Daybook

Today

• Flathead City-County Board of Health telephonic meeting, 9-9:30 a.m. second floor conference room of the Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W. Kalispell.

• Red Cross blood drive, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., FVCC, in the blood mobile in front of Arts and Technology Building. Call Sharon Randolph for an appointment at 756-3981.

• Veterans gathering to promote Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund’s initiative to collect photos of troops for The Education Center at The Wall, Washington, D.C., 11 a.m. Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, 15 Depot Park.

• Kalispell Senior Citizens business meeting and potluck supper, 5 p.m., Kalispell Senior Center, 403 Second Ave. W. Bring a potluck dish or pay $3. All area seniors 55 and older welcome. Call 257-1598.

• Friendship Force of the Flathead Valley meets today, Vista Linda, Somers. Social hour 5 p.m.; dinner at 6 p.m. Program by hosts from recent visitors from Hannover, Germany. All interested in travel and meeting people from other countries invited. For reservations, call Lavonne Larson, 756-7082.

• Great Northwest Oktoberfest today through Sept. 29, and Oct. 4-6, Depot Park, Whitefish. Live music, German food. Beer garden. Contests. Admission $3 per day. Today is locals’ night — free admission with ID.

Friday

• Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce garage sale, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Sept. 29, Angie’s Greenhouse, 1722 U.S. 2 E., across from Mike’s Conoco. Drop off items noon to 6 p.m. Sept. 26-27. Call Carol Pike 892-2072.

• Red Cross blood drives: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Insured Titles and Crowley Fleck, in the blood mobile; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

• Northwest Montana Retired Educators meets at 11:30 a.m. Scotty’s Bar, Kalispell. Social time followed by lunch. Charlene Soukow from Great Falls will discuss the Teachers Retirement System. Question and answer segment follows. All retired school personnel welcome. Call 755-1953.

• Glacier Pachyderm Club meets noon to 1 p.m., Red Lion Hotel Kalispell. Prof. Geoffrey Hunter will talk about U.S/Canadian border business opportunities. Lunch available. Public invited. Call Mark Johnson, 253-7467.

American Heritage Day, FVCC. Fry bread demonstration 3 p.m., Blake Hall foyer. Joe LaFountain give a lecture, “Walking Forward,” 6 p.m. Blake Hall board room. Free and public invited. Call Mick Stemborski, 756-3945.

• Great Northwest Oktoberfest 5-11 p.m. today, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, and Oct. 4-6, Depot Park, Whitefish. Live music, German food. Beer garden. Contests. Admission $3 per day. Sept. 27 is locals’ night — free admission with ID. Oct. 5 is Seniors Day — free admission for ages 60 and older.

Saturday

• Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce garage sale, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Angie’s Greenhouse, 1722 U.S. 2 E., across from Mike’s Conoco. Drop off items noon to 6 p.m. Sept. 26-27. Call Carol Pike 892-2072.

• Celebrate National Public Lands Day by volunteering to do basic trail maintenance and park land improvement, 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., Lone Pine State Park, Kalispell. Barbecue follows. Call Amy Grout, 755-2706, ext. 3.

• Trees to Paper to Trees recycling drive, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., north end of Flathead Country Fairgrounds. Bring newspaper, magazines, office paper, cardboard, phone books, aluminum cans. Call Parks and Recreation, 758-7849.

• Free prostate screening, 9 a.m. to noon, Columbia Falls Clinic, U.S. East, across from Super 1. Open to all men 50 and older or 45 and older with a family history of prostate cancer. Call 751-4500 for an appointment.

• Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Harley Davidson, Kalispell. For an appointment, call Vickie, 854-2423. Sponsored by Glacier HOG. Chili cook-off is also scheduled and will benefit Toys for Tots. New, unwrapped toys accepted.

• Free vertical tasting of Montana pinot noir, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mission Mountain Winery, Flathead Lake, U.S. 93 Dayton. Taste vintages from oldest to newest.

• Rabies vaccination clinic 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Flathead City-County Health Department parking lot, Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell. Flathead Spay and Neuter Clinic will offer dog and cat vaccinations $15 each.

