Today

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

3 City of Whitefish hosts an open house for 2007 bicycle/pedestrian trail projects, 5:30-7 p.m., City Council Chambers. Open to public. Call Karin Hildling, 863-2450.

3 Somers School District board Facilities Planning Work Session, 6 p.m.; followed by a regular board meeting at 7 p.m., Somers Middle School.

3 DREAM Adaptive Ski Program volunteer orientation, 7 p.m., Whitefish Library board room. Call 862-1817.

3 Big Sky Bonsai Society meets at 7 p.m., at the Flathead County Library in Kalispell. David Stordal lectures and demonstrates building a cement bonsai planting slab. Free and the public is invited. Contact Jerry Meislik at 862-0387.

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

3 Meeting for Hands On Place, an interactive children's museum coming to the Flathead Valley, 7 p.m. The Summit, Kalispell. All interested welcome. Call Courtney Rudbach, 756-7691.

Wednesday

3 AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today and Jan. 18, Heron Community Center. $10 course fee. Call 847-5585 to register.

3 MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m. Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Preschool fair. Learn about local area preschools. Child care provided. Call 257-LOVE (5683).

3 Brunch is offered the public at 9:30 a.m., Los Caporales, Nucleus Avenue, Columbia Falls. Theme is "Last Year's Leftovers." Guest speaker Mary Wallace will talk about starting the new year off right. Lorene Masters will talk about "Changing Costumes: Dressing for the Season of Life." Cost is $7.50 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.

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, 1-5 p.m., Kalispell Center Mall. All donors will be entered to win one of three $25 mall gift certificates. Call 751-5052 to schedule an appointment.

3 Lakeside County Water and Sewer District meets 2 p.m. at their meeting room, 253 Bierney Creek Road.

3 Lincoln Conservation District meets 4 p.m. Plum Creek Timber Company board room, Libby.

3 Northwest Montana Educational Cooperative offers training for current and future substitute teachers 5-8 p.m., West Valley School basement, 2290 Farm to Market Road, Kalispell. Bring your own dinner if you wish. Register by calling 752-3302.

3 Red Cross Infant and Child CPR certification training, 6:30 p.m., at the office, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 Olduvai Forum meets 7 p.m., Clementine's, near Sliter's Park in Bigfork. The film "The Future of Food" will be shown regarding GMO (genetically modified organism) foods, corporate seed control and future of food supply. Discussion will follow. No admission. Donations accepted to cover cost of evening building rental. Coffee and tea provided. All welcome. Call Edmund Fitzgerald, 837-5548.

3 Free Falun Dafa Quigong class, 7 p.m. community room of Kalispell branch of Flathead County Library. A self-cultivation meditation with gentle, easy exercises. Call Katherine Combes, 257-9798.

Thursday

3 Northwest Montana Educational Cooperative executive council meets 8:30-10 a.m. in the basement at West Valley School. Call 752-3302.

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m. Jan. 18, North Valley Hospital, Whitefish.

3 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.

3 Whitefish Chamber of Commerce Gone Fishin' 5-7 p.m., at The Wave. Refreshments served. Call 862-3501.

3 Diabetes Support Group information session 6-9 p.m., Hampton Inn, Spring Creek Room, 1140 U.S. W., Kalispell. Topic is "Managing Your Diabetes through the Use of an Insulin Pump and Continuous Glucose Monitoring." Free and open to public. Refreshments. Call Shelli Hilde, 755-3592 or 1-800-MINIMED (646-4633) Ext. 2788.

3 DREAM Adaptive Ski Program volunteer orientation, 7 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. Call 862-1817.

3 The Northwest Montana Fair board meets at 7 p.m. in the fairgrounds office.

Thought

"A fanatic is a man that does what he thinks the Lord would do if He knew the facts of the case." n Finley Peter Dunne, American humorist (1867-1936).

3 Human Rights Film Series presents "Life and Debt," a film about the tourism industry's and the International Monetary Fund's troubling effects on the local economy of developing countries such as Jamaica, 7 p.m., Kalispell branch of Flathead County Library, Community Room. Discussion to follow, led by Flathead County Commissioner and local dairy farmer Joe Brenneman. Free. All invited. Parental discretion advised.

3 Artists and Craftsmen of the Flathead meet 7 p.m. basement of the Eagles, 37 First St. W., Kalispell. 2007 memberships collected. Discussion of spring show. All crafters welcome. Call Sharon, 752-8404.

Friday

3 Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Home Depot employee drive.

Hockaday Museum invites interested adults to a training session for The Traveling Medicine Show educational trunks, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with Blackfeet artist Darnell Rides at the Door. To register, call Kathy Martin, 755-5268.

