Today

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 Daughters of the American Revolution, Chief Ignace Chapter, meet at noon for lunch at Scotty's Restaurant. Sheila Gilmore will present a program on "Jamestown." For transportation, call Helen Steinke at 257-1632.

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 Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group meets 6-8 p.m., The Summit conference room, Kalispell. Guest speaker is Heidi Sue Adam, Kalispell Regional Medical Center, librarian and resource facilitator. Survivors, family, friends are welcome. Refreshments. Call Kathy or Sue at 756-4723.

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.

3 Flathead Valley Community College 2007 Honors Symposium Series presents Brooke Barnett, director of Department of Women's Studies, University of Montana on "Feminism 101" at 7 p.m., Red Lion Hotel, Kalispell. Free. Seating limited. Public welcome. Call 756-3822.

3 FVCC Smoking Symposium presents a discussion by E.B. Eiselein on "From Sacred Use to a Smoking Lifestyle," 7-9 p.m. Room SAT 148. Free. All invited. Call 756-3832.

3 Deer Park School board meets at 7 p.m. at the school.

3 Columbia Falls School board meets at 7 p.m., administration offices boardroom, 501 Sixth Ave. W. Columbia Falls.

Tuesday

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., Pathways Treatment Center, 200 Heritage Way, 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 Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce membership luncheon, noon to 1 p.m., 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., Trinity Lutheran Church, Kalispell.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 N. Meridian Road. Public welcome. Call Don at 862-6955.

3 West Valley Fire District trustees meet at 7:30 p.m., at the West Valley Fire Station on Farm to Market Road.

Wednesday

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

3 Montana Landords Association meets at Perkins Restaurant, 1390 U.S. 2 E., Kalispell. Lunch 11:30 a.m.; meeting at noon. Call Marilyn, 752-2962.

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

Thought

"If power corrupts, being out of power corrupts absolutely." n Douglass Cater, American author and educator (1923-1995).

3 Marion School board meets at 6 p.m.

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

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

3 Flathead Outdoor Club meets 7 p.m., Flathead County Library basement meeting room, Kalispell. Bob French talks about hiking and climbing in British Columbia. Coffee and tea served. Everyone welcome. Call Mike Spence, 857-2599.

Thursday

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

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

3 Whitefish Chamber of Commerce Gone Fishin' 5-7 p.m., at Mountain Mall Food Court. Big Mountain Publishing, Five Star Rentals, Frazier Appraisal, JD Embroidery, Luizanne's and MicroSolutions represented. Refreshments served. Call 862-3501.

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., 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., The Summit, Kalispell. Topic will be "Keeping Your Family Safe." Members free, non-members $3. All welcome. Call 755-5389.

3 Whitefish Winter Classic Celebrity All-Star Basketball Game, 7 p.m. Whitefish High School. Free. Public welcome.

3 Montana Conservation Corps informational meeting, 7 p.m. meeting room of Flathead County Library, Kalispell. Refreshments. Call Erin or Prairie, 755-8089.

Friday

3 Whitefish Winter Classic autograph signing session, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Summit House, Big Mountain. Free. Public welcome.

3 The Pachyderm Club meets at noon in the Bulldog at the WestCoast Outlaw Hotel. Guest speaker is Darlene Schottle, superintendent of School District 5. Public invited.

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

3 St. Patrick's Day Dinner and Business Fair, March 16, FVCC Blake Hall and Eagles Nest Cafeteria. Business fair 4-8:30 p.m.; corned beef and cabbage, and homemade pies served 5:30-8 p.m. Quarter auction 7-8 p.m.; bid on items for 25 cents. All proceeds support Alex Rudolph in People to People Ambassador Program. Contact Brenda Rudolph, 872-1052.

3 Flathead County 4-H Interstate Exchange program spaghetti dinner and pie auction 5-7:30 p.m. 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 Whitefish Winter Classic VIP Dinner and Auction 5:30 p.m., The Lodge at Whitefish Lake. Tickets $75; $700 sponsor table. Reservations required. Call 862-8146.

