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TODay

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

- Northwest Montana Fair officially opens 9 a.m., Flathead County Fairgrounds, Kalispell. McDonald’s Kids and Senior Citizens Day. All 12 and under and 65 and older get in free. Carnival noon to 10 p.m. Mutton Bustin’, 7 p.m. Grandstand. PRCA Rodeo 7:30 p.m.

- Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Libby VFW.

- Community Action Partnership of Northwest Montana fundraiser 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Dickie’s BBQ, Kalispell. Mention “CAP Fundraiser” when paying. Twenty percent of sales go toward homelessness prevention efforts.

- Flathead City-County Board of Health meets 2-4 p.m., administration office, Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. E., Kalispell.

- Pints with Purpose, 4 p.m. to closing, Great Northern Brewing Company, Whitefish. $1 of every pint sold donated to Whitefish Legacy Partners Close the Loop Project.

- Friendship Force of the Flathead meets 5 p.m., at the seniors tent at the Northwest Montana Fair. Seniors admission is free to the fair and discounted rodeo tickets will be for sale at the seniors tent. Call Carol, 270-9599.

- Polson Chamber of Commerce Splash, 5-7 p.m., Riverside Recreation, 412 Second St. W., Polson. Open to public. Call 883-5969.

- Canyon Community Dinner, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Hungry Horse School. Menu includes enchiladas, pork and beans, rice, fruit salad. All welcome. Call Flo, 250-3406; or Luann, 261-1083.

friDay

- Kalispell Public Schools Finance Committee meets 7:30 a.m., district office, 233 First Ave. E.

- Red Cross blood drives: 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. KRMC; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

- Northwest Montana Fair parade 10 a.m., downtown Kalispell. Carnival 1-10 p.m. Mutton Bustin’ 7 p.m. Grandstand, PRCA Rodeo 7:30 p.m., Flathead County Fairgrounds, Kalispell.

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

- Grandfamilies of Montana Inc. meets at 7 p.m. today at the Northwest Montana Fair, Flathead County Fairgrounds. Call 300-1268.

Saturday

- Flathead Lake 5K, 10 a.m., Volunteer Park, Lakeside. Proceeds benefit Flathead Lakers. Register at runsignup.com

- Northwest Montana Fair continues today and Sunday, Flathead County Fairgrounds, Kalispell. Carnival noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. Mutton Bustin 7 p.m. Grandstand. PRCA Rodeo 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Demolition Derby 6 p.m. Sunday.

- Love Lives Here presents the Love Not Hate summer block party, 4-9 p.m., The Coop, Columbia Falls. Family-friendly event featuring live music, cultural performances, and talks by diverse Montana leaders, local food trucks and beverages, activities for children. Free admission. All welcome.

- Northwest Posse of Westerners hosts a walking tour and presentation on the Wilhelm Reimer property and Parkland Bookstore, 4-6 p.m., 850 Lake Blaine Road, Creston RSVP to 752-4464.

- Celtic acoustic musicians Willson & McKee in concert 7 p.m., Kintla Camp event room, Montana House, Apgar Village, Glacier Park. $5 admission. For reservations, call 888-5393.

Sunday

- Glacier Park annual alumni picnic, 11 a.m., Park Headquarters Community Building, West Glacier. Potluck so bring a dish to share. In case of inclement weather, picnic will be held indoors.

- Free Solar Eclipse Pre-Party, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Coop, Columbia Falls. Family-oriented educational eclipse demonstrations, crafts, activities climbing wall, photo booth, raffle, silent auction. Eclipse viewing glasses sold. Proceeds raise funds for proposed Glacier Children’s Museum.

- Northwest Montana Fair, Flathead County Fairgrounds, Kalispell. Demolition Derby 6 p.m.

thought

“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle, or the mirror that reflects it.” — Edith Wharton, American author (1862-1937).

