12 Olympic Facts You May Not Have Known

*The five Olympic rings represent the five major regions of the world – Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceana, and every national flag in the world includes one of the five colors, which are (from left to right) blue, yellow, black, green, and red.

*Three continents – Africa, South America, and Antarctica – have never hosted an Olympics.

*Up until 1994 the Olympics were held every four years. Since then, the Winter and Summer games have alternated every two years.

*The last Olympic gold medals that were made entirely out of gold were awarded in 1912.

*Badminton, table tennis, and handball are the only official sports in which the U.S. has never won a medal.

*It wasn't until 1900 that women were allowed to participate in the Olympic Games.

*The earliest Olympic athlete was 10 and the oldest 60.

*The 1936 Berlin Olympics (also known as the ‘Nazi’ Olympics) were the first Olympic games to be televised.

*The Olympic games have been cancelled three times due to war; 1916, 1940 & 1944.

* London is the first city to ever host a modern Olympics three times.

*For the London 2012 Games, each medal is approximately 3.35 inches (85 mm) in diameter, about a quarter inch (.28 inches or 7 mm) in thickness, and weighs between 375-400 grams (13.2 to 14.1 ounces). The medals will be the heaviest and largest medals in Olympic history.

*Also more than $193,250 will be used to plate the medals that will be given out in the 2012 London Olympic games.

* And one last fact that I am sure you are now aware of, Michael Phelps, is the most decorated Olympian of all time with 22 medals, 18 being gold.  Did I mention he is an American? Go USA!!!!

Floating Fun But Safety First

Floating is one of the favorite past times of Missoula residents. There is nothing better on a hot, sunny day to park your butt in a tube and work on floating your cares away.  But with this carefree activity also comes some planning and safety issues.

First of all, if you are not a strong swimmer please consider wearing a life jacket. What? You don't look cool in a life jacket? Do you look cool in a casket? I didn't think so.  You just never know what the river has to offer.  Children under 12 especially should always wear a life jacket when anywhere near a river. Heck, even your dog should have one! Safety first for all God's creatures!

I've come across some rapids in the smoothest sailing areas so you just never know. Try to avoid these areas as you can flip and the current can drag you down.  Stay away from logs and logjams as you can become entangled and even the strongest swimmer can't get out of.

So besides tubes what else should you bring for a float?

*Sunscreen - always practice skin safety!
*A rope or tie that can help get the tubes to the river but also to tie you and your friends together.
*I prefer to always wear water shoes or at least my Tevas securely fastened.
*An experienced floater familiar with the river and area.
*Two vehicles as you park one at the take out and one at the put in location.
*A plan of where you are headed and make sure you let someone know that plan so they know where to look if you aren't home in a timely manner.
*If you must partake in alcoholic beverages, be smart about it. As you are sitting in the sun all day you will need to re-hydrate with plenty of water and remember any garbage you take in - take out. We only have one earth!
*And have a blast!

The Dog Days of Summer

*Did you know "Dog Days" is a Latin term meaning sultry days of summer.  The Dog Days of Summer are typically in July and August. Actually the Old Farmer's Almanac lists them from July 3 - August 11.

*The average temp in Missoula for the "Dog Days" is the mid 80's. How great is that? Warm enough but not too hot. And the evening temps range about mid 50's - perfect sleeping weather. Especially if you are sleeping in a tent or under the stars.

*Missoula in the summer is the best! Osprey baseball games, floating rivers, hikes, Big Dipper ice cream, Caras park activities including watching the kayakers at Brennan's Wave - just to list a few fun things that summer brings to Zootown.
*The hottest Missoula temperature was 105 degrees recorded in 1951 both in July and August of that year. I'm thinking they didn't have air conditioning then or even Splash Montana to cool down with. Yikes!

*Summer of 2012 temperatures in Northwest Montana are supposed to be 30% above average so grab your coolers, intertubes and I'll meet you in Bonner. Let's float this summer away!

** Also, don't forget your furry friends and  keep them cool and out of vehicles these Dog Days of summer. Or else!!!!

Who Loves Your Daddy?

