Today
• "Changing Your Cholesterol Numbers … with Food Choices' lecture, noon to 1 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. Fee $10. Call 751-4500 to pre-register.
• Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• Somers School District board meets at 3:45 p.m., Somers Middle School.
• Kila School board Policy meeting 5 p.m.
• Deer Park School board meets 5 p.m.
• 40 Days for Life Halfway Rally 5-6 p.m., First Baptist Church, 301 W. Wyoming, Kalispell. Free will offering dinner. Procession to Planned Parenthood follows at 6 p.m. Call Sandra Bois, 756-3323.
Tuesday
• Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., City of Kalispell Council Chambers.
• Humane Society of Northwest Montana "Adopt Me, I'm Irish" animal adoption event, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., 3499 U.S. 93 S., Kalispell. Cost $17 includes vaccinations, de-wormer, spay or neuter surgery, microchip, free veterinarian exam. Call 752-7297.
• Kalispell Women's Connection buffet luncheon 11:30 a.m., 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.
• Lakeside County Water and Sewer district board meets 2 p.m., district meeting room, 253 Bierney Creek Road, Lakeside.
• Ancient Order of Hibernians St. Patrick's Day Parade, 4 p.m., downtown Kalispell. Call Mark Lalum, 755-7400 or 261-1654.
• St. Patrick's Day ceili, 4:30-8 p.m., 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., Whitefish BodyTalk Center, 211 Central Ave. Call 862-2608.
• Ronan's 20th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, 5:30 p.m., Main Street. Call Carlene, 676-0646; or Kevin, 676-4231.
• Somers School District board meets for a Gifted and Talented Program update, 6 p.m., Somers Middle School.
• Joan Schmidt, program coordinator for Flathead Suicide Prevention Coalition, conducts a suicide prevention seminar for parents and educators, 7-8:30 p.m., Glacier High School Performance Hall. Free. Call 758-8611.
• Flathead Democratic Party meets 7 p.m., KM Theatre, 40 Second St. E., Kalispell. Change That Works representative Kim Pappas speaks about the Employee Free Choice Act. Call 862-4942.
• Cayuse Prairie School board meets at 7 p.m. in the school library.
Wednesday
• Evergreen Water and Sewer District board meets at 7 a.m. at the district office, 130 Nicholson Dr.
• Gislason Chiropractic food bank fundraiser, U.S. 93 South. Call Rhonda for an appointment at 862-9700.
• MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Brian Tankos discusses "How to Write a Will." Child care provided. Call Heidi Durban, 253-4886.
• Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Forest Service offices.
• Columbia Falls Women's Connection luncheon, 11:30 a.m., North Valley Community Center, 235 Nucleus Ave., Columbia Falls. Guest speakers Colette Gross, owner of Station 8, and Karen Spaulding. Cost $8 per person. Free child care by reservation. Call Candy, 387-4119; Janet, 892-3621. Affiliated with Stonecroft Ministries.
• FVCC Artist to Artist brown bag lunch presentation titled, "What the Montana Arts Council Can Do for You," by Cinda Holt, noon to 1 p.m., Arts and Technology building, room 144. Free. Public welcome.
• Agape Home Care, Inc. presents Jolene Brackey, nationally acclaimed speaker and author of "Creating Moments of Joy," speaking on dementia and Alzheimer's at two seminars today, from 2-5 p.m. and 6-9 p.m., United Way Conference Room, Gateway West Mall. Free. Public invited.
• Jimmy Carter's latest book, "We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land," will be discussed at 7 p.m., Whitefish Library. Sponsored by Community on Middle East Solutions. Free. Open to public. Call 755-3704.
• Olduvai Forum meets 7 p.m., Clementine's, 265 Bridge St., Bigfork. The documentary, "Burning the Future: Coal in America," will be shown. Coffee and tea provided. Donations appreciated. All welcome. Call Jeffrey Funk, 837-4208.
Thursday
• Childfind screening and kindergarten registration, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and March 20, Lakeside School Call 844-2208 for an appointment.
• Northwest Montana Educational Cooperative management board meets 8:30-10:30 a.m., 124 Third Ave. E, Kalispell (Linderman School). Call 752-3302.
• Ski Turner Mountain today from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. to raise money for Whitefish Review's June issue publication. Cost $30 per person. Call 261-6190.
• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., The Wave, Whitefish.
• FVCC Multicultural Affairs Program presents Barbara Lubin, Middle East Children's Alliance founder speaking on the topic, "Children of Gaza," noon to 1:30 p.m., FVCC Blake Hall Board Room. Free. Public invited. Call 756-3945.
• History is Posh (HIP) local history group meets 4 p.m., Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, Depot Building, Kalispell. Tour before meeting. Public welcome. Call 837-2459.
• Whitefish Chamber of Commerce Gone Fishin' 5-7 p.m. at Cowboy Cabin Old West Antiques, 845 Wisconsin Ave. Entertainment by Gene Gordner. Refreshments served. Public welcome. Call 862-3501.
• Muldown School hosts Mully Night, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Dinner, games activities. Tickets at the door.
