The Guide to North Idaho

Art Spirit Gallery Presents: Earth Machines

2010-09-21T12:36:00.001-07:00

The Art Spirit Gallery at 415 Sherman Avenue in downtown Coeur d’Alene will open EARTH MACHINES, a show of new work by Michael Horswill, on Friday, October 8 with a reception from 5-8 in conjunction with the Coeur d’Alene 2^nd Friday Downtown ArtWalk. This show runs October 8 – November 6. Everyone is welcome at this family friendly event!

On Saturday, October 9, Michael will give an encaustic demonstration from 1-3:00.

This show is sponsored by Creative Element and Spokane Art Supply. We thank them for their support of the arts in our region.

NEW FALL HOURS: Tuesday-Saturday from 11-6.

Call (208)765-6006 or visit our website at www.TheArtSpiritGallery.com

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This will be an eclectic show of approximately 50 new works including drawings, wall hung sculpture (steel, encaustic, mixed media, etc) and some free standing steel and mixed media pieces.

Michael is a tenured art professor at North Idaho College in Coeur d’Alene and has inspired students there for the past 12 years. We have had the pleasure of representing him since 2002.

He is also a featured artist this month in the Drawn to the Wall IV exhibit at the Jundt Art Museum. I highly recommend this exhibit if you have not already seen it.

This exhibition will be part of Art from the Heart, the annual fall arts celebration brought to you by The Coeur d’Alene Arts & Culture Alliance.

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Brad Richter Educates, Inspires and Entertains During His Week-Long Guitar Residency at the JACC

2010-09-21T12:32:00.001-07:00

Rachel Dodge
Executive Director
Jacklin Arts & Cultural Center
405 N William Street
Post Falls, ID 83854
(208) 457-8950
art@thejacklincenter.org
www.thejacklincenter.org

Brad Richter Educates, Inspires and Entertains During His Week-Long Guitar Residency at the JACC

Visiting area alternative schools and conducting workshops with our at-risk youth population, Brad Richter will be featured at a week-long guitar residency at the Jacklin Arts & Cultural Center (the JACC) from September 27th through October 1st. Richter finishes his residency at the JACC in concert with cellist Viktor Uzur on Friday, October 1st at 7 pm. Tickets are $20 for adults; $15 for students. Please call (208) 457-8950 for more information and to purchase tickets. Richter will also be featured on the National Public Radio’s Guitar Hour on Thursday, September 30^th at 11 am for an interview and special live, on-air performance.

Education and Background

Brad Richter (b. 1969, Enid, OK) began teaching himself to play guitar and compose at age 12. At 19, having had no formal musical training, he was awarded the Presidential Scholarship to the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago where he studied with guitarist Paul Henry and began performing, composing, and eventually teaching professionally. After completing his undergraduate degrees in performance and composition, Brad accepted a scholarship to the Royal College of Music in London where he studied with Carlos Bonell. He became the first guitarist in the college’s history to win the coveted Thomas Morherr Prize for voice accompaniment, and went on to win the Royal College of Music’s guitar competition before completing his Master’s degree and returning to the US to continue his concert career.

Career Highlights

Brad has performed around the globe as a soloist, with renowned chamber ensembles, and in duos with artists such as David Finckel, cellist of the Grammy-winning Emerson String Quartet and director of chamber music at Lincoln Center. Brad’s concerts, and those of The Richter Uzur Duo (with cellist Viktor Uzur), are featured frequently on NPR broadcasts of American Public Media’s Performance Today as well as NPR’s Classical Guitar Alive. Festival appearances include The World Youth Guitar Festival, The Guitar Festival of Great Britain, The London International Guitar Festival (where he was a co-headliner with Carlos Bonell, Alirio Diaz and John Williams), The Aspen Music Festival, Festival Dr. Alfonso Ortiz Tirado (Mexico) and the Walnut Valley Festival, where he won the National Finger-picking Championship in 1999, a competition that features some of the world’s finest guitarists from all genres.

In addition to his collections of concert music for solo guitar (published by Mel Bay, Acoustic Music Records and GSP), Brad is an avid composer of his own particular brand of chamber music—combining genres such as world music, Native American music, pop and classical. He is a winner of the International Composer’s Guild Competition, he wrote and performed a score for the Emmy award-winning PBS television series, The Desert Speaks and a High Definition Audio CD of his most ambitious chamber work, Navigating Lake Bonneville—a concert length work for soprano, guitar, cello, percussion, narrator and choir commissioned by Weber State University, which was released in 2008. String Theory, the Richter Uzur Duo’s new CD featuring original compositions and arrangements for guitar and cello by Brad and Viktor, was released in January 2010.

While at home in Tucson, Brad focuses on his work as Artistic Director of Lead Guitar, a not-for-profit he co-founded in 2006, which establishes guitar programs in schools around the US with large populations of at-risk youth. In 2009/2010, Lead Guitar programs are teaching 850 kids to play the guitar and training 40 public school teachers to teach guitar.

Richter Uzur Duo

Since October of 2008, the Richter Uzur Duo has appeared regularly on NPR broadcasts of American Public Media’s Performance Today.

Viktor Uzur and Brad Richter met in 2005 when Brad was commissioned by Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, where Viktor is a cello professor, to write a concert-length chamber piece (Navigating Lake Bonneville). The piece prominently featured cello and guitar, and as it developed, so too did a close friendship and a deep mutual respect that became the foundation for this collaboration.

Viktor and Brad are each classical musicians of the highest caliber with successful international solo careers and intensive training from two of the world’s most lauded musical institutions: The Moscow Conservatory and The Royal College of Music, respectively. Their musical interests and abilities, however, are far from limited to classical music. In their teens and twenties, while developing into classical virtuosi, they cut their teeth in rock bands—Viktor as an electric guitarist and Brad as a guitarist and singer. They also delved into folk and world music, but eventually put those interests aside as they pursued their classical concert careers.

The Richter Uzur Duo may be unique in their fusion of classical, rock, folk music and themes into truly original new compositions—as well as in the way they collaborate. Because they live almost 1,000 miles apart, they do a great deal of composing over phone and internet. They will write parts separately, then combine and re-develop them while on concert tours together. It is rare that two successful classical composers come together to co-write music of such distinction. The fun and friendship Viktor and Brad share in this partnership are obvious on stage and in their music.

Art-A-Boundary County Perspective

2010-09-21T12:10:00.001-07:00

Boundary County Historical Society

Contact Gini Woodward, President

208-267-7720(museum)

208-267-5638(home)

m.andg.woodward@frontier.com, bcmuseum@meadowcrk.com

other contact: Colet Allen 267-8130

Title: Art- A Boundary County Perspective

Thirty local artists jumped in and quickly assembled an exciting art show of nearly one hundred pieces including paintings, sculpture, pottery, photography, quilts, fiber, and mixed mediums as part of the Community Review, September 21-23.

The show, in the Museum Events Center, was conceived to present the works and talents of local artists to the review committee on Sept 22 as part of the Recreation, Arts, and History portion of the project.

The art exhibit will continue through October 2, providing the community an opportunity to view the work of some well known and some obscure, but all local artists. The showing is for viewing only, with artists’ contact information available. The art show is free and open to the public.

Plan to attend George Sibley’s 1910 fire film 7 p.m. on September 24 and the third annual history walk October 2, both at the Museum Events Center. The exhibit will also be open Tuesday –Saturday 11-3 through October 2.

Friends of Scotchman Peaks third Annual Plein Air Paint-Out scheduled for September 24-26.

2010-09-21T12:04:00.000-07:00

For the third September in a row, painters from around the Northwest will converge on North Idaho and Western Montana for a unique opportunity to capture on canvas the proposed Scotchman Peaks Wilderness . . . from inside and out. “Plein air” is a French term meaning, “open air,” and plein air paintings are produced in a short time, generally, in the out of doors. This creates interesting challenges and complications for the painters, but also renders some beautiful and unique works of art.
The paintings will then be displayed at Kally Thurman’s Outskirts Gallery in Hope on the last day of the event. In addition to the “pictures du jour” produced by the Paint Out, paintings captured during the second annual “Extreme Plein Air,” a five-day, four-night pack-and-paint affair held in July will also be hung at the gallery..

Extreme Plein Air painters Jared Shear (L) and

Aaron Johnson painting in the wild of the proposed wilderness.

The Scotchman Peaks Plein Air Paint Out begins Friday night, September 24, with an opportunity for the artists to get acquainted or reacquainted, an artist’s reception hosted by Thurman. Some of the artists will also be housed at the Outskirts, where “camping space” will be provided on the gallery floor.

Saturday, the 25^th is Paint Out Day, as the artists will take their tools and tubes and tripods and head out for a view of the western Cabinet Mountains, the Scotchman Peaks. Painters will work from many different vantage points in Montana and Idaho. They will spread out into the Lightning Creek, Bull River and Clark Fork River valleys, as well as to various viewpoints around Pend Oreille Lake, looking for a fresh perspective, a different angle, a moment of light.

On Sunday, the 26^th, Thurman’s gallery, which resides within the Hope Marketplace in East Hope, will be incredibly busy in the morning as painters get the work of the day before ready to hang for a show that begins at 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon. Judging will be done by both the public and fellow artists between 1 and 2 p.m. A “Best of Show” award will be presented at 3 p.m.

“This annual show is a great way to showcase the Scotchmans,” said FSPW coordinator Sandy Compton. “A good number of people come to see the art, and even better, buy it. Sales benefit the artist, the gallery and the Friends, so it’s a good investment in the community and the art itself.”

Thurman has invited dozens of artists to take part in the Paint Out, but there is room for more. If you are an artist who would like to participate, call 208-264-5696 or write to info@scotchmanpeaks.org

If you are an art lover, plan to attend the show at the Outskirts Gallery, 15 miles east of Sandpoint on Highway 200, located in the Hope Marketplace on the 200 Business Route next door to the Hope Post Office and the old Hope School. For more information, write to info@scotchmanpeaks.org or neil@scotchmanpeaks.org

‘Thank You for Firing Me’ talk at Cd’A library

2010-09-21T11:58:00.000-07:00

COEUR d’ALENE – Candice Reed, co-author of “Thank You for Firing Me! How to Catch the Next Wave of Success After You Lose Your Job,” will speak Wednesday Sept. 29, at 7 p.m. in the Community Room of the Coeur d’Alene Public Library, 702 E. Front Ave.

Reed's successful writing career has spanned more than 20 years. Before her career in journalism, she lost jobs as an insurance salesperson, a funeral director, a singing/dancing waitress and an ice-cream binging weight-loss counselor.

Currently, she is a freelance journalist, creates blogs for credit unions, dabbles in copywriting and speechwriting, and once owned her own successful public relations firm. She has also been a ghostwriter for a former president. She has published more than 5,000 business features, personal essays and travel articles in newspapers and magazines including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, and The Christian Science Monitor.

Reed recently took her own advice and sold her expensive California home and moved to a cabin on Lake Chelan in Washington so she could enjoy life in the new economy.

Copies of the book – co-authored with Kitty Martini – will be available for purchase and signing. A portion of proceeds benefits the Friends of the Library.

Anyone who needs accommodation to participate in a library program is asked to contact the staff prior to the activity by calling 208/769-2315. More news and information about the library is available online at cdalibrary.org. News about the library and other city departments is also available on the City of Coeur d’Alene news blog: cdacity.blogspot.com.

Historical Society Collecting Oral History of 1970's County Immigrants

2010-09-16T13:00:00.000-07:00

Boundary County Historical Society

Contact Gini Woodward, President

208-267-7720(museum)

208-267-5638(home)

m.andg.woodward@frontier.com, bcmuseum@meadowcrk.com

other contact: Susan Kemmis, 267-7720

Title: Historical Society Collecting Oral History of 1970s County Immigrants

Volunteers from the Boundary County Historical Society are interviewing and archiving oral history stories of several people from a large population influx into Boundary County in the 1970s. The pilot project is partially funded by a grant from the Idaho Humanties Council in conjunction with the recent Smithsonian Journey Stories exhibit at the museum.

According to U.S. Census reports, the population of Boundary County slipped from 5,809 people in 1960 to 5,484 in 1970, followed by a 32.9 percent increase to 7,289 in 1980. Although the population continued to increase by 2000 to 9,871, the greatest influx of new people occurred in the 1970s. Overall 70s growth in the state of Idaho was similar at 32.4 percent. However neighboring Bonner County experienced 55.3 percent growth, Kootenai County 69.2 percent, and Ada County 54.3 percent. Only Clearwater and Shoshone counties experienced declines in population during the 70s.

In addition to the current interview process, The Boundary County Historical Society is collecting names and contact information of people who came to live in Boundary County during the 70s. Were you involved in the survey? Were you already here and impacted by the influx of newcomers? Who came and stayed? Who came and left? And came back? Do you have stories to preserve and share?

Archiving of oral history interviews is part of the ongoing process of preserving and documenting significant events in Boundary County. The last major oral history interview project was conducted to collect information for the Boundary County History Book in the 1980s. As part of the current project, the cassette tapes from those interviews are being digitized and transcribed. If you wish to volunteer for any part of this project, please contact Sue Kemmis at the museum 267-7720 or e-mail bcmuseum@meadowcrk.com

Entree Gallery "Famous People and Familiar Places"

2010-09-16T12:23:00.000-07:00

Currently on display though October 10^th at The Entree Gallery at Reeder Bay is “Famous People and Familiar Places”, a selection of vintage black and white photography from The Ross Hall Collection, by Dann Hall.

Ross Hall received national attention as a wildlife and scenic photographer by the New York Times, National Geographic and Life magazines. In the 1940’s, Eastman Kodak recognized him, along with Ansel Adams, as one of the top ten scenic photographers in the country. His collection, now managed by his son Dann Hall, recorded the early days of Priest Lake and the development of the local logging industry.

Included in the exhibit are photographs of 1940’s era entertainers Gypsie Rose Lee and Patrice Mansel, both photographed on area lakes. Many gallery visitors will be familiar with images of a River Pigs resue, Bartoo Island, the Thorofare, Jim Lowe’s Resort/Kanisku, The American Falls, Paul Jones Beach, and The Roosevelt Grove of Ancient Cedars.

The Entree Gallery, now at two locations, invites the public to view the work of these and over 120 regional artists on display. Fall hours for the Reeder Bay Gallery are Thursday-Sunday, 10am-4pm, and Friday-Saturday 10am-5pm . The Reeder Bay gallery will close for the season on October 10th. Contact the gallery at 208 443-2001.The Coolin Bay gallery will closed for the season on September 19th.

Pam Martin

info@entreegallery.com

http://www.entreegallery.com

Leveraging Technology to Grow Your Business

2010-09-16T11:58:00.000-07:00

Sandpoint's own Charles Manning, President and CEO of Playxpert, will speak on driving attention and audience to your product or service utilizing technology.
Learn to optimize your business processes and differentiate yourself in the larger market.
Topics include:

What social media means to you as a business owner
How to gain more exposure
Understanding your customer better
Using data to drive decisions to support your business
Gaining 5 simple steps to optimize your business technology.

