Today

3 Daughters of the American Revolution meet at noon for lunch at Perkins Restaurant, followed by a regular meeting at 1 p.m. Katy Zundel will present a program on "Women Settlers of Early America. For transportation, call Helen Steinke, 257-1632.

3 Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group meets 6-8 p.m., The Summit conference room, Kalispell. Attorney Mike Bliven answers your questions about finances, advocacy, human rights and other issues. Survivors, family, friends are welcome. Refreshments. Call Sue at 756-4325 for information or transportation.

3 Flathead Audubon program, "Reflections on Whitefish Lake," with Mike Koopal of Whitefish Lake Institute, 7 p.m., The Summit. Free. Public invited.

3 Columbia Falls School board meets at 7 p.m., administration offices boardroom, 501 Sixth Ave. W. Columbia Falls.

3 Fair-Mont-Egan School board meets at 7 p.m. in the school library.

3 Deer Park School board meets at 7 p.m. at the school.

3 West Valley School board meets at 7 p.m. in the school library.

Tuesday

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-5 p.m., Lakeside Elementary School

3 Public is invited to a free community lecture 7:30 a.m., Pathways Treatment Center, 200 Heritage Way, Kalispell. Topic is "Nonverbal Thinkers Navigating a Verbal World." All welcome.

3 Kalispell Parentshare meets 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Lone Pine Sate Park Interpretive Center. Call Ursula DeStefano, 212-0879; or Jennifer Rogge, 844-3216.

3 Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce membership luncheon, noon, North Valley Community Room, 235 Nucleus Ave. Guest speaker Chuck Roady, resource manager for F.H. Stoltz Land and Lumber Co., discusses "What is the future of forest management in a rapidly growing valley?" No reservations are required and lunch is available for $9. Call Carol Pike at 892-2072.

3 Hope Ranch girls present a special dance performance at the Seasons of Hope Afternoon Tea, 2-4 p.m., Easthaven Baptist Church chapel, Kalispell. Free and public is welcome. Seating is limited. Reservation required by 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 9. Call 862-7871.

3 Flathead Municipal Airport Authority meets at 4 p.m., airport manager's office, Glacier Park International Airport.

3 Swan River School board meets at 5:30 p.m. in the school library.

3 School District 5 and Flathead High School district board meets at 6 p.m., Flathead High School library, second floor.

3 Pet Grief Support Group meets 6:30-7:30 p.m., Humane Society of Northwest Montana Animal Adoption Center, 3499 U.S. 93, Kalispell. Call 752-7297.

3 Learn about ridding your property of noxious weeds 7 p.m., Swan Valley Community Hall. Financial assistance opportunities will be discussed. Call Swan Ecosystem Center, 754-3137.

3 Smith Valley School District board meets 7 p.m. in the library.

3 Back Country Horsemen of the Flathead meet at 7:30 p.m., Fish, Wildlife and Parks Building, 490 North Meridian Road. Public welcome. Call Don at 862-6955.

Wednesday

3 Special Olympics Montana Breakfast with Champions fundraiser, 7-8:30 a.m., WestCoast Outlaw Hotel, Kalispell. Tickets $100 per seat, or $900 per table of 10. Call 231-9964.

3 Evergreen Water and Sewer District board meets at 7 a.m. at the district office, 130 Nicholson Dr.

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 Kalispell Mental Health Local Advisory Council meets 12:30-2 p.m., 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 Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

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

3 Flathead Outdoor Club meets 7 p.m., Flathead County Library basement meeting room, Kalispell. Pat and Horace Sanders share their experiences from their trip to Antarctica. Coffee and tea served. Everyone welcome. Call Mike Spence, 857-2599.

3 Polson Rural Fire District trustee meeting 7 p.m., City Hall conference room. Open to public.

Thought

"If we would only give, just once, the same amount of reflection to what we want to get out of life that we give to the question of what to do with a two weeks' vacation, we would be startled at our false standards and the aimless procession of our busy days." n Dorothy Canfield Fisher, American author and essayist (1879-1958).

