Today

3 AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today and Thursday, The Summit, Kalispell. $10 course fee. Call 751-4500 to register.

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

3 Creston School board meets at 3:30 p.m. in the school library. Public welcome.

3 Clogging classes begin 5:30 p.m., Eagles Lodge, third floor, 37 First Ave. E., Kalispell.

Wednesday

3 Red Cross blood drive, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Flathead County Health Department, Kalispell.

3 Children's Story Hour is at 10:30 a.m. in the children's department of the Flathead County Library in Kalispell, 247 First Ave. E. Call 758-5822.

3 Diabetes Support Group meets 5-7 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. Topic is "Know Your Numbers," presented by Colleen Karper. Refreshments, snacks. Free glucose meters to participants. Call 751-5454.

3 Flathead Outdoor Club hikes to waterfall on Columbia Mountain. Meet at rock shop parking area in Columbia Heights to carpool to trailhead. Bring water, snack, appropriate clothing. Call Gerry Smith, 752-1165.

3 Somers School board policy work session, 7 p.m., at Somers Middle School.

Thursday

3 Red Cross blood drive, 12:30-5:30 p.m., Columbia Falls, North Valley Community Room.

3 Ronan Chamber of Commerce hosts Ronan Roundup 5-7 p.m., Mission Mountain Country Club. Refreshments provided. Public welcome. Call Chuck Lewis, 676-5432 or 270-5735.

3 19th annual Taste of Whitefish, 6-9 p.m., O'Shaughnessy Center and Credit Union Park, 1 Central Ave., rain or shine. Tickets available at Whitefish Chamber of Commerce, 520 E. Second St., for $35 each. Call 862-3501.

3 Civil Air Patrol, Flathead Composite Squadron meets 6:30-9 p.m. Thursdays, Montana National Guard Armory, 2989 U.S. 93 N, Kalispell, north entrance. Youth ages 12 and up welcome. Aerospace lessons, march/drill exercises, fly-ins and more. Call Lt. Dave Brim, 257-7547; Lt. Kevin Kasperson, 756-5959.

3 Salish Kootenai College Library hosts two free half-day workshops today, "American Indian Statistics" and "Using Economic Statistics," on census and statistics gathering information for research and grant writing. Registration required. Call Carlene Engstrom or Fred Noel, 406-275-4875.

3 Rocky Mountain Wine Tasting Event, 6-9 p.m., Cottage Inn, 4220 U.S. 2 West, Kila. Live Irish music. Appetizers included. Tickets $10 per person at the door. Proceeds benefit Crowley For Commissioner Campaign 2006. Call 752-6275.

3 "Where is Palestine," Community Forum on Middle East Solutions, presents a slide presentation by a Whitefish family who recently returned from Nazareth, Israel, 7 p.m., Whitefish Library Community Room. Discussion will follow. All welcome. Call Linda de Kort, 755-3704.

3 Kalispell Ski Club annual meeting 7 p.m. Flathead County Fairgrounds 4-H Building. Refreshments. Door prizes. New members welcome. Call 752-SKIS.

Friday

3 Red Cross blood drive, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Browning Hospital.

3 Flathead Chapter of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees meets at noon, Buffalo Hill Terrace, Kalispell. Lunch is $7.50. For reservations, call Bill Driver, 837-2744.

3 Northwest Montana Retired Teachers meet at noon at Vista Linda, Somers. Lunch is $8 followed by meeting. Call 755-5079.

3 Burger night at the Eagles, 5-7 p.m. 37 First St. W., Kalispell, downstairs. Deluxe burger, homebaked beans, salad bar and tea or coffee, $6. Public welcome. Proceeds go to Eagles charities.

Saturday

3 Bigfork annual Sidewalk Art Contest 9 am. to noon Electric Avenue. Artists of all ages and ability welcome to participate. Prizes awarded. Call Flathead Bank, 837-1600.

3 15th annual Dayton Daze. Dayton Ladies Bazaar 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dayton Church, lunch served 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Mission Mountain Winery wine tasting 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; sailboat rides 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; parade 3 p.m.; pig roast 4:30, $10 adults, $5 children 12 and under; live music, raffle. Proceeds go to Chief Cliff Volunteer Fire Department. Call Zoe, 849-5593; or Barbara, 849-5313.

