Today

3 Children's Story Hour, 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, 2-6 p.m., at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

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

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

Tuesday

3 Kalispell Police Department conducts a saturation patrol today for crosswalk, speeding, and seat belt violations, on Meridian Road.

3 Kalispell Women's Connection buffet luncheon 11:30 a.m., WestCoast Outlaw Hotel, Kalispell. Cost is $12. Micki from Flathead Travel offers travel tips. Naomi Pearson of British Columbia, a quilter, talks about "The Pieces of Life." RSVP to Pat at 844-2538 or Jan at 857-2467. Complimentary child care by reservation. Affiliated with Stonecroft International Inc.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Kalispell.

3 Somers School board Facilities Planning Work Session, 6 p.m.; followed by regular meeting at 7 p.m., Somers Middle School.

3 Flathead Citizens for Paved Roads meet 7 p.m., Glacier High School, 375 Wolfpack Way, Kalispell. Use main entrance. Call Noel Gorton, 756-8854.

3 Big Sky Bonsai Society meets at 7 p.m., Flathead County Library in Kalispell. Free. Public invited. Bring trees for styling advice and expert help. Contact Jerry Meislik at 862-0387.

3 Flathead Democratic Party meets 7 p.m., KM Theatre, 40 Second St. E., Kalispell. Call 862-4942.

3 Flathead County Sheriffs Employees Association Benefit Concert with Restless Heart and Thom Bresh, 7:30 p.m., Majestic Valley Arena, Kalispell. General admission, $27.50.

Wednesday

3 Kalispell Police Department conducts a saturation patrol for equipment, speeding, and seat belt violations, on North Main Street.

3 MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Child care provided. Kelly Gesker will talk discuss "To See and Be Seen." Call Kirsten Kerr, 756-9668.

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

3 Columbia Falls Women's Connection luncheon 11:30 a.m., Community Room, Nucleus Avenue, Columbia Falls. Cost $7.50 per person. Guest speaker and musician Naomi Pearson. Free child care by reservation. Call Candy at 387-4119, or Janet at 892-3621. Affiliated with Stonecroft Ministries.

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

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

3 Lincoln County Resource Advisory Committee meets 6 p.m. at the Forest supervisor's office, 1101 U.S. 2, Libby. Selection of 2008 projects to be funded and election of chair and co-chair persons will be conducted. Open to public comment. Call Barbara Edgmon, 406-283-7764 or Lee Disney, 406-293-9502.

3 American Indian co-authors and ordained ministers Iglahliq Suuqiina and Qaumaniq Suuqiina give a presentation titled, "Warfare by Honor," 7 p.m. Sept. 19, Headwaters Church, 5600 U.S. 93 S., Whitefish. Call 862-6843; or Jeny Running Brook Covill, 892-1355.

3 Ron Glodoski speaks from his own experiences and his book, "How to Be a Successful Criminal:The Real Deal on Crime, Drugs and Easy Money," 7 p.m., Columbia Falls High School Theater, Free admission. All welcome.

Thursday

3 Kalispell Police Department conducts a saturation patrol for speeding, stop light and seat belt violations, on Meridian Road.

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., The Wave, Whitefish.

Thought

"There is no grief which time does not lessen and soften." n Cicero, Roman scholar (106-43 B.C.).

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

3 Flathead County Library teen advisory board meets 6:30 p.m., main library, 247 First Ave. E., Kalispell. Pizza served. Call Teen Services Librarian Martha Furman, 758-5713.

3 Whitefish Chamber of Commerce Gone Fishin' 5-7 p.m., Majestic Valley Arena, Kalispell. Refreshments served. Call 862-3501.

3 Toastmasters host their annual Area 11 Humorous Speech Contest and potluck dinner, 6:30-8:30 p.m., downstairs conference room of first Interstate Bank, Main Street, Kalispell. Free. Public welcome. Call Catherine, 755-4884.

3 Lake County Republicans annual Lincoln-Reagan dinner, 7 p.m., Best Western Kwa Tuq Nuk Inn, Polson. Keynote speaker is Erik Iverson, now Montana Republican Park chairman. Ryan Horsley, owner of Red's Trading Post gun shop in Twin Falls, Idaho, will also give a short slide presentation. Social hour 6 p.m. Tickets $30. Call Gehrand Bechard, 887-2303; or Steven Robinson, 676-4848.

