Here is what’s happening in September!

6 Melissa Basin Hike. Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness host a strenuous guided hike to Melissa Basin, led by Sandy Compton. This will be an attempt to reach Melissa Basin - and return - in one day. The hike begins at the Ross Creek Cedars and follows Trail #142 to 48-hour Creek. From there, bushwhacking is required. We'll return by the same route. If you are in condition for this hike, you will never regret it. Distance is 15 miles round-trip; elevation gain is 3,300 feet (2,700 in the 2 miles from Ross Creek to Melissa Basin). Maximum group size is 8; contact Sandy at sandy@scotchmanpeaks.org. 208-290-1281 

11 Idaho Writers League Book Launch Event. The Sandpoint Chapter of the Idaho Writers League invites the public to join them in launching their recently published book "Celebrating the Art of Writing," from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Sandpoint Library meeting room. The book contains the work of many local authors and includes essays, poems, memoirs, short stories and free writes. Local authors will read selections from their work and books will be available for purchase. This event is free; sponsored by the East Bonner County Library District and the Idaho Writers League. 208-263-6930

11 Luther Park's Community Open House. Luther Park at Sandpoint, 510 S. Olive St., hosts a Community Open House from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Get to know your neighbors, learn about community events and volunteer/educational opportunities, plus sample snacks and refreshments from the Luther Park kitchen. Voted Best Senior Living Community in Bonner County in 2009 and 2010, Luther Park at Sandpoint is locally owned and specializes in assisted living, as well as Alzheimer's/dementia care. Luther-Park.org. 208-265-8823

13-Dec. 17 Music Conservatory of Sandpoint Young Musician Class. The Music Conservatory of Sandpoint (MCS) offers an engaging music class for 4- to 6-year-olds that begins teaching note reading, introduces instruments for touch and play, provides keyboard orientation, and more. Classes run from Sept. 13 through Dec. 17 and meet once a week on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. or Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at 110 Main St. Tuition is $145 for the semester. Call MCS at 208-265-4444 to learn more about this and other classes, including our ongoing Little Mozart program for walking through 4-year-olds.

15 Effect of Early Stress and Trauma on Adult Mental Health. NAMI's Far North monthly meeting from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Bonner General Hospital classroom features Brenda Hammond, who will speak on the topic of the Effect of Early Stress and Trauma on Adult Mental Health. The speaker will be followed by a Consumer Support Group meeting and a Family Support Group meeting. NAMI.org/sites/namifarnorth. 208-597-2047

15 Horticulture Workshop on Composting. The Bonner County Master Gardeners Association presents a workshop on composting with Extension Educator Mike Bauer as part of the 2010 Fall Home Horticulture Workshop Series. Class is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Bonner County Extension Office, 4205 N. Boyer. Fee is $10; to register, contact the Extension Office via e-mail at bonnermg@uidaho.edu or call 208-263-8511.

18 West Fork Lake and Beyond Day Hike. The Idaho Conservation League hosts a West Fork Lake and Beyond Day Hike as part of the ICL's summer hike series. This rather strenuous day hike will first visit the West Fork Cabin, then move on to West Fork Lake, finally ending at the peak above which sports an unmanned wildfire lookout tower. The hike is free, but space is limited and registration is required. To sign up for a hike, contact the ICL Sandpoint field office at 208-265-3511 or go to IdahoConservation.org. Free American Selkirks hiking maps are available - click to request one.

18 Building With Strawbales: Past, Present and Hands-on Workshop. Architect Bruce Millard hosts a Building with Strawbales course from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 100 Jana Lane. This is a one-day course on building with strawbales, including the history, recent and present methods, and hands-on building. Class will be held in Millard's strawbale studio, with visual presentation and discussion of how strawbale evolved in the last 30 years. This includes basic design methods and practical details, and how to build with strawbale. The afternoon session will take these techniques to reality with the class erecting a small strawbale wall. Cost is $45; register by calling 208-263-3815 or visit bemarchitect.com.