Thursday

3 Fire Prevention Day, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Museum at Central School, 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Smoke jumper, fire bomber, aviation and fire fighting displays. Free for outdoor display. Museum admission for adults, $5. Call John, 755-2238.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 12:30-5:30 p.m., at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell; sponsored by Kalispell Rotary.

3 Ronan Chamber of Commerce annual awards banquet, Community Center, Ronan. Cocktails 6 p.m.; dinner 7 p.m. Keynote speaker is motivational speaker and writer, Ed Kugler. Tickets $20. Call 406-676-0646.

3 Red Cross Infant and Child CPR certification training, 6:30 p.m., at the office, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

Thursday

3 Whitefish Chamber of Commerce Gone Fishin' 5-7 p.m., at D.A. Davidson and Co., 14 W. Second St., Whitefish. Refreshments served. Call 862-3501.

3 Museum at Central School History Book Club meets 6:30 p.m. at 124 Second St., Kalispell. Book is "Pioneer Doctor - The Story of a Woman's Work," by Mari Grana. Public welcome. Call 756-8381.

3 Flathead County Fair Commission meets 7 p.m., fairgrounds office.

3 Flathead County Commissioner candidates forum 7-9 p.m., Northridge Lutheran Church gym, 323 Northridge Dr., Kalispell. Hosted by Flathead Neighborhood Network. Topics will include draft growth policy, neighborhood plans and leadership. The last hour will be for audience questions. Public invited. Call Monica Jungstser, 888-5646.

Friday

3 Kalispell Area Music Teachers Association (KAMTA) meets 10-11 a.m., Northridge Lutheran Church, Kalispell. Program will follow, from 11 a.m. to noon. Call Joan, 844-3432.

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m., at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

3 Flathead Chapter of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees meets at noon, Perkins Restaurant, Kalispell. Lunch is off the menu. For reservations, call Bill Driver, 837-2744.

3 Whitefish Ski Club (formerly Big Mountain Ski Club) annual membership meeting and wine and cheese party, 7 p.m. at Rocky Mountain Lodge, 6510 U.S. 93 S., Whitefish. 2006-07 memberships will be sold. Door prizes and club news. Bring an hors d'oeuvre. Beverages provided. Call Heidi Duncan, 892-0401 or 862-7010.

3 Contra Dance, Sons of Norway, 347 First Ave. E., Kalispell. Beginner's lesson is 7:30-8 p.m., dancing from 8-11 p.m. Cost is $6 for adults; $3, teens; $12, families; 11 and younger, free. Call 758-7717 or Joe Fisher, 752-7469.

A Look Ahead

3 AARP Driver Safety class 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 14, Calvary Lutheran Church, U.S. 2 East and Evergreen Drive. Call 752-4102 or 752-4219. Cost $10.

3 Tamarack Time, Oct. 14, downtown Bigfork. Food tastings from area cooks. $3 per person for all tastings. Call 837-5888.

3 Shelley Jo Isaak, adult education instructor, presents a workshop on harmful beauty product ingredients and healthy alternatives titled, "The Price of Beauty - What Everyone Should Know," 1 p.m., Oct. 14, Montana Woman Complex, 1103 S. Main St., Kalispell. Bring your labeled beauty products, shampoos, moisturizers, deodorants, make-up and cologne. Cost $5. Proceeds go toward Montana Woman Foundation Scholarship Fund. Call 755-5753 for reservations.

3 Seeley Lake Tamarack Festival and Tour of the Arts, Oct. 14-15. Arts and crafts fair, YMCA fun runs, bike ride, flea market. Call 406-677-2880. For Tour of the Arts call Alpine Artisans, 754-0034.

3 Toastmasters Area 11 annual fall speech contest 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Oct. 14, Flathead County Library, downstairs conference room. Public invited. Call 755-4884.