Father's Day is coming up this Sunday. That one Sunday a year we let Dad lay around and we cut the grass and grill the meat.  If you happen to have some money to spend on the old man, I have some ideas for you.

* Do you have a Dad that likes to fish? The summer in Montana, on the water,  aw man, there is nothing better.  Missoula is filled with some of the best fishing shops in the country.  Stop by Grizzly Hackle (www.grizzlyhackle.com) or Blackfoot River Outfitters (http://www.blackfootriver.com/) to name a few and pick up some supplies or a gift card.

*How about a hunter? Bob Ward's (http://www.bobwards.com/) at the Southgate Mall or Sportsman's Warehouse  out Reserve can help you find Dad the newest and greatest hunting gear.

*Does Dad like to yell?  I mean, does your Dad like to yell FORE?? Missoula is the home of one of the greatest golf bag companies in the world - Sun Mountain Sports (http://www.sunmountain.com/).  You can purchase these bags at nearly every golf course here in town. While stopping at Larchmont Golf Course, the Ranch Club or Canyon River Golf Course why not grab him a punch card for some golf outings.

*Is your Dad a toolman? Montana Ace Hardware (http://www.montanaace.com/) has everything and anything Dad may desire for his tool addiction.

*How about eating? What Dad doesn't like to eat? Missoula has some new yummy places to grab some serious grub at. Has Dad tried the new Tom Dooley's Grilled Gourmet Hot Dogs (http://tomdooleyshotdogs.com/) located in the Campus Inn? They got some of the best dogs or brats on a pretzel roll.  Yum! Or what about The Burger Shack (http://www.burgershackmt.com/)in the Holiday Village Center? Massive burgers at a great price. Is dad more a pizza or sandwich kinda guy? Try Philly West (http://phillywestmissoula.com/) downtown. Some of the best food ever.  


Now that you are all full of ideas get on out there and get Dad something great. He taught you how to catch a ball, drive a car and be a stand up citizen - it's the least you can do. 

A Handful of Things You Gotta Do With Your Kids This Summer

Want to have fun with your kids this summer? Want to be considered the greatest parent ever?  To accomplish this you must do this handful of things at least once this summer. Just five measly days you gotta give them out of the next ten weeks.  You totally got this.

#1.  Splash Montana.  http://www.ci.missoula.mt.us/index.aspx?NID=169

You haven't spent a fun day in the Montana sun until you spent some time floating in the Lazy River.  Splash Montana is a great, inexpensive water park right in the heart of town.  There are three different water slides, a floating river, The Lake (a 50 meter pool), spray features and a mini Grizzly slide for the kiddos.  Prices are just right at $3.50 for under 11 and $5.75 for adults, there is also a Resident Discount Card to sign up for to save about 20% on each visit. Punch cards are also available.  Don't forget some extra cash to purchase some Dippin Dots - kids love them!

#2.  A Downtown Adventure.  http://www.carrousel.com/acfm/

Downtown Missoula has so much fun things to keep every one busy, doesn't matter your age.  A trip downtown with the kiddos won't be complete without a trip to the Carousel for Missoula, one of the fastest carousels in the country.  Next door you will find Dragon Hallow - a great outdoor play area.  While in the area you can easily walk to the Missoula County Public Library to get out of the heat and grab some summer reading.  They MCPL has a great summer reading program to reward and encourage everyone to read! (http://www.missoulapubliclibrary.org/)

#3.  Out To Lunch &/or Downtown Tonight.  http://www.missouladowntown.com/

Live music, food and activities for the kids - Oh My!  Out to Lunch is an event every Wednesday in the summer. Head on down to Caras park 11-2 for lunch and entertainment.  Plus for a bigger adventure you can take the Mountain Line downtown for FREE.

Downtown Tonight is every Thursday and offers all the same amenities and fun, plus beer! 

