Today

3 Deer Park School board meets at 8:30 a.m. at the school.

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. at the Red Lion Hotel Kalispell. Journalist Mark Holston will speak on political and social conditions in Venezuela and Colombia. Buffet lunch, $10. No reservations required. All welcome.

3 Flathead County Republican Women meet at noon at the Bulldog, Kalispell. Cheryl Tully, manager of Eagle Transit, presents a program on Glacier Park's new free shuttle bus service. Call Lois Lauman, 857-3512.

3 RE/MAX of Bigfork flag raising 1 p.m. at corner of Montana 35 and Montana 209, Bigfork. United Veterans of the Flathead Valley will perform an 18-gun salute. Public invited.

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

3 Republican Women meet at noon, WestCoast Outlaw Hotel. A representative from Eagle Transit will talk about the new bus service in Glacier Park. Lunch $10. Call Lois Lauman, president, 857-3512.

3 Youth Service Network meets at noon, at The Summit, Kalispell. Joel Welles of Flathead CARE will talk about Kids Camp and other activities. Call Joan Schmidt, 871-1008.

3 Fair-Mont-Egan School board meet with FME Teachers Association to discuss negotiations 4:30 p.m. in the library.

3 Flathead Chronic Pain Support Group meets 5:30-6:45 p.m., at The Summit. Free. Call Dr. Alex Bokor, 250-5252.

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 Sue Thompson of Abundance Inc., offers a free financial workshop on "Building your Wealth Cycles," 7 p.m., Hampton Inn, Kalispell. Call 844-0247.

3 AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, 8 to 11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. today and May 22, Polson Senior Center. Call 883-4735 for reservations.

3 Marine Corps League of the Flathead Valley Detachment meet 7 p.m. at new VFW Building, Kalispell. Recent honorably discharged veterans welcome to apply. Cal Ed, 755-4404.

Tuesday

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., Polson Immaculate Conception Church.

3 Flathead Building Association "Raise the Roof" public social, 5:30 p.m., Western Building Center. Refreshments and raffles. Call 752-2422.

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

3 PacificCorp hosts a public tour of their new recreation facilities associated with Bigfork Hydropower Project. Meet at 5:30 p.m. at Sliters Park.

Wednesday

3 Fair-Mont-Egan School board special meeting at 8:30 a.m. in the school library.

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, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 126 Meridian, Kalispell.

3 Flathead Outdoor Club hikes Columbia Mountain. Meet at 5:30 p.m. in front of Rock Shop, corner of Montana 206 and U.S. 2. Group will carpool to trailhead. Call Malinda, 253-3803. All hikers welcome.

3 Flathead High School senior award ceremony 6 p.m., FHS auditorium. Public welcome.

3 Barry Adkins shares his story of his 1,400-mile walk and as a parent of a child who died of alcohol poisoning, 7 p.m., Polson High School auditorium. Call Shawn Smith, 837-1619. Public welcome.

3 Columbia Falls High School annual awards night ceremony, 7 p.m., Little Theatre. All invited. Call Doug Cordier or Margie Williams 892-6500, ext. 230.

3 Ernie Couch and Revival gospel group in concert, 7 p.m. Lion Hill Baptist Church, 133 Third Ave. S., Martin City.

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 Barry Adkins shares his story of his 1,400-mile walk and as a parent of a child who died of alcohol poisoning, 8:20 a.m., Bigfork Middle School gym; and 10 a.m. Swan River School. Call Shawn Smith, 837-1619. Public welcome.

Thought

"Originality does not consist in saying what no one has ever said before, but in saying exactly what you think yourself." n James Stephens, Irish poet and novelist (1882-1950).

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-5 p.m., Flathead Electric, Kalispell.

3 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.

3 Flathead Suicide Prevention Coalition meets 4-5:30 p.m., Flathead City-County Health Department conference room, Kalispell. The program coordinator will talk about school-based suicide prevention programs in Flathead Valley Schools. Call Joan Schmidt, 871-1008.

3 Lutheran Social Services of Montana hosts an adoption informational meeting, 7 p.m. Northridge Lutheran Church, 323 Northridge Dr., Kalispell. Registration not required. Call Dia, 752-8847.

Friday

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

3 The Glacier Country Pachyderm meets noon to 1 p.m. at the Bulldog. Guest speaker is Gary Kalberg, construction engineer for Montana Department of Transportation. Lunch available. Public invited.

