Today

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 409 Fourth Ave., E., Polson, annual Cookie Walk and Bake Sale 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Christmas cookies and ornaments for sale. Proceeds benefit Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp. Call 406-883-5864.

Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Northwest Montana Human Resources, Kalispell.

Flathead chapter of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees meets at noon, Vista Line, 240 Boon Road, Somers. Lunch is $7.00. For reservations, call Karen Barbee at 257-1561 or Bill Driver at 837-2744..

Whitefish Christmas Stroll 5-9 p.m. Enjoy a variety of activities, food and vendors. Call 862-3501.

Flathead Valley United Church of Christ, 204 Seventh Ave. W., Kalispell, offers Advent reflections and prayer at 5:30 p.m.

The public is invited to Christmas Family Fun Night from 7-9 p.m. at Evergreen School, 18 W. Evergreen Drive. Carnival, games, raffles, silent auction, food and more. Proceeds will go toward toys and clothing for local underprivileged children. The event is sponsored by Scotti B. Productions. Call 249-4644.

Big Sky Astronomy Club meets at 7 p.m. Park in upper east lot. Meet at Kalispell Junior High School library. Call Bruce at 857-3753 or Scott at 755-3939.

Contra dancing at Sons of Norway, 347 First Ave. E., Kalispell. Lessons 7:30-8 p.m., dance 8-11 p.m. Adults, $6; teens 12-18, $3; kids 11 and under free. Live music by Sleeping Child String Band. All welcome.

Saturday

Open community meeting to discuss the high school building project 8 a.m. to noon, Flathead High School foyer and large lecture room.

Holiday album making workshop 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eagles Nest, Flathead Valley Community College. $15 supply fee includes information and ideas folder, lunch and snack during the day. Call Joyce Workman at 755-4922.

DREAM adaptive ski program volunteer clinic to assist disabled skiers will be held 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. today; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Outpost on Big Mountain. Bring your skis or snowboard. Tickets will be provided. Call DREAM at 862-1817 or e-mail dreamadaptive@yahoo.com for more information.

The Little Shell band of the Chippewa tribe will hold an election of officers and potluck, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sons of Norway, 347 First Ave. E., Kalispell.

Holy Nativity Episcopal Church, 311 N. Second St. in Whitefish toy drive. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. Each child who brings in a new, or nearly new unwrapped toy invited to a free magic show. Local charities and Toys for Tots will distribute donated toys. Call 862-2863.

North Valley Senior Center, 205 Nucleus Ave., Columbia Falls, holiday bingo party. Potluck dinner served at 5:30 p.m. Bring a favorite Christmas dish and recipe. Call Roxy Larsen at 892-4087.

The public is invited to visit The Summit in Kalispell for free from noon to 10 p.m. Some restrictions apply; free teen night from 10 p.m. to midnight. Holiday bazaar, door prizes and Christmas music. Call 751-4507 or 751-4137.

Sunday

Church at Creston, located at the Creston Grange, Creston Road and Montana 35, invite the public to a puppet presentation of the story of the first Christmas at 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Eastside Grange Christmas meeting 2:30 p.m., Korner Kitchen Restaurant. Gift exchange.

Friendship House, 606 Second Ave. W., Kalispell, celebrates its 26th Anniversary with an open house and fund-raiser, 3-7 p.m. Luminarias will be lit for $10 donation. Call 257-8375.

"The Road to Bethlehem," Christmas musical program by the Kalispell Ward Choir, 7 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1380 Whitefish Stage, Kalispell. Free admission and all welcome. Refreshments served.

Monday

School District 5 and Flathead High School district board Transportation Committee meets at 7 a.m., district office.

Flathead Democratic Women meet at noon for no host dinner at Vista Linda, 240 Boon Rd, Somers. Cost is $8. Cash Donations and non- perishable items for the Northwest Veterans Food Pantry are welcome. The program will be Christmas music and installation of officers. All interested persons welcome. Call 857-3381.

Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., at the center, 17A First Ave., Kalispell.

Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group Christmas Party at Central School Museum, 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Tour is from 5:30-6:30 p.m. followed by a catered dinners with lasagna, salad, dessert and coffee or tea for $4. RSVP by Dec. 10 to Sue at 756-4725. Call Dawn at 857-2003 for transportation.

Open community meeting to discuss the junior high school building project 5:30-7 p.m., Kalispell Junior High School library.

