Today

3 AARP's Tax Aide team offers seniors and low/moderate income people free help preparing taxes, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Northridge Lutheran Church, 323 Northridge Dr. Call 752-8062 or 752-0322.

3 AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, 10 a.m. March 20 and 21, at the senior centers in Polson and Ronan. Instructors Fred Sego and Clara Sipe. $10 course fee. To register, call 883-4735, Polson; or 676-2371, Ronan.

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

3 Red Cross Adult CPR certification training, 6:30 p.m. at the office, 17A First Ave. E., Kalispell. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 FVCC Honors Symposium free lecture series featuring Daniel L. Dreisbach of the Department of Public Affairs at American University on the topic, "Thomas Jefferson and the Wall of Separation between Church and State" 7 p.m. WestCoast Kalispell Center Hotel ballroom. Call FVCC at 756-3822.

3 Democratic Central Committee meets 7 p.m., basement meeting room, Flathead County Library, Kalispell. Candidates for State Legislature will be introduced. Public welcome.

3 Columbia Falls School board meets at 7 p.m., administration offices boardroom, 501 Sixth Ave. W. Columbia Falls.

Tuesday

3 Kalispell Police Department conducts a saturation patrol today for speeding and stop sign violations, Northridge Drive.

3 Kila School budget workshop 7:30 a.m. at the school.

3 AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, 9 a.m. today and March 23, The Summit, Kalispell. Instructor Gail Strohschein. $10 course fee. Call 751-4500.

3 Buffet luncheon and spring fashion show featuring The Cherry Tree, 11:30 a.m., WestCoast Kalispell Center Hotel. Cost is $10. RSVP to Rosainne at 257-8098. Guest speaker is cancer survivor Rosainne Taylor. Complimentary child care by reservation. Sponsored by the Kalispell Women's Connection and Stonecroft Ministries.

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m., Northwestern Energy.

3 Montana's Homeownership Education Center free nonprofit Community Partnership nationally three-part certified program for experienced and first-time home buyers, 6-9 p.m., today, March 23 and 28, FVCC, Kalispell. $40 registration fee. Call 257-6627 or 756-3832 to pre-register.

3 FVCC Office of Multicultural Services host a presentation by Tony Cancilla titled, "Deaf Culture," 6 p.m. in SAT 173. Free and open to public. Call Gerda Reeb at 756-3945.

3 School District 5 and Flathead High School district board meets at 7 p.m., Kalispell Junior High School library.

3 Somers School board work session 6:30 p.m. at Somers Middle School to discuss amount to set for General Fund Overbase Levy Election.

3 Townhall meeting about underage drinking, 7 p.m., WestCoast Kalispell Center Hotel. Call Linda Ravicher, coordinator of Flathead Prevention Alliance, 756-6453.

3 A meeting for anyone interested in starting an interactive children's museum will be 7 p.m., The Summit. Call Courtney Rudbach at 756-7691.

3 Big Sky Bonsai Society meets at 7 p.m., at the Flathead County Library in Kalispell. Bob Burmood talks about soil, watering and fertilizer. Free and the public is invited. Contact Jerry Mieslik at 862-0387.

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

3 Flathead Chapter of Trout Unlimited meets 7:30 p.m. Bohemian Grange Hall, behind Coffee Traders, U.S. 93. Beth Gardener of U.S. Forest Service updates progress on Swan Lake Working Group and lake trout effect on native bull trout populations, along with related topic by Wade Fredenberg, U.S. Fish and Wildlife. Public invited.

Wednesday

3 Kalispell Police Department conducts a saturation patrol today for speeding and stop sign violations, U.S. 93 between 13th and 18th Streets.

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

3 Red Cross blood drive, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., today and March 23, Flathead 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 Whitefish Golden Agers Speaker of the Month program hosts creative writing instructor Kathy Dunnehoff who will offer advice to anyone interested in writing, 1 p.m., Whitefish Community Center, 121 Second Ave. Call 862-4923.

3 Lakeside County Water and Sewer district board meets 1 p.m., district meeting room, 253 Bierney Creek Road, Lakeside.

3 Kila School negotiation meeting 5 p.m.

3 Kick-off rally for Kalispell and Columbia Falls Relays for Life 5:30-7 p.m. Kalispell Regional Medical Center Cancer Center. All those interested in learning more or participating are invited. Refreshments and door prizes. Call Joan Paulson at 862-5374 or Janell Kuhn toll free at 1-877-488-7723, option 3.