3 Flathead Audubon expedition to the Smith Lake Waterfowl Production Area, Oct. 15. Meet at 9 a.m. at the Fish, Wildlife and Parks building, 490 North Meridian, Kalispell. Call Leslie Kehoe, 837-4467.

3 Public informational meeting about Habitat for Humanity eligibility requirements for future homes to be built in Columbia Falls, 2 p.m. Oct. 15, North Valley Community Center, 235 Nucleus Ave., Columbia Falls.

3 Flathead Valley Young Life annual fundraising benefit 7-9 p.m. Oct. 15, The Lodge at Whitefish Lake. Dessert buffet, life music, live and silent auctions. Suggested donation $20. Call 837-4750.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Oct. 16, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

3 Laira Fonner, photographer/owner of Sacred Image Photography in Whitefish, will be presenting a slideshow of images from her April trip to Thailand and Cambodia at 6 p.m., Oct. 16, Blake Hall, Flathead Valley Community College. Call Fonner at 862-9282 or Gerda Reib at 212-7898.

3 Women of Rollins Club hosts a Candidates' Night, 7 p.m. Oct. 16, Rollins School House. Federal, state and county candidates for office have been invited. Public invited.

3 AARP Driver Safety class Oct. 16 and 18, 1 to 5 p.m. both days, North Valley Senior Center in Columbia Falls. Cost $10.

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m., Oct. 17, Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

3 Helena Flats School board meets at 7 p.m., Oct. 17, school library.

AARP Driver Safety class Oct. 17-18, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day, Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, sponsored by Koocanusa Car Club. Call 406-889-3437 for reservations. Call 892-4087.

3 Whitefish Chamber of Commerce hosts a candidate forum from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Oct. 17 at Whitefish City Hall; county commissioner, Justice of the Peace and county treasurer candidates will be featured.

3 Wha-Chu-Say? support group for hard of hearing people meets at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 17, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Topic is on understanding emotional aspects of hearing loss. All welcome.

3 AARP Driver Safety class Oct. 17 and 19, 1 to 5 p.m. each day, Risen Christ Catholic Church, 65 W. Evergreen. Call 752-4102 or 752-4219 for reservations.

3 13th annual Hunters Banquet, 6 p.m. Oct. 17, Easthaven Baptist Church, 2010 Whitefish Stage Road, Kalispell. Speakers, prize drawings for rifles, shotgun, hunting gear and more. Door prizes. Tickets $10 per person. Call 752-7021.

3 Brunch is offered the public at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 18, Los Caporales, Nucleus Avenue, Columbia Falls. Cost is $7 per person. Guest speaker and bluegrass music by Shirley Look. Free child care by reservation. Call Candy at 387-4119, or Sherry at 892-5990. Sponsored by the Columbia Falls Women's Connection and Stonecroft Ministries.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-5 p.m., Oct. 18, First Interstate Bank, Main Street, Kalispell.

3 Flathead Valley Community of Resource Educators hosts a teacher workshop 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 19, basement of West Valley School, 2290 Farm to Market Road. Preview local and regional educational trunks and footlockers. Call the Northwest Montana Educational Cooperative, 752-3302.

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., Oct. 19, Libby VFW.

3 Internationally recognized photographer Florian Schultz presents his award-winning slide show "Yellowstone to Yukon: Freedom to Road," 7-9 p.m. Oct. 19, Flathead High School auditorium, Kalispell. National Geographic writer and author Douglas Chadwick will also speak. Sponsored by the Montana Wilderness Association. Call 837-0783.

3 Allen Pinkham, Turtle Island storyteller from Nez Perce tribe of Idaho, speaks at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 19, Community United Methodist Church, Bigfork. Sponsored by Flathead Chapter of Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation. Public invited. Donations accepted to cover travel expenses. Call 756-8992.

