Today

Loren's Auto Repair offers free pre-winter car inspections 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in exchange for a bag of groceries for Flathead Food Bank.

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

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

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

Whitefish Fiesta Days and Challenge Chili Cook Off. Tickets $3.50 on sale at noon at intersection of Central Avenue and Second Street. Sample the best recipes for chili in town. Call the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce at 862-3501.

Sunday

First Presbyterian Church, Kalispell, hosts the Uptown Lowdown Jazz band from Seattle, 10 a.m. worship service. Call 752-7488.

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

Eastside Kalispell Group neighborhood association and the Kalispell Police Department host an event focused on traffic and neighborhood safety 7-8:30 p.m. at Cornelius Hedges Elementary School, 827 Fourth Ave. E., Kalispell. Public invited. Call 752-2247.

Monday

The road will be closed on Third Avenue East in front of Valley Glass today. Southbound travelers on Third Avenue East will access U.S. 93 off of 18th Street. Northbound travelers will access Third Avenue East from 18th Street.

North Valley Senior Center, 235 Nucleus Ave., Columbia Falls, spaghetti luncheon, beginning at noon. Proceeds go to paying utility bills. Call Roxy Larsen, center manager, at 892-4087.

Montana Silver Foxes Legislature meets at 1:30 p.m., The Summit conference room.

Columbia Falls School board Policy Committee meets at 6 p.m. followed by a regular board meeting at 7 p.m., administration offices boardroom, 501 Sixth Ave. W. Columbia Falls.

Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group meets 6-7:30 p.m., The Summit conference room, Kalispell. Survivors, family, friends are welcome. Author Kevin Coats will talk about his book, "Wildlife of Glacier Park." Light snack and beverage. RSVP to Kathy at 756-4723 or Sue at 756-4725. for details, special transportation needs or child care.

Flathead Audubon meets at 7 p.m., 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. at 30 Lower Valley Road in Kalispell.

FVCC's Local Topics/Global Issues Lecture Series presents, "Colombia: Repression and Resistance" 7 p.m., Blake Hall board room. Jessica Letke, Scott Nicholson and Erin Thompson will share their knowledge and experiences there, and address the U.S. role in the war on drugs in Colombia. Sponsored by Flathead Valley Human Rights Network, People for Peace and Montana Human Rights Network. Free and open to the public. Call Gerda Reeb at 756-3945.

Deer Park School board meets at 7 p.m. at the school.

West Valley School board meets at 7 p.m. in the school library.

Tuesday

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. at their offices valley wide. Call the nearest office to reserve a seat.

Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce membership luncheon noon to 1 p.m., North Valley Community Room,, 235 Nucleus Ave. No reservations required. Lunch available for $8. Guest speaker is Jane Karas, FVCC president. Call Carol Pike at 892-2072.

Edward Jones investment representative Gerald E. Yungling presents an educational financial seminar for women with buffet dinner, beginning at 6 p.m., Hampton Inn, 1140 U.S. 2 W., Kalispell. Seating limited and by registration only. Call Cheryl at 755-4145 to reserve a place.

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.

Kalispell Senior Citizens pancake supper 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the center, 403 Second Ave. W. All area senior citizens welcome. Cost $3 per person.

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

Thought

"History is the propaganda of the victors." n Ernst Toller, German poet and dramatist (1893-1939).

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

Swan River School board meets at 5:30 p.m. in the school library.

Somers School board meets at 6 p.m. for a goals work session followed by a regular meeting at 7 p.m. at Somers Middle School.

School District 5 and Flathead High School district board meets at 7 p.m., Kalispell Junior High School library.

Columbia Falls Heritage Days Committee final 2005 meeting and 2006 kick-off 6:15 p.m., Tote-N-Go Mercantile, 605 Nucleus Ave. All interested invited.

Red Cross Adult CPR certification training, 6:30 p.m. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

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

Fair-Mont-Egan School board meets at 7 p.m. in the library.

Smith Valley School board meets at 7 p.m. at the Intermediate School.

Helena Flats School board meets at 7:30 p.m. in the school library.

Creston Fire District trustees meet at 7:30 p.m. at Creston Fire Hall.

Wednesday

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

Bigfork Parent Share heads to Sweet Pickins, 512 Columbia Falls Stage. 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.

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

Breast Cancer Update 2005, noon luncheon, 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 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.

Whitefish Community Center hosts City Judge Bradley Johnson for a presentation on living wills and applicable Montana law, 1 p.m., Whitefish Golden Agers, 121 Second Street. Call 862-4923.

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

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

Red Cross First Aid Basics certification training, 6:30 p.m. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

Democratic Central Committee 7 p.m. in the basement of Flathead County Library, Kalispell. Guest speaker Dan Kallaher will speak on the "Separation of Church and State." Public invited.

