Safe Havens is community asset

It was an unfortunate lapse that led to loss of funding for the Safe Havens Visitation program run by the Nurturing Center since 2005.

The program offers a place for monitored visits between children and parents who otherwise might not be allowed to see each other because of court-imposed sanctions. Many of the parents have a history of violence, substance abuse or mental illness, but in many cases they also love their children and want to work toward a solution.

District Court Judge Stewart Stadler said that local courts use the program "almost on a daily basis." Unfortunately, the loss of funding means it will probably close at the end of the month.

The Nurturing Center is trying to raise $75,000 to keep the facility open until grant funding can be restored in about a year. Potential donors can call 756-1414 for more information or visit www.nurturingcenter.org on the Internet.

In any case, whether the program has to close down or not, it is an important part of the social safety net and should be restored as soon as possible.

One million is a nice, even figure.

And $1 million is the goal for this year's local United Way fundraising campaign.

The theme "Reaching New Heights: Together We Matter" is appropriate as the United Way sets its sights for the first time on a seven-figure fundraising goal.

It's a million dollars that will go a long way to fund programs run by the United Way and its 26 member agencies that contribute so much to the social fabric of our community.

We urge everyone to give generously to help the United Way so it can help all of us.

It's always interesting to learn about the success of Flathead Valley graduates as they make their way in the world. Local alumni have carved a variety of unusual niches, but 25-year-old Mark Dolven of Whitefish may be in a class of his own.

The savvy Dolven has catapulted his love of video games to a new level, as the general manager of the Carolina Core, one of six North American teams in the Championship Gaming Series. He's in on the ground floor of the series' inaugural year. It's the first professional gaming league built around team franchises with paid managers and contracted athletes.

Dolven believes such gaming leagues are the way of the future. So parents, don't despair if your child has a passion for video games. He or she just may be the next Michael Jordan of the gaming world.