3 20th annual Flathead Valley Harvest Food Drive sponsored by the Northwest Montana Association of Realtors. Fill your bags with nonperishable foods and place on doorstop for pickup at 6 p.m. Cereal, peanut butter, canned beans, rice and soup are needed. Call Barb Funk, 862-2333.

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

3Flathead Special Education Cooperative meets 2 p.m. Earl Bennett Building, conference room B.

3 Lakeside Community Council meeting at the Water Works building on Bierney Creek Road, 7 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend.

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

Meet State Senate candidate Jerry Reckin, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Red's, Wine and Blues. No host bar and snacks. Piano music by Paul Gregory. All invited. Call 257-8160.

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 Parentshare meets 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Woodland Park for a playdate. Bring bread to feed the ducks and a picnic lunch. Call Ursula DeStefano, 212-0879; or Jennifer Rogge, 844-3216.

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

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

3 Flathead Valleyaires hold an open house at 7 p.m. at Epworth United Methodist Church, 329 Second Ave. E. in Kalispell; men interested in barbershop quartet singing are welcome to attend; call 892-5953.

3 Wellness Education Center, healthy potluck supper, 6 to 7:30 p.m., 103 Ponderosa Lane, Kalispell. Call 755-8423.

3 Special board meeting and work session for School District 5 and Flathead High School District at Somers Middle School, 315 School Addition Road, 5:30 p.m. executive session, 6 p.m. work session.

Evergreen Business and Property Association meets, 7 p.m., Evergreen Fire Hall, 2236 U.S. 2 E.

Wednesday

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

3 Children's Story Hour, 10:30 a.m., Children's Department of the Kalispell library, 247 First Ave. E. Call 758-5822.

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

3 Red Cross certified course in First Aid Basics, 6:30 p.m. 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. 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. at the Kalispell Library community room; call Katherine Combes at 257-9798.

Thursday

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

3 National Alliance on Mental Illness meets 12:30 p.m., at the Summit in Kalispell. Kalispell Police Department detective Jim Wardinsky and officer John Ortiz will speak on crisis intervention training program; all are welcome.

3 Flathead County Library Board of Trustees meets, 3 p.m., Whitefish library. Call 758-5826.

3 Bigfork Fire Department open house, 4 to 7 p.m.; 837-4590.

Friday

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

3 Chili dinner benefit for Brynn Shay who is recovering from serious injuries from a Aug. 29 car accident in Columbia Falls, 5-7 p.m. Columbia Falls High School football field. Wildcats play Eureka at 7 p.m. Proceeds will be matched by Thrivent Financial or Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. All welcome.

3 Kalispell Senior Citizens business meeting and potluck supper, 5 p.m. Kalispell Senior Center, 403 Second Ave. W. All area seniors welcome. Call 257-1598.

3 Boomers Singles Group planning meeting, at Red Lion Kalispell Center Hotel, Fireside Room; social hour 6 p.m., dinner buffet 7 p.m., meeting 8 p.m. RSVP to Duane at 257-4502 or Judy at 253-7187.

Saturday

3 Montana Civilian Conservation Corps invites volunteers to clear a border fence line at Owen Sourwine Bird Refuge. Meet at 8:45 a.m. at Montessori School parking lot, 349 Willow Glen Dr., Kalispell. Bring water, work gloves, boots and pants. Lunch provided following a half-day of work. Call 755-8089.

Thought

"That the end of life should be death may sound sad; yet what other end can anything have?" n George Santayana, American philosopher (1863-1952).

3 Trees to Paper to Trees Semi-annual Recycling Drive, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. north end of Flathead County Fairgrounds, Kalispell. Bring newspaper, magazines, office paper, cardboard, phone books and aluminum cans. Call Kalispell Parks and Recreation, 758-7715.

3 Quilt Pink Day 9:30 a.m., 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 Skate swap and registration day at Stumptown Ice Den in Whitefish runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; drop off equipment from 8 to 10 a.m. Registration will take place for all Glacier Hockey programs and the city's Learn to Skate classes.; call 212-6128 or visit glacierhockey.org

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

3 North Valley Sportsman Club Sight in Day, noon to 5 p.m. $3 per gun ($1 for members). Turn on North Fork Road at "Shoot" sign three miles north of Columbia Falls. Call 892-4006 or 892-4072.

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

3 Seminar on the "DNA of Relationships," led by Gary Smalley, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Kalispell Christian Church, 1075 Foy's Lake Road. Call 257-9315.

3 10th annual Bill Ludwig Scholarship Dinner and Auction, Trinity Lutheran School in Kalispell. Dinner and silent auction, 4 to 6 p.m.; live auction, 6:30 p.m. Dinner tickets on sale at the school and church offices.

Sunday

3 12th annual Sea Kayaking Regatta, noon, rain or shine. Whitefish City Beach. Paddle from City Beach to Les Mason Park and back. Bring your own equipment, food. PFDs required. Free. Call 862-3513.

3 Montecahto Club Harvest Breakfast and Bake Sale, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the club, next to Yellow Bay/Finley Point Fire Station on Montana 35. Eggs, waffles, ham, sausage, biscuits, and more.

