Today

Lone Pine State Park offers free 30-minute Wildflower Walks at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Meet the ranger at the top of the hill. Wear sturdy walking shoes. Call 755-2706.

Flathead County Library summer reading program in Kalispell features a sword fighting demonstration by the Society for Creative Anachronism, 11 a.m. as part of its summer reading program. Call Katie Boyes at 758-5713.

Rocky Mountain Street Machines car show 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Montana Harley Davidson, 2480 U.S. 9 S., Kalispell. All are welcome. Call Kavin Morsette, at 892-7218.

Alta Bash fundraiser 2 p.m., Polson Airport. Rides on the Breezy open-cockpit aircraft, silent auction, pie auction and face painting. Bratwurst barbecue at 6 p.m. Beer and soft drinks available. Cost is $10 adults, $25 families. Proceeds go toward medical bills for Polson/Kalispell residents and nurse Alta Bash.

Fundraiser barbecue for retired Flathead County Sheriff Denny Updegraff, 4-8 p.m., Edgewater RV Park, Lakeside. $6 donation. Live music. Proceeds go toward medical bills as a result of his recent heart attack and stroke. Call Bruce or Mary at 844-3500.

Free flamenco dance exhibition 5 p.m. La Riviera Restaurant, Big Arm. Public welcome to attend. Call Eva at 250-2358.

Sunday

Flamenco dance exhibition 2 p.m. Symes Hotel. Pass-the-hat event. Call Eva at 250-2358.

Ninth annual Flathead Southerners Catfish Fry & Gatherin', 4:30 p.m. June 26, Vista Linda Pavilion, 240 Boon Road, Somers. Buffet begins at 5:30 p.m. Raffles, prizes, live muse by Mountain Heirs and Blest. Call 857-3158 for reservations by June 24.

Monday

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

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.

Flathead Democratic Women meet for a no host luncheon at noon at the WestCoast Kalispell Center Hotel, Ballroom B. A report will be given on the recent State Democratic Women's Convention. All interested are welcome. Call Pauline at 257-4452.

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

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

Tuesday

School District 5 and Flathead High School district board Review/Finance Committee meets at 7 a.m. at the district office.

Evergreen School District board meets at 7 a.m. in the administration building boardroom.

Chiropractor Richard Puchta offers a free class on maximizing your quality of life as you age, "Life Without Limits," 1:30 p.m., Ashley Square conference room. Call 752-7289 if you plan to attend.

Shriners Circus performs at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Flathead County Fairgrounds. Advance tickets are $9 for adults and $4 for children and available at locations throughout the valley, including banks, supermarkets, the fairgrounds office and all senior centers. Tickets at the gate are $10 and $5 respectively. Seniors 65 and over are $5. Call Hector Arbour at 756-6349.

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

Flathead Building Association "Raise the Roof" public social, 5:30 p.m., ERA First Choice Realty, 65 Commons Way, Kalispell. Refreshments and raffles. Call 752-2422.

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

School District 5 and Flathead High School District board Curriculum Committee meets 6 p.m., Kalispell Junior High School Library.

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

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.

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.

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

Wednesday

Children's Story Hour 10:30 a.m., Flathead County Library, Kalispell. U.S. Forest Service employee Teresa Wenum presents a program, "Fire in the Forest." Meet Smokey Bear and learn about wildfires and safe campfires. Call Katie Boyes at 758-5713.

Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m., at Three Rivers on Meridian Road in the blood mobile, Kalispell.

Thought

"The press, like fire, is an excellent servant, but a terrible master." n James Fenimore Cooper, American author (1789-1851).

Montana Senator Conrad Burns' representative, Denise Smith, has community outreach hours, 1:30- p.m., Troy City Hall Annex, 30 East Third. Open to public. Call 257-3360 or 800-344-1513.

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

Kila School board meets for a budget workshop at 4:30 p.m., followed by a general meeting at 6 p.m.

Helena Flats School board meets at 7 p.m. in the school library.

Silver Chalice American Quarter Horse Association approved show, today through July 3, Majestic Valley Arena, Kalispell. Jumping, reining, barrel racing, cutting, roping, pole bending. Call 806-376-4811.

Thursday

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

Columbia Falls branch of Kalispell Public Library hosts a performance by magician Dan Jimmerson at 1 p.m.

Flathead County Library board meets at 2 p.m. at the Whitefish branch library.

Senior Citizens potluck at the home of Jerry and Jacky Bosacker, June 30, 40 Second Ave. W., Kalispell. Business meeting at 5 p.m. Potluck at 5:30 p.m. Bring a friend and a dish to share. Call 257-1598.

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

Friday

Middle Fork Quick Response Unit annual bake sale/craft fair fund-raiser, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and July 2 at the QRU building near the Essex turn-off.

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

Ananda Seva Yoga Center, 36, Second Ave. E., Kalispell fine art show reception for "Six Friends - Informed Life Force," 7:15 p.m. Refreshments. Live Music. Public is welcome.

A Look Ahead

26th annual Whitefish Arts Festival 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 2, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 3, Depot park, on the corner of Spokane Avenue and Railway Street, downtown Whitefish. Call 862-5875.

The City of Troy annual old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration, Roosevelt Park. Parade at 11 a.m. July 4. Races, tug o'war, three-on-three basketball tournament, craft and food vendors. Call 406-295-1064.

Bigfork Fourth of July celebration and parade kicks off at noon. Children's Carnival, Sliter Park. Ducks for Bucks Race, 4 p.m. Swan River. Calll 837-5888.

AARP Seniors Driver Safety Program 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., July 5 and 7, The Summit, Kalispell. Cost is $10. Instructor Art Buckley. Call 751-4500.

Kalispell City Council meets at 7 p.m., July 5, Kalispell City Hall.

Columbia City Council meets at 7 p.m., July 5, Columbia Falls City Hall.

Whitefish City Council meets at 7:10 p.m., July 5, Whitefish City Hall.

Chiropractor Richard Puchta offers a free classon maximizing your quality of life as you age, "Life Without Limits," 5:15 p.m., July 6, Ashley Square conference room. Call 752-7289 if you plan to attend.

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

Big Sky Astronomy Club meets at 7 p.m., July 8, 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.

Artists & Craftsmen of the Flathead Arts & Crafts Fair, July 8-10, Kalispell Courthouse lawn, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 8-9; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 10. Free Admission. Refreshments.

Flathead County Library hosts a performance of "The Sword in the Stone," by the Traveling Lantern Company, 10:30 a.m. July 9, Depot Park, Kalispell.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.