Today

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.

Red Cross blood drive, 2-5 p.m., at the center, 17A First Ave., Kalispell, sponsored by D.A. Davidson.

After-school Storytime for children 6-12, 4 p.m., Children's Department of the Flathead County Library in Kalispell. Call 758-5822.

Chiropractor Richard Puchta offers a free class on maximizing your quality of life as you age, "Life Without Limits," 5:15 p.m., Ashley Square conference room. Call 752-7289 if you plan to attend.

Flathead Coalition meets at 7 p.m. upstairs theater, KM Building, 36 Second St. E., Kalispell, to discuss concerns to Flathead River from coal mining and coalbed methane activities in British Columbia. Featured speakers include Jack Stanford, director of U of M Flathead Biological Station, and Hal Harper, chief policy advisor to Gov. Schweitzer. Call Richard Kuhl at 257-5793.

Thursday

School District 5 and Flathead High School District Program Review Team meets 6:30 a.m., district office.

Red Cross blood drive, 12-5:30 p.m., Columbia Falls North Valley Community Room, sponsored by Columbia Falls Rotary Club.

Ground breaking ceremony for two new townhouses by Habitat for Humanity, 4 p.m. 807 and 809 Ashley Drive, Sunnyside development, Kalispell. Public is invited. Call 257-8800.

Community meeting to discuss and evaluate a growth policy for the City of Polson, 7-9 p.m., Lake County Courthouse. All are welcome. Call Sarah Nicolai at 406-442-0370 or e-mail at snicolai@hkminc.com.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Family History Training Workshop 7 p.m., Kalispell Stake Center, 1380 Whitefish Stage Road, Kalispell. Topics include "Census-What You May not Know about Census Research" and "Five Ways to Find Vital Records On-line." Open to public.

West Valley Neighborhood Land Use Committee meets to discuss revisions to the neighborhood plan, 7 p.m. West Valley School Library. Open to public comment.

Friday

North West Montana Veterans Food Pantry yard sale fund-raiser 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and Saturday, Shopko east parking lot, Kalispell.

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

Big Sky Astronomy Club meets at 7 p.m., Kalispell Junior High School library. Visitors are welcome. Park in the school's east lot. Call Bruce at 857-375 or Scott at 755-3939.

Benefit auction and raffle for Chad Baker, 7 p.m., Eagles Lounge, 37 First Ave. W., Kalispell. Jam session, live auction of exercise equipment, art, tools, bear carvings, electronics and more. Proceeds will help cover medical bills and expenses for Baker and his family. Everyone welcome.

Artists & Craftsmen of the Flathead Arts & Crafts Fair, today through July 10, Kalispell Courthouse lawn, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Free Admission. Refreshments.

Saturday

North West Montana Veterans Food Pantry yard sale fund-raiser continues today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Shopko east parking lot, Kalispell. Red Belly Barbecue pig roast today.

Mission Mountain Winery, U.S. 9 in Dayton, invites the public to a free picnic and wine workshop 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Flathead County Library hosts a free performance of "The Sword in the Stone," by the Traveling Lantern Company, 10:30 a.m., Depot Park, Kalispell.

Rocky Mountain Street Machines car show 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Kalispell Glacier Toyota, U.S. 9 South. All are welcome.

Canyon View Grade School and Half Moon Reunion potluck, noon to 4 p.m., Bohemian Grange Hall on U.S. 9 near Whitefish. Bring a dish to share, your own place setting and beverage of choice. Guest speaker Ron Buentemeier with speak about "The Logging History of Stolze Land and Lumber Company." Call Clarice Maas Gates at 752-1199 or gardengate79@hotmail.com.

Sunday

Flathead Valley Tandem Bike Rally. Meet in Tidyman's parking lot in Kalispell for a backroads route map to Meadow Lake Golf Course in Columbia Falls for a lunch stop. Choice of long or short return routes. Call Glacier Cyclery at 862-6444.

Flathead County High School Class of 1936 annual brunch 11 a.m., Bulldog Steak House, Kalispell Center Outlaw Hotel. Call Glenyce at 755-3363.

3Heaven's Peak Summer Arts Festival beginning at 11 a.m., West Glacier. Call 387-4754.

Open House Family History Community Event 5-8 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1780 Talbot Road, Columbia Falls. Free. Open to the public.

Thought

"On the outskirts of every agony sits some observant fellow who points."

- Virginia Woolf, English author and critic (1882-1941).

Monday

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.

Montana Silver-Haired Legislative potluck picnic noon, at Mary Turk's home. Car pool at Salvation Army parking lot at 11 a.m.

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

Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group potluck 4-6 p.m. at Snappy's Sports Center fish pond, 1400 U.S. 2 E., Kalispell. Survivors, family, friends are welcome. If last begins with A-H, bring an appetizer or salad; I-P main dish; Q-Z, dessert. Call Kathy at 756-472 for information or child care arrangements. Call Dawn for special transportation needs.

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

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

Rails to Trails of Northwest Montana meets today. Call Horace at 257-1932 for time and place.

A Look Ahead

Red Cross blood drive, 2-5 p.m., July 12, Big Mountain Resort Outpost.

Back Country Horsemen of the Flathead annual potluck picnic and brief business meeting, 6:30 p.m. July 12, Lone Pine Park, Kalispell. Call Deborah at 892-0200.

