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TODay

- Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Montana Academy.

- Bigfork Association of Senior Citizens present the first of a four-part program titled “Celebrating History: Stories about Creston,” 1 p.m., First Baptist Church of Bigfork, 6933 Montana 35 (north of Bigfork). Call 837-4157.

- Zen priest Jerry Smyers presents a free Introduction to Zen Meditation class, 7 p.m., YogaHeart Studio, 314 Main St. Polson. All welcome. Call 847-721-0665.

Thursday

- Bigfork Land Use Advisory Committee meets 4 p.m. downstairs of Bethany Lutheran Church, Montana 35, south of Montana 209. Call Shelley Gonzales, 837-5346.

- Canyon Community Dinner, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Hungry Horse School. Menu includes pork loin roast, baked potato, sauerkraut, applesauce, salad, dessert. All welcome. Call Flo, 250-3406; or Luann, 261-1083.

- Marion Fire District board meets 7 p.m., Marion Community Center, 180 Gopher Lane. Public welcome.

- Mission Mountain Audubon meets 7 p.m., Polson City Library meeting room. Pat Jamieson presents ““Birds of the Wetlands, Marshes, Potholes, Creeks and Rivers of the Mission Valley.” Free. All welcome.

Friday

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

- Annual Creston Auction and Country Fair, today through April 2, Creston, Montana 35, 12 miles east of Kalispell. Consignment Day 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today, Auctions begin 9 a.m. April 1; 11 a.m. April 2.

- Glacier Pachyderm Club meets noon to 1 p.m., Sykes’ Diner, 202 Second Ave. W., Kalispell. Program by Northwest Montana Vietnam Veterans of America. Lunch may be purchased. Visitors welcome. Call Todd Bernhardt, 270-6908.

- Big Arm community potluck, 6 p.m., Historic Big Arm School. Frank Tyro talks about “Manitoba: the Polar Bear Capital of the World.” Call N. Foster, 849-5064.

Saturday

- Biologist Pat Jamieson leads a Mission Valley Audubon Society field trip around Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge. Start at 8:30 a.m. and return at noon. Meet at Visitor Pullout south of Ronan, across from Beaverhead Lane to carpool.

- Annual Creston Auction and Country Fair, today and Sunday, Creston, Montana 35, 12 miles east of Kalispell. Auctions begin 9 a.m. today; 11 a.m. Sunday.

- Columbia Falls Historical Society chili feed, 5 p.m., Teakettle Room, North Valley Community Center. Silent auction and rifle raffle. Johanna Hardesty presents a program on James Talbott, founding father of Columbia Falls. Cost $5 per person, or $20 per family.

- Sons of Norway meet 1 p.m., downstairs at Museum at Central School, 124 2nd Ave. E., Kalispell. Program is about Antarctica presented by Mette Seifers. Call 253-1702.

Sunday

- Flathead Audubon field trip April 2 to West Valley to see migrating waterfowl and shorebirds and proposed Flathead Land Trust conservation project. Meet at 9 a.m. at West Valley School to carpool. Return by 12:30 p.m. Bring scope if you have one. Call Cory, 257-3166.

- Annual Creston Auction and Country Fair, 11 a.m. Creston, Montana 35, 12 miles east of Kalispell.

- Flathead Lutherans for Life spaghetti dinner and silent auction, noon to 1:30 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. A speaker from Hope Pregnancy Ministries will give an update. Free-will offering benefits the ministry.

Monday

- 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.

- Red Cross blood drives: 12:30-6 p.m. West Kootenai Colony; 2-6 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

- Author Sharon Randolph presents “Canada’s Mountain National Parks, 6:30 p.m., Whitefish Community Library.

- Glacier Stamp Club meets 6:30-8 p.m., Buffalo Room, Buffalo Hill Terrace, 40 Claremont St., Kalispell. Stamp and Montana Trivia interactive quiz. All welcome; glacierstampclubmt@gmail.com

- New Alateen support program for teens affected by drinking or drug use by a friend or family member meets every Monday at 7 p.m., Alano Club, 153 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Call Carol, 406-270-6006

Thought

“To silence criticism is to silence freedom.” — Sidney Hook, American philosopher and author (1902-1989).

Tuesday

- Child Find services, 8:30-10:30 a.m., Kila School, for Kila, Smith Valley, Marion and Pleasant Valley schools.