3 Rocky Mountain Street Machines car show 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Able Body Shop, Kalispell. Participants and spectators welcome. Call Kavin, 892-7218.

3 13th annual Antique Engine and Tractor Show and Threshing Bee 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Olsen Memorial Park, near Columbia Falls. Turn east off U.S. 2 onto Pioneer Road at mile marker 129.9. Follow half mile to Helena Flats Road. Vintage tractors parade, displays, threshing, draft horse and mule plowing demonstrations, miniature train rides, thresher's lunch, entertainment. Admission $5. Call Mark, 862-6275; Nick, 253-2213; or Bob 752-2469.

Thought

"The happiness of most people we know is not ruined by great catastrophes or fatal errors, but by the repetition of slowly destructive little things."

. Ernest Dimnet, French priest, lecturer and author (1866-1954).

3 Petco in Kalispell sponsors Hamster Ball Derby races 2 p.m. Free registration. Prizes awarded. Bring your own hamster and hamster balls to participate.

3 Friendship House 17th annual pig roast, 5-7 p.m. in the basement of the Eagles, 37 First St. W., Kalispell. Proceeds benefit Friendship House. Adults $10, children under 12, $5. Silent auction. Entertainment. All welcome.

Sunday

3 13th annual Antique Engine and Tractor Show and Threshing Bee continues 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, Olsen Memorial Park, near Columbia Falls. Turn east off U.S. 2 onto Pioneer Road at mile marker 129.9. Follow half mile to Helena Flats Road. Vintage tractors parade, displays, threshing, draft horse and mule plowing demonstrations, miniature train rides, thresher's lunch, entertainment. Admission $5. Call Mark, 862-6275; Nick, 253-2213; or Bob 752-2469.

Monday

3 Lake County Republican Women meet at noon at Lake County Public Library Conference Room. Orders for lunch may be called into 883-2277.

3 Kalispell Mental Health Local Advisory Council meets 12:30-2 p.m., The Summit. Senator Dan Weinberg will be guest speaker. Public welcome. Call 885-3865.

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

3 Rails to Trails meets at 5 p.m. at Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks building, 490 N. Meridian Road, All welcome. Call Horace, 257-1932.

3 Valley Voices Community Choir fall semester begins 6-8 p.m., Stillwater Christian School Music Room, 1251 Willow Glen Drive, Kalispell. Registration and music distribution at 5:30 p.m. No auditions necessary. Call Joan Lundy, 257-3046; or Dorothy Kendall, 752-0353.

3 Organizational meeting to establish a dog park in Whitefish, 6 p.m., Whitefish Library community room. Call Kerrie Byrne, 862-3795.

3 Glacier Stamp Club meets 7 p.m., basement meeting room of Flathead County Library, Kalispell. Business meeting 7:30 p.m. followed by member auction. Visitors welcome. Call Gail Long, 752-6110.

3 The Flathead Conservation District meets at 7 p.m., 141 Interstate Lane, behind JoAnn Fabrics, in Evergreen. Call 752-4220.

3 Flathead Audubon presents a talk by naturalist Christina Eisenberg on "Wolves and Birds of Isle Royale National Park in Canada," 7 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. Free. Public invited.

Tuesday

3 Public is invited to a free community lecture by Lon Eliason of Home Options Hospice, on "Grief Issues in Mental Health," 7:30 a.m., Pathways Treatment Center, 200 Heritage Way, Kalispell. RSVP to 756-3950.

3 Kalispell Edward Jones representatives offers a free educational seminar, "How to Raise a Money-smart Child" at 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., at area offices Call a nearby office to reserve a seat.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, Kalispell.

3 Clogging classes begin 5:30 p.m., Eagles Lodge, third floor, 37 First Ave. E., Kalispell. Call Carla, 250-6965; or Terri, 756-2692.

3 Swan River School board meets at 5:30 p.m. in the school library.

3 Red Cross certified course in Adult CPR, 6:30 p.m. at the office, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 Back Country Horsemen of the Flathead meet at 7:30 p.m., Fish, Wildlife and Parks Building, 490 North Meridian Road. Public welcome. Call Don at 862-6955.

