Today

Bigfork A.A. By the Bay closed meeting/speaker-discussion, 10 a.m.; open meeting/discussion, 8 p.m.; both at Senior Citizens Center

National Kids Day event, noon to 4 p.m., discount day at Big Sky Wateslide sponsored by Boys and Girls Club of Glacier Country, $5 per family member, kids must be with adult. Call 892-7486.

Grand opening of Glacier RCer's new park for model aircraft, cars and boats; 5 p.m. at park just east of Whitefish Stage Road, 1.5 miles south of Montana 40 intersecton in Whitefish, or 8 miles north of Reserve Drive intersection in Kalispell. Watch for "Model Airfield" sign.

Monday

Bigfork A.A. By the Bay open meeting/Women's 12 Step, 9 a.m., at Senior Citizens Center

Children's story hour, 10:30 a.m., Children's Department of the Kalispell library, 247 First Ave. E. Call 758-5822.

Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Aug. 8, in the bloodmobile at the Popcorn Colonel, Kalispell.

Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group chairlift/gondola excursion to Big Mountain, 4-6 p.m.; meet at base of Glacier Chaser lift; free for members, $5 for family and caregivers. Call Sue 756-4725 or Kathy 756-4723.

Kila School's budget meeting, 5 p.m.; School Board meeting 5:45 p.m., both on Aug. 8.

School District 6 Board of Education special meets for expulsion hearing, 6 p.m.; regular school board meeting at 7 p.m. Both in board room at administration offices, 501 Sixth Ave. W., Columbia Falls.

The Flathead Conservation District meets at 7 p.m. Aug. 8 at 30 Lower Valley Road in Kalispell.

School District 6 Board of Trustees meeting, 7 p.m., district board room at administration offices, 501 Sixth Ave. W., Columbia Falls.

Tuesday

Flathead County's Edwards Jones representatives host a free one-hour video titled, "Paying for College," at 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Aug. 9 at their locations. Call your closest to reserve a seat.

Red Cross blood drive, 2-5:30 p.m., Aug. 9, Lakeside Elementary.

Montana Department of Transportation invites the public to a meeting and re-evaluation of the U.S. 93-Somers to Whitefish (Kalispell bypass only) Final Environmental Impact Statement, 5-8 p.m. Aug. 9, WestCoast Kalispell Center Hotel, Banquet Room A. Call Brian Werele at 303-223-5844.

Swan River School Board, 5:30 p.m. Aug. 9, school library

Somers School District 29 Board of Trustees work session on Western Wireless lease proposal, 6 p.m., Somers Middle School; regular session and final budget meeting, 7 p.m.

Red Cross Adult CPR certification training, 6:30 p.m. Aug. 9. Call 752-643 to pre-register.

Back Country Horsemen of the Flathead meet at 7:30 p.m., Aug. 9, Fish, Wildlife and Parks Building, 490 North Meridian Road. Public welcome.

Bigfork A.A. By the Bay closed meeting/discussion, 8 p.m., at Senior Citizens Center.

Wednesday

Bigfork A.A. by the Bay open meeting/book study, 9 a.m., at Senior Citizens Center.

Evergreen Water and Sewer District Board of Directors monthly meeting, 7 a.m. Aug. 10, district office at 130 Nicholson Dr.

Thought

"The life of every man is a diary in which he means to write one story, and writes another; and his humblest hour is when he compares the volume as it is with what he hoped to make it."

-Sir James Matthew Barrie, Scottish dramatist-author (1860-1937).

Toenail clinic, 3:30 p.m., North Valley Senior Center, 205 Nucleus Ave., Columbia Falls, $5 per person. Call Roxy Larsen, 892-4087.

Red Cross First Aid Basics certification training, 6:30 p.m. Call 752-643 to register.

Marion School Board of Trustees, 7 p.m., final budget and regular board meeting.

A look ahead

Third Annual Art Quilts Show to benefit Violence Free Crisis Line, at Loula's Cafe, 300 Second St., Whtefish. Show runs through August. Reception 5-8 p.m. Aug. 26 when quilts are sold or auctioned to highest bidder; buy $10 reception tickets from Violence Free Crisis Line. Call 752-4735.

…WHAT DAY IS THIS?….Flathead Municipal Airport Authority Board meets at 4 p.m. in Glacier Park International Airport director's office, 4170 U.S. 2 E., Kalispell.

…WHAT DAY IS THIS?….Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., at the center, 17A First Ave., Kalispell. Sponsored by Meadow Gold Ice Cream for Pint for a Pint Day.

…WHAT DAY IS THIS?….Children's story hour, 10:30 a.m., Children's Department of the Kalispell library, 247 First Ave. E. Call 758-5822.

Red Cross blood drive, 1-4 p.m., Aug. 11, at the Christian Center, Kalispell.

Whitefish Public Library holds a summer reading program special event at 1 p.m. Aug. 11 in the library. Montana Bow Hunters will share the history of archery and give demonstrations.

