Daybook

Friday

• Kalispell Public Schools Committees meet in the administration offices, 233 First Ave. E.: Finance, 7:30 a.m.; Curriculum/Instruction, 9 a.m.; Personnel, 9 a.m.

• Red Cross blood drives: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., KRMC.

• Flathead Chapter of National Active and Retired Federal Employees meets at 11:30 a.m. for a social gathering, with lunch at noon, at Perkins restaurant. Food items and money will be collected for Northwest Montana Veterans Food Pantry. For reservations, call Bill Driver at 837-2744.

• Flathead Community Health Center assists individuals with registering for the Health Insurance Marketplace and selecting a plan, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Flathead County Library, Kalispell. Scheduled appointments are also available; call 758-2165.

• Montana Organic Association 11th annual conference continues through Saturday, FVCC. Theme is “An Organic Perspective: Facts and Fiction of GMOs and More.” Call Sandi Shanks, (406) 297-7588.

• Fundraising event for new home for 18-year old boys, 5-9 p.m. Resurrected Blessing, 905 W. Center St., Kalispell. Silver and gold estate jewelry sale, health and beauty products, furniture, trees and decorations. Drawings, raffles, hot chocolate. Donations of gifts for youth suggested such as toiletries or gift certificates. Call Deanna McAtee, 871-4950; or Maureen Little Dog, 253-9784.

• Annual Whitefish Christmas Stroll, 5:30-9 p.m., downtown Whitefish. Tree-lighting ceremony 6:15 p.m. Depot Park, followed by Santa’s arrival. Arts and crafts, food vendors; fire juggling, caroling, frozen turkey bowling and more. 

• Montanans for Multiple Use present a public presentation about “Transfer of Federal Lands to the States” with Rep. Ken Ivory of Utah, 6:30 p.m., Flathead County Fairgrounds, Kalispell. Free admission. Call 261-9326.

• Christmas recital featuring violinist Wai Mizutani and pianist Siobhan McGuire, 7:30 p.m., John Paul II Church, Bigfork. Freewill offering accepted for youth program. Public invited.

• Luke Dowler CD release party and benefit for Habitat for Humanity, 9:30 p.m., Crush, Central Avenue, downtown Whitefish. Free. Public invited.

Saturday

• Montana Organic Association 11th annual conference continues at FVCC. Theme is “An Organic Perspective: Facts and Fiction of GMOs and More.” Call Sandi Shanks, (406) 297-7588.

• Flathead Audubon’s Bigfork Christmas Bird Count. Call Dan Casey, 857-3143 or 270-5941 to sign up.

• 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.

• Kila School PTO craft bazaar, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the gym.

• Family Friendly Flathead hosts a free breakfast with Santa,  9 a.m. to noon, 305 E. Evergreen Drive, Kalispell,

• Wreaths Across America ceremony, 10 a.m., Montana Veterans Home, Columbia Falls. Public invited. Wreaths representing all military branches will be placed. Wreaths available for $15 each and will be place on veterans’ graves at the cemetery.

• St. Matthew’s parish Cookie Carousel, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., school gym, 602 S. Main St., Kalispell. Homemade Christmas cookies and candies. Hot coffee, tea and cocoa for sale. Call 752-6303.

• Christmas at Our House annual free dinner, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Armed Forces Reserve Center, U.S. 93 North of Kalispell. No reservation needed. Call 871-7604. Complimentary bus service available for Kalispell, Whitefish and Columbia Falls. Call 758-5728.

• Flathead Spay and Neuter Task Force Kitten and Dog Adoption event, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Holiday Inn Express, 275 Treeline Road, Kalispell. Small fee. Bring your own pet carrier or leash. Call 871-2388.

• Big Arm community potluck, Big Arm Historic School. Social time, 5:30 p.m.; potluck, 6 p.m.; live music by Sisler Family and Friends, 7 p.m. Call Ross, 849-5568.

Sunday

• Missoula guitarist and singer/songwriter John Floridis benefit concert, 7 p.m., Whitefish United Methodist Church, 1150 Wisconsin Ave. Freewill donations benefit Neighbors in Need.

