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Weekend Buffet: Whitefish, Kalispell Fastest Growing, Butte Folk Fest, Sailing With ‘Jaws’

By Beacon Staff

Good morning; today is the birthday of Robert the Bruce, one of Scotland’s greatest kings.

On the Beacon this morning, new census figures show that Whitefish is the fastest growing city in Montana, with a 60 percent population increase from 2000 to 2007. Kalispell comes in second, with 43 percent growth in that same period. A new daycare center for dogs in Kalispell allows canine socializing. The circus comes to Columbia Falls tonight, with shows at 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Bigfork is taking steps to increase its recycling and make its village more inviting to bicyclists. High gas prices are slightly deflating some of the recreational boating on Flathead Lake. Handmade quilts celebrating women will revolve along the walls of Loula’s in Whitefish.

In state news, while the Flathead remains wet and green, to the south, Western Montana forests are beginning to dry out and fire conditions are in-line with the 20-year average. According to the state Department of Revenue director, Montana’s housing market remains fairly stable and is mostly avoiding the turmoil sweeping so much of the nation. North American Indian Days kicks off this weekend in Browning. The Environmental Protection Agency has devalued the worth of an American life – sound weird? Check out the story. In Butte, the national folk festival kicks off today.

And finally, while I’m not sure this is necessarily lighthearted, in Massachusetts, multiple Great White sharks have been spotted off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard – where Steven Spielberg filmed “Jaws” in 1974. And authorities are on edge as a children’s sailing regatta begins this weekend. Makes me glad to live in a land-locked state. Have a great weekend.