Today

3 Community meeting to assess children's needs in the Flathead Valley and children's legislation for 2007 Montana Legislature, 7:30-9 a.m. City/County Health Department, Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell. Sponsored by The Nurturing Center and Health Department. Call Susan Christofferson, 756-1414.

3 AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today and Dec. 7, The Summit, Kalispell. $10 course fee. Call 751-4500 to register.

3 Montana Department of Commerce and Gov. Brian Schweitzer invite the public to a meeting to discuss the direction of the state's tourism and recreation industry, 1-5 p.m., Hampton Inn, 1140 U.S. 2 W.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 1-6 p.m., Bigfork Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

3 Creston School board meets at 4:30 p.m., school library. Public welcome.

3 School District 5 and Flathead High School district board meets at 5:30 p.m., Kalispell Junior High School Library Media Center.

3 Federal Aviation Administration's FAA Safety Team conducts a free workshop for certified and prospective flight instructors 6:30 p.m., Edwards Jet Center conference room. FAA video, "Back to Basics: Evaluation Judgment and Decision Making Skills" shown. Call Steven Jones, 1-800-457-9917, ext. 57.

3 Internationally acclaimed photographer Tom Ulrich presents his annual Wildlife Digital Slideshow featuring birds and other wildlife from Costa Rica and North America, 7 p.m., Grouse Mountain Lodge, Whitefish. Tickets $5 at the door. Proceeds benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flathead County. Call 752-0092.

Wednesday

3 MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Silent auction fundraiser. Child care provided. Call 257-LOVE (5683).

3 Red Cross blood drive, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Libby High School.

3 Children's Story Hour is at 10:30 a.m. in the children's department of the Flathead County Library in Kalispell, 247 First Ave. E. Call 758-5822.

3 Flathead County Republican Women 2006 Chocolate Extravaganza 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Bulldog Convention Center, WestCoast Outlaw Hotel. Tickets $17, includes luncheon; Call Pamala Kasperson, 837-4428; Ralene Sliter, 755-3998; or Caroline Solomon, 837-4525.

3 Disabled American Veterans (DAV) meet at 6:30 p.m., VFW meeting room, 111 Main St., Kalispell. Call Jerry Collins at 752-0198.

Thursday

3 Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

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

3 Kalispell Elks Lodge dinner to honor Frank Garner, Byron Guy and Jim Dupont. No-host cocktails, 6 p.m.; dinner 7 p.m. Tickets $15 available at lodge, 1820 U.S. 93 S. Call David Barnes, 752-4338.

3 Women of First Presbyterian Church host "Holiday Classics," a Christmas music program performed by Flathead High School Choralaires, 1:15 p.m., church sanctuary, 540 S. Main St., Kalispell. All welcome. Call 752-7488.

3 Showcase of the Chefs benefit dinner wine tasting and auction for Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation, 6 p.m., Grouse Mountain Lodge. Dinner features fare from six Whitefish chefs. Tickets $75 each. Call Kent Taylor, 862-6516 for reservations.

3 Civil Air Patrol, Flathead Composite Squadron meets 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday, Montana National Guard Armory, 2989 U.S. 93 N, Kalispell, north entrance. Youth ages 12 and up welcome. Aerospace lessons, march/drill exercises, fly-ins and more. Call Lt. Dave Brim, 257-7547; Lt. Kevin Kasperson, 756-5959.

3 Internationally acclaimed photographer Tom Ulrich presents his annual Wildlife Digital Slideshow featuring birds and other wildlife from Costa Rica and North America, 7 p.m., The Bulldog, WestCoast Outlaw Hotel, Kalispell. Tickets $5 at the door. Proceeds benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flathead County. Call 752-0092.

3 Dr. Patrick Cole and naturopath Lynn Troy present a free health lecture, "Stress Busters," 7-8:30 p.m., Bridge Medical Center, 5938 U.S. 93 S., Whitefish. Tips on preventing holiday weight gain, finding emotional balance. Call 863-9300.

3 Flathead Valley Fibromyalgia Support group meets at 7 p.m. at The Summit. Call Jerry at 253-7228.

3 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Family History training workshop 7:30 p.m., Kalispell Stake Center. Topic is "Learn How to Date Old Photographs." Public invited.

Thought

"I've never been poor, only broke. Being poor is a frame of mind. Being broke is only a temporary situation." n Mike Todd, American movie producer (1907-1958).

Friday

3 Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at TeleTech, Kalispell.

3 Flathead Chapter of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees meets at noon, Vista Linda, 240 Boon Road, Somers. Lunch is $7.50. For reservations, call Bill Driver at 837-2744.

3 "Christmas with the Authors," 2-5 p.m., Whitefish branch of the Flathead County Library, 9 Spokane Ave. Authors read from their books. Harpist Diane Dickerson performs. Refreshments. All authors welcome. Call 862-6657.

3 Whitefish Christmas Stroll, 5-9 p.m., downtown. Music, craft vendors, horse drawn wagon rides, refreshments. Photo with Father Christmas available. Call 862-3501.

