Today
• MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers' meet at 9:15-11 a.m. today, topic is "Life on Planet Moon; Sept. 28, Health Eating, recipe exchange, Sept. 28; Easthaven Baptist Church, 2010 Whitefish Stage, Kalispell. Free continental breakfast and child care. Call 756-9768.
• Flathead County Animal Shelter advisory board meets 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Flathead County Health Department second floor conference room, 1035 First Ave. W. Public welcome.
• Lake County Republican Women noon luncheon, at Papa Don's Grill at the Polson golf course. Speakers Linda Sauer of Rocky Mountain Heart and Lung, and retired physician Dr. Irvine Milheim will share their analysis of the 1,017-page healthcare bill proposed to the House of Representatives. All welcome. Reservations required by Sept. 10 to Mimi, 849-5944; or Dorene, 883-4446.
• Daughters of the American Revolution, Chief Ignace Chapter, meet at noon at for lunch at the home of Mary Aley in Whitefish. Program on 100th anniversary of the discovery of the Hudson River. Call Cathy Lane, 755-6048.
• National speaker Ariel Fenster gives a free lecture on "Antibiotics And Superbugs:The End of Miracle Drugs?," 4 p.m. FVCC Arts and Technology Building. Public invited. Call Janice Alexander, 756-3948.
• "Changing Your Cholesterol Numbers … with Food Choices' lecture, noon to 1 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. Fee $10. Call 751-4500 to pre-register.
• Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• Anime Club for youth, ages 12-18, 4-5:30 p.m., Flathead County Library, Kalispell. Free. No registration required. Call Martha Furman, 758-5713.
• Rails to Trails meets at 5 p.m., Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks building, 490 N. Meridian Road, All welcome. Call 257-1932.
• Valley Voices Community Choir fall semester begins today. Registration 5:30 p.m., choir room at Flathead High School. Both men and women from teens on up of all skill levels welcome. Call Patty Louden, 752-3160; or Allyson Kuechmann, 765-8208.
• Flathead Chronic Pain Support Group meets 5:30-7 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. Group meets on a weekly basis. Learn how to cope with pain and improve your quality of life. Free. Call Dr. Alex Bokor, 250-5252.
• The Flathead Conservation District meets at 7 p.m., 133 Interstate Lane, in Evergreen. Call 752-4220.
• Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets at 7 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. All those affected by suicide welcome. Call 871-1008.
• Flathead Audubon meets 7 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. Nature photographer Chris Peterson will give a program on "Wildlife, Birds and Glacier National Park," and talk about his work on Glacier's centennial project. Free. Everyone welcome.
• Columbia Falls School board meets at 7 p.m., administration offices boardroom, 501 Sixth Ave. W. Columbia Falls.
• Smith Valley Fire Department board meets at 7 p.m. at the fire hall.
Tuesday
• Kalispell Public School Finance Committee meets 7 a.m., district administration building.
• Kalispell Women's Connection buffet luncheon 11:30 a.m., First Baptist Church, 301 W. Wyoming St., Kalispell. Guest speaker is Lindsey MacDonald of Colter Coffee, Cost is $8.50. RSVP Rosainne, 257-8098 or Jan at 212-3763. Complimentary child care by reservation. Affiliated with Stonecroft International Inc.
• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m., Three Rivers Bank, North Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• Lakeside County Water and Sewer district board meets 2 p.m., district meeting room, 253 Bierney Creek Road, Lakeside.
• Swan River School board meets at 5:30 p.m., school library.
• Summit Independent Living Center offers a six-week series of beginner level sign language classes starting at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $5 per class or $25 for six weeks. Call 257-0048 to enroll.
• Cayuse Prairie School board meets at 7 p.m. in the school library.
• FVCC's 2009 Crown of the Continent Lecture Series presents "First Peoples, Two Countries, Three Voices:10,000 Years of Human History," 7 pm. Arts and Technology Building Room 139. Free. All welcome.
• Flathead Democratic Party meets 7 p.m., KM Theatre, 40 Second St. E., Kalispell. Speaker is County Commissioner Joe Brenneman. Call Mark Holston, 752-8959 or Scott C. Wurster, 862-5699.
Wednesday
• MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m., Kelly Gesker on "Getting Connected; Sept. 30, Kalispell Police Department offers car seat safety checks, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. Child care provided. Call Heidi Durban, 253-4886.
