Cary's Blog

Flathead Valley Update: December 4, 2008

2008-12-04T12:21:44Z

City of Kalispell and Flathead County news from this week:

The City of Kalispell is still reviewing budget cuts. Strong stands are being made to not lay off police officers or firemen. Strong stands are being made to NOT cut in these vital areas. 550 acres have been approved for the city south of town for commercial, industrial and suburban residential uses. Part of this property has already been annexed to the city and Kalispell Council voted to change the growth policy to allow this development to become part of the city and to be developed in the approved manner.

Plum Creek has receveived a thumbs up from local planning committees to develop approximately 800 acres near Bitterroot Lake west of Kalispell. Plum Creek has done an awesome job in the past with infrastructure on small acreage parcels that were formerly logged.

Kalispell Art Walk is Friday night! Galleries and shops will be open and it should be a great pre-Christmas stroll around town.

Flathead Valley Weekly Update: December 1, 2008

2008-12-01T20:31:13Z

Where's the snow??? Big Mountain has a dusting at the summit and the valley has seen some flakes but where is all the white stuff? We are supposed to see some fall tomorrow but when oh when will ski season start this year is anyone's guess.

Being from Seattle, snow was a dreaded word. Even the threat caused wide spread panic and often the flakes never materialized. Here in northwest Montana, from hunters to skiers, citizens start grumbling about the absence of snow. Apparently hunting suffered since snow is necessary for tracking the animals. We had some nice venison last night for dinner courtesy of our son-in-law, a Whitefish native and good hunter. I, who has no problem eating the beef we raise, have a little problem digesting deer meat killed that very day. A cultural thing I guess.

Shopping in the valley got off with a bang last Friday. Herbergers at the mall opened at 4am. I actually know some people who were there when it opened! Clients who recently opened L&H Surplus next to the mall had a great weekend. They sell merchandise that is returned or overstocked from chain stores such as Target. A great economy to open such a store.

Colter Coffee in downtown Kalispell is a popular hangout as the weather gets chilly. It is on Main Street in an old building, lots of character and great coffee. They will be open, along with many other galleries and shops Friday night for the Art Walk. Musicians will be at various locations and the town will be lively. Should be a good time and great for downtown merchants.

I will keep you updated with the snow report. I have a ski pass and hope to get lots of use out of it!

Flathead Valley Update for November 14, 2008

2008-11-14T07:59:11Z

Whitefish has hired a new City Manager. He comes from Colorado. Kalispell has started the search for a new manager.

We have had a couple of very cold mornings and this is one of them. Cold this time of year is between 20-30 degrees. It is funny how the concept of cold changes during the seasons. This could feel warm in January! The pay off is sun and clear skies.

Hunters are hoping for snow. They may have had some in the higher elevations the last couple of days. The hunter check station west of Kalispell was very busy Sunday afternoon when I drove by. I know a few hunters who have been successful thus far - elk and deer. It is a crazy obsession among those who partake. Something longed for and planned throughout the non-hunting season.

Looks like the new Kohl department store infrastructure is in next to Lowes and Costco. Will watch for progress in the actual construction. The Whitefish Safeway and Walgreens have made a lot of progress the last couple of weeks with Walgreens looking further along.

Big Mountain frequent skier card purchases will be wrapping up on Nov. 22 with a pray for snow party on the 29th. I am hoping for another great snow year to use my season pass!

Flathead Valley Update for November 7, 2008

2008-11-07T05:13:48Z

The elections are finally over! Montana re-elected the Democratic governor, Flathead County Commissioner race is decided with former Sheriff Dupont being the new Commissioner and many state and federal decisions were made. It is a challenging time to be a politician and I can only hope that those elected are up to such a challenge.

Snow on the slopes! A few flakes have fallen on the valley floor and the slopes of Big Mountain are visibly white. Temps have been mild with a hard frost just occurring this week. Hard to say what the winter will be like but it is on the way. Snow drift fences are popping up to keep drifting snow off main roads. I am planning my Christmas lights on the driveway trees. Shorter days mean more time to get cozy in front of the fire and read a good book. The horse's coats are thick in preparation for more cold days. The mountain air is refreshing and clean. After being out of the country for a couple of weeks, it was wonderful to step off the plane into the clean smell of home.

