Today

Beginning today Church Drive will be closed to traffic from U.S. 93 to Prairie View Drive for approximately 30 days due to road reconstruction. Drivers are advised to seek alternative routes as follows: Stillwater Road to West Reserve Drive, and Prairie View Road to KM Ranch Road. Call Ed Toren of Schellinger Construction at 892-2188.

Some Flathead Electric Co-op customers may experience scattered, brief outages beginning this morning for about seven hours due to a house move; from McDowell Drive near Eagle Bend Golf Course, south onto Holt Drive, then north on Chapman Hill Road; traveling north to Montana 35, turning right on U.S. 2 East, then east onto Rose Crossing and north to 1030 Helena Flats Road.

Fair-Mont-Egan School board annual budget meeting at 7:30 a.m. in the school library.

Kalispell Women's Connection buffet luncheon 11:30 a.m., The New Outlaw Inn, Kalispell. Flowers by Hanson floral presentation. Guest speaker is Eileen Hume of Shelby. Cost is $12. RSVP to Pat at 844-2538 or Jan at 857-2467. Complimentary child care by reservation. Affiliated with Stonecroft International Inc.

Evergreen School District board meets at noon in the administration building boardroom.

Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m., KRMC, Kalispell.

Evergreen School District board meets at noon in the administration building boardroom.

Somers School District board facilities planning work session, 6 p.m.; followed by regular meeting 7 p.m., Somers Middle School.

Red Cross certified course in infant and child CPR, 6:30 p.m., Kalispell Service Center, 126 N. Meridian Road. Call 752-6433 to register.

Northwest Montana Fair today through Aug. 19, Flathead County Fairgrounds. Carnival, concerts, today and Aug. 15; rodeo, Aug. 16-18 7:30 p.m.; parade 10 a.m. Aug. 17; Indian relay races Aug., 18; demolition derby, Aug. 19.

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

School District 5 and Flathead High School district board meets at 6 p.m., Kalispell Middle School Library Media Center.

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

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

Wednesday

Children's Story Hour, 10:30 a.m. in the children's department of the Flathead County Library in Kalispell, 247 First Ave. E. Call 758-5822.

Brunch is offered the public at 11:30 a.m., Columbia Falls Community Room, Nucleus Avenue, Columbia Falls. Hungry Horse News editor/photographer gives a nature presentation. Guest speaker is Eileen Hume of Shelby. Cost $7.50 per person. Free child care by reservation. Call Candy at 387-4119, or Janet at 892-3621.o Sponsored by the Columbia Falls Women's Connection and Stonecroft.

Kalispell Toastmasters Civil Discourse meeting at noon at First National Bank, 85 Main St., Kalispell, on pro and cons on impact of universal health care. Free. Call 755-4884.

Red Cross blood drive, 2-5 p.m., at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Sponsored by D.A. Davidson.

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

Flathead County Library board meets at 3 p.m. at the Flathead County Library meeting room, Kalispell. Contact Kim Crowley, library director, at 758-5826.

Lincoln Conservation District meets 4-7 p.m. Plum Creek Timber Co. conference room, Libby.

Flathead Outdoor Club hikes to Boundary Trail in the park; Meet at 5:30 p.m. at rock shop in Columbia Heights to carpool to trailhead. Call Mike Spence, 857-2599.

Olduvai Forum meets 7 p.m., Clementine's, 265 Bridge St., Bigfork. Coffee and tea provided. The film, "Kilowatt Ours," will be shown which examines the coal-fired electric industry. All welcome. Call Edmund Fitzgerald, 837-5548; or Jeffrey Funk, 837-4208.

Thought

"Home is any four walls that enclose the right person."

-Helen Rowland, American writer, journalist and humorist (1876-1950).

Returning musicians Jacqueline Fallon, Kim Hannon, Megan Slater, Michael Boreson, and Brian Merseal perform at 7 p.m., Kalispell Regional Medical Center Lobby. Public invited.

Whitefish Garden Club invites the public to visit two members' gardens, 7 p.m.; the first at 307 Blanchard Hollow. Meet at 6:30 p.m. at Whitefish Library; or call Shirley Rogers at 863-9113 or 270-9846 for directions.

Thursday

Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., Libby VFW.

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.

Hockaday Museum of Art hosts "Poems Across the Big Sky," 6-8 p.m., a catered reception, poetry reading and book signing with Montana poets Lowell Jaeger, Roger Dunsmore and Mark Gibbons. Members free; nonmembers $10; $5 with student ID. Call 755-5268.

