Daybook
Friday
• Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• Glacier Pachyderm Club meets noon to 1 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, Kalispell. Speaker is Joe Russell, Flathead County public health officer. Lunch available. Public invited. Call Mark Johnson, 253-7467.
• Flathead Valley Home and Garden Showcase 4-8 p.m. today; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Trade Center, Flathead County Fairgrounds in Kalispell. Admission $6; or $12 family of four (two adults and two children).
• Chili feed fundraiser for Swan River Bike Trail, 5-7 p.m., 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.
• Flathead High School student/staff talent show, 7 p.m., FHS auditorium. Advance tickets $5 at the school office; also available at the door. Proceeds go to Mana Nutrition and International Baccalaureate programs.
Saturday
• Make-A-Wish Montana volunteer training session 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 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., Ronan Community Center. Lunch, snacks, beverages available. Silent auction. To reserve space, call (406) 676-5079.
• Glacier Woodturners meet 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Hansen’s Trucking, Columbia Falls. Call 755-1795.
• District 1 “A Day in Al-Anon” open house, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 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., St. Ignatius Community Center.
• Rockhound Jerry Hanson gives a PowerPoint presentation on “Rocks of Montana,” 10 a.m., Shining Mountains Center, 475 Eight Ave. E.N., Kalispell. Public invited. Call 250-7831.
• Flathead Valley Home and Garden Showcase, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Trade Center, Flathead County Fairgrounds in Kalispell. Admission $6; or $12 family of four (two adults and two children).
• KRMC new Surgical Tower tours available 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today; 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Enter at Patient Registration entrance on Sunnyview Lane. Maps will be provided; staff will be on hand. Complimentary valet parking available.
• Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• Showing of comedy film, “Caddyshack,” 5 p.m., 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.
Sunday
• Flathead Valley Home and Garden Showcase, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Trade Center, Flathead County Fairgrounds in Kalispell. Admission $6; or $12 family of four (two adults and two children).
• St. Patrick’s Day spaghetti feed, 1-3 p.m., Kalispell Senior Center, 403 Second Ave. W. $5. Call 257-1598.
• KRMC new Surgical Tower tours available 1 to 4 p.m. Enter at Patient Registration entrance on Sunnyview Lane. Maps will be provided; staff will be on hand. Complimentary valet parking available.
• Local author Neil Van Sickle talks about his research and book, “The Indian Way: Indians and the North American Fur Trade” 2:30 p.m., Museum at Central School, 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Free. Public invited. Call 756-8381.
• St. Patrick’s Day Parade, 4 p.m., Main St., Kalispell. Call Mark Lalum, 755-7400 or 261-1654.
• 14th annual Ken Dutter-Flathead Festival fundraiser for Montana Gospel Music Association, 6:30 p.m., Christian Center, 255 Summit Ridge Drive, Kalispell. Quartets, soloists. No ticket required; an offering will be taken. Call Dean, 844-2085.
Monday
• Flathead County Republican Women meet at noon, Hilton Garden Inn Kalispell. Speaker is former state Sen. Ryan Zinke. Buffet lunch available for $11. All welcome. Call Jane Bennett, 250-5316.
• Dementia and Alzheimer’s Support Group meets at 3-4:30 p.m., Buffalo Hill Terrace, 40 Claremont St., Kalispell. Sponsored by Immanuel Lutheran Communities. Call Kaye Hollingsworth, 752-9622.
• Whitefish School Redevelopment Oversight and Budget Committee meets 2 p.m., followed by special board meeting at 5 p.m., Whitefish School District Office.
• Americorps information session, 6 p.m., large community room, Arts and Technology Building, FVCC. Call 756-3922.
• Fundraising wine tasting dinner, 6 p.m. ShowThyme Restaurant, Bigfork. $60 per person. Proceeds go to Bigfork Middle School’s seventh and eighth grade trip to Washington, D.C.. Limited seats available. Call Tara, 2520-9052.
Tuesday
• Red Cross blood drive, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Libby High School.
• Kalispell Women’s Connection brunch, 11:30 a.m., 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.
• Flathead County Democratic Central Committee meets 6-8 p.m. Museum at Central School, Kalispell. Ken Toole, president of The Policy Institute, will speak on the topic, “On your Left: Thinking about Strategy for Long-term Political Change.” Light snacks and refreshments.
• Native American studies professor E.B. Eiselein presents “Montana’s Indian Wars,” 6 p.m., large community room, Arts and Technology Building, FVCC. Free. Open to public. Call Mick Stemborski, 756-3945.
• Somers School board Disciplinary Committee meets at 6 p.m., followed by regular meeting, 7 p.m., Somers Middle School.
