Today

3 Adventist Church of Whitefish offers free professional gift wrapping, 1-6 p.m. today, U.S. 93, downtown Whitefish. Free. No donations. No limit.

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

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

Tuesday

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 3 p.m., Three Rivers Bank, Meridian Road, Kalispell.

3 Friendship House, 606 Second Ave. W., Kalispell, annual "Light the Walk with Luminarias," today and Dec. 24. Cost $10 per luminaria. Proceeds go to building maintenance. Call Jim, 257-8375; or Carol, 755-5169.

3 Annual Country Chapel Christmas celebration 7 p.m., Fairview Chapel, Deer Park. Marcia Siblerud accompanies carols on old pump organ. From Montana 35, turn onto Middle Road; go 2.3 miles. From Columbia Falls Stage or Montana 206, take Sullivan Crossroad, then south on Fairview Cemetery Road 1.2 miles. Public welcome to sing carols and hear Gospel Christmas story.

Wednesday

3 Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

3 Friendship House, 606 Second Ave. W., Kalispell, annual "Light the Walk with Luminarias." Cost $10 per luminaria. Proceeds go to building maintenance. Call Jim, 257-8375; or Carol, 755-5169.

3 Annual Rose Crossing luminaria display beginning 5:30 p.m., along Rose Crossing from Whitefish Stage to U.S. 2 East. Everyone invited.

Thursday

3 Community Kitchen-Feeding the Flathead Christmas dinner, 6 p.m., Faith Alliance Church, 348 Second Ave. W., Kalispell. All welcome. Free gift to attendees.

3 Evergreen Disposal will not provide garbage service today due to the Christmas holiday. Today's route will be picked up on Friday; Friday's and Saturday's route will be picked up on Saturday.

Friday

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

Saturday

3 Sunriser Lions 38th annual ice fishing derby, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Smith Lake, Kila. Prizes, drawings, hot drinks, chili and hot dogs. Warming fire. First 50 kids that catch a fish win a fishing rod. Adults, $3; kids $2; families $7. Proceeds benefit Lions kids' fish pond projects.

A Look Ahead

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Dec. 29, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., Dec. 30, Our Lady of Mercy Church, Eureka.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dec. 31, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

3 First Night Flathead 6 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Dec. 31. Alcohol-free New Year's Eve celebration in Kalispell for entire family. Numerous entertainment venues. Call Patrice Manget, 253-2471; or Jennifer Young, 758-7717.

3 It's Your Party community center hosts New Year's Eve lock-in for ages 9-14, 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. Dec. 31/Jan. 1. Karaoke, digital DJ, dance instruction, games, prizes, nacho bar, concessions, muffin breakfast. Admission $10 plus a canned food item for food bank. Call 844-2060.

3 Evergreen Disposal will not provide garbage service today, New Year's Day. Today's route will be picked up on Friday; Friday's and Saturday's route will be picked up on Saturday.

3 Kalispell Senior Citizens potluck dinner and party, 1 p.m. Jan. 1, Kalispell Senior Center, 403 Second Ave. W. Bring a potluck dish if you can. All area seniors welcome. Call 257-1598.

Thought

"Anger makes dull men witty, but it keeps them poor." n Attributed to Queen Elizabeth I of England (1533-1603).

3 Flathead Audubon 10th annual Kalispell Christmas Bird Count, Jan. 4. Meet at 7 a.m. at Finnegan's Restaurant. Call Dan Casey, 857-3143 evenings, or 756-5681 days to participate. $5 per adult.

3 Columbia Falls Community Choir begins practices for 2009 season, 2-4 p.m. Jan. 4, Columbia Falls Junior High School. Sign-in and music pick-up 1:30-2 p.m.; practice follows. Call Ron Bond, 892-5174.

3 Flathead Chronic Pain Support Group meets 5:30-7 p.m., Jan. 5, The Summit, Kalispell. Group meets on a weekly basis. Learn how to cope with pain and improve your quality of life. Free. Call Dr. Alex Bokor, 250-5252.

3 MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m. Jan. 7, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Todd Widman will discuss the "Crossfit Challenge." Child care provided. Call Heidi Durban, 253-4886.

3 Evergreen Special Services Child Find screening for children 0 to 5 years old, 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 9, East Evergreen Elementary School. All welcome. Call 751-1113, ext. 23 to make an appointment.

3 Reception for Salish Kootenai College artists Corky Clairmont, Linda S. King and Jay Jay Polite Laber at Flathead High School and the Hockaday Museum of Art, Jan. 15. Public invited.

3 MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m. Jan. 21, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Holly Nichols talks about "Healthy Cooking." Child care provided. Call Heidi Durban, 253-4886.

3 Flathead Special Education Cooperative executive council meets, 11:30 a.m., Jan. 22, Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W., second floor conference room.

3 MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m. Feb. 4, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Topic is "Marriage Counseling." Child care provided. Call Heidi Durban, 253-4886.

3 MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m. Feb. 18, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Topic is on the preschool fair. Child care provided. Call Heidi Durban, 253-4886.

3 Flathead Special Education Cooperative executive council meets, 8:30 a.m., Feb. 26, Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W., second floor conference room.

3 MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m. March 4, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Sherry Johns talks about "Puppets for the Preschooler." Child care provided. Call Heidi Durban, 253-4886.

3 MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m. March 18, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Brian Tankos discusses "How to Write a Living Will." Child care provided. Call Heidi Durban, 253-4886.

3 Flathead Special Education Cooperative executive council meets, 8:30 a.m., March 26, Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W., second floor conference room.

3 Flathead Special Education Cooperative board meets 11:30 a.m. April 23, Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W., second floor conference room.

3 Flathead Special Education Cooperative executive council meets, 8:30 a.m., May 28, Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W., second floor conference room.

3 Flathead Special Education Cooperative executive council meets, 8:30 a.m., June 25, Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W., second floor conference room.