Today

Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Garage Sale Fund-raiser continues today, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Flathead County Fairgrounds Expo and Grandstand buildings. Clean, reasonable priced donations accepted Sept. 28-30 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 212-2024 or 862-4039.

Pope John Paul II Catholic Church Oktoberfest 1-5 p.m., 195 Coverdell Road, Bigfork. Dance to the Don Lawrence Orchestra from 1-5 p.m. Tickets $10 adults, $4 children 4-12; free children under 4. Brats, sauerkraut, potato salad, applesauce and dessert served. Call Mary at 837-0057 for tickets. Proceeds to the needy in the valley and around the world.

Annual Life Chain sponsored by Flathead ProLife, 2-3 p.m. at intersection of U.S. 2 and U.S. 93, Kalispell. Silent demonstration of pro-life support. Signs provided. Bring a lawn chair if you're unable to stand for an hour. Call Ginny at 752-8424.

Speed the Light live and silent auction fund-raiser, Central School Gymnasium, Whitefish. Free admission. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Auction begins at 6 p.m.

Monday

Lake County Republican Club meets at noon at the Lake County Courthouse conference room. Guest speaker is Kathy Newgard, registrar of voters. All welcome. Call 887-2303 or 883-2277 for reservations.

AARP Seniors Driver Safety Program 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., today and Wednesday, North Valley Senior Center, Columbia Falls. Instructor is Gail Strohschein. Cost is $10. Call 892-4087.

Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., at the center, 17A First Ave., Kalispell.

Free toenail clinic for senior citizens, 3:30 p.m., Kalispell Senior Center, 403 Second Ave. W. Call 257-1598.

Kila School board policy meeting 5 p.m. at the school.

Rails to Trails of Northwest Montana meets at 5 p.m. at the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks building, 490 Meridian Road. All are welcome. Call 257-1932.

Annual community luau at Six Mile Estates 5 p.m., sponsored by Swan Lake Chamber of Commerce. Drinks and entree supplied. Bring a side dish.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month candlelight vigil, 6 p.m., Northridge Lutheran Church, 323 Northridge Dr., Kalispell. All who wish to speak out against family violence welcome to attend.

People for Peace and the Montana Human Rights Network meets at Flathead Valley United Church of Christ, 204 Seventh Ave. W. Potluck dinner at 6 p.m. business meeting and report from Columbia, 7 p.m.

Kalispell City Council meets at 7 p.m., Kalispell City Hall.

Columbia City Council meets at 7 p.m., Columbia Falls City Hall.

Whitefish City Council meets at 7:10 p.m., Whitefish City Hall.

Tuesday

AARP Seniors Driver Safety Program 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., today and Thursday, The Summit, Kalispell. Instructor Tom Hines. Cost is $10. Call 751-4500.

Somers School District board Financial and Federal Programs Committee meets at 12:45 p.m., Somers Middle School.

Red Cross blood drive, 1-6 p.m., Bigfork Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 121 Crestwood.

Wednesday

Alpine Spinners and Weavers have a "spin-in" to demonstrate their skills and display their artistic creations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kalispell Center Mall.

Red Cross overflow relief drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the center, 17A First Ave., Kalispell.

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.

American Heart Association CPR Instruction 1-4 p.m. North Valley Hospital. Cost is $35. Call 863-3513 to register.

12th annual Glacier Jazz Stampede Oct. 5-9 featuring Dixieland, ragtime, swing and Big Band music at WestCoast Kalispell Center Hotel, Kalispell Center Mall and Kalispell Eagles. Call Gary Fisher at 755-6088.

McGregor Lake Association meets at 7 p.m. McGregor Lake Resort. Community forester Bill Swope will speak on available grant funding for fuels reduction in the area for clean-up, fire proofing or thinning projects on owned or leased property.

Thursday

Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the center, 17A First Ave., Kalispell.

17th annual Bigfork Ducks Unlimited Banquet 5 p.m., Marina Cay Resort. $50 single, $75 per couple. Call John Robinson at 249-4146 or Mark Manders at 837-3242.

Somers School board Curriculum & Extracurricular, Disciplinary & Public Relations, Transportation & School Food, and Personnel & Negotiations committees meet at 6 p.m., Somers Middle School.

The Flathead Valley Fibromyalgia Support Group meets at 7 p.m. in The Summit conference room. Call Jerry at 253-7228.

Thought

"I have always noticed that deeply and truly religious persons are fond of a joke, and I am suspicious of those who aren't."

-Alfred North Whitehead, English philosopher and mathematician (1861-1947).

Friday

Kalispell Ski Club will accept consignments 1-8 p.m. for their annual Ski Swap and Sale Oct. 8-9, Flathead County Fairgrounds. Call 752-SKIS.

