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CORWI N MOTORS OF KALISPELL
Ready, set, launch!
Is this thing on? Hello, Flathead Valley! We are officially live and launched. Just that word—launch— brings forth so many emotions. I grew up as a lake kid, completely familiar with the circus of boating. The fuzzy pads on the trailer and the pull of the water when Dad gave our old Chevy Blazer some gas at the boat launch. I can still remember unzipping the blue canvas cover and poking my face into that warm pocket of air that smelled of broken in leather and maybe a little mildew. The engine muttered and a wide wake trailed behind us as we pulled away from shore. It was summer.
But here we are, launching a different kind of boat in the turning of a season. With bathing suits and boating just about behind us, the team at Flathead Valley Lifestyle is just setting sail on what we hope will be a bright beacon of positivity for our community. We are interested in hearing the stories that are born or arrive here, from natives and transplants alike. We welcome you—the writers, the photographers, the artists and business owners—to contact us. This is your magazine. We're here, waiting to hear from you.
In this particular launch issue, we invite you to read about a local multitalented woman named Elisa Wilson. She's a horse trainer who has a special knack for gentling mustangs on her property in Kila. It's rugged and raw, like the Flathead roots. And then we have a story on Herb & Omni—refined and sophisticated. The beautiful almost magical thing about our region is our ability to have it both ways. We have strength and nerve to partake in exhilarating activities, yet we like the dusted off and polished up night out. This area has attracted tremendous talent in all arenas of life. It's just the beginning of our telling of it.
Thanks for being here. Happy reading!
CHELSEA AGRO, EDITOR
September 2025
PUBLISHER
Greig Fahnlander | Greig.Fahnlander@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Chelsea Agro | Chelsea.Agro@CityLifestyle.com
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Porsche Jean Photography 406PsPhotography@Gmail.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Chelsea Agro, Marko Capoferri
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe
LAYOUT DESIGNER Eva Tucker
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Marina Campbell
Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Greig Fahnlander
FLATHEAD VALLEY CITY LIFESTYLE PUBLISHER
Bishop Builders
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Black Diamond Landworks
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Built Right
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Corwin Motors Kalispel
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Covet Beauty
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Herb & Omni
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Montana Property Paint and Stain
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city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1: Ashley Lake was a private summer oasis for a family camping trip. 2: Mackenzie River in Bigfork was the perfect setting for a pizza right on the water. 3: The Kid Zone tent offered lots of arts and craft projects at the Event at Rebecca Farms 4-5: Crystal Park digging for crystals 6: A hike to Coolidge Ghost Town 7: Bannack Days for Porsche and family
CHELSEA AGRO
CHELSEA AGRO
PORSCHE JEAN PHOTOGRAPHY
PORSCHE JEAN
PORSCHE
Managing Your Residential & Commercial Site Work Needs
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Attention Writers
Do you have a hankering for freelance writing? We're looking for you! Flathead Valley Lifestyle is currently in search of freelance writers who have experience in AP style. Previous published pieces preferred but not required. Learn all about your community from a different perspective by interviewing business owners and fascinating individuals. Have ideas of your own? Excellent! We love pitches. Please inquire or send writing examples to Chelsea.Agro@ CityLifestyle.com.
Farmers Market
Summer isn't over yet! Head over to the Kalispell Farmers Market every Saturday through October between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Scan to read more
Whitefish Food & Wine Festival
The Whitefish Food & Wine Festival is back! September 8 to 14. This locally-produced festival showcases the culinary and hospitality scene in the Flathead Valley and greater Montana. Enjoy tastings, fivecourse meals, and a special Sunday brunch. All details are available at WhitefishFoodAndWine.com
With a commitment to quality, precision, and reliable service, we strive to not only elevate your space—but earn your trust along the way.
Montana Property Paint and Stain is proudly owned by Graham and Naomi Burden, a husband-andwife team born and raised in the Flathead Valley. We approach every project with the same care and attention to detail we’d give our own home.
ARTICLE BY GREIG FAHNLANDER
Meet the Publisher Greig Fahnlander
FAMILY MAN AND MOUNTAIN LIFE
Family
I met my wife Nicole 31 years ago while in college. We married in the fall of 1996, and we have two kids. Our first is Elise, born on Christmas Day in 2001, in college pursuing early education. Kent is our second and just graduated high school, pursuing a career in welding. I can’t forget our dog Penny, an Australian Labradoodle, who’s always in a good mood.
