Daybook
Today, Feb. 6
• Kalispell Public Schools Finance and Operations Committee meets 7:30-9 a.m.; Personnel Committee meets 9-10 a.m., administration offices, 233 First Ave. E.
• Red Cross blood drives: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lakeview Health Communities.
• Pachyderm Club meets noon to 1 p.m., Red Lion Inn, Kalispell. Speaker is newly elected Congressman Ryan Zinke. Lunch available. Public invited. Call Mark Johnson, 253-7467.
• Swan River School committee meeting at 5:30 p.m.
• A Chocolat Affair, 5-7 p.m. downtown Kalispell. Businesses will offer chocolate treats. Live music at Noice Studio and North Bay Grille. Door prizes for those 21 and older.
• Whitefish Winter Carnival gala party, 6 p.m., Whitefish Lake Restaurant. Tickets $60. Call 862-5285.
• Celtic gathering, 6-8 p.m., Room 139, Arts and Technology Building, FVCC. Celebrate Celtic history and culture. Live music and dancing by Montana Highlanders Bagpipe Band, Celtic Spirit Singers and Kalispell Irish Dancers. Free. Public invited. Call Rob Eberhardy, 406-314-2568.
• The Josties family from Milk River, Alberta, give a concert of Christian music for all ages, 7 p.m., at The River church, 1275 U.S. 2 W., Kalispell. Free admission.
Saturday
• Literacy Center of Northwest Montana general volunteer training, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Gateway Community Center, Kalispell. RSVP to 257-7323.
• Third annual rummage sale, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Risen Christ Parish Hall, 65 W. Evergreen Dr., Donations may be dropped off 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday. Call Risen Christ Parish, 752-4219.
• Bigfork/Ferndale Community Garden workshop, 10 a.m., St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Montana 209, across from Ferndale Fire Department at blinking light. Master Gardener MonaRae Tuhy discusses indoor seed starting. Enter through big red doors. Children welcome. Call Michelle, 871-3509.
• Penguin Plunge 11 a.m., Whitefish City Beach. Pie social 12:30-2:30 p.m. St. Charles Catholic Church. Whitefish Winter Carnival Grand Parade, 3-6 p.m.
• Veterans outreach and information event, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Whitefish Middle School lobby, 600 E. Second St. Local, state and federal organizations on site with information and services benefiting veterans. Open to public. Sponsored by Whitefish Veterans Support Team
• Final Window on Whitefish mural unveiled 2 p.m., before Winter Carnival parade.
• Kalispell Parks and Recreation’s annual Valentine’s Dance, 7-9 p.m., Laser School, 124 Third Ave. E. Music by The Bear radio station, snacks, refreshments, door prizes. $5 per person/$15 per family of four. Call 758-7717.
• Sons of Norway meet 7 p.m., Buffalo Hill Terrace meeting room, 40 Claremont St., Kalispell. Call 752-2357.
Sunday
• Whitefish Winter Carnival Rotary pancake breakfast, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Whitefish Moose Lodge, 230 W. 10th St. Veterans and their families are eligible for free tickets to the breakfast. Call Michael Moffitt, 406-270-2376 to reserve; limited number may be available at 8 a.m. at the door.
• Glacier Nordic Club Classic ski race , Nordic Center, Whitefish Lake Golf Course. 1K, 4K and 12K races start 10 a.m. Entry fees, $5 for 1K, $15 for 4K and 12K, and $30 for families. Registration 9 a.m. Winter Carnival or Nordic costumes encouraged.
• John White Lecture Series presents a living history program by Mary Jane Bradbury on Charlie Russell’s wife, Nancy Cooper Russell, 2:30 p.m., Museum at Central School, 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Tickets $6 for museum members; $9 for nonmembers. Limited tickets at door. Call 756-8381.
Monday
• Fair-Mont-Egan School board Hiring Committee meets 9 a.m.
• Mary Jane Bradbuy presents a program for Humanities Montana Speakers Bureau titled “Jeannette Ranking: America’s Conscience,” 10 a.m., Arts and Technology Building, FVCC. Free. Public invited. Call Lowell Jaeger, 756-3907.
