Today

Columbia Falls Kiwanis Mountain Madness Motocross event Hungry Horse Motocross track. Registration 6-9 p.m. April 23, 6:30-8 a.m. Race time 8 a.m. Admission $7, adults; children 12 and under accompanied by a parent, free; Call 892-7283 or 892-1000.

Taste of Bigfork 2005 2-6 p.m. Tour fine cuisine of Bigfork and benefit for Habitat for Humanity, Bigfork Senior Center and Bigfork Area Chamber of Commerce. Live music by John Floridis, LeftOver Biscuits and a Dylan Dwyer's jazz combo. Raffles. Tickets are $40 each available at Electric Avenue Books in Bigfork, the Stone Chair in Kalispell and Montana Coffee Traders in Whitefish. Call 837-5888.

Salty Dog Dive Shop hosts a Foys Lake clean-up for divers and non-divers at 2 p.m. Air, rental gear and tanks provided free of charge. Barbecue, giveaways. Call Libertie or Rod at 755-2559 or 261-3670.

John White Lecture Series, 2:30 p.m., Museum at Central School, 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Guest speaker Glenn Helms will speak on the topic, "Native Americans of Northwest Montana." $8 per lecture; $25 for four lecture series for Northwest Montana Historical Society members, $30 for non-members. Call 756-8381.

Harlem Globetrotter Alumni charity basketball game featuring former Globetrotter legend Curly Neal, 6 p.m., Flathead High School gym. Tickets are $15 which admits one adult and two children, 12 and under, available at Town Pumps, Sunshine CDs, WestCoast Kalispell Center Hotel. Benefit for DARE Program and Crimestoppers.

Monday

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

Kila School board Budget Committee meets at 5 p.m. at the school.

Eric T. Young,former U.S. State Department diplomat and current government contractor, will talk about the war on terrorism in the Middle East and Asia, at 6 p.m., in the Blake hall board room as part of FVCC's Local Topics/Global Issues lecture series Free and the public is welcome to attend. Call Gerda Reeb at 756-3945.

Columbia Falls School board meets at 6 p.m., for an expulsion hearing, administration offices boardroom, 501 Sixth Ave. W. Columbia Falls.

Evergreen School District board Negotiations Committee and Education Association meet at 6 p.m. in the administration building boardroom. Open to the public.

The Flathead Conservation District meets at 7 p.m., at 30 Lower Valley Road in Kalispell.

Columbia Falls School Policy Committee meets at 7 p.m., administration offices boardroom, 501 Sixth Ave. W. Columbia Falls.

Joni Harms, named 2003 Top Vocalist of the year by the Western Music Association and 2002 Entertainer of the Year by the Academy of Western Artists, performs at 7 p.m. at Kalispell Elks Lodge No. 725, 1820 U.S. 93 S. Tickets are $15. Call 257-6474.

Tuesday

Red Cross blood drive, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., today and April 27 at Flathead High School.

FVCC inaugural coffee and conversation meeting for Ambassadors and Alumni Association, 10 a.m. at Bibler Home and Gardens, Kalispell. Free but reservations required. Call Sue Dennis at 756-3963.

Flathead County Solid Waste District board meets at 5 p.m. at the landfill office.

Flathead Building Association "Raise the Roof" public social, 5:30 p.m., at Workplace Inc., 1310 S. Main, Kalispell. Refreshments and raffles. Call 752-2422.

Lake County Democrats meet for a social half hour at 6:30 p.m., followed by business meeting at 7 p.m., at the Ninepipes Lodge. Agenda includes upcoming precinct committee members nomination and election. All are welcome.

Red Cross certified course in ACPR, 6:30 p.m. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

Deep Bay Retreat and Conference Center in Lakeside hosts FVCC instructor, poet and scholar Lowell Jaeger at 7 p.m. with a program titled, "Losing Your Mind: How to Read Poems/How to Make Them." Free and open to the public. The program is sponsored by the Montana Committee for the Humanities Speakers Bureau. Call Rose Simon at 844-2611.

