Saturday briefs

Group raises money for Mexico mission

The Kalispell Christian Church youth group is holding a fund-raiser to attend a Mexico mission during spring break week 2005. The goal is to raise $20,000.

The group will sell cinnamon rolls, cookies, brownies, hot dogs, pop, coffee and hot chocolate at the Pepsi booth in the Tidyman's parking lot from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. today.

Donations will also be accepted and appreciated.

Sample the chili at Fiesta Days

Fiesta Days return to Whitefish with the annual chili and dessert bake-off contests today. The Chili Challenge features the "anything goes" style of chili from Whitefish cooks that the public has enjoyed the last 12 years.

Beginning at noon, buy a cup at the Chili Challenge downtown for $3.50 and taste as many kinds of chili as you wish.

The dessert bake-off is at 3 p.m. at the Mountain Mall.

Barbecue, auction planned tonight

A benefit barbecue and auction for Kalispell resident Melissa "Missy" (Turner) Yarde is tonight at Majestic Valley Arena. Yarde is finishing a very aggressive chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer which will be followed by a radical mastectomy later this month.

Tickets for the barbecue are $15 per person and will enter you in a $50 cash drawing. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the barbecue will be served at 6 p.m.

Only a limited number of tickets may still be available at the door for the barbecue, but you need not attend the barbecue to bid in the free auction which gets under way at 7 p.m.

Raffle tickets for a Pocket Rocket Mini Bike Raffle are also for sale.

Additionally, an account is in place for monetary donations at Valley Bank under the name, "Benefit of Melissa Yarde."

For more information, call 253-6467 or 261-2214.

School sponsors children's carnival

Children's House Montessori School of Whitefish invites the public to its annual Pumpkin Patch Kids Carnival Fund-raiser today at 11 a.m. on the Whitefish Central School lawn, with games, prizes, a fishing pond, face painting, cake walk and more.

Pumpkins, baked goods, homemade soups, warm bread and fresh pressed cider also will be for sale.

All proceeds benefit the school.

Buy, swap skis this weekend

Kalispell Ski Club's annual Ski Swap and Sale is today and Sunday in the Expo Building at the Flathead County Fairgrounds in Kalispell.

This is a once-a-year chance to select from the largest variety of ski and snowboard equipment in one place in the Flathead Valley.

Sale hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

On-site binding remounts and adjustments are available.

Big Mountain and Blacktail representatives will be on site to sell frequent skier cards and take pass photos. Kalispell Ski Club will accept memberships and free lesson registrations. There also will be a raffle for ski equipment.

Proceeds go to fund Kalispell Ski Club's free Learn-to-Ski Program.

For further information, call 752-SKIS, or visit the club's Web site at www.kalispellskiclub.com.

Benefit scheduled today for Lambert family

Cayuse Prairie School is the site for a pancake supper and auction from 4 to 7 p.m. today, sponsored by the Creston Firefighters Association and friends of the Paul Lambert family.

Proceeds will help cover medical expenses for the Lambert family, whose donation of land several years ago made the Creston Fire House in Mountain Brook a reality.

Suggested donation for adults is $5 or $2 for children under 12. A family price also is available.

The auction gets under way at 6 p.m. The evening also will offer live entertainment and a bake sale.

For more information, call Vickie at 756-9910; Dottie at 249-5184; Gini at 755-4385; Sheila at 257-1469; or Arlene at 250-8657.

Auction raises money for Christian school

Gentry Christian School in Eureka is sponsoring an auction today to raise money for its general budget. Consignments as well as donations will be accepted for the 10 a.m. auction.

Auction items will include fresh-frozen Alaskan king salmon and halibut, an Alaskan fishing trip, quilts, firewood, chain saws, tools, vans, campers and many other items.

The school is located on U.S. 93 two miles north of Eureka across from Burma Road.

Arts and crafts booth will be open and lunch will be available. For more information, call Paul Yanak at 889-3378 or 889-1234.