Red Cross First Aid Basics certification training, 6:30 p.m. July 12. Call 752-643 to pre-register.

Fair-Mont-Egan School board meets at 7 p.m. July 12, in the school library.

Cayuse Prairie School board meets at 7 p.m. July 12 in the school library.

Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to p.m., July 13, Glacier National Park.

Children's Story Hour at 10:30 a.m., July 13, Children's Department of the Flathead County Library in Kalispell, 247 First Ave. E. Teresa Wenum will present a program on "Fire in the Forest." Call 758-5822.

Flathead chapter of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees potluck picnic, noon July 1 at the home of Mary Turk. Bring placewear, lawn chair and a potluck dish. Call Turk at 849-5172.

Local Advisory Council meets with Senators Bob Keenan, Jerry O'Neill, and Representative Tim Dowell to discuss their experience at the 2005 Legislature regarding mental health bills, 12:30-2 p.m. July 13, Summit Conference room.

Red Cross Infant and Child CPR certification training, 6:30 p.m. July 13. Call 752-643 to pre-register.

Montana State Republican Central Committee Chairman Karl Ohs invites all Lake County Republicans to a special town meeting, 7 p.m. July 13, at the VFW building, corner of Main and Fifth, Polson. Refreshments will be served.

Long Range Planning Task Force meets 4-6 p.m. July 14, Earl Bennett Building, First Avenue West, Kalispell. Public invited to comment at end of meeting.

Red Cross blood drive, 4-7 p.m., July 14, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Whitefish Stage Road, Kalispell.

Flathead County Library, Kalispell, hosts a release party for "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," 11:30 p.m. July 15.

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.

Quilt Walk and Outdoor Quilt Show, July 15-17, Seeley Lake. Barbecue, bluegrass concert, kids' activities, demonstrations and prizes. Call Seeley Lake Chamber of Commerce at 406-677-2880 or Deer Country Quilts at 677-2730.

18th annual Lakeside Community Club "Discover the West Shore" Fair, July 16, Lakeside School. Pancake breakfast 7 a.m.; 5K Run/Walk to follow, classic car parade, kids games, Attic Treasures sale and silent auction beginning at 9 a.m. Call 857-3512 or 857-3381. Proceeds benefit area nonprofit organizations.

Skibsrud Scramble Kids Duathlon for kids 14 and under, July 16, Lawrence Park, Kalispell. Check in and registration 8 a.m. Awards in each of three age categories. T-shirts for all participants. Light lunch for families afterward. Call Val at 758-7848.

Big Mountain Summer Festival 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 16-17, Fine arts, crafts, live music, dance and kids' activities. Call 862-2900.

Stillwater Lutheran Church Neighborhood Family Camp-out and Picnic weekend, July 15-17. Live music, games, auction. Pit barbecue 1 p.m. July 16, and outdoor worship, 10 a.m. July 17. Bring a tent or camper. The church is located at 1401 Church Dr., West Valley. Call 257-4614.

Miracle of America Museum, 58176 U.S. 93, Polson, 14th annual Live History Days, July 16-17. Spinning, quilting, weaving and blacksmith demonstrations, miniature train, Army vehicles and tractor rides, live music, food concessions. Hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 16, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 17.

Montana Animal Rescue League holds a bake sale and quilt raffle from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 17 at the Petco store in Kalispell.

School District 5 and Flathead High School district board retreats at 7 a.m.-1 p.m., July 18, HER Robinson Vo-Ag Complex.

Kalispell City Council meets at 7 p.m., July 18, Kalispell City Hall.

Columbia City Council meets at 7 p.m., July 18, Columbia Falls City Hall.

Whitefish City Council meets at 7:10 p.m., July 18, Whitefish City Hall.

Red Cross Adult CPR certification training, 6:30 p.m. July 19. Call 752-643 to pre-register.

Red Cross Infant and Child CPR certification training, 6:30 p.m. July 20. Call 752-643 to pre-register.

Red Cross Adult CPR certification training, 6:30 p.m. July 25. Call 752-643 to pre-register.

Red Cross First Aid Basics certification training, 6:30 p.m. July 26. Call 752-643 to pre-register.

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.

Flathead Valley Alliance presents Noel Coward's "Blithe Spirit," 8 p.m. July 29-30; 4 p.m. July 31, KM Theatre, 50 Second St. E., Kalispell. Tickets $6 in advance; $7 at the door. Benefit for Violence Free Crisis Line. Call 756-0050.

School District 5 enrollment begins Aug. 1 for grades K-8, 23 First Ave. E., Kalispell. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Birth certificate, immunization records and proof of address required for kindergarten registration. Call Patty Fisher at 751-3430.

Immanuel Lutheran Home Children's Carnival and Family Fun Night, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Aug. 5, 185 Crestline, Kalispell. Games, archery booth, horse rides, power wheels race track, hula dancing, visit from Batman and Robin, concessions and more. Call 752-9622, ext. 231.

Flathead Valley Alliance presents Noel Coward's "Blithe Spirit," 8 p.m. Aug. 5-6; 4 p.m. Aug. 7, KM Theatre, 50 Second St. E., Kalispell. Tickets $6 in advance; $7 at the door. Benefit for Violence Free Crisis Line. Call 756-0050.

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.

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

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

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.