Today
• Bigfork Eastern Star Chapter No. 128, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and Saturday, Bigfork Masonic Lodge, 23586, Montana 35. Proceeds go to charities.
• Red Cross blood drives today, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell; and Best Buy, noon to 4 p.m., in the blood mobile.
• Glacier Country Pachyderm meets noon to 1 p.m., Fireside Room, Red Lion Hotel. Guest speaker is Adele Krantz, Flathead County treasurer. Lunch available. Public invited.
• Bank of America open house and barbecue, 4-7 p.m. 128 N. Meridian Road. Bring donations for Flathead Food Bank.
• Fair-Mont-Egan School Cinco de Mayo fundraiser, 5 p.m. Silent auction, raffle, music, food. Proceeds go to Family in Crisis Fund. Public invited. Call 755-7072.
• Canyon Elementary School spring carnival and silent auction. Dinner 5:30-8 p.m. Games, 6-8 p.m. Prizes, cakewalk, concessions.
• Flathead Democratic Party spring dinner, Grouse Mountain Lodge, U.S. 93 North, Whitefish. Guest speaker is Montana Democratic Party Chairman Dennis McDonald. Doors open 6 p.m.; dinner 6:45 p.m. Live music by Andre Floyd. Tickets $38. Call Sandy Schott, 250-9809; or Nancy Fenner, 752-0298 for availability.
Saturday
• Montana Dahlia Society annual tuber sale 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wal-Mart main entrance, Kalispell. Call 257-2540.
• Restoring Abundance: Men's Encounter, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Trinity Lutheran Church, hosted by Rivers of Grace. Lunch provided. Offering accepted. Call 885-0325.
• West Valley Volunteer Fire and Rescue indoor rummage sale fundraiser, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., West Valley Fire Hall, 2399 Whitefish Stage. Call 253-5908 or 755-3643.
• Ronan annual Clean-up Day. Meet at 9 a.m. at City Park. Gloves, trash bags, Dumpster and refreshments provided. Prizes awarded. Call Chuck Lewis, 270-5735.
• Bigfork Eastern Star Chapter No. 128 indoor yard sale, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Bigfork Masonic Lodge, 23586, Montana 35. Proceeds go to charities.
• Northwest Montana Pro Rodeo Queen, Princess and Little Miss clinic, 9 a.m. to noon, Flathead County Fairgrounds Expo Building. Call Kelly Hawkinson, 212-3421; or Michelle Barnes, 257-0808.
• Mission Mountain Winery annual Red Wine and Chocolate season opening 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. U.S. 93, Dayton. Learn about wine and food pairings. Free. Public welcome.
• Bike rodeo 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Evergreen Middle School, 11 W. Evergreen Dr., Kalispell. Test your skills, get your bike checked, and have helmet fitted. Call Darla Harmon, 752-3255.
• Northwest Montana Gold Prospectors Gold, Gem, Mineral recreation show, 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. today; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Red Lion Hotel Kalispell. Prizes for best miner costume. Seminars, demonstrations, door prizes, raffles. Free admission.
• Free Financial Literacy Workshop Webcast live by Nourveau Riche CEO Jim Piccolo, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Red Lion Hotel Kalispell, Fireside Room. Doors open 9:30 a.m. Seating limited. To register and receive a required E-ticket, call 752-3887.
• Spring Cleaning Day, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Museum at Central School, 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Volunteers needed to work inside and out. Barbecue lunch provided. Call 756-8381.
• Fashion for Compassion luncheon and dogs and women fashion show, noon, 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.
• Columbia Falls Arbor Day Festival, noon to 3:30 p.m., Glacier Discovery Square, 540 Nucleus Ave. Barbecue. Live music with Jack Gladstone. Kids' activities, raffle, craft vendors. Tree planting ceremony.
• Whitefish Community School open house and barbecue, 5-7 p.m., 805 Park Ave. Free. Public welcome. Call 862-1216.
• Sixth annual "Making Miracles Happen" dinner and auction, Hilton Garden Inn, Kalispell. Live and silent auction, cash bar, raffle door prizes. Entertainment by David Ackroyd. Doors open 4:30 p.m.; dinner 5:30 p.m. Live auction, 6:30 p.m. Tickets $50 per person; $350 table of eight. Proceeds go to Human Therapy on Horseback. Call 881-4192.
• Conrad Mansion Museum's Death by Chocolate Murder Mystery VIII fundraiser, 7-10 p.m. Tickets $50 each or $45 for Friends of the Mansion Museum, available at Books West, First National Bank, Kalispell; or call 755-2166.
