Weekend Update: Friends of Library book sale continues

The Friends of the Library’s annual book sale continues this weekend at the Kalispell Center Mall.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. On Sunday books will be $3 per bag, two bags for $5, or three bags for $6.

Proceeds from the book sale benefit ImagineIF libraries in Kalispell, Bigfork, Columbia Falls and Marion by purchasing materials and supporting programs.

Oktoberfest in Whitefish

The seventh annual Oktoberfest continues this weekend under the climate-controlled bigtop at Depot Park in Whitefish. Hours are noon to 11 p.m. today.

Enjoy authentic German food and beer, live music and audience participation contests like keg throwing and log sawing.

The Children’s House Montessori School hosts its annual pumpkin patch fundraiser today with fun activities for the whole family. Today is also Seniors Day. Those 60 years of age and older are admitted free until 5 p.m. The Hofbrau Brewery’s National Stein-holding championships start at 9 p.m.

Admission to Oktoberfest is $5 for adults, with kids under 12 admitted free.

For a complete schedule of events, visit www.whitefishoktoberfest.com.

Paint it Pink 5k in Libby

The Paint It Pink 5K/10K, Half Marathon and fun run is today in Libby. Participants are encouraged to wear pink.

The half marathon starts at 8 a.m., and the 5K and 10K start at 9 a.m. Registration is $40. Entry forms are available at Glacier Bank or www.glacierbank.com; and Cabinet Peaks Medical Center or www.cabinetpeaks.org.

The run supports the Paint It Pink program for the detection and treatment for breast cancer.

For race information, contact Jill Beach at Glacier Bank at 406-293-4109. For Paint It Pink program information, call Kate Stephens at Cabinet Peaks Medical Center, 406-283-7140.

Conrad Mansion Museum events

The Conrad Mansion Museum hosts a couple of special events this weekend.

The Nooks and Crannies Tour starts at 9 a.m. today. This 90-minute specialty tour takes guests through areas of the museum not accessible on regular tours. The cost is $28 per person, $25 for members.

Ghost Tours start at 7 p.m. today. Guests are led through darkened rooms as guides relate strange occurrences others have experienced. The one-hour tours run every 15 minutes until 9 p.m. The cost is $17 per person, or $15 members. Reservations are required.

Reservations are required for all tours. Call 755-2166.

The museum is located at 330 Woodland Ave., in Kalispell.

Music workshop in Kalispell

The Kalispell Area Music Teachers Association (KAMTA) and Flathead Valley Community College co-host a music workshop with Kenneth Christensen today. The workshop is open to the public, particularly music teachers, music students and performers.

Christensen, a nationally certified teacher of music and pianist, has appeared as a soloist and collaborative artist throughout his home state of Montana as well as the United States, Europe and Asia.

Session 1 is “Practice Effectively” from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

There will be a lunch break from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Session 2 is “Playing Your Best When It Counts. Mental Skills for Musicians” and is from 1 to 3 p.m.

The cost to attend is $40 for the general public, $30 for KAMTA and FVCC teachers, and $20 for students. There is no pre-registration; pay at the door.

Tamarack Time in Bigfork

Tamarack Time! is today on Electric Avenue in Bigfork.

Thirteen food stations will be set up along the sidewalk. Community members may bring their favorite dishes between 11 a.m. and noon. Judging begins at 12:30 p.m. Food categories are appetizers, breads/jams, casseroles, chili, cookies, desserts, ethnic, kids, pickles, pies, potatoes, soups and stews.

Public tasting begins at 1 p.m. Tasting badges can be purchased for $5 each in front of the Cultural Center/clock tower.

Beth Watne with Wild Wings Recovery Center will have a display of live raptors at Eric Thorsen’s Sculpture Park. There will also be an apple press in front of the Bigfork Inn. Bring your own apples for pressing. There will be pumpkin carving for kids at the Double Eagle building and the Garden Bar is hosting an Oktoberfest.

