Daybook

Today

3 Free community Thanksgiving dinner, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the former armory on Second Street across from Peterson School, Kalispell. Everyone welcome.   

3 Ronan annual community Thanksgiving dinner, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Ronan Community Center, 300 Third Ave. NW. Entertainment 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Free. All welcome. Call 406-676-8300.

3 Polson community Thanksgiving dinner, 11 a.m. to  2 p.m. Polson Senior Citizens Center, 504 Third Ave. E. Live music. Free; donations accepted. Requests a ride by calling Dave, 883-4735. For information, call 883-8256.

3 Evergreen Disposal will be closed on Thanksgiving. Thursday routes will be run on Friday; and Friday routes on Saturday.

3 City of Kalispell Solid Waste Division will not be picking up the 90-gallon route rollout garbage containers today. Today’s route will be picked up on Friday, along with Friday’s regular route. Call 758-7720.

Friday

3 Artists and Craftsmen in the Flathead annual Christmas in the Valley show, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Red Lion Hotel Kalispell Ballroom. Free admission. Door prizes. Raffle for Bud Wilson oil painting with proceeds to Northwest Montana Veterans Food Pantry.

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

3 Christmas City of the North parade, 7 p.m., downtown Kalispell. Line-up starts at 6 p.m. Santa arrives at Kalispell Center Mall, 8 p.m. Free gifts for kids, while supplies last. Photos available.

Saturday

3 Artists and Craftsmen in the Flathead annual Christmas in the Valley show, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Red Lion Hotel Kalispell Ballroom. Free admission. Door prizes. Raffle for Bud Wilson oil painting with proceeds to Northwest Montana Veterans Food Pantry.

3 Montana House Regional Gift Shop, Apgar Village, Glacier Park, has an open house, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for wildlife photographer Sumio Harada; and 2 p.m. for Carol Guthrie, author of “Glacier National Park: The First 100 Years. Free and open to public. Reservations recommended. Call 888-5393.

3 Benefit concert featuring Sarah Henderson Quilling, Jessica Kilroy and Kacey Holecek, 7 p.m., Lincoln County High School auditorium. Proceeds go to Shevet Achim, a nonprofit group that connects Israeli doctors who do life saving surgeries, for free, to Arab children. Call 297-2665 or Quilling at 471-1966.

3 Pray for Snow bonfire and party for 21 and older, 7:30 p.m. Bierstube, Whitefish Mountain Resort. Canyon Creek Rambler play 8:30 p.m. Free Snowbus rides between O’Shaughnessy Center and Bierstube.

Sunday

3 Artists and Craftsmen in the Flathead annual Christmas in the Valley show, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Red Lion Hotel Kalispell Ballroom. Free admission. Door prizes. Raffle for Bud Wilson oil painting with proceeds to Northwest Montana Veterans Food Pantry.

Monday

3 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.

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

3 Lakeside Neighborhood Plan Committee meets 6:30-8:30 p.m., Lakeside Library. Draft revised plan to be discussed. Public welcome. Call Debbie Spaulding, 844-2479.

3 Lakeside Parks Advisory Committee meets 7 p.m. Dec. 1, Tamarack’s Alehouse, upstairs room.

3 MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m. every other Wednesday, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Dec. 2 program by DC Haas on “Fire Safety and Injury Prevention. Dec. 16 program by Heidi Degal on Christmas craft gift stations. Call Heidi Durban, 253-4886.

3 West Glacier Elementary School board meets 6 p.m.

Wednesday

3 25th annual Chocolate Extravaganza, 11:30 a.m.,  Hilton Garden Inn, Kalispell. Tickets $18, includes buffet luncheon. Call Pamala Kasperson, 837-4428 or Cindy Friedman, 257-8960.

3 Whitefish Chamber of Commerce invites the public to a “Hail and Farewell” reception for outgoing executive director Sheila Bowen, and new director Kevin Gartland, 4-6:30 p.m., Whitefish Community Center, 121 Second St. Complimentary beverages and appetizers served.

3 U.S. Geological Survey ecologist Kate Kendall gives a presentation titled, “The Secret Life of Bears,” about the Northern Divide Grizzly Bear Project, 7-8:30 p.m., Grouse Mountain Lodge, in the Glacier Room. Free.  Public invited. Call 892-3250.

A Look Ahead

3 Whitefish School District board Alternative Scheduling Committee meets at 7:15 a.m. Dec. 3, district board meeting room.

3 Flathead County Library board meets at 9 a.m. Dec. 3, Bigfork Branch Library, 525 Electric Ave.. Call Kim Crowley, 758-5826.

