Today
• AARP Driver Safety class, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., 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., Three Rivers Bank, Meridian Road, in the blood mobile.
• Flathead Valley Business and Professional Women meet noon to 1 p.m., Red Lion Hotel, Kalispell. Rebecca Johns of New Directions Professional Coaching talks about "Managing Your Energy and Your Time." Guests welcome. Lunch available for $13. RSVP to Shelley Loutherback, 755-4884.
• Big Sky Astronomy Club President Mark Paulson gives a presentation on astronomy noon to 1 p.m. Blake Hall Board Room, FVCC. Call Sharon Randolph, 756-3981.
• "Finding Joy in Change" local educational group meets at 1 p.m., Whitefish Senior Citizens Center, 121 Second St. Topic is "Basics of Sustainability." All ages welcome. Lunch available-RSVP at 862-4923. For information, call Lyn Hendrix, 863-9425.
• Montana West Economic Development offers a free class today on "Managing Your Money for Your Business, FVCC. 1-4 p.m. is for prospective business owners; 5-8 p.m. for existing business owners and entrepreneurs. Instructor Charlie Wright of Montana Department of Commerce. Limited seating. RSVP to 756-3832.
• Whitefish School District board special meeting, 4:15 p.m., district board room.
• Open house to provide information regarding the downtown Whitefish infrastructure improvement project, 5:30 p.m. O'Shaughnessy Center, Whitefish. Public invited.
• Swan River School board meets 6 pm., school library.
• Essential Stuff Project free presentation, 7 p.m., 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.
• 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, 257-9798.
• Flathead Civil War Roundtable meets 7 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. Discussion will focus on many facets of Abraham Lincoln. New members welcome. Call Ron Juno, 862-2239.
Thursday
• Flathead Special Education Cooperative executive council meets, 8:30 a.m., Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W., second floor conference room.
• Nonprofit Development Partnership and Flathead County Library System co-host a free seminar on researching grants through Foundation Directory Online database, 8:30-10 a.m., Kalispell Library. RSVP to 755-1135.
• 2009 Employment Exploration Expo, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Kalispell Center Mall. Representatives from employers, colleges, technical schools, state agencies and more. Bring resume copies. Prizes awarded. Free. Everyone welcome.
• Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., First Interstate Bank, Hutton Ranch, in the blood mobile.
• Flathead Suicide Prevention Coalition meets noon to 1 p.m., Flathead City-County Health Department conference room, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell. Call Joan Schmidt, 871-1008.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) meets at The Summit, Kalispell, for social time 12:30-1 p.m.; business meeting 1-2:30 p.m. Guest speaker, Ron Glick who spent five years incarcerated at Deer Lodge, will talk about claustrophobic anxiety disorder and how the Department of Corrections handles mental health issues. Public welcome. Call Boyd Roth, 471-4483.
• Flathead County Library board meets at 3 p.m., at the Flathead County Library meeting room, Kalispell. Call Kim Crowley, 758-5826.
• Sunriser Lions 35th annual pancake supper, 4:30-7 p.m., 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.
• Welcome reception for new North Valley Hospital CEO Jason A. Spring, 4:30-6:30 p.m., hospital cafe dining room. Public welcome. Call 863-3630.
• Free CPR/Choking emergency preparedness training, 7-8:30 p.m., Smith Valley School. RSVP to Mrs. Stappler, 756-4535.
• Kalispell Senior Citizens business meeting and potluck supper, 5 p.m. Kalispell Senior Center, 403 Second Ave. W. Bring a potluck dish if you can. All area seniors 55 and older welcome. Call 257-1598.
• Free information seminar by Dr. Dennis Probst on colorectal cancer, 7 p.m., St. Joseph Medical Center Lobby, Polson. Refreshments.
Friday
• LHC spring construction and home show, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and March 28, Flathead County Fairgrounds Trade Center Building. Open to public. Free admission.
• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m., Lowe's in the blood mobile.
• Northwest Montana Retired Education Association meets at noon at Perkins. Lillian Judge presents a program on growing up in Butte in the Irish tradition.
• Eagles Auxiliary in Columbia Falls hosts a spaghetti dinner fundraiser, 3-7 p.m., 1640 U.S. 2 W., Columbia Falls. Dinner $5 with delicious dessert. Silent auction, raffles. Proceeds go to Morgan family Chemo Fund. Entertainment by Montana Fiddlers Association. Call Family Dental Center, 892-2104 or Barb Proctor, 260-5887.
• Evergreen Middle School Family Bingo Night, 18 W. Evergreen Dr. Doors open at 5 p.m.; bingo 6 p.m. Silent auction, raffles, concession. Call Amanda Beach, 755-6163.
• Hockaday Museum's annual Auction of Miniatures preview party, 5-7 p.m. Free. Public welcome. Call Holly, 755-5268.
• Boomers Singles Group dinner, 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.
