Today

3 Montana Senator Max Baucus' field representative Kirby Campbell-Rierson, meets the public 9:30-11:30 a.m., Libby City Hall, 952 E. Spruce St.

3 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.

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

3 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.

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

3 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.

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

3 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

3 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.

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, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Glacier National Park community room.

3 Lunch and ice cream social is offered the public at 11:30 a.m., Community Room, Nucleus Avenue, Columbia Falls. Cost $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; Sherry at 892-5990. Sponsored by Columbia Falls Women's Connection/Stonecroft Ministries.

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

3 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.

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

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

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

3 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.

3 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.

3 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

3 Safe Sitter baby-sitting 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.

3 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.

3 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.

3 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.

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

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. at In Sink Quality Plumbing & Heating, 901 Wisconsin Ave. Refreshments served. Call 862-3501.

Thought

"Miracles are propitious accidents, the natural causes of which are too complicated to be readily understood." n George Santayana, American philosopher (1863-1952).

3 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

3 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.

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

3 38th annual Arts in the Park today through 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.

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

Saturday

3 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.

3 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.

3 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.

3 Amputee Support Group will meets at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 22, at 501 Two Mile Dr., five blocks west of fairgrounds off of Meridian. Care givers, friends and family also welcome. No dues. Call 270-4152.

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

3 World renowned kayak guide Wayne Horodowich in conjunction with Silver Moon Kayak presents "The Soft Skills of Guiding," 7-10 p.m. Sons of Norway Hall, 347 First Ave. E., Kalispell. $5 suggestion donation for hall rental. Public invited. Call 752-3794.

Sunday

3 Flathead Audubon canoe trip from Presentine Bar to Leisure Island. Meet at 9 a.m. at Kalispell K-Mart. Bring canoe, life jackets and lunch. Call Dan or Susannah Casey at 857-3143 to sign up. Everyone welcome.

3 Violence Free Crisis Line Summer Musicfest 2-8 p.m., Raceway Park, Kalispell. Live music all day; children's activities 3-5 p.m. Advance tickets $20 adults; $15 students and seniors over 55, available at all Montana Coffee Traders Books West, Kalispell; Electric Avenue Books, Bigfork; and Trails West Eagle Bend Realty, Lakeside. Call 752-4735.

Monday

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

3 Bibler Summer Garden Tours 5:30 and 7 p.m. today through July 28. Advanced tickets only, $10 adults, $3 children. Call 756-FVCC or 756-3912. Proceeds support FVCC scholarships.

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

A Look Ahead

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., July 25, Polson Methodist Church.

3 Flathead Building Association "Raise the Roof" public social, 5:30 p.m. July 25, Vann's, 2185 U.S. 2 E., Kalispell. Refreshments and raffles. Call 752-2422.

3 Flathead County Democrats potluck picnic 5:30 p.m. July 25, Lawrence Park, Kalispell. Meet the local Democratic candidates. Beverages and table service furnished. Call 756-8992 or 756-7859.

3 Red Cross Adult CPR certification training, 6:30 p.m. July 25, at the office, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Cost $30. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 Flathead Valley All Star Cheerleaders mini-clinic July 25-28, with performance during Heritage Days Parade July 29, in Columbia Falls. Call 755-3867.

3 Flathead City/County Health Department (WIC Division) walk-in clinic 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., and 1 to 4 p.m. July 26. Call 751-8170.

3 Red Cross open house 3-6 p.m. July 26, at its new location, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Tour facilities. Refreshments. All are welcome. Call Director Gayle Wilhelm, 752-6433.

3 Free Falun Dafa class 7 p.m. July 26, Flathead County Library Community Room, Kalispell. Learn gentle, easy movements to improve mind and body. Contact Laurie Hammill, 755-4907; or Katherine Combes, 257-9798.

3 Montana Veterans Home, 400 Veterans Dr., Columbia Falls, open house at 3 p.m. July 27, to welcome new Director of Nursing Joren Underdahl and new Staff Development Coordinator Mary Ward. All welcome. Call 892-3256.

3 Human Equinus hosts an open house 3-7 p.m July 27, 164 Wheeler Lane, Whitefish. Call 862-2710. All welcome.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 4-7 p.m., July 27, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Whitefish Stage, Kalispell.

3 Flathead City/County Health Department (WIC Division) walk-in clinic 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., and 1 to 4 p.m. July 27. Call 751-8170.

3 Montana Senator Conrad Burns' field representative, Denise Smith, holds community outreach hours 10:30 a.m. to noon, July 27, Lake County Courthouse, 106 Fourth Ave. E., Polson. Call 257-3360 or 800-344-1513.

3 Red Cross First Aid Basics certification training, 6:30 p.m. July 27, at the office, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Cost $30. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 Lone Pine's Little Saplings program, "Trash Out!," for ages 4-7, 10:30 a.m., July 28, Lone Pine Interpretive Center. Stories, hands-on activities. Bring weather-appropriate clothing.

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., July 28, and noon to 4 p.m. July 29, in the blood mobile, Wal-Mart, Kalispell.

3 Montana State University Bobcat Booster all-you-can-eat barbecue and auction following fifth annual open golf tournament, July 28, Grouse Mountain Lodge, Whitefish. Cost $35. Events are all fundraisers for Boosters. Pre-registration required for both events, Call Don Rich, 756-3787; Bob Thomas, 752-0924; Jerry House, 261-0720.

