Today

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

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

3 Canyon Elementary students and parents are invited to a "Make It and Take It" craft night 6-7:30 p.m. at the school.

3 Flathead Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited annual Christmas fly tying extravaganza, 7 p.m., Bohemian Grange Hall, behind Coffee Traders on U.S. 93, south of Whitefish. Snacks, coffee and tea provided. Guests may bring own beverages. Demonstrations by local expert tiers. All are welcome.

3 Somers School District board meets at 6 p.m. at Somers Middle School for a Gifted/Talented Program review; followed by a regular board meeting at 7 p.m.

Wednesday

3 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.

3 The Montana Veterans Family and Alsheimer's Support Group meets at noon om the main conference room. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. Topic is "Living through the Holidays." RSVP Suzanne Dickenson, Social Services at 892-3256.

3 Whitefish Golden Agers host a dramatic reading of "Polar Express" at 1 p.m., at the Center, 121 Second St. Free. All are invited.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-5 p.m., First Interstate Bank, Main Street, Kalispell.

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

3 School District 5 and Flathead High School District meets at 5:30 p.m. at the Flathead High School ConferenceRoom.

Thursday

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m., Kalispell Regional Medical Center conference center.

3 Teen Advisory Group meets 4 p.m., Flathead County Library, Kalispell. Call Katie Boyes at 758-5713.

Friday

3 Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Dec. 23 at the center, 17A First Ave., Kalispell.

A Look Ahead

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

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m., Dec. 28, Three Rivers Bank, Kalispell.

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., Dec. 29, Eureka Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

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 Sunriser Lions sponsor their 35th annual Ice Fishing Derby from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 31 at Smith Lake near Kila. Prizes, drawings, Lions trailer with hot drinks, chili, hot dogs. Warming fire. Adults, $3; kids, $2; families, $6. All proceeds benefit Sunriser Lions kids' fish pond projects.

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 Public growth policy meeting 1 p.m. Jan. 3, Earl Bennett Building, Kalispell, and 6 p.m. Marion School.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Jan. 3 at the center, 17A First Ave., Kalispell.

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

3 Red Cross blood drive, 12:30-5:30 p.m., Jan. 5, Columbia Falls Community Room. Sponsored by First Citizens Bank and Columbia Falls Rotary.

3 Public growth policy meeting 1 p.m. Jan. 5, North Valley Hospital, and 6 p.m. Earl Bennett Building, Kalispell.

3 Red Cross Infant and Child CPR certification training, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 5. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 1-5 p.m., Jan. 6, Whitefish Mountain Mall.

3 Public growth policy meeting 1 p.m. Jan. 9, Moving Image, Columbia Falls, and 6 p.m. Lakeside Chapel.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Jan. 9 at the center, 17A First Ave., Kalispell.

3 Red Cross Adult CPR certified review course, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 9. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 The Flathead Conservation District meets at 7 p.m. Jan. 9 at 30 Lower Valley Road in Kalispell.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Jan. 10, Trinity Lutheran Church, Kalispell.

3 Public growth policy meeting 6 p.m. Jan. 10, Smith Valley School.

Thought

"Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art. … It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival." n C.S. Lewis, British author (1898-1963).

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 Public growth policy meeting 6 p.m. Jan. 12, North Valley Hospital Lake Room.

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

3 Public growth policy meeting 6 p.m. Jan. 17, Moving Image, Columbia Falls.

3 Red Cross Adult CPR certification training, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 17. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 Public growth policy meeting 6 p.m. Jan. 18, Swan River School.

3 Red Cross Infant and Child CPR certification training, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 19. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

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

3 Red Cross Adult CPR certified review course, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 23. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 Red Cross First Aid Basics certification training, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 24. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

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.