Daybook
Wednesday
• Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem grizzly bear management meeting 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Lone Pine State Park Visitor Center, near Kalispell. Updates on population monitoring, research and conservation strategy draft.
• Red Cross blood drive, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Polson High School.
• 31st annual Chocolate Extravaganza, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Hilton Garden Inn, Kalispell. Lunch, music, chocolate treats and raffles. For reservations, call Mary Weston at 752-6431 or Dee Kirk-Boon at 250-5098. Tickets $20 at door, if available.
• Free Qigong Falun Dafa instruction easy-to-learn exercise instruction for all ages, 11:45 a.m. (Wednesdays in December), Kalispell Senior Center, 403 Second Ave. W. Call Katherine, 257-9798.
• Polson Chamber of Commerce meets noon to 1 p.m., KwaTukNuk Resort. Mayor Heather Creston and city manager Mark Shrives discuss the state of the city. Lunch $14; reservations not required. Open to public. Call 883-5969.
• 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 406-249-2448.
• Costco and Park Side Credit Union Holiday Shop Night community event, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Costco Kalispell. Scavenger hunt, drawings, refreshments. Santa will be on hand for free photos with kids. Open to public.
Thursday
• Cholesterol screening and education, 7-10 a.m. today (first Thursday of every month,) The Summit, Kalispell. Includes triglycerides, glucose, cholesterol, HDL and LDL. Walk-in clinic; no preregistration required. Fast 8-12 hours prior and drink plenty of water. Cost $30; $27 for seniors. December special is 25 percent off. Call Kathy Prim, 751-4500.
• Klothes Kloset nonprofit thrift store annual Christmas store, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 286 Nucleus Ave., Columbia Falls.
• Sali Nee leads group chair yoga every Thursday and Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., Kalispell Senior Center.
• Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Lake View Healthcare, Bigfork.
• Free holiday concert with the Flathead High School Choir and Choralaires, 12:20 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 540 S. Main St., Kalispell. Public invited.
• Home Options Hospice offers two free presentations on “Grief During the Holidays,” at 1 and 5:30 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. All welcome. Call 751-4254.
• Seventh annual Multi-denominational Community Christmas celebration, 5-9 p.m. today, 1-9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1380 Whitefish Stage, Kalispell. Choral and musician entertainment, Hundreds of nativities from around the world on display. The Family History Center will also have an open house during the event. Free. Public invited.
• Pints with a Purpose community night, 5-9 p.m. Great Northern Brewery, Whitefish. One dollar of each beverage served benefits the Whitefish Trail.
• Evergreen Chamber of Commerce holiday gathering, Red Lion Hotel Kalispell. Social and silent auction, 5:30 p.m.; dinner 7 p.m. Tickets $40 per person or $75 per couple. Non-members $45 each or $80 couples. Call 885-1212.
• Flathead Act! for America present Christian pastor and former Muslim Sharam Hadian speaking on “Unveiling The True Face of Islam: A Wake Up Call for the World,” 6-7 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, Kalispell. Tickets $15 per person; 18 and under, free; 59911actforamerica@gmail.com
• Drs. Lori and Robert Bryan from Hardin give a free public presentation, “Climate Change: The Public Health Challenge of Our Time,” 7 p.m., Whitefish Public Library, 9 Spokane Ave. Call Steve Thompson, 250-9810.
• Wolf experts Douglas Smith of Yellowstone Park and Robert Beam, University of Montanan professor, discuss Northwest Montana wolf management, biology and recovery, 7 p.m. Arts and Technology Building, FVCC. Question and answer period follows. Free. Open to public. Call John Fraley, 752-5501.
Friday
• 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.. Glacier Bank, Main Street, Kalispell
• Growing Up in Bigfork session five, 11:30 a.m. Bigfork Community Center. Presenters are Sharon Slethaug Schiltz and Frances Fordik Ollendike. Lunch follows. $4 seniors, $6 others. RSVP two days earlier by calling 837-4157.
• Pachyderm Club meets noon to 1 p.m., Red Lion Inn, Kalispell. Discussion on Montana public lands. Lunch available. Public invited. Call Mark Johnson, 253-7467.
• Seventh annual Multi-denominational Community Christmas celebration, 1-9 p.m. today, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1380 Whitefish Stage, Kalispell. Choral and musician entertainment, Hundreds of nativities from around the world on display. The Family History Center will also have an open house during the event. Free. Public invited.
