Today

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

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

St. Joseph Medical Center open house to meet new medical staff, 5-7 p.m., hospital lobby, Polson.

Live and silent pie auction 5-7 p.m. downtown Whitefish Farmer's Market. Proceeds to benefit Farm Hands.

Swan River School board meets at 5:30 p.m. in the library.

School District 5 and Flathead High School district board meets at 6 p.m., Kalispell Junior High School library.

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

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

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

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

West Valley Fire District trustees special meeting 7:30 p.m. Farm to Market Fire Station.

Wednesday

Evergreen Water and Sewer District board meets at 7 a.m. at the district office, 130 Nicholson Dr.

Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Glacier National Park.

3 Children's Story Hour at 10:30 a.m., 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 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., Summit Conference room.

Lakeside County Water and Sewer district board meets 2 p.m., district meeting room, 253 Bierney Creek Road, Lakeside.

Discovery Developmental Center Sailing Regatta Fund-raiser, today through July 15 at North Flathead Yacht Club in Somers. Barbecue at 5:30 p.m. nightly. Race time 7:30 p.m. Silent auction, music and awards. Call Collette Box at 756-7295 or Jennifer Fisher at 862-6098. Proceeds benefit DDC, a nonprofit child development center.

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

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

Summer North Fork Inter Local 6:30 p.m. Sondreson Community Hall at Whale Creek. A potluck dinner will precede the meeting at 5 p.m. hosted by Glacier Institute. Call 888-5084.

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

Flathead Valley Community Band perform a free outdoor concert at 7:30 p.m. at the amphitheater on the shore of Lake McDonald in Glacier Park. All are welcome.

Thursday

AARP Seniors Driver Safety Program 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. Instructors Art Buckley and Bob Redinger. Cost is $10. Call 751-4500.

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

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

Columbus, Ohio Zoo Director Emeritus, zoologist and celebrity Jack Hanna will be guest speaker a benefit at 7 p.m., at Swan Valley Community Hall, mile post 42.5 Montana 83, Condon. Tickets at the door are $5 per adults, $3 per student. Free for pre-schoolers. Proceeds go toward Northwest Connections, a Swan Valley nonprofit community-based conservation organization. Call 754-3185.

Friday

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

Whitefish High School has a class reunion today and July 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.

St. Joseph Medical Center barbecue at McCrumbs barn on Finley Point, Flathead Lake, 6 p.m. July 16. Live and silent auctions and dancing to the Singing Sons of Beaches. Call 883-8416 for ticket information.

Thought

"Man is not made for society, but society is made for man. No institution can be good which does not tend to improve the individual." n Margaret Fuller, American social reformer (1810-1850).

Quilt Walk and Outdoor Quilt Show, today through July 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.

Stillwater Lutheran Church Neighborhood Family Camp-out and Picnic weekend, today through July 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.

Northwest Montana Polka Festival today through Sunday, Kalispell Eagles. Music ranges from polka to big band, Cajun, Latin, Hawaiian and more. Day pass is $9; two days, $15; three days. $23. Teenagers half price, kide under 12 with parents, free.

Saturday

18th annual Lakeside Community Club "Discover the West Shore" Fair, 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, 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.

Bigfork Art & Cultural Center's 17th annual Bigfork Garden Tour 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Five gardens featured. Seminars on July 17. Tickets are $10 available at the Center and Swan River Nursery. Call 837-6927 or 837-3375.

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

Yaak Wilderness Festival begins at 2 p.m. at the Dirty Shame Saloon. Live music throughout the day. Arts and crafts booths, Rollin' Bones Bar-B-Q. Auction and raffle. Admission is $15; students, $10.

Miracle of America Museum, 58176 U.S. 93, Polson, 14th annual Live History Days, today and Sunday. 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. today; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Scandinavian Gift and Craft Sale 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sons of Norway, 347 First Ave. E., Kalispell.

Brown-bag picnic lunch for all PEO members, residents and visitors, noon, Boettcher Park, Polson. Call 883-1806 or 883-9329.

Eureka Artists in Residence Art Auction and Benefit, Lincoln County High School, Eureka. Viewing and hors d' oeuvres 5:30-6:30 p.m. Auction 7 p.m. Nearly 25 national international artists work to be auctioned. Proceeds go to Creative Arts Center Expansion Project. Call 406-889-3807.

Somers Volunteer Fire Department's annual Somers Cajun Street Dance. Doors open 6 p.m. Cajun food, live music. Tickets $15 available at the fire department or Del's Bar. Call 857-3351.

