Daybook
Wednesday
• Traffic will be detoured from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the 1000 and 1100 blocks of South Main Street, Kalispell, to remove two dead maple trees.
• Red Cross blood drives: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Columbia Falls High School; 12:30-4:30 p.m. Elks Club.
• Local Advisory Council/ NAMI meets 10-11:30 a.m., Lamplighter House, Kalispell. Call 755-1795.
• Free Falun Dafa Qigong easy to learn exercise instruction for all ages is held at noon today and March 20, Flathead County Library community room, Kalispell. Call Katherine, 257-9798.
• Kalispell Toastmasters Club annual spring speech contest, 1 p.m., First Montana Bank conference room, 85 N. Main St., Kalispell. Public invited.
• USMC Happy Hour for Marines and Navy who served with Marines, 5-7 p.m., Kalispell VFW, 330 First Ave. W. Cash bar. Spouses welcome. Call 406-890-1823.
Thursday
• Red Cross blood drive, 12:30-5:30 p.m., Teakettle Room Columbia Falls.
• Pleasant Valley School board meets 6 p.m., main classroom.
• Glacier Institute hosts a lecture by Denver Holt on the natural history of snowy owls, 6 p.m., Conrad Mansion Museum, 330 Woodland Ave., Kalispell. Wine and desserts served. Mansion tours. Suggested donation $10 per person. RSVP required. Call 755-1211 or 755-2166.
• 2013 Whitefish Winter Classic today through March 10. Kick-off party 5:30-7:30 p.m., poker run, 7:30-9:30 p.m. today; NFL celebrity autographs 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Summit House, Whitefish Mountain Resort, Play 60 Challenge 5-6:30 p.m., followed by autograph session 6:30-7:30 p.m. March 8, Whitefish High School gym; Gala and auction 5:30-10 p.m. followed by VIP party, March 9, Lodge at Whitefish Lake; champagne brunch, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 10, Whitefish Lake Restaurant. For tickets, call 862-8146.
• Stillwater Christian School fundraiser, Flathead County Fairgrounds Trade Center, Kalispell. Keynote speaker is three-star Lt. Gen. William G. Boykin. Banquet tickets $75 per person. Call Craig Hunnicutt, 752-4400.
• FVCC Multicultural Affairs Office documentary film festival concludes 6:30 p.m., large community meeting room, Arts and Technology Building. Film, “10 Questions for the Dalai Lama” will be shown, Raffle, snacks. Free. Open to public. Call Mick Stemborski, 756-3945.
Friday
• Flathead Forest Friday no-host breakfast, 7-9 a.m. Echo Lake Cafe, Bigfork. Speaker is Swan Lake District Ranger Rich Kehr. RSVP to 758-5252.
• Kalispell Public Schools Finance Committee meets 7:30 a.m., administration offices, 233 First Ave. E.
• AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps mutual self-help housing build day, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., 580 Triple Creek Dr., Spring Creek subdivision off Three Mile Drive, Kalispell. Volunteers needed. Lunch provided. Call Valerie, 916-717-9963.
• Red Cross blood drives: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell; 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Flathead County Health Department.
• Flathead Chapter of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees meets at noon, The Nite Owl/Back Room, Columbia Falls. Social time, 11:30 a.m. For reservations, call Bill Driver, 837-2744.
• Kalispell Public Schools Curriculum/Instruction Committee meets at noon, administration offices, 233 First Ave. E.
• Eastside Grange annual pancake supper, 4-7 p.m., across from Creston School on Creston Road, Kalispell. Three types of pancakes, Denver omelets, juice and coffee. Donations will go toward scholarship program and Grange community service projects.
• International Women’s Day Rally against violence against women, 4:30-5:30 p.m., lawn at U.S. 93 at traffic light in front of FVCC. Supporters welcome. Bring signs and banners.
• 2013 4-H Interstate Exchange spaghetti supper and dessert auction, 5:30 p.m. Easthaven Baptist Church, 2010 Whitefish Stage. Tickets $6 per person; $20 per family. Public invited.
