Saturday

• Montana Organic Association 11th annual conference continues at FVCC. Theme is “An Organic Perspective: Facts and Fiction of GMOs and More.” Call Sandi Shanks, (406) 297-7588.

• Flathead Audubon’s Bigfork Christmas Bird Count. Call Dan Casey, 857-3143 or 270-5941 to sign up.

• AARP Driver Safety class, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members). Call 751-4500.

• Kila School PTO craft bazaar, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the gym.

• Family Friendly Flathead hosts a free breakfast with Santa,  9 a.m. to noon, 305 E. Evergreen Drive, Kalispell,

• Wreaths Across America ceremony, 10 a.m., Montana Veterans Home, Columbia Falls. Public invited. Wreaths representing all military branches will be placed. Wreaths available for $15 each and will be place on veterans’ graves at the cemetery.

• St. Matthew’s parish Cookie Carousel, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., school gym, 602 S. Main St., Kalispell. Homemade Christmas cookies and candies. Hot coffee, tea and cocoa for sale. Call 752-6303.

• Christmas at Our House annual free dinner, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Armed Forces Reserve Center, U.S. 93 North of Kalispell. No reservation needed. Call 871-7604. Complimentary bus service available for Kalispell, Whitefish and Columbia Falls. Call 758-5728.

• Flathead Spay and Neuter Task Force Kitten and Dog Adoption event, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Holiday Inn Express, 275 Treeline Road, Kalispell. Small fee. Bring your own pet carrier or leash. Call 871-2388.

• Big Arm community potluck, Big Arm Historic School. Social time, 5:30 p.m.; potluck, 6 p.m.; live music by Sisler Family and Friends, 7 p.m. Call Ross, 849-5568.

Sunday

• Missoula guitarist and singer/songwriter John Floridis benefit concert, 7 p.m., Whitefish United Methodist Church, 1150 Wisconsin Ave. Freewill donations benefit Neighbors in Need.

Monday

• Red Cross blood drive, 12:30-5:30 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 Kaye Hollingsworth, 752-9612, ext. 208.

• Fair-Mont-Egan School board meets 5 p.m.

• Public meeting on “How to Reclaim Montana’s Lands,” 6:30 p.m., Best Western Flathead Lake Inn, U.S. 93 and Montana 82, Somers. Kirk MacKenzie, founder of Defend Rural America, and a panel of experts will present. Call 837-6929 or (650) 967-5679.

The Rev. Bradley S. Wirth gives his original Christmas reading about a homeless man, 7 p.m., All Saints Episcopal Church, 2048 Conn Road, Columbia Falls. Refreshments. Offering taken to benefit Humane Society of Northwest Montana, Spay and Neuter Task Force, Flathead County Animal Shelter.

• The Flathead Conservation District meets at 7 p.m., 133 Interstate Lane, in Evergreen. Call 752-4220.

Tuesday

• Randy Winter, service officer for Montana Veterans Affairs Division, will be available to veterans and their dependents, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today and Dec. 18, Montana Veterans Home, Columbia Falls.

• AARP Driver Safety class, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., North Valley Hospital, Whitefish. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members). Call 863-3627.

• Red Cross blood drives: noon to 5 p.m., Eureka Baptist Church;  2-5 p.m., Lakeside QRU.

• Flathead City-County Board of Health special meeting/retreat 1-3 p.m., administration office, Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. E., Kalispell.

• Lakeside County Water and Sewer district board meets 2 p.m., district meeting room, 253 Bierney Creek Road.

• Kalispell Public Schools district board meets at 6 p.m., Kalispell Middle School library.

• NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness)/LAC Christmas party, 6-8 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. Call (406) 309-5199.

• Somers School board meets at 6 p.m., Somers Middle School.

• City of Kalispell Impact Fee Advisory Committee meets, 7 p.m., City Hall Chambers, 201 First Ave. E., Kalispell. Open to public. Call 758-7722.

Columbia Falls Historical Society meets, 7 p.m., Montana Veterans Home chapel. All interested in local history welcome.

• Helena Flats School board meets at 7 p.m., school library.

Wednesday

• Evergreen School board meets 6:30 a.m., administration boardroom.

• Evergreen Water and Sewer District board meets at 7 a.m. at the district office, 130 Nicholson Drive.

• Alpine Weavers and Spinners meet, 10:30 a.m., Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Kalispell. Holiday potluck. Beverages provided. All interested welcome.

• Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Montana Athletic Club, Bigfork.

• Free avalanche education class, 6-8:30 p.m. Dec. 18-19, Flathead National Forest office, Kalispell. Field session Dec. 21, Whitefish Mountain Resort. Pre-register by calling Seth Carbonari, 387-3832.

Thursday

• Salvation Army Competitive Day of Ringing in Kalispell, Evergreen, Whitefish, Columbia Falls, Bigfork and Lakeside. Communities will challenge one another to raise the most money.

• Kalispell Public Schools Policy and Communications Committee meets, 8:30 a.m., administration offices, 233 First Ave. E.

• Red Cross blood drive, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Bigfork High School.

• Kalispell Public Schools district board work session, 6 p.m., Kalispell Middle School library.

• Marion Fire District meets, 7 p.m., Marion Community Center, 180 Gopher Lane. Public invited.

Friday

• Red Cross blood drives: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell; 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., First Interstate Bank, Main Street, Kalispell.

• Bargains in the Gym, 1-5 p.m., 305 E. Evergreen Drive, Kalispell. Continues 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 21. Fundraiser for Family Friendly Flathead.

