Daybook

Today

3 Free Medicaid referral and document clinic, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Agape Home Care, 40 Appleway Dr., Kalispell. Call 755-4633 for an appointment.

3 Red Cross blood drives today: 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Elks, Kalispell; 2-5 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell, sponsored by D.A. Davidson.

3 Kalispell Public Schools Curriculum Committee meets 2 p.m., district administration building, 233 First Ave. E.

3 FVCC Arts Department open house and student art show, 6-9 p.m., Arts and Technology Building. Demonstrations on raku firing and more. Free. Public invited.

Friday

3 Blacktail Mountain Ski Area season opener. All trails will be open.

3 Kalispell Public Schools Finance Committee meets 7 a.m., district administration building, 233 First Ave. E.

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

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

3 Rob Quist performs at a lunchtime concert and benefit for Samaritan House, noon, Samaritan House administration building, former armory reserve, 1110 Second St. W., Kalispell. Cost $10, includes lunch.

3 Glacier Country Pachyderm meets noon to 1 p.m., Red Lion Hotel Kalispell. Speakers include regional members of Montana State Legislature. Lunch available. Public invited. Call Tom McElwain, 270-5764.

3 Jennifer Griffith leads a multi-dimensional ornament making workshop, 1 p.m., Whitefish Community Center. Cost $7 includes materials. Call 862-4923.

3 Ferndale Fire Department is offering free gift wrapping to the public from 2 to 6 p.m. at the fire department. Call Maren, 249-4454.

3 Whitefish Christmas Stroll 6-9 p.m., downtown Whitefish, featuring “Fruitcake and Nuts” Christmas caroling competition, parade, turkey bowling. K9 Keg Pull, 7 p.m., on Central Avenue between Railway and First Street. All dogs welcome to participate.

3 Spirit of Christmas concert for Flathead CASA for Kids and area food banks, 6:30 p.m., Flathead High School auditorium. Performances by Latin jazz band Cocinando, high school choirs, Dave Merkel and Penni Chisolm. Tickets $12 available at Montana Coffee Traders, Glacier Banks, Freedom Bank, Columbia Falls.

3 Bradley Wirth performs a reading of “A Christmas Offertory,” the story of a homeless man facing a bleak future, 7 p.m., Christ Church Episcopal Church, 215 Third Ave. E., Kalispell. Benefits animal shelters. Refreshments. Free will donations accepted.

Saturday

3 Museum at Central School holiday open house 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bell Gift shop special shopping day. Admission to museum exhibits free. Call 756-8381.

3 Wreaths Across America ceremony 10 a.m., Montana Veterans Home Cemetery, Columbia Falls. Wreathes places in honor of those servicing in military branches and missing in action or prisoners of war. Public invited. Call Bob Bell, 360-1637; or Ronn Larsen, 257-1086.

3 Awakening the Dream; Changing the Dream Symposium on environmental sustainability, social justice and spiritual fulfillment, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Glacier Unitarian Fellowship, 1515 Trumble Creek Road, Kalispell. $20 Donation requested, includes lunch. No one turned away. Call 257-5574.

3 21st annual Christmas At Our House dinner, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Kalispell Armed Forces Reserve Center, 2989 U.S. 93 N. Free ham and turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Santa on hand from 1-3 p.m. Eagle Transit bus transportation available all day. Pick up every 20 minutes at FVCC, Kalispell; Super 1 Foods, Columbia Falls; Mountain Mall, Whitefish. Everyone welcome. Call 324-5156.

3 Knit baby hats for infants at Woolen Collectibles’ annual Christmas tea, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 233 Main St., Kalispell. Bring size 6, 16-inch circular needles and washable wool yarn. Call 752-8746.

3 Bird Woman Falls Chapter of Daughters of American Revolution meets at noon, Whitefish Library. Call Carol Nicholson, 892-2952; or Marge Fisher, 862-1233.

3 Bigfork Children’s Holiday Party, 2-3:30 p.m., La Provence.

3 Spaghetti feed and auction to benefit cancer patient and JCPenney salon stylist Karen Taylor, 5 p.m., Evergreen Junior High School gym. $15 per plate; $5 children 12 and under.

