For All Things Missoula, Montana

Green Living

Ask around town and you’ll hear a lot of talk about sustainability and environmentally responsible business practices. Missoulians cultivate a balanced community rich in ethical business practices, community assistance, and responsible neighborhood development.

Though sustainability and living green aren’t necessarily byproducts of the lifestyle most Missoulians lead, they’re darn close. Sustainability is a high priority in multiple areas of the local economy, and the building industry is no exception.

  • Particularly noticeable strides have been made in adherence to sustainable building and development practices
  • Neighborhoods in Missoula boast walkable streets, open space, connectivity, lots of trees
  • Most commercial construction in the downtown area is done on previously developed land, or by renovating existing buildings – something that helps reduce sprawl and save on transportation costs
  • Many Missoula architects, contractors and builders take great pains to work in compliance with industry indicators of green building such as the  LEED® Green Building Rating System , NAHB’s  Model Green Home Building Guidelines Green Globes , and other assessment tools and certifications.

Check out the links below for great local housing, real estate, and development information on all things green:

The Circular Economy: How Glass Reuse and Recycling Support Sustainability in Missoula

The Circular Economy: How Glass Reuse and Recycling Support Sustainability in Missoula

This article explores how glass can contribute to a more sustainable fu...  more

The Impact of Junk Removal on Property Values

The Impact of Junk Removal on Property Values

Junk removal is not just about cleanliness; it’s about maximizing the...  more

Practical Tips on Choosing the Right Roofing Specialist for Your Home

Practical Tips on Choosing the Right Roofing Specialist for Your Home

In this comprehensive guide, we'll provide you with practical tips to e...  more

4 Things You Need to Know Before Moving to Montana

4 Things You Need to Know Before Moving to Montana

This article will provide insider knowledge that will help you prepare for your move to the Garden City or anywhere in Montana. ...  more

Top 5 Most Popular Eco-friendly Home Modifications

Top 5 Most Popular Eco-friendly Home Modifications

The following factors should guide you when deciding on green improvements to make in your home:...  more

Cleaning Missoula’s Air With Greener Travel and Carbon Offsetting

Cleaning Missoula’s Air With Greener Travel and Carbon Offsetting

Among U.S. states, Montana is leading the way with investments in greener infrastructure making it easier than ever for us to live more environmentally responsible lives....  more

Ways To Sell Your House In The Summer

Ways To Sell Your House In The Summer

Do you want to know what potential buyers look for when purchasing a home in the summer? Before you put your house up for sale, consider the points raised in this article....  more

Tips On How To Sell Your Home Fast In A Slow Real Estate Market

Tips On How To Sell Your Home Fast In A Slow Real Estate Market

While it may be a little bit challenging to sell a home, it's still doable. These tips should guide you through the process....  more

The Difference Between Renting A Dumpster And Hiring A Junk Removal Company

The Difference Between Renting A Dumpster And Hiring A Junk Removal Company

Here is the difference between getting a dumpster and hiring a junk removal company:...  more

How to Reduce Non-Biodegradable Waste and Recycle More Effectively

How to Reduce Non-Biodegradable Waste and Recycle More Effectively

Besides recycling waste, you can considerably reduce it by adopting various healthier alternatives to non-biodegradable products. ...  more

How Yurt Housing differs from a Traditional Home

How Yurt Housing differs from a Traditional Home

Yurt Living - an Alternative to Traditional Housing – and the Tiny House. Buying a home can be an expensive, lengthy process, and the rent for an apartment is looking increasingly more like mortgage...  more

Missoula in Motion Launches January Clear the Air Challenge

Missoula in Motion Launches January Clear the Air Challenge

For the month of January, Missoula In Motion will challenge citizens to reduce the amount of C02 they emit into the air by trying to limit their solo driving trips....  more

How to Start a Green Team at Your School

How to Start a Green Team at Your School

You’ve finally decided your school needs an Eco-messiah, and you’re looking into starting a green team, but you don’t know where to start? ...  more