• Daughters of the American Revolution, Chief Ignace Chapter, meet at noon for a luncheon meeting at Perkins Restaurant, Kalispell. Essay winner Joel Wagner will read “A Child’s Journey through Ellis Island.” Call Jan Olson at 837-4732.
• Red Cross blood drive, 1:30-5:30 p.m., at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• Fair-Mont-Egan School board meets 5 p.m.
• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Family Support Group meets 6 p.m., Pathways, 200 Heritage Way, Kalispell. Call 854-2323.
• Flathead Audubon meets at 7 p.m., in the United Way conference room, Gateway Community Center, U.S. 2 West, Kalispell. Fred and Lynne Vanhorn of Columbia Falls will show slides and talk about their trip to the Pyrenees in southwest Europe. Enter from west side of building. Free. All welcome.
• The Flathead Conservation District meets at 7 p.m., 133 Interstate Lane, in Evergreen. Call 752-4220.
• Columbia Falls School board meets at 7 p.m., administration offices boardroom, 501 Sixth Ave. W.
Tuesday
• AARP Smart Driver Course, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Bigfork Senior Center. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 837-4157.
• Red Cross blood drive, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., U.S. Forest Service.
• Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce membership luncheon, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., North Valley Hospital Community Room, 235 Nucleus Ave. 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.
• Flathead Municipal Airport Authority meets at 4 p.m., Glacier Park International Airport board room.
• Flathead Area Secular Humanist Association hosts Kalispell Skeptics in the Club, 5:30 p.m. Kalispell Brewery, Main Street, Kalispell. Open to everyone.
• Kila School board meets 5:30 p.m.
• Swan River School board meets at 5:30 p.m.
• Smith Valley School board meets 6 p.m.
• Kalispell Public Schools district board meets 6-8 p.m., Kalispell Middle School Library.
Wednesday
• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., Pope John Paul II. Hosted by Knights of Columbus.
• Parkinson’s disease support group meets 3-4:30 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. New physical therapy programs at The Summit will be discussed. All welcome. Call Lois, 871-3767 or Inga, 756-5514.
• Women of the Moose Mystery Smorgasbord, 5-7 p.m., Whitefish Moose Lodge, 230 10 St. Pizza, spaghetti, meatballs, salads, desserts and more. Public invited. Call Carol Ott, 260-8493.
• Blind Date Night 6-8 p.m. Kalispell Brewing Co. Blind taste tests, open mic romance readings.
• Flathead Beekeepers meet 6:30 p.m., Teakettle Community Center, 235 Nucleus Ave., Columbia Falls. Open to anyone with an interest. Call Kathy at 752-9642.
Thursday
• Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Meadow Lake Resort.
• 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.
• Agency on Aging Advisory Council meets at 2-3:30 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. Public invited. Call 758-5730.
• West Valley Naturalist program 7 p.m., West Valley School library, Kalispell. Steve Alejandro presents “The Buzz about Bees. Free. Everyone welcome. Call Linda de Kort, 755-3704.
• Flatehead Valley Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) group meets 7 p.m., Bohemian Hall, 125 Blanchard Lake Road, Whitefish. Chad Phillips and Moat present “Giving Insights into Creating Your Most Passionate Life Destiny.” All welcome; www.ionsflathead.org
• “The Vagina Monologues” performances today and Feb. 13, O’Shaughnessy Center, Whitefish. Cocktail hour and designer purse silent auction 6 p.m.; curtain 7:30 p.m. Tickets $15 at the door or at www.abbieshelter.org. Fundraiser for the Abbie Shelter.
A look ahead
• Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 13, Browning High School.
• Neighbors in Need annual Valentine’s Day luncheon, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 13, Northridge Lutheran Church, Kalispell. Spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, homemade pies and beverages; $10 per person. Silent auction. Request delivered meals by Feb. 11 by faxing 755-7266. No walk-in orders.