3 Flathead Valley Fibromyalgia Support group meets at 7 p.m. at The Summit. Call Jerry at 253-7228.

Friday

3 Kalispell Police Department conducts a saturation patrol for speeding, equipment and seat belt violations,

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

3 Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group meets 6:30-8 p.m., Northridge Lutheran Church, 323 Northridge Dr., Kalispell. Call Marylane, 257-5793.

3 26th annual Flathead Quilters Guild Common Threads with Asian Influence quilt show today through Sept. 23, Flathead County Fairgrounds, Kalispell. Hours 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Sept. 22; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 23. Raffles, merchant mall, food, silent auction, members' boutique, and quilts for sale. Admission $3. All welcome.

A Look Ahead

3 Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer course 8 a.m. Sept. 22, at the office, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 Flathead Lutherans for Life annual rummage sale 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 22, Faith Lutheran church, 405 Liberty St., Kalispell. Proceeds benefit Hope Pregnancy Ministries and other projects. Donations needed. Call 756-8344.

3 26th annual Flathead Quilters Guild Common Threads with Asian Influence quilt show continues today and Sept. 23, Flathead County Fairgrounds, Kalispell. Hours 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 23. Raffles, merchant mall, food, silent auction, members' boutique, and quilts for sale. Admission $3. All welcome.

3 Essex Days 1-10 p.m. Sept. 22, Izaak Walton Inn. Barbecue, family games; live music by The Bear Grass Band. Call 888-5700.

3 Whitefish Golden Agers Oktoberfest 12:30-4 p.m. Sept. 23, 121 E. Second St., Whitefish. Beer, German food, music by Don Lawrence and the Bavarian Echoes. Adults, $15; children, 5-13, $5; under 5, free. $1 discount to Golden Agers members. Tickets available at Golden Agers and Whitefish Chamber of Commerce. Drawings.

3 Flathead County Democratic Women meet at 11:45 a.m. Sept. 24, at the Red Lion Hotel Kalispell. Beth Cogswell from Missoula will present a program on the state of women's health care and women's issues in Montana. Lunch $10. No reservations required. All welcome.

3 Youth Service Network meets at noon, Sept. 24, at The Summit, Kalispell. Call Joan Schmidt, 871-1008.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Sept. 24, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

3 Red Cross Infant and Child CPR certification training, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 24, at the office, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 The Flathead Conservation District meets at 7 p.m., Sept. 24, 133 Interstate Lane, in Evergreen. Call 752-4220.

3 AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. Sept. 24-25, Polson Senior Center. $10 course fee. Call 883-4735 to register.

3 Kalispell Police Department conducts a saturation patrol Sept. 25 for compliance in school zones on Kalispell's south side.

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., Sept. 25, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Sponsored by Polson Soroptimists.

3 Swan River School Book Fair 5-7:30 p.m. Sept. 25; 2-6 p.m. Sept. 26. Donations welcome. All books and CDs are 50 cents. Call 837-2488 for drop-off places or to arrange a pick up. Proceeds support the school.

3 Red Cross certified course in Standard First Aid, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 25, at the office, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 Kalispell Police Department conducts a saturation patrol Sept. 26 for compliance in school zones on Kalispell's north side.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sept. 26, Troy High School.

3 Kalispell Police Department conducts a saturation patrol Sept. 27 for speeding, stop light and seat belt violations,

3 Whitefish Garden Club meets 7 p.m. Sept. 26, Whitefish Public Library. Topic is on spring and summer bulbs with an emphasis on deer resistant varieties. Public welcome.

3 P.E.O. Luncheon/Bridge, 11 a.m. Sept. 27, Swan River Inn, Bigfork. Tickets $20. Call Kathie Ackerly, 837-4195.

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m., Sept. 27, Three Rivers Bank, North Meridian Road.

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., Sept. 27, West Kootenai Church.

3 Kalispell Police Department conducts a saturation patrol Sept. 28 for speeding, seat belt and equipment violations, on West Idaho.

