Nov. 27 Briefly

The Western News

Festival of Trees lights up Dec. 12-13

St. John’s Lutheran Hospital Foundation’s Festival of Trees lights up the Memorial Center in Libby on Dec. 12-13.

On Friday, Dec. 12, Family Night will run from 3-8 p.m. The event will feature the Kootenai Karacters as Mr. and Mrs. Claus as well as Santa’s elves. On Saturday, Dec. 13, the Festival of Trees Gala is slated to run from 6:30 p.m.-midnight.

For more information, call KC Hoyer at 293-0100.

‘Nutcracker Suite’ takes Libby stage on Dec. 6

The Northwest Ballet School and Company’s production of “The Nutcracker Suite” is coming to the Memorial Center in Libby on Saturday, Dec. 6.

Doors open at 6 p.m., with the show scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

Tickets prices are $10 for adults, $5 for students.

Traumatic brain injury group plans meetings

A traumatic brain injury support group plans to meet on Dec. 16 in Libby and Dec. 17 in Troy, the North Valley Support Group announced.

The group will meet at 5:30 p.m., on Dec. 16 at the Families in Partnership offices, 83 Collins Ave., in Libby, and at 6 p.m. on Dec. 17 at the Kootenai Senior Center in Troy.

The meetings are intended for people with brain injuries and family members to meet and talk about education, understanding and resources. Support groups provide confidentiality and empathy of experiences with other head injury survivors.

This month’s meetings will serve as a holiday gathering with the topic revolving around a daily planner and memory book. Participants are invited to bring a Christmas treat to share.

For information, call Don Walker in Libby (293-6518) or Laura Wilde in Troy (295-9753).

Turner Mountain Ski Area plans ‘fun night’

Turner Mountain Ski Area near Libby is planning to kick off the season with a fun night on Saturday, Dec. 6 at the Red Dog Saloon.

Activities begin at 6 p.m., and the $20 charge includes pizza, salad and beverages. The evening will include door prizes, raffles and movies.

EPA office closed on Thursday, Friday

The Environmental Protection Agency Information Center in Libby will be closed Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday.

For those with an emergency, the center asks that they call 406-291-5335.

First Presbyterian plans Thanksgiving Eve service

The First Presbyterian Church in Libby is planning to hold a Thanksgiving Eve service on Wednesday, Nov. 26 at 7 p.m., the Rev. Sherry Edwards announced.

All families and individuals are welcome. Fellowship will follow worship. The church is located at 155 Mahoney Road.

Volunteers needed to help prepare tax returns

AARP Tax-Aide is seeking volunteers to assist with tax preparation.

Each year from Feb. 1-April 15, AARP Tax-Aide volunteers prepare federal and state tax returns for low- and middle-income taxpayers with special attention to those ages 60 and older. Volunteers are especially needed to assist with electronic filing of returns.

Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds are welcome and do not need to be AARP members or retired.

Tax counselors receive free tax training and become certified by the Internal Revenue Service by passing an exam. Classes in Kalispell are scheduled for Jan. 12-16. Online self-study is also available.

For more information, call Sally Anderson at 293-6676, or AARP at 888-687-2277, or go online to: www.aarp.org/tavolunteers .

Baptist church in Troy hosting Christmas dinner

The Troy Community Baptist Church announced its plans for a free community Christmas dinner on Saturday, Dec. 20.

The dinner, open to all, will be staged from 3-6 p.m.

Fall Jam Session coming to River Bend on Nov. 29

The Fall Jam Session hosted by the Sheldon Mountain Boys is slated for Saturday, Nov. 29 at the River Bend near Libby.

Sheldon Mountain Boys will play from 7-8 p.m., with an open mic jam to follow from 8 p.m.-closing. Donations for the Libby Food Pantry will be accepted.

For more information, call 293-4536.

Arm-wrestling competition coming to Rexford

The inaugural Strong Arm Challenge, an amateur arm-wrestling competition, is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 13 at the Frontier Bar in Rexford.