• Flathead Chapter of National Active and Retired Federal Employees meets at noon Feb. 13, Buffalo Room, Buffalo Hill Terrace, Kalispell. Social time, 11:30 a.m. Caryn Minsk from Flathead Basin Commission will talk about water issues. For reservations, call Bill Driver, 837-2744.
• Night for Love Valentine’s Day celebration, 6-9 p.m. Feb. 13, Christ Church Episcopal, 215 Third Ave. E., Kalispell. Italian chef’s dinner. Silent auction. Live music by FVCC Jazz Ensemble, Tom’s Bluegrass and opera vocalist Idar Aguinaga. Tickets $35. Reservations required. Call 309-5196.
• “The Vagina Monologues” performances Feb. 13, O’Shaughnessy Center, Whitefish. Cocktail hour and designer purse silent auction 6 p.m.; curtain 7:30 p.m. Tickets $15 at the door or at www.abbieshelter.org. Fundraiser for the Abbie Shelter.
• Fee free days Feb. 14-16, Glacier National Park. All entrance fees waived in honor of President’s Day weekend.
• Rocky Mountain Rollers Good Sams RV Club meets at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 14, Pin & Cue Restaurant, Whitefish. Call 890-2205.
• Benefit concert for All Mosta Ranch Montana, 1-4 p.m. Feb. 14, Walk Your Dog Club, 111 W. Idaho St., Kalispell, across from Walgreen’s. Music by singer/songwriter John Guymon and flamenco guitar by Doug McCallum and Matt Lawlor. Hors d’oeuvres. Family-friendly. No cover charge; donations accepted. Dogs with vaccination records welcome.
• Valentine Tea Party, 1 p.m. Feb. 14, Kalispell Senor Center, 403 Second Ave. W. Sandwiches, fruit and vegetable platters, dessert, tea and punch. $5 at door. Everybody welcome.
• “We Love Our Dogs” gathering to show community support for building a new dog park in Kalispell, 3-3:30 p.m. Feb. 14, Lawrence Park. Bring your leashed dog and wear red. Memento for first 50 people with dogs. Call 260-7321.
• Fundraising dinner for Love in the Name of Christ ministry, 6 p.m. Feb. 14, St. Richard’s Church, Columbia Falls. Dinner, dance and silent auction. Advance tickets $10, available at Christ Lutheran Church of St. Richard’s. Tickets $15 at door; limited seating. Childcare available. Call 892-3544.
• Family Friendly Flathead annual Valentine’s Day three-course prime rib dinner, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Feb. 14, Valley Community Church of God, 2149 U.S. 2 E., (behind bread store in Evergreen). Childcare available next door at Sprouts Club. Tickets are $25 per couple; $35 per family, available at Sprouts, the church or online, www.familyfriendly.org
• Flathead Relay for Life kick-off gala, 7 p.m. Feb. 14, Brumar Estates, Bigfork. Dinner, dancing, silent and live auctions. Black tie attire. Couples $125; individuals, $75. Call Janice Vachal, 751-1722; or Brittany Quick, 406-728-1004.
• Valentine swing dance and auction fundraiser for Lighthouse Christian Home, 7 p.m. Feb. 14, Red Lion Hotel Ballroom, Kalispell. Big Band era dancing music, live and silent auctions, raffle, dessert bar and beverages. Tickets $30 or $200 for tables of eight. Call 857-3276.
• Red Cross blood drive, 1:30-5:30 p.m. Feb. 16, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• Red Cross blood drives Feb. 17: 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. KRMC; 2-5 p.m. Lakeside QRU.
• Lakeside County Water and Sewer district board meets 2 p.m. Feb. 17, district meeting room, 253 Bierney Creek Road.
• Shrove Tuesday annual pancake supper, 5-6:30 p.m. Feb. 17, All Saints’ Episcopal Church Parish Hall, 2048 Conn Road, Columbia Falls. Huckleberry pancakes, sausage, bacon, soy sausage. Free. All welcome.
