Community briefs July 4

Pottery

Raku is an ancient technique of firing pottery that produces the beautiful, metallic flares of color. Stumptown Art Studio is featuring resident clay artist Ray Faustini for this unique clay workshop in July.

Students will first create pottery pieces and then learn the process of taking their pieces through a raku firing. The workshop consists of four evening classes, each from 6-9 p.m.: Monday, July 9; Thursday, July 12; Monday, July 16 and Wednesday, July 18. Raku firing is one of the most exciting processes in ceramics in which the pottery is removed from the kiln at 1800 degrees and reduced in an air tight container with combustible materials.

The nonprofit art center is located at 145 Central Avenue in Whitefish. Ages 16 and up are invited to participate in this workshop for the $160 fee ($150 for members) which includes the four classes and all materials. To register for the workshop, call 406-862-5929, stop by or visit www.stumptownartstudio.org.

Volunteers

Volunteer recruitment is underway for the 2018 Event at Rebecca Farm. In its 17th year, The Event will be held July 18 through July 22.

Sarah Broussard, The Event at Rebecca Farm’s organizer, says she loves that the Event brings everyone together, no matter their age, interest, or knowledge of horses.

According to Broussard, “Our amazing volunteers are what make putting on one of the largest equestrian triathlons in the United States possible. I could not be more thankful for them. The Event has a strong sense of community, and that is what creates such a spectacular atmosphere.”

The Event offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities, ranging from score running and jump judging to food service and hospitality. No prior experience is necessary to volunteer. Broussard encourages all adults and teens 16 and older to volunteer. Teens 13-15 are welcome, but must have a parent or adult guardian on site. Children ages 10-12 may volunteer alongside a parent or legal guardian.

To find out more about volunteering, visit https://www.rebeccafarm.org/get-involved/#volunteer.

Garden tour

Tickets are now on sale for the Bibler Home and Gardens Summer Garden Party and evening and daytime tours. Hosted by the Flathead Valley Community College Foundation in partnership with the Bibler Foundation, these events support student scholarships at FVCC.

The Bibler Home is renowned for its exquisite collection of antiques, sculptures and Persian tapestries and its vibrant floral gardens, accented with ponds, waterfalls, fountains, wooden foot bridges and other calming touches. With the exception of privately arranged tours, the home and gardens are accessible only through the FVCC Foundation tours during select weekends in the spring and summer.

Splendid Summer Evenings begins with a gourmet Garden Party on Monday, July 23 at 5:30 p.m. featuring hearty hors d’oeuvres and a variety of desserts prepared by the Culinary Institute of Montana at FVCC. Guests will have the opportunity to explore the gardens on their own. Tickets to the Garden Party are $60 per person or $110 per couple.

Guided two-hour tours of the Bibler Home and Gardens are scheduled for July 24–27 at 4:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Tours will continue August 1 and 3 with Sweet Summer Days, featuring two-hour daytime tours at 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. All tours include opportunities to address questions to the head gardener. Tickets are $15 per adult and $5 per child.

Tickets for all events are limited and must be purchased in advance. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 756-3632 or visit www.biblergardens.org.

Art club

The Stumptown Art Center’s Cultural and Art History club meets on Tuesday, July 10 at National Park Realty from 1:30-3 p.m. This months’ discussion Whitefish’s own, Kurt Markus. A presentation will be given by those that toured Montreal-Ottawa during the G7 conference give a report on their cultural and art experience, followed by a discussion on the life, times, and black-and-white photography of Kurt Markus.

Research and sharing is the key to making this discussion a valuable asset to members of the club. Cost is $5 for non-members and free for members of Stumptown Art Studio. For more information, call 406-862-5929.

Weed Blitz

The Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center and Glacier National Park’s restoration and integrated pest management biologist, Dawn LaFleur, is holding the park’s annual noxious weed blitz July 17.

The Weed Blitz is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 17 at the Glacier National Park Community Building in West Glacier.

Participants will learn about the ecological impacts of noxious weeds and how to identify and remove five targeted invasive plant species. Bring your muscles, gloves, appropriate footwear and drinking water.

Lunch will be provided by the Glacier National Park Conservancy. A RSVP is requested by July 12 by emailing glac_citizen_science@nps.gov or calling 406-888-7986.

Climb Big Mountain

Flathead Industries will hold its annual Climb Big Mountain on Saturday, July 7 at Whitefish Mountain Resort from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

All proceeds from the popular annual event go to support individuals with disabilities who live in our community. In addition to the hike up and gondola ride down Big Mountain, there’ll be live music, a free lunch, photos, T-shirts, raffle give-a-ways and more waiting at the Summit House for all who participate.

Registration costs $30 per person or $250 for a team of 10, and children 10 and under can participate at no cost. Register online at www.flatheadindustries.org, or call 858-0897 for more information.

Economic update

Join the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce and the Montana Chamber Foundation for the annual Economic Update Series on Thursday, Aug. 2 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Kalispell.

This year’s program will focus on new business start-ups in Big Sky Country, including a panel discussion featuring local entrepreneurs, as well as the latest national state and local economic projections for the Flathead Valley.

The program begins at noon, includes lunch, and lasts about 90 minutes. Cost is $35 for Montana Chamber members and $40 for non-members. For more information and to register, visit http://www.montanachamber.com/events/economic-outlook-seminar/

Golf tourney

Village Greens is hosting a Ladies Charity Tournament on July 12, with proceeds going to Sparrow’s Nest of Northwest Montana. Entry fee is $55 and $15 cart rental for 18 hole play. There will be a senior’s putting tournament with a $30 entry fee. Register and submit entry forms at www.villagegreensmontana.com. Each participant will receive a goody bag, a new pair of Skechers golf shoes, free lunch, prizes, and a chance to win a 2018 Toyota RAV 4 with a hole-in-one. The presenting sponsor of the tournament is Kalispell VW, Toyota, and Ford.