• Birch Grove Community Center work day, 10 a.m., 594 Birch Grove Road, Kalispell. Chicken and dumplings served at 4 p.m. Bring a side dish, salad or dessert. Volunteers needed. Call Marjorie Olsen, 755-8586.

• Great Northwest Oktoberfest noon to 11 p.m. today, and Oct. 4-6, Depot Park, Whitefish. Live music, German food. Beer garden. Contests. Admission $3 per day. Sept. 27 is locals’ night — free admission with ID. Oct. 5 is Seniors Day — free admission for ages 60 and older.

• Ravenwood Outdoor Learning Center benefit concert, 3 p.m., Stillwater Landing, Lower Stillwater Lake, U.S. 93, north of Whitefish. Music by Amy Jean, Moonshine Mountain and HumanLab. Food, beer and wine. Bring blankets, camp chairs. No pets or coolers. Indoor/outdoor stages. $20 per vehicle. Call Brett Holmquist, 260-8620.

Sunday

• Bigfork Knights of Columbus annual Oktoberfest, 11:45 a.m. to 4 p.m., John Paul II Catholic Church, 195 Coverdell Road, Bigfork. Music by Bavarian Echoes Polka Band. German food, beer, wine. Silent auction. Raffle for 1/2 side of beef. Tickets $12 adults; $5 children 5 and over. Children under 5, free, available at parish office and at door.

• Run for Your Mama 1-mile kids’ race, 5K and 10K race 1-5 p.m., Bigfork High School. Chip-times. Food, ice cream, bounce house, music, giveaways. Preregister at www.getmeregistered.com. Race day registration $5 extra. Proceeds go to Bigfork MOPS (Mothers of Pre-schoolers).

• Flathead Valley Walk to End Alzheimer’s fundraiser, Lawrence Park, Kalispell. Registration/check in 1 p.m. Opening ceremony and walk, 2 p.m. Individual or teams welcome. Call Suzanne Belser, 406-252-3053.

Monday

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

• Cross-country walker Robert Sweetgall presents a free two-part workshop on Nordic walking, Shepherd’s Hand Clinic, Christ Lutheran Church, 5150 River Lakes Pkwy., Whitefish. Community meal 5 p.m., followed by workshop at 6 p.m. Public invited.

• Glacier Stamp Club meets 6:30 p.m., downstairs meeting room, Flathead County Library, Kalispell. Visitors welcome. Call Gail, 752-6110.

• Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets at 7 p.m. The Summit, Kalispell. Call 871-1008.

Tuesday

• Creston School board meets at 7:30 a.m. Public welcome.

• AARP Driver Safety class, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 751-4500.

• Randy Winter, service officer for Montana Veterans Affairs Division will be available to veterans and their dependents, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Troy Senior Center; 1:30-4 p.m. Libby Senior Center.

• Red Cross blood drive, 12:30-5:30 p.m., Bigfork Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

• Columbia Falls School board Negotiations Committee meets at 6 p.m., administration offices boardroom, 501 Sixth Ave. W.

Wednesday

NAMI Local Advisory Council meets 10-11:30 a.m., Lamplighter House, Kalispell.

• Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Three Rivers Bank, Meridian Road, Kalispell, in the blood mobile.

• USMC Happy Hour for Marines and Navy who served with Marines, 5-7 p.m., Kalispell VFW, 330 First Ave. W. Guest speaker. Cash bar. Spouses and girlfriends welcome. Call 406-890-1823.

• Literacy Volunteers of Flathead County open house and orientation for interested tutors and volunteers, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Gateway Community Center, 1201 U.S. 2, north end of mall. Call 257-7323.

• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Family Support Group meets 7 p.m., Flathead County Library, 247 First Ave. E., Kalispell. Call 854-2323.

A look ahead

• Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council and Management board meet 10:30 a.m., Oct. 4, Linderman School. Call 257-1857.

• Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 4, Qdoba Restaurant, in the blood mobile.

