Today

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

• Smith Valley Rural Fire Department meets 6 p.m. 3496 U.S. 2 W., to discuss authorized signatures to sign checks and bills.

• Somers Neighborhood Plan organization meeting 6:30 p.m. Somers Middle School cafeteria. Public welcome.

• Helena Flats School board meets at 7 p.m., school conference room. Call Tonnie Decker, 257-2301.

Tuesday

• Kalispell Women's Connection buffet luncheon 11:30 a.m., First Baptist Church, 301 W. Wyoming St., Kalispell. Cost is $10.50. RSVP Rosainne, 257-8098 or Jan at 212-3763. Landscape photographer Dennis Dorr talks about his work. Author Heather Crilley is guest speaker. Complimentary child care by reservation. Affiliated with Stonecroft International Inc.

• Agape Home Care "Caring for the Care Giver" support group meets noon to 1 p.m., 40 Appleway Dr., Kalispell. Open to all family and professional care givers. Call 755-4633.

• Flathead Convention and Visitors Bureau board meets 2-4 p.m. Montana Raft Company, West Glacier. Public welcome. Call Dori Muehlhof, 756-9091.

• Lakeside County Water and Sewer district board meets 2 p.m., district meeting room, 253 Bierney Creek Road, Lakeside.

• Red Cross blood drive, 2:30-6:30 p.m., Lakeside Community Chapel, sponsored by Tamarack Grill.

• Cayuse Prairie School board meets at 7 p.m. in the school library.

• Flathead Democratic Party meets 7 p.m., KM Theatre, 40 Second St. E., Kalispell. Call 862-2008.

Wednesday

• Flathead Basin Commission meets, 9 a.m. to noon, Tribal Council Chambers, Pablo. Call 752-0081 or 240-3453.

• Alpine Weavers and Spinners meet 10:30 a.m. Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Kalispell. Program is on weaving a mug rug. Call 257-9119.

• Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Centurytel, Meridian office.

• Community Action Partnership of Northwest Montana town hall meeting to discuss affordable housing and homeless assistance, 11:30 a.m., United Way conference room, Gateway West Mall. Lunch provided.

• Columbia Falls Women's Connection salad luncheon, 11:30 a.m., North Valley Community Center, 235 Nucleus Ave. Lunch is $8. Bring "Coins for the Cure" to support American Cancer Society and Relay for Life. Guest speakers are Michelle Weltz and Heather Crilly. Call Candy at 387-4119 or contact Janet at 892-3621 or janetmc@bresnan.net.

• Fundraiser for "Lucky" the West Shore police decoy, 5 p.m., Tamarack Brewing Company, Lakeside. Raffles. Ten percent of all proceeds go toward Lucky's operating expenses. All welcome.

• "Changing Your Cholesterol Numbers … with Food Choices' lecture, 7 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. Fee $10. Call 751-4500 to pre-register.

• Somers School District board meets 7 p.m., Somers Middle School.

• Learn about President Obama's agenda and how to help it be successful at an "Organizing for America" meeting, 7 p.m. Flathead County Library, Kalispell basement meeting room.

• Free gospel music concert with Booth Brothers and Driven Quartet, 7 p.m. Christian Center, 255 Summit Ridge Dr., Kalispell. Offering will be taken.

Thursday

• Safe Sitter class for boys and girls age 11 to 13, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Muldown Elementary School, Whitefish. $35 fee. Pre-registration required. Call 862-8600, ext. 222.

• Flathead County Transportation committee meets 9 a.m. Earl Bennett Building conference room, Kalispell, to consider changes/additions to bus routes. Call 758-5722.

• Friends of the Wild Swan guided naturalist walk 10 a.m., Sprunger-Whitney Trail, Montana 83, 7.1 miles south of Swan Lake Trading Post. Call Anne Morley, 886-2242; or Arlene Montgomery, 886-2011. All welcome.

• Glacier Park Brown Bag lunchtime seminar, noon to 1 p.m., Glacier National Park Community Building, West Glacier. Editor Chris Peterson gives a photographic presentation, "Confessions of a Wildlife Observer." Free. Public welcome.

• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., Libby VFW.

• Columbia Falls farmers market every Thursday from 4-7:30 p.m.

• Polson Chamber of Commerce SPLASH, 5-7 p.m., Miracle of America Museum, 36094 Memory Lane, Polson. Public welcome.

Thought

"Inject a few raisins of conversation into the tasteless dough of existence." n O. Henry (William Sydney Porter), American author (1862-1910).

• Whitefish Chamber of Commerce Gone Fishin' 5-7 p.m., Belton Chalet, West Glacier. Refreshments served. Public welcome. Call 862-3501.

Friday

• Northridge Lutheran Church garage sale, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. today; 8 a.m. to noon June 20, 323 Northridge Dr., Kalispell, off U.S. 93. Proceeds got toward senior high youth gathering in New Orleans.

• Hidden Lake Colony Hutterites will be selling fresh chickens as a fundraiser for Flathead Food Bank, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., K-Mart parking lot, Kalispell. Call Lori, 752-3663.

• Agency on Aging Older Americans' Day picnic, 10 a.m., Flathead County Fairgrounds' new Expo Building. Bring a potluck dessert if you're able. Call 758-5730 for information or 758-5728 for bus transportation.

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

• Ronan Crabfest/Duck Races 2009, 5 p.m., Bockman/Ronan City Park. All-you-can-eat crab dinner benefits Ronan Volunteer Fire Department. Tickets $25 adults; $10 children 10 and younger at Ronan City Hall, Community Bank, Valley Journal, Ronan Telephone Company, Ronan Power Products and Main Street Gallery Ronan.

3 Joseph Williams will recount being attacked by a grizzly bear in Glacier National Park 50 years ago, 7 p.m., FVCC Arts and Technology. Free.

3 Whitefish Relay for Life, June 19-20, Whitefish High School track. Call Joan Paulson, 862-5374.

• Kalispell Relay for Life, today and June 20, Flathead High School Legends Field. Call Joni McKiernan, 261-0184.

• Columbia Falls Relay for Life, today and June 20, Columbia Falls High School track. Call Kathy Emerson, 892-2578.

A Look Ahead

• Northridge Lutheran Church garage sale, 8 a.m. to noon June 20, 323 Northridge Dr., Kalispell, off U.S. 93. Proceeds got toward senior high youth gathering in New Orleans.

• Discovery Workshop at the Refuge, June 20, National Bison Range. Registration required. Contact Pat Jamieson at pat_jamieson@fws.gov or 406-644-2211 ext. 207.

• Open house and vaccination clinic, June 20, Flathead County Animal Shelter, 225 Cemetery Road, Kalispell. Dogs must be on a leash; cats must be in a carrier. $15 fee. Call 752-1310.

• Flathead Audubon goes birding around Whitefish Lake, June 20. Meet 7:30 a.m. in the McDonald's parking lot. Call Bruce and Gail Tannehill at 862-4548.

• Kalispell Flotilla of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary boating safety class, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 20, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Building, Kalispell. Learn about equipment, weather, navigation aids, Montana state laws and more. Satisfies license requirement for 13-14 year olds. Call 756-6139 or 755-7096.

• Community Flea Market, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 20, First United Methodist Church, 301 16th Ave. E., Polson. Crafts, quilts, jewelry, antiques, tools, sports equipment and more. Call 883-2063.

• Kalispell Moose Lodge rummage sale, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 20, 2158 U.S. 2 E. Proceeds go to the family center building fund. Call Darla Harmon at 752-3255 or Nadine Eckert at 755-6231.

• Montana Gay Pride parade, 10 a.m., June 20, downtown Kalispell, followed by afternoon fair at Depot Park.

• Herron Hustle 5-mile run starting at Herron Park, June 20; www.herronhustle.com.

• Free bus tour to educate prospective buyer about foreclosures and distressed properties, June 20, Seating limited; ticked required. Drop off a food donation at Chuck Olson Real Estate for a ticket. Call 752-1000.