West Shore Community Library Chapter 6 event and fundraiser, 6:30-9:30 p.m., Best Western White Oak Hotel, Somers. Silent and live auctions of arts and crafts, wine and microbrew tastings, food by West Shore restaurants. Call Kim, 857-2402, for ticket information.

Artists and Craftsmen of the Flathead meet at 7 p.m., Eagles, 37 First St. Applications for Christmas show accepted. Guests welcome.

Friday

Indoor Nu-2-U rummage sale 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Buffalo Hill terrace, 40 Claremont St. Take U.S. 93 to Conway Drive (near KRMC). Turn right on Claremont. New and uses items, cinnamon rolls and coffee. Proceeds benefit Resident Association.

Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

Montana Dahlia Society Flower Show will be open today through Aug. 19 during Northwest Montana Fair hours, in the flower building.

Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., Kalispell Elks Club.

Saturday

Polson Fly-in, Polson City Airport. Pancake breakfast 8 a.m. Lunch 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wide range of aircraft, classics, antiques and experimental on display. Skydivers offer tandem jumps. Open to public.

23rd annual Soroptimist Wine Festival 7-10 p.m., Polson City Airport, following Fly-in. Tickets $30 per person. Call 883-2668 or 800-845-4251 to reserve.

Sunday

Glacier National Park Reunion Picnic for employees, retirees, park friends, 1 p.m., park headquarters community building. Potluck dinner 2 p.m. Bring a main dish, salad or dessert. Service ware furnished. Bring own drinks for before dinners. Program on Glacier's wolverines, by U.S. Forest Service employee Rick Yates. Call 888-7901.

Monday

Lakeside/Somers Schools new student enrollment is 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. today through Aug. 23, at both schools. Call 857-3301.

Children's Story Hour, 10:30 a.m. in the children's department of the Flathead County Library in Kalispell, 247 First Ave. E. Call 758-5822.

Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Stillwater Free Lutheran Church, Kalispell.

Flathead County Animal Advisory Committee meets noon to 1:30 p.m., Conference Room B. Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell.

Red Cross certified adult CPR course, 6:30 p.m., Kalispell Service Center, 126 N. Meridian Road. Call 752-6433 to register.

Pianist George Winston performs 7:30 p.m., Christian Center, Kalispell. All proceeds benefit Flathead Food Bank. Bring non-perishable food items. Tickets $15 at food bank, Christian Center, all First Interstate Bank locations, Edward Jones in Columbia Falls, and Mitchell, Deaton & Associates in Bigfork. Call Lori Botkin, 752-3663.

A Look Ahead

Red Cross blood drive, 2-5 p.m., Aug. 21m Eidsvold Lutheran Church, Somers.

Red Cross certified standard first aid course, 6:30 p.m. Aug. 21, Kalispell Service Center, 126 North Meridian Road. Call 752-6433 to register.

Big Sky Bonsai Society meets at 7 p.m., Aug. 21, Flathead County Library in Kalispell. Bring your own tree for expert help. Free. Public invited. Contact Jerry Meislik at 862-0387.

Children's Story Hour, 10:30 a.m. Aug. 22, in the children's department of the Flathead County Library in Kalispell, 247 First Ave. E. Call 758-5822.

Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Aug. 22, in the blood mobile, Meadow Lake Resort, Columbia Falls.

Flathead Citizens for Paved Roads meets 7:30 p.m., Aug. 22, 578 Creston Road. Call Noel, 756-8854.

AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 23; and 1-5 p.m. Aug. 24, Bigfork Senior Center. $10 course fee. Call 837-4157 to register.

Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Aug. 23, in the blood mobile, Starbucks and Wells Fargo, Kalispell.

Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Aug. 24, in the blood mobile, Borders Books.

Car seat clinic 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 25, Kalispell City Fire Station 62, behind Costco, 255 W. Reserve Loop. Free. Call 758-7763.

Eighth annual Mash Bash, Aug. 24, North Valley Hospital north parking lot., 1600 Hospital Way, Whitefish. Happy hour and helicopter fly-in 6 p.m.; dancing to Don Lawrence Orchestra 8 p.m. Silent auction. Tickets $65 each. Call 863-3630.

