Today
• Whitefish Winter Classic today through March 9. Today - Poker Run, 7-9 p.m., Great Northern Bar and Grill; March 6 - Meet the NFL players and celebrities, free, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Summit House, Whitefish Mountain Resort, 5-7 p.m. NFL Play 60 Challenge, Whitefish High School gym, free; March 7 - Flathead Valley Snowmobile Association Picnic, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., free; VIP dinner and live auction, 5:30-10:30 p.m., for reservations, call Tonia Paulson, 406-249-6055; March 8 - champagne brunch, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Whitefish Lake Restaurant, $10 advance, at Whitefish Credit Union, Lodge at Whitefish Lake and Whitefish Glacier Bank; $12 at door, kids under 12, $6. For events details, call Doug Betters, 862-8146.
• Red Cross blood drive, 12:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Columbia Falls Community Center.
• Professional kayaker and founder of Firs Descents Brad Ludden presents a preview of his new documentary film, 5:30 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. Free. Public welcome.
• FVCC Art Department hosts a free open house 6-10 p.m. Arts and Technology building. Raku firing, pottery, drawing, jewelry demonstrations. Refreshments. Public invited; David Smith, 756-3993.
• Radical Reels Film Tour 7 p.m. Glacier High School Performance Hall. Action films from the Banff Mountain Film Festival. Tickets $10, available at Sportsman Ski Haus in Kalispell and Whitefish, and at the door. Fundraiser for Flathead Nordic Ski Patrol.
• Lakeside Parks Advisory Committee meets 7 p.m. Lakeside Chapel meeting room, U.S. 93.
• Kila School board community building meeting, 7 p.m.
Friday
• Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• Whitefish Winter Classic today through Sunday. Today - Meet the NFL players and celebrities, free, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Summit House, Whitefish Mountain Resort, 5-7 p.m. NFL Play 60 Challenge, Whitefish High School gym, free; March 7 - Flathead Valley Snowmobile Association Picnic, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., free; VIP dinner and live auction, 5:30-10:30 p.m., for reservations, call Tonia Paulson, 406-249-6055; March 8 - champagne brunch, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Whitefish Lake Restaurant, $10 advance, at Whitefish Credit Union, Lodge at Whitefish Lake and Whitefish Glacier Bank; $12 at door, kids under 12, $6. For events details, call Doug Betters, 862-8146.
• The Glacier Country Pachyderm meets noon to 1 p.m., Fireside Room, Red Lion Hotel. Guest speaker is Joe Russell, Flathead City-county Public Health officer. Lunch available. Public invited.
• Flathead County 4-H Interstate Exchange Program spaghetti dinner and pie auction, 5-7:30 p.m., The Christian Center, 255 Summit Ridge, Dr., Kalispell. Live entertainment. Cost $6 per person, or $15 per family, at the door, or call the Extension Office, 758-5553.
• Missoula Children's Theatre presents "Red Riding Hood, 7 p.m. today; 1 p.m. March 7, Salvation Army church, 110 Bountiful Dr., Kalispell.
Saturday
• Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to p.m., at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• Whitefish Winter Classic today through Sunday. Today - Flathead Valley Snowmobile Association Picnic, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., free; VIP dinner and live auction, 5:30-10:30 p.m., for reservations, call Tonia Paulson, 406-249-6055; March 8 - Champagne brunch, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Whitefish Lake Restaurant, $10 advance, at Whitefish Credit Union, Lodge at Whitefish Lake and Whitefish Glacier Bank; $12 at door, kids under 12, $6. For events details, call Doug Betters, 862-8146.
• Jack Potter, Glacier National Park chief for science and resource management, gives an update on projects and activities for park's 2010 centennial 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Montana House, Apgar Village. Free. Reservations recommended; call 888-5393.
• Lone Pine State Park Craft Corner for children 8 and up and adults, 11 a.m. to noon, Visitor Center, Kalispell. Program on "Nature Inspired Picture Frames." $3 fee to cover materials. Call Mary Beth Pendley, 755-2706, ext. 2.
• Children's Department of Flathead County Library, Kalispell, host a Dr. Seuss birthday celebration, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. All ages invited.
• Missoula Children's Theatre presents "Red Riding Hood, 1 p.m., Salvation Army church, 110 Bountiful Dr., Kalispell.
