Community Briefs: Commissioner forum, kids symphony, child care open house

Commissioner candidates have forum

The Helena League of Women Voters will have a forum Monday for candidates running to be Lewis and Clark County commissioner.

The forum will be 5:30 p.m. at the Helena Avenue Theater, 1319 Helena Ave. The public may attend.

Incumbent Andy Hunthausen and candidate Joe Dooling will be there, organizers said. They both were given a set of questions ahead of time. If time allows questions will be taken from the audience.

The term is for six years and the election is Nov. 5. The commission has three members.

St. Pete's child care has open house

St. Peter's Health is hosting an open house 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday to celebrate their new and expanded employee child care facility, Pete's Place Childhood Education Center, 1600 8th Ave. in Helena.

It is in the former Ray Bjork Learning Center, now a refurbished elementary school leased from Helena Public Schools. St. Peter's customized the 22,000-square-foot building to meet specific child care licensing requirements including renovating classrooms, adding new furniture, and more security functions.

The project also called for revitalizing the onsite gym, playground, and gardens.

No registration is required to attend. For more information, go to sphealth.org .

New Horizons Band seeks members

Dust off your horns and drums, blow out the cobwebs, and come join Helena New Horizons Concert Band.

Practices are 7-8:30 p.m. Mondays in the Helena High School band room. People can join the group at anytime.

The Helena band is affiliated with New Horizons International Music Association ( ), a worldwide organization dedicated to promoting music-making among adults. The band was started in 2011 with 15 musicians.

Now there are over 50 players. Conductors are Tom Mazanec, Jerry Sept, Jim Perkins, and Larry Irwin.

Musical selections include marches, medleys, show tunes, movie themes and classical favorites. Adult musicians of any skill level are welcome to join. There is a $10 monthly donation to help cover expenses. Band members provide their own instruments. There are music stands for use in the band room.

East Helena offers property tax rebate help

The Montana Department of Revenue will be at East Helena City Hall 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 24 assist any homeowners with their Property Tax Rebate.

The visit was organized by the city of East Helena.

No appointment is necessary. To learn more about the rebate, go to: www.getmyrebate.mt.gov .

Alzheimer's walk on Saturday

ved ones, caregivers and supporters of Montanans living with Alzheimer's disease will gather Sept. 21 for the Helena Walk to End Alzheimer's.

The walk will raise funds to provide essential services to families and support research to find a cure. The walk has a fundraising goal of $42,500.

The Helena walk's opening ceremonies begin at 11 a.m. at Memorial Park, 1203 N. Last Chance Gulch. Registration and pre-event festivities start at 10 a.m.

To register, volunteer or make a donation, go to www.alz.org/walk . For more information, call the free 24/7 Alzheimer's Association Helpline at 800-272-3900, or contact Nevin Graves at or 403-303-4426.

NAMIWalks held Sunday

NAMIWalks Montana will be held 12:30 p.m. Sunday at Memorial Park, 1203 Last Chance Gulch, in Helena.

The event opens at 11 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m.

The event is a fundraiser for NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Symphony kids has concert kick off

On Sept. 28 at 10 a.m. at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, members of the Helena Symphony Orchestra return for the 70th Season's Education Concert Series, Symphony Kids.

Written specifically for children ages 5 to 10, Symphony Kids is a free 30-minute concert for Helena families. The event is free and the church is at 512 Logan St,

Symphony Kids, one of the symphony's educational programs, is designed to introduce them to the world of music and instruments.

The first Symphony Kids of Season 70 is "The Grimm Princesses," a new story based on the princesses of Grimm fairy tales. Rapunzel, Cinderella, Snow White and Briar Rose are feeling rather grim after being locked in a tower to await their princes to rescue them.

Following the concert for kids is an instrument petting zoo and additional orchestral concert.

Symphony Kids is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana, Browning, Kaleczyc, Berry & Hoven, St. Peter's Health, Betty Flaten, Ann & Ron Waterman, Top Gun Auto Body, Dianne Nickman, PureView Health, Sullivan Financial Group, Town Pump Charitable Foundation, the Gianforte Family Foundation, Piccolo's Music and Montana Cultural Trust.

AARP has driver safety classes

An AARP Driver Safety class will be offered 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 4, at First Interstate Bank; 2728 Colonial Drive.

Participants receive updates on the rules of the road and learn driving strategies to adapt to the effects of aging and to reduce chances of having a crash. This 4.5-hour course was developed for participants age 50+; but is open to all ages.

The course fee is $25 ($20 with AARP Membership Card). Auto Insurance Companies in Montana provide a multi-year discount to participants 55 years of age and older.