- Fundraiser for Paws to Play Dog Park, noon to 9 p.m., MacKenzie River Pizza and Grill North, 45 Treeline Road, Kalispell. Dine in or carry out. Twenty percent of meal proceeds benefit nonprofit organization. Raffles, prizes, dog trivia contest starts at 6 p.m.

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

- Military veterans invited to learn skills for easing transition to civilian employment, 4-6 p.m., FVCC, Business and Social Sciences building, room 109.

- Science on Tap/Avalanches program, 5-8 p.m., Flathead Lake Brewing Co. Pubhouse, 116 Holt Dr., Bigfork. $1 of every pint sold donated to Flathead Lake Biological Station and Flathead Lakers.

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

A look ahead

- Child Find services, 8:30-10:30 a.m. April 5, West Valley School, for West Valley and Bissell schools.

- Montana State Trails Advisory Committee meets 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 5; and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 6, Lone Pine State Park conference room, 300 Lone Pine Road, near Kalispell. Open to public. Call Beth R. Shumate, 406-444-4585.

- Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. April 5, Whitefish Credit Union, Kalispell office.

- Polson Chamber of Commerce meets noon to 1 p.m. April 5, KwaTaqNuk Resort. Lunch available for $11. Public welcome. Call 883-5969.

- Kalispell Public Schools Curriculum Committee meets 3:30p.m. April 5, district office, 233 First Ave. E.

- Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m. April 6, Applied Materials, Kalispell.

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

- Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 7, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

- FVCC 50th anniversary celebration, 5-8 p.m. April 7. Guest speakers, historic displays, live music, food samplings. Free. Public invited. Call Heidi Hickethier, 756-4388.

- Whitefish Review and Alpine Theatre Project present a reading of Jeff Giles’ new novel, “The Edge of Everything,” April 7, Casey’s, Whitefish. Doors open 6:30 p.m.; show at 7:30 p.m. Discussion, acted scenes, book signing. $10 suggested donation.

- 2017 Stumpjumper Days, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 8, FVCC Logger Sports Arena, accessible via first exit off Hutton Ranch Road roundabout. Seven teams compete in axe throw, hit chop, pole buck and more. Free. Spectators welcome.

- Columbia Falls Teakettle Guild annual Quilt Show, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 8, Glacier Gateway Elementary School, 440 Fourth Ave. W., Columbia Falls. Boutique, vendors, quilt displays and for sale, raffle. Featured quilter is Peggy Aagenes. Free admission.

- Annual Easter egg hunt for ages 0-10, 10-11 am. April 8, The Springs at Whitefish, 1001 River Lakes Pkwy., Whitefish. Refreshments. Photos with Easter Bunny.

- Free Easter egg hunt for seniors 56 years of age and older, rain or shine 10 a.m. to noon, April 8, Whitefish Community Center, 121 E. Second St., Whitefish. Bring your own basket. Games, prizes, coffee, treats. Call 862-4923 to reserve your space.

- Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 8, The River Church, Kalispell.

- Annual Cowboy Up benefit dinner and auction for Samaritan House Homeless Shelter, April 8, Gardner’s Auction Barn, U.S. 93 south of Kalispell. Live music by Smart Alex. Live and silent auctions. Doors open 5 p.m.; dinner at 6 p.m. Tickets $40 each or $240 for tables of eight, in advance. Call 257-5801.

- Dream Adaptive Spring Fling Garden Party fundraiser, 5:30-9 p.m. April 8, Grouse Mountain Lodge, Whitefish. Hor d’oeuvres, buffet dinner, live and silent auctions, music, cash bar. Tickets $50 each or $45 for two or more. Call 862-1817. Tickets also available at door.

- Flathead Celtic Festival hosts a whiskey tasting fundraiser 6 p.m. April 8, Buffalo Hill Golf Course. $45 in advance, or $55 at door for meal and five tastings. Silent auction, live Celtic music. Call 406-314-2568.

- Columbia Falls Community Choir spring concerts, 7 p.m. April 8, and 2 p.m. April 9, Columbia Falls High School Little Theater. Folk, jazz, and lyrical music genres. Free; donations accepted. Refreshments served after Saturday’s concert.

