Today

3 AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 6 and 8, The Summit, Kalispell. $10 course fee. Call 751-4500 to register.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Polson High School.

3 Helena Flats School board meets to discuss a bond sale, noon, office of the District Clerk.

3 Columbia Falls Relay for Life for American Cancer Society kick-off celebration 4-7 p.m., Columbia Falls High School; spaghetti dinner 5 p.m., $5 per person, $20 per family. All proceeds go to American Cancer Society. Team registration $75 until March 13, then $100. Call Kathy Emerson, 862-7914; or Dina Pomper, 755-7004.

3 School District 5 and Flathead High School district board work session at 5 p.m., Kalispell Junior High School Library Media Center.

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 Somers School board Facilities Planning Work Session, 7 p.m. at Somers Middle School.

3 Flathead Valley Community College 2007 Honors Symposium Series presents sociology instructor Debra Miller on the topic "Fractured Fairy Tales"at 7 p.m., Red Lion Hotel, Kalispell. Free. Seating limited. Public welcome. Call 756-3822.

Wednesday

3 MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m. Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. 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, noon to 4 p.m., Glacier Park Education Building.

3 Flathead County Planning board work session to review Draft Flathead County Subdivision Regulations, 6 p.m., Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell, second floor conference room. Open to public. Call 751-8200.

3 Flathead Chapter of the Montana Native Plant Society meets 7 p.m., at the Flathead County Library meeting room in Kalispell. Bill McClaren, Terry Divoky and Joyce Lapp give a panel presenting on "Native Plant Gardening." General meeting at 5:30 p.m. Free and public is welcome. Call Jen Asebrook, 863-9630.

3 Radical Reels film festival featuring Banff Mountain Festival films, 7 p.m., Flathead High School auditorium. Tickets $10, available at Sportsman and Ski Haus, Runner Up Sports. Fundraiser for Flathead Nordic Ski Patrol.

3 11th annual Nurturing Center playhouse raffle begins today at the Kalispell Center Mall. Drawing will be held 3 p.m. April 7. Call 756-1414.

Thursday

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., Troy Methodist Church.

3 Flathead County Republican Central Committee meets at noon at the Bulldog.

3 Flathead County Fair board meets 6 p.m., fairgrounds office.

3 Museum at Central School History Book Club meets 6:30 p.m., 124 Second Ave. E. in Kalispell. Topic is Crow elder Alma Hogan Snell's book, "Grandmother's Grandchild: My Crow Indian Life." All welcome. Call 756-8381.

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

3 Whitefish Middle School drama club presents "Death by Dessert," 7:30 p.m. today and Friday, in the school cafeteria. Cost $5 adults; $4 students and seniors, and includes dessert and beverage. Tickets available in advance at school office or at door.

3 Lakeside Advisory Committee meets at 8 p.m., Lakeside Community Chapel.

Friday

3 Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

3 Flathead Chapter of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees meets at noon, Buffalo Hill Terrace, 40 Clairmont St., Kalispell. Lunch is $7.50. For reservations, call Bill Driver at 837-2744.

3 12 annual Flathead Food Bank Soup Supper, 5:30-7 p.m., Northridge Lutheran Church, 323 Northridge Dr., Kalispell. Tickets $20 each available at Kalispell pantry, 105 Sixth Ave. W. Call Lori Botkin, 752-3663.

3 "Teens Take Over" event 7-10 p.m., Flathead County Main Library, Kalispell. Teens ages 12 to 18 can work on the computers, while enjoying music and food as part of Teen Tech Week of American Library Association. Side door on Third Street will be unlocked from 7-7:30 p.m. Call Martha Furman, 758-5713.

Thought

"Le sens commun n'est pas si commun." (Common sense is not so common.) n Voltaire, French author and philosopher (1694-1778).

Saturday

3 72nd annual Flathead Lake Cherry Growers horticultural meeting, Yellow Bay Community Clubhouse, on Montana 35 at mile marker 18. Registration and refreshments 8-9 a.m. followed by presentations until mid-afternoon. Keynote speaker, Norm Gutzwiler, Washington State "Good Fruit Grower of the Year." Lunch included. Cost $15 for members; $20 for nonmembers. Call 406-982-3069 or the Ronan Extension office, 406-676-4271.