The State of the Jungle

The State of the Jungle

By PAUL WHEATON - The more stuff I create and post online, the more people need to give me their feedback. Just reading their feedback is bigger than a full time job. ...  more

Swords, Iron, Missoula Blood and Pie

Swords, Iron, Missoula Blood and Pie

By PAUL WHEATON - Turns out I have too much iron in my blood and it's leading to exhaustion. So I get the idea of just donating blood to see if I then feel supercharged. ...  more

Jumping Spiders and Daddy Longlegs in Your House Keep Away Brown Recluse

Jumping Spiders and Daddy Longlegs in Your House Keep Away Brown Recluse

By PAUL WHEATON - This video is of a jumping spider that found its way onto my monitor. I used to kill all spiders, but here's why I don't anymore....  more

Residential Water Conservation

Residential Water Conservation

Conserving water in your home is much easier than you think. By taking just a few simple steps, you can save water and decrease your water bill!...  more

Struggles, Hurdles, Challenges and Observation

Struggles, Hurdles, Challenges and Observation

By PAUL WHEATON - I'm not yet of retirement age, but I suppose I could say that I am retired .... from being a software engineer. Sorta. ...  more

City of Missoula Storm Updates

City of Missoula Storm Updates

Clean-up from Monday’s thunderstorms continues throughout the City.  The City of Missoula would like to remind citizens of the following items: Power has been restored at Splash Montana waterpark. The fa...  more

Are you Testing Your Drinking Water?

Are you Testing Your Drinking Water?

Arsenic is fairly common in Montana’s groundwater--especially in mountainous areas where well water is affected. Are you testing your drinking water?...  more

Junkpole Fence: Freaky Cheap Chicken/Deer Fence

Junkpole Fence: Freaky Cheap Chicken/Deer Fence

By PAUL WHEATON - We needed a permanent fence that would keep flighty chickens (layers) in and keep the deer and the wild turkeys out. This fence went up mighty fast and cheap....  more

Installation of Ybarra’s Public Art Sculpture Underway at Silver Park

Installation of Ybarra’s Public Art Sculpture Underway at Silver Park

Construction of the new public art piece for Silver Park, George Ybarra’s sculpture “Perseverance and Passage,” has begun....  more

City Imposes Stage 1 Fire Reststrictions Bans All Fireworks

City Imposes Stage 1 Fire Reststrictions Bans All Fireworks

Fire Danger moved to EXTREME on Monday and Stage 1 fire restrictions have been imposed prohibiting use of fire or open flame, including campfires, smoking and the use of fireworks....  more

Leave Young Wildlife Where You Find Them

Leave Young Wildlife Where You Find Them

By TOM PALMER - Remember this advice if you see newborn wild animals: "If you care, leave them there." Do not move or attempt to feed newborn wildlife....  more

Quest for Land: My Advice for Permies and Homesteaders <br>Part 3 of 3

Quest for Land: My Advice for Permies and Homesteaders
Part 3 of 3

By PAUL WHEATON - I want to grow the future of permaculture. Not just with my ideas, but with 20 different artisans in seed and soil. Each permie would have their own vision for what is “best”....  more

Quest for Land: My Advice for Permies and Homesteaders Part 2 of 3

Quest for Land: My Advice for Permies and Homesteaders Part 2 of 3

By PAUL WHEATON - When it came to picking a piece of land, I have a powerful bias. I just love Missoula, Montana. Someday I want to be able to say that I grow a lemon tree, outdoors, in Montana....  more

Quest for Land: My Advice for Permies and Homesteaders Part 1 of 3

Quest for Land: My Advice for Permies and Homesteaders Part 1 of 3

By PAUL WHEATON -Decades ago I was obsessed with gardening and outgrew my urban lot. I needed more space. Not only for my horticultural endeavors, but I needed to expand into all sorts of animals....  more

National Ground Water Awareness Week March 8-14

National Ground Water Awareness Week March 8-14

National Groundwater Awareness Week is the week of March 8-14 and Kinetico of Montana just wants you to remember a few things about your groundwater and its importance in our lives....  more

