Today

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., Miracle of America Museum, Polson.

3 Flathead County Solid Waste District board meets 5 p.m. at the landfill office.

3 Wellness Education Center's Healthy Potluck Supper, 5:30-6:30 p.m., 103 Ponderosa Lane, Kalispell. Families welcome. Bring a healthy dish to share. Jaime Anderson gives a healthy dessert seminar, 6:30-9 p.m. Call the Wellness Center at 755-8423.

3 Kila School board meets at 5:30 p.m. at the school.

3 Red Cross certified course in Adult CPR, 6:30 p.m. at the office, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 Lakeside Community Council meets 7 p.m., Water Works building, Bierney Creek Road. Open to public.

3 Evergreen Business and Property Owner's Association meets at 7 p.m., Evergreen Fire Hall, 2236 U.S. 2 E., Kalispell. Public invited.

Wednesday

3 The Flathead City-County Health Department will hold a flu-shot clinic from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 1035 First Ave. W. in Kalispell.

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, noon to 4 p.m., Glacier National Park.

3 Red Cross certified course in First Aid Basics, 6:30 p.m., at the office, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 Greater Wood Bay Wastewater Project public meeting 7 p.m., Bethany Lutheran Church, Bigfork. Results of preliminary engineering review will be discussed and open for public comment. Call 837-1102.

Thursday

3 AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today and Dec. 1, Trinity Lutheran Church, Kalispell. $10 course fee. Call 257-5683 register.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Bigfork High School.

3 Dr. Matt Bailey gives a free PowerPoint presentation on wrist injuries, 7 p.m., North Valley Hospital Lake Room. Call 863-3630.

3 Kalispell Senior Citizens business meeting and potluck supper, 5 p.m., Kalispell Senior Center, 403 Second Ave. W. Bingo after potluck. All area seniors welcome. Call 257-1598.

3 Flathead Mothers of Multiples meet 6-8 p.m., 519 Rocky Cliff Dr., Kalispell. Moms of twins, triplets and quadruplets welcome. Bring a craft. Call Tamara Adams, 755-5389.

Friday

3 Boomers Singles Group dinner, Red Lion Hotel Kalispell, Fireside Lodge. Social hour, 6 p.m.; dinner buffet 7 p.m.; meeting 8 p.m. RSVP Susan, 756-9771; or Terry, 314-4044 All welcome.

3 Columbia Falls Night of Lights, downtown Whitefish. Parade 6:30 p.m., call 892-6816; Children's Holiday Village, Marantette Park. Craft fair, North Valley Community Center, call 892-2072.

3 Kalispell Art Walk and Christmas Stroll 5-9 p.m., downtown Kalispell. Trolley and shuttle rides also available from Kalispell Center Mall. Community Spirit Monument tile-making 5-8 p.m. at the Hockaday, $5 donation requested. Valley Voices Community Choir sings from 6-7 p.m. on the Hockaday steps. Call Hockaday Museum of Art, 302 Second Ave. E., 755-5268.

3 Kalispell Elks Lodge semi-formal Christmas Party. Door prizes, raffles, Chinese gift exchange. Cocktails, 5:30 p.m.; dinner 7 p.m. Tickets $20, includes hors d' oeuvres, prime rib dinner and dancing. RSVP 257-6474 by Nov. 26.

3 "Mystical, Magical Christmas" today and Saturday, Eureka. Parade of Lights 6 p.m., followed by annual tree lighting, luminaria walk on the Riverwalk, tonight; Holiday bazaars, Christmas stroll on Main Street, Christmas matinee of "Snow Day" at 10 a.m. and noon, and Christmas Ball, all Saturday. Call Eureka Chamber of Commerce, 889-4636.

Saturday

3 Joy of Christmas Bazaar, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., United Methodist Church, 117 Second St. W., Columbia Falls. Cinnamon rolls, Christmas cookies, lefse, pasties and crafts for sale. Lunch will be available.

3 Lakeside Holidayfest, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Lakeside School gym. Kitchen open all day. Arts, crafts, gifts, music, food, raffles. Silent auctions from noon to 3 p.m. Live auction begins at 1 p.m. Kids portraits with Santa 9-11 a.m. Kids only market. Festival of Flavors opens at noon. Sample food from area restaurants. Free admission. Call 844-3880.

Thought

"Happiness is a sort of atmosphere you can live in sometimes when you're lucky. Joy is a light that fills you with hope and faith and love." n Adela Rogers St. Johns, American journalist (1894-1988).

3 Sons of Norway Lodge annual Christmas craft and bake sale, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 603 S. Main St., Kalispell. Lefse, Icelandic pancakes, baked goods, gifts. Lutefisk lunch by Norskstar. Call Donna Harbin, 837-4700; or Pat Phillips, 257-2537.

3 St. Peter Lutheran Church Christmas Bazaar, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 201 Wisconsin Ave., Whitefish. Baked goods, crafts, Christmas items. Proceeds go to children's camp scholarships and world relief. Call 862-3008 or 862-6999.

