Today

Big Mountain Hill Climb Race 9 a.m., Danny On Trail. Registration 8-8:45 a.m. at Hell Roaring Chalet. Cost is $5 for students; $10 for adults; $20 per family. Proceeds benefit the local Nordic Ski Team. Call Debbie at 862-2113.

Montana's Homeownership Education Center free nonprofit Community Partnership nationally certified program for experienced and first-time home buyers, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., at United Way conference room, Gateway West Mall Call 257-6627 to pre-register.

New Earth Summer Expo 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and Sunday, WestCoast Kalispell Center Hotel. Exhibitors of health and beauty, and nutritional products, jewelry, and art. Massage and bodywork therapists and health practitioners will be on hand. Guest speakers. Free. All are welcome. Call 406-327-7977.

Rocky Mountain Street Machines car show 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Total Speed and Performance, 106 Cooperative Way, Kalispell. Call 257-7675. All are welcome.

Pari-mutuel horse racing, 1 p.m. today and Sunday, Flathead County Fairgrounds.

Big Mountain Brewfest to 7 p.m., Big Mountain Village. Microbrews, food and music. A fundraiser for SNOW Bus. Call 862-2900.

Flathead High School class of 196 birthday celebration, 5:30 p.m., Lawrence Park, Kalispell. Potluck at 6:30 p.m. Bring your favorite dish to share. RSVP to Linda Heim at 857-3363.

Sunday

New Earth Summer Expo 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., WestCoast Kalispell Center Hotel. Exhibitors of health and beauty, and nutritional products, jewelry, and art. Massage and bodywork therapists and health practitioners will be on hand. Guest speakers. Free. All are welcome to attend. Call 406-327-7977.

Pari-mutuel horse racing, 1 p.m. today, Flathead County Fairgrounds.

Fourth annual Whitefish Lake Swim. Call Kathryn McEnery at 257-3798.

Kalispell Senior Citizens annual summer picnic 1 p.m. at the senior center, 40 Second Ave. W. Meat and beverages provided. Bring a side dish or dessert to share. All area seniors are invited. Call 257-1598 to make reservations. Musical entertainment provided.

Monday

Join the Major Leagues at your library, 9 a.m., Flathead County Library in Kalispell, 247 First Ave. E. Call 758-5713.

Chiropractor Richard Puchta offers a free class to maximize your quality of life, "Life Without Limits," at noon, Ashley Square conference room. Call 752-7289 if you plan to attend.

Red Cross blood drive, 1- 6 p.m., at the center, 17A First Ave., Kalispell. Sponsored by State Farm's Neighbors for Life.

Flathead Senior Center Toenail Clinic, 3:30 p.m., 40 Second Ave. W., Kalispell. Call 257-1598.

Swan River School board special meeting to consider a one year leave of absence for two employees, 5 p.m.

Old fashioned ice cream social and hymn sing, 7 p.m. Whitefish First Presbyterian Church, 301 Central Ave. Free will offering. All welcome. Call 862-2802.

Tuesday

Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the center, 17A First Ave., Kalispell. Sponsored by State Farm's Neighbors for Life.

Wellness Ministry's Healthy Potluck Supper, 6-7:30 p.m., Whitefish Mountain Mall Food Court. Families welcome. Bring a healthy dish to share. Call Jeanette Cheney at 862-6209.

Red Cross Adult CPR certification training, 6:30 p.m. Call 752-643 to pre-register.

The Kalispell City Taxpayers Association meets at 7 p.m. in the second-floor conference room of the Earl Bennett Building in Kalispell. Public welcome.

Lakeside Community Council meets 7-9 p.m., 25 Bierney Creek Road, at the Lakeside Water and Sewer District building. Public invited. Volunteers needed.

Wednesday

Flathead National Forest hosts a field trip to discuss forest plan revision 8:30 a.m. to p.m. Bus transportation provided. To reserve a seat, call 758-5252.

Children's Story Hour is at 10:30 a.m., in the children's department of the Flathead County Library in Kalispell, 247 First Ave. E. Call 758-5822.

Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m., at East Glacier Lodge, Glacier Park.

Red Cross First Aid Basics certification training, 6:30 p.m. Call 752-643 to pre-register.

Thursday

Marion area hunter education sign up 7 p.m., Marion Fire Hall. Minors must be accompanied by parent or guardian. For information, call Dwyght Lindbergh at 752-4368, Tom Dutcher at 756-6583, or Gerry Hurst at 854-9399.

Thought

"In soloing - as in other activities - it is far easier to start something than it is to finish it." n Amelia Earhart, American aviator (1898-1937?).