Flathead Conservation District public hearing to discuss and revise rules governing district's stream permitting program, 7 p.m., USDA building conference room, 30 Lower Valley Road, Kalispell. Call 752-4220.

The Flathead Conservation District invites the public to a hearing to present views and submit written comment on natural streambed and land preservation act rules, 7 p.m. at 30 Lower Valley Road in Kalispell.

Flathead Audubon special guest Dan Casey will present a slide show on early winter birds of the Flathead, 7 p.m., The Summit. All welcome.

School District 5 and Flathead High School district board meets at 7 p.m., Kalispell Junior High School library.

Walleyes Unlimited meets at 7 p.m. at the Elks Club. Call 756-6067.

Deer Park School District board meets at 7 p.m. at the school.

Tuesday

Bigfork Edward Jones representative Beth Morgenstern offers a free video program, "Leaving a Legacy, Your Guide to Estate Planning and Charitable Giving," 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the office, 8270 Montana 35, Bigfork. Call 837-1013 to reserve a seat.

Brunch is offered the public at 9:30 a.m. at the Back Room of the Nite Owl, U.S. 2 East, Columbia Falls. Cost is $7 per person. Sherry Attard of Columbia Falls will speak on the topic, " Celebrating Friendship." Free child care by reservation. Call Clarice at 862-2682, or Bernedette at 892-0316. Sponsored by the Columbia Falls Women's Connection and Stonecroft Ministries.

Kalispell Women's Connection Buffet Luncheon 11:30 a.m., WestCoast Kalispell Center Hotel. Cost is $10. Guest speaker is Sherry Attard, a professional crafter. Complimentary child care by reservation. Call Rosainne at 257-8098 or Julie at 837-2520. Affiliated with Stonecroft Ministries.

Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce annual Christmas luncheon, 11:45 a.m., North Valley Community Room, 235 Nucleus Ave. No reservations are required and lunch is available for $8. Call Carol Pike at 892-2072.

Red Cross blood drive, 2-5:30 p.m., in Lakeside.

Somers School Faculty Advisory Committee meets at 4 p.m. at Somers Middle School.

Swan River School board meets at 5:30 p.m. in the school library.

Arthritis Support Group meets 6-7 p.m. at The Summit. Guest speaker is Glenda Dylina-Brown will speak about dealing with holiday stress when you have an illness. All are welcome. Call Sandra at 755-8901.

Kila School board meets at 6 p.m. at the school.

Mission Mountain Audubon presents an educational program on "Early Winter Birds of the Mission Valley," by Dan Casey at 7 p.m. in the Polson City Library meeting room. All welcome.

Helena Flats board Teacher Negotiations meeting 7 p.m. in the school library.

Back Country Horsemen of the Flathead meet at 7:30 p.m., Fish, Wildlife and Parks Building, 490 North Meridian Road. Public welcome.

Flathead Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited annual Christmas Fly Tying Extravaganza and Raffle, 7:30 p.m., Fenders' Restaurant on U.S. 93 between Kalispell and Whitefish. Public is welcome.

Creston Fire District trustees meet at 7:30 p.m., Creston Fire Hall.

Wednesday

Children's Story Hour at 10:30 a.m., Children's Department of the Flathead County Library in Kalispell, 247 First Ave. E. Call Youth Services Librarian Michael Hutchinson, 758-5822.

Kalispell Kiwanis Noon Club program with Gary Kalberg from the Montana Department of Transportation to discuss highway construction in Flathead County including the Meridian Road bypass; noon, WestCoast Outlaw Hotel. RSVP at 261-2767 as seating is limited.

Glacier Mountain Shadows Inn, at the corner of U.S. 2 East and Montana 206, Columbia Heights, invites the public an open house 4-9 p.m. Guest artist will be Olga Horak. Refreshments will be served. Call Bill Dean, 892-7686.

Somers School District board Buildings, Facilities and Grounds, and Policy Committees meet at 6:30 p.m., Somers Middle School conference room.

Flathead Valley United Church of Christ, 204 Seventh Ave. W., Kalispell, special worship service for those who are grieving, lonely, or in pain, 7 p.m. All are welcome.

Thursday

Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., Libby VFW.

Public invited to an open house to discusss the preliminary draft interim groundwater use agreement between the State of Montana and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes, 3-8 p.m., Best Western KwaTaqNuk Resort, 303 U.S. 93, Polson.

