FHS project properly remains priority

School District 5 didn't get very good news when they opened bids for the renovation of Flathead High School, but the district wisely decided to move ahead with construction anyway.

The project, which was planned in tandem with construction of the new Glacier High School, came in nearly $600,000 above estimate. That's certainly a scary number, but the district didn't really have much of a choice but to go forward.

They considered waiting for the possibility of a slowdown in the local construction industry that might result in lower prices, but even a brief wait would have meant a year's delay in completion of the project. Besides, no one can honestly say that such a slowdown is coming any time soon.

Of course, the taxpayers don't want to just give a blank check either. There may be a chance to hold off on a few parts of the project temporarily, and there are probably cost-cutting measures that can be initiated, too. The board should certainly study those options.

But students at Flathead High School deserve the best facility possible, and the board was correct not to ask them to make a sacrifice when their north-side neighbors are about to enter a brand-new school next year.

For 30 years, those showy splashes of flowers that brighten the Flathead County Fairgrounds have been the handiwork of Bob Hooper Sr.

Over those three decades, Hooper has planted, watered and tended the fairgrounds floral displays - for free.

The Hooper family, which Bob's wife, Carrie, says is "powered by flowers," has donated plants as its gift to the county. Now Hooper, 82, is ready to turn over his labor of love to someone else.

Thanks, Bob, for your years of flower power. We hope your successor does as nice a job of spiffing up the fairgrounds.

So what's the fuss about, some might ask. What's the big deal about the Rolling Stones playing in Missoula Oct. 4? Why would anybody pay more than $100 to see guys in their 60s acting like they are in their 20s?

The answers are many. The Oct. 4 concert is bound to be the largest live event ever held in Montana, in terms of production, hype and attendance. And the Stones are more than just old guys - they are icons with a vast soundtrack, stretching over four decades. They are peers of the Beatles and Andy Warhol and just about every famous pop person that has emerged over the last 40 years. But most of all, the Stones are a true touring band. They have honed their performances to a gritty perfection.

They sound better now than they ever have.

That's why the concert sold out in a couple hours Monday, despite the relatively high ticket prices. And that's why the upcoming show will be the talk of the town, in towns across Montana, for weeks to come.