No headline

TODay

- AARP Driver Safety Course, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 751-4500.

- FVCC art show and sale, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. today through Dec. 6, Arts and Technology building, second floor lobby. Ceramics, jewelry and more. Call David Regan, 756-3993.

- Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

TuesDay

- Creston School board meets 7:30 a.m.

- Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5:30 p.m. Bigfork Church of Latter-day Saints.

- Pleasant Valley School board meets 5:45 p.m.

Wednesday

- Friendship Force of the Flathead meets 9 a.m. for breakfast at Sykes. All welcome. Call Carol, 270-9599

- ImagineIF Libraries board meets at 9:30 a.m., Bigfork branch library, 525 Electric Av. Call Kim Crowley, 758-5826.

- Fundraiser for Community Action Partnership of Northwest Montana, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Staggering Ox, Kalispell. Twenty percent of day’s proceeds go toward homelessness prevention efforts.

- Flathead Landlord Association meets 11:15 a.m., Perkins Restaurant, 1320 U.S. 2 E., Kalispell. Open to public.

- Free Falun Dafa Qigong instruction easy-to-learn exercise instruction for all ages, 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays in December, Kalispell Senior Center, 40 11th St. W. Call Katherine, 257-9798.

- Red Cross blood drives: 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. St. John Paul II Church, Bigfork sponsored by Knights of Columbus; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Black Mountain Software, Polson.

- Flathead Chapter of National Active and Retired Federal Employees meets at noon, Buffalo Room, Buffalo Hill Terrace, Kalispell. Social time, 11:30 a.m. Lunch available for $8. Call Doris Warrant, 752-8026.

- Transit planning meeting, 4-6 p.m., South Campus conference room, 40 11th St. W., Kalispell. County residents invited to give input on public transit service in Flathead County.

- FVCC Music Department student concert with chamber and choral ensembles and orchestra, 7 p.m., Arts and Technology Building. Free. Public invited. Cal Nicole Sanford. 756-4813.

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 $22.50 for all (December special). Call Kathy Prim, 751-4500.

- Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4:15 p.m., Genesis Healthcare, blood mobile.

- Flathead High School Choir and Choral Aires give a free holiday concert, noon, First Presbyterian Church, 540 S. Main St., Kalispell. All welcome.

- Local attorney Tom Hoover gives a talk about important legal issues concerning seniors, 1 p.m. Kalispell Senior Center, 40 11th St. W. Free. Open to public. Call Kathy, 257-1598.

- Anime Club for teens in grades six to 12 meets 4-5:30 p.m., ImagineIF Library, Kalispell. Show is “Noragami.”

- Montana Wilderness Association and Headwaters Montana annual holiday party, 6-8 p.m. Whitefish Community Center, 121 E. Second St. Hors d’oeuvres, beverages. Screening of documentary “Bud’s Place.” Free. Public invited. Call 406-284-1747.

A look ahead

- Red Cross blood drives Dec. 8: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. MacKenzie River North, Kalispell.

- Kalispell Vet Center’s annual holiday open house, noon to 3 p.m. Dec. 8, Kalispell Vet Center, 690 North Meridian Road, Suite 101, Kalispell. Meet the staff, tour expanded facility, learn about programs and services. All welcome. Call 267-7308.

- Glacier Pachyderm Club meets noon to 1 p.m. Dec. 8, Sykes, 202 Second Ave. W., Kalispell. Sen. Bob Keenan discusses taxpayer costs with Medicaid expansion; www.gcpachy.org

- FVCC Conference on Student Research Dec. 8, Arts and Technology Building. Posters exhibited 1-2 p.m. in foyer. Student presentations 2-4 p.m. in classrooms. Call Christina Relyea, 756-3946.

- Whitefish Christmas Stroll, 5:30-9 p.m. Dec. 8, Central Avenue. Music, tree lighting ceremony, fire jugglers, carolers, photos, street vendors. Call 862-3501.

Thought

“Beauty is the promise of happiness.” — Stendahl (Henri Beyle), French author and critic (1783-1842).

- Annual Christmas at Our House free Christmas dinner, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 9, Expo Building, Flathead County Fairgrounds, Kalispell. Santa brings presents for children. All welcome. No registration needed. Call 261-1398.

- Flathead Audubon Shop with Birds event, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 9, Sportsman & Ski Haus, Kalispell. Entertaining, educational live program on bird facts, stories and more.

