Today

3 AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 2 and 4, The Summit, Kalispell. $10 course fee. Call 751-4500 to register,

3 Kila School election noon to 8 p.m.

3 Marion School trustee election noon to 8 p.m., Marion Volunteer Fire Department. School board will meet at 8:30 p.m. to canvass ballots.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2 to 5 p.m., Flathead Electric.

3 Project Whitefish 17th annual wine and food fest and auction, 6-9 p.m., Grouse Mountain Lodge, Whitefish. Tickets are $40 per person available at O'Shaughnessy Center, Imagination Station, Village Shop and The Towne Printer. Proceeds to Whitefish Theatre Co. and Project Whitefish Kids. Call 862-5371.

Wednesday

Somers School District board special meeting 7 a.m. to canvass election results, Somers Middle School.

3 Kila School special meeting to canvass election, 7:15 a.m.

3 MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:30-11:30 a.m., 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 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., Flathead City-County Health Department, Kalispell.

3 Disabled American Veterans (DAV) meets 6:30 p.m. VFW meeting room, 111 Main St., Kalispell.

3 Flathead County Commissioner candidate forum 7 p.m., Marion Volunteer Fire Department, 180 Gopher Lane, Marion. All candidates and public invited.

3 Cayuse Prairie School board special budget work meeting at 7 p.m., school library.

3 Rocky Mountain Street Machines night cruises, A & W Restaurant, Columbia Falls. Call Kavin Morsette, 892-7218.

Thursday

3 Prayer Breakfast to honor National Day of Prayer, 6:30 a.m., Pin and Cue, Whitefish. $5 donation per person. Everyone welcome.

3 Trego School kindergarten roundup 9-11:30 a.m. Call 882-4713.

3 Fortine School kindergarten roundup 12:30-2 p.m. Call 882-4531.

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

3 Dirty Hands Garden Club Farmers' Market 4-6:30 p.m., Pin & Cue parking lot, Whitefish. Bedding plants, baked goods, vegetable and crafts.

3 Kila School budget meeting 5:30 p.m.

3 Sage Spa Salon, corner of Spokane Avenue and Railway Street, Whitefish, hosts an open house for Jane Latus Emmert, 6-9 p.m. Proceeds go to the Abbie Shelter. Public welcome.

3 Gerry Banzet, Flathead County Commissioner candidate, invites the public to meet him to discuss issues, 6:30-8 p.m., North Valley Senior Center, 205 Nucleus Ave., Columbia Falls. Coffee and snacks.

3 Evergreen School District board Negotiations Committee and Evergreeen Education Association representative meet at 6:30 p.m., administration building boardroom. Open to public.

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., WestCoast Kalispell Center Hotel ballroom. Call FVCC at 756-3822.

3 The Flathead Valley Fibromyalgia Support Group meets at 7 p.m. in The Summit conference room. Call Jerry, 253-7228.

3 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Family History training workshop 7:30 p.m., Kalispell Stake Center. Topic is "Learn What Resources are Available at Our Family History Center." Public invited.

Friday

3 First Presbyterian Church, 301 Central Ave., Whitefish, youth group flower sale fundraiser for their relief trip to New Orleans this June. Hours noon to 8:30 p.m. today, 8:30 a.m to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, and 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Annuals, perennials, and ornamental grasses for sale.

3 Walking in Beauty Foundation jazz concert 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday, Columbia Falls High School auditorium, featuring Ernie Watts, Abraham Laborie, Lew Soloff, Ron Feuer, Harry Blazer and John Zoltek. Tickets $10, $5 for full-time students. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Open seating. Reserve online at www.walkinginbeauty.org; or call Olga at 257-1187.

Saturday

3 Audubon birding trip in Swan lake area. Meet at 8 a.m. at the Little Brown Church at Montana 35 and 83. Bring binoculars and lunch. Contact Bob Rost at 837-2255. All welcome.

3 Third annual Mega Garage Sale and Auction 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Expo Building, Flathead County Fairgrounds. Auction at 11 a.m. $1 admission; kids 12 and under free. Cars, vacations, golf packages, landscaping and more. Concessions. Proceeds go to Samaritan House.

Thought

"Like ships, men founder time and again." n Henry Miller, American novelist (1891-1980).

3 Cheerful Heart Treasure Fest Garage Sale fundraiser 8 a.m., New Life Chrisitian Center, Polson. Donations welcome 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday. Tax deductible. Clothing not accepted.

3 Great Bear Foundation seventh International Multicultural Bear Honoring. Group will travel from Missoula at 8 a.m. to Glacier National Park and rendezvous at the Avalanche gate at noon with Kootenai and Blackfeet cultural leaders. Bear study and hike up Going-to-the-Sun Road. Call Jenny at 406-829-9378.

