Today

AARP Seniors Driver Safety Program 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., today and July 27. Instructor is Don Bogut, North Valley Hospital, Kalispell. Cost is $10. Call 863-3630.

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

The Flathead County Republican Assembly meets at noon, at Perkins. Contact Ron Hoye is 257-1860.

School District 5 and Flathead High School district board meets at noon, Flathead High School conference room.

Flathead County Solid Waste District board meets at 5 p.m. at the landfill office.

Swan River School board will recount ballots at 3 p.m., and to canvass votes at 5:30 p.m. at the school.

Wellness Ministry's Healthy Potluck Supper, 6-7:30 p.m., Whitefish Mountain Mall Food Court. Families welcome. Bring a healthy dish to share. Call Jeanette Cheney at 862-6209.

Smith Valley School board meets at 6 p.m. at the Intermediate School.

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

Evergreen Business and Property Owner's Association meets at 7 p.m., Evergreen Fire Hall, 2236 U.S. 2 E., Kalispell. The public is invited.

Support group for family members of people with eating disorders meets at 7 p.m. at The Summit. Information, support, encouragement. Call Carrie Thiel at 257-7911.

Wednesday

3 Magician Dan Jimmerson performs a magic show, "The Magic of Reading," 10:30 a.m., children's department Flathead County Library, Kalispell. All are welcome.

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

American Karate Academy sponsors a seminar for families, "Smart Defense for Kids and their Families," with Grandmaster Royce Young, 5-6 p.m., at the Mountain Mall in Whitefish. Cost $10 per family. A second advanced seminar will be from 6:30-8:30 p.m. for martial art students 13 and older, cost $20. Pre-registration required. Call 862-7722.

Middle Canyon Volunteer Work Group meets to update the Middle Canyon plan at 6:30 p.m. at West Glacier Elementary School. Call 888-5760.

Summer Sustainability Celebration 6 p.m., Bohemian Grange Hall behind Coffee Traders in Whitefish. Speakers from 7-8:30 p.m. Bring a potluck dish to share if possible. Hosted by the Valley Action Center to raise awareness and initiate projects for a self-sustaining future. Call Peter at 270-2212.

Thursday

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-5 p.m., Kalispell Center Mall. Schedule an appointment by calling 751-5052.

Montana Board of Housing presents a free class for lenders and Realtors on private mortgage insurance and MBOH loans, 2-4 p.m., KwaTaqNuk Resort, Polson. Call Craig at 406-841-3287 to register.

Full Life Agency Home Care open house and ribbon cutting ceremony, 3-7 p.m., 322 Second Ave. W. Ste. H, Kalispell. Call 257-1101. Beverages and bagels will be available.

Flathead County Library board meets at 3 p.m. at the Flathead County Library, Kalispell. Contact Kim Crowley, library director, at 758-5826.

Teen Advisory Council meeting, 4 p.m., Flathead County Library in Kalispell. Call 758-5713.

Kalispell Senior Citizens business meeting 5 p.m., potluck supper 5:30, and program 6:15 p.m., Kalispell Senior Center, 403 Second Ave. W. RSVP Kitchen Band will perform. Guests welcome. Bring a potluck dish. Call 257-1598.

Dr. Miguel Lanzagorta, will give a free lecture, "Reclaim a Healthier Life" on groundbreaking information on alternative healing, WestCoast Kalispell Center Hotel. Registration 6:30 p.m., lecture 7-9 p.m. Seating is limited and free tickets must be arranged by calling 406-249-1025.

Parkside Credit Union sponsors an Ice Cream Social, 7:30 p.m. Marantette Park, Columbia Falls. A Heritage Day event.

Friday

3 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., NW MT Association of Realtors, 110 Cooperative Way, Kalispell. Call Craig at 406-841-287 to register.

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

Boomers Singles Activities Group social hour, 6 p.m., followed by dinner buffet at 7 p.m., Black Angus-Red Lion Inn, U.S. 2 W., Kalispell. RSVP by noon Thursday by calling Duane at 257-4502, or Debbie at 752-3215. All are welcome.

Flathead Valley Alliance presents Noel Coward's "Blithe Spirit," 8 p.m. today and July 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.

Wildcat Endowment barbecue and auction, 5 p.m. behind Columbia Bar, Columbia Falls. A Heritage Days event.

Thought

"Government is too big and important to be left to the politicians." - Chester Bowles, American diplomat, businessman, author - and politician (1901-1986).

3 Rocky Mountain Street Machines Car Show today through July 31, Friday night cruise 6 p.m., Car Show at Glacier Gateway Elementary School, Columbia Falls, July 30. 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. July 31. Call Kavin at 892-7218.

