Local Happenings
MISSOULA – The University of Montana World Rhythms Concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 17, in the Dennison Theatre on the UM campus.
The concert centerpiece will feature performances by Edi Gbordzi – a master drummer and dancer from Ghana, West Africa – along with the UM West African Ensemble and Dancers. They will perform a variety of traditional Ghanaian instrumental and dance pieces, including “Kenka,” “Kpan Logo,” “Sikyi,” “Gabada” and “Kpatsa.”
The concert will kick off with a rousing, high-energy performance by the Brazilian Batucada Ensemble, followed by the Mexican Marimba Band and the Salsa Band. The Salsa Band will feature several UM percussion students along with UM jazz program members in the horn section. The group will perform a number of fiery latin-jazz selections, including “Co Co May May,” “Ritmo Remo” and “Sonando.”
Tickets cost $11 for general admission, $6 for seniors and $5 for students. For more information call percussion studies Director Robert Ledbetter at 406-243-4819 or emailrobert.ledbetter@umontana.edu.
Thursday
Senior Tour and Tea, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Hockaday Museum oArt, 302 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Free admission for senior citizens. Coffee, tea and cookies served 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Flathead Nonprofit Development Partnership hosts a free brown bag workshop, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Museum at Central School, 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Program director Ned Cooney will present “Board Orientation: The Most Important Meeting for Every Board Member.” RSVP to 756-3618.
Agency on Aging Advisory Council meets at 2-3:30 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. Public invited. Call 758-5730.
Opening reception for New Artists 2015-High School Art Exhibition, 5-7 p.m. Hockaday Museum oArt, 302 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Free admission.
Frontier Hospice open door bereavement support group meets 6-7 p.m., Frontier Hospice, Kalispell. Call 755-4923.
Flathead Valley Genealogical Society meets at Church oJesus Christ oLatter-day Saints, 1380 Whitefish Stage Road, Kalispell. Business meeting 6:30 p.m. Program titled “How to Smash Through Your Brick Walls” at 7 p.m. Free. Open to public. Call Lynne Bradley, 756-9245.
Glacial Forum presents, “Connecting the Dots: Iran, Immigration and National Security, 6:30 p.m., Sykes’, 202 Second Ave. W. Kalispell. Speaker is Michael Cutler, former Immigration and Naturalization Service special agent. For dinner reservations, call 257-4304.
Flathead Valley Institute oNoetic Sciences (IONS) group meets 7 p.m., Bohemian Hall, 125 Blanchard Lake Road, Whitefish. Timothy Murphy othe Regenesis Group presents “Evolving Permaculture: Place Sourced Regenerative Planning. All welcome; www.ionsflathead.org
Friday
49th annual Creston Auction Consignment Day, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Grounds open 8 a.m. Saturday, auction, 9 a.m. Vehicle and equipment sale noon Sunday. Hot food and drinks. Free parking and entrance. Call 250-7396.
Kalispell Public Schools Finance and Operations Committee meets 7:30 a.m., and Personnel Committee meets 9 a.m., administration offices, 233 First Ave. E.
Somers School District board Policy Committee meets 8:15 a.m.
Flathead Chapter oNational Active and Retired Federal Employees meets at noon, Perkins Restaurant, Kalispell. Social time, 11:30 a.m. For reservations, call Doris Warrant, 752-8026.
Swan River School annual eighth grade free spaghetti dinner and raffle/auction, 5-7 p.m., school cafeteria. All welcome.
Sixth annual Glacier Fiddle Festival, 6 p.m. today with dancing and contestant jam. Contest starts 9 a.m. and continues all day Saturday, Smith Valley Grange, U.S. 2 West, Kalispell. Public invited. Call 406-309-2735.
Saturday
49th annual Creston Auction today and Sunday. Grounds open 8 a.m. today; auction, 9 a.m. Vehicle and equipment sale noon Sunday. Hot food and drinks. Free parking and entrance. Call 250-7396.
Semi-annual Trees to Paper to Trees recycling drive, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Flathead County Fairgrounds, Kalispell. Bring sorted newspapers, magazines, office paper, cardboard, aluminum and plastics.
Sixth annual Glacier Fiddle Festival, Smith Valley Grange, U.S. 2 West, Kalispell. Contest begin 9 a.m. and continues all day. Free admission.
Thought
“Computers are useless. They can only give you answers.” Pablo Picasso, Spanish artist (born 1881, died this date in 1973).
