Today

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

3 Flathead Democratic Women meet at 11:45 a.m. Winchester Room of the New Outlaw Inn, Kalispell. Speakers are Marilyn Wood, executive director of Flathead Land Trust, and Mike Baker, director of Kalispell Parks and Recreation Department. Lunch available. No reservations required. All welcome. Call President Mary Reckin, 257-8160.

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

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

3 Flathead Chronic Pain Support Group meets 5:30-7 p.m., 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., 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. today and Sept. 24, North Valley Hospital, Whitefish. $10 course fee. Call 863-3630.

Tuesday

3 22nd annual Realtor Food Drive. Leave your bag of nonperishable food items at your front door for evening pick up by area Realtors.

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

3 AGAPE Home Care free seminar, "Elder Abuse in the Flathead Valley, noon to 1 p.m., United Way conference room, Gateway West Mall, Kalispell. Call 755-4633.

3 School District 5 and Flathead County High School district board meets at 5:30 p.m., Kalispell Middle School Media Center.

3 Museum at Central School Historic Film Club presents "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," starring Jimmie Stewart, 7 p.m., 124 Second Ave. E, Kalispell. Free. Donations accepted. Bring portable chairs, pillows, blankets. Call 756-8381.

3 Whitefish School District board meets 7 p.m., board meeting room.

3 Flathead Citizens for Paved Roads meet 7 p.m., Glacier High School, 375 Wolfpack Way. Guest speaker is Steve Qunell, candidate for Flathead County commissioner. Question and answer session follows. Use the main entrance. Public welcome.

3 Community presentation on Rachel's Challenge, national assembly program encouraging compassion and kindness, named after first student to be killed at Columbine High School in 1999, 7 p.m. Columbia Falls High School Little Theater. All welcome.

Wednesday

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

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

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

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

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, 257-9798; or Laurie, 752-2395.

Thursday

3 Flathead Special Education Cooperative executive council meets, 8:30 a.m., Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W., second floor conference room.

Thought

"The autumn always gets me badly, as it breaks into colours. I want to go south, where there is no autumn, where the cold doesn't crouch over one like a snow-leopard waiting to pounce." n D.H. Lawrence, English author (1885-1930).

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

3 NAMI-Flathead meets 1-2:30 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. Guest speaker is psychiatrist Dr. Noel Drury of the adult mental health office. Topic will be "Medications." Public invited. Call Boyd Roth, 752-6003.

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

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

3 Kalispell Senior Citizens business meeting and potluck supper, 5 p.m. Kalispell Senior Center, 403 Second Ave. W. Kim Wold of Sterling Services will discuss changes in Medicare Part D. Bring a potluck dish if you can. All area seniors welcome. Call 257-1598.

Friday

Senator Jon Tester's field representative Amy Croover has outreach office hours, 9-10 a.m., Columbia Falls City Hall. Call 257-3360.

3 Two Red Cross blood drives today: 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, 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 26th annual League of Glacier Symphony and Chorale fall luncheon, 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 Kalinga Buddhist Center in Kalispell presents a public talk titled, "Keeping a Peaceful Mind," by Kadampa Buddhist teacher Gen Kelsang Khedrub, 7-8:30 p.m., Lone Pine State Park, Foys Lake Road, Kalispell. Cost $10; no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Call 756-8690. All welcome.

3 Flathead Quilters Guild 27th annual quilt show today through Sept. 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. today and Sept. 27; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 28. Admission $5 per day. Portion of proceeds benefit Human Therapy on Horseback.

A Look Ahead

3 Flathead Audubon volunteers have Owen Sowerwine Work Day Sept. 27. Meet at 9 a.m. at the Montessori School, 349 Willow Glen Dr., to do trail maintenance, installing signs and fence repair. Public welcome. Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts and sturdy shoes. Call Brent Mitchell, 756-8130.

3 Yellow Bay Community Club 24th annual rummage and bake sale, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 27, Yellow Bay Clubhouse, Montana 35, mile marker 18. Chili and cornbread lunch, homemade desserts available. Raffle for handcrafted quilt and table runner. Call Sharon, 982-3437 to reserve a table.

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. Kick-off to the 2008 United Way campaign.

3 Humane Society of Northwest Montana Volunteer Orientation 11 a.m. Sept. 27, Humane Society, 3499 U.S. 93 N., Kalispell. Call 752-PAWS.

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.

Essential Stuff Project free presentation by Gayle Prunhuber on how to keep a goat, 2 p.m. Sept. 27, Loon Lake Pottery & Gardens, 30183 Loon Lake Road, Bigfork. Free. RSVP to Catherine Hauge, 837-4577.

3 Missoula Children's Theatre and Glacier Gateway Elementary present "The Amazing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, 3 and 7 p.m. Sept. 27, Columbia Falls High School Little Theater. Cost $5 per person, $20 per family (up to six people) Children 3 and younger free.

3 Author Rick Bass reads from his new book, "Why I Came West, Sept. 27, The Loft, downtown Whitefish. Wine and hors d'oeuvres at 7 p.m. Reading begins 8:30 p.m. Fundraiser for Tim Linehan, Democratic candidate for House District 2, Troy. Call Brian Schott, 261-6190.

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 Columbia Falls City Court will be closed Sept. 30 while staff attends conference in Helena. Call 892-43440.

