Today

Literacy Volunteers of Flathead County 5K walk/run fundraiser 8 a.m., Great Northern Historical Rails to Trails. Call 257-8042 or pick up entry form at LVFC office, 35 Fourth St. W., Kalispell.

Annual Lakeside 5K run today in conjunction with Lakeside Fair. Check-in 8 a.m.; race starts 9 a.m. Walkers, baby strollers welcome. Advanced registration $10 at Kalispell Athletic Club, Athlete's Foot and The Summit. Race-day fee is $15. Call Muffie Thomson, 844-3940.

AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. $10 course fee. Call 751-4500 to register.

Scrapbooking Memoranza workshop 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Eagles Nest, FVCC. $15 registration includes lunch, idea folder and other album-making materials. Call 755-4922 to register.

Lakeside Community Fair and parade, Lakeside Elementary gym. Silent auction bidding opens at 9 a.m. Children's auction with bidding closing every hour. Parade begins at 11:30 a.m. Call Claudia Potts, 844-3464.

Humane Society of Northwest Montana "Hot Dogz and Cool Catz Summer Festival 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Animal Adoption Center, 3499 U.S. 93 N., Kalispell. Food, games tours and raffles. Proceeds support the Adoption Center and Humane Society. Call 752-7297.

15th annual Live History Days today and Sunday, Miracle of America Museum U.S. 93 Polson. Lace making, spinning, quilting weaving, blacksmithing demonstrations and more. One-room schoolhouse open for children's stories and activities. Rides on old-time vehicles. Music by Old Time Fiddlers. Concessions. Call 883-6804.

Silver Moon Kayak Company annual free July Demo Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Somers Bay. Call 752-3794.

Scandinavian lefse, gift and craft sale 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sons of Norway Lodge, 347 First Ave. E., Kalispell.

Lone Pine State Park offers a free adult workshop, "On the Trail Repair" with Ron Brunk of Glacier Cyclery, 10 a.m. to noon at the picnic shelter. Learn how to make basic bike repairs. Call 755-2706.

Red, White and Blue, a nonprofit organization, that raises money for U.S. troops overseas, will be selling military items and "Buy a Boxes" for soldiers 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Bigfork VFW, Montana 35.

Traveling Lantern Theatre Company performs "The Hobbit," 11 a.m., KM Building Theater, Second Ave. W., Kalispell. Call Katie Boyes at the Flathead County Library for tickets and information, 758-5822.

Rolling C Riders 4-H Club free dog wash 1-3 p.m., Murcoch's U.S. 93 just south of Kalispell.

Seventh annual Big Mountain Summer Festival today and Sunday, Big Mountain Village. Arts and crafts booths, music, dance and children's activities. Loose Caboose performs 2 p.m. today; Children's musician and personality Bill Harley, 2 p.m. Sunday. Free.

St. Joseph Medical Center third annual Chuckwagon Dinner, Dance and Barbecue and Five Card Boat Run fundraiser 3 p.m. to midnight., McCrumb's Barn, 749 Finley Point Road. Call 883-8251 or 883-2128 for ticket information.

Columbia Falls Public Library sculptural collage workshop for teens ages 12-18, with artist and author Miantae McConnell, 8-10 p.m. Bring small items for craft. Call 892-5919 to sign up.

Sunday

Flathead Audubon field trip and moderately strenuous hike to Glacier Park's Piegan Pass. Meet at 6 a.m. at Apgar Visitor Center and carpool to trailhead. Park entrance fee required. Call Leslie Kehoe, evenings, 837-4467; or Steve Gniadek, 888-7833.

Seventh annual Big Mountain Summer Festival continues today, Big Mountain Village. Arts and crafts booths, music, dance and children's activities. Children's musician and personality Bill Harley performs 2 p.m. Free.

Swanderosa Musicfest fundraiser for Nurturing Center 4-9 p.m., at Swanderosa, at the home of Michael and Jordonna Dores, 600 Wolf Creek Dr., Bigfork. Call for directions. Live entertainment, Kids activities. Silent auction. Concessions. Tickets $10 per person, $25 per family. Kids 5 and under free. Call 756-1414.

Monday

Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., at the center's new location, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Water Resources Division public open house regarding new flood hazard maps for Flathead County, 4-6 p.m. Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell.

Kila School board IBB meeting 5-8 p.m.

Open house and presentation of Flathead County Growth Policy 6-9 p.m., North Valley Hospital Lake Room, Whitefish.

Flathead Valley Democratic Central Committee meets 7 p.m., Flathead County Library, Kalispell.

Buffet luncheon 11:30 a.m., Red Lion Hotel Kalispell. Connie Barker sings patriotic songs. Carla Buell, dance and aerobic teacher, talks about "Most Challenging Race." 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.

Red Cross blood drive, 2-5 p.m., Big Mountain Resort.

Public meeting to discuss renovation plans for Flathead High School 5:30-6:30 p.m., FHS large lecture room. Enter school at north doors or in front of office area on east side.

Open house and presentation of Flathead County Growth Policy 6-9 p.m., Somers Middle School gym, 315 School Addition Road.