• Sons of Norway meet 7 p.m., Buffalo Hill Terrace meeting room, 40 Claremont St., Kalispell. Call 752-2357.
Sunday
• Whitefish Winter Classic champagne brunch, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.. Tickets $12 at door, kids under 12, $6. For events details, call Doug Betters, 862-8146.
Monday
• AARP Driver Safety class, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Our Lady of Mercy Church, Eureka. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 889-3437.
• Flathead County Animal Shelter advisory board meets 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Flathead County Health Department second floor conference room, 1035 First Ave. W. Public welcome.
• Flathead Vamil Planning sponsors a brown bag lunch presentation focusing on an HIV positive woman's experience, 11:30 a.m., Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell. Free confidential HIV testing available. Call 751-8154 for an appointment.
• Daughters of the American Revolution, Chief Ignace Chapter noon luncheon, Red Lion Hotel. Meeting and conference planning follow at 1 p.m. Call Cathy Lane, 755-6048.
• Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• Fair-Mont-Egan School board meets at 3 p.m., school library.
• Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group meets 6-8 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. The game Outburst will be played. Refreshments served. Survivors, family, friends are welcome. Refreshments. Call Kathy at 756-4723; or Sue at 756-4725.
• The Flathead Conservation District meets at 7 p.m., 133 Interstate Lane, in Evergreen. Call 752-4220.
• Flathead Audubon Society presents a program by Joyce Lapp on native plants, 7 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. Free. Public welcome.
Tuesday
• Public is invited to a free community lecture on "Co-Occurring Mental Illness and Substance Abuse,) 7:30 a.m., Pathways Treatment Center, 200 Heritage Way, Kalispell.
• Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce membership luncheon, noon, North Valley Community Room, 235 Nucleus Ave. Guest speaker is Lil Dupree of Community Action Partnership of Northwest Montana. No reservations required. Lunch available for $10. Call Carol Pike, 892-2072.
• Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, Kalispell.
• Citizens' Advisory Committee for Library Facilities meets 4 p.m., Main Library, Kalispell. Call Kim Crowley, 758-5826.
• Flathead Municipal Airport Authority meets at 4 p.m., Glacier Park International Airport board room.
• Kila School board meets 5:15 p.m.
• Free community reiki share, 5:30-7:15 p.m., Whitefish BodyTalk Center, 211 Central Ave. Call 862-2608.
• Swan River School board meets at 5:30 p.m., school library.
• 2009 Kalispell Relay for Life Committee meets 5:30 p.m. First National Bank, Kalispell. Call Joni McKiernan, 261-0184.
• Somers Rural Fire District board meets 6 p.m., Lakeside Fire Station, 125 Bills Road.
• Lake County Republican Women sponsor a free public talk with noted economist and University of Montana professor Richard Erb, 7 p.m., Polson Library. All welcome.
• Smith Valley School board meets at 7 p.m. at the Intermediate School.
• Back Country Horsemen of the Flathead meet at 7:30 p.m., Fish, Wildlife and Parks Building, 490 N. Meridian Road. Public welcome. Call 212-8107.
Wednesday
• Mindful Meditation group based on Sharon Salzburg's meditation workbook will begin meeting at 4:40 p.m. Glacier Unitarian Fellowship, 1515 Trumble Creek Road, Kalispell. Everyone welcome. Call Toni Well, 756-7635.
• Blueprint for Business Success brown bag session, noon to 1 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. Topic is "Respecting the Individual-Sexual Harassment Awareness.: Free. Public welcome. Call Terri Haueter, 758-6279.
• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., Pope John Paul II Church, Bigfork. Sponsored by Knights of Columbus.
• Lakeside Community Club meets at noon at Vista Linda. Lunch $10. Reservations required. Call Lois, 857-3512.
• "Finding Joy in Change" local educational group meets at 1 p.m., Whitefish Senior Citizens Center, 121 Second St. Pam Gewre of Purple Frog Gardens talks about "Seed Saving and Dangers of GMO Seeds and Food Crops' All ages welcome. Lunch available-RSVP at 862-4923. For information, call Lyn Hendrix, 863-9425.
• Marion School board meets 6 p.m.
