Today

Rhodes Draw will be closed today to replace a cattle pass one mile from Farm to Market Road. Alternate routes will be necessary. Call Flathead County Bridge Department, 758-5790.

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.

The Flathead County Republican Central Committee meets at noon at the Bulldog. A new treasurer will be elected.

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, Kalispell. 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.

Benefit spaghetti dinner to help cover medical costs for Dennis Galloway's cancer treatment, 5-6:30 p.m., Eagles, Kalispell. Auction 7 p.m. Live music and dancing 9 p.m. Families $12, adults $5, kids (6-12) $3.

Saturday

Cross Currents Christian School annual pancake breakfast, 8-11 a.m., 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. 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., Flathead Valley Orthopedic in Whitefish. To make an appointment and for information call 751-4000.

St. Richard's Parish, Columbia Falls, rummage sale, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., sponsored by Knights of Columbus. Tools, toys and more.

Kalispell Christian Church Women of Worship present a program, "Seasons of a Woman's Life," by ob/gyn Dr. Perry K. Birky at 10 a.m., 1075 Foys Lake Road, Kalispell. Question and answer period. Finger food served. All welcome.

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

Kalispell Christian Church Women of Worship present a program, "Seasons of a Woman's Life," by ob/gyn Dr. Perry K. Birky at 10 a.m., 1075 Foys Lake Road, Kalispell. Question and answer period. Finger food served. All welcome.

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

Dedication and ribbon cutting of newest section of Fish Trails bike trail at 11 a.m. in Whitefish. Meet at the Baker Park Kiddie Park gazebo. Drawing for Big Mountain ski pass will be held. Tickets $1 each or $10 for 12 available at event. All welcome.

Blessing of the Animals at 2 p.m. at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, 535 Fourth Ave. W. in Columbia Falls and Holy Nativity Episcopal Church, 214 E. Second St., Whitefish. Bring your pets on leashes, in cages or otherwise restrained. Call 862-2863.

Family Fall Carnival 4-7 p.m. Northridge Heights Church of God, at intersection of U.S. 93 and Northridge Drive. Games, good food and fun. All welcome. Call 752-4088.

Mountain Brook annual Harvest Supper 6 p.m., 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., Thompson Falls Junior High School. Tickets $25 for adults, $12.50 for children 12 and under; or call 406-827-3218.

Thought

"Nobody holds a good opinion of a man who has a low opinion of himself." n Anthony Trollope, English author (1815-1882).

Bigfork's fourth annual Harvest Barn Dance with country band Live Wire and local band, LeftOver Biscuits, 6:30 p.m., 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.

Big Mountain Ski Club annual membership meeting/ wine and cheese party 7 p.m., Rocky Mountain Lodge in Whitefish. Bring an hors d'oeuvre. Beverages provided. Door prizes. Call 862-7010 or log on to bigmountainskiclub.org

Sunday

Third annual Tour of the Arts of Seeley-Swan featuring studios and homes of the Seeley Swan Valleys, noon to 6 p.m., 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.

Monday

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

Flathead Republic women luncheon noon, WestCoast Outlaw Hotel. Guest speaker retired Whitefish Police assistant chief Lonnie Herrmann will talk about recruiting and training Iraqis to become police officers. Call Marcia Daigle at 257-7697.

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

Boys & Girls Club of Glacier Country annual Lights On After School celebration 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., Swan Lake Community Center. Free to community club members, $10 donation for guests. Entree provided. Bring a side dish to share.

Swan Lake Community Center hosts a Wild Game Dinner. $10 donation benefits Swan Mission Search and Rescue.

Tuesday

Annual Harvest Country Fair and Auction and buffet luncheon 11:30 a.m., 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., at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Main Street, Kalispell.

Eidsvold Lutheran Church Oktoberfest 5-8 p.m., 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.

Benefit spaghetti dinner for Alyssa Pyper Smith, an infant with stage four neuroblastoma cancer, 5-7 p.m. Oct. 18, Columbia Falls High School. Tickets $6 adult, $4 children under 12, available at Glacier Banks of Columbia Falls, Whitefish and Kalispell. Tickets $1 more at the door. Sponsored by Columbia Falls Highs School Key club.