#4.  Splash Decks & Spray Pools!!!!  http://www.ci.missoula.mt.us/index.aspx?nid=172

The city of Missoula revamped most of their city parks a few years back and added some great water activities for the kiddos.  Need to cool down on a hot summer evening? Grab a picnic dinner and head to one of the listed above parks and have a great time keeping cool.  Plan it right and on Wedneday evenings at Bonner Park you usually can hear the Missoula City Band bring their band music in an open air venue.

and #5. Float the Clark Fork River.   http://www.kingfisherflyshop.com/clarkfork-float-maps

There is nothing better on a hot day then to stick your bum in an intertube and float your troubles away.  This is not an activity to do with the younger kids but the older ones will love it.  Stop by Les Schwab or the Army/Navy store and rent a tube for the day or better yet purchase one for a few dollars more.  Floating around I have seen a bald eagle fly by, deer on the side of the banks and fish flying out of the water. It is so relaxing and something they won't ever forget.

I hope these ideas help you earn your Greatest Parent Badge this summer! Don't forget the sunscreen!

Selling everything but the kitchen sink

What is the old saying - "one man's junk is another man's treasure?" Perhaps you like to spend your Saturday checking out everyone elses junk and seeing if you must have it but most of us could probably honestly have a yard sale every spring/summer to clear out some unused/unwanted items just laying around. And why not? You could make a few hundred dollars. Here are some tips to get the most bang out your stuff for sale.

1) Plan. Plan. Plan. Honestly, you can't throw it together the day before. Look at your calendar now and see what weekend works for you and your family. If you do this right you can be on your way to the lake by 1:00pm at the latest, so it doesn't have to throw a wrench in your WHOLE weekend. Ask neighbors or friends if they want to get in on the action too. In the yard sale world the more is merrier!

2) Gather your bearings. You will need some extra card tables to set up so ask friends if you can borrow them in advance. I have a friend that has a clothes rack and that works super if you have some nicer clothes to showcase them. But ask ahead. That clothes rack is busy almost all summer. Stop by the dollar store and grab some price stickers and bright colored paper for signs. Make sure you have change. I usually have a few dollars in quarters and 20 $1 bills with a few fives. If you can get a few tens too. You would be amazed at the people that show up and buy something for $2 in the beginning of your sale with a $20 bill - grrrrr people!

3) Price items before hand. The most time saving idea is when you place something in a "yard sale" pile in your garage, price it then. This will save so much time but not always do-able. The Friday before your sale try to set up tables in your garage and lay items out and price them then.

4)Advertise! Make your signs. Just the basics. Make sure they at least have the address and times. Arrows help also.  Also, place an ad in the Missoulian (http://tinyurl.com/7eb6rvm)  or on Craigslist (http://missoula.craigslist.org/). In your ads I would put a little description of what you have. Obviously list bigger priced items or furniture and certain sized kids or women's clothes. In the Missoulian you pay by line so you may not want to list everything but on craigslist? List away. It's FREE!

5) The night before make sure signs are made, ads are placed, items are priced and you got a little change in your pocket. Plan where you will keep your money during the sale. If you have a little money apron wear that. And if you place an ad in the Missoulian they will give you one in your packet. I personally hang signs in the morning. I am always afraid of the weather ruining my signs or those early birds finding me too easy when I am not ready for them just yet. Try to go to bed as early as possible and set the coffee to start brewing first thing.

6) The morning of, get your things out there and sell, sell, sell. Be cheerful and be willing to bend a bit on your prices. I always have a few items that I won't "give away" and already plan to sell on Craigslist if they don't sell that day. If I advertise my sale to go till noon then around 11 am I make everything half priced except for those few exceptions. You want to get the stuff out. When all done DO NOT put the items back in your garage or worse yet your house - pack it in the car to take to a drop off center. I usually separate items at that point. Any kids clothes or items are something they love at the the Watson's Children Center (http://watsonchildrensshelter.org/ ). Especially swimsuits during the summer! I may have books that I plan on taking to The Book Exchange (http://www.booksmontana.com/). The rest of the items I drop off at Goodwill, Secret Seconds or the Salvation Army.

7) Last but not least, add up those earnings. Wasn't it worth it? And now go take down all those signs you hung up. You don't want to advertise that you don't care about the earth!

Happy Selling!

Spring Cleaning List

http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/maintenance-repair/spring-cleaning-list/