Community Notes

DONATIONS NEEDED FOR FLOWER BASKETS

The Greater Polson Community Foundation and Polson Chamber of Commerce are asking the community for support for the Polson hanging flower baskets.

Thanks to the community’s generosity, the groups have been able to continue the more than 20-year tradition that has enhanced the visual appeal of Polson, creating an inviting place for residents and visitors. Additional baskets have been added in the last few years, bringing the total number of baskets to 85. The total cost of hanging 85 baskets is about $17,000 per year. This amount includes purchasing the flowering baskets and paying the city’s expenses to water and care for them on a daily basis. We are looking for help to raise the money needed this year.

For more information on how to make a donation, call the Polson Chamber of Commerce at 406-883-5969.

PACHYDERM CLUB MEETING

The speakers at Friday’s noon meeting of the Pachyderm Club will be Paula Webster, Head of Water Quality for the Tribe and, possibly, Georgia Smies, Water Biologist with the Tribe’s Incident Command Team.

The topic of their presentation and possible PowerPoint presentation will be on protection of the Tribe’s water resources (Flathead Lake) from invasive waterborne species (mussels).

These two experts are responsible for the watercraft inspection station at Pablo and possibly Ravalli.

The meeting will be at the Polson Rural Fire Department Building.

BEDTIME BOUNCE AT THE LIBRARY

The North Lake County Public Library is introducing “Bedtime Bounce” a children’s program for the off-to-bed hour, Mondays at 6:30 p.m. in the library. For more information call the North Lake County Library (406) 883-8225.

LIBRARY HOSTS “MOTHER GOOSE TIME”

North Lake County Public Library will host “Mother Goose Time,” a half-hour program on Mondays at 10:00 a.m. for infants and toddlers. For more information, call 406-883-8225.

NAVY BAND NORTHWEST TO APPEAR IN POLSON

Commander Navy Region Northwest announces a Navy Band Northwest appearance in Polson Friday, March 24. Navy Band Northwest’s Brass Quintet will perform at the North Lake County Library. The performance begins at 1:30 p.m. Please see the event on our Facebook page for updates or changes.

RELAY FOR LIFE

Please join us for another celebration of Relay For Life. This year’s theme is Carnival for a Cure. The Relay is on March 24 at the Joe McDonald Health and Fitness Center. The schedule includes the Survivor Dinner at 5:30 p.m.; Carnival Games from 7-9:30 p.m.; and a Luminary Ceremony at 10 p.m. For additional information call Bree at 406-201- 7566. We hope to see you there.

ULTIMATE VIKING CHALLENGE

Dress like a Viking or wear purple during the Ultimate Viking Challenge March 25 at the site of the future Charlo Community Outdoor Complex. Runners can choose a 1-mile run, a 5K obstacle course or a 10K run. The event begins at 11 a.m. Proceeds will help fund a safe, lifelong recreational complex for all ages. Entry is $25 per person with T-shirt or $15 without. T-shirts are guaranteed if participants pay in full by March 5, 2017. Make checks payable to CCOC, PO Box 155, Charlo, Montana 59824. For more information, call 406-260-8072 or email: cbcc73@gmail.com.

GRASSROOTS POTLUCK

The community is invited to join a non-partisan, local grassroots group for Potluck for Democracy from 4-6 p.m. Sunday, March 26, at the Indian Senior Center, 504 Third Ave. E. in Polson. The event is an opportunity to make friends while building community and positive citizenship through sharing food and dialogue about things that matter in the community, state and nation. Please bring a dish to share. The gathering is sponsored by Montana Towns under 10,000 and Flathead Reservation Human Rights Coalition.

SPRING FLING BRUNCH

Round Butte Woman’s Club will host their annual Spring Fling Brunch on Sunday, March 26, from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. The Clubhouse is located eight miles west of Ronan on Round Butte Road. Call 406-676-3054 for more information.

AARP DIVER SAFETY COURSE

AARP’s Driver Safety Course will be taught on Tuesday, March 28, in Arlee at the Arlee Senior Center from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Call 406-283-3213 for a reservation.

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE

Donate blood to the Red Cross on March 28 from noon-5 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 409 Fourth Ave. E. Make an appointment to give blood by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

INVASIVE SPECIES MEETING

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Natural Resources Department will hold public education meetings about protecting the watershed from Aquatic Invasive Species, such as quagga and zebra mussels, at the KwaTaqNuk Resort in the Alexander room on Tuesday, March 28, from 6-8 p.m.

