Daybook
Today, March 1
• Flathead Classic Sled Dog Races, 9 a.m., starting in Olney, corner of U.S. 93 North and Olney turn-off. Spectators welcome.
• Flathead County Animal Shelter dog adoption event, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. , Petco, Kalispell. Call 752-1310.
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.
• Red Cross blood drive, 1:30-5:30 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• Anime Club for teens in grades six to 12 meets 4-5:30 p.m., ImagineIF Library, Kalispell.
• Columbia Falls School board meets at 7 p.m., administration offices boardroom, 501 Sixth Ave. W.
Tuesday
• International House of Pancake’s 10th annual National Pancake Day, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Kalispell. Free short stack of buttermilk pancakes with donation requested to Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.
• Creston School board meets at 7:30 a.m.
• Somers School District board Policy Committee meets 8:15 a.m. followed by Extra Curricular Committee meeting at 9:15 a.m., Somers Middle School.
• Red Cross blood drive, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Columbia Falls High School.
• Canyon Elementary Building Use Committee meets 6 p.m. Canyon Elementary School, 200 North St., Hungry Horse.
• Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets 7-8:30 p.m. The Summit, Kalispell. Call Denise, 407-4110.
Wednesday
• Dr. Carrie Merrill of North Valley Hospital gives a presentation on “Breastfeeding and Beyond: Nutrition through the Toddler Years,” 10-11 a.m., The Springs at Whitefish, 1001 River Lakes Parkway. Light refreshments. Educational handouts. Raffle for participants. Children welcome. RSVP by Feb. 27, 863-3632.
• Free Qigong Falun Dafa instruction easy-to-learn exercise instruction for all ages, 11:45 a.m. every Wednesday in March, Kalispell Senior Center, 403 Second Ave. W. Call Katherine, 257-9798.
• Missoula comedian Michael Beers gives a free performance 4:30-5:30 p.m., Arts and Technology Building, FVCC. Public invited. Call Disabilities and Services Assessment specialist Anna San Diego, 756-3881.
• 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.
Thursday
• Cholesterol screening and education, 7-10 a.m. and 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. Call Kathy Prim, 751-4500.
• Kalispell Public Schools Curriculum Committee meets 9 a.m., administration offices, 233 First Ave. E.
• Bigfork Toastmasters meet noon to 1 p.m. first and third Thursday of month, Glacier Bank, Bigfork. Bring a lunch. Call Jan, 857-2467.
• Red Cross blood drive, 1-5 p.m. Columbia Falls Community Room.
• Opening reception for “Open Space” art exhibit, 5-7 p.m., Hockaday Museum of Art, 302 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Free admission. Public invited.
Frontier Hospice open door bereavement support group meets 6-7 p.m., The Springs at Whitefish. Call 755-4923.
• 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., Arts and Technology Building, room 139, FVCC. Free. Public invited. Call Carol Treadwell, 406-387-3847; or Amy Robinson, 406-730-2006.
Friday
• Kalispell Public Schools Finance and Operations Committee meets 7:30 a.m., and Personnel Committee meets 9 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; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Eureka High School.
• Pachyderm Club meets noon to 1 p.m., Red Lion Inn, Kalispell. Speaker is Debbie Pierson, newly elected county clerk and recorder. Lunch available. Public invited. Call Mark Johnson, 253-7467.
• Adam Lieber and Luke Lumar give an update on forest carnivore monitoring in the Upper Swan Valley, Upper Blackfoot and Upper Clearwater watersheds, 4:30-6 p.m., Swan Ecosystem Center, Condon. Call Jill Jolly, 406-754-3137.
• Opening reception for “Workers in Our Woods: A Show by Gretchen Finch,” 5-7 p.m., Bigfork Museum of Art. Public invited. Call 837-6927.
• FVCC’s sixth annual Got Talent competition, 7 p.m., FVCC Theatre, Arts and Technology Building. General admission $5, available at bookstore or call 756-3814; FVCC students and children under 12, free. Limited tickets at door.
A look ahead
• Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 7, Church of the Nazarene.
• Celebrate Dr. Seuss’ Birthday, 2-2:30 p.m. March 7, Kalispell Center Mall. Mark Flatau, superintendent of School District 5, is guest reader. Songs, stories, party activities. All ages welcome.
• Sixth annual Bigfork Brewfest, 3-7 p.m. outdoors at Brookies Cookies, Bigfork. Live music by Fetveit Brothers and Tommy Edwards. Free buses from Whitefish, Kalispell and Columbia Falls. Tickets $25 includes mug and tasting tickets; www.bigforkbrewfest.com
• 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.
• Free introductory talk for upcoming Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Course noon to 1:30 p.m. March 9, The Summit, Kalispell. Learn how meditation can help with pain, illness and stress. Call Michelle Richards, 261-4112.
