Daybook

Today

3 Red Cross blood drive, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., FVCC, in the blood mobile near the Arts and Technology Building. Appointments required; call Sharon Randolph, 756-3981.

3 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.

3 Kalispell March of Dimes kick-off luncheon, noon to 1:15 p.m., KRMC Buffalo Hills Conference Center, Lupine Room. Speaker is neonatologist Dr. Rigby. RSVP to 406-252-7480 by March 22.

3 Spring bag sale 1-5 p.m. today through Saturday, Soroptimist Thrift Haus, 303 First St. E., Whitefish. $4 per plastic grocery bag. Proceeds benefit local nonprofit groups.

3 Open house for the Commemorative Leadership Council’s 2010 Commemoration, 2-6 p.m., KwaTuqNuk Resort, Polson. Learn about homesteaders’ lives on the Flathead Reservation and about Native peoples. Music, demonstrations, exhibits.

3 Gateway Community Food Court grand opening celebration, 4-6 p.m., former Gateway West Mall, Kalispell. Refreshments, entertainment. Program begins 4:30 p.m.

3 Sunriser Lions 36th annual pancake supper, 4:30-7 p.m., St. Matthew’s cafeteria, 602 S. Main St., Kalispell. All-you-can-eat menu also includes sausage, coffee and juice. Adults $7; children $4; family $20; seniors $5. Proceeds to local eye programs.

3 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.

3 Downtown Whitefish construction kick-off celebration 5-9 p.m., 200 block of Central Avenue. Prizes, giveaways.

3 Muldown Elementary School Mully Night Carnival, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the school in Whitefish. Games, activities, entertainment. Dinner available. Everyone welcome.

3 Deer Park School spring fever social, 5:30-7:30 p.m., school gym. Chili feed, folk dancing, dessert auction. Admission $5 per family or a dessert for auction.

3 Flathead Homemakers host Spring Break 2010, 5:30-9 p.m., Northridge Lutheran Church, 323 Northridge Dr., Kalispell. Classes offered in organic gardening, rug hooking, digital camera, quilting, canning, cooking and more. Registration 5:30-6 p.m. Free. Everyone welcome. Call Peg, 756-2653.

3 Lincoln County Culinary School cooking class on “Vary Your Veggies - Focus on Fruity” 6 p.m., Central School, Libby. Free. Open to public.

3 Columbia Falls High School students Gallery Night commemorating Glacier Park’s centennial, 6 p.m., Glacier Discovery Square. Music by North Valley Music School, raffle, food. Donations suggested.

3 Flathead BodyTalkers host a free lecture by Katharina Hirsch on energy medicine, 6:30 p.m., Shining Mountain Center, 475 Eighth Ave. EN, Kalispell. Donations to local charity accepted.

3 Enactor, storyteller and teachers Al Cluck gives a live performance, “Jacco  Finlay and The Story of David Thompson,” 7 p.m., Eureka High School. Traveling trunk of over 300 trade items from 1780-1830 Fur Trade era. Free. Public welcome.

3 Flathead Valley Community College 2010 Honors Symposium Series presents David Hopkins, co-author of “The Tactics of Hope,” on “How Social Entrepreneurs are Changing the World,” 7 p.m., Arts and Technology Building, Kalispell. Free. Seating limited. Public welcome. Call 756-3822.

3 Community Forum on Middle East Solutions hosts a discussion by Gaza native Anan Abu Taleb, titled, “The Struggle Goes on,” 7 p.m., Whitefish Public Library. Free. Arabic coffee and Middle Eastern sweets provided. Call 755-3704.

3 David Hopkins, co-author of “The Tactics of Hope: How Social Entrepreneurs are Changing the World,” speaks at FVCC’s final Honors Symposium, 7 p.m., Arts and Technology building. Free. Open to public. Call 756-3822.

3 Glacier High School choirs present a free concert titled, “A Night on Broadway,” 7:30 p.m. in the Performance Hall. Public invited.

Friday

3 Open house for new da Vinci surgical robotic system, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Discovery Square, 540 Nucleus Ave., Columbia Falls. Guests can operate the controls. Free. Public welcome.