• Columbia Falls School board Insurance Committee meets at 4 p.m. Oct. 4, administration offices boardroom, 501 Sixth Ave. W.

• Great Northwest Oktoberfest 5-11 p.m. Oct. 4-5, noon to 11 p.m. Oct. 6, Depot Park, Whitefish. Live music, German food. Beer garden. Contests. Admission $3 per day. Oct. 5 is Seniors Day — free admission until 5 p.m. for ages 60 and older.

• Free screening of documentary film, “4-H: Six Montana Stories,” 7 p.m. Arts and Technology Building, room 139, FVCC.

• Red Cross blood drives Oct. 5: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell; 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Walmart, in the blood mobile.

• Neighbors in Need annual chili lunch fundraiser, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 5. Chili, corn muffin, salad and homemade pie, $10 per person. Whole pies, $10 each. Order forms available at United Way, 752-7266.

• Glacier Pachyderm Club meets noon to 1 p.m., Oct. 5, Red Lion Hotel Kalispell. Speaker is Royce Engstrom, president of the University of Montana. Lunch available. Public invited. Call Mark Johnson, 253-7467.

• Hockaday Museum of Art Rendezvous on the Swan River, 4-9:30 p.m. Oct. 5, 13025 Rainbow Dr., Bigfork. Prizes for best rustic attire. Menu includes roasted pig, smoked fish, locally distilled spirits. Dancing music by Barnyard Riot. Mercantile, art gallery. Reservations requested by Sept. 22, $90 per person for Hockaday members, $100 for nonmembers; $45 is tax deductible. Call 755-5268.

• Third annual Ghost Tour of the Conrad Mansion, 7-9 p.m. Oct. 5 and 6, at the museum, Woodland Avenue, Kalispell. Tours run every 15 minutes. Tickets $10. Reservations required. Not recommended for children. Call 755-2166.

• Seventh annual Chili Cook-off, Oct. 6, Heritage Museum, Libby. Gates open 7:30 a.m. Judging begins at noon. Cash prizes. Samplings of all for $4. Call Susan Castaneda, 406-293-2171.

• Dr. Tom Pittaway’s annual free Dental Day of Caring, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 6,  Plaza West Dental, 124 First Ave. W., Kalispell. Basic dental care and cleanings on first come/first served basis. Call 755-7117.

• 13th annual Northwest Montana Veterans Stand Down, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 6, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 7, Libby Armory, 1004 Treasure Dr., Libby. Health and employment resources and counseling for veterans. Haircuts, surplus military clothing, refreshments. Disabled parking available. Bring military ID. Call Allen Erickson, 756-7304 or 250-0698.

• Kalispell Downtown Association’s third annual 5K Run Through History, 10 a.m. Oct. 6 starting at Museum at Central School. Registration $15 through Sept. 30; $20 thereafter at www.downtownkalispell.com. Registration also available 4-8 p.m. Oct. 5, Kalispell Center Mall; and 8:30-9:30 a.m. day of event.

• Whitefish Montessori School Pumpkin Patch, 10 a.m. Oct. 6.

• Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 6, Best Buy, in the blood mobile.

• Alpine Artisans Tour of the Arts 2012, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 6-7. Seeley-Swan Valleys. Free, self-guided tour of local artists’ studios. Call 406-677-0717.

• Flathead Audubon hosts the Fall Hawk Watch at Bad Rock Canyon Oct. 7 to observe migrating raptors. Meet between noon and 4 p.m. at House of Mystery fishing access site on U.S. W. Bring binoculars, scope, lawn chairs. Call Kathy Ross, 837-3837.

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

• Flathead Audubon meets at 7 p.m., Oct. 8, The Summit, Kalispell. Dave Hadden of Headwaters Montana will give an updated on preservation efforts on the North Fork of the Flathead River. Free. All welcome.

• AARP Driver Safety class, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 9, Bigfork Area Senior Center. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 837-4157.

• Randy Winter, service officer for Montana Veterans Affairs Division will be available to veterans and their dependents, 10 a.m. to noon, Oct. 9, North Lincoln County Annex, Eureka.