• Evergreen School District board meets at 6:30 p.m., in the administration building boardroom.
• Flathead Outdoor Club meets 7 p.m., Flathead County Library basement meeting room, Kalispell. Tom Reynolds talks about his scuba diving trips to Aruba. Coffee and tea served. Everyone welcome. Call Mike Spence, 857-2599.
• Montana Landlords Association, Flathead Chapter election of officers, 7:30 p.m., Elks, Kalispell. Call Georgia, 756-1265.
• Flathead Valley Community Band annual spring concert, "Mosaics," 7:30 p.m., Flathead High School Auditorium. Admission is free.
A Look Ahead
• Flathead Nonprofit Development Partnership hosts a free brown bag seminar titled, "Working with Difference," presented by Kelly Harris of the Special Olympics, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 12, Museum at Central School.
• Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., March 12, Libby High School.
• Museum at Central School History Book Club meets 6:30 p.m., 124 Second Ave. E., March 12, Kalispell. Local author Carol Buchanan discusses her book, "God's Thunderbolt: The Vigilantes of Montana." Public invited. Call 756-8381.
• Local institute of Noetic Sciences Community Group meets 7 p.m., March 12, Bohemian Grange, 125 Blanchard Lake Road, Whitefish (behind Montana Coffee Traders on U.S. 93 South). Guest speaker is Steve Martinez, Kalispell licensed acupuncturist. All welcome. Donations appreciated. Call 862-9591 or 862-7711.
• Whitefish Middle School presents the comedy play, "Miss Nelson is Missing!," 7:30 p.m. March 12-13, Whitefish Middle School Auditorium. Tickets $5 adults, $3 students/seniors, available at Imagination Stations, Muldown Elementary and Whitefish Middle School.
• Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., March 13, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• Flathead Chapter of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees meets at noon March 13, Perkins Restaurant. Social time, 11:30 a.m. For reservations, call Bill Driver at 837-2744.
• Scott Mueller offers a free workshop on real estate investment strategy, 6:30-9:30 p.m. March 13, Hampton Inn, Kalispell. Seating limited. Pre-registration required. Call 752-3887.
• Lupus Support Group including fibromyalgia and auto-immune diseases, meets 7-9 p.m. March 13, The Summit, Kalispell. Guest speaker is art therapist Allyson Norwood Busch. Free. Call 837-1055.
• Ronan Women's Club 23rd annual arts, crafts and flea market 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. March 14, Ronan Community Center. Lunch, snacks and beverages available. To reserve a table, call Alice, 406-676-5079.
• Winter Wonderland craft and vendor market, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 14, Whitefish Mountain Mall.
• Bird Woman Falls Chapter of Daughters of American Revolution hosts a workshop titled, "Genealogy Brick Walls." by Bev Zierow, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 14, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1380 Whitefish Stage Road, Kalispell. Call Carol Nicholson, 892-2952; or Marge Fisher, 862-1233. Everyone invited.
• Moonlight Dine and Ski for Glacier National Park Fund, March 14, Whitefish Mountain Resort Summit. Dinner options 6 or 7 p.m. Includes Chair 1, dinner, entertainment, optional guided ski. Cost $67.85 adults. $33.93 youth under 12. Call 862-2900 for reservations and menu selection.
• "Changing Your Cholesterol Numbers … with Food Choices' lecture, noon to 1 p.m., March 16, The Summit, Kalispell. Fee $10. Call 751-4500 to pre-register.
• Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., March 16, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• Kila School board Policy meeting 5 p.m. March 16.
• Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., March 17, City of Kalispell Council Chambers.
• Kalispell Women's Connection buffet luncheon 11:30 a.m., March 17, First Baptist Church, 301 W. Wyoming St., Kalispell. Flathead Valleyaires Barbershop Quartet performs Irish music. Guest speaker is Karen Spaulding. Cost is $10.50. RSVP Rosainne, 257-8098 or Jan at 212-3763. Complimentary child care by reservation. Affiliated with Stonecroft International Inc.
• St. Patrick's Day ceili, 4:30-8 p.m. March 17, St. Matthew's School gym and cafeteria, 602 S. Main St., Kalispell. Irish dancers and live music by Zephyr. Shamrock Catering provides corned beef, cabbage, potatoes and dessert for $10 per person or $28 per family. Hot dogs and soda also available for $1 each. All welcome.
