Community briefs

Nate Chute Foundation holds education events on suicide prevention

The Nate Chute Foundation is offering a series of LEARN Community Education event to mark Suicide Prevention Month in September. These 90-minute gatherings are designed to equip community members with vital skills for supporting someone that might be struggling with suicidal thoughts and connecting them with resources. This training is open and recommended for all members of the community, including teenagers and their parents. These classes are free as a part of the Nate Chute Foundation’s community outreach program.

LEARN is an-evidence based curriculum from Forefront Suicide Prevention at the University of Washington whose mission it is to help people take action to prevent suicide.

Attendees will gain crucial skills for suicide prevention, including: How to make your home safer to prevent the risk of suicide; how to ask about suicide in a safe way and how to recognize the signs of a mental health crisis and practical steps to address it.

Event details:

Whitefish: Sep. 19, 7 p.m. - Whitefish Performing Arts Center

Bigfork: Sep. 21, 7 p.m. - Bigfork Art and Cultural Center

Columbia Falls: Sep. 26, 7 p.m. - Columbia Falls High School - Little Theater

Kalispell: Sep. 28, 7 p.m. - Flathead High School - Flex Rooms

Suicide prevention walk

The American Society for Suicide Prevention holds the Flathead Valley Out of the Darkness Suicide Prevention Community Walk on Sunday, Sept. 24 at Kalispell Middle School.

Out of the Darkness Walks bring friends, neighbors, family members and colleagues together to raise public awareness and funds to support suicide prevention programs in the Flathead Valley and across the state. September is National Suicide Prevention Month.

The resource fair, activities and walker check-in is at 1 p.m. followed by the opening ceremony and walk at 2 p.m. Register at afsp.org/flatheadvalley

Lakeside Chili Cook-Off and Wiener Dog Races

The 28th Annual Shriners Hospital Chili Cook-Off and Wiener Dog Races are slated for the Spinnaker Bar and Casino parking lot in Lakeside on Saturday, Sept. 23.

The beerfest runs 3-7 p.m., chili tasting competition runs 4-6 p.m., and a 6 p.m. parade of dogs.

Tickets are $8 and come with unlimited chili tasting.

All proceeds benefit the travel fund for caregivers of those children who need services at the Spokane Shriners Children’s Hospital. At the Shriners Hospitals, all medical services are free to children up to age 18, but family travel costs must be covered by the families.

Chili competitors pay a $25 entry fee and set up 2:30-3:30 p.m. with a minimum of two gallons of chili and any set-up extras such as side dish(s), table, chairs, umbrella, etc., in competition for the honor of being selected for the People’s Choice and/or Judges’ Choice Award.

Dachshund handlers need to pay an entry fee of $5, have a starter and catcher for each dog, and register by 5:30 p.m. the day of the race.

Contact Gerianne or Rudy at the Spinnaker, 844-2176, for further information.

Talk looks at climate impacts

The Flathead Valley chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby is holding a community climate conversation on Monday, Sept. 18, about Montana-specific climate impacts, and the actions that we can take to stabilize the climate.

Angie Winter, co-leader of the Flathead Valley Chapter and a resident of Kila, will lead the discussion, focusing on climate solutions, including information about recent legislation that will help individuals, businesses, and nonprofits.

The talk takes place at Rising Mountains Assisted Living, dining room, 225 Coverdell Road, Bigfork, at 10 a.m. The talk is free.

“I am excited to engage our community in a discussion about Montana-specific climate impacts, and the actions that can be taken to mitigate those effects,” said Angie Winter, co-leader of the Flathead Valley Chapter and a resident of Kila.

CCL supports legislation to place a rising fee on carbon pollution and allocate revenue from the fee to American households.

Home Buyer Education class

Community Action Partnership of Northwest Montana (CAPNM) is presenting its October in-person HUD approved Home Buyer Education class at the Kalispell location downtown.

The class is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The cost is $75 per household; however, scholarships are available. All registration material with payment must be received no later than Sept. 29 before closing at 5 p.m.

Registration packets are available to pick up in person at the CAPNM Kalispell Office at 214 Main Street, or by contacting sbriggs@capnwmt.org or visiting the website at www.capnm.net and hovering over “Workshops” and then clicking on “Homebuyer Education.” All intake packages must be completed and returned by Sept. 29, 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. Contact sbriggs@capnwmt.org to request a scholarship.

After the registration/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 or Zoom. It takes approximately one hour. Clients are encouraged to complete the one on one by Oct. 5.

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.

FVCC marks Healthcare Week

Flathead Valley Community College Nursing and Health Science programs are hosting an International Simulation in Healthcare Week open house Tuesday, Sept. 19 from 5-7 p.m.

The open house is free, open to the public, and will take place on campus in Kalispell at the Rebecca Chaney Broussard Center for Nursing and Health Science.

Participants will get to learn firsthand how FVCC uses simulation to educate the next generation of nurses and health care professionals.

FVCC programs participating include nursing, physical therapy assistant, medical assistant, surgical technology, radiologic technology, paramedicine, emergency medical technician, and phlebotomy.

Find more information at fvcc.edu/events.