3 Competitive trail horseback riding poker run Sept. 30. Call Chris Degenhardt, 257-7424.

3 Flathead Suicide Prevention Coalition meets 3-4 p.m., Sept. 27, Flathead City-County Health Department conference room, Kalispell. Call Joan Schmidt, 871-1008.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sept. 28, at The Summit, Kalispell.

3 All About Memories Scrap Pink scrapbooking fundraiser Sept. 28-30, 3585 Montana 40 W., Columbia Falls. Open scrapbooking 3 p.m. to midnight Sept. 28; 8 a.m. to noon Sept. 29; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 30. Prizes, giveaways, contests, food. Proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen Foundation. Call Kathy Price, 892-1999.

3 Montana Conservation Corps and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks host a National Public Lands Day event Sept. 29 at Lone Pine State Park, Kalispell. Volunteers will meet at 9 a.m. at the park pavilion. Work groups will repair fencing and trails and do general clean-up. Barbecue follows. Wear work clothing, gloves, sturdy shoes. Bring water and light snacks. RSVP to Julia, 755-8089.

3 Montana Loon Society 2007 annual meeting 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 30, 6525 Rocky Point Road, Polson. Take U.S. 93 north out of Polson to Rocky Point Road, then 6.4 miles past King's Point Road. After three cattle guards, take third left. Park in open field and walk to lake. Bring potluck dish, tableware, lawn chairs. Call Donna Love, 406- 677-3767.

3 Oktoberfest, 11:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 30, Pope John Paul II Church, Bigfork. Price $12 for adults; $5 for children. Call Red Merlette, 756-9214.

3 New club for teens who like Anime and Manga animation meets 4:30 p.m. Oct. 1, Flathead County Library, Kalispell. Call Public Services Librarian Martha Furman, 758-5713.

3 Flathead Chronic Pain Support Group meets 5:30-6:45 p.m. Oct. 1, The Summit, Kalispell, second floor classrooms. All people who would like to learn how to successfully manage their chronic pain and share their experiences in a confidential manner are encouraged to attend. Free. Call Dr. Alex Bokor, 250-5252.

3 Community United Methodist Church annual fall bazaar, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 6, 750 Electric Avenue, Bigfork. Original handcrafts by local artists, bake sale. Soup, bread and homemade pie lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. Call 837-4547.

3 Northwest Montana Veterans Stand Down 2007 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 6; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 7, VFW Post 1548, 108 W. Second St., Libby. Physical and mental health providers and employment counseling, referrals, haircuts, surplus military clothing, lunch; free camping. Call Allen W. Erickson Sr., 756-7304 or 250-0698.

3 Swan River School board meets at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 9, in the school library.

3 Whitefish Figure Skating Club presents a "Little Black Dress Affair," a fashion show on ice, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 9, Stumptown Ice Den, Wisconsin Avenue, Whitefish. Tickets $25 at Village Shop, Whitefish. Limited to 100. Call Carol, 862-7699; or Jennifer, 862-6524.

3 Creative Memories scrapbooking retreat, Oct. 19-21, Glacier Conference Center, Lakeside. Space limited. For reservations, call Joyce Workman, 755-4922.

3 Flathead-Glacier Booster Club cross-town pre-game barbecue before cross-town game, 5 p.m. Oct. 12, Legends Field. Cost $5. Public invited.

3 Teens 'n Crisis and family of Darin Owens hosts a fundraiser dinner and silent auction, 6 p.m. Oct. 13, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Dinner tickets at the door are $10 adults, $5 kids under 12. Raffle tickets sold for November drawing. Proceeds support teen's addiction treatment. Donations welcome. Call Mike or Pam Owens at 253-0616 or Teens 'n Crisis, 471-6599.

3 Seeley Lake Tamarack Festival Oct. 13-14. Arts and crafts fair, live entertainment, fun run, bike tour. Call 406-677-2880.

3 Life Line Screening for stroke and osteoporosis symptoms beginning at 9 a.m. Oct. 17, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 640 Seventh St., Columbia Falls. To schedule an appointment, call 1-877-237-1287.

3 AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, Oct. 25-26, North Valley Hospital Education Wind. $10 course fee. Call 863-3630 to register.