Today

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. today and Sept. 25, Polson Senior Center. $10 course fee. Call 883-4735 to register.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 Flathead County Democratic Women meet at 11:45 a.m., 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, at The Summit, Kalispell. Call Joan Schmidt, 871-1008.

3 Flathead County Animal Advisory Committee meets noon to 1 p.m., conference room B, Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell. Lunch provided.

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

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.

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

Tuesday

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

3 Some Flathead Electric Cooperative customers will experience brief outages today due to repair of vandalized glass insulators between West Reserve to the north, U.S. 2 to the south, West Valley Drive to the east, and just outside Libby to the west.

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

3 Swan River School Book Fair 5-7:30 p.m. today; and 2-6 p.m. Sept. 26, school art room. 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 Flathead County Solid Waste District board meets 5 p.m. at the landfill office.

3 School District 5 and Flathead High School district special board meeting and work session at 5:30 p.m., Glacier High School Room B104.

3 Big Sky Specialty Compounding pharmacist Kiersten Braig-Alton conducts a lecture titled, "Issues Surrounding Natural Hormone Replacement," 6 p.m. Hockaday Museum of Art, 302 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Registration is $25 and includes handouts. Call 752-0499 to reserve a space.

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

3 Whitefish School board work session 7 p.m. board meeting room.

Wednesday

3 Kalispell Police Department conducts a saturation patrol for speeders, seat belts and equipment violations, East Idaho.

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 Swan River School Book Fair 2-6 p.m., school art room. 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 blood drive, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Troy High School.

3 Lincoln Conservation District board meets at 4 p.m., North County Annex, Eureka.

3 Flathead Spay & Neuter Task Force organizational meeting for a new capital campaign, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 26, at the Spay & Neuter Clinic, 3491 Trumble Creek Road. Call 892-7387 or Mimi at 261-5175.

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

3 Free Falun Dafa Quigong class, 7 p.m. community room of Kalispell branch of Flathead County Library. A self-cultivation meditation with gentle, easy exercises. Call Katherine Combes, 257-9798.

Thought

"Fear cannot be without hope nor hope without fear." n Baruch Spinoza, Dutch philosopher (1632-1677).

Thursday

3 Kalispell Police Department conducts a saturation patrol for speeding, stop light and seat belt violations, school zones on Kalispell's north side.

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

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

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

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

3 Kalispell Senior Citizens business meeting and potluck supper, 5 p.m., Kalispell Senior Center, 403 Second Ave. W. Bring a potluck dish or $3 toward meal. A representative from Big Sky RX will discuss problems and solution related to Medicare Part D prescription drug program. All area seniors welcome. Call 257-1598.

Friday

3 Kalispell Police Department conducts saturation patrol for speeders, seat belt and equipment violations, W. Idaho.

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

3 All About Memories Scrap Pink scrapbooking fundraiser today through Sept. 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 Big Arm Association barbecue/barn dance, 6-10 p.m., mile marker 71.5 U.S. 93, across from Walstad fishing access. Watch for signs and balloons. Call Jan 849-5636.

3 Boomers Singles Group dinner, Village Greens Clubhouse, Kalispell. Social hour, 6 p.m.; dinner buffet 7 p.m.; meeting 8 p.m. Reservations required. RSVP to Marla, 752-1467. All 40-plus singles welcome.

3 Annual Flathead-Kootenai Chapter of Montana Wilderness Association's Wildlife Film Festival, O'Shaughnessy Center, Whitefish. Doors open 6:30 p.m.; program begins 7 p.m. Refreshments available for purchase. Tickets $10, available at Coffee Traders in Whitefish and Columbia Falls; Books West and Rocky Mountain Outfitters in Kalispell; Electric Avenue Gifts in Bigfork; and at the door.

A Look Ahead

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 Flathead Audubon invites the public to volunteer to work at Owen Sowerwine Natural Area Sept. 29. Meet at 9 a.m. at Montessori School., 349 Willow Glen Dr., Kalispell. Brief safety meeting prior to project assignments on Leisure Island and mainland area. Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and work shoes/boots. Bring water, safety glasses, pruners, gas-powered weed-eaters and hand saws. All welcome.

