Southwest Montana Snapshots

By The Montana Standard News Services - 10/02/2008

Medical benefit set for Butte man A fundraising benefit for Rob Rowling of Butte will begin at 5 p.m. Saturday at the McQueen Athletic Club, 3250 Hecla St. Food, live and silent auctions, raffles and entertainment are planned.

Due to diabetes, Rowling's kidneys failed last fall. He has received dialysis three times a week, first in Missoula and now at St. James Healthcare, family members said.

The medical staff at Virginia Mason Hospital said a transplant is needed. Rowling has been placed on the transplant register and tests for a match are being completed on family members. Rowling will need to stay in Seattle for two months of post care. His insurance does not cover all expenses.

For details and to make donations by phone, call Andrea at 490-5349 or Ross at 498-1127.

Justice forum today at Tech The public is invited to a free legal forum from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday in the Butte Public Library, 226 W. Broadway.

Access to Justice is designed to improve citizens' access to the courts and justice system. It will especially focus on providing better civil legal services for people living at or below the poverty level.

Speakers will include representatives of various community groups and lawyers.

Restoration jobs focus of workshop Restoration projects around Montana and related job opportunities are the focus of a governor's workshop from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday at Montana Tech Student Union Building, Copper Lounge.

There is no cost to attend the workshop, but everyone must register. For details, visit http://dnrc.mt.gov/Restoration/conference.asp.

To register by phone, contact the Montana DNRC at 444-2074.

Commodities at Belmont Eligible recipients are invited to pickup their commodities at the Belmont Senior Center, 615 E. Mercury St., from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Details, call 723-7773.

New martial arts school to open A free Mixed Martial Arts workshop runs 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at "The Lion Pit," a new martial arts school, at 1940 C St.

Mixed Martial Arts, often called MMA, is a combat sport in which two competitors attempt to defeat each other by using a wide variety of fighting techniques. This program blends the key elements of jiu-jitsu, wrestling, Muay Thai, MMA boxing and conditioning.

The workshop is part of the school's grand opening. Pre-registration is necessary by calling George Orcutt at 565-9183. Participants must be 14 or older.

‘Ally Rally' ends for the season Butte-Silver Bow's annual Alley Rally Program ended Tuesday.

As part of the program, two roll-off Dumpsters have been parked since April between Continental Gardens and the National Center for Appropriate Technology at the far east end of Bayard Street.

One Dumpster was designated for yard waste such as tree branches, grass and leaves. The second container was used to collect wood, metal and other debris.

The program is an effort to make it convenient for the public to throw away debris and clean the community.