- Open house reception for new art exhibit “Making Our World More Beautiful: The Collection of Sam and Jean Bibler,” 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 9, Hockaday Museum of Art, 302 Second ve. E., Kalispell. Talk at noon; tour 1 p.m. Free admission.

- Laira Fonner presents a program with photos on her 2008 travel experience, titled, “Focus on Iran” 1 p.m. Dec. 9, Whitefish Community Library. Short video clips of Rick Steves’ TV program will also be shown. Public invited.

Columbia Falls Tea Party at local businesses around town and Columbia Falls Library. Free tea and cookies. Local authors will be signing and selling their books. Call Nan McKenzie, 892-0055.

- Kalispell Holiday Parade, 5 p.m. Dec. 9, downtown, Main Street.

- Sparrow’s Nest of Northwest Montana annual sleep out fundraiser, 7 p.m. Dec. 9 to 7 a.m. Dec. 10, St. Peter Lutheran Church, 201 Wisconsin Ave., Whitefish. Sponsors and participants in helping raise awareness about homeless teens may call 406-309-5196.

- Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m. Dec. 11, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

- West Valley School board meets 5 p.m. Dec. 11.

- Flathead Audubon meets at 7 p.m. Dec. 11, in the United Way conference room, Gateway Community Center, U.S. 2 West, Kalispell. Craig Hohenberger and Pete Fisher will discuss annual Christmas Bird Count. Enter from west side of building. Free. All welcome.

- Flathead Conservation District 310 Stream Permit meeting 7 p.m. Dec. 11, 133 Interstate Lane, in Evergreen. Call 752-4220.

- Kalispell Women’s Connection Winter Wonderland tea, 11:30 a.m Dec. 12., meeting room of Victory Baptist Church, 1830 Montana 35. Music by Rosainne Taylor. Guest speaker. Cost $8 per person. Food bank donations accepted. Call Susan, 253-7243, or Rosainne, 257-8098, for lunch and free child care reservations. Affiliated with Stonecroft Ministries.

- Christmas Trolley tours of Kalispell’s historic East Side, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 12-13, from Museum at Central School, 124 Second Ave. E. Arrive early for refreshments and tour museum. Tickets $20 adults; $10, children under 12, available only at the museum.

- Gislason Family Chiropractic holiday toy drive, Dec. 12-13, 5875 U.S. 93 A, Whitefish. On Dec. 12 new patients receive a complete initial exam, including any necessary X-rays, in exchange for a cash payment of $50; On Dec. 13, established patients receive a complimentary chiropractic adjustment in exchange for one, new unwrapped today. All toys and proceeds donated to CASA for Kids.

- Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets 7-8:30 p.m. Dec. 12, The Summit, Kalispell. Call Joan Schmidt, 871-1008.

- Flathead County Trail Plan update meeting, 8:30-10:30 a.m. Dec. 13, 40 11th St. W., Kalispell.

- Columbia Falls Women’s Connection Christmas Tea, 11:30 a.m., Dec. 13, North Valley Hospital Community Room, 235 Nucleus Ave., Columbia Falls. Guest speaker and Christmas music. Cost $8 per person. Free child care by reservation. Call Candy at 387-4119. Affiliated with Stonecroft Ministries.

- Flathead Valley Community Band and New Horizons Band present a “Christmas Spectacular II” 7:30 p.m. Dec.13, Red Lion Hotel Ballroom. Public invited. Free will donation.

- Senior Tour and Tea, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 14, Hockaday Museum of Art, 302 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Free admission for senior citizens. Docent tour 10:30 a.m. Call 755-5268.

- Teen social for grades 6-12, 4-5:30 p.m. Dec. 14, ImagineIF Library, Kalispell. Food, Wii gaming. Craft is wire wrapping pendants. Free. Public invited.

- Northwest Posse of Westerners shows the film classic, “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance,” based on short story of the late Dorothy Johnson of Whitefish, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 14, Museum at Central School, 124 Second Ave. EN, Kalispell.

- Mission Mountain Audubon meets 7 p.m. Dec. 14, Polson City Library meeting room. Ceth Eslick will discuss “Montana’s Energy Choices.” Free. All welcome.

- Red Cross Blood Drive, 11:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Dec. 15, Gateway Community Center, 1203 U.S. 2 W., Kalispell. Call United Way office to schedule an appointment at 752-7266.