Rocket Mass Heaters: The Absurdly Efficient, Cheap, and Comfortable Way to Heat Your Home

Rocket Mass Heaters: The Absurdly Efficient, Cheap, and Comfortable Way to Heat Your Home

By PAUL WHEATON - So what’s the big deal? Well, Rocket Mass Heaters are one of the most sustainable and affordable heat sources in the world! ...  more

The Dark Side of Native Plant Enthusiasm

The Dark Side of Native Plant Enthusiasm

By PAUL WHEATON - What’s wrong with native plants? The problem has nothing to do with advocating for native plants, but in advocating against all other plants – not just for oneself, but for all people....  more

Did you Just Should on Me?

Did you Just Should on Me?

By PAUL WHEATON - The word “should” is seriously embedded in our culture and habits. And I think it is possible that it may have slightly different meanings for different people. ...  more

Infecting Brains with Permaculture 52 Cards at a Time

Infecting Brains with Permaculture 52 Cards at a Time

By PAUL WHEATON - When I give gifts, rather than giving people stuff that they might like, I tend to give them things that I like them to have. Check out this gift idea:...  more

Capitalism, Gift Economy, and Prices That Are Too Damn High

Capitalism, Gift Economy, and Prices That Are Too Damn High

By PAUL WHEATON - My feeble understanding of capitalism is that I can work super hard for a year, save up all my money and then live without working for several years....  more

Testing the Waters–Ensuring the Water You Drink is Healthy

Testing the Waters–Ensuring the Water You Drink is Healthy

Hard water is the leading water problem in America and, and Missoula and Western Montana are no exception. Here are few things to know about hard water and what to do about it:...  more

Hops Ranch Soon to Provide Fresh Beer to the Flathead

Hops Ranch Soon to Provide Fresh Beer to the Flathead

By TRISTAN SCOTT - What began as a 1-acre research project, sponsored by the Montana Department of Agriculture and two local breweries – has entered its second season and is now producing hops....  more

Hard Water Problems in Missoula

Hard Water Problems in Missoula

Hard water is the leading water problem in America and, and Missoula and Western Montana are no exception. Here are few things to know about hard water and what to do about it:...  more

Bee Huts

Bee Huts

By PAUL WHEATON-I’ve heard that by adding a roof to protect your bee hives, you can increase honey production by as much as four or five fold. The secret: The happiness of the bee matters!...  more

Missoula’s Annual Chip Seal Program Begins

Missoula’s Annual Chip Seal Program Begins

City of Missoula Street Division crews begin applying oil and chips to city streets on Monday, July 28, in the City’s annual Chip Seal Street Maintenance Program. Missoula annually seals the surface of ab...  more

Flies Really Bite. Are they Bugging the Cows?

Flies Really Bite. Are they Bugging the Cows?

By PAUL WHEATON-Biting flies can sure make life miserable for cattle, horses and even people! Big or small, those insects can inflict painful sores. Here are a few solutions for getting rid of biting flies:...  more

20 Tips for Staying Cool and Saving Money in the Summer

20 Tips for Staying Cool and Saving Money in the Summer

By PAUL WHEATON-It’s hot! So it is perfect timing to talk about how to stay cool on the cheap – both long term and short term. Here are 20 tips on staying cool this summer and saving money too....  more

Vote With Your Fork

Vote With Your Fork

By KRISTEN LEE-CHARLSON - One of our very core rights as human beings is challenged in this country on a daily basis. That is the freedom to choose the food(s) that we wish to raise, buy and consume....  more

How to Eat Local & Stay Healthy

How to Eat Local & Stay Healthy

By KRISTEN LEE-CHARLSON -Eating local means contributing to the local economy. A dollar spent locally generates twice as much income for the local economy. When businesses are not owned locally, money leaves th...  more

Frugal Foodie: Intentional Leftovers

Frugal Foodie: Intentional Leftovers

By KRISTEN LEE-CHARLSON - In times of economic struggles, often people cut their food budget, sacrificing the pleasure and fulfillment of true nourishment. But you don't have to....  more

Keen on Mason Bees

Keen on Mason Bees

By PAUL WHEATON-And now boys and girls, it is time for Uncle Paul to tell you about the birds and the bees. Or, more accurately, the flowers and the bees. And, even more accurately: Flower sex....  more

Edible Weeds–If You Can’t Beat ‘Em, Eat ‘Em!