Thursday

School Districts 6 and 8 Child Find free developmental screening 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and Friday for preschool aged children birth to 5 years old, Glacier Gateway Kindergarten, 440 Fourth Ave. W., Columbia Falls. Call 892-6562 to make an appointment.

The Flathead Valley Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management meets at noon, The Summit. Rick Davenport of Putman and Associates will speak on workman's compensation. Cost is $10 per person. Call Cindy Carpenter at Glacier Bank, 756-4233.

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

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

Glacier Pilot Club meets at 5:45 p.m., Vivienne's Cafe, Whitefish. Guest speaker is Stacy Rye, Montana State Brain Injury Group director, will talk about "Opportunities for Glacier Pilot Club members to become involved in the state program." RSVP for dinner reservations to Susan Smith, 862-4900.

Flathead Citizens for Quality Growth meets at 7 p.m., West Valley School Library. Drawing for the quilt will be during this meeting.

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

Friday

Red Cross blood drive with the bloodmobile, noon to 5 p.m., today and Oct. 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. Call Jennifer Boye at 862-6524 or Carol Anderson at 862-7699.

A Look Ahead

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.

Scandinavian Gift and Craft sale 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sons of Norway Lodge, 347 First Ave. E., Kalispell.

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.

Whitefish Swim Team Bullfrogs reunion 9 a.m. Oct. 17, Pin and Cue, Whitefish. Bring your old photos, articles and memories. Call Bev Managhan at 862-3259 or Carolyn Pfrimmer at 862-3641.

Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Oct. 17, Trinity Lutheran Church, Kalispell.

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.

Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Oct. 18, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Main Street, Kalispell.

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.

Red Cross First Aid Basics certification training, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 18. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

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.

Red Cross blood drive, 1-5 p.m., Oct. 19, United States Post Office, Meridian Road, Kalispell.

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.

Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., Oct. 20, at the VFW, Libby.

Whitefish Chamber of Commerce Gone Fishin 5-7 p.m., Oct. 20, Riverside Plaza, U.S. 93. Refreshments served. Call 862-3501.

West Valley Neighborhood Land Use Committee meets at 7 p.m. Oct. 20, West Valley Library to discuss the details of the neighborhood plan.

21st Glacier Stamp Club Show and Exhibition 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 22-23, Museum at Central School, 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Displays, stamp dealers, free stamps for kids and beginners. Free admission to show and to the museum. Call 755-7917 or 888-5204.

First Presbyterian Church of Kalispell, at Sixth and Main, annual Fall and Holiday Bazaar, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 22. Crafts, decorations, homebaked goods, jams and syrups. Hearty soup lunch and pies served 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Proceeds to local charities. Call 752-7488.

Fourth annual Montana Authors celebration and open house, 1-5 p.m., Oct. 22, Whitefish Library. Books sold and readings held. All local authors and their readers are invited. Call 862-6657.

Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Oct. 24, at the center, 17A First Ave., Kalispell.

Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., Oct. 25, Our Lady of Mercy Church, Eureka.

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.

Red Cross Adult CPR certification training, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 25. Call 752-6433 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.

Red Cross blood drive, 2-5 p.m., Oct. 26, Columbia Falls Aluminum Company.

Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m., Oct. 27, Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

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.

Red Cross Infant and Child CPR certification training, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 27. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

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.

Whitefish United Methodist Children's Center hosts a Family Science Night 7-8:30 p.m. Oct. 27, Whitefish United Methodist Church, 1150 Wisconsin Ave. Activities include a sand pendulum, test tube experiments and more. Free and public invited.

Trinity Lutheran Church Thimble Club bazaar 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 28; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 29. Handmade gifts. Lunch served 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 28.

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.

Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Oct. 31, at the center, 17A First Ave., Kalispell.

American Heart Association Heartsaver Program CPR certification, 1-4 p.m. Nov. 2, North Valley Hospital West Wing. Cost is $35. Call 863-3513.

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.

Free Lotus Flower Origami Workshop 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 5, FVCC Business and Social Science building. Learn the art of folded paper to make a lotus blossom. Call Laurie Hammill at 755-4907. Public welcome. Sponsored by practitioners of Falun Dafa.

Free Falun Dafa Qiqong Workshop 7-8:30 p.m. Nov. 9, community room, Flathead County Library, Kalispell. Self-cultivation practice involving four standing exercises and one sitting meditation. Public welcome.

Dr. Matt Bailey of Peak Orthopedics and Sports Medicine gives a free presentation on the "Total Knee, 7 p.m. Nov. 10, North Valley Hospital Lake Room.

AARP Driver Safety Program 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 15-16, North Valley Hospital Glacier Room. Cost is $10. Call 863-3630 to pre-register.

Libby Christmas Parade of Lights 6:30 p.m. Nov. 25.

Sixth annual Christmas is in the Air Whitefish variety show and benefit for Shepherd's Hand Clinic, 7 p.m. Dec. 2, Christ Lutheran Church, 233 Kalispell Ave., Whitefish. Call 862-2615.