Today

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., at the center's new location, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

3 National Organization to Save Flathead Lake annual membership meeting 5-7 p.m., Flathead Lake Lodge Conference Facility. Topics include Bureau of Indian Affairs environmental impact statement for the Department of Interior's Drought Management Plan. Public invited.

3 Flathead Democratic Central Committee meets 7 p.m., basement of the Kalispell Library.

Tuesday

3 Quality Living for Montana Seniors conference 8-11 a.m., WestCoast Outlaw Hotel. Registration 7:30 a.m. Keynote address by Dr. Richard Hodes, director of National Institute on Aging, and Dorcas Hardy, former Commissioner of Social Security and chair of 2005 White House Conference on Aging. Refreshments. Free and open to public.

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

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

3 School District 5 and Flathead High School district board work session, 6 p.m., Flathead High School library.

3 Red Cross certified course in Adult CPR, 6:30 p.m. at the office, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Cost $30. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 Big Sky Astronomy Club meets at 7 p.m., Kalispell Junior High School library. Visitors welcome. Park in bus turnaround in front of school. Call Bruce at 857-3753 or Russ, 314-4248.

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

Wednesday

3 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.

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m., at Lowe's, Kalispell.

3 Public invited to unveiling of new Perpetual Monument at 1 p.m. at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery, three blocks east of Woodland Park on Conrad Drive.

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

3 Flathead Outdoor Club hikes the Kuhn Wilderness area near Farm to Market Road in the West Valley. Meet at 6 p.m. in northwest corner of Home Depot parking lot to carpool to trailhead. Bring insect repellent, water and snack. All welcome. Call Mike Spence, 857-2599.

3 Red Cross certified course in First Aid Basics, 6:30 p.m. at the office, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Cost $30. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 Falun Dafa Qiqong class 7 p.m., Kalispell Library, Community Room. Learn gentle, easy movements and exercises and one sitting meditation. All ages welcome. Call Laurie Hammill, 755-4907; or Katherine Combes, 257-9798.

3 Public invited to a free DVD program, "Searching for Peace in the Middle East," by Landrum Bolling, distinguished advisor to world leaders as a peace advocate, 7 p.m. Whitefish branch library. Call Ruth Neff, 862-1629.

Thursday

3 Northwest Montana Educational Cooperative Management board meets 10 a.m. in the West Valley School basement.

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m., in the bloodmobile, at LC Staffing, Kalispell.

3 Flathead County Library board meets at 3 p.m. at the Flathead County Library, Kalispell. Contact Kim Crowley, library director, at 758-5826.

3 Storyteller Glenda Bonin presents a free program, "Folktales of the West, 6:30 p.m., main branch of the Flathead County Library, Kalispell. Families, teachers, librarians all welcome. Call 758-5822.

Friday

3 Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the bloodmobile at Albertson's, Kalispell.

3 School District 5 Linderman Open House 1-3 p.m.

3 Seventh annual MASH Bash, 6 p.m., 1600 River Lakes Parkway. Call 863-3630 for tickets.

3 Boomers Singles Group planning meeting, Red Lion Hotel Kalispell, Fireside Room. Social hour, 6 p.m.; dinner buffet 7 p.m.; meeting 8 p.m. RSVP Duane at 257-4502 or Judy at 253-7187. All welcome.

A Look Ahead

3 Big Mountain Trail Run Aug. 26. Registration 8-8:45 a.m. outside Hellroaring Chalet. Race begins 9 a.m. Cost $5 students, $10 adults, or $20 family. Proceeds benefit Glacier Nordic Ski Team. Call Debbie, 862-2113.

3 Celebration of the Arts 10 a.m. to midnight Aug. 26, Rocky Mountain Roadhouse, junction of Montana 209 and 83, Ferndale. Benefit for VFW Post 4042. Live entertainment and dancing, prizes, food and beverages, art fair. Admission by cash donation or non-perishable food items, blankets, household and educational materials or toys. Call Celia Hess, 837-1083.

Thought

"Old age is the most unexpected of all the things that happen to a man." n Leon Trotsky (1879-1940).

