May 6 Briefly

Libby Dam informational meeting scheduled

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will hold an informational meeting regarding Libby Dam operations at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13 in the Ponderosa Room at the Libby City Hall.

Representatives from the Corps will present information on operations for 2009, including an update on current water conditions, hydrological forecast and operations for fish, and an update on Kootenai River ecosystem restoration efforts in Idaho. There will also be a short overview of recreation opportunities and activities available at Libby.

Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions about dam operations as they relate to local and regional issues.

For more information, call Mick Shea, Libby Dam project manager, at 293-7751, ext. 211.

Horsemen’s group offering free class, clinic

Cabinet Back Country Horsemen are offering a defensive horse safety class, packing clinic and leave no trace demonstration – all free of charge.

The two-part defense horse safety class includes a classroom session on Monday, May 11 from 5:30-9 p.m. at the Kootenai National Forest Supervisor’s Office and a hands-on session on Saturday, May 16 from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Sheldon Mountain trailhead.

The packing clinic and leave no trace demonstration will also be staged on the morning of Saturday, May 16 at the Sheldon Mountain trailhead.

The classes may be of interest to those using horses and mules for backcountry trail work or for those who want to learn more about safe stock handling.

For more information and to register for the class, call Danny Lewis at 293-3809 or Deena Shotzberger at 283-7596 or 293-8188. The deadline to register is Friday, May 8.

Ladies golf group begins play Wednesday

The Cabinet View Country Club ladies golf organization announced its first day of league play will be Wednesday, May 6.

Those planning to participate are asked to arrive by 10:30 a.m. to sign up. Coffee and crumpets will be served for those who come early.

Ladies in all age groups interested in joining the league are invited.

Student summer meal program available

Libby Public Schools announced details of its summer breakfast and lunch program.

Meals will be provided to Libby children free of charge. Those ages 18 and younger are welcome to eat at either Asa Wood Elementary or Libby Middle School. Adults can purchase breakfast for $2 and lunch for $3.50.

Breakfast is available from 8-9 a.m. and lunch from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday for 10 weeks at Asa Wood from June 8-Aug. 13 and for three weeks at Libby Middle School from June 6-23.

For more information, call the superintendent’s office at 293-8811.

VA announces changes to enrollment

Veterans Affairs announced last week that enrollment will be opened in June to veterans designated as Group 8.

Group 8  veterans, defined those with no service-related health conditions or ailments rates as “0-percent” disabling, will be allowed to enroll in the VA health-care system.

Applications are now being accepted. For more information and details on income guidelines, call the service officer for Libby at 293-7316, or visit at the Libby VFW Post each Thursday from 1-4 p.m.

Briefly

LEA to hold negotiations meeting on May 6

The Libby Education Association will hold a negotiations meeting on Wednesday, May 6, at the Central Administration Building.

A strategy session will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the formal meeting to follow at 7 p.m.

Cheap Date Movie set for Saturday

The Libby Public Library will present the classic film, “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” on Saturday, May 9 at noon, as part of its Cheap Date Movie program.

The film, which continues the “Soul of a People” program theme, stars Jimmy Stewart and was directed by Frank Capra.

Business staging chicken coop contest

Homesteader’s Ranch and Feed in Libby is hosting its third annual Chicken Coop Contest.

For those who would like to participate, submit a chicken coop photo along with a short description. Photographs will be on display at the store. The deadline to enter is June 3. Prizes will be awarded.

Farmer’s Market Spring Fest coming May 7

The Libby Farmer’s Market Spring Fest is coming on May 7.

The event will run from noon-6 p.m. at the Libby Area Chamber of Commerce parking lot. Activities include drawings, cookie decorating, food and drinks.

School to hold annual benefit auction May 9

Kootenai Valley Christian School’s 10th annual benefit auction is coming up on Saturday, May 9.

Bidding at the auction begins at 10 a.m. in the school’s gymnasium. Local businesses donated merchandise and purchased advertising on bid sheets.

Each class chose a theme for baskets to be auctioned off. Parents and students shop at local businesses to fill each basket.

Troy Parks and Rec plans opening day activities

Troy Parks and Recreation plans to hold its youth baseball and softball opening day activities on Saturday, May 9.

A parade is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. with the first ballgames to follow at noon.

Following is a rundown of opening day ballgames:

• Noon – Minor boys at Stein’s Field

• Noon – Major girls at Kensler’s Field

• Noon – T-ball.

• 12:30 p.m. – Farm boys at Roosevelt Park.

• 2 p.m. – Minor girls at Roosevelt Park.

• 2 p.m. – T-ball.

• 3:30 p.m. – Major boys at Stein’s Field.

• 3:30 p.m. – Senior girls at Roosevelt Park.

County jobless rate at 16.6 percent

The latest numbers from the Montana Department of Labor and Industry reveal that Lincoln County passed Sanders County for the highest unemployment rate in the state.

The Lincoln County unemployment rate for March stood at 16.6 percent. Sanders County came in at 16.0 percent with Flathead County at 12.7, Mineral at 11.8, Granite at 10.6 and Big Horn at 10.4 percent.

The average unemployment rate in Montana in March was 6.9 percent.

The lowest unemployment rate can be found in Fallon County in eastern Montana at 3.0 percent.

Diabetes group to meet on May 12

The regular meeting of the Diabetes Support Group will be held on Tuesday, May 12 at 7 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church in Libby.

Emily Beck, medical student from the University of Washington, will present a program on “Metabolic Syndrome.”

Electric fencing workshop scheduled

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will host a free public electric fencing workshop at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12, at Homesteader’s Ranch and Feed Supply in Libby.

The workshop will feature fencing techniques that are designed to keep bears and other wildlife out of gardens, fruit trees, chicken coops, beehives, livestock and garbage.

The program will be presented by Larry Feight of High Country Ag Marketing, in cooperation with FWP and Homesteader’s.

For more information, call Kim Annis with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks at 293-4161, ext. 207, or Jamie Brebner with Homesteader’s Ranch & Feed Supply at 293-4911.

VA representative to visit Troy, Libby

A representative of the Montana Veterans Affairs Division out of Kalispell will be at Kootenai Senior Center in Troy and Libby Senior Citizens Center on Monday, May 11.

Sherry Stewart, service officer, will be in Troy from 11 a.m.-noon and in Libby from 1:30-4 p.m. She will be available to assist veterans and their dependents that have questions regarding benefits.

For more information, call 406-755-3795.