Daybook
Today, Feb. 8
• 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.
• West Valley School board work session 4 p.m. Ms. Banek’s first grade classroom; followed by a regular session at 5 p.m.
• Fair-Mont-Egan School board meets 5 p.m.
• 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.
• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Family Support Group meets 6 p.m., Pathways, 200 Heritage Way, Kalispell. Call 854-2323.
• Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group meets 6 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. Survivors, family, friends are welcome. Refreshments. Call Sue, 756-4725.
• 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.
• Kalispell Rockhound Club meets at 7 p.m., ImagineIF Library, Kalispell, basement meeting room. Show and tell, and educational session. All welcome. Call Malinda, 309-0938.
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.
• Somers Rural Fire District board meets 6 p.m., Lakeside Fire Station, 125 Bills Road.
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.
• Bigfork County Water and Sewer District meets 7 p.m., 108 Harbor Heights Blvd., Bigfork. Public welcome.
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.
• Flathead Nonprofit Development Partnership hosts a free brown bag workshop and panel facilitated by Chany Ockert on “Developing Intergenerational Leadership,” 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Museum at Central School, 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. RSVP to 756-3618.
• Agency on Aging Advisory Council meets at 2-3:30 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. Public invited. Call 758-5730.
• Deer Park School board meets 6:30 p.m. at the school.
• 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 Friday, 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.
Friday
• Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Browning High School.
• Neighbors in Need annual Valentine’s Day luncheon, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 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, 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.
• Visiting musicians Fank-Liu and Jessica Chen from Taiwan present a master string class and concert, 4:30-6 p.m., room 144, Rebecca Chaney Broussard Center for Nursing and Health Science, FVCC. Free for public to observe. Call 756-4813.
• Night for Love Valentine’s Day celebration, 6-9 p.m., 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 Idara Aguinaga. Tickets $35. Reservations required. Fundraiser for Sparrow’s Nest of Northwest Montana. Call 309-5196.
• “The Vagina Monologues” performances, 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.
FVCC Student Government sponsors a Fur Masquerade Ball fundraiser for Flathead County Animal Shelter, 8-11 p.m., Vintage Ballroom above Sassafras, 120 Main St., Kalispell. Chocolate fountain, non-alcoholic beverages. Formal attire and animal prints and masks encouraged. Prizes for best costumes. Door prizes. Tickets $10 each or $15 per couple. Call 756-3814.
A look ahead
• 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.
• “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.
• Kalispell Women’s Connection buffet lunch,11:30 a.m. Feb. 17, 1830 Montana 35. Speaker is Emmy Ort. Donations for food bank accepted. Cost $8 per person. Call Jan, 212-3763, or Rosainne, 257-8098 for lunch and free child care reservations. Affiliated with Stonecroft Ministries.
• 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.’
• Visiting musicians Fank-Liu and Jessica Chen from Taiwan present a master string class and concert, 5-6 p.m., Feb. 19, room 144, Rebecca Chaney Broussard Center for Nursing and Health Science, FVCC. Free for public to observe. Call 756-4813.
• 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.
• Kalispell Senior Citizens business meeting and potluck supper, 5 p.m. Feb. 26, Kalispell Senior Center, 403 Second Ave. W. Speaker is Gil Jordan from Museum at Central School. Bring a potluck dish or pay $3. Call 257-1598.
• 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.