Today

3 Fourth annual Shopko parking lot sale to benefit Northwest Montana Veterans Food Pantry, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and Saturday. Antiques, household, books, videos, music and art. Bring canned goods, coffee or tea to donate.

3 Public meeting for hikers, including those who participate in Kalispell Parks and Recreation Trekker and Leisure groups, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Lawrence Park, Kalispell.

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

3 10th annual Kalispell Bead Stampede, noon to 5 p.m. today; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Flathead County Fairgrounds Grandstand Building. Admission $3, good for all three days. Cal 208-676-9957.

3 Flathead Valley Parade of Homes noon to 9 p.m. today; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets $7 in advance; $10 during show, available at any home. For advance tickets call 752-2422.

3 Meet and Greet fundraiser for Mick Holm, candidate for House District 3 representative, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Belton Chalet terrace room, West Glacier.

3 Kalispell First Friday Art Walk, 5-8 p.m., downtown. Refreshments, entertainment, guest artists.

3 Wildlife biologist and author Doug Chadwick will speak about "Superorganisms in Einsteinian Space," 7:30-8:30 p.m., Montana House, Apgar Village, Glacier Park. Reception follows. Free. Public invited.

Saturday

3 Big Sky Mopar Club 14th annual Show and Shine, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Lions Park, U.S. 93 South, in Kalispell. Call Russ Graham, 755-3986; Jon Wilson, 257-4102; or Ken Kettinger, 755-2122.

3 EAA Chapter 102 Young Eagles Program hosts a Young Eagles Rally, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Red Eagle Aviation located at Kalispell City Airport, next to Rosauers. Youth ages 8-17 invited to take a free flight. Parent must sign pre-registration form. Hot dog and refreshments vendor. All welcome. Call Dennis Lacy, 253-9453.

3 Whitefish Friends and Family Run 9:30 a.m., North Valley Hospital campus. 5K, 10K and half-mile events. Benefit for Child Development Center in Kalispell and Shepherd's Hand Clinic in Whitefish. Call 862-8250.

3 17th annual Dayton Daze 2008. Sailboat rides, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dayton Yacht Club; Ladies Aid bazaar, Dayton Church; lunch served 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; wine tasting 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parade 3 p.m. Dayton Winery; pig roast 4:30 p.m. $12 dinner, $6 children 12 and under. Raffles, live music, children's games. Proceeds benefit Chief Cliff Volunteer Fire Department. Call Elsie 849-5512; or Barbara, 849-5313.

3 10th annual Kalispell Bead Stampede, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Sunday, Flathead County Fairgrounds Grandstand Building. Admission $3, good for all three days. Call 208-676-9957.

3 Flathead Valley Parade of Homes 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets $7 in advance; $10 during show, available at any home. For advance tickets call 752-2422.

3 Northwest Antique Power Association annual Engine and Tractor and Threshing Bee 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Olsen Pioneer Memorial Park, corner of Pioneer and Helena Flats Roads. Auction, demonstrations, concessions. Admission $5.

3 Purple Frog Gardens, 170 Blanchard Lake Dr., Whitefish, co-hosts a farm tour at 2 p.m. Learn crop rotations, pruning techniques, ways to extend growing season, composting, pest control and more. Harvest feast follows with participants helping prepare meal. Tickets are $12 in advance; $15 at door. Call 406-443-7272.

3 Shriners annual Chili Cook-Off, 4 p.m. Spinnaker Bar and Casino, Lakeside. Weiner dog races begin 5 p.m.; golf ball drop at 6 p.m. Proceeds go to Shriners Children's Hospital Transportation Fund for local families.

3 Sons of Norway meet 7 p.m., Buffalo Hill Terrace meeting room, 40 Claremont St., Kalispell. Call 257-2537.

Sunday

3 Bob Faulkner, author of "The Buffalo Rock" and Paul Vallely, author of "Endgame" and "Baghdad Ablaze" sign their books, 2-4 p.m., Vista Linda Restaurant Pavilion, 240 Boon Road, Somers. Wine and hors d'oeuvres served. Public invited. Call Bob at 257-3294.

3 10th annual Kalispell Bead Stampede, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Flathead County Fairgrounds Grandstand Building. Admission $3, good for all three days. Call 208-676-9957.

3 Flathead Valley Parade of Homes 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets $7 in advance; $10 during show, available at any home. For advance tickets call 752-2422.

3 Northwest Antique Power Association annual Engine and Tractor and Threshing Bee, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Olsen Pioneer Memorial Park, corner of Pioneer and Helena Flats Roads. Auction, demonstrations, concessions. Admission $5.

Monday

3 Mosquito Control District board meets 10 a.m. to noon, Earl Bennett Building, second floor conference room, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell.