18 Health and Wellness Fair. The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce's Health and Wellness Committee, in partnership with Bonner General Hospital and Association of Bonner County Employees, sponsor the 3rd annual Community Health and Wellness Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bonner County Fairgrounds. The event offers free health screenings, product and service samplings, live demonstrations, and expert advice will be provided by area practitioners, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and other businesses offering health-related products and services. For more details, read a press release or visit SandpointChamber.com. 208-263-2161

18 Herbal Pantry Staples and Fall Comfort Foods. The Sandpoint Library, 1407 Cedar St., hosts a presentation from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Herbal Pantry Staples and Fall Comfort Foods. Join Doreen Shababy, author of "The Wild and Weedy Apothecary," who will share recipes from her book and demonstrate how to make herbal butters. This event is free and open to the public; sponsored by the East Bonner County Library District. 208-263-6930

18-20 FSPW Blue Creek Hike and Campout. Friends of the Scotchman Peaks Wilderness host a strenuous hike plus campout to Blue Creek. Pack into and camp in the fabled East Fork Meadow for two nights. Spend the central day climbing Clayton Peak, reading under a tree or napping in your tent - your choice. A chance for a down day in an up and down kind of place. Round trip is 8-plus miles; elevation gain is 2,000 to 4,000 feet. For more information, contact Sandy Compton at 208-290-1281 or e-mail sandy@scotchmanpeaks.org. 

20 Family Dynamics and Effective Communication with Seniors. Luther Park at Sandpoint, 510 S. Olive St., hosts a community education event at 1 p.m. Auburn Crest Hospice presents Kimberly Lee, director of Social Services, who will discuss healthy tools to communicate about ethically and emotionally challenging topics such as living wills, advanced directives, in-home care vs. residential care, and more. This education piece is hosted by Luther Park at Sandpoint and is free to healthcare professionals, care givers and families. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided. To RSVP, call Kelli Karli-Hansen at 208-265-8823.

22 Horticulture Workshop on Soil Preparation. The Bonner County Master Gardeners Association presents a workshop on soil preparation with Master Gardener Mikey Haven and Extension Educator Mike Bauer as part of the 2010 Fall Home Horticulture Workshop Series. Class is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Bonner County Extension Office, 4205 N. Boyer Rd. Fee is $10; to register, contact the Extension Office via e-mail at bonnermg@uidaho.edu or call 208-263-8511.

25 Kinnikinnick Native Plant Presentation. The Kinnikinnick Native Plant Society hosts a presentation, co-sponsored by the City of Sandpoint Parks and Recreation Department, featuring Ed Bechinski, professor of Entomology from the University of Idaho. Bechinski will speak about "Beneficial Natural Enemies of Plant-feeding Insects" at 9:45 a.m. in the Sandpoint Community Hall. This event is open to the public and free of charge. The presentation will focus on the identification and biology of commonly encountered predatory insects and parasitoids, with tips on how to succeed at bio-control. Arrive with your questions and bring any insect specimens! NativePlantSociety.org. 208-255-2780

25 Luther Park's Community Open House. Luther Park at Sandpoint, 510 S. Olive St., hosts a Community Open House from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Get to know your neighbors, learn about community events and volunteer/educational opportunities, plus sample snacks and refreshments from the Luther Park kitchen. Voted Best Senior Living Community in Bonner County in 2009 and 2010, Luther Park at Sandpoint is locally owned and specializes in assisted living, as well as Alzheimer's/dementia care. Luther-Park.org. 208-265-8823

28 Community Meeting on Poverty. Community Action Partnership hosts ongoing community meetings every fourth Tuesday at 6 p.m. in Sandpoint. Topics vary from week to week, and are geared towards bringing the community together while addressing systemic issues keeping people in poverty. If interested in attending a Northwest Circles Community Big View meeting, please contact Shirley Paulison at 255-2910 for more information.

29 Horticulture Workshop on Raised Beds. The Bonner County Master Gardeners Association presents a workshop on raised beds with Master Gardener Becky Reynolds as part of the 2010 Fall Home Horticulture Workshop Series. Class is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Bonner County Extension Office, 4205 N. Boyer. Fee is $10; to register, contact the Extension Office via e-mail at bonnermg@uidaho.edu or call 208-263-8511.

Here is what’s happening in October!

2 FSPW Hike to Scotchman Peak. Friends of the Scotchman Peaks Wilderness host this classic hike up the namesake peak for our proposed wilderness. It's short but steep. We will go at a slow pace so a steady effort is all that is needed to summit. Wide panoramas and stunning views of Lake Pend Oreille, along with fall colors and possibly late-season huckleberries, will be highlights. Wear hunter orange. 8 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 3,800 feet. For more information, contact Phil Hough at 208-946-9127 or e-mail phil@scotchmanpeaks.org.

