Today

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.

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

North Valley Senior Center potluck dinner 5:30 p.m. Guest speaker is Gail Strohschein.

Saturday

Sixth annual Labor Day Huckleberry Pancake Breakfast 8 a.m. to noon, today through Monday, Laughing Horse Lodge, Swan Lake, on Montana 83 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.

16th annual Dahlia Show today and Sunday at the Kalispell Center Mall.

Sunday

Sixth annual Labor Day Huckleberry Pancake Breakfast 8 a.m. to noon, continues today and Monday, Laughing Horse Lodge, Swan Lake, on Montana 83 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.

16th annual Dahlia Show continues today at the Kalispell Center Mall.

Monday

City of Kalispell Solid Waste Division will not be picking up 90-gallon containers today due to the Labor Day holiday. Today's route will be picked up on Tuesday. Have containers out by 7 a.m.

Sixth annual Labor Day Huckleberry Pancake Breakfast 8 a.m. to noon continues today at Laughing Horse Lodge, Swan Lake, on Montana 83 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.

Tuesday

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

Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., at the center, 17A First Ave., Kalispell. Sponsored by State Farms Neighbors Give Life.

AARP Seniors Driver Safety Program 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., today and Sept. 8. Columbia Falls Senior Center. Instructor Gail Strohschien. Cost is $10. Call 892-5070.

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

Smith Valley School board meets at 6 p.m. in the library.

Wednesday

Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., at the center, 17A First Ave., Kalispell. Sponsored by State Farms Neighbors Give Life.

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

Thursday

The Flathead Valley Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management meets at noon, WestCoast Kalispell Center Hotel.Wanda Williams, Work Force Development Director for the Montana State SHRM Council will speak. Cost is $10 per person. Call Cindy Carpenter at Glacier Bank, 756-4233.

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

Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Whitefish Stage, Kalispell.

18th annual Taste of Whitefish 6-9 p.m., 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.

A Look Ahead

Red Cross blood drive,11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sept. 9, at the center, 17A First Ave., Kalispell.

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.

Central School Alumni Club Picnic 2-4 p.m. Sept. 9, on the lawn at the Museum at Central School. All alumni invited. Bring pictures and memorabilia. RSVP to 756-8381.

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.

Libby Nordicfest Sept. 9-11. Parade Sept. 10. Call 1-800-221-0166.

Thought

"Life is a tragic mystery. We are pierced and driven by laws we only half understand, we find that the lesson we learn again and again is that of accepting heroic helplessness." n Florida Scott-Maxwell, American writer and psychologist (1884-1979).

Dayton Day Parade and benefit for Chief Cliff Volunteer Fire Department Sept. 10. Parade at 3 p.m. Barbecue at 4:30 pm. Church bazaar, sailboat rides, wine tasting. Music by Roy Wilhelm Band at 6:30 p.m.

Antique Tractor Show, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Sept. 10; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 11,Columbia Falls. Parade of Power, miniature steam train rides. Threshing and plowing, tractor contests. Entertainment. Thresher's lunch. Admission $5. Call Mark at 862-6275, Nick at 253-2213 or Bob at 752-2469.

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.

Sally Delby and her Celtic Cross School of Dance present an Irish dance program at 11 a.m. at First Baptist church, 301 W. Wyoming, Kalispell. Lunch will be served afterward. Free and the public is invited. Call 755-7343.

Celebrate the U.S. Forest Service Centennial at a free concert by the naitonally known Fiddlin' Foresters, 3 p.m. Sept. 11, Glacier Bible Camp, Hungry Horse. Live music, visuals and humor. All are welcome. Call 758-5208.

North Valley Senior Center hosts a Red Hat program 1 p.m. Sept. 12. All members and other seniors invited. Refreshments served.

Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m.,Sept. 12, at the center, 17A First Ave., Kalispell.

First meeting of new mother's group, 7-9 p.m. Sept. 12, Bohemian Grange Hall befing Coffee Traders on U.S. 93 South, Whitefish. Women with or without their children are welcome. Issues addressed concern women of all ages. Snacks available. Free. Hosted by Belly River Birth Service. Call Katie Gaines Madison at 892-2784.

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 a variety of Flathead Valley locations. To reserve a seat call one of the representatives nearest you.

Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sept. 13, Meadow Lake Resort, Columbia Falls.

Red Cross Adult CPR certification training, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 13. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

Back Country Horsemen of the Flathead meet at 7:30 p.m., Sept. 13, Fish, Wildlife and Parks Building, 490 North Meridian Road. Public welcome.

Bigfork Parent Share meets 9:30 a.m. Sept. 14, at the Community United Methodist Church, Bigfork. Guest speaker Wendy Olson will talk about car seat safety. Call Denise at 892-3257; or Dana at 837-4408.

Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sept. 14, at the center, 17A First Ave., Kalispell.

North Valley Senior Center offers a toenail clinic at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 14 with Kim Spicher.

Red Cross First Aid Basics certification training, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 14. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

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.

First planning meeting for the 47th Whitefish Winter Carnival is 7 p.m. Sept. 14, Mountain West Bank, Spokane Avenue. Call Cathy Juno at 862-2239.

Red Cross blood drive, 12:30 -5:30 p.m., Sept. 15, Whitefish North Valley Hospital, sponsored by the Whitefish Rotary.

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.

North Valley Senior Center rummage sale 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept 16-17. Donations welcome.

Handcrafted Harvest Market, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sept. 16-17, Bigfork Art and Cultural Center. Artists and craftsmen display their wares.

Parade of Homes, Open house to showcase Flathead Valley, Sept. 16-18. Cost $6. Call 756-2509.

Annual Native Games competition Sept. 16-18 in Elmo. Open to all youth and adults. Double ball, shinny, canoe races, archery competitions. Stick games and horse events. For information or to donate or sponsor an event, call Don Sam at 406-544-6715 or Orsino Walker at 406-849-5967.

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 3 p.m. Sept. 17. Meet at the Center. Pack a lunch. Space is limited. Pre-registration required. Call Diann at 406-754-3137.

Red Cross Adult CPR certification training, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 19. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

Red Cross Infant and Child CPR certification training, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 21. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

Lone Pine State Park and the Montana Conservation Corps host National Public Lands Day, beginning at 9 a.m. Sept. 24, Lone Pine Park. Volunteers needed. Bring water bottle, and work shoes and gloves. Call MCC at 755-3619.

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.

Safety School Expo and Kick-a-Thon, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 24, Mountain Mall, Whitefish. Free. Donations benefit St. Jude's Hospital. Sponsored by American Karate Academy Inc. Call 862-7722.

Coram/West Glacier Firemen's Benefit, 8:30 p.m. Sept. 24, Dew Drop Inn, Coram. Entertainment by the Don Lawrence Orchestra.

Taste of Home Cooking School, Sept. 26, Flathead County Fairgrounds. Call 758-5810.

Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Sept. 26, at the center, 17A First Ave., Kalispell.

Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., Sept. 27, Good Shepard Church, Polson, sponsored by Polson Soroptimists.

Red Cross Adult CPR certification training, 6:30 p.m., Sept. 27. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., Sept. 28, Lowe's, Kalispell.

Red Cross First Aid Basics certification training, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 28. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

Red Cross blood drive, 11 am. to 4 p.m., Sept. 29, Tele Tech, Gateway West Mall, Kalispell.

Speed the Light live and silent auction fundraiser Oct. 2, Central School Gymnasium, Whitefish. Free admission. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Auction begins at 6 p.m.

Sanders County Coalition for Families annual Fall Harvest Gala 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. Event is a fundraiser.