Today

3 Starting today, Center Avenue in Whitefish between First and Second streets will be closed for construction work for at least two days. After those two days, work will continue in the alley east of Casey's Bar. The alley will be closed until Friday.

3 Whitefish Chamber of Commerce presents a free business seminar by Marge Fisher based on her book, "A Business of My Own: 21 Steps to Successfully Starting and Running a Small Business, 8-9:30 a.m. Mountain West Bank, 601 Spokane Ave., Whitefish. RSVP to 862-3501.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Columbia Falls.

3 Public growth policy meeting 6 p.m., Moving Image, Columbia Falls.

3 Somers School board meets at 6 p.m. at Somers Middle School for budget and levy work session; regular meeting at 7 p.m.

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

3 Montana's Homeownership Education Center nonprofit Community Partnership nationally certified three-part program for experienced and first-time home buyers, 6:30-9 p.m. today, Thursday and Sunday at FVCC. Registration fee $40. Pre-register at FVCC at 756-3832; or the center at 257-6627.

3 Public invited to a showing of the film, "Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin," about the activist who led the peace march in Washington, D.C., in March 1963 and influenced Martin Luther King Jr., 7 p.m., Flathead County Library, Kalispell. Sponsored by the library and the Montana Sustainability Fund. Free.

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

3 Trout Unlimited meets at 7:30 p.m. at the Bohemian Grange Hall, Whitefish. Program on Blackfoot River rehabilitation.

Wednesday

3 MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:30-11:30 a.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Berta Duncan from the Transportation Awareness Program talks about Amber Alert and MDOT. Child care provided. Call 257-LOVE (5683).

3 Alpine Spinners and Weavers meet at 10:30 a.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Kalispell. Bring a sack lunch. Call 257-9119.

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 Montana Veterans Home Family and Alzheimer's Support Group meets at noon in the main conference room. Lunch at 11:30 a.m., followed by the meeting. Contact Suzanne Dickenson, 892-3256.

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

3 Fair-Mont-Egan School board holds a special negotiations mediation meeting at 5:15 p.m. in the library.

3 Public growth policy meeting 6 p.m., Swan River School.

3 Big Sky Bonsai Society meets at 7 p.m. at the Flathead County Library in Kalispell. Free and the public is invited. Jerry Meislick will lecture on the classic and non-classic styles of bonsai. Contact Mieslik at 862-0387.

Thursday

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

3 Flathead City-County Board of Health meets 2-4 p.m., second floor conference room of the Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W. Kalispell.

3 Whitefish Chamber of Commerce Gone Fishin' 5-7 p.m., Midway Rental, 6078 U.S. 93 S. All are welcome. Call 862-3501.

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

3 West Valley Neighborhood Planning Committee meets 7 p.m., West Valley School library.

3 Flathead County Fair board meets at 7 p.m. in the fairgrounds office.

3 Dr. Kristin Veneman, pediatrician discusses sleep problems in all ages of children at 7 p.m., North Valley Hospital Lake Room, Whitefish. Free and all are welcome. Call 863-3630.

3 Beyond the Flathead film series presents "Roads of Koktebel," at 7 p.m., Flathead County Library, Kalispell. Free. Call 758-5713.

3 Amateur Radio Club meeting, 7:30 p.m., United Way meeting room at Gateway West Mall. Call 756-2527.

Friday

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

3 Glacier Country Pachyderms meet at noon at the Bulldog in the WestCoast Outlaw Hotel. Guest speaker is Cheryl Talley, program manager of Flathead County/Eagle Transit.

3 Glacier String Quartet performs a free "Wild About Music" concert for all interested students and music teachers at 1:30 p.m. Flathead High School auditorium. Reservations required. Call 257-3241.

3 Greater Woods Bay Sewer Committee, Woods Bay and Sheaver's Creek Water and Sewer Districts holds a public meeting on the proposed wastewater project at 7 p.m. in the basement of Bethany Lutheran Church, 8559 Montana 35, Bigfork.

3 Marion Community Center, 180 Gopher Lane, bingo night at 7 p.m. Prizes. Desserts.

Thought

"He that is of the opinion money will do everything may well be suspected of doing everything for money." n Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790).

Saturday

3 Flathead Audubon sponsors a birding field trip to the Mission Valley. Meet at 8 a.m. at the Park 'n Ride at corner of U.S. 93 South and Montana 82. Bring lunch, binoculars or scope, and walkie-talkies. Dress warmly. Call Bob Rost at 837-2255.

