Today

Beginning at 6 a.m. the intersection of First Avenue West and Second Street West will be closed for the day to run a new water main. Second Street will remain closed for the rest of the week.

Parade of Homes continues today. Cost $6. Call 756-2509.

Annual Native Games competition through today in Elmo. Open to all youth and adults. Double ball, shinny, canoe races, archery competitions. Stick games and horse events. Call Don Sam at 406-544-6715 or Orsino Walker at 406-849-5967.

Flathead Valley Young Life hosts a banquet for middle and high school students at 4 p.m. at the Christian Center Banquet Hall, Kalispell.

Lakeside 12th annual Chili Cook-off 4 p.m. at the Spinnaker Bar & Grill. Judging 2-4 p.m. Call 844-2176 or 844-2179 to sign up.

Monday

Marion School special board meeting 8 a.m. to discuss budget amendment resolution.

Chiropractor Lynda Purdy, 847 W. Center St., offers exams and adjustments as indicated free of charge today through Friday in exchange for food and cash donations for the Flathead Food Bank. Call 755-1113 for an appointment.

Flathead County Republican Women meet for a luncheon at noon at The Bulldog. Guest speaker is Karen Pfaehler, vice chairperson of the GOP Party. Call Lois Lauman at 857-3512.

Cub Scout Pack 4944 fall recruiting meeting 3:30-5:30 p.m. at St. Matthew's School cafeteria. Call 755-0827.

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

Public is invited to St. Joseph Medical Center's lobby in Polson at 7 p.m. for a talk by Craig Couture, Salish and Kootenai Tribal police chief and member of the Northwest Drug Task Force. Topic is methamphetamines and impact on community. Light refreshments. Seating is limited.

Tuesday

AARP Seniors Driver Safety Program 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., today and Sept. 21, North Valley Hospital, Whitefish. Instructor is Gail Strohshein. Cost is $10. Call 863-3630.

Buffet luncheon 11:30 a.m., Kalispell Center WestCoast Hotel. Cost is $10. Lakeshore Country Journal humor columnist Cynthia Yates talks about "For Heaven's Sake, Lighten Up." Complimentary child care by reservation. Reservations encouraged. RSVP to Rosainne at 257-8098 or Julie at 837-2520. Sponsored by the Kalispell Women's Connection and Stonecroft Ministries.

Kalispell Chamber of Commerce luncheon noon to 1:30 p.m., WestCoast Kalispell Center Hotel. School District 5 Superintendent Darlene Schottle and FVCC President Jane Karas will present overviews on construction projects. Tickets are available for lunch at the chamber or at the door for $12 each or $90 per reserved table of eight. For reservations call 758-2800. Seating is also available for those who would like to attend without lunch.

Montana Veterans Affairs Division board meets at 3 p.m., Montana State Veterans Home, Columbia Falls. A town hall meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Both are in the chapel and the public is welcome to attend. Cal Joe Foster, administrator at 406-324-3741.

Whitefish city election candidate forum begins at 5 p.m. at the Whitefish Central School auditorium; public invited.

Somers School board work session 6 p.m. with building activity updates by school principals, followed by regular meeting at 7 p.m., Somers Middle School.

Big Sky Bonsai Society meets at 7 p.m. at the Flathead County Library, 247 First Ave. E., Kalispell. David Stordal will discuss finding and selecting bonsai material. Free and the public is invited. Contact Jerry Mieslik at 862-0387.

Flathead County Water District No. 8 board meets at 7 p.m., North Valley Hospital Community Room.

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

Montanans for Multiple Use meets at 7 p.m. to discuss Flathead County Growth Policy, Fish, Wildlife and Parks Building, North Meridian Road across from the fairgrounds. Jerry Nix will be guest speaker. Public invited. Call 837-1363.

Wednesday

Montana Coffee Traders will donate all proceeds from brewed coffee sales to victims of Hurricane Katrina. Locations include Kalispell Cafe, Columbia Falls Pines Cafe, downtown Whitefish store, and the Highway roastery. Call 862-7633.

MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:30-11:30 a.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Rev. Mark Cutler will talk about "When Children Play." Child care provided. Call 257-LOVE (5683).

U.S. Department of the Interior and Bureau of Indian Affairs sponsors a public informational meeting on proposed drought management plan and Environmental Impact Statement for Kerr Hydroelectric Project on Flathead Lake 8:30-10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 6-7:30 p.m.; and 8:30- 10 a.m. Sept. 22, Best Western KwaTaqNuk Resort, 303 U.S. 93 S., Polson. Question and comment period.