Edible Weeds–If You Can’t Beat ‘Em, Eat ‘Em!

By KRISTEN LEE-CHARLSON - Fields of the pretty yellow flowers in the lawn; are they really so bad? Dandelion leaves, flowers, stems and roots are all edible if you have an organic yard!...  more

Sheep Grazing on City Open Space, Pet Owners Asked to Help Protect Herd

Sheep Grazing on City Open Space, Pet Owners Asked to Help Protect Herd

By BECKY GOODRICH-Missoula Parks and Recreation is asking dog owners to watch for sheep grazing on City open space, and leash their pets when hiking near the herd. ...  more

Reversing Desertification

Reversing Desertification

By PAUL WHEATON - Man-made desertification impacts climate change more than the burning of all fossil fuels. This includes contributions to greenhouse gasses, and overall warming....  more

Downtown Flower Baskets Scheduled For Hanging May 20

Downtown Flower Baskets Scheduled For Hanging May 20

Missoula’s beloved Downtown Flower Baskets are scheduled to go up on Tuesday, May 20 beginning at 5:30 pm. Volunteers will place the baskets created by Pink Grizzly....  more

Passive Annual Heat Storage

Passive Annual Heat Storage

By PAUL WHEATON -When heating or cooling a home can a comfortable temperature be obtained year round with far less energy use? Can we get it down to a tenth of the national average?...  more

Apple Trees from Seed

Apple Trees from Seed

By PAUL WHEATON -There is this story going around that if you try and grow apples from seed, then there is only a 1 in 20,000 chance that you’ll have an edible apple. ...  more

Saturday’s Right On Track with Missoula Farmers’ Market

Saturday’s Right On Track with Missoula Farmers’ Market

Missoula Farmers’ Market opens for its 42nd Season this Saturday, May 10, from 8am to 12:30pm. Returning and new vendors of seasonal fruits and vegetables, preserves, flowers, and more....  more

Celebrate Arbor Month with 22nd Annual Run for the Trees April 12

Celebrate Arbor Month with 22nd Annual Run for the Trees April 12

Register for the 22nd annual Run for The Trees on Saturday, April 12, at 9 a.m. 1-mile, 5K or 10K, races with proceeds used to help plant new trees in Missoula parks and schools....  more

City of Missoula Announces 2014 Street Cleaning Program

City of Missoula Announces 2014 Street Cleaning Program

Spring is here, and the Missoula Street Maintenance Division will begin its street cleaning schedule on Tuesday, April 1 with cleaning take place Mon-Fri in the following zones: ...  more

Love in the Winter

Love in the Winter

By BRUCE AUCHLY - Just in time for Valentine’s Day, we bring you those wonderful love birds – great horned owls. That's right, the most impressive owl in North America as a symbol of Valentine’s Day....  more

Heirloom Winter Farmers’ Market Back in Full Swing

Heirloom Winter Farmers’ Market Back in Full Swing

By KRISTEN LEE-CHARLSON - The Heirloom Winter Farmers’ Market is back on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month, January through April at the Missoula Fairgrounds....  more

Citizens Encouraged to Recycle Christmas Trees

Citizens Encouraged to Recycle Christmas Trees

Missoula Parks and Recreation’s Urban Forestry Division is inviting citizens to drop off their cut Christmas trees to be recycled into productive mulch. ...  more

City’s Urban Forestry Division to Replace 79 Ailing Street Trees

City’s Urban Forestry Division to Replace 79 Ailing Street Trees

F.Y.I. - Missoula’s urban forest is getting some much-needed attention as City arborists work with residents to replace 79 dead or dying boulevard trees throughout Missoula....  more