Lone Pine State Park hosts Raptor Day Aug. 25 at the picnic shelter. Morning bird walk, 8 a.m.; family walk 10 a.m.; Chris Peterson of Hungry Horse News gives a presentation, "What's a Raptor," noon; Montana Audubon's Steve Hoffman gives a presentation at 2 p.m.; falconer Ralph Rogers gives a live peregrine falcon presentation at 4 p.m.; Denver Holt, found of Owl Institute, gives an owl presentation at 6 p.m. Free; $5 parking fee for nonresidents. Call Melissa Sladek, 751-4589.

Scrapbooking class noon to 4 p.m., Aug. 25, FVCC Eagle's Nest. Call Joyce Workman at 755-4922. All are welcome.

3 New Glacier Geographic Magazine debut and reception 4-8:30 p.m. Aug. 25, Montana House, Apgar Village, Glacier Park. Public invited. Call 862-6110.

Chili and wing cook-off to benefit the Flathead Veterans Memorial, Aug. 25, Bulldog, The New Outlaw Inn, Kalispell. Call Rachel Starr, 756-8160.

Muscular Dystrophy Association motorcycle poker run fundraiser Aug. 25. Check-in 9-10:30 a.m. Montana Harley Davidson, 2480 U.S. 93 S., Kalispell. Riders will cross path of MTHD riders from Missoula in Hot Springs. Silent auction and post ride festivities, Grizzly Jack's, Bigfork. Entry forms available at all motorcycle dealerships; or call 257-7151; or log on to missoulachapterhog.com.

Whitefish Lake Swim Aug. 26, Whitefish City Beach. One-mile swim for ages 18 and olde; check-in 8 a.m., race 9:15 a.m. Half-mile swim for 17 and under; check-in 8:30 a.m., race 9:45 a.m. Call Jonnette Sibson, 862-8019.

Museums and Music: A Festival of Culture Aug. 26, Kalispell. Hockaday Museum of Art, Conrad Mansion and Museum at Central School will all offer free admission. Live music at all venues. Art and food booths. Call 755-2166, 755-5268 or 756-8381.

Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Aug. 27, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Root beer float day.

AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 27-28, St. John's Lutheran Hospital, Libby. $10 course fee. Call 406-293-0100 to register.

Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., Aug. 28, Eureka Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Red Cross certified course in infant and child CPR, 6:30 p.m. Aug. 28, Kalispell Service Center, 126 N. Meridian Road. Call 752-6433 to register.

North Fork Landowners' Association business meeting and annual election of officers, 7 p.m. Aug. 28, Sondreson Community Hall, (North Fork Road at Whale Creek).

Red Cross blood drive for Lake County employees, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Aug. 29, Polson.

Red Cross blood drive, noon to p.m., Aug. 30 Calvary Lutheran Church.

Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Aug. 31 at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Root beer float day.

19th annual Bigfork Ducks Unlimited Banquet, 6 p.m. Sept. 6, Brumar Estate, Bigfork. Tickets $50, $75 couple, includes dinner and one year membership and raffle entry for new gun. Call John Robinson, 837-7362.

St. Luke Foundation's seventh annual dinner fundraiser, 6 p.m. Sept. 7, Ronan Community Center. Vigilante Theatre Company presents "Murder at Lone Wolf Ranch." Silent auction. Limited seating. Tickets $50 each, advance purchase only. Call Paula Gillette, 406-258-5324.

Nature Energy Universe (NEU) hosts a Body, Mind and Spirit Fair, Sept. 8-9, Red Lion Hotel Kalispell. Health consultation, rejuvenation technologies, yoga, feng shui, massage workshops and videos and more. Call Barb and Mike Thomas, 406-227-8401.

Public is invited to a free community lecture 7:30 a.m., Sept. 11, Pathways Treatment Center, 200 Heritage Way, Kalispell. Topic is "Roots of Love and Violence: Neurobiology of Attachment."

26th annual Flathead Quilters Guild Common Threads with Asian Influence quilt show Sept. 21-23, Flathead County Fairgrounds, Kalispell. Hours 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 21-22; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 23. Raffles, merchant mall, food, silent auction, members' boutique, and quilts for sale. Admission $3. All welcome.

Competitive trail horseback riding poker run Sept. 30. Call Chris Degenhardt, 257-7424.

Seeley Lake Tamarack Festival Oct. 13-14. Arts and crafts fair, live entertainment, fun run, bike tour. Call 406-677-2880.