• Flathead Valley Home Brewers Association meets 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Great Northern Brewing Co., 2 Central Ave., Whitefish. Cost is $5 per person and a growler of home brew or six pack of microbrew to share. RSVP to karen@mtbrassandbullets.com
• Autism Support Group meets 6:30-8:30 p.m. The Summit, Kalispell. Parents, caregivers and professionals welcome. Call Tim, 257-8758.
• Mission Mountain Audubon meets 7 p.m., Polson City Library meeting room. Pat Jamieson will talk about spring flowers and birds. Free. All welcome.
• Volunteer informational meeting for Creston Auction in April, 7 p.m., Creston Fire Station, 4498 Montana 35. All welcome. Call 250-7396.
• Cayuse Prairie School board meets at 7 p.m. school library. Public welcome.
• Helena Flats School board meets at 7 p.m., school library.
Center for Inspired Wisdom speaker series presents, Lee Anne Byrne on “Blooming You: Fully Expressing the True You,” 7-9 p.m., The Canoe Club, 4219 River Lakes Pkwy., Whitefish. Free; donations welcome, Call 862-6573.
Wednesday
• FVCC Art Club spring art sale, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today through March 22, Arts and Technology Building on campus. Ceramics, jewelry, painting and photography. Call Emily Mohler, 890-4050.
• Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Hot Springs High School.
• Columbia Falls Women’s Connection luncheon, 11:30 a.m., Teakettle Community Hall, Nucleus Ave., Columbia Falls. Cost $8 per person. Lela Toavs, representative for a home decor company, gives a presentation. Speaker is Connie Barker. Free child care by reservation. Call Candy at 387-4119, or Janet at 892-3621. Affiliated with Stonecroft Ministries.
• Alpine Weavers and Spinners meet 10:30 a.m. Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Kalispell. Judie Overbeek will discuss how to prepare items for judging. Bring a sack lunch. Beverages and dessert provided. All interested welcome.
• Kila School board Negotiation meeting, 3:30 p.m. at the school, followed by budget meeting, 4:30 p.m.
• Essential Stuff Project (ESP) free presentation by Mary Laud on container and straw bale gardening, 7 p.m., Clementine’s, 265 Bridge St., Bigfork. Donations accepted. Call Edd Blackler, 837-5196; or Catherine Haug, 837-4577.
• Flathead Chapter of the Montana Native Plant Society meets at 7 p.m., Teakettle Community Hall, 235 Nucleus Ave., Columbia Falls. Business meeting, 5:30 p.m. Leslie Lowe presents a program at 7 p.m. on “Food Forests and Other Sustainable Thoughts.” Free. Public welcome. Call Betty Kuropat, 892-0129 or Jen Hintz, 270-7028.
Thursday
• Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 10:30 a.m., conference room, Linderman School, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.
• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., The Wave, Whitefish.
• Flathead Veterans Service Providers meet at 1 p.m., Gateway West Mall conference room, Kalispell. Call Bill Gilbert, Flathead Job Service, 758-6240.
• Evergreen Chamber of Commerce Energizer 5-6:30 p.m., The Carpet Store, next to Staples. Food, drinks, prizes. Everyone welcome.
• Annual Loud at the Library event, 5:30-8:30 p.m., 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., Muldown Elementary School, Whitefish. Dinner, games, activities. Public invited.
• “Vino” benefit for Ravenwood Outdoor Learning Center, 6 p.m., 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 at 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.
• Wabusk Ragged Robert presents a lecture about the peaceful indigenous movement, Idle No More, 6 p.m., large community room, Arts and Technology Building, FVCC. Free. Open to public. Call Mick Stemborski, 756-3945.
• Bigfork Emergency Response Team (BERT) meets 7-8 p.m., 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.
A look ahead
• 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.
• Red Cross blood drives March 22: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell; 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Plum Creek.
• Glacier Pachyderm Club meets noon to 1 p.m., March 22, Hilton Garden Inn, Kalispell. Duncan Scott will talk about the “doughnut” debate facing Whitefish and Flathead County. Lunch available. Public invited. Call Mark Johnson, 253-7467.
• Big Arm Association Irish dinner and show, March 22, Historic Big Arm School. Social time, 5:30 p.m. Corned beef dinner and dessert, 6 p.m. Entertainment by the Montana ShamRockers. Tickets $10. Call Alison, 849-6628.
• Whitefish native Don Nelson gives a photographic presentation, “Lessons fro Tibet,” 6 p.m. March 22, O’Shaughnessy Center, Whitefish. Doors open 6 p.m. $10 at door. Raffle for Tibetan rug. All proceeds go to Headwaters Montana.
• Tara Top Sky discusses Native American studies in the classroom, 6 p.m., March 22, large community room, Arts and Technology Building, FVCC. Free. Open to public. Call Mick Stemborski, 756-3945.