• Red Cross blood drive, 1:30-5:30 p.m. March 9, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• Flathead Area Secular Humanist Association presents part 1 of the video series, “American Freethought” 6 p.m. March 9, ImagineIF Library, 247 First Ave. E., Kalispell. Parts 2-4 will be shown March 23, April 6 and 13. Free. Public invited.
• 10th annual Glacier Kiwanis “Night of Jazz” fundraiser, 7 p.m. March 9, Flathead High School Main Theater. Musicians and bands from five high schools perform. Tickets $5 adults; $3 students. Call Carla Weber, 253-9707.
• Flathead Audubon meets at 7 p.m. March 9, in the United Way conference room, Gateway Community Center, U.S. 2 West, Kalispell. Musician and composer Craig Thomas Naylor presents a program titled “Chickadees in the Concert Hall.” Enter from west side of building. Free. All welcome.
• The Flathead Conservation District meets at 7 p.m. March 9, 133 Interstate Lane, in Evergreen. Call 752-4220.
• Red Cross blood drive, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. March 10, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Sponsored by Peterson School.
• Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce membership luncheon, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 10, North Valley Hospital Community Room, 235 Nucleus Ave. Representatives from Hockaday and Glacier Park Conservancy will speak. No reservations required. Luncheon, $12. Call Carol Pike, 892-2072.
• City of Kalispell hosts a community open house on the South Kalispell (Airport) Urban Renewal Plan, 2-8 p.m. March 10, Hilton Garden Inn, 1840 U.S. 93 S., Kalispell. Public invited. Call Stephanie Ray, 406-333-7976 or Wayne Freeman, 406-599-7109.
• Flathead Area Secular Humanist Association hosts Kalispell Skeptics in the Club, 5:30 p.m. March 10, Kalispell Brewery, 412 Main St., Kalispell. Open to everyone.
• Kalispell Public Schools district board meets 6 p.m. March 10,, Kalispell Middle School Library.
• Flathead Valley Community College Honors Symposium Series presents “Gregg Davis on “Obamacare and Legalized Recreational Marijuana,” 7-8:30 p.m. March 10, Arts and Technology Building, FVCC. Free. Seating limited. Public welcome. Call Ivan Lorentzen, 756-3864.
• Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. March 11, Polson High School.
• Flathead Beekeepers meet 6:30 p.m. March 11, North Valley Hospital Community Center, 235 Nucleus Ave., Columbia Falls. Open to anyone with an interest. Call Ronny, 892-0280.
• Senior Tour and Tea, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 12, 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.
• Red Cross blood drive, 12:30-4:45 p.m. March 12 at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Sponsored by Kalispell Rotary Clubs.
• Frontier Hospice open door bereavement support group meets 6-7 p.m. March 12, second and fourth Thursday of month, Frontier Hospice, Kalispell. Call 755-4923.
• “The Vagina Epilogues” with all new material will be performed March 12, The O’Shaughnessy Center, Whitefish. Cocktail hour and silent purse auction 6 p.m. Showtime 7:30 p.m. Tickets $15 online and at door; www.abbieshelter.org/events/
• Glacial Forum presents Nagi N. Najjar with the Syrian Opposition Liaison Group, 6:30 p.m. March 12, Sykes’, 202 Second Ave. W. Kalispell. Seating limited. Reservations required by calling Dee Kirk-Boon at 250-4304. For dinner reservations, call 257-4304.
• Hellroaring Ski Heritage Days, March 13-14, Whitefish Mountain Resort. Hall of Fame induction ceremony and reception 6 p.m. March 13, Hellroaring Saloon. Tickets $25, available at Glacier Banks, downtown Whitefish, Kalispell. March 14: Ski-A-Thon, barbecue, vintage outfit contest, grand promenade. Call Tim Hinderman, 885-2730.
• Red Cross blood drives March 13: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell; 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Cabinet Peaks Medical Center, Libby.
• 29th annual Ronan Women’s Club craft fair and flea market, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. March 14, Ronan Community Center. Handmade crafts, woodworking, jewelry. Silent auction. Homemade lunch of Indian tacos, fry bread, soup and sandwiches. Call Alice Gleason, 406-676-5079.
• Red Cross blood drives March 16: 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Polson Physical Therapy; 2-6 p.m. Trinity Lutheran Church.
• Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. March 17, Libby High School.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade, 4 p.m. March 17, Main Street, Kalispell. $100 award for top parade entry. Call Mark Lalum, 755-7400 or 261-1654.
• Flathead Valley Community College Honors Symposium Series presents Christopher Muste on “Polarization, Fragmentation and Culture Wars: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,” 7-8:30 p.m. March 17, Arts and Technology Building, FVCC. Free. Seating limited. Public welcome. Call Ivan Lorentzen, 756-3864.