Wednesday

Second Street West from Main Street to First Avenue West will be closed beginning at 7 p.m. today for road construction. It will re-open on Thursday, Aug. 9. Call Meredith Construction, 752-4200.

Bigfork Farmers Market is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Flathead V8 Car Museum. Call 755-0650.

Flathead City-County Board of Health meets 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., second floor conference room of the Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W. Kalispell.

Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m., in the blood mobile, Lowe's. Qdoba lunch coupon to donors.

Flathead Suicide Prevention Coalition meets 3-4 p.m., Flathead City-County Health Department conference room, Kalispell. Program includes "The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention," and a National Survivors of Suicide DVD. Call Joan Schmidt, 871-1008.

Kalispell Senior Citizens business meeting and potluck supper, 5 p.m., Kalispell Senior Center, 403 Second Ave. W. Bring a potluck dish or $3 toward meal. All area seniors welcome. Call 257-1598.

Flathead Civil War Roundtable meets 7 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. New members welcome. Call Ron Juno, 862-2239.

Thursday

Second Street West from Main Street to First Avenue West will be closed beginning at 7 p.m. today for road construction. It will re-open on Thursday, Aug. 9. Call Meredith Construction, 752-4200.

Bigfork Farmers Market is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Flathead V8 Car Museum. Call 755-0650.

Flathead City-County Board of Health meets 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., second floor conference room of the Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W. Kalispell.

Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m., in the blood mobile, Lowe's. Qdoba lunch coupon to donors.

Flathead Suicide Prevention Coalition meets 3-4 p.m., Flathead City-County Health Department conference room, Kalispell. Program includes "The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention," and a National Survivors of Suicide DVD. Call Joan Schmidt, 871-1008.

Kalispell Senior Citizens business meeting and potluck supper, 5 p.m., Kalispell Senior Center, 403 Second Ave. W. Bring a potluck dish or $3 toward meal. All area seniors welcome. Call 257-1598.

Flathead Civil War Roundtable meets 7 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. New members welcome. Call Ron Juno, 862-2239.

Friday

Columbia Falls Heritage Days today through Sunday. Kick off 9 a.m. Nucleus Avenue. Family activities, food vendors, craft fair. Boogie to the Bank 5K and 10K walk/run 8 a.m. July 28. Call Mary Hilton, 751-4774; 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, 8 a.m. to noon July 28. Call 892-0681; parade, noon, July 28, Nucleus Avenue. Call Gayle Reeves, 892-3057.

Car seat clinic sponsored by Kalispell Fire Department and The Summit and Safe Kids Coalition, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Kalispell Fire Station 62, 255 W. Reserve Dr., behind Costco. Child safety seats will be inspected by a certified child passenger safety technician. Free.

Glacier Park Fund open house and birthday celebration 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wisconsin Ave., Whitefish. Refreshments, door prizes. A portion of proceeds from on site vendors will go toward fund, benefiting Glacier National Park.

Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m., in the blood mobile, Qdoba Restaurant. Qdoba lunch coupon to donors.

Boomers Singles Group dinner, Village Greens Community Center, W. Nicklaus Ave., Kalispell. Social hour, 6 p.m.; dinner buffet 7 p.m.; meeting 8 p.m. Reservations required. RSVP to Marla, 752-1467. All 40-plus singles welcome.

Annual WAEA auction and barbecue 5-8 p.m., behind Columbia Bar, Columbia Falls.

Columbia Falls High School Class of 1967 40th reunion today through Sunday during Heritage Days. Call Cyndy Gochanour Deist, 755-3942; or Gail Shay Linne, 892-1935.

Columbia Falls High School Class of 1977 30th reunion today and Sunday during Heritage Days. No-host social 6-9 p.m. tonight. Barbecue 6 p.m. Sunday, 136 Larch Hill Dr. Call Jim Cheff, 892-3682.

Flathead High School Class of 1957 reunion registration 6:30 p.m. Central School Museum.

Fourth annual "Convocation of Eagles" Native American Christian-style prayer and worship gathering, today through Sunday, 455 Covill Lane, Columbia Falls. Talking circles, workshops, songs and dancing, evening meals. Call 892-1355.

Co-event, Fourth annual "Convocation of Eagles" Native American Christian-style prayer and worship gathering, 7 p.m. today and Saturday, Headwaters Church, 5600 U.S. 93 S. Call 862-6843.