About the Instructor:
Since 2007, Manning has been the CEO of PLAYXPERT, an innovative platform for gamers to multi-task through a universal overlay system and an open widget framework. After founding PLAYXPERT and MetaXpert, Manning participated as the executive chairman for MetaXpert from 2007 until 2009 and has taken a more active role since October 2009 to enhance customer delivery and drive more strategic initiatives for the consulting business.

Prior to PLAYXPERT, Manning was the VP of Product Management at Managed Objects. Managed Objects was the industry leader in Business Service Management and was later acquired by Novell. Under Manning’s product leadership, the Managed Objects platform was used by global 2000 companies like Morgan Stanley, Deutsche Bank, Fidelity and others. Manning came to Managed Objects when it acquired M-Code Software, an Application Performance Management (APM) company founded by Manning in 1998.

Mr. Manning has his headquarters for PLAYXPERT right here in Sandpoint, ID. About TGIF Workshop Series
The TGIF Workshop series presented by Bonner Business Center provides business owners and professionals affordable, 90 minute workshops. The series is hosted by the Business Development Committee and sponsored by Horizon Credit Union, Holiday Inn Express & Suites, and Aaging Better In-Home Care.
Register Now
Register online with a Visa or MasterCard or stop by the Chamber offices located at 231 N. Third in downtown Sandpoint. The cost is $15 for members and $20 for non-members. Advanced reservations and pre-payment required. Refunds not available without a 48-hour notice due to catering and limited seating.

Date:		September 24, 2010
Time:		12:00 PM - 01:30 PM
Website:		Bonner Business Development
Location:		Holiday Inn Express & Suites 477326 Hwy 95 N. Ponderay, ID 83852
Contact:		Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce
Email:		denise@sandpointchamber.com
Date/Time Details:		September 24, 2010 11:30 - 12:00 Check-in 12:00 - 1:30pm Workshop
Fees/Admission:		Members: $15 - Lunch included Non-members: $20 - Lunch included

Click Here for More Information

Decline this Invitation

Bring Your Family to the 3rd Annual Health & Wellness Fair

2010-09-10T13:20:00.000-07:00

Sandpoint – The third annual Community Health & Wellness Fair will be held Saturday, Sept 18 at the Bonner County Fairgrounds from 10am to 2 pm. Admission is free and open to the general public. Get EXPERT medical advice and be sure to take advantage of the Free and Low Cost health care options available at the fair such as:

v Free health screenings

v Free limited lipid profiles (Fast before testing for best results)

v Free blood pressure checks

v Mini massages, acupuncture

v Low cost bone density testing

v Low cost thyroid function

v Low cost glucose testing (Fast before testing for best results)

v Free Body composition measurements

v Gift certificates for massages, DVD’s, holistic chiropractic and more.

Besides free health care services and great giveaways, kids can learn about bike safety and enjoy the Bike Rodeo. Youngsters will also enjoy climbing aboard the fire truck, ambulance, and marine patrol boat and meeting local firemen, police officers, and emergency personnel.

Again this year, try to walk the line with beer goggles from the Idaho State Police and visit “X-ray Dude” at Bonner General Hospital. The Sandpoint Fire Department will perform infant car seat checks to keep little ones safe on the road.

The Inland Northwest Blood Mobile is scheduled to be at the Fairground from 9:00am to 1:00pm that day. 7 year old Sandpoint resident, Amber Staffiero, requires a transfusion every 3 weeks to battle a deadly disease. Donate to help save her life and countless others. Participants will be entered to win a raffle prize!

The event will be held at the Bonner County Fairgrounds, located at 4203 N. Boyer in Sandpoint. Organized by the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce’s health & wellness committee with partnering sponsors Association of Bonner County Employees and Bonner General Hospital. Major sponsors include Aging Better In-Home Care, STCU, Pend Oreille Health Care, North Idaho Spine Clinic, Bonner County Daily Bee, and K102.

For more information about this upcoming event, contact the Chamber at (208) 263-2161 or visit SandpointChamber.com.

Cardinal Athletics Showcase includes highlights, previews of NIC sports

2010-09-10T13:08:00.000-07:00

The North Idaho Athletics Department is hosting its 2^nd Annual Cardinal Athletics Showcase Tuesday, Sept. 28 at 11:30 a.m. in the Coeur d’Alene Resort. The event will include presentations from award-winning members of the NIC coaching staff with preseason regional and national predictions for all NIC sports as well as status reports for fall sports.

Presentations include comments from team captains with a question and answer session. There will also be prizes, giveaways and a highlight video.

Please note the early start at 11:30 a.m. This event will be held in place of the usual end-of-the-month Booster Club Luncheon. Tickets for lunch can be purchased in advance for $12 from either the athletic department or the NIC Booster Club. Call (208) 769-3348 for reservations and payment information by Sept. 24. Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $15.

Scheduled to appear: Wrestling coach Pat Whitcomb, (three national championships, 2007 wrestling man of the year, three-time regional coach of the year), men’s basketball coach Jared Phay (three-time regional coach of the year, back-to-back SWAC championships); men’s soccer coach Scott Moorcroft (three-time regional coach of the year, three-time Region 18 championships); women’s soccer coach Dan Hogan (two-time regional coach of the year, 2008 NJCAA third-place finish); softball coach Don Don Williams (2007 district coach of the year, 2007 national runner-up); women’s basketball coach Chris Carlson (back-to-back regional championships, North Idaho Hall of Fame Coach of the Year, 2010 NJCAA eighth-place finish); volleyball coach Colleen Frolich (2010 preseason NJCAA No. 11 ranked); men’s and women’s golf coach Derrick Thompson (2010 NJCAA 13^th place finish -- women, 2010 NJCAA 17^th place finish – men) and cheerleading coach Dawn Smith.

TAKE A “MUSICAL ROAD TRIP” WITH 18 SHADES & FRIDRICH

2010-09-10T12:55:00.000-07:00

Sandpoint, ID - National chart newcomer and local favorite 18 Shades, will be joining Seattle-based Fridrich and Vance Bergeson for a “Musical Road Trip” through “acoustic rock” on Saturday, September 18^th at 7PM at the Panida Theater. Local guitar-maker Bergeson is opening the concert with an earthy set of acoustic folk. Shifting gears, Fridrich brings their blend of Afro-Cuban rock and harmonica blues to the stage. 18 Shades finishes with a foray into their polished rock blending taut melodies with 4-part harmonies.

Opening the show, Vance Bergeson will perform a set reminiscent of 1970’s folk rockers in a style similar to the raw, beautiful guitars that he builds.

Recently erupting out of the volcanic Seattle scene, Fridrich (recently dubbed “Seattle’s new supergroup”) follows Vance with a sizzling set culled from city streets around the world, incorporating Afro-Cuban, blues, rumba, and jazz influences. The band members boast combined musical careers of over 200 years and have played with greats such as the Jackson 5, Garth Hudson (The Band) and Gloria Estefan.

Headlining the concert, northern Idaho band 18 Shades is on the fast track to superstardom, recently wrapping an album with the team behind Korn and Katy Perry. Front-man, Jesse Bennett's intense and melodic vocals top off the band's larger than life style. Cory Howard's hard hitting guitars and infectious bluesy solos blend perfectly with the thunderous boom that is the rhythm section provided by Jason Stoddard on bass and KC Carter on drums.

NW-based Dave’s Killer Bread will be giving away a free loaf of their bread for every ticket sold, from 12PM – 2:30PM in Sandpoint (details at website).

All-ages show. Tickets: $15 in advance, $20 at the door. You can purchase tickets on-line at http://www.savorthesound.com/sandpoint or at the following ticket outlets: 7B Board Shop, Mick Duff’s (Sandpoint) and Calypso’s Coffee (Coeur d’Alene).

For additional information contact: Nate Wright, nate@savorthesound.com.

Family Promise of North Idaho Newsletter

2010-09-03T13:38:00.000-07:00

Hello Family Promise of North Idaho Friends!

This is our September News Update to keep friends, volunteers and supporters informed and up-to-date on all that is happening at Family Promise of North Idaho. FPNI is a busy place! We have 11 wonderful people staying with us and working on achieving their independence. We have a new baby (!) born 14 days ago and one on the way!

Click HERE to view this month’s FPNI News Update in webpage. Here are the stories in this month’s issue:

Executive Director Cindy Wood talks about our ‘latest addition’ to the FPNI family, and celebrates another young family graduating to their own home in her Director’s Report.

We are having a Farewell to Summer BBQ fundraiser on September 18. Won’t you join the fun?

Setting up a new household can be expensive, so our network of churches is putting together Housewarming Kits for families as they graduate to independence.

Windermere Realty donated $1,000 to Family Promise of North Idaho! See the details.

We offer thanks to folks like Lois and David Bjerkestrand and the many others who help keep FPNI’s Day Center and Office a pleasant place to ‘live.’

We asked and you gave! Thank you to all the donors who have stepped up to help FPNI in our effort to keep our ship afloat.

Welcome to Tim Frahm, CPA, our newest member of the FPNI Board of Trustees. Tim has a message for everyone about Giving Results and Challenges in a Slow Economy.

We are proud to have been featured in the National Family Promise Newsletter, ‘Hospitality’, this summer with the article ‘Sowing the Seeds of Hope’.

FPNI is excited to be among the many agencies to be helped with the United Way Day of Caring on September 23.

The 2^nd Annual Cardboard Box City is Coming October 8^th. We have high hopes for another fun and consciousness raising event.

BABY Pictures!!! Little Melanie is beautiful and the entire FPNI family is celebrating her arrival.

Click on in and see the important, exciting mission of Family Promise of North Idaho.

Family Promise of North Idaho

Public Relations Committee

Bev Moss

Jill Dougherty
Kate Zubaly

Free Museum Day in Kellogg

2010-09-03T13:33:00.000-07:00

Free Museum Day

and Pie Social

Sunday, September 12^th

at The Staff House Museum

820 McKinley Ave. – Kellogg

Museum open 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

Pie Social 11:00am-2:00pm

Please join us for the museum’s oldest fund raiser and social event.

THE NEWS YOUR FOUR LEGGED FRIENDS HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR:

2010-09-03T13:10:00.001-07:00

THE OFFICIAL LEASH CUTTING CEREMONY FOR THE FIRST EVER OFF-LEASH DOG PARK IN KOOTENAI COUNTY – A LABOR DAY EVENT!

WOOFS, LICKS AND A HAPPY TAIL WAGGIN’ THANK YOU

TO ALL THE DONORS WHO MADE THIS POSSIBLE!

DATE:

LABOR DAY, MONDAY SEPTEMBER 6^TH

TIME:

11:00AM – 3:00PM; LEASH CUTTING IS AT NOON

FOOD:

HOT DOGS, SODA, AND WATER AVAILABLE FOR A SMALL DONATION

ENTERTAINMENT:

DONATED AND PROVIDED BY RUBY FROG ENTERTAINMENT

T-SHIRTS:

INAUGURAL KC DOG PARK T-SHIRTS - $15

DOG BONES:

“GIVE YOUR DOG A BONE” - $30

WHEN YOU SEE THE BEAUTIFUL PAW-VILIONS YOU WILL WANT TO GIVE YOUR DOG A BONE!

NEWS COVERAGE:

KXLY CHANNEL 4 WILL BEGIN BROADCASTING DOG PARK NEWS AT 5:00AM—DOG PARK NEWS SPOTS EVERY 30-40 MINUTES BARRING ANY BREAKING NEWS

BOTTOM LINE:

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE DOGS!

THE GATE OPENS AT 11:00AM!

**SEPARATE PARK FOR SMALL DOGS**

BRING YOUR CAMERA J

Panhandle Health District: Press Release on Immunizations

2010-09-03T13:08:00.000-07:00

This information is being forwarded in cooperation with the Panhandle Health District and the North Idaho Public Information Network.

Panhandle Health District
8500 N. Atlas Road Hayden, Idaho 83835
www.phd1.idaho.gov<

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: September 2, 2010
Contact: Released by: Jeanne Bock, Director
Cynthia Taggart
Public Information Officer
(208) 415-5108
(208) 818-7288 (cell)

Immunization Can Slow Whooping Cough Surge

Hayden – The recent hospitalization of two northern Idaho infants with whooping cough is a clear call to people of all ages to get their pertussis immunization.
So far this year, 57 cases of whooping cough have been reported in the five northern counties. Last year, only six cases of whooping cough were reported in the same area for the entire year. The number of cases so far this year (through August) is eight times higher than average.
Both infants recently diagnosed are in intensive care. The pertussis bacteria, which is pervasive, is particularly dangerous for children younger than 6 months old.
Pertussis is a highly contagious disease recognized by severe coughing spells that can cause vomiting and lack of breath. Untreated, pertussis can develop into pneumonia, seizures and encephalitis.
It’s been surging in this area since last November, indicating community-wide transmission. Children and adults in group settings, such as school, are at the highest risk for catching and spreading whooping cough, and vaccination increases the likelihood of avoiding or minimizing the effects of the disease.
“Immunization is our best tool,” said Randi Lustig, epidemiology program manager for the Panhandle Health District. “The pertussis vaccination isn’t just for babies. Adolescents and adults need to be revaccinated, even if they were vaccinated as children.”
The effectiveness of the pertussis vaccine fades with time. National health officials recommend a booster for children at age 11 or 12. Adults who didn’t get the vaccine as a pre-teen should get one dose.
Babies and children don’t benefit from the vaccine’s maximum protection until age 5. It’s important for anyone around them to have a current pertussis vaccination.
Whooping cough typically starts with a runny nose, but a cough quickly takes over. People spread pertussis by coughing or sneezing while they’re in close contact with others, who then breathe in the pertussis bacteria.
People with pertussis are contagious before the cough starts and stay contagious for up to three weeks. Doctor-prescribed antibiotics can kill the infection and prevent it from spreading.
Whooping cough is frequently misdiagnosed as bronchitis or allergies. North Idaho’s medical community has been advised to consider pertussis a possibility when patients have a cough illness.
PHD has immunizations with the pertussis vaccine for babies, adolescents and adults. For an appointment in your county, call:

* Kootenai County – 415-5270
* Bonner County – 263-5159
* Boundary County – 267-5558
* Benewah County – 245-4556
* Shoshone County – 786-7474

Youth Flag Football in Sandpoint

2010-09-03T13:01:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL:

SANDPOINT PARKS AND REC. DEPARTMENT

(208) 263-3613

9/1/10

PRESS RELEASE

YOUTH FLAG FOOTBALL

Youth Flag Football registration forms are now available at Sandpoint Parks & Rec. and on our web site http://www.cityofsandpoint.com (link to Parks and Rec.) Games will begin for youths in grades 3-6 September 25^th thru October 30^th. Play will be spilt into 3rd/4th grade (Nerf Balls) and 5th/6th grade (Junior Rubber balls) teams. Practices will be held once a week with games played on Saturday mornings at Travers Park in the softball outfield.

Adults interested in coaching the philosophies of FUN, fundamentals, and sportsmanship are needed. Circle YES on the registration form attached to this e-mail.

REGISTRATION MUST BE RETURNED TO PARKS & REC. BY 5 PM FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10^TH. Fees for 1 Player are- $35 County/ $30 City; 2 Players- $60 County/ $50 City; 3 Players- $80 County/ $70 City. Jerseys are $12 and can be purchased at Parks and Rec. Scholarships are available on a need basis. Register at City Hall, 1123 Lake St. or call 263-3613 for more information.

