Today

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

3 Rails to Trails meets to discuss bridges, 9 a.m. Wheat Montana, Kalispell.

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.

3 Orientation for adults interested in volunteering for Flathead High School America Reads program, 5:30 p.m. Room 200, Flathead High School. Call Kane Hines, 751-3572.

3 Public presentation by Ride for the Wild cyclists regarding their ride from Watson Lake in the Yukon to Yellowstone National Park, 7 p.m. Bohemian Grange Hall, behind Coffee Traders, U.S. 93, Whitefish. All welcome.

3 Lecture series begins on "Montana's Changing Climate: Science, Solutions and You, 7 p.m. FVCC Arts and Technology building, room 139. Guest speaker is Steve Running, director of Department of Ecosystem Science, University of Montana. Free. Open to public.

3 Panel discussion on the future of food, with special guest Graham Kerr, The Galloping Gourmet, 8 p.m. Arts and Technology Building, FVCC. Free. Public invited.

Friday

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

3 Glacier RCers Model Airplane Club annual flying exhibition and swap meet, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, Sept. 27-28, at model airplane field, one mile south of Montana 40, Whitefish Stage Road; 752-8496.

3 FVCC Native American/Multicultural Services celebrates American Indian Heritage Day. Tepee demonstration at 10 a.m.; gathering and sharing 1 p.m. in front of Blake Hall. Free. Public welcome. Call Mick Stemborkski, 756-3945.

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 The Glacier Country Pachyderm meets noon to 1 p.m., Fireside Room, Red Lion Hotel. Sen. Greg Barkus will discuss upcoming election and legislative session. Lunch available. Public invited.

3 Boomers Singles Group dinner, Village Greens Community Center, 195 W. Nicklaus Avenue, Kalispell. Social hour, 6 p.m.; dinner 7 p.m.; meeting 8 p.m. Reservations required. RSVP to Melody, 892-3532. All 40-plus singles welcome.

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 Sunday, 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.

Saturday

3 Flathead Audubon volunteers have Owen Sowerwine Work Day. 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 National Public Lands Day work party, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Lone Pine State Park, Kalispell. Volunteers needed to do trail maintenance and general park clean up. Meet at pavilion. Wear work clothes and shoes. Bring water and light snacks. Lunch provided. Call Tammy, 755-2706, ext. 4.

3 Yellow Bay Community Club 24th annual rummage and bake sale, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 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., at the Sanctuary in Kila with Instructor Ina Albert. Public welcome. Free for members; nonmembers, $25. Call 249-4642.

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

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

3 Energy Conservation Fair 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 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., Humane Society, 3499 U.S. 93 N., Kalispell. Call 752-PAWS.

3 Lighthouse Christian Home fourth annual Harvest Festival, noon to 5 p.m., 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 Essential Stuff Project free presentation by Gayle Prunhuber on how to keep a goat, 2 p.m., 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 presents two shows of "The Amazing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, at 3 and 7 p.m., 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," 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.

Sunday

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

Monday

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

3 Free prostate screening, 4:30-7:30 p.m., 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. today and Sept. 30, St. John's Lutheran Hospital, Libby. $10 course fee. Call 751-4500 to register.

3 Grace Hospice Bereavement Support Group meets 5:30 p.m., Christ Episcopal Parish House, 215 Third Ave. E., Kalispell. Free. All welcome; doesn't require hospice enrollment. Call Mary Jordt, 755-4923.

3 Whitefish community Orchestra begins rehearsals 7-8:30 p.m., through Dec. 1, Whitefish Middle School. Sponsored b North Valley Music School. Cost $25; scholarships available. Call 862-8074.

Tuesday

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

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

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

3 Lakeside-Somers Chamber of Commerce meets at noon at Vista Linda. RSVP for luncheon reservations; 250-5098.

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

3 Lecture series features "An Ethical and Theological Perspective on Climate Change," 7 p.m., FVCC Arts and Technology building, room 139. Guest speaker is Rev. John Lund, ELCA Lutheran Campus Ministries. Free. Open to public.