Kalispell and Whitefish are both searching for new City Managers. Whitefish has narrowed their search to 6 applicants from around the country. Kalispell is just beginning the search. Both cities have temporary city managers in the interim.

More updates on the way next week.

Flathead Valley Update: Ocotober 14, 2008

2008-10-14T08:27:41Z

Sunshine continues but it is much colder. Finally had a hard frost so time to get the garden emptied out. Logan Pass in Glacier National Park has remained open for the most part. Snow is clearly visible from the valley in the mountains. Big Mountain even had snow on the top last week. It didn't stick around, but still, ski season is on the way.

I had some clients in town over the weekend from Chicago. They just could not get over our natural beauty here. We covered a good part of the valley looking at homes on acreage. I like to do this so in a short amount of time, newcomers are exposed to the variety in terrain the valley has to offer.

Kalispell city council met last night to go over road impact fees for developers. Waiting to see what comes of that.

Just like everywhere else, election news is taking over the valley. We have several local and state offices up for grabs including the governor. The current governor is expected to be re-elected as are the current senator and congressmen. Montana is traditionally Republican, but we always have elected officials from both parties.

It is shoulder season in the valley and a great time to visit!

Flathead Valley weekly Update:October 3, 2008

2008-10-03T13:26:24Z

Can you believe it? October is here and summer weather is continuing, at least until this weekend. Time to get the sailboat out of Flathead Lake, blow out the sprinkler system, and ready the garden for the first frost.

Kalispell Proposed Bypass news. For over 10 years, I have been disclosing this proposed bypass to buyers in potentially effected areas of Kalispell. I have just wished the darn thing to be there because the perception has been it will be like Interstate 5 going through Seattle and with as many vehicles. Of course, it is a bypass starting at the south end of Kalispell and ending north of town. Same cars that we have using Hwy 93 presently going right through town, and probably less because some might want to stop downtown and not use the bypass at all. Anyway, today's Daily Interlake talks about the latest Advisory Committee meeting which recommends going from 4 lanes total to 2 because of federal dollars or lack there of. Meanwhile, the cost keeps going up for construction. The state expects to buy the rest of the right away by next year sometime. I still maintain a wait and see on this bypass. Will the federal dollars come to pass? Will the right of way be purchased? Will the thing even get started in my lifetime?

I will update this blog when and if there is news or any further development on this issue.

Flathead Valley Update: September 29, 2008

2008-09-29T20:57:54Z

Changes and restorations in old town Kalispell.

Fawn Boutique opened last Friday in a lovely restored building on Main Street. This is a much anticipated women's clothing store with a Blue Jean Bar. Apparently you just tell the clerk what style and fit of jeans you are desiring and she can pull them from the stacks without digging through and reading all the labels yourself. Plan on visiting this store tomorrow to check it out.

Alternate Root opened a couple of weeks ago in the historic KM Building. Courtney Townley and Jamie Anderson are using a lovely space with brick walls and historic ceiling tiles for personal training. Also, gyrotonics, Zumba, pilates, yoga are taught for drop-ins or a pre-pay option for a discount. Courtney is my personal trainer and the best instructor/trainer I have ever had, and I have had a LOT! Courtney also teaches a small women's group training 2x a week. Jamie is a very experienced yoga instructor and also does personal training. With the nice atmosphere and soft music, it almost doesn't seem like work, I said almost! The best thing is - no grunting guys lifting weights and no whir of cardio equipment.

Flathead Fitness is almost finished expanding the nice gym downtown. This is a small and very friendly gym. I do my cardio there and take the occasional class. Much needed alternative to the hospital run large gym in town.

The best thing about my office being downtown Kalispell, I can walk to all of these locations.

We are all gaga about our extended summer weather. Clear sky's and sun with temps in the low 70's, enjoying everyday we can, never know when winter will descend. Trees are changing colors, bow hunting is going strong, I believe September is one of my favorite months!

Flathead Valley Update: September 18, 2008

2008-09-18T13:50:05Z

Summer continues this week! We drove up to Logan's Pass in Glacier National Park on Sunday hoping to snag a parking place and hike the highline trail. No luck, everyone else had the same idea on a gorgeous Sunday. So, continued down the east side and did a little hike - really a walk - to Baring falls near St. Mary Lake. See photo below taken from the trail.