• Free BodyTalk lecture, 5:30-7 p.m., March 17, Whitefish BodyTalk Center, 211 Central Ave. Call 862-2608.
• 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.
• Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., March 18, Forest Service offices.
• Flathead Chapter of the Montana Native Plant Society meets March 18 at Glacier Discovery Square, 540 Nucleus Avenue, Columbia Falls. Enter through northwest door. Terry Divoky discusses "Native Plant Gardening and Landscaping." Business meeting at 5:30 p.m.; slide show at 7 p.m. Free. Public welcome. Call Betty at 892-0129.
• Jimmy Carter's latest book, "We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land," will be discussed at 7 p.m. March 18, Whitefish Library. Sponsored by Community on Middle East Solutions. Free. Open to public. Call 755-3704.
• Childfind screening and kindergarten registration, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 19-20, Lakeside School Call 844-2208 for an appointment.
• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., March 19, The Wave, Whitefish.
• History is Posh (HIP) local history group meets 4 p.m., March 19, Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, Depot Building, Kalispell. Tour before meeting. Public welcome. Call 837-2459.
• Community on Middle East Solutions benefit for Gaza 7 p.m. March 19, United Methodist Church, Bigfork. Jack Gladstone performs, followed by a presentation by Barbara Lubin, director of Middle East Children's Alliance. $10 donation requested. Refreshments, books CDs and handicrafts for sale. Call 755-3704.
• Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., March 20, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• Multi-faith celebration of spring equinox, 6 p.m. March 20, Mountain View Mennonite Church, Mennonite Road, Creston. Vegetarian supper, Sabbath candle lighting ceremony. Music provided by The Dream Catchers from Missoula. All faiths welcome. Call Ina Albert, 863-2333.
• AARP Driver Safety class, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 21, The Summit, Kalispell. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 751-4500.
• Flathead Lake United Methodist Camp 24-hour knitting and crocheting camp, 9 a.m. March 21, to noon March 22, 21339 Methodist Camp Road, Rollins. Meals provided. Registration $35. Call Martha Cline, 844-3483.
• Lone Pine State Park Craft Corner for children 8 and up and adults, 11 a.m. to noon, March 21, Visitor Center, Kalispell. Program on "Recycled Decoupage Candles." Bring own glass jars if possible. $3 fee to cover other materials. Call Mary Beth Pendley, 755-2706, ext. 2.
• Kassandra Hardy, Glacier Park Centennial coordinator, provides an update on programs and events, 2-4 p.m. March 21, Montana House, Apgar Village, Glacier Park. Free. Reservation recommended. Call 888-5393.
• Flathead County Republican Lincoln-Reagan Day Dinner 2009, March 21, Flathead County Fairgrounds Trade Center. Cocktails 5:30 p.m.; dinner 6:30 p.m. Speakers include Congressman Denny Rehberg and Tom DeWeese of the U.S. Policy Center. Silent, live auctions. Call 756-2874 for tickets.
• Flathead Crop Circle community sustainability group through gardening meets 6-7 p.m., March 21, JD Morrell's, Hutton Ranch Plaza, Kalispell. Call Siara, 257-3299.
• Izaak Walton inn annual Snow Rodeo March 21-22, Essex. Rodeo-style events performed on skis and snowshoes. All welcome. Free. Call 888-5700.
• AARP Driver Safety class, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 23, North Valley Hospital, Whitefish. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 863-3630.
• Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., March 23, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• Glacier National Park Associates Winter Speak Series presents Chas Cartwright, new superintendent at Glacier Park, 7 p.m., March 23, Museum at Central School, Kalispell. Free. All welcome. Call Jerry Yenne, 756-8992.
• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., March 24, Good Shepherd Church, Polson.
• AARP Driver Safety class, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 25, Mission Valley Senior Center, Ronan. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 406-676-2371.
• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m., March 25, Three Rivers Bank, Meridian Road, in the blood mobile.
• Flathead Special Education Cooperative executive council meets, 8:30 a.m., March 26, Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W., second floor conference room.
• 2009 Employment Exploration Expo, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. March 26, Kalispell Center Mall.
• Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., March 26, First Interstate Bank, Hutton Ranch, in the blood mobile.