3 Columbia Falls High School annual College Planning Night, 7 p.m., Little Theatre. Parents of juniors and seniors planning to attend any post-high school training program encouraged to attend. Free. Call Doug Cordier, 892-6500, ext. 230.

Wednesday

3 MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m., 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 Investment Centers of America and Whitefish Theatre Co., present the award-winning documentary, "Young at Heart," 2:30 and 5:30 p.m., O'Shaughnessy Center, Whitefish. Seating limited. To reserve your free tickets, call 752-7232.

3 Annual Blessing of the Animals, 5:30 p.m., All Saints Episcopal Church, 2048 Conn Road, south of Montana 40, between Whitefish and Columbia Falls. Bring your pets on leashes or otherwise restrained to be blessed by the Rev. Bradley Wirth. Call 862-2863.

3 Disabled American Veterans (DAV) meet at 6:30 p.m., VFW meeting room, Kalispell. Call 249-3233.

A Look Ahead

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 Lutherans for Life rummage sale, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 4, Faith Lutheran Church, 405 Liberty St., Kalispell. Proceeds benefit Hope Pregnancy Ministries and other projects. Call 756-8344.

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

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 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 Petco hosts a hamster ball derby 2 p.m. Oct. 4. Practice laps begin 1:30 p.m. using Critter Balls. Bring your hamster, gerbil, rat or mice to compete for ribbons, trophy and prizes. Free. All welcome.

3 Glacier Pilot Club invites the public to the Authors Book Fair and Share 5:30-10 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 Sons of Norway meet 7 p.m., Oct. 4, Buffalo Hill Terrace meeting room, 40 Claremont St., Kalispell. Call 257-2537.

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 Lecture series continues on "The Climate Preparation Commons: Global Warning Science Meets Public Planning in Uncertain Times," 7 p.m. Oct. 7, FVCC Arts and Technology building, room 139. Guest speaker is Dominick DellaSala, executive director of National Center for ConservationScience and Policy. Free. Open to public.

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 Fundraiser for Flathead Valley Home School's Crusaders varsity volleyball team, 5-8 p.m. Oct. 9, HuHot Mongolian Grill, 130 Hutton Ranch Road, Kalispell. HuHot will donated 10 percent of all sales to the program. Silent auction. Everyone welcome.

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 The Flathead Conservation District meets at 7 p.m., Oct. 14,133 Interstate Lane, in Evergreen. Call 752-4220.

3 Lecture series continues on "Cascading Climate Change Impacts on the Crown of the Continent Ecosystem," 7 p.m. Oct. 14, FVCC Arts and Technology building, room 139. Guest speaker is Dan Fagre, reserach ecologist, U.S. Geological Survey. Free. Open to public.

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 Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation event, Voices in the Wilderness,7-9:30 p.m. Oct. 18, Hockaday Museum of Art, 302 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Silent art auction featuring Montana artists, quick-draw with Jane Latus-Emmert. Desserts, beer and wine. $15 donation at door. Call Paul Travis, 387-3808.

3 Lecture series panel discussion on "Water and Wildlife: climate change and Montana's Natural Resources," 7 p.m. Oct. 21, FVCC Arts and Technology building, room 139. Free. Open to public.

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 Lecture series panel discussion on "The New Administration: What will McCain or Obama do about Climate Change," 7 p.m. Oct. 28, FVCC Arts and Technology building, room 139. Free. Open to public.

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 Flathead Chronic Pain Support Group meets 5:30-7 p.m., Nov. 3, at The Summit. Group meets on a weekly basis. 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. 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 St. Richard's annual bazaar, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 8, St. Richard's Catholic Church, U.S. 2 West, Columbia Falls. Homemade soup, sandwiches and pie lunch served. Craft shop; candy store, children's Christmas tree, silent auction; Santa's raffle table. Cash raffle; need not be present to win.

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.