• Flathead Audubon Lower Valley birding field trip March 23. Meet to carpool at 8:30 a.m. at Somers Park ‘n’ Ride, intersection of U.S. 93 and Montana 83. Bring lunch, binoculars or scope and appropriate clothes. Free. All welcome. Call trip leader Craig Hohenberger, 755-0140.
• Flathead Audubon annual Freezeout Lake weekend field trip to see migratory geese, swans and other waterfowl, March 23-24. Call Dan Casey, 857-3143.
• Gluten-free seminar sponsored by Northwest Montana Gluten Intolerance Group and Montana Celiac Society, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 23, Red Lion Hotel conference room, 20 N. Main St., Kalispell. Local vendors. Product samples. Cost $10 per person; $20 per family. RSVP to Chris Hurd, 253-6365.
• Northern Rockies Chapter of the Mule Deer Foundation banquet and auction, March 23, Hilton Garden Inn, Kalispell. Social hour 5 p.m. with silent auction and raffles. Dinner 6:30 p.m. with auction. Tickets $30; kids under 12, $10. Call Kelly, 406-850-8785.
• North Valley Music School faculty concert, 7-9 pm. March 23, O’Shaughnessy Center, Whitefish. Refreshments, raffle, door prizes. Tickets $10 general admission; $5 students and seniors, available at the school, 432 Spokane Ave., and at door.
• 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.
• Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m. March 25, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• 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.
• The Flathead Conservation District meets at 7 p.m., March 25, 133 Interstate Lane, in Evergreen. Call 752-4220.
• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m. March 26, Polson.
• Kila School board work session, 5:30 p.m. March 26, at the school.
• Kalispell Public Schools district board meets at 6 p.m., March 26, Kalispell Middle School Media Center.
• “100 Days Past Sandy Hook” community conversation and workshop on violence, 6-9 p.m. March 26, FVCC Arts and Technology Building, Room 139. All ages welcome. Representatives from the community, law enforcement and mental health providers will speak. Call Hilary Shaw, 752-4735.
• Red Cross blood drives March 27: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Bigfork Athletic Club; 1-5 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• Evergreen Chamber of Commerce luncheon, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., March 27, Perkins Restaurant. Call 885-1212.
• Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 28, Teletech.
• 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.
• Marion Fire District board meets 7 p.m. March 28, Community Center, 180 Gopher Lane, Marion.
• Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 29, National Flood.
• Ferndale Sewing Circle bake sale, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 30, Ferndale Community Center, South Ferndale Drive, across Montana 209 from Ferndale Fire Hall.
• “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.
• Glacier Stamp Club meets 6:30 p.m., April 1, downstairs meeting room, Flathead County Library, Kalispell. Visitors welcome. Call Chris Hall, 212-7231.
• 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 250-7396.
• Kila School board meets 5:30 p.m., April 9, at the school.
• Swan River School board meets at 5:30 p.m., April 9, school library.
• 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.
• American Association of University Women annual book sale, April 12-14, Kalispell Center Mall.
• 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.
• Movie night fundraiser for Gateway to Glacier trail, 7 p.m. April 26, O’Shaughnessy Center, Whitefish. Leif Haugen will present “The Lookout” and “Mercantile” and speak about his 18 years as a forest fire lookout. $8 suggested donation; $15 per family. Call Biddy Simet, 406-890-9461.
• 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.
• 10th annual “Making Miracles Happen” dinner and auction, May 14, FVCC Arts and Technology building. Doors open 5 p.m.; dinner 6:30 p.m. Musical entertainment by Roy Wilhelm and the Sundowners. Cash bar, live and silent auctions, door prizes. Tickets $50 per person. Call 881-4192. Fundraiser for Human Therapy on Horseback.
• “Fork It Over” Community Night fundraiser for FarmHands map, 5-9 p.m. May 6, The Raven, 25999 Montana 35, south of Bigfork 4 1/2 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.
• Kila School board special meeting to canvass election votes, 7:30 a.m., May 8.
• 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.
• Kila School board meets, 10 a.m., May 14.
• Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 10:30 a.m., May 16, conference room, Linderman School, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.
• 10th annual Flathead Lake Cherry Blossom Festival, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 18, Yellow Bay Community Club, mile marker 18 on Montana 35. Handmade jewelry, lotions, accessories. Live music. Lunch. Bake sale. Raffle. Door prizes. Free admission. Public welcome. Call Barbara, 982-3064.
• Annual Expanding Your Horizons event for seventh- and eighth-grade girls, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., May 22, Flathead Valley Community College. Over 20 educational workshops on careers in science, technology, engineering and math. Cost $15, includes snacks and lunch. Scholarships available. Call Diane Yarus, 751-2175.
• “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.