New home for an old friend
We're glad to see that a longtime community partner has moved into new and flashier quarters.
The Flathead Industries Thrift Store opened last week in the former Sportsman and Ski Haus store at the corner of Idaho Street and First Avenue East North.
Not only is there much more space than in the old facility, but the new store is generally much more inviting, clean and friendly. Add that to the first-rate location, and Flathead Industries can expect to see tremendous growth in its customer base in coming months.
That's great news for Flathead Industries, a nonprofit whose work is "creating opportunities for people with developmental disabilities." Revenue from the store - as well as from stores in Columbia Falls and Whitefish - helps to fund programs to benefit 130 people who may need help because of their disabilities, but more importantly need someone to give them a chance to prove their abilities.
If you've never visited Flathead Industries before or if you are an old friend, make a point of stopping in to the new store to look around. Chances are, you will be leaving with something just right for your home or your wardrobe, and you'll be helping a good cause, too.
Montana's June primary may be one of the most interesting in years. It looks like Hillary Clinton and Barrack Obama may still be battling for the Democratic presidential nomination, and closer to home there will be interesting races for county commissioner and Legislature.
The filing deadline passed last week, and certainly when the dust settled, the most interesting local race was between incumbent Republican county Commissioner Gary Hall and former Sheriff Jim Dupont. A Democrat, Steve Qunell of Whitefish, also filed, so the race is guaranteed to continue through November in any case, but many expect the most heated battle to be between Hall and Dupont.
Contested primary races are also being waged in a number of legislative districts as well, especially among Republicans.
In general, the state of local politics looks strong, with many qualified candidates running for the first time to join a number of established names. There was also a push by the Constitution Party to get candidates in several races this year, making things even more interesting.
If you hear anyone complain about today's teen-agers not having any initiative, you might tell them to reconsider their opinions after reading about Trinity Williams.
The 13-year-old Helena Flats student this month won the grand champion title at the annual Flathead County Science Fair. But that's nothing new - Williams has now won the prize three straight years.
Her "Fuels of the Future" project may not change the world, but we have a feeling that Trinity Williams may do just that - just give her time.