• Flathead -Kootenaai Chapter oMontana Wilderness Association sponsors a free class by freelance photographer Randy Beacham, “Improving Your Wildlife Photography Skills.” Meet at 9 a.m. at Yaak Mercantile in Troy and proceed to several field sites. Return about 3 p.m. To register, call Brian Baxter, 406-291-2154.
• United Way Share Fair, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Kalispell Center Mall. Human service agencies and nonprofit organizations will have displays and discuss their work. Entertainment, face painting, balloons, clowns. All welcome. Call 752-7266. Million March Against Child Abuse, 10 a.m., Kalispell Center Mall.
• Act! for America shows the documentary, “The Third Jihad — Radical Islam’s Vision for America, 2-4:30 p.m., Sykes’, Kalispell. Tom Osborne will introduce film and moderate following discussion. Refreshments. RSVP to 59911actforamerica@gmail.com
• Eighth annual Cowboy Up dinner and auction, Gardner’s Auction Barn, south Kalispell. Doors open 5 p.m.; dinner served 6 p.m. Auction follows. Tickets $35 each or eight for $245. To reserve, call 257-5801.
Sunday
• 49th annual Creston Auction Vehicle and equipment sale starts at noon Sunday, Creston. Free parking and entrance. Call 250-7396.
Monday
• AARP Smart Driver Course, 8 a.m. to noon, Troy United Methodist Church. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 293-0100.
• Daughters othe American Revolution, ChieIgnace Chapter, meet at noon for a luncheon meeting at Margaret Kuska’s home. Book review and discussion on “George Washington’s Secret Six” and “Liberty’s Children” follows. Call Jan Olson at 837-4732.
• “Fork It Over” community night fundraiser for Farm Hands, 5-9 p.m., Three Forks Grill, 729 Nucleus Ave., Columbia Falls. Reservations recommended. Call 892-2900.
• Smith Valley School board Negotiations Committee meets 5 p.m.
• The Flathead Conservation District meets at 7 p.m., 133 Interstate Lane, in Evergreen. Call 752-4220.
• Flathead Audubon meets at 7 p.m., in the United Way conference room, Gateway Community Center, U.S. 2 West, Kalispell. Enter from west side obuilding. Free. All welcome.
Tuesday
• Creston School board meets at 7:30 a.m.
• Columbia Falls Chamber oCommerce membership luncheon, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., North Valley Hospital Community Room, 235 Nucleus Ave. A representative oImagineILibrary will speak. No reservations required. Luncheon, $12. Call Carol Pike, 892-2072.
• Kalispell Public Schools district board meets 6 p.m., Kalispell Middle School Library.
• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Family Support Group meets 6 p.m., Pathways, 200 Heritage Way, Kalispell. Call 854-2323.
• Glacier Park Superintendent JefMow and U.S. Geological Research ecologist Dan Fagre give their observations from the recent World Parks Congress they attended, 7-8 p.m., Room 139, Arts and Technology Building, FVCC. Free. Public invited.
• GriefShare griesupport group begins meeting today and every Tuesday through July 7 from 7-9 p.m. at Whitefish Church othe Nazarene, 1125 E. Seventh St.. Call Heidi Hagemeier, 406-407-0638.
A look ahead
• Free ThetaHealing introductory workshop, 7-8:30 p.m. April 15, North Valley Tea Kettle community room, 235 Nucleus Ave., Columbia Falls. Learn about meditation, muscle testing techniques. Public invited. Call 406-261-9031.
• Kalispell Public Schools Policy and Communications Committee meets 8:30 a.m. April 16, administration offices, 233 First Ave. E.
• American Association oUniversity Women annual used book sale, noon to 7 p.m. April 16-17, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 18, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 19, Kalispell Center Mall. Most books $2 per inch. Sunday books are $5 per bag.
• Caring Chiropractic Inc. nonprofit clinic spring fundraiser, 2-5 p.m. April 18, conference room, ImagineILibrary, Kalispell. Finger food potluck, raffles. Call Linda Purdy, 755-1113.
• Flathead Valley Job Fair, 3:30-7 p.m. April 16, Arts and Technology Building, FVCC. Exclusive access for veterans and their families 3-3:30 p.m. Employment booths, job training representatives, Job Seeker Support Center, free copies oapplication materials. All parking will be at Kidsports Complex across U.S. 93 with free shuttle service. Call 758-6200.
• Loose Change fundraiser 3:30-6:30 p.m., April 16, Rosauers front entrance, for South Campus Patio Project for Kalispell Senior Center and Agency on Aging.