3 First Presbyterian Church, 301 Central Ave., Whitefish, youth group flower sale fundraiser for their relief trip to New Orleans this June. Hours 8:30 a.m to 4:30 p.m. today, and 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Annuals, perennials, and ornamental grasses for sale.

Annual West Valley Roadside Clean-up 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 6, Meet at West Valley School at 9 a.m. to help spruce up area roadways. Call Kim Davis at 755-7239 or 755-1311 to schedule a particular work area.

3 Red Cross Infant and Child CPR certification training, 9 a.m. at the Nurturing Center, 146 Third Ave. W., Kalispell. Call 752-1414 to pre-register.

3 Mission Mountain Winery annual Red Wine and Chocolate season opener, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., U.S. 93 in Dayton. Free. Public invited.

3 Northwest Antique Power Association, a nonprofit club, consignment auction 10 a.m. at their showgrounds, Pioneer Road, north of Glacier International Airport. Turn right on Pioneer Road. Items accepted May 4 and 5, noon to 8 p.m. Flea market. Call 250-1819.

3 Flathead Valley Pioneer Auto Club Car Show today and Sunday, Mountain Mall, Whitefish. Classic cars and their owners will be on hand.

3 Rocky Mountain Street Machines car show 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., A & W Restaurant, Columbia Falls. Everyone welcome to participate and attend. Call President Kavin Morsette, 892-7218.

3 Grammy nominated family entertainer Bill Harley performs 2 p.m., Christian Center, Kalispell. Advance tickets $12.50 adults, $8.50 children 12 and under and seniors over 65; available at DDC, Imagination Stations, Kalispell and Whitefish; Book West, Mother's Bless, Kalispell; Electric Avenue Books, Bigfork. Tickets at the door, $15, adults; $10 children 12 and under and seniors. Fundraiser for Discovery Developmental Center. Call 756-7295.

3 Walking in Beauty Foundation jazz concert 7:30 p.m. continues today, Columbia Falls High School auditorium, featuring Ernie Watts, Abraham Laborie, Lew Soloff, Ron Feuer, Harry Blazer and John Zoltek. Tickets $10, $5 for full-time students. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Open seating. Reserve online at www.walkinginbeauty.org; or call Olga at 257-1187.

3 Valley Voices Community Choir spring concert, "Because We Sing," 7 p.m., Easthaven Baptist Church, 2010 Whitefish Stage Road, Kalispell. Free admission. A free will offering will be taken. Reception follows concert. Everyone welcome.

3 Bibler Garden Tours beginning at 9 a.m. today and Sunday, and May 13-14, sponsored by the FVCC Foundation. Tickets $10 for adults, $3 for children. Call 756-3963.

3 Flathead County Tavern Association 12 annual Tavern Calcutta Association fundraiser, WestCoast Outlaw Hotel. Cocktails 6 p.m., dinner at 7:30 p.m. Live and silent auctions, door prizes. Live entertainment. $150 per couple, or "no" dinner tickets for $100. Call 752-7070.

3 Fifth annual Death by Chocolate Murder Mystery 7-10 p.m., Conrad Mansion, Kalispell. Tickets $55 each, $100 per couple at Books West, Bookworks or call 755-2166. Fundraiser for Conrad Mansion.

3 Sons of Norway meet 7 p.m., 347 First Ave. E., Kalispell.

Sunday

First Presbyterian Church, 301 Central Ave., Whitefish, youth group flower sale fundraiser for their relief trip to New Orleans this June. Hours 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Annuals, perennials, and ornamental grasses for sale.

3 Project Linus blanket making 1-4 p.m., Paintbrush Room, Kalispell Regional Medical Center. Help make blankets for needy children in the Flathead. Call 854-9999.

3 Glacier United Soccer Club Coaches Appreciation Day pig roast, barbecue and potluck noon to 6 p.m., Grouse Mountain fields, Whitefish. All Flathead Valley Youth soccer coaches and their families eat free. All others $5 per person or $20 per family. Donations welcome.

Monday

3 MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) meet at 9:15-11 a.m. at Easthaven Baptist Church, 2010 Whitefish Stage, Kalispell. Dr. Dykstra will answer pediatric-related questions. Free continental breakfast and child care. Call 756-9768.

3 Flathead High School Class of '45 meet at 11:30 a.m., The Bulldog. Class members and guests welcome.

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

3 Flathead Audubon meeting and potluck, 6 p.m., Country Kitchen, Flathead County fairgrounds. Program by Jami Belt on common loons and citizen science in Glacier Park. Free. Public invited.