3 21st annual Ronan Women's Club Arts, Crafts and Flea Market, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Ronan Community Center. Lunch available. Silent auction. Easter gifts, antiques, furniture, Native American handmade crafts. Call Alice, 406-676-5079. Proceeds benefit club community projects.

3 Rocky Mountain Rollers Good Sams Club meets at noon, Evergreen Fire Hall. Menu features spaghetti with meat sauce and garlic bread. Bring a salad or dessert, own table service, and items for food bank. Business meeting follows. For reservations, call 755-4280 or 752-4509.

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

3 Fifth annual Tobacco Valley Friends of NRA banquet and fundraiser, 5:30 p.m., Lincoln County Fairgrounds, Eureka. Advance tickets only, $25 per person, tax deductible, and available at Northwest Sports Center, Eureka.

3 Battle of the Bands, 7-11 p.m., Whitefish Armory. Advance tickets $5 at City Brew, or $7 at the door. Fundraiser for Whitefish High School Band. Call Mark, 862-8600, ext. 420.

3 Dodge, Dive and Duck dodgeball tournament, Kalispell Junior High School. Call Cara, 758-7965.

Monday

3 Montana Congressman Denny Rehberg's representative Keli McQuiston holds traveling office hours, 1 p.m., Troy City Hall, 301 E. Kootenai Ave.

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

3 Montana Congressman Denny Rehberg's representative Keli McQuiston holds traveling office hours, 3 p.m. Libby Memorial Center, 111 E. Lincoln Blvd.

3 FVCC multicultural event on "Eritrea, Ethiopia and Kenya: Tales and Images by Lucy Smith," 6 p.m., Blake Hall. Free. Public welcome.

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

3 Flathead Audubon meets 7 p.m. at The Summit, Kalispell. Photographer Jan Wassink will show his memorable shots from "30 Years of Wildlife Photography." Free and all are welcome.

A Look Ahead

3 Public is invited to a free community lecture about the Flathead Suicide Prevention Coalition and QPR by guest speaker Joan Schmidt, executive director of Youth Service Network, 7:30 a.m., March 13, Pathways Treatment Center, 200 Heritage Way, Kalispell.

3 Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce membership luncheon, noon to 1 p.m. March 13, North Valley Community Room, 235 Nucleus Ave. Guest speakers Amy Vanderbilt of Glacier Park and Cheryl Talley of Eagle Transit will discuss new transportation opportunities. No reservations are required and lunch is available for $9. Call Carol Pike at 892-2072.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., March 13, Trinity Lutheran Church, Kalispell.

3 Flathead Municipal Airport Authority meets at 4 p.m., March 13, airport manager's office, Glacier Park International Airport.

3 Kila School board meeting 5:30 p.m. March 13.

3 Swan River School board meets at 5:30 p.m. March 13 in the school library.

3 Mission Mountain Audubon presents a program on "The Birds of Madagascar" by Caleb Lashway and Gary Swant, 7 p.m. March 13, Polson City Library Meeting Room. Free and everyone is welcome.

3 Smith Valley School board meets at 7 p.m. March 13, at the Intermediate School.

3 Back Country Horsemen of the Flathead meet at 7:30 p.m., March 13, Fish, Wildlife and Parks Building, 490 N. Meridian Road. Public welcome. Call Don at 862-6955.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., March 14, Libby High School.

3 Kalispell Relay for Life for American Cancer Society kick-off 5:30-7 p.m. March 14, Kalispell Regional Medical Center. Food, refreshments, prizes. Tours of the cancer treatment center. Call Joni McKiernan, 261-0184.

3 Evergreen School District board meets at 6:30 p.m. March 14, in the administration building boardroom.

3 Red Cross Infant and Child CPR certification training, 6:30 p.m. March 14 at the office, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 Polson Rural Fire District meets 7 p.m. March 14, Big Arm Fire Station, upper room. Area residents welcome.

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., March 15, The Wave, Whitefish.