• Lakeside County Water and Sewer district board meets 2 p.m. March 17, district meeting room, 253 Bierney Creek Road.
• St. Patrick’s Day Parade, 4 p.m. March 17, Main Street, Kalispell. $100 award for top parade entry. Call Mark Lalum, 755-7400, ext. 2233; or 261-1654.
• Lake County Democrats sponsor an informational meeting on early childhood education programs, 7-8:30 p.m. March 18, Salish Kootenai College Theater, Pablo.
• Kalispell Public Schools Policy and Communications Committee meets 8:30 a.m. March 19, administration offices, 233 First Ave. E.
• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m. March 19, The Wave, Whitefish.
• Sixth annual Loud at the Library fundraiser, 5:30-8:30 p.m. March 19, ImagineIF Library, Kalispell. Live music by Can’t Hardly Playboys, appetizers, beer, wine, raffle baskets, silent auction. Tickets $30 ($20 tax deductible). Call 758-5821.
• 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.
• Frontier Hospice open door bereavement support group meets 6-7 p.m. March 19, Rising Mountains Assisted Living Community, Bigfork. Call 755-4923.
• 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. Blackfeet Community College
• 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.
• AARP Smart Driver Course, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 21, The Summit, Kalispell. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 751-4500.
• Annual Spring Fling Thing, 6:30 p.m. March 21, Salvation Army Community Center, 110 Bountiful Dr., Kalispell. Live Big Band era dance music by BJ Lupton and the Swingin’ on High Band and Stillwater Christian School Jazz Band. Refreshments. Free admission. All welcome. Call 257-4357.
• Red Cross blood drive, 1:30-5:30 p.m. March 23, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• 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.
• Glacier National Park Associates Winter Speaker series presents photographer Chris Peterson with a program about his 200-mile hike in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, 7 p.m. March 23, Museum at Central School, Kalispell. Free. Public invited. Call Dan Goehring, 837-1171.
• Flathead Valley Community College Honors Symposium Series presents Stephanie Coontz on “The Way We Never Were: American Families and the Nostalgia Trap,” 7-8:30 p.m. March 23, Arts and Technology Building, FVCC. Free. Seating limited. Public welcome. Call Ivan Lorentzen, 756-3864.
• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m. March 24, Polson Good Shepherd Church.
• Kalispell Public Schools district board work session, 6 p.m. March 24, Kalispell Middle School Library.
• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m. March 25, Snappy Sport Senter. Sponsored by Evergreen Chamber.
• Heritage Museum in Libby hosts a premier of the documentary film, “The Fish Between the Falls, 7 p.m. March 25, K.W. Make Theater, Libby. Filmmaker George Sible, Libby Dam fish biologist Greg Hoffman and FWP representative Ryan Silvester answer questions afterward. Public invited.
• Kalispell Public Schools Technology Committee meets 8:30 a.m. March 26, administration offices, 233 First Ave. E.
• Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 10 a.m. March 26, Linderman School, 233 First Ave. E, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.
• Teen social for grades 6-12, 4-5:30 p.m. March 26, ImagineIF Library, Kalispell. Crafts is shrink plastic jewelry, food, Wii gaming. Free.
• Kalispell Senior Citizens business meeting, potluck supper and bingo, 5 p.m. March 26, Kalispell Senior Center, 403 Second Ave. W. Bring a potluck dish or pay $3. Call 257-1598.
• Flathead Valley Community College Honors Symposium Series presents Phil Zuckerman on “The Rise of the ‘Nones’: Why More Americans are Becoming Non-religious,” 7-8:30 p.m. March 26, Arts and Technology Building, FVCC. Free. Seating limited. Public welcome. Call Ivan Lorentzen, 756-3864.
• Children ages 6-10 invited to a hands-on architecture project, 2-4 p.m. March 28, ImagineIF libraries in Kalispell and Columbia Falls.
• AARP Smart Driver Course, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 30, Libby Christian Church. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 283-7000.
• 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.
• Sixth annual Glacier Fiddle Festival, 6 p.m. April 10 with dancing and contestant jam; and 9 a.m. and all day, Smith Valley Grange, U.S. 2 West, Kalispell. Public invited. Call 406-309-2735.
• 49th annual Creston Auction April 11-12. Consignment Day is 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 10. Grounds open 8 a.m. April 11; auction, 9 a.m. Vehicle and equipment sale noon April 12. Hot food and drinks. Free parking and entrance. Call 250-7396.
Call 881-4288. Semi-annual Trees to Paper to Trees recycling drive, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 11, Flathead County Fairgrounds, Kalispell. Bring sorted newspapers, magazines, office paper, cardboard, aluminum and plastics.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.