Thought

"Spring makes everything young again except man." n Jean Paul Richter, German author (1763-1825).

3 Whitefish Housing Authority invites the public to an informational meeting on its First Time Home Buyers Program, 6-7 p.m. at their office, 343 Central Ave. (next the Frank Lloyd Wright Building.) To reserve a space or for details, call 862-4143.

3 Red Cross First Aid Basics certification training, 6:30 p.m. at the office, 17A First Ave. E., Kalispell. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 Somers Townsite Association meets 7 p.m., Somers School. Lisa Horowitz, planner, will discuss the process of finalizing Somers Neighborhood Plan.

3 "Beyond Treason," a documentary that claims a cover-up and denial by the government of unidentified Gulf War illnesses, will be shown at 7 p.m. at the Flathead County Library in Kalispell. Public is invited.

3 Flathead Coalition annual general meeting 7 p.m., conference room of Fish, Wildlife and Parks building, 490 N. Meridian Road, Kaisipell. Panel discussion on open-pit coal mines and other mineral development in Canadian headwaters of North Fork River. Guest speaker is Maarten Hart, president of Fernie Rod and Gun Club. Public welcome.

Thursday

3 Kalispell Police Department conducts a saturation patrol today for speeding and stop sign violations, West Idaho, from Main Street to Fifth Avenue.

3 Flathead National Alliance for Mental Illness meets 12:30-2 p.m., The Summit conference room. Jude Spors-Murphy, intake coordinator of Pathways Treatment Center, will be guest speaker. Public welcome.

3 ETHIC, a nonprofit consumer awareness organization, presents a free community partnership-nationally certified program, "Financial Strategies for Seniors" 1-3 p.m., United Way Conference Room, Gateway West Mall, Kalispell. Pre-register at 257-6627 or 751-5205.

3 Montana Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 2 p.m. Earl Bennett Building, Kalispell. Open to public.

3 Flathead County Long Range Planning Task Force special meeting 4-6 p.m., commissioners' meeting room, 800 S. Main St., Kalispell. Workshop to review results of member survey by LRPTF Natural Resources Committee.

3 Bigfork Land Use Advisory Committee business meeting 4 p.m., Bethany Lutheran Church. Agenda includes bylaw changes, land use planning and development. Open to public.

3 A newly formed parent work group for those who have children with developmental disabilities ages 11 and up meets at 7 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, Main Street, Kalispell. Learn innovative planning strategies to create quality post-high school life for your young adult. No child care will be available at this meeting. Call Lil Dupree at 755-8651.

3 Flathead County Fair board special meeting to discuss horse racing, 7 p.m., Expo Building, fairgrounds.

3 Whitefish High School jazz band concert 7:30 p.m. high school foyer. Public welcome.

Friday

3 Kalispell Police Department conducts a saturation patrol today for speeding and stop sign violations, First Avenue West between Fourth and 11th Street.

3 Whitefish Booster Club annual auction 6 p.m., the Remington, downtown Whitefish. Proceeds support Whitefish High School activities. Tickets available in advance at WHS or at the door.

A Look Ahead

3 U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary-Kalispell Flotilla boating safety course for teens and adults 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. March 25 Polson City Library, 21st Ave. E. Free. Text is available and recommended for purchase. Call Maryann at 883-1718 or Katy at 756-6139.

3 ETHIC third annual affordable housing fair 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 25, Kalispell Center Mall. Booths, vendors in conjunction with nonprofit consumer awareness organization.

3 Montana Democratic Women business meeting at 11 a.m., followed by lunch at noon, March 25, at the WestCoast Kalispell Center Hotel. Guest speaker is Montana State Representative Jeanne Windham of Lake County. Lunch $10 by reservation; call Karen Richardson at 857-3381. All interested women welcome.

3 Beyond The Flathead film series concludes with "Rage in Placid Lake, 3 p.m. March 25, Flathead County Library, Bigfork. Free. For mature audiences. Call 758-5713.

3 Human Rights Film series presents, "Going to School" 7 p.m. March 25, Whitefish branch of Flathead County Library. Free and public welcome. Call Katie Boyes at 758-5813.

3 Northwest Montana Historical Society John White series lecture, " Flathead Lake: Purity on the Edge" with Jack Stanford of Flathead Lake Biological Station, 2:30 p.m., March 26, Museum at Central School, 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Tickets $7.50, members; $10 nonmembers at the door. Call 756-8381.

