Daybook
Saturday
• 49th annual Creston Auction today and Sunday. Grounds open 8 a.m. today; auction, 9 a.m. Vehicle and equipment sale noon Sunday. Hot food and drinks. Free parking and entrance. Call 250-7396.
• Semi-annual Trees to Paper to Trees recycling drive, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Flathead County Fairgrounds, Kalispell. Bring sorted newspapers, magazines, office paper, cardboard, aluminum and plastics.
• Sixth annual Glacier Fiddle Festival, Smith Valley Grange, U.S. 2 West, Kalispell. Contest begin 9 a.m. and continues all day. Free admission.
• Flathead -Kootenai Chapter of Montana Wilderness Association sponsors a free class by freelance photographer Randy Beacham, “Improving Your Wildlife Photography Skills.” Meet at 9 a.m. at Yaak Mercantile in Troy and proceed to several field sites. Return about 3 p.m. To register, call Brian Baxter, 406-291-2154.
• United Way Share Fair, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Kalispell Center Mall. Human service agencies and nonprofit organizations will have displays and discuss their work. Entertainment, face painting, balloons, clowns. All welcome. Call 752-7266.Million March Against Child Abuse, 10 a.m., Kalispell Center Mall.
• Lakeside Community Garden meeting, 10 a.m. to noon, Lakeside Baptist Church. Spring work day 1-3 p.m. Apricot tree starts giveaway.
• Wildlife Safety program 11 a.m. to noon, Lone Pine State Park near Kalispell. Learn how to be prepared to handle encounters and use bear spray. Cost $4 per person. Call Brian Schwartz, 755-2706, ext. 3.
• Rocky Mountain Rollers Good Sams RV Club meets at 11:30 a.m., Back Room, Nite Owl, Columbia Falls. Call 755-1795.
• Act! for America shows the documentary, “The Third Jihad — Radical Islam’s Vision for America, 2-4:30 p.m., Sykes’, Kalispell. Tom Osborne will introduce film and moderate following discussion. Refreshments. RSVP to 59911actforamerica@gmail.com
• Eighth annual Cowboy Up dinner and auction, Gardner’s Auction Barn, south Kalispell. Doors open 5 p.m.; dinner served 6 p.m. Auction follows. Tickets $35 each or eight for $245. To reserve, call 257-5801.
Sunday
• 49th annual Creston Auction Vehicle and equipment sale starts at noon Sunday, Creston. Free parking and entrance. Call 250-7396.
Monday
• AARP Smart Driver Course, 8 a.m. to noon, Troy United Methodist Church. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 293-0100.
• Daughters of the American Revolution, Chief Ignace Chapter, meet at noon for a luncheon meeting at Margaret Kuska’s home. Book review and discussion on “George Washington's Secret Six” and “Liberty’s Children” follows. Call Jan Olson at 837-4732.
• CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) co-hosts free training session, “The Impact of Trauma on Children,” 1-5 p.m. Arts and Technology Building, FVCC. Refreshments provided. RSVP to 755-7208.
• Red Cross blood drive, 1:30-5:30 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• Somers School District conducts principal interviews 4 p.m. today and Wednesday.
• “Fork It Over” community night fundraiser for Farm Hands, 5-9 p.m., Three Forks Grill, 729 Nucleus Ave., Columbia Falls. Reservations recommended. Call 892-2900.
• Flathead Area Secular Humanist Association screens Part 4 of “American Freethought” video series at 6 p.m., ImagineIF Library, Kalispell. Free. Open to public.
• Smith Valley School board Negotiations Committee meets 5 p.m.
• The Flathead Conservation District meets at 7 p.m., 133 Interstate Lane, in Evergreen. Call 752-4220.
• Flathead Audubon meets at 7 p.m., in the United Way conference room, Gateway Community Center, U.S. 2 West, Kalispell. Enter from west side of building. Free. All welcome.
• 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.
• Red Cross blood drive, 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Flathead High School.
• Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce membership luncheon, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., North Valley Hospital Community Room, 235 Nucleus Ave. A representative of ImagineIF Library will speak. No reservations required. Luncheon, $12. Call Carol Pike, 892-2072.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)/Local Advisory Council meets 1 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. Call 406-309-0199.
