Fall burning season

The fall burning season began on Sept. 1 with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality implementing is fall smoke management program. Open burners may burn only during the time periods specified by DEQ, which are available online at www.burnclosures.mt.gov or calling 1-800-225-6779.

Chamber garage sale

The Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their 16th annual garage sale at Angie’s Greenhouse, on the U.S. 2 strip in Columbia Falls, on Friday, Oct. 4, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 5, from 8 a.m. to noon. Drop off items on Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 2-3, from noon to 6 p.m. Money raised by the sale of items will go to the Children’s Holiday Village display at Marantette Park, new banners to hang from power poles around town, and other community pride projects. For more information, contact Carol Pike at 892-2072 or cpike@centurytel.net.

Realtor's ood drive

The 26th annual Realtor Food Drive will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 24, after 5:30 p.m. People are asked to hang bags with food on their front doors, and the more than 500 participating Realtors will pick them up. Over the years, the drive has picked up 17,000 to 26,000 pounds of food for seven area food banks. Food is distributed to 13,000 homes valleywide. For more information, call 261-1896.

Movie experience

Imagine Health and the IONS community group will present the movie “The Human Experience” on Thursday, Sept. 19, at 7 p.m. at Imagine Health, 305 First Avenue West, in Columbia Falls. A $5 donation is requested. For more information, call 892-4406 or visit online at www.imaginehealth.net.

Metals class

Rod Cogliati will teach an “Introductory to Metals” class at the Columbia Falls High School on Fridays from Sept. 27 through Dec. 13 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. The class will touch on oxyacetylene, brazing, welding and cutting. Electric arc welding and some aluminum foundry will be taught. For more information, call Robin White at 892-6500. Cost is $100.

Democrat’s harvest dinner

Former Gov. Brian Schweitzer will be the special guest speaker at the Flathead Democratic Party’s annual Harvest Dinner at The Lodge At Whitefish Lake on Friday, Oct. 4, with social hour at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6:45 p.m. There will be a homemade pie auction, farmers market and artistic pumpkins. Tickets are $45 before Sept. 30 and $55 after that. For more information, call Nancy Fenner at 752-0298 or visit online at www.flatheaddemocrats.com.

Chamber golf tourney

The Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual golf scramble will take place at Meadow Lake Resort on Thursday, Oct. 10, starting at 3 p.m. Cost is $20, which includes a cart. RSVP by calling Trina Hasson at 892-8729.

After hours

The Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly after-hours open house and social event at the Inn at Meadow Lake on Thursday, Oct. 10, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. with appetizers and beverages.

Brown bag lunch

Fred Miller, a safety specialist with the Montana Department of Labor and Industry will talk at the Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce’s brown bag lunch in the Freedom Bank conference room on Thursday, Oct. 24, from noon to 1 p.m.