3 Spring treasure hunt sale, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Gateway Community Center, former Gateway West Mall, Kalispell. Musical entertainment.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Home Depot, in the blood mobile.

3 Lake County Pachyderm Club meets today, Polson City Library Community Room. Social time 11:30 a.m.; meeting 12:05-1 p.m. speaker is Lake County Commissioner Bill Barron. Bring brown bag lunch.

3 Northwest Retired Educators Association meets at noon, Perkins Restaurant, Kalispell. Ron and Jan Brunk will speak about delivering bicycles to Africa. Call 862-4075 or 752-0754.

3 Glacier Country Pachyderm meets noon to 1 p.m., Red Lion Hotel Kalispell. Dr. Jonathan Mercer and Jason Spring, North Valley Hospital chief administrative officer will discuss new da Vinci HD surgical system. Lunch available. Public invited. Call Tom McElwain, 270-5764.

3“Forest Owners Introduction to Conservation Easements” workshop 2-5 p.m., Libby City Hall, Ponderosa Room, 952 E. Spruce. Panel of professional speakers will discuss easements. Question and answer session. Free. Public welcome. Call Ed Levert, 406-293-2847 or Glenn Marx, 406-490-1659.

3Open house for Flathead National Forest supervisor Cathy Barbouletos, 4-5:30 p.m. Kalispell office, 650 Wolfpack Way, Kalispell. All invited.

3 Spaghetti dinner fundraiser for Ray of Hope, 5-7 p.m. First Presbyterian Church, Main Street, Kalispell. Garlic bread, salad dessert included. Cost $6 per plate at the door; $3 for children 6 and under. Call Lacy 261-0254.

Thought

 “It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for something you are not.”  n Andre Gide (zheed), French author and critic (1869-1951).

3 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 Barb, 752-2272. All 40-plus singles welcome.

3 31st annual Ronan Agriculture Appreciation dinner, Ronan Community Center, 300 Third Ave. NW. Social hour, 6 p.m.; dinner 7 p.m.; Entertainment by Taylor Brown. Call Ronan Chamber of Commerce, 406-676-8300.

Saturday

3 United Way Spring Treasure Hunt event 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Gateway Community Center (former Gateway West Mall), Kalispell. Entertainment, artists, vendors.

3 75th annual cherry growers’ meeting, Yellow Bay Clubhouse, Montana 35, mile marker 18. Registration 9:30 a.m.; presentations begin at 10 a.m. Keynote speaker is Norm Gutzwiler of Wenatchee, Wash. Cost $20 per person, includes refreshments and lunch. Call Barbara, 406-982-3069.

3 Humane Society of Northwest Montana Volunteer Orientation 11 a.m., Humane Society, 3499 U.S. 93 N., Kalispell. Call 752-PAWS.

3 Rescued cat adoption event, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aquarium Shop, 1001 U.S. 2 E., Kalispell. All animals spayed or neutered, litter box trained. Small adoption fee; portion of proceeds benefit Flathead County and Tobacco Valley animal shelters.

3 Whitefish Mountain Resort Moonlight Dine and Ski, 6 p.m. Tickets $67.85 for adults; $33.93 for kids 12 and under, includes lift ticket and gratuity. Call 862-2900 for reservations.

Sunday

3 “Time for Healing” service 4-5 p.m. Christ Church Episcopal, 215 Third Ave. E., Kalispell. Gentle, meditative hour including Christian readings, song and prayer. All welcome. Call 257-6182.

Monday

3 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 751-4500.

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

3 The Flathead Conservation District meets at 6 p.m., 133 Interstate Lane, in Evergreen. Call 752-4220.

3 Mark Trammell Quartet Southern gospel 7 p.m., Church of the Nazarene, 1295 Whitefish Stage Road. Free admission; offering will be accepted.

Tuesday

3 Health screening event 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Evergreen Pharmacy, 2141  U.S. 2. E., Kalispell, in conjunction with University of Montana Skaggs School of Pharmacy. Bone density, blood glucose, cholesterol testing. $15 per test. Appointments recommended. Call 406-243-2339. Walk-ins accepted.

3 Life Line Screening for stroke and osteoporosis, North Valley Hospital Community Center, 235 Nucleus Ave., Columbia Falls. Call 1-877-237-1287 for an appointment.

