Daybook
Today. Jan. 16
• USDA Rural Development Montana hosts a free workshop, “Making Energy Work for your Rural Business,” 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Flathead Building Association office, 309 Main St., Kalispell. Attendees are on their own for lunch. Seating limited. RSVP to Lad Barney, 756-2005, ext. 118.
• Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• Pachyderm Club meets noon to 1 p.m., Red Lion Inn, Kalispell. Speaker is Paul McKenzie, manager of lands and resources for Stoltz Land and Lumber. Lunch available. Public invited. Call Mark Johnson, 253-7467.
• Flathead County Public Transit planning meeting, 3-5 p.m., Flathead County Health Department, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell. Public input sought on local services. Call 758-5728.]
• Students of Paul Gonsorchik will form 12 bands for a concert, 7 p.m. Canvas Church Activity Center, 255 Summit Ridge Dr., Kalispell. Free. Public invited. Call Gonsorchik, 756-7031.
Saturday
• Montana Shooting Institute and the Liberty Brothers veterans group sponsor a fundraiser for refugees of Northern Iraq at Sykes,’ Kalispell. Breakfast meeting 8:30 a.m. Lewis and Clark Room. General meeting, 10 a.m. downstairs. Free and open to public. Limited seating. Call Jim White, 890-9642.
• AARP Smart Driver Safety class, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 751-4500.
• Glacier Woodturners meet 9 a.m., Hanson Trucking, Columbia Falls. Call 755-1795.
• Bigfork/Ferndale Community Garden winter workshop, 10 a.m., St. Patrick's Episcopal Church across from the Ferndale Fire Department on Montana 209. Master gardener Bob Ford will discuss house plants, crop rotation and cover crops. Free. All welcome.
• Snow Stompers Program series for ages 4-7 starts today, 11 a.m. to noon, Lone Pine State Park near Kalispell. Indoor and outdoor activities teach about winter ecology and wildlife. Cost $4. Call 755-2706, ext. 3.
• Annual Glacier Pachyderm Club officer installation dinner 7 p.m. , Red Lion Hotel Kalispell. Aaron Flint, host of the radio talk show “Voices of Montana” will be guest speaker. Tickets available at Sykes’ or call 253-7460.
• Whitefish Winter Carnival king and queen coronation, 7 p.m., downtown; disco party 9 p.m. Great Northern Bar and Grill. Must be 21 or older, $5 cover. Prizes for best costumes.
Sunday
• Flathead Audubon birding field trip in the Mission Valley. Meet to carpool at 8 a.m. at Somers Park ‘n’ Ride, intersection of U.S. 93 and Montana 83. Bring lunch, binoculars or scope and appropriate clothes. Free. All welcome. To sign up, call Leslie or Bob after 5 p.m. at 837-3837.
Monday
• AARP Smart Driver Safety class, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Libby Christian Church $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 283-7000.
• Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Trinity Lutheran.
• Dementia and Alzheimer’s Support Group meets 3-4:30 p.m., Buffalo Hill Terrace, 40 Claremont St., Kalispell. Sponsored by Immanuel Lutheran Communities. Call Carla Wilton, 752-9624.
• Fair-Mont-Egan School board workshop 4 p.m.; regular meeting, 5 p.m.
• Columbia Falls School board meets at 5 p.m., administration offices boardroom, 501 Sixth Ave. W.; board retreat at 6 p.m. North Forty Resort, 3765 Montana 40, Columbia Falls.
• Love Lives Here annual Martin Luther King Jr., programs 7 p.m. today, Whitefish Performing Arts Center; 7 p.m. Tuesday, Flathead High School auditorium, Kalispell. Jack Gladstone performs. Anna Whiting Sorrell speaks. Crown of the Continent Choir, speeches; presentation of Peace Quilt. Public welcome.
Tuesday
• Kalispell Chamber of Commerce annual meeting luncheon, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., Red Lion Hotel Kalispell. Call 758-2800.
• Red Cross blood drive, 2:30-5:30 p.m. Bethlehem Lutheran Church.
• Flathead Democrats host an event in honor of Martin Luther King Jr., Christ Church Episcopal, 215 Third Ave. E., Kalispell. Dinner catered by El Topo at 5 p.m. Rabbi Allen Secher speaks 5:45 p.m. about the 1964 March of Civil Rights in St. Augustine, Fla. Cost $15 adults; $8 for children 12 and under. RSVP to Karen Reeves, 471-2576.
• Pints for Preservation fundraiser, 5-8 p.m., Kalispell Brewing Company, 412 Main St. Proceeds benefit Northwest Montana Chapter of the Forest Fire Lookout Association. Public invited.