BIRD TALK AND FIELD TRIP

“Birds of the Wetlands, Marshes, Potholes, Creeks and Rivers of the Mission Valley” by Pat Jamieson will be Mission Mountain Audubon’s evening program on Thursday, March 30 at 7 p.m. in the Polson Library Meeting Room. Everyone is welcome. To keep your enthusiasm up, Pat will lead a field trip to some great wetlands found around Ninepipe National Wildlife on the first Saturday in April – April 1! (No fooling). We’ll start at 8:30 a.m. and go to noon. We’ll meet at the Visitor Pullout south of Ronan across from Beaverhead Lane and car pool along some of the back roads.

Pat Jamieson has degrees in wildlife biology and recreation-forestry and worked in various positions with the National Bison Range and the National Park Service.

ST. IGNATIUS COMMUNITY DINNER

A free St. Ignatius Community Dinner is planned for Wednesday, March 29, at St. Ignatius Community Center. Food will be served from 5:30–7:30 p.m. All are invited to come share in a warm, home-cooked meal. Bring yourself, friends, family. Friends and family of the St. Ignatius Christian Missionary Alliance Church host this event. For more information, call 406-360-0563 or 406-273- 8203.

ZEN MEDITATION CLASSES

Special monthly Zen Meditation Classes are being offered at the YogaHeart Studio, 314 Main Street, on Wednesday, March 29 and May 3 at 7 p.m. Zen Priest Jerry Smyers will present the classes. There is no charge for the classes. Everyone is welcome. For more details call 406- 847-721-0665.

FREE SEMINAR

On March 30, at Salish Kootenai College, in the Late Louis Caye Jr. Building, a free seminar entitled “Insights, Understanding and Prevention-Dynamics of Violence Training” will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Topics covered include: dating violence, legal basics, impacts-violence and community, personality-assertive or passive, styles of communication, harassment vs. flirting, images and objectification. Lunch is provided. Seating is limited so reserve a seat by emailing: dana@safeharbormt.org.

BIG ARM ASSOCIATION POTLUCK

The Big Arm Association potluck at the historic Big Arm School will be held Friday, March 31 at 6 p.m.

Please join us for a presentation by Frank Tyro to learn why Manitoba Canada is the Polar Bear capital of the World. We will learn about permafrost, Hudson Bay, bears, foxes, seals and the many other animals that live in this area that are so dependent on snow and ice for their survival. It should be quite an educational evening!

Bring your favorite dish to share with neighbors and friends. Contact N.Foster at 849-5064 for more info.

NINEPIPES VOLUNTEER OPEN HOUSE

In preparations for the Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana opening for the 2017 season on Monday, April 3, there is a Volunteers’ Open House on Wednesday, March 22, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. There are fun opportunities for greeting the thousands of visitors from around the world that come through the museum’s doors each season. Volunteers can assist visitors in the gift shop or as docents in the museum, or help with maintenance and clerical duties for a few hours each week or each month. Stop by on Wednesday and see what fits your schedule or give us a call at 406-644-3435.

SNACKS AND FACTS

The Western Montana Area VI Agency on Aging office invites you to attend Snacks and Facts at the North Lake County Library Meeting Room on Wednesday April 5 from 3-5:00 p.m. Please join us for some good eats and some even better information about the many ways Area VI Agency on Aging serves our older population.

INDIAN IRRIGATION PROJECT MEETING

The Flathead Indian Irrigation Project will hold their semi-annual irrigation meeting on Tuesday, April 11 at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held at the SKC Joe McDonald Fitness Center in the Sherri McDonald Hospitality Room (formerly the Camas Room.) For more information, call 745-2303.

YOUTH LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIPS

Polson Rotary Club is offering Rotary Youth Leadership Academy scholarships to attend the RYLA Camp near Livingston, Montana July 11-15.

The scholarships are available to current high school freshmen that exemplify strong leadership skills. The tuition is paid by Polson Rotary. The Rotary Club will be conducting interviews and selecting candidates by May 1.

Applications are available at Polson High School. For more information, contact Dee Dee Blaney, Polson Rotary RYLA Chair, at 883-5258 or Betsy Wade at Polson High School.

POKER PADDLE

Paddle for Clean Water in the 3rd Annual Poker Paddle on Sunday, July 9.

Bring your kayak, canoe, paddleboard or other human-propelled watercraft and join us in the Narrows on Sunday, July 9! Last year’s event sold out so register now! Early bird registration is available now on the Flathead Lakers website: www.flatheadlakers.org until May 31. Registration closes June 30.

Prizes will be awarded for best and worst hands. There will be a silent auction, a catered picnic dinner and live entertainment by favorite local band, Highway 93!

Call Hilary at 406- 883-1346 or email hilary@flatheadlakers.org for more information.