My Why
I want to create a magazine that highlights the great people and businesses here in the valley and why we chose to live here.
Outdoors
Ever since I was a kid I always wanted to be in the outdoors and especially in the mountains. Nowadays, skiing, fishing, hiking, snowmobiling, and hunting keep me busy in what spare time I can get.
Happy Place
I have many happy places which include sitting around a fire with my favorite people, favorite beverage in hand, being up in the mountains, on a lake, or on a river connecting with nature, or on a deck at a local restaurant taking in the scenery and listening to live music.
Food & Drink
I love firing up the smoker and drinking whiskey while spending time with my family. My two favorite local spots are the “A Bar” or Flathead Lake Brewing.
Our mission is to help you live the highest quality of life possible, so you can do more of what you love. At Northern Roots Chiropractic we find real CAUSE of your issue and create a personalized corrective and rehab protocol to get you healthy and keep you healthy! To be Healthy is to heal and can only happen by finding the cause of symptoms and resolving the problem.
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HOME IS WHERE THE HORSE IS
KILA RESIDENT ELISA WILSON GENTLES AND TRAINS WILD MUSTANGS AT HER HOME IN THE MOUNTAINS
ARTICLE BY CHELSEA AGRO
PHOTOGRAPHY BY PORSCHE
JEAN PHOTOGRAPHY
“I’m a learning junkie,” says Elisa Wilson, local mustang trainer who resides on a 40-acre off-grid property in Kila. It sounds like a real positive until she and her husband found themselves in the empty-nester portion of life and Elisa decided to get into horses. “I’m doing horses,” she says, and quickly follows up with, “My husband wasn’t thrilled but I said, ‘You don’t really have a choice.’”
Like learning any new hobby or skill, Elisa had to get her hands dirty and submerge herself deep into the experience of horses—particularly mustangs, which is a lot like taking up shark diving for someone who has never been in the ocean. Mustangs are wild, meaning not just untrained but unhandled, too. They live like the flight animals that they are, constantly aware of their surroundings and as wild as any deer you’d see in a meadow. The challenge excited Elisa. “If they can do it, so can I,” she says after watching “Wild Horse, Wild Ride,” a documentary that follows an annual contest where 100 people tame a
completely wild mustang in order to get it adopted and into a better life beyond holding pens across the nation.
For those who have never came across any information on wild horses being managed by the government, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) conducts routine roundups of these majestic animals in an effort to maintain a healthy animal to grazing land balance. For 17 years, the Trainer Incentive Program (TIP) was operated through a partnership between the BLM and the Mustang Heritage Foundation. That program concluded in autumn of 2023, which shifted the focus
“I SIGNED UP, EVEN THOUGH I DIDN’T HAVE ANY CHANCE AT WINNING.”
to more public online auctions rather than smaller in-person corrals where more horse-educated individuals would take one or a few home to train them for eventual adoption or sale.
Elisa was a TIP trainer for a brief time during the program’s stint but her work with mustangs started with a competition called Mustang Million—a five-day horse training competition held in Fort Worth, Texas where each contestant picks out their own mustang and has 120 days to work with it and bring it to Texas to compete.
“I didn’t know anything about wild horses,” says Elisa. “I signed up, even though I didn’t have any chance at winning—that wasn’t what it was about. I drove down to Texas, 2,000 miles each way, had a blast and met so many people and that’s sort of when I was hooked into the mustang community.” Today, Elisa’s early connections have withstood the test of time. This summer she welcomed back Mark Lyon to her farm for the fifth time to offer private lessons to those in the surrounding area. “People just show up—we’ve done liberty and colt starting, and the rest of the time
Mr Knightly
we just play with horses…I’m just always trying to find different people.” Learning is a lifelong endeavor for Elisa, and she talks about the stigma that comes from horsemen and women having to “know it all.” It’s often better to admit that we are all still students in life.
Elisa picked her first mustang out from a pen in Oregon—a grey whom she named Mr. Knightly. Out of hundreds, this one kept curiously coming up to her. She dressed up as Emma and he was himself— Mr. Knightly, complete with a bowtie. They danced in the competition’s freestyle. “I had never shown a horse before in my life and here I was at Mustang Million and just having fun,” says Elisa. “I was just happy to show up.”