3 Whitefish photographer Chuck Haney signs copies of his latest book, "Big Sky Barns, noon to 3 p.m., Borders Express, Kalispell Center Mall, Kalispell.

3 Glacier Nordic Ski Club annual fundraiser and potluck, 5:30 p.m., Rocky Mountain Lodge, Whitefish. Auction immediately follows dinner. Bring a potluck entree. Call Fred Longhart, 752-8976.

3 Glacier Country Avalanche Center eighth annual Snowball fundraiser, 6 p.m. Flanagan's Central Station, downtown Whitefish. Dinner, silent auction, raffles, live music by Broken Valley Roadshow. Advanced tickets $25 at Rocky Mountain Outfitter in Kalispell, Runner Up Sports in Whitefish; or $30 at the door.

Monday

3 NorthWestern Energy distributes free "starter" weatherization kits to its natural gas customers from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., North Valley Community Room, Columbia Falls. Call 1-800-823-5995.

A Look Ahead

3 Community meeting to assess children's needs in the Flathead Valley and children's legislation for 2007 Montana Legislature, 7:30-9 a.m. City/County Health Department, Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell. Sponsored by The Nurturing Center and Health Department. Call Susan Christofferson, 756-1414.

3 AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 5 and 7, The Summit, Kalispell. $10 course fee. Call 751-4500 to register.

3 Montana Department of Commerce and Gov. Brian Schweitzer invite the public to a meeting to discuss the direction of the state's tourism and recreation industry, 1-5 p.m. Dec. 5, Hampton Inn, 1140 U.S. 2 W.

3 Federal Aviation Administration's FAA Safety Team conducts a free workshop for certified and prospective flight instructors 6:30 p.m. Dec. 5, Edwards Jet Center conference room. FAA's video, "Back to Basics: Evaluation Judgment and Decision Making Skills" will be shown. Call Steven Jones, 1-800-457-9917, ext. 57.

3 Internationally acclaimed photographer Tom Ulrich presents his annual Wildlife Digital Slideshow featuring birds and other wildlife from Costa Rica and North America, 7 p.m. Dec. 5, Grouse Mountain Lodge, Whitefish. Tickets $5 at the door. Proceeds benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flathead County. Call 752-0092.

3 MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m. Dec. 6, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Silent auction fundraiser. Child care provided. Call 257-LOVE (5683).

3 Flathead County Republican Women 2006 Chocolate Extravaganza 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dec. 6, Bulldog Convention Center, WestCoast Outlaw Hotel. Tickets $17, includes luncheon; Call Pamala Kasperson, 837-4428; Ralene Sliter, 755-3998; or Caroline Solomon, 837-4525.

3 Kalispell Elks Lodge dinner to honor Frank Garner, Byron Guy and Jim Dupont Dec. 7. No-host cocktails, 6 p.m.; dinner 7 p.m. Tickets $15 available at lodge, 1820 U.S. 93 S. Call David Barnes, 752-4338.

3 Women of First Presbyterian Church host "Holiday Classics," a Christmas music program performed by Flathead High School Choralaires, 1:15 p.m. Dec. 7, church sanctuary, 540 S. Main St., Kalispell. All welcome. Call 752-7488.

Showcase of the Chefs benefit dinner wine tasting and auction for Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation, 6 p.m. Dec. 7, Grouse Mountain Lodge. Dinner features fare from six Whitefish chefs. Tickets $75 each. Call Kent Taylor, 862-6516 for reservations.

3 Civil Air Patrol, Flathead Composite Squadron meets 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 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 Internationally acclaimed photographer Tom Ulrich presents his annual Wildlife Digital Slideshow featuring birds and other wildlife from Costa Rica and North America, 7 p.m. Dec. 7, The Bulldog, WestCoast Outlaw Hotel, Kalispell. Tickets $5 at the door. Proceeds benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flathead County. Call 752-0092.

3 Dr. Patrick Cole and naturopath Lynn Troy present a free health lecture, "Stress Busters," 7-8:30 p.m. Dec. 7, Bridge Medical Center, 5938 U.S. 93 S., Whitefish. Tips on preventing holiday weight gain, finding emotional balance. Call 863-9300.

3 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Family History training workshop 7:30 p.m., Dec. 7, Kalispell Stake Center. Topic is "Learn How to Date Old Photographs." Public invited.

3 "Christmas with the Authors," 2-5 p.m. Dec. 8, Whitefish branch of the Flathead County Library, 9 Spokane Ave. Authors read from their books. Harpist Diane Dickerson performs. Refreshments. All authors welcome. Call 862-6657.

3 Whitefish Christmas Stroll, 5-9 p.m. Dec. 8, downtown. Music, craft vendors, horse drawn wagon rides, refreshments. Photo with Father Christmas available. Call 862-3501.