News in the paper the last week has been about cities and Flathead County all dealing with budget cuts in light of reduced home construction revenue in the valley lately. Builders have decided to not be to gung ho on speculative building until buyers start buying more actively. Just another cycle to get through and then things should pick up again. We are thankful that our valley doesn't have the steep peaks and valleys that are seen in some other real estate valleys. We are impacted to a very minor degree when taking in what is happening in other parts of the country.

High school sports are in full swing for the fall. Cross Country teams could be seen from Highway 93 in Kalispell running on Saturday while at Glacier High School, what looked like j.v. football was being played.

Have a great weekend and head to the Park while you still can and get in a great fall foliage hike!

Horse Property - House, Barn w/9 stalls, Hay barn, Run In Sheds on 20 Acres!

2008-09-14T21:24:35Z

This amazing property in central Flathead Valley Montana is now priced at $499,000.

20 acre dream horse property! Fenced pastures and trees surround this updated country house all set up for horses or boarding business. 9 stall barn w/36x32'training area, tack room, wash area & also set up well for foaling. 72x25' pole barn for equipment and hay storage. 2 multi stall run in sheds.Master and all living is on the main floor.89x165'outdoor riding arena.1 yr home warranty for buyer.

Flathead Valley update September 12, 2008

2008-09-12T09:18:19Z

Weather couldn't be better! Covering tomatoes at night but clear sunny and warm days. Winter may be around the corner but we are enjoying every bit of outdoor activities we can squeeze in.

I showed my Swan Hill Drive listing in Bigfork yesterday, incredible day to enjoy the views of the Swan Range. I feel so blessed to be able to share the Flathead Valley with locals and out of state buyers alike.

North Valley School of Music had a fund raising concert a couple of nights ago in Whitefish. The school brought in a famous cowboy singer from Canada for the event. The school needs to raise funds for a larger location. They have grown with quality instructors in all instruments. Instructors have come from other states to make this a great program to grow the talent of kids and adults in our valley.

City of Kalispell has started with 6 employee layoffs to try and bring their budget into line.

Whitefish former "donut" residents may now be able to building on lots with steep slopes, formerly restricted by the city when they were in the donut planning area.

Tourists are still around with August seeing a spike in visits to Glacier National Park. Traffic has eased somewhat with the families visiting returning home for school.

Still time to buy that season ski pass for Big Mountain. Hope for another awesome ski year springs eternal. I have observed skis and snowboards being purchased during recent ski sales at sports equipment retailers. Kalispell ski club is getting organized for another year of offering ski lessons at a very good price to area kids.

Enjoy this mid September weekend!

Flathead Valley Update for September 7, 2008

2008-09-07T15:30:03Z

Montana is a contested state for the Democratic part presidential nominee in November's election. Obama has visited our valley and Senator Biden is visiting today. Our state is traditionally Republican but we do have a Democrat for governor currently. We'll see which way the state goes in November.

Farmers Market in Kalispell yesterday morning was great! Purchased some local melons, spaghetti squash, flowers, onions and other produce. Always a fun social event, running into friends. Followed the shopping with a bike ride down the rails to trails bike path. The path wanders through countryside and along Ashley Creek before following Highway 2 west of Kalispell.

Parade of Homes is this weekend with 23 homes on tour throughout the valley! It would take the 3 days to see all the homes. I volunteered at the Columbia Falls home Friday afternoon. Real steady turnout to see this lovely home that is also for sale.

The sun is out with a delightful fall nip to the air. Just gotta love September in the Flathead Valley!

Flathead Valley Weekly Update for August 28, 2008

2008-08-28T15:29:48Z

Labor Day weekend is coming! Schools in the valley have started, some of the tourist traffic is easing up. Weather should be great this weekend to squeeze in one of the last outdoor activities for the season.

We took 2 horses camping last weekend to Meadow Creek at the south end of Hungry Horse Reservoir. A long gravel road took us to awesome horse camping. See the photo below of the gorge. Watched some Forest Service mule trains take off to the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Others were packing in supplies to get ready for hunting season. The "Bob" is the largest wilderness area in the lower 48 and we feel so fortunate to have it out our back door.

