Enjoy the park now more than ever

A portion of Glacier Park's Going-to-the-Sun Road closed for construction on Monday, but that doesn't mean visitors can't enjoy the park's many attractions.

Logan Pass can still be reached via the west side; only a 2.5-mile stretch near the East Side Tunnel has been closed for construction work.

Fall is a glorious time of the year in Glacier, a time when changing colors and the dusting of snow create a world of contrasts.

And wildlife is on the move and easier to observe at this time of year. Plus there are fewer people with whom to share Glacier.

It's a great time to visit the park.

Which Kalispell intersections need improvements to get traffic flowing better?

A developing study is taking a look at Kalispell transportation for the next 10 years.

So far, a consulting firm has compiled traffic information on 94 intersections in around the city. That's the foundation for public hearings in November and March to help refine the 10-year plan.

Those who want to provide feedback can go to www.rpa-hln.com/kalispelltrans06/index.htm. This site explains the traffic study and includes a comment form so you can provide feedback and needed transportation improvements.

Perhaps the next search for a mascot will have a smoother process than the last one.

Students who will attend Kalispell Middle School (when it opens next year as a rejuvenated version of the junior high) will get to pick the mascot for the school.

Only students who will attend the school get to vote on a list of mascot finalists that will be chosen by a student committee. No adults will get to vote (something that might have been a good idea during last year's protracted, politically correct process for picking the mascot for Glacier High School).

Colors - orange and green - already have been chosen for the middle school. The orange is drawn from Flathead High and the green from Glacier High to combine elements of both schools.

While some people might wonder about the mixture of orange and green, those colors work for the University of Miami, so they might be fine for Kalispell Middle School, too.