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TODay

- AARP Driver Safety Course, 8:30-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m., Polson Area Senior Center. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 883-4735.

- United Blood Services Biggest Blood drive, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 23, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 25, Donation Center, 2593 U.S. 2 E., Suite 1, Kalispell. T-shirts, giveaways.

- Red Cross blood drive, noon to 4:15 p.m., Lakeside QRU.

- Lakeside County Water and Sewer district board meets 2 p.m., district meeting room, 253 Bierney Creek Road.

Wednesday

- Red Cross blood drive, 11:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., St. Joseph Hospital, Polson.

- Community dinner on disabilities with legislative candidates, 5:30-7 p.m., Gateway Community Center, 1203 U.S. 2 W., Kalispell. Those with disabilities, loved ones, legislators and candidates, concerned citizens welcome. Free. RSVP to Mary at mcaferro@aware-inc.org 461-2384.

- Artists and Craftsmen of the Flathead Valley meet at 7 p.m. Elks Lodge, 1820 U.S. 93. S., Kalispell. Call 881-4288.

- West Glacier Community Preservation Association meeting, 7 p.m., Montana House, Apgar Village, Glacier Park. Representatives from GPI, county emergency services and Coram-West Glacier Volunteer Fire Department will talk about traffic safety and congestion on Riverbend Drive.

Thursday

- Kalispell Public Schools IT Committee meets 8:30 a.m., IT office.

- Red Cross blood drives: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Marion Fire District, Community Room; Leaders Save Lives, noon to 5:30 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

- Snow & Ice Fest, 5-8 p.m., Mountain Trails Park, Whitefish (in front of Stumptown Ice Den.) Winter sport nonprofit organizations showcased. Family-friendly. Free food, live music, beer.

- Free Night at the Museum, 6:30 p.m. Miracle of American Museum, 36094 Memory Lane, Polson. Owner Gil Mangels signs his souvenir book about the museum, “The Story...” and celebrates his birthday with cake and ice cream. All welcome. Call 883-6804 or 270-7895.

- Joe Coco presents a free seminar “So You Want to be your Own Boss,” 7-9 p.m., Coco Enterprises Conference Center, 6438 U.S. 93 S., Whitefish. Free. RSVP to 862-9400.

Friday

- Red Cross blood drive, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

- Whitefish Trail Hootenanny, 5-9 p.m., Depot Park, Whitefish. Live music and dancing, craft beer, food trucks, kids’ activities, bike obstacle course, climbing wall, jump stations and more. Advance tickets $15; $20 at gate. Kids 12 and under, free. Tickets available online at www.brownpapertickets.com. Fundraiser for Whitefish Trail.

Saturday

- AARP Driver Safety Course, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Gateway Community Center, Kalispell. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 752-7266.

- Soroptimist Thrift Haus back-to-school bag sale, noon to 4 p.m., 303 First St. in Whitefish. Fill a plastic grocery bag for $5. Proceeds go to local nonprofits benefiting women and girls.

- Author Dave Caserio leads a Writing the Parks workshop, 2-4:30 p.m., Lone Pine State Park, Kalispell. Discussion followed by 1-mile ranger led hike and time to compose and share a written work. Bring writing materials and hiking clothes. Call 755-2706.

- Pheasants Forever annual banquet, Hilton Garden Inn,1840 U.S. 93 S., Kalispell. Doors open 5 p.m. Dinner 7 p.m. Live and silent auctions, games, raffles.

- Big Arm Association annual Barn Dance, 5:30-9 p.m., historic Big Arm School. Hamburgers, cole slaw, baked beans and huckleberry ice cream. Donations accepted. 50/50 raffle.

Monday

- Red Cross blood drive, 1-6 p.m., at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

- Flathead Conservation District business meeting, 7 p.m., 133 Interstate Lane, Kalispell, 752-4220.

Thought

“Paradoxical as it may seem, to believe in youth is to look backward; to look forward we must believe in age.” — Dorothy L. Sayers, English author (1893-1957).

A look ahead

- Red Cross blood drive, noon to 5 p.m. Aug. 28, Eureka Baptist Church.

- Medicare 101 class, 1-3 p.m. Aug. 28, Flathead County South Campus, 40 11th St. W., Kalispell. Representatives guide through health insurance basics. Cost is $10. Call 758-5730.

