RONAN — An American Red Cross Blood Draw is scheduled at St. Luke Community Hospital, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2014, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call Cindy Smith at (406) 528-5269 to schedule an appointment.

POLSON — On Thursday, Jan. 23, a free community dinner will be held at Fellowship Baptist Church, 1 Seventh Ave. E. Dinner will be served between 6-7:30 p.m. and the menu will be Italian. All are welcome.

POLSON — The annual meeting of the Humane Society for the Lake County area will be on Thursday, Jan. 23, at 7 p.m., in the meeting room of the North County Public Library, 2 First Ave. E in Polson.

RONAN — There will be a community dance by the Little Big Band on Jan. 24 from 6-10 p.m. at the VFW hall in Ronan. Enjoy good friends and refreshments aplenty. Contact James Pettit at (406) 676-8224 for more information. Hope to see you there.

POLSON — Tickets are still available for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Big Game Banquet on Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Best Western KwaTaqNuk Resort in Polson. Join us for raffles, games and a silent auction beginning at 5 p.m., with dinner starting at 7 p.m. and the live auction following shortly thereafter. Join the Mission Valley Chapter where fun and fundraising combine for a memorable event – all in a spirit of camaraderie shared by folks who love the outdoors.  For more information and tickets, please contact Kelly Kost at (406) 240-1325, or at the Les Schwab store in Ronan.

POLSON — What better way to start Saturday morning than in your pajamas watching a family favorite, “Despicable Me 2,” on the big screen as guests of the Flathead Lake International Cinemafest, FLIC Jr. Families are invited to begin Saturday, Jan. 25, at 8:30 a.m. at the Showboat Cinemas. A free light breakfast will be served prior to the screening. Admission to the movie, which ends at 10:30 a.m., is also free. 

FLIC Jr. continues showings at 11 a.m. with the Urban School Block for $5. Parents are cautioned. Saturday from 1:30-3:30 p.m. FLIC Animated Film Program block includes 14 award-winning films for $5. Information is available online at www.flicpolson.com or by calling (406) 274-0181 or emailing flic@montanasky.net.

PABLO — On Wednesday, Jan. 29, at 6:30 p.m. the Lake County Democrats will sponsor a presentation by Eldena Bear Don’t Walk from the Montana Human Rights Network. She will discuss the network and human rights issues in Montana such as, discrimination; civil rights; immigration; and efforts to expand Medicaid. The presentation will take place at the Johnny Arlee/Victor Charlo Theater at Salish Kootenai College. A social time with refreshments is included. Everyone is welcome.

POLSON — On Jan. 29 Ken’s Country Combo will play at the Elks in Polson from 7-10 p.m. Treats are welcome and always appreciated. Come and enjoy the fun.

CHARLO — Please mark your calendars as the Ft. Connah Restoration Society Annual Membership meeting will be held Wednesday, Jan. 29, at Ninepipes Allentown Restaurant in Charlo on Hwy. 93, at 7 p.m. There will be a no-host bar at 5:30 p.m. with the option of ordering a meal prior to the meeting. Everyone is invited to attend. For more information, contact secretary Carolyn Corey by calling (406) 745-4336 or go to: 4winds@blackfoot.net.

POLSON — A Suicide Prevention and Intervention meeting will be held Thursday, Jan. 30, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., on the third floor conference room at the Tribal Health building, 5 Fourth Ave. E. Jack Wright, PhD will present “Four Interactive Factors of Happiness.” Lunch will be catered by Hangin Art Gallery.

These education efforts and trainings are offered free of charge. Come learn from each other and encourage meaningful dialogues that are important to our community. 

For more information, contact Roxana Colman-Herak, GBG Program Manager-ASIST Master Trainer at (406) 675-2700, ext. 1361, or Jason HeavyRunner, COT Program Manager at (406) 675-2700, ext.  1340.   

POLSON — The ‘Fifth Friday’ dinner will be at the Polson Community Church on Jan. 31. Dinner is served from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. All are welcome at 1814 First Street E.