• Fourth annual FVCC’s Got Talent competition, 6 p.m., FVCC Theatre, Arts and Technology Building. Tickets $5, available at the FVCC Bookstore or call 756-3387. Limited tickets may be available at door.
• Friends of the All Saints Episcopal Church Chili Open event, 7-9 p.m. 2048 Conn Road. Tickets $20 per person. For reservations, call Humane Society of Northwest Montana, 752-7297. Benefit for Humane Society, Flathead County Animal Shelter, Spay and Neuter Task Force.
Saturday
• Sixth annual chili open, All Saints Episcopal Church, 2048 Conn Road, Columbia Falls. Golf tournament “in the snow.” Lunch provided. Silent auction of gift baskets. Benefit for Humane Society, Flathead County Animal Shelter, Spay and Neuter Task Force. Call 752-7297.
• Rocky Mountain Roller Good Sams RV Club meets 12:45 p.m., Whitefish Pin and Cue Restaurant. No-host lunch off menu. Guests welcome. Call 892-5399 or 756-7244.
• Polson Heart and Soul neighborhood gathering, 4-6:30 p.m., Journey BE, 107 Seventh Ave. W. Dinner by Soups On; donations to Heart and Soul accepted. Call 250-3498.
Monday
• Flathead County Animal Advisory Committee meets 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell.
• Daughters of the American Revolution, Chief Ignace Chapter, meet for lunch at noon at home of Sara Connor. Presentation titled, “A Portrait of a Daughter: Know the DAR.” Meet at 11:15 a.m. at Smith’s to carpool. Call Jan Olson, 837-4732.
• 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., administration offices, 233 First Ave. E.
• Big Mountain Ski Patrol annual fundraiser, 5 p.m., Bierstube, Whitefish Mountain Resort. Live music Moonshine Mountain Band. Raffle. Silent auction. Call 862-2940.
• Eighth annual Glacier Kiwanis Nite of Jazz fundraiser, 7 p.m., Columbia Falls High School Little Theater. Musicians and bands from Flathead Valley high schools will perform. Tickets $5 adults, $3 students, at the door. Call Carla Weber, 253-9707.
• Flathead Audubon meets at 7 p.m., at its new location in the United Way conference room, Gateway Community Center, U.S. 2 West, Kalispell. Enter from west side of building. Hungry Horse News photographer Chris Peterson presents his program on four loop hikes titled, “Going Loopy in Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Free. All welcome.
• The Flathead Conservation District meets at 7 p.m., 133 Interstate Lane, in Evergreen. Call 752-4220.
Tuesday
• Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce membership luncheon, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., North Valley Hospital Community Room, 235 Nucleus Ave. Mike Baron, Federal Highway Administration engineer, and Jack Gordon, Glacier Park landscape architect, will talks about the Going-to-the-Sun Road Rehabilitation Project. No reservations required. Lunch available for $10. Call Carol Pike, 892-2072.
• Red Cross blood drives: 2-5 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell, sponsored by Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; 2-6 p.m. Trinity Lutheran Church.
• Flathead Municipal Airport Authority meets at 4 p.m., Glacier Park International Airport board room.
• Evergreen School reunion committee meets 5:30 p.m., Nickel Charlie’s, Kalispell. All interested welcome. Call 752-0889.
• Kalispell Public Schools district board meets at 6 p.m., Kalispell Middle School Media Center.
• 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.
A look ahead
• Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 13, Eureka High School.
• Flathead Chapter of Montana Landlords Association meets at noon, March 13, Scotty’s meeting room, Kalispell. No host lunch, 11 a.m. Call Sue, 261-5743.
• Kalispell Toastmasters Club annual spring speech evaluation contest, 1 p.m., March 13, First Montana Bank conference room, 85 N. Main St., Kalispell. Public invited.