- Jeanette Rankin Elementary School ribbon cutting ceremony, 5-6 p.m. Aug. 28, Kalispell. Kalispell School board work session follows at 6 p.m.

- Red Cross blood drives Aug. 29: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Flathead City-County Health Department; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Glacier Bank, Polson.

- Marion Fire District board meets 5 p.m. Aug. 30, Marion Community Center, 180 Gopher Lane. Public welcome.

- Red Cross blood drives Aug. 31: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. National Flood; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the center, 126 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell.

- Humanities Montana presents a program by Greg Smith, “ A Visit with an 1879 American Fur Co. Trader,” 7-8:30 p.m. Aug. 31, Lone Pine State Park, Kalispell. Life and adventures of author and Blackfeet historian James W. Schulz re-enacted. Free. All ages welcome. Preregistration on Eventbrite required. Called 755-2706.

- Museum at Central School is quilting club and workshop begins 1-4 p.m. Sept. 5, 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Free. Club meets every other Wednesday. Open to public. Call Betty Jo Malone, 755-6323.

- Former U.S. Ambassador and Montana Sen. Max Baucus delivers the 2018 Mansfield Lecture, 7 p.m. Sept. 5, Arts and Technology Building, FVCC. Free. Public invited. Call Diane Skyland, 756-3668.

- Series of six free, weekly diabetes classes for seniors begin Sept. 6: Lakeside — 2 to 3:30 p.m., The Gathering Place, 258 Adams St. Register by calling 756-8992; Bigfork — 7 to 8:30 p.m., Bigfork Community Center, 639 Commerce St. Register by calling 756-8992 or 837-4157.

- Community Foundation for a Better Bigfork 18th annual fundraising auction, 5 p.m. Sept. 6, Garden Bar, Bigfork. Free food, beer, wine.

- Mission Valley Animal Shelter Puppy Party fundraiser, 6-10 p.m. Sept. 7, Red Lion Inn, Polson. Tickets $50, available at the shelter, Seconds2Go or call 883-5312.

- Power the Pedal fundraising event, 6 p.m. Sept. 7, O’Shaughnessy Center, Whitefish. Demonstrations of Maya Pedal bicycle-powered machines of Guatamala. Live music by Cocinando. Mayan food. Silent auction. Tickets $15 at Eventbrite.com; limited tickets at door.

- Whitefish High School Class of 1968 reunion, Sept. 7-9. Call Wendy, 406-314-3991; or Steve, 406-862-0091.

- Flathead Valley Parade of Homes, noon to 8 p.m. Sept. 7; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 8; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 9. Advance tickets $12; $15 at door;go to www.buildingflathead.com for outlets.

- Friends of Bigfork Fire Department’s “Brats, Burgers and Band” fundraiser, 5 p.m. Sept. 7, Harbor Village Pavilion, Eagle Bend, Bigfork. Live music by Blue Smoke. Meal tickets are $10, adults; $5, children, $25,family of four. Beer and wine available. Fire engines and an ambulance on display.

- Annual Dayton Daze “Montana Gold Rush” celebration and fundraiser for Chief Cliff Volunteer Fire Department and QRU, noon Sept. 8, Dayton. Car show, parade, music, flea market and craft sale, silent auction, rifle raffle, concessions and beer.

- Montana Dragon Boat Festival, Sept. 8-9, Volunteer Park, Lakeside.

- West Valley School board meets 5 p.m. Sept. 10.

- Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets 7-8:30 p.m. Sept. 11, The Summit, Kalispell. Call Joan, 871-1008.

- AARP Driver Safety Course, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 15, The Summit, Kalispell. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 751-4500.

- Annual Shriners/Spinnaker Chili cook off and wiener dog races, Sept. 15, Spinnaker Bar and Grill, Lakeside; 406-844-2176.

- Flathead Democrats Harvest Dinner Sept. 15, Red Lion Hotel Kalispell. Social hour 5 p.m. Buffet dinner 6:30 p.m. Guest speakers are candidates Kathleen William and Rex Renk. For tickets, call 406-730-2741.

- Flathead Valley Out of the Darkness Walk to fight suicide, 2 p.m., Sept.16, Gateway Community Center, Kalispell. Check-in 1 p.m. Register online at outofthedarkness.org/FlatheadValley

- Dementia and Alzheimer’s Support Group meets 3-4:30 p.m. Sept. 17, Billiards Room, Buffalo Hill Terrace, 40 Claremont St., Kalispell. Sponsored by Immanuel Lutheran Communities. Call Laura Normandy, 752-9612, ext. 1351.