Evergreen Business and Property Owner's Association meets at 7 p.m., Evergreen Fire Hall, 2236 U.S. 2 E., Kalispell. The proposed sewage treatment plant and forming an Evergreen Community Council will be discussed. The public is invited.

A support group for family members of people with eating disorders meets at

7 p.m. at The Summit, conference room 2. Contact Carrie Thiel at 257-7911.

Fair-Mont-Egan Eastside board meets at 7 p.m. in the school library.

Free Christian Science lecture on "The Healing Power of Forgiveness" at 7:30 p.m. ballroom B, WestCoast Kalispell Center Hotel. Free child care provided. Call 752-5506.

Wednesday

Evergreen School District board meets at 6:30 a.m. in the administration building boardroom.

Swan River School board meets at 8:30 a.m. in the school library to work on the 2005-2006 academic year.

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

Kalispell Kiwanis Noon Club features Interp state champions Kerri Javorka and Ryan Shearer from Flathead High School, noon WestCoast Outlaw Hotel. Public is invited. RSVP requested to 261-2767.

Flathead High School reunion planning committee meeting 2 p.m., meeting room of Three Rivers Bank, North Meridian Road. Call Nancy Potoczny at 837-6618.

After-school Storytime for children 6-12, 3:45 p.m., Children's Department of the Flathead County Library in Kalispell. Call 758-5822.

Flathead resident and human rights activist Linda Regnier will discuss her work with children of the northern hill tribes of Thailand before and after the December 26 tsunami, as part of the Local Topics/Global Issues lecture series at 6 p.m. in the Blake hall board room. Free and the public is welcome to attend. Call Gerda Reeb at 756-3945.

Red Cross certified course in First Aid Basics, 6:30 p.m. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

Flathead Valley Community College Honors Symposium presents "Public Opinion and the Media: Looking Glasses of Funhouse Mirrors?" by Christopher Muste, University of Montana Department of Political Science, 7 p.m., WestCoast Kalispell Center Hotel ballroom. Free and open to the public.

The Museum at Central School, 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell, presents a program, "Troubled Trust: Lewis & Clark's Legacy and the Indian Frontier," writer, teacher, performing artist and interpretive guide Ritchie Doyle at 7:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. Call 756-8992.

Columbia Falls School Negotiations Committee meets at 6 p.m., with the CFEA and at 7:30 p.m. with the CFCEA, administration offices boardroom, 501 Sixth Ave. W. Columbia Falls.

Thursday

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill meets 12:30-2 p.m. at The Summit, conference room one. Videos on manic depression and major depression will be shown. Open to the public.

Red Cross blood drive, 1-5 p.m., U.S. Post Office on Meridian Road, Kalispell.

Flathead County Library board meets at 3 p.m. at the Flathead County Library meeting room, Kalispell. Contact Kim Crowley, library director, at 758-5826.

Teen Advisory Council meeting, 4 p.m. Flathead County Library in Kalispell. Information: 758-5713.

Kila School board 2005-06 budget meeting at 5:30 p.m. at the school.

Dr. Patrick Burns of Sleep Medicine Center, presents a free talk on sleep apnea, 7 p.m., Lake Room, North Valley Hospital, Whitefish.

The Museum at Central School, 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell, presents a program, "In Greatest Harmony: medicine Songs of the Lewis & Clark Trail" with singer, actor and teacher Joseph Mussulman, at 7:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. Call 756-8992.

Friday

Flathead Valley Community Prom "La Noche de la Rosa" 8 p.m., Columbia Falls High School gym, featuring Don Lawrence Orchestra and CFHS Columbians. Public invited. Sponsored by the CFHS Junior class. Donations accepted.

The City of Kalispell Tree Commission celebrates Arbor Day. Following a ceremony at 12:40 p.m. featuring a video of "It's Arbor Day, Charlie Brown," and other activities, two trees will be planted by Trinity Lutheran School's third graders at 2:30 p.m. on the nearby boulevard. Call Parks and Recreation at 758-7715 or Bette Albright at 752-4836. Public is invited.