As part of our ongoing effort to improve our programs, please supply your e-mail on your registration form for an end of season survey.

See you soon!

Parks and Rec

Click here to link to the "YthFFBreg_10.pdf" file included with this communication.

To go to Sandpoint Parks & Recreation Sports now, click here.

Rails to Resort: Sandpoint

2010-09-03T12:55:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL:

SANDPOINT PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT

(208) 263-3613

9/2/2010

PRESS RELEASE

Rails To Resort (Schweitzer Hill Climb)
The fall Rails to Resort Race (Schweitzer Hill Climb) is brought to you by Sandpoint Sports and Sports Plus. It will be held on Satruday September 18, 2010. This race gives you three division for you to choose from, Roady, Mt. bike on Road, and Dirt. Pre-Register by Sept. 10 for $20 to guarantee you get a t-shirt, after Sept 10, it is $25 and no guarantee on a shirt. If you competed in the spring Rails to Resort, you get a discount of $10 on your racer fees. Registration and Pre-registration check in willb e from 9:30-10:30am at the Red Barn parking lot. 10:45-11:00am is the Racer's Meeting. Race starts at 11am! For more information contact Sandpoint Sports (you can download the registration form online. Sandpoint Sports - 265-6163

To go to Sandpoint Parks & Recreation Sports now, click here.

Fall Reading programs start at library Sept. 21

2010-09-03T12:26:00.001-07:00

COEUR d’ALENE – Fall Reading programs in the Seagraves Children’s Library of the Coeur d’Alene Public Library, 702 E. Front Ave., begin Tuesday, Sept. 21.

Programs are free and no registration is required. Each session includes age-appropriate stories, songs, poems, crafts and other activities. The schedule is:

¢ Book Babies Lapsit: For children ages newborn to 2 accompanied by a parent or caregiver, Tuesdays 10:15-10:45 a.m. and Fridays 10:30-11 a.m.

¢ Tales for Twos and Threes: For ages 2-3, Tuesdays, 11-11:30 a.m.

¢ Preschool Storytime: For ages 3-5, Wednesdays, 10:30-11 a.m. and 1-1:30 p.m.

¢ LEGO Club: Thursday, 4-5 p.m. Free building time for ages 5-10 with our giant tubs of LEGOs.

The library will be closed until 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 6, for staff in-service training and there will be no reading programs that day.

Children under 6 visiting the library need to be supervised by an adult or a person who is at least 14 even during programs. Children ages 6-9 should be accompanied by someone who is at least 14 who will remain in the building.

Half a Marathon in Sandpoint

2010-09-03T12:20:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL:

SANDPOINT PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT

(208) 263-3613

9/3/2010

PRESS RELEASE

The Scenic Half
This is the second year for the Scenic Half. You can choose to run a 1/2 marathon, 10K, or 5k. This great event will be held on Sunday September 19th. Pre and Post race activities will be held at City Beach. Early registration ended on September 1, but you can still register. Contact the Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce for more information at 231 N Third Ave, Sandpoint - 263-2161 or on the web here.

Children's Intro to Taekwondo and Self Defense

2010-08-27T15:02:00.000-07:00

SANDPOINT PARKS AND RECREATION

1123 LAKE STREET

SANDPOINT ID 83864

(208) 263-3613

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

8/26/10

CHILDREN’S INTRO TO TAEKWONDO / KARATE AND SELF DEFENSE

SESSION # 5

Sandpoint Taekwondo teaches children’s intro to Taekwondo, Karate, and Self Defense. This course teaches basic self-defense skills and highlights the importance of self-discipline in a child friendly setting. Course fee is $22/child ($2 city discount) and includes 3 lessons and a uniform. This class is open to children from 5-12 years of age and takes place at Sandpoint Taekwondo (675 Kootenai Cut Off Rd Suite A – located in Wal-Mart Shopping Center) from 3:00-4 pm.

SESSION #5 will take place on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday September 13, 14, and 16.

Please register by Please register by September 9^th at Sandpoint Parks and Recreation, 1123 Lake St. or call 263-3613 for more information.

Under the Freeway Flea Market

2010-08-27T14:57:00.000-07:00

This is a reminder that the 6th Annual Under the Freeway Flea Market is right around the corner!

Labor Day weekend: September 4-6, 2010

8am - 6pm Saturday and Sunday

8am - 4pm Monday

80+ vendors! Rain or Shine!

For more information, Please contact Rick Asher of The Historic Wallace Preservation Society at 208-753-2911.

The Under The Freeway committee is getting ready for the Labor Day weekend and needs assistance. Please remember that this 3 day event brings many visitors into our community. In preparation of the event, the committee is looking to the good people of Wallace to extend a helping hand. Unfortunately, not everyone who walks their dogs under the freeway always clean up after their pets and there seems to be an issue with the need to clean up droppings and trash from that area. The committee will be meeting under the freeway on Tuesday August 31, Wednesday September 1 and Thursday September 2 between 5 and 7 pm. If you can, please come volunteer a few minutes to help tidy the area where the vendors are setting up. Thanks!

Historic Wallace Chamber of Commerce
10 River Street, Wallace ID 83873
(208) 753-7151
director@wallaceidahochamber.com
www.wallaceidahochamber.com

Support North Idaho College Sports

2010-08-27T14:52:00.001-07:00

Booster Club Luncheon

Monday, Aug. 30 at noon.

The Coeur d’Alene Resort Dockside Restaurant

115 South 2^nd Street

New head volleyball coach Coleen Frohlich will provide a tournament summary as the 11^th ranked Lady Cardinals opened in the CSI Invitational which included six nationally ranked teams. Men and women soccer head coaches will also provide weekend tournament reports. The NIC Booster Club meetings are open to the public.

NIC Hosting Coaching Clinic, Leadership Conference

2010-08-26T14:04:00.001-07:00

The North Idaho Coaching Clinic and Leadership Conference will be held in North Idaho College’s Christianson Gym Friday. Sept. 24 – 25. Top coaches and industry leaders will share their success stories and motivational tactics during the two-day conference sponsored by Parker Toyota.

The first day of the conference will be from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 24 with registration beginning at 6:15 p.m. On Saturday, Sept. 25, the conference will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch is included.

The conference costs $65 or $115 for one University of Idaho college credit.

A registration form is available at www.nic.edu/athletics/.

Speakers include:

Don Verlin, University of Idaho, head men’s basketball coach

Max Goode, Loyola Marymount, head men’s basketball coach

Mike White, Parker Toyota, general manager

Kirk Earlywine, Eastern Washington, head men’s basketball coach

Ryan Looney, Seattle Pacific University, head men’s basketball coach

Matt Santangelo, Summit Capital, co-founder

Jerry Kraus, Gonzaga University, director of men’s basketball operations

Layers of Light and Lush Velvety Charcoal

2010-08-26T13:46:00.000-07:00

The Art Spirit Gallery at 415 Sherman Avenue in downtown Coeur d’Alene will open a show of new work by Victoria Brace and Katherine Nelson on Friday, September 10 with a reception from 5-8 in conjunction with the Coeur d’Alene 2^nd Friday Downtown ArtWalk. This show runs September 10 – October 2. Everyone is welcome at this family friendly event!

On Saturday, September 11, Katherine Nelson will give a charcoal demonstration from 1-3:00.

This show is sponsored by 315 Martinis, Tapas and Dinner at The Greenbriar Inn. We thank them for their casual fine dining and support of the arts in our region.

Hours through September: Open 7 days a week from 11-6.

Call (208)765-6006 or visit our website at www.TheArtSpiritGallery.com


Katherine Nelson

Victoria Brace

Sculpting with layers of light and shadow…that’s what Victoria Brace does in her oil paintings, which for Katherine Nelson happens in her lush, velvety charcoal drawings.

“I need to be able to improvise at any stage of the process,” explains Brace, a native of Russia who has been exhibiting in the Northwest since 2004. “I tend to work on the entire canvas, so it’s more like layers upon layers of alla prima paintings, where shapes keep shifting and re-adjusting and colors may change dramatically, until I hit the right note.”

For Nelson, the process begins with photographs, especially the architecture of Europe, like Brussels where she’d been living for several years before returning home to her beloved Palouse. Nelson is well-known for her vivid images of Eastern Washington’s wheat fields, which have enough mystery to "let the viewer complete what may be happening," said Nelson. It’s a similar approach to her new work, which she describes as a film noir approach that expresses "something to do with the mystery of the night."

Supporting Diversity in the Classroom: Panhandle Autism Society

2010-08-25T11:19:00.000-07:00

Panhandle Autism Society

Presents

Supporting Diversity in the Classroom Conference

October 1, 2010

The Panhandle Autism Society (PAS) is presenting a training conference “Supporting Diversity in the Classroom”. This one day conference will be held October 1, 2010 at the Kroc Center in Coeur d’ Alene, ID. Clock hour credits and CEUs are available. Teachers, therapists, parents, counselors and developmental agency staff are all encouraged to attend.

Dr. Tyler T. Whitney, Clinical Director for Intermountain Center for Autism and Child Development in Meridian, ID is the morning keynote speaker and will be speaking on Understanding and Supporting Older Teens with Asperger’s Disorder/Higher Functioning Autism. Participants will increase their understanding of instruction in the student’s area of strength and improve their recognition of student differences, needs based programming and individualized instructional adaptations.

The afternoon breakout sessions include “Advocating for Diversity” by Elizabeth Mathes, MA, “Is Your Child the Target of Bullying?” by Suzie Sarcello-Depew of IPUL and “Behavior Supports in the School - What to Request for Your Student” by Dr. Beverly Benge.

Pre-registration cost is only $100 through September 17^th and includes a box lunch. For more information contact Denise at 208-704-3698 or send an email to panhandleautismsociety@yahoo.com. A complete conference brochure is also available at www.panhandleautismsociety.com

Mine to Vine

2010-08-25T10:57:00.000-07:00

Sandpoint Business After Hours

2010-08-25T10:46:00.000-07:00

Lake City Playhouse Needs Actors!

2010-08-25T10:44:00.001-07:00

Elephant Man Auditions
6:30 p.m. September 6, 7, (8 - Call Backs)

at HARDING FAMILY CENTER
411 North 15th Street
Coeur D Alene, ID 83814

Director: Marina Kalani
Production Manager: Bob McAdams

Cold Readings from the script.

Wear appropriate clothing for movement.

The Elephant Man is based on the life of John Merrick, who lived in London during the latter part of the nineteenth century. A horribly deformed young man, victim of rare skin and bone diseases, he has become the star freak attraction in traveling side shows. Found abandoned and helpless, he is admitted to London's prestigious Whitechapel hospital. Under the care of celebrated young physician Frederick Treves, Merrick is introduced to London society and slowly evolves from an object of pity to an urbane and witty favorite of the aristocracy and literati only to be denied his ultimate dream, to become a man like any other. Winner of numerous Tony Awards including Best Play.

9 Men and 5 Women
Playable Ages are 20 to 65

ADULT INTERMEDIATE TENNIS CAMP-Sandpoint

2010-08-24T09:22:00.001-07:00

Want to take your tennis game to the next level? Then you need to join Sandpoint Parks and Recreation and James Knobbs for this great two day camp. James is a USPTR certified Professional, and has been teaching tennis for just shy of twenty years around the Northwest. This camp will cover various aspects of your game, for both singles and doubles play. This fabulous camp will be held on Saturday and Sunday September 18th and 19th from 9am-5pm (Lunch from noon- 2pm). The fee for these two days is $75/ person (City Residents $5 discount) Space is limited to 11, and it is first come first served. Register at Sandpoint Parks and Recreation, 1123 Lake St. or call 263-3613 for more information

Make a Birthday Card for Mudgy & Millie!

2010-08-24T09:19:00.000-07:00

COEUR d’ALENE – Mudgy the Moose and Millie the Mouse are almost one year older and area children are invited to join in the celebration by creating birthday cards for Coeur d’Alene’s favorite pair of hide-and-seekers.

Kids can create a card, and bring to the Seagraves Children’s Library at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library – 702 E. Front Ave. – by Friday, Sept. 10. The cards will be displayed during the “Mudgy & Millie Birthday Party” on Sunday, Sept. 12, beginning at 1 p.m. in the Community Room.

The celebration will include a group read of “Mudgy and Millie” led by author Susan Nipp; an appearance of the characters, birthday cake, and singing “Happy Birthday.” Copies of the book and other “Mudgy & Millie” items will be for sale.

The book was created by Nipp, in part, to benefit the Library Foundation. All royalties from sales of the book and of related products go to the foundation. The book was illustrated by Charles Reasoner, the illustrations were the basis for five “Mudgy & Millie” statues created by local artist Terry Lee.

The bronzes are placed along the “Mudgy Trail” winding from the base of Tubbs Hill, through downtown Coeur d’Alene and City Park, and ending at the lakefront. The statues and informational signs depict scene from the hide-and-seek game described in Nipp’s book.

Anyone who needs accommodation to participate in a library program is asked to contact the staff prior to the activity by calling 208/769-2315. For more information about the birthday party, contact the Library Foundation at 208/769-2380. More news and information about the library is available online at cdalibrary.org. News about the library and other city departments is also available on the City of Coeur d’Alene news blog: cdacity.blogspot.com.

CHILD SAFETY SEAT CHECK UP

2010-08-24T09:15:00.000-07:00

The City of Sandpoint Police Department and Mountain West Bank (Ponderay Branch) bring you this free Safety Seat Check Up. You will learn to: Choose the right safety seat for your child, properly secure the safety seat in vehicle, properly secure child in safety seat, understand the dangers of airbags, graduate your child to a booster seat! This event will be held on Friday August 27th from 10am-2pm a the Ponderay Branch of Mountain West Bank. For more information, please contact either Kathleen Hughes or Mark Ogg at 263-3188 or Crystal Horvath at 265-4251.

To go to Sandpoint Parks & Recreation Sports now, click here.

NIC’s Outdoors Pursuits hosts Adopt-a-Crag event

2010-08-24T09:03:00.000-07:00

North Idaho College Outdoor Pursuits is hosting an Access Fund Adopt-a-Crag event at Q’emiln Park in Post Falls on Sept. 11 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Participants will be cleaning and developing climbing sites, removing graffiti and maintaining trails. The Spokane Mountaineers will provide lunch for volunteers after the event.

Adopt-a-Crag, the Access Fund’s signature event, is a national commitment by the climbing community to natural resource stewardship and volunteerism. Activities often include litter clean-ups, visual impact mitigation, trail construction and restoration, erosion control, and wildlife monitoring. This year during the month of September, the Access Fund expects Adopt-a-Crag will produce trail restoration projects and crag clean-ups at over 100 climbing areas around the country. This is Access Fund’s 7th Annual Adopt-a-Crag, presented by sponsors Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), W.L. Gore, and Clif Bar.

The Access Fund, non-profit advocacy and conservation organization, is the nation’s largest climbers’ organization, representing over 1.6 million technical rock climbers and mountaineers nationwide. The Access Fund's mission is to keep climbing areas open and to conserve the climbing environment.

