Grizzlies, Cougars or Wolves? Oh my

Will they be Grizzlies, Cougars, Cutthroats, Cherries or Wolves?

Or perhaps Moose, Mountaineers, Harlequin Ducks or Osprey.

What about Wranglers, Zephyrs or Avalanche?

These are but a few of the many suggestions for the mascot name for Glacier High School, as sent in by the public in the first round of name-that-team for the new school.

Do you have your own idea?

Submit it online at www.yournewschool.com or pick up a form at the superintendent's office above the Kalispell library.

The deadline is Oct. 1, after which a community committee will sort through the nominations and make a recommendation to the board of trustees, which gets the final say.

And don't forget to pick the proper colors to go with your chosen mascot.

"Not in my back yard" has become the mantra of many in the Flathead Valley affected by rampant residential and commercial growth.

Kintla and Morning Eagle Lodge condo owners on Big Mountain appear to be the newest batch of NIMBYs to surface.

They turned out in force at the Whitefish planning board meeting last week to protest Winter Sports' proposed 80-unit hotel. It's not their back yard they're worried about, but the spectacular views of the valley out their front windows.

Winter Sports CEO Fred Jones pointed out that when Morning Eagle and Kintla units were sold, buyers were "put on notice" that Big Mountain's village area was subject to further development. Purchase agreements signed by condo owners stipulate that they waived their right to protest. Jones also said the resort company attempted to address as many of the property owners' concerns as it could and still make the project viable.

With little discussion, planners sided with the condo owners, even though Whitefish's planning staff had recommended approval of the project. The decision left Jones and his crew wondering what the planning board specifically wants changed.

He contends the planning board needs to be more interactive and offer constructive feedback for projects they deny. That makes sense, especially since the project had the blessing of the Whitefish planning staff.

The "community spirit monument" project has been reactivated, and organizers Kay Lynn and Karin Hilding have picked a spot in Woodland Park where the four-pillar gazebo-like structure would be situated.

With the Kalispell City Council's blessing, it will take the place of an aging gazebo that's scheduled to be torn down.

The project began more than three years ago as a group called Joining Hands Against Hate was forming. Lynn, a local sculptor, offered art sessions that allowed community residents to make ceramic tiles depicting themes of peace, hope and community values. Those tiles will be featured on the pillars.

It's projects like this that set the Flathead a cut above the rest when it comes to quality of life and the reasons newcomers seek out places like this valley.