Thought

"One of these days is none of these days." n Anonymous.

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

Columbia Falls Women's Connection invites you to a "Birthday Bash" luncheon and program at 11:30 a.m., at the Community Room on Nucleus Avenue in Columbia Falls. Musical entertainment by Ron and Carol Pierce. Guest speaker is Norman McCallister of Pearland, Texas. Free child care by reservation. Call Candy at 387-4119 or Sherry at 892-5990 for reservations. The event is affiliated with Stonecroft Ministries.

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

Flathead Chapter of the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation meets at 7:30 p.m. at Community United Methodist Church, 750 Electric Ave., Bigfork. Guest speaker is Stephenie Ambrose Tubbs on the topic of the Corps' encounters with American Indians. Donations accepted. Open to public. Call 756-8992.

Thursday

Kalispell Senior Citizens Medicare information session 9 a.m. at the Center, 403 Second Ave. W. Public welcome. Call 257-1598.

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

Bob Campbell, elected delegate to the Montana Constitutional Convention if 1972, will speak on "The Making and Promises of the Montana Constitution, at 7 p.m. at the Museum at Central School, 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Free. Public invited. Call 756-8381.

Friday

Seeley Lake Tamarack Festival Sept. 23-25. Mill tours, today. Call 406-677-2880; Tamarack Fun Run 10 a.m. Sept. 24. Call 40-677-3330. Arts and crafts fair, Kids' Towne, quilt show, live music and much more, Sept. 24-25.

A Look Ahead

Lone Pine State Park and the Montana Conservation Corps host National Public Lands Day and barbecue, beginning at 9 a.m. Sept. 24, Lone Pine Park. Volunteers needed. Bring water bottle, and work shoes and gloves. Meet at the picnic shelter. Call MCC at 755-3619 or Rochelle Pope at 755-2706.

Kalispell Street Tree Commission semi-annual recycling drive 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 24, Flathead County Fairgrounds. Bring your newspapers, magazines, office paper, cardboard, phone books and aluminum cans to be recycled to purchase street trees. Call Kalispell Parks and Recreation at 758-7715.

Polson High School Student Government and Polson Fire Department boot drive today from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 24 at the intersection of Montana 35 and Heritage Lane (Wal-Mart entrance) for the Gulf Coast emergency responders who lost everything during Hurricane Katrina.

Seeley Lake Tamarack Festival continues Sept. 24-25. Tamarack Fun Run 10 a.m. Sept. 24. Call 40-677-3330. Arts and crafts fair, Kids' Towne, quilt show, live music and more all weekend.

Kalispell Senior Citizens Medicare free brunch for members 10:30 to noon Sept. 24, at the Center, 403 Second Ave. W. Call 257-1598.

Evergreen Business and Property Owners Association third annual Pie and Ice Cream fund-raiser 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 24, Evergreen Fire Hall. All proceeds go to Evergreen Community Partners for the East Evergreen sidewalk/bike path. Door prizes and games. Everyone welcome. Call 257-6767.

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.

Swan River School Recycle Drive fund-raiser 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 24. Bring cans, magazines and newspapers to the school parking lot. Call Angie Tull at 837-9919.

American Karate Academy Scholarship Fund pancake breakfast 8-11 a.m. Sept. 24, Whitefish Mountain Mall. Proceeds go toward student scholarships. All are welcome.

Lutherans for Life rummage sale 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 24, 405 Liberty St. A portion of proceeds benefits Hope Pregnancy Center. Call 756-8344.

American Karate Academy Safety School Expo fund-raiser for St. Jude Children's Hospital, 11 to 5 p.m. Sept. 24, Whitefish Mountain Mall. Break-a-thons, karate kicks and demonstrations. Magic by Dan Jimmerson 1 -3 p.m., Puppet show 2 p.m.; Stranger Awareness Seminar 3-3:30 p.m. Fingerprints and identification photos taken. Raffles, drawings, give-aways, free bike helmets. McGruff, the Crime Dog will also be on hand. Free. Donations accepted.

Columbia Falls Scout Pack 101 fall membership round-up 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 24, Fellowship Alliance Church, 1025 Seventh Ave. W., Columbia Falls. Boys in grades 1-5 should attend and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Free hot dogs and snacks. Games. Call Rich or Ginger at 892-3884.

