Community news
Theater
The Ruder Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization will present the Missoula Children’s Theatre’s international touring project “The Tortoise Versus The Hare” at the Columbia Falls High School’s Little Theater on Saturday, Feb. 9, at 3 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 adults, $3 students, $15 for immediate family of four, and free for children under 4.
Chamber meeting
The Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their general membership meeting at the North Valley Hospital Community Room, 235 Nucleus Avenue, on Tuesday, Feb. 12, from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Columbia Falls city manager Susan Nicosia will present a new video promoting the city. Luncheon is $10. Reservations are not necessary. For more information, call Carol Pike at 892-2072.
Metals class
Rodney Cogliati will teach the 10-week adult education class “Introduction to Metal Working” at the Columbia Falls High School Shop on Fridays from Feb. 15 to April 26 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Students will learn to gas weld, braze and cut steel, stick and MIG electric arc welding and aluminum foundry. Cost is $100. For more information or to register, call Robin White at 892-6500. Deadline is Feb. 12.
Flu shots
The Flathead City-County Health Department has changed its immunization services. Families with children are now encouraged to get an appointment for shots during the day on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Walk-ins will still be accepted on those days. Shots will be available in Columbia Falls at the Three Rivers Ambulance building on the second Tuesday of each month from 9 to 11:30 a.m. For more information, visit online at www.flatheadhealth.org.
Canyon events
A fundraiser for the Gateway2Glacier nonprofit group will be held at the Huckleberry Patch in Hungry Horse on Friday, Feb. 15, from 4-8 p.m. with hot soup, bread and treats. A $5 donation will go to the group, which promotes businesses in the Canyon and the proposed Coram to West Glacier bike path along U.S. 2. Another fundraiser will be held at the Belton Chalet in West Glacier with a showing of the award-winning documentary film “The Lookout” on Friday, March 1, at 7 p.m. Admission will be $6 individuals and $15 families. For more information, visit online at www.gateway2glacier.com.
Whole living
Jill Purdy will continue her free Whole Living Community Workshop vegetarian cooking school and more on Tuesdays from 3-6 p.m. at the Seventh–day Adventist Church, 269 Second Avenue East North, in Columbia Falls. This months’ classes will include “Simple Survival Kits” on Feb. 12, “Gluten-free cooking” on Feb. 19 and “Hydrotherapy” on Feb. 26.
Sweethearts
The Columbians and Don Lawrence Orchestra will hold their second annual Sweetheart Dance at the Columbia Falls High School gym foyer on Friday, Feb. 15, at 6 p.m. The night of dinner, music and dancing will be catered by Cimarron Deli. Tickets are $25 each for dinner, $8 for dancing and dessert only after 7 p.m. The event is a fundraiser for the high school band. Tickets are available at the Cimarron Deli, Glacier Wallflower, the high school office or from band students.
Book club
The Bad Rock Book Discussion Group will discuss “Drive Me Wild: A Western Odyssey,” by Christina Nealson, at Bad Rock Books, 615 Nucleus Avenue, in Columbia Falls, on Thursday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m. For more information, call Carol Rocks at 892-0515.
Art show
The Hockaday Museum of Art’s “Of the Earth” exhibit will feature well-known artists from Montana and around the U.S. who have created works using natural elements. Among the local artists on display are David Secrest, patterned metalwork; Kate Hunt, newspaper sculpture; and Lee Proctor, blown glass. A public reception will be held at the museum, 302 Second Avenue East, in Kalispell, on Thursday, Feb. 28, from 5-7 p.m. Several artists will speak about their work and inspirations. The exhibit will be on display through April 20, 2013. For more information, visit online at www.HockadayMuseum.org or call 755-5268.
Auction fundraiser
The Boys and Girls Club of Glacier Country will hold its 10th annual auction and dinner at the Shady Lane Roller Rink, 155 Shady Lane, in Evergreen, on Saturday, March 16, at 5 p.m. The event will be catered by the Linda Vista restaurant. The club has been operating after-school programs in the Flathead since 1999 with more than 3,000 members and averaging 500 kids a week. Tickets are $40 individual, $75 couples and $400 for tables of eight. All money stays in the Flathead. For more information, call Alan Sempf at 261-4232.
IONS meet
The local Institute of Noetic Sciences community group will present a talk on “Life Lessons from Horses: Consciousness, Communication, Connection and Community” by Dr. Doug Hammill, DVM, at the Bohemian Grange, behind Montana Coffee Traders on U.S. 93, on Thursday, Feb. 14, at 7 p.m. Hammill has been driving and working horses in harness for almost 60 years and teaching horsemanship and driving for more than 30 years. A donation is requested to help defray expenses. For more information, call 862-9591 or 862-7711.
Guitar fundraiser
Singer/songwriter Chuck Suchy will present “Songs and Stories of a Prairie Troubadour” in a family-friendly benefit concert to support The Crown of the Continent Guitar Foundation at the former United Church of Christ, 204 Seventh Avenue West, in Kalispell, on Saturday, Feb. 16, with doors opening at 6:45 p.m. A donation of $15 is suggested and seating is limited. Suchy has presented his songs and stories at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, the Smithsonian Institution and on Garrison Keillor’s radio program “A Prairie Home Companion.” For more information, visit online at www.cocguitarfoundation.org or call 406-407-5962.
Sheriff’s academy
The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office is accepting applications for the spring session of the 10-week Sheriff’s Citizens Academy, which will be held on Wednesdays from 6 to 9 p.m. beginning March 27. Space is limited to 30. Another session will be held in the fall. For more information, visit online at www.flatheadcountysheriff.com. Deadline to apply is Feb. 15.
Pancake supper
The Men of All Saints Episcopal Church, 2048 Conn Road, will hold their annual Shrove Tuesday free pancake supper in the Parish Hall next to the church on Tuesday, Feb. 12, from 5 to 6 p.m. For more information, visit online at www.allsaintsmt.org.
Dance-auction
The Lighthouse Christian Home will hold its eighth annual Valentine’s dance at the Red Lion Hotel in Kalispell on Saturday, Feb. 16, with Big Band swing music, a silent and live auction, a pie auction, treasure chest and dessert buffet. This is the nonprofit’s main fundraiser. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. The nonprofit provides a residence for adults with intellectual disabilities. Tickets are $30 for individuals or $200 for a table of eight available at Snappys Sports Senter in Kalispell, Glacier Bank, or by calling the Lighthouse 857-3276.
Abbie Shelter
A fundraiser for the Abbie Shelter will be held at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish with a presentation of “The Vagina Monologues 2013” on Feb. 6 and 7, with doors and cocktail hour with designer purse silent auction at 6 p.m. and the performance at 7:30 p.m. A celebration and dance party will follow.
Scrabble tourney
Literacy Volunteers of Flathead County will mark their 25th anniversary with its annual team Scrabble tournament fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 9, with games at 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. at the Museum at Central School in Kalispell. A grand prize for money raised and top scores will be awarded, along with door prizes and food. For more information, call 257-7323 or visit online at www.literacyflathead.org.
Free tax help
Flathead Valley Community College in partnership with Community Action Partnership will provide low-to-moderate income individuals, families and senior citizens with free tax assistance and preparation from Feb. 8 through April 12 on the FVCC campus, in the Arts and Technology Building, Room 236, on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call 756-3372.