Today

3 Flathead Valley Republican Women meet for lunch at the Outlaw Inn in Kalispell at noon. Phyllis Burns, wife of Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., is guest speaker; public invited.

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

3 Flathead Valley Democratic Central Committee meets at 7 p.m. in the Kalispell library basement.

3 Fair-Mont-Egan school board meets at 7 p.m. at the school library.

3 A special program to celebrate the 98th anniversary of Vista Chapter No. 44 OES will be held at 7:30 p.m. at Columbia Falls Masonic Temple.

3 Whitefish City Council meets at 6 p.m. for a workshop discussion with the architectural review committee; regular meeting follows at 7:10 p.m. at Whitefish City Hall.

3 Kalispell City Council meets at 7 p.m. at Kalispell City Hall.

3 Columbia Falls City Council meets at 7 p.m. at Columbia Falls City Hall.

Tuesday

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

3 Buffet luncheon 11:30 a.m. at 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. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Main Street, Kalispell.

3 Flathead County Solid Waste District board meets at 5 p.m. at the landfill office.

3 Organizers of the Sam Bibler CommemorativeTrails Project will host a free ice-cream social and informational meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19, at the Willow Glen Drive campus of Kalispell Montessori School; public invited.

3 Somers School District 29 board of trustees meets at 7 p.m. at Somers Middle School.

3 Helena Flats school board meets at 7 p.m. in the school library.

3 Wha-Chu-Say? support group for hard of hearing people meets at 6:30 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Topic is on setting up an environment for effective listening. All welcome.

3 Big Sky Bonsai Society meets at 7 p.m. 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 Flathead Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited meets 7:30 p.m. at Bohemian Grange, behind Coffee Traders, U.S. 93 south of Whitefish. Barry Hanson, fisheries manager for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes, will discuss the Flathead Lake Management plan.

Wednesday

3 MOMS - Mothers offering Moms Support - meets from 9:15 to 11:15 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St.; child care provided; call 257-LOVE.

3 Children's story hour begins at 10:30 a.m. in the children's department of the Kalispell library, 247 First Ave. E.; call 758-5822.

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

3 Columbia Falls Women's Connection luncheon is 11:30 a.m. at North Valley Hospital community room on Nucleus Ave. in Columbia Falls; call 892-5990.

3 Lakeside County Water & Sewer District board of directors meets at 2 p.m. at the district office, 253 Bierney Creek Road.

Thursday

3 AARP Driver Safety Program for all drivers age 50 and older, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 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., at North Valley Hospital, Whitefish.

3 Teen Advisory Group meeting and discussion on banned books begins at 4 p.m. at the Kalispell library, 247 First Ave. E.; call Martha Furman at 758-5713.

3 Whitefish Chamber of Commerce hosts its monthly "Gone Fishin' social from 5 to 7 p.m. at Grouse Mountain Lodge; food and refreshments, door prizes and self-guided tours through newly appointed guest room.

3 Friendship Force of Flathead Valley meets at Scotty's in Kalispell; cocktails at 5 p.m. with dinner at 6 p.m. Dr. Higgs will speak about Turkey. Public invited; call Lois Lauman at 857-3512.

3 A Toastmasters demonstration meeting is 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. at the Flathead County Library, 247 First Ave. E. in Kalispell, in the downstairs conference room; call 755-4884.

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

Friday

3 Montana Retired Educators Association district meeting 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Northridge Lutheran Church, 323 Northridge Dr., Kalispell. Lunch at noon with entertainment by String Crossings. Guest speaker Jim Dettman, AARP Montana representative, at 1 p.m. Del Lonnquist will talk about "Steps to Health," at 1:30 p.m. Carolyn Pfrimmer presents "Music Memories. Registration $18, includes lunch. Call Judie Stewart, 752-2955.

3 Big Sky Astronomy Club meets at 7 p.m. at the West Valley Fire Hall on Farm-to-Market Road; call Bruce at 857-3753 or Russ at 314-4248.