3 Glacier Country Pachyderm meet noon to 1 p.m., The Bulldog, Kalispell. Guest speakers are Sheriff Mike Meehand and Chief of Police Roger Nasset. Lunch $9. Open to public.

3 Polson Chamber of Commerce annual Banquet and Awards Ceremony, Best Western KwaTaqNuk Resort. Call Michelle, 883-5969.

3 Big Sky Astronomy Club meets at 7 p.m., at the West Valley fire station, 2412 Farm to Market Road. All welcome. Call Bruce at 857-3753 or Russ, 214-4248.

3 Avalanche Awareness Days kick-off event 7 p.m. Craggy Range, Whitefish. Presentations about backcountry skiing by local skiers. Beverages and appetizers available. Call 758-5295.

3 Whitefish Winter Carnival coronation of Prince Frey and Princess Freya, 7:15-7:30 p.m. Whitefish High School gym.

Saturday

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

3 AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, 8:30 to 11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. today and Jan. 22, Polson Area Senior Center. $10 course fee. Call 883-4735 to register.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Heritage of Faith Church, Polson.

3 Avalanche Awareness Days 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 20-21, Flathead National Forest and Glacier Country Avalanche Center, Big Mountain. Informational displays, videos, equipment demonstrations. Call 758-5295.

3 Humane Society of Northwest Montana Volunteer Orientation 10:30 a.m. at the Humane Society, 3499 U.S. 93 N., Kalispell. Call 752-PAWS.

3 Safe Sitter baby-sitting course for children 11-13, today and Jan. 27, The Summit, Kalispell. Pre-registration required. Call 751-4500.

3 Human Rights Film Series presents "Life and Debt," a film about the tourism industry's and the International Monetary Fund's troubling effects on the local economy of developing countries such as Jamaica, 2 p.m., Whitefish Branch Library Community Room. Free. All invited. Parental discretion advised.

3 Benefit for Thomas Kelly, 3 p.m., Rainbow Bar, 1520 Montana 35, Kalispell. Live and silent auctions for lumber, plywood units, 26 cubic foot side-by-side refrigerator, industrial storage building and more. Proceeds will go toward his expenses due to his Lou Gehrig's disease. Call Mary, 261-5140; or Cathy, 253-1504.

3 Whitefish Winter Carnival coronation of King Ullr XLVIII and Queen of the Snows, 7 p.m. Whitefish Moose Lodge.

Monday

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 Flathead County Democratic Women meet at 11:45 a.m., Red Lion Hotel Kalispell. Helen Pilling will present a program on recycling. Cost of luncheon $10. No reservations required. All welcome.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

3 American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR course, 6-10 p.m. today and Jan. 24, The Summit, Kalispell. Cost $85. Pre-registration required. Call 751-4500.

3 Glacier National Park Winter Speak Series presents biological technician Jamie Belt on "Common Loons and Citizen Science, 7 p.m., Museum at Central School, 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Free. Public welcome. Call 756-8992.

3 The Flathead Conservation District meets at 7 p.m., 141 Interstate Lane, behind JoAnn Fabrics, in Evergreen. Call 752-4220.

A Look Ahead

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m., Jan. 23, at the Elks, 1820 U.S. 93 S., Kalispell. Call David Barnes at 257-6474 for an appointment.

3 Flathead Building Association "Raise the Roof" public social, 5:30 p.m. Jan. 23, Anderson's Masonry, 16 Woodland Dr., Kalispell. Refreshments and raffles. Call 752-2422.

Flathead National Forest hosts an open house 4-7 p.m. Jan. 23, WestCoast Outlaw Hotel, Kalispell. Information about forest's strategy to manage recreation sites including campgrounds, cabins, trailheads, river access facilities, and more. Formal presentation, 5:30 p.m. Call 758-5252.

3 ETHIC, Encouraging The Homeownership Ideals for Communities, offers a Homebuyers Certified Education Course for new or experienced buyers on budgeting, credit, loan and mortgage types and more, 6 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 23, 25 and 30, FVCC. Registration fee $15 per household. For reservations call 756-3832.

3 Red Cross certified course in Adult CPR, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 23, at the office, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 Books and Knits, 7 p.m. Flathead County Library, Kalispell. Sit, knit and enjoy hot tea while librarians Jocelyne Bodden and Martha Furman recommend winter reading material. Call 758-5713.

3 Body Image 2007 presented by Linda Fredenberg, registered dietitian and Barbi Webber, motivational coach, Jan. 23. Learn skills for coping with stress, and nutritional awareness. Call The Summit, 751-4500.

