Today

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 affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness meets 12:30-2 p.m., The Summit conference room. Organization objectives and NAMI-Walks will be discussed. Public welcome.

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

3 Somers School District Faculty Advisory meets 3:45 p.m., Somers Middle School.

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 The Glacier Country Pachyderm meets noon to 1 p.m. at the Bulldog. Guest speaker is Mike Lange, of Laurel, candidate for U.S. Senate. Lunch available. Public invited.

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 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 door.

3 Women invited to an evening of "It's All About You," with desserts, champagne, financial strategies, life coaching and art, 7-10 p.m. Rocky Mountain Lodge, U.S. 93 South, Whitefish. Tickets $30. Call 863-9348 to register.

Saturday

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

3 Flathead Audubon invites the public to volunteer to work at Owen Sowerwine Natural Area. Meet at 9 a.m. at Montessori School., 349 Willow Glen Dr., Kalispell. Safety meeting prior to project assignments on Leisure Island and mainland. Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, work shoes/boots. Bring water, safety glasses, pruners, gas-powered weed-eaters, 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 Flathead Democratic Party Harvest Dinner, Expo Center, Fairgrounds, Kalispell. Social hour 6 p.m.; dinner 7 p.m. Keynote speaker Sen. Max Baucus. Music and dancing to Wilbur Rehmann Quartet. Tickets $15 for sale until noon Friday at Books West, Kalispell; Glacier Wallflower, Columbia Falls; Bookworks, Whitefish; Art Fusion, Bigfork; or call Nancy Fenner, 752-0298. Limited number will be sold at door.

Thought

"After three days without reading, talk becomes flavorless." n Chinese proverb.

Sunday

3 North Fork Preservation Association volunteer trail work Trail 15, Mount Thoma. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at trailhead, three miles west of North Fork Road on Trail Creek Road. Call Frank Vitale, 752-2909 or John Frederick, 888-5804, to volunteer.

3 Montana Loon Society 2007 annual meeting 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 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., 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. Call Chris Degenhardt, 257-7424.

Monday

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 Lake County Republican Women meet from noon to 1 p.m., 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 Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

3 New club for teens who like Anime and Manga animation meets 4:30 p.m., 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., 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 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.

Tuesday

3 Annual Realtors Food Drive. 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 Red Cross blood drive, 1-6 p.m., Bigfork Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Wednesday

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, noon to 4 p.m., in the blood mobile, Sportsman and Ski Haus, Kalispell

3 Bigfork School District open house, 5 p.m., high school band room, to discuss bond election. Tour facilities; question and answer session. Call 837-7400.

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

A Look Ahead

3 Red Cross blood drive, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the blood mobile, FVCC.

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 Botanist and naturalist Anne Morely leads walk on Sprunger-Whitney Nature Trail in remembrance of Elmer Sprunger and Jack Whitney, 10 a.m. Oct. 5. Dress for fall weather and bring a lunch and water. Take Montana 83 7.1 miles south of Swan Lake Trading Post, Swan Lake. Turn right at Point Pleasant sign (1/2 mile south of mile marker 64). Follow sign to trail.

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 Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the blood mobile, Glacier Bank, 49 Commons Loop, Kalispell.

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 Voices of the Wilderness Art Exhibition and Silent Auction to support Wilderness Trail Work 5:30-8 p.m. Oct. 5, Hockaday Museum of Art, 302 Second St., Kalispell. Drinks and hors d' oeuvres. Suggested entrance donation $15. Call Carla Belski, 253-4421; or Kathy Koors, 754-3137.

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 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, gives a free workshop on Buddhism and deep ecology, 9 a.m. to 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 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 Columbia Falls Women's Connection presents Make It, Bake It, Sew It, Grow It, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 6, Community Room, Nucleus Avenue, Columbia Falls. Buy homemade crafts, baked and canned goods. Homemade soup luncheon, $2.50. Proceeds support annual missionary project.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Oct. 8, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

3 Flathead Audubon meets 7 p.m. Oct. 8 Community Room, The Summit, Kalispell. Wildlife consultant Brian Peck discusses grizzly bear recovery in northern Rockies. All welcome.

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 Back Country Horsemen of the Flathead meet at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 9, Fish, Wildlife and Parks Building, 490 N. Meridian Road. Public welcome. Call Don at 862-6955.

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

3 Northwest Montana Humane Society "Dogtoberfest" 6-9 p.m. Oct. 12, charlotte Edkins Animal Adoption Center, 3400 U.S. 93 N., Kalispell. Beer, wine, bratwurst an live music by Don Lawrence and the Bavarian Echoes. Tickets $20 in advance at the center, Tailwaggers and Montana Coffee Traders locations. Call 752-7297.

3 Columbia Falls High School Band garage sale 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 13, high school cafeteria. Public welcome.

3 The Flathead Conservation District meets at 7 p.m., Oct. 15, 133 Interstate Lane, in Evergreen. Call 752-4220.

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 Free lecture on "Return of the Sleeping Prophet" noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 13, Deep Bay Center, Lakeside. Seating limited; pre-registration suggested. Call 844-2611. Donations appreciated.

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.