RONAN — Join us for our Chinese New Year Adoption fundraiser on Jan. 31 at 6 p.m. at the Lighthouse Christian Fellowship in Ronan.

Proceeds will help Barnaby and Heather Smith bring their daughter home from China. The event will include a Chinese meal and a talent show for all ages. Dinner cost is $10 per plate or $40 per family and will include an optional free entry into our talent show. Otherwise, talent show entry cost will be $3 per person when separate from dinner ticket. To purchase dinner tickets, or to enter into the talent show, please call Leah Johnson at (406) 381-0185. Deadline for talent show entries is Jan. 25.

ARLEE — The Arlee Wrestling Club will host its early sign-up for the 2014 season at the last Arlee High School mixer against St. Ignatius/ Charlo and Big Sky High School, on Jan. 31, in the new Arlee High School Gymnasium at 6 p.m. Participants’ fees for the season are $30 and a family fee is $50. Shoes for the season can be rented for $5.

POLSON — Sandpiper Art and Gift Gallery, 306 Main Street, announces the first exhibit of the New Year entitled: “First in Fourteen.” Members Kelly Apgar (monochromatic work composed of found objects), Paula Craft (B and W photography), Maryann Eikens (bronze sculptures) and Donna Rolfson (paintings) have put together a show of new works to open the season. An opening reception will be held on Friday, Jan. 10, from 5-7 p.m. The show will hang until Feb. 14. 

For more information, contact the Gallery at (406) 883-5956 or visit: Sandpiperartgallery.com.

POLSON — “A Powerful Tools for Caregivers” class is scheduled for six Wednesdays, Jan. 15-Feb. 19, at the O’Maley meeting room in Providence St. Joseph Medical Center. The time for the class is 10-11:30 a.m. This free class is sponsored by the Area VI Agency on Aging, St. Joe’s and Lake Co. Extension Service, to help caregivers take care of themselves, better understand their emotions, communicate more effectively and find local resources. Please contact Jane at (406) 883-7284 or 1-800-266-4188, for more information or to sign up. Class size is limited.

NINEPIPE — The Ninepipe Arts Group asks that you save the date Saturday, Feb. 1, for the tenth annual Valentine gala called “Time to Reflect.” The event will take place at Leon Hall at 5:30 p.m. For more information, call (406) 644-2311.

KALISPELL — The Smart Driver Course will take place at the Summit in Kalispell from on Feb. 3 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome. Call (406) 751-4500 for a reservation. Note that the Drivers Safety Class is now called the AARP ‘Smart Driver Course’.

The Mission Mountain Quilt Guild will hold their regular monthly meeting at the Terrace Lake Community Church on Terrace Lake Road, on Feb. 4th at 6:30 p.m. Robin will hand out the next step for the educational block of the month. Please be working on your challenge projects and items for the Country Store during the quilt show. Bring your show 'n' tell! The Thursday Quilters will furnish refreshments. See you there, everyone's welcome!

RONAN — The February meeting of the Mission Valley Back Country Horsemen will be held, Tuesday, Feb. 4 at 7:30 p.m. at the V.F.W. Hall on Round Butte Road. The program this month will be offered by Kelsey Guffey, weed specialist. As usual, it should be very informative and interesting. Plans are already in the works for our annual ‘Steak Ride’ in May, plus we have several projects planned for the up-coming spring/summer.  Guests are always welcome. For more information, call Dennese at (406) 883-5876.

POLSON —Ken’s Country Combo will play on Wednesday, Feb. 5, at the Elks Club, from 7 to 10 p.m. Treats are welcome and the tunes will be wonderful. Please join us, or you will be missed.

POLSON — Please join us on Feb. 5, for The Polson Chamber’s general meeting luncheon at the KwaTaqNuk Resort beginning at noon. Our featured speaker will be Julie Walker from the Montana Department of Tourism, who will share current programs and projects the state has been working on, including the new Montana entrance signs. Come learn about all the exciting things the Montana Department of Tourism is doing to help promote our area. February’s luncheon will cost $14. We hope to see you there.