5-Dec. 21 Sustainable Small Acreage Farming & Ranching Course. The Bonner County Extension Office hosts a 12-week course designed for beginning farmers and current producers who are interested in taking their farm in a new direction. This course combines classroom and on-farm experience to give students lessons in technical aspects of farming along with practical whole farm management skills. Cost is $150, which includes a Sustainable Small Farming and Ranching Resource Handbook. Partial scholarships are available. Pre-registration is required and class size is limited; classes will take place every Tuesday evening from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Bonner County Extension office starting October 5 and running for 12 weeks through December 21. For more information, contact Diane Green, course instructor at 208-263-8957 or e-mail greentree@coldreams.com. To sign up for this course, contact the Bonner County Extension Office at 208-263-8511.

6 Horticulture Workshop on Controlling Garden Insect Pests. The Bonner County Master Gardeners Association presents a workshop on controlling garden insect pests with Tom Ekberg, entomologist with the Land Management in Coeur d'Alene, as part of the 2010 Fall Home Horticulture Workshop Series. Class is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Bonner County Extension Office, 4205 N. Boyer. Fee is $10; to register, contact the Extension Office via e-mail at bonnermg@uidaho.edu or call 208-263-8511.

6 Understanding Mental Illness in a Loved One. The Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave., hosts a free presentation with speaker Dr. Foster Cline at 7 p.m. The topic is Understanding Mental Illness in a Loved One, and the event is sponsored by NAMI Far North. Free admission. 208-263-9191

9 Luther Park's Community Open House. Luther Park at Sandpoint, 510 S. Olive St., hosts a Community Open House from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Get to know your neighbors, learn about community events and volunteer/educational opportunities, plus sample snacks and refreshments from the Luther Park kitchen. Voted Best Senior Living Community in Bonner County in 2009 and 2010, Luther Park at Sandpoint is locally owned and specializes in assisted living, as well as Alzheimer's/dementia care. Luther-Park.org. 208-265-8823

20 Horticulture Workshop on Growing Garlic. The Bonner County Master Gardeners Association presents a workshop on growing garlic with Pat Van Volkinberg, as part of the 2010 Fall Home Horticulture Workshop Series. Class is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Bonner County Extension Office, 4205 N. Boyer. Fee is $10; to register, contact the Extension Office via e-mail at bonnermg@uidaho.edu or call 208-263-8511.

23 Luther Park's Community Open House. Luther Park at Sandpoint, 510 S. Olive St., hosts a Community Open House from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Get to know your neighbors, learn about community events and volunteer/educational opportunities, plus sample snacks and refreshments from the Luther Park kitchen. Voted Best Senior Living Community in Bonner County in 2009 and 2010, Luther Park at Sandpoint is locally owned and specializes in assisted living, as well as Alzheimer's/dementia care. Luther-Park.org. 208-265-8823

26 Community Meeting on Poverty. Community Action Partnership hosts ongoing community meetings every fourth Tuesday at 6 p.m. in Sandpoint. Topics vary from week to week, and are geared towards bringing the community together while addressing systemic issues keeping people in poverty. If interested in attending a Northwest Circles Community Big View meeting, please contact Shirley Paulison at 255-2910 for more information.

27 Horticulture Workshop on Greenhouses. The Bonner County Master Gardeners Association presents a workshop on simple greenhouses and cold frames with Marsha Semar, gardener extraordinaire, as part of the 2010 Fall Home Horticulture Workshop Series. Class is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Bonner County Extension Office, 4205 N. Boyer. Fee is $10; to register, contact the Extension Office via e-mail at bonnermg@uidaho.edu or call 208-263-8511.

Here is what’s happening in November!

3 Horticulture Workshop on Landscaping with Native Plants. The Bonner County Master Gardeners Association presents a workshop on landscaping with native plants with John Hastings, co-owner of All Seasons Garden and Floral, as part of the 2010 Fall Home Horticulture Workshop Series. Class is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Bonner County Extension Office, 4205 N. Boyer. Fee is $10; to register, contact the Extension Office via e-mail at bonnermg@uidaho.edu or call 208-263-8511.