Picnic and Elections

Yes, it's time once again for our annual Board Elections, and this time we're doing a picnic as well.

When: This Saturday, September 24th, 5:30 - 10:00
Where: Bonner Park in Missoula

Please bring whatever dead animal product you'd like to throw on the grill (we'll have a grill or two available), as well as a small side dish to share.

Thanks to Milo, we'll also have a limited supply of free Kettlehouse beer (only for those 21 and over). After that runs out, you're on your own. ***Glass/Bottles are NOT allowed*** in the park, so canned beer and boxed wine only, please. (If you can find any canned wine or boxed beer, we'll allowed as well).

As for the election, Russ Thayer and Jon Garvin are up for re-election to the board. Dues paying members who's dues are up to date may nominate anyone they like (not only Russ or Jon) and vote on the nominees.

All M.A.S.S. members and interested heathens are welcome to attend the picnic, but your dues must be up to date to participate in the elections. If you're not sure if you are paid up, you can email treasurer@secularmissoula.org to find out, or just go to click this link to pay your dues now.

Marijuana-Miracle Cure or Toxic Drug?

To say that marijuana has been a hot button issue in Montana the last couple of years would be putting it lightly. During this long and heated debate, have you ever wondered what it is that scientists actually know about marijuana? For answer to these questions and more please join the Missoula Area Secular Society at 7:00 pm Thursday September 15 at the Press Box for a “just the facts” presentation on what scientific research has shown us about both marijuana’s possible toxic and medicinal properties from a local scientist, Dr. Katie George.

Dr. George is a professor at the University of Montana in the department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Her research focuses on the cellular mechanisms behind organophosphate pesticide neurotoxicity, additionally she teaches the Use and Abuse of Drugs class at the University.

Dr. George will be presenting a brief history of marijuana use and laws in this nation and Montana followed by a more in depth review of what is known about the toxic and medicinal properties of marijuana. Lastly, she will discuss what marijuana research might look like in the future. There will be time for questions and discussion after the presentation.

Food, and Drinks will be available for purchase from the Press Box before, during, and after the presentation.

Welcome

Welcome to the website for the Missoula Area Secular Society, or M.A.S.S. for short (pronounced Mass).

We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization who's mission is to foster a community of non-theistic individuals in Missoula, MT, and to develop and/or promote educational programs focusing on secular ethics, science, history, and critical thinking for our members, their families, and the public at large.

You are probably here because you saw or heard about our billboard on Russell St. We welcome you and invite you to browse around. Be sure to checkout our calendar for upcoming activities.

You can stay up to date by subscribing to our newsletter, liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, or adding us on Google+.

Press can download a hi-res version of the billboard artwork here, and the group photo at the billboard here.

Observatory Trip & Brunch

Our trip to the Blue Mountain Observatory has arrived.

We'll meet at 11:00pm, Friday night, in the parking lot for Peak Fitness at the corner of Blue Mountain Road and Highway 93/12. From there we'll drive up to the top of the mountain for the Blue Mountain Observatory's Public Observing Night. Bring a snack, a flashlight, a light jacket and wear long pants. The natural AC on top of the mountain can make un-prepared amateur astronomers quite chilly after midnight. You'll want your flashlight to find your way from the parking area to the Observatory, but once in the vicinity of the Observatory, please turn your flashlight off and leave it off until heading back to the parking lot. Lots of people (including us) will be standing around outside the observatory letting our eyes adjust to the dark to make it easier to see cool stuff through the big telescope and new arrivals shining their flashlights in everyone's eyes are not appreciated. More details ( including info about a possible private observatory night ) are available on the Facebook event page.

The following weekend, we'll have our monthly Sunday M.A.S.S. brunch on August 7th at The Stone of Accord ( 4951 North Reserve St ) at 10am in the meeting room. If you plan to attend, please RSVP on the Facebook event page for the brunch. The meeting room can fit 32 people, and we've come close to that a couple times. If it looks like we're going to exceed that this time, I'll contact the restaurant to have them move us out of the meeting room and to a far corner of the restaurant that can fit us all.

If you would like a M.A.S.S. T-shirt, we'll have them available for purchase at brunch. T-shirts are $20 and available in a variety of colors. Dues paying members who are up to date get a $4 discount on each shirt, and yes, you can pay your dues and buy a shirt at the same time to get your discount.

Annual membership dues are $20 for general members, $50 for Supporters, and $100 for Patrons (and we've even got some higher membership levels for those of you that are really gung-ho). However, becoming a dues paying member is not a requirement to attend brunch or most other events. Events are usually open to anyone interested in our cause.

Lastly, but not surprisingly, the "likers" of our Facebook page have grown considerably since our billboard went up and it continues to add new people every day. If you haven't "liked" us yet, please do so.

