Daybook
Saturday, Jan. 4
• Columbia Falls Relay for Life Winter kick-off event, noon to 3 p.m., Marantette Park, Columbia Falls. Family fun. Hot chocolate, coffee, cookies.
• Humane Society of Northwest Montana Volunteer Orientation, 1-2 p.m., Humane Society, 3499 U.S. 93 N., Kalispell. Open to anyone age 16 or older. Registration not required. Call 752-PAWS (7297).
Monday
• 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.
• Red Cross blood drive, 1:30-5:30 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• Kila School board Negotiation Committee meets at 3:30 p.m.
• Free introductory talk for upcoming Mindfulnness-based Stress Reduction Course, 5:30-7:30 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. All welcome. No registration required. Call Michelle Richards, 261-4112.
• Nicotine-free Living! Support Group meets every Monday, 5:30 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. For those who have quit, want to or know someone who wants to quit. Call Deb, 751-4100, ext. 4491 or 253-0697.
• Gateway to Glacier Trail organizational meeting, 6 p.m., Teakettle Room, 235 Nucleus Ave., Columbia Falls.
• Columbia Falls School board meets at 7 p.m., administration offices boardroom, 501 Sixth Ave. W.
Tuesday
• Creston School board meets at 7:30 a.m. Public welcome.
• Savvy Social Security Seminars: 9 a.m. to noon, Whitefish Chamber of Commerce, 307 Spokane Ave. Ste. 103; 6 p.m., Investment Centers of America Inc., 6410 U.S. 93 S., Whitefish. What baby boomers need to know to maximize retirement income. Free. Call Kim Taylor, 752-7232.
• Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Evergreen Fire and Rescue.
• Swan River School board meets at 2 p.m., school library.
Wednesday
• Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Plum Creek Corporate Office.
• Parkinson’s disease support group meets 3-4:30 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. Matt Wenzel from Montana Vocational Rehabilitation will present. All welcome. Call Lois, 871-3767.
• Flathead Beekeepers meet 6:30 p.m., Teakettle Community Center, 235 Nucleus Ave., Columbia Falls. All welcome. Call Kathy Britton, 752-9642.
• Flathead Outdoor Club meets 7 p.m., 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.
• Bigfork County Water and Sewer District meets 7 p.m., 108 Harbor Heights Blvd., Bigfork. Public welcome.
Thursday
• Senior Tour and Tea, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 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.
• Flathead Nonprofit Development Partnership hosts a Town Hall Forum on nonprofit issues with guest speaker Liz Moore of the Montana Nonprofit Association, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Museum at Central School, 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Free. RSVP requested to 756-3618.
• Red Cross blood drive, 12:30-4:30 p.m., Gateway Community Center and United Way.
• Opening reception for new exhibit, “The Japanese Woodblock: An Extension of the Impermanent,” 5-7 p.m., 302 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Free. Public invited.
• West Valley Naturalists meet 7 p.m., West Valley School library, Kalispell. Independent logger Ken Swanstrom will talk about forestry in West Valley. Free. Everyone welcome. Call Scott Wheeler, 755-0003.
• Swan Ecosystem Center annual review of big game hunting season in Swan Valley, 7-8:30 p.m., Condon Work Center. Call 406-754-3137 to sign up.
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., Red Lion Inn, Kalispell. Frank Garner will talk about his experience in Afghanistan. Lunch available. Public invited. Call Mark Johnson, 253-7467.
A look ahead
• Ranger-led snowshoe hike for all ages, at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Jan. 11, Glacier National Park. Snowshoes available. Meet at Apgar Visitor Center. Call 888-7939.
• Lone Pine State Park, Kalispell, offers free snowshoes to borrow from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 11, National Winter Trails Day. Ranger-led snowshoe hike at 1 p.m. Call 755-2706 to reserve snowshoes for hike.
• Swan Lake Ranger District and Audubon guided snowshoe walk, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 11, Blacktail Mountain cross-country ski area. Some snowshoes available to borrow. To reserve, call 837-7500.
• Guided snowshoe or cross-country ski trek 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 11, Izaak Walton Inn, Essex.
• Montana Wilderness Association snowshoe trek along upper North Fork of Flathead River, 10 a.m. Jan. 11. Meet in front of Polebridge Mercantile. Bring snowshoes, proper gear, lunch, water. Free. Space limited. To register, call Amy Robinson, 406-730-2006.
• Swan Ecosystem Center celebrates National Winter Trails Day with a guided family snowshoe trek, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 11, Holland Lake Day Use Area. Call 406-754-3137 to sign up.