She’s helped countless people with their horses, whether it’s gentling or saddle training them, or even taking them back when someone else didn’t correctly estimate the commitment or investment needed to work with these animals. Today, she reflects on the adventure she’s taken herself on, and the many horses that led the way, especially Mr. Knightly. “He’s such a good boy. He’s so light, you can ride him bridleless and he knows me and I know him.”
for the foodie in everyone
Herb & Omni offers a historic setting for herbivores and omnivores alike
While Herb & Omni may be a new name in Whitefish, the building it’s housed within is anything but new.
The two-story structure at 101 Central Avenue has gone through quite a few phases since its construction in 1905—saloon, bar, prohibition-era billiards hall—and in its current, beautifully restored incarnation houses Herb & Omni, the kind of remarkable restaurant that would be a standout just about anywhere in the world, let alone in this relatively laid-back Montana town.
One of their gem-like facets is included right in the restaurant’s name: Herb & Omni are shorthand for “herbivore” and “omnivore,” which speaks to their wide-armed embrace of the broad spectrum of culinary preferences.
“Inclusivity is at the heart of our philosophy. Herb & Omni is literally named for it,” says Steve Labrovic, the restaurant’s General Manager, “and that reflects our desire to thoughtfully serve every guest, no matter how they eat.”
“We’ve seen how often people with plantbased, vegan, or allergen-conscious diets are treated like afterthoughts, especially in fine dining,” he continues. “That didn’t sit right with us. We believe everyone deserves not just something to eat, but something to savor.”
ARTICLE BY MARKO CAPOFERRI
PHOTOGRAPHY BY PORSCHE
JEAN PHOTOGRAPHY
This spirit of inclusion begins not just with the menu, however. Between the reclaimed wood and brick that comprise the walls, floors, and ceilings, to accents that invoke the beauty found in nature, to flourishes that enhance brightness and reflectivity, Herb & Omni has created an environment that welcomes each guest from the moment they walk through the doors.
“We want people to feel cared for the moment they walk in, like they’re entering a space that was built with them in mind,” Steve explains. “At Herb & Omni, the experience is about nourishment in every sense: food, atmosphere, connection.”
“We’ve restored and reimagined this historical building to create something both timeless and current,” he says, “a place where locals and visitors alike can settle in, feel welcome, and leave feeling a little fuller, not just from the food, but from the care we put into everything we do.”
Herb & Omni doesn’t rely solely on décor to evoke the bountiful natural world surrounding Whitefish; their food is sourced locally whenever possible, so visitors to Herb & Omni get to literally taste Montana.
“We’re lucky to be in a region like the Flathead Valley, where you can find incredible farmers, ranchers, and producers who care deeply about their work,” Steve says. “When we buy local, we’re investing in our neighbors and in the land we share. The food tastes better because the ingredients come with intention, and there’s a real integrity in knowing where and who it all comes from. That care translates directly to what’s on the plate.”
As you can see, regionality is a core component of what Herb & Omni strives to embody. Rather than implant a sense of outside worldliness into this tight-knit Flathead Valley community, they’ve taken the steps to represent the place they do business.
“Whitefish is a rare kind of town. It has this wonderful mix of grounded, local roots and curious, worldly visitors. That makes it such a dynamic place to do what we do: to cook, to serve, to gather people,” Steve says. “There’s a genuine appreciation here for quality and connection, and that aligns perfectly with what Herb & Omni stands for. Also, you can’t beat the view—from The Belvedere rooftop [on the third floor of 101 Central Ave.], watching the light change over Big Mountain, it’s a daily reminder of why this place is so special.”
A view of the playa from Pike Canyon
LEAVE NO TRACE
Find Quiet Beauty at the Alvord Desert
ARTICLE BY DONNA BURKLO
PHOTOGRAPHY BY DONNA BURKLO AND GARY CALICOTT
The Alvord Desert is simultaneously simple and complex, stormy and calm, untouchable and embracing. It is a dry lakebed 12 miles long by seven miles wide located 260 miles southeast of Bend in the eastern shadow of the Steens Mountains. The desert never called out to me as it does for some. Friends told me that I was “missing out” when I didn’t join them at the Alvord for Burning Man-like weekends in the heat of the summer. It just didn’t seem like a place for me. It took the request of a quiet, introspective, gentle one to accompany him on an adventure to arguably his favorite place on Earth to get me to go. Through those eyes, I fell in love.
