I know this ran a couple of weeks ago, but I still wonder if “most popular name” lists have any impact. Would knowing that Ethan was the most popular name for boys in Montana influence your decision to name your baby Ethan? Or, for girls, Madison?

You would think that Montana place names would be more popular in Montana. I’ve met a couple of Libbys and Conrads, but I can’t say for sure they were named for those towns in Montana. On the other hand, places like Butte and Beaverhead don’t really lend themselves to baby names, do they?

- Tyler Christensen

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First up, the Missoulian has continuing coverage of the debate over whether to raise tuition for Montana’s universities. The Governor says to hold the line; the universities say they need more money or they’ll have to make cuts.

Next, Kathy Dufresne of Stevensville is named the Montana Association of Gifted and Talented Education 2009 Teacher of the Year.

Speaking of gifted and talented, my 4-year-old has now been on a waiting list for a two-day-a-week preschool slot for three blasted months now. What gives?

- Tyler Christensen

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This story in today’s Missoulian made me wonder if somebody in Missoula could find a similar foundation to help support the Growing Place, which is still expected to close in late June.

- Tyler Christensen

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Word on the street is that, if you are a high school or college student looking for a summer job and you haven’t secured one yet, you’re out of luck.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the “plum” jobs are already taken – you know, the pool-side kind of jobs. But surely there are still some entry-level positions – even if they aren’t the most desireable — available. Anybody know of any?

I remember my first “real” summer job – apart from pulling my neighbor’s weeds and babysitting – was working in an ice cream shop. I managed to hold onto that job through the school year, and eventually saved up enough money to buy an old beater of a car, a blue Ford Mercury. Which, of course, I used almost exclusively to get to my after-school job.

- Tyler Christensen

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My colleagues at the Missoulian recently introduced me to Speak Up Missoula! , which city government reporter Keila Szpaller over at Missoula Red Tape described as an “online coffee klatch for Missoula.” I like that.

The coffee klatch forum provides a way for reader to weigh in on an infinite variety of topics. It’s a particularly good way for those who have an opinion (and isn’t that everyone?), but who may feel a little shy about sharing it in public, to make their voices heard.

So give it a try. To start us off, I posted a question my family frequently confronts. We like to dine out every once in a while, but within the last couple of years some of our favorite family restaurants have shut down, and we have grown a little sick of our usual haunts. Charlie and I now find ourselves taking our little girl to bars, casinos and other places that don’t have crayons or kids menus.

So where’s your favorite place to dine out with the kids?

- Tyler Christensen

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Having kids means having to pack around a lot of stuff. Me, I don’t carry a “purse,” I have a “bag.” The kind you throw over your shoulder so you can haul more junk. Aside from the numerous scraps of paper and pens, I have kleenex, hand sanitizer, sunscreen, an extra sweater – you know, the usual.

And a fork. What is that doing in there? And – oh, yuck. Goo on the bottom.

Are you one of those women who cleans your purse out regularly – or never? What is so essential that it absolutely must be with you wherever you go? Or are you, like me, surprised by what you didn’t know you were toting around?

And dads, I would love a peek inside your purse. Oh, sorry – I mean your “man bag.”

- Tyler Christensen

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Right now there are a lot of good kids – too many, in fact – in need of good homes. This story in Sunday’s Missoulian pretty much sums up the situation.

Charlie and I took the series of classes offered through Youth Homes earlier this year, and they were amazing. They answered all of our questions plus many more we hadn’t thought of. I highly recommend them to anyone thinking about fostering or adopting a child – even if you aren’t committed to the idea of fostering or adopting just yet.

You can call Missoula Youth Homes at 721-2704.

- Tyler Christensen

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The Growing Place is a much-loved child care facility in Missoula in danger of shutting down. A group of dedicated parents is doing all they can to find someone to keep the place running. Here’s the fully story, and here’s how to help:

Anyone interested in assuming ownership of the Growing Place child development center can send an application to Growing Place (attention Nanette Melzer), 2683 Suite A Palmer St., Missoula, MT 59808. Applications must be received by 3 p.m. Thursday. For more information, contact Growing Place director Nanette Melzer at (406) 728-1243 or nanettem@esgw.org.

Help spread the word!

- Tyler Christensen

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Sure, these parents hand a 21-month-old a cell phone, and the child plays Wheel of Fortune or whatever.

I hand my 4-year-old a cell phone, and the phone mysteriously and quite suddenly disappears …

Me: What did you do with the cell phone, honey?

Her: What cell phone?

- Tyler Christensen

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Today I got an e-mail from Stephanie Topp, who started a Stroller Strides franchise in Missoula about a year and a half ago.

“I was out walking on day with my son and I thought to myself, man, you would think there was a program for moms and their kids,” she writes. “So when I got home I googled Mom and Baby Fitness. The first thing on the list was Stroller Strides. So I requested the franchise information and was very impressed with the program.”

I had heard of Stroller Strides before but wasn’t sure exactly what it was until Stephanie dropped me a note. It’s basically what it sounds like – a fitness program for moms with stroller-age children. The cool thing is, you don’t have to find someone to watch the kids while you get exercise. And, you get to hang out with other moms. Stephanie says a typical class has four or five moms.

Stephanie took special training in order to lead these classes, which are offered five days a week, with a class each in the morning and another in the evening.

Give Stephanie a call at 370-9374 or send her an e-mail at stephanietopp@strollerstrides.net for more information.

- Tyler Christensen

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