The organization works in cooperation with climbers, other recreational users, public land managers, and private landowners to promote the responsible use and sound management of climbing resources throughout the United States.

Today is Vote for KTEC

2010-08-24T08:18:00.000-07:00

The time is here to cast your vote for the Kootenai Technical Education Campus (KTEC). EVERY vote counts, so please don’t miss this opportunity!

By now, I hope you are at least somewhat aware of the partnership between the three local school districts and private business/industry to build a professional/technical high school on the Rathdrum Prairie that could open by fall 2013 - KTEC.

For KTEC to become a reality, each school district needs a 55% pass rate, which makes it very important that we have a solid turnout in support of the levy on August 24th. The attached brochure and the KTEC website, www.ktechigh.org, provide details and additional information. You can also find KTEC on Facebook and help show your support and pass on information that way. Please disperse this information to your employees, family, and friends.

The polling places are listed in the attached brochure and are open tomorrow, August 24th, from 8am to 8pm.

If you cannot vote tomorrow, please go to your local school district office to fill out an absentee ballot. You must report to the office in the district where you reside. Here are the locations of those offices(these are not the polling places – just absentee):

Post Falls School Dist.

206 W Mullan Ave.

Post Falls, ID 83854

Coeur d'Alene School Dist.

311 N 10th Ave.

Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814

Rathdrum School Dist.

15506 N Washington St.

Rathdrum, ID 83858

Historic Forest Cemetary Tour in Coeur d'Alene Idaho

2010-08-19T11:28:00.000-07:00

COEUR d’ALENE – The Coeur d’Alene Public Library – in partnership with the City Parks Department – will lead a tour of the historic Forest Cemetery Sunday, Aug. 22, beginning at 10 a.m. at the cemetery.

The cemetery at 1011 Government Way was originally owned by the U.S. Army from 1878 to 1901, for use by Fort Sherman troops. The remains of about 100 soldiers and their families were moved to Ft. Wright near Spokane in 1901 when Ft. Sherman closed.

A proclamation by President Theodore Roosevelt deeded the original one-acre parcel and surrounding 19.7 acres to the City of Coeur d’Alene in 1905.

Forest Cemetery is the final resting place of Ed Pulaski, early day Forest Ranger and a hero of the Big Burn of 1910, and other historic local figures. At the gravesite, Forest Service historian Steve Coady will discuss Pulaski and the role of the Forest Service in responding to the great fire.

Sunday’s tour will last about an hour and will involve traversing grass and hilly areas in the cemetery. Parking in the cemetery will be limited and participants are encouraged to carpool, walk, or ride bikes to the site.

Anyone who needs accommodation to participate in a library program is asked to contact the staff prior to the activity by calling 208/769-2315. More news and information about the library is available online at cdalibrary.org. News about the library and other city departments is also available on the City of Coeur d’Alene news blog: cdacity.blogspot.com.

SEEKING SCANDINAVIANS

2010-08-19T10:06:00.000-07:00

A study of the Coeur d’ Alene Community, 1910-2010 Presented by Sons of Norway In Cooperation With Museum of North Idaho, North Idaho College Library,Coeur d’Alene Library,Human Rights Education Institute,Northwest Council of Boys Scouts of America,Area Scandinavian-Americans

In Recognition of 100 Years of Sons of Norway in CDA & the First International Sons of Norway Convention staged in Idaho. August 29-Sep. 1, 2010.

VELKOMMEN!
THE PUBLIC IS CORDIALLY INVITED TO JOIN US IN THE MANY OPEN EVENTS DESIGNED TO HIGHLIGHT SCANDINAVIAN AMERICAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY, TO CELEBRATE THE CENTENNIAL OF THE LOCAL LODGE AND TO WELCOME SONS OF NORWAY MEMBERS FROM ALL OVER THE U.S., CANADA AND NORWAY.

Apr 1-Oct 31 Nordic Roots Run Deep. Museum Of North Idaho. Local Scandinavian heritage on display. See information on back re dates for special demonstrations & exhibits.

Aug 02-Sep 03 Scandinavian Books & Cultture, CDA Public Library, Lower Level.

Aug 04, 11, 18, 25 Scandinavian Story Hour, August Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m., stories from Denmark, Finland, Norway & Sweden. CDA Library.

Aug 23-Sep 03 Window Into Norway. Display of Norwegian books and artifacts. Molstead Library, NIC Campus.

Aug 29-Sep 01 SONS OF NORWAY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION 2010, CDA Resort. Only elected delegates speak at meetings or vote on issues. Several events open to public. They are listed in this publication.

Aug 29 A Century of Cars. Mini Car Show covering 100 years, Circular Parking Lot by Clock Tower, CDA Resort. Noon to 7 p.m. Museum open 1-3:30. Fjord Horses (back side)

Aug 30-Sep 1 Norwegian Folk Art Exhibit. CDA Resort, room near Dockside. Handmade crafts by Sons of Norway members including Rosemaling, woodcarving, Hardanger Embroidery and more. 8/30, noon to 7 p.m.; 8/31, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; 9/01, 8 a.m.-noon.

Aug 30 Hiking With Vikings: A Centennial Trail Trek.
Any distance along Lake CDA & Spokane River starting at CDA Resort. Joint Centennial Celebration for local Sons of Norway Lodge & Boys Scouts of America. Registration 6-7 p.m. or online at www.sofn2-011.org. $5 fee includes patch featuring Viking Ship. Scout Alumni, Convention Delegates, friends and families all welcome.

Aug 31 Local Scandinavian Authors. Community Room , CDA Library, 2 p.m. Keith Dahlberg, Yvonne Deitz, Susan Hagen Nipp, Sheila Wood. Glimpse their lives & their stories. Children welcome; separate activities first half, all join in 2nd half. Scandinavian Coffee & Cookies follow. Books for sale.

Aug 31 Mudgy & Millie Walk, 3:45 p.m., Statue #2 outside CDA Library, Goody Bags and Moose Memos at statue stops with required registration (no fee).

Aug 31 Variety Show, CDA Resort, 7:30 p.m. Rod Erickson, Bressler Trio, Julie Powell. & more. $15. Reservations, 773-4401. Tickets at door if still available.

NORDIC ROOTS RUN DEEP
An Exhibit of Local Scandinavian Influence
Museum of North Idaho * April 1-October 30.
Tues.-Sat. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Special Hours noted
Special Scandinavian Demonstrations & Exhibits
Unless otherwise noted, all are Sat., 2-4 p.m.

8/07 Dennis Johnsons’ Norwegian Fjord Horses ( live, Mullan & NW Blvd.). Museum: Norwegian cookies and chilled fruit soup. Judy Stebbins.

8/29 Sunday, 1-3:30 p.m. Fjord Horses ( Mare & Foal, Mullan & NW Blvd.) Museum: Finnish Weaving, Johansen Textiles, Mullan, ID

8/30 Museum Open 5-8 p.m.

9/18 Bit ‘O Sweden. Swedish cookies, cloths, & costumes. Ebba Ostrom & Friends.

10/02 Lefse Baking. Jan Olsen.

10/09 LEIF ERIKSON DAY. Johnson Fjord Horses (Mullan & NW Blvd.)MUSEUM’S ART FROM THE HEART EVENT: Woven Hearts, Viking Magnet; Pamla Silk. Heart-shaped waffles, Rostads.

10/16 Abelskiver, the Danish Delight. Inger Olsen.

10/30 Krum Kake. Asbjorn Rostad.

Sandpoint Kiwanis Holds Annual Bazaar

2010-08-19T09:57:00.001-07:00

Sandpoint, ID ― The 2010 All Bonner County Bazaar and Craft Sale will be held at the Sandpoint Community Hall in downtown Sandpoint, 204 S. First Avenue (across from the Courthouse), on Friday and Saturday, October 8-9. Hours for the traditional autumn event are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. There is no admission fee.

Quality craft vendors will present cottage crafts including jewelry, home décor, candles, clothing, artwork, holiday items, soaps and lotions, honey, candy, greeting cards, children’s books, chair massages and more. Kootenai Kountry Kettle & Dutch Bakery of Kootenai, ID will serve a lunch menu both days, as well as a variety of bakery items.

The event is sponsored by Sandpoint Kiwanis Club, an affiliate of Kiwanis International, a global service organization. Chartered in 1927, Kiwanis was the first service club in Sandpoint. Coined from an American Indian expression, “Nunc Kee-wanis,” the name Kiwanis means “we trade” or “we share our talents.” Kiwanians are volunteers dedicated to changing the world through service to children and communities. Proceeds from the Annual Bazaar will help to provide scholarships for area high school students.

For further information concerning the Bazaar or Sandpoint Kiwanis, please contact Bob Camp at 263-5809.

S.O.A.R.I.N.G Into Success!

2010-08-19T09:48:00.001-07:00

S.O.A.R.I.N.G.,inc. continues to intrigue and fascinate our community with heart-felt stories and soul-lifting flights for our youth! How to survive with a parent deployed to Afghanistan or how to make healthy choices at home or in the community so that negative consequences of courts and probation don't occur.

Currently, we are finishing our group dealing with children of parents diagnosed with cancer and the ordeal of chemotherapy/radiation therapy. If you want to celebrate in their graduation day, come to the Coeur d'Alene airport on Saturday, September 11th at 10:00 am for great food, great flights, and great stories our kids and families will never forget.

We have been doing this for the past fifteen years and if you want to understand why S.O.A.R.I.N.G.inc. just continues to "Soar", give the S.O.A.R.I.N.G. office or Joe a call for directions to Northern Skies Air Center at our airport.

Visit our web site: www.soaringyouth.org

S.O.A.R.I.N.G. Office: 208-758-0400

Joe McCarron: 208-661-0584
President
S.O.A.R.I.N.G.inc

North Idaho College Holding Play Audtions

2010-08-19T09:42:00.001-07:00

Who: NIC Theatre Department

What: Auitions for “The Laramie Project” by Moises Kaufman

When: Tuesday, Aug. 31 and Wednesday, Sept. 1 at 7:30 p.m. both nights

Where: Schuler Performing Arts Center

How: Open to the public. Information: (208) 769-3220.

North Idaho College’s Theatre Department is holding auditions for the play based on the murder of Matthew Shepard, “The Laramie Project” by Moises Kaufman on Tuesday, Aug. 31 and Wednesday, Sept. 1 at 7:30 p.m. both nights.

Four men and four women are needed to play a variety of characters of various ages and, sometimes, ethnicity. The play contains mature themes and language.

Performers who want to audition should prepare a one-to-two minute monologue (not required but preferred). There will also be cold readings. Scripts will be available for reading in Boswell Hall Room 214B beginning Aug. 23.

Rehearsals will be Mon.-Fri., 7-9:30 p.m.

Performances will be Oct. 21-23 and Oct. 28-30 at 7:30 p.m.

NIC to Hold info Session for Radiography Technology Program

2010-08-18T16:50:00.000-07:00

Who: Those interested in North Idaho College’s radiography technology program

What: Are encouraged to attend an information session guiding prospective students through the admissions process

When: at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31

Where: in NIC’s Meyer Health and Sciences Building Room 102.

How: Free and open to the public. Information: (208) 665-4526.

North Idaho College will hold an information session guiding prospective students through the admissions process for the radiography technology program at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31 in the Meyer Health and Sciences Building Room 102.

Students will be applying for spring semester 2011, which begins Jan. 10. The program is a five-semester associate’s degree program that prepares students for careers as radiologic technologists in settings such as hospitals, clinics and imaging centers.

The program has a selective admissions process and several course requirements. Program applications will be accepted through Oct. 1. NIC Health Professions and Nursing Division staff will walk students through the application process during the information session.

The session is free and open to anyone interested.

Applications are available in the Health Professions Office in the Meyer Health and Sciences Building Room 257, in the NIC Admissions Office in Lee-Kildow Hall or by calling (208) 676-7132. More information and an application can be downloaded at www.nic.edu by clicking on the “Instructional Programs” link and selecting “Radiography Technology” from the drop-down menu.

Vice President Open Forums To be Held

2010-08-18T12:42:00.000-07:00

North Idaho College is hosting four, open-session forums next week for the four finalists who have been selected for the vice president for the student services position formerly held by Eric Murray. The community is invited to attend the sessions and give feedback to the college search team.

Each of the four forums will be held from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Lake Coeur d’Alene Room of NIC’s Edminster Student Union Building. The four finalists and the day they visit campus are:

Monday, Aug. 23: Ron Shade

Tuesday, Aug. 24: Sheldon Nord

Wednesday, Aug. 25: Graydon Stanley

Thursday, Aug. 26: Sharon Kipetz

The vice president for student services manages the college’s enrollment and student services, the Children’s Center and the Schuler Performing Arts Center. The position is one of four vice president positions directly under NIC President Priscilla Bell. In June, Murray resigned from the NIC position to accept the position of president of Cascadia Community College in Washington state

Biographies

Ron Shade – Shade is currently vice president of student development at Georgia Highlands College in Rome, Ga. He previously worked as dean of student services at Kingwood College in Kingwood, Texas as well as vice president for student services at St. Charles Community College in St. Peters, Mo. Shade graduated from Illinois State University with a doctorate in higher education administration.

Sheldon Nord – Nord was most recently the vice president for student affairs and then president/CEO of Universitas Pelita Harapan in Indonesia. He previously worked as dean of students at Weber State in Ogden, Utah and vice president of student affairs at Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls, Ore. Nord graduated from Indiana University with a doctorate in higher education

Graydon Stanley – Stanley is currently the dean of students at College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls. He worked previously as the assistant director of admissions and director of development at College of Idaho in Caldwell. Stanley graduated from the College of Idaho with a master’s degree in education counseling

Sharon Kipetz – Kipetz is currently vice president for student affairs at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, W.Va. She worked previously as dean of students at the University of Connecticut and as interim dean of students at the University of Massachusetts. Kipetz graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a doctorate in research, policy and administration.

Bonner County Fairgrounds Awarded Business of the Month by Greater Sandpoint Chamber

2010-08-17T16:59:00.000-07:00

Rodeos, events, 4H exhibits and judging competitions – it’s all happening at the fair! For these and many other contributions to the community, The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce recognizes the Bonner County Fairgrounds as the Business of the Month.

With the tireless efforts of Rhonda Livingstone, Fair Manager, and Robert “Bob” Snider, Head Groundskeeper, the Bonner County Fairgrounds provides a free educational opportunity for the residents of Bonner County to display ideas and articles from their areas of expertise as well as allowing local organizations and businesses an opportunity to present their products to the public.

Rhonda has been the Fair Manager for 10 years and volunteered her services for 7 years prior to becoming manager. Robert just recently oversaw the completion of their new RV Campgrounds this past May 2010. With 33 campsites, restroom facilities, showers, electric and water hookups and covered pavilion, the new campground provides comfortable RV stays whether camping or attending a horse show.

With the Bonner County Fair and Rodeo just around the corner, the new campground facilities will be well received. This year’s theme is “Fiesta at the Fair” and proves to be fun and educational for the entire family. From Tuesday, August 24 through Saturday, August 28 be sure to plan a day at the fair and see all there is to offer. There will be livestock exhibits, demolition derby, Horsin’ Around Expo and more.