• Flathead Suicide Prevention Coalition meets noon to 1 p.m., March 26, Flathead City-County Health Department conference room, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell. Call Joan Schmidt, 871-1008.
• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m., March 27, Lowe's in the blood mobile.
• Somers/Lakeside PTA annual school carnival 5-9 p.m. March 28, Lakeside elementary gym. Twenty games, prizes. Play All Night passes $10 in advance or $11 at door. All welcome. Call 871-5104.
• AARP Driver Safety class, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 30, St. John's Lutheran Hospital, Libby. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 406-293-0100.
• Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., March 30, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• AARP Driver Safety class, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 31, The Summit, Kalispell. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 751-4500.
• Red Cross blood drive, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., March 31, Flathead High School.
• MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m. April 1, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Lyn Kelly gives a program on "Early Literacy." Child care provided. Call Heidi Durban, 253-4886.
• Flathead Chronic Pain Support Group meets 5:30-7 p.m., April 6, 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.
• Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets at 7 p.m. April 6, The Summit, Kalispell. All those affected by suicide welcome. Call 871-1008.
• Flathead Outdoor Club meets 7 p.m., April 8, Flathead County Library basement meeting room, Kalispell. Shari Courser talks about floating the Peruvian side of the Amazon River. Coffee and tea served. Everyone welcome. Call Mike Spence, 857-2599.
• MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m. April 15, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Baby-sitters Brunch. Child care provided. Call Heidi Durban, 253-4886.
• Flathead Chapter of the Montana Native Plant Society meets April 15 at Glacier Discovery Square, 540 Nucleus Avenue, Columbia Falls. Enter through northwest door. Business meeting at 5:30 p.m.; slide show at 7 p.m. Topic is "Plant Family ID Workshop." Free. Public welcome. Call Betty at 892-0129.
• American Association of University Women's annual used book sale, April 17-19, Kalispell Center Mall. Donations welcome. Call Lynette, 857-2217 or drop in barrels at Albertsons and Rosauers, Kalispell; Mountain West Bank, Whitefish; IGA, Bigfork; Smith's, Columbia Falls.
• Flathead Special Education Cooperative board meets 11:30 a.m. April 23, Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W., second floor conference room.
• Flathead Suicide Prevention Coalition meets noon to 1 p.m., April 23, Flathead City-County Health Department conference room, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell. Call Joan Schmidt, 871-1008.
• MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m. April 29, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. No child care available. Call Heidi Durban, 253-4886.
• MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m., May 6, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Mac Bledsoe gives a program on "Messages of Love." Child care provided. Call Heidi Durban, 253-4886.
• Bigfork area MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers' Dinner and Denim fundraiser, 5 p.m. May 9, Flathead Lake Lodge. Silent, live auctions. Tickets $20, available at Crossroads Christian Fellowship or the Barn antique store. (Adults only.)
• Annual Flathead Lake Cherry Festival, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 9, East Shore Yellow Bay club, Montana 35, 18-mile marker. Craft booths, live music, lunch and cherry pie. Call 982-3233. For booth rental call Jackie, 982-3839.
• Flathead Outdoor Club meets 7 p.m., May 13, Flathead County Library basement meeting room, Kalispell. Doug Mead discusses his recent trip to Fiji. Coffee and tea served. Everyone welcome. Call Mike Spence, 857-2599.
• MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m. May 20, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. MOMS brunch. Child care provided. Call Heidi Durban, 253-4886.
• Flathead Chapter of the Montana Native Plant Society meets 7 p.m. May 20 at Glacier Discovery Square, 540 Nucleus Avenue, Columbia Falls. Enter through northwest door. Volunteer planting of native shade garden. Public welcome. Call Terry, 892-0129.
• Flathead Special Education Cooperative executive council meets, 8:30 a.m., May 28, Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W., second floor conference room.
• Flathead Special Education Cooperative executive council meets, 8:30 a.m., June 25, Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W., second floor conference room.
• Glacier Challenge multi-sport race, 7:30 a.m. July 11. Fundraiser for Flathead Youth Home. Call Hannah Plumb, 755-4622.
• Annual Montana Native Plant Society statewide meeting July 17, Hungry Horse. Call Betty at 892-0129.