• Growing in God's Love (Gigle) Child Care and Preschool grand opening and open house, 6 p.m., 1125 St. E., Whitefish. Ministry of Whitefish Church of the Nazarene. Call Carrie, 863-1304.
• Community on Middle East Solutions benefit for Gaza 7 p.m., United Methodist Church, Bigfork. Jack Gladstone performs, followed by a presentation by Barbara Lubin, director of Middle East Children's Alliance. Refreshments, books CDs and handicrafts for sale. Call 755-3704.
Friday
• Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
Thought
"Until we lose ourselves there is no hope of finding ourselves." n Henry Miller, American author (1891-1980).
"Grapes, Barley and Hops' wine and beer tasting event and fundraiser, 5:30 p.m., historic Keith House, 538 Fifth Ave. E., Kalispell. Light appetizers, cello, guitar music, children's art show, basket raffle. Tickets $15. Call 756-7295 for outlet information. Proceeds benefit Discovery Developmental Center.
• Multi-faith celebration of spring equinox, 6 p.m., 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.
A Look Ahead
• 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.
• Columbia Falls Community Choir annual spring concert, 7 p.m. March 21, Columbia Falls High School. Over 100 members perform traditional, swing and a variety of choral pieces. Free. Donations accepted. Refreshments served following concert.
• Izaak Walton inn annual Snow Rodeo March 21-22, Essex. Rodeo-style events performed on skis and snowshoes. All welcome. Free. Call 888-5700.
• Time for Healing service 4-5 p.m. March 22, Christ Church Episcopal, 215 Third Ave. E., Kalispell. Meditative hour of Christian reading and song hosted by area churches. All are welcome. Call 257-6812.
• 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.
• The Flathead Conservation District meets at 7 p.m., March 23, 133 Interstate Lane, in Evergreen. Call 752-4220.
• 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.
• Creston School board special meeting to discuss school options, 4:30 p.m. March 24. Public welcome.
• Flathead Homebuyers Workshop 6:30-8:30 p.m. March 24, FVCC Community Arts Building. Local experts present on homeownership opportunities. Free child care, food, drinks, prizes, giveaways and coupon book. All welcome. Call Dusty Dziza, 212-7175.
• 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.
• Essential Stuff Project free presentation, 7 p.m., March 25, Clementine's 265 Bridge St., Bigfork. Fran Wade gives a presentation of "Making Cheese and Tofu at Home." Free; donations accepted. Call Edd Blackler, 837-5196; or Catherine Haug, 837-4577.
• 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.
• Flathead County Library board meets at 3 p.m. March 26, at the Flathead County Library meeting room, Kalispell. Call Kim Crowley,758-5826.
• Sunriser Lions 35th annual pancake supper, 4:30-7 p.m. March 26, St. Matthew's Cafeteria. All-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, coffee and juice. Adults, $7; children, $4; family, $20; seniors, $5.50. Proceeds to local eye programs.
• Free CPR/Choking emergency preparedness training, 7-8:30 p.m. March 26, Smith Valley School. RSVP to Mrs. Stappler, 756-4535.
• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m., March 27, Lowe's in the blood mobile.
• Boomers Singles Group dinner, March 27, Village Greens Community Center, 195 W. Nicklaus Ave., Kalispell. Social hour, 6 p.m.; dinner 7 p.m.; meeting 8 p.m. Reservations required. RSVP to Melody, 253-9249. All 40-plus singles welcome.
• 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.
• Whitefish Figure Skating Club Spring Ice Show, "Broadway on Ice, 7 p.m. March 28, Stumptown Den, Wisconsin Avenue, Whitefish. Guest skater is Cari Maus. Special guests Betsi Morrison and Luke Walrath of Alpine Theatre Project. Tickets at Imagination Toy Stores, Whitefish and Kalispell, and at the rink. Call 862-7699.
• 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 Food Bank's 14th annual Soup Supper, 5:30-8 p.m. April 3, Northridge Lutheran Church, 323 Northridge Dr., Kalispell. All the soup, break and dessert you can eat and take home your handmade bowl. Silent, live auctions. Tickets $25 available at Food Bank, 105 Sixth Ave. W. Call Lori Botkin, 752-3663.
• 43rd annual Creston Auction and Country Fair, April 3-5. Bring in consignments 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 3. Auction starts 9 a.m. April 4; arts and crafts, rummage and bake sales. RV, marine auto and equipment sale starts 9 a.m. April 5. Call 250-7396.
• 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.
• Life Line Stroke and osteoporosis screening April 17, Mission Mountain Country Club, 640 Stagecoach Trail, Ronan. Appointments begin 9 a.m. Pre-registration required. Call 1-877-237-1287.
• 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.
• Montana Mountain Horse Arena open house, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 25, 1210 Birch Grove, Kalispell. Young colt saddling, bridling and advanced riding horse demonstrations. Free. Public invited.
• 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.
• 2009 Montana Home Educators State Convention, May15-16, Christian Center, Kalispell. Keynote speakers are Lorrie Flem from TEACH Magazine Mark Hamby of Lamplighter Publishing, and Steve White, of the Coalition. Twenty-eight workshops. Register by April 20. Call 892-0437.
• 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.