At the Alvord playa, I found a dome of stars the likes of which I’d never seen. The Milky Way shone full length and breadth with incredible clarity. I found freedom – complete freedom –to walk and dance and sing knowing no one would scare me or judge me or bother me. I found silence. I found that the playa was never the same, yet always what I was looking forward to
at the end of a long drive. I learned to listen for the sound of the lakebed drying – to notice the wide variety of patterns each cycle of damp and parch would create. I learned to pick a reference point on the Steens or Tule Springs Rim when I went for mileslong headphones-on mind-cleansing walks lest I become completely disoriented in the wide open.
My guide instilled in me a deep respect for the potential danger inherent in driving miles out into the middle of what is sometimes a shallow lake and most of the time a series of sun baked tiles. You can get impossibly stuck in the fine mud with no hope of a tow for hours and it’s often difficult to tell where solid ends and mud begins.
For me these days, the Alvord Desert is a regular several-times-yearly pilgrimage. Sometimes I arrive and the playa is inaccessible due to its current wish to become a lake again. Sometimes I hope for the most glorious night under the stars and there is cloud cover. Sometimes I’m reminded that, even though I can, I ought not drive CONTINUED >
Lenticular clouds provide a dramatic show over the desert.
The playa can quickly turn from dry plain to a shallow lake. Plan for extreme changes in weather conditions. If it rains, head for the edges. During wind events, head for sealed cover.
at top speed because of the fragile lives –human and animal – that I may disrupt. I’m always glad I made the trip.
If you go, plan your trip around a stop at The Fields Station for gas, groceries, a burger and shake. Visit the Alvord Hot Springs, a spot for a wonderful soak with a killer view. Bring the kids to offer them a lesson in the power of nothingness. Let their senses acclimate to the pace and subtleties. The Steens are nearby for a completely different experience on a day trip. Bring along your common sense, your respect for nature and fellow humans, extra water, extra gas, your plan B, and, most importantly, your sense of wonder.
Tips for Visiting the Alvord Desert
WHERE TO STAY:
The Alvord Hot Springs, bunkhouse/MASH (Mobile Alvord Sleeping Hut) or camping spots. AlvordHotSprings.com .
The Fields Station, hotel rooms or RV spaces. TheFieldsStation.com .
Free camping on the playa.
LEAVE NO TRACE:
No fires can touch the playa. Pack your trash. Respect private lands. Emergency services are two hours away.
The view from Alvord Hot Springs.
Photo: Gary Calicott
Greig turned a magazine into community.
City Lifestyle isn’t just a publication — it’s a pulse. A rhythm of voices, neighbors, and stories woven together by someone who believes in the power of connection. As we expand, we’re looking for people ready to turn care into community. Are you ready to be that spark?
Flathead Valley City Lifestyle
Published by Greig Loved by Flathead Valley
LIVING STYLE in
THE INTERSECTION OF FASHION AND HOME
ARTICLE BY TYLER AMADEUS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ADRIEN KING AND ALEC WALWORTH
INthis unexpected love affair, fashion and interiors are more than just a simple pairing—they are rooted in culture, creativity, and the human desire for self-expression.
As conscious consumers of the 21st century, participating in a retail landscape that is oversaturated and struggling to adapt to the ever-changing demands of the modern customer, our purchasing power should not only respond to a feeling of want but also prioritize items that reflect who we are and who we aspire to be. This is clearly visible through the representation of fashion and interiors.
Although we tend to consider cost-per-wear primarily when it comes to clothing, this same
principle applies to furniture and the function it brings to the home. Aesthetics and functionality both play a role in this pairing, painting a picture for the rest of the world of who the wearer is and how they live in their space.
The woman who wears a blazer with sharp shoulders that makes her feel powerful in her everyday life—or the black dress that gives her a necessary boost of confidence—may naturally gravitate toward sleek, modern furniture that feels equally strong and elevates the space where the modern woman thrives.
In the same way, someone who prefers an effortless ensemble—like their favorite white T-shirt and comfortable denim
CONTINUED >
Shoot Credits
ART DIRECTION
STYLING
MODELS
Amy Appleton
Tyler Amadeus
Amy Appleton and Elena Weber
’SEQUALLYIMPORTANT
“JUSTASWECAREFULLYCHOOSEOUTFITS
TO EXPRESS OURSELVES,IT
TOENSURETHATOURLIVINGSPACES
ARE DESIGNEDWITHTHESAMEINTENTION. ”
jeans—may also look for home pieces that are functional and make their guests feel at ease. Even a handmade rug, one that sparks conversation about where it was found and adds a focal point to a room, mirrors how we search our closets for a sweater tied to a cherished memory.