3 AARP's Tax Aide team offers seniors and low/moderate income people free help preparing taxes, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., March 27, Northridge Lutheran Church, 323 Northridge Dr. Call 752-8062 or 752-0322.

3 AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, 10 a.m. March 27 and 28, St. John's Lutheran Hospital, Libby. Instructors Rich Hunting and Joyce Goss. $10 course fee. Call 406-293-0100 to register.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., March 27, at the center, 17A First Ave., Kalispell.

3 Open house for Kalispell's new satellite fire station, 3-4 p.m. March 27, 255 W. Reserve Loop, just southwest of Costco. Mayor Pam Kennedy will speak.

3 The Flathead Conservation District meets at 7 p.m. March 27 at 30 Lower Valley Road in Kalispell. Call 752-4220.

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., March 28, Good Shepherd Church, Polson. Sponsored by Polson Soroptimists.

3 Red Cross Adult CPR certification training, 6:30 p.m. March 28 at the office, 17A First Ave. E., Kalispell. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 Whitefish School District board has a special meeting at 6:45 p.m. March 28, in the Whitefish High School Library.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 12:30-5:30 p.m. March 29, in the blood mobile, Burch's One Hour Photo, Kalispell.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 1-6 p.m. March 30, in the blood mobile, Semitool, Kalispell.

3 Sunriser Lions 32 annual pancake supper, 4:30-7 p.m. March 30, St. Matthew's Cafeteria, 602 S. Main St., Kalispell. Menu includes all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, coffee, juice. Adults, $6; children, $3; families $15, seniors, $4.50. Proceeds to local eye programs.

3 Human Rights Film series presents, "Bombies," 7 p.m. March 30, Flathead County Library, Kalispell.

3 Dr. Patrick Madigan of Glacier Cardiovascular Associates presents a free program, "Heart Disease in Women," 7 p.m. March 30, North Valley Hospital Lake Room.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 31, in the blood mobile, First Interstate Bank, Evergreen .

3 High Step Swingin' Benefit Concert for Hope Ranch, 7 p.m. March 31, WestCoast Kalispell Center Hotel. $1,000 in gas door prize to be given away. Seating limited. Tickets $10 per person; or $70 for table of eight. Call Hope Ranch at 862-7871 for locations.

3 Big Sky Astronomy Club meets at 7 p.m., Kalispell Junior High School library. Visitors are welcome. Park in the school's east lot. Call Bruce at 857-3753 or Scott at 755-3939.

3 40th annual Creston Auction April 1-2, Creston, 12 miles east of Kalispell on Montana 35. Fundraiser for Creston Fire Department. Call 261-5913.

3 Human Rights Film series presents, "Well-Founded Fear," 3 p.m. April 1, Flathead County Library. Free and public welcome. Call Katie Boyes at 758-5813.

3 AARP's Tax Aide team offers seniors and low/moderate income people free help preparing taxes, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., April 3, Northridge Lutheran Church, 323 Northridge Dr. Call 752-8062 or 752-0322.

3 School District 5 Kindergarten Enrollment Day 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. April 5. Complete immunization records and birth certificate required. Children must be 5 years old by Sept. 10. Call Patty Fisher, enrollment clerk, at 751-3430.

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 Human Rights Film series presents, "Behind the labels: Garment Workers on U.S. Saipan" 7 p.m. April 6, Flathead County Library, Kalispell.

3 FVCC Honors Symposium free lecture series featuring Robert G. Natelson-School of Law, University of Montana on the topic, "The Establishment Clause and the U.S. Constitution" 7 p.m. April 6, WestCoast Kalispell Center Hotel ballroom. Call FVCC at 756-3822.

Ducks Unlimited Kid's Greenwing Even 7 p.m. April 7, Bulldog Convention Center, WestCoast Outlaw Hotel. Call Mark Salansky at 755-8280 for tickets.

3 Share Fair 2006 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 8, Kalispell Center Mall. Displays by health and human services agencies, nonprofit and service organizations and clubs. To sign up, call the United Way, 752-7266 or toll free at 888-720-7266.

3 31st annual Ducks Unlimited banquet, 7 p.m. April 8, Bulldog Convention Center, WestCoast Outlaw Hotel. Call Mark Salansky at 755-8280 for tickets.

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

3 AARP's Tax Aide team offers seniors and low/moderate income people free help preparing taxes, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., April 10, Northridge Lutheran Church, 323 Northridge Dr. Call 752-8062 or 752-0322.

