Today

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

3 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.

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

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

3 Creston School board meets at 3:30 p.m. at Creston School.

3 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.

3 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.

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

Wednesday

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

3 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).

3 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.

3 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.

3 21st Chocolate Extravaganza 11:30 a.m.,, WestCoast Outlaw Hotel, Kalispell. For tickets, call Caroline Solomon at 837-4525.

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

3 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.

3 Somers School board Policy Committee meets at 6 p.m. at Somers Middle School.

3 Disabled American Veterans meet at 6:30 p.m., VFW meeting room, 111 Main St., Kalispell. Call Jerry Collins at 752-0198.

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

Thursday

3 The Flathead County Republican Central Committee meets at noon at Bulldog. New by-laws will be approved.

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

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

3 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. Public welcome.

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

3 West Valley School board meets at 7 p.m. in the school library to discuss long term district planning.

3 Flathead County Fair board meets at 7 p.m., Expo Building.

3 Watercarvers Guild acoustic ensemble of Helena performs 7:30 p.m. Polson High School stage. Tickets $10 in advance at Top 40 Video, Regatta, Isabel's and Fiddle Sticks in Polson, Hanson & Grandley and Radio Shack in Ronan. $12 at the door. Students 18 and under are free. Call 800-823-4386.

Friday

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

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

3 National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) meets at noon at Buffalo Hills Terrace, 40 Claremont Ave. Christmas party, gift exchange. For reservations, call Mary Turk at 849-5172.

3 Dream catcher making workshop taught by local artists Lorinda and Keela Smith, noon to 1:30 p.m. FVCC SAT room 147. Free and open to public. Call Gerda Reeb at 756-3945.

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

3 Libby Festival of Trees Family Night. 3-8 p.m. Santa, chili feed, face painting, holiday craft making, story time and live entertainment. Admission $2 for adults, children free.

3 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. $6 for adults, $3, teens, 11 and younger, free. Families, $12. Call 758-7717.

Thought

"Marriage is a lottery in which men stake their liberty and women their happiness." n Madame Virginie de Rieux, 16th-century French writer.

Saturday

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

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

3 Tandoor Indian Restaurant on Baker Street in Whitefish hosts a Cambodian orphanage benefit 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 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.

Eureka hosts a family day of Christmas ornament or yule log making, at the Historical Village Information Center. $2 per child or donation of one new unwrapped toy/gift for Toys for Tots.

Sunday

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

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

3 The Rev. Dave Merkel performs a piano and vocal concert, 4:30 p.m. 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.

Monday

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

3 Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group meets 6-8 p.m., Perkins Restaurant parking lot, Kalispell. Survivors, family, friends are welcome to come and board Eagle Transit for a tour of Christmas lights in downtown Kalispell. Cost is $4. Pie and coffee at Perkins follows tour. RSVP to Kathy or Sue at 756-4723. Call Dawn at 257-0050 for special transportation needs.

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

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

3 Flathead Audubon meets at 7 p.m. at The Summit, Kalispell. Wildlife biologist Dan Casey offers tips for identifying early winter birds. Free and everyone invited.

3 Marion Volunteer Fire Department meets at 7 p.m. in the Community Fire Hall. Election of officers will take place.

A Look Ahead

3 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.

3 Buffet luncheon 11:30 a.m., Dec. 13, Kalispell Center WestCoast Hotel. Theme is "Hats Off to the Holidays." Katie Brennan, The Hat Lady from Sassafras in Kalispell, will display hats and talk about her creations. Guest speaker Karen Spaulding, registered nurse, will talk about her life choices. Cost is $10. RSVP to Rosainne at 257-8098 or Julie at 837-2520. Complimentary child care by reservation. Sponsored by the Kalispell Women's Connection and Stonecroft Ministries.

3 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.

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

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

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

3 FVCC's Multicultural lecture series continues with "My name is Santaki. I am just a porter girl in a mountain village, but I am thinking of my education," 6 p.m. Blake Hall board room. Don Nelson, co-owner of Nelson's Hardware gives a slide show about the Children of Kathmandu Organization. Free and open to public. Call Gerda Reeb at 756-3945.

3 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.

3 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.

3 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.

Bigfork Parentshare meets at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 14 at the Community United Methodist Church. Danielle McClenahan will talk about Stroller Strides. Child care is provided. Call Denise at 982-3257 or Dana at 837-4408.

3 Columbia Falls Women's Connection invites you to brunch, 9:30 a.m. Dec. 14, Los Caporales, Nucleus Avenue, Columbia Falls. Cost $7. Program includes Grandma Betty's Scrapbooking. Guest speaker is Karen Spaulding, registered nurse. For reservations call Candy at 387-4119 or Sherry at 892-5990.

3 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.

3 Lakeside Community Club meets at noon Dec. 14, Vista Linda. Bring a gift for West Shore Toys for Kids. Also a member gift change for those who wish to participate. Somers School provides music. For reservations call Linda Burns at 844-2433.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3 Eureka Christmas Ball "Dickens Christmas Stories," 8 p.m. Tickets at First Interstate Bank, Glacier Bank and Whitefish Credit Union. Cost $8 per person, $14 per couple, $20 per couple. Entertainment by Kayla and Holly Van Bemmel. Call 406-889-4636.

3 32nd annual Bigfork Christmas Bird Count Dec. 17. Call Dan Casey of Flathead Audubon to participate. Call 756-2681, days; 857-3143, evenings. Cost $5. Potluck at 5 p.m. at Bigfork Senior Center.

3 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.

3 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.

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

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

3 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.

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

3 Annual Flathead Audubon Christmas bird count Jan. 1. Call Dan Casey to participate. 756-2681, days; 857-3143, evenings. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at Finnegan's.

3 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.

3 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.

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

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

3 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.

3 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.