A Look Ahead

3Big Sky Astronomy Club meets at 7 p.m., Sept. 2, Kalispell Junior High School library. Visitors are welcome. Park in the school's east lot. Call Bruce at 857-375 or Scott at 755-3939.

First Friday, 5-8 p.m. Sept. 2, downtown Kalispell. Browse studios, galleries and two museums. Call 752-2433.

Sixth annual Labor Day Huckleberry Pancake Breakfast 8 a.m. to noon, Sept. 3-5, Laughing Horse Lodge, Swan Lake, on Montana 8 between mile markers 71 and 72. Cost $6, includes pancakes, link sausage, juice or coffee. Proceeds go to Red Cross Montana Fire Victims Fund. Call 886-2080.

AARP Seniors Driver Safety Program 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sept. 6 and 8, The Summit, Kalispell. Cost is $10. Instructor Don Bogut. Call 751-4500.

AARP Seniors Driver Safety Program 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Columbia Falls Senior Center. Instructor Gail Strohschien. Cost is $10. Call 892-5070.

Long Range Planning Task Force meets 4-6 p.m. Sept. 8, Earl Bennett Building, First Avenue West, Kalispell. Public invited to comment at end of meeting.

18th annual Taste of Whitefish 6-9 p.m. Sept. 8, O'Shaughnessy Center and Credit Union Park, rain or shine. Sample the best in food, beer and wine that Whitefish has to offer. Tickets are $30 per person in advance, $45 at the door. Call the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce at 862-3501.

7th annual Bead Stampede noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 9, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 10-11, Flathead County Fairgrounds, Grandstand Building. Beads and beadwork of all types and materials. Free. Call 208-676-9957.

Glacier Institute hosts a benefit dessert reception for the premiere screening of "March of the Penguins," 6 p.m. Sept. 9, O'Shaughnessy Center, Whitefish. Tickets for reception $17 adults, $10 children. Film showing at 8 p.m. Call 755-1211 or log on to www.glacierinstitute.org.

Bigfork Sidewalk Art Contest 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 10. sponsored by Flathead Bank. All entrants receive chalk and vouchers for breakfast and lunch. Bigfork Street Dance 5 to 9 p.m. with live music by John Dunnigan, Spineless Yesmen and Blue Onion. Call 837-1600.

Dayton Day Parade and benefit for Chief Cliff Volunteer Fire Department Sept. 10. Parade at p.m. Barbecue at 4:30 pm. Church bazaar, sailboat rides, wine tasting. Music by Roy Wilhelm Band at 6:30 p.m.

Friendship House 16th annual Pig Roast, 5-7 p.m. Sept. 10, in the basement of the Eagles, 37 First St. W., Kalispell. Roast pig, baked potatoes baked beans, coleslaw, fruit salad, rolls and ice cream.Cost is $10 adults, $5 children under 12. Live music. Proceeds benefit the nonprofit assisted living facility. Call 257-8375.

Swan Ecosystem Center sponsors a hike to Smith Creek pass, Sept. 13. Meet at 8 a.m. at the Center. Pre-registration required. Call Diann at 406-754-3137.

Bigfork Edward Jones representative Beth Morgenstern offers a free video program, "Real Estate … Real Investment?," 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Sept. 13, at the office, 8270 Montana 35, Bigfork. Call 837-101 to reserve a seat.

Consumer Credit Counseling of Montana Inc., free community budgeting/credit workshop 6-7:30 p.m. Sept. 14, 690 Meridian Road, Suite 220, Kalispell. Public is welcome to attend. Call 406-543-1188 to reserve a seat.

Evergreen School District board meets at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 14 in the administration building boardroom.

Grand opening of the Great Northern Historical Trail 3:30-4:30 p.m. Sept. 15. Dedication at 4:15 p.m. Gather at Smith Valley Grange(four miles west of Kalispell on U.S. 2) to join in a bike/hike celebration. Treats, prizes and music.

9K for K9 Doggie Convention from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 17 at Lawrence Park in Kalispell. Optional 9K walk, dog Frisbee contest, food, educational booths, animal rescue groups, obedience demonstrations and more. Dog awards. Call Sandie at 862-0411. Benefit for Humane Society of Northwest Montana.

Swan Ecosystem Center fall bus tour 9:30 a.m. to p.m. Sept. 17. Meet at the Center. Pack a lunch. Space is limited. Pre-registration required. Call Diann at 406-754-3137.

Lincoln-Reagan Dinner, 6 p.m. Sept. 24, Ronan Community Center. Guest speaker is Senator Conrad Burns. Military presentation. Door prizes, silent auctions, catered dinner. Tickets available at Gull Printing or call 887-2303.