Today

3 Computer class highlighting the library, 8:30-9:30 a.m. Flathead County Library, Kalispell. Free, but registration required. Call Brett Fisher, 758-5814.

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 Silver Foxes Legislation meets at noon at Perkins Restaurant conference room.

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.

3 Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group meets 6-8 p.m., The Summit conference room, Kalispell. Survivors, family, friends are welcome. Special care givers meeting. Jerry Howard also talks about Fishing Without Barriers Day. Call Kathy at 756-4723 or Sue at 756-4325.

3 Deer Park School board special closed session meeting 6:30 p.m., followed by a regular meeting at 7 p.m.

Tuesday

3 Public is invited to a free community lecture from 7:30 a.m. at Pathways Treatment Center, 200 Heritage Way, Kalispell. Topic is "raising Secure and Independent Children." RSVP to 756-3950.

3 Kila School board meets 10 a.m..

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

3 Flathead City-County Board of Health retreat 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Grouse Mountain Lodge Nordic Room, 2 Fairway Dr., Whitefish. Lunch provided.

3 AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, 12:30-4:30 p.m. today and Thursday, Buffalo Hill Terrace, Kalispell. $10 course fee. Call 751-4500 to register.

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

3 Flathead Municipal Airport Authority meets at 4 p.m., airport manager's office, Glacier Park International Airport.

3 Creston School board meets at 4:30 p.m. in the school library to canvass the election. Public welcome.

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

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

3 School District 5 and Flathead High School district board meets at 6 p.m., Flathead High School Library second floor.

3 Columbia Falls Heritage Days Committee meets at 6:30 p.m. 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., 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 Flathead Valley Forum on Energy meets 7 p.m., 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 Fair-Mont-Egan School board meets at 7 p.m. in the school library.

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

3 Back Country Horsemen of the Flathead meet at 7:30 p.m., 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" at area Edward Jones Call an office near you to reserve a seat.

Wednesday

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, 2-5 p.m., Troy Methodist Church.

3 Lakeside Community Club meets at noon at Vista Linda. For reservations call Lois Lauman 857-3801 or Fran Ruby at 857-3801.

3 Flathead Mental Health Local Advisory Council meets from 12:30-2 p.m., 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. in the administration building boardroom.

Thursday

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

3 Meet Flathead County Commissioner candidate Mark Crowley, 5-7:30 p.m. Red's, Wines and Blues, mezzanine level, 50 E. Second St., Kalispell. Free appetizers, cash bar. Celtic music by Tra Le Gael. Call 752-MARK (6275).

Thought

"The biggest big business in America is not steel, automobiles, or television. It is the manufacture, refinement and distribution of anxiety." n Eric Sevareid, American news commentator (1912-1992).

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

3 Flathead County fair board meets 7 p.m. in the fairground office.

Friday

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

3 Flathead chapter of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees meets at noon, Buffalo Hill Terrace. Lunch is $7.50. For reservations, call Mary Turk 849-5172.

3 Bigfork Art & Cultural Center's annual benefit auction, "Boots, Brims & Biddin' III," 5:30 p.m., 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.

A Look Ahead

3 Glacier United U15 girls 2006 Eurotrip soccer team garage/book sale fundraiser 5-8 p.m. May 12; 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 13, 839 Eighth St. ., Whitefish.

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 Contra Dance, Sons of Norway, 347 First Ave. E., Kalispell. Beginner's lesson is 7:30-8 p.m., May 12, dancing from 8-11 p.m. The cost is $6 for adults, $3, teens, 11 and younger, free. Call 758-7717.

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 p.m.. 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 Northwest Montana Gold Prospectors spring kick off 10 a.m. May 13. Demonstrations, potluck, raffle, kids' games, and metal detector panning contests. Watch for signs and balloons on Bernie Road in Columbia Heights.

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 Third annual Asbestos Health Fair 10 a.m to 2 p.m. May 13, Libby City Hall, Ponderosa Room. Lectures, demonstrations, informational booths. Free and everyone is welcome to attend.

3 Humane Society of Northwest Montana orientation meeting 10:30 a.m. May 13, 3499 U.S. 93 N., Kalispell. Call 752-PAWS (7297).

3 Columbia Falls High School Key Club hosts an afternoon of fun and stories 2 to 4 p.m., May 13, Columbia Falls branch library. Call 892-5919.

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 Lakeside/Somers Chamber of Commerce county commissioner candidate forum, 6 p.m. May 15, Lakeside Chapel, U.S. 93, Lakeside.

3 Dr. Steven Edelman, founder of Taking Control of Your Diabetes, discusses what has been learned with the program over the past 10 years, 6-8:30 p.m. May 15, The Summit. Free and open to public. Refreshments served. Call 751-4500.

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.

Meet John Weaver, candidate for Flathead County Sheriff, 5-7 p.m. May 16, Swan River Community Hall, 115 Swan River Road, Bigfork, opposite Echo Lake Cafe.

3 Health and Beauty Fair for women and girls 6:30 9.m. May 16, North Valley Baptist Church, 1750 Talbot Road, Columbia Falls. Program features products and services for a spring makeover and guest speaker Linda Sommerville of Bearcreek. Cost is $7 per person. 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.

3 Big Sky Bonsai Society meets at 7 p.m. May 16, at the Flathead County Library in Kalispell. "Bring your own tree" workshop. Free and the public is invited. Contact Jerry Meislik at 862-0387.

3 Flathead County Weed Control Department and Helena Flats Land Use Advisory Committee sponsor a seminar 7-9 p.m. May 16, Helena Flats School cafeteria. Bring in your weeds and grasses for identification and advice on control and re-vegetation. Door prizes.

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 Whitefish Chamber of Commerce Gone Fishin' 5-7 p.m., May 18, Glacier Outdoor Center, U.S. 2 East, West Glacier. Refreshments served. Door prizes and giveaways. Call 862-3501.

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 Rails to Trails trail clean-up May 20. Meet at 9 a.m. at Meridian trailhead to help clear trash and garbage on western segments. Call 257-1932.

3 Flathead Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited annual fundraising banquet and auction May 20, Grouse Mountain Lodge, Whitefish. No-host cocktails at 6 p.m. Tickets $35 and include dinner and one chance for a door prize. Everyone welcome. RSVP by May 18 by calling Rick Davenport at 212-0911, Dan Short at 755-6838 or Glen Anacker at 257-7125.

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 Spinal Cord Injury Support Group meets 2-4 p.m., The Summit. Guest speaker is Mary Straub of Yoga Therapy and Treatment.

3 Third annual Spring for Glacier fundraiser 5 p.m. May 26, Belton Chalet, West Glacier. Boat tours live entertainment, and live and silent auctions. Tickets $125 per person. Proceeds benefit Glacier Fund, Glacier Institute and Glacier National Park Associates. Call 888-5756 or 862-6110.

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 Alpine Artisans annual Loon and Fish Festival 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 27-28, Seeley Lake Community Hall, on Montana 83 at the north end of Seeley Lake. Original art by local artists, soup served in handcrafted bowls on Saturday. Lectures on outdoor topics, crafts demonstrations and nature walks.

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.