• Parkinson’s disease support group meets 3-4:30 p.m., March 13, The Summit, Kalispell. Occupational therapist Denise Zander will discuss adaptive equipment and options. All welcome. Call Lois, 871-3767; or Inga, 756-5514.
• Somers School board Financial and Federal Programs Committee meets 5:30 p.m. March 13, Somers Middle School.
• Flathead Beekeepers meet 6:30 p.m. March 13, Teakettle Community Center, 235 Nucleus Ave., Columbia Falls. All welcome. Call Kathy Britton, 752-9642.
• Flathead Outdoor Club meets 7 p.m., March 13, The Summit, Kalispell. Bill Dakin will give a presentation on the building of the Going to the Sun Road. Coffee and tea served. Everyone welcome. Call Leah Levitt, 892-6105 or 261-6874.
• Senior Tour and Tea, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., March 14, Hockaday Museum of Art, 302 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Free admission for senior citizens. Coffee, tea and cookies served 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Docent-guided gallery tour at 10:30 a.m. Call 755-5268.
• Red Cross blood drive, 12:30-5 p.m. March 14, West Kootenai Colony.
• FVCC Fulbright scholar-in-residence Karl Rangikawhiti Leonard gives a free lecture on the wars and history of the Maori people, 6 p.m., March 14, Arts and Technology Building, FVCC. Public invited. Call 756-3945.
• Local Institute of Noetic Sciences community group meets 7 p.m., March 14, Bohemian Grange, 125 Blanchard Lake Road, Whitefish. Michael Pilarski give a presentation on permaculture. All welcome. Donations appreciated. Call 862-9591 or 862-7711.
• Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 15, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• Chili feed fundraiser for Swan River Bike Trail, 5-7 p.m. March 15, Garden Bar, Bigfork. Tickets $10 per person; or $25 per family (two adults and two kids under 10), at The Jug Tree, Nancy O’s.
• Make-A-Wish Montana volunteer training session 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 16, Room 202, Arts and Technology Building, FVCC. Snacks and beverages provided. Advance registration requested by calling 406-259-9848.
• 27th annual Ronan Women’s Club Arts, Crafts and Flea Market, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. March 16, Ronan Community Center. Lunch, snacks, beverages available. Silent auction. To reserve space, call 406-676-5079.
• District 1 “A Day in Al-Anon” open house, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 16, Christ Church Episcopal basement, 215 Third Ave. E., Kalispell. Registration 9:30-10 a.m.; cost $8, includes lunch. Guest speakers, cake walk, raffle, literature for sale. Call Carol, 261-2744.
• American Legion Post and Auxiliary 137 spring meeting, 10 a.m., March 16 St. Ignatius Community Center.
• Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m. March 16, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• Showing of comedy film, “Caddyshack,” 5 p.m. March 16, O’Shaughnessy Center, Whitefish. Barbecue, desserts, beer and wine. Silent auction. Film characters costume and putting contests. Suggested donation, $12. Fundraiser for Whitefish Community School. Call 862-1216.
• St. Patrick’s Day spaghetti feed, 1-3 p.m. March 17, Kalispell Senior Center, 403 Second Ave. W. $5. Call 257-1598.
• 14th annual Ken Dutter-Flathead Festival fundraiser for Montana Gospel Music Association, 6:30 p.m., March 17, Christian Center, 255 Summit Ridge Dr., Kalispell. Quartets, soloists. No ticket required; an offering will be taken. Call Dean, 844-2085. • Flathead County Republican Women meet at noon, March 18, Hilton Garden Inn Kalispell. Speaker is former state Sen. Ryan Zinke. Buffet lunch available for $11. All welcome. Call Jane Bennett, 250-5316.
• Kalispell Women’s Connection brunch, 11:30 a.m., March 19, meeting room of church across from Russell School, 301 W. Wyoming St., Kalispell. Julee Van Voast from Mystique Hair and Nail Salon talks about nail care. Speaker is Connie Barker. Cost $8 per person. Call Jan, 212-3763, or Rosainne, 257-8098 for lunch and free child care reservations. Affiliated with Stonecroft Ministries.
