Today

Lakeside Holidayfest 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Lakeside Elementary School gym. Over 30 art and handcrafted gift exhibitors, Kids-Only Market. Free photos with Santa until 11 a.m. Fresh baked goods and "Festival of Flavors" food at noon. Live auction at 1 p.m. Musical entertainment by students. Silent auctions close at noon and 3 p.m. Sponsored by Somers/Lakeside PTA. Call 844-3880.

Holiday Bazaar 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Evergreen Volunteer Fire Department, 2236 U.S. 2 East, Kalispell. Crafts, knitted scarves and goods, candles, jewelry, quick mixes, flavored cooking oils, baked goods. A garage sale will also be available.

Joy of Christmas Bazaar 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., United Methodist Church, 117 Second St. W., Columbia Falls. Breakfast until 11:30 a.m. Lunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pasties and lefse to go. Call 892-5811.

Christmas Bazaar 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., St. Peter Lutheran Church, 201 Wisconsin Ave. Whitefish. Baked goods, crafts, Christmas needs. Funds used for children's camp scholarships and world relief needs. Call 862-3008 or 862-6999.

Flathead Reservation Human Rights Coalition's 14th annual Culture Fair 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at K. William Harvey Elementary School gym in Ronan. Exhibits food and entertainment from various cultures. Call 406-745-3303 or 406-676-8444.

Get your pet photos taken with Santa 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Northwest Montana Humane Society Animal Adoption Center, 3499 U.S. 93 North; and Dec. 10 at Murdoch's Ranch and Supply, 2330 U.S. 93 South, Kalispell. All proceeds benefit Human Society. Call 752-PAWS.

Montana Puppet Guild sponsors a Puppet Extravaganza 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at J.D. Morrell's on Main Street in Kalispell. Puppet making and shows, drama exercises taught by five instructors. Space limited. Pre-registration recommended. Cost $20 per child, ages 5-10. Call Sherry Johns at 752-8226.

Kindermusik sponsors an interactive music program for the whole family at 1 p.m. in the meeting room at the Flathead County Library, Kalispell. Explore rhythm instruments and sing and dance. Free and no registration required. Call 758-5822.

Glacier Nordic Club potluck fund-raiser 6 p.m., Rocky Mountain Lodge, Whitefish. Christmas shop at the auction. General meeting 5:30 p.m. Funds go toward grooming Glacier Nordic Center and youth programs.

Bigfork Holiday Parade 6 p.m., downtown Bigfork. Line-up 5:30 p.m. at high school parking lot. Call the Bigfork Chamber of Commerce at 837-5888.

Wake Up Ol' Man Winter Party, 7-11 p.m., Blacktail Mountain Ski Area and Lakeside. Entertainment by Big Daddy and the Blues Notes. Raffle. Call 844-0999.

Valley Voices Community Concert, 7 p.m., First Church of the Nazarene, corner of Whitefish Stage and West Evergreen Drive, Kalispell. Free. All invited.

Soucie Soucie Salon, Kalispell, open house with live entertainment by Azul, food by Bianchi Catering, live fashion shows, 7-10 p.m. Free. Call 752-3501.

Sunday

Holiday Tour of historic Kalispell homes 1-5 p.m. Tickets $20 for Northwest Montana Historical Society members, $25 for non-members. Outlets are Western Outdoor, Books West, Flathead Travel and Museum at Central School. Call 756-8381.

Flathead National Forest host a showing of the film, "The Greatest Good - A Forest Service Centennial," 2-4:15 p.m., Museum at Central School, 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Free. Call 758-5252.

Community United Methodist Church annual Christmas Concert 4 p.m., 750 Electric Ave., Bigfork. All are welcome.

Monday

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

Red Cross Adult CPR certification training, 6:30 p.m. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

Tuesday

School District 5 and Flathead High School district board Finance Committee meets at 6:45 a.m., district office.

AARP Seniors Driver Safety Program 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., today and Dec. 8, The Summit, Kalispell. Instructor Lee Heser. Cost is $10. Call 751-4500.

Red Cross blood drive, 1-6 p.m., at the center, Bigfork Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Red Cross First Aid Basics certification training, 6:30 p.m. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

Creston School board meets 6:30 p.m., at the school.