Wa-Chu-Say? Support Group meets 6:30-9 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, Kalispell. Three representatives of Cochlear implant manufacturers will give a special presentation. Open to anyone who has hearing loss and interested family members and friends. Contact Amber or Flo at Summit Independent Living Center, 257-0048.

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

Meeting for all interested in establishing Hands On Place, an interactive children's museum, 7 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. Contact Courtney, 756-7691.

Wednesday

Flathead City/County Health Department (WIC Division) walk-in clinic 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., and 1 to 4 p.m. Call 751-8170.

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.

Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Glacier National Park community room.

Lunch and ice cream social is offered the public at 11:30 a.m., Community Room, Nucleus Avenue, Columbia Falls. Cost is $7 per person. Music by Gavin and Liisa Lammatsch. Carl Buell will speak on "Beautiful pictures developed in life's darkroom." 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.

Whitefish Chamber of commerce sponsors an "Update on the Growth Policy" noon to 1 p.m., The Wave. Bring a brown bag lunch.

Flathead Lake Biological Station summer 2006 open house 2-5:30 p.m., on Montana 35, 14 miles south of Bigfork. Tours, nature walks, research vessel boat trips and museum exhibits. Free. Public invited.

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

Lincoln Conservation board meets at 4 p.m., Lincoln Conservation District office, 655 U.S. 93 N., Eureka. Open to public.

Open house and presentation of Flathead County Growth Policy 6-9 p.m., Moving Image, North Valley Room, 235 Nucleus Ave., Columbia Falls.

Open house to discuss City of Whitefish Community Bicycle and Pedestrian Trails 2006-2007 projects 6-8 p.m., Stump Town Ice Den. Call Shari Halloran, 751-5246; or Karin Hilding, 863-2450.

Flathead Outdoor Club 4-6 mile moderate hike in the Jewel Basin. Meet at 6 p.m. at Echo Lake Cafe to carpool to Camp Misery. All welcome.

Red Cross Standard First Aid certification training, 6:30 p.m., at the office, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Cost $52. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

Thursday

Safe Sitter babysitting training for boys and girls 11-13 years old 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., North Valley Hospital Falls Room. Cost $35. Call 863-3630 to pre-register.

Montana Senator Conrad Burns' field representative, Denise Smith, holds community outreach hours 10:30 a.m. to noon, Troy City Hall, 301 E.Kootenai Ave. Call 257-3360 or 800-344-1513.

Flathead City/County Health Department (WIC Division) walk-in clinic 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., and 1 to 4 p.m. Call 751-8170.

Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., North Valley Hospital Lake Room. Call 755-7237 to make an appointment.

3 Kalispell Technical Advisory Committee meets 1:30 p.m., Kalispell City Chambers, 312 First Ave. E. Topics include bypass, Transportation Plan, Meridian Road and other road construction activities. Public welcome.

Diabetes support group meets 5-7 p.m., Buffalo Hill Conference Center, KRMC. Greg Deamer talks about "New Advancements in Insulin Pumps and Glucose Sensing Devices." Free.

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.

Whitefish Chamber of Commerce Gone Fishin' 5-7 p.m. at In Sink Quality Plumbing & Heating, 901 Wisconsin Ave. Refreshments served. Call 862-3501.

Montana Department of Labor and Industry board for Private Alternative Adolescent Residential/Outdoor Programs hosts a public meeting 7-9 p.m., Glacier Conference Room, North Valley Hospital. Comments regarding private schools in the area will be addressed.

26th annual Glacier Street Rod Association Cruise-in and Show and Shine, 6 p.m., Kalispell Dairy Queen. Public invited to walking tour of participating cars.

Friday

Lone Pine's Little Saplings program, "Little Creatures of the Forest," for ages 4-7, 10:30 a.m., Lone Pine Interpretive Center. Stories, hands-on activities. Bring weather-appropriate clothing.

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

38th annual Arts in the Park today throug July 23, Depot Park, Kalispell. Hours 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., July 21-22, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 23. Over 100 booths. Live entertainment, children's activities, concessions. Admission $3 daily, $4 advance weekend admission, or $5 at the entrance. Under 12, free. Call the Hockaday Museum of Art, 755-5268.

Glacier Country Pachyderm meets noon to 1 p.m. The Bulldog, Kalispell. Guest speaker Eric Giles from Falthead County Planning and Zoning staff talks about the county growth policy draft. Lunch $9. Open to public.

Saturday

Third annual "Sailing into the Future" benefit regatta for Discovery Developmental Center, North Flathead Yacht Club, Somers. Races begin 9 a.m. Children's activities, silent auction, music by Montana Beargrass Band begins at 3 p.m., barbecue at 4:30 p.m., awards at 7 p.m. Everyone welcome.

26th annual Glacier Street Rod Run parade 10 a.m., on Sixth Street West north to Main Street, Kalispell. Show and Shine 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. First Avenue West, south of Kalispell Center Mall. Public welcome.

Mission Mountain Winery hosts a free event, "Matching Wines with the Foods of Summer," 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., U.S. 93 in Dayton, west shore of Flathead Lake. All welcome.

Fiberfest Eureka 2006, today and July 23, Lincoln County Fairgrounds. Fiber contests, workshops, demonstrations, auction. Call Lee at 406-882-4939.