- Annual Run Through History 5K and 10K, April 9, Museum At Central School, Kalispell. 10K begins 1 p.m.; 5K 1:15 p.m. Awards ceremony at Kalispell Brewing. Cost $15 prior to April 1 and includes T-shirt; $20 thereafter; www.downtownkalispell.com

- AARP Driver Safety Course, 8 a.m. to noon April 10, Troy United Methodist Church. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 293-0100.

- Child Find services, 9-10:30 a.m. April 10, Fortine School, for Fortine and Trego schools.

- Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m. April 10, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

- West Valley School board meets 5 p.m. April 10.

- Fundraiser to support equine therapy programs for trauma victims, 5:30-6:30 p.m. April 10, Bestow, 217 Main St., Kalispell. Beverages and snacks. RSVP to Natalie Norrell, 756-7638; www.medicinehorsemt.com

- Flathead Conservation District 310 Stream Permit meeting 7 p.m. April 10, 133 Interstate Lane, in Evergreen. Call 752-4220.

- Child Find services, 8:30-10:30 a.m. April 11, Cayuse Prairie School, for Cayuse Prairie, Creston, Fair-Mont-Egan and Deer Park schools.

- Red Cross blood drive, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 11, Flathead High School.

- Opening reception for new FVCC exhibit in honor or the college’s 50th anniversary, 4-6 p.m. April 11, Museum at Central School. Cookies and iced tea served. Free. Public invited. Call 756-3832.

- Kalispell Public Schools district board meets 6 p.m. April 11, Kalispell Middle School Library.

- Women of the Moose international potluck, 5-7 p.m. April 12, 230 W. 10th St., Whitefish.

- Senior Tour and Tea, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 13, Hockaday Museum of Art, 302 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Free admission for senior citizens. Coffee, tea and cookies served 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 755-5268.

- Kalispell Public Schools Board Governance Committee meets at noon April 14, district office, 233 First Ave. E.

- Hope Church annual helicopter Easter egg drop, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 15, Evergreen Junior High School, 18 W. Evergreen Dr., Kalispell. Rock wall, games, food, raffle. Call 257-7112.

- AARP Driver Safety Course, noon to 4 pm. April 17, North Valley Senior Center, Columbia Falls. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 892-4087.

- Dementia and Alzheimer’s Support Group meets 3-4:30 p.m. April 17, Buffalo Hill Terrace, 40 Claremont St., Kalispell. Sponsored by Immanuel Lutheran Communities. Call Carla Wilton, 752-9624.

- Fair-Mont-Egan School board meets 5 p.m. April 17.

- AARP Driver Safety Course, 8:30-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. April 18, Polson Area Senior Center. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 883-4735.

Tuesday Toasts with Bigfork youth baseball, 5-8 p.m. April 18, Flathead Lake Brewing Co., Pubhouse, 116 Holdt Drive, Bigfork. $1 of every pint sold donated to nonprofit.

- Community Day, April 19, Buffalo Wild Wings, U.S.93 north, Kalispell. Ten percent of day’s sales benefits Boys & Girls Club of Glacier Country.

- Kalispell Public Schools Policy Committee meets 8:30 a.m. April 20, district office, 233 First Ave. E.

- Immanuel Lutheran Communities hosts a wellness presentation geared for seniors, “ Planning Your Financial Health,” 2-3:30 p.m. April 21, Buffalo Hill Terrace, 40 Claremont St., Kalispell. Free. Call 752-9624.

- AARP Driver Safety Course, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 22, Gateway Community Center, Kalispell. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 751-7266.

- Annual Flathead Valley Earth Day celebration, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 22, Whitefish Middle School. Family-friendly activities, green vendors, live music, local food trucks, climbing wall, entertainment.

- AARP Driver Safety Course, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 24, Libby Christian Church.$20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 863-3627.

- Flathead Conservation District business meeting, 7 p.m. April 24, 133 Interstate Lane, Kalispell, 752-4220.

- AARP Driver Safety Course, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 25, North Valley Hospital, Whitefish. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 751-4500.

- Kalispell Public Schools district board work session 6 p.m. April 25, Kalispell Middle School Library.

- Kalispell Public Schools Technology Committee meets 8:30 a.m. April 27, district office, 233 First Ave. E.

- AARP Driver Safety Course, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 27, Mission Valley Senior Center, Ronan. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 676-2371.

- Flathead Special Education Cooperative Management board and Executive Council meets 11:30 a.m. April 27, 15 Meridian Court, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.