Free Falun Dafa Qiqong classes begin tonight, and on the first Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m. Ananda Seva Yoga Center, KM building, 36 E. Second St., Kalispell. Call Laurie Hammill at 755-4907. Sponsored by Practitioners of Falun Dafa.

Internationally acclaimed photographer Tom Ulrich hosts a wildlife slide show fund-raiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters, 7 p.m., Grouse Mountain Lodge, Whitefish. Admission $5. Call 752-0092.

Orientation class for those interested in volunteering for DREAM Adaptive Ski Recreation program 7 p.m., FVCC Science and Tech building, rm. 148.

Thought

"It is right noble to fight with wickedness and wrong; the mistake is in supposing that spiritual evil can be overcome by physical means." n Lydia Maria Child, American author (1802-1880).

Wednesday

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

MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:30-11:30 a.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Ideas for homemade Christmas gifts. Child care provided. Call 257-LOVE (5683).

St. Joseph Service League Last Minute Christmas Bazaar 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., St. Joseph Medical Center, second floor large conference room, Polson.

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

21st Chocolate Extravaganza 11:30 a.m.,, WestCoast Outlaw Hotel, Kalispell. For tickets, call Caroline Solomon at 837-4525.

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

Whitefish Chamber of Commerce Gone Fishin' at McGarry's and Good Medicine Lodge, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Refreshments served. Call 862-3501.

Somers School board meets at 6 p.m. at Somers Middle School.

Orientation class for those interested in volunteering for DREAM Adaptive Ski Recreation program 7 p.m., Whitefish Library board room.

Thursday

Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., at the bloodmobile, Qdoba Mexican Grill, Kalispell.

Fund-raiser for DREAM Adaptive Ski Recreation program 4 pm., Bierstube, Big Mountain. Live bluegrass music Debbie Demmons and the Bowltones. $5 cover.

Stillwater Christian School Music Department annual Christmas Concert 7 p.m., in the school gym. Performances by high school band, choir, select choir, jazz ensemble and Middle School ensemble. Free and open to public.

The Flathead Valley Fibromyalgia Support Group meets at 7 p.m. in The Summit conference room. Call Jerry at 253-7228.

Friday

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

Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Home Depot, Kalispell.

Whitefish Christmas stroll 5-9 p.m., downtown.

Contra Dance, Sons of Norway, 347 First Ave. E., Kalispell. Beginner's lesson 7:30-8 p.m., dancing from 8-11 p.m. to the Grin and Bear It String Clan. Cost is $6 for adults, $3, teens, 11 and younger, free. Families, $12. Call 758-7717.

A Look Ahead

Get your pet photos taken with Santa 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 10, Murdoch's Ranch and Supply, 2330 U.S. 93 South, Kalispell. All proceeds benefit Human Society. Call 752-PAWS.

Kalispell Senior Citizens and VFW Post 2252 holiday brunch 10:30 a.m. to noon, Dec. 10, 403 Second Ave. W. Call 257-1598.

Tandoor Indian Restaurant on Baker Street in Whitefish hosts a Cambodian orphanage benefit 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 10. Cambodian silk scarves and wraps, jewelry and simple children toys. Credit cards accepted and a portion of proceeds are tax deductible. Call Linda Woods at 862-2801.

Seeley Lake's Christmas at the Barn, Dec. 11, sponsored by the Historical Society. Call 406-677-2880.

Flathead Audubon birding field trip Dec. 11. Meet at 9 a.m. at the Fish, Wildlife and Parks building, 490 Meridian, Kalispell. Call Leslie Kehoe at 837-4467.

The Rev. Dave Merkel performs a piano and vocal concert, 4:30 p.m. Dec. 11, at Epworth United Methodist Church, 329 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. The public is welcome to attend. Donations of cash and non-perishable food appreciated for Habitat for Humanity and Flathead Food Bank. Call 257-6849.

Red Cross holiday open house, 1-6 p.m., at the center, Dec. 12, 17A First Ave., Kalispell.

Red Cross Adult CPR certification training, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 12. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

The Flathead Conservation District meets at 7 p.m. Dec. 12 at 30 Lower Valley Road in Kalispell.

The public is invited to a free community lecture, "Essential Resources fro Improving Wellness and Recovery," presented by Cynthia Miller of Ascent Behavioral Health Services, Meridian, Idaho, from 7:30-9 a.m. Dec.13, at Pathways Treatment Center, 200 Heritage Way, Kalispell.

Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce membership luncheon, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 13, North Valley Community Room, 235 Nucleus Ave. No reservations are required and lunch is available for $8. Awards presentation and entertainment by Columbia Falls High School Music Department. Call Carol Pike at 892-2072.

Red Cross blood drive, 2-5:30 p.m., Dec. 13, Lakeside Elementary School.

Helena Flats School board meets at 6 p.m., Dec. 13, school library.

Red Cross First Aid Basics certification training, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 13. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

Internationally acclaimed photographer Tom Ulrich hosts a wildlife slide show fund-raiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters, 7 p.m. Dec. 13, The Bulldog, WestCoast Outlaw Hotel, Kalispell. Admission $5. Call 752-0092.

Mission Mountain Audubon presents "Highway 93 Reconstruction on the Flathead Indian Reservation: A More Wildlife-friendly Highway" by Dale Becker, wildlife program manager for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, 7 p.m. Dec. 13, Polson City Library meeting room. Free and open to public.

Back Country Horsemen of the Flathead meet at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 13, Fish, Wildlife and Parks Building, 490 North Meridian Road. Elections for 2006 officers. Public welcome. Call Deborah at 892-0200.

Children's Story Hour is at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 14, in the children's department of the Flathead County Library in Kalispell, 247 First Ave. E. Call 758-5822.

Red Cross blood drive, 3-6 p.m., Dec. 14, at the center, 17A First Ave., Kalispell. Sponsored by D.A. Davidson.

School District 5 and Flathead High School district board Curriculum Committee meets at 5:15 p.m., Dec. 14, at the district office.

Evergreen School District board meets at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 14 in the administration building boardroom.

Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., Dec. 15, Libby VFW.

Red Cross Infant and Child CPR certification training, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 15. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

Seeley Swan High School concert, Dec. 15. Call 406-677-2880.

Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dec. 16, Northwest Montana Human Resources, Main Street, Kalispell.

16th annual Christmas Dinner at Our House, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 17, National Guard Armory, 2989 U.S. 93 N., Kalispell. Hosted by 495 Transportation Battalion and 639th CS Company of the Montana National Guard. Santa visits 1-3 p.m. Northwest Montana Veterans Stand Down will provide surplus military winter clothing.

The Rev. Dave Merkel performs a piano and vocal concert, 4:30 p.m. Dec. 18, at Epworth United Methodist Church, 329 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. The public is welcome to attend. Donations of cash and non-perishable food appreciated for Habitat for Humanity and Flathead Food Bank. Call 257-6849.

Swan Valley Elementary School concert, Dec. 20. Call 406-677-2880.

Seeley Lake Elementary School concert, Dec. 21. Call 406-677-2880.

Boomers Singles Activities Group social hour, 6 p.m., followed by dinner buffet at 7 p.m., Dec. 30, Whitefish Ballroom, 430 Third St., Whitefish. RSVP by noon Thursday by calling Bill at 257-1313 or Marilyn at 862-9747. All are welcome.

Seeley Lake New Year's Eve bonfire and midnight ride sponsored by Driftriders Snowmobile Club.

Annual Polar Bear Plunge begins with a parade at 1:45 p.m. Jan. 1, The Raven, Woods Bay, Flathead Lake. Families welcome to attend. Call Lisa Cloutier at 837-5472.

Orientation class for those interested in volunteering for DREAM Adaptive Ski Recreation program 7 p.m. Jan. 11, FVCC Science and Tech (SAT) building, room 148.

Orientation class for those interested in volunteering for DREAM Adaptive Ski Recreation program 7 p.m. Jan. 12, Whitefish Library board room.

West Valley Neighborhood Planning Committee meets 7 p.m. Jan. 19, West Valley School library.

Boomers Singles Activities Group social hour, 6 p.m., followed by dinner buffet at 7 p.m., Jan. 27, Whitefish Ballroom, 430 Third St., Whitefish. RSVP by noon Thursday by calling Bill at 257-1313 or Marilyn at 862-9747. All are welcome.

Blacktail Mountain Ski Area Winterfest Jan. 28. Family Cup ski and snowboard races, ice sculpting, sleigh rides, kids' games, snow golf, snowmobile poker run and more. Call 844-3715.