Representatives from Montana State Auditor's office and Flathead County Agency on Aging will provide information on the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Part "D" 6 p.m., United Way conference room, Gateway West Mall, Kalispell. All potential beneficiaries encouraged to attend. RSVP to Agency on Aging 758-5730 or 756-8992.

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

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

Cayuse Prairie School board meets at 7 p.m. in the school library.

Big Sky Bonsai Society meets at 7 p.m. at the Flathead County Library in Kalispell. David Stordal will demonstrate the use of stones with bonsai. Free and the public is invited. Contact Jerry Mieslik at 862-0387.

Flathead Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited's first general membership meeting for 2005-2006, 7 p.m., Bohemian Grange Hall, just east of Montana Coffee Traders, U.S. 93 South, Whitefish. Guest speaker Vince Grillo, a south Florida guide presents a program on saltwater fishing for tarpon, snook redfish and other species in southern Florida.

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.

A Look Ahead

Brunch is offered the public at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 19, Los Caporales, Nucleus Avenue, Columbia Falls. Cost is $7 per person. Program by Vall Ostrem of Ostrem Farms, a local herb business. Guest speaker is Harriet Calcaterra of Missoula. Free child care by reservation. Call Candy at 387-4119, or Sherry at 892-5990; or e-mail attard@bigsky.net. Sponsored by the Columbia Falls Women's Connection and Stonecroft Ministries.

Representatives from Montana State Auditor's office and Flathead County Agency on Aging will provide information on the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Part "D" 9:30 a.m. Oct.19, United Way conference room, Gateway West Mall, Kalispell. All potential beneficiaries encouraged to attend. RSVP to Agency on Aging 758-5730 or 756-8992.

MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:30-11:30 a.m. Oct. 19. Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Guest speaker Mac Bledsoe will speak on his new book, "Parenting with Dignity: The Preschool Years." Child care provided. Call 257-LOVE (5683).

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

Flathead Chapter of Montana Native Plant Society potluck 5:30 p.m. Oct. 19, Mountain View Mennonite Church, at junction of Creston Hatchery and Mennonite Church Roads, Creston. All welcome. Call Rachel Potter at 892-2446.

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.

Northwestern Energy, 890 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell, hosts a customer appreciation open house 3-8 p.m. Oct. 20. Free weatherization kits and tips, face painting, bucket rides, treats and Louis the Lighting Bug for the kids.

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.

D'Arcy McNickle Library Autumn Book Sale, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 24, 25 and 26, Late Louie Caye Cultural Building. New and used books of all kind. Call 406-275-4875.

Flathead County Democratic Women meet for a no host luncheon at noon Oct. 24, WestCoast Kalispell Center Hotel. Guest speaker is Wendy Dole of Flathead County Health Department and Family Planning Services. All interested parties welcome. Call Pauline at 257-4452.

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

The Flathead Conservation District meets at 7 p.m. Oct. 24 at 30 Lower Valley Road, 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.

Salvation Army Harvest Fest Carnival 6-8 p.m. Oct. 26, Salvation Army, 110 Bountiful Dr., Kalispell. Hot dogs, chips, and soft drink, $1.50. Proceeds go to youth programs. Games, door prizes, cake walk, duck pond, football throw and much more. All are welcome.

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.

Halloween Hunt for kids 3-9 years old 11 a.m. Oct. 29, Woodland Park, Kalispell, sponsored by Kalispell Parks and Recreation. Hunt for candy and pumpkins. Prizes in three age categories. Call 758-7717.

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.

Glacier Bank hosts a Halloween Spooktacular 5:30-8 p.m. Oct. 31, at the Main Street office, Kalispell. Toys for all who dare enter.

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

"Court TV" and Bresnan Communications offer free digital fingerprinting for kids 3-7 pm. Nov. 4, Kalispell Center Mall. Each child will receive an 8 x 10 printout with photo, fingerprints and personal identification information.

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.

St. Richard's Church Bazaar 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 12, 1210 Ninth St. W., Columbia Falls. Raffles, baked goods, crafts, children's Christmas tree, and a hand embroidered and quilted quilt to be silently auctioned. Homemade pie, coffee and lunch available.

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.