• Columbia Falls 30th annual Night of Lights. Craft fair 4 pm. Teakettle Room, Nucleus Avenue. Senior Citizens Center soup supper 4 p.m. Parade 6:30 p.m. Photos with Santa. Live Nativity scene at the Coop, 830 First Ave. W. Call 892-2072.
• Kalispell Art Walk 5-9 p.m., downtown. Stores and galleries open late offering free refreshments. Enter to win one of 12 $100 gift certificates.
• Hockaday Museum of Art offers free admission 5-9 p.m., 302 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Take a tour and shop museum gift shop. Call 755-5268.
• Citizens for a Better Flathead holiday “re-gifting” rummage sale, 5-9 p.m. today; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 5, 35 Fourth St. W. Donations accepted 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.
• Big Arm Association holiday potluck, 6 p.m., Historic Big Arm School. Neal Lewing of Port Polson Players leads singing. Call Nancy Foster, 849-5064.
Saturday
• Civil Air Patrol Montana Wing hosts Stuff the Bus, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Shopko, Evergreen. Donations of new, unwrapped toys accepted for Salvation Army’s Angel Tree.
• West Shore Holiday Fest, 9 a.m.t o 4 p.m. Lakeside Elementary School gym. Arts and crafts vendors, music, Festival of Flavors, Kids Only Market, live and silent auctions.
• Woodland Montessori presents Breakfast with Santa, 9:30-11:30 a.m., Gateway Community Center, U.S. 2 W., Kalispell. Pancake breakfast, crafts, trolley rides, silent auction and photos with Santa. Advance tickets $8 per person; $10 at door. Call 755-3824.
• Whitefish Community Center holiday bazaar, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 862-4923.
• Annual Frostbite Festival, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Swan Valley Elementary School, Montana 83, mile marker 38-39. Bake sale, craft activities. Lunch 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Santa will be at Swan Valley Museum 13 p.m.
• 4-H Country Christmas Bazaar, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Eastside Grange, across from Creston School, Creston Road, Kalispell. Handcrafted gifts, baked goods, local direct sellers, face painting. Chili/hot dog lunch available.
• Citizens for a Better Flathead holiday “re-gifting” rummage sale, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 35 Fourth St. W. Donations accepted 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through Nov. 30.
• Seventh annual Multi-denominational Community Christmas celebration, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1380 Whitefish Stage, Kalispell. Choral and musician entertainment, Hundreds of nativities from around the world on display. The Family History Center will also have an open house during the event. Free. Public invited.
• Kids Crafts for Christmas event, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Lone Pine State Park near Kalispell. Kids ages 4-9 make presents for their family members including ornaments, cards and more. Cost $4 includes supplies. Call 755-2706.
• Parkinson’s disease support group Christmas party potluck, 3-7 p.m., Village Greens Golf Course Community Center, 195 W. Nicklaus Ave., Kalispell. All welcome. Call Lois, 871-3767 or Inga, 756-5514.
• Flathead Conservation District celebrates World Soil Day with screening of “Symphony of the Soil,” 6:30-8 p.m., Flathead High School auditorium. Locally grown treats served 5:30-6 p.m. Public invited. Call 752-4220.
• Bigfork Christmas Parade, 6 p.m., Electric Avenue.
• Glacier Nordic Club annual potluck and benefit auction, 6 p.m. Whitefish Moose Lodge, 230 W. 10th St. Bring a dish to share and your own serviceware. Memberships will be available for purchase.
Monday
• AARP Smart Driver Course, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 751-4500.
• FVCC Art Club holiday art sale, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today through Dec. 9, Arts and Technology Building lobby. Call David Regan, 756-3993.
• “Growing Up in Bigfork” final session, 11:30 a.m., Bigfork Community Center. Presenters are Phil Bolstad and Eileen Steube Kis Lunch follows. $4 seniors, $6 others. RSVP two days earlier by calling 837-4157.
• Red Cross blood drive, 1:30-5:30 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• Pleasant Valley School board meets 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday
• FVCC Art Club holiday art sale, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., today and Dec. 9, Arts and Technology Building lobby. Call David Regan, 756-3993.
• Red Cross blood drive, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., U.S. Forest Service office.
• Sali Nee leads group chair yoga every Tuesday and Thursday, 9:30 a.m., Kalispell Senior Center.
• Kalispell Women’s Connection holiday tea luncheon, 11:30 a.m., meeting room of Victory Baptist Church, 1830 Montana 35. Speaker is Frances Erler. Cost $8 per person. Call Jan, 212-3763, or Rosainne, 257-8098 for lunch and free child care reservations. Affiliated with Stonecroft Ministries.