3 Contra Dance, Northridge Lutheran Church, 323 Northridge Dr., Kalispell. Beginner's lesson is 7:30-8 p.m., dancing from 8-11 p.m. Live music by River City Ramblers from Spokane. Cost is $6 for adults; $3, teens; $12, families; 11 and younger, free. Call 758-7717 or Joe Fisher, 752-7469.

Saturday

3 17th annual Christmas at Our House Dinner 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., National Guard Armory, 2989 U.S. 93 N., Kalispell. Free turkey and ham dinner with all the trimmings. Santa visits 1-3 p.m. Surplus military clothing available. For donations or details call, Maj. Mark Boettcher, 752-3101; Kevin Kasperson, 756-5959; Don Bogut, 752-1114.

3 Humane Society of Northwest Montana annual Santa Paws Photo event 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Murdoch's Ranch and Home, 2330 U.S. 93 S., Kalispell. $20. Proceeds go to food and shelter for animals. Call 752-7297.

3 2006 Holiday Fine Arts and Crafts Bazaar, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Swan River Community Hall, Montana 83, across from Echo Lake Cafe, Bigfork. Original paintings, prints, cards, hand knit goods, jewelry, wind chimes and more. Refreshments.

3 Montana Woman Foundation and Glacier Wallflower wreath-making and centerpiece holiday seminar, 1 p.m., Glacier Wallflower, No. 9 U.S. 2 E., Columbia Falls. Cost $50 for Foundation members, $60 for nonmembers. Proceeds benefit Montana Woman Scholarship Program. Call 755-5753.

3 Valley Voices Community Choir Christmas concert titled, "Sing Noel," 7 p.m., Easthaven Baptist Church, 2010 Whitefish Stage Road, Kalispell. Flathead Valley Homeschool Choir Select Ensemble also performs. Folk, a cappella, Latin and traditional carols. All welcome. No charge. Free will offering. Reception immediately follows.

3 Whitefish Figure Skating club presents "Holiday Rhythms on Ice" 7 p.m., Stumptown Ice Den, on Wisconsin Avenue, Whitefish Ashley Wold's Feat by Feet tap dancers also perform. Tickets $25 on-ice; $12 bleacher seats; $8 standing (7 and under are free for standing spaces). Call Jennifer Boye 862-6524; Carol Anderson, 862-7699; Jane Moody, 270-8861.

3 Sons of Norway meet 7 p.m., Buffalo Hill Terrace meeting room, 40 Claremont St., Kalispell. Call Arne Brosten at 837-3494.

Sunday

3 Bigfork Community Nordic Center work party 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Meet at Foothill Road/Jewel Basin ski area trailhead. Bring shovels, rakes, saws, pruners, clippers, chainsaws, brush cutters. Open house potluck 6-9 p.m. Swan River Grange Hall, Montana 83 and Swan River Road. Music, beverages and ski waxing demonstrations. Bring a favorite dish. Call John Gangem at 837-2020.

3 Flathead Mothers of Multiples invites parents and their twins, triplets or quadruplets to enjoy cookies and pictures with Santa, noon to 4 p.m., 519 Rocky Cliff Dr., Kalispell. Call Tamara Adams, 755-5389.

3 The Ladies of St. Charles Catholic Church invite all Whitefish senior citizens to their annual dinner, 3 to 6 p.m., in the parish hall, 230 Baker Ave. Call 862-2051.

3 Red Cedar Circle meets for Pacific Northwest native people's stories, rituals and spiritual enlightenment, 5 p.m., 1720 E. Second St., Whitefish. Call 863-9412 for directions. Call Jill Fanning for information, at 862-8070.

Monday

3 Children's Story Hour is at 10:30 a.m. in the children's department of the Flathead County Library in Kalispell, 247 First Ave. E. Call 758-5822.

3 NorthWestern Energy distributes free "starter" weatherization kits to its natural gas customers from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., North Valley Community Room, Columbia Falls. Call 1-800-823-5995.

3 Red Cross Holiday Open House blood drive with KOFI Radio, 1-5 p.m., at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

3 Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group meets 5:30-7:30 p.m., to carol at Brendan House, then refreshments at KRMC cafeteria. Special meal menu available for $4.50. Bring a wrapped white elephant gift from home. Survivors, family, friends are welcome. Refreshments. Call Sue at 756-4725 or Kathy at 756-4723.

3 Flathead Audubon meets 7 p.m., Community Room, The Summit, Kalispell. Susannah Casey gives a presentation on winter bird counts, in preparation for Bigfork Christmas bird count on Dec. 16. Free. All welcome.

3 The Flathead Conservation District meets at 7 p.m., 141 Interstate Lane, behind JoAnn Fabrics, in Evergreen. Call 752-4220.

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

A Look Ahead

3 Buffet luncheon 11:30 a.m., Dec. 12, Red Lion Hotel Kalispell. Program is "Singing a Merry Christmas." Holiday music. Guest speaker is Linda Chenard of Bigfork. Cost is $10. RSVP to Pat at 844-2538 or Rosainne at 257-8098. Complimentary child care by reservation. Sponsored by the Kalispell Women's Connection and Stonecroft Ministries.