3 FVCC Art Club holiday art sale, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 3; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 4; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 5, Arts and Technology Building. Call David Smith, 756-3993.

3 Glacier Nordic Ski Club open house 3:30-6 p.m. Dec. 3, Camas Day School, 534 Pine, across from Whitefish High School. Register for ski classes, fit and rent gear; purchase memberships. Call Marie Shaw, 862-1299.

3 Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Citizen Advisory Committee meets 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3, FWP headquarters, 490 N. Meridian, Kalispell. Public invited. Call 752-5501.

3 Glacier Street Rod Association meets 7 p.m. Dec. 3, Birch Grove Center. Call Brooke Eickert, 885-3637.

3 Columbia Falls United Methodist Church annual Joy of Christmas bazaar, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dec. 4, 117 Second St. W., Columbia Falls. Pasties, cookie trays, gifts in a jar and more. Fair trade coffee and hot cocoa.

3 Dental Day of Caring 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 4, Dr. Tom Pittaway’s office at Plaza West Dental, 124 First Ave. W., Kalispell. Free dental care as needed.

3 Christmas Gift Fair, noon to 9 p.m. Dec. 4; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 5, Hockaday Museum of Art, 302 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Local artists and handmade antique Christmas ornaments featured. Refreshments served. Free admission. Call 755-5268.

3 Night of Lights craft show and baked goods sale, noon to 8 p.m. Dec. 4, North Valley Senior Citizens Center, 205 Nucleus Ave., Columbia Falls. Soup supper available 4-8 p.m. Quilt raffle. Call Roxie Larson, 892-4087.

3 Tribal wildlife biologist Whisper Camel presents the film, “Division Street,” about wildlife crossing corridors around the country, including U.S. 93, 6:30 p.m., Dec. 4, at the Salish Kootenai College-Johnny Arlee/Victor Charlo Theatre. Free. Public welcome.

3 St. Peter Lutheran Church Christmas bazaar, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 5, 201 Wisconsin Ave., Whitefish. Baked goods, crafts, Christmas items. Proceeds to children’s camp scholarships and world relief needs.

3 Nurturing Extravaganza, 4-8 p.m. Dec. 4, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Dec. 5, Bohemian Grange, 125 Blanchard Lake Road, Whitefish. Various health-enhancing products and services available, including mini massages and makeovers. Raffles, drawings, refreshments. Admission by donation to Whitefish Food Bank, Flathead County Animal Shelter or Calvary Closet (winter clothing). Call 261-0975 or 253-9784.

3 Columbia Falls Night of Lights, Dec. 4. Crafts fair at Discovery Square, 5 p.m. Soup supper, Senior Citizens Center, noon to 8 p.m. Lighting of Christmas tree and parade 6:30 p.m. Visit Santa after parade at Discovery Square. Holiday Village Marantette Park, through Jan. 1.

3 Kalispell Artwalk and Christmas Stroll, 5-9 p.m. Dec. 4. Over 30 galleries and shops open. Enter to win  one of 12  $100 gift certificates.

3 Christmas in the Air annual variety show, 7 p.m. Dec. 4, Christ Lutheran Church, 5150 River Lakes Pkwy, Whitefish. Admission $10 per person; $20 per family; or by donation. Proceeds benefit Shepherd’s Hand Clinic.

3 Brunch with Santa and crafts fair, 9 a.m. to noon, Dec. 5, Discovery Square, Columbia Falls. Silent auction for Boys and Girls Club. Call Ron, 294-1445.

3 13th annual West Shore Holidayfest, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 5, Lakeside School gym. Jewelry, woodwork, fine and folk art, pottery, children’s clothing and more.  Kids Only Market. Santa breakfast with kids 9-10 a.m. Live auction at 1 p.m. Two silent auctions closing at noon and 3 p.m. Call Tina Jo Lerum, 844-3880.

3 Glacier Nordic Club annual potluck and auction Dec. 5, Best Western Rocky Mountain Lodge, 6510 U.S. 93 S., Whitefish. Meeting 5:30 p.m.; potluck and auction 6 p.m. Bring a dish to share. Free. All welcome. Call Ellie, 250-1575.

3 Valley Voices annual Christmas concert, “Nutcracker Jingles,” 7 p.m. Dec. 5, Glacier High School.

3 Wasabi Sushi Bar benefit for Hugh Rogers Wag Park, beginning at 5 p.m., Dec. 7, 419 Second St. E., Whitefish. Percentage of receipts will be donated. Dine-in or take-out. Reservations suggested.

3 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.

3 Gislason Family Chiropractic annual toy drive for new patients Dec. 8; and for existing patients, Dec. 9, U.S. 93 South, across from Coffee Traders. All appointments complimentary. Call 862-9700 for an appointment.