Events coming up: Olympia Dukakis opens with the Alpine Theater Project the play she wrote based on Shakespeare's The Tempest. Looking forward to seeing that next week. Look on line at www.alpinetheaterproject.org. The annual Parade of Homes is next weekend. Flathead Building Association sponsors this tour of the valley's newest homes. From Polson to Kalispell, Bigfork to Columbia Falls and Whitefish the tour is of varied price ranges and all must see homes.

Have a great weekend and enjoy the end of summer!

Meadow Creek gorge

Flathead VAlley Weekly Update for July 14, 2008

2008-08-14T14:54:27Z

Our gorgeous summer weather continues. Had a brisk sail on Flathead Lake on Sunday. 20 knot winds! Need to practice our reefing the sails in calmer air. Watched other boats with their foresail down and the mains reefed.

Stopped in Lakeside for a burger on our way north at Tamarack Grill. Our new favorite stop when heading down to the boat. In the summer you can eat outside along the creek. Very pleasant! Good menu too.

It is fair week again. We are going to the PRCA Rodeo tonight. Good choice of nights to go since it is going to get very hot in the next few days.

Been riding horses as much as possible. Got to get all the trail riding in while summer lasts. Herron Park near Foys Lake is a great area to ride in. Foys to Blacktail is a project to raise funds to purchase the land necessary to link Herron Park to Blacktail ski area. This trail would be used by hikers, mountain bikers, horse riding and cross country skiing. Great views and great project! http://www.foystoblacktailtrails.org/

Enjoy this 2nd week of August!

Flathead Valley update August 5, 2008

2008-08-05T07:22:08Z

The City of Whitefish had their third strike against the city keeping control of the "donut" area within 2 miles of the city limits. The courts again sided with Flathead County. The city is pursuing the matter in the higher courts.

I am including a photo I took last week on a day long horse ride in the Great Bear Wilderness. It was a great day and we were very thankful our friend brought his saw since a tree blew down while we were in the wilderness and blocked the trail going out. A little excitement with the horses when it crashed down!

We joined many other locals in the wonderful hiking area of Jewell Basin on Saturday. Took a hike to Twin Lakes with our golden retriever. Many hikers brought along fishing poles for the back country lakes. Our dog immediately went into the lake when we arrived. She is a year old and was very intrigued by the smells and sites along the trail. After that, a little drive into Bigfork where the streets were closed down for the art festival. Shuttles were provided into town to accommodate the crowds.

Sunday night we went up to Whitefish Mountain resort and had dinner at the Hellroaring Saloon, sitting outside on the deck overlooking the valley. Mountain bikers were observed coming down the mountain, very brave of them on those steep slopes. Driving home we noticed the big interchange being built on Hwy 93 between Kalispell and Whitefish is really taking shape. This intersection will provide good traffic flow for many years to come.

The weather is awesome! Mild and sunny every day, no forest fires in our area so perfect.

Garden news: the snow peas are picked, raspberries are being eaten off the vine and the valley cherry crop is in full picking mode. The cool and damp June has effected some garden plants but others are producing very well.

Glacier Symphony Orchestra is having a week long Mozart event this week in Whitefish. WE have tickets to the "high octane" chamber concert tonight. Plan on visiting the farmers market there prior to the concert. Alpine Theater Project has finished the "Full Monty" and has just opened their next production "Pete and Keely". Have tickets for that later this week.

Hard to be bored in the Flathead in Summer!!

Flathead Valley Update: July 24, 2008

2008-07-24T15:18:14Z

Wow! 400+ at the Event at Rebecca Farms this weekend. 4 former competitors from the US and Canada are competing in horse events at the Olympics this year. I am volunteering to be a jump judge at the cross country event. Horse trailers have been pulling through town all week heading to this big qualifying 3 day event. It is free to attend and you are allowed to sit near the jumps to watch. Dressage is today and then 2 days of cross country and Sunday is stadium jumping. Very exciting!
Whitefish is hosting a major fly fishing expo this weekend at the high school.
Kalispell has the annual Hockady Museum art show at Depot Park. One of the best art attractions in the valley during summer.
Restored autos will be filling 1st Ave East in Kalispell on Saturday. Farmer's Market is also on Saturday.
Tired already just thinking of all the activities!
Kalispell has recently joined with Whitefish, Columbia Falls and Flathead County to form one central 911 center in the middle of the valley. Makes a lot of sense for calls to go to one center.

