Polka festival
The Northwest Montana Polka Festival takes place Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 15, 16 and 17, at the Kalispell Eagles Hall. Public is invited to hear the Al Lindborg Band from Polson; Dee and Mee, Portland; and the Little Bohemian Band, Albany, Ore. Hours are from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday; 1 p.m. to midnight, Saturday, and from one until 8 p.m., Sunday.
Prices range from one day pass to $9; $16, two days, and $23, three days. Music ranges from polka to big band, Cajun, Latin, schottische, waltz, standards and Hawaiian.
Meet authors
The Cedar Tree gift shop at Apgar will be hosting a book signing of Waterton and Glacier in a Snap! Fast Facts and Titillating Trivia by Ray Djuff and Chris Morrison, Sunday, July 17, from 1 to 4 p.m.
Concert series
The Lions Club concert series continues this week with The Highlanders Pipe Band. Concert starts at 8 p.m. tonight (Thursday) at the Marantette Park bandstand. Next week, July 21, is Tra le Gael a band specializing in Celtic tunes for all to enjoy.
Bear talk
Montanans For Multiple Use invites the public to attend its July 19 meeting at 7 p.m. at the Fish Wildlife and Parks Building, 800 Meridian Road across from the Fairgrounds in Kalispell. Chris Servheen, the biologist leading the grizzly bear recovery project, will be the guest speaker. Servheen will provide updates on the latest grizzly bear research and recommendations for future bear population and habitat management needs, especially for the Flathead portion of the Northern Continental Divide Grizzly Habitat Ecosystem.
3-on-3
The Columbia Falls Chamber three-on-three basketball tourney is planned for Heritage Days on July 30. Teams should sign up now. Categories range from youth girls and boys to men's and co-eds. Games start at 8:30 a.m. Registration forms are available at Orthopedic Rehab in the Falls Station, the Columbia Falls City Library and by calling 892-0681.
Open House
The Spotted Bear Ranger Station will have an open house from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 6, which will include tours, historic displays, and old-time ranger skit and a potluck meal at 3 p.m. Event celebrates the Forest Service centennial.
Home carnival
The Immanuel Lutheran Home will have its annual children's fun night and carnival from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 5 at the Home in Kalispell.
Christian women
The Columbia Falls Women's Connection will meet at 11:30 a.m. July 20 at the Columbia Falls Community Room for a high tea. Gloves and pearl attire suggested. Call 892-5215 for more information. Cost is $7 for adults.
Swordfighting
The Columbia Falls Library will have a swordfighting demonstration outside the building from 7 to 9 p.m. July 16. The weapons aren't real. The event is put on by the Society for Creative Anachronism. That evening is also the library's annual sleepover for kids. Call 892-5919 for more info.