Community Briefs

New Labor Regulation Information Session, Oct. 26

SEELEY LAKE – Small Business Owners and Employers with concerns about impacts of federal regulations, such as the new federal overtime rules, will have an opportunity to meet with representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration at the Seeley Lake Historical Society Museum and Visitors Center, Oct. 26 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. The meetings will include SBA Regional Advocate John Hart, and SBA Regional Administrator Betsy Markey.

Hart, representing the SBA’s Office of Advocacy and Regional Administrator Markey will talk about the new federal overtime rules that will affect small businesses and answer questions on how current visa and immigration issues affect small business hiring. Both officials are coming to Montana from the SBA’s Denver regional office.

Hart is one of 10 regional advocates whose mission is to hear from small business owners about proposed federal regulations and recently enacted federal regulations impacting Montana and the nation. Markey is one of 10 SBA regional administrators with a direct line of communication to SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet at SBA headquarters in Washington D.C.

For additional information please contact Wayne Gardella, Montana SBA District Director at wayne.gardella@sba.gov.

Missoula BLM Plans Forest Project along Lower Blackfoot Corridor

MISSOULA – The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Missoula Field Office is planning forest restoration and fuels reduction treatments along the lower Blackfoot corridor.

BLM staff members will discuss details of the project—tentatively scheduled for next summer—and solicit feedback from the public during a meeting Oct. 26, 5-7 p.m. in the Lecture Room in the Castle Center at Lubrecht Experimental Forest.

“We want to address upland forest conditions in the lower Blackfoot corridor that have shifted away from fire-tolerant, open stands dominated by ponderosa pine and western larch towards less fire-tolerant stands dominated by smaller, more densely-spaced Douglas-fir,” said Michael Albritton, fuels specialist with the Missoula Field Office. “The purpose of the project is to reduce the risk of wildfire in these upland forest communities and manage forest habitats using an ecosystem management approach.”

Treatments could include pre-commercial thinning, prescribed burning, timber harvest, tree planting and mastication.

For more information, contact Michael Albritton at (406) 329-3928 or email him at malbritt@blm.gov.

Brightways Learning Raises Awareness and Funds for Disconnected Youth, Oct. 27

MISSOULA – Brightways Learning, a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit organization in Missoula, announced its first annual fundraiser, Bright Futures Bash, Thursday, Oct. 27 from 5-8 p.m. at the Missoula Brewing Company, 200 International Drive, Missoula.

Community members will learn about Brightways and the positive impact it has had on youth and the community, while having the chance to win valuable prizes donated by local and national businesses through a raffle and silent auction.

Local teachers will describe the important youth-development skills they honed by attending Brightways Learning’s Kaleidoscope Academy for adults this summer. The academy teaches adults how to recognize, appreciate and magnify what is right and strong about each youth’s individual ecology, thereby helping to ensure their chances to succeed.

Area students will share how they benefitted from attending a “Phlight Club” event in June held at Seeley Lake Elementary. During this intensive and interactive three-day youth leadership and empowerment experience, youth and adult participants learned how to build relationships that help prevent risk-taking behaviors, while cultivating important resilience-building skills to thrive amidst life’s challenges.

“We are excited about our first fundraising event, which will engage and inspire members of our community,” said Jennifer Lutey, Brightways Learning’s Executive Director. “We believe every youth has value and should be empowered to achieve their dreams and to flourish. Funds raised at our Bash will help us continue working alongside youth to amplify their strengths and unlock their full potential.”

Proceeds raised during the event will strengthen Brightway’s programs and provide direct services to area youth as well as the adults who serve them. The event is free to attend.

Volunteers Needed for Air Quality Advisory Council

MISSOULA - Missoula County residents interested in improving air quality are invited to apply for membership on the Missoula City-County Air Quality Advisory Council. The council currently has an opening for an alternate position.

Alternates vote during meetings when there are not enough members present to form a quorum. Alternates also provide their voice and extra insight during council discussions.

The all-volunteer council meets the first Tuesday evening of each month and advises the Missoula City-County Air Pollution Control Board on a broad range of air quality topics including transportation, industrial sources, outdoor burning, road dust, wildfire smoke and wood stoves.

Anyone who is a Missoula County resident with a strong interest in air quality and who is willing to attend meetings regularly is encouraged to apply.

The application deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4. Applications and more information are available at http://www.missoulacounty.us/directory/health-advisory-councils/air-quality or by contacting Sarah Coefield at 258-3642 or scoefield@missoulacounty.us.