Community briefs
Home buyer education classes
Northwest Montana Community Action Partnership is presenting its March in-person HUD approved Home Buyer Education Classes at the Kalispell location on Main Street. The class is schedule for Saturday, April 8, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The cost is $75 per household; however, scholarships are available. All registrations material with payment must be received no later than March 31, 2023, before closing at 5 p.m.
Registration packets are available by contacting sbriggs@capnwmt.org or visiting the website at www.capnm.net and clicking on “Workshops” and then “Homebuyer Education.” All intake packages must be completed and returned by March 31, via email to sbriggs@capnwmt.org (PDF attachments please) or via Fax to 406-565-4834, or dropped off at CAPNM at 214 Main Street in Kalispell. Fees can be paid in person (prior to or day of service) or by mail, cash or check only.
After the intake package is received, a HUD-required one-on-one counseling session must be scheduled and completed before you may receive your certificate. Normally, this session takes place prior to the class being held. The counseling session schedule is very flexible. Registrants may elect to have it over the phone, on Zoom, or in-person; it takes approximately one hour. Clients are encouraged to complete the one on one by 7 p.m. on April 3.
During class, registrants will meet and be able to interact with several area lenders and other professionals such as realtors, insurance agents, home inspectors, and more.
Completion of this class and the one-on-one counseling session is one of the key elements to qualifying for various loan products and down payment assistance programs. USDA, VA, MBOH, FHA, NWMT and other loans and down payment assistance require this class for all first-time home buyers.
Rain garden workshop
The Flathead Rain Garden Iniative is hosting a rain garden workshop from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Center for Native Plants in Whitefish.
Participants will learn what rain gardens are, how thye work to keep water clean and how to create a rain garden. The workshop also includes a tour of the nursey to learn about rain garden plant species.
The event is free but registration is required through Eventbrite. Call 406-752-4200.
Columbia Falls Women’s Connection luncheon
Columbia Falls Women's Connection will host a luncheon on Wednesday, March 22 at 11:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church located at 827 9th St West in Columbia Falls.
Guest speakers will be Kelly White who will share her unique variety of handmade candles and Gretchen Finch will share her exciting story of being an author and dude ranch hostess. Donations of non-perishable individually wrapped snacks, school and art supplies will be collected for the Columbia Falls Boys and Girls Club.
Cost is $10 and all women are welcome to attend. For reservations call Candy at 387-4119 or Janet at 892-3621 or email cfwomensconnection@yahoo.com by 5 p.m. Sunday, March 19. Affiliated with Stonecroft Ministries.