3 AARP Seniors Driver Safety Program for all drivers 50 and over, 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., at The Summit, Kalispell. Instructors Art Buckley, Jim Smith and John Babcock. Cost is $10. Call 751-4500.

3 CPR/First Aid instruction 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Glacier Room, North Valley Hospital. Cost $50, Call 863-3513 to pre-register.

3 Montana Wilderness Association sponsors a free Introduction to Winter Survival workshop 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dress for the weather, Bring a lunch, cup for hot beverages, small notebook, sturdy knife. To register call Roger Sherman at 862-0438. For information only, call Susie Waldron at 756-6027.

3 Orientation meeting for anyone interested in volunteering at the Humane Society of Northwest Montana, 10:30 a.m. at the adoption center, 3499 U.S. 93 N., Kalispell. Additional session at 7 p.m. Jan. 24 is also required for those who want to do hands-on work with animals. Call 752-7297.

3 Scandinavian gifts, crafts, lefse and sweater sale, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Sons of Norway Hall, 347 First Ave. E., Kalispell.

3 Ruder Elementary School students and the Missoula Children's Theater present "Robin Hood," at 3 and 7 p.m., Columbia Falls High School's Little Theater. Tickets are $3 for children; $5 adult; $15 for a group of six.

3 Jimmy Buffett Bash fund-raiser for Stumptown Art Studio, 7-10 p.m. Tickets $30 each or $55 per couple. Margaritas, glass painting, tropical food fair and Buffet Bingo. RSVP at 862-5929.

Sunday

3 Montana Wilderness Association sponsors a free Intermediate Winter Survival workshop 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dress for the weather, Bring a lunch, cup for hot beverages, small notebook, sturdy knife. To register call Roger Sherman at 862-0438. For information only, call Susie Waldron at 756-6027.

Monday

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

3 Flathead County Democratic Women meet at noon at the WestCoast Kalispell Center Hotel. Susan Christofferson, executive director of the Nurturing Center, will discuss her work and share her experience as a cancer survivor. Cost of lunch is $8. No reservations required. All interested are welcome. Call JoLynn Yenne at 756-8992.

3 Valley Voices Community Choir spring semester practices begin tonight. Practices will be 6-8 p.m. Mondays until May 6 concert. Come at 5:30 p.m. for the first practice for sign up and music distribution. Open to teens and adults. Call Joan Lundy at 257-3046.

3 Red Cross Adult CPR certified review course, 6:30 p.m. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 The Flathead Conservation District meets at 7 p.m. at 30 Lower Valley Road in Kalispell. Call 752-4220.

A Look Ahead

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 3 p.m. Jan. 24, Christian Center, Kalispell.

3 AARP Seniors Driver Safety Program for all drivers 50 and over, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 24-25, Glacier Room, North Valley Hospital. Instructor Gail Strohshein. Cost is $10. Call 863-3630 to pre-register.

3 Red Cross First Aid Basics certification training, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 24. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 Evergreen Business and Property Owner's Association meets at 7 p.m., Jan. 24, Evergreen Fire Hall, 2236 U.S. 2 E., Kalispell. Guest speaker is Undersheriff Mike Meehan. The public is invited.

3 Flathead Building Association "Raise the Roof" public social, 5:30 p.m. Jan. 24 at Closet Classics, 2472 U.S. 93 S., Kalispell. Call 752-2422.

3 Organizational meeting for those interested in starting a children's museum in the Flathead Valley, 7 p.m. Jan. 24, The Summit, Kalispell. Call Courtney Rudbach at 756-7691.

3 Kalispell Toastmasters host an open house and demonstration to celebrate their 41st anniversary, noon to 1 p.m. Jan. 25, Christ Church Episcopal, 215 Third Ave., Kalispell. Public is invited. Call Catherine Webber at 755-4884.

3 Harry Fritz, of the Montana Committee for Humanities, speaks on the topic, "Lost in Montana: The Travail of Lewis and Clark," 7 p.m. Jan. 25, Community United Methodist Church, Bigfork. Sponsored by Flathead Chapter to the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation. Free. Public welcome.

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m., Jan. 26, bloodmobile, Polson Wal-Mart.