Missoula Leaders Engaged at Montana Economic Summit

Missoula Leaders Engaged at Montana Economic Summit

By LINDA MCCARTHY - The local daily newspaper claimed that Missoula was not well represented at the Montana Economic Summit, held in Butte. In my opinion, nothing could be further from the truth....  more

Missoula’s Old Sawmill District Ready for Investment

Missoula’s Old Sawmill District Ready for Investment

By LINDA MCCARTHY - (PHOTO GALLERY) The Old Sawmill District – the former Champion Mill site on the south side of the Clark Fork River – is a great example of progress in Missoula. ...  more

Missoula Scientists Study Wind Flow and the Affects on Firelines

Missoula Scientists Study Wind Flow and the Affects on Firelines

By MARK VOSBURGH - Researchers at the UM Flight Lab and the Missoula Fire Sciences Lab are analyzing birds in flight in order to understand wind flows and their affect on fire lines....  more

Repurposing Hollow Core Doors Into Shelves

Repurposing Hollow Core Doors Into Shelves

By LISA HENSLEY - Thanks to a recent remodeling projects, we have a stash of hollow core doors in our garage. They are ugly, but here's how I repurposed them into shelves for my office...  more

A Return to the Ninemile Schoolhouse…an Heirloom Legacy Continues

A Return to the Ninemile Schoolhouse…an Heirloom Legacy Continues

By KRISTEN LEE-CHARLSON - Missoula's Heirloom Foodie is re-opening the Ninemile Schoolhouse and and renting the historic landmark for writers retreats, weddings and more. ...  more

City Unveils Draft Site Plan for Hellgate Park

City Unveils Draft Site Plan for Hellgate Park

Citizens are invited to an open house to view the draft Master Plan for Hellgate Park on Tuesday, June 11, at 6:30 p.m., at the Montech Building, 1121 E. Broadway....  more

I Am An Egg Snob…

I Am An Egg Snob…

By KRISTEN LEE-CHARLSON - Until recently I thought my chickens' laying lives were over. Imagine my surprise when I discovered over a dozen eggs hiding behind a pile of outdoor furniture. These yolks are the dar...  more

The Politics of food, Being an AG-Tivist

The Politics of food, Being an AG-Tivist

By KRISTEN LEE-CHARLSON - Why HB574 is Important: When it comes to fresh milk and dairy products, I want to be able to support the farmer(s) of my choice and procure the foods that I believe to be healthful for...  more

Missoula Parks & Recreation Presents: Run for the Trees and Doggie Dash

Missoula Parks & Recreation Presents: Run for the Trees and Doggie Dash

F.Y.I. - Missoula Parks and Rec presents Run for the Trees 5k/1 mile Fun Run/Walk on Saturday April 13th and the Doggie Dash 5k/1 Mile Fun Run/Walk & Doggie Expo on May 5th. ...  more

DIY Underbed Dresser and Storage

DIY Underbed Dresser and Storage

By LISA HENSLEY - We've run out of space for dressers in my boys' room, so I repurposed the drawers from an old, ugly dresser and a nightstand into two underbed storage sets!...  more

Heirloom Market Celebrates Official Grand Opening January 26th

Heirloom Market Celebrates Official Grand Opening January 26th

By KRISTEN LEE-CHARLSON - On January 26th, the Heirloom Market is holding its official Grand Opening at the Missoula County Fairgrounds. Come celebrate with us!...  more

Shorten a Floor Lamp

Shorten a Floor Lamp

By LISA HENSLEY - I have a preference for the kind of light that comes from torchiere lamps—you know, those floor lamps that point upward and throw the light so well? But I have limited floor space....  more

Is Black Locust the Ultimate Permaculture Tree?

Is Black Locust the Ultimate Permaculture Tree?

By PAUL WHEATON - You can spot where the old homesteads are in Montana by the stands of black locust trees. They're famous in permaculture circles as nitrogen fixers....  more

Hand Washing Dishes Versus Dishwasher: Which Saves More Water?

Hand Washing Dishes Versus Dishwasher: Which Saves More Water?