• Volunteer informational meeting for Creston Auction in April, 7 p.m. March 19, Creston Fire Station, 4498 Montana 35. All welcome. Call 406-250-7396.
• Essential Stuff Project (ESP) free presentation by Mary Laud on container and straw bale gardening, 7 p.m. March 20, Clementine’s, 265 Bridge St., Bigfork. Donations accepted. Call Edd Blackler, 837-5196; or Catherine Haug, 837-4577.
• Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 10:30 a.m., March 21, conference room, Linderman School, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.
• Evergreen Chamber of Commerce Energizer 5-6:30 p.m. March 21, The Carpet Store, next to Staples. Food, drinks, prizes. Everyone welcome.
• Annual Loud at the Library event, 5:30-8:30 p.m. March 21, Flathead County Library, Kalispell. Live music, food and drink, raffle and auction. Tickets $30. Call 758-5821.
• Annual Mully Night Carnival, 5:30-7:30 p.m. March 21, Muldown Elementary School, Whitefish. Dinner, games, activities. Public invited.
• “Vino” benefit for Ravenwood Outdoor Learning Center, 6 p.m. March 21, Whitefish Lake Restaurant. Select wines paired with wild game selections and Sweet Peaks ice cream for dessert. Live music, silent and live auctions. Tickets $75 per person $140 per couple available at the door or call Nancy, 249-3108.
• Friendship Force of the Flathead Valley meets March 21, Vista Linda, Somers. Social hour 5 p.m.; dinner at 6 p.m. Lisa Poler gives a presentation on her recent trip to Brussels and Antwerp, Belgium. All interested in travel and meeting people from other countries invited. For reservations, call Lavonne Larson, 756-7082.
• Bigfork Emergency Response Team (BERT) meets 7-8 p.m. March 21, Bigfork Middle School cafeteria. Former Bigfork Fire Chief Rick Trembath gives a PowerPoint presentation on wildfire risk in greater Bigfork area. Free. Public invited. Call Beverly, 406-420-2210.
• North Valley Senior Center, annual book and puzzle sale, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 22-23, 205 Nucleus Ave. Columbia Falls. Call 892-4087.
• Community forum on “Wastewater Management around Whitefish Lake, March 25, City Council Chambers, Whitefish City Hall. Public may drop in between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., or 5-7 p.m., to learn about progress and plans.
• Glacier National Park Associates Winter Speaker series presents Kate Kendall with updates on Crown of Continent ecosystem grizzlies, 7 p.m., March 25, Central School Museum, Kalispell. Free. Public invited. Call 756-8992.
• Kalispell Public Schools district board meets at 6 p.m., March 26, Kalispell Middle School Media Center.
• Evergreen Chamber of Commerce luncheon, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., March 27, Perkins Restaurant. Call 885-1212.
• Kalispell Senior Citizens business meeting, potluck supper and bingo, 5 p.m. March 28, Kalispell Senior Center, 403 Second Ave. W. Dave Polansky gives an update on Eagle Transit. Bring a potluck dish or pay $3. Call 257-1598.
• “Fork It Over” Community Night fundraiser for FarmHands map, 5-9 p.m. April 1, Three Forks Grill, 729 Nucleus Ave., Columbia Falls. Call 892-2900.
• Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets 5:30-7 p.m. April 2, The Summit, Kalispell. Call 871-1008.
• 47th annual Creston Auction and Country Fair, April 6-7, Creston, 12 miles east of Kalispell on Montana 35. April 5: Consignments accepted 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 6: Grounds open 8 a.m. Opening ceremony 9 a.m. All-day auction. Concessions. Free admission. April 7: Auto, marine, RV and equipment auction starts 9 a.m. Call 406-250-7396.
• Flathead Outdoor Club meets 7 p.m., April 10, The Summit, Kalispell. Trish Pebbles talks about her travels with the movie industry. Coffee and tea served. Everyone welcome. Call Leah Levitt, 892-6105 or 261-6874.
• Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council and Management board meet 10:30 a.m., April 18, conference room, Linderman School, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.
• FVCC Fulbright scholar-in-residence Karl Rangikawhiti Leonard gives a free lecture on the Maori people today, 6 p.m., April 18, Arts and Technology Building, FVCC. Public invited. Call 756-3945.
• Teakettle Quilt Guild Quilt Show, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 20, Glacier Gateway Elementary School, 440 Fourth Ave. W., Columbia Falls. Vendors, demonstrations, boutique raffles. Free admission.
• Share Fair 2013, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 20, Kalispell Center Mall. Community health and human service agencies, nonprofits and clubs and organizations will displays and information about their services. Entertainment. Face painting and activities for kids. Call United Way, 752-7266.
• Sixth annual Cowboy Up benefit auction dinner and concert for Samaritan House, April 20, Gardner’s Auction, U.S. 93 South, Kalispell. Doors open 5 p.m. Pig roast. Live music by Smart Alex. Live and silent auctions. Tickets available at door.
• National Park Week, April 22-26. Free entrance to Glacier Park.
• Global Youth Service Day, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 27, FVCC Community Garden, behind Arts and Technology Building. Volunteers needed to get garden ready for spring. Lunch provided. Call Gretchen Boyers, 261-5569.
• “Fork It Over” Community Night fundraiser for FarmHands map, 5-9 p.m. May 6, The Raven, 25999 Montana 35, south of Bigfork 4/12 miles. Call 837-2836.
• Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets 5:30-7 p.m. May 7, The Summit, Kalispell. Call 871-1008.
• Flathead Outdoor Club meets 7 p.m., May 8, The Summit, Kalispell. Maria Gabbs talks about her Green River experience. Coffee and tea served. Everyone welcome. Call Leah Levitt, 892-6105 or 261-6874.
• Bash at the Bay fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flathead County, 6-8:30 p.m. May 9, the Rack Shack 5480 U.S. 93 S., Somers. Dinner, drinks, silent auction. Tickets $200 for two. Call 752-0092.
• Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 10:30 a.m., May 16, conference room, Linderman School, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.
• “Fork It Over” Community Night fundraiser for FarmHands map, 5-9 p.m. June 3, Wasabi Sushi Bar, 419 Second St. E., Whitefish. Portion of proceeds donated to map project. Call 863-9283.
• Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets 5:30-7 p.m. June 4, The Summit, Kalispell. Call 871-1008.
• Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 8:30 a.m., June 13, conference room, 15 Meridian Court, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.
• Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets 5:30-7 p.m. July 2, The Summit, Kalispell. Call 871-1008.
• 24th annual Lakeside Community Club Fair July 13. Pancake breakfast, 5-k run/walk, parade, silent auction, arts and crafts fair, games. For runner registration, call 844-2291 or 844-3940. For general information, call 844-3848.
• Glacier Rally in the Rockies 2013, July 19-20, Kalispell. Classic car and motorcycle parade 10 a.m. July 20, Main Street to Center Street. Show and shine. Registration $40 per vehicle. Call Kari Gabriel, Flathead CARE director, 751-3971.
• Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets 5:30-7 p.m. Aug. 6, The Summit, Kalispell. Call 871-1008.
• National Park Service Birthday Aug. 25. Fee-free holiday to Glacier Park.
• Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets 5:30-7 p.m. Sept. 3, The Summit, Kalispell. Call 871-1008.
• National Public Lands Day, Sept. 28. Fee-free holiday to Glacier Park.
• Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets 5:30-7 p.m. Oct. 1, The Summit, Kalispell. Call 871-1008.
• Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets 5:30-7 p.m. Nov. 5, The Summit, Kalispell. Call 871-1008.
• Fee-free holiday to Glacier Park Nov. 9-11 for all veterans in honor of Veterans Day weekend.
• Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets 5:30-7 p.m. Dec. 3, The Summit, Kalispell. Call 871-1008.