Rocky Mountain Rollers

Rocky Mountain Rollers Good Sam RV Chapter meets 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. today in the meeting room of the Pin & Cue in Whitefish. A club’s meeting starts at 11:30 a.m. Attendees can order a no-host meal from the menu.

Guests are welcome. RSVP to Tanya, 858-336-1538; or Jay and Charlotte, 862-2117.

World Rabies Day events

The Flathead Spay & Neuter Task Force holds a clinic in recognition of World Rabies Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at the Flathead Spay & Neuter Clinic.

Cats will be available for adoption for $40 to $50 each. All cats are altered, microchipped and current on vaccines.

Vaccines and microchipping will be available for pets. Dog and cat vaccines are $10 each, including a rabies vaccine. One-year and three-year rabies vaccines will be administered, dependent on the pet’s current vaccine record. Microchipping is also $10.

All dogs need to be on a leash and all cats must be in carriers. Dogs and cats must be in good health and be at least 8 weeks old for three-way/five-way vaccines; animals must be 3 months old for the rabies vaccine.

Representatives from the Spay & Neuter Clinic will be on hand to discuss low cost spays/neuters that are geared toward helping low-income pet owners and feral cat caretakers.

The clinic is located at 3491 Trumble Creek Road. Contact the clinic at 892-7387 for directions. For more information, contact Mimi at 261-5175.

Valor Equine Therapy event

Valor Equine Therapy Services hosts a free, educational event and screening of the 30-minute film “Riding My Back” at 6 p.m. today in the conference room of the VFW in Kalispell. The nonprofit assists veterans, first responders and their families suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder through horse therapy. A PowerPoint presentation and question and answer session with two veterans will also be featured. For more information, visit www.hope4heroesconsulting.org.

Whitefish Trail Run on Sunday

The Whitefish Trail Run and Half Marathon takes place at 10 a.m. Sunday at Beaver Lakes of the Whitefish Trail.

The half marathon will follow new single-track surrounding Dollar and Little Beaver Lakes; the 10K will loop Murray Lake; the 5K will circle the South Beaver Loop; and a two-mile family fun run will meander through the forest around the Whitefish Bike Retreat. The run is sponsored by Whitefish Therapy & Sport Center.

For more information, visit www.whitefishlegacy.org; call 862-3880; or email info@whitefishlegacy.org.

Audubon hike

Steve Gniadek leads a leisurely Flathead Audubon field trip from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday to observe migrating golden eagles and learn about raptor migration routes and patterns.

No hiking is required to see the eagles and other raptors from the Lake McDonald Lodge parking lot. Depending on the weather, dozens of golden eagles may be observed in a single hour.

Meet at the Lake McDonald Lodge parking lot.

Bring a lawn chair and binoculars. Spotting scopes are recommended, but a few should also be available for sharing. Everyone is welcome to stop by anytime in the afternoon. If you have questions, email Gniadek at grayjaybro@yahoo.com.

Columbia Falls’ annual CROP walk is Sunday at Marantette Park, 233 13th St. E., between U.S. 2 and Nucleus Avenue.

This year part of the money collected will benefit the Canyon Community Dinners Committee in the Hungry Horse Canyon community.

Everyone, including children, is welcome. Activities include face painting, a cakewalk and more. A barbecue will take place after the walk.

Registration is at 1 p.m. and the walk starts at 1:30 p.m. There will be a 1K and a 5K walk that are well marked. Register and/or donate either online at Church World Services Hunger Walk; or at the park before the event.

For further information, call Luann at 406-261-1083; or Flo at 406-250-3406.

Church World Services started the CROP Walk (Community Response to Overcome Poverty) in the ‘40s to raise awareness and funds to alleviate the suffering of people around the world due to hunger.

The 2016 Multi-Denominational Choir Festival begins at 4 p.m. Sunday at Risen Christ Parish, 65 W. Evergreen Dr. in Kalispell.

Six church choirs from around the valley will perform.

The program is free and the public is invited.

For further information, call Mary Reckin, 270-0411.