3 MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) meet the second and fourth Monday of each month starting today, at 9:15 a.m., at Easthaven Baptist Church, 2010 Whitefish Stage, Kalispell. Child care is provided. Free continental breakfast and child care Call 756-9768.

3 Lake County Republican Women's Club meets noon to 1 p.m., Wheat Montana, Polson. Jack Cummings will talk about his visit to Washington, D.C., and tours with his son who is a Navy Seal. Lunch available. Call 883-9209 by 11 a.m. to order.

3 Daughters of the American Revolution, Chief Ignace Chapter, meet at noon at the home of Margaret Kuska. Mary Aley presents a program on "Ladies of Liberty." Call Cathy Lane, 755-6048.

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

3 Flathead Chronic Pain Support Group meets 5:30-7 p.m., at The Summit. Learn how to cope with pain and improve your quality of life. Free. Call Dr. Alex Bokor, 250-5252.

3 Valley Voices Community Choir fall semester begins 5:30 p.m. Practices held weekly 6-8 p.m. Mondays in the Flathead High School Choir Room. No audition required. All teens and adults welcome. Call Joan Lundy, 257-3046; or Dorothy Kendall, 752-0353.

3 Flathead Audubon meets 7 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. Wildlife biologist Steve Gniadek will speak on topic, "Common Loons in Glacier Park - An Enduring Resource?" Free. All welcome.

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

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

Tuesday

3 Public is invited to a free lecture on prescribing practices and patient compliance, "Pharmacology 101" 7:30 a.m., Pathways Treatment Center, 200 Heritage Way, Kalispell.

3 AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today and Sept. 11, The Summit, Kalispell. $10 course fee. Call 751-4500 to register.

3 Children's Story Hour at 11 a.m., Flathead County Library in Kalispell; 758-5822.

3 2008 Native American Procurement Conference, today and Sept. 10, Hilton Garden Inn, Kalispell. Small business networking event. Call 800-462-2433, ext. 225 to register. For information, call Lori Sneezy, 480-545-1298, ext. 225.

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

3 Flathead Municipal Airport Authority meets at 4 p.m., Glacier Park International Airport board room.

3 Kila School board meets at 5:15 p.m.

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

3 West Glacier School board meets at 6 p.m.

3 Somers Rural Fire District board meets 6 p.m., Lakeside Fire Station, 125 Bills Road.

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

3 Back Country Horsemen of the Flathead meet at 7:30 p.m., Fish, Wildlife and Parks Building, 490 N. Meridian Road. Public welcome. Call 752-1297.

Wednesday

3 Children's Story Hour at 10:30 a.m., Columbia Falls Library; 892-5919.

3 Children's Story Hour at 11 a.m., Bigfork Library; 837-6976.

3 Children's Story Hour at 11 a.m., Flathead County Library in Kalispell; 758-5822.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 1:30-4:30 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, Kalispell.

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

Thursday

3 Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Merlins.

3 Children's Story Hour at 1 p.m., Whitefish Library; 862-6657.

3 Children's Story Hour After School Chapter Book Club 3:30 p.m., Sept. 11, Whitefish Library; 862-6657.

3 Taste of Whitefish 5:30-8 p.m., First and Central. Tickets $40 at Whitefish Chamber of Commerce, 520 E. Second. St. Call 862-3501.

3 Area women invited to attend an awareness event and fundraiser in partnership with The Emancipation Network for prevention of human trafficking, 6:30 p.m., home of Linda Regnier. Food and beverages followed by short video, discussion and opportunity to purchase products made by survivors. Call Regnier at 857-2045 or Diane Yarus at 751-2175.

3 Museum at Central School History Book Club meets 6:30 p.m., at the museum, 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Topic will be "Montana Ghost Stories: Eerie True Tales." All welcome to attend. Call 756-8381.

A Look Ahead

3 Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sept. 12, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

3 Flathead Chapter of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees meets at noon Sept. 12, Back Room of the Night Owl, Columbia Falls. For reservations, call Bill Driver at 837-2744.

3 Eighth annual Community Foundation for a Better Bigfork fundraiser, 5 p.m. Sept. 12, Garden Bar, Electric Avenue, Bigfork. Silent and live auctions. Free beer and Hale's Noodles.

3 Columbia Falls Chamber After Business Hours 5:30-7:30 p.m. Sept. 12, Glacier Campground, one mile west of West Glacier at mile marker 152. Bring a tent or camper and receive a 20 percent discount for night's stay.

3 Lupus Support Group including fibromyalgia and auto-immune diseases, meets 7-9 p.m. Sept. 12, The Summit, Kalispell. Guest speaker is Shelley Emslie, Mrs. Montana, who has lupus. Free. Call 837-1055.