• Flathead Municipal Airport Authority meets at 4 p.m., Oct. 9, Glacier Park International Airport board room.

• Swan River School board meets at 5:30 p.m., Oct. 9, school library.

• The Flathead Conservation District meets at 7 p.m., Oct. 9, 133 Interstate Lane, in Evergreen. Call 752-4220.

• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 10, Flathead Electric.

• NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) meets 1-2:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at The Summit in Kalispell. Three local candidates for judge will speak. Public welcome. Call Boyd Roth, 752-6003.

• Evergreen School board meets 6:30 p.m., Oct. 10, administration boardroom.

• Flathead Outdoor Club meets 7 p.m., Oct. 10, The Summit, Kalispell. Leah Levitt will talk about her hikes to Hole in the Wall, Shangri La and Floral Park. Coffee and tea served. Everyone welcome. Call Mike Spence, 857-2599.

• Senior Tour and Tea, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Oct. 11, Hockaday Museum of Art, Kalispell. Free admission for senior citizens. Coffee, tea and cookies served 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Docent-guided gallery tour at 10:30 a.m. Call 755-5268.

• Red Cross blood drives Oct. 11: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Merlin Information Services; 12:30-5 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, sponsored by Rotary.

• Evergreen Special Services Child Find screening, 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 12, East Evergreen Elementary School. Children ages birth to 5 screened for hearing, vision, motor skills, speech and thinking skills. Call 751-1113, ext. 23 for an appointment.

• Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 12, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

Swan River annual eighth grade rummage sale, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 13, Proceeds go to history trip.

• Celebrate Montana Forest Products Industry Week, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 13, Western Building Center, Columbia Falls. Presentations by industry representatives and community leaders. Local vendors and land managers. Giveaways, free hamburgers and hot dogs.  

• Essential Stuff Project community cider press, noon Oct. 13, on the deck of Mosaic restaurant (formerly La Provence), 408 Bridge St., Bigfork. Public invited. Bring rinsed apples and containers. Donations accepted. Call Edd Blackler, 837-5196; or Catherine Haug, 837-4577.

• Whitefish Legacy Run, Oct. 14, Whitefish Trails. 20K, 10K, 4-mile trail, 1.5 mile family run. Event begins 11 a.m. Party, lunch, raffles 12:30-2 p.m. Free beer. Call 862-3880.

Kalispell Senior Center silent auction, and pie and ice cream social, 1-4 p.m. Oct. 14, 403 Second Ave. W. Public welcome.

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

• AARP Driver Safety class, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 16, North Valley Hospital, Whitefish. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 863-3630.

• Randy Winter, service officer for Montana Veterans Affairs Division will be available to veterans and their independents, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 16-17, Montana Veterans Home, Columbia Falls.

• Red Cross blood drives Oct. 16: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Teletech employees; 2-5 p.m. Lakeside Baptist Church.

• Retired and Seniors Volunteers Program Advisory Council meets 9:15 a.m., Oct. 17, Heritage Place, east wing solarium, 171 Heritage Way, Kalispell.

• Red Cross blood drives Oct. 17; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Teletech employees; noon to 5 p.m. Pope John Paul II Church, sponsored by Knights of Columbus.

• Lake County candidates forum Oct. 17, Big Arm Historic School. Meet and greet at 6:30 p.m. Forum starts at 7 p.m. Public invited. Call 849-6628.

• Red Cross blood drive, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 18, Libby VFW.

• Artists and Craftsmen of the Flathead meet at 7 p.m. Oct. 18, basement of the Eagles, 37 First St. W., Kalispell. Guests welcome. Call 881-4288 (leave a message).

• Red Cross blood drives Oct. 19: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. KRMC.

• Live Locally 5K run/walk, Oct. 20, HealthCare Plus building, corner of Main and Seventh, Polson. Pre-register by Sept. 27 for a T-shirt. Race day registration 9 a.m.; start time 10 a.m. Free pasta for participants. Call 883-3910.

• AARP Driver Safety class, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 20, The Summit, Kalispell. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 751-4500.

