Today

Shire of Crystal Crags Barbarian Bash through Sunday, 280 Trap Road, Columbia Falls. Public welcome. Fee campsites available. Call John Lawler at 249-4131.

Seeley Lake Tamarack Festival today through Sunday. 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.

FVCC Local Topics/Global Issues lecture series Native American Heritage Day. Joyce Silverthorne, tribal director Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, lectures on "Challenges in Implementing Indian Education for All - Closing the Achievement Gap" noon to 1 p.m. Room SAT 148. Free and the public is invited. Call 756-3945.

Saturday

Glacier National Park celebrates Public Lands Day. Free entrance to park for this day only. Call 888-7800.

Skydive Lost Prairie, 3175 Lower Lost Prairie Road, Marion, day-long Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Jump-a-thon beginning at 6 a.m. Instructor Ty Losey will make 50 skydiveswith other jumpers, $1 donations per load requested. Proceeds go to AMURT, Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team, an international nonprofit organization. Designate for Hurricane Katrina. Spectators are welcome. Call 406-858-2493 or 888-833-5867.

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

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

Lone Pine State Park and the Montana Conservation Corps host National Public Lands Day and barbecue, beginning at 9 a.m., 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., 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. at the intersection of Montana 35 and Heritage Lane (Wal-Mart entrance) for the Gulf Coast emergency responders who lost all during Hurricane Katrina.

Seeley Lake Tamarack Festival continues today and Sunday. Tamarack Fun Run 10 a.m. today. Call 406-677-3330. Arts and crafts fair, Kids' Towne, quilt show, live music.

Kalispell Senior Citizens Medicare free brunch for all seniors 10:30 a.m. to noon, at the Center, 403 Second Ave. W. Call 257-1598.

American Karate Academy Safety School Expo fund-raiser for St. Jude Children's Hospital, 11 to 5 p.m., 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.

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

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.

Lincoln-Reagan Dinner, 6 p.m., 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.

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

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

Montanans for Multiple Use fund-raiser barbecue and auction, Flathead County Fairgrounds Kitchen. Barbecue and auction preview 4-6:30 p.m. Cost for barbecue is $10. Auction begins at 6:30 p.m. Proceeds go to nonprofit funding of public education, lobbying and legal action projects. Call Fred Hodgeboom at 837-1363.

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

31st annual Coram/West Glacier Firemen's Benefit, 8 p.m., Dew Drop Inn, Coram. Entertainment by Don Lawrence Orchestra. Live and silent auctions, raffles. Proceeds go to supplement training and equipment needs. Call Tabb at 387-5100.

Thought

"The only interesting answers are those which destroy the questions." n Susan Sontag, American author and critic (1933-2004).

Sunday

Seeley Lake Tamarack Festival continues today and Sunday. Call 406-677-3330. Arts and crafts fair, Kids' Towne, quilt show, live music and more all weekend.

Montana Loon Society annual meeting 10 am. to 3 p.m. 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. 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. 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.

Monday

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

Democratic Women's Club meet for a luncheon 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., at the center, 17A First Ave., Kalispell.

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

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

Tuesday

19th annual Flathead Valley Harvest Food Drive sponsored by the Northwest Montana Association of Realtors. Fill your bags with nonperishable food and place on doorstep for pickup at 6 p.m. Cereal, peanut butter, canned beans, juice and soup are needed. Call Robin (food bank director) at 752-3663, John at 253-5959 (realtor) or Janeen (realtor) at 752-5589.

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

Flathead County Republicans meet at noon at Perkins Restaurant. Call Ron Hoye at 257-1860.

Lakeside-Somers Chamber meets at noon at Vista Linda. Guest speaker is Somers Superintendent Teri Wing and Lakeside Principal John Thies. RSVP by calling 250-5098.

Flathead County Solid Waste District board meets at 5 p.m. at the landfill office.

FVCC Local Topics/Global Issues film series presents the documentary "Invisible Children," on the socio-political situation in Uganda, at 6-8:30 p.m., Blake Hall board room. Discussion will follow. Free and the public is welcome to attend. Call Gerda Reeb at 756-3945.

Red Cross Adult CPR certification training, 6:30 p.m., 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.

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.

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, noon to 5 p.m., Lowe's, Kalispell.

Chiropractor Richard Puchta offers a free class, "Life without Limits," 5:15 p.m., Sept. 28, Ashley Square conference room. Call 752-7289 if you plan to attend.

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

Thursday

Denise Smith, field representative for Senator Conrad Burns will offer community outreach hours 10:30 a.m. to noon 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., Tele Tech, Gateway West Mall, Kalispell.

Flathead Civil War Roundtable meets at 7 p.m.,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.

A Look Ahead

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

FVCC Global Friends presents the 2005 documentary, "The End of Suburbia," noon to 1 p.m. Sept. 30, Blake Hall board room. Free and the public is welcome to attend. Call Gerda Reeb at 756-3945.

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. Sept. 30, The Summit, Kalispell. To make an appointment 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.

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. 1. Adoption fee is $25. Call Valerie at 752-3513.

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.

Yellow Bay Community Club 22nd annual rummage/bake sale 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 1 at the clubhouse, Montana 35 at mile marker 18. Chili lunch available. Call Jackie at 406-982-3437.

17th annual Log Jam Oct.1, Majestic Valley Arena, Kalispell. Entertainment by the Bop-A-Dips. Silent and live auctions. Proceeds go to Bill Hardy Memorial Fund Inc. General admission tickets are $20. Big tickets are $100 for eligibility for cash drawings. Call Barb Rile at 253-7729 or 892-1829.

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.

AARP Seniors Driver Safety Program 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., Oct. 3 and 5. North Valley Senior Center, Columbia Falls. Instructor is Gail Strohschein. Cost is $10. Call 892-4087.

17th annual Bigfork Ducks Unlimited Banquet 5 p.m. Oct. 6 Marina Cay Resort. $50 single, $75 per couple. Call John Robinson at 249-4146 or Mark Manders at 837-3242.

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

AARP Seniors Driver Safety Program 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Oct. 4 and 6, The Summit, Kalispell. Instructor Tom Hines. Cost is $10. Call 751-4500.

Kalispell Ski Club will accept consignments 1-8 p.m. Oct. 7 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., Oct. 7, 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.