Flathead Valley Update: 7-18-2008

2008-07-18T14:27:19Z

"It was a quiet week" in the Flathead Valley. Ala Garrison Keller and his Lake Wobegon monologue. Everyone is out enjoying summer. Houses are being shown and buyers are showing signs of coming back to life. Our team has closed on 4 sales in the last 5 weeks so feeling pretty good about the market. Seeing a lot of price reductions, so it continues to be a great market to get out there and buy in!
    The interchange on Hwy 93 and Church Drive is starting to look like something. That will be great for traffic flow around the new Silverbrook subdivision between Whitefish and Kalispell.
    Alpine Theater Project opened "The Full Monty" this week. They use the Cary Jo's Team moving truck to transport their sets around. Our team had the pleasure of seeing the play last night. Accompanied by an orchestra and many seasoned Broadway actors, it was a roaring hit with the audience. There is something about the audiences here in Montana, full participation with hooting and hollering is perfectly acceptable.
    The weather has been PERFECT! Not too hot, but plenty of sunshine. More haying is being done around the valley, gardens are growing, hiking, biking, boating and everything else under the sun is going on. We don't want to miss a day out there playing. Sometimes hard to choose what to do. We plan on a drive up to Spotted Bear at the end of Hungry Horse reservoir. Have never driven to the end before and heard it is an incredible drive and view.

Flathead Valley Update: July 10, 2008

2008-07-10T09:12:19Z

It was a scenic ride along the east-side of the Hungry Horse Reservoir. We had an elk walk out of the woods and stand in the trail in front of our horses. Have never seen an elk on a trail ride before! The reservoir was beautiful down below us. We seemed to be the first on this trail for the season. Many large trees were down from winter storms across the trail, in fact one was so large we turned back. Did another ride with a friend this week at Herron Park. We climbed up the hill (or the horses did) until we had a very nice view of the mountains.
    According to the Daily Interlake, Whitefish Lake and Lakeshore Protection Committee is working to enforce lakeshore regulations to protect the water quality. The county may become involved since much of the lakeshore is not in the city but in Flathead County.
    Had a pleasant 4th of July bike ride on the trails in Whitefish. The city council has just awarded the construction for more trails to two different firms. The existing trail is scenic and follows the river in many places. We rode over to the art festival that was taking place in a town park.
    The city of Kalispell council is looking into park maintenance tax to take care of neighborhood parks. The summer concert series at depot park is in full swing. Tuesday night and Wednesday noon concerts are free. My office is near this park and music can be heard during the lunch hour when walking around town.
    Many Kalispell streets are being overlayed this month. Makes getting around with the additional summer traffic a little challenging. At least we who live here know alternative routes!
    Columbia Falls is looking into annexing a 28 acre River's Edge city park. Neighboring property owners are less than thrilled, feeling like they could be next and then would be paying city taxes.
    The sun is out so don't miss a second of this glorious season in the Flathead!

July 4th Week in the Flathead Valley

2008-07-02T15:57:43Z

    Wow, what a storm blew through the valley last night! Sheet lightening, LOTS of rain and some blustery winds. Hope the bad stuff is over and we can enjoy July 4th.
    Got our hay crop in earlier so it was in safe and dry for the winter. Other folks weren't so lucky. I still see a lot of baled hay sitting around in fields in the Flathead.
    Going to the Sun highway is finally plowed and open for the summer. Latest year that I can remember. Shuttles will be the main mode of transportation as the highway through Glacier National Park is still being worked on this year.
    Whitefish "donut" district was turned down by the courts for a second time. Flathead County said it is the county's job to zone and regulate use outside of the city of Whitefish, Whitefish was trying to defend their right to do the same in the 2 mile radius outside city limits. We'll see if that ended Whitefish from trying to sue the County.
    I went on a great horseback ride on Stoltz Lumber Company land near a friend's house. It was actively being logged so trails were dusty and we had some obstacles to get ourselves around. Some very nice views from up there.

Have a great 4th! We are trying to decide whether to go sailing, horseback riding or just be lazy. There are a lot of options this weekend. Whitefish is having the annual art show in the park which is always fun. Then there are those hikes in the Jewell Basin and Glacier we never get around to, and of course a nice bike ride. Trying to squeeze in all the great outdoors has to offer can be very challenging!