Big Sky Astronomy Club meets at 7 p.m., Kalispell Junior High School library. Visitors are welcome. Park in the school's east lot. Call Bruce at 857-3753 or Scott at 755-3939.

A Look Ahead

The Cat Adoption Center at the Flathead Spay & Neuter Clinic, 3491 Trumble Creek Road, Columbia Falls, will had cats and kittens available for adoption 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 8. Adoption fee is $25. Call Valerie at 752-3513.

Kalispell Ski Club annual Ski Swap and Sale 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 8; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 9, Flathead County Fairgrounds. Proceeds go to fund the Learn to Ski Program. Call 752-SKIS or visit www.kalispellskiclub.com.

Children's House of Montessori School of Whitefish annual Pumpkin Patch Kids Carnival fund-raiser 11 a.m., Oct. 8, Credit Union Park. Games, prizes, face painting, cake walk, pumpkins, baked goods, soup, cider and more. Call 863-4685.

Flathead Audubon meets at 7 p.m. Oct. 10, The Summit. Guest speaker Lou Bruno retired East Glacier Park school teacher, will present "A Naturalist's Journey in Mexico." Free and open to the public.

The Flathead Conservation District meets at 7 p.m. Oct. 10 at 30 Lower Valley Road in Kalispell.

Edward Jones investment representatives host a free one-hour broadcast titled, "A Future Worth Protecting," at 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Oct. 11 at their offices valley wide. Call the nearest office to reserve a seat.

Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., at the center, 17A First Ave., Kalispell.

Red Cross blood drive, 2-5:30 p.m., Lakeside Elementary School.

Kila School board meets at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 11, at the school.

Whitefish School board work session 5 p.m. followed by regular meeting at 7 p.m. Oct. 11.

Bigfork Steering Committee meets at 7 p.m. Oct. 11 at Bigfork Elementary School gym to discuss results of Bigfork survey and for comments. Information regarding Bigfork Land Use Area will be presented. Local and Flathead County officials will be present. Public invited. Call Sue Hanson at 837-5323.

Bigfork Parent Share heads to Sweet Pickins, 512 Columbia Falls Stage, Oct. 12. Meet at Woody's parking lot at 9:15 a.m. Cost $3.50 includes small pumpkin and popcorn, petting zoo, maze and more. Call Denise at 982-3257 or Dana at 837-4408.

Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Oct. 12, at the center, 17A First Ave., Kalispell.

Breast Cancer Update 2005, noon luncheon, Oct. 12, North Valley Hospital Community Room. Lunch $5, lecture free, presented by Dr. Ryan Gunlikson. RSVP by Oct. at 863-3630.

Lakeside Community Club meets at noon Oct. 12 at Vista Linda. Cost for lunch is $8. Guest speaker Mindy Breckenridge will talk about her business, Buns by the Lake. For reservations call Connie Schrepfer at 844-2084.

Evergreen School District board meets at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 12, in the administration building boardroom.

Red Cross blood drive, 12:30-5:30 p.m., Oct. 13, at the center, 17A First Ave., Kalispell. Sponsored by the Kalispell Rotary.

Diabetes Support Group meets 5-7 p.m. Oct. 13, at The Summit. Colleen Karper presents "Know Your Numbers." Refreshments, Free glucose meters provided to participants. Call 751-5454.

Flathead Citizens for Quality Growth meets at 7 p.m., Oct. 13, West Valley School Library.

Jeannie Jorgensen of the Association of Applied Therepeutic Humor will give a presentation on the therapeutic benefits of humor, 7 p.m. Oct. 13, North Valley Hospital Community Room. Free and public is invited. Call 863-3630.

Red Cross blood drive with the bloodmobile, noon to 5 p.m., Oct. 14-15, at Wal-Mart, Kalispell.

Whitefish Figure Skating Club invites skaters ages 5-12 to a "Halloween Hop" free skate, 5:15-6:15 p.m. Oct. 14. Call Jennifer Boye at 862-6524 or Carol Anderson at 862-7699.

Cross Currents Christian School annual pancake breakfast, 8-11 a.m. Oct. 15, Mountain Mall Food Court. Donations go to teachers' professional development fund. Public welcome.

Epworth United Methodist Church, 329 Second Ave. W., Kalispell, annual fall rummage sale 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 15. Most items are 3 for $1. Fill a bag for $1 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Call Sue Jacobson at 755-5375.

Free prostate cancer screening 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 15, Flathead Valley Orthopedic in Whitefish. To make an appointment and for information call 751-4000.

CPR/First aid instruction 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 15 North Valley Hospital community room. Cost is $50. Call 863-3513 to pre-register.

