Community news
After hours
The Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours social event will take place at Imagine Health, 305 First Avenue West, in Columbia Falls, on Tuesday, April 16, from 5-7 p.m. Anne Scott-Markle will be joined by Meg Lindberg of Earth Angel Organics.
History club
The Columbia Falls Historical Society will meet at the Montana Veterans Home’s chapel building on Tuesday, April 16, at 7 p.m. Anyone interested in local history is welcome to attend.
Community choir
The Columbia Falls Community Choir will hold their free concerts in the Columbia Falls High School’s Little Theater on Saturday, April 20, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, April 21, at 2 p.m. The choir, directed by Ron Bond and accompanied by Dawn Hashley, has been offering free concerts for more than 20 years. The choir’s 95 members come from across the Flathead Valley and have been practicing since January. This year’s concert will offer a little nostalgia, some jazz and lots of inspiration.
Health fair
The Columbia Falls Women’s Connection, affiliated with Stonecroft Ministries, will hold a Health and Beauty Fair at the Teakettle Community Room, 235 Nucleus Avenue, in Columbia Falls, on Thursday, April 18, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Ten vendors will display wares or services and Diane Koch, a Columbia Falls glass artist, will provide an inspirational story. Cost is $8 per person. For more information, call Janet at 892-3621 or Candy at 387-4119.
Governor speaks
Gov. Steve Bullock will be the guest speaker at the Flathead Democratic Party’s Spring Dinner at the Hilton Garden Inn, in Kalispell, on Friday, April 19. The social hour will start at 6 p.m., with dinner at 7 p.m. Tra La Gael will provide live music. Tickets are $40 through April 15 and $50 after. For tickets, call Nancy at 752-0298 or visit online at www.flatheaddemocrats.com.
Whole living
The Whole Living Workshop meets on the first and third Tuesdays from 3-6 p.m. at the Seventh–day Adventist Church, 269 Second Avenue East North, in Columbia Falls. Coming up is “The eight laws of good health” on April 16. Topics in May include “Hazards of caffeine and alcohol” and “Why eat raw food?”
Student music
The Kalispell Area Music Teachers Association will present its free student showcase recital at the First Presbyterian Church of Kalispell, 540 South Main Street, on Sunday, April 14, at 3 p.m. Donations will be accepted to benefit the KAMTA Scholarship Fund. KAMTA, begun in 1977, is an organization of music educators throughout the Flathead Valley who meet regularly in order to provide mutual professional support for each other and to promote music through their various programs and activities.
Nonprofit workshop
The Flathead Nonprofit Development Partnership will host a free brown bag workshop on “Spreading the Passion of Fundraising” at the Museum at Central School, 124 Second Avenue East, in Kalispell, on Thursday, April 11, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jane Ratzlaff, of the Glacier National Park Conservancy, will discuss how to build a comprehensive fund development program that engages everyone in the organization, how to overcome the mystery and challenges that impede staff and board members from implementing this type of fund development program, and how to spread the fundraising passion throughout an organization. RSVP by e-mailing rsvp@npdp.org or calling 756-3618. For more information, visit online at www.NpDP.org.
Quilt show
The Teakettle Quilt Guild will hold their annual quilt show in the Glacier Gateway Elementary School gym on Saturday, April 20, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. The show will have vendors, demonstrations and raffles. The featured quilter will be Gloria Day.
Book sale
The Kalispell branch of the American Association of University Women has set up donation barrels for good quality used books at Smith’s Foods in Columbia Falls for their annual book sale at the Kalispell Center Mall on April 12, 13 and 14. Proceeds will benefit Flathead Valley Community College scholarships and other charitable projects. For more information, call Karen at 758-4745 or Barb at 249-2196.
Catholic retreat
The Helena Diocese Council of Catholic Women will hold a retreat at Flathead Lutheran Bible camp on Flathead Lake on April 19-20. The theme is “The Spiritual Voice of Catholic Women.” Cost is $65 to cover meals and accommodations. To register, call Mary Jean Brophy at 406-279-3446 or e-mail brophy@3rivers.net.