Boomers Singles Activities Group social hour, 6 p.m., followed by dinner buffet at 7 p.m., Black Angus-Red Lion Inn, U.S. 2 W., Kalispell. RSVP by noon Thursday by calling Bill at 257-1313, or Debbie at 752-3215. All are welcome.

14th annual Flathead Valley Community Prom sponsored by the junior class of Columbia Falls High School, 8-11 p.m., CFHS gym.

Big Wheels "Basket Ball" 8-11 p.m., Elks Club, Kalispell. Live music by Loose Caboose. Raffle, silent auction, food. Admission by donation.

A Look Ahead

Fifth annual Swap-O-Rama, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 30, Lakeside School. New and used items up for sale. Sponsored by Somers/Lakeside PTA. Call Lauri at 844-2511.

Big Wheels 19th annual Basketball Tournament 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 30, Edgerton School gym. Free admission. Proceeds benefit Special Friends Advocacy Program for those with disabilities. Call 756-5488.

Epworth United Methodist Church annual spring rummage sale 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. April 30, 329 Second Ave. E., across from the Hockaday Center. From 1:30-2:30 p.m., fill a bag for a buck. Proceeds benefit Flathead Youth Shelter. Call Sue Jacobson at 755-5375.

Parents and children invited to a potluck and spring festival 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April 30 to learn more about Glacier Lifelong Learning Center, a Waldorf Initiative. Outdoor activities and campfire. $5-$10 donation requested to cover craft supplies. Call Catherine at 756-0405 for directions.

Evergreen Business and Property Owners Association sponsors a community meeting, "What Next Evergreen," 10 a.m. to noon April 30, Evergreen Junior High School gym. Call Linda Graham at 752-0292.

Montana Woman Magazine hosts a "Clothes Closet" from 1 to 5 p.m. April 30, Valley Fitness for Women (next to Joann's Fabric in Evergreen.) Donations of like new professional work clothes accepted. All are welcome to shop the sale. Refreshments, drawings. Proceeds go to Montana Woman of the Year Scholarship. Call Cindy or Bonnie at 755-5753.

The public is invited to a free violin concert April 30, featuring Suzuki teacher Terry Durbin and others at 3:30 p.m. Christ Lutheran Church, in Whitefish, at 3:30 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church. Contact North Valley Music School at 862-8074.

Rites of Spring Benefit Wine Tasting and Auction, 6-10 p.m. April 30, Mountain West Bank, Whitefish. Auction items include pieces by Mark Ogle and Joe Abbrescia, West Taxidermy, celebrity items and more. Call Nancy Cohn at 892-3581 or Donna Johnson at 892-3099 for tickets or to make a donation.

Benefit performance of "Vagina Monologues" 7 p.m., April 30 at the KM Theater in Kalispell. Call Violence Free Crisis Line at 752-4735 for tickets, $15. All proceeds benefit Violence Free Crisis Line/Abbie Shelter.

The City of Whitefish Public Works Department will pick up organic debris such as leaves, grass clippings and tree branches May 2-May 6. Leaves and clippings must be bagged and tied. Trim branches to 4-foot lengths and bundle. Place debris on nearest boulevard for pickup or at least 10 feet from nearest refuse container. Call 863-2460.

Rails to Trails of Northwest Montana meets at 5 p.m. May 2, Fish Wildlife and Parks conference room, 490 N Meridian Road. Public is invited. Call 756-9434.

AARP Driver Safety Program 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 3 and 5, The Summit, Kalispell. $10 course fee. Call 751-4500 to register.

Internationally acclaimed photographer, Tom Ulrich, presents a slide show of his photographs of wildlife from around the world at 7 p.m. May 3 at the WestCoast Outlaw Hotel. Admission $5 per person (Big Brothers and Little Brothers admitted free.) Proceeds benefit BBBS of Flathead County. Call 752-0092.

The Flathead County Library system is sponsoring a Get Real! Get Fit! program at 7 p.m. May 3, at the Columbia Falls branch. Snacks, prizes and health and fitness information for teens in a fun, interactive format. Call Public Services Librarian Katie Boyes, 758-5713.

Kila School board special meeting at 7:30 a.m. May 4 to canvass election votes.