Flathead High School Class of 1955 50th Reunion Mixer, 7 p.m. Vista Linda Pavilion, Somers. Call Pat at 257-1932.

A Look Ahead

Heritage Days continue in Columbia Falls. Firemen's breakfast, Don Anderson Fire Hall, 7 a.m.; 3 on 3 Basketball, Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce, First Ave. W., 8:30 a.m.; Arts and crafts and food vendors, trolley rides, street bowling; Senior citizens lunch, North Valley Senior Citizens Hall, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Parade, 2 p.m.; street rod burn outs, Glacier School, 6 p.m.; Eagles barbecue, 6 p.m.; youth dance 7 p.m.; Moran Sisters perform, 8 p.m., North Eagles Club; adult street dance behind Sportsmen Club Bar, 9 p.m.

3 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. Call 892-6800.

3 Human Therapy on Horseback fourth annual barbecue and auction 5 p.m. July 30 at Rebecca Farm. Pitchfork fondue barbecue dinner at 6:15 p.m. Live auction at 7 p.m. Entertainment by Cold Creek Band. Tickets available at Books West in Kalispell. Call Timi at 261-0342.

3 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

Contemporary exhibition of paintings by New Zealand artist, Paula Humphreys, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 30, 8 a.m. to noon July 31, Bohemian Grange Hall, 125 Blanchard Lake Road, Whitefish, behind Coffee Traders. Call 257-4699. All are welcome.

3 School District 5 enrollment begins Aug. 1 for grades K-8, 2 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.

Rails to Trails of Northwest Montana meets at 5 p.m. Aug. 1, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks conference room, 490 Meridian Road, Kalispell. Call Horace at 257-1932. All are welcome.

3 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 87-4294.

3 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.

Community gathering for peace marking the 60th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, 10 a.m. Aug. 6, Whitefish Depot Park. Readings, stories and music. All are welcome. Call Lonnie at 862-5425.

Mountain Brook Community Library Pie Social 7-9 p.m. Aug. 6, 2353 Footfall Road. Pies sold by the slice or whole. Proceeds benefit library.

3 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.

Friends of Langley ski slope grooming party, 8:15 a.m. Aug. 6, Big Mountain. Meet at the bottom of the Glacier Chaser. Bring saws, loppers, hand tools for cutting trees and shrubs. No power tools allowed. Complimentary lunch and T-shirt. Call 862-2900.

North Fork Improvement Association annual election of officers, 8 p.m. Aug. 6, Sondreson Hall, North Fork Road at Whale Creek. Three resolutions on paving/ improvements and four proposed by-law amendments will also be discussed.

3 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.

3 Polson Festival Days Aug. 12-14, Bop-a-Dips perform 7 p.m. Aug. 12. Cruisen' By the Bay Car Show 2005, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Main Street; Sandpiper Days, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Lake County Courthouse; Carnival 10 a.m., Riverside Park; Public auction of motor related items, 5-7 p.m., Comets play rock n' roll 7 p.m. Polson fairgrounds, all on Aug. 13. Tickets for Comets, $20 at the gate. Call 883-2488.

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

Evergreen School District board meets at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 15 in the administration building boardroom.

Northwest Montana Team Penning Association competition 7 p.m. Aug. 15, Flathead County Fairgrounds.

2005 Northwest Montana Fair Aug. 16-20, Flathead County Fairgrounds. Inland Empire Shows and Royal West Amusement Carnival starts 5 p.m. Aug. 16 and all-day Aug. 17-20; Christian concert with the Fox Brothers, 7 p.m. Aug. 16; country concert with Tracy Byrd, 7 p.m. Aug. 17; PRCA Rodeo, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 18-20; fair parade, 10 a.m. Aug. 19; 2006 Miss Pro Rodeo queen and princess coronation 6 p.m. Aug. 20; Little Miss Rode coronation, 2 p.m. Aug. 20. Demolition Derby 7:30 p.m. Aug. 21. Call 758-5810 or log on to www.nwmtfair.com

Pari Mutuel horse racing, 1 p.m. Aug. 19-21, Flathead County Fairgrounds.

Dog Days of Summer 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Aug. 20, Whitefish City Beach. Drawing for prizes at 1:30 p.m. Free hot dogs and school supplies. Call 862-4039. Sponsored by Children's Ministries of Whitefish Assembly of God.

Pari Mutuel horse racing, 1 p.m. Aug. 27-28, Flathead County Fairgrounds.

3 Fourth annual Whitefish Lake Swim Aug. 28. Call Kathryn McEnery at 257-3798.

3 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.