Flathead County Animal Shelter vaccination clinic, June 20, 225 Cemetery Road, south of Kalispell, off U.S. 93. Fee $15. Refreshments. Pets must be on leash or in cage. Call 752-1310.

• 13th annual Lake County Relay for Life, June 20-21, Polson High School track. Opening ceremony 6 p.m. June 20. Call Gayle Wilhelm, 471-1452; or Etta Moore, 883-3077.

3 Pie social and quilt raffle, 2-5 p.m. June 21, Museum at Central School, 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Preview of new "Yesterday's Child" display. Call 756-8381.

• Flathead County Democratic Women meet 11:45 a.m., June 22, Winchester Room, Outlaw Inn. No reservations necessary. All welcome.

• Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., June 22, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

• The Flathead Conservation District meets at 6 p.m., June 22, 133 Interstate Lane, in Evergreen. Call 752-4220.

• FVCC archaeology professor E.B. Eiselein lectures on America's earliest explorers, 6:30 p.m. June 22, Science and Technology Building Room 151, FVCC.

• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., June 23, Eureka Our Lady of Mercy Church.

• Educational tea tasting with Chris of Chris' Teas, 6-7:30 p.m. June 23, Camas Creek Yarn, 338 Main St., Kalispell. Learn the difference between white, green, black and herbal teas. Cost $15. Call 755-YARN.

• Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., June 24, Forest Service.

• Pet first aid class, 6-9 p.m. June 24, Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell. Tuition $15. Sponsored by the Flathead County Animal Shelter.

• Essential Stuff Project (ESP) free slideshow presentation on "Root Cellars, Greenhouses and Gardens," 7 p.m., June 24, Clementine's 265 Bridge St., Bigfork. Donations accepted. Call Edd Blackler, 837-5196; or Catherine Haug, 837-4577.

• Evergreen School District board meets at 7 a.m., June 25, administration building boardroom.

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

• AARP Driver Safety class, 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. June 25, Polson Area Senior Center. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 883-4735.

• Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., June 25, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Sponsored by Western States Insurance.

• League of Glacier Symphony and Chorale "Music and Memories' tea part, 3-5 p.m. June 25, Whitefish Community Center, 121 Second St. Bring a dozen cookies to share; coffee and tea served. Everyone welcome. RSVP to Sharon Kennett, 862-4696.

• Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., June 26, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

• Mimi Gund teaches yoga classes June 27 at Lone Pine State Park Visitor Center; Beginner/intermediate 9-10:30 a.m., $10; gentle yoga, 11 a.m. to noon, $8. Call Mary Beth Pendley, 755-2706.

• Community sale fundraiser, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 27, Bigfork Museum of Art and History, River Street, Bigfork. Rental space available. Call Virgina, 837-1674.

"Living with Wildfire" awareness event, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 27, O'Shaughnessy Center, Whitefish. Learn how to protect your home from wildfire. Free, family-oriented event.

• Thirty-minute guided wildflower walks, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., June 27, Lone Pine State Park, Kalispell. Dress for weather. Call Mary Beth Pendley, 755-2706, ext. 2.

• Big Arm Association community celebration 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 27, fire hall. Kids carnival, magic show; yard sale 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; water war between Big Arm and Polson fire fighters. All welcome.

• Miracle Field grand opening celebration and team exhibition baseball games, 2 p.m. June 27, Kidsports Complex, Kalispell. Special needs athletes invited to participate. Call Dan Johns, 752-8226.

• AARP Driver Safety class, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 29, St. John's Lutheran Hospital, Libby. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 751-4500.

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

• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m., June 30, Three Rivers Bank, North Meridian Road.

• Glacier Park Brown Bag lunchtime seminar, noon to 1 p.m. July 2, Glacier National Park Community Building, West Glacier Kassandra Hardy, Glacier Park Centennial coordinator, will give an update on events and programs being scheduled to celebrated the Park's 100th birthday. Free. Public welcome.

• Learn fly fishing basics at a seminar titled, "Reading Holding Water and Choosing Flies for Fly Fishing, 5-8 p.m. July 2, Glacier Outdoor Center Pavilion, West Glacier. Pre-register by June 30. $10 donation requested for FWP Hooked on Fishing Program. E-mail rachelv@glacierraftco.com.