3 Children's Story Hour is at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 24, in the children's department of the Flathead County Library in Kalispell, 247 First Ave. E. Call 758-5822.

3 Red Cross certified course in Standard First Aid, 6:30 p.m., Jan. 24, at the office, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 Free, no-obligation homebuyer workshop sponsored by the Flathead Home Team LLC., 6:30 p.m. Jan. 24, Whitefish Library Community Room. Seating is limited. Call 862-1000.

3 Human Rights Film Series presents "The Concrete Revolution," a film about the cost of creating "New China" for the 2008 Olympics, 7 p.m. Jan. 24, FVCC Blake Hall. Discussion to follow, lead by Richard Smith. Free. All invited. Parental discretion advised.

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m., Jan. 25, at the bloodmobile at Lowe's, Kalispell.

3 New Kalispell Toastmasters Club meets 6:30-7:30 p.m. Jan. 25, Perkins Restaurant. Public invited. Call Catherine, 755-4884.

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., Jan. 26, at the bloodmobile, Wal-Mart, Kalispell.

3 Whitefish Winter Carnival Skijoring competition, registration 5-8 p.m. Jan. 26, Blue Moon Bar; competition noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 27, Whitefish Airport; calcutta 6 p.m. The Remington; competitioni noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 28, Whitefish Airport, followed by awards ceremony.

3 Hockaday Museum in Kalispell hosts a ceremonial opening of the Traveling Medicine Show education trunks, 5:30-8 p.m. Jan. 26. Blackfeet artists will be on hand. Traditional food, dance and song. Members free; visitors, $5.

3 Screening of "The Education of Shelby Knox" a film that focuses on a Lubbock, Texas, teen's choices between sex education versus abstinence, 7 p.m. Jan. 26, KM Theater, Kalispell. Suggested donation $3.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Jan. 27, at the bloodmobile, Borders, Kalispell.

3 Human Rights Film Series presents "The Concrete Revolution," a film about the cost of creating "New China" for the 2008 Olympics, 2 p.m. Jan. 27, Whitefish Branch Library Community Room. Free. All invited. Parental discretion advised.

3 Whitefish Winter Carnival disco party, 9 p.m. Jan. 27, Bierstube, Big Mountain. Button required. $3 with disco clothes; prizes for best costume.

3 John White Lecture Series presents radio personality and journalist, G. George Ostrom on the topic, "Mining and Oil Exploration in Northwest Montana," 2 p.m., Jan. 28, Museum at Central School, 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Tickets $7.50 for museum members; $10 for non-members. Call 756-8381.

3 Red Cedar Circle meets 5:45 p.m. Jan. 28, at Donnalee's, 1720 Second. St. E., Whitefish. Potluck at 5 p.m. Healing through stories, ancient spiritual practices. All welcome. Call 863-9412.

3 AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 29 and 30, St. John's Lutheran Hospital, Libby. $10 course fee. Call 406-293-0100 to register.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 1-4 p.m., Jan. 29, West Valley School.

3 Flathead Family Planning Program "Growing Up Male Workshop" 5:30-8:30 p.m. Jan. 29, Flathead City-County Health Department, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell. Cost $20 per family includes dinner. Pre-registration required. Seating limited. Call 751-8150.

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., Jan. 30, Polson Methodist Church.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Jan. 31, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

3 Wells Fargo Home Mortgage First Home Workshop 5:30-6:16 p.m.; followed by Wealth Building Workshop 6:15-7 p.m. Jan. 31, South Field Tower, 1830 Third Ave. E., third floor conference room. Free. Call 756-4090.

3 Red Cross Infant and Child CPR certification training, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 31, at the office, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 Whitefish Winter Carnival Night of Stars 7:30 p.m. Feb. 2, The Lodge at Whitefish Lake. Tickets $35 at The Lodge and Whitefish Chamber of Commerce. Dinner, silent auction, live music by Swinging on High Band. Dress as your favorite movie start.

3 Whitefish Winter Carnival international hockey tournament, Feb. 2-3, Stumptown Ice Den. Call 863-2477.

3 Whitefish Winter Carnival Kiddie Carnival 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 3, Central School gym.

3 Whitefish Winter Carnival Golden Jammers play live music, noon to 3 p.m. Golden Agers Center. Lunch available.

3 Pengin Plunge 12:30 p.m. Feb. 3, City Beach on Whitefish Lake. Fundraiser for Special Olympics. Registration 10 a.m. Call Judy Gephart, 863-8888.