• Big Arm Association hosts a Polson Rural Fire District candidate forum for the five running for two open seats in May 5 election, Big Arm Fire Hall. Coffee and dessert 6:30 p.m.; forum 7 p.m. Local residents welcome. Call 849-6628.
• Powder Horn Trading Co., Bead Gala, 7-9 p.m.; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 28, 2052 U.S. 2 E., Kalispell. Free samples, demonstrations. Learn new beading techniques.
• Phil Aaberg "Visions of Spring" concert and fundraiser for Rotary International eradication of polio, 8 p.m., Christian Center, 255 Summit Ridge Dr., Kalispell. Tickets $20 adults; $15 seniors; $10 children/students, available at Northwest Real Estate, Books West, First National Bank of Montana, Red Cross Blood Center and Glacier Banks (all branches). Call Ken Jones, 257-1840.
Saturday
• Powder Horn Trading Co., Bead Gala, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 2052 U.S. 2 E., Kalispell. Free samples, demonstrations. Learn new beading techniques.
• LHC spring construction and home show, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Flathead County Fairgrounds Trade Center Building. Open to public. Free admission.
• Flathead Audubon spring waterfowl migration trip to Freezout Lake today and Sunday. Meet at Kalispell K-mart parking lot at 10:30 a.m. March 28. Call Bob Lee, 270-0371. Everyone welcome.
• Humane Society of Northwest Montana Volunteer Orientation 11 a.m., Humane Society, 3499 U.S. 93 N., Kalispell. Call 752-PAWS.
• Somers/Lakeside PTA annual school carnival 5-9 p.m., Lakeside Elementary gym. Twenty games, prizes. Play All Night passes $10 in advance or $11 at door. All welcome. Call 871-5104.
• Rob Quist and Great Northern, and Jack Gladstone benefit concert for Samaritan House homeless shelter, Gardner's Auction, U.S. 93 South, being Mergenthaler's. Doors open 5 p.m.; dinner 6 p.m.; concert 7 p.m. Tickets $35 include pig roast dinner, dessert, coffee and beverages. Beer and wine available for purchase. Auctions; raffle. Tickets available at Samaritan House, 124 Ninth Ave. W., Kalispell and at door. Call 257-5801.
• Whitefish Figure Skating Club Spring Ice Show, "Broadway on Ice, 7 p.m., 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.
Sunday
American Legion District 4 spring meeting, The Eagles. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m.
Monday
• AARP Driver Safety class, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 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., , at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
Tuesday
• AARP Driver Safety class, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 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., Flathead High School.
• Agape Home Care, Inc. , brown bag lunch seminar on health through physical activity, noon to 1 p.m., United Way Conference Room, Gateway West Mall, Kalispell. Call 755-4633.
• Free community seminar, "Managing Stress in Turbulent Times," by Bob Marsenich and Karen McMullen, 6:30-8:30 p.m., St. Joseph Medical Center Lobby, Ronan. Refreshments.
• Columbia Falls High School's College Planning Night, 7 p.m. CFHS Launer Library. Parents and students invited. Call 892-6500.
A Look Ahead
• Kalispell Public Schools Finance Committee meets at 6:45 a.m., April 1, administration building, 233 First Ave. E.
• 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.
• Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., April 1, Glacier National Park.
• Red Cross blood drive, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., April 2, Columbia Falls High School.
• Glacier Street Rod Association meets April 2, Birch Grove Grange. Call Rob Eickert, 249-5388.
• Red Cross blood drive, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., April 3, Browning Hospital.
• 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.
• 74th annual Flathead Lake Cherry Growers horticultural meeting, April 4, Yellow Bay Clubhouse, Montana 35, mile marker 18. On-site registration 8 a.m.; program begins at 9 a.m. Public welcome. Cost $20, includes a hearty lunch. Advance registration recommended. Call 982-3069; or 676-4271.
• Trees to Paper to Trees semi-annual recycling drive, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 4, Flathead County Fairgrounds, Kalispell. Bring in newspapers, magazines, office paper, cardboard, phone books and aluminum cans to north end of grounds. Call Parks and Recreation, 758-7849.
• Pediatric first aid training, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 4, The Summit, Kalispell. Cost $45. Pre-registration required. Call 751-4500.
• MSU Extension Equine Seminar 9:30 a.m. April 4, Glacier High School. Topics include backcountry packing, breeding, illness, nutrition, youth skills and more. Advance reservation $15; $20 day of seminar. Call 758-5553; or 296-9019 in Lincoln County.
• All Mosta Ranch nonprofit livestock rescue center and Humane Society of Northwest Montana host "Critter Community Outreach," 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 4-5, old Eisinger Motors parking lot, 1000 E. Idaho, Kalispell-weather permitting. Educational and fun activities. Meet the animals. Free admission. Everyone welcome.