Monday

• Red Cross blood drive, 12:30-5:30 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

• Fair-Mont-Egan School board meets 5 p.m.

• Public meeting on “How to Reclaim Montana’s Lands,” 6:30 p.m., Best Western Flathead Lake Inn, U.S. 93 and Montana 82, Somers. Kirk MacKenzie, founder of Defend Rural America, and a panel of experts will present. Call 837-6929 or (650) 967-5679.

The Rev. Bradley S. Wirth gives his original Christmas reading about a homeless man, 7 p.m., All Saints Episcopal Church, 2048 Conn Road, Columbia Falls. Refreshments. Offering taken to benefit Humane Society of Northwest Montana, Spay and Neuter Task Force, Flathead County Animal Shelter.

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

Tuesday

• Randy Winter, service officer for Montana Veterans Affairs Division, will be available to veterans and their dependents, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today and Dec. 18, Montana Veterans Home, Columbia Falls.

• AARP Driver Safety class, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., North Valley Hospital, Whitefish. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members). Call 863-3627.

• Red Cross blood drives: noon to 5 p.m., Eureka Baptist Church;  2-5 p.m., Lakeside QRU.

• Flathead City-County Board of Health special meeting/retreat 1-3 p.m., administration office, Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. E., Kalispell.

• Lakeside County Water and Sewer district board meets 2 p.m., district meeting room, 253 Bierney Creek Road.

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

• NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness)/LAC Christmas party, 6-8 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. Call (406) 309-5199.

• City of Kalispell Impact Fee Advisory Committee meets, 7 p.m., City Hall Chambers, 201 First Ave. E., Kalispell. Open to public. Call 758-7722.

Columbia Falls Historical Society meets, 7 p.m., Montana Veterans Home chapel. All interested in local history welcome.

• Helena Flats School board meets at 7 p.m., school library.

Wednesday

• Evergreen Water and Sewer District board meets at 7 a.m. at the district office, 130 Nicholson Drive.

• Alpine Weavers and Spinners meet, 10:30 a.m., Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Kalispell. Holiday potluck. Beverages provided. All interested welcome.

• Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Montana Athletic Club, Bigfork.

• Free avalanche education class, 6-8:30 p.m. Dec. 18-19, Flathead National Forest office, Kalispell. Field session Dec. 21, Whitefish Mountain Resort. Pre-register by calling Seth Carbonari, 387-3832.

Thursday

• Salvation Army Competitive Day of Ringing in Kalispell, Evergreen, Whitefish, Columbia Falls, Bigfork and Lakeside. Communities will challenge one another to raise the most money.

• Kalispell Public Schools Policy and Communications Committee meets, 8:30 a.m., administration offices, 233 First Ave. E.

• Red Cross blood drive, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Bigfork High School.

• Kalispell Public Schools district board work session, 6 p.m., Kalispell Middle School library.

• Marion Fire District meets, 7 p.m., Marion Community Center, 180 Gopher Lane. Public invited.

A look ahead

• Red Cross blood drives Dec. 20: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell; 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., First Interstate Bank, Main Street, Kalispell.

• Bargains in the Gym, 1-5 p.m. Dec. 20, 305 E. Evergreen Drive, Kalispell. Continues 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 21. Fundraiser for Family Friendly Flathead.

• Amore fire fundraiser trunk raffle, 4:30-5:30 p.m. 35 Fifth Ave. W., Kalispell. Two Christmas-themed trunks raffled. Tickets available at Amore. Proceeds help local families recover from house fires. Call 755-5513.

• Glacier Woodturners meet, 9 a.m. Dec. 21, Hansen’s Trucking, Columbia Falls. Call 755-1795.

• Bargains in the Gym, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 21, 305 E. Evergreen Drive, Kalispell. Fundraiser for Family Friendly Flathead. Free clothing giveaway, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

• AARP Driver Safety class, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 23, Lakeview Village Apartments, Polson. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members). Call (406) 644-3446.

• Red Cross blood drive, 1:30-5:30 p.m. Dec. 23, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

• Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 24, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

• Annual luminaria lighting 5 p.m. Dec. 24, Rose Crossing, Evergreen. Luminaria will remain lit until at least 10 p.m. along roughly 2 miles between U.S. 2 East and Whitefish Stage. Free. Public invited. Memorial lights may be purchased for $5 at the Evergreen Fire Department.