3 Fourth annual secondhand sale and benefit for Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 20, 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 21, Bethany Lutheran Church, 8559 Montana 35, Bigfork. Donations of high-quality clothing, jewelry and household items welcome. Call Susan Gorbett, 837-2007.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Oct. 20, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

3 AARP Driver Safety class 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 21, The Summit, Kalispell. Brown bag lunch. Cost $10. Call 751-4500.

3 Annual Glacier Stamp Club Stamp Show 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 21-22, Museum at Central School, 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Exhibits, stamp dealers, collector's souvenir, free stamps and starter kits. Free admission to museum. Call 755-7917.

3 Buffet luncheon 11:30 a.m., Oct. 21, Red Lion Hotel Kalispell. Pumpkin Patch live and silent auction of handcrafted items and baked goods. Featured speaker is Shirley Look on "The Power of Color." Musical entertainment. Cost is $10. RSVP to Pat at 844-2538 or Rosainne at 257-8098. Complimentary child care by reservation. Sponsored by the Kalispell Women's Connection and Stonecroft Ministries.

3 Harlem Ambassadors Basketball Show 7 p.m. Oct. 21, Flathead High School gym. Advance tickets are $6 for adults, $5 students and seniors. Tickets at the door are $8 for adults, and $7 for students and seniors. All proceeds bnenefit Northwest Montana Veterans Food Pantry. Call 756-7304.

3 Christ Lutheran Church, 233 Kalispell Ave., Whitefish, hosts a free concert and sing-a-long, 7 p.m. Oct. 22. Good will offering will support building a new church. Call 862-2615. All welcome.

3 AARP Driver Safety class Oct. 23 and 24, 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. each day, Polson Community Senior Center. Cots $10. Call 883-4735.

3 Children's Story Hour is at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 23 in the children's department of the Flathead County Library in Kalispell, 247 First Ave. E. Call 758-5822.

3 Kalispell Parentshare meets 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 24, for a field trip to Sweet Pickins Pumpkin Patch. Meet at Northridge Lutheran Church to carpool. Call Ursula DeStefano, 212-0879; or Jennifer Rogge, 844-3216.

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., Oct. 24, Our Lady of Mercy Church, Eureka.

3 Montana's Congressman Denny Rehberg's field representative Keli McQuiston conducts traveling office hours, 1 p.m. Oct. 24, Troy City Hall, 301 E. Kootenai. Call 406-543-9550.

3 Montana's Congressman Denny Rehberg's field representative Keli McQuiston conducts traveling office hours, 3 p.m. Oct. 24, Memorial Center, 111 E. Lincoln Blvd., Libby. Call 406-543-9550.

3 Red Cross certified course in First Aid Basics, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 24, at the office, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Cost $30. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 Montana Repertory Theatre presents a free performance of "Antigone 2026," a futuristic retelling of Sopholes' 442 B.C. masterwork at 7 p.m. Oct. 24, Whitefish Branch Library, community room. Discussions of the play will be 27 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Whitefish branch, and Oct. 26 at the main library in Kalispell. Call 862-6657.

3 Montana's Congressman Denny Rehberg's field representative Keli McQuiston conducts traveling office hours, 11 a.m. Oct. 25, Eureka Chamber Visitor Information Center, 2 Dewey Ave. Call 406-543-9550.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Oct. 25, The Wave, Whitefish, co-sponsored by First Interstate Bank.

3 NorthWestern Energy public weatherization event, 3-7 p.m. Oct. 25, North Valley Community Room, Columbia Falls. Free starter home weatherization kits and demonstrations. Refreshments. All welcome.

3 Red Cross certified course in Adult CPR, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 25, at the office, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Cost $30. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 NorthWestern Energy public weatherization event, 3-7 p.m. Oct. 26, Royal Duff Memorial Armory, Whitefish. Free starter home weatherization kits and demonstrations. Refreshments. All welcome.

3 Kalispell Elks host a blood drive in the blood mobile, noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 26, 1820 U.S. 93 S. Walk-ins welcome; or call Dawn Brown at 755-9542 for an appointment. Donors receive free ticket to Elks Vampire Ball on Oct. 28. Proceeds benefit Elks and Red Cross.