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce is pleased to honor the Bonner County Fair as the recipient of the Business of the Month and wishes them continued success.

For more information, call the Fair office at (208) 263-8414.

King of Kongcrete in Sandpoint

2010-08-17T13:02:00.001-07:00

King of the Kongcrete

The City of Sandpoint presents: King of the Kongcrete Skate competition will be held Sunday August 22nd 2010 from 12-? pm at the Concrete Lake skate park located at 2102 Pine Street in Sandpoint. Entry fee is $15! Helmets required for ALL competitors, knee, elbow & wrist pads are HIGHLY recommended. Registration is at the park, the day of the event starting at 10 am.

DATE: Sunday, August 22nd 2010

TIME: Registration from 10am - 12 pm Competition from 12 pm-?pm

LOCATION: The Concrete Lake Skatepark 2102 Pine St. Sandpoint Idaho

FEE: $15 to enter competition

Prevent Elder Abuse: 2 hour Training

2010-08-17T12:52:00.000-07:00

Join us Friday, August 20th, 5:30pm to 7:30pm at the Boundary Community Hospital, for a 2-hour Elder Abuse training opportunity to view and discuss "A Mother Never Gives Up Hope: Older Mothers and Abusive Adult Sons". Please use the upstairs entrance and take elevator downstairs to the classroom.

Please share this with your folks who serve the older population. Good information for nurses, physical therapists, law enforcement, social workers, senior companions.

The video presents the stories of four older women who had been abused by their adult sons. Each individual describes their stories, touching on the emotions felt, as well as how they dealt with the abuse. The women are followed over the course of two years to see how their relationships with their sons have evolved. Each segment will be followed by a discussion & question period looking at the dynamics in each situation.

The training is hosted & facilitated by Callie Weatherford Ketner, North Idaho Violence Prevention Center and Tamina Boonisar, Area Agency on Aging of North Idaho.

Please RSVP by Wednesday, August 18th. Walk-ins welcome. For more information or to RSVP, contact Callie Weatherford-Ketner @ 208-946-1521 or wcbonner@cdawomenscenter.org.

Second Annual Martini Mix-Off & Casino Royale for St. Vincent de Paul Art on the Edge

2010-08-17T12:39:00.000-07:00

Fundraising Event to Benefit
St. Vincent de Paul
Community Art Program for Youth
Art on the Edge presents:

Event: Second Annual Martini Mix-Off & Casino Royale
When: Saturday September 18th , from 6:30 pm to 10 pm
Where: Coeur d'Alene Eagles, Downtown Coeur d’ Alene

• James Bond Casino Royale theme; costumes encouraged

• Martini Mix-Off martini mixing, food, contest, music, dancing, raffles, and live auction

• Martini mixers from Inland Northwest Venues, 315 Martinis and Tapas, The Porch Public House, The Eagles, The Elk Public House, Bardenay, Troy Chandler, The Coeur d’ Alene Casino (and others) will shake, not stir, their Martini best to the satisfaction of local

• Celebrity judges, Luke Baumgarten and Carrie Scozzarro of the Inlander, Gabriel Cruz, area top chef, Kathy Reed St. Vincent de Paul, Ali Shute of sixtwofourdesigns and founder of Art on the Edge. These fine judges will decide which libation reigns supreme at the 2nd annual Martini Mix-Off

• Proceeds, raffles and auctions to benefit Art on the Edge, a St. Vincent de Paul community art program for youth

• Tickets will be $35 pre event and $40 at the door and will go on sale on August 13th , 2010, at participating venues and are available at the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store, the HELP Center or online at http://www.artontheedge.org/MartiniMixOff.html

Art on the Edge: Providing local kids access to quality after-school, summer, and public art experiences. Art on the Edge has been working with youth in the Coeur d’Alene area for 16 years, helping thousands of local children. Many of these children live with tough challenges like poverty, homelessness, abuse, caregivers with drug and alcohol addictions and domestic violence. Art on the Edge provides opportunities for meaningful art experiences with mentor artists, which can offer solace and a positive outlet for children facing difficulties.

Ami Manning, Director
Art on the Edge, A Program of St. Vincent de Paul
www.artontheedge.org
www.stvincentdepaulcda.org
cell: 208-704-8690 email: ami@stvincentdepaulcda.org

Chamber After Hours Hosted by Carden Academy-Sandpoint

2010-08-17T12:29:00.001-07:00

Enjoy an evening of "back to school" memories on August 25 at the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event hosted on campus by Carden Academy-Sandpoint. Bring your #2 pencils and plenty of business cards to enter drawings for "Hall Passes".

“Carden Academy-Sandpoint has been providing quality, classical education in a unique small class environment for ten years. Be the first to see our newly remodeled classrooms and upgraded playground turf,” states Director, Cynthia Nielsen.

Carden Academy’s spacious grounds and inviting classroms are the perfect setting for networking with your peers. Plan to encounter some nostalgic memories and earn points toward prizes as you put on your “thinking caps” to recall simple grammar and multiplication trivia. Don’t worry, Carden Academy plans to use fourth grade workbooks!

The get together will begin at 5:00pm at 320 South Lavina Ave. in Sandpoint (near Washington School). Come on through the gate to discover a well hidden peaceful school setting. Refreshments will be served by students and staff.

For additional information, visit Carden Academy at http://www.cardenacademysandpoint.com or contact Cynthia at (208) 263-7767.

George Sibley to show film on the Fire of 1910

2010-08-17T09:23:00.000-07:00

Film maker George Sibley will return to Bonners Ferry to show his most recent project “Ordeal by Fire”, a documentary commemorating the fires of 1910. The film will be shown on Thursday August 26 at 7 p.m. at the Museum Community Events Center next to the Museum on Main Street. Sibley will introduce the film and answer questions following the showing. A donation of $10 for museum education programs is suggested.

The fires which raged across the panhandle of Idaho and the mountains of western Montana in August of 1910 "blew up" into the biggest forest fire in US history. America had seen big fires before, but this was the first time that a serious effort to fight such fires was attempted. In 1910 the federal government, mostly in the form of the US Forest Service, was committed to conservation, and it sent a virtual fire army of 10,000 men into the woods. This massive campaign started out as hundreds of smaller efforts to fight fires kindled by lightning and steam locomotives and people across the Northern Rockies in July. There were bad fires everywhere that unusually dry year, but the mountain west was hit especially hard. Fires raged from St. Maries, Idaho across the Bitterroot Mountains and over to Glacier Park and the Blackfeet Indian reservation.

“Ordeal By Fire” is an important Idaho-Montana story with real national interest.

The hour-long film features interviews with historians and scientists as well as some fascinating family stories, illustrated with period newsreels and photographs. A famous Idaho component of the Big Burn is the story of how Ranger Ed Pulaski of Wallace saved most of his crew from being overrun by the fires by keeping them in a mine tunnel on the West Fork of Placer Creek. This is one of the highlights of Sibley’s film, which he recreated with local folks standing in for Pulaski’s crew.

George Sibley has been a film-maker for over 40 years, mostly making educational films and documentaries. Last year (2009) his film “Shadows of David Thompson” was shown in Bonners Ferry.

Classical Guitarist Peter Fletcher comes to Coeur d’Alene

2010-08-13T17:35:00.000-07:00

WWW. PETERFLETCHER.COM

CONTACT: KATHERINE JOST 212.749.5420

EVENT: Award-winning Classical Guitarist Peter Fletcher comes to Coeur d’Alene, performing a diverse program of music from four centuries.

DATE: Thursday, October 7, 2010

TIME: 7:00 PM

LOCATION: Coeur d’Alene Public Library

702 E. Front Ave., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83814

TICKETS: Free & open to the public

CONTACT: 208.769.2315 or www.cdalibrary.org

HIGHLIGHTS: This concert will feature selections from Fletcher’s 2008 CD release on Tower Hill Records: Music of the Baroque. Other repertoire will include Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring from Cantata No. 147 as well as the Chaconne in D minor by J. S. Bach; Usher-Waltz, an unusual and intense piece by Russian guitarist and composer Nikita Koshkin; two works from Maurice Ravel’s exquisite Mother Goose Suite, and music of Weiss, Albeniz, Villa-Lobos Ponce, Reusner, and Grieg.

The program will culminate with Koyunbaba, by composer/guitarist Carlo Domeniconi. This is one of the most unique and exciting works in the classical guitar repertoire.

Wrote Steven Rings of The American Record Guide: “He has a strong technique, a consistent tone, and a strong interpretive imagination.”

Proclaimed Peter Burwasser of Fanfare Magazine: “Fletcher plays it all with a gracious virtuosity that makes for a very pleasing hour plus of unaffected musical poetry.”

TGIF Workshop - Sales for the Non-Sales Professional

2010-08-13T17:33:00.000-07:00

Sandpoint - The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce's Business Development committee is pleased to offer the TGIF Workshop "Sales for the Non-Sales Professional" on Friday, August 20 at the Holiday Inn Express in Ponderay. Covering a variety of business topics, these workshops are designed to provide essential resources and skills to develop entrepreneurship and the community's workforce.

Launched in 2009 these 90-minute workshops provide instruction on niche topics of interest to area businesses. For this workshop, Instructor Bill Ezell - CEO and Founder of Client Success Group, will focus on basic selling skills for small business owners seeking to improve how to identify and generate revenue.

Bill brings over 30 years experience in various communication driven markets. His unique blend of tactical skills and strategic vision have developed and launched products and services generating millions in revenue. Here is a list of topics that Bill will cover in the workshop:

* Build a structured customer focused plan
* Plan sales calls and meetings
* Learn basic presentation skills
* Develop effective communications skills with buyers
* Acquire account management principles
* Achieve revenue and profit targets
* Acquire basic tools to improve your efficiency

The workshops continue throughout the year, with future workshops planned. The cost is $15 for Chamber members and $20 for non-members and includes a boxed lunch. Workshops are held once a month on Fridays from noon to 1:30 pm. To view the workshop series schedule or register online, visit SandpointChamber.com or call (208) 263-2161.

The TGIF Workshop series is presented by the Bonner Business Center and provides business owners and professionals affordable, 90 minute workshops. The series is hosted by the Business Development Committee and sponsored by Horizon Credit Union, Holiday Inn Express & Suites, and Aaging Better In-Home Care.

Please join us at the next Historic Wallace Chamber of Commerce Luncheon

2010-08-13T17:29:00.001-07:00

Date: Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Time: 12noon

Location: The Brooks Hotel @ 500 Cedar Street

Our guest speaker is Serena Carlson, conducting a discussion of Hecla's concerns with the EPA's proposed Upper Basin Clean-Up Plan and how interested individuals might best communicate their concerns to community leaders and elected officials.

If you would like to attend the breakfast, please RSVP by contacting the Chamber office at 753-7151 or you can email the office at director@wallaceidahochamber.com.

Many thanks to all of the businesses that donated items for the raffles at our last Chamber breakfast: a coffee mug from US Bank, a frisbee from American West Bank, a basket full of office goodies from First American Title, and a beautiful silver pulaski pin from Idaho Silver Shop.

Please contact Diane at the Chamber office if you are interested in donating towards our raffles to promote your business/service.

Diane Reifer
Chamber Coordinator
Historic Wallace Chamber of Commerce
10 River Street, Wallace ID 83873
(208) 753-7151
director@wallaceidahochamber.com
www.wallaceidahochamber.com

August 21 - Procession and Dedication of the Firefighter Memorial (Wallace)

2010-08-13T17:27:00.000-07:00

Please join us in the dedication of the firefighter memorial at the Visitor Center in Wallace, Idaho. The Silver Valley 1910 Committee has worked hard and received numerous donations to make this commemoration of the lives lost in 1910 a reality.

0930 - Engine Procession: Engines from all over the Northwest will make their way though the Silver Valley, from Rose Lake to Mullan, then back to Wallace.

1100 - Walking Procession: A walking procession will make its way from exit 62 west along Bank St. to the visitors center. The procession will be comprised of the US Forest Service and Coeur d’Alene Fire Department Honor Guard, Coeur d’Alene Fire Department Pipe and Drum Corps, US Forest Service Pack String, Buffalo Soldiers, firefighters, and fire engines.

1230 - 1910 Memorial Dedication: Speakers include; Mayor of Wallace, Governor of the State of Idaho, Author Timothy Egan, and US Forest Service Director of Fire and Aviation Tom Harbour.

1400 - Numerous events in the town of Wallace. The Buffalo Soldiers will be doing a monologue and showing a historical video presentation. Along with the 1910 commemoration, the City of Wallace will also be holding their annual Huckleberry Heritage Festival; with live music, kids activities, food and craft vendors, a Huckleberry Bake-off, and much, much more…...

ReToolbox Program offers computer basics

2010-08-13T17:23:00.001-07:00

The Coeur d’Alene Public Library and North Idaho College are part of a partnership to provide area residents the basic computer skills they may need to look for work on the Internet, create cover letters and resumes, fill out applications online or maybe just to send and receive e-mails with photos of their grandchildren.

The first free ‘help session’ for the ReToolbox program to be offered in the library’s Community Room, Wednesday, Sept. 15, 6:30-8 p.m., will focus on basic computer operations – using the mouse and keyboard, turning the computer on and off, opening windows, creating files, etc. The same session will be offered again on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2-3:30 p.m.

“The goal is not to make participants ‘computer experts’ but to help them be comfortable with the devices, especially if they have never used a computer before,” said Ruth Pratt, Executive Director of the Coeur d’Alene Public Library Foundation.

“We heard from the library staff that many patrons are coming to the library to use the Internet computers because they need to apply for jobs or to re-enter the job market,” Pratt said. “For whatever reasons, many of these patrons have few or no computer skills and are very frustrated. Their need to learn was exceeding the amount of time the staff can spend with individual patrons.”

The ReToolbox program will use a laptop lab made possible through a major grant from the Women’s Gift Alliance with funding also provided by the Idaho Community Foundation and Waste Management of Idaho.

Instruction will be provided by trained community volunteers and through NIC’s Adult Basic Education program.

Up to 19 people can participate in each help session. People can attend as many as they want and repeat sessions if they feel the need – all for free.

Additional sessions will include:

u Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2-3:30 p.m.: Going online, setting up and using e-mail. Session will be repeated Wednesday, Sept. 22, 6:30-8 p.m.

u Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2-3:30 p.m.: Internet searches; job applications. Session repeats, Thursday, Sept. 30, 6:30-8 p.m.

u Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2-3:30 p.m.: Resumes, cover letters, professional presentations. Session repeats, Thursday, Oct. 6, 6:30-8 p.m.

The four basic sessions will be repeated throughout the year. And as the need arises, special programs will be scheduled.

“The beauty of the laptop lab is that we can also offer small sessions using the library’s meeting rooms as participants let us know what their needs are,” Pratt said.

She noted that using the laptop lab avoids taking the library’s other Internet computers out of service when the daily demand for them is very high. The library staff is also looking at programs that can make use of the laptops when they are not needed for the ReToolbox project.