3 Glacier Association hosts a book signing with authors C.W. Guthrie, Chris Peterson and Shannon Kimball, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Historic Belton Depot bookstore, West Glacier. Refreshments. Call 888-5756.

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, 195 Coverdell Road, Bigfork. Music by Don Lawrence and the Bavarian Echoes. German food, hot dogs, beverages, beer and wine. Price $12 for adults; $5 for children. Craft bazaar, games. Call Red Merlette, 756-9214; or Julie Moffitt, 837-2520.

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

3 Lake County Republican Women meet from noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 1, Wheat Montana, Polson. Kathie Newgard with the Lake County Election office will discuss how the Montana provision allowing election day registration affected Lake County. Call 883-0448 to order lunch. All women invited.

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 Glacier Stamp Club meets Oct. 1 in the basement meeting room of the Flathead County Library, Kalispell. Stamp trading and talk at 7 p.m.; short business meeting at 7:30 p.m. Visitors welcome. Call Gail Long, 752-6110.

3 Annual Realtors Food Drive Oct. 2, Leave bags at your front door before 5:30 p.m. for collection, or drop off at any real estate office in the Flathead Valley.

3 Noted public speaker and author Mac Bledsoe presents a program titled, "Parenting with Dignity," Oct. 4, Olney-Bissell School. Presentation at 7 p.m.; dinner available at 6 p.m. to those who pre-order tickets. Cost $20 for two and $15 per single. Call Lona Everett, Bissell School, 862-2828. All welcome. 3 Evergreen Special Services hosts a multi-district child find screening, 8:30 a.m. to noon, Oct. 5, East Evergreen Elementary School. Children 0 to 5 years screened for hearing, vision, motor skills, speech, language and cognition. Call 751-1113, ext. 16, to schedule an appointment.

3 Neighbors in Need volunteers deliver homemade chili lunch around Kalispell, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 5. Cost $8 includes chili, muffin, cole slaw and homemade pie. whole pies available for $8. Fax orders to 755-7266 by Oct. 3. Call 752-7266.

3 Consignments accepted for Kalispell Ski Club annual ski sway and sale 1 to 8 p.m. Oct. 5, Expo Building Flathead County Fairgrounds, Kalispell. Sale hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 6; and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 7, Expo Building. Call 752-SKIS.

3 Kalispell Fire Department hosts a free pancake breakfast 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Oct. 6, Fire Station 61, 312 First Ave. E, to kick off Fire Prevention Week. Donations appreciated. All welcome.

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 Kalispell Ski Club annual ski sway and sale 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 6; and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 7, Expo Building, Flathead County Fairgrounds, Kalispell. Consignments accepted 1 to 8 p.m. Oct. 5, Expo Building. Call 752-SKIS.

3 Daniel Henning, past Buddhist monk, will give a free talk on Buddhism and deep ecology 7-8:30 p.m. Oct. 3, Yoga Heart Center, Main Street, Polson.

3 Daniel Henning, past Buddhist monk, gives a free workshop on Buddhism and deep ecology, 9 a.m. 5 p.m. Oct. 6, Deep Bay Center, U.S. 93, Lakeside. Donations welcome. Call Deep Bay Center, 884-2611; or Henning at 883-2040.

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 Pam Haglund will discuss her recent three-week travels in Iran, 7 p.m. Oct. 9, Whitefish Library. All welcome. Call 892-1688 or 862-1629.

3 Evergreen School District board meets at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 10, in the administration building boardroom.

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 Bet Harim, Jewish Community of the Flathead Valley and Montana Human Rights Network co-sponsor a showing of the documentary film, "Paperclips," about a classroom's project that created an international movement to raise awareness about the Holocaust, 6 p.m. Oct. 19, Glacier Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 1515 Trumble Creek Road, Kalispell. Tickets $3 adults; $2 for children under 12. Call 756-5159.

3 Life Line Screening for stroke and osteoporosis symptoms beginning at 9 a.m. Oct. 24, Bethany Lutheran Church, 8559 Montana 35, Bigfork. Call 1-877-237-1287 to schedule an appointment.

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.