• Columbia Falls Historical Society meets 7 p.m. Feb. 17, Old Chapel building, Montana Veterans Home, Columbia Falls. Plans to obtain Old Main Building for museum will be discussed. Public invited. Call 892-8954.
• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m. Feb. 18, Troy Baptist Church.
• Lake County Democrats meets Feb. 18, North Lake Library, Polson. Social time 6:30; program 7 p.m. Megan Bailey from Sunburst Mental Health Services will discuss services available in Lake County and legislative issues.
• Kalispell Public Schools Policy and Communications Committee meets 8:30-10 a.m. Feb. 19, administration offices, 233 First Ave. E.
• Red Cross blood drive 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Feb. 19, Libby VFW.
• Polson Chamber of Commerce SPLASH social and ribbon cutting, 5-7 p.m. Feb. 19, new Polson Health facility, 106 Ridgewater Dr. Call 883-5969.
• Lakeside and Somers Chamber of Commerce seventh annual Captain’s Award banquets, Feb. 19, The Rack Shack, Somers. Cocktails 5:30 p.m.; dinner 6:30 p.m. Advance tickets $25 per person; $30 at door. RSVP to info@lakesidesomers.org
• Montana Pond Hockey Classic, Feb. 20-22, Foys Lake near Kalispell. Games 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 20-21; championship rounds 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 22. Community skate rink with free rentals, fat bike demos, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 21.
• Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 20, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• AARP Smart Driver Course, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 21, The Summit, Kalispell. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 751-4500.
• Glacier Woodturners meet 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 21, Kalispell Center Mall. Call 755-1795.
• Fifth annual Winter Fest, 5 p.m. Feb. 21, Polson Elks Club Ballroom. Live music by Blue Smoke. Silent and live auctions, raffle. Barbecue dinner. Admission $10. Benefit for Soup’s On at the Wander Inn free food program for need. Call 883-95160 or 871-1109.
• Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 10 a.m. Feb. 26, Linderman School, 233 First Ave. E, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.
• 10th annual Spellebration event 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 21, Arts and Technology Building, FVCC. Play competitive team Scrabble and raise pledge money for the Literacy Center of Northwest Montana. Timed game sessions available at 10 a.m. to noon, 1-3 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. Food. Prizes. Call Randi Colby, 257-7323; or Helen Cates, 270-4407.
• Whitefish Shines committee takes down winter decorations, 8:30 a.m. Feb. 22. Volunteers should meet at corner of Central Avenue and Second Street. Call Chris Schustrom, 260-1198; or Jim Trout, 862-6661.
• John White Lecture Series presents wildlife biologist Doug Chadwick speaking on his explorations of ecosystems from Siberia to the Congo, Canada and Northwest Montana, 2:30 p.m. Feb. 22, Museum at Central School, 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Tickets $6 for museum members; $9 for nonmembers. Limited tickets at door. Call 756-8381.
2015 Special Olympics Montana State Winter Games, Feb. 22-24, Whitefish Mountain Resort. Competition in alpine and cross country skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing. Parade of Athletes 4 p.m. Feb. 22, Central Avenue in Whitefish. Public invited.
• AARP Smart Driver Course, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 23, Libby Christian Church, Libby. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 283-7000.
• Red Cross blood drive, 1:30-5:30 p.m. Feb. 23 at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• Gateway to Glacier Trail meeting and potluck, 6 p.m. Feb. 23, Historic Tamarack Lodge, Columbia Falls. All interested in building a bicycle/walking trail from Coram to West Glacier invited. RSVP to gateway2glacier@gmail.com
• Glacier National Park Associates Winter Speaker series presents Rick Yates, U.S. Forest Service wildlife biologist on “Wolverine Ecology in Glacier Park,” 7 p.m. Feb. 23, Museum at Central School, Kalispell. Free. Public invited. Call 756-8992.
• Flathead Outdoor Club meets 7 p.m. Feb. 23, The Summit, Kalispell. Chris Peterson from Hungry Horse News gives a presentation titled “ Walk on the Wild Side.” Coffee and tea served. Everyone welcome. Call Leah Levitt, 892-6105 or 261-6874.
• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m. Feb. 24, Our Lady of Mercy Church, Eureka.
• Kalispell Public Schools district board work session 6-8 p.m. Feb. 24, Kalispell Middle School Library.
• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m. Feb. 25, Kalispell Center Mall.
• Jodie Barwiler speaks about her son City Piasecki’s death from a heroin overdose, 6 p.m. Feb. 25, Gardner’s Auction, 200 United Dr., Kalispell. Other guest speakers will present related talks; information available on local resources; local musicians; reachoutmt@gmail.com
• Red Cross blood drives Feb. 26: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Glacier Park; 2:30-5:30 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• Glacier Institute hosts a lecture by Dave Shea titled, “Wildlife Encountered by Lewis and Clark,” Feb. 26, Conrad Mansion Museum, 330 Woodland Ave., Kalispell. Wine and desserts served at 6 p.m. Presentation begins 6:30 p.m. Cost $10 per person. RSVP required. Call 755-2166.
• Red Cross blood drives Feb. 27: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell; 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. St. Joseph Medical Center, Polson.
• Big Arm community potluck, 6 p.m. Feb. 27, Historic Big Arm School. Email Nancy Foster at jeffrey.foster@sbcglobal.net
• Mission Valley Christian Academy “Staying Alive” disco-themed auction and dinner fundraiser, 5:30 p.m. Feb. 28, at the school, 3897 Montana 35, Polson. For tickets, call 883-6858.
• Opening reception for Open Space art exhibit, 5-7 p.m. March 5, Hockaday Museum of Art, 302 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Free admission. Public invited.
• Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation and Montana Wilderness Association Wilderness Speaker Series presents Steve Primm, founder of People and Carnivores on “The Wild is Consequential: Grizzlies, People and Sharing the Land,” 7-8:30 p.m. March 5, Arts and Technology Building, room 139, FVCC. Free. Public invited. Call Carol Treadwell, 406-387-3847; or Amy Robinson, 406-730-2006.
• Fifth annual Princess Benefit Ball, 7 p.m. March 7, Red Lion Hotel Kalispell. Games, dancing, gift basket raffles and drawing. All proceeds benefit Angel Flight West.
• Glacier Institute hosts a lecture by Justin Barth titled, “ Stories from the Top — Glacier’s Fire Lookouts,” March 19, Conrad Mansion Museum, 330 Woodland Ave., Kalispell. Wine and desserts served at 6 p.m. Presentation begins 6:30 p.m. Cost $10 per person. RSVP required. Call 755-2166.
• 4-H Interstate Exchange spaghetti supper and dessert auction, 5:30 p.m. March 20, Flathead County Fairgrounds. Tickets $6 each or $20 for family of four. Public invited.
• Flathead Outdoor Club meets 7 p.m. March 23, The Summit, Kalispell. Anne Clark talks about her kayaking adventures. Coffee and tea served. Everyone welcome. Call Leah Levitt, 892-6105 or 261-6874.
• Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 10 a.m. March 26, Linderman School, 233 First Ave. E, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.
• Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation and Montana Wilderness Association Wilderness Speaker Series presents Chris Peterson, Hungry Horse News and Glacier Magazine, on "A Walk on the Wild Side-A 200-mile Hike in the Spirit of Bob Marshall.” 7-8:30 p.m. April 2, Arts and Technology Building, room 139, FVCC. Free. Public invited. Call Carol Treadwell, 406-387-3847; or Amy Robinson, 406-730-2006.
• Fee free days April 18-19, Glacier National Park. All entrance fees waived National Park Week opening weekend.
• Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 10 a.m. April 23, Linderman School, 233 First Ave. E, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.
• Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 10 a.m. May 28, Linderman School, 233 First Ave. E, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.
• Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 10 a.m. June 11, Linderman School, 233 First Ave. E, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.
• 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.
• Fee free days Nov. 11, Glacier National Park. All entrance fees waived in honor of Veterans Day.