Community news
Chamber meets
The Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly membership meeting at the Teakettle Community Room, 235 Nucleus Avenue, in Columbia Falls, on Tuesday, April 8, from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. A presentation will be made about the F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber Co.’s co-generation biomass boiler plant, with an update of their future plans. Lunch costs $10.
Business after-hours
The Columbia Falls Area and Whitefish chambers of commerce will hold a joint business after-hours social at Glacier Bank, 822 Nucleus Avenue, in Columbia Falls, on Thursday, April 3, from 5 to 7 p.m. Food will be provided by the Oktoberfest Grill Meisters, along with beverages, appetizers and door prizes.
Free meals
The Columbia Falls Community Kitchen will offer free, hot meals in the basement of St. Richard’s Catholic Church, in Columbia Falls, from Friday, March 28, through Monday, March 31, at 6 p.m.
Congressional art
Entries for the 2014 Congressional Art Competition are now being accepted from all interested Montana high school students. Deadline is April 25. The winning submission from Montana will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol building. Second- and third-place selections will be displayed in Rep. Steve Daines’ Montana offices. Rules and guidelines are available online at www.daines.house.gov/art-competition. For more information, call 406-502-1435.
Fire dance
The Flathead National Forest has teamed up with the Forest Service’s Rocky Mountain Research Station to present a unique program that combines fire science education with the performing arts. “Fire Speaks the Land: An Active Audiences Performance” is a presentation of the University of Montana CoMotion Dance Project and stars students from 11 Flathead schools, including West Glacier. The 50-minute presentation for students only will take place at the Whitefish Middle School auditorium on March 26 at 12:45 p.m. and March 27 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Designed for grades K-6, the program uses dance, music and narration to explore fire science, forest ecology and traditional native perspectives on fire.
Big Mountain brewfest
The Big Mountain Commercial Association will hold its annual spring brewfest fundraiser for the SNOW Bus at Big Mountain Village at Whitefish Mountain Resort on Saturday, March 29, from 1 to 5 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. The Dummy Derby will take palce at 4:30 p.m.
School calendar
Planning is underway for the 2014-2015 Columbia Falls School District 6 calendar. Alternatives include earlier or later starting and ending dates, and different vacation times. Preliminary drafts of the calendar will be available for viewing and comment through March 28 at the School District 6 office, 501 Sixth Avenue West, and online at www.sd6.k12.mt.us. Public comment will be taken through Friday, March 28, at 4 p.m.
Senior class
The Columbia Falls High School Class of 2014 has lined up a fundraising opportunity with The Wave fitness center in Whitefish. Through March 28, a membership for two months is available for $30 with half the money going to the senior class graduation party. For more information, call 862-2444.
Quilt show
The Teakettle Quilt Guild of Columbia Falls will hold their annual quilt show at Glacier Gateway School, 440 Fourth Avenue West, in Columbia Falls, on Saturday, April 12, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with vendors, demonstrations, boutique and raffles. The featured quilter will be Janet Masten. Admission is free, but non-perishable donations for the Columbia Falls Food Bank will be appreciated.
Straw bales
The Farming For The Future Academy needs old or new straw bales to make raised beds for their garden at the Montana Veterans Home, in Columbia Falls. For more information, call 406-253-4369.
Creston Auction
The 48th annual Creston Auction & Country Fair and the accompanying Auto, Marine, RV & Equipment Sale, a fundraiser for the all-volunteer Creston Fire Department, will be held April 5-6 in Creston, 12 miles east of Kalispell on Highway 35. The event draws thousands of people from across the region and Canada. Merchandise will be accepted on Friday, April 4, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The main event will take place on Saturday, April 5, a day-long auction featuring building materials, household goods, tools, tack, antiques and many other items. Grounds will open at 8 a.m., and entrance is free. Bidding on cars, trucks, boats, recreational vehicles, tractors, farm equipment, trailers and other large items will begin at noon on Sunday, April 6. For more information, visit online at www.crestonfire.org or call 406-250-7396.
Book sale
The American Association of University Women is now accepting good quality used books for the upcoming used book sale at the Kalispell Center Mall on April 11-13. Donation barrels are located in Columbia Falls at Super 1 Foods. Proceeds will benefit FVCC scholarships and other charitable projects. For more information, call Vicki at 608-712-9302.
Plein air art
The Hockaday Museum of Art will hold its seventh annual Plein Air Paint Out event on June 18-20 with the theme of “person, place or thing.” During the three days, artists will create as many paintings as they can — rain, shine or snow. The completed works will be sold to benefit the museum at its Centennial Pavilion Tent on Saturday, June 21, from 5 to 8 p.m. or be placed on exhibit and remain for sale at the museum through July 19. Entry applications will be accepted online at www.hockadaymuseum.org until March 29. For more information, visit online at www.HockadayMuseum.org or call 406-755-5268.
Disaster training
The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office will join rural fire departments in providing courses on Community Emergency Response Training, or CERT. The courses will include disaster preparedness, first aid and fire suppression for homes. Each class will hold up to 25 participants. Classes will take place with the Badrock Volunteer Fire Department in October. For more information or to register, visit online at www.flatheadcountysheriff.com or call Deputy Travis Bruyer at 406-758-5602.