Whitefish Chamber of Commerce Gone Fishin' hosted by Kandahar Lodge, 5-7 p.m. Call 862-3501.

Cayuse Prairie School board meets at 7 p.m. in the school library.

Northwest Montana Educational Cooperative Governing Council meets, 8:30 p.m., 2290 Farm to Market Road, Suite A, Kalispell.

A Look Ahead

Kalispell Chamber of Commerce luncheon 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., Dec. 17, WestCoast Kalispell Center Hotel. Governor-elect Brian Schweitzer will be featured speaker. Cost is $15 or $110 for reserved table of eight.

KOFI Radio sponsors a holiday open house and blood drive, 12:30-5:30 p.m., Dec. 17, at the center, 17A First Ave., Kalispell.

Flathead Valley United Church of Christ, 204 Seventh Ave. W., Kalispell, offers Advent reflections and prayer at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 17.

Christmas at Our House dinner at the National Guard Armory, 1840 U.S. 93 S., Kalispell, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 18. Call John Gisselbrecht at 755-2238. Free and all are welcome.

Red Cross blood drive at the blood mobile noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 18 at Albertson's, Kalispell.

Annual Flathead Audubon bird count in Bigfork Dec. 18. Call Dan Casey at 857-3143 or 756-2681.

Troy Winter Carnival 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 18, Roosevelt Park. Snow sculpture, cross country ski races, sled pulls, chili cook-off. Call 406-295-5834.

Kalispell Parks and Recreation hosts a community open house from noon to 2 p.m. Dec. 18 at Woodland Park pond. Enjoy cookies, hot chocolate and holiday music.

Whitefish Assembly of God, at Fifth and Baker Avenue in Whitefish presents, "Worship the One," a Christmas musical, at 4 and 7 p.m. Dec. 19 at 4 and 7 pm. Admission is free.

Public hearing for public comment on Lakeside Marina, 10 a.m. Dec. 20, commissioners' meeting room, 800 S. Main, Kalispell.

Whitefish native, author and student of Native American music Dr. Jay Cravath will present a free musical program, "When the Spirits Dance" with singing, slides and audience participation at 7 p.m., Dec. 20 at the Whitefish branch library. Public is welcome. Call 862-6657.

Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Dec. 20 at the center, 17A First Ave., Kalispell.

School District 5 and Flathead High School district board work session, 7 p.m., Dec. 20, Kalispell Junior High School library.

Kalispell City Council meets at 7 p.m., Dec. 20, Kalispell City Hall.

Columbia City Council meets at 7 p.m., Dec. 20, Columbia Falls City Hall.

Whitefish City Council meets at 7:10 p.m., Dec. 20, Whitefish City Hall.

St. Matthew's Church sponsors a Red Cross blood drive, 3-6 p.m., Dec. 21 at the center, 17A First Ave., Kalispell. Kalispell.

Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Dec. 22 at the center, 17A First Ave., Kalispell.

Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m., Dec. 23, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Community Kitchen/Feeding the Flathead Christmas dinner, 6 p.m. Dec. 25. Faith Alliance Church, 248 Second Ave. W., Kalispell.

Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Dec. 27 at the center, 17A First Ave., Kalispell.

Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., Dec. 28 at Our Lady of Mercy Church, Eureka.

Evergreen Business & Property Owners Association meets at 7 p.m. Dec. 28 at Evergreen Fire Hall, 2236 U.S. 2 E., Kalispell. Public is welcome.

Red Cross blood drive, 2:30-5:30 p.m., Dec. 29 at the center, 17A First Ave., Kalispell.

Annual Flathead Audubon bird count in Kalispell Jan. 2. Call Dan Casey at 857-3143 or 756-2681.

Kila School board meets at 4 p.m. Jan. 6 for teacher negotiations.

Calvary Lutheran Church, 2200 U.S. 2 E., Kalispell, begins 11-week study program based on the book of Isaiah, on Wednesday evenings from 7-9 p.m. beginning Jan. 15.

Seeley Lake Winterfest Jan. 21-30. Call 406-677-2880.

Lakeside and Somers Winterfest Jan. 29.

Kalispell Center Mall hosts XMOD RC races Jan. 29. Bring your race cars to race around a 10 x 20-foot track. Warm-ups 1-3 p.m. Races 3-5 p.m. in front of Radio Shack. Call 752-2346.