• Somers School District conducts principal interviews 4 p.m.
• Habitat for Humanity ceremony to commemorate completion of 17 Habitat townhomes, 5 p.m., 1-5 p.m. Mitchell Way, Columbia Falls. Tours.
• Swan River School board meets at 5:30 p.m.
• Kalispell Public Schools district board meets 6 p.m., Kalispell Middle School Library.
• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Family Support Group meets 6 p.m., Pathways, 200 Heritage Way, Kalispell. Call 854-2323.
• Somers Rural Fire District board meets 6 p.m., Lakeside Fire Station, 125 Bills Road.
• Glacier Park Superintendent Jeff Mow and U.S. Geological Research ecologist Dan Fagre give their observations from the recent World Parks Congress they attended, 7-8 p.m., Room 139, Arts and Technology Building, FVCC. Free. Public invited.
• GriefShare grief support group begins meeting today and every Tuesday through July 7 from 7-9 p.m. at Whitefish Church of the Nazarene, 1125 E. Seventh St.. Call Heidi Hagemeier, 406-407-0638.
Wednesday
• Evergreen Water and Sewer District board meets at 7 a.m. at the district office, 130 Nicholson Dr.
• Red Cross blood drive, 1-5 p.m. Troy Baptist Church.
• Flathead Marines raffle drawing for utility shed, semi-truckload of seasoned logs, gun safe, 5 p.m., Kalispell VFW, 330 First Ave. W. Hot dogs for sale. Call 406-249-2448.
• Free ThetaHealing introductory workshop, 7-8:30 p.m., North Valley Tea Kettle community room, 235 Nucleus Ave., Columbia Falls. Learn about meditation, muscle testing techniques. Public invited. Call 406-261-9031.
Thursday
• Kalispell Public Schools Policy and Communications Committee meets 8:30 a.m., administration offices, 233 First Ave. E.
• Red Cross blood drive, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Libby VFW.
• American Association of University Women annual used book sale, noon to 7 p.m. today and Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 18, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 19, Kalispell Center Mall. Most books $2 per inch. Sunday books are $5 per bag.
• Flathead City-County Board of Health meets 1-3 p.m., administration office, Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. E., Kalispell.
• Flathead Valley Job Fair, 3:30-7 p.m., Arts and Technology Building, FVCC. Exclusive access for veterans and their families 3-3:30 p.m. Employment booths, job training representatives, Job Seeker Support Center, free copies of application materials. All parking will be at Kidsports Complex across U.S. 93 with free shuttle service. Call 758-6200.
• Loose Change fundraiser 3:30-6:30 p.m., Rosauers front entrance, for South Campus Patio Project for Kalispell Senior Center and Agency on Aging.
• Frontier Hospice sponsors a community discussion on advance care planning, hospice volunteering, bereavement and grief support, 4-7 p.m., 42 Bruyer Way, Kalispell. Free resources refreshments. Call 755-4923.
• Whitefish Chamber of Commerce Gone Fishin' 5-7 p.m., Glacier Distilling and Great Northern Resort, 10247 U.S. 2 E., Coram.
• Public meeting on Radnor Resource Management Project, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Tally Lake Ranger Station, 650 Wolfpack Way, Kalispell. Call 758-5204.
• Polson Chamber of Commerce SPLASH social, 5-7 p.m., Home Floor Coverings and Polson Stone and Tile. Call 883-5969. Refreshments served. Free and open to public. Call Victoria, 270-8374.
• Smith Valley School board meets 6 p.m.
• Frontier Hospice open door bereavement support group meets 6-7 p.m., Rising Mountains Assisted Living Community, Bigfork. Call 755-4923.
Friday
• Whitefish School District free developmental screening for children from birth to 5 years, 8:30-11:30 a.m., 600 E. Second St. Hearing and vision, language, motor skills checked. Call 862-8655.
• 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.
Artists’ Pig Pen sale, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and April 18, Sassafras Ballroom, 120 Main St., Kalispell. Local artists clean out their studios of art, art supplies. Proceeds benefit A Ray of Hope and Lutheran Border Concerns Ministry. Call Susan Miller, 471-2634; or Deb Stika, 862-7878.