3 Kalispell Women’s Connection “Yuletide Tea” buffet lunch, 11:30 a.m., Dec. 8, 301 W. Wyoming St., Kalispell. Sweet Adelines sing Christmas carols. Speaker is Lois Lyford. Cost is $8. RSVP Rosainne, 257-8098 or Jan at 212-3763. Complimentary child care by reservation. Affiliated with Stonecroft International Inc.

3 Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce membership Christmas luncheon, 11:45 a.m. to noon, Dec. 8, North Valley Community Room, 235 Nucleus Ave. No reservations required. Lunch available for $10. Call Carol Pike, 892-2072.

3 Swan River School board meets at 5:30 p.m., Dec. 8, school library.

3 Parkinson’s disease support group meets 5-6:30 p.m., Dec. 9, The Summit, Kalispell. Speaker is speech therapist Lynne Beauclair. Call Lois, 871-3767; or Inga, 756-5514.

3 Flathead Outdoor Club meets 7 p.m., Dec. 9, Flathead County Library basement meeting room, Kalispell. Slides of recent hikes and trips. Guests invited to bring own slides on CDs. Coffee and tea served. Everyone welcome. Call Mike Spence, 857-2599.

3 Museum at Central School History Book Club discusses, “Yogo: The Great American Sapphire,” by Stephen Voynick, at 6:30 p.m., Dec. 10, 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Call 756-8381.

3 Flathead Chapter of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees meets at noon, Dec. 11, Perkins Restaurant, Kalispell. Social time, 11:30 a.m. For reservations, call Bill Driver at 837-2744.

3 Whitefish Christmas Stroll, 5:45-9 p.m. Dec. 11. Parade 5:45-6:45 p.m. Central Avenue, between First and Railway Streets. Stores open late, caroling competition, refreshments. Call 862-3501.

3 Christian Center presents the musical, “Scrooge,” Dec. 11-13,  Dec. 18-20, 255 Summit Ridge Dr., Kalispell. Shows at 7 p.m. nightly, also at 2 p.m. Dec. 12, 19, 20. Free tickets available at Christian Center, Herberger’s, Grateful Bread and all Coffee Traders. Call 752-6426.

3 Reception for publication of “100 Years: 100 Stories: A View Inside Glacier National Park, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 12, Glacier National Park Fund office, Columbia Falls.

3 Flathead Valley Model Railroad Club open house, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 12, 1268b North Fork Road, Columbia Falls, just beyond railroad tracks. See. layouts of HO & N gauge trains.

3 Kalispell Moose Lodge 1922, 2158 U.S. 2 East, Kalispell, breakfast 9-11 a.m. (Dec. 13) every Sunday. Open to public. Families welcome. Proceeds go to Moose charities and building fund. Call Myron, 892-4611; or Bill, 858-2304.

3 MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) meet at 9:15-11 a.m. Dec. 14, at Easthaven Baptist Church, 2010 Whitefish Stage, Kalispell. Program on holiday entertaining and includes cookie exchange. Call Kathy LeDuc, 752-7253.

3 Flathead Audubon meets 7 p.m. Dec. 14, The Summit, Kalispell. Topic is upcoming annual Christmas bird counts. Everyone welcome.

3 AARP Driver Safety class, 6-10 p.m. Dec. 15, The Summit, Kalispell. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 751-4500.

3 Flathead Valley Community Band annual traditional holiday concert titled, “Christmas Keepsakes, from Mannheim to Bedford Falls,” 7 p.m. Dec. 16, Red Lion Hotel Ballroom, Kalispell. Free. Everyone welcome.

3 Northwest Montana Educational Cooperative management board meets 10:30 a.m., Dec. 17, 124 Third Ave. E, Kalispell (Linderman School). Call 257-1857.

3 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.

3 Judy Guralchuk, author of “A Life Preserver in a Sea of Debt,” gives a brown bag presentation on how to transition from overspending to financial stability, noon to 1 p.m., Dec. 17, Freedom Bank, 530 Ninth St. W., Columbia Falls. Free. Public invited. RSVP to Jerry Burley, 892-6625.

3 Eighth annual Northwest Montana Wedding and Event Expo, Feb. 20, Flathead County Fairgrounds, Kalispell. Three fashion shows, wedding apparel boutiques, vendor booths

3 Great Rockies Sport Show, 4-8 p.m. March 12; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 13; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 14, Flathead County Fairgrounds, Kalispell. Admission is good all weekend and costs $5, adults; $3, children 6-12; kids 5 and under, free. Friday night all kids 12 and under get in free.