By PAUL WHEATON - The misconception that washing dishes with a dishwasher saves water is an great example of how people succomb to greenwashing myths....  more

Missoula Gifts That Encourage Reuse

Missoula Gifts That Encourage Reuse

By LISA HENSLEY - Still have people left on your shopping list? Here are a few Missoula-centric ideas that will spread cheer and encourage people to Reuse IT this Christmas. ...  more

How to Make Recycled Christmas Wrapping Paper & Bows

How to Make Recycled Christmas Wrapping Paper & Bows

By LISA HENSLEY - I never have much wrapping paper on hand, but when Christmas rolls around, I get all wrapped up in the holiday spirit and make my own festive, recycled wrapping paper....  more

Horticulture of the United States of Pocahontas

Horticulture of the United States of Pocahontas

By PAUL WHEATON - The foundations of sustainable horticulture seem to include permaculture, bio-dynamism, respectful harvest, and a symbiotic relationship with nature....  more

Humanure and Composting Toilets

Humanure and Composting Toilets

By PAUL WHEATON - Recently, I visited Missoula’s wastewater treatment plant to learn about the reuse of treated wastewater as a source of irrigation and fertilization....  more

Compost-Based Bio-Energy Systems

Compost-Based Bio-Energy Systems

By PAUL WHEATON - When done properly, composting creates a great deal of heat – heat that can be harnessed to heat water and create usable energy....  more

How to Keep Deer from Eating Your Stuff

How to Keep Deer from Eating Your Stuff

By PAUL WHEATON - The creative ways people attempt to control deer seem endless, but they aren’t generally effective. There is ONE thing that really gets it done....  more

City of Missoula Begins Leaf Collection on Nov. 6th

City of Missoula Begins Leaf Collection on Nov. 6th

F.Y.I. - The City of Missoula will begin fall leaf pickup on Tuesday, Nov. 6, starting in the downtown Special District #1....  more

This Winter, Save Energy with Just a Tiny Bit of Knowledge

This Winter, Save Energy with Just a Tiny Bit of Knowledge

By PAUL WHEATON - The real solution to energy sustainability is to get information passed as far as possible. This, friends, is saving the world with a bit of knowledge....  more

Solar Food Dehydrators for the Fall Harvest

Solar Food Dehydrators for the Fall Harvest

By PAUL WHEATON - The fall harvest is upon us. Apples, plums, kale, and tomatoes abound. In the quest for sustainability, solar-powered food dehydrators are on the rise....  more

Replacing Irrigation with Permaculture

Replacing Irrigation with Permaculture

By PAUL WHEATON - There are scads of ideas of what permaculture and irrigation are. For me, I see a good permaculture system as one that has eliminated irrigation....  more

The Many Benefits of the Amazing Sunchoke

The Many Benefits of the Amazing Sunchoke

By PAUL WHEATON - Sunchokes (aka Jerusalem Artichokes) are one of the best homesteader crops, especially for those wishing to be self-sustaining....  more

Paul Wheaton on Polyculture

Paul Wheaton on Polyculture

By PAUL WHEATON - A polyculture is a mix of plants all trading their unique goodness with other plants. All plant-eating animals are designed to eat plants from a polyculture....  more

Paul Wheaton’s CFL Video goes live

Paul Wheaton’s CFL Video goes live

By ANDY COMMONS - Think CFLs are good? Paul Wheaton has just produced a video that says otherwise. Andy sheds light on the issue....  more

Tired of Tilling? Try Seed Balls

Tired of Tilling? Try Seed Balls

By PAUL WHEATON - Ever thought of lobbing seeds into your field? No tilling, just a good arm? Seed balls are used in no-tilling cultivation to get seeds established....  more

Eliminate the Cost of Chicken Feed

By PAUL WHEATON - I used to sell my chickens for nearly the same price I paid for feed. I found ways to not only eliminate feed costs, but provide higher-quality feed! ...  more

Can Pigs Build Ponds?

Can Pigs Build Ponds?