• Glacier Stamp Club potluck dinner, 6 p.m. July 6, Lawrence Park. Bring your own picnic and a salad or dessert to share. Call Gail, 752-6110.

• Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets at 7 p.m. July 6, The Summit, Kalispell. All those affected by suicide welcome. Call 871-1008.

• Glacier Challenge multi-sport race, 7:30 a.m. July 11. Fundraiser for Flathead Youth Home. Call Hannah Plumb, 755-4622.

• St. Joseph Medical Center Chuckwagon barbecue, auction, dinner, dance, 5:30 p.m., July 11, McCrumb's Barn, Finley Point. Register at www.boatnbbq.com or www.saintjoes.org or call 883-8251 or 883-8424. All funds go toward remodeling the oncology clinic.

• Free community reiki share, 6-8 p.m. July 14, Whitefish BodyTalk Center, 211 Central Ave. Call 862-2608.

• Annual Montana Native Plant Society statewide meeting July 17, Hungry Horse. Call Betty at 892-0129.

• Bigfork Relay for Life, July 17-18, Bigfork High School track. Call Debbie Ingram, 837-6280.

• 12th annual Somers Cajun Street Dance, July 18. Gate opens 6 p.m.; show 7 p.m. Advance tickets $18 at Del's Bar, Somers; Joe Blogz, Lakeside; $20 at gate; under 12, free.

• Bibler Garden summer tours kick off reception, 6-8 p.m. July 27. Hors d'oeuvres, guided tour with FVCC art instructor John Rawlings. Tickets $50 or $90 per couple. Call 756-3963.

• Bibler Garden summer tours July 28-31, 5:30 and 7 p.m. Tickets $10 adults, $3, children; advance purchase required. Call 756-3963.

• Paddlethon Aug. 2. Kayak race across Foy's Lake. Bike and run for Foy's to Blacktail Trails Project; www.foystoblacktailtrails.org.

• Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets at 7 p.m. Aug. 3, The Summit, Kalispell. All those affected by suicide welcome. Call 871-1008.

• Free community reiki share, 6-8 p.m. Aug. 11, Whitefish BodyTalk Center, 211 Central Ave. Call 862-2608.

• Flathead Suicide Prevention Coalition meets noon to 1 p.m., Aug. 27, Flathead City-County Health Department conference room, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell. Call Joan Schmidt, 871-1008.

• Bigfork Rumble in the Bay Car Show, Sept. 5-6, Electric Avenue. Poker run around Flathead Lake, Sept. 5; Car show 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 6. Registration 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Live music. Call Jill or Brian, 837-5669 or 837-1604.

• Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets at 7 p.m. Sept. 14, The Summit, Kalispell. All those affected by suicide welcome. Call 871-1008.

• Foys Fest, Sept. 12, in celebration of National Pubic Lands Day. Barbecue, outdoor concert, guided tours.

• Flathead Suicide Prevention Coalition meets noon to 1 p.m., Sept. 24, Flathead City-County Health Department conference room, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell. Call Joan Schmidt, 871-1008.

• Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets at 7 p.m. Oct. 5, The Summit, Kalispell. All those affected by suicide welcome. Call 871-1008.

• Flathead Suicide Prevention Coalition meets noon to 1 p.m., Oct. 22, Flathead City-County Health Department conference room, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell. Call Joan Schmidt, 871-1008.

• Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets at 7 p.m. Nov. 2, The Summit, Kalispell. All those affected by suicide welcome. Call 871-1008.

• Flathead Suicide Prevention Coalition meets noon to 1 p.m., Nov. 19, Flathead City-County Health Department conference room, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell. Call Joan Schmidt, 871-1008.

• Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets at 7 p.m. Dec. 7, The Summit, Kalispell. All those affected by suicide welcome. Call 871-1008.

• Flathead Suicide Prevention Coalition meets noon to 1 p.m., Dec. 17, Flathead City-County Health Department conference room, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell. Call Joan Schmidt, 871-1008.