Greater Falls!

Van’s IGA

david — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 03:37:58 +0000

Heard there was quite a to-do at Van’s IGA today (both stores). My source reported that they were conducting a HUGE sale - including bacon for 49 cents! - and that the store on 10th Avenue South was absolutely mobbed. A band playing. Lines stretching to the very back of the store. People waiting for carts - or using laundry baskets to tote their goods to the register. She said that it even got a bit ugly among some shoppers, to which I replied, “Hell, I’d take a swing at someone for 49-cent bacon.”
Any first-hand accounts of the experience?

Winter Storm Warning!

david — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 21:34:35 +0000

Our weather forecast just got a lot more interesting…our Winter Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning!

… Winter Storm Warning in effect from midnight tonight to 6 PM MDT Sunday…

The National Weather Service in Great Falls has issued a Winter Storm Warning for snow and winds… which is in effect from midnight tonight to 6 PM MDT Sunday. The Winter Storm Watch has been replaced by this warning.

Snow will develop across southwest Montana and southern portions of central Montana tonight and will continue to affect the region through Sunday afternoon. In addition… brisk north to northeast winds of 15 to 25 mph will cause areas of blowing snow at times… especially in the mountains and through favored canyons and gaps. By Sunday afternoon expect 4 to 8 inches of snow accumulation at lower elevations… with 15 to 30 inches of snow possible in the mountains.

Looks like we might have a winner in the First Snow Contest sooner, rather than later!

Here’s the screenshot of the current forecast from Weather Underground:

First Snowflakes!

david — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 04:54:09 +0000

And yea, there was rejoicing in the Great land, for it upon this very night, the 9th of October, just moments after the clock crossed upon the half-way mark between the ten and eleven o’clock hours in the dark evening, that the first Snow Flakes of the Season have been observed drifting through the air, causing much delight in the hearts of those who are desirous of the Fluff.

(note: this is the First Snowflakes Of The Season post, not the We Have A Winner in The First Snow Contest post!)

Wanna Buy A Wreath?

david — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:56:18 +0000

Here’s a nifty fundraiser for Central Catholic High School: festive holiday wreaths & garlands (and more)!

Click the picture to see larger size and prices.

I’m partial to the pine-cone crate. If you would like to purchase one (or two or three - great for gifts!), let me know by October 22nd. Use the handy Contact Form to tell me exactly what you want, along with your phone number. Money is due up front, but you can also pay upon delivery - which will be on November 22. Pretty cool.

Snow Summary

david — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 17:12:02 +0000

And now the snow is falling! Finally! Big, fluffy flakes! Nothing like what other parts of Montana are getting, but probably enough that we will have a winner in the First Snow Contest today. Probably.

Which reminds me that it was October 11, 2002, that I experienced my very first Montana snow. It was a Friday, a little after 5:00 pm, and it was magical.

And now here’s a “Snow Summary” for my fellow snow-lovers:

Snow in June: just a few months ago, we got seven inches of snow - in June!

Snow in August: back in 1992, Great Falls received eight inches of snow - in August!

Rain or Snow? a little poll asking which you prefer - dreary, grey, wet rain, or beautiful, white, fluffy snow?!

Virtual Snow: two cute snow-based games to get you in the spirit!

First Snow!

david — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:01:04 +0000

Woke up to about five inches of the fluffy white stuff - and it’s still coming down! Hooray for October snow!

So it looks like Harley Rider is the winner of the “First Snow” contest with her guess of October 11, and BBx gets an honorable mention for his (her?) guess of October 13!

Don’t forget - be super-careful when you’re driving out there. Yesterday one of my friends hit a patch of ice on the 10th Avenue bridge and bounced into the guardrail. Slow down, keep your distance, and drive defensively, people!

UPDATE: got an October Snow gallery over at KRTV - send me your snow-pix to add!

UPDATE, 9:00 pm: HOLY COW - be careful out there, people…this is the first time that I’ve ever seen the 10th Avenue South bridge CLOSED in both directions! Heard there was a 7-car pileup. Monday morning - get up a few minutes early, clean your windows, and give yourself a few extra minutes to get to work.

Cluck Cluck

david — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:47:40 +0000

This is awesome: a publication from 1934 (1934!) titled “Everybody’s Poultry Magazine!” It is full of articles and pictures and cartoons. I’ll post more later!

Around the Great Falls ‘Sphere

david — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 03:57:26 +0000

Lots going on - let’s get to it: first, some great news for the Smith family - please go welcome Brendan Ryan to the world - what a cutie!

Next up is some snow pix from both Shannon and The Other Dave.

And after a brief hiatus, ReAnn is back, offering holiday shopping tips (yes, it’s time) and stress-reduction tips (cause & effect?).

GF Girl mentioned a new “political committee” being formed - anyone have an update on how the meeting went? She’s also got some insight and news about downtown parking issues.

As for me…I’ve been working on a “KRTV Community” page - archives, community calendar, and a simple contact form (and a new category that I think some of you will really appreciate).

And I’m happy to report that the October Snow Gallery has been a success - we got entries from Great Falls, of course, but also Malta and even Glasgow (where they got nearly 13 inches of snow!).

Diebold versus ACORN

david — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 05:08:12 +0000

If the 2008 Presidential election is close - and I think it will be - then it sure seems like it’s going to come down to Diebold versus ACORN, doesn’t it? The Diebold conspiracy hasn’t been as prominent in recent months, but the ACORN stuff sure has exploded into the headlines.

Rigged voting machines versus fraudulent voter registration: that is how one side will explain and/or attack the other side for ANY voting irregularities. Maybe, however, both sides will agree that the two balance each other: the number of rigged votes coming in for McCain via Diebold machines will roughly match the number of fraudulent votes coming from ACORN-registered youngsters and/or dead people and/or Mickey Mouse.

Hanging chads? That’s so 2000.

Mid-week Linkage

david — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:59:29 +0000

Cool: two new Great Falls blogs! The first is from Michele at Killing Time - some great pix from around town (and beyond). The second is Musings From A Montana Mama; she’s only posted a couple of times, so maybe a few comments from you will get her writing again.

Wouldja believe it’s been a year since the “What Makes Great Falls Great?” photo contest? Might be time for another one…with a twist.

And now a few non-Great Falls links to amuse and entertain:
- Eight cans of shaving cream. Mid-October. You do the math.
- Funny headlines & strange newspaper entries? Check.
- 5-minute chocolate cake? Maybe. Beatrix tipped me off. Anyone tried it?
- Brian The Bully - seen the ads? Think they are fair?