Today

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 Whitefish Visitor Bureau board meets at noon, small meeting room of Mountain West Bank, 601 Spokane Ave. Call 862-3390. Open to public.

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

3 Democratic Central Committee meets 7 p.m., basement of the Flathead County Library, Kalispell.

Tuesday

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m., Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

3 School District 5 and Flathead High School district board meets at 5:30 p.m., Flathead High School Library conference room.

3 Somers School board Facilities Planning Work Session at 6 p.m., followed by regular meeting at 7 p.m., Somers Middle School.

3 Flathead Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited Christmas Party and Fly Tying Extravaganza, 7:30 p.m., Bohemian Grange Hall, off of U.S. 93 south of Whitefish, behind Coffee Traders. Door prizes, raffles. Finger foods and soft drinks. Bring other refreshments if you wish.

Wednesday

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 Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Sponsored by Discovery Developmental Center. To schedule an appointment, call DDC at 756-7295.

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

Thursday

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., Libby VFW.

3 Conrad Mansion will host a visit from Santa from 3-7 p.m. Photos available by Karen Weyer Photography. Cost $6 per child, $3 per adult. All proceeds support Conrad Mansion Museum. Call 755-2166 to reserve a time.

Friday

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

A Look Ahead

3 Friendship House, 606 Second Ave. W., Light the Walk with Luminarias fundraiser Dec. 23-24. For $10 a luminaria will be lit with your name or the name of someone you choose. Call Sherry, 257-8375.

3 Stillwater Estates luminaria display, "Light up the Night," beginning at 5 p.m. Dec. 23. Visitors may tour the neighborhood to view 6,000-plus luminarias. One quarter mile west of U.S. 93, off West Reserve Drive. Turn north into neighborhood.

3 Rose Crossing residents and friends will display 1,500 luminarias from 5 p.m. until midnight Dec. 24. on the two mile stretch between LaSalle and Whitefish Stage. Public is invited to drive the route.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-5 p.m., Dec. 26, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m., Dec. 27, at Three Rivers Bank, Meridian Road, Kalispell.

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., Dec. 28, Eureka Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

3 Books and Knits evening 7 p.m. Dec. 28, Flathead County Library, Kalispell. Book lovers have tea and knit while hearing recommendations on great books by librarians Martha Furman and Jocelyne Bodden. Call 758-5823.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dec. 29, the center, 126 N. Meridian Road.

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 American Karate Academy New Year's Eve Party, 8 p.m. Dec. 31 to 9 a.m. Jan. 1, in the Whitefish Mountain Mall, for ages 4-12. Dinner and breakfast, martial arts and games, movie, party favors. Call 862-7722.

3 48th Winter Carnival "Whitefish Goes to the Movies Premier" 6 p.m. Jan. 6, Great Northern Bar and Grill. Dinner tickets $15, available at Whitefish Chamber of Commerce, Whitefish Credit Union, Great Northern Bar and Grill. Call 862-3501.

3 Columbia Falls Community Choir begins practicing 2-4 p.m. Jan. 7 at Columbia Falls Junior High School. Sign-in and music pick-up 1:30 p.m. Call Ron Bond, 892-5174.

Thought

"The price one pays for pursuing any profession, or calling, is an intimate knowledge of its ugly side." n James Baldwin, American author (1924-1987).

3 The Flathead Conservation District meets at 7 p.m., Jan. 8, 141 Interstate Lane, behind JoAnn Fabrics, in Evergreen. Call 752-4220.

3 Flathead Outdoor Club meets 7 p.m. Jan. 10, Flathead County Library basement meeting room, Kalispell. International photographer and instructor Nick Fucci will show some of his work and over tips on travel photography. Coffee and tea served. Everyone welcome. Call Mike Spence, 857-2599.

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 Northwest Montana Educational Cooperative offers training for current and future substitute teachers 5-8 p.m. Jan. 17, West Valley School basement, 2290 Farm to Market Road, Kalispell. Bring your own dinner if you wish. Register by calling 752-3302.

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

3 Wells Fargo Home Mortgage First Home Workshop 5:30-6:16 p.m.; followed by Wealth Building Workshop 6:15-7 p.m. Jan. 31, South Field Tower, 1830 Third Ave. E., third floor conference room. Free. Call 756-4090.