• Frontier Hospice sponsors a community discussion on advance care planning, hospice volunteering, bereavement and griesupport, 4-7 p.m. April 16, 42 Bruyer Way, Kalispell. Free resources refreshments. Call 755-4923.
• Whitefish Chamber oCommerce Gone Fishin’ 5-7 p.m. April 16, Glacier Distilling and Great Northern Resort, 10247 U.S. 2 E., Coram. Refreshments served. Free and open to public. Call Victoria, 270-8374.
• Smith Valley School board meets 6 p.m.
• Frontier Hospice open door bereavement support group meets 6-7 p.m. April 16, Rising Mountains Assisted Living Community, Bigfork. Call 755-4923.
• Whitefish School District free developmental screening for children from birth to 5 years, 8:30-11:30 a.m. April 17, 600 E. Second St. Hearing and vision, language, motor skills checked. Call 862-8655.
Artists’ Pig Pen sale, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 17,18, Sassafras Ballroom, 120 Main St., Kalispell. Local artists clean out their studios oart, art supplies. Proceeds benefit A Ray oHope and Lutheran Border Concerns Ministry. Call Susan Miller, 471-2634; or Deb Stika, 862-7878.
• Big Arm community potluck, 6 p.m. April 17, Historic Big Arm School. Jason Moore from the Montana Food Co-op speaks at 7 p.m. Call Nancy Foster, 849-5064.
• 20th annual Flathead Food Bank soup supper and auction, 5:30 p.m. April 17, Canvas Church, Kalispell. Soups made by area restaurants in handcrafted bowls to keep Silent auction with more than 70 packages. Live auction. Tickets $30 at food bank, 1203 U.S. 2 W. Suite 2, or call 752-3663.
• AARP Smart Driver Course, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 18, The Summit, Kalispell. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 751-4500.
• American Legion regional spring meeting April 18, Whitefish Moose Lodge, 230 W. 10th St., Whitefish. Registration 9 a.m.; program begins 10 a.m.; legion business meeting 1:10 p.m.
Fee free days April 18-19, Glacier National Park. All entrance fees waived National Park Week opening weekend.
• Sixth annual Run Through History 5K and 10K, April 19, Museum at Central School, 124 Second Ave. E. Kalispell. 10K begins at 1 p.m.; 5K at 1:15 p.m. Registration 1-4 p.m. April 18, JCPenney Courtyard, Kalispell Center Mall; race day 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at start; or call 253-6923.
• AARP Smart Driver Course, noon to 4 p.m. April 20, North Valley Senior Center, Columbia Falls. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 892-4087
• AARP Smart Driver Course, 8:30-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. April 21, Polson Area Senior Center. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 883-4735.
• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Family Support Group meets 6 p.m. April 22, Sunburst Village and Drop In Center, Kalispell. Call 854-2323.
• Earth Day screening i“Symphony othe Soil,” documentary, 6:30 p.m. April 22, Arts and Technology Building, FVCC. Local seed exhibit for viewing and information on local farms and agricultural program available. Free. Public invited. Call Kari Musgrove, Flathead Conservation District, 752-4220.
• Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 10 a.m. April 23, Linderman School, 233 First Ave. E, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.
• Teen social for grades 6-12, 4-5:30 p.m. April 23, ImagineILibrary, Kalispell. Food, Wii gaming. Craft is “Color Therapy” — Color a beautiful quote or intricate mandala. Free.
• Kalispell Public Schools Technology Committee meets 8:30 a.m. April 23, administration offices, 233 First Ave. E.
• Frontier Hospice open door bereavement support group meets 6-7 p.m., Frontier Hospice, Kalispell. Call 755-4923.
• AARP Smart Driver Course, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 24, Mission Valley Senior Center, Ronan. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 676-2371.
• 14th annual Death by Chocolate Murder Mystery, “A 1970s Sitcom,” 7-10 p.m. April 24-25, Conrad Mansion, Woodland Avenue, Kalispell. Tickets $55, or two for $100, available at The Booksheland Conrad Museum gift shop in Kalispell; and Whitefish Gift and Gear. For ages 21 and up. Call 755-2166.
• Frontier Hospice volunteer training, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 25, 42 Bruyer Way, Kalispell. Lunch provided. RSVP to Marshauna, 755-4923.
• March oDimes March for Babies, 9 a.m. April 25, Lawrence Park, Kalispell. Rain or shine. Lunch, music, children’s activities. Stroller-friendly.
• Earth Day celebration, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 25, Depot Park, Whitefish. Food, music, student presentations and up to 50 activity and information booths. Crown othe Continent Choir performs 6-8 p.m. O’Shaughnessy Center. Call 756-8993.