3 Contra Dance, Dec. 8, Northridge Lutheran Church, 323 Northridge Dr., Kalispell. Beginner's lesson is 7:30-8 p.m., dancing from 8-11 p.m. Live music by River City Ramblers from Spokane. Cost is $6 for adults; $3, teens; $12, families; 11 and younger, free. Call 758-7717 or Joe Fisher, 752-7469.

3 17th annual Christmas at Our House Dinner 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 9, National Guard Armory, 2989 U.S. 93 N., Kalispell. Free turkey and ham dinner with all the trimmings. Santa visits 1-3 p.m. Surplus military clothing available. For donations or details call, Maj. Mark Boettcher, 752-3101; Kevin Kasperson, 756-5959; Don Bogut, 752-1114.

3 2006 Holiday Fine Arts and Crafts Bazaar, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 9, Swan River Community Hall, Montana 83, across from Echo Lake Cafe, Bigfork. Original paintings, prints, cards, hand knit goods, jewelry, wind chimes and more. Refreshments.

3 Montana Woman Foundation and Glacier Wallflower wreath-making and centerpiece holiday seminar, 1 p.m. Dec. 9, Glacier Wallflower, No. 9 U.S. 2 E., Columbia Falls. Cost $50 for Foundation members, $60 for nonmembers. Proceeds benefit Montana Woman Scholarship Program. Call 755-5753.

3 Valley Voices Community Choir Christmas concert titled, "Sing Noel," 7 p.m. Dec. 9, Easthaven Baptist Church, 2010 Whitefish Stage Road, Kalispell. Flathead Valley Homeschool Choir Select Ensemble also performs. Folk, a cappella, Latin and traditional carols. All welcome. No charge. Free will offering. Reception immediately follows.

3 Whitefish Figure Skating club presents "Holiday Rhythms on Ice" 7 p.m. Dec. 9, Stumptown Ice Den, on Wisconsin Avenue, Whitefish Ashley Wold's Feat by Feet tap dancers also perform. Tickets $25 on-ice; $12 bleacher seats; $8 standing (7 and under are free for standing spaces). Call Jennifer Boye 862-6524; Carol Anderson, 862-7699; Jane Moody, 270-8861.

3 Flathead Mothers of Multiples invites parents and their twins, triplets or quadruplets to enjoy cookies and pictures with Santa, noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 10, Rocky Cliff Dr., Kalispell. Call Tamara Adams, 755-5389.

3 Red Cedar Circle meets for Pacific Northwest native people's stories, rituals and spiritual enlightenment, 5 p.m. Dec. 10, 1720 E. Second St., Whitefish. Call 863-9412 for directions. Call Jill Fanning for information, at 862-8070.

3 NorthWestern Energy distributes free "starter" weatherization kits to its natural gas customers from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 11, North Valley Community Room, Columbia Falls. Call 1-800-823-5995.

3 Flathead Audubon meets 7 p.m. Dec. 11, Community Room, The Summit, Kalispell. Susannah Casey gives a presentation on winter bird counts, in preparation for Bigfork Christmas bird count on Dec. 16. Free. All welcome.

3 Buffet luncheon 11:30 a.m., Dec. 12, Red Lion Hotel Kalispell. Program is "Singing a Merry Christmas." Holiday music. Guest speaker is Linda Chenard of Bigfork. 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 Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce annual Christmas luncheon, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., Dec. 12, North Valley Community Room, 235 Nucleus Ave. Entertainment by Columbia Falls High School Music Department. Program honors President Gary Sparr and board members, and Eagle Scout Weston Bartkoski. No reservations are required and lunch is available for $9. Call Carol Pike at 892-2072.

3 Swan River School board meets at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 12 in the school library.

3 Kila School board meets at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at the school.

3 Evergreen School District board meets at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 13 in the administration building boardroom.

3 Barry Schieber and his therapy dog, Moritz, visit Whitefish branch of Flathead County Library, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 13. Shieber reads from his new bood, "An Open Heart: A Story about Moritz." Call 862-6657. All welcome.

3 Flathead Outdoor Club meets 7 p.m. Dec. 13, Flathead County Library basement meeting room, Kalispell. Bonnie Eckert will talk about her group trip staying in a hostel operated by former Columbia Falls teachers, and hiking in the Chilean Andes. Coffee and tea served. Door prizes. Everyone welcome. Call Mike Spence, 857-2599.

3 AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 16, The Summit, Kalispell. $10 course fee. Bring a brown bag lunch. Call 751-4500 to register.

3 Creative Memories scrapbooking workshop 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 16, Eagles Nest, FVCC. Theme is "Getting Ready for Christmas." All welcome. Call Joyce Workman, 755-4922.

3 Horse Play Therapy, Learning and Healing Through Equines open house 3-6:30 p.m. Jan. 13, Palomino Pastures, 300 N. Somers Road, Kalispell. Raffle, 50/50 pot, refreshments, guest speakers. Call Alisha, 406-253-3761.