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

3 AGAPE Home Care free seminar, "Planning for he Future," with Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home representatives, noon to 1 p.m. Sept. 30, United Way Conference room, Gateway West Mall, Kalispell. Call 755-4633.

3 Wellness Education Center's Healthy Potluck Supper, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Sept. 30, 103 Ponderosa Lane, Kalispell. Families welcome. Bring a healthy dish to share. Call the Wellness Center at 755-8423.

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 Neighbors in Need homemade chili lunch delivered 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 3. Includes corn muffin, salad and homemade pie. Cost $8. Whole pies available for $8 each. Order by Oct. 1 by calling 752-7266.

3 Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce annual fall rummage sale, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 3; 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 4, former Western Building Center Army Navy Store, 129 Ninth St. W. Call Carol Pike, 892-5963 or 892-2072; or Jenni, 151-4756, 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.

3 Trees to Paper to Trees recycling drive 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 4, north end of Flathead County Fairgrounds. Bring newspapers, magazines, 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 Glacier Pilot Club invites the public to the Authors Book Fair and Share 5:30-110 p.m. Oct. 4, KM Theatre, Second St., downtown Kalispell. Fifteen Montana authors will discuss, sign, and sell their work. Cash bar, appetizers, silent auction. Admission $5. Proceeds support victims of traumatic brain injury. Call Lori Penzi, 862-4653.

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 Glacier Stamp Club meets in the basement meeting room of the Flathead County Library, Kalispell. Stamp trading and talk at 7 p.m., Oct. 6; followed by short business meeting. Visitors welcome. Call Gail Long, 752-6110.

3 Kila School has a community Charrette meeting regarding building needs 6:30 p.m. Oct. 7, Kila School gym.

3 Evergreen School District board meets at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 8, administration building boardroom.

3 AGAPE Home Care free seminar, "Dealing with Alzheimers," noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 9, United Way Conference room, Gateway West Mall, Kalispell. Call 755-4633.

3 Whitefish Figure Skating Club Style Show on Ice, "Little Black Dress Affair, Oct. 9, Stumptown Ice Den, 725 Wisconsin Ave. Wine and appetizer reception 6:30-7 p.m.; style show 7-8 p.m. Tickets $25, available at Sappari and Fifty-seven Boutique in the Lodge. Call Carol, 862-7699; or Jennifer, 862-6524.

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 Dogtoberfest open house for Humane Society of Northwest Montana, 6-9 p.m. Oct. 11, 3499 U.S. 93 N., Kalispell. Beer, wine, bratwurst, Music by Don Lawrence and the Bavarian Echoes. Door prizes and tours. Tickets $20 in advance at Humane Society, or Tailwaggers in Kalispell and Whitefish. $25 at the door. Call 752-7297.

3 Kalispell Moose Lodge buffet breakfast, 9-11 a.m. every Sunday beginning Oct. 12, 2158 U.S. 2 E., Kalispell. Public invited. Proceeds go to Moose charities and Building Fund. Call Jeremy Heindel, 212-4834; Mike Larkey, 257-0266.

3 Kalispell Women's Connection buffet luncheon 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 14, New Outlaw Inn, Kalispell. Cost is $12. Country live and silent auction. Guest speaker is Norma Tuxon of Eureka. RSVP to Jan at 857-2467. Complimentary child care by reservation. Affiliated with Stonecroft International Inc.

3 AGAPE Home Care free seminar, "Planning Nursing Home Placement for your Loved One" with Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home representatives, noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 14, United Way Conference room, Gateway West Mall, Kalispell. Call 755-4633.

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 Flathead Special Education Cooperative board meets 11:30 a.m. Oct. 23, Tenth and Main Building, 1001 S. Main Street, Kalispell, basement conference room.

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 MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m. Nov. 5, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Sydney Fissori talks about "Informal Hospitality." Child care provided. Call Heidi Durban, 253-4886.

3 MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m. Nov. 17, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Christie Adney talks about the silent auction fundraiser. Child care provided. Call Heidi Durban, 253-4886.

3 Flathead Special Education Cooperative executive council meets, 11:30 a.m., Nov. 20, Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W., second floor conference room.

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.

3 MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m. Dec. 3, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Terri Williams talks about "Care and Imaging of the Breast." Child care provided. Call Heidi Durban, 253-4886.

3 MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m. Dec. 17, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Dr. Wallace Wilder talks about "Keeping Our Kids Healthy." Child care provided. Call Heidi Durban, 253-4886.

3 Flathead Special Education Cooperative executive council meets, 11:30 a.m., Dec. 18, Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W., second floor conference room.

3 Flathead Special Education Cooperative executive council meets, 11:30 a.m., Jan. 22, Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W., second floor conference room.

3 Flathead Special Education Cooperative executive council meets, 8:30 a.m., Feb. 26, Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W., second floor conference room.

3 Flathead Special Education Cooperative executive council meets, 8:30 a.m., March 26, Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W., second floor conference room.

3 Flathead Special Education Cooperative board meets 11:30 a.m. April 23, Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W., second floor conference room.

3 Flathead Special Education Cooperative executive council meets, 8:30 a.m., May 28, Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W., second floor conference room.

3 Flathead Special Education Cooperative executive council meets, 8:30 a.m., June 25, Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W., second floor conference room.