3 Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce annual Christmas luncheon, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., Dec. 12, North Valley Community Room, 235 Nucleus Ave. Entertainment by Columbia Falls High School Music Department. Program honors President Gary Sparr and board members, and Eagle Scout Weston Bartkoski. No reservations are required and lunch is available for $9. Call Carol Pike at 892-2072.

3 Kalispell City Parks and Recreation annual Senior Christmas Dinner Party, 11:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 12, Buffalo Hills Golf Course. Cost $18 per person. Call 758-7848 or 758-7778.

3 Montana Association of the Blind, Lelia Proctor Memorial Chapter, meets 1:30 p.m. Dec. 12, Northridge Lutheran Church, 323 Northridge Dr., Kalispell.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-5 p.m.,Dec. 12, Lakeside Elementary School.

3 Swan River School board meets at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 12 in the school library.

3 Kila School board meets at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at the school.

3 Red Cross certified course in Adult CPR, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 12, at the office, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 Mission Mountain Audubon program "Fire on the Land: A Tribal Perspective," with Germaine White, Information and Education Specialist for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes, at 7 p.m. Polson City Library Meeting Room. Free. All welcome.

3 DREAM Adaptive Ski Program volunteer orientation, 7 p.m. Dec. 12, The Summit, Kalispell. Call 862-1817.

3 Back Country Horsemen of the Flathead meet at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 12, Fish, Wildlife and Parks Building, 490 North Meridian Road. Public welcome. Call Don at 862-6955.

3 Children's Story Hour is at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 13 in the children's department of the Flathead County Library in Kalispell, 247 First Ave. E. Call 758-5822.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-5 p.m., Dec. 13, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Sponsored by D.A. Davidson.

3 Evergreen School District board meets at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 13 in the administration building boardroom.

3 Barry Schieber and his therapy dog, Moritz, visit Whitefish branch of Flathead County Library, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 13. Shieber reads from his new book, "An Open Heart: A Story about Moritz." Call 862-6657. All welcome.

3 Red Cross certified course in First Aid Basics, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 13, at the office, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 Flathead Outdoor Club meets 7 p.m. Dec. 13, Flathead County Library basement meeting room, Kalispell. Bonnie Eckert will talk about her group trip staying in a hostel operated by former Columbia Falls teachers, and hiking in the Chilean Andes. Coffee and tea served. Door prizes. Everyone welcome. Call Mike Spence, 857-2599.

3 Polson Rural Fire District trustees meet 7 p.m. Dec. 13, Polson City Hall Conference Room. Public welcome.

3 DREAM Adaptive Ski Program volunteer orientation, 7 p.m. Dec. 13, Whitefish Library board room. Call 862-1817.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Dec. 14, at CenturyTel.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Dec. 15, at Northwest Montana Human Resources, Main Street, Kalispell.

3 Brunch is offered the public at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 15, Los Caporales, Nucleus Avenue, Columbia Falls. Connie Barker of the Country Rockit group sings Christmas music. Guest speaker is folk artist Linda Chenard of Bigfork. Cost is $7.50 per person. Free child care by reservation. Call Candy at 387-4119, or Sherry at 892-5990. Sponsored by the Columbia Falls Women's Connection and Stonecroft Ministries.

3 AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 16, The Summit, Kalispell. $10 course fee. Bring a brown bag lunch. Call 751-4500 to register.

3 Creative Memories scrapbooking workshop 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 16, Eagles Nest, FVCC. Theme is "Getting Ready for Christmas." All welcome. Call Joyce Workman, 755-4922.

3 33rd annual Bigfork Christmas Bird Count Dec. 16. Call Dan Casey of Flathead Audubon to participate, 756-2681 days; 857-3143 evenings. $5 per adult. Potluck at 5 p.m., at Bigfork Senior Center following count.

3 Have "Breakfast with Santa" 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 16, Moose Lodge, 230 W. 10th St., Whitefish. Santa will have gifts and candy for the kids. Full Breakfast $5 per person, kids 6 and under free.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Dec. 18, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

3 Annual Kalispell Christmas Bird Count Dec. 31. Call Dan Casey of Flathead Audubon to participate, 756-2681 days; 857-3143 evenings. $5 per adult. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at Finnegan's Restaurant.

3 Horse Play Therapy, Learning and Healing Through Equines open house 3-6:30 p.m. Jan. 13, Palomino Pastures, 300 N. Somers Road, Kalispell. Raffle, 50/50 pot, refreshments, guest speakers. Call Alisha, 406-253-3761.

3 DREAM Adaptive Ski Program volunteer orientation, 7 p.m. Jan. 16, Whitefish Library board room. Call 862-1817.

3 DREAM Adaptive Ski Program volunteer orientation, 7 p.m. Jan. 18, The Summit, Kalispell. Call 862-1817.