• American Association of University Women annual used book sale, noon to 7 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 18, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 19, Kalispell Center Mall. Most books $2 per inch. Sunday books are $5 per bag.
• Big Arm community potluck, 6 p.m., Historic Big Arm School. Jason Moore from the Montana Food Co-op speaks at 7 p.m. Call Nancy Foster, 849-5064.
• 20th annual Flathead Food Bank soup supper and auction, 5:30 p.m., Canvas Church, Kalispell. Soups made by area restaurants in handcrafted bowls to keep Silent auction with more than 70 packages. Live auction. Tickets $30 at food bank, 1203 U.S. 2 W. Suite 2, or call 752-3663.
A look ahead
• AARP Smart Driver Course, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 18, The Summit, Kalispell. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 751-4500.
• Glacier Woodturners meet 9 a.m. April 18, Hanson Trucking, Columbia Falls. Call 755-1795.
• American Legion regional spring meeting April 18, Whitefish Moose Lodge, 230 W. 10th St., Whitefish. Registration 9 a.m.; program begins 10 a.m.; legion business meeting 1:10 p.m.
• American Association of University Women annual used book sale, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 18, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 19, Kalispell Center Mall. Most books $2 per inch. Sunday books are $5 per bag.
• Caring Chiropractic Inc. nonprofit clinic spring fundraiser, 2-5 p.m. April 18, conference room, ImagineIF Library, Kalispell. Finger food potluck, raffles. Call Linda Purdy, 755-1113.
• Flathead Audubon birding field trip to McWennegar Slough on Flathead River April 18. Meet at 5 p.m. at slough’s fishing access site on Montana 35 east of Kalispell and return at 7:30 p.m. Knee high rubber boots recommended. Free. All welcome. To sign up, call Pete Fisher, 250-9624.
• Fee free days April 18-19, Glacier National Park. All entrance fees waived National Park Week opening weekend.
• Sixth annual Run Through History 5K and 10K, April 19, Museum at Central School, 124 Second Ave. E. Kalispell. 10K begins at 1 p.m.; 5K at 1:15 p.m. Registration 1-4 p.m. April 18, JCPenney Courtyard, Kalispell Center Mall; race day 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at start; or call 253-6923.
• Whitefish Trail Speaker Series and hike. Mayor John Muhlfeld reviews Haskill Basin water conservation project. Mike Koopal talks about Whitefish Lake. Leslie Hunt talks about conservation and easement efforts. Easy 3-mile hike to Learning Pavilion. Meet at 3 p.m. at Lion Mountain Traihead.
• Red Cross blood drives April 20: 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Evergreen Fire Department; 1:30-5:30 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• AARP Smart Driver Course, noon to 4 p.m. April 20, North Valley Senior Center, Columbia Falls. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 892-4087.
• Northwest Montana Posse of Westerners presents a program titled, “John Mullans’ Forgotten Journey to Northwest Montana” by historian Darris Flanagan of Eureka, Hilton Homewood Suites, 195 Hutton Ranch Road, Kalispell. Greeting time 5:30 p.m.; dinner 6:15 p.m. Cost $14. Program starts at 7:15 p.m., free for posse members and $5 for nondinner walk-in nonmembers. Call Janet Monk, 755-7339.
• AARP Smart Driver Course, 8:30-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. April 21, Polson Area Senior Center. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 883-4735.
• Red Cross blood drive, 2-5 p.m. April 21, Lakeside QRU.
• Flathead Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited meets 7 p.m. April 21, Fish, Wildlife and Parks building, 490 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Biologist Mark Deleray and staff give an update on state of Northwest Montana fisheries. Refreshments. Door prize. Public welcome. Call Larry Timchak, 250-7473.
• Columbia Falls Historical Society meets 7 p.m. April 21, Old Chapel building, Montana Veterans Home, Columbia Falls. Topic will be plans to obtain Old Main building as a museum. Public invited. Call Clarence, 892-3722; or Dorothy, 892-5894.
