Community news
Winter kick-off
The Columbia Falls Booster Club will hold its Winter Sports Kickoff in the Columbia Falls High School cafeteria on Monday, Dec. 2, at 6 p.m. All high school winter sports participants, coaches and parents are invited to attend. A free spaghetti dinner will be provided by the Booster Club while coaches introduce their teams and discuss the season. Athletic director Troy Bowman will also hold a brief parents meeting.
Historical society meets
Plans are underway for the second annual Cowboy Christmas Ball on Saturday, Dec. 28, sponsored by the Columbia Falls Historical Society. Other details will be announced after their Tuesday, Nov. 19, meeting at the Montana Veterans Home Chapel at 7 p.m. Anyone interested in the dance or the history of the area is invited to attend. The 2014 Historical Society calendar will be available soon.
Flu confirmed in the Flathead
The Flathead City-County Health Department reported Nov. 6 two lab-confirmed case of influenza B in the area. The flu has also been confirmed in Gallatin County, and the health department advises area residents to get a flu shot. For more information, visit online at www.flatheadhealth.org.
Quilt and craft sale
The Teakettle Quilt Guild Columbia Falls will hold their harvest quilt and craft sale and soup luncheon at the Teakettle Community Room, 235 Nucleus Avenue, in Columbia Falls, on Saturday, Nov. 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with lunch served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Donated proceeds will go to the Columbia Falls Food Bank.
Klothes Kloset
The Christmas Store at the Klothes Kloset in Columbia Falls will open Thursday, Dec. 5, starting at 9 a.m. with toys, jewelry, collectibles, a variety of household items and lap robes. Church Women United sponsors the Klothes Kloset at the corner of Railroad Street and Nucleus Avenue. The Klothes Kloset is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with Kris Skyberg, manager.
Native plants workshop
Terry Divoky and Rebecca Lawrence will present a free workshop on growing native plants from seed at the Teakettle Community Hall, 235 Nucleus Avenue, in Columbia Falls on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. hosted by the Flathead Chapter of the Montana Native Plant Society. A general meeting to discuss business and projects will take place at 5:30 p.m. For more information, contact Divoky at 406-387-5527.
UPS food drive
UPS will host a food, clothing and toy drive to benefit local food banks and the Salvation Army at the UPS Store at Super 1 Foods in Columbia Falls and other locations on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. UPS locations will accept donations starting Nov. 18.
Live music
The acoustic folk and bluegrass band Porter Creek will play at Montana Coffee Traders in Columbia Falls on Friday, Nov. 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. The band includes Jim Crandall, Steve McCluskey, Vicki Bodfish and Chad Fadely on guitar, mandolin, fiddle and bouzouki.
Obamacare talk
A free event to explain the Affordable Care Act will be held at Grouse Mountain Lodge in Whitefish on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m. Two representatives from the Montana Office of the Commissioner of Securities and Insurance will be on hand to give a short presentation and answer questions. The office launched www.montanahealthanswers.com in August for Montanans seeking answers about the new federal health reform law.
Hockaday art exhibit
The Hockaday Museum of Art, 302 Second Avenue East, in Kalispell, will hold its 12th annual Members Salon through Dec. 28 with more than 120 works created by museum members. Visitors may vote for their favorite in the People’s Choice Awards. Winners will be announced Dec. 17. An opening reception will be held Thursday, Nov. 14, from 5 to 7 p.m. For more information, visit online at www.hockadaymuseum.org or call 755-5268.
Town Pump food drive
The Town Pump Charitable Foundation hopes to raise $3 million in its 12th annual fundraising campaign for food banks across Montana. The Foundation will match up to $8,000 on behalf of the Columbia Falls Food Bank, $500 more than last year. All funds raised in Columbia Falls will remain in the community. Donations are being collected at the Columbia Falls Town Pump, Magic Diamond and Lucky Lil’s Casinos or sent directly to the Columbia Falls Food Pantry, P.O. Box 1081, Columbia Falls MT 59912.
IONS meet
The local Institute of Noetic Sciences community group will meet at the Bohemian Grange, west of Montana Coffee Traders on U.S. 93 in Whitefish, on Thursday, Nov. 14, from 7 - 9 p.m. Julie Schleusner and Christy Masters will talk about “Making a Real and Lasting Difference in our Lives.” Both are Flathead Valley practitioners who treat a variety of chronic illnesses such as auto-immune conditions and chronic fatigue. A donation will help defray expenses. For more information, call 862-7711.