- Death by Chocolate Murder Mystery fundraiser, “Super Heroes, Villains & Slueths from ‘60s TV and Films,” 7-10 p.m. April 28-29, Conrad Mansion, Woodland Avenue, Kalispell. Wine, hors d’oeuvres, music, chocolate. Tickets $60 each. Ages 21 and up. Call 755-2166.

- Whitefish Community Garden opening day, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 29, behind Whitefish United Methodist Church, off Wisconsin Avenue and Glenwood Road.

- Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets 7-8:30 p.m. May 2, The Summit, Kalispell. Call Joan Schmidt, 871-1008.

- Zen priest Jerry Smyers presents a free Introduction to Zen Meditation class, 7 p.m. May 3, YogaHeart Studio, 314 Main St. Polson. All welcome. Call 847-721-0665.

- Evergreen Kids Count event, 4:30-6:30 p.m. May 4, Evergreen Junior High School. Award presentation 6 p.m. Family activities, face painting, games, concessions. Music by junior high band.

- Flathead Act for America presents a program by William Federer author and president of Amerisearch, Inc., “A History of Islam and the U.S. Constitution,” 6-8 p.m. May 4, Easthaven Baptist Church, 2010 Whitefish Stage, Kalispell. Tickets $10 or free for full-time students with ID. For tickets, go to www.eventbrite.com

- Columbia Falls Academic Endowment fundraising fiesta, 6-9 p.m. May 4, Cedar Lodge, Columbia Falls. Live and silent auctions, Mexican cuisine, cash bar, student performances. Tickets available at the door or call Bill Dakin, 253-5512.

- Flathead Gives fundraising event for area nonprofits, 6 p.m. May 4 to 6 a.m. May 5. Donate online at www.flatheadgives.org or at Flathead Gives celebration, Gateway Community Center, 1204 U.S. 2 W., Kalispell.

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

- Dementia and Alzheimer’s Support Group meets 3-4:30 p.m. May 15, Buffalo Hill Terrace, 40 Claremont St., Kalispell. Sponsored by Immanuel Lutheran Communities. Call Carla Wilton, 752-9624.

- Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 9 a.m. May 18, 15 Meridian Court, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.

- Immanuel Lutheran Communities hosts a wellness presentation geared for seniors, “ Strength and Balance,” 2-3:30 p.m. May 19, 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. June 6, The Summit, Kalispell. Call Joan Schmidt, 871-1008.

- Retirement party for Flathead High School English teacher Sue Brown, 2-4 p.m. June 10, Flathead High School commons. Cookie reception and presentations by colleagues and students. All welcome.

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

- Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 9 a.m. June 13, 15 Meridian Court, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.

- Immanuel Lutheran Communities hosts a wellness presentation geared for seniors, “ Healthy Skin,” 2-3:30 p.m. June 16, Buffalo Hill Terrace, 40 Claremont St., Kalispell. Free. Call 752-9624.

- Dementia and Alzheimer’s Support Group meets 3-4:30 p.m. June 19, Buffalo Hill Terrace, 40 Claremont St., Kalispell. Sponsored by Immanuel Lutheran Communities. Call Carla Wilton, 752-9624.

- Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets 7-8:30 p.m. July 4, The Summit, Kalispell. Call Joan Schmidt, 871-1008.

- Polson Main Street Cherry Festival, July 15-16. More than 125 vendor booths. Cherry baking, pit-spitting contests. Montana-made art and crafts, live music. Hours 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday; 406-883-3667; flatheadcherryfestival.com

- Immanuel Lutheran Communities hosts a wellness presentation geared for seniors, “ Brain Fitness” 2-3:30 p.m. July 21, Buffalo Hill Terrace, 40 Claremont St., Kalispell. Free. Call 752-9624.

- Columbia Falls High School Class of 1977 40th reunion, July 28-30. Call 406-250-5275.

- Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets 7-8:30 p.m. Aug. 1, The Summit, Kalispell. Call Joan Schmidt, 871-1008.

- Immanuel Lutheran Communities hosts a wellness presentation geared for seniors, “ Healthy Aging” 2-3:30 p.m. Aug. 18, 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. Sept. 5, The Summit, Kalispell. Call Joan Schmidt, 871-1008.

- 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.

- 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.

- 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.

- 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.

- 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.

- 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.