• Sons of Norway meet 7 p.m., Buffalo Hill Terrace meeting room, 40 Claremont St., Kalispell. Call 752-2357.
Sunday
• Northwest Montana Gold Prospectors Gold, Gem, Mineral recreation show, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Red Lion Hotel Kalispell. Prizes for best miner costume. Seminars, demonstrations, door prizes, raffles. Free admission.
• Bigfork Senior Center pancake breakfast, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., 639 Commerce St. Adults $5; children under 12, $3. Call 837-4157.
• Flathead Pioneer Auto Club, devoted to restoring and driving antique cars, meets 2 p.m., Flathead Electric Co-op building, U.S. 2 East, Kalispell. Enter on north side. All visitors welcome. Call Dave Cooley, 257-4023.
• Whitefish Chamber of Commerce presents the Community Service Awards at annual meeting, 3-5 p.m. Grouse Mountain Lodge. Tickets $20. Call 862-3501.
Monday
• Lake County Republican Women's Club meets noon to 1 p.m., Wheat Montana, Polson. Lunch available. To order, call 883-9209 prior to meeting.
• Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• Glacier Stamp Club meets 6:30 p.m. in the basement meeting room of the Flathead County Library, Kalispell. Silent auction. Visitors welcome. Call Gail Long, 752-6110.
• Local filmmaker and photographer Nicolas Hudak presents his images, "Beautiful Struggles," 7 p.m., Museum at Central School. Free. Public welcome.
• Flathead Chronic Pain Support Group meets 5:30-7 p.m., 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.
Tuesday
• Kalispell Public Schools Finance Committee meets 7 a.m. district administration building.
• 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, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Plum Creek corporate office.
• Edwin Berry, atmospheric physicist and certified meteorologist, lectures on "The End of Global Warming," noon to 1 p.m., Arts and Technology building room 139, FVCC.
• Flathead Building and Industry Association annual meeting, noon, Red Lion Hotel Kalispell. Cost $25, includes lunch. RSVP 752-8281.
• West Valley Fire District trustees meet at 7:30 p.m., at the West Valley Fire Station on Farm to Market Road.
• Marion School board meets to canvass ballots after election, 7:30 p.m., school library.
Wednesday
• Kila School trustees canvass election results 8 a.m.
• MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m., 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.
• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., Troy High School.
• Project Whitefish 20th annual Wine and Food Fest and auction, 6-9 p.m., Grouse Mountain Lodge. Tickets $50. Call 862-5371.
Thursday
• Eagle Transit support training, 10-11:30 p.m., Buffalo Hill Terrace, 40 Claremont St., Kalispell. Bert Hauser will talk about reservations, scheduling and ridership. Try getting on and off bus using adaptive equipment. All welcome. Refreshments served.
• Red Cross blood drive, 12:30-5:30 p.m., North Valley Community Center, Columbia Falls.
• Somers School District Faculty Advisory Committee meets 3:45 p.m., Somers Middle School.
• Thursday Farmer's Market in Whitefish begins season, 4-6:30 p.m., Pin and Cue, Call Joanne Barnes, 862-3541; or Ann Donahue, 862-5139.
• Jon Young, naturalist, tracker and author will speak on "Cultural Mentoring, 7-9 p.m., Arts and Technology building, FVCC. Free. Donations welcome. Book signing, 6:30 p.m.; limited child care provided-call 837-7279.
• City of Whitefish Parks and Recreation open house and public meeting regarding current and future services offered by department, 7-9 p.m., Whitefish Library meeting room, 9 Spokane Ave. Call 863-2470.
A Look Ahead
• Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., May 8, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• Flathead Chapter of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees meets at noon May 8, Perkins Restaurant. Social time, 11:30 a.m. For reservations, call Bill Driver at 837-2744.
• Free lecture on Break-through process of self-discovery, 7-9 pm. May 8, Whitefish BodyTalk Center, 211 Central Ave. Call 862-2608.
• Lupus Support Group including fibromyalgia and auto-immune diseases, meets 7-9 p.m. May 8, The Summit, Kalispell. Terry Peterson, lab manager for KRMC will talk about "What Your Lab Tests Mean." Free. Call 837-1055.
• Flathead Valley Post Office Stamp Out Hunger food drive, May 9. Leave a bag of nonperishable food next to your mailbox prior to mail delivery for pick up. Call Kari Wiley, 250-1754.