Long Range Planning Task Force meets 4-6 p.m. Aug. 11, Earl Bennett Building, First Avenue West, Kalispell. Public invited to comment at end of meeting.

Red Cross Adult CPR certification training, 6:30 p.m. Aug. 11. Call 752-643 to pre-register.

West Valley Fire District trustees special meeting to discuss new engine order, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 11, Whitefish Stage Road fire station. Public welcome.

Columbia Falls Lions Concert in the Park Series final summer concert, over 70 voices from Community Choir directed by Ron Bond, 8 p.m. Aug. 11, amphitheater in Marantette Park, suggested donation $ per person, $5 per family, bring lawn chairs.

Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Aug. 12 at the center, 17A First Ave., Kalispell.

Polson Festival Days Aug. 12-14, Bop-a-Dips perform 7 p.m. Aug. 12. Cruisen' By the Bay Car Show 2005, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Main Street; Sandpiper Days, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Lake County Courthouse; Carnival 10 a.m., Riverside Park; Public auction of motor related items, 5-7 p.m., Comets play rock n' roll 7 p.m. Polson fairgrounds, all on Aug. 13. Tickets for Comets, $20 at the gate. Call 883-2488.

Valley Chamber Choir presents two public concerts, "From Sea to Shining Sea," Aug. 12 and 14 at Community Methodist Church, Bigfork.

Bigfork Art & Cultural Centers eighth annual Antiques Show & Sale, Aug. 12-14. Champagne gala 4 to 8 p.m. Aug. 12-Tickets $20; Sale 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 13; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 14. Admission $5. Call Marnie at 837-6927.

Realms of Avalon Medieval and Renaissance celebration, 5 Fifth St. W., behind Crooked Tree Motel, Hungry Horse. Call Cheryl Becker, 387-4259.

Whitefish Public Library holds summer reading program grand finale on Aug. 1 beginning at noon; games, prizes and refreshments.

Alpine Weavers and Spinners Guild demonstrations at Northwest Montana Fair Fiber Fest, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 14, fairgrounds in Kalispell.

Evergreen School District board meets at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 15 in the administration building boardroom.

Northwest Montana Team Penning Association competition 7 p.m. Aug. 15, Flathead County Fairgrounds.

2005 Northwest Montana Fair Aug. 16-21, Flathead County Fairgrounds. Inland Empire Shows and Royal West Amusement Carnival starts 5 p.m. Aug. 16 and all-day Aug. 17-20; Christian concert with the Fox Brothers, 7 p.m. Aug. 16; country concert with Tracy Byrd, 7 p.m. Aug. 17; PRCA Rodeo, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 18-20; fair parade, 10 a.m. Aug. 19; 2006 Miss Pro Rodeo queen and princess coronation 6 p.m. Aug. 20; Little Miss Rode coronation, 2 p.m. Aug. 20. Demolition Derby 7:30 p.m. Aug. 21. Call 758-5810 or log on to www.nwmtfair.com

Kalispell Montana Women's Connection buffet luncheon, "The Wonderful World of Water Aerobics," 11:30 a.m. Aug. 16, Kalispell Center WestCoast Hotel, $10

Easthaven Baptist Church hosts a Hunters Banquet, 6 p.m. Aug. 16, 2010 Whitefish Stage Road. Troy Ruiz will give a hunting call presentation. Door prizes and drawings for a rifle, bow, hunting gear and more. Trophy mount displays. Advance and at-the door tickets are $10 and includes meal and one drawing ticket. Call 752-7021.

Food drive and patient appreciation day by chiropractor Richard Puchta, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Aug. 17; current and new patients may bring groceries in exchange for chiropractic adjustments. "Life Without Limits" class at 12:45 p.m. Call 752-7289.

Hawaiian luau with Columbia Falls Women's Connection, 11:30 a.m. Aug. 17, Columbia Falls Community Room, speaker Pat Abernathy, $7 adults, $4 children. Reservations: Candy 387-4112 or Sherry 892-5990.

Pari Mutuel horse racing, 1 p.m. Aug. 19-21, Flathead County Fairgrounds.

Dog Days of Summer 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 20, Whitefish City Beach. Drawing for prizes at 1:30 p.m. Free hot dogs and school supplies. Call 862-4039. Sponsored by Children's Ministries of Whitefish Assembly of God.

Pari Mutuel horse racing, 1 p.m. Aug. 27-28, Flathead County Fairgrounds.

New Earth Summer Expo 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 27-28, WestCoast Kalispell Center Hotel. Exhibitors of health and beauty, and nutritional products, jewelry, and art. Massage and bodywork therapists and health practitioners will be on hand. Guest speakers. Free. All are welcome. Call 406-327-7977.

Fourth annual Whitefish Lake Swim Aug. 28. Call Kathryn McEnery at 257-3798.

Long Range Planning Task Force meets 4-6 p.m. Sept. 8, Earl Bennett Building, First Avenue West, Kalispell. Public invited to comment at end of meeting.