By PAUL WHEATON - Don't even THINK of using a pond liner if you have pigs around. Paul Wheaton shows us a better way to seal a pond using pigs....  more

Take a Walk: The Glacial Lake Missoula High-Water Mark

Take a Walk: The Glacial Lake Missoula High-Water Mark

By KP NICHOLS - 15,000 years ago, Missoula was underwater. Today, you can hike to the highwater mark on Sentinel and Jumbo and use your imagination to fill in the details....  more

How NOT to raise chickens

How NOT to raise chickens

By PAUL WHEATON - This comic artist is exceptionally brilliant at capturing very common and complicated issues that can arise for people who have never raised chickens before. I think the desire to steward chi...  more

My Inexpensive, DIY Kitchen Remodel

My Inexpensive, DIY Kitchen Remodel

By LISA HENSLEY - When we moved into our house, we planned to update the kitchen. In the end, we saved thousands of dollars refinishing the cabinets ourselves....  more

A Pinterest Project: Get Organized with DIY Spice Jars

A Pinterest Project: Get Organized with DIY Spice Jars

By ERIN TURNER - My kitchen was being overrun by all my spices until I stumbled on a great project I saw on Pinterest: Recycle old bottles into DIY spice containers. ...  more

Eat Local and Eat Well with Community Supported Agriculture

Eat Local and Eat Well with Community Supported Agriculture

By ERIN TURNER - Community Supported Agriculture farms have started to become popular in Missoula. They're a great way to eat healthy, local, economical food....  more

Frugal Living: Eat Tapas, Cut Your Grocery Bill

Frugal Living: Eat Tapas, Cut Your Grocery Bill

By ERIN TURNER - Serving tapas-style food, a traditional Spanish small-plates meal, is a delicious, easy way to cut your grocery budget significantly....  more

Frugal Living: Go Green and Grow Your Own Food

Frugal Living: Go Green and Grow Your Own Food

By ERIN TURNER - Growing your own food is making a huge comeback. Not only are homegrown fruits and veggies healthier, but you can save a ton of money, too....  more

Contain Yourself: How to Plant a Container Garden

Contain Yourself: How to Plant a Container Garden

By BILL CARAS - Gardening in containers is easy and rewarding. In our Missoula climate, many plants love containers and can be more productive than when planted in-ground....  more

Frugal Living: Learn How to Save at Staples

Frugal Living: Learn How to Save at Staples

By ERIN TURNER - I like to shout-out my favorite stores in Missoula that offer some great deals and coupons. This week, learn how to save on supplies at Staples....  more

Frugal Living: Spring Cleaning on a Budget

Frugal Living: Spring Cleaning on a Budget

By ERIN TURNER - Spring cleaning is in full swing at our house! Unwilling to pay $250 for a professional cleaning, I found a frugal way to clean our microfiber furniture....  more

Greenwashing Light Bulbs

Greenwashing Light Bulbs

By PAUL WHEATON - The object propelling the greatest greenwashing scheme of all time is the CFL....  more

Winter Warmer: Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

Winter Warmer: Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

By LISA HENSLEY - I do all the meal planning, shopping, and cooking for our family. Sometimes, trying to come up with ANOTHER meal is more than I’m up for. That’s when I get a rotisserie chicken....  more

Keep those branches, twigs, rotten logs, and Christmas trees!

Keep those branches, twigs, rotten logs, and Christmas trees!

By PAUL WHEATON - Paul Wheaton shows us ways to recycle wood. These tips sure beat making a big pile and burning it!...  more

Testing to see if you are an Eco Poser

Testing to see if you are an Eco Poser

By PAUL WHEATON - It's cool to be green. Especially in Missoula. Here's how to test to see if you are an Eco Poser....  more

Being Noble

Being Noble

By PAUL WHEATON - Paul talks about people, community, intentional community, being nice, mean and even noble....  more

A Missoula Fundraiser for a New Orleans School

A Missoula Fundraiser for a New Orleans School

By CLAY SPRINGMEYER - On Dec. 10, there will be a benefit event at Free Cycles Missoula to help send a group of UM students to Our School at Blair Grocery in New Orleans....  more