- Immanuel Lutheran Communities hosts a wellness presentation geared for seniors, “Festive Holiday Crafting” 2-3:30 p.m. Dec. 15, Buffalo Hill Terrace, 40 Claremont St., Kalispell. Free. Call 752-9624.

- Museum at Central School annual Christmas open house and quilt raffle, 5-7 p.m. Dec. 15, 124 Second Ave. W., Kalispell. Hot chocolate, cookies, refreshments. School Bell Gift Shop open. “Garden of Flowers” quilt raffle. Free. Call 756-8381.

- Whitefish Women of the Moose monthly meal, 5-7 p.m. Dec. 20, Moose Lodge 230 W. 10th St. Ham dinner with all the trimmings. Call Carol, 260-8493.

- Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 9 a.m. Dec. 21, 15 Meridian Court, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.

- Mom’s Christmas dinner, 2-5 p.m. Dec. 25, Columbia Falls Senior Center, 205 Nucleus Ave., Columbia Falls. No charge. All welcome.

- Community Kitchen-Feeding the Flathead free Christmas dinner, 6 p.m., Dec. 25, Christ Church Episcopal, 215 Third Ave. E., Kalispell.

- Canyon Community Christmas dinner, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Dec. 28, Hungry Horse School. Free. All welcome. Call Flo, 250-3406; or Luann, 261-1083.

- Marion Fire District board meets at 5 p.m. Dec. 28, Marion Community Center, 180 Gopher Lane. Public welcome.

- West Valley School board meets 5 p.m. Jan. 8.

- Flathead Conservation District 310 Stream Permit meeting 7 p.m. Jan. 8, 133 Interstate Lane, in Evergreen. Call 752-4220.

- Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets 7-8:30 p.m. Jan. 9, The Summit, Kalispell. Call Joan, 871-1008.

- Flathead Special Education Cooperative Management board and Executive Council meets at noon Jan. 18, 15 Meridian Court, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.

- Annual Montana Pond Hockey Classic, Jan.19-21, Foy’s Lake, near Kalispell. Up to 80 teams compete on several ice rinks. Concessions.

- Flathead Conservation District business meeting, 7 p.m. Jan. 22, 133 Interstate Lane, Kalispell, 752-4220.

- Winter Warm Up event, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jan. 25, Gateway Community Center, 1203 U.S. 2 W., Kalispell. Free winter clothing, blankets, health, housing and job services, hair cuts, and ID replacement. Free hot meal served 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., children’s activities, educational sessions and more.

- Cancer Support Community Mardi Gras Gala, Feb. 10, Red Lion Hotel ballroom, Kalispell. Zydeco music and dancing, dinner, games, silent auction. Tickets $100 each, $150 per couple, $750 per table; www.csckalispell.org

- West Valley School board meets 5 p.m. Feb. 12.

- Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets 7-8:30 p.m. Feb. 13, The Summit, Kalispell. Call Joan, 871-1008.

- Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets at noon. Feb. 15, 15 Meridian Court, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.

- West Valley School board meets 5 p.m. March 12

- Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets 7-8:30 p.m. March 13, The Summit, Kalispell. Call Joan, 871-1008..

- Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets at noon March 15, 15 Meridian Court, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.

- West Valley School board meets 5 p.m. April 9.

- Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets 7-8:30 p.m. April 10, The Summit, Kalispell. Call Joan, 871-1008.

- Flathead Special Education Cooperative Management board and Executive Council meets at noon April 19, 15 Meridian Court, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.

- West Valley School board meets 5 p.m. May 14

- Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets at noon May 17, 15 Meridian Court, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.

- West Valley School board meets 5 p.m. June 11.

- Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets 7-8:30 p.m. June 12, The Summit, Kalispell. Call Joan, 871-1008.

- Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets at 9 a.m. June 14, 15 Meridian Court, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.

- Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets 7-8:30 p.m. July 10, The Summit, Kalispell. Call Joan, 871-1008.

- Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets 7-8:30 p.m. Aug. 14, The Summit, Kalispell. Call Joan, 871-1008.

- Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets 7-8:30 p.m. Sept. 11, The Summit, Kalispell. Call Joan, 871-1008.

- Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets 7-8:30 p.m. Oct. 9, The Summit, Kalispell. Call Joan, 871-1008.

- Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets 7-8:30 p.m. Nov. 13, The Summit, Kalispell. Call Joan, 871-1008.

- Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets 7-8:30 p.m. Dec. 11, The Summit, Kalispell. Call Joan, 871-1008.