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., Good Shepherd Church, Polson. Sponsored by Polson Soroptimists.

3 Lone Pine State Park spring day camp for kids 8-12, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today and March 31, Kalispell. Pre-registration required, $30. Call Mary Beth Chappelow, 755-2706, ext. 2.

3 Flathead Building Association Raise the Roof public social, 5 p.m., 4West Cabinetry and Wallbeds, 2593 U.S. 2 E., across from LaSalle Lighting. Refreshments, prizes. Call 752-2422.

Wednesday

3 Groundbreaking ceremony for Center for Asbestos Related Disease, 1:30 p.m., Third Street and Louisiana Avenue. Libby. Sens. Baucus and Tester, Rep. Rehberg, Mayors Doug Roll and Don Banning and Lincoln County commissioners in attendance. Public welcome.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 3-6 p.m., at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Sponsored by Eagle Scout Tanner Gordon.

3 Nonprofit Development Partnership hosts a seminar by Program Director Ned Cooney titled, “Basics of Board Service: Improving Your Skills and Effectiveness as a Nonprofit Leader,” 5:30-9 p.m., FVCC, Kalispell. Cost is $35. Call 756-3832.

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

3 Kennel owners and dog lovers invited to a kennel management meeting, 6:30 p.m., Jagz Restaurant, U.S. 2, Kalispell. Dinner included; no charge. RSVP required. Call Debi Buchholz, 406-270-5382 by March 29.

3 Free Falun Dafa Qigong 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.

A Look Ahead

3 Libby Evangelical Association of Pastors present, “He’s Alive!” an Easter drama, 7 p.m. April 2-4, Church of the Nazarene, 662 E. Horseshoe Dr., Libby. Call 877-399-9480 to reserve your free tickets.

3 14th annual Easter EGGstravaganza, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 3, Kalispell Center Mall.

3 Dandy Dudes and Dolls 4-H annual Easter egg hunt for ages 1-10, 10 a.m. April 3, Cayuse Prairie School. Bring a basket. Easter Bunny will be present. Call Tina, 261-3443.

3 Northwest Montana Pro Rodeo Pageant annual Easter egg hunt for ages 1-8, 1 p.m. April 3, Flathead Country Fairgrounds. Bring a basket. Easter  Bunny will be present. Call Tina, 261-3443.

3 Kiddie carnival 2-4 p.m. April 3, Mountain Mall, Whitefish. Games and prizes. Easter Bunny pictures, Dan the Magic Man, giant bounce house.

3 Kalispell Elks Lodge No. 725 annual Easter egg hunt, 1 p.m., April 4, at the lodge grounds, 1820 U.S. 93 S. Everyone invited.

3 Whitefish Easter egg event for children 0 to 15, 2 p.m. April 3, Depot Park, Whitefish. Organic candy, toys, prizes. Age categories. Call Katie, 471-2803.

3 Flathead Chronic Pain Support Group meets 5:30-6:45 p.m., April 5, The Summit, Kalispell. Group meets the first and third Monday of every month. Learn how to cope with pain and improve your quality of life. Free. Call Dr. Alex Bokor, 250-5252. (There will be no meeting April 19.)

3 Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets at 7 p.m. April 5, The Summit, Kalispell. All those affected by suicide welcome. Call 871-1008.

3 AARP Driver Safety class, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 6, The Summit, Kalispell. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 751-4500.

3 Summit Independent Living Center offers a beginner’s level sign language class, 5:30-7 p.m. April 6. Cost $5 per class or $25 for six weeks. Call 257-0048 to enroll.

3 Columbia Falls Trails Committee meets 5:30-6:30 p.m., April 6, Discovery Square, Columbia Falls. Call Lexi, 546-6659.

3 West Valley School informational meeting regarding future school expansion, 6:30 p.m. April 6 and 8, school library. Public welcome.

3 MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m. every other Wednesday, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. April 7 is a baby-sitters thank you brunch. April 21 is Fellowship Day. Call Heidi Durban, 253-4886.

