POLSON — Flathead Lake International Cinemafest and its many events are Feb. 1-3 in Polson.

Filmmakers from around the world will showcase their films, while the general public will have the opportunity to view them. Students 18 years and younger are invited to show short to feature-length films in FLIC Jr.

Films will be shown and tickets may be purchased at the Showboat Cinemas in Polson. Other event tickets are available online.

Guest filmmaker, Jeff Chiba Stearns, an international award winning animation and documentary filmmaker from Vancouver, B.C., will be present to share and discuss his work.  

Thirty-year film and television producer David W. King, who moved to Polson in 2012 and formed his production company, David W. King Pictures, will also give a special presentation and talk with the audience.  

Volunteers are needed to work on the festival. To volunteer for FLIC, call (406) 883-4160 or (406) 883-5908, or for more information visit flicpolson.com or email flic@montanasky.net.

PABLO — Free tax help is offered through the VITA Program to low- to moderate-income (generally, $51,000 and below) people who cannot prepare their own tax returns. SKC student volunteers will offer tax help from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays in February (Feb. 1, 8, 15 and 22) at SKC’s Agnes Vanderburg Building. 

No appointments are necessary. 

For more information, contact Tina Begay at (406) 275-4851 or tina_begay@skc.edu. 

ARLEE — The ninth annual Chocolate Lovers Festival tasting and fundraiser auction gets under way at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7, just in time for Valentine’s Day. This year’s event will be held at the Brown Building Community Center on Highway 93 in Arlee which is handicapped accessible, so all can enjoy it! Entries will be accepted between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Feb. 7 at the Brown Building. Please make two identical confections; one for tasting and one for bidding on.

Beginning at 6:30, the public is invited to taste and vote on their favorite entries in several categories for just $2 per person and $5 per family with children. This year we have added a kid’s category (kindergarten through sixth grade) so get your kids baking. At 7:30, the auction begins with J.R. Strand of Strand Auction Sales in Missoula, once again donating his services and ensuring lots of fun and lively bidding on the best the Jocko Valley has to offer in fine chocolate treats!

The evening ends with awarding prizes for the winning entries. All proceeds benefit the youth programs of the Arlee Community Development Corporation and the Jocko Valley Library. Please come and help support these valuable services in our community!

For more information, to register your entry, or to volunteer to help put on this event, please call the Arlee Community Development Corporation office at 726-5550.

POLSON — The Lake County Republican Convention will be held Thursday, Feb. 7, at 6:30 p.m. at the Miracle of America Museum's public meeting room in Polson. The Lake County Republican Central Committee is holding a convention for the purpose of organizing. Officers will be elected to serve in 2013 and 2014. The public is welcome.

POLSON — It’s time for the annual Mardi Gras party to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of the Flathead Reservation and Lake County. Save Feb. 9 for the party. It starts at 5:30 p.m. at the KwaTaqNuk Resort with a no-host social hour and then a Cajun steak and shrimp dinner with both a silent and live auction. Then enjoy dancing until midnight to Gladys Friday Band.

Lou and Irene Marchello will be passing on their crowns to the 2013 king and queen that win the most votes during the evening raffle. Purchase tickets from the Boys and Girls Club in Ronan, located next to Dairy Queen or phone (406) 676-5437 or from La Nita Fitzpatrick of Mountain West Bank in Polson at (406) 883-4111 or (406) 253-3130.  A reserved table for 10 is $500. Individual tickets are $50. 

Be ready for a great Mardi Gras party on Feb. 9 and help “Open the door to great futures.”

CHARLO — The Ninepipe Arts Group invites everyone to its annual Valentine’s party on Saturday, Feb. 9. This fundraiser features creative and original art pieces to choose from during the silent and live auctions. 

Leon Community Hall will be decked out and KC and the Valley Cats will provide lively dance music. A selection of beer and wine will be available for purchase and gift baskets will be offered as raffle ticket picks. The fun starts at 6:30 p.m. and tickets are $10 per person, which includes a choice from the dessert table. The funds raised by NAG support art and culture in the Mission Valley through a variety of activities, including: bringing Missoula Children’s Theatre to local schools, the Charlo Fine Arts Camp, Shakespeare in the Park and providing scholarships and funding for trips to special events. Call (406) 644-2311 for more information.