• Health Insurance Open Enrollment event, 3-7 p.m., North Valley Professional Office Building, Snowghost Room, 711 E. 13th St. Whitefish. Certified application counselors assist public in applying for or renewing coverage through Health Insurance Marketplace. Call 758-2165.
• Flathead Area Secular Humanist Association hosts Kalispell Skeptics in the Club, 5:30 p.m., Kalispell Brewing Company, 412 Main St., Kalispell. Open to everyone.
• Smith Valley School board meets 6 p.m.
A look ahead
• FVCC Art Club holiday art sale, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Dec. 9, Arts and Technology Building lobby. Call David Regan, 756-3993.
• ImagineIF Libraries board meets at 9 a.m. Dec. 9, Bigfork branch, 525 Electric Ave. Call Kim Crowley, 758-5826.
• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 9, Montana Department of Transportation, in the blood mobile.
• AARP Smart Driver Course, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 10, North Valley Hospital, Whitefish. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 751-4500.
• Senior Tour and Tea, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 10, 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. Call 755-5268.
• Red Cross blood drives Dec. 10: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cold Stone Creamery; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. First Interstate Bank, in the blood mobile.
• Health Insurance Open Enrollment event, 3-7 p.m. Dec. 10, Teakettle Room, North Valley Hospital Community Center, 235 Nucleus Ave., Columbia Falls. Certified application counselors assist public in applying for or renewing coverage through Health Insurance Marketplace. Call 758-2165.
• Conrad Mansion in Kalispell celebrates Children’s Christmas, 4-7 p.m. Dec. 10. Children meet Santa and receive a small gift. $10 for keepsake photo. Call 755-2166.
• Free “Night at the Museum” and showing of the feature film, “Tora! Tora! Tora!, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 10, Miracle of America Museum, Polson. Tour of Pearl Harbor and World War II memorabilia precede film. Call Gil, 882-6804.
• Red Cross blood drives Dec. 11: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Daily Inter Lake; 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. West Valley School.
• Ribbon cutting ceremony for new Lake House mental health services, 11 a.m. Dec. 11, 7 13th Ave. E., Polson. Gov. Steve Bullock special guest.
• Pachyderm Club meets noon to 1 p.m. Dec. 11, Red Lion Inn, Kalispell. Congressmen Ryan Zinke and Steve Daines are guest speakers. Lunch available. Public invited. Call Mark Johnson, 253-7467.
• Kalispell Vet Center has its fifth annual holiday open house, from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 11, in the lobby, 690 N. Meridian Dr. Civil Air Patrol presents colors. Refreshments. Non-perishable food donations accepted for Northwest Veterans Food Pantry.
• St. Matthew’s fourth annual Cookie Carousel, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 12, school gym, 602 S. Main St., Kalispell. Homemade Christmas cookies and candies. Free family photo shoot with purchase of 2 pounds of goodies. 50/50 raffles. Visit with St. Nick and treats for children, 1-4 p.m. Call 752-6303.
• Wreaths Across America ceremony, 10-11 a.m. Dec. 12, Veterans Memorial, Depot Park, Kalispell.
• Annual Wreaths Across America ceremony, 10 a.m. Dec. 12, Montana Veterans Home, Columbia Falls. Keynote speaker is Brig. Gen. Robert Sparing from Helena. Reception follows for everyone. Car caravan to cemetery to place wreaths on veterans’ graves at 10:45 a.m.
• 26th annual Christmas at Our House dinner, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Dec. 12, Montana Army National Guard, Kalispell. Free holiday dinner. All welcome. Call 406-261-1398.
• Big Arm children’s Christmas event, 2-4 p.m. Dec. 12. Food, crafts, games. Theme is “Minions.” Call Nancy Foster, 849-5064.
• “When the Night Comes” sleep out fundraiser for Sparrow’s Nest of Northwest Montana, 7 p.m. Dec. 12 to 7 a.m. Dec. 13, Gateway Community Center, 1203 U.S. 2 W., Kalispell. Call 406-309-5196.
• Kalispell Compline Choir presents “Nightcap for the Soul,” 9-9:45 p.m. Dec. 13, Christ Church Episcopal, 215 Third Ave. E., Kalispell. Medieval chant, a cappella choral music, meditative readings by candlelight. All welcome.
• Red Cross blood drive, 1:30-5:30 p.m. Dec. 14, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• The Flathead Conservation District meets at 7 p.m. Dec. 14, 133 Interstate Lane, in Evergreen. Call 752-4220.