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., in the blood mobile, Oct. 27-28, Wal-Mart, Kalispell.

3 Spinal Cord Injury Support Group meets 2-4 p.m., Oct. 27, The Summit, Kalispell Topic is "Movin On" after spinal cord injury.

3 Hedges School October Festival, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 27, 827 Fourth Ave. E., Kalispell. Food, games, costume contest, prizes. Proceeds go toward new playground. Entrance fee $2 per family and one can of food for local food bank. Children must be accompanied by adult at all times.

3 Christmas at the Mansion Craft and Holiday Gift Bazaar, Conrad Mansion, Kalispell. Preview party, 7-9 p.m. Oct. 27. Tickets $30. Gift show hours 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 28; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 29. Admission $5 adults, $1 children. Call 755-2166.

3 Women's Awareness Day, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Oct. 28, Christian Center, Kalispell. Focus on health issues. Continental breakfast, lunch and child care provided. Free. Register by Oct. 24, at Christian Center or call 752-6428, ext. 227.

3 NorthWestern Energy public weatherization event, 3-7 p.m. Oct. 28, division office, 8900 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Free starter home weatherization kits and demonstrations. Bucket truck rides, and special treats for kids. Refreshments. All welcome.

3 Flathead Castoffs knitting group sponsors a one-day workshop Oct. 28 in Bigfork. Learn new techniques or brush up on basics. Proceeds benefit Soroptimists International of Bigfork Community Baby and Mother Shower. Call 837-4313 to register.

3 Fifth annual Hall of Horrors 6:30-9:30 p.m., Oct. 28, Rollins Volunteer Fire Department. Soup supper with bread. Bring a spooky dessert. Prizes for best dessert and costumes. Karoake, bonfire, face painting. Call 844-0210.

3 AARP Driver Safety class Oct. 30-31, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day, The Summit, Kalispell. Cost $10. Call 751-4500.

3 AARP Driver Safety class Oct. 30-31, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day, St. John's Lutheran hospital in Libby. Cost $10. Call 293-0100.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Oct. 30, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m., Oct. 31, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell; sponsored by Johnson Mortuary.

Oct. 30, Nov. 2 - Tryouts for "Christmas is in the Air! Shepherd's Hand" variety show, 7 p.m., Christ Lutheran Church, 233 Kalispell Ave., Whitefish. Call 862-2615, or Cathy Relf at 212-9973.

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.

3 Flathead City-County Health Department offers flu shots 2- 6 p.m. Nov. 8, Flathead County Fairgrounds Expo Building, Kalispell. Cost $25 adults, $15 children; or bring Medicaid or Medicare card. Call 751-8110.

3 Flathead Outdoor Club meets 7 p.m. Nov. 8, Flathead County Library basement meeting room, Kalispell. Karin Connely gives a presentation on her walk across English continent. Coffee and tea served. Everyone welcome. Call Mike Spence, 857-2599.

3 International Gift Festival 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 9-10; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 11, Mennonite Church, at corner of Mennonite Church and Creston Hatchery Roads, Kalispell. Fair trade goods from around the world. Proceeds benefit Ten Thousand Villages Third World artisans.

3 Flathead City-County Health Department offers flu shots 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Nov. 9, Flathead County Fairgrounds Expo Building, Kalispell. Cost $25 adults, $15 children; or bring Medicaid or Medicare card. Call 751-8110.

3 Kalispell Elks Lodge hosts an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner Nov. 11 for Veterans Day. All proceeds support Elks veterans programs. Advance tickets available until Nov. 10 at lodge or from Elks members.

3 Red Cedar Circle ancient spiritual path for healing, 5 p.m., Nov. 12, 1730, E. Second St., Whitefish. Free. Call 863-9412 or Jill Fanning at 862-8070. All welcome.

3 Kalispell Christmas City of the North parade, 7 p.m. Nov. 24 downtown, Main St.