3 FVCC multicultural event on "Joining the Peace Corps" a presentation by Steve Anderson, former Peace Corps volunteer in Kenya, 6 p.m., Blake Hall. Pamphlets will be available. Free. Public welcome to bring lunch. Call Gerda Reeb, 756-3945.

3 Celtic Cross Dancers perform Irish step dancing 7:30 p.m., 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.

A Look Ahead

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 Flathead Audubon wetlands field trip to Somers and Lower Valley. Meet to carpool at 8:30 a.m. March 17, at Somers Park 'n' Ride, intersection of U.S. 93 and Montana 83. Bring lunch, binoculars or scope and appropriated clothes. Free. All welcome. Call Bob Lopp, 257-6886.

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 Whitefish Winter Classic Snow Picnic, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 17, Big Mountain off Gray Wolf Run. Free. All welcome.

3 Glacier Pilot Club of the Flathead Valley gives away bike helmets to preschoolers and toddler, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 17, Kalispell Center Mall. Brain Minder puppet shows will be performed.

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 Whitefish Winter Classic St. Paddy's Day Party, 7-9 p.m. March 17, Great Northern Brewery. Tickets $25.

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 Whitefish Winter Classic Champagne Brunch, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 18, Whitefish Lake Restaurant. Tickets $12 adults; $6 kids.

3 Sunburst USA Beauty Pageant and Model Search, March 18, Kalispell Center Mall. Registration, noon; pageant 1 p.m. Call 751-5052.

3 Benefit dinner for Eureka resident Helen Lahr who is battling cancer, 1-4 p.m. Eureka Senior Center, 310 First Ave. E. Call 406-889-5018.

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 Flathead County Republican Women meet at noon, March 19, at the Bulldog/WestCoast Outlaw Hotel. Guest speaker is Debra L. Acord, diagnostic radiologist specializing in breast imaging. Lunch available.

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.

3 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 FVCC Smoking Symposium presents a discussion on "Tobacco and the Law," 7-9 p.m. March 19, Room SAT 148. Free. All invited. Call 756-3832.

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 Flathead Valley Community College 2007 Honors Symposium Series presents Steven Gaulin of the Department of Biosocial Anthropology at University of California on " Biological Differences," at 7 p.m., March 20, Red Lion Hotel, Kalispell. Free. Seating limited. Public welcome. Call 756-3822.

3 Big Sky Bonsai Society meets at 7 p.m. March 20, at the Flathead County Library in Kalispell. Potting techniques will be demonstrated. Free and the public is invited. Contact Jerry Meislik at 862-0387.

3 Brunch is offered the public at 9:30 a.m. March 21, Los Caporales, Nucleus Avenue, Columbia Falls. Hooper's Garden Center's Michael Connolly gives gardening tips. Guest speaker is Sherry Attard. 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 and Stonecroft.

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

3 Kalispell Toastmasters Club open house, noon to 1 p.m. March 21, Christ Church Episcopal, at Third Avenue East and Second Street. Topic is "Effective Communication." Bring a brown bag lunch. All welcome.

3 Kalispell Toastmasters Club open house, noon to 1 p.m. March 21, Christ Church Episcopal, at Third Avenue East and Second Street. Topic is "Effective Communication." Bring a brown bag lunch. All welcome.

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 Olduvai Forum meets 7 p.m. March 21, Clementine's, 265 Bridge St., Bigfork. The film, "Visions of Utopia" about several national intentional communities will be shown Coffee and tea provided. Desserts and other drinks available to purchase. All welcome. Call Edmund Fitzgerald, 837-5548; or Jeffrey Funk, 837-4208.

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.

Muldown Elementary School Mully Night 5:30-7:30 p.m. March 22. Dinner, games, activities and entertainment. Proceeds support school field trips and assemblies. Call 862-8620.