3 Organizational kickoff meeting to develop new Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy plan and document, 4-6 p.m. March 15, WestCoast Outlaw Hotel. Call Lil Dupree, Northwest Montana Human Resources, 752-6565.

3 Flathead City-County Board of Health invites EMS organizations and providers to a meeting on the topic, "Overview and Analysis of EMS Strengths and Weaknesses," 5:30-8:30 p.m. March 15, Earl Bennett Building second floor conference room, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell. Refreshments. RSVP to Tonya Passwater, 751-8109.

3 Mothers of Multiples meet 6-8 p.m., March 15, The Summit, Kalispell. Topic will be "Keeping Your Family Safe." Members free, non-members $3. All welcome. Call 755-5389.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 1-4 p.m., March 16, Kandahar Lodge, Big Mountain.

3 Flathead County 4-H Interstate Exchange program spaghetti dinner and pie auction 5-7:30 p.m. March 16 at The Christian Center, 255 Summit Ridge Dr., Kalispell. Fiddle and guitar entertainment. Cost $6 per person, or $15 per family. Call the Extension Office at 758-5553 for advance tickets. Tickets also available at the door. Fundraiser for Flathead 4-H trip to Corpus Christi, Texas.

3 FVCC multicultural event on "Joining the Peace Corps" a presentation by Steve Anderson, former Peace Corps volunteer in Kenya, 6 p.m., March 16, Blake Hall. Free. Public welcome.

3 Celtic Cross Dancers perform Irish step dancing 7:30 p.m. March 16, Faith Free Lutheran Church, 405 Liberty St., Kalispell. Group dancing taught and lead by Sally Conrad. Alcohol and smoke-free event. Admission $5, or $20 per family. Call 270-3055.

3 AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. March 17, The Summit, Kalispell. $10 course fee. Call 751-4500 to register.

3 Expanding Your Horizons conference to encourage science and math careers for girls in grades 6-8, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. March 17, Columbia Falls Junior High School. Nationally recognized keynote speaker is Marian York. Sponsored by local Soroptimist International clubs and Girl Scouts. Contact Diane Yarus, 751-2175.

3 Northwest Montana Veterans Food Pantry fourth annual attic sale, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 17, Flathead County Fairgrounds grandstand building, Kalispell. Art and antiques, collectibles, jewelry, household, furniture and more. All proceeds go to pantry. Call 756-7304.

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 Ancient Order of the Hibernians St. Patrick's Day Parade, 4 p.m. March 17, downtown Kalispell. Line-up at 3 p.m., First Avenue West and Eighth Street. Call Mark Lalum, 755-7400 or 261-1654.

3 St. Patrick's Day dinner, 5-8 p.m. March 17, Calvary Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 2200 U.S. 2 E., Kalispell. Irish music by String Crossings and traditional food. Free. All welcome. Call 752-4102.

3 St. Patty's Day Pub Crawl, 7-11 p.m. March 17, Troy. Registration $16. Starts at VFW. Sponsored by Troy Area Community Association. Call Glen Gill, 406-295-5834.

3 Izaak Walton Inn annual Snow Rodeo March 17-18, Essex. Rodeo-style events on skis and snowshoes including goat roping, steer dogging, bareback bronc, chuckwagon and barrel racing. Kids treasure hunt March 18 for rodeo participants. Spectators welcome. Call 888-5700.

3 Red Cedar Circle meets March 18 at Donnalee's, 1720 Second. St. E., Whitefish. Potluck at 5 p.m. Circle at 5:45 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, 8:30-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. March 19 and 20, Polson Senior Center. $10 course fee. Call 883-4735 to register.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., March 19, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

3 Red Cross certified course in Standard First Aid, 6:30 p.m. March 19 at the office, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

Choir of Cono Christian School 50-member choir performs sacred and secular music, 7 p.m. March 19, Faith Covenant Church, 611 Third Ave. E., Kalispell. Public invited. Call 752-2400.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., March 20, Kalispell City Hall.

3 Red Cross certified course in Adult CPR, 6:30 p.m. March 20 at the office, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., March 21, NorthWestern Energy.