• Flathead County Democratic Central Committee meets at 7 p.m. April 21, back meeting room, VFW Post 2252, 330 First Ave. W., Kalispell. Election of officer and bylaws amended. Bring non-perishable food item. Call Dave Fern, 212-0674; or Karen Reeves, 471-2576.
• Kalispell Parks and Recreation sponsors a noxious weed pull at Lawrence Park, 9:45 a.m. to noon April 22. Volunteers needed. Bring gloves, clippers and shovel and meet at main pavilion. Call Phyliss Snow, 758-7849.
• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Family Support Group meets 6 p.m. April 22, Sunburst Village and Drop In Center, Kalispell. Call 854-2323.
• Earth Day screening if “Symphony of the Soil,” documentary, 6:30 p.m. April 22, Arts and Technology Building, FVCC. Local seed exhibit for viewing and information on local farms and agricultural program available. Free. Public invited. Call Kari Musgrove, Flathead Conservation District, 752-4220.
• Kalispell Public Schools Technology Committee meets 8:30 a.m. April 23, administration offices, 233 First Ave. E.
• Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 10 a.m. April 23, Linderman School, 233 First Ave. E, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.
• Teen social for grades 6-12, 4-5:30 p.m. April 23, ImagineIF Library, Kalispell. Food, Wii gaming. Craft is “Color Therapy” — Color a beautiful quote or intricate mandala. Free.
• Frontier Hospice open door bereavement support group meets 6-7 p.m., April 23, Frontier Hospice, Kalispell. Call 755-4923.
• Arm Knitting Program 6:30 p.m. April 23, Heckathorn Room, Whitefish Community Library. Bring two skein of bulky yarn to make a scarf or thinner yarns to make a lighter scarf. Program will last about an hour. Call 862-9914.
• Mission Mountain Audubon meets 7 p.m. April 23, Polson City Library meeting room. Chris Filardi presents “Exploring Mountain Birds on Pacific Islands.” Free. All welcome.
• AARP Smart Driver Course, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 24, Mission Valley Senior Center, Ronan. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 676-2371.
• Red Cross blood drives April 24: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Glacier Bank, Main St.
• Lake County Pachyderm Club meets April 24, Polson Rural Fire Hall, Regatta Road. City Manager Mark Shrives is guest speaker. Social time 11:30 a.m.; meeting at noon. Call Penny Jarecki, 883-2248.
• 14th annual Death by Chocolate Murder Mystery, “A 1970s Sitcom,” 7-10 p.m. April 24-25, Conrad Mansion, Woodland Avenue, Kalispell. Tickets $55, or two for $100, available at The Bookshelf and Conrad Museum gift shop in Kalispell; and Whitefish Gift and Gear. For ages 21 and up. Call 755-2166.
• Frontier Hospice volunteer training, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 25, 42 Bruyer Way, Kalispell. Lunch provided. RSVP to Marshauna, 755-4923.
• March of Dimes March for Babies, 9 a.m. April 25, Lawrence Park, Kalispell. Rain or shine. Lunch, music, children’s activities. Stroller-friendly.
• Earth Day celebration, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 25, Depot Park, Whitefish. Food, music, student presentations and up to 50 activity and information booths. Crown of the Continent Choir performs 6-8 p.m. O’Shaughnessy Center. Call 756-8993.
• Missoula Children’s Theatre presents “The Jungle Book,” 3 p.m. Flathead High School auditorium. Tickets $5 per person; $20 for VIP seating, available at door.
• AARP Smart Driver Course, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 27, Libby Christian Church. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 283-7000.
• Red Cross blood drives Aug. 27: noon to 5:15 p.m. West Kootenai; 1:30-5:30 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• AARP Smart Driver Course, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 28, North Valley Hospital, Whitefish. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 863-3627.
• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m. April 28, Eureka Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
• Red Cross blood drive, 9:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. April 29, FVCC.
• Red Cross blood drives April 30: 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Three Rivers Bank, blood mobile; noon to 3:30 p.m. Flathead Electric.
• Kalispell Farmers Market opens for season, 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. May 2, FVCC parking lot, 777 Grandview Dr. Call 881-4078.
• Montana Dahlia Society annual tuber sale, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 2, Kalispell Center Mall. Tubers $1 each or six for $5. Members will answer questions about growing dahlias. Call John Kestell, 756-6464.