3 Nationally known law enforcement trainer Lt. Mark Wynn gives a presentation and question/answer session on domestic violence, 1:30 p.m. April 7, KwaTuqNuk Resort, Polson. Public welcome. Call the Victim Assistance Program, 406-675-2700, ext. 1194.

3 AARP presents a “We Need to Talk” free 90-minute seminar for families and friends of older drivers, 7 p.m. April 7, The Summit, Kalispell. Space limited. Call 751-4500 to reserve a seat.

3 Senior Tour & Tea, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., April 8, Hockaday Museum of Art, Kalispell. Free admission for senior citizens. Docent-guided gallery tour at 10:30 a.m. Light refreshments. Call 755-5268.

3 Montana State University Master Gardener horticultural seminar, 6-8 p.m. April 8. Lake County agent Nori Pierce talks about “Preserving your Harvest.” Cost $5. Public invited. Doors open 5:45 p.m.

3 Headwaters Montana Wild Places Photo Extravaganza, April 8, O’Shaughnessy Center, Whitefish. Artist reception 6 p.m.; screening 7 p.m. Cost $10 at door. Raffle. Winner must be present. Call 837-0783 or 862-0438.

3 West Valley School informational meeting regarding future school expansion, 6:30 p.m. April  8, school library. Public welcome.

3 “Live at the O’Cow Corral” talent show, April 9-11, Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts. Show, 7 p.m. April 9-10; 2 p.m. April 11. Fundraiser for Bigfork schools.

3 44th annual Creston Auction and Country Fair, April 9-11. April  9 Consignment Day; April 10 auction, 8 a.m., arts and crafts, rummage, bake sales. April 11, bidding at noon on cars, trucks, boats, farm equipment and more. Fundraiser for Creston Volunteer Fire Department.

3 Flathead Chapter of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees meets at noon, April 9, Back Room of Night Owl Restaurant, Columbia Falls.  Speaker is Chris Peterson of Hungry Horse News. Social time, 11:30 a.m. For reservations, call Bill Driver at 837-2744.

3 Whitefish High School Young Democrats host a free film screening of “Outfoxed, 7 p.m. April 9, Whitefish Middle School auditorium. The film examines Fox News and corporate-run news organizations. Call Josh Schott, 250-9432.

3 Semi-annual Trees to Paper to Trees recycling drive, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 10, Flathead County Fairgrounds. Bring sorted, separated recyclable to north end of fairgrounds. Call Kalispell Parks and Recreation, 758-7849.

3 AARP Driver Safety class, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 12, North Valley Hospital, Whitefish. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 863-3630.

3 Rails to Trails meets at 5:15 p.m. April 12, at Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks building, 490 N. Meridian Road. All welcome. Call 257-4486.

3 Flathead Audubon meets at 7 p.m., April 12, The Summit, Kalispell. Wildlife biologist Steve Gniadek discusses research and monitoring projects in Glacier Park over last decade. Free. All welcome.

3 Kila School board meets, 10 a.m., April 13 at the school.

3 Swan River School board meets 5:30 p.m. April 13, school library.

3 Flathead City-County Home Health Committee meets 12:30-2 pm. April 14, Earl Bennett Building, Kalispell.

3 Evergreen School District board meets at 6:30 p.m., April 14, administration building boardroom.

3 Parkinson’s disease support group meets 5-6:30 p.m., April 14, The Summit, Kalispell. Open to those diagnosed, family, friends and professionals. Call Inga, 756-5514; or Lois, 871-3767.

3 Homeschool Theater Club presents “Oliver Twist,” 7 p.m. April 16, 4 p.m. April 17, New Covenant Fellowship. 436 Birch Grove Road, Kalispell. Admission free. Bake sale.

3 Columbia Falls Teakettle Quilt Show, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 17, Glacier Discovery Square, 540 Nucleus Ave., Columbia Falls. Vendors, demonstrations, exhibits, boutique, raffles. Free admission.

3 Nurturing Center hosts The Parade of Children, 11-1:30 p.m. April 17, followed by DreamBuilders Playhouse raffle drawing and silent auction, 2 p.m., Kalispell Center Mall.

3 Flathead Suicide Prevention Coalition meets noon to 1 p.m., April 22, Flathead City-County Health Department conference room, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell. Call Joan Schmidt, 871-1008.