Hurricane Katrina Relief Benefit with Andre Floyd and Mood Iquana, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 24, Knead Cafe, Kalispell. Five course Cajun dinner and live musical entertainment. All proceeds go to Louisiana and Mississippi Red Cross. Admission is $50 per person. For reservations call 755-7510.

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

Montana Loon Society annual meeting 10 am. to 3 p.m. Sept. 25, in Polson. Take Rocky Point Road off U.S. 93 north out of Polson for 6.4 miles. After the third cattle guard, take the third left. Regional reports on Montana's loons, election of officers and more. Bring a potluck dish to share, serviceware and lawn chairs. Call 406-883-5797.

Glacier RCers Model Airplane Fly-in and Swap Meet 10 a.m. Sept. 25. RC planes, boats, cars, scale models and other hobbies. Raffle. Admission $2; 16 and under are free. Food and beverages available. The flying field is on Whitefish Stage Road 10 miles north of U.S. 2. Turn right on K-Lazy-D Ranch Road. Call Ray Cunan at 756-3455.

Whitefish Community Center, 121 E. Second St., hosts Oktoberfest 1:30 to 4 p.m. Sept. 25 at the center. Authentic German food and Wheatfish beer, and wine. Music by the Bavarian Echoes. Tickets are $15 per person or $28 per couple, and are available at the center or at the door. Call 862-4923.

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

Democratic Women's Club meet for a luncheon Sept. 26 at the WestCoast Kalispell Center Hotel. Guest speakers are Kalispell Mayor Pam Kennedy and Columbia Falls Mayor Susan Nicosia on the topic, "Women in Politics." Call Pauline Sjordal at 257 4452.

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

Somers townsite Association meets at 7 p.m. Sept. 26 at Somers School to discuss drafting a neighborhood plan. All are welcome.

The Flathead Conservation District meets at 7 p.m. Sept. 26, at 30 Lower Valley Road in Kalispell.

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

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

3 Evergreen Business and Property Owner's Association meets at 7 p.m., Evergreen Fire Hall, 2236 U.S. 2 E., Kalispell. The public is invited.

Montana Coffee Traders will donate all proceeds from brewed coffee sales to victims of Hurricane Katrina Sept. 28. Locations include Kalispell Cafe, Columbia Falls Pines Cafe, downtown Whitefish store, and the Highway roastery. Call 862-7633.

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.

Denise Smith, field representative for Senator Conrad Burns will offer community outreach hours 10:30 a.m. to noon Sept. 29 at the Mission Mountain Market, 405 Main St. in Ronan. Call 257-3360 or 800-344-1513.

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

Flathead Civil War Roundtable meets at 7 p.m. Sept. 29, The Summit conference room. Those with an interest in the Civil War welcome to attend. Call Ron Juno at 862-2239 or Jim Van Denburg at 837-4446.

Free prostate cancer screening 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 30, The Summit, Kalispell. To register and for information call 751-4000.

Boomers Singles Activities Group social hour, 6 p.m., followed by dinner buffet at 7 p.m., Sept. 30, Black Angus-Red Lion Inn, U.S. 2 W., Kalispell. RSVP by noon Thursday by calling Duane at 257-4502 or Marilyn at 862-9747. All are welcome.

Free prostate cancer screening 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct.1, The Summit, Kalispell. To register and for information call 751-4000.

Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Garage Sale Fund-raiser, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 1-2, 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.

Circle of Friends of the Community United Methodist Church annual fall bazaar 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 1. Soft sculpture folk art, Christmas ornaments, scripture pottery, homemade jam and fresh garden produce, baked goods. Lunch served at 11:30 a.m. Proceeds to relief for Katrina victims. Call 837-4547.

Stroller Strides Fitness Classes for moms grand opening event, noon Oct. 1, Woodland Park, Kalispell. Demonstrations, refreshments, giveaways for free classes and more. Contact daniellem@strollerstrides.net.

Pope John Paul II Catholic Church Oktoberfest 1-5 p.m. Oct. 2, 195 Coverdell Road, Bigfork. Live music, polka. 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. Oct. 2 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 Oct. 2, Central School Gymnasium, Whitefish. Free admission. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Auction begins at 6 p.m.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month candlelight vigil, 6 p.m. Oct. 3, Northridge Lutheran Church, 323 Northridge Dr., Kalispell. All who wish to speak out against family violence welcome to attend.

Kila School board policy meeting 5 p.m. Oct. 4, at the school.

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

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

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.