EXTENDED Community Notes
Feb. 11
Thursday, Feb. 11
Chocolate Lovers Festival
Arlee will host its annual Chocolate Lovers Festival at 6:30 p.m. today, Thursday, Feb. 11, at the Heartview Center on Jocko Road in Arlee. Entries at the door between 1-6 p.m. The auction begins at 7:30 p.m. The event benefits Arlee CDC and the Jocko Valley Library. For details call Kelly at 726-5550.
Masumola meeting
The February 2010 meeting of the Masumola Club will be held on Thursday, Feb. 11. A social hour will be held at 5:45 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m. and a program at 7 p.m. Mike and Trish Rodrique will talk about their experiences working around the world with Habitat for Humanity.
Celtic concert
Big Productions, a fund-raising venture of the Lake County Youth Home, brings an encore presentation of long time Mission Valley favorites, Willson and McKee, to the Ronan Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 11, for a Valentine week concert. Willson and McKee play traditional Irish and Scottish acoustic music. Concert goers can get tickets by e-mailing cmc@ronan.net or calling 800-823-4386.
Friday, Feb. 12
Ballroom Dance Classes
Ballroom dance classes will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. Friday nights beginning on Feb. 12, at Mission Valley Dance, Ninth Avenue and Main. All ages, couples and singles welcome. Call Julia for more information at 249-0457.
Dixon Valentine’s dance
The Dixon Senior Center is having a pre-Valentine’s Dance at 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 12, at the senior center. There will be live music and refreshments will be served.
Free dinner
Have dinner with us from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 12 and the second Friday night of each month at our Friendship Table. Bring your friends; enjoy a hearty meal and fellowship in the Fellowship Hall of First Presbyterian Church, 301 Fourth Ave. E. (across from the main entrance to Linderman School).
Pachyderm Club meeting
The Lake County Pachyderm Club will meet on Friday, Feb. 12, in the Community Room of the Polson City Library. Social time begins at 11:30 a.m. with the meeting starting at noon. Papa Don’s will be catering a soup and ham or turkey sandwich lunch with coffee, tea, or bottled water for a small price.
MV home school meeting
Mission Valley Home Educators will be meeting at 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 12, for a potluck dinner and meeting at the New Life Christian Center in Polson. It is on the second Friday of the month, not the usual “First Friday” meeting. Those new to home schooling, veteran home educators, and anyone interested in pursuing the idea of teaching their own children are all invited to participate. For more information, please contact John or Connie Doty at 849-5169 or Frank and Dana Brown at 676-5067.
Figure drawing
Figure drawing will begin again at the Sandpiper Gallery from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 13, in the gallery’s new workroom. The public is invited to participate, along with all our members. A clothed model will be provided and a nominal fee is asked to pay for the model. Please bring your own drawing supplies. Non-toxic paint is also an option. The sessions will be scheduled every other Saturday, with different models. If you would like to be notified of these sessions by email or would like to model, please e-mail mskelley@centurytel.net.
Saturday, Feb. 13
Haitian breakfast and auction
The Watkins family of Polson knows first-hand the struggles that Haitian orphans face. In June, after a two-year process, the newest members of the Watkins family, Peterson, age 5, and Adlerson, age 3, left the Chances for Children orphanage in Haiti and joined the Polson family. To raise funds for the orphanage, a Haitian Breakfast and Silent Art Auction will take place from 8-10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 13 at Cherry Valley Elementary School. Haitian breakfast of crepes, fresh fruit, and sausage with coffee, juice or Haitian hot chocolate. While there is no set fee for the breakfast, donations will be accepted. Tifanni was the first to donate a work of art for the silent auction. Her acrylic painting of colorful flowers awaits a new home.
Sunday,
Feb. 14
MVA fund raiser at Red Poppy
At 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 14, bring your favorite Valentines to The Red Poppy for a full concert (with intermission) by KC and the Valley Kats. Proceeds to benefit Mission Valley Aquatics in Polson. Tickets will be available at the door. Call 676-3010 or check our Web site, theredpoppy.org, for ticket information.The Red Poppy is located in Ronan at 1st St. SW and Eisenhower (on Highway 93, south stoplight, across from True Value Hardware).
Monday, Feb. 15
Monday Night Meals
The Monday Night Meals are still being served at the St. Ignatius Community Center from 5-7 p.m. every Monday. There is no charge for the meals, anyone and families are welcome.
Parenting classes
There will be one more parenting class on Monday, Feb 15. The topics to be covered are: effective communication skills, behavior management techniques and resolving conflicts. Please register by calling the church at 883-5807. Child care will be provided.
