That jibes with Palin's reported speaking fee means the group will lose money, if published reports of her fee are accurate. Politico says Iowa Republicans balked at Palin's $100,000 price late last year. Newsweek tossed water on the Politico report, not disputing the fee but clarifying that Palin demand a fee for what amounted to a campaign event.

In January, Politico again reported the $100,000 fee, but added that it dips to $75,000 for appearances in the West. Fox News confirmed the numbers, but added she donates the money to "campaigns, candidates and issues."

So, how much will Palin receive for coming to Missoula? When Szpaller asked about Palin's speaking fee, Henderson said it was "confidential."

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Sarah Bernhardt (1844-1923) was called “the most famous actress the world has ever known.” She did a few films in the early days of the cinema, but most of her work was in the theater. At age 70, she played the role of the 13-year-old Juliet in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. I commend her on her refusal to act her age, and recommend that you make a comparable effort in the coming weeks. For example, if you’re in your twenties, try something you thought you wouldn’t do until you were at a very ripe age. If you’re over 50, be 25 for a while. It’s an excellent time to do this kind of time-traveling.

Curses, Foiled Again
Police arrested a 17-year-old boy in College Station, Texas, for trying to pass a counterfeit $5 bill. Officials said the bogus bill had an “overwhelming number of imperfections,” appearing to have been made by gluing two sheets of paper together with images of the front and back of a $5 bill printed on either side. Further evidence that the bill consisted of two pieces of paper cropped and glued together was the observation that the front of the bill was longer than the back.

This week: Harold's Club

Claim to fame: “I don’t know if it’s the beer on ice or the animal heads in the bubbles,” says bartender Jenny Regan. Or maybe it’s the annual New Year’s Day Ride from the Rhino to Harold’s. According to Regan, local motorcycle club Montana Legends makes the run every year, “snow or rain or shine.”

Atmosphere: A bit loud on a recent midweek afternoon. The regulars are having a spirited conversation about car racing and Discovery Channel’s “Cash Cab.” Larry Lanoue just sips his drink, chatting off and on with Regan. He sums the joint up as clean, “but not white-glove clean.” Regan adds they still enforce the Code of the West. “Whoever orders the drink buys it,” she says.

What you’re drinking: Patrons used to favor Jack Daniels, but today the popular drinks range from Bud Light to Maker’s Mark. One thing’s sure: There’s no such thing as a weak pour here.

Who you’re drinking with: “Local yokels,” Lanoue jokes. Mostly good-natured neighbors from Milltown and Bonner, with a few errant college kids thrown in.

What you’re talking about: Pool tournaments, fiddle jamborees, the 17-year run of Solid Sound Karaoke at Harold’s every Friday night—the average conversation here rambles in that pleasant, homey way. Talk of the area’s best dive bars gives way to talk of the smoking ban gives way to the infractions at the Turah Pines Bar gives way to Lanoue’s stories from the military…

How to find it: Head east through Milltown on Highway 200. Take a right on Owen Street after crossing the Blackfoot River and drive over the railroad tracks.

“It has been a real honor to be recognized as one of the Best Chocolatiers in the Nation. Most of our business has been word of mouth, I really want to thank all of the customers for getting us where we are today.” says Ana Willenbrock.

So, congrats Ana and Jason. And, just because it put us in the mood, here's this:

Ravalli Republic reporter Sepp Jannotta did a great job of highlighting the fact that there's no grand federal scheme at present to limit Second Amendment rights. The rally coincided with a full-page advertisement in the Republic listing signatures of local residents supporting "Celebration of Right to Bear Arms Week." Jannotta quotes Celebrating Conservatism founder Mona Docteur as saying the message that people are within their rights to resist, even overthrow, unjust government should be understood by everyone.

The rally came just one day after the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in McDonald v. Chicago, a case that questions whether the federally granted right to bear arms applies at state and local levels. A Supreme Court majority—the same five justices who two years ago ruled that gun control laws in Washington, D.C. should not inhibit Second Amendment rights—appears ready to incorporate the Second Amendment in state and city governments.

All three of the projects in Tester’s bill had websites up for everyone to view for more than a year before the senator introduced his bill last July. I personally helped organize one of many public meetings on the Blackfoot Clearwater project at the Missoula Public Library last May that was attended by over 120 people.

Tester’s bill designates over 670,000 acres of new wilderness in 25 new areas. These areas range from the low country of Roderick Mountain in northwest Montana to the high country of the Lima Peaks in southwest Montana. The bill would include no less than six areas in the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness and five additions to the Lee Metcalf Wilderness Area.

The bill calls for 7,000 acres to be treated in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest annually for 10 years. The bill gives local contractors agency to conduct fuels reduction and thinning in the wildland-urban interface, where the Forest Service has identified an immediate need to mitigate severe fire risk to homes and communities. In a forest where1.6 million acres are marked “suitable” for timber harvest, treating just 4 percent of the available land is a remarkably moderate goal.

That this bill has generated such fervent public dialogue illustrates how much people care about public land. I hope this bill sets a precedent for more place-based, collaborative land management decisions to come.

Alex Hessler

Missoula

Yet, I can’t help but notice a stark contrast between those who stand in opposition to this bill and those who support it. The critics are taking it more personally, but I suppose those at the radical end of any compromise often feel wronged. Folks in the middle though, understand that it is unreasonable to expect this bill to have only wilderness provisions in it, just as it is unreasonable to expect the bill to have only timber provisions in it. They’re willing to acknowledge imperfection and move forward.

They are backing Tester because he’s interested in getting past the division that defines our dialogue over public land management. That’s why Tester is maintaining an open process. This bill is still being amended and rewritten by Tester and by the subcommittee in Congress, and Tester is still open for further suggestions.

This bill is the product of conversations between people who were traditional enemies: loggers, off-road vehicle users and wilderness advocates. They’ve seen that arguing with one another and alienating one another was not working. They were ready to try a different approach.

I’d encourage those in the opposition to follow their example by taking part in the process productively, rather than complaining from the sidelines.

Brian Fauver

Missoula

A number of proposals have been worked on by thousands of us in the ensuing years. One of the most similar was the Lolo/Kootenai Accords in the early 1980s. A large group representing all interests, from miners and loggers to strong wilderness advocates, got together to produce a seemingly impossible document that would delineate all wilderness and general forest zones on the Kootenai and Lolo National forests. Despite original doubts, the task was accomplished after hundreds of hours of meetings. The only reason for failure was a new senator who didn’t want more wilderness and was out to make a point. He didn’t consider that at least 50 percent of the effort was put forth by his supporters. If that bill had passed, there would no doubt be more lumber mills still in business, operating under sustained yield forest management practices.

I have been an avid outdoorsman and hunter for over 55 years, starting work with the Forest Service as an assistant packer in 1964. I worked for a commercial outfitter, as well as having my own small outfitting business for a few years. Elk hunting and horse pack trips into non-motorized areas are my most cherished experiences as a Montanan. I understand how difficult it is to balance all opinions where public lands are concerned, and how important these lands are to private businesses in Montana.

Tester’s bill respects private business and puts job creation out front as a primary goal, along with setting aside those lands that deserve protection for diverse recreational uses. Fortunately, Tester understands both sides and does not consider them mutually exclusive.

We should all applaud the effort Tester and hundreds of citizens have put forth to create this bill. I would also like to commend Sen. Max Baucus for his support and Rep. Denny Rehberg for his efforts to understand the public’s concerns. Bipartisan collaboration and support for this bill is what Montanans expect and deserve.

It is time to end the stalemate and pass legislation for a more productive and certain future.

Michael Chandler

Missoula