3 St. Charles Pie Social 1 p.m. Feb. 3, St. Charles Catholic Church.

3 Whitefish Winter Carnival Grand Parade, 3 p.m. Feb. 3, downtown Whitefish. To register, call Angie Meehand, 862-2652. Yeti Sk8 Jam follows parade. All ages welcome. Call 862-2208. Battle of the Bands, free live music in Whitefish taverns.

3 Whitefish Winter Carnival Torchlight Parade, 7 p.m. Feb. 3, Big Mountain.

3 Elks third annual Sportsman's Dinner, 7 p.m. Feb. 3, at the lodge, 1820 U.S. 93 S., Kalispell. Public welcome.

3 Whitefish Winter Carnival pancake breakfast, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Whitefish Moose Lodge. $6.

3 Whitefish Winter Carnival Nordic Ski Race, 1 p.m. Feb. 4, Whitefish Lake Golf Course.

3 The Glacier Stamp Club meets in the basement meeting room of the Flathead County Library, Kalispell. Stamp trading and talk begin at 7 p.m. Feb. 5; the regular meeting and election of offficers at 7:30 p.m. Visitors are welcome. Call Gail Long, 752-6110.

3 Human Rights Film Series presents "Saz: The Palestinian Rapper for Change," about the budding hip-hop star who grew up in a Jewish neighborhood, 7 p.m., Feb. 8, Kalispell branch of Flathead County Library, Community Room. Free. All invited. Parental discretion advised.

3 Human Rights Film Series presents "Saz: The Palestinian Rapper for Change," about the budding hip-hop star who grew up in a Jewish neighborhood, 2 p.m., Feb. 10, Whitefish Branch Library Community Room. Free. All invited. Parental discretion advised.

3 Whitefish Winter Carnival Ice Skating Extravaganza "Movie Stars on Ice," 7 p.m. Feb. 10, Stumptown Ice Den. Call 862-3501.

3 Red Cedar Circle meets 5:45 p.m. Feb. 11, at Donnalee's, 1720 Second. St. E., Whitefish. Potluck at 5 p.m. Healing through stories, ancient spiritual practices. All welcome. Call 863-9412.

3 Horse Play Therapy, Learning and Healing Through Equines open house 3-5:30 p.m., Feb. 17, Palomino Pastures, 300 N. Somers Road, Kalispell. Raffle, 50/50 pot, refreshments, guest speakers. Call Alisha, 406-253-3761.

3 Human Rights Film Series presents "Mohawk Girls," which traces the life of three teens who grew up on the Kahnawake Native Reserve, 7 p.m., Feb. 21, FVCC Blake Hall. Free. All invited. Parental discretion advised.

3 Human Rights Film Series presents "Mohawk Girls," which traces the life of three teens who grew up on the Kahnawake Native Reserve, 2 p.m., Feb. 24, Whitefish Branch Library Community Room. Free. All invited. Parental discretion advised.

3 Glacier National Park Winter Speak Series presents Kate Kendall, research biologist and project leader for the Northern Divide Grizzly Bear Project on "Results of the Northern Divide Grizzly Bear Project-Part 3, "Results of the Northern Divide Grizzly Bear Project-Part 3." 7 p.m. Feb. 26, Museum at Central School, 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Free. Public welcome.

3 Center for Restorative Youth Justice volunteer training Feb. 28-29. Call 257-7400.

Big Brother Big Sisters Select Dinner and Auction, March 3. Call 752-0092.

3 Human Rights Film Series presents the Emmy-winning documentary, "Lost Boys of Sudan," 7 p.m., March 8, Flathead County Library, Kalispell. Free. Discussion to follow, lead by Jocelyne Bodden, public services librarian. All invited. Parental discretion advised.

3 Human Rights Film Series presents the Emmy-winning documentary, "Lost Boys of Sudan," 2 p.m., March 10, Whitefish Branch Library Community Room. Free. All invited. Parental discretion advised.

3 Human Rights Film Series presents "Maggie Growls," about the founder of the Gray Panthers, the nation's leading senior advocacy organization, 2 p.m., March 17, Whitefish Branch Library Community Room. Free. All invited. Parental discretion advised.

3 Human Rights Film Series presents "Maggie Growls," about the founder of the Gray Panthers, the nation's leading senior advocacy organization, 7 p.m., March 21, FVCC Blake Hall. Free. All invited. Parental discretion advised.

3 Glacier National Park Winter Speak Series presents a program on "Rare Plants in Glacier National Park" with park ecologist Tara Carolin, 7 p.m. March 26, Museum at Central School, 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Free. Public welcome.