Just as we carefully choose outfits to express ourselves, it’s equally important to ensure that our living spaces are designed with the same intention. More than ever, modern buyers are making purchasing decisions based on personal morals and values, forming a new wave of consumers who seek products that are both high-quality and environmentally or socially conscious, whether for themselves or their homes.
The following imagery affirms that living a timeless lifestyle across all aspects of life is possible through the thoughtful styling of sustainable clothing and vintage furniture. As the modern retail landscape continues to evolve, it’s become increasingly vital to make conscious consumer choices—ones that allow us to express our truest selves through both our wardrobes and the places we call home.
from grain to glass MONTANA,
WINTER
Whitefish Mountain Resort
Ski Whitefish | 8:00 AM
The Leaves are crunching underfoot, the chill is returning to the air, and we're doing our snow dance before bed. Winter is coming (probably sooner than we think!) and our sights are set on getting a crispy new season pass for skiing or snowboarding. Whitefish Mountain Resort is just one of the nearby mountains for all to enjoy, be it newcomer or routine shredder. Visit SkiWhitefish.com to purchase a season pass.
SEPTEMBER 2ND
Highland Cow Painting Party
Tipsy Brush Studio | 6:30 PM
For $45 per painter, bring your own bottle of wine and a friend and paint a whimsical Highland cow. Bottle opener and glasses are at the studio! Sip, socialize, and relax to something creative. This is a step-by-step instruction class and no painting experience is necessary. Reserve your spot online at TipsyBrush.com
SEPTEMBER 10TH
Flathead
Lake Sunset
Cruise on the Far West
Flathead Harbor at Lakeside | 5:30 PM
There's nothing better than an evening on the water just as the sun is setting. All aboard the Far West! This cruise leaves Lakeside at 6 p.m. and offers drinks, appetizers provided by Harbor Grille, and of course the breathtaking scenery of the Mission and Swan Ranges. Tickets are $50 per person. Space is limited to 100 guests. Call 406.844.2628 to reserve.
As a trusted, family-owned company, we specialize in building beautiful, functional spaces tailored to your lifestyle. Whether you’re dreaming of new construction, refreshing a kitchen, or tackling that big renovation, we’re ready to bring your vision to life with quality you can see and a team you can count on.
Kalispell, MT | 406.871.5450 Tim@bishopbuildersmt.com
events
CONTINUED
SEPTEMBER 12TH 11th Annual Flathead
Celtic Festival
Centennial Farm | 3:00 PM
The 11th Annual Flathead Celtic Festival is free and open to the public! Highland games will be played at Centennial Farm at 563 McMannamy Draw. Prepare for great food and drink, music, dancing, and educational tents. Numerous local and regional vendors, too! A $5 donation per vehicle is requested for parking.
SEPTEMBER 13TH
Movie in the Park: Moana 2
Marantette Park | 7:00 PM
The Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce presents a free outdoor movie in the park featuring Moana 2! It's a real crowd-pleaser for the littles in your life. Find your spot and play a yard game (bring your own!) between 7 and 8 p.m. Movie begins at 8 p.m. Concessions will be available for purchase.
SEPTEMBER 21ST
Whose Live Anyway?
Wachholz College Center | 7:30 PM
Enjoy 90 minutes of belly-aching laughter as you witness improvised comedy and song, all based on audience suggestions. Bring suggestions and be prepared to join the cast onstage. All ages are welcome but some PG-13 language will be used.
Want to be featured? GET IN TOUCH AT CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/ FLATHEADVALLEY
NEW HOMES, BUILT RIGHT
With over 30 years of personal building experience, Master Builder Shan Davis is dedicated to making your dreams a reality. We utilize high-end construction techniques and GREEN materials to assure that your home can withstand rugged Montana winters with style and comfort. Making your project a true masterpiece Built Right in Montana is committed to excellence in our communities and in the projects we build. We’ll help you take your ideas from the design phase to completion.
Whether it’s a custom home or a one-of-a kind remodel, MAKING YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE IS WHAT WE DO!