- Immanuel Lutheran Communities hosts a community presentation geared for seniors, “Dementia Treatment — What’s On the Horizon,” 2-3:30 p.m. Sept. 19, Buffalo Hill Terrace, 40 Claremont St., Kalispell. Free. Call 752-9625.

- Flathead Quilters Guild 2018 quilt show, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 21; 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 22, Flathead County Fairgrounds, Kalispell. Boutique, demonstrations, raffles, concessions. Admission $6; under 12, free.

- AARP Driver Safety Course, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 22, Swan Chapel, Swan Lake. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 756-5885.

- 28th annual Flathead River Writers Conference, Sept. 22-23, Flathead Valley Community College, Arts and Technology Building. Cost $160 for both days, $90 single day, includes lunch. Call 406-881-4066 or register online at https://www.authorsoftheflathead.org/conference.asp

- Walk to End Alzheimer’s, 1 p.m. Sept. 23, Flathead Valley Community College. Two-mile trip or less if desired. Exhibits, entertainment, refreshments. alz.org/walk or call 1-800-272-3900.

- AARP Driver Safety Course, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 24, Libby Christian Church, Libby. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 283-7000.

- AARP Driver Safety Course, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 24, Gateway Community Center, Kalispell. $20 fee ($15 for AARP card-holding members.) Call 752-7266 for a reservation.

- Fish, Wildlife and Parks hosts a public hearing and takes public comment on proposed grizzly bear population objectives, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 27, Arts and Technology Building, FVCC.

- Flathead Land Trust hosts a West Valley Wetlands Conservation Project grand opening and ribbon cutting, 5-7:30 p.m. Oct. 6, bird view area off West Valley Drive, Kalispell. Call Laura Katzman, 752-8293.

- West Valley School board meets 5 p.m. Oct. 8.

- Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets 7-8:30 p.m. Oct. 9, The Summit, Kalispell. Call Joan, 871-1008.

- Dementia and Alzheimer’s Support Group meets 3-4:30 p.m. Oct. 15, Billiards Room, Buffalo Hill Terrace, 40 Claremont St., Kalispell. Sponsored by Immanuel Lutheran Communities. Call Laura Normandy, 752-9612, ext. 1351.

- Immanuel Lutheran Communities hosts a community presentation geared for seniors, “Local Political Climate — Issues and Candidates” 2-3:30 p.m. Oct. 17, Buffalo Hill Terrace, 40 Claremont St., Kalispell. Free. Call 752-9625.

- West Valley School board meets 5 p.m. Nov. 12.

- Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets 7-8:30 p.m. Nov. 13, The Summit, Kalispell. Call Joan, 871-1008.

- Dementia and Alzheimer’s Support Group meets 3-4:30 p.m. Nov. 19, Billiards Room, Buffalo Hill Terrace, 40 Claremont St., Kalispell. Sponsored by Immanuel Lutheran Communities. Call Laura Normandy, 752-9612, ext. 1351.

- Immanuel Lutheran Communities hosts a community presentation geared for seniors, “Fall Prevention and Winter Safety Tips,” 2-3:30 p.m. Nov. 21, Buffalo Hill Terrace, 40 Claremont St., Kalispell. Free. Call 752-9625.

- West Valley School board meets 5 p.m. Dec. 10.

- Suicide Support Group, Surviving Our Loss after Suicide, (SOLAS) meets 7-8:30 p.m. Dec. 11, The Summit, Kalispell. Call Joan, 871-1008.

- Dementia and Alzheimer’s Support Group meets 3-4:30 p.m. Dec. 17, Billiards Room, Buffalo Hill Terrace, 40 Claremont St., Kalispell. Sponsored by Immanuel Lutheran Communities. Call Laura Normandy, 752-9612, ext. 1351.

- West Valley School board meets 5 p.m. Jan. 14.

- West Valley School board meets 5 p.m. Feb. 11

- West Valley School board meets 5 p.m. March 11.

- West Valley School board meets 5 p.m. April 8.

- West Valley School board meets 5 p.m. May 13.

- West Valley School board meets 5 p.m. June 10.