3 Back-to-School Bash for all students and families 4-8 p.m. Aug. 26 at the Whitefish Armory, with music after at 8 p.m. for high school-aged students only. Raffles, potluck barbecue, dodgeball tournaments, and information of school programs, youth and teen centers.

3 Whitefish High School Class of 1971 no-host, informal gathering 4 p.m. Aug. 26, Moose Home in Whitefish. All welcome.

3 "Museums and Music: A Festival of Culture." noon to 4 p.m. Aug. 27. Free admission to Conrad Mansion, Hockaday and Central School museums for an afternoon of live music with Billy Angel, David Walburn and Andre Floyd and Mood Iguana. Arts and crafts fair on Second Avenue East, food concessions and family fun. Call 755-2166, 755-5268, or 756-8381.

3 Workshop for kids and teens with diabetes, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 28. The Summit, Kalispell. Registration 9:30 a.m. Games, activities, cooking for kids, diabetes in sports and other topics will be covered. Call 751-5454.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Aug. 28 at the center's new location, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

3 AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 28 and 29, Christian Church on Kottenai River Road, Libby. $10 course fee. Call 406-293-0100 to register.

3 Flathead County Democratic Women luncheon 11:45 a.m. Aug. 28, Red Lion Hotel Kalispell. Program features Denise Peterson candidate for State Representative District 11. Lunch is $8. No reservations required. Call 257-5895.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Aug. 28, at the center's new location, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

3 The Flathead Conservation District meets at 7 p.m., Aug. 28, 141 Interstate Lane, behind JoAnn Fabrics, in Evergreen. Call 752-4220.

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., Aug. 29, Eureka Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

3 Montana Department of Transportation conducts a public meeting to discuss reconstruction of the North of Manike-north portion of U.S. 2, 6 p.m. Aug. 29, Libby City Hall Ponderosa Room, 952 E. Spruce St.

3 Red Cross Pint for a Pint blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Aug. 30 at the center's new location, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Sponsored by Meadow Gold Dairy.

3 Clogging classes begin 5:30 p.m. Sept. 5, Eagles Lodge, third floor, 37 First Ave. E., Kalispell. Call Carla, 250-6965; or Terri, 756-2692.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Aug. 31, Teletech, Kalispell.

3 Diabetes Support Group meets 5-7 p.m. Sept. 6, The Summit, Kalispell. Topic is "Know Your Numbers," presented by Colleen Karper. Refreshments, snacks. Free glucose meters to participants. Call 751-5454.

3 19th annual Taste of Whitefish, 6-9 p.m. Sept. 7, O'Shaughnessy Center and Credit Union Park, 1 Central Ave., rain or shine. Tickets available at Whitefish Chamber of Commerce, 520 E. Second St., for $35 each. Call 862-3501.

3 Civil Air Patrol, Flathead Composite Squadron meets 6:30-9 p.m. Thursdays, (Sept. 7) Montana National Guard Armory, 2989 U.S. 93 N, Kalispell, north entrance. Youth ages 12 and up welcome. Aerospace lessons, march/drill exercises, fly-ins and more. Call Lt. Dave Brim, 257-7547; Lt. Kevin Kasperson, 756-5959.

3 Salish Kootenai College Library hosts two free half-day workshops Sept. 7, "American Indian Statistics" and "Using Economic Statistics," on census and statistics gathering information for research and grant writing. Registration required. Call Carlene Engstrom or Fred Noel at 406-275-4875.

3 15th annual Dayton Daze Sept. 9. Dayton Ladies Bazaar 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dayton Church, lunch served 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Mission Mountain Winery wine tasting 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; sailboat rides 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; parade 3 p.m.; pig roast 4:30, $10 adults, $5 children 12 and under; live music, raffle. Proceeds go to Chief Cliff Volunteer Fire Department. Call Zoe, 849-5593; or Barbara, 849-5313.

3 Friendship House 17th annual pig roast, 5-7 p.m. Sept. 9 in the basement of the Eagles, 37 First St.W., Kalispell. Proceeds benefit Friendship House. Adults $10, children under 12, $5. Silent auction. Entertainment. All welcome.