• Valley Voices Community Choir annual Christmas concert, 7 p.m., Glacier High School. Special guests Those Guys quartet. Free.

Monday

3 Holiday Musicale event featuring holiday music by Ken Edgington on keyboards and Ralph Campbell on drums, 3 p.m., Yellow Bay Clubhouse, mile marker 18, Montana 35. Silent auction, prizes for musical bingo, light refreshments. Free. Public welcome. Call Barbara, 982-3064 or Shari, 982-3437.

3 Multi-Faith Coalition of Flathead Valley Blue Holiday service, 6 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 540 S. Main St., Kalispell. Bring side dish or dessert; meat provided. Call Rev. Kistler, 752-9255.

Thought

“The great tragedy of life is not that men perish, but that they cease to love.”  n W. Somerset Maugham, English author and dramatist (1874-1965).

Monday

• Daughters of the American Revolution, Chief Ignace Chapter, meets for lunch at noon at Katy Zundel’s home. Program at 1 p.m. on an “Old Fashioned Christmas.” Call Zundel, 756-6139.

• Flathead Food Bank is delivering senior commodities valley wide from 1 to 3 p.m. Call 752-3663.

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

• Kalispell Public Schools Personnel Committee meets 4 p.m., district administration building, 233 First Ave. E.

• Flathead County Animal Advisory Committee meets 4:30-7 p.m., Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W. Public welcome.

• Kila School board meets 5:15 p.m.

• Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group and Glacier Pilot Club holiday dinner. Social time 6-6:30 p.m. featuring live music by Shoreline. Dinner 6:30 p.m. Cost $10. RSVP to Sue, 756-4725. For transportation meet at The Summit south parking lot at 5:15 p.m. Bring a non-perishable item for a donation.

• The Flathead Conservation District meets at 7 p.m., 133 Interstate Lane, in Evergreen. Call 752-4220.

• Flathead Audubon meets at 7 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. Dan Casey offers tips for identifying winter birds for annual Christmas bird count. Volunteers can sign up for Bigfork and Kalispell bird counts. Free. All welcome.

• Columbia Falls School board meets at 7 p.m., administration offices boardroom, 501 Sixth Ave. W. Columbia Falls.

Tuesday

• Kalispell Women’s Connection buffet luncheon 11:30 a.m., 301 W. Wyoming St., Kalispell. Bring your favorite doll for show and tell. Rosainne Taylor plays accordion. Cost is $8. RSVP Rosainne, 257-8098 or Jan at 212-3763. Complimentary child care by reservation. Affiliated with Stonecroft International Inc.

• Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce Christmas luncheon, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., North Valley Community Room, 235 Nucleus Ave. No reservations required. Lunch available for $10. Call Carol Pike, 892-2072.

• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m., KRMC.

• Flathead Municipal Airport Authority meets at 4 p.m., Glacier Park International Airport board room. Capital Improvement Program Workshop at 2 p.m.

• Deer Park School board meets 5 p.m. at the school.

• City of Kalispell and Montana Department of Transportation discuss Stormwater Management Program, 6 p.m., Kalispell Wastewater Treatment Plant. Open to public. Call 758-7720.

• Kalispell Public Schools district board meets at 6 p.m., Kalispell Middle School Media Center.

• Somers Rural Fire District board meets 6 p.m., Lakeside Fire Station, 125 Bills Road.

• Free presentation about early season backcountry snow and avalanche conditions in Northwest Montana, 6:30-9:30 p.m., Flathead National Forest office, 650 Wolfpack Way, Kalispell. Public invited. Call 758-5284.

• Whitefish School District board meets 7 p.m. 600 E. Second St.

• 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

 • MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Ornament making. Pre-school age child care provided free. Call 257-LOVE (5683).

• Red Cross blood drive, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., U.S. Forest Service.

• Flathead County Library board meets at 9 a.m.,  at the Bigfork Branch Library. Call Kim Crowley, 758-5826.

• AARP Driver Safety class, 1-5 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 751-4500.

A Look Ahead

 • Flathead Special Education Cooperative board and executive council meets, 8:30 a.m., Dec. 16, Earl Bennett conference room, 10-35 First Ave. E., Kalispell.