• Zumbathon fundraiser f3-5 p.m. May 2, The Wave, Whitefish. Adults $15; students $10; family (three or more) $30; kids under 5, free. Donations of $25 or more are eligible for prizes. Proceeds benefit Christian Academy headmaster Todd Kotilla as he battles cancer.
• Fifth annual Spirits of the Valley tasting event, 6-9 p.m. May 2, Best Western Plus Flathead Inn and Suites, 4823 U.S. 93 S., just north of Somers. Local spirits, wines and microbrews. Silent auction, raffles. Tickets $25 at Sliters, Somers Bay Cafe and at door. Benefits Somers Company Town Project to build pavilion and museum at site of S2 engine.
• Frontier Hospice open door bereavement support group meets 6-7 p.m. May 7, The Springs at Whitefish. Call 755-4923.
• Bigfork Wednesday farmers market opens for season 3-6 p.m. May 13, Masonic Temple, 8098 Montana 35. Call Cathi, 249-8439.
• Columbia Falls Farmers Market opens for season 5-7:30 p.m. every Thursday, beginning May 14, Pinewood Park, 925 Fourth Ave. W.
• West Valley Naturalist program 7 p.m. May 14, West Valley School science room, Kalispell. Becky Smith-Powell, forest recreation program leader for Flathead Forest, will talk about hiking/recreation in Tally Lake Ranger District. Free. Everyone welcome. Call Linda de Kort, 755-3704.
• ImagineIF Library, Kalispell, sponsors a bird walk with a Flathead Audubon expert, 10:15-11 a.m. May 16. Meet at library and walk to Conrad Mansion and back. Optional project included. All ages welcome.
• Whitefish downtown farmers market opens for season every Tuesday, 5-7:30 p.m. May 27 to Sept. 30, north end of Central Avenue and Depot Park.
• Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 10 a.m. May 28, Linderman School, 233 First Ave. E, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.
• Opening reception for “A Timeless Legacy — Women Artists of Glacier National Park” exhibit, 5-7 p.m. May 28, Hockaday Museum of Art, 302 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Free. Public invited.
• Fifth annual Northwest Montana Veterans Stand Down, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 30, Evergreen Fire Hall, 2236 U.S. E. Employment counseling, veterans service organizations, community resources and representatives. Giveaways of surplus military clothing, books, haircuts, personal care items. Chili and refreshments. Bring military ID. Call Allen Erickson Sr., 756-7304 or 250-0698.
• Eureka farmers market opens for season every Wednesday, 3:30-5:30 p.m., June 10-Sept. 23, Riverside Park. Call 406-889-4636.
• Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 10 a.m. June 11, Linderman School, 233 First Ave. E, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.
• Bigfork Saturday farmers market opens for season 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. June 13, Masonic Temple, 8098 Montana 35. Call Cathi, 249-8439.
• Stumptown Quilters’ Society “Everything Old is New Again,” quilt show, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 4; 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. July 5, Whitefish Middle School gym. Modern and vintage quilts, boutique, vendors, silent auction, raffle.
• Annual AAC/ARCO/CFAC employees picnic noon to 4 p.m. July 9, Lawrence Park, Kalispell. All employees and their families are invited; Email Sharon Chubb, smarinochubb@centurytel.net.
• In the Footsteps of Norman MacLean Festival, July 10-13, Seeley Lake on the Blackfoot River, Double Arrow Resort and Camp Paxson. Smokejumping highlight, writers’ workshop and tour of Mann Gulch; www.macleanfootsteps.com. Call Jenny Rohrer, 406-754-0034.
• Opening reception for traveling exhibit, “Piecing Together a Changing Planet: Climate Change in America’s National Parks,” 5-7 p.m. July 30, Hockaday Museum of Arts, 302 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Free. Public invited. Call 755-5268.
• Fee free day Aug. 25, Glacier National Park. All entrance fees waived in honor of 99th birthday of National Park Service.
• Dragon Boat Festival Sept. 12-13, Volunteer Park, Lakeside Boulevard, Lakeside.
• Fee free days Nov. 11, Glacier National Park. All entrance fees waived in honor of Veterans Day.