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 Fourth annual Stillwater Music Festival March 23-24, Stillwater Christian School, Kalispell. Band and choir students from regional Christian school compete for scholarships. Public invited to come and listen throughout the festival. Call Micah Hunter or Travis Rhubottome at 752-4400.

3 Flathead Valley Community College 2007 Honors Symposium Series free lecture by Brian Bechtold of FVCC on "Twelfth Night and Gender in the Shakespeare Theater," 6-6:30 p.m., followed by production of "Twelfth Night theater production at 7 p.m., March 23-24, Room 123 Learning Resource Center. Tickets first come, first serve or purchase in advance by calling 756-3814.

3 Bridge Medical Center presents a free lecture by Dr. Patricia Cole and Lynn Troy on the topic, "Vaccines: What You Should Know," 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., March 24, 5938 U.S. 93 S., Whitefish. RSVP to 893-9300.

3 Flathead Valley Lutherans for Life spaghetti dinner and silent auction, 12:15-1:30 p.m., March 25, Trinity Lutheran church, 400 W. California St. Free will offering taken for Hope Pregnancy Center and other projects. Everyone welcome. Call 756-8344.

3 Firefighter down basketball tournament, 2 p.m. March 25, West Valley School, at Farm to Market Road and West Reserve Dr., Kalispell. Proceeds go to families of fire fighters and EMTs who have been affected by injury or health issues. Pig roast, silent auction. Tickets $10 per couple; $15 per family.

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 FVCC Smoking Symposium presents a discussion on "How to Stop Smoking and/or Chewing" 7-9 p.m. March 26, Room SAT 148. Free. All invited. Call 756-3832.

3 Flathead Valley Community College 2007 Honors Symposium Series presents Kathryn Shanley, Native American Studies program chairman, University of Montana, on "Understanding Native American Perspectives on Gender" at 7 p.m., March 26, Red Lion Hotel, Kalispell. Free. Seating limited. Public welcome. Call 756-3822.

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 Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks seeks public input to discuss proposal allowing limited taking of young peregrine falcons for use in falconry, 5-7 p.m. March 29, at their offices, 490 N. Meridian Road. Call Arnold Dood, 406-994-6433.

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 Benefit auction for Eureka resident Helen Lahr who is battling cancer, 2 p.m. March 31, Lincoln County Valley Fairgrounds, Eureka. Call 889-5018.

3 Flathead Valley Democratic Spring Dinner (formerly Jefferson-Jackson dinner) March 31, Grouse Mountain Lodge, Whitefish. Cocktails and social hours, 5 p.m.; dinner 6 p.m. Featured speaker is Lt. Gov. John Bohlinger. Live musical and vocal entertainment. Early bird tickets $28 each until March 15; then $35. Call Ramona Graham, 752-0227, or Nancy Fenner, 752-0298. Open to public.

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.

41st annual Creston Auction and Country Fair, March 31-April 1, Creston, 12 miles east of Kalispell on Montana 35. Call 406-261-5913. Proceeds benefit Creston Fire Department.

3 Flathead Valley Community College 2007 Honors Symposium Series presents Holly Anderson of the Boise State University Department of Education on the topic, "Is There a Boys Crisis in Education?" at 7 p.m., April 9, Red Lion Hotel, Kalispell. Free. Seating limited. Public welcome. Call 756-3822.

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 Cayuse Prairie School kindergarten round-up and registration 8:30-11:30 a.m. and noon to 3 p.m. April 19. Bring child's birth certificate and immunization records. Call 756-4560, ext. 10 to schedule a time.

3 Flathead Valley Community College 2007 Honors Symposium Series presents Lt. Col. Kevin Farrel, Department of HIstory at the U.S. Military Academy on the topic, "History of Gender Integration in the Military" at 7 p.m., April 19, Red Lion Hotel, Kalispell. Free. Seating limited. Public welcome. Call 756-3822.

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