 • Flathead Suicide Prevention Coalition meets noon to 1 p.m., Dec. 16, Flathead City-County Health Department conference room, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell. Call Joan Schmidt, 871-1008.

• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 16, Libby VFW.

• Friends of the Library meet at noon, Flathead County Library meeting room, Kalispell. All interested welcome.

• Build your Own Plush Creature workshop for youth in grades 6-12, 4-5:30 p.m. Dec. 16, Flathead County Library, Kalispell. All materials included. Free. Call Teen Services Librarian Martha Furman, 758-5713.

• Flathead Youth Home holiday open house, 4:30-6 p.m. Dec. 16, 825 E. Oregon St., Kalispell. Light refreshments, holiday music. Call 755-4622.

• Polson Chamber of Commerce Splash social 5-7 p.m. Dec. 16, KwaTukNuk Resort. Open to public. Call 883-5969.

• City of Kalispell Impact Fee Advisory Committee meets 7 p.m. Dec. 16, City Hall Chambers, 201 First Ave. E., Kalispell. Open to public.

• Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 17, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

 • Presentation by Family Solutions parent focus group by Susan Vaive on “Surviving the Holidays,” 6-7:30 p.m., Dec. 17, The Summit, Kalispell. Resources for parents/caregivers of children with mental health and behavioral issues. Public invited. Call 872-1008.

• Carroll College championship game watching party 2:30 p.m., KB Bar, Main Street, Kalispell. Call Anthony Lapke, 257-5963.

• Benefit bake sale to help with medical expenses for the family of Ted Ehrenberg, noon to 8  p.m. Dec. 19, United Methodist Church, Wisconsin Ave., Whitefish. Call Jane Wheeler, 471-0119 or 755-0003.

• Yellow Bay Community Club Christmas potluck, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 18, Yellow Bay Clubhouse, mile marker 18, Montana 35. Cost $3.50 per person plus one side dish or dessert per family. Turkey and trimmings provided Call Barbara, 982-3064 or Shari, 982-3437.

 • Whitefish Figure Skating Club’s “Celebrate the Season,” 7 p.m., Dec. 18, Stumptown Ice Den. Featured guest is world-class skater Ryan Bradley. Tickets $15 bleachers; $25 on ice chair; $8 standing; free for 6 and under, available at Imagination Station in Whitefish and Kalispell and at the ice rink. Call Carol Anderson, 862-7699.

• Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m. Dec. 20, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

• History of Whitefish program series, 12:30 p.m., Dec. 21, Whitefish Community Center, 121 E. Second St. Walter Sayre presents a program titled, “Holiday Traditions-Whitefish Style” Audience stories and photos welcome. Call 862-4923.

• Red Cross blood drive, 2:30-6:30 p.m. Dec. 21, Lakeside Baptist Church.

• Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 23, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

• Flathead Valley Trout Unlimited annual Christmas social, fly tying extravaganza and fly swap, 7 p.m. Dec. 21, Fish, Wildlife and Parks Building, 490 Meridian Road, Kalispell. Hors d’oeuvres, refreshments. Call Paul Pchak, 406-393-2113.

• Friendship House’s 11th annual Light the Walk luminaria display and fundraiser, Dec. 23-24, 606 Second Ave. W., Kalispell. Light a luminaria for $10 each. Call Jim, 257-8375; or Carol, 755-5169.

• Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m. Dec. 27, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 28, Eureka Baptist Church.

• Yellow Bay Community Club movie night, 6 p.m. Dec. 28, Yellow Bay Clubhouse, mile marker 18, Montana 35. Popular children’s movie will be shown. No charge. Seating available; floor pillows and blankets welcome. Show and tell a favorite toy or ornament. Popcorn for sale. Call Shauna, 982-3506.

• Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 30, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

 • 12th annual First Night Flathead, 7 p.m. Dec. 31 to 12:30 a.m. Jan. 1, downtown Kalispell. Live music, art, food. Admission $12 in advance; $15 at door. Children under 6, free.

 • Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets at 7-8:30 p.m. Jan. 3, The Summit, Kalispell. Call 871-1008.

 • MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m., Jan. 5, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Rose Nicholson discusses “What Working Out Really Looks Like.” Pre-school age child care provided free. Call 257-LOVE (5683).