Mountain Brook annual Harvest Supper 6 p.m. Oct. 15, Mountain Brook Community Library 2353 Foothill Road. Potluck dinner followed by Bingo with prizes. Free. Bring a potluck dish and pie to share, and service ware for your group. Coffee and juice provided.

Sanders County Coalition for Families annual Fall Harvest Gala fund-raiser presents "I Am Domestic Violence," with Broadway actress Wambui Bahati, 6:30 to 10 p.m. Oct. 15, Thompson Falls Junior High School. Tickets $25 for adults, $12.50 for children 12 and under; or call 406-827-3218.

Bigfork's fourth annual Harvest Barn Dance with country band Live Wire and local band, LeftOver Biscuits, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 15, at River Bend Ranch on Eastman Drive. Tickets are available at the Jug Tree and Bigfork Drug and are $110 per couple or $60 each includes roast pork loin barbecue dinner. Ticket $25 each for dance at 9 p.m. Fund-raiser for Bigfork Rotary Club. Call 837-5888.

Third annual Tour of the Arts of Seeley-Swan featuring studios and homes of the Seeley Swan Valleys, noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 16, sponsored by Alpine Artisans Inc. Tickets are $10 for adults and $3 for students ages 12-18 available at the Historic Barn in Seeley Lake, 2920 Montana 83 North, and Swan Valley Community Hall, at mile mare 42 in Condon. Call Chris Jewett at 406-677-7001 or Marilyn Wolff at 754-5444.

Boys & Girls Club of Glacier Country annual Lights On After School celebration Oct. 17 at the club's roller rink, 155 Shady Lane, Kalispell. Skating, games and prizes for club members, 4-H and Scouts. Sponsored by Afterschool Alliance. Call 892-7486 or 752-5440.

Annual Swan Lake Oktoberfest and wild game dinner 6 p.m., Oct. 17, Swan Lake Community Center. Free to community club members, $10 donation for guests. Entree provided. Bring a side dish to share.

Annual Harvest Country Fair and Auction and buffet luncheon 11:30 a.m., Oct. 18, Kalispell Center WestCoast Hotel. Silent and live auctions on merchandise, gift certificates, home baked goods and more. Harriet Calcaterra will speak on the topic, "Uncommon Common Woman. "Cost is $10. RSVP to Rosainne at 257-8098 or Julie at 837-2520. Complimentary child care by reservation. Sponsored by the Kalispell Women's Connection and Stonecroft Ministries.

Eidsvold Lutheran Church Oktoberfest 5-8 p.m. Oct. 18, Vista Linda, 240 Boon Road, Somers. Live "oompah-style" entertainment, German food. Cost $7 adults, $3 children 4-12. Proceeds to Red Cross for hurricane disaster relief and to local food banks.

One Book Montana discussion group for Diane Smith's "Letters from Yellowstone" meets at 7 p.m. Oct. 18, Columbia Falls public library. Call Public Services Librarian Katie Boyes at 758-5713.

Kalispell City Council meets at 7 p.m., Oct. 18, Kalispell City Hall.

Columbia City Council meets at 7 p.m., Oct. 18, Columbia Falls City Hall.

Whitefish City Council meets at 7:10 p.m., Oct. 18, Whitefish City Hall.

One Book Montana discussion group for Diane Smith's "Letters from Yellowstone" meets at 7 p.m. Oct. 19, Bigfork public library. Call Public Services Librarian Katie Boyes at 758-5713.

Power of Humor Workshop 6:30-9 p.m. Oct. 25 and 27, North Valley Hospital Lake Room. Presentation by Jeannie Jorgensen, certified laughter leader. Cost is $30. Call 863-3630 to pre-register.

One Book Montana discussion group for Diane Smith's "Letters from Yellowstone" meets at 7 p.m. Oct. 25, Whitefish public library. Call Public Services Librarian Katie Boyes at 758-5713.

Management board of the Flathead Special Education Cooperative meets at 1 p.m., followed by the Executive Council at 2 p.m., Oct. 27 in the Evergreen School District administration board room. Open to public.

One Book Montana discussion group for Diane Smith's "Letters from Yellowstone" meets at 7 p.m. Oct. 27, Kalispell public library. Call Public Services Librarian Katie Boyes at 758-5713.

Rollins Volunteer Fire Department "Meatloaf Mania" and "Haunted Wagon Ride into the Depths of Horror," 6:30-9:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at the fire hall. Awards for costumes and best meat loaf. Karaoke. Free admission. Desserts to share are welcome.

Friends of the Flathead County Library annual book sale, 10 a.m. to 7 pm. Nov. 4; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 5; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 6, Kalispell Center Mall. Donations welcome. Call Lisa Simmer at 257-3888 or Erica Wirtala at 257-3988.