- Doggie Dayz of Summer and Puppy Pool Party event, 2-7 p.m., Woodland Park, Kalispell. Dog/human relay race, photo boot, vendors, food trucks, peanut butter licking pet tricks and cutest dog contests; $5 each. Free admission. Pool opens to dogs at 4:30 p.m. $5 per dog and one human, $2 each additional people.

- Look, Listen, Learn speaker series presents plein air painter Nicholas Oberling who gives a painting demonstration and answers audience questions, 5-8 p.m., Kintla Camp Room, Montana House, Apgar Village, Glacier Park. Reception follows. Free; reservations required. Call 888-5393.

Monday

- AARP Driver Safety Course, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Libby Christian Church. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 283-7000.

- Northwest Montana Chapter of the Fire Fighter Lookout Association and Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation co-host an eclipse viewing at, 9 a.m. to noon, Firefighter Mountain Lookout. Limited attendance. $50 donation requested. Call 387-3822 to sign up.

- Solar eclipse block party, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., North Lake County Public Library, Polson. Book sale 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Kids’ crafts, educational displays, music and more. Limited seating; bring a lawn chair. $5 hot dog lunch available.

- Viewing solar eclipse, 10:30 a.m. noon, FVCC campus lawn in front of Rebecca Chaney Broussard Center for Nursing and Health Science. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Limited number of viewing glass will be available. Free and open to public.

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

- 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.

- Northwest Montana Posse of Westerners presents a program by Ellen Baumler of the Montana Historical Society titled, “Camels on the Mullan Road: Ships of the Desert in Montana,” Red Lion Hotel Kalispell. Greeting time 5:30 p.m.; dinner 6:15 p.m. Cost $19 includes presentation. Program starts at 7 p.m., free for posse members and youth under 16; $5 for nondinner walk-in nonmembers. For dinner reservations, call 406-407-6189.

- Somers School District board meets 6 p.m., Lakeside Elementary School.

Tuesday

- Glacier Rail Park groundbreaking ceremony 10 a.m., 801 Whitefish Stage, Kalispell. Follow signs for parking. Public invited.

- Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., Eureka Baptist Church.

- Last Best Outdoors Fest celebration of Montana’s outdoor economy, 4-8 p.m., The Coop, Columbia Falls. Sen. Jon Tester and other speakers. Beer garden, food, kids’ activities. Live music the The Cold Hard Cash Show and The Loose String Band.

- Kalispell Public Schools district board special meeting and work session 6 p.m., Kalispell Middle School Library.

Wednesday

- ImagineIF Libraries board meets at 9 a.m., meeting room, Kalispell. Call Kim Crowley, 758-5826.

- Grand opening ceremony of FVCC’s Founders Hall new on-campus student housing building, 4:30 to 6 p.m. Ribbon cutting, guided tours, refreshments. Live music by guitarist Steve Eckels. Free. Public invited.

- Open house for Wisconsin Avenue Corridor Plan, 5-7 p.m., Whitefish City Hall council chambers.

A look ahead

- Kalispell Public Schools IT Committee meets 8:30 a.m. Aug. 24, district office, 233 First Ave. E.

- Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 9 a.m. Aug. 24, 15 Meridian Court, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.

- Red Cross Leaders Save Lives blood drive, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Aug. 24 at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

- Deer Park School final community open house, 6-8 p.m. Aug. 24.

- Look, Listen, Learn speaker series presents a presentation by Steven Thompson, chairman of Climate Smart Glacier Country, titled “Climate Change in the Crown of the Continent,” 7 p.m. Aug. 24, Kintla Camp Room, Montana House, Apgar Village, Glacier Park. Reception follows. Free; reservations required. Call 888-5393.

- Red Cross blood drives Aug. 25: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell; 11 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Prestige Assisted Living; noon to 4:15 p.m. Genesis Healthcare, blood mobile.

Whitefish Trail Hootenanny Music Festival, 5-9 p.m. Aug. 25, Depot Park, Whitefish. Live music, kids’ activities including bike obstacle course, climbing wall, jumping stations. Food vendors, beer. Tickets $15 in advance; $20 at gate; kids 12 and under, free; www.montanatickets.com

- West Shore community bratwurst dinner, 5-6:30 p.m. Aug. 25, the Gathering Place 238 Adams St., Lakeside. Free of charge to anyone. Families welcome.

