Free Rock Ride

Although the title of this article sounds doomed from the get-go, what transpired later during the "break" goes to show just how creative, desperate "products of the 80s" can get with music, movies, and packets of Top Ramen noodles. Okay, it's 1987, and it's my last year of college in Missoula. Now, for some martyr reason or another, I end up ditching plans to go with friends to Cancun to pick up extra hours at a job that I believe paid maybe $5 an hour at the time. The fact of the matter, I couldn't afford a trip to Mexico. So, as the story goes, I set aside a few days of Spring Break to travel by car with my boyfriend and best friend to Seattle. The problem is the trip ended before it began, as we never made it past Alberton, Montana. That's when my beloved 1978 Subaru overheated and broke down. The next several hours were spent waiting on a tow truck and the three of us trying to devise alternative plans for Spring Break. So, while other friends had already left Zoo Town to enjoy legit trips, we were left stranded with no car and most of our money set aside for school. Sure, if our Seattle trip had panned out, we would have had gas expenses of t $1.80 a gallon, but the journey also involved crashing at my cousin's house to save money and to bug her for a while.

Basketball is in the air! From college and professional play to high school match-ups and your kiddo's grade school games, basketball fans can't get enough! Locally, here's even more icing on the cake for enthusiasts! A chance to check out the Wayne Estes Basketball Tournament in Anaconda this Saturday & Sunday, March 25th & 26th! The tournament first made its way to the court in 1984 to pay tribute and honor the late great basketball legend Wayne Estes, a native of Anaconda.

Whether you're looking to improve your health and get into better shape this season, both physically and mentally, or are in need of special certification for a potential job or personal reasons, the Butte YMCA can help. Plus, talk about convenience. They're located right in Butte at 2975 Washoe Street.

The spirit that filled the air this past Friday at Anaconda's Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade was hands down at the top of the list of moments to cherish forever. A favorable weather forecast and the 'luck of the Irish' were alive and well as this nostalgic event made its way through the streets of downtown Anaconda shortly after 2 p.m. The sun shined bright, and a cool breeze braced the sky as onlookers dressed in their favorite green apparel commenced along the street to watch an Anaconda tradition in action.

The United Way's next event this Saturday, March 25th, proves to be part of the solution in raising children's hopes, dreams, and spirits as they prepare to host the "2023 Day of the Child" in the Butte Plaza Mall beginning at 11 a.m.! Local non-profit groups will provide several activities throughout Butte Silver-Bow County and Montana. Youth in the community will also have a chance to win two bicycles and a $25 gift card upon participation in the day's events. The event is open to those in kindergarten through sixth grade. United Way's "movement," says it all. Their volunteers, partners, advocates, and donors are committed to the well-being and advancement of education, financial stability, and health in the community. The "Day of the Child" is premised on building strong relationships between youth and peers in Montana. The basis helps set the tone for a child looking to "find their way" via the United Way. To learn more leading up to Saturday's event in the Butte Plaza Mall and all things "United Way," call (406) 782-1255.

Show your support for a great cause in Anaconda this week! Under the direction of Stephanie Lynn Carroll, a pint night fundraiser will be held at Smelter City Brewing in Anaconda to recognize and assist the Lupus Foundation of America. The event happens 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. this Thursday, March 23rd, with great prize giveaways, plus raffles and 50/50 drawings. According to the Lupus Foundation of America's website, the organization has helped fund many studies contributed to lupus research over the past 40 years.

Over the past few months, meteorologists have proclaimed this year's winter conditions to be the harshest in 20 years. Judging from the past couple of days, the weather seems to be shaping up nicely, but then again, it's Montana, and anything goes, right? Plus, a meteorologist typically knows what they're talking about. So, if you've had more than your share of extreme winter conditions, it may be time to bite the bullet and head somewhere warmer until this all blows over...or for a 3-day excursion, at least.

With snow from Wednesday's storm plowed off to the side of Uptown Butte's walkways, thousands of people lined the streets to celebrate St. Patrick's Day! You couldn't ask for a better day! The sun shined bright, and the wind was surprisingly forgiving as onlookers cheered on the colorful display of parade entries that made their way down Montana Street shortly after the noon hour. The Civil Air Patrol and Grand Marshal Jim McCarthy led the parade, followed by the Butte Ladies' Ancient Order of Hibernians, Butte-Silver Bow Chief Executive JP Gallagher, Anaconda's Pipes & Drum Corp, Montana Tech Athletics, and Highlands College. The parade also featured the Montana Hurling Grizzlies, Reps for the Centerville Memorial Garden, Katabatic Brewing Company, Edmonton Police Service Pipes and Drums Band, The National Forest Service & Smokey Bear, CSI, Veterans Division, The Butte Tiernan Irish Dancers, Sharp Reflections, Elite Electrical, St. Patrick's Day Color Run Representatives, Butte's Head Start Program, and Big Sky Senior Living.

Fans of comedy and mystery, you still have time to see the LIVE performance of CLUE at the Orphan Girl Theatre now through March 26th. Catch this spectacular show with their evening cast on March 18th & 19th at 6 p.m. Their "young artist matinee" cast will perform on March 18th, 19th, and 26th at 1 p.m.! Two bonus evening performances featuring the Orphan Girl's "young artists" will also take place on March 24th & 25th at 6 p.m. Please note that this play, rated PG-13, contains loud noises, such as gunshots and screams.

Prepping for St. Patrick's Day festivities is down to the wire! Ready or not, it's game time for enthusiasts everywhere, including the very Irish community of Anaconda, Montana. The blessing of mass in the morning, followed by the traditional St. Patrick's Day parade at 2 p.m. in downtown Anaconda always sets the tone for a heartfelt celebration of Irish Heritage. Add to that the honorary grand marshals, and you have the making of a genuinely nostalgic event! That's because the grand marshals chosen for the St. Patrick's Day Parade are deeply rooted descendants of Ireland. Duo grand marshalls who bear the surname Gallagher will grace this year's parade; Anaconda natives Pat Gallagher and Kathleen "Cait" (Gallagher) Francisco. Yes, two Gallaghers from different walks of life with ancestors from distinct parts of Ireland.