Wolford's patience at last rewarded

When it comes to the Glacier Town Center, "closure" is on the horizon and it's something that is long overdue.

Originally proposed more than eight years ago as an enclosed mall in an entirely different location, the project was approved by the Kalispell City Council this week for a location north of West Reserve and east of U.S. 93.

Closure is in order for Wolford Development and Bucky Wolford, who have patiently worked through a protracted process of public scrutiny, review and negotiations. Closure is in order for others who took an interest in the project - critical or otherwise - for eight long years.

It's overwhelmingly obvious, after all, that commercial development north of Kalispell carried on, one project after another, during the entire span that Wolford's large but consolidated project was under scrutiny.

And in a bit of cruel irony, all of the development that has preceded the Glacier Town Center has created traffic congestion that has become a new issue for Wolford to deal with.

Still to be settled by the Montana Department of Transportation is the matter of whether more traffic lights should be installed on U.S. 93 north of Reserve to provide safe access to Glacier Town Center.

It is hoped that sound decisions will prevail to move traffic safely in and out of the development. Those decisions, however, should not be allowed to impede Glacier Center construction, as the additional jobs are just what the valley needs at this time.

Is the recent snow and cold giving you cabin fever?

Perhaps it's time to get out this weekend and enjoy the fun that winter can offer.

That fun ranges from skijoring in Whitefish to a variety of events in the Lakeside-Somers area.

Skijoring - horses pulling skiers through a circular course of gates and jumps - hits the snow Saturday and Sunday afternoons at Whitefish City Airport. The annual variation of rodeo on snow is a part of Whitefish Winter Carnival (the full weekend of carnival events is Feb. 1-3).

A large turnout of competitors is expected for skijoring, which last year also attracted about 2,500 spectators.

Farther south in the Flathead Valley, a day of winter fun is planned Saturday at the 10th annual Winterfest at Lakeside, Somers and Blacktail Mountain Ski Area.

Events include family ski races, a snowmobile poker run, sleigh rides and snow golf, plus meals at both ends of the day (pancake breakfasts in the morning and a winter barbecue in the evening).

The temperatures are expected to rise this weekend (even into the 30s), which might make for a great opportunity to go out and enjoy what the Flathead has to offer in winter fun.