Community news
Dine for a cause
The Belton Chalet will donate 10 percent of all sales from its Taproom and Grill on Friday through Monday, Jan. 23-26 to the Columbia Falls High School Academic Endowment. A dinner and silent auction for the endowment fund will be held at the historic restaurant on U.S. 2 in West Glacier on Jan. 23 from 3 to 8 p.m. The restaurant will offer live music on Jan. 24 and brunch on Jan. 25. For more information, visit online at www.beltonchalet.com or call 888-5000.
Close-Up auction
An auction to benefit Close-Up, the organization that helps send Columbia Falls High School students to Washington, D.C., will be held at the Blue Moon Nite Club on Friday, Jan. 30, with viewing at 5 p.m. and the auction starting at 6 p.m. All proceeds will go to supporting the trip to Washington, D.C. Anyone who wants to donate something or has questions can contact Dan Fairbank at 892-6500 ext. 254.
Chamber news
The Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is taking applications for a new executive director and for volunteers to sit on the Sports and Education Committee, which organizes the Heritage Days 3-on-3 basketball tournament, and the Holiday Village Committee. Victoria Lee, who took over for Gary Sparr for organizing the Christmas display at Marantette Park, says they need stand-alone lawn ornaments. She can be contacted at victoria@greatnorthernresort.com or by leaving a message at 406-270-8374.
County boards
The Flathead County Commissioners are seeking volunteers to serve on the following boards: Animal Advisory Committee, two vacancies; Columbia Falls Cemetery Board, one vacancy; and Fire Service Area, one vacancy for the Middle Fork Area and one vacancy for an active firefighter. Applications are available online at http://flathead.mt.gov/commissioner/downloads or at the County Commissioners Office, 800 South Main, Room 302, in Kalispell. Deadline is Feb. 13. For more information, call 758-5537.
Little Guy
Little Guy Wrestling season is here. Sign-ups for kids in grades K-5 will be held at the Columbia Falls High School gymnasium foyer on Friday, Jan. 23, from 4 to 7 p.m. Bring two checks, one for registration and a separate check for the singlet deposit. Call Lynette at 249-5147 with any questions.
Senior survey
The Flathead County Agency on Aging will hold meetings around the county to gather input to guide senior services of the next four years. A meeting will be held at the North Valley Senior Center, 205 Nucleus Avenue, in Columbia Falls, on Monday, Jan. 26, at 1 p.m.
Tax help
AARP Tax-Aide will provide free help to anyone of any age in preparing and electronically filing federal and state income tax returns for low to moderate income taxpayers. All volunteers are trained and certified through the IRS and must sign a confidentiality agreement. While there is no specific income limit, the program does have limits on the types of returns that the volunteers will prepare. The service is provided at the Gateway Community Center in Kalispell in the United Way Earl Bennett Conference Room on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Feb. 2 to April 14. To schedule an appointment, call 407-8355.
Metals class
An introduction to metals class will be offered at the Columbia Falls High School on Fridays from Jan. 30 through April 10 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Students will learn how to weld, braze and cut metals as well as oxyacetylene welding, brazing and cutting, and stick and MIG electric arc welding. Class is limited to eight. Cost is $100. Call 892 6501 for more information.
Farm bill
Montana State University Extension and the U.S. Department of Agriculture will host a public meeting to about the Agricultural Act of 2014 at the Hampton Inn in Kalispell on Monday, Jan. 26, from 1:30 to 4 p.m.
Lighthouse fundraiser
The Lighthouse Christian Home and Services will hold its 10th annual Light Up Your Heart Valentine’s Day swing dance and auction, its main fundraising event, on Saturday, Feb. 14, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 each or $200 for a table of eight available by calling 857-3276 or online at www.lighthousechristianhome.org. Five dollar raffle tickets to win a $1,000 cash prize can be purchased around the valley prior to the dance or by calling 857-3276. Auction items will be listed on their Web site.
History lectures
The Museum at Central School, 124 Second Avenue East in Kalispell, will present talks on local history and wildlife with the 13th annual John White Lecture Series. Two local couples will speak on “Flathead Memories” on Sunday, Jan. 25, at 2:30 p.m. Cliff and Lynda Collins were among the founding members of the Northwest Montana Historical Society and the Museum at Central School. Bill and Lois McClaren are well known throughout the valley. Bill is the last living founder of Flathead Valley Community College. Tickets are $6 for museum members and $9 general admission available at the museum or at the door before each event. For more information, call 756-8381.
Chamber meets
The Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their monthly luncheon at the Teakettle Community Room, 235 Nucleus Avenue, on Tuesday, Feb. 10, from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Kellie Danielson, president and CEO of Montana West Economic Development, will be the featured speaker. Lunch costs $12.