• Christmas gathering at Family Friendly Flathead Gym, noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 25, 305 E. Evergreen Dr. Free meal, games, music. Everyone welcome.

• Community Kitchen Feeding the Flathead free Christmas dinner, 6 p.m. Dec. 25, Faith Alliance Church, 348 Second Ave. W., Kalispell. Turkey, ham and pumpkin pie. All will receive a gift. 

• Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 26, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

• Red Cross blood drives Dec. 27: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell; 1-4:30 p.m. Straight Blast Gym.

• Whitefish Figure Skating Club Christmas for All ice skating show, 4-7 p.m. Dec. 28, Stumptown Ice Den, Whitefish. On ice tickets, $15; general admission $10; youths 6-10, $5; 5 and under, free.

• Columbia Falls Historical Society Cowboy Christmas Ball, 8 p.m. to midnight Dec. 28, Montana Veterans Home chapel, Columbia Falls. For tickets, call 892-0178.

• Flathead Audubon’s Kalispell Christmas Bird Count Dec. 29. Call Dan Casey, 857-3143 or 270-5941 to sign up.

• Red Cross blood drive, 1:30-5:30 p.m. Dec. 30, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

• Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 31, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

Annual Polar Bear Plunge, 2 p.m. Jan. 1, The Raven, Woods Bay.

• Columbia Falls Relay for Life Winter kick-off event, noon to 3 p.m. Jan. 4, Marantette Park, Columbia Falls. Family fun. Hot chocolate, coffee, cookies.

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

• Flathead Outdoor Club meets 7 p.m., Jan. 8, The Summit, Kalispell. Leah Levitt will talk about some of her Montana hikes last summer. Coffee and tea served. Everyone welcome. Call Levitt, 892-6105 or 261-6874.

• Flathead Conservation District meets 7 p.m. Jan. 13, USDA building, 133 Interstate Lane, Kalispell. Call 752-4220.

• Kalispell Little Explorers program tours The Aquarium Shop, Kalispell, 11 a.m. to noon, Jan. 14. For ages 2-6; must be accompanied by adults. $7 for nonresidents, $5 for city residents. Call 758-7975.

• Stand Up America’s Glacial Forum presents Debra Lann on “Common Core Education: The Rest of the Story,” 6:30 p.m. Jan. 16, Sykes’ Diner, 202 Second Ave. W., Kalispell. Donations accepted.

• AARP Driver Safety class, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 18, The Summit, Kalispell. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 751-4500.

• AARP Driver Safety classes Jan. 20: 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Libby Christian Church. Call 406-283-7000; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Troy United Methodist Church. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 406-751-4500.

• Whitefish Winter Carnival world ski joring championships, Jan. 25-26, Whitefish Municipal Airport grounds. Opening ceremonies, 11:30 a.m. Jan. 25. Events start at noon daily. $5 parking fee benefits Human Therapy on Horseback.

• AARP Driver Safety class, noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 27, North Valley Senior Center, Columbia Falls. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 892-4087.

• Flathead Outdoor Club meets, 7 p.m. Feb. 12, The Summit, Kalispell. Mitchell Leus will talk about his Missouri River float trip. Coffee and tea served. Everyone welcome. Call Leah Levitt, 892-6105 or 261-6874.

• Kalispell Little Explorers program tours Sweet Peaks, Kalispell, 10-11 a.m. Feb. 20. For ages 2-6; must be accompanied by adults. $7 for nonresidents, $5 for city residents. Call 758-7975.

• Kalispell Little Explorers program tours Humane Society of Northwest Montana, Kalispell, 11 a.m. to noon March 20. For ages 2-6; must be accompanied by adults. $7 for nonresidents, $5 for city residents. Call 758-7975.

• Kalispell Little Explorers program tours Sweet No Wheat Bakery, Kalispell, 10-11 a.m. April 17. For ages 2-6; must be accompanied by adults. $7 for nonresidents, $5 for city residents. Call 758-7975.