Today

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

3 Flathead County Republican Women meet at noon, New Outlaw Inn, Kalispell. Speakers are Ryan Zinke, candidate for Senate District 2; and Courtney Bunner, Flathead area political coordinator. Lunch $10. Call Pamala Kaspersen, 837-4428.

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

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

3 Whitefish School district Drug and Alcohol Committee meets 7 p.m. district board meeting room.

Tuesday

3 Kalispell Women's Connection buffet luncheon 11:30 a.m., 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 Tobacco Valley Toastmasters demonstration meeting noon to 1 p.m. Glacier Bank, Eureka. Free. All welcome. Call Gene Tunick, 889-5829.

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

3 Somers School board retreat 4-6 p.m.; followed by regular meeting at 7 p.m., Somers Middle School.

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

3 Flathead County Fairgrounds board meets 6 p.m. Country Kitchen Building. Call 756-8936.

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

3 Cayuse Prairie School board meets at 7 p.m. in the school library.

Wednesday

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

3 MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m., 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 Columbia Falls Women's Connection end of summer luau, 11:30 a.m., Columbia Falls Community Room. Guest speaker is Margaret Johnson of College Station, Texas. Cost $8 per person. Free child care by reservation. Call Candy at 387-4119, or Janet at 892-3621. Affiliated with Stonecroft Ministries.

3 State Auditor John Morrison and AARP present the documentary film, "Fraud Under the Big Sky," 11:45 a.m., at a luncheon at Polson Senior Citizens Center. Question and answer question follows. RSVP to 883-4735.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-5 p.m., at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

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

3 State Auditor John Morrison and AARP present the documentary film, "Fraud Under the Big Sky," 6 p.m., at a free buffet dinner at Red Lion Hotel Kalispell. RSVP for dinner at 755-4633. Question and answer question follows.

3 Public water rights forum sponsored by Northwest Montana Association of Realtors, 6:30-9 p.m. FVCC Arts and Technology Building. Topics include Thompson River Lumber Co. ruling on new water rights in Flathead River watershed, leasing water from Hungry Horse Reservoir, tribal water rights review. Public welcome.

3 Olduvai Forum meets 7 p.m., Clementine's, 265 Bridge St., Bigfork. Steve Qunell, Democratic candidate for Flathead County Commissioner, present his views on achieving a sustainable future in Flathead Valley. Coffee and tea provided. Donations appreciated. All welcome. Call Jeffrey Funk, 837-4208.

Thursday

3 Northwest Montana Educational Cooperative executive council meets 8:30-10:30 a.m., 124 Third Ave. E, Kalispell (Linderman School). Call 752-3302.

Thought

"God made the world round so we would never be able to see too far down the road." n Isak Dinesen, Danish author (1885-1962).

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

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

3 Public forum for National Suicide Prevention Week, 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 Whitefish Chamber of Commerce Gone Fishin' 5-7 p.m. at Great Northern Printing, 11 C S. Meridian Road, Kalispell, south of Albertsons. Refreshments served. Call 862-3501.

3 Toastmasters Area 11 Humorous Speech and Table Topics Contest, 6:30-8 p.m., First Interstate Bank, Main St., Kalispell. Potluck dinner included. Free. Public welcome. Call Catherine Webber, 755-4884.

Friday

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

3 The Glacier Country Pachyderm meets noon to 1 p.m., Fireside Room, Red Lion Hotel. Guest speaker is Jim Dupont, Republican candidate for Flathead County commissioner. Lunch available. Public invited.

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., Northridge Lutheran Church, 323 Northridge Dr., Kalispell. Guest speaker is Ginny Hoffman. Call 756-1414.

A Look Ahead

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 Lions Walk for Diabetes Awareness Sept. 20, Hilton Garden Inn, Kalispell. Check-in 8 a.m. Two-mile walk begins 8:30 a.m., rain or shine, followed by "Taking Control of Your Diabetes" conference at 10 a.m. To register or for walk pledge forms, call Diabetes Care Program, 751-5454.

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 is $12 per person and begins 11 a.m.; walk begins at noon. Donations appreciated. 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.

3 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 Vista Chapter No. 44 O.E.S. centennial anniversary program, 2 p.m. Sept. 20, Columbia Falls Masonic Temple. Public welcome. Reservations for $10 dinner may be made with Allyce Street, 862-3433.

3 Foys Fest fundraiser for Foys to Blacktail Trails project, 2-5 p.m. Sept. 20, Herron Park, Kalispell. Local foods feast, live music, children's activities, silent auction. tickets $18 adults through Sept. 17, $25 thereafter; $10 for kids under 14, toddlers free, available at Ceres Bakery, Rocky Mountain Outfitter, Kalispell; Third St. Market, Whitefish.