• Joe Coco begins teaching a six-week Introductory Logic class, 6 p.m. Jan. 10, Whitefish Christian Academy. Limited child care available by prior arrangement.

• Dr. David Fortenberry of Northwest Montana Surgical Associates presents a free seminar on local treatment options for varicose veins, 7:30-8:30 p.m. Jan. 11, The Summit, Kalispell. For information or to register, call 752-5000.

 • MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m., Jan. 19, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Stacy Hughes of Real Deals gives decorating ideas. Pre-school age child care provided free. Call 257-LOVE (5683).

 • Flathead Special Education Cooperative board and executive council meets, 10:30 a.m., Jan. 20, 124 Third Ave. E, Kalispell, second floor conference room.

 • Flathead Suicide Prevention Coalition meets noon to 1 p.m., Jan. 27, 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., Feb. 2, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Chau Young and Megan Brester present, “More Bang for your Buck.” Kalispell. Pre-school age child care provided free. Call 257-LOVE (5683).

 • Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets at 7-8:30 p.m. Feb. 7, The Summit, Kalispell. Call 871-1008.

 • MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m., Feb. 16, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Pre-school information day. Pre-school age child care provided free. Call 257-LOVE (5683).

 • Flathead Special Education Cooperative board and executive council meets, 10:30 a.m., Feb. 17, 124 Third Ave. E, Kalispell, second floor conference room.

 • Flathead Suicide Prevention Coalition meets noon to 1 p.m., Feb. 24, Flathead City-County Health Department conference room, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell. Call Joan Schmidt, 871-1008.

 • Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets at 7-8:30 p.m. March 7, The Summit, Kalispell. Call 871-1008.

 • MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m., March 9, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Bob Morrow of Valley Recycling talks about recycling. Pre-school age child care provided free. Call 257-LOVE (5683).

 • Flathead Special Education Cooperative board and executive council meets, 10:30 a.m., March 17, 124 Third Ave. E, Kalispell, second floor conference room.

 • MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m., March 23, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Program is by Hooper’s Garden Center. Pre-school age child care provided free. Call 257-LOVE (5683).

 • Flathead Suicide Prevention Coalition meets noon to 1 p.m., March 24, Flathead City-County Health Department conference room, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell. Call Joan Schmidt, 871-1008.

 • Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets at 7-8:30 p.m. April 4, The Summit, Kalispell. Call 871-1008.

 • MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m., April 6, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Pediatrician Dr. Wallace Wilder is guest speaker. Pre-school age child care provided free. Call 257-LOVE (5683).

 • MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m., April 20, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Baby-sitter appreciation lunch. Pre-school age child care provided free. Call 257-LOVE (5683).

 • Flathead Special Education Cooperative board and executive council meets, 10:30 a.m., April 21, 124 Third Ave. E, Kalispell, second floor conference room.

 • Flathead Suicide Prevention Coalition meets noon to 1 p.m., April 28, Flathead City-County Health Department conference room, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell. Call Joan Schmidt, 871-1008.

 • Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets at 7-8:30 p.m. May 2, The Summit, Kalispell. Call 871-1008.

 • MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m., May 4, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Fellowship day. Pre-school age child care provided free. Call 257-LOVE (5683).

 • MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m., May, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. End of year potluck. Pre-school age child care provided free. Call 257-LOVE (5683).

 • Flathead Special Education Cooperative board and executive council meets, 10:30 a.m., May 19, 124 Third Ave. E, Kalispell, second floor conference room.

 • Flathead Suicide Prevention Coalition meets noon to 1 p.m., May 26, Flathead City-County Health Department conference room, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell. Call Joan Schmidt, 871-1008.

 • Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets at 7-8:30 p.m. June 6, The Summit, Kalispell. Call 871-1008.

 • Flathead Special Education Cooperative board and executive council meets, 8:30 a.m., June 16, 124 Third Ave. E, Kalispell, second floor conference room.

 • Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets at 7-8:30 p.m. July 11, The Summit, Kalispell. Call 871-1008.

 • Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets at 7-8:30 p.m. Aug. 1, The Summit, Kalispell. Call 871-1008.