Community briefs

West Valley Naturalists Program features photos

Dick Walker will be showing selected photos from his West Valley excursions during the West Valley Naturalilst Program on March 6 at 7 p.m. at West Valley School.

Dick and his wife Pam have been combing the woodlands and wetlands of the West Valley area for over a decade and have gathered photos of wildlife (feathered and furry) from all the seasons.

All are welcome, guides will direct attendees to the commons area where the program will be held. West Valley School is located at 2290 Farm to Market Road, Kalispell. For more information please contact Linda de Kort at lindardekort@gmail.com

Learning Center holds fundraiser

The Nurtured Growth Learning Center is holding a silent auction fundraiser to benefit the nonprofit private school for neurodivergent learners from 6 to 8 p.m. March 15 at the Waters Edge Winery & Bistro, 2593 Highway 2 E., Suite 8, Kalispell. Tickets may be purchased at www.eventbrite.com. For more information call or email Nurtured Growth Learning Center Director April Schottelkorb at 291-1243 or nurturedgrowthlearningcenter@gmail.com.

Spring burning season opens

Spring open burning season in Flathead County runs from March 1 to April 30.

Burners must call the ventilation hotline daily at 406-751-8144 or visit the air quality website at https://tinyurl.com/dhjnww7t for restrictions before burning.

The ventilation forecast is updated by 5 p.m. each day for the next day and by 8:30 a.m. on Monday.

Prohibited materials include, but are not limited to, all manmade materials, treated materials, wood, and wood by-product trade wastes produced by any business, trade, industry, or demolition project. Construction debris is considered a trade waste.

Campfires and warming fires when deemed necessary determined by weather conditions are restricted to fires less than 4 feet in diameter. These fires should consist of materials less than 3 inches in diameter.

The Flathead City-County Health Department issues some reminders regarding burning.

Only clean, dry materials should be burned and poorly burning fires should not be allowed to smolder.

The Flathead County Landfill offers an alternative to burning, free to homeowners within the county.

Leaves and grass clippings create excessive smoke and do not burn well. Composting or landfilling these items is recommended.

Always burn piles away from other combustible materials and have fire extinguishing equipment nearby.

Never allow piles to become larger than manageable. Weather conditions may change quickly.

In the Whitefish area, a permit is required from the Whitefish Fire Department for burning.

Burning is prohibited within the Kalispell and Columbia Falls city limits.

From Dec. 1 to Feb. 28, contact the air quality line for burning opportunities. Burn permits are required from May 1 to June 30, and no burning is allowed July 1 to Sept. 30 due to increased fire danger.

Fall open burning season runs from Oct. 1 to Nov. 30.

Call 406-751-8144 for the ventilation and burning forecast.

Community fundraiser for Lonepine Hall in Hot Springs

There will be a fundraising spaghetti dinner at the Lonepine Hall in Hot Springs on March 11 from 5-7 p.m.

The dinner includes spaghetti, green salad, garlic bread and a dessert buffet. Tickets are adults $8, Kids $4, and a family rate of $25 will be the donation amount for the meal.

There will also be a silent auction with several items up for auction.

Prior to the dinner at 3 p.m., John Bras would like to meet with anyone who has stories or photos of the rebuilding of the current Lonepine Hall. He would like to get those stories written down for future generations to enjoy.

The hall operates as a nonprofit and has been used for weddings, banquets, reunions, 4-H meetings, irrigation meetings, funerals, etc. It is a big part of the community. There is a charge for the use of the hall to help maintain it but those charges do not cover the expense of keeping it up and running.

Volunteers are also needed to serve on the hall board. Donations are also being accepted for the dinner and the silent auction.

For more information, contact Roy Merritt at 406-741-2763.

Community meals set

Community Kitchen-Feeding the Flathead offers the following free meals in Kalispell during March. All meals are served at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted and everyone is welcome.

Adventure Church, 348 Second Avenue W. — March 31

Bethlehem Lutheran, 603 S Main Street — March 6, 13, 20, 27

Central Christian Church, 248 Second Ave. E. — March 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28

Calvary Lutheran Church, 2200 U.S. 2 E. — March 6, 13, 20, 27

First Presbyterian Church, 540 S Main Street — March 9,16, 23, 30

Hungry Horse Elementary School — March 23, 5:30 p.m.

St. Richard’s Catholic Church, 1210 Ninth St. W., Columbia Falls — March 30, 31 5 p.m.

Kalispell Senior Center annual tea party

The Kalispell Senior Center annual Tea Party fundraiser is Saturday, April 15 from 2-4 p.m.

The party includes tea sandwiches and fancy cakes, along with entertainment and door prizes.

Tickets are now on sale and will only be sold in advance. The cost is $10 per person and the event is open to the public. Tickets and be purchased in the office Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1108 South Main.