3 Fourth annual Spring for Glacier fundraiser. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres 4 p.m. Belton Chalet; red bus ride to Lake McDonald Lodge for buffet dinner, 6:30 p.m. Entertainment by David Walburn. Boat tour, silent and live auctions. Advance tickets $125 per person, $250 per couple until May 14. Call 755-1211. Proceeds benefit Glacier Institute, Glacier Natural History Association and Glacier National Park Fund.

3 Boomers Singles Group dinner, Red's Wines and Blues, Kalispell. Social hour, 6 p.m.; dinner buffet 7 p.m.; meeting 8 p.m. Reservations required. RSVP to Marla, 752-1467. All singles welcome.

A Look Ahead

3 31st annual Bigfork Whitewater Festival, May 26-27. Kayak racing down the Wild Mile of the Swan River; 837-5888. For triathlon information, call Kalispell Athletic Club, 752-2880.

3 Human Therapy on Horseback presents a showing of the 60-minute documentary film, "Go Horse Please-Horses Helping Humans," 7 p.m. May 26, Flathead High School. Everyone invited.

3 Loon & Fish Festival 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 26-27, Seeley Lake Community Hall. Art show, soup bowl lunch to benefit Seeley Lake Food Bank, outdoor topics, demonstrations, children's art and raffle. Bird and wildflower walks, guided trip to view nesting loons, May 27. Call Alpine Artisans, 406-793-5706.

3 Evergreen Disposal will be collecting garbage today, Memorial Day, May 28, per its regular schedule. Call 257-1739.

3 United Veterans of the Flathead Valley Memorial Day observances May 28 schedule includes 10:15 a.m. Whitefish Cemetery; 11:30 a.m. Glacier Memorial Gardens; noon, new VFW Post 2252, First Avenue West, Kalispell; 1 p.m., C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery; 1:45 p.m. Fairview Cemetery; 2:30 p.m. Marantette Park, Columbia Falls; 3 p.m. Woodlawn Cemetery, Columbia Falls; 3:30 p.m. Montana Veterans Home, Columbia Falls. Call Jim Aho, 752-2611, Jim Heibert, 862-3507; or Jerry Collins, 752-0198.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-5 p.m., May 29, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

3 Healthcare provider New CPR training, 6 p.m. May 29 and 31, The Summit, Kalispell. Call 751-4500.

3 Community Forum on Middle East Solutions presents the Oscar-winning film, "West Bank Story," and "The Iron Wall" about Israel's wall in the West Bank, 7 p.m., May 29, Flathead County Library, Kalispell. Middle eastern coffee and treats provided.

3 The Flathead Conservation District meets at 7 p.m., May 29, 133 Interstate Lane, behind JoAnn Fabrics, in Evergreen. Call 752-4220.

3 Lakeside Community Council meets 7 p.m., May 29, Water Works building, Bierney Creek Road. Open to public.

3 Whitefish Community Foundation sixth annual Nonprofit Workshop 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. May 30, Lodge at Whitefish Lake, on the topic, "Community Fundraising - Success Stories from the Front Lines" presented by Carol and Rich Atkinson and John Kramer. Cost $35, includes lunch. Pre-registration required by May 23. Call 863-1781.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., May 30, Flathead County Health Department, Kalispell.

3 Political forum with local Republican and Democrat legislators 7:30 p.m. Swan River Community Hall, on Montana 83 across from Swan river School, 7:30 p.m. May 30. Topic is on legislation passed during recent session. Open to public. Call Edd Blackler, 837-5196.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., May 31, National Flood, Kalispell.

3 Trinity Lutheran School rummage sale 4:30 to 8 p.m. June 1; 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 2, 495 Fifth Ave. WN.

3 Benefit barbecue/pig roast and silent auction for 3-year-old Tristan Dishon who is recovering from traumatic injury after falling from a grader, 2-7 p.m. June 2, Fatt Boys, 1307 U.S. 2 W., Kalispell. Cost $5 per person or $8 per couple, $2 per child.

3 Bet Harim Jewish Community honors John A. Kramer Jr., at an award dinner, 5:30 p.m. June 7, O'Shaughnessy Center, Whitefish. Live entertainment, live and silent auctions. Tickets $130 per couple by May 25. For reservations, call 756-5159.