3 Flathead Mental Health Local Advisory Council meets from 12:30-2 p.m. April 10 at The Summit conference room in Kalispell. Five-person panel discussion on need for a detox facility in Kalispell. Public welcome.

3 Human Rights Film series presents, "Promises," 7 p.m. April 13, Flathead County Library, Kalispell.

3 FVCC Honors Symposium free lecture series featuring David DeWolf of the School of Law, Gonzaga University, on the topic, "Intelligent Design and Darwinian Orthodoxy" 7 p.m. April 13, WestCoast Kalispell Center Hotel ballroom. Call FVCC at 756-3822.

3 AARP's Tax Aide team offers seniors and low/moderate income people free help preparing taxes, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., April 17, Northridge Lutheran Church, 323 Northridge Dr. Call 752-8062 or 752-0322.

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 Bigfork Elementary School kindergarten roundup 8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. April 20-21. Fifth birthday by Sept. 10, Bring immunizations and birth certificate. Call 837-7412, ext. 321 for an appointment.

3 Human Rights Film series presents, "Long Night's Journey into Day: South Africa's Search for Truth and Reconciliation" 7 p.m. April 20, Flathead County Library, Kalispell. Free and public welcome. Call Katie Boyes at 758-5813.

3 FVCC Honors Symposium free lecture series featuring Marci A. Hamilton-Benjamin of the Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University, N.Y., on the topic, "The Religious Origins of the Separation of Church and State" 7 p.m. April 20, WestCoast Kalispell Center Hotel ballroom. Call FVCC at 756-3822.

3 Muldown Elementary School kindergarten registration 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 21. Immunization records and birth certificate required.

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary-Kalispell Flotilla boating safety course for teens and adults 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 22, The Summit, Kalispell. Free. Text is available and recommended for purchase. Call Maryann at 883-1718 or Katy at 756-6139.

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

3 Flathead National Alliance for Mental Illness meets 12:30-2 p.m., April 27, The Summit conference room. Mike Cummings, executive director of Flathead Valley Chemical Dependency Clinic will speak about co-occuring Disorder of mental illness and alcohol or substance abuse. Public welcome.

3 Human Rights Film series presents, "Going to School" 7 p.m. April 27, Kalispell branch of Flathead County Library. Free and public welcome. Call Katie Boyes at 758-5813.

3 FVCC Honors Symposium free lecture series featuring Peter H. Irons of the Department of Political Science, University of California, on the topic, "God on Trial: America's Religious Wars" 7 p.m. April 27, WestCoast Kalispell Center Hotel ballroom. Call FVCC at 756-3822.

3 Northwest Montana Historical Society John White series lecture, "Scaling the Heights: Climbs Around the World" with Gray Thompson, professor of geology, University of Montana, 2:30 p.m., April 30, Museum at Central School, 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Tickets $7.50, members; $10 nonmembers at the door. Call 756-8381.

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 FVCC Honors Symposium free lecture series featuring Christopher Muste, of the Department of Political Science, University of Montana, on the topic, "Public Opinion on Issues of Church/State" 7 p.m. May 4, WestCoast Kalispell Center Hotel ballroom. Call FVCC at 756-3822.

3 Flathead Mental Health Local Advisory Council meets from 12:30-2 p.m. May 10, Pathways Treatment Center conference room. Guest speaker is Municipal Judge Heidi Ulbricht. Public welcome.

3 Human Rights Film series presents, "Well-Founded Fear," 7 p.m. May 11, Flathead County Library. Free and public welcome. Call Katie Boyes at 758-5813.

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).

3 Pope John Paul II Catholic Church, 195 Cloverdell Road, Bigfork, has a Rags to Riches Rummage Sale, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 2; 9 a.m. to noon June 3. Proceeds benefit local charities. Call Mary Clough at 837-0057.

3 Flathead Mental Health Local Advisory Council meets from 12:30-2 p.m. June 10 at The Summit conference room in Kalispell. Discussion on co-occurring disorders-mental illness, and alcohol and substance abuse. Public welcome.

3 Fiberfest Eureka 2006, July 22-23, Lincoln County Fairgrounds. Fiber contests, workshops, demonstrations, auction. Call Lee at 406-882-4939.

3 Heritage Days parade, 11:30 a.m. July 29, Columbia Falls.

Valley Cruisers annual Car Show Aug. 11-13, Polson.

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.