Community briefs April 11
Work underway at Depot Park
Cutting Edge Excavation is currently performing work at Depot Park in Whitefish. Part of this project involves the disconnection of power to nearby street lights for a duration of approximately two weeks. On April 16 the power will be shut off and the street lights on portions of Railway Street, Spokane Avenue and Depot Street will be out for approximately two weeks. Residents with questions regarding this work can contact Marc Blanden at 406-253-3730.
School planter construction
The Whitefish School District and Climate Smart Glacier Country are holding a Community Day of Action on Saturday, April 14 to build planter beds at Whitefish Schools at the Center for Sustainability and Entrepreneurship, located north of Whitefish High School. There are two sessions; one runs 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and the second is 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Lunch is provided. Community volunteers will work with carpenters from Martel Construction to build raised beds for the new production farm at the center to help prepare for the grand opening. Volunteer reservations are required. Email Steve Thompson at info@climatesmartglaciercountry.org to sign up for a morning or afternoon slot.
Spring Bear Aware Presentation
Join Whitefish Legacy Partners and Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Grizzly Bear Specialist, Tim Manley, for an interactive presentation on Wednesday, April 18 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Lodge at Whitefish Lake. Learn about bear behavior and biology, how to recreate safely in bear country, what to do in an encounter, and practice using inert bear spray canisters. This event is free and open to the public.
Orienteering
On Saturday, April 14, Snappy Sport Senter will host a daylong orienteering course taught by Brian Baxter of Silver Cloud Associates. It will cover traditional orienteering skills, including: reading topographic maps, measuring scales and distances, laying out bearings and azimuths, and using a Silva Ranger Adjustable Declination Compass.
Participants should bring that type of compass, pencils, a ruler divided into tenths of inches, calculator, notepad, a topographic map in 1:24,000 scale, lunch and water. The course will begin at 9 a.m. with a 2.5-hour classroom session, followed by a 2.5-hour field session, and concludes between 2:30 and 3 p.m. Dress appropriately for the weather.
The class is free, but registration is required and space is limited. To register, contact Jon Lupton of Snappy’s by email at jlupton@snappyssportsenter.com, or call 257-7525. Snappy Sport Senter is located at 1400 U.S. 2 East in Evergreen.
Flathead Wildlife hosts wolf talk
On Thursday, April 12, Flathead Wildlife Inc. will host Diane Boyd, wolf and carnivore specialist for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, for a talk on wolves. Boyd has worked with these animals in the United States, Canada, Romania and Italy. She will discuss their status in Northwest Montana, statewide and across the U.S., wolf monitoring and management practices, and public attitudes towards wolves.
The event will take place at 7 p.m. in the public meeting room of the Kalispell Fish, Wildlife and Parks office, located at 490 N. Meridian Rd. The talk is free and open to the public. For further questions, call the club’s president, Jim Vashro, at (406) 270-9914.
Forestry group to meet in Whitefish
Foresters
The Montana Society of American Foresters is hosting its 2018 state meeting April 13 and 14 in Whitefish. This year’s theme is entitled “Flames, Fuels and Funding - The New Fire Triangle.” Over two days, the meeting will feature panel discussions and presentations on forestry and fire management. It will also include performances, food and a field tour of local forest projects.
Attendees can register for the entire weekend or specific events. Prices vary based on selection and affiliation with the society. To register, visit https://www.123signup.com/register?id=hvrst.
For additional questions, and/or a detailed agenda, please contact Jared Richardson at (406) 407-5447, or jared.richardson@weyerhaeuser.com.
Trout Unlimited
Join Flathead Valley Trout Unlimited on April 17 for its chapter meeting where Mark Raisler, co-owner of Headhunters Fly Shop in Craig, will share his knowledge of the blue-ribbon Missouri trout fishery. Raisler will explain the history of water management and its impact on the fishery, discuss angler history, pressure, and trends, and share some secrets on how to be smarter than the average angler. Raisler’s presentation includes a 10 minute primer on trout spey rod fishing, the fastest moving trend in the fly fishing world.
The program begins at 7 p.m. at Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks office on Meridian Road in Kalispell. Refreshments will be served and door prizes will be awarded. Contact Chapter President Larry Timchak at 250-7473 for additional information.
Glass Fusing
The Stumptown Art Studio will hold a Glass Fusing Workshop for adults on Wednesday, April 11 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Try your hands at this colorful, creative art form. Learn the techniques for making a hanging bird bath. Tickets $75/$70 members. For information, call 406-862-5929 or visit www.stumptownartstudio.org.
Stumptown fundraiser
A Celebrity Bartender Night at Whitefish Lake Lodge on Friday, April 13 from 5-8 p.m. is a fundraising event for the nonprofit Stumptown Art Studio. That night 20 percent of food and bar sales and raffles going to the studio. For information, call 406-862-5929 or visit www.stumptownartstudio.org.
Blood drive
Flathead Valley Community College will host an American Red Cross blood drive on Monday, April 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the large community room of the Arts and Technology Building. Appointments are required to make a donation.
To schedule an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org, click on “Find a Drive” and enter the source code “ATB” or contact Wendy Jeschke at wjeschke@fvcc.edu or 756-3908.