• Whitefish High School all class reunion meeting, 2 p.m. Jan. 11, 315 Baker Ave., white house across from Whitefish Credit Union.
• Flathead Audubon birding field trip along Flathead Lake through Polson and Mission Valley, Jan. 12. Meet to carpool at 8 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 Leslie Kehoe or Bob Lee, 837-4467 after 5 p.m.
• John White Lecture Series presents a panel of longtime local residents on “Memories of Flathead Valley History,” 2:30 p.m., Jan. 12, Museum at Central School, 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Tickets $6 for museum members; $9 for nonmembers. Limited tickets at door. Call 756-8381.
• Kalispell Superintendent of Schools candidates meet and greet, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 12, Museum at Central School, 124 Second Ave. E.
• Red Cross blood drive, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Jan. 13, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• Interviews with five finalists for Kalispell Superintendent of Schools position, 5-8 p.m. Jan. 13; and 5:30-8 p.m. Jan. 14, Kalispell Middle School Library. Open to public.
• Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group meets 6-8 p.m., Jan. 13, Studio A, The Summit, Kalispell. Those attending may participate in a drumming circle. Survivors, family, friends are welcome. Refreshments. Call Sue, 756-4725.
• Flathead Conservation District meets 7 p.m. Jan. 13, USDA building, 133 Interstate Lane, Kalispell. Call 752-4220.
• Flathead Audubon meets at 7 p.m., Jan. 13, in the United Way conference room, Gateway Community Center, U.S. 2 West, Kalispell. Chris Peterson will show photographs commemorating 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act. Enter from west side of building. Free. All welcome.
• 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.
• Red Cross blood drive, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 14, Kalispell Elks Lodge.
• Kalispell Women’s Connection buffet lunch, 11:30 a.m., Jan. 14, meeting room of church across from Russell School, 301 W. Wyoming St., Kalispell. Linda McKinley talks about skin care products. Speaker is Dawn Cole Tinkham. Cost $8 per person. Call Jan, 212-3763, or Rosainne, 257-8098 for lunch and free child care reservations. Affiliated with Stonecroft Ministries.
• Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce membership luncheon, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., Jan. 14, North Valley Hospital Community Room, 235 Nucleus Ave. Meet new faces at Glacier Park, Xanterra and Glacier Park Conservancy. No reservations required. Lunch available for $10. Call Carol Pike, 892-2072.
• Kila School board Latch-Key Committee meets at 4:20 p.m. Jan. 14, followed by a regular board meeting at 5:30 p.m.
• Orthopedic surgeon Matthew K. Bailey and physical therapist Jason Falcon give a free presentation on surgery rehabilitation and exercise programs for knee injuries, 5:30 p.m. Jan. 14, Whitefish Therapy and Sport Center, 2006 Hospital Way. Question and answer session follows. RSVP appreciated, but not required. Call 862-9378.
• Columbia Falls Women’s Connection luncheon, 11:30 a.m. Jan. 15, North Valley Hospital Community Room, Nucleus Avenue, Columbia Falls. Diane Dobson shares her handmade soy candles. Speaker is author Dawn Tinkham Cost $8 per person. Free child care by reservation. Call Candy at 387-4119, or Janet at 892-3621. Affiliated with Stonecroft Ministries.
• Kalispell Toastmasters Club 50th anniversary celebration, noon to 1 p.m. Jan. 15, downstairs conference room, First Interstate Bank, Kalispell. Mayor Mark Johnson will attend. Refreshments. Free. Public invited. Call Catherine Webber, 755-6781.
• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m. Jan. 15, Applied Materials.
• Kalispell Public Schools district board special meeting, 6 p.m., Jan. 15, Kalispell Middle School Library. (tentative)
• Kalispell Public Schools Policy and Communications and Technology Committees combined meeting, 8:30 a.m. Jan. 16, administration offices, 233 First Ave. E.
• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m. Jan. 16, Whitefish Church of the Nazarene.
• 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.
• Camp To Remember benefit dinner and canoe paddle auction for Tamarack Grief Resource Center, 6 p.m. Jan. 16, The Lodge at Whitefish Lake. No-host bar and live music, followed by dinner at 7 p.m. and live art paddle auction at 7:45 p.m. Tickets $75 each. Call Kris Carlson, 261-3160.