A Look Ahead

3 Kila School board meets 10 a.m. May 9.

3 Smith Valley School kindergarten roundup 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., May 9. Call 756-4535.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., May 9, Trinity Lutheran Church, Kalispell.

3 Swan River School board meets at 5:30 p.m. May 9 in the school library.

3 Trail Runs Through It planning committee meets 6 p.m. May 9, Mountain West Bank, 601 Spokane Ave., Whitefish. Public welcome. Call Lisa Jones, 862-7977.

3 Columbia Falls Heritage Days Committee meets at 6:30 p.m. May 9 at the Tote-N-Go, 605 Nucleus Ave., Columbia Falls. Call Matt and Janet McConville at 270-5967.

3 Mission Mountain Audubon program 7 p.m. May 9, Polson City Library Room. Jay Cross gives a presentation on the "Land of the Ice Bears" on a recent trip to the Svalbard Archipelago between Norway and the North Pole. Free. All welcome.

3 Back Country Horsemen of the Flathead meet at 7:30 p.m., May 9, Fish, Wildlife and Parks Building, 490 North Meridian Road. Public welcome. Call Don at 862-6955.

3 Free video program, "The Shape of Things to Come" May 9 at area Edward Jones Call an office near you to reserve a seat.

3 Flathead Valley Forum on Energy meets 7 p.m. May 9, Whitefish Library. Lyn Hendrix will give a presentation on the topic, "Sustainable Independent Living - from Theory to Practice and Beyond." Public welcome. Call Barbara Stewart at 862-6235.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-5 p.m., May 10, Troy Methodist Church

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 Evergreen School District board meets at 6:30 p.m. May 10 in the administration building boardroom.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., May 11, The Wave, Kalispell; co-sponsored by The Wave and First Interstate Bank.

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 Meet your sheriff candidates, Mike Meehan, Bruce Perish, John Weaver. 7-8:30 p.m. May 11, Whitefish Council Chambers, 418 E. Second St. Public invited. Question and answer session.

3 KOA free camping day, May 12. For reservations call 883-2151 for Polson/Flathead Lake; 862-4242 for Whitefish/Kalispell; and 387-5341 for West Glacier.

3 Bigfork Art & Cultural Center's annual benefit auction, "Boots, Brims & Biddin' III," 5:30 p.m. May 12, Flathead Lake Lodge. Western-themed dinner featuring Jordan's BBQ. Split the Pot. Ticket $22 for Art Center Gift Shop members; $25 non-members, available at the Art Center, Jug Tree, and Frame of Reference. Call Marnie at 837-6927. Proceeds support the art center.

3 Barn Dance fundraiser 5:30-8 p.m. May 12, Lakeside Elementary School gym. Dinner 5:30-6:30 p.m. with chili, cornbread, dessert and beverage. $5.50 adults, $2.50 children, 5 and under free. Pie and cake live auction. Bring a pie. Square dancing 7-8 p.m. Call Judy Harris at 261-3244 or 857-3531. Proceeds go toward gym equipment.

3 Montanans for Multiple Use host a forum for candidates for Flathead County Commissioner, 6-9 p.m. May 12, Country Kitchen Building, Flathead County Fairgrounds. Food available. Donations accepted. Public invited.

3 Annual letter carriers food drive May 13, Kalispell. Place non-perishable food donations in plastic bag by mailbox prior to your mail delivery; or bring to Kalispell Post office lobby week of May 8-13.

3 Swan River School annual Spring Fling Festival 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 13, at the school in Bigfork. Arts and crafts, rummage, bake sale, food, car wash, recycling.

3 Great Northern 5K fundraiser for Rails to Trails, 8:30 a.m. May 13, on Great Northern trail near Meridian and Center Streets. Registration 7:30 a.m. Brochures at Sportsman & Ski Haus, The Summit and other athletic outlets. Awards, door prizes. Call 752-3325.

3 Bibler Garden Tours beginning at 9 a.m. May 13-14, sponsored by the FVCC Foundation. Tickets $10 for adults, $3 for children. Call 756-3963.

3 Family Forestry Expo XVII, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 13; 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 14 Trumble Creek Education Forest north of Blue Moon. Demonstrations and exhibits, mill tours, forest walk, free logging camp lunch. Free. Call 758-5252.

3 Beardance Club rummage, bake sale and barbecue 9 a.m. to 3:30 pm. May 13, at the clubhouse, near the Bear Dance trail on the East Shore, Flathead Lake.