• Kila School board meets 5:30 p.m.
• Love Lives Here annual Martin Luther King Jr., program 7 p.m., Flathead High School auditorium, Kalispell. Jack Gladstone performs. Anna Whiting Sorrell speaks. Crown of the Continent Choir, speeches; presentation of Peace Quilt. Public welcome.
• Helena Flats School board meets at 7 p.m., school library.
• Flathead Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited meets 7 p.m., Fish, Wildlife and Parks building, 490 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Refreshments. Door prize. Biologists from Idaho will discuss Lake Pend Oreille’s lake trout reduction and angler incentive programs. Public welcome. Call Larry Timchak, 250-7473.
Wednesday
• Red Cross blood drive, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Qdoba Mexican Grill, blood mobile.
• Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center Park brown bag luncheon presentation, noon to 1 p.m., West Glacier Community Building, Glacier Park. Glacier Park Superintendent Jeff Mow and ecologist Dan Fagre will discuss their experience at the World Parks Congress in Sydney, Australia, last fall. Free. Open to public. Call 888-5827.
Health Insurance Marketplace counselors answer questions and help the public apply, 3-7 p.m., ImagineIF Library, Kalispell.
A look ahead
• Agency on Aging public input meeting on needs of seniors, 12:30 p.m. Jan. 22, Whitefish Community Center, 121 Second St. E.
• Kalispell Public Schools Technology and Information Committee meets 8:30 a.m. Jan. 22, administration offices, 233 First Ave. E.
• Red Cross blood drives Jan. 22: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. FVCC, blood mobile; 1-5:30 p.m. Marion Volunteer Fire Department.
• Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 10 a.m. Jan. 22, Linderman School, 233 First Ave. E, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.
• Luncheon fundraiser to build a home for Native American single mothers and their children, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 22, KwaTaqNuk Resort, Polson; www.facebook.com/thenestmontana
• Teen social for grades 6-12, 4-5:30 p.m. Jan. 22, ImagineIF Library, Kalispell. Crafts, food, Wii gaming. Free.
• Columbia Falls School board Insurance Committee meets at 4 p.m., administration offices boardroom, 501 Sixth Ave. W.
• Polson Shooter’s Association annual general membership meeting for members and those interested in joining, Jan. 22, Polson VFW. Social hour with no-host bar 5 p.m. Spaghetti dinner 6 p.m.; meeting follows. Cost $5; waived if joining or renewing membership. Call Rob St. Clair, 883-1110; or Mauri Morin, 249-2250.
• Glacier Institute hosts a lecture by Sumio Harada titled, “Glacier’s Iconic Mountain Goats,” Jan. 22, 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.
• Rebecca Jorgenson presents a program on arm knitting, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 22, Whitefish Community Library. Bring two skeins of bulky yarn and make a scarf in less than an hour.
• Red Cross blood drives Jan. 23, 10 a.m. 2 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Rosauers, blood mobile.
• Jay Asher, author of “Thirteen Reasons Why,” will give a presentation at 10:15 a.m. Jan. 23, at the Whitefish Middle School Performing Arts Center, as part of a 50 States Against Bullying suicide prevention campaign. Public invited.
• Agency on Aging public input meeting on needs of seniors, 1 p.m. Jan. 23, Agency on Aging office, 160 Kelly Road, Kalispell.
• Flathead Lake International Cinemafest (FLIC) Jan. 23-25, Polson.
• Pancake breakfast fundraiser, 8-11 a.m. Jan. 24, Kalispell Senior Center, 403 Second Ave. W. Pancakes, sausage, eggs, juice and coffee, $6 per person. Everyone welcome.
• Health Insurance Marketplace offers free assistance to enroll or renew coverage 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 24, North Valley Community Center, Columbia Falls. Call 758-2165.
• Red Cross blood drive, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 24, Best Buy, blood mobile.
• Whitefish Winter Carnival skijoring competition, noon to 5 p.m. Jan. 24-25, Whitefish Airport. Free admission; $5 parking fee benefits Human Therapy on Horseback and winter carnival.
• Paws to Play new nonprofit group forming to build an off-leash dog park in Kalispell has its first meeting, 1-3 p.m. Jan. 24, ImagineIF Library, Kalispell. All interested welcome. Call 270-1122.
• Whitefish Winter Carnival Frey and Freya coronation 7 p.m. Jan. 24, Whitefish High School gym at Bulldogs game half-time.