An Active Weekend In all the Wonders of Flathead Valley

2008-06-23T13:46:41Z

Wow, what a difference a week makes! Bikes, kayaks, boats, camping trailers, horse trailers, you name the outdoor recreation activity and the Flahhead Valley was doing it this weekend! Personally I rode horses, went on the bike trail, and went sailing. Lots of sunscreen and lots of fun.

Glacier National Park celebrates its 75th Anniversary this weekend at Lake McDonald. The events were scheduled for Logan's Pass but the Going to the Sun Road is still not plowed through for the summer. The snow 2 weeks ago did not do the pass any favors, even burying equipment in slides with the wet heavy snow that fell. A big thunder storm rolled through the valley Saturday night bringing some much needed rain in the valley. The summer license plate brigade has started. It is fun to see the states and Canada represented by their various modes of transportation.

The above photo was taken after a storm, it was actually a double rainbow.

Interesting Weather Marks Another Week in the Flathead Valley!

2008-06-16T17:42:32Z

    Boy did we have an interesting week last week. Higher areas in the valley got 5" of snow, while we on the valley floor got enough wet stuff to bend over the lilacs and tree branches. It was gone very quickly but even though it disappeared, there was a lot of grumbling about the weather and potential garden damage as well as the cherry crops being effected. By Friday we were in the high 60's to 70's and it just gets nicer everyday. Makes us all want to run out and enjoy the sun in case it doesn't last.
    Tis the season for motor homes and all assortments of r.v.'s and license plates. Glacier Park isn't open through Logan's pass yet. Record snow accumulations is making that hard going. There will be a 75th anniversary of the park the end of June.
    Our team has 4 groups of out of state buyers just in the next week and a half - another sign of summer.
    We had a brisk wind on Flathead Lake Sunday for our shake down sail. Actually made it around Cromwell Island which doesn't happen everyday since Wild Horse Island blocks the breeze.
    So - get out there and enjoy the summer, it officially starts in just a few days!

Flathead Valley Weekly Update for June 5, 2008

2008-06-05T13:55:51Z

Is this Spring or what! We have either been above normal in our temperatures or below, nothing normal about the weather. Thunder showers in the afternoons - and yes we do need the rain - sets us to whining about where is summer when it is not supposed to be summer yet!

With this kind of fickle weather, it is ride that horse when it is nice out weather and DON"T wait until tomorrow. My first trail ride is tomorrow but I have been riding my horses at home and taking some lessons already.

Sailboat should be in the lake soon to add to the summer fun. For those outside our valley "the lake" is Flathead Lake. "The Park" is of course. We have many lakes and many parks but those are "the" ones most often spoken of. Just like there are many mountains, but going to "the" mountain is formerly Big Mountain, now called Whitefish Ski Resort.

Speaking of Whitefish Ski Resort, season passes are on sale for $535 if you purchase before September. I am definitely taking advantage of that. Ski 10x and it is paid for.

So, as always, planning ahead for the seasonal changes. Don't miss out on summer, it is one of the best!

Flathead Valley: Weekly Update for May 24, 2008

2008-05-25T09:15:25Z

Horseback season has arrived! I have been getting the horses back in shape which entails diets for most. Riding in the outdoor arena to work out any bugs before hitting the trail. My 3 year old gelding has gone off for more under saddle training.

Former President Clinton recently stopped at Flathead Valley Community College to campaign for his wife. He was characteristically late but the crowd was elated to have a former president visit our valley anyway.

Our record snowpack had a quick melt when the temps were in the 80's last weekend. Rivers rose with some lowland flooding. We drove up to West Glacier yesterday to see what the Middle fork of the Flathead River looked like. Swirling fast moving water was fun to watch from a bridge at West Glacier. We then attended a lecture and slide presentation by a local who moved here from Japan many years ago to study mountain goats. It was a very entertaining talk with his stories of camping throughout winter in a tent in the depths of the park to study and photograph the goats. Eventually bringing his wife and baby daughter to spend years learning more about these animals.

Kohls department store is soon to break ground in Kalispell, followed by PetSmart and some other retailers. Last weekend saw MANY Alberta and B.C. Canada visitors shopping and golfing in the valley during their Victoria Day 3 day weekend.

It is now safe to plant the annuals outside, everything is green and the flowers are something I look forward to every year. I purchased some hardy roses to add to my yard and will be busy moving some spruce trees so they can benefit from rain showers.