Wednesday, Feb. 17
LC Democrats meeting
The Lake County Democrats invite the public to their meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 17, at the Polson City Library conference room, 2 1st Avenue East. Social time begins at 6:30 p.m. The program is Promoting Peace and Nonviolence in the World Today. Speakers are Betsy Mulligan-Dague, Executive Director of the Jeannette Rankin Peace Center in Missoula, and local Vietnam veteran and peace activist Burton Cannon.
ARK presentation
Rev. Mark Calhoun, United Methodist Church of Polson pastor, will present the ARK program on Wednesday, Feb. 17. The program will highlight ONE, a grassroots campaign and advocacy organization committed to the fight against extreme poverty and preventable disease. The ARK, an after-school program for kids, meets Wednesdays from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, 301 16th Ave. E. This is the last ARK program for the five-week winter session, another five-week session will be offered in the spring.
Ongoing
Buckle Up Montana
Buckle Up Montana will have technicians available to provide onsite child safety seat inspections and education from 10 a.m. to noon, on Thursday, Feb. 18 at the Polson Fire Department. Installation will be reviewed for each child safety seat. For more information, call Diane at 883-7373. Drop-ins welcome.
Presbyterian Women’s Program
The Presbyterian Women’s Program on Western Montana Agency of Aging presented by Kathi Neeley will behled at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 25, at the First Presbyterian Churhc, 301 Fourth Ave. E. in Polson. Topics are of interest for all ages, men and women welcome.
China Benefit
Doug Ruhman, and SKC instructor who visited China last year, wil give a slide presentation on China at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 19, at Page by Page Books. Donations are being accepted, with proceeds going to the Jeanette Ranked Peace center Library. Please cal 883-1857 for more information.
‘Loss of Innocence’ speakers
To all parents and grandparents; do you have a concern about how your children make healthy lifestyle choices that do not include drugs? Soroptimist International of Polson and the Lake County Youth Court in conjunction with Polson, Charlo and St. Ignatius Schools are presenting Ron Clem and Carren Clem, authors of “Loss of Innocence and Sins of the Father” on Feb. 22 and Feb. 23 in Polson, St. Ignatius, and Charlo. Watch for more information about times and places or call 883-1676.
SKC Career/Job Fair
A Career/Job Fair will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 23, at the Joe McDonald Health and Wellness Center located at Salish Kootenai College campus. Representatives from local, state and national organizations will provide information on career opportunities, full and part-time employment and internships. Workshops begin at 10 a.m. and last through 1 p.m. For more information contact SKC Career Services at 275-04824.
Valley View Potluck
The Valley View community potluck will have a guest speaker this month for their potluck at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 21. Ann Brower, candidate for county commissioner, will be attending to speak and take questions. Everyone welcome, bring your favorite potluck dish to the Valley View Clubhouse 40762 Valley View Road, take Kerr Dam Road. The V. V. Women’s Club will also be having their spring rummage sale and lunch on Saturday, March 13. We are asking for donations, need non clothing items. Call Kelly Bailey 883-2910, Donna Benson 883-5529 or Nelsine Rasmussen 883-0264 for pickup or drop off. Rent the clubhouse for your weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, reunions or just a get together with Friends.
Coffee with Walgren
Art Walgren will hold his first “Coffee with the Candidate” from 7-10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 19, to be held at the Lake City Bakery and Eatery located at 49493 U.S. Hwy 93.If anyone has questions e-mail walgren4sheriff@aol.com.
Arts, crafts and flea market
The Ronan Woman’s Club is sponsoring its 24th annual Arts and Crafts and Flea Market in order to raise funds for its community
projects. It will be held from 9 a.m. to 4:30m p.m. on Saturday, March 13, at the Ronan Community Center. Vender tables are available. To reserve a space, or for further information, call Alice at 676-5079.
Human Rights Coalition potluck
The Flathead Reservation Human Rights Coalition, Inc. is celebrating our 20th year of offering presentations to the public that highlight the unique and diverse community we are proud to be a part of. We will be sponsoring a potluck and presentation each month.
The first will be at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 24, at the senior citizens center in St. Ignatius. At approximately 6:45 p.m., Travis McAdam, Executive Director of the Montana Human Rights Network will speak on the Resurgence of Right Wing Extremists in Montana and nationally. For more information contact 745-3303 or 745-4259.
Winter birding field trip
Join Flathead Audubon on Sunday, Feb. 21, for a Wander in the Mission Valley. The day will be spent in the beautiful Mission Valley, in search of wintering migrant birds and year round feathered denizens. Meet at the Park ‘n Ride at the intersection of Hwys 93 and 83 near Somers at 8 a.m. Bring binoculars and/or scope, lunch and winter weather gear. For more information and to sign up for the field trip, please contact Leslie Kehoe in the evenings at 837-4467.