For more information or to register for a ReTool Box Help Session, call 208/769-2380. Participants who need ADA accommodations to participate in library programs are asked to contact the library staff prior to activities by calling 208/769-2315. More news and information about the library is available online at cdalibrary.org.

Kootenai County Circles

2010-08-13T17:13:00.000-07:00

Kootenai County Circles is an Initiative that engages the community in helping families move out of poverty, children to succeed in school, and for the community to work together to come up with solutions to systemic barriers that keep people in poverty. Kootenai County Circles is now in its 4th year and has seen scores of successes. In order to help pay for the training materials and ongoing needs, funds are needed.

On Saturday August 14th from 8:00 - 10:00, Applebee's at 280 West Hanley Ave, Coeur d’Alene will be hosting a pancake breakfast with all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage and juice to help be part of the solution for our families in poverty. Tickets are $7 for people 5 years and older, $3.50 for ages 1 - 4, and free for those under 1. Tickets may be purchased from any Circles participant or at the Community Action Partnership office. You can also contact me at driscolr@dhw.idaho.gov to purchase tickets - I'll even deliver. Why not plan a breakfast party with friends, relatives, and co-workers at Applebee's while helping out Circles. You can buy as many tickets as you wish, knowing that your purchase result in one more person receiving the tools to assist them in getting out and staying out of poverty.

Writer to speak as part of 1910 Fire programs

2010-08-13T17:10:00.000-07:00

COEUR d’ALENE – Stephen Pyne had his baptism of fire early. A few days after graduating from high school as an 18-year-old he joined a forest fire crew at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. He returned to work with the crew for the next 15 fire seasons.

Pyne says this experience has influenced his writing for the rest of his life.

Text Box: Stephen PyneThe Coeur d’Alene Public Library will host Pyne, author of “The Year of the Fires: The Story of the Great Fires of 1910,” Wednesday, Aug. 18, at 7 p.m. in the Community Room. He is in North Idaho for presentations commemorating the 100th anniversary of the fires.

Pyne did his undergraduate work at Stanford University and graduate school at the University of Texas at Austin. He has been at Arizona State University since 1985 – 10 years at ASU West, three in the History Department at the Tempe, and he has since been in the School of Life Sciences.

His writing includes a biography of G.K. Gilbert, a geologist and explorer in the region; books about wildland fire, its history and management; then about the Grand Canyon and comparable Earth features. The stories of exploration now include not only the Canyon but Antarctica and the planets. The survey of fire now includes all the continents, at least in parts, with separate histories for the U.S., Canada, Australia, and Europe including Russia.

His interest in writing has even led to a book about nonfiction writing.

His current projects continue to elaborate on these topics: a book on the Voyager mission to the outer planets; a fire history of America since 1960; a multi-authored replacement for “Introduction to Wildland Fire;” and a fire history of Mexico. He has also been co-writing with his daughter, Lydia V. Pyne, a book-length interpretive essay on the Pleistocene epoch, that they are calling “The Last Lost World.”

Pyne’s Coeur d’Alene program is free to the public and is funded in part by the Friends of the Library who will also provide refreshments.

Anyone who needs accommodation to participate in a library program is asked to contact the staff prior to the activity by calling 208/769-2315. More news and information about the library is available online at cdalibrary.org. News about the library and other city departments is also available on the City of Coeur d’Alene news blog: cdacity.blogspot.com.

'Story of the Year' band to play at NIC's Schuler Performing Arts Center

2010-08-11T14:25:00.000-07:00

World-wide touring band Story of the Year will play North Idaho College's Boswell Hall in the Schuler Performing Arts Center on Friday, Sept. 10. Tickets are already on sale for the punk/alternative rock band, which has sold over a million copies of its three albums.

Tickets are available at the NIC Box Office in Boswell Hall, and are $10 for students and $15 for the general public. Premier tickets (the stage/pit area) cost $12 for students and $17 for the general public. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the concert beginning at 7 p.m.

The hard-rocking band first formed in 1995 in St. Louis under the name 67 North. In 2003, with its current name, Story of the Year had its first commercial success with its major label debut Page Avenue. With the popular singles "Until the Day I Die" and "Anthem of our Dying Day," Page Avenue has sold over 900,000 copies.

The band's newest album, The Constant, was released earlier this year and contains the single "I'm Alive.

The band has toured with other groups such as Linkin Park, Flogging Molly and Hoobastank. Opening for Story of the Year is the five-piece, Seattle-based band Moneta.

NIC's Box Office in Boswell Hall is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets can also be purchased by calling (208) 769-7780.

Nominations Requested for Outstanding Idaho Volunteers

2010-08-11T14:13:00.000-07:00

2010 Idaho Governor’s Brightest Star Awards

~ Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter and First Lady Lori Otter to Host November 10th Ceremony ~

Serve Idaho: The Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism, a division of the Idaho Department of Labor is requesting nominations for the 2010 Governor’s Brightest Star Awards honoring outstanding volunteers throughout Idaho. The Governor’s Brightest Star Awards Program recognizes Idaho’s “unsung heroes” whose volunteerism positively impacts the quality of life within their communities.

On November 10, 2010, Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter and First Lady Lori Otter will recognize nominees at an awards ceremony in Boise. If honorees are unable to attend the statewide ceremony, arrangements will be made for candidates to receive awards in their local communities.

Nominations will be accepted in six categories:
§ Individual
§ Student
§ School
§ Organization (Non-Profit or Service Club)
§ Small Business (Fewer than 100 Employees)
§ Corporation (More than 99 Employees)

The deadline for nominations is September 20, 2010. Nomination forms are available on-line at http://www.brighteststars.idaho.gov/nomination_process.htm. Nomination packets may also be requested through the mail by calling Serve Idaho at 208-332-3578 or 1-800-588-3334, within Idaho.

2010 Day of Caring September 23rd

2010-08-11T12:58:00.000-07:00

2010 Day of Caring September 23rd

The day will kickoff at 8 AM with a free pancake breakfast at the

Idaho National Guard Armory, 5555 East Seltice Way Post Falls, ID

If your nonprofit is in need of volunteers to help with a project you may submit your project online through the Volunteer Action Center event link. http://volunteer.truist.com/uwokc-5/volunteer/ or you may fill out and submit the attached form. Deadline for project submission is August 13th.

This is a great opportunity for your agency to not only get volunteer help on your projects, but to educate your volunteers on your organization and the impact you make in the community.

Projects submitted must be for a nonprofit, park, or school in Kootenai County, Completed within the eight hour work day.

If you want to volunteer as a business team, individual, or group, registration will be open August 13th. You will be able to register online through the Volunteer Action Center. http://volunteer.truist.com/uwokc-5/volunteer/

Sandpoint 3rd Annual Health and Wellness Fair

2010-08-11T12:53:00.000-07:00

Booth Registration and Sponsorships Still Available for 3rd Annual Health & Wellness Fair

Sandpoint - The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce's health and wellness committee in partnership with Bonner General Hospital and Association of Bonner County Employees announce the 3rd annual Community Health and Wellness Fair. The event will be held on Saturday, September 18th at the Bonner County Fairgrounds from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event is an excellent opportunity to learn about the variety of health and wellness options available in northern Idaho at no or low cost, say event organizers. Free health screenings, product and service samplings, live demonstrations, and expert advice will be provided by area practitioners, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and other businesses offering health-related products and services. Participating exhibitors represent a full spectrum of the health industry including traditional and alternative medicine, recreation and fitness, insurance, skin care, mental wellness, financial fitness, and more.

"Individuals can learn about the multitude of health care options available in our area, and all ages will appreciate our family-friendly activities," says Jodie Corless of Pend Oreille Insurance & Financial Services and chairman of the health and wellness committee. Once again, the Association of Bonner County Employees has arranged for free infant car seat checks made available through the City of Sandpoint Fire Department. Idaho State Police will provide beer goggle demonstrations and Bonner General Hospital will provide blood sugar screenings, a drawing for a free digital mammogram, and other activities currently in the works.

"Financial Fitness" tests will be provided by STCU, Pend Oreille Surgery Center will be available to answer questions about sports health, along with other services and activities for all ages. Aaging In-Home care will provide free blood pressure checks and in-home care assessments. Additionally, kids will enjoy climbing aboard the fire truck, ambulance, and marine patrol boat while meeting local firemen, police officers and emergency medical personnel. Kids can also participate in the bike "rodeo" and learn about bike safety techniques.

OB/Gyn information from Sandpoint Women's Health, mini stress-relief acupuncture treatments from Green Mountain Medicine, free blood pressure and blood sugar checks from Luther Park @ Sandpoint, and information on safer products for the home environment from Melaleuca are among the free service offerings to be found at the Health & Wellness Fair. There will also be low cost and free medical care information from Bonner Partners in Care Clinic, online degree options from EWU, and outpatient surgery information from Pend Oreille Surgery Center.

The event is supported by partnering sponsors Association of Bonner County Employees and Bonner General Hospital and major sponsors AAging Better In-Home Care, STCU, Pend Oreille Health Care, North Idaho Spine Clinic, Bonner County Daily Bee, and K102.

To register for a booth or become a sponsor for this upcoming event, contact the Chamber at (208) 263-2161 or visit SandpointChamber.com.

Sandpoint/Ponderay State of the City Address

2010-08-11T12:46:00.000-07:00

Chamber Power Luncheon, August 12th at 12:00noon

STATE OF THE CITIES ADDRESS
The Greater Sandpoint Chamber has invited Mayors, Gretchen Hellar and Carol Kunzeman to present the annual state of the cities address for Sandpoint and Ponderay. Get updates on this past year's accomplishment and upcoming developments.

Also come meet Kate McAlister, Chamber's New President/CEO!

This Power Luncheon will be held at the Community Room, located at 414 Church Street, and begins at 11:30 am with networking. The cost is $15 for Chamber members and $30 for non-members and those without a reservation and includes a lunch catered by Tango Cafe.

To reserve, register online or call 263-2161 for more information.
Date: August 12, 2010
Time: 11:30 AM - 01:00 PM
Website: Greater Sandpoint Chamber
Location:
Community Room, 414 Church St., Sandpoint
Contact: Greater Sandpoint Chamber
Email: denise@sandpointchamber.com
Date/Time Details:
August 12, 2010
11:30 - 12:00 check-in and networking
12:00 -1:00pm Luncheon
Fees/Admission:
$15 members / $30 non-members and at the door

Thunderboats Returning to Coeur d'Alene

2010-08-11T11:02:00.000-07:00

This has been posted in cooperation with the Museum of North Idaho.

The Thunderboats are returning to Coeur d'Alene in the First Annual Diamond Cup Regatta. The event celebrates the Diamond Cup Unlimited Hydroplane Races that were held on Lake Coeur d'Alene from 1958 to 1968 and benefits the Museum of North Idaho's building fund.

The public will have an opportunity to enter a raffle for a chance to ride in historic hydroplanes. Tickets are available for $10 each at Museum of North Idaho, Coeur d'Alene Chamber, Yacht Club, Interstate Office Supply, RDI Heating, Coeur d'Alene Eagles, Jiff-EE Mart on Lincoln Way, Lake City Ford, Tom Addis Dodge, Lyle's Fabric, Allsport Polaris at Liberty Lake, Appleway Quick Lube and Car Wash, Coeur d'Alene Tractor, Priano's Billiards & Backyards and Kootenai Lawn & Garden. The drawing will be held Saturday night Aug. 21 at the Diamond Cup Regatta Banquet.

The Regatta will be August 20 through the 22nd with the cooperation of the Hydroplane and Race Boat Museum in Kent, Washington. Four vintage unlimited hydroplanes will be displayed around the community and at the Museum of North Idaho. Tentatively scheduled to appear are the 1968 Miss Budweiser, the 1967 Miss Budweiser, the "Green Dragon" Miss Bardahl and the Miss Wahoo. Each of these boats competed in Diamond Cup racing including racing under different owner/sponsor teams. These boats were state of the art 40-50 years ago. They are powered by WWII fighter plane V-12 engines and capable of running at speeds in the 190 mph range.

Friday August 20 beginning at 4 pm, at least two of these boats will be displayed in front of The Coeur d'Alene with a no-host bar. Crewmembers will be available to discuss the boats and their rich history. One of the massive V-12's will be fired up, providing a sound like no other.

Saturday evening August 21 the Diamond Cup Regatta Banquet featuring Mira "The Flying Czech" Slovak, driving Harrah's Tahoe Miss won the 1966 Diamond Cup. Mira is also famous for crashing the Miss Exide during the 1963 Diamond Cup. The evening will also include Diamond Cup vintage films not previously seen in public and silent and live auctions of items including hydroplane ride-alongs.

Sunday morning August 22 8 am is the shot gun start of the Diamond Cup Golf Tournament at the world famous Coeur d'Alene Resort Golf Course. Entry fee of $250 includes water taxi ride from the Hotel, golf cart, fore caddy, unlimited floating practice balls, a pregame massage, golf club and bag cleaning, a signature name tag for your bag and 18 holes of unprecedented golf.

Saturday night at the banquet the winners of the Vintage hydroplanes ride-alongs will be announced. Rides will go from noon to 6 pm on Sunday August 22, weather permitting. Viewing of the 1.5-mile course is free from many vantage points on the northwest end of the lake.

The event is sponsored by RDI Heating & Cooling, HG Henry-Griffitts, Gropp Electric, The Coeur d'Alene, Coeur d'Alene Inn, Centennial Distributing, Hagadone Marine Group, Allsport Polaris, Kootenai Lawn and Garden. Proceeds from the sale of souvenir shirts, raffle tickets, banquet tickets, auction items, golf tournament entries, donations and hydroplane rides benefit the Museum of North Idaho's building fund. Contact the Museum of North Idaho for a registration form for the events or go to www.museumni.org or www.diamondcup.org.

Schedule

Friday Aug. 20 at 4 pm No-host bar on the front lawn of The Coeur d'Alene

Saturday Aug. 21 Banquet at The Coeur d'Alene.

6-7 pm No-host social hour at the Coeur d'Alene Convention Center

7-8:30 pm Banquet $100. Tables of eight are available. Guest speaker Mira Slovak.

8:30 pm Live auction for hydro rides and items to be announced

Sunday Aug. 22 8 am Diamond Cup Gold Tournament at Coeur d'Alene Resort Golf Course.

Sunday 12-6 pm Vintage Hydroplane rides. Tickets only available through live auction Saturday night and by raffle drawings.

For more info: www.diamondcup.org

Doug Miller 208-691-1612 dmiller@naabelle.com

Dave Walker 208-277-8808 dwcdaid@yahoo.com

Dorothy Dahlgren 208-664-3448 or email dd@museumni.org

North Idaho Summer Fun at North Idaho College

2010-07-22T09:02:00.000-07:00

Spek Tater With My Party Face On

To thank people for being Cecil's friend on Facebook, North Idaho College invited all of us to join them for a fantastic summer beach party. Only Cecil's friends were invited. There was food, music, volleyball, beach activities, sailing, canoeing, and lake-kayaking.

I was so happy to be getting out to the beach and enjoyed getting to know some new people, ate some good food, and had some fun! Now, they were serving potato chips so I was a bit nervous at first. You know how hungry some of those college students can be, but it all turned out ok and I just avoided looking at those who were eating them.