• Columbia Falls Women's Connection luncheon, 11:30 a.m., North Valley Community Center, 235 Nucleus Ave., Columbia Falls. Cost $8 per person. Demonstration on ballroom dancing. Speaker is Sue Quiring. Free child care by reservation. Call Candy at 387-4119, or Janet at 892-3621. Affiliated with Stonecroft Ministries.
• Parkinson's disease support group meets 5-6:30 p.m., The Summit, Kalispell. Speaker is Tai Chi instructor Denise Nisson. Call Inga, 756-5514; or Lois, 871-3767.
Thursday
• Free Musikgarten early childhood music and movement demonstration, 10:30 a.m., at a local assisted living center. To reserve a seat, call Marty, 871-2733.
• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., at The Wave, Whitefish.
Polson Chamber of Commerce SPLASH, 5-7 p.m. Sept. 17, Mission Valley Animal Shelter, 239 Reservoir Road.
• Conrad Mansion annual members appreciation party, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Sept. 17, in the Great Hall. Live music, hors d'oeuvres and drinks. Call 755-2166.
• Nonpartisan Freedom Action Rally, Country Fair Kitchen, Flathead County Fairgrounds, Kalispell. Keynote speaker is Bozeman State Senator Joe Balyeat. Panel will discuss protecting citizen freedoms. Potluck 6-7 p.m.; meeting 7-9 p.m. Hot dogs available for purchase.
Friday
• American Legion Auxiliary 137 yard sale, 8 a.m., 351 Fourth Ave. EN, Kalispell.
• Red Cross blood drives: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell; and noon to 3 p.m. Kwa Tuq Nuk Resort, Polson. For an appointment, call Alicia at 883-8368.
• Thrivent for Lutherans and Montana Food Bank Network will be distributing food to needy families, 1-4 p.m., Gateway Community Center (formerly Gateway Mall.) Mini-job fair, giveaways. Volunteers needed. Call 752-3663.
A Look Ahead
• Flathead Lutherans for Life annual rummage sale, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 19, Faith Lutheran Church, 405 Liberty St., Kalispell. Proceed benefit Hope Pregnancy Ministries and provide ProLife materials. Call 756-8344.
• Buddhist monk Gen Khedrub offers two seminars, "Confidence in Uncertain Times," 7-8:30 p.m. Sept. 18, cost $10; and "How to Keep a Relaxed and Positive Mind, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sept. 19, cost $20; Bohemian Grange Hall, 125 Blanchard Lake Road, Whitefish, behind Coffee Traders on U.S. 93. Pre-registration requested but not required. Call 206-526-9565.
• Ronan Area Harvest Fest, Sept. 19, Ronan Community Fairgrounds. Chili cook-off, dessert bake-off, farmers market and more; barn dance with live music, 7-10 p.m. Call Ky Bartels, 406-253-8611.
• Doggy Dash 2009, Sept. 19, Travis Dolphin Dog Park, Polson, rain or shine. Registration 8:30 p.m.; walk 9 a.m. Contests. Prizes awarded to top fundraisers. Call Mission Valley Animal Shelter for pledge sheets and information, 883-5312.
• Flathead County Animal Shelter "September Days' open house to celebrate the senior pets, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 19, 225 Cemetery Road, Kalispell (off U.S. 93 South). Adoption specials for all age pets, vaccination clinic, information, refreshments. Call 752-1310.
• Ninth annual Pagan Pride Day, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sept. 19, Depot Park, Kalispell. Workshops, children's activity area, vendors, raffle, ritual circles. Bring a canned food for food drive. Call Gwen, 212-9334.
• AARP Driver Safety class, 1 to 5 p.m. Sept. 19, Calvary Lutheran Church, Kalispell. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 752-4102 or 752-0786.
• Rob Quist and White Hawk in concert, 7 p.m. Sept. 19, Flathead County Fairgrounds Expo Building, Kalispell. Tickets $29 at Books West, fairgrounds and gate. Fundraiser for Flathead County Deputy Sheriff's Association.
• Montana Loon Society annual meeting, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 20, 6525 Rocky Point Road. Election of officers, goal-setting. Bring potluck dish, tableware and lawn chairs. Call Lynn, 883-5797.
