Democratic convention to spotlight a city transformed
Denver’s Second Coming-Out Party
Pedicab operator Jeff Stover rides along the 16th Street Mall in Denver. - Photo by Ann Hermes, The Christian Science Monitor
DENVER – A look of concern grew across Gretchen Bunn's face as she thought about what might happen Monday when Democrats come to town for the second time in a century
Will there be traffic jams, protesters, even riots, worried the saleswoman at Rockmount Ranch Wear, standing amid floral western shirts and cowboy boots.
Task Force Unveils Plans
Glacier Discovery Square Garners Early Support
An artist's rendering of the new Columbia Falls Library location. - Rendering provided by Grover & Company
While other fundraising efforts throughout the valley have struggled, a Columbia Falls volunteer organization has made quick strides in its efforts to develop a new library and community center in the city’s uptown district.
In its first six months of fundraising for the Glacier Discovery Square, the First Best Place Task Force, a grassroots community group that formed in mid-2006 to focus on local revitalization projects, had already collected more than $500,000 – about a third of its overall goal. In June, the task force used a large portion of that money to purchase the former First Citizens Bank building and property located on Nucleus Avenue at the heart of the city’s uptown district.
Fly shop owner touts basics over luxuries
Here To Fish, Not to Dress Up
Surrounded by an assortment of fibers and feathers, Bob Arends ties an elk hair caddis at his fly shop, Arends Fly Shop, in Columbia Falls. - Lido Vizzutti/Flathead Beacon
COLUMBIA FALLS – Bob Arends thinks you might catch some trout if you stop making fly fishing so complicated.
Walk into his store and you’ll get what he means. He has two, maybe three, nets for sale. He doesn’t have the latest state-of-the-art vests or much of anything else in the way of clothing. He doesn’t think it costs $1,000 to catch a fish.
Glacier Performing Arts Center and Liberty Theater Stalled
Filling the Music Venue Void
Alice Cooper rocks the crowd at Raceway Park. Cooper closed down the first concert series at the park this year. - Photo courtesy of John Klippel, American Web Design
Over the last year plans for two new performance venues in Kalispell – the Glacier Performing Arts Center and the Liberty Theater – have stalled. And in Whitefish, an established live music hot spot has disappeared. Yet local arts organizers say the Flathead Valley is only one or two venues away from becoming a central arts hub and, until one is built, other organizations have stepped up and offered everything from symphony music to Alice Cooper.
[read more]FVCC and Whitefish Mountain Resort to Hold Plays
Shakespeare Returns to Kalispell
Paroles (Michael Perez) offers Helena (Abbey Siegworth) a piece of advice in this scene from Montana Shakespeare in the Parks’ "All’s Well That Ends Well." - Photo courtesy of Winslow Studio and Gallery
For 36 years, Shakespeare has come to communities throughout Montana each summer. But for the past several years, he has been absent from Kalispell.
On Aug. 21, the Bard is back.
Flights Begin Oct. 17
Glacier Airport Offering Direct Flights to Vegas, Baby, Vegas
With help from professional showgirl Jennifer Lynn, right, John Fenyes announces Allegiant Air's non-stop flights to Las Vegas at Glacier Park International Airport. - Lido Vizzutti/Flathead Beacon
Local fans of electronic Keno and Texas Hold ‘Em now have the opportunity to take their gaming up a notch at such legendary casinos as the Bellagio or the MGM Grand. Allegiant Air will be offering direct flights from Glacier International Airport to Las Vegas beginning in October.
“We are very pleased to bring a little bit of Las Vegas here this morning,” John Fenyes, director of sales for Allegiant Air said Wednesday, with a tall Vegas showgirl decked out in blue sequins and feathers at his side. “It makes it easy for this community to now fly to Las Vegas and connect to other markets.”
