and women stationed around the GF area. The support for the military in GF seems almost hushed. My point is, is that it is time for GF to have the oppurtunity to celebrate the Men and Women who are so vital not only to the economy but to the security of our freedom. The reason I am writing here is to try and gather information about the homecoming of Troops stationed in GF. I think that with a strong Community voice we can persuade city officials to hold parades to each homecoming for deployed troops. It’s time we showed that we really do appreciate our troops in and around Great Falls, to show respect. What the men and women of the armed forces do for this country must be celebrated and honored. Its time to show them what they’re fighting for, or at least give them a thank you. Please, if this idea interests anyone who reads this, contact me at smartt_azz@hotmail.com. Time to give back.

Not a bad idea, and refreshing coming from such a young man. Anyone have some ideas about how to make this happen?

UPDATE - related: ZenPanda has some pictures of the Montana Veterans Memorial that was officially dedicated today (Memorial Day, 2006).

BTW - I made a few grammar/spelling edits in Ryan’s message.

May 28, 2006 | Filed Under military | 1 Comment 

Can You Hear That?

It’s a BIG sigh of relief from the hundreds of graduating high school seniors in Great Falls! I think that CMR will have their ceremony tonight, and GFHS will conduct theirs tomorrow (Monday). Congratulations to all of the graduates — especially Keri Murphy, a friend of mine from CMR, and to “Step,” who is the daughter of our very own ZenPanda!

May 28, 2006 | Filed Under education | Leave a Comment 

Goin’ Country

Until I moved here a few years ago, I didn’t much care for country music of any kind. Sure, I went through a very brief spell in the late 80s/early 90s of enjoying Dwight Yoakum and George Strait, but that was the extent of it. But shortly after arriving here, I heard a song called “Wolverton Mountain” on the radio, and something about it struck me. Since then, I’ve slowly been learning and enjoying what is termed “classic country,” although it also is called “honky-tonk” or “western swing” or some other term. I’ve also learned that there really was a Clifton Clowers, by the way. The best example of this type of music that I’ve found on the radio is the Saturday morning “Grassroots Gold” program on 104.9, KIK-FM. It’s hosted by Dave Wilson and Jim Lynn, and they play two hours worth of that genre and provide lots of back-stories and anecdotes. I had the good fortune of meeting Dave Wilson the other morning; I had stopped at the radio station to pick up the pair of earrings that I had won during the SAM 107.3 on-line auction a few days ago, and Mr Wilson happened to be in the lobby. I thanked him for the great show that he & Jim create every week, and for the “history lessons” that are teaching me about grassroots gold.

May 27, 2006 | Filed Under media, music | 1 Comment 

Warning

From the Tribune:

A registered high-risk sex offender recently moved from Belt to Great Falls. Evan Ray Mayer, a Tier III sex offender, is now living at 1615 13th Ave. S. in Great Falls. He was sentenced to five years in prison in 1993 in Missoula County for sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl. Registered sex offenders are required by law to notify local law enforcement when they change addresses. Agencies are then encouraged to release the information to the public if the person is considered “high-risk.”

And remember — you can always view the complete list of registered sex offenders (and violent offenders) at the registry maintained by the Montana Department of Justice.

May 26, 2006 | Filed Under politics | Leave a Comment 

Speed Limit

One of my pet peeves is people who ride my tail when I’m driving at the posted speed limit. The worst place is along 6th Street, primarily from Central Avenue southward. The speed limit along this section of 6th Street SW is 30 miles per hour. Let me repeat: THIRTY MILES PER HOUR. I may not agree with the posted speed limit, but I obey it because (a) it’s the law, (b) it runs right by a Boys & Girls Club, and (c) I really don’t want to pay a fine for speeding. In fact, the 30mph limit extends north of Central all the way to the NW Bypass, too, but people seem to do a little better about observing the limit on that stretch. But south of Central Avenue, hoo boy…people whip around me like they’re in a race. So to make it really clear to any Speed Racers who are riding my tail, let’s make it really simple to understand:

When driving south on 6th Street SW, the speed limit doesn’t change to 40mph until AFTER you go under the railroad bridge.
When driving north on 6th Street SW, the speed limit changes from 40 to 30mph BEFORE you go under the railroad bridge.
Here, I’ll even draw you a picture:

May 26, 2006 | Filed Under politics | 4 Comments 

Minorly Breaking News

Cripes…this is what the Tribune considers “Breaking News” — some fluffy pop singer wins a contest? Ack. And the story about the boy being struck by a car — well, maybe it’s “breaking” news, but when did “minorly” become an actual word?

breakingmyass.gif

May 25, 2006 | Filed Under media | 4 Comments 

Larry on MySpace

A recent blip in the Tribune stated that Larry Kiedrowski, aka “Larry The Homeless Guy,” the unofficial “official” Great Falls homeless guy, now has his very own MySpace.com page, supposedly posted courtesy of a friend of Larry’s. I dunno…after looking through it, I suspect it may actually just be somebody’s idea of a gag. I just don’t think that Larry wants to meet “…all the g-units, thugs, gangstas, (and) punk rockers” in Great Falls. Sure, it could be legit, but it’s probably just some relatively harmless teens who thought that Larry having his own MySpace page would be cool. What do you think?

May 24, 2006 | Filed Under people | 4 Comments 

Vandals

Some idiotic/childish criminals went on a vandalism “spree” a few days ago.

Police suspect the incidents are related and occurred between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. (Monday morning). The same color spray paint, use of profanity and references to “pigs” and “pirates” were found at each location…Black, silver and gold spray paint covered the mural in the park bandshell, the small Statue of Liberty replica at the end of 2nd Avenue North and the painted fiberglass buffalo in front of the Davidson Companies building.

I just wish that I had caught the little jerks in the act. And I wish that ZenPanda had been with me at the time. Like she said, they attacked one of “MY buffaloes!” In other words, they vandalized MY city - MY community - MY friends and neighbors. MY home.
Anyone with information should contact the police department at 771-1180 or the anonymous tip line, Crimestoppers, at 727-TIPS.

May 23, 2006 | Filed Under politics | 4 Comments 

Mayfaire 2006

Benefis Healthcare Foundation’s annual fundraiser, called Mayfaire, will have a silent auction, artwork, jewelry and plenty of stuff to nibble and drink. At 8 p.m., country music artist Trisha Yearwood will perform. A party follows at the Convention Center with music by local favorite the 49th Street Blues Project.

What: MayFaire 2006
When: Saturday, May 20
Where: Four Seasons Arena
Call: 406-455-5840
Time: 5:30pm - ?

May 19, 2006 | Filed Under events | 1 Comment 

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