Kalispell's current City Manager took a position in another state. An attorney from Helena was set to be the interim but ran into some state pension problems. So, while the search continues for a new manager, the current city attorney may be filling in for a time. The new fire chief has been approved by the city council. Dave Dedman is a Kalispell native and has been filling in for the vacated post and is now the new fire chief.

Record high temps on Wednesday at 50 degrees was really strange. It felt like spring most of the week. Snow in the forecast though for the next few days and boy are we ready for it! The ski slopes are emptied from the surge of holiday tourists. Should be good skiing next week.

The National Association of  Realtor's economist, put out a positive market report for the first time in 3 years. He says there are signs that there is the beginnings of  a healthy uptick in the market. Not since the first time home buyer's credit has there been this change so it is thought that we are slowly climbing out. All real estate is local however, but national trends trickle into our valley eventually. Good news for my sellers-in addition to decreased inventory and fewer bank owned coming on the market. The good news for the buyers is that still record low mortgage rates are available.

My personal happy news this week was welcoming my first grandchild! Son and daughter-in-law gave birth to a boy in Washington State. So blessed and excited.

Weather: for some reason this is the first thing that comes to mind this week. After many sunny and warm (for winter) days, it is snowing this morning. Still warm and may end up raining in the valley but the ski hills should benefit. It has been a slow start to skiing this year. Big Mtn received 7" the other night which led to avalanche control measures. This weekend should see the start to more stable snow fall and better conditions. Blacktail faces north and has had a better base thus far. Big winds and rain off and on the last couple of days in the valley. The ground has been thawing. Hope the trees and horses don't start thinking it is spring!

Whitefish Mountain Resort has some New Year's Eve options. Snow boarding on the rails under lights at 5pm followed by the torchlight parade. Music at the base lodge free of charge from 5-8:30pm.

First Night Flathead in Kalispell is an annual event. Buy a button and roam around town to various venues to enjoy a wide variety of music from local musicians.

Fresh Life Church had 3 amazing Christmas Eve services on Saturday. We attended the one at 2pm in Kalispell. There are 2 former movie theaters where worship takes place and they were at capacity with overflow in an additional building. This is a very high tech church so the other venues had hd equipped screens showing the live music and preaching from the Liberty theater. There was a 4pm in Whitefish at the cinema there. Amazing music and preaching!

Hockey is showing up around the valley. On any frozen body of water, at the Woodland Park rink in Kalispell and the Stumptown Ice Den in Whitefish. 

My winter activities are curtailed due to knee replacement surgery a few weeks ago, but you can still find me in the cheering section for snow!

A beautiful sight yesterday afternoon: full moon rising over Glacier National Park! Blue sky, snow on the Swan Range of the Rockies, incredible. I never tire of looking at the view that surrounds me in the Flathead Valley.

It was a week of sunny days which did not help either Blacktail or Whitefish Mountain Resort to add to their snow base for skiing. Never the less, both areas are opening today. Big Mountain will have reduced lift tickets and limited terrain open for skiing. They have been making snow on the mountain to add to the snow nature has been rather stingy on providing.

Whitefish Christmas Stroll was last night. There was a huge crowd out for that and also to fill the bars and watch the UofM Grizzlies play Iowa in a semi-final playoff game on the big screen. The Griz won again. On Central Ave. in Whitefish, snow had been brought in to cover the road so the sled dogs pulling kegs would have the needed surface to compete on. Chestnuts were roasting and carols were sung. Many smiling faces in the town.

There are multitudes of plays and concerts coming up in the next 2 weeks leading to Christmas. Nancy Cawdry is having her studio open today and we plan on driving towards Bigfork to take a look. I love her colorful painting on silk and canvas. I have one of her cowgirl prints in my office to brighten up the day. www.nancycawdry.com - take a look.

Plan now and make reservations for any Christmas dinner plans you may have. Many local eateries are having special meals but book up. Last year we had a great dinner with friends on Christmas Eve at the Whitefish Lake Lodge. A great setting for Christmas.

Flathead Valley activities are ramping up quickly leading to Christmas:

Tonight, December 2 - Kalispell ArtWalk from 5-9pm

Shepherd's Hand Clinic in Whitefish has a benefit tonight at Christ Lutheran Church. Free to attend but donations accepted. This clinic has been in place for many years helping those without insurance. One of my personal favorite physicians, Jay Erickson, and his wife started this program and have donated untold hours to helping those in need of medical care in our valley. Shepherdshand.com. The benefit starts at 7pm.

I am once again singing the praises of our excellent medical care in the valley. Dr. Olszewski, noted knee surgeon, did a total knee replacement on my right leg last week. 2 nights were spent at Health Center NW in Kalispell. The wonderful staff at Flathead Orthopedics and our local hospital made the surgery go very smoothly. My follow up physical therapist is Kat Ingalk of Mindful Motion in Kalispell. I saw her last night for the first time and love her! She is caring, energetic and creative. Kat works out of Straight Blast Gym. She will be giving me homework and working on getting the motion back into that new knee joint.

Last night we ate at Hops Bar and Grill in Kalispell for the first time since they opened. Had a burger and their homemade chips. Best chips ever! The place was packed which is pretty impressive for a Thursday night in December.

Whitefish Mtn Resort has delayed opening. Ski season was set to start December 3 but there just is not enough snow. We have had lots of sun and dry weather with no snow left in the valley floor.

Well, I guess winter is here. Beautiful sunshine on the new snow today after off and on blizzard type weather the last couple of days. Whitefish Mountain Resort opens December 3 for skiing so getting some nice assistance from the weather. From the valley floor, the slopes are clearly covered in white.

Saturday morning drive into Whitefish to get a fleece jacket for the little house dog. He didn't look kindly at the cold weather when he needed to head outside to do his duty. Tailwaggers had just the thing, a locally made fleece coat for him. Then a walk over to Nelson Hardware to pickup a couple of items and have a nice visit with Rick Nelson the owner. Then onto the turkey buying at Super One. Last stop: Montana Coffee Traders on Hwy 93 in Whitefish for the best Americano in the valley. Super women work there, always friendly and remember me.

New commercial listing on the Swan Valley Highway. Former deli/gas station with a 4 bedroom house, recently remodeled. See it on kalispellcary.com.

Off to protect the honey bee hives from the cold nights.

November! Snow is on Big Mtn, some valley snow possible the end of the week. Unlike the NE part of the country, we had no snow in October in the Flathead Valley.

Kalispell restaurant update:

1) Applebees in front of Costco will be opening soon to add to the choices at the north end of Kalispell

2) Doug and Vonnie Day are changing their restaurant format over to more casual pub type of eatery on Main Street called Hops Restaurant and Grill. Always on the lookout for a great burger, I'll let you know how it is.,

3) We have had both lunch and breakfast at the Split Rock downtown. Both excellent, good value and great service.

Whitefish City Hall re-location and possibly a new building are still being hotly debated, especially leading up to council member elections.

A group in Wisconsin has complained to the Forest Service that a statue of Christ on Big Mtn since 1953 should not have the permit renewed for it to be on the ski hill. This statue is a World War II memorial and the out cry from our valley has been loud and strong. We'll see if the Forest Service respects the history and local opinions.

Get ready for winter in the Flathead Valley:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiwgBxlpC9o

This is mostly Whitefish. Don't leave out Kalispell, Bigfork, Columbia Falls and Somers/Lakeside. The Flathead Valley has much to do and see!