3 Small Business Hazardous Waste Collection event June 1, Flathead County Landfill. Registration required for time slot by calling 1-8770484-0129, ext. 102. Call Dave Prunty, 758-5910 at county landfill, or Waste Not Project at 756-8993 for more information.

3 Allyson Arnold of the Elm Group/RE/MAX of Whitefish sponsors a free home buying seminar, 7-8:30 p.m. June 6, at Stewart Title Co., Whitefish Mountain Mall. Call 212-4743 to reserve a seat.

3 Montana Quarter Horse Youth Association Stampede June 7-10, Majestic Valley Arena, Kalispell. Jumping, reining, barrel racing and more.

3 Friendship House 11th annual garage sale fundraiser, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 8; and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 9, 606 Second Ave. W, Kalispell. Call 257-8375.

3 The Diabetes Care Program at KRMC presents a program by Hal Joseph, "Diabetes: A New Chronic Approach to an Old Chronic Illness, noon to 1:30 p.m. June 8, Paintbrush Room, KRMC. Lunch served. Participants will receive a free glucose meter. To register, call 751-5454.

3 Electronic equipment recycling event 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 9, Valley Recycling, 1410 U.S. 2 West, Kalispell. Bring in old computers, televisions and other electronic equipment. Some fees apply. Call Valley Recycling at 257-4302; or Waste Not Project, 756-8993.

3 Community United Methodist Church parking lot rummage sale and bake sale 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 9, 750 Electric Ave., Bigfork.

3 Fourth annual Regional Housing Fair, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 9, Kalispell Center Mall. Information on home ownership, consumer education seminars at top of each hour on financing, inspection and more. Sponsored by Northwest Montana Association of Realtors. Call Cal Scott, 885-6318.

3 Spaghetti dinner benefit for Whitefish Fire Chief David Sipe to help with his cancer treatment expenses, 6:30 p.m. June 9, Whitefish Moose Lodge, 230 W. 10th St. Homemade pie auction, gift basket raffles. Tickets $5 per person; $15 per family. Call Mike or Joyce Evans, 862-5867; or 250-6613.

3 Local native plant expert Bill McClaren lectures on maintaining native plant gardens, 7 p.m. June 9, FVCC Arboretum, behind Blake Hall. Free. Public invited. Bring a folding chair. Call Sue Evans, 756-3963.

3 Flathead Chronic Pain Support Group meets 5:30-6:45 p.m. June 11, at The Summit. Free. Call Dr. Alex Bokor, 250-5252.

3 History Book Club discusses Carl B. Glasscock's "War of the Copper Kings" 6:30 p.m., June 14, Museum at Central School, 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. All welcome. Call Gil Jordan, 756-8381.

3 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 Whitefish Relay for Life for American Cancer Society, June 22-23, Whitefish High School athletic field. Call Aubonny Carlson, 863-8867; or Annie Mclaughline, 862-5580.

3 Community Flea Market from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., June 23, at the First United Methodist Church in Polson, 30116th Ave. E. Call Irene, 883-2063 or Candace, 883-0204, to participate.

3 "Late Nite Catechism" live interactive comedy show will be presented at 7:30 p.m. June 23, O'Shaughnessy Center, Whitefish. Fundraiser for St. Charles Church Youth Group's trip to Sydney, Australia. Tickets $35 in advance; $40 at the door. Call 862-2051.

3 Big Mountain Resort opens June 30 for summer operations. Call 862-2911.

3 History Book Club discusses Norma Smith's biography, "Jeannette Rankin" 6:30 p.m., July 12, Museum at Central School, 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. All welcome. Call Gil Jordan, 756-8381.

3 Multi-rural school reunion picnic for Flathead Valley residents, noon to 5 p.m. July 14, Feenan Farm, half mile east of Blue Moon junction on U.S 2. Bring a hot or cold dish, favorite beverage, service ware, lawn chair. Call 756-3211 or 752-1199.

3 Columbia Falls High School Class of 1967 40th reunion July 27-29 during Heritage Days. Call Cyndy Gochanour Deist, 755-3942; or Gail Shay Linne, 892-1935.

3 Columbia Falls High School Class of 1977 30th reunion July 27-28 during Heritage Days. Call Jim Cheff, 892-3682.

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.

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

3 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