Today

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

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

3 Critterman performs 6:30 p.m. Forest Service Summit Nature Center, Big Mountain. Free. Free gondola rides 4-8 p.m. All welcome.

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.

3 Serenity group of Alcoholics Anonymous meets at 7 p.m. at 185 Railroad St., Kalispell.

Saturday

3 Big Mountain Trail Run. 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, 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.

3 Rocky Mountain Street Machines car show 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Total Speed and Performance, Kalispell. Everyone invited to participate and attend. Call Kavin, 892-7218.

3 Back-to-School Bash for all students and families 4-8 p.m. 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., Moose Home in Whitefish. All welcome.

Sunday

3 Whitefish Lake Swim for all ages at Whitefish City Beach. Registration 8 a.m.. One mile swim race time 9:15 a.m.; half mile swim race time 9:45 a.m. Proceeds benefit Wave scholarship fund and Wave Ryders swim team. Call Holly Apple, 862-5869.

3 "Museums and Music: A Festival of Culture." noon to 4 p.m. 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.

Monday

3 Workshop for kids and teens with diabetes, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 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., at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

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

3 Flathead County Democratic Women luncheon 11:45 a.m., 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., at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

3 Big Arm Association community potluck 6:30 p.m., Big Arm Fire Station. Bring your family and a favorite dish to share. All welcome. Call 849-5560.

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

Tuesday

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., 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. Libby City Hall Ponderosa Room, 952 E. Spruce St.

3 Cafe Kandahar on Big Mountain and Tupelo Grille, Whitefish, participate in Share Our Strengths Restaurants for Relief 2, a fundraiser for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. For reservations call Cafe Kandahar at 862-6247; and Tupelo Grille, 862-6136.

3 Lakeside Community Council meets 7 p.m., Water Works building, Bierney Creek Road. Agenda includes officer election, plat approval Cherry Hill Yacht Club phase II, Ben Williams Park.

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 Soroptimist Thrift Haus annual $3 bag sale noon to 5 p.m. today; 1 to 5 p.m. Sept.1-2, 330 First St., Whitefish. Call Sally, 862-5214; or Flo, 862-2543.

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

Thought

"Literature is news that stays news." n Ezra Pound, American poet and critic (1885-1972).

3 Flathead Outdoor Club hikes to Picnic Lake in the Jewel Basin. Meet at 5:30 p.m. to carpool to Camp Misery and trailhead. Bring bear spray, insect repellent, water, snack, and headlamp or flashlight. All welcome. Call Mike Spence, 857-2599.

3 Public meeting to review and request comment of three Whitefish Area School trust lands projects including Trail Runs Through It master plan, 7-9 p.m., Grouse Mountain Lodge, Whitefish. Contact Steve Lorch, 751-2274 or slorch@mt.gov.

3 Take Back the Night event to raise awareness of violence against women and sexual assault, 7:45-10 p.m., Depot Park, Whitefish. Candlelight march, survivor testimonials. All welcome. Call Cassie, 270-0054.

A Look Ahead

3 Seventh annual Huckleberry Pancake Breakfast 8 a.m. to noon Sept. 2-4, Laughing Horse Lodge, on Montana 83, mile marker 71.5, Swan Lake. Fundraiser for Red Cross of Montana.

3 Japanese residents of the Flathead Valley potluck 6:30 p.m. Sept. 2, Lawrence Park, Kalispell. Wear your yukata. Bring chairs, drinks, and a Japanese dish. Call Ai, 250-1021; or Atsuko, 253-2955.

3 Annual Labor Day Picnic, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 4, Rocky Mountain "Hi" RV Park and Campground, 825 Helena Flats Road, Kalispell. Free burgers, pork, beverages. Live musical entertainment. All welcome.

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.

Glacier Stamp Club meets 7 p.m. Sept. 11 basement meeting room of Flathead County Library, Kalispell. Business meeting 7:30 p.m. followed by member auction. Visitors welcome. Call Gail Long, 752-6110.

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 Evergreen School District board meets at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 13, in the administration building boardroom.

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 Doggy Dash 2006 Sept. 16, Boettcher Park, Polson. Registration 8:30 a.m., walk 9 a.m. Contests begin 10:30 a.m. Prizes. Refreshments. Pledge sheets available at Seconds 2 Go, Polson; Wright Real Estate, Ronan; or call 406-883-5312. Proceeds benefit Mission Valley Animal Shelter.

3 25th annual Flathead Quilters Guild Wildflower Memories Quilt Show 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 22-23; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 24, Flathead County Fairgrounds, Kalispell. Merchant mall, food, silent auction, boutique, demonstrations, quilts for sale. Admission $3.

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 Imaging 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 Brain Injury Association of Montana 19th annual state conference, "Creating Opportunities through Winning Strategies, Oct. 6-7, Red Lion Hotel Kalispell. Guest Speakers Dr. Nathan Zasler and Marlene Davis, Washington State Governors Council. Presentation on employment, life planning, therapeutic riding and more. Call 1-800-241-6442

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.