Community news
Senior photos
Columbia Falls High School students are reminded that senior photos for the yearbook must be handed in to Mrs. Thramer by Oct. 14. If there is a problem, call 892-6500 ext. 264.
Open burning
The Flathead County Commissioners lifted fire restrictions on Sept. 26. The open burning season began Oct. 1. People can burn yard and garden waste, but not garbage, during October and November. Open burning is not allowed inside the city limits of Columbia Falls, Kalispell and Whitefish. Before burning, people must call the Flathead County air quality hotline at 751-8144.
Chamber meets
The Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its general membership meeting at the North Valley Hospital Community Room, 235 Nucleus Avenue, on Tuesday, Oct. 11, from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. School District 6 superintendent Michael Nicosia will be the guest speaker. Lunch is $10. Reservations are not necessary. For more information, call Carol at 892-2972.
Spay-neuter clinic
Flathead Spay and Neuter Task Force will hold an "Indoor Garage Sale" at the Spay and Neuter Clinic, 3491 Trumble Creek Road, two miles south of Highway 40 and one mile west of U.S. 2, on Saturday, Oct. 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Items will include high-end sporting goods, DVDs and books, dinnerware, antiques and collectibles and pet-related items. All money raised will be used to provide low-cost spays and neuters for pets of low-income owners and managed feral cat colonies. Cats from the recent large animal-cruelty case will be available for adoption for a $35 fee, including 30 adult cats that are all altered, vaccinated and microchipped. For more information, call 892-7387.
Crafts, baked goods sale
Columbia Falls Women's Connection will hold a craft, baked goods and home-canned goods sale at the Teakettle Community Hall, 253 Nucleus Avenue, in Columbia Falls, on Saturday, Oct. 8, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch and pie will be for sale.
Toastmaster
Tom Blakney, of Columbia Falls Speaks Toastmasters, recently defeated five other contestants in the annual area-level humorous-speech contest. Next up for Blakney is the divisional contest on Oct. 8 at Quinn's Resort in Paradise with competitors from five other Montana areas. Blakney's competition speech, "Special Shampoo," was a humorous look at hair-growing products. Each speaker delivered a 5-7 minute presentation, and a panel of six judges voted on content, organization and delivery.
Energy talk
The Flathead for a New Energy Economy project will present a report on its findings at Flathead Valley Community College's Arts & Technology Building on Thursday, Oct. 6, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The document is the result of a three-year collaborative exploration that showcases success stories of local businesses, governments and homeowners who realized significant cost savings, energy independence or job and new business creation as a result of emerging energy opportunities in the Flathead. New energy "pioneers" featured in the report will also be on hand.
Flu shots
The Flathead City-County Health Department will not hold a mass flu shot clinic at the fairgrounds this year. Flu shots are available at the department's offices on First Ave. West in Kalispell on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Locally, a flu shot clinic will be held at the Montana Veterans Home on Tuesday, Oct. 18, from 9 a.m. to noon. Flu shots cost $25. No children will be turned away for inability to pay. Nobody needs an appointment.
Metals class
Rod Cogliati will teach a 10-session Adult Metal Class at the Columbia Falls High School from Oct. 7 through Dec. 16 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The class will cover safety, beginning brazing, stick welding and aluminum foundry. Cost is $100. To register, call Robin White at 892-6501.
FVCC dinner
A "Farm To Table" dinner at the Three Forks Grille on Thursday, Oct. 6, at 6 p.m. will be a fundraiser for Flathead Valley Community College as part of its Festival Of Flavors event. The five-course meal includes seafood, local vegetables, duck sugo, roast leg of lamb and local fruit dessert for $125 per person. For tickets, call 756-3632 or visit online at www.fvcc.edu/festival.