• 14th annual Black Tie dinner fundraiser for Ninepipes Museum, Jan. 16, Allentown Restaurant, Ninepipes Lodge. Museum tour 6 p.m., dinner 7 p.m. Live music, silent auction Guest speaker is Western American historian Richard Ellis. Tickets $45. Call 406-644-3435.
• Kalispell Public Schools Finance Committee meets 7:30 a.m.; and Personnel Committee meets at 9 a.m., Jan. 17, administration offices, 233 First Ave. E.
• Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 17, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• Big Arm community potluck, Jan. 17, Historic Big Arm School. Social 5:30 p.m.; dinner 6 p.m. Guest speaker is District Court Judge Kim Christopher of Polson at 7 p.m. Call Bonnie Eddy, 883-8308; or Nancy Foster, 849-5064.
• WealthMasters finance course based on biblical principles offered by Joe Coco, 6:30-9 p.m. Jan. 17; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 18, Whitefish Assembly of God, 1549 Karrow Ave. $25 fee covers materials. Call Linda Coco at 862-2288 to register.
• 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.
• Flathead County Republican Women meet at noon, Jan. 20, Hilton Garden Inn Kalispell. Speaker is John Fuller. Buffet lunch available for $11. All welcome. Call Dee Kirk-Boon, 250-5098.
• Red Cross blood drive, 1-5:30 p.m. Jan. 20, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• Red Cross blood drive, 2-5:30 p.m. Jan. 21, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Kalispell.
• Flathead Municipal Airport Authority meets at 4 p.m., Jan. 21, Glacier Park International Airport board room.
• Kalispell Public Schools district board meets at 6 p.m., Jan. 21, Kalispell Middle School Library.
• Columbia Falls Historical Society meets 7 p.m. Jan. 21, Montana Veterans Home, old chapel building. All welcome. Call 892-5894.
• Love Lives Here presents a Martin Luther King Jr. Day program, “Let Freedom Sing: Songs That Changed America,” 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21, Flathead High School. Performances by members of Alpine Theatre Project, Crown of the Continent Choir, Glacier and Flathead High School choirs. Free; donations accepted. Public welcome. Call 863-2333.
• Red Cross blood drive, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 22, Qdoba Mexican Grill, Kalispell.
• Red Cross blood drives Jan. 23: 1-6:15 p.m. Marion Volunteer Fire Department; 1-4:30 p.m. Smith’s grocery, blood mobile.
• Red Cross blood drives Jan. 24: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell; 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Walmart, blood mobile.
• Red Cross blood drive, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 25, Best Buy, blood mobile.
• 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.
• John White Lecture Series presents local author and climber Blake Passmore on “Climbing in Glacier Park,” 2:30 p.m., Jan. 26 Museum at Central School, 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Tickets $6 for museum members; $9 for nonmembers. Limited tickets at door. Call 756-8381.
• Red Cross blood drives Jan. 27: 12:30-5:30 p.m., at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell; 2-6 p.m. Trinity Lutheran Church, Kalispell.
• 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.
• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m. Jan. 28, Polson Methodist Church.
• Kalispell Public Schools special board work session, 6 p.m., Jan. 28, Kalispell Middle School Library.
• Red Cross blood drive, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 29, Glacier High School.
• Flathead County Planning and Zoning office hosts a discussion on “Flathead County Lake and Lakeshore Protection Regulations, 9-11 am. Jan. 30, Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell.
• Red Cross blood drive, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 30, Whitefish High School.
• Flathead County Planning and Zoning office hosts a Lakeshore Regulation Educational Seminar and discussion on county lake and lakeshore protection regulations, 9-11 a.m. Jan. 30, Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell.
• Marion Fire District meets 7 p.m., Jan. 30, Marion Community Center, 180 Gopher Lane. Public invited.
• Red Cross employee blood drive, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 31, National Flood.
• Ribbon cutting ceremony for Cabinet Peaks Medical Center in Libby, noon Jan. 31, 209 Health Park Dr. RSVP to Kate Stephens, 406-283-7140 by Jan. 17.
• John White Lecture Series presents poet and storyteller Philip Burgess on “A Black Homesteader’s Struggle,” 2:30 p.m., Feb. 9, Museum at Central School, 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Tickets $6 for museum members; $9 for nonmembers. Limited tickets at door. Call 756-8381.
• 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.
• John White Lecture Series presents three sons of former Flathead County sheriffs on “Sons of Sheriffs,” 2:30 p.m., Feb. 23, Museum at Central School, 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Tickets $6 for museum members; $9 for nonmembers. Limited tickets at door. Call 756-8381.
• 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.