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TODay

- 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.

- Brews for Benefits Night, 6-8 p.m. Cabinet Mountain Brewery, 206 Mineral Ave., Libby. Proceeds support Montana Wilderness Association’s Kootenai Harvest Festival.

- Fair-Mont-Egan School board special meeting 6 p.m.

- 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.

- Local author Milana Marsenich has a book signing, 4-6 p.m. The Bookshelf, 101 S. Main St., 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.

- Wildlife biologist Chris Hammond shares current research on harlequin ducks, common loons and black swifts, 7 p.m., Harry Horn Picnic Shelter, Flathead Lake State Park-Wayfarers Unit. Bigfork. $4 per person or $10 per family. Call 837-3041.

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.

Tuesday

- Community Action Partnership of Northwest Montana fundraiser, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Panda Express, Kalispell, Twenty percent of proceeds benefit nonprofit.

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

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

- Flathead County Solid Waste District board meets 3 p.m., landfill office.

Thought

“I know the world is filled with troubles and many injustices. But reality is as beautiful as it is ugly. I think it is just as important to sing about beautiful mornings as it is to talk about slums. I just couldn’t write anything without hope in it.” — Oscar Hammerstein II (1895-1960).

A look ahead

- 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.

- West Shore community dinner, 5-6 p.m. Aug. 31, the Gathering Place 238 Adams St., Lakeside. Menu includes barbecue pork sandwiches. Free of charge to anyone. Families welcome.

- 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.

- Friendship Force meets for breakfast 9 a.m. Sept. 5, Sykes Restaurant, Kalispell. All interested in travel welcome. Call Priscilla, 756-9332.

- 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.

- Whitefish High School Class of 1963 55th class reunion, 7-9 p.m. Sept. 7, Casey’s Bar, Whitefish. All classes and teachers welcome. Donations accepted for food.

- 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 Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 11:45 a.m. Sept. 20, Gateway Community Center, United Way Conference Room, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.

- 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.

- Friends of the Library annual book sale, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 21; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 22; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 23, Kalispell Center Mall. Books, CDs, DVDs, audiobooks.

- 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.

- Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 11:45 a.m. Oct. 25, Gateway Community Center, United Way Conference Room, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.

- 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.

- Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 11:45 a.m. Nov. 15, Gateway Community Center, United Way Conference Room, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.

- 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.

- Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 11:45 a.m. Dec. 20, Gateway Community Center, United Way Conference Room, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.

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

- Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 11:45 a.m. Jan. 17, Gateway Community Center, United Way Conference Room, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.

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

- Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 11:45 a.m. Feb. 14, Gateway Community Center, United Way Conference Room, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.

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

- Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 11:45 a.m. March 21, Gateway Community Center, United Way Conference Room, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.

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

- Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 11:45 a.m. April 18, Gateway Community Center, United Way Conference Room, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.

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

- Flathead Special Education Cooperative Executive Council meets 11:45 a.m. May 16, Gateway Community Center, United Way Conference Room, Kalispell. Call 257-1857.

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