3 Pope John Paul II Catholic Church, 195 Cloverdell Road, Bigfork, Oktoberfest 11:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. German food, beer and wine. Tickets $12 adults, $5 children. Music by Don Lawrence's German Band. Tickets available at the door. Proceeds benefit local charities. Call Dan or Donna Danz at 892-2435.

Monday

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

Glacier Stamp Club meet in basement meeting room, Flathead County Library. Stamp trading 7 p.m.; business meeting 7:30 p.m. with annual Stamp Show planning session. Visitors welcome. Call Gail Long, 752-6110.

A Look Ahead

3 Summit Independent Living Center presents a six-week workshop, "Self-esteem for Women with Disabilities," beginning Oct. 3, 1 to 3 p.m. Call Flo Kiewel, 257-0048.

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

3 MOMS (Mothers Offering Moms Support) meets 9:15-11:15 a.m. Oct. 4, Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell. The Rev. Mark Cutler speaks about, "Filling Your Child's Bucket." Child care provided. Call 257-LOVE (5683).

3 Alpine Spinners and Weavers have a "Spin In," Oct. 4, JC Penney Center Court, Kalispell Center Mall.

3 Red Cross certified course in First Aid Basics, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 4, at the office, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Cost $30. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 13th annual Glacier Jazz Stampede Oct. 4-6, Kalispell Center Mall, Kalispell Red Lion Hotel, and Eagles, 37 First St. W, Kalispell. All-event badges $55 until Oct. 1; $60 thereafter. Public welcome. Call 755-6088.

3 Civil Air Patrol, Flathead Composite Squadron meets 6:30-9 p.m., 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 Friends of the Flathead County Library annual book sale, Oct. 6-8, Kalispell Center Mall. Donations welcome. Call Clare Hafferman, 752-1341; or Erica Wirtala, 257-3988.

3 Epworth United Methodist Church annual spring rummage sale, 8:30 a.m. to 22:30 p.m. Oct. 7, 329 Second Ave. E., Kalispell (across from Hockaday Center). Family clothing, household, furniture, toys, baked goods and more. Proceeds go to victims of Hurricane Katrina. Call Sue Jacobson, 755-5375.

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 Immaculate Conception Church in Polson Apples by the Bay Fundraiser 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 7. Over 175 pies for sale, flea and farmers markets; live auction at noon; live hourly entertainment; crafts. Call Cristina Metz, 887-2234.

3 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Kalispell Family History Center's 2006 annual Open House 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Oct. 7, 1380 Whitefish Stage Road, Kalispell. A variety of classes will be offered. Free and no pre-registration required. Call 752-5446.

3 Humane Society of Northwest Montana offers "Microchip Mania," 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 7, at the Animal Adoption Center, 3499 U.S. 93 N., Kalispell. Pet owners may bring in their dogs and cats for micro-chipping for $20 each. Call 752-7297.

3 Community United Methodist Church of Bigfork annual Fall Bazaar, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 7, 750 Electric Ave., one block past high school. Baked goods, jewelry, pottery, folk art. Lunch served 11:30 a.m. Call 837-4547.

3 Kalispell Parentshare meets 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 10, Lone Pine Sate Park Interpretive Center. Call Ursula DeStefano, 212-0879; or Jennifer Rogge, 844-3216.

Special Olympics Montana Breakfast with Champions fundraiser, 7-8:30 a.m. Oct. 11, WestCoast Outlaw Hotel, Kalispell. Tickets $100 per seat, or $900 per table of 10. Call 231-9964.

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 Evergreen School District board meets at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 11, in the administration building boardroom.

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 Red Cross Infant and Child CPR certification training, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 12, at the office, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

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 Kalispell Parentshare meets 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 24, for a field trip to Sweet Pickins Pumpkin Patch. Meet at Northridge Lutheran Church to carpool. Call Ursula DeStefano, 212-0879; or Jennifer Rogge, 844-3216.

3 Red Cross certified course in First Aid Basics, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 24, at the office, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Cost $30. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 NorthWestern Energy public weatherization event, 3-7 p.m. Oct. 25, North Valley Community Room, Columbia Falls. Free starter home weatherization kits and demonstrations. Refreshments. All welcome.

3 NorthWestern Energy public weatherization event, 3-7 p.m. Oct. 26, Royal Duff Memorial Armory, Whitefish. Free starter home weatherization kits and demonstrations. Refreshments. All welcome.

3 Red Cross certified course in Adult CPR, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 25, at the office, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Cost $30. Call 752-6433 to pre-register.

3 Christmas at the Mansion Craft and Holiday Gift Bazaar, Conrad Mansion, Kalispell. Preview party, 7-9 p.m. Oct. 27. Tickets $30. Gift show hours 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 28; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 29. Admission $5 adults, $1 children. Call 755-2166.

3 NorthWestern Energy public weatherization event, 3-7 p.m. Oct. 28, division office, 8900 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell. Free starter home weatherization kits and demonstrations. Bucket truck rides, and special treats for kids. Refreshments. All welcome.

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.