Giving kids a wild education
Inter Lake editorial
The Glacier Institute reached an important milestone this year when it celebrated 25 years of outdoor education. An even more important milestone is that the facility has taught more than 20,000 elementary students about the wonders of nature in one of nature's great wonderlands.
Based on the Flathead Forest just west of Glacier Park, the Glacier Institute gives kids a hands-on opportunity to experience the great outdoors. Although that's second nature in some families around here, a surprising number of kids get their first taste of wild Montana through this program.
In order to continue helping those students, the institute is holding a Silver Anniversary Gala at 6 p.m. Saturday in FVCC's Arts and Technology Building. Call the institute at 755-1211 or look on the Web site at www.glacierinstitute.org to see if tickets are still available.
BY ALL ACCOUNTS, last week's Great Gateway Community Giveaway was a big success.
It was not only a food giveaway but also included new household products, reconditioned computers and used clothing.
When it was done, more than 330 households had benefited.
Efforts by several organizations, boosted by nearly 100 volunteers, made the event a success.
Not only was it a worthwhile benefit for people in need, but it also was a good use of the new community center at the former Gateway West Mall.
IT'S NOT EXACTLY the same as the days when Abe Lincoln could join the bar after teaching himself law, but expansion of the self-help law center in Kalispell will benefit hundreds of people who want to represent themselves better in court.
Flathead County will receive one of six AmeriCorps volunteers assigned to the self-help centers around the state, basically doubling the staffing at the facility, which is located on the third floor of the Justice Center.
The self-help centers do not provide help with criminal cases, bankruptcy or issues involving public defenders, but are of great value to those who need help with divorce, parenting plans, name changes, juvenile emancipation and other family law issues, as well as probate cases and landlord-tenant issues.
Considering the expense of legal advice, this is an invaluable service that many people depend on.