Sunday

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

Monday

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

Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., 18 at the center, 17A First Ave., Kalispell.

Columbia Falls School board expulsion hearing at 6 p.m., followed by a regular meeting at 7 p.m., administration offices boardroom, 501 Sixth Ave. W. Columbia Falls.

The community is invited to a Somers Townsite meeting to review a preliminary draft for a neighborhood plan, 7 p.m., Somers Middle School.

Northwest Montana Fair board meets at 7 p.m., in the fairgrounds office.

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

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

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

Buffet luncheon 11:30 a.m., Kalispell Center WestCoast Hotel. Cathy Bourne of The Great Falls Symphony will perform and also speak on the topic, "Overcoming Debilitating Fear." 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.

A Look Ahead

Red Cross Adult CPR certification training, 6:30 p.m. July 19. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

Red Cross blood drive, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 19 in the blood mobile at Northwest Montana Human Resources, Kalispell.

Montanans for Multiple Use meets at 7 p.m. July 19, Fish, Wildlife and Parks building, 800 Meridian Road, Kalispell. Guest speaker is Chris Servheen, biologist for the grizzly bear recovery project. Open to the public.

High tea is offered the public at 11:30 a.m. July 20, Columbia Falls Community Room, Nucleus Avenue. Cost is $7 adults, $4 for children. Hats, gloves and pearls encouraged. Cathy Bourne of Great Falls will share her story. Call Bernedette at 892-0316, or Sherry at 892-5990. Sponsored by the Columbia Falls Women's Connection and Stonecroft Ministries.

Red Cross Infant and Child CPR certification training, 6:30 p.m. July 20. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

Red Cross blood drive, 12:30-5:30 p.m. July 21, at North Valley Hospital, Whitefish.

Whitefish Chamber of Commerce Gone Fishin' social hour, 5-7 p.m. July 21, Hunter and Company. Call 862-3501.

25th Anniversary Glacier Street Rod Association Glacier Rod Run July 21-24, Kalispell. Cruise In 6 p.m. July 21, Dairy Queen. Parade 10 a.m. and Show & Shine 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 23. Log on to www.glacierstreetrodassoc.org.

Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., July 22-23, Wal-Mart, Kalispell.

Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., July 25 at the center, 17A First Ave., Kalispell.

Red Cross Adult CPR certification training, 6:30 p.m. July 25. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., July 26, Polson Methodist Church.

Red Cross First Aid Basics certification training, 6:30 p.m. July 26. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m., July 27, Albertson's Grocery, Kalispell.

Red Cross blood drive, 2-5 p.m., July 28, Kalispell Center Mall.

Red Cross blood drive, 11 to 2 p.m., July 29, at the center, 17A First Ave., Kalispell.

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.

28th annual Rollins Fire Department barbecue 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 25, Rollins Schoolhouse, Methodist Camp Road in Rollins. Advanced tickets are $10 adults and $5 for children under 12. Pit barbecued buffalo and turkey and all the trimmings. Tickets are $12 and $7 respectively at the door. Call Jane at 844-3768 or 752-6150.

Montana Board of Housing presents a free class for lenders and Realtors on private mortgage insurance and MBOH loans, 2-4 p.m. July 28, KwaTaqNuk Resort, Polson. Call Craig at 406-841-2837 to register.

Montana Board of Housing presents a free class for lenders and Realtors on private mortgage insurance and MBOH loans, 9-11 a.m. p.m. July 29, NW MT Association of Realtors, 110 Cooperative Way, Kalispell. Call Craig at 406-841-2837 to register.

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.

First Citizens Bank Boogie to the Bank, July 30, Columbia Falls. Register in advance at either Kalispell of Columbia Falls bank branches, or from 7-7:30 a.m. day of race. Race time is 8:30 a.m.

Rocky Mountain Street Machines Car Show 29-July 31, Friday night cruise 6 p.m. July 29, Car Show at Glacier Gateway Elementary School, Columbia Falls. Registration 9:30 a.m., Cruise to Heritage Days Parade at 1:30 p.m. Awards 4 p.m. Burn out exhibition 6 p.m. Breakfast 8:30-11 a.m. Sunday. Call Kavin at 892-7218 or rod at 892-5573.

School District 5 enrollment begins Aug. 1 for grades K-8, 233 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.

Bigfork Friends of the Library annual used book sale 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 4. Paperbacks 50 cents; hardbacks $1. Donations welcome. Call 837-4294.

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.