3 Ravenwood Natural Science Center fall family campout Sept. 12-14, Grizzly Base Boy Scout Camp. Cost $20 per person, ages 4 and up; $20 per family. Events begin 4 p.m.. Harvest potluck 5 p.m. Sept. 13, Swallow Crest Farm, 389 LaBrant Road. Free. Public invited. Bring chairs and harvest dish to share. Campout concludes 2 p.m. Sept. 14. Call Brett, 837-7279.

3 Annual Flathead County Democratic Party Harvest Dinner, 6 p.m. Sept. 13, Flathead County Fairgrounds Expo Building. Live music by Andre Floyd. Tickets $22 adults; $10 children, available in advance at Books West, Kalispell; Montana Coffee Traders, Whitefish; or call Ava Wasley, 844-2424.

3 "Brats, Burgers and Band" fundraiser for Bigfork Fire Department, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 13, Harbor Village Pavilion, Bigfork. Live auction. Toby Stone musical duo performs 1:30-3:30 p.m. Cost $19 adults; $9 children. Call Joyce Mitchell, 253-2030; or Jim Sticka, 837-2294.

3 Friendship House 19th annual pig roast supper and silent auction fundraiser, 5-7 p.m. Sept. 13, at the Eagles basement dining room. Menu includes roast pig, baked potatoes, cole slaw, fruit salad, rolls and ice cream. Entertainment by The Fiddling Friends and Reggie Houston. Cost $10 for adults; $5 for children under 12. Call 257-8375.

3 Bet Harim Jewish Community of Flathead Valley third annual Mentor Award dinner 5:30 p.m. Sept. 13, O'Shaughnessy Cultural Arts Center, Whitefish. Jake Heckathorn will receive Humanitarian Award. Tickets $95 per person. Call 756-5159.

3 EAA Chapter 102 Young Eagles Program hosts a Young Eagles Rally, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sept. 14, Red Eagle Aviation located at Kalispell City Airport, next to Rosauers. Youth ages 8-17 invited to take a free flight. Parent must sign pre-registration form. Hot dog and refreshments vendor. All welcome. Call Dennis Lacy, 253-9453.

3 AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 15-16, Polson Area Senior Center. $10 course fee. Call 883-4735 to register.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Sept. 15, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

3 Kalispell Women's Connection buffet luncheon 11:30 a.m., Sept. 16, New Outlaw Inn, Kalispell. Dave of the Apple Barrel talks about preserving organic fruit and apples. Guest speaker is Margaret Johnson. Cost is $12. 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., Sept. 16, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Kalispell.

3 Sam Bibler Commemorative Trails Project ice cream social, 7 p.m. Sept. 16, Montessori School, 349 Willow Glen Dr. Discussion on first link of bike/pedestrian path. Public invited. Call Chuck, 250-8574.

3 MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m. Sept. 17, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Kelly Gesker talks about "Getting to Know Each Other." Child care provided. Call Heidi Durban, 253-4886.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 1-5 p.m., Sept. 17, Moose Lodge, LaSalle Road, Evergreen.

3 Public forum on status of water rights now and in future, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 17, Flathead Valley Community College Arts and Technology Building. Coordinated by Sen. Verdell Jackson and Department of Natural Resources.

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., Sept. 18, The Wave, Whitefish.

3 Big Brothers Big Sisters Agency of Flathead County open house to celebrate its remodel, 4-6 p.m. Sept. 18, 137 Main St., Kalispell.

3 Public forum for National Suicide Prevention Week, Sept. 18, Glacier High School Performance Hall. Resources and conversation 6-6:50 p.m.; forum with Pathways Director Michael Newman, Lon Eliason, MSW Hospice, and parent survivors, 7-9 p.m. All welcome.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sept. 19, Browning Hospital.

3 Art auction fundraiser for the Open Studio Project, a community arts studio, 5:30-7 p.m. Sept. 19, 240 First Ave. W., Kalispell. Open to public. Call 756-7638.

3 Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group meets 6:30-8 p.m., Sept. 19, Northridge Lutheran Church, 323 Northridge Dr., Kalispell. Guest speaker is Ginny Hoffman. Call 756-1414.

3 AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 20, The Summit, Kalispell. $10 course fee. Call 751-4500 to register.

3 AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 20, Calvary Lutheran Church, Evergreen. $10 course fee. Call 752-0786 to register.

3 National Multiple Sclerosis Society Walk, Sept. 20, Lawrence Park, Kalispell. Check in at 8 a.m.; walk begins 8:30 a.m. Call Heather, 406-252-5927.

3 Out of Darkness …Into the Light community walk for National Suicide Prevention Week Sept. 20, Depot Park, Kalispell. Registration at 9:30 a.m.; one-mile walk begins 10 a.m. All welcome. Speakers 11 a.m. to noon. Activities, music and food noon to 2 p.m. Call Joan Schmidt, 871-1008.