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 Red Cross blood drive, 2-5 p.m., March 22, First Interstate Bank, Main St., Kalispell.

3 Mission Valley Animal Shelter "Spay-ghetti Dinner" and silent auction fundraiser 5-7:30 p.m. March 22, Ronan VFW, corner of Round Butter and Fifth Avenue Southwest. Tickets $6.50 per person, or $25 per family of six. Call Pam Gibson, 883-3336.

3 Flathead City-County Board of Health invites EMS organizations and providers to a visioning session for the future of EMS in Flathead County" 5:30-8:30 p.m. March 22, Earl Bennett Building second floor conference room, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell. Refreshments. RSVP to Tonya Passwater, 751-8109.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., March 23, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

3 AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 26-27, The Summit, Kalispell. $10 course fee. Call 751-4500 to register.

3 AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 26-27, St. John's Lutheran Hospital, Libby. Call 406-293-0100 to register.

3 AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 26 and 28, Mountain West Bank Community Room, Whitefish. $10 course fee. Call 863-3630 to register.

3 Book signing and presentation by E.B. Eiselein, noon, March 26, Blake Hall, FVCC. All welcome.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., March 26, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

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.

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., March 27, Polson Good Shepherd Church.

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m., March 27, in the blood mobile, Albertsons.

3 Bigfork Elementary School kindergarten round-up 8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. March 29-30. Certified birth certificates and immunization records required. Call 837-7412, ext. 321 to schedule an appointment.

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 3 p.m., March 29, in the blood mobile First Interstate Bank, Evergreen.

3 Flathead City-County Board of Health invites EMS organizations and providers to a meeting to review the vision of the previous session and consideration of next steps, 5:30-8:30 p.m. March 29, Earl Bennett Building second floor conference room, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell. Refreshments. RSVP to Tonya Passwater, 751-8109.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 30, Best Buy, Kalispell.

3 American Red Cross volunteer orientation and presentation, noon to 1 p.m., March 30, at the office, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Call 752-6433.

3 32nd annual Ducks Unlimited fundraising banquet, 6 p.m. March 31, Bulldog Convention Center, WestCoast Outlaw Hotel. Tickets $50 for a membership and dinner or $75 per couple; available at the door or call 755-8280.

3 Share Fair sponsored by United Way, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 14, Kalispell Center Mall. Local health and human service agencies, nonprofits, clubs and service organizations will be represented. Public welcome. Call 752-7266 or 888-720-7266.

3 United Way's Christmas in April, home improvement blitz, April 21. If you are a senior citizen on a limited income and need home maintenance or repairs done, or wish to volunteer, call United Way, 752-7266.

3 United Way's Christmas in April construction project day, April 28. If you are a senior citizen on a limited income and need home maintenance or repairs done, or wish to volunteer, call United Way, 752-7266.

3 Spring Kindergarten Enrollment Day 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. April 11, Flathead County Health Department, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell, upstairs conference room. Bring birth certificates and shot records. Call 751-3430.

3 American Association of University Women annual book sale April 13-15, Kalispell Center Mall. Call 755-8125.

3 Spring enrollment begins May 1 for students new to School District 5, grades 1-8, enrollment office, 233 First Ave. E., (above Flathead County Library), Kalispell. Call 751-3430.

Dressage for the Park dressage show, June 16-17, Rebecca Farm, Kalispell. Call Lindy Marriott at 752-4627 or Joy Struble at 755-8870

3 Columbia Falls Relay for Life for American Cancer Society June 22-23, Columbia Falls High School. Call Kathy Emerson, 862-7914; or Dina Pomper, 755-7004.

3 Kalispell Relay for Life for American Cancer Society 6 p.m. June 22 to 10 a.m. June 23, Flathead High School Legends Field. Call Joni McKiernan, 261-0184.

3 School District 5 fall enrollment begins 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Aug. 1, 233 First Ave. E., (above Flathead County Library), Kalispell. Call 751-3430.

Flathead High School Class of 1997 class reunion Aug. 10-11. E-mail fhsbraves1997@yahoo.com