3 Flathead Kennel Club B-OB conformation obedience match, May 13, Lawrence Park, 990 N. Main St., Kalispell. Registration 9 a.m. Match begins at 11:45 a.m. Prizes, trophies, ribbons. Call Judy Howell at 892-3852.

3 Third annual Cherry Fest 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 13, Yellow Bay Community Club, Montana 35 mile marker 18. Call Jackie at 982-3839. Handcrafted gifts for home and garden, bake sale, entertainment, door prizes. Lunch available.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., May 13, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Whitefish Stage, Kalispell.

3 Kalispell Lakers Baseball annual fundraiser May 13, Fireside Room, WestCoast Kalispell Center Hotel. Silent auction 6:30 p.m., live auction 7:30 p.m. Live music with Loose Caboose, 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

3 WestCoast Red Lion Hotel at Kalispell Center Mall is having a food drive for the Flathead Food Bank 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 14. Bring your non-perishable food items to the front foyer.

3 Buffet luncheon 11:30 a.m., May 16, WestCoast Kalispell Center Hotel. Joe Power of Sportsman and Ski Haus model clothes and demonstrates gear. Guest speaker is nurse Linda Sommerville of Bearcreek. Complimentary child care by reservation. Cost is $10. RSVP to Pat at 844-2538 or Rosainne at 257-8098. Sponsored by the Kalispell Women's Connection and Stonecroft Ministries.

3 MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meet 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 Somers Townsite Association meets 7 p.m. May 17, Somers Middle School.

3 Ride Of Silence bicycle ride to honor those bicyclists who have been killed while riding and to raise awareness of the need to share the public roadways. Meet at Park & Ride at 7 p.m. May 17 at intersection of U.S. 93 and Montana 82. Ride is 14 miles at 12 miles per hour. Free. All are welcome. Wear a helmet. Call Chuck Harris at 837-0336.

3 Scrapbooking Memoranza workshop 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. May 20, Eagles Nest, FVCC. Includes lunch, idea folder and more. Call 755-4922 to register.

3 Community and Family Safety Day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 20, Bigfork Elementary School parking lot. Exhibits, demonstrations on gun, boating, car seat and electrical safety, Bigfork Fire and Ambulance, The Summit, Flathead County Sheriffs office and more. Free and public welcome. Luncheon 11:30 to 1 p.m. at Marina Cay with Gov. Brian Schweitzer. $20 per person. Reservations required. Call 837-5861.

3 Red Cross First Aid Basics certification training, 9 a.m. May 20, at the office, 17A First Ave. E., Kalispell. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 Martin City Fire Department annual yard and bake sale 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 20-21. Donations welcome. Bring by May 19.

3 Big Arm Association meets 6:30 p.m. May 22 at the fire hall. Coffee and dessert available. Karen Sargeant will give a presentation on being "Fire Wise." Call Alison Meslin at 849-6628, Kristin Osborn at 849-5326 or Jan Philips at 849-5636.

3 Red Cross Adult CPR certification training, 6:30 p.m. May 22 at the office, 17A First Ave. E., Kalispell. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 Red Cross First Aid Basics certification training, 6:30 p.m.May 23 at the office, 17A First Ave. E., Kalispell. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 CollEctronics event 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 26-27, The Wave rear parking lot, 1250 Baker Ave., Whitefish. Recycle old computers, printers, scanners, typewriters, radios, cell phones, TVs, speakers and circuit boards. Trained technicians on hand to remove hazardous materials. Businesses, agencies and schools may pre-register. Fees charged depending on item. Call Susan Seaman at 250-6495 or e-mail susan028@centurytel.net

3 Raffle and fundraising event for Columbia Falls Food Bank, 11 a.m. May 27, current food bank location. Food and drinks and chances to win many items. Call Amore Events and Wedding Planning, 212-0733.

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

3 Red Cross First Aid Basics certification training, 6:30 p.m. May 31 at the office, 17A First Ave. E., Kalispell. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 Pope John Paul II Catholic Church, 195 Cloverdell Road, Bigfork, 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 Fair-Mont-Egan School Bruins' Boogie one mile and 5K run. T-shirts, refreshments and free pass to Raceway Park for all entrants. $12 for 13 years old and up; 410 12 and under. Call 755-4943 or 270-6250.

3 Scrapbooking Memoranza workshop 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. June 17, Eagles Nest, FVCC. Includes lunch, idea folder and more. Call 755-4922 to register.

3 Scrapbooking Memoranza workshop 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. July 15, Eagles Nest, FVCC. Includes lunch, idea folder and more. Call 755-4922 to register.

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.

3 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.