Community news
Chamber meets
The Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly membership meeting at the North Valley Hospital Community Room on Nucleus Avenue on Tuesday, April 10, from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Columbia Falls city manager Susan Nicosia, the guest speaker, will talk about economic development, city projects and the city’s loan program. Lunch costs $10. For more information, call Carol Pike at 892-2072.
Preschool class
The Columbia Falls High School is looking for children 3-5 years old to participate in the high school’s HERO Preschool class. A “meet the teen” meeting will be held at the high school on April 13 from 1:45 to 2:25 p.m. The classes will take place at the high school from April 16 through May 31 from 1:45 to 2:50 p.m. Cost for parents is $25 per child for the 24-day session. Children will be provided snacks, crafts and games. For more information, call Lynne Thuesen at 892-6500 ext. 233.
Farm Hands fundraiser
Three Forks Grille in Columbia Falls will host a fundraising dinner on Monday, April 2, from 5 to 9 p.m. to benefit the Farm Hands Map. The 2012 edition of the map will be available this spring at the Columbia Falls Farmers Market and health food stores. Farm Hands is a non-profit group that is committed to connecting the valley residence with the local farmers and strengthening the relationship between people who grow and produce the food with those that eat it. For more information, call 892-2900 or visit online at www.whoisyourfarmer.org.
Garden talk
Pat McGlynn, from the Flathead County Extension Office, will talk about agricultural resources and other topics during a garden workshop at Glacier Discovery Square on Thursday, April 5, at 6:30 p.m. Ronnie Honthaas will talk about preparing for bees in the garden. The workshop is presented by the Columbia Falls Library Association.
Baseball sign-ups
Glacier Babe Ruth baseball sign-ups for the 2012 season will end on March 31. Registrations forms are available at both the junior high and high schools in Columbia Falls and Whitefish or online at www.glacierbaberuth.com. For more information, call Ray Queen at 253-0857.
Health video
The IONS community group will co-sponsor a presentation of “Something unknown is doing we don’t know what” at Imagine Health, 305 First Avenue West, in Columbia Falls, on Tuesday, April 3, at 7 p.m. A $5 donation will be requested. For more information, call 892-4406 or visit online at www.imaginehealth.net.
Book sale
The Columbia Falls Library Association will hold a book sale at Glacier Discovery Square on Friday, April 6, from noon to 6 p.m. Books, videos and CDs will be sold for $3 a bag. Proceeds will benefit the local library.
Local economies
A screening of “Economics of Happiness,” promoting local economies, will take place at Glacier Discovery Square on Thursday, March 29, with a reception at 6 p.m. and the movie starting at 7 p.m. Local vendors will serve beverages and food at the reception. For more information, visit online at www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkdnFYDbiBE.
School calendar
The proposed school calendar for Columbia Falls schools is available for review and public input at the School District 6 office, 501 Sixth Avenue West, or online at www.sd6.k12.mt.us. Deadline for input is March 30.
Free meals
The Columbia Falls Community Kitchen will serve free, hot, nutritious meals in the basement of St. Richard’s Catholic Church from Wednesday through Saturday, March 28-31, at 6 p.m. The group served 2,667 people in 2011 and hope to continue to help the needy in the community for a long time.
Cancer information
The American Cancer Society in partnership with Kalispell Regional Medical Center, opened the doors to a new Cancer Resource Center at the hospital on Feb. 1. The center provides cancer patients and caregivers with information on their cancer diagnoses and the types of treatments available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For more information, contact Jan Leland or Sheri Miletich at 752-1781 or e-mail jan-sheri@krmc.org.
U.S. 2 project
The Montana Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting to discuss plans for the U.S. 2 reconstruction project through Bad Rock Canyon on Tuesday, April 10, at the Hungry Horse Ranger Station, in Hungry Horse, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Comments on the project can be mailed to Sarah Nicolai, DOWL HKM, P.O. Box 1009, Helena MT 59624 or by e-mailing snicolai@dowlhkm.com or online at www.mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/badrock. Indicate U.S. 2 Badrock project on subject line.
Dinner & auction
The Boys and Girls Club of Glacier Country will hold their annual benefit and dinner auction at Gardner’s Auction House on Saturday, April 14, with doors opening at 5 p.m. with a prime rib dinner by Vista Linda. The club provides after-school programs for Columbia Falls and Evergreens. Cost is $40 singles, $75 couples and $400 tables. Call Alan at 261-4232 for more information.
Creston auction
The 46th annual Creston Auction & Country Fair and the accompanying Auto, Marine, RV & Equipment Sale will be held in Creston on March 30 to April 1 as a fundraiser for the Creston Fire Department. Merchandise will be accepted on Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The daylong auction on Saturday will feature building materials, household merchandise, sports equipment, local arts and crafts, tools, tack, antiques and other items beginning at 8 a.m., with bidding starting at 9 a.m. Bidding continues at noon on Sunday for cars, trucks, boats, recreational vehicles, tractors, farm equipment, trailers and other large items. Hot food will be available all day. For more information, visit online at www.crestonfire.org or call 250-7396.
Democrat dinner
Sen. Jon Tester will be the featured speaker at the 2012 Spring Dinner at The Lodge At Whitefish Lake on Saturday, April 14. Hosted by the Flathead Democratic Party and the Flathead Democratic Women, the event will begin with a candidate forum at 4:30 p.m., a social hour at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. Cost is $40 in advance and $50 at the door. Tickets are available by calling 752-0298.
AAUW book sale
The Kalispell Branch of the American Association of University Women is now accepting good quality used books for their book sale at the Kalispell Center Mall on April 13, 14 and 15. Proceeds will benefit Flathead Valley Community College scholarships and other charitable projects. Donation barrels are located in Columbia Falls at Smith’s Food and Drug. For more information, call Karen at 758-4745 or Barb at 249-2196.