Looking for hosts

You and your family can practice the values of compassion and service each and every day when you host an International exchange student in your home. Join EF Foundation for Foreign Study and take the lead in promoting global understanding and cross cultural awareness, all while invigorating your community and its local schools. Students are between 15 and 18 years old and come with their own spending money and insurance. Host families provide room, board, and a caring environment. Families work with a local coordinator to select a student whose interests match their own.

Since 1979, EF Foundation's dedicated team of local coordinators, volunteers, and staff has helped over 100,000 students from nearly 40 countries live and learn in America. EF Foundation's unique combination of local support and global reach has made it the largest facilitator of high school exchange for students coming to the United States.

To learn more about hosting an exchange student, please contact Brent and Chellie Matson at 406-887-2760 or email matson@centurytel.net or visit http://www.effoundation.org.

Brent and Chellie Matson

Regional Coordinator Montana

EF Foundation for Foreign Study

Thoughts on the race

A brief personal analysis of the recent events in the race to the White House:

Before, during, and after Hillary Clinton's final acceptance of defeat and subsequent speech of campaign suspension and the endorsement of Barack Obama, I have read, listened on radio, and watched TV analysis ad nauseam as to how Hillary Clinton lost the Democratic nomination.

Sixteen months ago the Republicans were totally sure of the inevitability of having to pick someone who could beat Hillary Clinton this November. This was their total and complete fixation and strategic considerations.

A funny thing happened on the way to the forum: A young African American lad had entered the race and went about his business of building a campaign team and articulating his ideas on change in direction for our country. No one "in the know" paid much attention. Surely not Hillary Clinton and the Republican party. Both of them being so indoctrinated in and accustomed to politics as usual, how could they be expected to take the Barack Obama challenge seriously? So, things just went along, neither the Clinton's nor the Republican party having a clue as to what lay ahead.

Obama and his team went about their business in caucuses and primaries. Then came Super Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008, the presumed grand march for Hillary Clinton on to the nomination. Well, it did not quite fit the script written by both the Clinton and the Republican party machines. But, not to be deterred, just a slight glitch in the plan. On we go. And on they went.

Suddenly Bill Clinton went from adored cheerleader to attacker of Obama. And Hillary sort of joined in, but with less colorful language. In the meantime, Obama continued spreading his message and also answering numerous attempts linking him to very negative and racially charged beliefs.

Another funny thing happened on the way to the forum: Millions of Americans, especially our future generations, were listening to Obama and actually believing that their voices might be heard.

Now, while it may take at least the next 5 months to turn this great ship of state toward sailing in the direction of real change, not business as usual, and establishing White House integrity, honesty, informed decision-making, and a reputation of international leadership, we can take heart that great progress is being made.

Bob McClellan/Polson

LITTLE KNOWN MONTANA TREASUREAT RISK

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) has proposed the sale of a 440 acre tract of State Land on the mountainside above Woods Bay. This is no ordinary tract of forested mountain land.

Montana residents living nearby know this area as Cougar Canyon, a one of a kind canyon that cuts down over 800 feet deep into the north end of the Mission Mountains. Yes, cougars are known to inhabit the area, along with black and grizzly bears, elk, lynx and the snowshoe rabbits that are their special prey. Falcons nest high on the cliffs along the canyon wall.

This is a habitat rich in wildlife and varied natural vegetation within a unique geologic feature carved by a Pinedale glacier in the terminal phase of the late Pleistocene Ice Age.

An adjoining 646 acres of the Flathead National Forest contains the northeastern portion of Cougar Canyon sssswith similar montane features. It was already designated in 1991 as a Research Natural Area. USFS Management prescription for this area provided that "protection will be directed toward maintaining natural ecological processes." Equally spectacular geological terrain, vegetation and wildlife habitat prevails on the adjoining 440 acres of Montana State Land that justifies similar designation. An existing Montana statute, the Montana Natural Areas Act of 1974, Sec. 76-12-101 thru 76-12-123 provides the appropriate path of action for establishing such a Natural Area. It is inconceivable that the State of Montana would ignore the educational and environmental values of a Montana Cougar Canyon Natural Area developed in concert with the adjoining Flathead National Forest Research Natural Area. It could also be the most remunerative action in the long run for the State Trust Fund.

It is also inconceivable that DNRC would ignore the 300 written comments that they received after the April 17 meeting in opposition to the proposed sale. Thanks to the concern and care of the nearby private landowners in protecting and preserving the extraordinary qualities of this Montana treasure, there is now an opportunity to preserve a true gem among Montana's notable natural features.

A further public meeting on the DNRC proposal is scheduled for June 12 in Bigfork at the Bethany Lutheran community room from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Continuing public support will be necessary to choose Natural Area status and develop appropriate management and safeguarding of Cougar Canyon for generations to come.

George Darrow

Bigfork