3 Free educational seminar on "Understanding Hearing Loss," with guest speaker, Lisa MacKay, audiologist, The Summit, Kalispell. Complimentary meal catered by Vista Linda. Public invited. Seating limited. RSVP required. Event hosted by Stacia Moore of Moore Hearing. Call 257-2273.

A Look Ahead

3 Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sept. 13, Northwestern Energy, Meridian Road, Kalispell.

3 Red Cross certified course in First Aid Basics, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 13 at the office, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 Evergreen School District board meets at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 13, in the administration building boardroom.

3 Flathead Outdoor Club meets 7 p.m. Sept. 13, Flathead County Library basement meeting room, Kalispell. Local professional photographer Douglas Dye will share his experiences backpacking with llamas. Coffee and tea served. Everyone welcome. Call Shelly Rutherford, 249-8833.

3 Polson Rural Fire District trustees meet 7 p.m. Sept. 13, City Hall Conference Room. Public welcome.

3 AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept., 14, The Summit, Kalispell. $10 course fee. Call 751-4500 to register.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Sept. 14, Evergreen Rehabilitation Center, Polson.

3 18th annual Bigfork Ducks Unlimited banquet Sept. 14, Marina Cay Resort, Bigfork. Social hour 5 p.m. Dinner 6 p.m. Tickets $50 single; $75 per couple. Includes dinner and one year membership and entry in gun raffle. Live and silent auctions and raffles. Call John Robinson, 249-4198; or Mark Manders, 837-3242.

3 Fair Commission meets 7 p.m. Sept. 14 fair office.

3 Kalispell Lions Club and KRMC's Diabetes Care Program Walk for Diabetes fundraiser, Sept. 16, Lawrence Park. Checkin 9 a.m.; kick-off 10 a.m. Call 751-5454 for information and pledge sheets. Proceeds benefit Flathead Valley diabetes education programs.

3 Doggy Dash 2006 Sept. 16, Boettcher Park, Polson. Registration 8:30 a.m., walk 9 a.m. Contests begin 10:30 a.m. Prizes. Refreshments. Pledge sheets available at Seconds 2 Go, Polson; Wright Real Estate, Ronan; or call 406-883-5312. Proceeds benefit Mission Valley Animal Shelter.

3 Benefit/Gathering of friends for Susanne "Suz" Burgess who is being treated for a rare cancer, leiomyosarcoma, 2-5 p.m. Sept. 16, Smith Grange, across from Smith Valley School on U.S. 2 West towards Kila. E-mail tannadarling@yahoo.com.

3 National Foundation for Transplants Montana Bone Marrow Fund pie social and auction benefiting Joannie Gregg, Sept. 16, Mountain Trails City Park, 715, Wisconsin Ave., Whitefish. Proceeds go to medical expenses of Gregg's bone marrow transplant. Pie by the slice 4-7 p.m.; silent auction 4-6 p.m.; live auction 5 p.m. All welcome. Call 471-0366.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Sept. 18, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

3 AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, 8 a.m. to noon Sept. 19 and 20, St. Matthew's Parish Rectory meeting room, Kalispell. $10 course fee. Call 752-6788 to register.

3 Buffet luncheon 11:30 a.m., Sept. 19, Red Lion Hotel Kalispell. "Wild, Wild West" historical drama by Maggie brings to life stories of the Oregon Trail. Guest speaker is Jan Mathers of Bend, Ore. Cost is $10. RSVP to Pat at 844-2538 or Rosainne at 257-8098. Complimentary child care by reservation. Sponsored by the Kalispell Women's Connection and Stonecroft Ministries.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Sept. 19, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Main Street, Kalispell.

3 Big Sky Bonsai Society meets at 7 p.m. Sept. 19 at the Flathead County Library in Kalispell. David Stordal lectures and demonstrates wiring techniques. Free and the public is invited. Contact Jerry Meislik at 862-0387.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sept. 20, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

3 AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 21, Bigfork Area Senior Center. Bring a sack lunch. $10 course fee. Call 837-4157 to register.

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., Sept. 21, North Valley Hospital, Whitefish.

3 Red Cross Infant and Child CPR certification training, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 21, at the office, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 25th annual Flathead Quilters Guild Wildflower Memories Quilt Show 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 22-23; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 24, Flathead County Fairgrounds, Kalispell. Merchant mall, food, silent auction, boutique, demonstrations, quilts for sale. Admission $3.