3 Kalispell Mental Health Local Advisory Council meets 12:30-2 p.m. Sept. 11, The Summit. Senator Dan Weinberg will be guest speaker. Public welcome. Call 885-3865.

3 Valley Voices Community Choir fall semester begins 6-8 p.m. Sept. 11, Stillwater Christian School Music Room, 1251 Willow Glen Drive, Kalispell. Registration and music distribution at 5:30 p.m. No auditions necessary. Call Joan Lundy, 257-3046; or Dorothy Kendall, 752-0353.

3 Kalispell Edward Jones representatives offers a free educational seminar, "How to Raise a Money-smart Child" at 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Sept. 12 at area offices Call a nearby office to reserve a seat.

3 Clogging classes begin 5:30 p.m. Sept. 12, Eagles Lodge, third floor, 37 First Ave. E., Kalispell. Call Carla, 250-6965; or Terri, 756-2692.

3 Red Cross certified course in Adult CPR, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 12 at the office, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 Free educational seminar on "Understanding Hearing Loss," with guest speaker, Lisa MacKay, audiologist, Sept. 12, The Summit, Kalispell. Complimentary meal catered by Vista Linda. Public invited. Seating limited. RSVP required. Event hosted by Stacia Moore of Moore Hearing. Call 257-2273.

3 Red Cross certified course in First Aid Basics, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 13 at the office, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 18th annual Bigfork Ducks Unlimited banquet Sept. 14, Marina Cay Resort, Bigfork. Social hour 5 p.m. Dinner 6 p.m. Tickets $50 single; $75 per couple. Includes dinner and one year membership and entry in gun raffle. Live and silent auctions and raffles. Call John Robinson, 249-4198; or Mark Manders, 837-3242.

3 Kalispell Lions Club and KRMC's Diabetes Care Program Walk for Diabetes fundraiser, Sept. 16, Lawrence Park.

3 Red Cross certified course in Adult CPR, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 26 at the office, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 Quilt Pink Day 9:30 a.m. Sept. 30, St. Joseph Medical Center, Polson. Speech about breast cancer, tour Women's Imagin Center, Oncology Clinic and Cheerful Heart Cancer Resource Center. Help make a quilt for $5 per 12-inch block kit. Proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Call Toni Young, 883-8251.

Third annual Safety School Expo Sept. 30 Whitefish Mountain Mall. Proceeds benefit St. Jude Children's Hospital and local children. Call Janie Green, American Karate Academy, 862-7722.

3 Red Cross certified course in First Aid Basics, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 31 at the office, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 Pope John Paul II Catholic Church, 195 Cloverdell Road, Bigfork, Oktoberfest noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 1. German food, beer and wine. Music by Don Lawrence Band. Tickets available at the door. Proceeds benefit local charities. Call Dan or Donna Danz at 892-2435.

3 Civil Air Patrol, Flathead Composite Squadron meets 6:30-9 p.m. Thursdays, (Oct. 5) Montana National Guard Armory, 2989 U.S. 93 N, Kalispell, north entrance. Youth ages 12 and up welcome. Aerospace lessons, march/drill exercises, fly-ins and more. Call Lt. Dave Brim, 257-7547; Lt. Kevin Kasperson, 756-5959.

3 Kalispell Mental Health Local Advisory Council meets 12:30-2 p.m. Oct. 11, The Summit. Mary Jane Fox, program officer for Addictive and Mental Disorder Division, will speak on co-occuring disorder (mental and alcohol substance abuse) initiative. Public welcome. Call 885-3865.

3 Civil Air Patrol, Flathead Composite Squadron meets 6:30-9 p.m. Thursdays, (Nov. 2) Montana National Guard Armory, 2989 U.S. 93 N, Kalispell, north entrance. Youth ages 12 and up welcome. Aerospace lessons, march/drill exercises, fly-ins and more. Call Lt. Dave Brim, 257-7547; Lt. Kevin Kasperson, 756-5959.

3 Kalispell Mental Health Local Advisory Council meets 12:30-2 p.m. Nov. 8, The Summit. Panel discussion on co-occurring disorder (mental and alcohol substance abuse). Public welcome. Call 885-3865.