Weigh-ins run from 6-8:30 p.m., with the tournament scheduled to follow at 9 p.m. The event is for adults age 21 and over. Divisions include Men’s Left Hand (185-and-under, 186-and-over), Men’s Right Hand (154-and-under, 155-176, 177-198, 199-220 and 221-and-over) and Women’s Right Hand (132-and-under, 133-and-over).

The double-elimination tournament features trophies and cash prizes with a free T-shirt to the first 50 entries. The entry fee is $20 for the first weight classification and $10 for each additional class.

For more information, call 406-209-4121 or the Frontier Bar at 406-297-2951.

Christmas Is For Kids announces drop-off location

Christmas Is For Kids announced its drop-off location as Rent Pro Property Management, 321 Dakota Ave., in Libby.

Christmas Is For Kids is a local organization that distributes toys and other gifts to children and families in need at Christmas.

For information, call 293-7613.

Christmas Food Roundup under way in Libby

The Lincoln County Republicans’ 19th Christmas Food Roundup is under way for the Libby Food Pantry.

Volunteer and chairperson Charlotte Woods said she will be contacting local businesses and individuals for monetary donations that will be deposited in the LFP Roundup account at Glacier Bank. Food and treats for the Christmas baskets are purchased locally.

Individual contributions of choice may also be left with Linda Gerard at the Venture Inn. Food items must be non-perishable.

For more information, call Woods at 293-3447.

Brain injury group to establish community council

Montana’s Traumatic Brain Injury Implementation Partnership Grant’s project coordinator will be in Libby on Wednesday, Dec. 10 in an effort to help create a new community council that will serve Libby, Troy and Eureka.

Ian Elliot, TBI project coordinator, said one of the goals of the grant is to create a sustainable system for “localized systemic change, professional collaboration, support, education, advocacy and outreach.” Those who attend the Dec. 10 meeting will help the group reach that goal, Elliot said.

The meeting is scheduled to run from 9:30-11:30 a.m., at the Venture Inn.

For more information, call Elliot at 888-866-3622 or 406-657-2313, or e-mail: ielliot@msubillings.edu .

Troy ambulance to stage EMT class

Troy Volunteer Ambulance announced plans to conduct an EMT class starting Jan. 6.

To join the class, call 295-6505 for more information.

Mrs. Montana Pageant seeks applicants

The Mrs. Montana Pageant, State Preliminary to Mrs. America, is seeking applicants for the title of Mrs. Libby to represent her community in the 2009 pageant, Sheree Channel, executive state director, announced.

Once selected, the applicant will advance to compete in the Mrs. Montana Pageant to be held July 11 at the Petro Theatre in Billings. Applicants must be 18 years old (no age limit), married, a U.S. citizen and a Montana resident. No performing talent required.

The new Mrs. Montana wins a prize package valued at more than $8,000 and an all-expense paid trip to the nationally televised Mrs. America Pageant.

To obtain the official application or to receive more information, call Channel at 877-631-4447 or go online to: www.mrsmontanaamerica.com .

Hoops association needs officials

The Libby Basketball Officials Association is looking for people interested in becoming a basketball official.

Call Kyle Crawford at 293-8881 or 293-1871 for more information.

Reserve space for arts, crafts show in Troy

The Christmas Arts and Crafts Show hosted by Boy Scout Troop 1924 in Troy is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6 at Morrison Elementary School.

Organizers are seeking participants to reserve their space as soon as possible. The cost is $20 per space. To register, call 295-4206 or stop by the Troy Community Baptist Church.

Winter baseball camp

coming up in Idaho

The 25th annual Southern Idaho Baseball Camp at the College of Southern Idaho Expo Center is scheduled for Dec. 27-29. The camp includes instruction in hitting, pitching, catching, infield and outfield play.

For more information, call 208-732-6650 or 208-734-6285 or go online to: athletics.csi.edu/baseball/camp.asp .

Western News seeks hunting photos

The Western News is looking for recent photographs of local hunters with their trophies.

Include a brief description with names, dates, location and weaponry. Submit photos online by e-mailing to: thewesternnews@gmail.com . Or, drop off a high-quality print at the Libby office on 311 California Ave.

For more information, call reporter Brandon Roberts at 293-4124.