• Flathead County Republican Women host "Celebrate America," 1-4 p.m. Sept. 20, Flathead County Fairgrounds Trade Center. Guest speakers are Brigadier General Jim Cash and movie producer Jerry Molen. Catered dinner by Vista Linda is $10 per person; kids under 5, free. Patriotic music by David Rice. Open to public. Call Yvonne Stotler, 249-3512.
• Whitefish Community Center Oktoberfest 1-4 p.m. Sept. 20, 121 E. Second St. German food, door prizes, live music by Don Lawrence and the Bavarian Echoes. Call 862-4923 for tickets.
• Friends of Blanchard Lake annual meeting, 4 p.m. Sept. 20, home of Lee and Marlene Snyder, 789 Leksand Trail. Bring a potluck dish and beverage of choice; soft drinks provided. All welcome. Call 862-8971.
• Time for Healing service, 2-4 p.m. Sept. 20, Christ Church Episcopal, 215 Third Ave. E., Kalispell. Christian readings and songs, quiet prayer. All welcome. Call 257-6182.
• Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Sept. 21, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• "Changing Your Cholesterol Numbers … with Food Choices' group tour of Rosauers to learn to shop healthy, 3-5 p.m. Sept. 21. $10 per person. Call 751-4500 to pre-register.
• FVCC's 2009 Crown of the Continent Lecture Series presents "The Crown Region: Setting the Stage," 7 pm. Sept. 21, Arts and Technology Building Room 139. Free. All welcome.
• Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sept. 22, Glacier Subaru.
• Montana West Economic Development business seminar, "Software and Gadgets for a More Efficient Office" noon to 1 p.m. Sept. 22, Arts and Technology Building, FVCC. Free. Public welcome. RSVP to Kim Morisaki, 257-7711.
• Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sept. 23, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• ETHIC free consumer program for home buyers and sellers, titled, " Details of Buying and Selling," 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sept. 23, The Summit, Kalispell. Pre-register by calling Cal Scott, 885-6318.
• Essential Stuff Project (ESP) free presentation on communications when power is out, 7 p.m., Sept. 23, Clementine's 265 Bridge St., Bigfork. Donations accepted. Call Edd Blackler, 837-5196; or Catherine Haug, 837-4577.
• Red Cross blood drive, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sept. 24, FVCC Blake Hall.
• P.E.O. Chapter BH, Bigfork, fifth annual scholarship fundraiser luncheon and bridge party, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 24, Brumar Estate. Fine food, no-host bar, raffles, games. Vintage fashion display. Tickets $25, advance purchase only. Call Susy Nolde, 837-6331; or Sheila Gilmore, 837-4118.
• Flathead Suicide Prevention Coalition meets noon to 1 p.m., Sept. 24, Flathead City-County Health Department conference room, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell. Call Joan Schmidt, 871-1008.
• Friends of the Library annual book sale 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 25; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 26; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 27, Kalispell Center Mall. $2 bag day on Sunday. Call Marylane Pannell, 257-5793.
• Flathead Quilters Guild 28th annual show, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 25-26; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 27, Flathead County Fairgrounds Expo and Country Kitchen buildings. Merchant mall and boutique, silent auction, quilts for sale, demonstrations; concessions available. Admission $5 per day.
• Red Cross blood drive, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sept. 25, St. John's Lutheran Hospital, Libby.
• Flathead/Glacier Booster Club barbecue prior to Black and Blue Crosstown gametime, 5 p.m. Sept. 25, Legends Stadium.
• FVCC's 2009 Crown of the Continent Lecture Series hiking trip on North Fork of Flathead River, titled, "Along the Buffalo Cow Trail: History and Ecology of the Trans Boundary North Fork," with retired geology instructor Lex Blood and Steve Thompson. Sept 26. Bring sack lunch. Cost $65. Call 756-3832.
• Humane Society of Northwest Montana arts and crafts fair and open house, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free admission. Call 752-7297.
• AARP Driver Safety class, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 28, St. John's Lutheran Hospital, Libby. Call 293-0100.
• AARP Driver Safety class, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 28, North Valley Hospital, Whitefish. $14 fee ($12 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 863-3630.
• Red Cross blood drive, 2-6 p.m., Sept. 28, at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.
• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m., Sept. 29, Polson Good Shepherd Church.
