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Veterans Stand Down
The 20th annual Northwest Montana Veterans Stand Down take place this weekend at Asa Wood Grade School, 700 Idaho St., in Libby.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Opening ceremonies will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday.
Admission is free for all veterans and their families. Bring your DD214 Discharge VA card or other military ID.
The event provides veterans an opportunity to obtain free services and to engage with a wide range of veteran and community resources.
Also on site will be U.S. senator representatives, a service officer for the VA Clinic, a physical health provider, employment counseling, veterans service organizations, and the Flathead Spay and Neuter Clinic.
A civilian clothing giveaway is open to the public and will be located in the parking lot.
For further information, contact Cinnamon Davis/Hall, community outreach specialist, at 406-756-7304; email nwmtveteransfoodpantrystandown@gmail.com; or visit
www.veteransfoodpantry.org
Sowerwine work day
The annual work day at Owen Sowerwine Natural Area has been rescheduled for 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. Meet at the Montessori School parking lot off Willow Glen in Kalispell. Bring water, work gloves, dandelion diggers/trowels and hand pruners. Wear rubber boots or waterproof shoes and dress for the weather.
For more information, call Pam at 270-0225.
Oktoberfest
The 10th annual Great Northwest Oktoberfest continues this weekend at its new venue, the Smith Fields Sports Complex, across from North Valley Hospital. Hours are 5 to 11 p.m. today and noon to 11 p.m. Saturday.
Oktoberfest features authentic Bavarian food, drink, music and dancing, and a wild array of audience participation contests.
The Western Senators, take the stage both nights under the Oktoberfest Bigtop.
On Saturday afternoon it’s the Bavarian Echoes brass band.
Plenty of free paved parking is available.
Methodist rummage sale
Epworth United Methodist Church has its annual fall rummage sale from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at 329 Second Ave. E., in Kalispell. Proceeds will support Child Bridge, Natural Disaster Relief in the Bahamas and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.
Bigfork bazaar
Bigfork Community Methodist Church has its annual bazaar and luncheon from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Enjoy soups and apple crisp while shopping. Local craftsmen will be offering unique jewelry, woodcrafts, art, pottery and much more. Purchase wrapped homemade jams and jellies for gifts and homemade berry pies ready for your holiday dinner table.
The church is located at 750 Electric Ave.
Historic fire program
Rick Trembeth presents a program titled “Native People and Historic Fire in Northwest Montana” at 4 p.m. Saturday in the Montana House at Apgar Village in Glacier National Park.
There is no charge to attend and the presentation is open to the public, however, reservations are required by calling 888-5393.
A reception will follow the presentation.
Pumpkin Patch
The 36th annual Children’s House Montessori Pumpkin Patch takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Armory in Whitefish. The event features a chili cook-off, carnival-style games, face painting, mini-golf and more. There will also be a photo booth, bake sale and soups and pumpkins available for purchase.
The event is a benefit for the school to help provide funds for items like scholarships.
Climate talk
Climate Smart Glacier Country hosts a community climate conversation from 3 to 5 p.m., Saturday at the Whitefish Community Library, 9 Spokane Ave.
Winona Bateman, founder of Families for a Livable Climate, will lead an interactive storytelling workshop outlining the basic science of climate change and its impacts on Montana, and help participants explore how the climate crisis affects their lives. Everyone is welcome.
For more information, visit http://bit.ly/climateconv
Hunter Sight-in
The Whitefish Rifle and Pistol Club sponsors its annual Hunter Sight-in this Saturday and Sunday (and again Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 19 and 20) providing a safe environment and assisting hunters in preparing for the big game season.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. The event is open to the public.
Targets and spotting scopes are provided and coaches are available.
The cost is $5 per firearm. More information is available at www.wrpc.club or by calling 406-314-8149.
Lone Pine volunteer day
Due to bad weather last weekend Montana State Parks has rescheduled its annual National Public Lands Day volunteer event for this Saturday at Lone Pine State Park.
Work on trails in the park starting at 9 a.m., followed by a free lunch at noon provided by the Kalispell Rotary Club. Bring snacks, water, rain gear and work gloves if you have them (extras will be provided).
Meet at Foy’s Lake north parking lot adjacent to the road to Lone Pine at 8:30 a.m. to form groups to volunteer at Herron Park, Lone Pine, and on Forest Service land at Emmon’s Saddle. Projects include updating and installing signs and some light brush work.
For more information, call the park visitor center at 755-2706.
Eagles dinner
The Eagles hosts its annual Harvest Dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the lodge, 37 First St. W., Kalispell.
Enjoy a turkey dinner with dressing and gravy, mashed and sweet potatoes, vegetables, cole slaw, cranberries, rolls and pie. The cost is for adults $10; and for those under age 8, $5. All welcome.
Whitefish Trail runs
The Whitefish Trail Legacy half-marathon, 10K, 5K and family fun run will be held Sunday at the Whitefish Bike Retreat.
The awards ceremony, along with the half-marathon, 10K, and 5K pre-race celebration will take place Saturday at Smith Fields. Registered runners will receive free entry to Oktoberfest.
Runners can register at www.whitefishlegacy.org
Hawk Watch training
Mount Brown Hawk Watch Program volunteer training is scheduled for noon to 4 p.m. Saturday in Glacier Park.
Meet across from Lake McDonald Lodge near Jammer Joe’s parking lot. Snacks and hot beverages provided. Bring binoculars.
Staff and volunteers will also answer questions about the integral role of raptors. After attending training, volunteers have several options for taking part in the Hawk Watch.
For more information, email the Glacier National Park Citizen Science program, or call 406-888-7986.
Buddy Walk
The third annual Flathead Valley Buddy Walk to promote awareness about Down Syndrome, will be held Sunday at the Kidsport Soccer Complex in Kalispell.
Festivities begin at 11:30 a.m. and the 1-mile fun walk begins at 1 p.m. To register, visit www.ds-stride.org/flatheadbuddywalk.
The family-friendly event is hosted by the Kalispell Chapter of the Montana Down Syndrome Association a nonprofit organization.
There will also be family and children’s activities, raffles, music, food trucks and more.
For more information, contact Sarah Reynolds at sarah@mtdsa.org or 406-407-6688 or Ashley Glover Franz at ashley@mtdsa.org or 406-781-7588.
Somers Oktoberfest
Somers Company Town Project hosts an Oktoberfest from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Somers Bay Cafe.
Entrance fee is $15, which includes food and your first beer or wine. The menu includes grilled bratwurst, sauerkraut, homemade potato salad and German chocolate cupcakes.
Also, 50/50 raffles will be conducted, along with a raffle for 1½ cords of firewood. Tickets for the firewood raffle are $10 each. Entertainment will be provided by Somers resident Billy Angel.
All proceeds go toward the Somers Company Town Museum.
Plant-Wise potluck
Plant-Wise Flathead hosts its fall potluck from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Northridge Lutheran Church, 323 Northridge Drive in Kalispell.
Following the meal, member Chef Ananda will demonstrate how to make probiotic-packed sauerkraut. Ananda holds a Holistic Nutrition Certificate, has her own catering business and provides whole food, plant-based meals at the Dancing Spirit Ranch Retreat Center. Ananda is an accomplished yogini as well.
The public is invited. Guests are asked to bring a plant-based dish to share and, if possible, the recipe (no meat, fish dairy or eggs).
For more information or to RSVP, check the group’s event page at meetup.com/Kalispell-Plant-Wise-Flathead-Meetup or call Diana at 406-253-0498.