3 Flathead County Democratic Women and Central Committee Harvest Dinner Sept. 23, Flathead County Fairgrounds Country Kitchen, Kalispell. Social hour 5 p.m., dinner 6 p.m. Guest speaker is Pat Williams, former state representative in Congress. Pie and produce sale, silent auction, basket raffles and more. Cost $15 per person, or $30 per family with children under 16. Call Nancy Fenner, 752-0298, or Ramona Graham, 752-0227 for reservations and tickets. Everyone welcome.

3 AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 25 and 26, St. John's Lutheran Hospital, Libby. $10 course fee. Call 406-293-0100 to register.

3 AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 25 and 26, Polson Senior Center. $10 course fee. Call 883-4735 to register.

3 Flathead County Democratic Women meet 11:45 a.m. Sept. 25, Red Lion Hotel Kalispell. Lunch $8. No reservations required. All welcome.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Sept. 25, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., Sept. 26, Good Shepherd Church, Polson.

3 AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 26 and 27, North Valley Hospital, Whitefish. $10 course fee. Call 863-3630 to register.

3 AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 26 and 28, The Summit, Kalispell. $10 course fee. Call 751-4500 to register.

3 Red Cross certified course in Adult CPR, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 26 at the office, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m., Sept. 27, Three Rivers Bank, Meridian Road, Kalispell.

3 Red Cross certified course in First Aid Basics, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 27, at the office, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Cost $30. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 4-7 p.m., Sept. 28, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kalispell.

3 Red Cross blood drive, 11:30-3:30 p.m., Sept. 29, at the office of Coldwell Banker, Kalispell.

3 Quilt Pink Day 9:30 a.m. Sept. 30, St. Joseph Medical Center, Polson. Speech about breast cancer, tour Women's Imaging Center, Oncology Clinic and Cheerful Heart Cancer Resource Center. Help make a quilt for $5 per 12-inch block kit. Proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Call Toni Young, 883-8251.

Third annual Safety School Expo Sept. 30 Whitefish Mountain Mall. Proceeds benefit St. Jude Children's Hospital and local children. Call Janie Green, American Karate Academy, 862-7722.

3 Red Cross certified course in First Aid Basics, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 31 at the office, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 Pope John Paul II Catholic Church, 195 Cloverdell Road, Bigfork, Oktoberfest noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 1. German food, beer and wine. Music by Don Lawrence Band. Tickets available at the door. Proceeds benefit local charities. Call Dan or Donna Danz at 892-2435.

3 Civil Air Patrol, Flathead Composite Squadron meets 6:30-9 p.m. Thursdays, (Oct. 5) Montana National Guard Armory, 2989 U.S. 93 N, Kalispell, north entrance. Youth ages 12 and up welcome. Aerospace lessons, march/drill exercises, fly-ins and more. Call Lt. Dave Brim, 257-7547; Lt. Kevin Kasperson, 756-5959.

3 Brain Injury Association of Montana 19th annual state conference, "Creating Opportunities through Winning Strategies, Oct. 6-7, Red Lion Hotel Kalispell. Guest Speakers Dr. Nathan Zasler and Marlene Davis, Washington State Governors Council. Presentation on employment, life planning, therapeutic riding and more. Call 1-800-241-6442

3 Kalispell Mental Health Local Advisory Council meets 12:30-2 p.m. Oct. 11, The Summit. Mary Jane Fox, program officer for Addictive and Mental Disorder Division, will speak on co-occuring disorder (mental and alcohol substance abuse) initiative. Public welcome. Call 885-3865.

3 Civil Air Patrol, Flathead Composite Squadron meets 6:30-9 p.m. Thursdays, (Nov. 2) Montana National Guard Armory, 2989 U.S. 93 N, Kalispell, north entrance. Youth ages 12 and up welcome. Aerospace lessons, march/drill exercises, fly-ins and more. Call Lt. Dave Brim, 257-7547; Lt. Kevin Kasperson, 756-5959.

3 Kalispell Mental Health Local Advisory Council meets 12:30-2 p.m. Nov. 8, The Summit. Panel discussion on co-occurring disorder (mental and alcohol substance abuse). Public welcome. Call 885-3865.