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An Onion story currently getting a lot of play on my Facebook feed, titled, “Something Wrong With Literally Everything in Apartment,” lists the numerous problems in a fictional home. “Although Kelly and Epting admitted that the discoloration behind the kitchen sink was spreading and that the lock on the apartment’s front door had grown increasingly ‘temperamental,’ they said that the apartment was in a great location and well worth the $1,400 rent.” It certainly strikes a chord with me and a lot of my fellow 20-somethings. Missoula’s housing situation is better off than other places in the country, but it’s still tough to find a decent place that’s affordable. This goes doubly so for folks who might be struggling to find enough work or a job at all. Some people land a nice job and mortgage their dream home, only to lose their job and face foreclosure. This is where Homeword comes in. The nonprofit is responsible for many of the innovative housing com-
plexes around town, like Orchard Gardens, and serves low-to-middle income people, including those undergoing foreclosure. The 35-unit property boasts a 1.5acre community garden, covered bike parking, dual flush toilets, Energy Star appliances and many more sustainable features. Homeword is hosting a tour of Orchard Gardens for anyone who’s interested in checking it out, and not just people who might want to rent there. Households must make less than 50 percent of the area median income to qualify to live in Orchard Gardens (roughly $32,000 in 2009, according to the Census). You can find out more at homeword.org. —Kate Whittle The Orchard Gardens Outreach Tour, sponsored by Homeword, is Thu., Aug. 15 from Noon-1 PM. 210 N. Grove St. Lunch provided. RSVP to Jeannine@homeword.org.
[AGENDA LISTINGS] THURSDAY AUGUST 8 Hey, Missoula families, if you’re a decent kinda person and want to show off the glories of America to a foreigner, EF Foundation applications are open now for folks to host high school exchange students for this upcoming school year. Contact Katie Zuck at 406-830-8518 or email katiezuck@gmail.com for more info. You can also check out effoundation.org. Take care of yourself today at the Walgreens Way to Well Health Tour, which offers free health tests measuring the important stuff like blood pressure, metabolism and glucose levels. Must be 18-plus, tests take about 20 minutes. Walgreens locations throughout town. 11 AM. Losing a pet is losing a friend. Hospice of Missoula presents Pet Bereavement Support, an opportunity to work through your grief with others in the community. The four-week group meets Thursday evenings at 6:30 PM at Natural Grocers, 2530 S. Third St. W. Free, but call Hospice of Missoula to register and learn more at 543-4408.
SATURDAY AUGUST 10 Need help paying for daycare for the kiddos? Child Care Resources has new guidelines for eligibility, so contact ‘em now to find out if you qualify. A family of three earning less than $2,386 a month has a shot. Call 728-6446 or see childcareresource.org to learn more.
MONDAY AUGUST 12 Come on down for Moscow Monday at the Montgomery Distillery, 129 W. Front St., where the distillery redistributes the wealth. (It ain’t called Wall Street Wednesday, amiright?) $1 from every drink sold is donated to a different non-profit each Monday. Family friendly, from noon–8 PM. Florence School kids and their families are invited to a pulled pork sandwich potluck for the sports and cheerleading programs in the old gym. Freshmen and sophomores are asked to bring sides or salads, juniors bring desserts, seniors bring chips at 6 PM. Parent meeting to follow at 7 PM.
The UM Climate Action Now Meeting is out to save the day, promoting sustainability and environmental action. UM FLAT, 633 Fifth St. E. 6:30 PM. Find out how the Garden City grows at the weekly Missoula City Council meeting, where you can no doubt expect ranting public commenters, PowerPoint presentations and subtle wit from Mayor Engen. Missoula council chambers, 140 W. Pine St. Meetings are the first four Mondays of every month at 7 PM, except for holidays. What is the sound of one hand clapping? Perhaps you’ll contemplate this and other mysteries at Total Empowerment! Education in the True Nature of Mind: Introductory Training with Cheyenne Rivers and Balanced View, hosted at Hot House Yoga from 7-9 PM. Register at balancedview.org. Suggested donation $25-$100.
TUESDAY AUGUST 13 If you found out you have rheumatoid arthritis and you’re wondering what’s next, RA Just Diagnosed at 337 Stephens Ave. 5:30 PM. For more information or to register, call Carrie at 203-3020 or email cstrike@arthritis.org. Free, but registration is required. The Missoula Patriots meeting tonight features Tonya Shellnut speaking on the Common Core education standards and Lloyd Phillips on DOMA. Valley Christian School Auditorium, 2526 Sunset Lane. 7 PM. Learn how to give and receive empathy with Patrick Marsolek during Compassionate Communication, at the Jeanette Rankin Peace Center, 519 S. Higgins Ave. Noon. Free.
THURSDAY AUGUST 15 Come chat with knowledgeable folks during Access Denied: A MontPIRG forum on Privacy, with panelists including a constitutional law professor, a state representative, SubSector Solutions company CEO and City Councilman Jason Wiener. Badlander. 5:30 PM. Honor your connection to the earth and the glorious array of life on it during the Children of the Earth Tribe Song and Chant Circle at the Jeannette Rankin Peace Center. 519 S. Higgins, enter through back alley door. 7 PM. Free will offering.
AGENDA is dedicated to upcoming events embodying activism, outreach and public participation. Send your who/what/when/where and why to AGENDA, c/o the Independent, 317 S. Orange, Missoula, MT 59801. You can also email entries to calendar@missoulanews.com or send a fax to (406) 543-4367. AGENDA’s deadline for editorial consideration is 10 days prior to the issue in which you’d like your information to be included. When possible, please include appropriate photos/artwork.
[34] Missoula Independent • August 8–August 15, 2013