Community news
Booster club
The Blue and White barbecue fundraiser, hosted by the Columbia Falls Booster Club, will be held in front of the Columbia Falls High School gymnasium on Thursday, Aug. 23, from 5 to 7 p.m. Coaches will introduce their teams following the barbecue.
Historians meet
The Columbia Falls Historical Society will hold its monthly meeting at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Columbia Falls on Tuesday, Aug. 21, at 7 p.m. Anyone interested in the history of Columbia Falls and surrounding area is invited to attend.
Ace Powell raffle
The Hockaday Museum of Art will raffle off an original oil painting by renowned Montana artist Ace Powell on Oct. 16 during the museum’s “Rendezvous on Swan River” event. The 8-inch by 10-inch work features a male Native American’s face and has been valued at about $1,500. Asa Lynn Powell was born in Tularosa, N.M., and spent his boyhood near Glacier National Park. Charlie Russell was a significant influence on Powell as a young man. Only one hundred $20 raffle tickets will be sold. Proceeds will go to further the museum’s mission. Tickets are available by calling 755-5268.
CASA ride
The first annual Cycling for Children bike ride attracted 141 riders and raised more than $9,000 to benefit CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for neglected and abused children,) Riders ages 11-71 participated in 40-mile or 70-mile rides, starting at Meadow Lake Resort in Columbia Falls and traveling along the foothills of the Swan Range. All proceeds from the event will support CASA of Flathead Valley, including recruiting and training new volunteers. Another CASA fundraising event will take place at the Whitefish Middle School auditorium on Sept. 8. Broadway star and recording artist Mike Eldred will perform “The Very Best of John Denver Concert.” Tickets can be purchased online at www.alpinetheatreproject.org or by calling 862-SHOW.
Defibrillators
The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office recently received a $38,500 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant that will be used to purchase 37 automatic external defibrillators. The idea is to equip every patrol car with the units used to resuscitate heart attack victims.
Celtic music
Willson & McKee, a nationally touring duo specializing in original as well as traditional Irish and Scottish acoustic music, will perform at the Montana House in Apgar Village in Glacier National Park on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 17 and 18, beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person, but seating is limited and reservations are needed by calling 888-5393 or by e-mailing 1960mthouse@qwestoffice.net.
Harp concert
A free, inspirational and relaxing harp concert will be held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 401 Seventh Street West, in Columbia Falls, on Thursday, Aug. 16, at 7 p.m. The Heavenly Harp duo, featuring harpists Karin and Joy Gunderson, from Phoenix, Ariz., will be accompanied with flute and vocals.