- Montana State University Road Show, 6 p.m. Aug. 25, Museum at Central School, 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Faculty members talk about their innovations from driverless cars and tiny house to Native health and nanotechnology. Free. Public invited.

- AARP Driver Safety Course, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 26, Gateway Community Center, Kalispell. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 752-7266.

- Free admission for women and children Aug. 26, to Hockaday Museum of Art, Kalispell. Sponsored by Soroptimist International of Whitefish.

- Polson Shooters Association Free Shoot Day, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 26, 38386 Kerr Dam Road, Polson. Sight in rifles and handguns. Free hamburger, hot dog lunch. Call Rob, 883-1110; or Mauri, 249-2250.

- Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Aug. 26, Best Buy, blood mobile.

- Pheasants Forever annual banquet Aug. 26, Hilton Garden Inn, 1840 U.S. 93 S., Kalispell. Cocktails 5 p.m.; dinner 6:30 p.m. Live and silent auctions, raffles, games. For tickets, call Dallas, 406-890-1484. Proceeds support Youth Shooting League.

- Annual Big Arm Barn Dance, 5:30-9 p.m. Aug. 26, Big Arm School. Music by Ken’s Country Combo. Hamburger dinner; donations accepted. Gift baskets raffle. All welcome. Call N. Foster, 849-50664.

- Rubber Duck Regatta fundraiser for the Flathead Food Bank, 1-4 p.m. Aug. 27, Lawrence Park, Kalispell. Buy rubber ducks to race down Stillwater River. Children’s, families, individual and business races and prizes. Winners need not be present. Mobile duck “adoption” centers will be parked at area groceries. Community celebration with food vendors, live music, kids’ activities and more.

- Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m. Aug. 28 at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

- Flathead Conservation District business meeting, 7 p.m. Aug. 28, 133 Interstate Lane, Kalispell, 752-4220.

- Medicare 101 class, 1-3 p.m. Aug. 29, Flathead County South Campus, 40 11th St. W., Kalispell. Representatives guide through health insurance basics. Call 758-5730.

- Lakeside Community Council meets 7 p.m. Aug. 29, QRU Building, 201 Bills Road. Open to public.

- Crown of the Continent Guitar Festival, Aug. 29-Sept. 2, Flathead Lake Lodge, Bigfork. Five nights of concerts by world-renowned musicians and students. Food and drink available. For tickets, call 855-855-5900 or www.crownguitarfest.org.

- Red Cross blood drives Aug. 30: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Flathead County Health Department; 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Park Side Credit Union, Whitefish.

- Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Aug. 31 Immanuel Lutheran Communities.

- Flathead Combined Training Association Horse Show, 9 a.m. Sept. 2, Herron Park, near Kalispell. Dressage, jumping, obstacle challenge. Spectators welcome. Free.

- Rumble in the Bay Classic Car Show, Sept. 2-3, Bigfork. Poker run 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 2, around Flathead Lake. Show & Shine, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 3, downtown Bigfork. Rumble Over the Bay fly-in, Sept. 3, Ferndale Airport. Pancake breakfast, 8 a.m. to noon. Free shuttle to/from Bigfork. Free airplane rides for kids ages 8-17 from 9 a.m. to noon. Call Jesse, 406-260-8385 or www.bigforkrumble.com

- Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets 7-8:30 p.m. Sept. 5, The Summit, Kalispell. Call Joan Schmidt, 871-1008.

- Community Foundation for a Better Bigfork annual fundraising auction, 5 p.m. Sept. 7, Garden Bar, Bigfork. Free food, beer and wine. Auction of art, gift certificates, get-aways.

- Traveling half-scale replica of Vietnam Memorial Wall on display 24/7 in Kalispell Sept. 7-10. Opening ceremonies 10 a.m. Sept. 7. Closing ceremonies 5:30 p.m. Sept. 10.