3 Montana Pride Network Talent Contest, 8 p.m. Sept. 20, New Outlaw Inn, Colt 44-45 Room, Kalispell. Call 756-0050.

3 Montana Loon Society annual meeting 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 21, Polson. Turn off U.S. 93 north of Polson onto Rocky Point Road, Go 6.4 miles past King's Point Road. Take third left. Bring potluck dish, tableware, lawn chairs. Call Donna Love, 406-677-3767.

3 St. Matthew's School hosts an open house for alumni and friends to view changes in the school, noon to 3 p.m. Sept. 21.

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 The Flathead Conservation District meets at 1 p.m., Sept. 22, 133 Interstate Lane, in Evergreen. Call 752-4220.

3 Flathead Chronic Pain Support Group meets 5:30-7 p.m., Sept. 22, at The Summit. Allyson Bush gives a presentation on how art therapy can help with chronic pain. 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 Museum at Central School Historic Film Club presents "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," starring Jimmie Stewart, 7 p.m. Sept. 23, 124 Second Ave. E, Kalispell. Free. Donations accepted. Bring portable chairs, pillows, blankets. Call 756-8381.

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 United Way Volunteer of the Year reception 3-5 p.m. Sept. 25, Red Lion Hotel, Kalispell. Refreshments, entertainment. Cost $8 per person; tables of eight may be reserved. Call 752-7266.

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 31st International Wildlife Film Festival of the Montana Wilderness Association, Sept. 26, O'Shaughnessy Center, Whitefish. Doors open 6:30 p.m. Program begins 7 p.m. Tickets $10 for adults; $5 for kids 12 and under, available at the door. Beer, wine, soft drinks and snacks available for purchase.

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 26th annual League of Glacier Symphony and Chorale fall luncheon, Sept. 26, Hilton Garden Inn, Kalispell. Registration 11:30 a.m.; lunch 12:15 p.m.; fashions 1 p.m. Basket raffle. RSVP to Gwyn at 752-5443; or 257-3241.

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 Energy Conservation Fair 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 27, Kalispell Center Mall. Booths throughout mall featuring ways to save energy and demonstrations. Give-aways, live entertainment, face painting and more. Public invited.

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 Free prostate screening, 4:30-7:30 p.m. Sept. 29, The Summit, Kalispell. Appointment required. Call 751-4500.

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 MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m. Oct. 1, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Lisa Goodman discusses "Raising Boys with a Godly Spirit." Child care provided. Call Heidi Durban, 253-4886.

3 Free prostate screening, 1-4 p.m. Oct. 2, The Cancer Treatment Center, Kalispell. Appointment required. Call 751-4500.

3 Brown bag discussion on Kalispell bypass and non-motorized trail coordination, noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 3, Montana Department of Transportation upstairs conference room, 85 Fifth Ave. EN, Kalispell. Open to interested parties.

3 Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce annual fall rummage sale, Oct. 3-4, old Western Building Center. Call Carol Pike, 892-5963 to donate items.

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.

Trees to Paper to Trees recycling drive 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 4, north end of Flathead County Fairgrounds. Bring newspapers, magazaine, office paper, cardboard, phone books and aluminum cans. Call Kalispell Parks and Recreation, 758-7715; or Bette Albright, 752-4836.

3 Free prostate screening, 8:30-11:30 a.m. Oct. 4, The Orthopedic Clinic Whitefish.. Appointment required. Call 751-4500.

3 Community United Methodist Church Circle of Friends annual fall bazaar and luncheon, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 4, 770 Electric Ave., Bigfork. Original artwork, jewelry, folk art, wood crafts, Christmas ornaments, knitted items, home baked goods and more. Soup, bread and apple pie lunch available 11:30 a.m. Call 837-4547.

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 Flathead Chronic Pain Support Group meets 5:30-7 p.m., Oct. 6, at The Summit. From this date forward, the group will be meeting weekly. Learn how to cope with pain and improve your quality of life. Free. Call Dr. Alex Bokor, 250-5252.

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 MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m. Oct. 15, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Stephanie Bailey "demonstrates "Crafting with Scrapbook Paper." Child care provided. Call Heidi Durban, 253-4886.

3 "Live Locally" 5K run/walk for lung health awareness, 10 a.m. Oct. 25, Main and Seventh, Polson. Registration $20. Call HealthCare Plus, 883-3910.

3 MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m. Oct. 29, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell, for a field trip to Sweet Pickins. Call Heidi Durban, 253-4886.

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.