Community news
Church bazaar
St. Richard’s Catholic Church in Columbia Falls will hold their annual bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 9, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with homemade soup, sandwiches and pie for lunch. A large selection of craft goods will be available, along with homemade baked goods, religious articles, Christmas items, a raffle table and face painting. Raffle prizes are $300, $200 and $100.
Church smorgasbord
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 401 Seventh Street West, in Columbia Falls, will hold a smorgasbord on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. The menu includes turkey and dressing, meat balls, mashed potatoes with gravy, baked beans, fresh salads, homemade lefse and Scandinavian treats. Cost is $10 adults, $4 children 7-12, $2 children 3-6 and free for children under 3. All are welcome.
Bowling benefit
The Columbia Falls Women’s Bowling Association will hold their bowling benefit on Feb. 14-16, 2014. Anyone who knows someone who needs assistance can send letters to C.F.W.B.A. Manager, 903 Scenic Drive, Columbia Falls MT 59912 describing their needs and who they are. Letters are due by Jan. 1.
Aikido classes
Flathead County Parks and Recreation is accepting registrations for an Aikido class in the Kalispell area on Mondays beginning in November. The classes will be taught by Craig Thomas and are for ages 5 through seniors. To register or get more information, call 758-5800 or visit online at www.flathead.mt.gov/parks_rec.
Free tax help
A $76,800 IRS grant awarded to the Montana VITA Partnership will allow the group to provide free tax services to Montanans of moderate means. Local volunteers are the backbone of all VITA sites, including Columbia Falls. No experience is necessary and volunteers receive free training and certification by the IRS to prepare taxes in the VITA program. For more information, visit online at www.montanafreefile.org.
Financial aid night
Columbia Falls High School counselors will present their annual “Student-Parent Financial Aid Preparation Night” for all interested students and parents on Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 6 p.m. in the Columbia Falls High School Library. Students Assistance Foundation director Mary Howard and Financial Aid representatives from FVCC, Danelle Whitten and Cindy Kiefer will attend as well as Deanne Brown Running Start coordinator. The event is intended for outgoing seniors entering college.
Geneaology
The Flathead Valley Genealogical Society will meet at the LDS Chapel on Whitefish Stage Road on Thursday, Nov. 14. The business meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. and the program (a movie about Kalispell history) will start at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Contact Lynne Bradley at 756-9245 for more information.
Book sales
The Columbia Falls Library Association Used Bookstore, 39 Sixth Street West in Columbia Falls, will be offering these specials for the month of November: VHS videos, 10 for $1; music cassettes, 10 for $1; and hardcover Readers Digests with stories by Clancy, Grisham, Grafton, Hillerman, Francis, Higgins Clark, Gilman, Sparks and many more, 10 for $1. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Bowling For Kids
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flathead County will hold their annual Bowl For Kids’ Sake fundraiser at Glacier Lanes in Columbia Falls on Saturday, Nov. 9, starting at 3 p.m. Each time is comprised of four or five people who each commit to raising $75 for the nonprofit. For more information and to reserve a lane, call 752-0092.
Art exhibit
The Hockaday Museum of Art, 302 Second Avenue East, in Kalispell, will hold its 12th annual Members Salon on Nov. 7 through Dec. 28 with more than120 works by museum members created over the last year. Media comprises glass, sculpture, pottery, textile, photography, jewelry and paintings using oil, watercolor, acrylic and dye on silk. Visitors may vote in the People’s Choice Awards by voting for their favorite piece. Winners will be announced Dec. 17. And 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 406-755-5268.
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. Donations also can be sent directly to the Columbia Falls Food Pantry, P.O. Box 1081, Columbia Falls MT 59912.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is looking for Individuals, groups or organizations to ring the bells during their annual Chirstmas Kettle Season from Nov. 22 through Christmas. For more information, contact Bob Blake at 257-4357. The Salvation Army will partner with Walmart for their annual Fill the Truck Drive to collect gifts for needy children on Saturday, Nov. 30. Glacier Bank will match all Salvation Army Red Kettle donations at all Super 1 Foods stores in the Flathead Valley on Thursday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.