- Nooks and Crannies Tour, 9 a.m. Sept. 9, Conrad Mansion Museum, 330 Woodland Ave., Kalispell, $28 per person. Reservations required. Call 755-2166.

- Whitefish Community Foundation Great Fish Community Challenge community celebration and Great Fish 5K Color Run, Sept. 9, Depot Park, Whitefish. Call 863-1781.

- Mission Mountain Winery Dayton Day free program to learn about food and wine pairings, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 9, 82420 U.S. 93 S., Dayton. All welcome.

- Organist Susan Neilson of Bigfork performs a benefit concert, 3 p.m. Sept. 10, Bethany Lutheran Church, corner of Montana 35 and 209, Bigfork. Free admission; donations accepted toward PEO women’s scholarship program. Meet the artist coffee social follows.

- West Valley School board meets 5 p.m. Sept. 11,

- Immanuel Lutheran Communities hosts a wellness presentation geared for seniors, “Medicare 101” 2-3:30 p.m. Sept. 15, Buffalo Hill Terrace, 40 Claremont St., Kalispell. Free. Call 752-9624.

- AARP Driver Safety Course, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 16, The Summit, Kalispell. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 751-4500.

- Walk MS event, Sept. 16, Lawrence Park, Kalispell. Check-in 9 a.m.; walk begins 10 a.m. Register at www.walkms.org or call 855-372-1331.

- Deer Park School Improvement Bond election Sept. 19.

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

- Big Ski Chair Affair, 7 p.m. Sept. 21, Craggy Range Bar & Grill, Whitefish. Auction of 10 decorated vintage quad lift chairs. Fundraiser for SNOW Bus.

- AARP Driver Safety Course, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 23, Swan Lake Chapel, Swan Lake. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 756-8885.

- AARP Driver Safety Course, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 25, Libby Christian Church, Libby. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 751-4500.

- AARP Driver Safety Course, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 25, Gateway Community Center, Kalispell. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 752-7266.

- Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets 7-8:30 p.m. Oct. 3, The Summit, Kalispell. Call Joan Schmidt, 871-1008.

- Mission Mountain Winery vertical tasting and free program to learn about food and wine pairings, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 7, 82420 U.S. 93 S., Dayton. All welcome.

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

- Treasures and Tombstones Family History Conference, 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Oct. 14, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1380 Whitefish Stage Road, Kalispell. Choose from 17 free classes. Public wlecome. Register at flatheadgenealogy.org

- Nooks and Crannies Tour, 9 a.m. Oct. 14, Conrad Mansion Museum, 330 Woodland Ave., Kalispell, $28 per person. Reservations required. Call 755-2166.

- Immanuel Lutheran Communities hosts a wellness presentation geared for seniors, “ Winter Ready” 2-3:30 p.m. Oct. 20, Buffalo Hill Terrace, 40 Claremont St., Kalispell. Free. Call 752-9624.

- Flathead Special Education Cooperative Management board and Executive Council meets 11:30 a.m. Oct. 26, 15 Meridian Court, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.

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

- West Valley School board meets 5 p.m. Nov. 13

- Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 11:30 a.m. Nov. 16, 15 Meridian Court, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.

- Immanuel Lutheran Communities hosts a wellness presentation geared for seniors, “ Managing Stress through the Holidays” 2-3:30 p.m. Nov. 17, Buffalo Hill Terrace, 40 Claremont St., Kalispell. Free. Call 752-9624.

- Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets 7-8:30 p.m. Dec. 5, The Summit, Kalispell. Call Joan Schmidt, 871-1008.

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

- 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.

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

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

- Flathead Special Education Cooperative Management board and Executive Council meets 11:30 a.m. Jan. 18, 15 Meridian Court, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.

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

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

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

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

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

- Flathead Special Education Cooperative Management board and Executive Council meets 11:30 a.m. 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 9 a.m. May 17, 15 Meridian Court, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.

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

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