3 Ducks Unlimited Greenwing kids event, 6 p.m. April 23, Red Lion Hotel, Kalispell. Dinner, wildlife presentation, prizes. Cost $10 per child. Call Mark 755-8280.

3 AARP Driver Safety class, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 24, The Summit, Kalispell. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 751-4500.

3 United Way Share Fair, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., April 24, Kalispell Center Mall. Information booths for health and human service agencies, clubs service organizations. Kids activities. Call 752-7266.

3 35th annual Ducks Unlimited banquet, 6 p.m. April 24, Red Lion Hotel, Kalispell. Dinner, live and silent auction, raffles. Cost $30 per person. Call Mark 755-8280.

3 AARP Driver Safety class, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 26, St. John’s Lutheran Hospital, Libby $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 406-293-0100.

3 AARP Driver Safety class, 9-11 a.m., and 1-3 p.m. April 29, Polson Area Senior Center. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 883-4735.

3 Northwest Montana Educational Cooperative management board meets 10:45 a.m. April 29, 124 Third Ave. E, Kalispell (Linderman School). Call 257-1857.

3 Lincoln County Culinary School cooking class on “Grains of Wisdom,” 6 p.m., April 29, Central School Libby. Free. Open to public. Call 406-293-8881.

3 Montana Wilderness Association annual convention, “Wilderness on Our Horizon,” April 30-May 2, Grouse Mountain Lodge, Whitefish. Call 406-443-7350, ext. 110 to register.

3 Seventh annual “Making Miracles Happen” dinner and auction for Human Therapy on Horseback, May 1, Hilton Garden Inn, Kalispell. Doors open 4:30 p.m. Dinner 6 p.m.; live auction 7 p.m. Tickets $50 per person. Call 881-4192.

3 Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets at 7 p.m. May 3, The Summit, Kalispell. All those affected by suicide welcome. Call 871-1008.

3 MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) potluck brunch, 9:15-11:15 a.m. May 5, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Call Heidi Durban, 253-4886.

3 Montana State University Master Gardener horticultural seminar, 6-8 p.m. May 6. Kathleen O’Hern of Department of Environmental Quality talks about “Backyard Composting.” Cost $5. Public invited. Doors open 5:45 p.m.

3 Northwest Montana Educational Cooperative management board meets 10:45 a.m. May 20, 124 Third Ave. E, Kalispell (Linderman School). Call 257-1857.

3 Flathead Suicide Prevention Coalition meets noon to 1 p.m., May 27, Flathead City-County Health Department conference room, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell. Call Joan Schmidt, 871-1008.

3 Lincoln County Culinary School cooking class on “Staying Strong, Staying Healthy,” 6 p.m., May 27, Central School Libby. Free. Open to public. Call 406-293-8881.

3 Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets at 7 p.m. June 7, The Summit, Kalispell. All those affected by suicide welcome. Call 871-1008.

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

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

3 Lincoln County Culinary School cooking class on “Celebrate Eating Smarter” 6 p.m., June 24, Central School Libby. Free. Open to public. Call 406-293-8881.

3 Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets at 7 p.m. July 5,  The Summit, Kalispell. All those affected by suicide welcome. Call 871-1008.

3 Flathead High School Class of 1990’s 20-year reunion July 23-24; 6-10 p.m., Bulldog, July 23; 6:30 p.m. July 24, Majestic Valley Arena. Call Jolene Shima, 752-2907.

3 Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets at 7 p.m. Aug. 2, The Summit, Kalispell. All those affected by suicide welcome. Call 871-1008.

3 Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets at 7 p.m. Sept. 13, The Summit, Kalispell. All those affected by suicide welcome. Call 871-1008.

3 Stumptown Art Studio’s third annual Oktoberfish, 6 p.m. Sept.  25, Whitefish.

3 Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets at 7 p.m. Oct. 4, The Summit, Kalispell. All those affected by suicide welcome. Call 871-1008.

3 Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets at 7 p.m. Nov. 1, The Summit, Kalispell. All those affected by suicide welcome. Call 871-1008.

3 Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets at 7 p.m. Dec. 6, The Summit, Kalispell. All those affected by suicide welcome. Call 871-1008.