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Today

- Red Cross blood drive, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Lincoln County High School.

- Immanuel Lutheran Communities hosts a community presentation, “Financial Planning for Caregivers,” 2-3:30 p.m., Buffalo Hill Terrace, 40 Claremont St., Kalispell. Panel discussion on Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, long-term care insurance and estate planning. Free. Call 752-9625.

- Bigfork Land Use Advisory Committee meets 4 p.m. downstairs of Bethany Lutheran Church, 8559 Montana 35, Bigfork. Call Shelley Gonzales, 837-5346.

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

- Canyon Community Thanksgiving dinner, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Hungry Horse School. Turkey with all the trimmings. Call Flo, 250-3406; or Luann, 261-1083.

- Showcase of the Chefs gourmet dinner, wine tasting and auction, 6:30 p.m., The Lodge at Whitefish Lake. Ten spots to Cat-ski with three Olympians will be auctioned. Event tickets $85 per person in advance, $95 at the door, available at Sportsman Ski Haus stores in Kalispell and Whitefish, Great Northern Cycle & Ski; Ski, The Lodge at Whitefish Lake and online atwww.fvsef.org.

- Flathead Avalanche Center free one-hour avalanche awareness and safety presentation, 6:30 p.m., Rocky Mountain Outfitters, downtown Kalispell.

- Joe Coco presents a free seminar “How to Accumulate $50,000” 7-8:30 p.m., Coco Enterprises Conference Center, 6438 U.S. 93 S., Whitefish. Free. RSVP to 862-9400.

Friday

- Red Cross blood drives: 10 a.m. to 2p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell; 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. National Flood.

- Glacier Pachyderm Club meets noon to 1 p.m., Sykes, Kalispell. Sheriff Chuck Curry discusses county law enforcement leadership issues; www.gcpachy.org

- Kalispell Art Walk, 5-9 p.m., downtown Kalispell. Merchants open late, many offering treats and refreshments. Enter to win one of several $100 gift certificates. Hot chocolate and photos with Santa, 5-6:30 p.m. Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, Depot Park. Caroling and tree lighting, 6 p.m. Call 758-2803.

- St. Matthew’s annual Cookie Carousel, 5-9 p.m. today, and 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, school gym, 602 S. Main St., Kalispell. Homemade Christmas cookies, candies. Coffee shop. Free holiday photo booth; bring your camera. Visit with St. Nick, 1-4 p.m. Saturday. Call 752-6303.

- Polson annual Parade of Lights and Art Walk, 6 p.m., downtown.

- Columbia Falls annual Night of Lights Parade, 6:30 p.m., Nucleus Avenue. Festivities continue at the Coop with caroling, warming fires, cocoa, vendors and a live nativity scene.

- Craft Brewer’s Cup hockey tournament today through Sunday, Woodland Ice Rink, Woodland Park, Kalispell. Gates open at noon Saturday for brewfest; admission $25.

Saturday

- First Baptist Church of Eureka bazaar, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 355 Ninth St., Eureka. Stocking stuffers, wreaths, grave memorial crosses, fresh cut trees, cookies and candy, and more. Call Phyllis, 406-297-7699.

- Civil Air Patrol’s annual Stuff the Bus Toy Drive, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Shopko, Evergreen. Donate unwrapped toys to Salvation Army Angel Tree Program in Kalispell.

- Whitefish Moose Lodge hosts Breakfast with Santa, 9 a.m. to noon, 730 W. 10th St. Children 10 and under, eat free. Cost for ages 11 and older is $8. Call 862-2669.

- St. Matthew’s annual Cookie Carousel, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., school gym, 602 S. Main St., Kalispell. Homemade Christmas cookies, candies. Coffee shop. Free holiday photo booth; bring your camera. Visit with St. Nick, 1-4 p.m. Saturday. Call 752-6303.

- Rotary Club of Bigfork annual Breakfast with Santa 9:30 a.m. to noon, Timber Creek Village, 375 Meadow Lake Drive, near Super 1, Columbia Falls. Free photos with Santa, silent auction. Tickets $10 each. (Kids 12 and under are free).? Call Ron, 249-1445. Proceeds benefit Rotary projects.

- Whitefish United Methodist Church annual holiday bazaar, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., 1150 Wisconsin Ave., Whitefish. Handmade crafts, jewelry, pottery, Christmas items, baked goods. Silent auction. Cinnamon rolls and coffee breakfast, $3. Homemade soup luncheon at 11 a.m., $5.

Thought

“Whenever you find that you are on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.” — Mark Twain (1835-1910).

- 4-H Country Christmas Bazaar 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Eastside Grange, Montana 35, across from Creston School on Creston Road, Kalispell. Handcrafted gifts, baked goods, local direct sellers, face painting. Chili/hot dog/baked potato lunch available. Proceeds benefit Dandy Dudes and Dolls 4-H Club and Eastside Grange. Call 758-7849.

- Annual Whitefish Winter Market 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Roy Duff Memorial Armory, Whitefish. Local crafts, produce, sweets, jewelry, art, soaps. Bake sale, craft activities for kids. Call 863-2473.

- KittyMOM’s rescued kitten adoption event, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Petco, Kalispell. All kittens are spayed/neutered, vaccinated and litter-box trained. $55 adoption fee. Bring your own carrier. Call Darcy, 752-4460.

- Soroptimist International of Whitefish annual jewelry sale, noon to 5 p.m., Whitefish Community Library. Vintage, antique, costume pieces. Proceeds support Soroptimists’ mission of improving the lives of women and girls.

- Craft Brewer’s Cup hockey tournament continues today and Sunday, Woodland Ice Rink, Woodland Park, Kalispell. Gates open at noon Saturday for brewfest; admission $25.

- Holiday Parade of Lights, 6 p.m., downtown Bigfork.

- Big Arm Association holiday concert and dessert potluck featuring Charles Lutz and friends, 6 p.m., Historic Big Arm School. Bring a dessert to share. Call 849-5522.

- Whitefish Review “Rising Voices” issue release party, 6:30 p.m. Casey’s, Whitefish. Readings begin 7:30 p.m. Live music by Lee Zimmerman. $10 donation at door.

Sunday

- Craft Brewer’s Cup hockey tournament continues, Woodland Ice Rink, Woodland Park, Kalispell. Gates open at noon Saturday for brewfest; admission $25.

- John Floridis winter benefit acoustic guitar concert for Neighbors in Need, 4 p.m., Whitefish United Methodist Church, 1150 Wisconsin Ave. Free will donations encouraged.

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.

- 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.

- 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.

- 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.

A look ahead

- Cholesterol screening and education, 7-10 a.m. Dec. 7 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. Dec. 7, Genesis Healthcare, blood mobile.

- Anime Club for teens in grades six to 12 meets 4-5:30 p.m. Dec. 7, ImagineIF Library, Kalispell. Show is “Noragami.”

- 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.

- 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.

- 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.

- 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.

- 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.

- 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.

- 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.

- 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.

- Whitefish Women of the Moose monthly meal, 5-7 p.m. Dec. 20s, 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.

- 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.