It was great to see everyone taking advantage of the sailing, canoeing, and lake kayaking. Even considered taking a chance myself, but as some might not know, potatoes do not float in unsalted water.

As I watched everyone enjoying the beach on this beautiful day I was reminded of how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful place and have such a great educational institution as North Idaho College right here in our backyard.

I think those of us who spend every day here sometimes tend to forget what those that visit us for the first time experience. With our many lakes, mountains, rivers, outdoor recreation opportunities,four distinct seasons, and the friendliest people on the planet. Who wouldn't want to live here, or at the very least visit us again and again?

My new mission is to get out and enjoy the many people, places, and things that North Idaho has to offer and then share my experiences with all of you. So be watching for where I might turn up next, or if you have some suggestions let me know!

Until next time this is Spek Tater, your official FYI North Idaho Touring Tater reporting to you from beautiful North Idaho!

Summer's Coming to North Idaho!

2010-04-30T12:52:00.000-07:00

North Idaho is a tough place to top for friendly people, natural beauty and recreational activities, just to name a few. But throw in a bus load of special events scattered throughout the year and you'd be hard pressed to find a place more fun to live or visit.

Summer is right around the corner, even if the end of April did seem like a return to winter. And summer means a long list of events and festivals with such variety that there is literally something for everyone. Let's take a peek at a few celebrations coming up in the next few months.

Depot Days, May 7-8 in Wallace, kick off car show season with vehicles of all types, makes and ages lining the downtown streets. It's a family festival celebrating the Northern Pacific Railroad Depot with live music, kids activities, vendors and of course the historic Depot.

If you like car shows you'll want to be in Sandpoint the next weekend for Lost in the 50's. The whole town goes retro with rock and roll, dances and car parade and show. Herman's Hermits headline Saturday night's festivities.

The Priest Lake Spring Festival on May 28-30 has arts & crafts, live music, history, pancake breakfasts, silent auction, a parade on Saturday and fun run on Sunday. Here's a schedule of events.

Post Falls Days, June 4-6, are always fun with vendors, kids activities, a fishing derby and a parade.

The Big Back-In is lawnmower drag racing in Rathdrum on June 20. Yes, lawnmower drag racing!

The 4th of July finds celebrations in almost every community and fireworks from Bonners Ferry to Harrison to Murray. Here's a list.

The Coeur d'Alene Tribe hosts it's annual Julyamsh July 23-25 at Greyhound Park and Event Center in Post Falls. It is the largest pow wow in the Pacific Northwest and celebrates Native American culture with song, dance, drumming, games and spirituality.

Coeur d'Alene is a busy place from July 30 to August 1 with Art on the Green, Street Fair and Taste of Coeur d'Alene, three events all within walking distance of each other.

Return to the 1880's at Gold Rush Daze in Murray August 20-22. The fun includes a parade, live music, car show, Saloon Girl Pagent and an old west shootout.

These are just a few of the many events that make summer in North Idaho a don't miss. Get a complete list at FYI North Idaho.

North Idaho Parks, Part 2

2010-04-28T13:26:00.000-07:00

Besides State Parks, there are a number of excellent parks in the cities of North Idaho. This series will cover a variety of parks in the area and this week we'll look at Coeur d'Alene's City Park.

Located on the north shore of Lake Coeur d'Alene and just a block from downtown, the Coeur d'Alene City Park is one of the most popular parks in North Idaho. How the park came about is another interesting piece of local history.

Much of the land now considered City Park, North Idaho College and the Fort Grounds residential neighborhood were in the boundaries of Fort Coeur d'Alene, later know as Fort Sherman. The fort was active from 1878 to 1898 and the town and later City of Coeur d'Alene built around it. By the turn of the century the fort was decommissioned and officially closed on March 9, 1900. Not long after that the land was auctioned off to the public.

One of the biggest local investors was wealthy lumberman Frederick Blackwell who came here in 1901. Blackwell and his partners built the Coeur d'Alene and Spokane Electric Railroad and started hourly trolley service between the cities in 1903. Like all good railroads, they built and promoted attractions to put passengers on the trains. By 1905 Blackwell Park had become 20 plus landscaped acres with walkways, fountains, flowers and over 250 different varieties of shade trees and was one of the most popular destinations of the Inland Northwest. A dance pavilion hosted a band five nights a week, and there was a baseball diamond, bath house and grandstand within the park. In 1909 a fatal head-on train wreck brought financial ruin and the rail line was sold to the Great Northern and the park to the City of Coeur d'Alene.

In 1937 a Civic Center was built to replace the pavilion and was touted as one of the largest log structures in the Pacific Northwest. Between bleachers and floor seating, the building could house 2,500 people. In 1942, after the construction of Farragut Naval Training Center, the building became a USO where thousands of sailors relaxed and were entertained. In 1945 it was set afire by a disgruntled (drunk?) sailor and burnt to the ground.

In 1942 Playland Pier opened on what is now known as Independence Point. For 33 years the amusement park and rides were a bonus to those visiting the Park or swimming at the beach. It burned in 1975.

Now, City Park is just as popular as ever. At 17 acres it offers families a wonderful place to spend the day. Fort Sherman Playground is a large, fenced area for smaller kids in the Park. Free concerts are held in the bandshell on summer Sundays. The basketball court was recently voted best outdoor court in the area by the readers of the Inlander. There are picnic tables throughout the Park, a shelter can be reserved by small groups, shade trees make for a cool summer day and the City Beach is considered part of the Park. The Park is a favorite spot to watch the 4th of July fireworks and is home of the Taste of the Coeur d'Alene in late July. City Park is also home of Ironman Village the end of June as the start and transition area for the annual Ironman Coeur d'Alene.

Pack a lunch, bring the kids and spend a day at Coeur d'Alene City Park.

North Idaho Parks, Part 1

2010-04-19T10:52:00.000-07:00

North Idaho has many great parks. City parks enjoyed by children, family and community on a daily basis. State parks which are weekend wonderlands and used by locals and awestruck visitors. This column starts an ongoing series that will touch on a wide variety of North Idaho parks. And what better place to start than Old Mission State Park in Cataldo, where Idaho's oldest standing building proudly sits.

In the early 1800's Coeur d’Alene Indians heard about tribes being visited by "medicine men" with great powers and wanted to get in on it. They journeyed to St. Louis three times to invite the Blackrobes (Jesuit priests) to live among the tribe.

In 1842, Father Pierre-Jean De Smet traveled to the Coeur d'Alenes to meet and live with the tribe. An original mission site was selected along the St. Joe River about 35 miles from the present location, and was called the Mission of St. Joseph. The river repeatedly flooded the site so in 1846 the location was abandoned in favor of a high, grassy knoll overlooking the Coeur d’Alene River.

The Mission of the Sacred Heart was constructed between 1850 and 1853. It became a center hub and spiritual home for the Tribe. With the completion of the Mullan Road (within sight of the Mission) in the early 1860s, traffic grew from settlers and prospectors. The U.S. government decided to set up a reservation for the tribe but much to the dismay of the Coeur d'Alenes was that it was located near the south end of the lake. In 1877 the Tribe moved to what is now DeSmet and built another mission.

The Sacred Heart Mission at Cataldo was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1963. By the 1970's the building was beat down. The Idaho Bicentennial Commission took it on in 1974 and in 1975 it officially became Old Mission State Park.

Today the Park is a centerpiece in the history of North Idaho. Located at Exit 39 on I-90, the Mission is clearly visible to all who pass. As a State Park, a $5 vehicle pass is required but well worth that amount. An interpretive center with exhibits and multi media presentations walks visitors through the daily life of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe and the story of the coming of the Blackrobes. On the site is the restored parish house, historic cemetery, nature trails and an audio walking tour is available.

But the crown jewel is the church itself. A walk around and inside the building provides a glimpse into the waddle and daub construction methods of 150 years ago. Built in 3 years by the Catholic missionaries and members of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe using only broad axe, auger, ropes and pulleys, a pen knife and an improvised whip saw, it was finished without using one single nail.

The Park is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, 7 days a week. Special events at the Mission include a Historic Skills Fair in July and the Feast of the Assumption Pilgrimage by the Coeur d'Alene Indians and the Annual Mountain Man Rendezvous in August. If you haven't visited old Mission State Park, make sure you put it on your list of things to do.

Devil Worshipers? Hook Man?

2010-04-15T09:55:00.000-07:00

Well, it's time for another in the series of weird legends and urban myths around North idaho. Before the Aryan Nation (all 6 of them) moved here, there were stories about another strange bunch of people roaming the hills and prairies around Kootenai County. Devil worshipers and Hook Man.

Like all good legends, almost everyone knew somebody who (supposedly) knew first hand of strange doings but nobody ever saw anything that could be backed with fact or photo. But it still made a great spooky story in the days before movies like Halloween and Friday the 13th.

Some of the tales of devil worshipers involved human and/or animal satanic ritual sacrifice. People disappeared (well, there was some truth to that one) and dogs were found drained of blood. Then there were chains of hooded people across isolated roads to stop cars so they could pull the passengers out and..., well, they were going to do something with them.

And Hook Man, well it was said he could show up anywhere, anytime, but mostly in the dark of night and usually when a romantic couple was parked in some back woods make-out spot. He was old, evil, disfigured and, of course, had a hook for a hand. The hook was a result of a logging/mining/hunting accident, depending on who was telling the story. But he was out there and he was demented and a vengeful killer.

Perhaps the stories were in response to or balanced out the Blue Army that had come to Kootenai County. Maybe there just wasn't enough creepy stuff in the area and people always need a good one for the campfire or to tell an impressionable young lady ("snuggle up, baby, I'll protect you"). Some say the stories were told in hopes of keeping folks from moving here. Whatever the reason, they certainly got people's attention and were passed around like a box of Cracker Jacks. But unlike the snack, these stories always got bigger.

Turns out almost every small town across America had a tale similar to Hook Man. Where do you think they came up with the ideas for those movies? A little creepiness goes a long way.

Many of the devil worshiper stories took place near Rathdrum. Perhaps it was because in 1972 a mutilated cow was found on a local ranch. That one has never been solved.

Now there was a real disappearance that everyone associated the devil worshipers with. A Rathdrum couple named Ron and Rita Marcussen disappeared in late 1973 and it was assumed they had fallen victims of the devil's disciples. When their remains were finally discovered it turned out it was just your run of the mill murder (if there is such a thing).

You may want to save this story for the campfire.

Midnight In Paris Annual Charity Auction

2010-04-14T10:19:00.000-07:00

It was Midnight in Paris at the Best Western Coeur d'Alene Inn on April 9 for the annual charity auction/banquet benefitting Children's Village and the children living there.

Over 160 people attended, bid on silent and live auction items, and enjoyed a wonderful meal and inspirational speakers. The crowd was introduced to a young lady who spent much of her youth at Children's Village and heard the story of how she has come back as an adult and is now working at the Village. This first hand example of how important Children's Village is touched every person in attendance.

Employee Sandy Lassen was noted for her 10 years at the Village as well as CV Foundation Board Member Jim Riley's 5 years of volunteering. Children's Village also presented Dick and Shirlee Wandrocke “The Golden Heart Award” for their service to community and especially for their years of service to Children’s Village.

In light of the economic times, the Village was most grateful for the donations and funds raised. They raised funds via their annual Pledge Program where donors pledge amounts of $10, $25, $50, $100, all the way up to $1000 a month. This has been very beneficial and allows the agency to have an idea of monthly donations in the planning process. Marla’s Gems participated with a special sale that culminated with a huge basket of Gems going to Jan Wheeler!

A final tally has not been made at the time of writing but the event was deemed a success and Children's Village thanks everyone who participated in this important fund raiser.

Children's Village is available 24/7 to help children in crisis or in danger and also assists parents in need of help trying to find resources. CV helps all children birth to eighteen and has the only Crisis Nursery accepting infants and toddlers in harms way at no charge to the family. The Village also has an accredited special needs school, CV Academy, for all grades.

Anyone wishing to help or learn more may check out the web site at www.thechildrensvillage.org or call 208-667-1189.

The Empty Building at 5th & Lakeside

2010-04-13T13:48:00.000-07:00

A large building sits empty at the SW corner of 5th and Lakeside in downtown Coeur d'Alene. Perhaps you have walked by and wondered what it was, and why you can see through the building.

This was originally the Lodge for the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, Club 1254. It was a grand lodge that featured a beautiful ballroom with a stage. Besides Elks functions, there were a variety of community events. Locals growing up in Coeur d'Alene in the 50's and 60's remember things like kid's magic shows and Christmas pageants in that ballroom.

Between property taxes and a (nationwide) drop in fraternal organization membership, the Elks Club remodeled the building in the late 1970's and turned the majority of space into The 1254 Athletic Club and leaving just a couple meeting rooms and the bar as the Elks Club proper.

The 1254 Athletic Club had 3 racquetball courts, a workout room, therapy spa tub and steam room. It had a decent membership into the early 1980's when the Elks built a new facility on Prairie Avenue. Then the building was emptied.

Over the following years the building was slowly gutted. A few weak efforts to rejuvenate the building fell through, leaving it as it is today. You can look in the front windows and see out the back.

The building's shell is still a beautiful structure but the amount of money that it would take to bring it back to life is probably more than it is worth. City codes also require new buildings in the downtown area must provide parking or pay an offsetting fee, making a rebirth even more expensive.

It's a darn shame this old building has sat empty for so long. It takes up a quarter of a block and has become a bit of an eyesore as it sits and rots. Maybe it will end up like the Wilma Theatre, left to sit for so many years it just implodes, ending up as another small pocket park such as the ones at 2nd and Sherman (The Wilma) and between 3rd and 4th on Sherman (Woolworth's).

It's worth noting that Sandpoint didn't let their old theatre, The Panida, fade away. The Panida has turned into a popular venue for live entertainment, concerts and special movie presentations.

This Day in History, April 7

2010-04-07T11:28:00.000-07:00

On this day in 1963, Harley Hudson passed away. Harley didn't build any railroads, captain any steamboats, mine any gold or run any sawmill. But what he did do has had just as long lasting affect on Coeur d'Alene as any of those who did.

Harley opened a little shack near the shores of Lake Coeur d'Alene selling hamburgers in 1907. It was known as the Missouri Kitchen until around 1960 when Hudson Hamburgers became the name synonymous with burgers in Coeur d'Alene. Just like today, Harley served up hamburgers to locals and tourists alike. When he opened (very near where Hudson's is today), Coeur d'Alene was even then a tourist mecca. People rode the electric line into Coeur d'Alene to board steamboats that would take them down the lake and up the St. Joe River to the Cataldo Mission, St. Maries and St. Joe City.

The above photo shows the south side of the 200 block of Sherman Ave. in 1954. Yes, that's a Hudson Automobile dealership (was the Buick a used car?) and Texaco gas station, located roughly where Tito Macoroni's is today. But farther back you'll see the Missouri Lunch sign. That location sported a U-shaped counter where the 2nd generation of Hudsons flipped burgers.

Of course today the 4th generation, Steve and Todd, are still serving up old school hamburgers on a grill that is over 50 years old itself. Hudson's has been featured in numerous publications, both locally and nationally with appearances in the New York Times and Sunset Magazine among others.