3 2008 Autism Walk, Sept. 20, Woodland Park, Kalispell. Registration 11 a.m.; walk begins at noon. $12. Teams and individuals welcome. Call 257-8758.

3 Montana Business and Professional Women state convention Sept. 20, Hampton Inn, Kalispell. Theme is "Be a Leader in Times of Change." Leadership training by Michelle-Skaletski Boyd. Speakers are Lori Botkin, executive director of Flathead Food Bank, and Vickie Amundson from Silent Witness, a violence awareness project. Call Irene Paine, 837-2437. Tickets $45 for members; $55 for nonmembers. Includes lunch. Call Irene Paine, 837-2437.

Heritage Museum in Libby third annual chili cook-off Sept. 20. Public invited to vote on People's Choice award. Sampling kits with cornbread $3.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Sept. 22, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

3 AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 22-23, Risen Christ Catholic Church, Evergreen. $10 course fee. Call 751-4500 to register.

3 Flathead Chronic Pain Support Group meets 5:30-7 p.m., Sept. 22, at The Summit. Learn how to cope with pain and improve your quality of life. Free. Call Dr. Alex Bokor, 250-5252.

3 Training for The Violence Free Crisis Line's PEACE Project, a volunteer peer education program for 10th through 12th grade young women, 6-9 p.m. Sept. 22, United Way Conference Room, Gateway West Mall, Kalispell. Call Jill Hoxmeier, 261-9085.

3 AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 22 and 24, North Valley Hospital, Whitefish. $10 course fee. Call 863-3630 to register.

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m., Sept. 23, Three Rivers Bank, Meridian Road, Kalispell.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sept. 24, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

3 Business and Professional Women of Flathead Valley meet at noon, Sept. 24, Red Lion Hotel, Kalispell. Lunch available for $12. Guests welcome. Call Irene Paine, 837-2437.

3 ESP (Essential Stuff Project) presents a panel of energy and home efficiency experts to discuss local options, 7 p.m. Sept. 24, Clementine's 265 Bridge St., Bigfork. Public invited. Call Edd Blackler, 837-5196; Edmund Fitzgerald, 837-5548; or Catherine Haug, 837-4577.

3 AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 24-25, Trinity Lutheran Church, Kalispell. $10 course fee. Call 751-4500 to register.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sept. 25, Flathead Valley Community College, in the blood mobile.

3 Red Cross blood drives Sept. 26, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell; and noon to 5 p.m. Wal-Mart, in the blood mobile.

3 Flathead Quilters Guild 27th annual quilt show Sept. 26-28, Flathead County Fairgrounds Trade Center Building, Kalispell. Merchant Mall, silent auction, quilts for sale, members boutique, demonstrations, raffle. Hours 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 26-27; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 28. Admission $5 per day. Portion of proceeds benefit Human Therapy on Horseback.

3 Bet Harim Jewish Community of Flathead Valley offers a Healing for the Holidays workshop: "Connecting with the One," 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 27, at the Sanctuary in Kila with Instructor Ina Albert. Public welcome. Free for members; nonmembers, $25. Call 249-4642.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sept. 27, Best Buy, in the blood mobile.

3 Lighthouse Christian Home fourth annual Harvest Festival, noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 27, 384 N. Somers Road. Live music by Tradewinds and Blue Onion Bands, residents and Lighthouse Worship Band. Raffle for 600 pound steer or 250 pig (uncertified organic meat). Games, petting zoo, residents arts and crafts, concession. Admission $2 per person or $5 per family. All welcome. Call 857-3276.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Sept. 29, 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. Sept. 29-30, St. John's Lutheran Hospital, Libby. $10 course fee. Call 751-4500 to register.

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., Sept. 30, Polson Good Shepherd Church.

3 Friends of the Library annual book sale, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 3; 10 am. to 6 p.m. Oct. 4; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 5, Kalispell Center Mall. Books $1 an inch, $2 a bag on Sunday. All proceeds benefit Flathead County Library.

3 "Oktoberfish" fundraiser for Stumptown Art Studio, 6-10 p.m. Oct. 4, 145 Central Ave., Whitefish. Polka band, biergarten, free wine tasting, silent art auction, dinner "by the bite" by local restaurants. Ticket $50 per person. Call 862-5929.

3 Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets at 7 p.m. Oct. 6, The Summit, Kalispell. All those affected by suicide welcome. Call 871-1008.

3 Child Find screening for hearing, vision, motor skills, speech, language and thinking skills for children 0-5 years old in rural districts, 8:30 a.m. to noon Oct. 10, East Evergreen Elementary School. Call 751-1113, ext. 23 to make an appointment.

3 Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets at 7 p.m. Nov. 3, The Summit, Kalispell. All those affected by suicide welcome. Call 871-1008.

3 Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets at 7 p.m. Dec. 1, The Summit, Kalispell. All those affected by suicide welcome. Call 871-1008.