Thursday

Literacy Volunteers of Flathead County will hold several hour-long introductory training sessions that are crucial for new volunteers. Training will take place at 35 Fourth Street West, in Kalispell, on Thursday, Sept. 17, at 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. and on Sept. 21 at 5:30 p.m. Call 257-7323 for more information.dkins Animal Adoption Center.

Friday

Whitefish Theatre Company will present ìTo Kill A Mockingbirdî at the OíShaughnessy on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 18-19, beginning at 7:30 p.m. The Montana Repertory Theatreís production is made in collaboration with the Flathead County Library System and The Big Read. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the publication of Harper Leeís Pulitzer Prize winning novel. Tickets are $20 adults, $18 seniors and $6 students, all seats reserved. The play is appropriate for all ages. For more information, call the box office at 862-5371 or visit online at www.montanarep.org or www.whitefishtheatreco.org.

Buddhist monk Gen Khedrub, from the Kadampa Meditation Center in Seattle, will visit the Flathead Valley in September to give Dharma teachings and guided meditation for the public. ìConfidence in Uncertain Timesî is slated for Friday, Sept. 18, from 7-8:30 p.m. Tickets are $10. ìHow to Keep a Relaxed and Positive Mindî is slated for Saturday, Sept. 19, from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Tickets are $20. Pre-registration is requested, though not required. Events will take place at the Bohemian Grange Hall, behind Montana Coffee Traders on U.S. 93. For more information, visit online at http://nkt-kmc-washington.org/courses/kalispell or call 206-526-9565.

Saturday

Sunday

The Friends of Blanchard Lake will hold their 11th annual meeting on Sunday, Sept. 20, at the home of Lee and Marlene Snyder, 789 Leksand Trail (west shore of Blanchard Lake) beginning at 4 p.m. Mike Koopal, Whitefish Lake Institute director, will speak on lake chemistry and Ed Lieser, Whitefish Area Fire Council director will talk about programs available to help landowners reduce fuels on their property. A short business meeting with election of 2009-2010 board members will be followed by an appetizer potluck and social. Call 862-8971 for directions or further information.

The Flathead County Republican Women will host a Sunday dinner catered by Vista Linda at the county fairgrounds in Kalispell on Sept. 20 from 1-4 p.m. Brig. Gen. Jim Cash and Oscar-winner Jerry Molen will speak. Tickets are $10 per person, with children under-5 free. Tickets are available in advance by calling 249-6293 or 857-3512 or by visiting online at www.fcrwomen.org.

Monday

The Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park will be closed to motor vehicle-use from the west side between Avalanche Campground and Logan Pass for the remainder of the season to allow for accelerated rehabilitation work beginning Monday, Sept. 21. Logan Pass will be accessible for motor vehicles from the east side, except when closed because of weather. During evening hours and on weekends, when the contractor is not working, non-motorized access (hikers and bicyclists) will be allowed on the alpine segment between Avalanche Campground and Logan Pass. Call Park headquarters at 406-888-7800 for more information.

The 911 For Kids charity education program will return will take place at the Conrad Sports Complex in Kalispell on Sunday, Sept. 21, beginning at 2 p.m. For the second year, alumni from the Seattle Seahawks and the Seattle Mariners will play softball against local law enforcement departments. The 911 For Kids program teaches children about drug abuse and holds free fingerprinting programs each spring. To learn how to sponsor, call John at 755-0691.

Rudolf Budginas, a Lithuanian-born concert pianist formally trained at the Moscow Conservatory, will play at Glacier High School on Monday, Sept. 21, at 7:30 p.m. Budginas is known to tell humorous stories as part of his performance. Tickets are sold as part of the Flathead Valley Concerts Association package of four shows for $55 adults, $45 seniors, $30 students and $135 families. For more information, visit online at www.flatheadvalleyconcerts.org or call 257-2073 or 752-0605.

Tuesday

The Whitefish Downtown Farmers Market will feature the Stringlers on Sept. 22. With Gary on guitar and trumpet and Harry on lap steel, ìthe strings that swingî have a repertoire ranging from swing era to blues and folk. The Stringlers are sponsored by Alan Elm RE/MAX and Kintla Copy and Creative. The marekt takes place at Depot Park and the north end of Central Avenue from 5-7:30 p.m. to the end of September. Entries for the 2010 Farmers Market Poster Contest will be accepted until the Sept. 22 market. For more information, please call 862-2043.

Tama Hader will teach an eight-week Tai Chi class on Tuesday evenings at Glacier Gateway School in Columbia Falls from Sept. 22 through Nov. 10. Beginner classes will be held at 6:30-7:30 p.m. Intermediate classes will be held from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Registration fee is $35 for each class. For more information, contact Robin White at 892-6500.

Wednesday

The Flathead National Forest, Hockaday Museum of Art, Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation and the Swan Ecosystem Center will host a reception and presentation of ìForest Inspirations: An Extension of the Artist-Wilderness-Connection Programî in Flathead Valley Community Collegeís Arts and Technology Building on Wednesday, Sept. 23, beginning at 5 p.m. In the wilderness art program, professional working artists of various disciplines, media and styles spend time in a remote forest cabin on the Flathead Forest to focus on their art. After completing their residency, artists select a format to share their talents and residency experience with the community and donate a representative piece of their art to the program. Work by past program artists will be on display. Whitefish artists have included Myni Ferguson (2004) and Jane Latus Emmert (2006).

The Whitefish Freestyle Ski and Snowboard Team will host an informational meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 6-8 p.m. at the Whitefish Libraryís community room. This will be an opportunity to meet the coaches, ask questions, meet other team members and sign up before the Sept. 30 discount deadline.

North Valley Toast?masters Club will meet at The Wave on Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 7-8 a.m. Their mission is to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every member has the opportunity to develop communication and leadership skills. For more information, call 752-5360 or visit online at http://northvalley.freetoasthost.net.

The Flathead Valley Community College Reading Group will reconvene Sept. 23 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the novels ìThe Soloist,î by Steve Lopez, and ìInfidel,î by Ayaan Hirsi Ali. For more information or to sign up, call Sharon Randolph at 756-3981.