• Amore fire fundraiser trunk raffle, 4:30-5:30 p.m. 35 Fifth Ave. W., Kalispell. Two Christmas-themed trunks raffled. Tickets available at Amore. Proceeds help local families recover from house fires. Call 755-5513.

A look ahead

• Glacier Woodturners meet, 9 a.m. Dec. 21, Hansen’s Trucking, Columbia Falls. Call 755-1795.

• Bargains in the Gym, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 21, 305 E. Evergreen Drive, Kalispell. Fundraiser for Family Friendly Flathead. Free clothing giveaway, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

• AARP Driver Safety class, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 23, Lakeview Village Apartments, Polson. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members). Call (406) 644-3446.

• Red Cross blood drive, 1:30-5:30 p.m. Dec. 23, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

• Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 24, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

• Annual luminaria lighting 5 p.m. Dec. 24, Rose Crossing, Evergreen. Luminaria will remain lit until at least 10 p.m. along roughly 2 miles between U.S. 2 East and Whitefish Stage. Free. Public invited. Memorial lights may be purchased for $5 at the Evergreen Fire Department.

• Christmas gathering at Family Friendly Flathead Gym, noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 25, 305 E. Evergreen Dr. Free meal, games, music. Everyone welcome.

• Community Kitchen Feeding the Flathead free Christmas dinner, 6 p.m. Dec. 25, Faith Alliance Church, 348 Second Ave. W., Kalispell. Turkey, ham and pumpkin pie. All will receive a gift. 

• Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 26, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

• Red Cross blood drives Dec. 27: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell; 1-4:30 p.m. Straight Blast Gym.

• Whitefish Figure Skating Club Christmas for All ice skating show, 4-7 p.m. Dec. 28, Stumptown Ice Den, Whitefish. On ice tickets, $15; general admission $10; youths 6-10, $5; 5 and under, free.

• Due to extreme temperatures, Bigfork has rescheduled its annual Christmas Parade of Lights for 6 p.m. Dec. 28, in the village. All are welcome.

• Columbia Falls Historical Society Cowboy Christmas Ball, 8 p.m. to midnight Dec. 28, Montana Veterans Home chapel, Columbia Falls. For tickets, call 892-0178.

• Flathead Audubon’s Kalispell Christmas Bird Count Dec. 29. Call Dan Casey, 857-3143 or 270-5941 to sign up.

• Red Cross blood drive, 1:30-5:30 p.m. Dec. 30, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

• Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 31, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

Annual Polar Bear Plunge, 2 p.m. Jan. 1, The Raven, Woods Bay.

• Columbia Falls Relay for Life Winter kick-off event, noon to 3 p.m. Jan. 4, Marantette Park, Columbia Falls. Family fun. Hot chocolate, coffee, cookies.

• AARP Driver Safety class, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 6, The Summit, Kalispell. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 751-4500.

• Flathead Outdoor Club meets 7 p.m., Jan. 8, The Summit, Kalispell. Leah Levitt will talk about some of her Montana hikes last summer. Coffee and tea served. Everyone welcome. Call Levitt, 892-6105 or 261-6874.

• Flathead Conservation District meets 7 p.m. Jan. 13, USDA building, 133 Interstate Lane, Kalispell. Call 752-4220.

• Kalispell Little Explorers program tours The Aquarium Shop, Kalispell, 11 a.m. to noon, Jan. 14. For ages 2-6; must be accompanied by adults. $7 for nonresidents, $5 for city residents. Call 758-7975.

• Stand Up America’s Glacial Forum presents Debra Lann on “Common Core Education: The Rest of the Story,” 6:30 p.m. Jan. 16, Sykes’ Diner, 202 Second Ave. W., Kalispell. Donations accepted.

• AARP Driver Safety class, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 18, The Summit, Kalispell. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 751-4500.

• AARP Driver Safety classes Jan. 20: 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Libby Christian Church. Call 406-283-7000; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Troy United Methodist Church. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 406-751-4500.

• Whitefish Winter Carnival world ski joring championships, Jan. 25-26, Whitefish Municipal Airport grounds. Opening ceremonies, 11:30 a.m. Jan. 25. Events start at noon daily. $5 parking fee benefits Human Therapy on Horseback.

• AARP Driver Safety class, noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 27, North Valley Senior Center, Columbia Falls. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 892-4087.

• Flathead County Planning and Zoning office hosts a discussion on “Flathead County Lake and Lakeshore Protection Regulations, 9-11 am. Jan. 30, Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell.

• Flathead Outdoor Club meets, 7 p.m. Feb. 12, The Summit, Kalispell. Mitchell Leus will talk about his Missouri River float trip. Coffee and tea served. Everyone welcome. Call Leah Levitt, 892-6105 or 261-6874.

• Kalispell Little Explorers program tours Sweet Peaks, Kalispell, 10-11 a.m. Feb. 20. For ages 2-6; must be accompanied by adults. $7 for nonresidents, $5 for city residents. Call 758-7975.

• Kalispell Little Explorers program tours Humane Society of Northwest Montana, Kalispell, 11 a.m. to noon March 20. For ages 2-6; must be accompanied by adults. $7 for nonresidents, $5 for city residents. Call 758-7975.

• Kalispell Little Explorers program tours Sweet No Wheat Bakery, Kalispell, 10-11 a.m. April 17. For ages 2-6; must be accompanied by adults. $7 for nonresidents, $5 for city residents. Call 758-7975.