To register: 406-457-4712. Find additional classes at aarp.org/driversafety .

MDT seeks comment on road project

The Montana Department of Transportation invites the public to attend one of two open houses in October to learn more about the Lola Shephard Intersection Improvements project, a proposed project along US Highway 12 (US 12) in southeast Helena.

An in-person meeting and a virtual open house via Zoom will be held.

Both events will cover the same information and project team members will be available to present information and answer questions regarding project design.

Proposed work includes the addition of a traffic signal and roundabout, improved pedestrian/cyclist crossings, and traffic flow enhancements. The purpose of the project is to address operational issues for all users and enhance roadway safety features. For more information, visit the project website at.

Construction is tentatively planned for 2026 depending, on completion of design and availability of funds.

In-person open house is Oct. 2, 3:30-6 p.m. Hampton Inn, 725 Carter Drive, Helena.

Virtual open house with Q&A via Zoom: Oct. 10, Noon to 1 p.m. Zoom Meeting ID: 880 3377 4996, Passcode: 472072. Or call in (audio only) +1 646 558 8656 United States (Toll-free) Phone Conference ID: 880 3377 4996#, 472072#

Comments may be submitted online at mdt.mt.gov/contact/comment-form.aspx or in writing to Montana Department of Transportation, Great Falls office, PO Box 1359, Great Falls, MT 59403-1359. Note that comments are for project UPN 9026000.

Those with questions should call Project Manager Ben Schendel at 406-444-6248.

Mental health lecture at Carroll

Join Carroll College on 6 p.m. Monday in the Carroll College PE Center for a presentation by award-nominated international speaker Jessi Beyer, a best-selling author and crisis co-responder.

She will deliver her keynote lecture, "With The Best of Intentions: How to Safely and Successfully Support Someone Who's Struggling with Mental Health."

This free event, which is open to the public, addresses the need for understanding how to effectively support loved ones facing mental health challenges.

This event is in support of National Suicide Prevention Month.

Dog Tag Buddies reaches out to vets

Montana has consistently ranked among the top three states for deaths by suicide over the past 40 years.

September brings together the recognition of two essential topics central to Dog Tag Buddies' mission: National Suicide Prevention Month and National Service Dog Month.

Studies have shown that veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who receive service dogs report decreased suicidal thoughts.

Dog Tag Buddies, a Montana-based nonprofit organization, has a program dedicated to helping veterans lead more fulfilling lives by training and building relationships with service dogs.

Dog Tag Buddies has several community events throughout the month, including the third Annual Celebrity Chef Gala with Chef Andre Rush.

This will be Oct. 5 at the Northern Hotel in Billings. It will feature a gourmet five-course meal with beverages, live and silent auctions, and a talk by Rush about his personal journey.

To purchase tickets, learn more about Dog Tag Buddies, or make a donation, please visit dogtagbuddies.org or call 406-969-1227.

Aid team to visit American Legion

The American Legion, the nation's largest veterans service organization, is bringing its System Worth Saving (SWS) team to Helena on Sept. 23-25 to ensure veterans are receiving the best health care possible from their local VA.

Now in its 21st year, the SWS program has on-site visits nationwide during which time a team of American Legion staff members and volunteers work with VA staff on solutions.

The Helena visit kicks off with a town hall where all local military veterans are invited to attend and share their experiences with the VA. During the town hall, American Legion representatives, VA staff and others will be on hand to address issues and questions.

The town hall, which starts at 6 p.m. Sept. 23, will be held at American Legion Post 2, 3095 Villard Ave.

The event is free, and no prior registration or RSVP is necessary. However, veterans can submit questions beforehand via www.legion.org/systemworthsaving/townhall .

County to train election judges

The Lewis and Clark County Elections Office will offer a final training opportunity to qualify volunteers to serve as election judges for the Nov. 5 general election.

The training will be held 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 24 in the Helena Civic Center Ballroom, 340 Neill Ave.

Election judges play an important role during elections by staffing polling places, preparing ballots and providing other assistance while protecting the integrity of the election process.

Previous election experience is not required, but people interested in becoming election judges must be at least 18 and registered to vote in Lewis and Clark County. All new and returning election judges must attend training provided by the county elections office before they can serve.

Those interested in becoming an election judge should contact the Lewis and Clark County Elections Office at 406-447-8339 or .

Submissions to Community Briefs should be emailed to . Please write "Community Briefs" in the subject line. Briefs should be 200 words or less. Submissions should be written in story form, no flyers please. Photos are always appreciated. Call Phil Drake at 406-447-4086 if you have questions.