• John White Lecture Series presents Cliff and Lynda Collins and Bill and Lois McClaren on “Flathead Memories,” 2:30 p.m. Jan. 25, Museum at Central School, 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Tickets $6 for museum members; $9 for nonmembers. Limited tickets at door. Call 756-8381.
• AARP Smart Driver Safety class, noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 26; $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 892-4087.
• Red Cross blood drive, 12:30-5:30 p.m. Jan. 26 at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• Agency on Aging public input meeting on needs of seniors, 1 p.m. Jan. 26, North Valley Senior Center, 205 Nucleus Ave., Columbia Falls.
• Whitefish High School foreign exchange students talk about their lives in their native countries and experiences in Whitefish, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 26, Whitefish Community Library.
• The Flathead Conservation District meets at 7 p.m. Jan. 26, 133 Interstate Lane, in Evergreen. Call 752-4220.
• Glacier National Park Associates Winter Speaker series presents Lisa Bate, Glacier Park wildlife biologist on “Glacier’ Elusive Night Creatures — Bats,” 7 p.m. Jan. 26, Museum at Central School, Kalispell. Free. Public invited. Call 756-8992.
• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m. Jan. 27, Polson Methodist Church.
• Kalispell Public Schools district board special meeting and work session 6 p.m. Jan. 27, Kalispell Middle School Library.
• Lakeside Community Council meets 7 p.m. Jan. 27, QRU Building, 201 Bills Road. Open to public.
• Red Cross blood drive, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 28, Glacier High School.
• “Repair It Yourself” free program on weatherization by Community Action Partnership of Montana, 5:15-6 p.m. Jan. 28, ImagineIF library, Kalispell. Tools provided.
• Red Cross blood drive 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 29, Kalispell City Council chambers.
• Health Insurance Marketplace offers free assistance to enroll or renew coverage 1-5 p.m. Jan. 29, North Valley Professional Office Building. Call 758-2165.
• Red Cross blood drives Jan. 30: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Whitefish High School; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. National Flood.
• Agency on Aging public input meeting on needs of seniors, 1 p.m. Feb. 3, Lakeside Chapel, 283 Adams St.
• Agency on Aging public input meeting on needs of seniors, 12:30 p.m. Feb. 4, Bigfork Senior Center, 639 Commerce St.
• 2015 Griz Football Signing Day Social, 5:30 p.m. Feb. 4, Hilton Garden Inn, Kalispell. New football coach Bob Stitt and Director of Athletic Ken Haslam will be present. Light appetizers, no-host bar. Admission $10. Call Susan Munsinger with Flathead Chapter of the Grizzly Scholarship Association, 2122-8298.
• Whitefish Theatre Company invites senior citizens to a free concert featuring Jayme Stone and the Lomax Project, 3-4 p.m. Feb. 5, O’Shaughnessy Center, Whitefish. Free transportation, handicapped seating and hearing assistance available for those needing them. Call 862-5371 in advance to arrange.
• Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation and Montana Wilderness Association Wilderness Speaker Series presents Deb Mucklow, district ranger and Bob Marshall Complex manager on “Wilderness Management 101” 7-8:30 p.m. Feb. 5, Arts and Technology Building, room 139, FVCC. Free. Public invited. Call Carol Treadwell, 406-387-3847; or Amy Robinson, 406-730-2006.
• Whitefish Winter Carnival gala party, 6 p.m. Feb. 6, Whitefish Lake Restaurant. Tickets $60. Call 862-5285.
• Penguin Plunge 11 a.m. Feb. 7, Whitefish City Beach. Pie social 1-3 p.m. St. Charles Catholic Church. Whitefish Winter Carnival Grand Parade, 3-6 p.m.
• Whitefish Winter Carnival Rotary pancake breakfast, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 8, Whitefish Moose Lodge, 230 W. 10th St.
• 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. Feb. 8, Museum at Central School, 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Tickets $6 for museum members; $9 for nonmembers. Limited tickets at door. Call 756-8381.
• “The Vagina Monologues” performances Feb. 12-13, 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.
• West Valley Naturalist program 7 p.m. Feb. 12, West Valley School library, Kalispell. Steve Alejandro presents “The Buzz about Bees. Free. Everyone welcome. Call Linda de Kort, 755-3704.
• Fee free days Feb. 14-16, Glacier National Park. All entrance fees waived in honor of President’s Day weekend.
• 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.
• Lakeside County Water and Sewer district board meets 2 p.m. Feb. 17, district meeting room, 253 Bierney Creek Road.
• Montana Pond Hockey Classic, Feb. 20-22, Foys Lake near Kalispell.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 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.
• 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.