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

Saturday

3 An orientation meeting for anyone interested in volunteering at the Humane Society of Northwest Montana will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the Animal Adoption Center, 3499 U.S. 93 N. in Kalispell; call 752-7297 for details.

3 Flathead Lutherans for Life holds its annual rummage sale from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Faith Free Lutheran Church, 405 Liberty St. in Kalispell; most proceeds benefit Hope Pregnancy Center; call 756-8344.

3 Homebuyers' certified education course runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Flathead Valley Community College; $15 registration fee per household; call 756-3832 or 257-6627 for reservations. It's presented by a nonprofit organization called ETHIC - Encouraging the Homeownership Ideals for Communities.

3 The annual Log Jam fundraiser will be held at Majestic Valley Arena north of Kalispell. Doors open at 4 p.m., with dinner at 5 p.m. and bing/auction at 6:30 p.m. Dance to Men in the Making starting at 9 p.m. It's a family event open to the public. Call 892-4641 or 253-8550.

3 Flathead County Democratic Women and Central Committee Harvest Dinner, 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.

A Look Ahead

3 Montana Loon Society annual meeting is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 6525 Rocky Point Road in Polson; regional reports, loon day count, planning and elections. Bring potluck dish, tableware and lawn chairs. Take U.S. 93 north out of Polson to Rocky Point Road, then go 6.4 miles past King's Point Road; after three cattle guards, take third left; 883-5797.

3 Whitefish Golden Agers host an Oktoberfest from 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 24 at the senior center, 121 East Second Street. Authentic German food, beer and music featuring Don Lawrence and the Bavian Echoes; admission is $15 for adults; $5 for children 5 to 13; children under 5 free. Buy tickets at Golden Agers, Glacier Bank, Whitefish Chamber of Commerce and Whitefish Credit Union.

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. Discussion of initiatives and ballot measures. 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 Flathead Valley Realtors will collect food and deliver it to five area food banks on Sept. 26. Leave bags at front door or drop off at any real-estate office.

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 Kalispell Elks Lodge meets Sept. 26 for dinner at 6 p.m., meeting 7 p.m.

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 Helena Flats school teachers meet at 7 p.m. Sept. 26 in the school library for contract negotiations

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 A training session for volunteers wanting hands-on experience in working with animals will be held at 7 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Animal Adoption Center, 3499 U.S. 93 N. in Kalispell; call 752-7297.

3 Falun Dafa Qigong classes begin at 7 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Kalispell Library community room; call Katherine Combes at 257-9798.

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.

3 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 Violence Free Crisis Line hosts a candlelight vigil to honor victims and survivors of domestic violence at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 2 at Northridge Lutheran Church in Kalispell.

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 A no-cost spay and neuter and pet care event will be held Oct. 7-8 at the Eureka elementary school; call Ella at the Eureka Animal Shelter at 296-2627 to make an appointment.

3 Kalispell Ski Club annual ski swap and sale is Oct. 7 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Oct. 8 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Flathead County fairgrounds; consignments will be taken Friday, oct. 6, from 1 to 8 p.m.; call 752-SKIS or go to www.kalispellskiclub.com

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 Flathead Outdoor Club meets 7 p.m. Oct. 11, Flathead County Library basement meeting room, Kalispell. Pat and Horace Sanders share their experiences from their trip to Antarctica. Coffee and tea served. Everyone welcome. Call Mike Spence, 857-2599.

3 Whitefish Chamber of Commerce hosts a candidate forum from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Oct. 17 at Whitefish City Hall; county commissioner, Justice of the Peace and county treasurer candidates will be featured.

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.

3 Flathead Outdoor Club meets 7 p.m. No. 8, Flathead County Library basement meeting room, Kalispell. Karin Connely gives a presentation on her walk across English continent. Coffee and tea served. Everyone welcome. Call Mike Spence, 857-2599.