• 17th annual Christmas Bird Counts in the Flathead general meeting for the public, 7 p.m. Dec. 14, United Way Conference Room, Gateway Community Center, U.S. 2 West, Kalispell. Peter Fisher and Craig Hohenberger discuss early winter birds and show photos. Sign up for area counts.
• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 15, Lakeside QRU.
• Whitefish Winter Market 5-7:30 p.m. Dec. 15, Roy Duff Memorial Armory. Local arts and crafts, prepared food items. Local vendors should call Liz Records, 862-1392.
• Flathead Valley Trout Unlimited Christmas social, 5 p.m. Dec. 15, Kalispell Brewery, 412 Main St., Kalispell. Food, door prizes, raffles. Fifty cents of each pint sold donated to organization. Call Larry Timchak, 250-7473.
• Red Cross blood drives Dec. 16: 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Plum Creek; noon to 5 p.m. Troy Baptist Church.
• Flathead Valley Community Band annual free “Fun for the Holidays” concert, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16, Red Lion Hotel ballroom, Kalispell. All welcome.
• Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 17, Libby VFW.
• Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 11:15 a.m. Dec. 17, 15 Meridian Court, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.
• Conrad Mansion in Kalispell hosts a Christmas Choir Dec. 17. Holiday music performed in the Great Hall by Valley Voices Choral Evensong. $15 per person. Reservations required. Call 755-2166.
• Red Cross blood drives Dec. 18: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. KRMC.
• Pachyderm Club meets noon to 1 p.m. Dec. 18, Red Lion Inn, Kalispell. Topic is the CASA program. Lunch available. Public invited. Call Mark Johnson, 253-7467.
• Family Life Christian Church live Nativity scene, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 18-19, 1075 Foys Lake Road, Kalispell. Cookies and hot cocoa served. Public invited.
• AARP Smart Driver Course, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 19, The Summit, Kalispell. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 751-4500.
• Red Cross blood drives Dec. 21: 10 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Natural Resources Department, Polson; 1:30-5:30 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• Red Cross blood drive, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 22, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Sponsored by Fresh Life Church.
• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 23, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• Red Cross blood drive, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 24 at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• North Valley Refuse will be closed Dec. 25 for the Thanksgiving holiday. Friday customers will be picked up on Dec. 24. Call Janice, 862-4381.
• Red Cross blood drive, 1:30-5:30 p.m. Dec. 28, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• Red Cross blood drives Dec. 29: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Springs at Whitefish; noon to 5 p.m. Eureka Baptist Church.
• Red Cross blood drives Dec. 30: noon to 5 p.m. All Saints Episcopal Church; 1-4:30 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• Red Cross blood drive, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 31, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• Kalispell Compline Choir presents “Nightcap for the Soul,” 9-9:45 p.m. Jan. 10, Christ Church Episcopal, 215 Third Ave. E., Kalispell. Medieval chant, a cappella choral music, meditative readings by candlelight. All welcome.
• Flathead Special Education Cooperative Management board and Executive Council meets 11:15 a.m. Jan. 21, former Linderman School building, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.
• Kalispell Compline Choir presents “Nightcap for the Soul,” 9-9:45 p.m. Feb. 14, Christ Church Episcopal, 215 Third Ave. E., Kalispell. Medieval chant, a cappella choral music, meditative readings by candlelight. All welcome.
• Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 11:15 a.m. Feb. 18, former Linderman School building, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.
• Kalispell Compline Choir presents “Nightcap for the Soul,” 9-9:45 p.m. March 13, Christ Church Episcopal, 215 Third Ave. E., Kalispell. Medieval chant, a cappella choral music, meditative readings by candlelight. All welcome.
• Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 11:15 a.m. March 24, former Linderman School building, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.
• Kalispell Compline Choir presents “Nightcap for the Soul,” 9-9:45 p.m. April 10, Christ Church Episcopal, 215 Third Ave. E., Kalispell. Medieval chant, a cappella choral music, meditative readings by candlelight. All welcome.
• Flathead Special Education Cooperative Management board and Executive Council meets 11:15 a.m. April 28, former Linderman School building, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.
• Kalispell Compline Choir presents “Nightcap for the Soul,” 9-9:45 p.m. May 8, Christ Church Episcopal, 215 Third Ave. E., Kalispell. Medieval chant, a cappella choral music, meditative readings by candlelight. All welcome.
• Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 11:15 a.m. May 26, 15 Meridian Court, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.
• Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 11:15 a.m. June 9, 15 Meridian Court, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.