Take care and more next week!

What's New for May 6, 2008!

2008-05-06T15:56:24Z

We are all hoping Spring is here for good! With the weather going back and forth between winter and summer, the leaves are finally daring to appear on the tree lined streets of Kalispell!

I rode one of my Rocky Mountain horses for the first time so far this weekend. She was perfectly behaved and it was so nice to be sitting on a horse in the sunshine again.

Donut update: The lawsuit filed by the City of Whitefish against Flathead County regarding the donut area around Whitefish being in the county jurisdiction not city, was denied by a judge last week. The city is now trying to figure out what their next step is. The donut area in recent past has been controlled by the city of Whitefish as far as planning, zoning and growth go. Those who live within the donut have not vote over city matters. Flathead County maintains it should be their say that goes not the city. We'll see if the disagreement continues.

Snow in the high mountains is finally melting and the rivers are coming up. I am looking forward to Flathead Lake filling to full pool so we can get our sailboat in. This is not usually until the first of June or so. The lake is controlled by a dam at the south end to make flooding less likely to happen.

Buyer activity: starting to see some out of state buyers - real buyers - coming into the area at long last. Building has slowed significantly as sales have slowed. Spec building will be behind when the market suddenly picks up. For the time being it is still a buyers market but that could change once buyers realize now is the time and inventory starts ticking off. Prices are not going to change drastically here as they have in some parts of the country, we just did not have the crazy appreciation they did. Some seller's have reduced prices to where they need to be to be competitive but there are very few true hardship cases out there.

Don't miss the summer in the Flathead Valley, it is superior!!

Flathead County - What's New For April 10, 2008

2008-04-10T13:50:00Z

The weather is as always a topic of conversation this week. Rumors of 70 degrees by Sunday are flying around the valley. We are ALL ready for Spring/Summer to arrive. Too bad that Whitefish Mountain ski area closed last weekend. The conditions were superb and snow was falling for those that were still on the mountain. Usually by this time it is sunny and mushy, but not this year! My husband tells me that he had a great day skiing last Friday at Blacktail. Blacktail in Lakeside will remain open as long as the conditions are good.

The task force of builders/developers/commercial construction have had a meeting this week regarding the impact fees for roads that the city of Kalispell is proposing. Glacier Mall which finally got city approval, would be very hard hit as commercial has the highest proposed fees to deal with. Does not seem like a good plan to penalize businesses when that is what keeps the economy growing and healthy.

Buyers have started looking at houses this week with the more enticing weather. Our web site activity has also increased with out of state buyers planning their summer trip to the Flathead.

"Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!"" Robin Williams, actor

Flathead Valley Weekly Update

2008-04-03T11:15:32Z

After a winter of snowfall in enormous proportions, Glacier National Park is expected to open on June 13. This date of course, is subject to the weather from now until then. This summer the Going to the Sun road will be impacted by the continuing construction that was started last fall. There is a shuttle system that again will be used to shuttle visitors and hikers from one side on the park to the other. For pictures of snow removal, go to www.dailyinterlake.com. On 4/3/08 there is a photo of the plowing. Awesome amount of snow!

Speaking of snow, Whitefish Mountain Resort and Blacktail Ski areas will both be closing down the ski season this weekend. What a season! Too bad I had knee surgery and missed the record amount of snow and powder! Oh well, there is always next year.

The City of Kalispell is having workshops to decide on road impact fees. From residential to commercial, the City wants to implement fees. Roughly $1000 per new single family home is the proposed amount. Apartment buildings will be assessed per unit and commercial buildings per square foot. We'll see if this happens. Just another fee that will be passed onto the consumer. Some discussion on the policing to make sure such fees actually are used for roads is taking place.

Flathead Building Association, our local association of Realtors, and the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce are working together to get Flathead County to do something about the onerous regulations the county put into effect last August. There are regulations that are more stringent than the state's rules and these agencies want the regulations to match with the state codes. Some of the new regulations are in regard to building on slopes, distance from streams and rivers, groundwater areas, and sewage treatment. Again, all regulations that impact the price of a new home and are passed on to the buyer. As a builder, my husband has been a part of some of the focus groups that have meet from the FBA to come up with an action plan.

It is a gorgeous spring like day and boy are we ready for spring!