• Kalispell Moose Lodge 1922 buffet breakfast benefit 9-11 a.m., April 5, 2158 U.S. 2 E., Kalispell. Menu includes Polish sausage, eggs, hash browns, biscuits and gravy and beverage. Proceeds go to Moose Family Center and charities. Everyone welcome. Call Jeremy Heindel, 212-4834 or Mike Larkey, 257-0266.
• Noble Acres open house 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 5, May Song Farm, 310 Batavia Lane. Turn off U.S. 2 West at Kelly Ray's Conoco. Look for balloons. Demonstrations 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Refreshments. Meet horses and talk to counseling staff for equine assisted therapy.
• Flathead Chronic Pain Support Group meets 5:30-7 p.m., April 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.
• Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., April 6, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• 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.
• Glacier Stamp Club meets at 6:30 p.m. April 6, in the basement meeting room of the Flathead County Library, Kalispell. Short business meeting at 7 p.m., followed by a film on stamp collecting; followed by short business meeting. Visitors welcome. Call Gail Long, 752-6110.
• 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.
• Red Cross blood drive, 1-6 p.m., April 7, Bigfork Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
• "Finding Joy in Change" local educational group meets at 7 p.m., April 7, Whitefish United Methodist Church, 1150 Wisconsin Ave. Topic is "Dehydrating Food" by Bruce Christensen of Harvest Health Foods. All ages welcome. Lunch available-RSVP at 862-4923. For information, call Lyn Hendrix, 863-9425.
• Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 8, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• AARP Driver Safety offers a free presentation for care givers of the elderly, titled, "We Nee to Talk - Conversations with the Older Driver, 7 p.m. April 8, The Summit, Kalispell. Call 751-4500.
• 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.
• Red Cross blood drive, 12:30-5:30 p.m., April 9, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Sponsored by Rotary Clubs.
• Flathead Chapter of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees meets at noon, April 10, Perkins Restaurant. Social time, 11:30 a.m. For reservations, call Bill Driver at 837-2744.
• Mission Valley Christian Academy, WWJD Lane (two miles east of U.S. 93 on Montana 35) hosts a seder dinner 6 p.m. April 10. Tickets $25 per person. Call 883-6858.
• Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 10, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• Glacier Park VFW Post 2252 hosts an Easter Egg Scramble 2009, 1 p.m. April 12, Lawrence Park, Kalispell. Public invited. Five age groups, from toddler to 12- year-olds. Special prize eggs. Call Troy or Danielle McClenahan, 755-7676.
• Great Northern Seventh-Day Adventist Church of Whitefish hosts an Easter Egg event 2 p.m. April 12, Whitefish Depot Park. Four age groups from 0 to 13. Healthy sweets. Prizes. Grand prize valued at $75. All welcome.
• Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., April 13, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• The Flathead Conservation District meets at 7 p.m., April 13, 133 Interstate Lane, in Evergreen. Call 752-4220.
• Public is invited to a free community lecture on "Life with Autism," 7:30 a.m., April 14, Pathways Treatment Center, 200 Heritage Way, Kalispell.
• Agape Home Care, Inc. , brown bag lunch seminar on long-term health insurance options by Mark Kuhr, noon to 1 p.m., April 14, United Way Conference Room, Gateway West Mall, Kalispell. Call 755-4633.
• AARP Driver Safety class, noon to 4 p.m. April 14, North Valley Senior Center, Columbia Falls. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 892-4087.
• 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 "Identifying Native Plant Families." Free. Public welcome. Call Betty at 892-0129.
• Evergreen School District board meets at 6:30 p.m., April 15, administration building boardroom.
• West Glacier Elementary School public informational meeting regarding shift to four-day academic week, 5:30 p.m. April 16, at the school. Public welcome.
• 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.
• 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.
• AARP Driver Safety class, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 18, The Summit, Kalispell. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 751-4500.
• Mission Valley Christian Academy, WWJD Lane (two miles east of U.S. 93 on Montana 35) open house, 5-7 p.m. April 21. Tours, refreshments. All welcome. Call 883-6858.
• AARP Driver Safety class, 9-11 a.m., and 1-3 p.m., Polson Area Senior Center $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 883-4735.
• 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.
• AARP Driver Safety class, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 25, North Valley Hospital. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 863-3630.
• 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.
• AARP Driver Safety class, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 27, St. John's Hospital, Libby. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 293-0100.
• AARP Driver Safety class, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. April 27, Plains Area Senior Center. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 751-4500.
• 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.
• Fashion for Compassion luncheon and dogs and women fashion show, noon, May 2, Whitefish Community Center, 121 E. Second St. Tickets $20, at S.M. Bradford, Humane Society of Northwest Montana and Community Center. Dogs will be available for adoption. Proceeds benefit Humane Society. Call 862-4923.
• 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 Cherry Blossom Festival, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 9, Yellow Bay Club, Montana 35, mile marker 18. Arts and crafts, bake sale, luncheon and raffle for hand quilted throw. Live music by Old Time Fiddlers. Call Maureen, 982-3233.
• 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.