3 Boomers Singles Group planning meeting July 28, Red Lion Hotel Kalispell. Social hour, 6 p.m.; dinner buffet 7 p.m.; meeting 8 p.m. RSVP by noon Wednesday by calling Judy at 253-7187. All welcome.

3 Heritage Days, July 28-30, Columbia Falls. Boogie to the Bank 10K and 5K run July 29; late registration by 7:30 a.m. Bus departs 7:45 a.m. Call 892-6800. Parade, noon July 29.

3 Bibler Gardens Gardener's tours with master gardener Miriam Ascher, 3 and 6 p.m. July 29. Tickets $10, adults only. Call 756-FVCC or 756-3912. Proceeds support FVCC scholarships.

3 29th annual Rollins Volunteer Fire Department barbecue, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 30, Rollins Schoolhouse, on Methodist Camp Road in Rollins. Barbecue buffalo and turkey with all trimmings. Advanced tickets $10 adults; $5 children under 12. Tickets at the door are $12 and $7. Call Jane at 844-3768 or 752-6150.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., July 31 at the center's new location, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

3 School District 5 fall enrollment begins Aug. 1 for grades K-8, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. district office, 233 First Ave. E., Kalispell. Call Patty Fisher, enrollment clerk, at 751-3430.

3 Montana Senator Max Baucus' field representative Kirby Campbell-Rierson, meets the public 9:30-11:30 a.m. Aug. 1, Libby City Hall, 952 E. Spruce St.

3 Flathead City/County Health Department (WIC Division) walk-in clinic 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., and 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 2. Call 751-8170.

3 Bigfork Friends of the Library annual used book sale, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 3, in front of playhouse. Paperbacks, 50 cents; hardbacks, $1.

3 Flathead City/County Health Department (WIC Division) walk-in clinic 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., and 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 3. Call 751-8170.

3 Flathead City/County Health Department (WIC Division) open house to celebrate Breastfeeding Month, 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 3. All welcome. Call 751-8170.

3 Civil Air Patrol, Flathead Composite Squadron meets 6:30-9 p.m. Thursdays, (Aug. 3) 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 Eureka Quilt Show Aug. 3-5.

3 Salish and Kootenai Housing Authority annual housing fair, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 4, at the Housing Authority.

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

3 Flathead County High School Class of 1961 45th reunion Aug. 4-5. Call Nola, 752-6813; or Nadine, 755-6231.

3 Flathead Conservation District, Flathead Lakers and Montana Watercourse free "Living by Water" workshop and tour for landowners who live near waterways, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 5, Vocational Agriculture School, FFA Drive, Kalispell. Topics include stream bank erosion, how to minimize impacts, legal aspects of working in stream habitats. Tour of Stillwater River project and sack lunch included. Limited enrollment. To register, call Patti Mason, FCD education outreach specialist, 752-4220.

3 Flathead County Weeds/Parks board public hearing on reconsideration of park improvements at Lake Hills Park in Bigfork, 8 a.m. Aug. 7, department office, 1257 FFA Drive, Kalispell.

3 The Glacier Stamp Club meets in the basement meeting room of the Flathead County Library, Kalispell. Stamp trading and talk begin at 7 p.m. Aug. 7; the regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. Visitors are welcome.

3 Public hearing on Flathead County Public Growth Policy draft with Planning board, 6-9 p.m. Aug. 8, Red Lion Hotel, 20 N. Main, Kalispell.

3 Public hearing continues on Flathead County Public Growth Policy draft with Planning board, 6-9 p.m. Aug. 10, Red Lion Hotel, 20 N. Main, Kalispell.

3 Valley Cruisers annual Car Show Aug. 11-13, Polson. Bop-a-Dips perform 7 p.m. Aug. 11 at the beach party. Show and shine 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 12, followed by fairgrounds concert at 7 p.m. with Jan and Dean, and fireworks.

3 Lone Pine's Little Saplings program, "From an Ant's Perspective," for ages 4-7, 10:30 a.m., Aug. 11, Lone Pine Interpretive Center. Stories, hands-on activities. Bring weather-appropriate clothing.

3 Kila School board budget workshop 4:45 p.m. Aug. 15, followed by trustee meeting 5:30 p.m.

3 Lone Pine's Little Saplings program, "Midnight Munchers," for ages 4-7, 10:30 a.m., Aug. 18, Lone Pine Interpretive Center. Stories, hands-on activities. Bring weather-appropriate clothing.

3 Seeley Lake Challenge Triathlon, Aug. 19. Registration 8 a.m. Race begins 9 a.m. Start at Riverpoint Campground. Swim 300 yards, bike 13.3 miles, run 3.3 miles. Cost $25. Fundraiser for families of spinal muscular atrophy. Call 406-677-2880.

3 Seventh annual M.A.S.H Bash, 6 p.m. Aug. 25, 1600 River Lakes Parkway. Call 863-3630 for tickets.

3 Workshop for kids and teens with diabetes, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 28. The Summit, Kalispell. Registration 9:30 a.m. Games, activities, cooking for kids, diabetes in sports and other topics will be covered. Call 751-5454.

3 Kalispell Lions Club and KRMC's Diabetes Care Program Walk for Diabetes fundraiser, Sept. 16, Lawrence Park.

3 Civil Air Patrol, Flathead Composite Squadron meets 6:30-9 p.m. Thursdays, (Sept. 7) 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 Pope John Paul II Catholic Church, 195 Cloverdell Road, Bigfork, Oktoberfest noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 1. German food, beer and wine. Music by Don Lawrence Band. Tickets available at the door. Proceeds benefit local charities. Call Dan or Donna Danz at 892-2435.