Tax day has come and gone and spring is here! Temps in the 70's lately and NICE. Seems like everyone has come out of hibernation. Traffic is thickening edging towards summer.

    The new Super One grocery store in Kalispell is making encouraging progress in the remodel. Looking forward to having a large supermarket near my office again. With construction very slow, it gives a glimmer of hope. Waiting for the Super Walmart to start construction in the Costco area.

     CASA, court appointed special advocate for children, is an organization I volunteer for. Currently I am on a break between cases, but a compelling article in the Daily Interlake for the great need for more CASAs to help with the caseload is prompting me to get back in the game. We CASAs are the sole voice for the child or children who are removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. It is an extremely stressful and emotional volunteer job and takes many hours to do court reports, interview family, social workers, counselors, teachers and spend time getting to know the child. All our work helps the judge decide what is best for the child. My last case made me just want to take this 10 year old boy home and raise him with boundaries and love, but of course that isn't possible. The state always tries to reunify the child with their parents or at least a family member. I definitely learned about the "other side of the tracks" in our wonderful valley. Drugs and alcohol are often the cause of family problems as is abuse. If you want to make a difference, look into volunteering for this wonderful organization.