Thursday

The 11th annual First Night Flathead will continue to offer nonalcoholic, family-style events on Thursday, Dec. 31, New Year’s Eve, at venues in Kalispell and Columbia Falls.The Tropical Montana Marimba Ensemble will play during the countdown to midnight at the Red Lion Hotel ballroom in Kalispell.Andre Floyd and Mood Iquana will lead the countdown to midnight at Discovery Square in Columbia Falls. Children’s activities will be offered at the Kalispell Center Mall and the Red Lion Hotel ballroom beginning at 3 p.m. Buttons for admission to all First Night Flathead events cost $12 in advance and $16 at the door. Admission for children under-6 is free. A portion of the proceeds will go to Glacier National Park Fund’s Centennial Campaign. For a complete schedule and more information, visit online at www.firstnightflathead.org.

Friday

The Missoula Maulers hockey team will play the Helena Bighorns at the Stumptown Ice Den on Friday, Jan. 1, at 7:30 p.m. Only 500 tickets will be sold. For ticket information, visit online at www.missoulamaulers.com or call 406-830-3264.

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

The Whitefish Theatre Company will hold auditions for its winter production of “The Clean House” at the O’Shaughnessy on Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 4 and 5, at 7 p.m. This extraordinary play by an exciting new voice in American drama, Sarah Ruhl, will be presented March 4-7 and 12-14. The story of married doctors Lane and Charles, who employ a Brazilian housekeeper named Matilde who is more interested in coming up with the perfect joke than in cleaning, was runner-up for the Pulitzer Prize in Drama. This modern work, directed by Nancy Nei, is a warm-hearted look at class, comedy and the nature of love. Five characters are needed. Scripts are available at the Whitefish Library. For more information, call Nei at 862-5371 ext. 224.

Trout Unlimited will offer a fly-tying class at the Kalispell Middle School library on Jan. 4, 11 and 25 and Feb. 1 and 8 from 7 to 9 p.m. Instruction for beginners as well as advanced tyers will be available. Trout Unlimited will furnish all the necessary tying materials and hooks. Each student should provide their own tools and tying vise. Loaner equipment will be available. For more information, call 837-3210 or e-mail at sallyjim@centurytel.net.

The Flathead National Forest and Glacier Country Avalanche Center will sponsor an advanced avalanche awareness class for skiers, snowboarders, snowshoers and mountaineers. The classes will take place at the Flathead Forest Supervisor’s Office on Jan. 4-16, with field sessions on Jan. 9 and 16. A class for snowmobilers will be held Jan. 25 and 27, and Feb. 1 and 3, with field sessions on Jan. 30 and Feb. 6. Additional topics will be presented throughout the winter. For more information, call 758-5295 or visit online at www.glacieravalanche.org.

Tuesday

Wednesday