http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/ The Flathead Beacon is devoted to delivering thought-provoking news and commentary to the greater Flathead Valley. Printed every week in tabloid form and updated daily at flatheadbeacon.com, the Beacon encourages its readers to participate in discussions about their valley. en webmaster@flatheadbeacon.com Copyright 2009 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:35:16 MDT Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:35:16 MDT kalispellhttp://feedburner.google.com Dan Testa http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/kalispell/~3/ufqWHHM9nO8/ http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/in_conservative_circles_calls_for_citizen_grand_juries_grow/14634/ Front PageFeaturePoliticsColumbia FallsKalispell Wed, 09 Dec 2009 21:28:11 MDT The idea of changing state law, or the state Constitution, to allow citizens to convene grand juries in their counties appears to be gathering steam in some conservative circles of Western Montana. The concept would allow citizens to summon juries comprised of members of the public to investigate alleged crimes – not just judges, as is the case currently. With a Bitterroot man crafting language for a proposed ballot initiative and a Hungry Horse man forming a group to work on draft legislation, a measure allowing for citizen grand juries, in one form or another, seems poised for broader consideration in the coming year – by either the public or, possibly, lawmakers. http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/in_conservative_circles_calls_for_citizen_grand_juries_grow/14634/ Molly Priddy http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/kalispell/~3/AWA0ItMyLW8/ http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/positive_timber_forecasts_met_by_wary_mills/14627/ Front PageFeatureBusinessColumbia FallsKalispell Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:44:16 MDT The wood products industry in Northwest Montana has been struggling to keep its head above water ever since the national recession sunk the housing and construction markets. And despite regional timber groups' predictions of an increase in demand for next year, some in Montana say that forecast may be a distant lifeboat for the industry. At the end of November two major timber market groups, the Western Wood Products Association and RISI, predicted 2010 would be the turnaround year for the sore lumber mills in northwestern states. http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/positive_timber_forecasts_met_by_wary_mills/14627/ Myers Reece http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/kalispell/~3/1m9s6w83pSo/ http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/nominations_highlight_evolution_of_montanas_educational_philosophy/14631/ Front PageFeaturePoliticsBigforkKalispell Tue, 08 Dec 2009 22:21:54 MDT Elrod and Lakeside elementary schools were recently nominated for the 2010 National Blue Ribbon School Award. If either – or both – wins, it will mark only the second time since the award’s inception in 1982 that a Flathead County school has been selected. Smith Valley Elementary School was honored in 2004. Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau said these two schools, along with the state’s third nominee Gardiner High School, “serve as national models based upon their success.” The U.S. Department of Education oversees the Blue Ribbon Schools Program. http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/nominations_highlight_evolution_of_montanas_educational_philosophy/14631/ Myers Reece http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/kalispell/~3/RMr-VLtR9U0/ http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/a_hundred_jobs_in_a_time_of_need/14612/ Front PageFeatureBusinessKalispell Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:27:27 MDT Jim Sevaly realizes graphic design has little to do with operating heavy machinery or providing customer service for a financial institution. But in the past several months, those three disparate activities have shared a common bond in Sevaly’s life: potential jobs. For nine years, Sevaly was a graphic designer for Scholastic, the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books. Then the company cut his division and he was sent job searching. http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/a_hundred_jobs_in_a_time_of_need/14612/ Dan Testa http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/kalispell/~3/6r64Wjc4SPQ/ http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/in_a_difficult_environment_scarff_auto_center_closes_its_doors/14564/ Front PageFeatureBusinessKalispell Sun, 06 Dec 2009 13:29:49 MDT Following a liquidation sale to dispose of its remaining inventory, the Scarff Auto Center in Kalispell has closed its doors, putting 16 people out of work. “It’s typical of what’s happening throughout the U.S.,” General Manager Greg Scarff said last week. “The Main Street stores are disappearing everywhere.” http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/in_a_difficult_environment_scarff_auto_center_closes_its_doors/14564/ Dan Testa http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/kalispell/~3/vkzSZmOealg/ http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/suggestions_on_how_to_give_back/14487/ Front PageFeatureBigforkColumbia FallsKalispellWhitefish Thu, 03 Dec 2009 05:13:50 MDT On a Tuesday afternoon at the Flathead Food Bank in Kalispell, two days before Thanksgiving, the power is out but the place is packed and noisy. Children play with toys on the floor in the light coming in from the windows. Volunteers scramble to restock the shelves. And Kalispell residents, who need some help to pull together a holiday meal, keep coming in the door. Lori Botkin, the Food Bank’s executive director, is frazzled. By the end of the day, she estimates her agency will have distributed some 20,000 pounds of food to 700 local families in need. And then the Food Bank will start over. http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/suggestions_on_how_to_give_back/14487/ Beacon Staff http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/kalispell/~3/q3QEw3dZyeM/ http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/gift_guide_2009_presents_for_every_personality/14478/ Front PageFeatureBusinessArts & EntertainmentBigforkColumbia FallsKalispellWhitefish Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:30:17 MDT The Beacon staff goes shopping ... CREATIVE Old Wood Signs – You’ve probably seen these faux-vintage signs somewhere in the Flathead, and wondered how they remained so well preserved before realizing they aren’t really that old. The signs are, however, a great way to add some “Mad Men”-style flair to your mountain home, with something for every interest, be it water skiing Flathead Lake ($105) to skiing Big Mountain ($105) to fishing the Swan River ($85). A small Flathead Lake sign runs $25.95. It’s hard to beat the selection of these signs at Electric Avenue Gifts in Bigfork (406-837-4994). One subtle sign reads, “Smokers will be pummeled with punishing blows all over their bodies.” New Toys Made from Recycled Materials – If you’re looking for a durable, fun and environmentally responsible toy for a special kid in your life, the Imagination Station toy stores in Kalispell (406- 755-5668) and Whitefish (406- 862-5668) have the solution. The stores carry Sprig Toys and Green Toys – two eco-friendly toy companies that take a new approach on some classic toys. The toys include fully functioning trucks ($15.95 to $27.95), tea sets ($25.95) and fun characters made from 100 percent recycled plastic and wood chips. There are no batteries, so any toys with moving parts or lights are powered by a child’s movements. http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/gift_guide_2009_presents_for_every_personality/14478/ Dan Testa http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/kalispell/~3/VyN8mYytj44/ http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/in_an_effort_to_improve_public_discourse_between_citizens_and_city_official/14497/ Front PageFeaturePoliticsBusinessKalispell Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:11:01 MDT In an effort to improve public dialogue between citizens and city officials over any proposed improvement or expansion at the Kalispell City Airport, a meeting at the Hilton Garden Inn Monday evening drew more than 100 people. “Civic discourse is a very important part of any public process,” City Manager Jane Howington said at the start of what she dubbed a “scoping session,” the goal of which was “to bring back some of that dialogue and find out where we need to inform people, and get information out, and so on.” http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/in_an_effort_to_improve_public_discourse_between_citizens_and_city_official/14497/ Myers Reece http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/kalispell/~3/8YGYJwqb6PU/ http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/a_community_gathering_place/14465/ Front PageFeatureBusinessKalispell Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:34:21 MDT First they built a community. Then they built a coffeehouse for it. Vince Padilla, who is a partner in the Eastside Brick Community development, recently opened up the Boiler Room coffeehouse with his wife Charlette and daughter Jasmine McShea. Padilla said the coffeehouse completes the Eastside Brick vision. http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/a_community_gathering_place/14465/ Myers Reece http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/kalispell/~3/OEBKW10knCU/ http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/hennefords_celebrate_20th_year_at_flathead_gymnastics_academy/14448/ Front PageFeatureSports & OutdoorsKalispell Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:14:24 MDT In the mission statement posted on Flathead Gymnastics Academy’s Web site, the words “non-competitive,” “success” and “self-esteem” are written in all capital letters. Below those words is a paragraph explaining the emphasis. The second sentence reads: “It is the nature of competition to produce more losers than winners.” The goal of Flathead Gymnastics, the statement goes on to say, is to create an atmosphere where kids hone their athletic abilities without ultimatums such as push-up contests. http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/hennefords_celebrate_20th_year_at_flathead_gymnastics_academy/14448/