• 20th annual Family Forestry Expo May 9-10, Trumbull Creek Educational Forest. Stations feature uses of private and public forests. Free logging lunch, grandstand show and more. Free, family-oriented. Call 758-5252.
• Creston Cemetery Association annual spring clean up 9 a.m., May 9, followed by business meeting, 11 a.m. cemetery grounds.
• 2009 Bibler Garden Tours, 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. May 9-10, May 16-17. Tickets $10 adults; $3 children; advance purchase required. Call 756-3963.
• Glacier Street Rod Association membership drive and reconditioned bicycle give-away for needy children, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 9, Kalispell Dairy Queen. Call Rob Eickert, 249-5388.
• Flathead Shelter Friends flea market, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 9, Advanced Powder Coating, 3247 U.S. 93 S., (half mile south of Cemetery Road.) Proceeds benefit Flathead County Animal Shelter. Bring donated items between 2 and 6 p.m., May 8.
• 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.
• "Kids Take You Mom to the Museum Day, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 9, Hockaday Museum of Art, 302 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Moms and kids K-12, free admission; dads, $5; $2 college students. Call 755-5268.
• Artists and Craftsmen of the Flathead spring craft show, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 9; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 10, Kalispell Center Mall. Daily drawing for Mother's Day basket.
• Bigfork Spring Art Walk, 3-7 p.m. May 9. Sixteen galleries open for browsing.
• Bigfork area MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers' Dinner and Denim fundraiser, 5 p.m. May 9, Flathead Lake Lodge. Silent, live auctions. Music by Stoner Creek Band. Tickets $20, available at Crossroads Christian Fellowship or the Barn antique store. (Adults only.)
• Ducks Unlimited annual banquet, 6 p.m. May 9, Hilton Convention Center, Kalispell. Raffles, auctions of art, services, firearms. Tickets $45 includes membership and dinner. Call Mark Salansky, 755-8280.
• Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., May 11, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• The Flathead Conservation District meets at 7 p.m., May 11, 133 Interstate Lane, in Evergreen. Call 752-4220.
• Kila School board meets 10 a.m. May 12.
• Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce membership luncheon, 11:30-1 p.m., May 12, North Valley Community Room, 235 Nucleus Ave. No reservations required. Lunch available for $10. Call Carol Pike, 892-2072.
• Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., May 12, Trinity Lutheran Church.
• Free community reiki share, 6-8 p.m. May 12, Whitefish BodyTalk Center, 211 Central Ave. Call 862-2608.
• Back Country Horsemen of the Flathead meet May 12 at National Guard Armory, 2989 U.S. 93 N. Kalispell. Backcountry survival skills talk 6:30-7:30 p.m.; general meeting 7:30 p.m. Public welcome. Call 212-8107.
• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 3 p.m., May 13, Insured Titles and Crowley-Fleck, in the blood mobile.
• Evergreen School District board meets at 6:30 p.m., May 13, administration building boardroom.
• 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.
• Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., May 14, Teletech, in the blood mobile.
• Museum at Central School History Book Club meets 6:30 p.m., May 14, 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Local author John Fraley discusses his book, "Wild River Pioneers." Call 756-8381.
• Red Cross blood drives May 15, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell; and noon to 5 p.m. Wal-Mart, Kalispell in the blood mobile.
• Bigfork Center for Performing Arts grand re-opening reception and open house, 5-8 p.m. May 15. Public welcome.
• 2009 Montana Home Educators State Convention, May 15-16, 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.
• Anne Perkins, director of Carroll College's new Human-Animal Bond degree program gives a presentation on the curriculum, 7 p.m. Big Arm Fire Hall, U.S. 93. Potluck at 5:30 p.m. Public welcome. Call Trish Friez, 849-5323.
• Pie and Perennial Plant Sale, 8 a.m. to noon May 16, Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 401 Seventh St. W., Columbia Falls. Bring labeled perennials and seeds from your garden to sell from noon to 7 p.m. May 15, or prior to sale. Whole pies or by the slice for sale. Quiche, coffee, tea available. Call Elizabeth, 892-7789.
• AARP Driver Safety class, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 16, The Summit, Kalispell. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 751-4500.
• Trinkets to Treasures community sale, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 16, Shining Mountains Center, 475 Eight Ave. EN, Kalispell. Donate your items or rent a table for $20 to sell them yourself. Call Judy, 253-7187 or Roberta, 755-6075.
• 2009 Bibler Garden Tours, 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. May 16-17. Tickets $10 adults; $3 children; advance purchase required. Call 756-3963.