American Heart Association Heartsaver Program offers CPR instruction, 1-4 p.m. May 4, West Wing, North Valley Hospital. Cost is $35. Call 863-5313 to pre-register.

Wine and Food Fest Auction, 6-9 p.m. may 4, Grouse Mountain Lodge, Whitefish. Tickets are $30 per person. Call Whitefish Theatre Company at 862-5371.

DAV, Disabled Americans Veterans, meet at 6:30 p.m. May 4, in the rear of the VFW Post 2252, 111 S. Main, Kalispell. Call 752-0198.

Republicans Bridge Marathon 11:30 a.m. May 5, Black Angus Restaurant in the Red Lion Hotel. Lunch, prizes. RSVP to KathyBarkus at 755-8362.

Whitefish Pottery, 355 Twin Bridges Road, invites you to attend their Gone Fishin' and 10th Anniversary Party. Pig roast and the music by Grin and Bear it String Clan and Electric Mud. Call the Whitefish Chamber for directions 862-3501.

Community kick-off for Bigfork's first Relay for Life, 5:30-6:30 p.m. May 5 in the Flathead Bank of Bigfork parking lot. Mexican fare, entertainment and information about cancer. A team captain's meeting will be held at 5 p.m. prior to the kick-off.

Spiritual leader, scholar and historian Father Charles Moore (Father Charlie) speaks on "The Theory of Knowledge, Quantum Physics, String Theory and Spirituality" at 7 p.m. May 5, Bohemian Grange Hall, 125 Blanchard Lake Road. All welcome. $8 donation requested. Call Gerald Askevold at 862-7711 or Mary Delaney at 862-6429.

Internationally acclaimed photographer Tom Ulrich presents a slide show of his photographs of wildlife from around the world at 7 p.m. May 5 at Grouse Mountain Lodge in Whitefish. Admission is $5 per person (Big Brothers and Little Brothers are admitted free. Proceeds benefit BBBS of Flathead County. Call 752-0092.

FVCC President Jane Karas hosts a breakfast public forum on plans for the college, its new facilities and programs noon to 1:30 p.m. May 6, the Spruce Park Cafe, Columbia Falls. Reservations requested. Call Carolyn Shriver at 756-3801.

Spiritual leader, historian and scholar Father Charles Moore (Father Charlie) returns to the Bohemian Grange Hall at 7 p.m. May 5 to lecture on "the Theory of Knowledge, Quantum Physics, String Theory and Spirituality." $8 donation requested. Seating is limited. Public invited.

Tole Booth Spring Bazaar 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 6-7, 515 First Ave. W., Kalispell (behind Flathead Travel.) Handpainted and handmade decorative items, shabby chic furniture, Mothers and Fathers Day gifts. Coffee and cookies.

Kalispell Regional Medical Center's Baby Fair, May 7, Kalispell Center Mall.

Creston Cemetery Association annual spring clean up at 9 a.m.; business meeting at 11 a.m. at the cemetery grounds.

Death by Chocolate Murder Mystery 7-10 p.m. May 7, Conrad Mansion, Kalispell. Tickets available at Books West, Kalispell; and Bookworks, Whitefish. Proceeds go to garden and landscape restoration. Call 755-2166.

Bibler Home and Gardens Spring Tours May 7-8. Tours on the hour from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets $8 adults, $3 children. Call the FVCC Foundation office at 756-3963.

Kila School board meets at 10 a.m. May 10 to reorganize.

The Flathead County Library system is sponsoring a Get Real! Get Fit! program at 7 p.m. May 10, at the Whitefish branch. Snacks, prizes and health and fitness information for teens in a fun, interactive format. Call Public Services Librarian Katie Boyes, 758-5713.

Flathead Regional Business Center, 15 Depot Park, Kalispell, hosts a free Brown Bag Series discussion by facilitator Dana Jefferies on the topic, "Drug Testing: An Employer's Perspective," noon to 1 p.m. May 11. RSVP to Mora McCarthy at 758-6241.