How to Make Tin Can Lanterns

How to Make Tin Can Lanterns

By LISA HENSLEY - I was having some friends over for a housewarming party last week, and wanted decorate with luminaries. I almost rushed out to buy luminary bags before I remembered that I could make tin can l...  more

Introducing the Heirloom Winter Market

Introducing the Heirloom Winter Market

By KRISTEN LEE-CHARLSON - On Saturday, I launched the Heirloom Winter Market, a sort of extension of the local farmers' markets which had their last day of the season the week prior....  more

A Salute to Missoula’s Bike-Friendly Events of 2011

A Salute to Missoula’s Bike-Friendly Events of 2011

By BEN WEISS - There is no doubt that Missoulians like riding bikes. In fact, we consistently rate among the top 10 cities in the country for percentage of people using bicycles for transportation....  more

Mountain Line Plans for the Future of Missoula’s Bus System

Mountain Line Plans for the Future of Missoula’s Bus System

The Missoula Urban Transportation District, operators of the popular Mountain Line bus system, want the community’s input on both short and long term improvements needed for its public transportation system....  more

Fundraiser for Friends of 2 Rivers

Fundraiser for Friends of 2 Rivers

By JEN SLAYDEN. Please join Friends of 2 Rivers at Flathead Lake Brewing Company on Wednesday, September 21st from 5pm-11pm, to enjoy trivia, friendship, and cold, tasty beer!...  more

Missoula is Like . . . Relaxed Fit Jeans?

Missoula is Like . . . Relaxed Fit Jeans?

By JEN SLAYDEN. Jeans come in such different shapes and styles, each feeling a bit different to wear. Kind of like the styles of each of the town you travel going east and back again through the great state of...  more

Green Your Kitchen with a Cast Iron Skillet

Green Your Kitchen with a Cast Iron Skillet

By PAUL WHEATON. Learn about the benefits of Cast Iron cookware and watch an egg fry and not stick!...  more

Earth, Wind, and Fire – Bonner Fire

Earth, Wind, and Fire – Bonner Fire

By JEN SLAYDEN. If it takes an act of God to fill up the usually vacant church parking lots on my side of the mountain, I think he has spoken. For in a brief period of twelve hours we felt an earthquake and our...  more

Killing Me Softly: The Art of Deconstruction

Killing Me Softly: The Art of Deconstruction

By LISA HENSLEY. I’m somewhat addicted to HGTV, especially the “Crashers” shows (Yard Crashers, House Crashers, etc.). It could be because I’m secretly wishing someone would offer to come to my house an...  more

Mullein Heals the Earth

Mullein Heals the Earth

By PAUL WHEATON. Mullein is a biennial plant with fuzzy leaves. Often called "cowboy toilet paper," mullein will grow in the worst soils on earth -- improving the earth as it grows. More about this amazing pla...  more

Repurpose Grass Clippings as Mulch

Repurpose Grass Clippings as Mulch

By LISA HENSLEY. By this time of year, if you bag your grass cuttings, you’re probably starting to think fondly of those winter months when there’s no mowing to do. (Actually, you’re probably thinking tha...  more

Repurposed Lighting

Repurposed Lighting

RE-USE IT. By LISA HENSLEY. I was working my first volunteer event for Home ReSource a couple of years ago when I stumbled across this fantastic light fixture. It’s really heavy, old glass, and by the time we...  more

The Tiny House Movement

The Tiny House Movement

By PAUL WHEATON. People are saving money by downsizing their house. How far can you take it? Take a look at these Tiny house. One was built for $15!...  more

The EdgeMaster: How to Sharpen a Serrated Knife Blade

The EdgeMaster: How to Sharpen a Serrated Knife Blade

By PAUL WHEATON. Watch the EdgeMaster sharpen a serrated knife blade in record time!...  more

From Baby Blanket to Big Boy Pillow

From Baby Blanket to Big Boy Pillow

RE-USE IT. By LISA HENSLEY. My mom makes these great blankies for kids: knit on one side, flannel on the other. They just get softer and snugglier the more you wash them. They don’t, however, last forever—e...  more

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