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

• AARP Driver Safety class, 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. Oct. 23, Polson Area Senior Center. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 883-4735.

• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 23, Eureka Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

•CPR/First Aid certification 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Oct. 24, Cornerstone Building at North Valley Hospital, 3004 Hospital Way, Whitefish. $50 per person ($35 if just CPR). Brown bag lunch. Pre-registration required. Call 863-3513.

• Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 26, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

• Northwest Montana Retired Educators meets at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 26, Dos Amigos, Whitefish. Geoff Gibb of The Wave will give a presentation titled, “Get Up and Move — Senior Exercise.” All retired school personnel welcome. Call 752-2955.

• Christmas at the Mansion Preview Party, 7-9 p.m. Oct. 26, Conrad Mansion, Woodland Avenue, Kalispell. Music, champagne, appetizers. Early buying privileges. Tickets $45 ($40 members). Reservations required. Call 755-2166.

• 29th annual Christmas at the Mansion Bazaar, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 27, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 28, Conrad Mansion, Woodland Avenue, Kalispell. Admission $5 at door ($2 for children). Call 755-2166.

• Family Life Expo, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 27, Flathead Country Fairgrounds, Kalispell. Information booths on health care, financial planning, education, real estate, jobs, retirement and more. Call 406-294-9116.

• Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 27, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

• AARP Driver Safety class, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 29, Libby Christian Church, Libby. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 283-7000.

• AARP Driver Safety class, 1-5 p.m. Oct. 29, Trinity Lutheran Church, Kalispell. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 257-3955 or 752-0786 or walk in.

• Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m. Oct. 29, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

• Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m. Oct. 30, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

• Flathead County Library teen social for grades six to 12, 4-5:30 p.m. Oct. 30,  main library, Kalispell. Gaming on Wii, free food, candy, zombie movie. Craft is Halloween-o-rama mask making.

• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 31, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Wear a costume. Sponsored by Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home.

• AARP-sponsored 90-minute free presentation, “We Need to Talk — Family Conversations with Older Drivers,” 7 p.m., Oct. 31, The Summit, Kalispell. Call 751-4500; preregistration not required.

• Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets at 7 p.m. Nov. 5, The Summit, Kalispell. Call 871-1008.

• Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 10:30 a.m., Nov. 15, Linderman School. Call 257-1857.

• Artists and Craftsmen of the Flathead meet at 7 p.m. Nov. 15, basement of the Eagles, 37 First St. W., Kalispell. Guests welcome. Call 881-4288 (leave a message).

• Northwest Montana Retired Educators meets at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 16, Vista Linda, Somers. Ruth Pomeroy with Flathead Council on Aging will talk about fraud and identity theft. All retired school personnel welcome. Call 752-2955.

• Retired and Seniors Volunteers Program Advisory Council meets 9:15 a.m., Nov. 21, Heritage Place, east wing solarium, 171 Heritage Way, Kalispell.

•CPR/First Aid certification 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Nov. 28, Cornerstone Building at North Valley Hospital, 3004 Hospital Way, Whitefish. $50 per person ($35 if just CPR). Brown bag lunch. Pre-registration required. Call 863-3513.

• Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets at 7 p.m. Dec. 3, The Summit, Kalispell. Call 871-1008.

• Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 8:30 a.m., Dec. 20, conference room, 15 Meridian Court, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.

•CPR/First Aid certification 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Dec. 26, Cornerstone Building at North Valley Hospital, 3004 Hospital Way, Whitefish. $50 per person ($35 if just CPR). Brown bag lunch. Pre-registration required. Call 863-3513.

• Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council and Management board meet 10:30 a.m., Jan. 17, conference room, Linderman School, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.

• Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 10:30 a.m., Feb. 21, conference room, Linderman School, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.

 • Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 10:30 a.m., March 21, conference room, Linderman School, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.

• Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council and Management board meet 10:30 a.m., April 18, conference room, Linderman School, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.

• Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 10:30 a.m., May 16, conference room, Linderman School, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.

• Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 8:30 a.m., June 13, conference room, 15 Meridian Court, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.