Daybook

Today, Jan. 30

• Red Cross blood drives: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Whitefish High School; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. National Flood.

• Winter Warm-Up: Come in from the Cold community event, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Gateway Community Center, 1203 U.S. 2 W., Kalispell. Enter through north entrance. Winter clothing, sleeping bags, blankets, children’s clothing and books will be given away to those in need. Health, housing, veterans and food resources available. Door prizes for veterans. Children’s activities, entertainment, lunch, workshops. Free. Call 752-7266.

• Top Brazilian math and science students with their FVCC coaches give a presentation on U.S.-Brazil Connect Program, noon to 1 p.m. Arts and Technology Building, FVCC. Free. Public invited. Call Gerda Reeb, 756-3889.

• Pachyderm Club meets noon to 1 p.m., Red Lion Inn, Kalispell. Denise Martin, section supervisor of Montana Hazardous Waste Cleanup Bureau, gives an update on Columbia Falls Community Plant. Lunch available. Public invited. Call Mark Johnson, 253-7467.

Saturday

• “Science of Snow” hike 2 p.m., at Lion Mountain Trailhead, Whitefish Trail. Snow scientist Kim Corette leads a 1- to 2-mile family-friendly hike to new pavilion to discuss snow science. Dress for winter conditions. Call 862-3880.

• Northwest Association for Blind Athletes’ 2015 Paralympic Experience for K-12 students with visual impairments, Hedges Elementary School, Kalispell. Call Billy Henry, 1-360-718-2826.

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.

• Pleasant Valley School board meets 4 p.m.

• Paws to Play new nonprofit group to build an off-leash dog park in Kalispell is meeting, 6:30-8 p.m., ImagineIF Library, Kalispell. All interested welcome. Call 270-1122.

Tuesday

• Creston School board meets at 7:30 a.m.

• AARP Smart Driver Course, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., North Valley Hospital, Whitefish. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 863-3627.

• Agency on Aging public input meeting on needs of seniors, 1 p.m., Lakeside Chapel, 283 Adams St.

• 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.

• Glacier Stamp Club meets 6:30 p.m., basement meeting room, ImagineIF Library, Kalispell. Visitors welcome; glacierstampclubmt@gmail.com

• Montana Coalition for Peace in Israel and Palestine presents a video by author Miko Peled, an Israeli Jew, about the present-day conflict and how to establish justice and peace in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, 6:30 p.m., Whitefish Public Library. Public invited. Call Sam or Ruth Neff, 862-1629.

• Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets 7-8:30 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. Call Denise, 407-4110.

Wednesday

• Agency on Aging public input meeting on needs of seniors, 12:30 p.m., Bigfork Senior Center, 639 Commerce St.

• 2015 Griz Football Signing Day Social, 5:30 p.m., 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, 212-8298.

• Bestselling author Kathy Dunnehoff leads a Grammar Refresher workshop 6-8 p.m., Suite 30, Gateway Community Center, Kalispell. RSVP to 257-7323.

Thursday

• Public workshop for local businesses on government contracting opportunities, 10 a.m. to noon, Room 139, Arts and Technology Building, FVCC. Free. No registration required. Call National Park Service contract specialist Andrea Hannon, 406-570-6408; or Montana West Economic Development advisor Doug Bolender, 257-7711, ext. 5.

• Whitefish Theatre Company invites senior citizens to a free concert featuring Jayme Stone and the Lomax Project, 3-4 p.m., O’Shaughnessy Center, Whitefish. Free transportation, handicapped seating and hearing assistance available for those needing them. Call 862-5371 in advance to arrange.

• Rotary Club of Kalispell presents Trivia Thursday, 6-8 p.m., Brannigan’s Pub, 101 E. Center St., Kalispell. $5 per person; all proceeds benefit Sparrows Nest of NW Montana teen homeless shelter.

• 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., Arts and Technology Building, room 139, FVCC. Free. Public invited. Call Carol Treadwell, 406-387-3847; or Amy Robinson, 406-730-2006.

A look ahead

• 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.

• Whitefish Winter Carnival gala party, 6 p.m. Feb. 6, Whitefish Lake Restaurant. Tickets $60. Call 862-5285.

• Celtic gathering, 6-8 p.m. Feb. 6, 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. Feb. 6, at The River church, 1275 U.S. 2 W., Kalispell. Free admission.

• Literacy Center of Northwest Montana general volunteer training, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 7, Gateway Community Center, Kalispell. RSVP to 257-7323.

• 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.

Veterans outreach and information event, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 7, 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. Feb. 7, before Winter Carnival parade.

• Kalispell Parks and Recreation’s annual Valentine’s Dance, 7-9 p.m. Feb. 7, 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.

• 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.

• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Family Support Group meets 6 p.m. Feb. 9, Pathways, 200 Heritage Way, Kalispell. Call 854-2323.

• Flathead Audubon meets at 7 p.m. Feb. 9, 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. Feb. 9, 133 Interstate Lane, in Evergreen. Call 752-4220.

• AARP Smart Driver Course, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 10, Bigfork Senior Center. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 837-4157.

• Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce membership luncheon, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 10, North Valley Hospital Community Room, 235 Nucleus Ave. No reservations required. Luncheon, $12. Call Carol Pike, 892-2072.

• Women of the Moose Mystery Smorgasbord, 5-7 p.m. Feb. 11, Whitefish Moose Lodge, 230 10 St. Pizza, spaghetti, meatballs, salads, desserts and more. Public invited. Call Carol Ott, 260-8493.

• Flathead Beekeepers meet 6:30 p.m. Feb. 11, Teakettle Community Center, 235 Nucleus Ave., Columbia Falls. Open to anyone with an interest. Call Kathy at 752-9642.

• “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.

• Night for Love Valentine’s Day celebration, 6-9 p.m. Feb. 13, Christ Church, 215 Third Ave. E., Kalispell. Italian chef’s dinner. Silent auction. Live music by FVCC Jazz Ensemble and Tom’s Bluegrass. Tickets $35. Reservations required. Call 406-309-5196.

• Fee free days Feb. 14-16, Glacier National Park. All entrance fees waived in honor of President’s Day weekend.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

• 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.

• 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

 • 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.

• 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.

• 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.