Polson Winterfest
The Singing Sons of Beaches and the Southern Comfort Band will launch Polson’s first annual Winter Fest on Saturday, Feb. 20, at the Elks Club Ball Room. A gourmet spaghetti dinner will be served beginning at 5 p.m. The Great Scots Pipe and Drum Corp. will perform at 6 p.m. followed by the SOB’s.Country music begins at 8 p.m. This event is a fundraiser for Rev. John Payne, to cover personal costs while John receives treatment in Seattle. Contributions can also be made for Major Payne at Eagle Bank, located near the Y in Polson. A silent auction is also on tap. Any questions? Contact the Wander Inn between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday at 883-5160.
Cancer support group
Cancer Support Group will meet from 12-1 p.m. on Mondays at the United Methodist Church, 30116th Ave. E. in Polson. Call Terri 883-1580 or Tammy 824-2868 for more information.
Free parenting class
Polson School District Adult Education program is offering a free Parenting with Love and Logic class. Parents and care-givers of children ages 1 through 18 are welcome to attend. The classes will be held at Cherry Valley Elementary School on Monday evenings from 5:30-7 p.m. for six weeks starting on Feb. 22. Cherry Valley School Psychologist / Counselor, Bill Starkey will teach the classes. Free childcare and dinner will be provided. To register, or for more information, call 883-6333, ext. 505.
Ronan library foster a book
Celebrate the joys of “I Love to Read Month” and help your community by fostering a book for the Ronan City Library.During the month of February select books will be on display waiting for caring community members to “foster” them for the library. You can foster a book by purchasing it for the library. A plaque with an inscription of your choice will be placed inside the book. To foster a book, visit the Ronan City Library during the month of February at 203 Main Street SW, Ronan. If you have questions, feel free to call the library at 676-3682.
Family gym night
A community family gym night at GVCS will be held from 6-8 p.m. the first Thursday of the month. There will be a free meal, child play area with supervision, table games, ping-pong, foosball, basketball and volleyball.This event is open to everyone. Our goal is to provide the community with a safe and family friendly environment in which the whole family can enjoy activities and both old and new friends.
Vet rep available
Andrea Montee, Montana Veterans Affairs Divsion service officer, will be available to veterans and dependents the second Thursday of each month, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Polson Senior Center and 1-3 p.m. at the Ronan Senior Center.
Sandpiper workroom opening
Thanks in part to a grant from the Greater Polson Community Foundation and the generous accommodation of Dick Bratton of Alpine Tipi Designs, the Sandpiper Gallery has opened a new workshop room, making the Sandpiper a complete art center. The first workshop is “Acrylic and Oil for the Serious Painter” by Ted Winger. Some painting experience is prerequisite for this class, which is now open for registration at the gallery 883-5956. Also new are children’s summer art classes by retired middle school art teachers John Davis and Margery Christensen, including Mandalas, Watercolor, Cartooning and Rock Painting. Adult classes in Drawing, Printmaking, Basketry, Watercolor, Plein Aire and Photoshop are also scheduled. Please pick up a new 2010 brochure with all upcoming exhibitions and classes at the Gallery during winter hours—Tuesday through Friday 10-5 pm, Saturday 10-4, or visit www.sandpiperartgallery.com.
Narcotics Anon
Narcotics Anonymous meets at 7 p.m. every Thursday in the CMA Church, 3rd and Glacier View in St. Ignatius.
Al-Anon meeting
The St. Ignatius Al-Anon Group meets at 5:30 p.m. on Thursdays in the Christian Missionary Alliance Church, 3rd and Glacier View in St. Ignatius. Call 745-0550 for more information.
Spring 2010 Spay/Neuter Clinic
Once again the Lake County Spay / Neuter Task Force is planning a two day spay/neuter clinic for dogs and cats sometime in late May. Our team includes the Mission Valley Animal Shelter (MVAS), Life Savers Animal Rescue (LSAR), as well as support from Polson Animal Control, Tribal Animal Control, local veterinarians and volunteers. Each two-day clinic costs between $7,000 and $9,000 to fund a specialized spay / neuter MASH-type mobile unit and team of vets, vet techs, medical supplies, food and lodging to travel to our area and provide this service. This combined effort has been successful in keeping animal overpopulation under control in our communities for the past three years. We will post dates for the clinic as soon as funding is ensured. If you can help with a donation, which is tax deductable, please send to the address shown below. If you have questions regarding financial matters, please call Pam Gibson at: 883-3336 or cell: 250-9479.
‘The Merchant of Venice’
Mission Valley Christian Academy will present Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice,” at 7 p.m. on Feb. 25-27, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Feb. 28, at the Ronan Community Fellowship Church. For tickets or more informaiton contact MVCA at 883-6858.