M.A.S.S. Camp Out 2011

M.A.S.S. Camp Out Twenty Eleven was a huge success and a lot of fun. Many of us camped for two nights while others came out for one.


On Friday night we celebrated the 3rd Anniversary of M.A.S.S. as an organization and talked about the upcoming billboard. Of course, food was cooked over fire and grill, smore's were available in plenty, and the weather was perfect.

On Saturday, a bunch of us drove down to the Clearwater Crossing Ranger Station and took a hike up the West Fork of Fish Creek to a beautiful lunch spot, and then returned to camp later that afternoon.

Saturday night we were privileged to welcome our neighbor campers and area residents to our campsite as we played host to Montana FWP Biologist Vickie Edwards. Vickie gave a fascinating presentation on elk ecology and specifics on the elk herds found in the Fish Creek area. She brought an elk hide and several antlers and even some scat (thankfully, the scat was fake), and graciously answered dozens of questions from the diverse audience.

Later Saturday evening, the rain came. We had plenty of sturdy shelter available though, so the rain was hardly noticed. In all, it was an enjoyable and educational event, and all participants are looking forward to the next.

Route of the Hiawatha Bicycle Trip

It is time for another M.A.S.S. bicycle trip down the Hiawatha. The "Route of the Hiawatha" was called one of the most scenic stretches of railroad in the country. Although there is no longer a railroad the scenic views have remained. We will be biking along 15 miles of the old railroad through 8 open tunnels and over 7 high trestles following the mountainous terrain.

It is a gentle downhill ride on an unpaved gravel road. Total riding time is about 2.5 hours, with a stop along the way for lunch and likely several more for taking in the scenery. So be sure to pack something tasty and bring water, especially if its going to be a hot day. Once we get to the bottom there will be a shuttle to take us (and our bikes) back up to the top.

We will be meeting in the NW corner of the Super Walmart Parking Lot in Missoula (North Reserve) at 8:30 am on Saturday, June 25th. Be on the look out for people with bikes and I'm sure more than a few of us will be sporting our favorite M.A.S.S. t-shirts.

Drivers with vehicles capable of hauling lots of people and/or bikes are extra welcome. Gas money donations to the drivers of you and your bike are encouraged.

We'll get our tickets for the trail ($9) and the shuttle bus ($9) at Lookout Pass. Children (6-13 yrs) are $6 for the trail and $6 for the shuttle bus, under that they are free. If you don't have a bike but would like to come along, bikes and equipment can be rented there. If you are interested in renting equipment they recommend calling ahead to reserve it, you can find more info on the website (listed below).

One important point if you have never ridden this trail before. The beginning of the ride starts with a mile and a half long tunnel (also by far the longest tunnel of the ride). There are no lights in this tunnel so you must bring a light. The tunnel is on completely flat ground and relatively wide but you can't see a thing without your light (either a strong head lamp or a light that can be attached to your bicyle).

Things to NOT forget:

• Bicycle.
• Helmet (you can't ride without one).
  
• Light.
• $18 for trail and shuttle passes.
• Your Lunch.
• Gas money donations as appropriate.
  

For more information of the Route of the Hiawatha bike trail, see...
http://www.skilookout.com/hiawatha/

If your are ready to see some beautiful country with great secular company come join us for a bicycle trip down the Hiawatha!

Brunch, Bible Study, and Summer Camp!

It's almost time for another Sunday M.A.S.S. Brunch. As usual, we'll be in the meeting room at the Stone of Accord at 4951 N. Reserve at 10am, Sunday June 5th. Just tell the hostess you're with the group in the meeting room and she'll show you they way.

Also, Milo, our seminary graduate, is putting together a monthly "Secular Bible Study" class. No dogma allowed. This class will be intended to arm the non-believer with the knowledge they need to understand how the bible came into being and the influence it's had on society. If you're interested in participating, please email and watch this space for further details.

Families may be interested in attending a secular summer camp July 30 -August 6. Camp Quest Montana describes itself as "a family camp. That means families attend together. Our schedule is structured with activities for children, tweens, and teens. Sometimes, families will participate together. Sometimes, counselors will conduct the activities with the children, leaving the parents free for an adult discussion group or activity. There is also a counselor in training program for camper’s ages 13-17 who want to attend without their parents (you know how it is). Typical camp activities include games, swimming, arts and crafts, hiking, singing, and campfires. Unique Camp Quest activities include geomythology, creation stories, the scientific method, famous freethinkers, freedom of inquiry, dealing with religious bullying, evolution, and critical thinking."

No kids? No Problem! Camp Quest Montana needs volunteer staff as well. (The Missoula Area Secular Society is not responsible for organizing Camp Quest. For more information about Camp Quest, please contact them directly.)