• FVCC's 2009 Crown of the Continent Lecture Series presents "Defining the Ecology of the Crown of the Continent" 7 pm., Sept. 29, Arts and Technology Building Room 139. Free. All welcome.
• Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4 p.m., Sept. 30, West Kootenai Community.
• Whitefish Book Discussion Group meets 7 p.m. Sept. 30, Whitefish Library. Topic is "The Street of a Thousand Blossoms," by Gail Tsukiyama.
• Free community reiki share, 6-8 p.m. Oct. 1, Whitefish BodyTalk Center, 211 Central Ave. Call 871-5645.
• Neighbors in Need delivers chili lunches 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 2. Includes chili, corn muffin, salad and homemade pie. Order by Sept. 30 by calling 752-7266.
• Heritage Museum of Libby's fourth annual chili cook-off, Oct. 3. Gates open 7:30 a.m. Prizes in each category. Public may purchase sampling kits with cornbread for $3. Deadlines for entries Sept. 28. Call Susan Castaneda, 406-293-2171.
• Polson Community Church Retreat, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 3, 1814 First St. South. Keynote speaker is former Gov. Judy Martz; other guest speakers featured. Registration is $7 and includes lunch. RSVP by Sept. 25 to 883-5898 or 883-0366.
• Columbia Falls Women's Connection Make It, Bake It, Sew It, Grow It sale, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Oct. 3, North Valley Community Center, 235 Nucleus Ave., Columbia Falls. Homemade soups and pie available.
• Circle of Friends of Community United Methodist Church annual fall bazaar, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 3, 750 Electric Ave., Bigfork. Local artists, Christmas ornaments, jewelry, homebaked goods, jams and jellies. Soup lunch with pie served at 11:30 a.m. Call 837-4547.
• Dinner benefit for Barry and Tawnia Ramstad, 4 p.m. Oct. 4, Eagles, Columbia Falls. Live, silent auctions. Donations welcome. Call Pastor David Merkel, 892-5811.
• Glacier Stamp Club meets at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 5 in the basement meeting room of the Flathead County Library, Kalispell. Plans for annual stamp show discussed. Visitors welcome. Call Gail Long, 752-6110.
• Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets at 7 p.m. Oct. 5, The Summit, Kalispell. All those affected by suicide welcome. Call 871-1008.
• FVCC's 2009 Crown of the Continent Lecture Series presents "Seeing Across the Rockies,: Reaching for Montana 1787-1812," 7 pm., Oct. 6, Arts and Technology Building Room 139. Free. All welcome.
• Free lecture, "What is Reiki?" 7-9 p.m. Oct. 8, Whitefish BodyTalk Center, 211, Central Ave., Whitefish. Call Jaymie Noble, 871-5645.
• Oktoberfish fundraiser for Stumptown Art Studio, 6-10 p.m., Oct. 3, outdoors on Karrow Avenue, Whitefish. Biergarten, wine tasting, entertainment by Big Fish Radio, raffles, silent art auction. Tickets $50, at the studio, 145 Central Ave., or call 862-5929.
• Kila School board meets at 5:15 p.m., Oct. 13, at the school.
• Flathead Suicide Prevention Coalition meets noon to 1 p.m., Oct. 22, Flathead City-County Health Department conference room, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell. Call Joan Schmidt, 871-1008.
• Montana West Economic Development business seminar, "What is the Future of the Web," noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 27, Arts and Technology Building, FVCC. Free. Public welcome. RSVP to Kim Morisaki, 257-7711.
• Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets at 7 p.m. Nov. 2, The Summit, Kalispell. All those affected by suicide welcome. Call 871-1008.
• Flathead Suicide Prevention Coalition meets noon to 1 p.m., Nov. 19, Flathead City-County Health Department conference room, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell. Call Joan Schmidt, 871-1008.
• Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets at 7 p.m. Dec. 7, The Summit, Kalispell. All those affected by suicide welcome. Call 871-1008.
• Flathead Suicide Prevention Coalition meets noon to 1 p.m., Dec. 17, Flathead City-County Health Department conference room, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell. Call Joan Schmidt, 871-1008.
• Great Rockies Sport Show, 4-8 p.m. March 12; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 13; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 14, Flathead County Fairgrounds, Kalispell. Admission is good all weekend and costs $5, adults; $3, children 6-12; kids 5 and under, free. Friday night all kids 12 and under get in free.