• Northern Rockies Paddlefest, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 16-17, Wayfarer's State Park, Bigfork. Kayak, canoe demonstrations, display. On-water safety class 2 p.m. May 16. Prizes, food, raffles. Free admission. Call Anne Clark, 270-4221; or Bobbie Gilmore, 862-9010.
• Dance auditions for informal Christian group, 1-2 p.m. May 16-17, Flathead Health and Fitness, 300 First Ave. W., Kalispell. Wear comfortable exercise clothes. Reservations required. Call 257-6142
• AARP Driver Safety class, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 18, North Valley Hospital, Whitefish. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 863-3630.
• AARP Driver Safety class, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 18, St. John's Lutheran Hospital, Libby. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 293-0100.
• Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., May 18, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• 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.
• AARP Driver Safety class, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 21, Bigfork Area Senior Center. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 837-4157.
3 Healing Arts Project presents a workshop on "Uncovering Myths: Restoring our Communities' Perspective on Sexual Assault, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 22, Museum at Central School, Kalispell. $75 per person includes lunch, beverages; $65 per person, groups of three or more. Keynote speakers include Molly H. Reno, Lori Adams and Robert Paige. Call Paula Buckley, 751-8377, to register.
• Sixth annual Spring for Glacier fundraising event, May 22, Lake McDonald Lodge, Glacier National Park. Hors d'oeuvres at 4 p.m., Belton Chalet; Red Bus ride to lodge 5:30-6:30 p.m.; buffet dinner, boat rides, live entertainment, silent, live auctions. Tickets $125 per person, advance purchase required. Call 888-5000 or 892-6733.
• 17th annual Alpine Artisans Loon and Fish Festival 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 23; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 24, Seeley Lake Community Hall. Art sale, demonstrations, programs, children's activities; bird and wildflower walks. Call Martha, 406-793-5706.
• Wellness Workshop to improve quality of life, 9 a.m. May 26, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 603 Main St., Kalispell. Call 752-9624 to make a lunch reservation.
• Flathead Special Education Cooperative executive council meets, 8:30 a.m., May 28, Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W., second floor conference room.
• Glacier Park Brown Bag lunchtime seminar, noon to 1 p.m. May 28, Glacier National Park Community Building, West Glacier. John Fraley gives a presentation on his newest book and pioneer history of the Middle Fork of the Flathead River, in "Wild River Pioneers." Free. Public welcome.
• Fourth annual Rags to Riches rummage sale, Pope John Paul II Catholic Church, 195 Coverdell Road, Bigfork. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 29; 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 30. Call Daniel and Donna Danz, 892-2435.
• Fifth annual Great Northern 5K, May 30, Great Northern Trail near Meridian Road and Center Street, Kalispell. Pre-registration available; race day registration at 8 a.m. Call 471-1949 or greatnorthern5k@gmail.com.
• Celebration of life for Susan Christofferson who died Feb. 25, 2 p.m. May 30, Arts and Technology Building, FVCC. Refreshments. Public welcome. Call Peg Rice, 755-1430, or Diane Clark, 756-1414.
• Kila School trustees meet to canvass election results, June 3.
• New Parkinson's support group meets 5:30-7 p.m. June 4, The Summit, Kalispell. Neurologist Dr. John Schaeffer will give a seminar on living with Parkinson's disease. Call Katy Saisbury at 751-4501 to pre-register. All welcome.
• Free community reiki share, 6-8 p.m. June 9, Whitefish BodyTalk Center, 211 Central Ave. Call 862-2608.
• Glacier Park Brown Bag lunchtime seminar, noon to 1 p.m. June 18, Glacier National Park Community Building, West Glacier. Editor Chris Peterson gives a photographic presentation, "Confessions of a Wildlife Observer." Free. Public welcome.
• 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.
• 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.
• Herron Hustle five-mile run starting at Herron Park, June 20; www.herronhustle.com.
• 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 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.
• Glacier Challenge multi-sport race, 7:30 a.m. July 11. Fundraiser for Flathead Youth Home. Call Hannah Plumb, 755-4622.
• 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.
• 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 Foys Lake. Bike and run for Foys to Blacktail Trails Project; www.foystoblacktailtrails.org.
• Free community reiki share, 6-8 p.m. Aug. 11, Whitefish BodyTalk Center, 211 Central Ave. Call 862-2608.
• 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.
• Foys Fest, Sept. 12, in celebration of National Pubic Lands Day. Barbecue, outdoor concert, guided tours.