• AARP Smart Driver Course, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 27, Libby Christian Church. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 283-7000.
• AARP Smart Driver Course, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 28, North Valley Hospital, Whitefish. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 863-3627.
• Kalispell Farmers Market opens for season, 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. May 2, FVCC parking lot, 777 Grandview Dr. Call 881-4078.
• Montana Dahlia Society annual tuber sale, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 2, Kalispell Center Mall. Tubers $1 each or six for $5. Members will answer questions about growing dahlias. Call John Kestell, 756-6464.
• Zumbathon fundraiser f3-5 p.m. May 2, The Wave, Whitefish. Adults $15; students $10; family (three or more) $30; kids under 5, free. Donations o$25 or more are eligible for prizes. Proceeds benefit Christian Academy headmaster Todd Kotilla as he battles cancer.
• Fifth annual Spirits othe Valley tasting event, 6-9 p.m. May 2, Best Western Plus Flathead Inn and Suites, 4823 U.S. 93 S., just north oSomers. Local spirits, wines and microbrews. Silent auction, raffles. Tickets $25 at Sliters, Somers Bay Cafe and at door. Benefits Somers Company Town Project to build pavilion and museum at site oS2 engine.
• Frontier Hospice open door bereavement support group meets 6-7 p.m. May 7, The Springs at Whitefish. Call 755-4923.
• Bigfork Wednesday farmers market opens for season 3-6 p.m. May 13, Masonic Temple, 8098 Montana 35. Call Cathi, 249-8439.
• Columbia Falls Farmers Market opens for season 5-7:30 p.m. every Thursday, beginning May 14, Pinewood Park, 925 Fourth Ave. W.
• West Valley Naturalist program 7 p.m. May 14, West Valley School science room, Kalispell. Becky Smith-Powell, forest recreation program leader for Flathead Forest, will talk about hiking/recreation in Tally Lake Ranger District. Free. Everyone welcome. Call Linda de Kort, 755-3704.
• ImagineILibrary, Kalispell, sponsors a bird walk with a Flathead Audubon expert, 10:15-11 a.m. May 16. Meet at library and walk to Conrad Mansion and back. Optional project included. All ages welcome.
• Whitefish downtown farmers market opens for season every Tuesday, 5-7:30 p.m. May 27 to Sept. 30, north end oCentral Avenue and Depot Park.
• Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 10 a.m. May 28, Linderman School, 233 First Ave. E, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.
• Opening reception for “A Timeless Legacy — Women Artists oGlacier National Park” exhibit, 5-7 p.m. May 28, Hockaday Museum oArt, 302 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Free. Public invited.
• Fifth annual Northwest Montana Veterans Stand Down, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 30, Evergreen Fire Hall, 2236 U.S. E. Employment counseling, veterans service organizations, community resources and representatives. Giveaways osurplus military clothing, books, haircuts, personal care items. Chili and refreshments. Bring military ID. Call Allen Erickson Sr., 756-7304 or 250-0698.
• Eureka farmers market opens for season every Wednesday, 3:30-5:30 p.m., June 10-Sept. 23, Riverside Park. Call 406-889-4636.
• Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 10 a.m. June 11, Linderman School, 233 First Ave. E, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.
• Bigfork Saturday farmers market opens for season 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. June 13, Masonic Temple, 8098 Montana 35. Call Cathi, 249-8439.
• Stumptown Quilters’ Society “Everything Old is New Again,” quilt show, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 4; 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. July 5, Whitefish Middle School gym. Modern and vintage quilts, boutique, vendors, silent auction, raffle.
• Annual AAC/ARCO/CFAC employees picnic noon to 4 p.m. July 9, Lawrence Park, Kalispell. All employees and their families are invited; Email Sharon Chubb, smarinochubb@centurytel.net.
• In the Footsteps oNorman MacLean Festival, July 10-13, Seeley Lake on the Blackfoot River, Double Arrow Resort and Camp Paxson. Smokejumping highlight, writers’ workshop and tour oMann Gulch; www.macleanfootsteps.com. Call Jenny Rohrer, 406-754-0034.
• Opening reception for traveling exhibit, “Piecing Together a Changing Planet: Climate Change in America’s National Parks,” 5-7 p.m. July 30, Hockaday Museum oArts, 302 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Free. Public invited. Call 755-5268.
• Fee free day Aug. 25, Glacier National Park. All entrance fees waived in honor o99th birthday oNational Park Service.
• Fee free days Nov. 11, Glacier National Park. All entrance fees waived in honor oVeterans Day.