Community news
Crisis line training
The Abbie Shelter and the Violence Free Crisis Line will offer victim advocate volunteer training at the United Way conference room at the Gateway Community Center, in Kalispell. Classes include Tuesday, March 5, from 6-9 p.m., Interpersonal Violence 101; Thursday, March 7, from 6-9 p.m., Power and Oppression; Saturday, March 9, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., DV Day; Tuesday, March 12, from 6-9 p.m., Rape and Sexual Assault; Thursday, March 14, from 6-9 p.m., Community Resources; and Saturday, March 16, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Taking Crisis Line Calls. For more information, call Anna Stene at 752-4735 or e-mail at volunteer@vfcl.org.
Chili feed
All Saints’ Church, on Conn Road midway between Whitefish and Columbia Falls, will host its sixth annual Chili Open golf tourney to benefit the Humane Society of Northwest Montana, the Flathead County Animal Shelter and the Spay and Neuter Task Force on March 9. Tee times are 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. following lunch provided by Famous Dave’s Restaurant, Loula’s Restaurant, Tupelo Grille and Haskill Station. There will also be a silent auction.
Wine and beer tasting
The Discovery Developmental Center will host its fifth annual “Grapes, Barley and Hops” beer and wine tasting event at the Hockaday Museum of Art, 302 Second Ave. East, Kalispell, on Friday, Feb. 22, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. All proceeds will benefit the center. This year’s event will feature local wines from Glacier Sun Winery in Kalispell and seasonal microbrews and other classics from Tamarack Brewing Company in Lakeside. Tickets are $25 per person, including five tasting tickets, available at Discovery Developmental Center, 75 Glenwood Drive, Kalispell, and at the Hockaday Museum. For more information, call 756-7295 or visit online at www.hockadaymuseum.org.
Chamber talk
Stephanie Breck, of Kaplan & Breck, PC, will present a free talk on “How to increase profits with better employee management” in Freedom Bank’s American Title conference room on Thursday, Feb. 21, from noon to 1 p.m. as part of the Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce’s brown bag lunch series. Seating is limited so RSVP by calling 892-4446 or e-mailing stephanie@brecklawoffice.com.
Whole living
Jill Purdy will continue her free Whole Living Community Workshop at the Seventh–day Adventist Church, 269 Second Avenue East North, in Columbia Falls, with a talk on “Hydrotherapy” on Tuesday, Feb. 26, from 3-6 p.m.
Dental work
The Smile of Hope dental program operated by Soroptimist International of Whitefish is now taking applications for new dental patients. The program provides funds for dental care to qualifying low-income working women who are the head of their households and have no access to dental care. Application forms may be picked up at the Soroptimist Thrift Haus, 303 First Street in Whitefish or Shepherd’s Hand Clinic each Monday evening at Christ Lutheran Church in Whitefish. For more information, contact Joanie Sorensen at 862-3669 or e-mail scott7777_2000_2000@yahoo.com.
Art show
The Hockaday Museum of Art’s “Of the Earth” exhibit will feature well-known artists from Montana and around the U.S. who have created works using natural elements. Among the local artists on display are David Secrest, patterned metalwork; Kate Hunt, newspaper sculpture; and Lee Proctor, blown glass. A public reception will be held at the museum, 302 Second Avenue East, in Kalispell, on Thursday, Feb. 28, from 5-7 p.m. Several artists will speak about their work and inspirations. The exhibit will be on display through April 20, 2013. For more information, visit online at www.HockadayMuseum.org or call 755-5268.
Auction fundraiser
The Boys and Girls Club of Glacier Country will hold its 10th annual auction and dinner at the Shady Lane Roller Rink, 155 Shady Lane, in Evergreen, on Saturday, March 16, at 5 p.m. The event will be catered by the Linda Vista restaurant. The club has been operating after-school programs in the Flathead since 1999 with more than 3,000 members and averaging 500 kids a week. Tickets are $40 individual, $75 couples and $400 for tables of eight. All money stays in the Flathead. For more information, call Alan Sempf at 261-4232.
Book club
The Bad Rock Book Discussion Group will discuss “Drive Me Wild: A Western Odyssey,” by Christina Nealson, at Bad Rock Books, 615 Nucleus Avenue, in Columbia Falls, on Thursday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m. Nealson tells how she moved into a 35-foot motor home with her husband, cat and dog and traveled across North America, from British Columbia to the tip of the Baja Peninsula. For more information, call Carol Rocks at 892-0515.