Kalispell Edward Jones representative Mark Salansky offers a course for CPAs and accountants titled, "FLP & LLC: Formation to Liquidation" noon to 3 p.m., May 11, 22 Second Ave. W., Ste. 2000, Kalispell. Course fee is $50 and includes all materials. Reservations required. Call 755-8280.

Evergreen School District board meets at 6:30 p.m. May 11 in the administration building boardroom.

North Valley Hospital centennial celebration 1-6 p.m. May 12, in Whitefish. Site blessing at 2 p.m. Barbecue at 6 p.m. Activities, demonstrations, free food and giveaways.

Whitefish/Kalispell North KOA, 862-4242, and West Glacier KOA, call 387-5341, offer free camping to the public May 13.

Bigfork Art and Cultural Center's Annual Benefit Auction, "Boots, Brims & Biddin' II," 5:30 p.m. May 13, Flathead Lake Lodge. Tickets $22 for members, $25 for non-members available at the gift shop and the Jug Tree. Call Marnie at 837-6927.

Contra dance, May 13, Sons of Norway Hall, 347 First Ave. E. in Kalispell. Lessons 7:30-8 p.m.; dance 8 to 11 p.m. $6 for adults, $3 for ages 12 to 18, and free for 11 and under. Live folk music and caller. Alcohol and smoke-free. Call Christina, 212-9444; or Joe, 752-7469.

Great Northern 5K Fun Run and Walk fund-raiser May 14 on the Great Northern trail near Meridian and Center Streets in Kalispell. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Race time is 8:30 am. Prizes and door prizes. Race registration forms available at sporting goods stores and fitness clubs around the valley. Call Rebecca Shaw at 752-3325.

National Letter Carrier's Food Drive May 14 for Flathead Food Bank. Non-perishable food items only. Leave by your mailbox prior to mail delivery. Call Leroy at 755-6450 7-9:30 a.m.; or Kari Wiley at 250-1754.

International Migratory Bird Day May 14, National Bison Range, Moiese. Birding adventure begins at 8 a.m. with a walk along Mission Creek. Call 406-644-2211 ext 207 to register.

The Flathead County Library system is sponsoring a Get Real! Get Fit! program at 7 p.m. May 17, at the Kalispell branch. Snacks, prizes and health and fitness information for teens in a fun, interactive format. Call Public Services Librarian Katie Boyes, 758-5713.

Meridian Trail Clean up and maintenance 9 a.m. May 21. Meet at the trailhead on Meridian. Call Steve at 758-5255.

Red Cross CPR/First Aid instruction for adults and children, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 21, Glacier Room, North Valley Hospital, Whitefish. Cost is $50. Call 863+3513 to pre-register.

AARP Driver Safety Program for drivers ages 50 and over, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 24-25, Glacier Room, North Valley Hospital, Whitefish. Cost is $10. Call 863-3630 to pre-register.

The Flathead County Library system is sponsoring a Get Real! Get Fit! program at 7 p.m. May 25, at the Bigfork branch. Snacks, prizes and health and fitness information for teens in a fun, interactive format. Call Public Services Librarian Katie Boyes, 758-5713.

Whitefish High School has a class reunion July 15-16 at Majestic Valley Arena for 1960s classes. Classes from 1930 to 1959 are also invited, along with 1970-1999. To register or for information, call John Kajiwara at 907-248-1756, 230-0352 (cell) or e-mail WHSReunion2005@GCI.NET.

Mountain Madness Air Show 2005 July 30-31 featuring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. Call 758-2800; or log on to www.kalispellchamber.com/airshow/home.html

Flathead High School class of 1985 20-year reunion is July 22-24. Call Russ Marks at 257-4796, or e-mail rnrmarks@in-tch.com.

Bigfork Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society 6 p.m. July 22; 8 a.m. July 23, at the Bigfork High School track. Call 837-1600.

Fiberfest Eureka 2005 July 23-24, Lincoln County Fairgrounds. Livestock, fleece and skein judging, workshops, demonstrations. Free. Call Joy at 406-297-7656; or Lee at 406-882-4939.

Cruisen' By the Bay 2005 Aug. 12-14, Polson.