MVAS Mardi Gras
Come celebrate Mardi Gras on Fat Tuesday, come in and pick out your life friend. The festivities will be held at Mission Valley Animal Shelter on North Reservoir Road just off of U.S. Highway 93 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 16. Adoption fees are: cats $50 and dogs $100. Refreshments for humans and animals will be provided as well as pet education handouts and a small gift to everyone who visits that day. The animals here need to find their new home and maybe it’s yours.
Call for art
The Sandpiper Gallery Polson, is calling for artfor our “Black, White, and Shades of Grey” show which begins on Tuesday, Feb. 23, and will run through April 3. This exhibit will be open for all artists, for all mediums, non-juried, and all work that interpretsthe theme will be accepted. Work must be framed and ready to hang, with wire hangers. Bring art to the Gallery from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 20. Call the gallery at 883-5956 for further exhibiting information.
Polson Griz poker tourney
Poker players will have ae chance to win big and support the University of Montana Grizzlies at the same time during a charity Texas Hold ‘Em tournament in Polson on Saturday, Feb. 20. Cash prizes will be awarded and the top five winners can advance to the state tournament. The winner of the state tourney will receive a ticket for a $10,000 seat at the 2010 World Series of Poker Championship in Las Vegas. The Mission Mountain Chapter of the University of Montana Grizzly Scholarship Association is sponsoring the tournament at the KwaTaqNuk Resort and Casino. Registration will begin at 1 p.m. Poker players must be 18 years of age or older. Play will begin at 2 p.m. and continue for approximately five hours. The games will be played according to the Official Montana Poker Rule Book. To sign up early or to get more information about the tournament call GSA Chapter President Al Skogen at 676-4499, e-mail amskogen@ronan.net or write to Griz Poker Tourney, 46324 Stqagecoach Trail, Ronan, MT 59864.
Arlee AA Meeting
Arlee AA meeting will be held from 6-7 p.m. on Mondays at the Hanging Art Gallery, 92555 Hwy 93, Arlee. Call Luke at 435-640-0864 for more info.
New Hours for Ronan City Library
The Ronan City Library hours have changed. Sunday and Monday:Closed; Tuesday, Wednesday: 12-6p.m.; Thursday,10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday, 12-6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. When a legal holiday falls on a Monday, the library will be closed the following Tuesday. Story times are Thursday mornings from 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Calling all artists
The People’s Center is hosting a Spring Arts and Craft Bazaar at The People’s Center daiily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 9-10. Call 675-0160 to reserve your space.
Park board member needed
The Lake County Commissioners are looking for a volunteer to serve on the Lake County Park Board. The County Park Board is a volunteer group that advised the Board of Commissioners on management, sale, lease, exchange and disbursement of money or the acceptance of Federal aid having to do with public park land within Lake County’s jurisdiction. The Park Board meetings are as needed called by the Park Board Chairman who is one of the Lake County Commissioners. The Board of Commissioners will accept letters of interest to serve on this Board until Jan. 22. Letters should be addressed to the Commissioners at 106 4th Ave East, Polson, MT 59860. For further information call the commissioners at 883-7204.
Cemetery board member needed
The Lake County Commissioners are seeking letters of interest to serve on the Lakeview Cemetery Board. This board pays the bills of the cemetery, directs the sexton on general duties, and makes plans for the future of the cemetery. Meetings are held once a month on the second Wednesday of the month. The Board of Commissioners will accept letters of interest to serve on this board until Jan. 22. Letters should be addressed to the Commissioners at 106 4th Ave. East, Polson, MT 59860. For further information call the commissioners at 883-7204.
Oriental Dancers Club
Join the Ladies of the Lake Oriental Dancers Club for your new year’s resolution of fun and fitness. Classes begin with strengthening and stretching excercises. Choreographed dances are then taught using many belly dance, ethnic and world dance styles incorporating props such as veils, zills, swords, etc. If you love to laugh and dance (with experience or not), this is the group for you. For information call “Sultana” at 883-0554.
Alzheimer’s support group
An Alzheimer’s support group is beginning in the Mission Valley and will be held at 2:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month at the United Methodist Church on U.S. Highway 93, south of the Charlo turnoff. For more information call 676-2367 or 644-2363.
Free lunch offered
Faith and Community Outreach Partners are offering a free lunch, Soup’s On!, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Thursday every week at the Wander Inn. Look for the open sign lit up in the window. The lunch will offer homemade soup, pie, bread, coffee, milk and juice served. Dessert follows. The lunch will be ongoing. FCOP is a nonprofit progressive assembly on a journey. We are committed to vibrant worshipping, honest learning, serving, caring and doing good things. The Wander Inn is located on the corner of 7th Ave. and First St. West, Polson, just north of Cherry Valley School. Everyone is welcome. For more information please call John at 270-7538, Sharon at 883-2072 or Sandy at 871-1109.