3 Dr. David Sobba of Peak Orthopedics and Sports Medicine presents a discussion on "Winter Knee Injuries," 7 p.m. Jan. 26, Lake Room, North Valley Hospital. Free and public invited.

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., Jan. 27, noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 28, bloodmobile, Kalispell Wal-Mart.

3 Boomers Singles Activities Group social hour, 6 p.m., followed by dinner buffet at 7 p.m., Jan. 27, Whitefish Ballroom, 430 Third St., Whitefish. RSVP by noon Thursday by calling Bill at 257-1313 or Marilyn at 862-9747. All are welcome.

3 Kalispell Boat Show, Jan. 27-29, Majestic Valley Arena, Kalispell.

3 Astronomy Club meeting, 7 p.m. Jan. 27 at Kalispell Junior High library. Bring telescopes. Call 755-3939.

3 Clubs of America meets at 11 a.m. Jan. 28 Flathead County Library meeting room, Kalispell. Willy Von Bracht of Sweet Earth Caskets and Cradles is guest speaker. All are welcome. Call Lorene at 257-1025 or Jeff at 257-5026.

3 Blacktail Mountain Ski Area Winterfest Jan. 28. Family Cup ski and snowboard races, ice sculpting, sleigh rides, kids' games, snow golf, snowmobile poker run and more. Call 844-3715.

3 Whitefish Figure Skating Club presents, "Mardi Gras on Ice," 7 p.m. Jan. 28, Stumptown Ice Den, on Wisconsin Avenue in Whitefish. Tickets at Imagination Stations in Whitefish and Kalispell for $12 bleacher, or $8 standing; 7 and under are free. Call Carol Anderson at 862-7699 or Stumptown Ice Den at 863-2477.

3 League of the Glacier Symphony and Chorale hosts an Instrument Petting Zoo for children to learn about the orchestra's instruments, at 1 p.m. Jan. 28, meeting room of the Flathead County Library, Kalispell. Free. No registration required. Call the Children's Department at 758-5822.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Jan. 30, at the center, 17A First Ave., Kalispell.

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., Jan. 31 at the Polson Methodist Church.

3 MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:30-11:30 a.m. Feb. 1, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Rev. Darrold Reiner of Church at Creston discusses, "How to Get You Kids to Cooperate." Child care provided. Call 257-LOVE (5683).

Flathead County Republican Women host a "Meet and Greet" of the Republican candidates 5:30-7 p.m. Feb. 2, The Bulldog, at the WestCoast Outlaw Hotel. All Republicans and Republican candidates are invited. Call Lois Lauman at 857-3512.

3 American Cancer Society offers a Reach to Recovery volunteer training session 8 a.m. to noon Feb. 4, The Summit, Kalispell. The program pairs breast cancer survivors with newly diagnosed women for support and information. Call Corey Campbell at 1-877-488-7723, option 3.

3 100 Voices Men's Choir performs at the Flathead Lake Women's Choral Festival 6:30 p.m. Feb. 6, Polson High School Auditorium. Open to public.

3 MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:30-11:30 a.m. Feb. 15, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Mary Kay Wilson talks about "How We Live a Life Fully Engaged." Child care provided. Call 257-LOVE (5683).

3 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flathead County annual Select Dinner and Auction 6 p.m. March 24, WestCoast Kalispell Center Hotel. Tickets $150 per couple. Call 752-0092.

3 Hunting/Fishing Expo, March 10-12, Majestic Valley Arena, Kalispell.

3 MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:30-11:30 a.m. March 15, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Author Joanna Weaver talks about, "For Better or for Best." Child care provided. Call 257-LOVE (5683).

3 MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:30-11:30 a.m. April 5, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Toni Cancilla, instructor and interpreter talks about "Teaching Your Child to Sign." Child care provided. Call 257-LOVE (5683).

3 Cowboy Down Benefit, April 8, Majestic Valley Arena, Kalispell.

3 MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:30-11:30 a.m. April 19, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Dr. Lynn Dykstra, pediatrician talks about "How to Know When to Call the Doctor." Child care provided. Call 257-LOVE (5683).

3 ALERT Benefit, April 22, Majestic Valley Arena, Kalispell.

3 MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:30-11:30 a.m. May 3, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. The Potter's Field Ministry will discuss "The Value of a Mother." Child care provided. Call 257-LOVE (5683).

3 MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:30-11:30 a.m. May 17 for a potluck brunch luncheon, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Child care provided. Call 257-LOVE (5683).