Hudson's never became McDonald's (thank goodness!) but has certainly left a major mark in Coeur d'Alene. Here's a tip of the hat to you, Harley, for starting something that is as unique to and loved by Coeur d'Alene as Tubbs Hill and City Beach.

Idaho State Fossil?

2010-03-24T10:26:00.000-07:00

Idaho has an official State Fossil? Yes, it's true. Idaho has declared a number of official items. Sure you knew the State Bird is the Mountain Bluebird and the State flower is the Syringa, but did you know Idaho also has a State Insect, Raptor, Dance, Soil and even Fossil.

The 1988 legislature designated the Hagerman Horse as the Official State Fossil. Discovered in 1928, it was originally described as Plesippus shoshonensis. The Hagerman Horse is the oldest known representative of the modern horse genus Equus (includes horses, donkeys, and zebras) and is believed to be more closely related to the living Grevy's zebra in Africa.

Just so you won't get caught not knowing this information, here's the official list for the State of Idaho.

State flower is the Syringa

State bird is the Mountain Bluebird

State tree is the Western White Pine.

State fruit is the Huckleberry

State vegetable is the Potato

State horse is the Appaloosa

State fish is the Cutthroat Trout

State insect is the Monarch Butterfly

State gem is the Star Garnet

State fossil is the Hagerman Horse

State raptor is the Peregrine Falcon

State dance is the Square Dance

State soil is Threebear

Perhaps we should also have an official State Pie, Huckleberry of course.

(Just so you'll know, Threebear consists of moderately well drained soils formed in silty sediments with a thick mantle of volcanic ash.)

Born in the Iron Horse Parking Lot

2010-03-19T12:07:00.000-07:00

Seriously. There are lots of people who where born in the Iron Horse Parking lot at 4th & Lakeside in Coeur d'Alene. Of course it wasn't a parking lot then, it was Lake City General Hospital.

Lake City General was a three story building with 36 beds and was at one time was considered on the cutting edge of medicine. It wasn't unusual to have North Idaho's inured loggers sent there for treatment. And countless babies were born at Lake City General.

Lake City was closed November 1966 when Kootenai Memorial Hospital (Kootenai medical Center, Kootenai Health) was opened at the I-90 and Hwy 95 junction. And that's why there was an era when every kid in Coeur d'Alene who had a bicycle knew where Hospital Hills were. But that's anther story for another blog.

After it ceased being a hospital a man named Francis Schuckhardt acquired the use of, and perhaps ownership of, the LCGH building. Schuckhardt had risen to a top administrative position with the Blue Army a mainstream Catholic Marian organization but was dismissed in 1966 for condemning a Vatican Council. The following year he founded a militarily traditionalist community in Coeur d'Alene called the Fatima Crusade which was housed in the old hospital. Later the name was changed to the Tridentine Latin Rite Church.

Locals still referred to the group as the Blue Army due to the blue habits the nuns wore. And there a lot of them. They traveled around in big white vans full of praying nuns. A local inside joke was they were praying they wouldn't get in a wreck because it looked like even the driver was praying instead of driving.

Followers of Schuckhardt came to the area and started a community, The City of Mary, near Rathdrum. By the mid 1970's the whole operation was moved to Mount St. Michael's outside of Spokane.

The hospital then became the home of a new company called Action Printers. As it grew, Action Printers moved out and the building was acquired by Tom Robb of the Iron Horse, leveled and turned into the current parking lot.

So next time you hear someone say "I was born in the Iron Horse parking lot" you better believe them.

This Day in Idaho History, 18 March 1859

2010-03-18T09:47:00.000-07:00

March 18, 1859 The United States War Department appropriates $100,000 for the actual construction of what would be known as the Mullan Road.

As early as 1852 proposals were made to build a railroad to the Pacific and many routes were considered. One was a northern route from the Great Lakes to Puget Sound. In 1853, Washington Territorial Governor General Issac Stevens was ordered by Congress to find a possible route from the Missouri River to the Columbia River. One of those in that exploration party was Lt. John Mullan.

In 1854 Congress appointed Mullan to survey a route between Ft. Benton (MT) to Ft. Walla Walla (WA). Mullan and his team crossed the Continental Divide six times and traveled over a thousand miles picking the best route. In 1855 Mullan went to Washington, DC to make his report and secure funding. Politicians favoring a southern route and lack of money held it up until 1857.

The threat of Indians in the eastern part of Washington Territory spurred Congress to action and directed Mullan to make a final survey and make plans for construction. Mullan refined the survey and served as topographer while a member of Col George Wright's forces when they fought the Nez Perce, Spokane, Coeur d'Alene, Palouse and Yakima tribes.

Finally in 1859, March 18th, funds were allocated for the road's construction. On July 1 Mullan started the road work in Walla Walla. Completed in 1862, the "Mullan Road" was passed over for the route of the first transcontinental railroad (though the northern route was later used) but became a major road for settlers and prospectors.

General William T. Sherman crossed the road in 1877 on a tour to locate possible forts. It was on that trip that Sherman picked the site for Fort Coeur d'Alene. Later the name was changed to Ft. Sherman and that site is now the home of North Idaho College.

Interstate 90 follows Mullan's road.

This Day in History, March 9

2010-03-09T11:21:00.000-08:00

1900 Fort Sherman officially terminated
Established in 1878 at Camp Coeur d'Alene, on March 9, 1900, Fort Sherman was officially closed. Fort Coeur d'Alene was never much of a military presence but more of an outpost. By the time it was built "indian problems" had ended with the defeat of Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce in 1877.

The first time troops were sent from Ft. Sherman was in 1892 when conflicts between mine owners and labor unions erupted in the Silver Valley to uphold martial law. Most of the garrison was moved to Ft. George Wright in Spokane in 1895. the last deployment from Ft. Sherman was sending troops to the Spanish American War in 1898.

While General William Tecumseh Sherman certainly picked a picturesque location, high spring waters occasionally flooded the fort, the worst in 1894. The surrounding area grew into a town and the lakes and rivers became trade routes and tourist destinations. Nice place, but not for a military fort.

The Great Seal of the State of Idaho, Part 2

2010-03-05T10:08:00.000-08:00

March 5, 1891, Emma Edwards Green was handed the honorarium by Governor Norman B. Willey for designing the Great Seal of the State of Idaho.

Idaho became a state on July 3, 1890 and that summer a young woman came to Boise to visit relatives. Emma Sarah Etine Edwards, who was the daughter of John C. Edwards, a former Governor of Missouri (1844-48).

Emma, the oldest of eight children, was well educated for a woman of that time. She stopped in Boise on her way home from New York where she had spent a year at art school. She was intending on a short stay but fell in love with the area and stayed. Emma went on to start art classes where she taught locals to paint.

She was invited to enter a design for the Great Seal of the State of Idaho. The First Legislature passed Concurrent Resolution No. 1 which offered a prize of one hundred dollars for the best design submitted.

Artists from all over the country entered, but the unanimous winner was Emma Edwards, who became the first and only woman to design a Great Seal of a State. Later she married miner James G. Green. Emma died in Boise on January 6, 1942.

This Day in Idaho History, March 4, 1863, Idaho Territory

2010-03-04T10:52:00.000-08:00

On March 4, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed an act creating Idaho Territory from portions of Washington and Dakota Territories and placed the capital at Lewiston. The original Idaho Territory included most of the areas that later became the states of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming with a population of less than 17,000. In 1868, Idaho Territory took the size and shape of what would become the State Of Idaho which was admitted to the Union in 1890.

A big chunk of the Pacific Northwest was known as Washington and Oregon Territories in 1853. In 1859 Oregon was made a state and Washington Territory was expanded.

In the early 1860's gold was being discovered in what we now know as the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho and Montana. With more claims made, towns founded and people migrating to the area, it was determined that trying to govern the area from the Territorial Capitol of Olympia was impossible, there needed to be a more local seat and Idaho Territory was created with the capitol in Lewiston. Lewiston being a major trade center and supply head for much of the mining efforts.

When Idaho Territory was created by act of congress, March 3, it covered 326,373 square miles between the 104th and 117th meridian, and the 42nd and the 49th parallels of latitude. It extended to within fifty miles of the Missouri River below the mouth of the Yellowstone River, and included the Milk, White Earth, Big Horn and Powder Rivers. Within Idaho Territory were the Black Hills, Fort Laramie, Long's Peak, the South Pass, Green River, Fort Hall, Fort Boise and the trail routes of settlers going to the Pacific coast along Snake River. Idaho Territory also included all of what is now Montana and a large portion of what became Wyoming.

The Idaho Territorial lines, according to the act of March 3, 1863, were defined as:

Beginning at a point in the middle of the channel of the Snake River where the northern boundary of Oregon intersects the same, thence following down said channel of the Snake River to a point opposite the mouth of the Kooskooskia or Clearwater River, thence due north to the forty-ninth parallel of latitude, thence east along said parallel to the twenty-seventh degree of longitude west of Washington, thence south along said degree of longitude to the northern boundary of Colorado territory, thence west along said boundary to the thirty-third degree of longitude west of Washington, thence north along said degree of longitude to the forty-second parallel of latitude, thence west along said parallel to the eastern boundary of the state of Oregon, thence north along said boundary to the place of beginning.

Keep checking in as we continue to post more history, information and points of interest in North Idaho. On July 3 we'll mark 120 years since statehood.

This Day in North Idaho History, March 3, 1934

2010-03-03T09:51:00.000-08:00

March 3, 1934, second version of the Long Bridge connecting Sandpoint and Sagle is dedicated.

The first bridge to span Lake Pend Oreille was built in 1908 and lasted 25 years. The next bridge construction was a project of the WPA, Works Project Administration at a cost of $160,000. The bridge was just short of 2 miles and was known for years as the world's longest wooden bridge.

Construction wasn't without problems. Five thousand pounds of steel to be used for girders was dropped into 20 feet of water at Dover when the boom being used to load it onto a barge broke.

The fourth and current bridge was completed in 1981. The third bridge is next to the main one and is now used by walkers, runners and bicyclists.

The Long Bridge is also the site of the Long Bridge Swim the first Saturday in August.

This Day in Idaho History, Feb 27-28

2010-03-01T10:27:00.000-08:00

Snowslides at Mace and Burke kill over 20 and destroy Carbondale Hill Mining Co

February 27-28, 1910

The Mace slide from Custer Peak hit at 10:35pm and went through the town and up the opposite slope. The canyon was filled with 45 feet of snow. A construction train was tossed from the track into a ravine and those on board had to dig their way out. By shear luck, the slide missed the Standard Mine boarding house, where 300 miners were sleeping, by 120 feet.

Old timers in the region had been warning of slides due to the record snows and recent Chinook winds and rain. When word of the Mace slide got to Burke it caused a near evacuation of Burke, most likely saving many lives when a slide hit town at 5:30am.

The Burke slide was 3,000 feet long and filled the canyon, burying Burke under 50 feet of snow. It took up to 8-10 hours to dig survivors out.

The Great Seal of Idaho

2010-02-25T11:41:00.000-08:00

There is no official record of when the first Great Seal of Idaho was adopted when Idaho was declared a territory in 1863. This is that first seal, the design credited to Silas D. Cochran, a clerk in the office of the Secretary of State.

There was dissatisfaction with this official seal and Territorial Governor Caleb Lyon presented a seal of his own design which was accepted by the Idaho Territorial Legislature on January 11, 1866. This Seal (below) was redrawn a number of times but was used until Idaho became a state in 1890.

In March, 1891, the basis for the current Great Seal of the State of Idaho was adopted and is a story in itself as it was the only State Seal that was designed by a woman. Check back here for more on the story to be continued on March 5 and March 14.

The Military Connection to North Idaho

2010-02-19T12:23:00.000-08:00

Last night was Part 6 of the 12 part Connections to the Past history series presented by Robert Singletary at the CdA Library and focused on our military connection. Here's a few interesting bits of information.

General William T. Sherman, the Union Civil War hero and Confederate scoundrel who marched through Georgia, was on an inspedtion tour and followed the Mullan Road. Impressed with the location where the Spokane River flows out of Coeur d'Alene Lake he recommended it as a site for a fort. On April 16, 1878, a military post known as Camp Coeur d’Alene was established. The name was changed to Fort Coeur d’Alene on April 5, 1879, and finally to Fort Sherman, April 6, 1887.

The Army's 2nd Infantry Unit was the first to man Fort Coeur d'Alene and grudgingly helped build the encampment. The last regular unit to be stationed was the 16th Infantry between 1894 and 1898.

Post Civil War, soldiers quit the military and tried to resume their regular lives. The Army was hard pressed to recruit and many immigrants were accepted to build back the forces. Many soldier couldn't even speak English and, like many forts, Fort Coeur d'Alene had English classes for the troops.

The Fort CdA/Sherman hospital was one of the finest in the Inland Northwest and many military personnel were sent there for treatment. The hospital was also required to keep weather records, that's why local weather can be tracked back that far.

A town was built around the fort as non-military people were required to provide goods and services, from construction to food to local women who washed uniforms. Soldiers referred to the area we now call City Beach as Sudstown because that's where clothes were washed on rocks in the lake.

Oscar Canfield was a friend of Sherman's and got the first contract to supply beef to the fort. Visiting the ranch, Sherman asked what the name of the mountain behind them was called. Previously unnamed, Sherman declared it to be Canfield.

Other place names also originated from these times. One commanding officer was Col. William P. Carlin, another Civil War hero who led the troops in the mining revolt of 1890. He wasn't very fond of the post but did end up buying property on the east side of the lake, now known as Carlin Bay. Some of the soldiers who mustered out of the Army stayed and homesteaded the area, one was a Col. Stanley, hence Stanley Hill.

Over time, Fort Sherman was pinched in as a town had grown around it and due to the fact it was susceptible to spring flooding, it was decommissioned and troops were moved to Ft. George Wright in Spokane in April of 1901. The area was turned over to the Department of the Interior and was sold at public auction in 1905.

This history series is entertaining and enlightening, as are a number of other presentations at North Idaho libraries. To see what's coming up, visit FYI North Idaho and check the calendar of events.

This Day in Idaho History, 19 February

2010-02-19T11:12:00.000-08:00

February 19, 1901 First issue of the St. Maries Courier newspaper is printed. It only published until March of 1905.

The 4 Seasons sing Idaho

2010-02-11T16:57:00.000-08:00

Are you old enough to remember The 4 Seasons? Maybe Frankie Valli and the 4 Seasons will ring a bell. They had hits like Sherry, Walk Like a Man, Big Girls Don't Cry, Candy Girl and Ain't That a Shame.

Like all groups, they had songs that weren't a hit. And while one song should have been a hit here in the Gem State, turns out we didn't even like it that much.

Yes, that's an original 45 of the 4 Season not-so-hit song, Idaho. But is was enough that the 3:05 minute song is included on the 2-CD set In Season, Frankie Valli & The 4 Seasons Anthology.

It's not one of their most melodic tunes and opens with a weird horn part that sounds like it could be from Frank Zappa. But, it is about Idaho. Here's the lyrics.

Idaho

Where I long to go

Thrilling checker games

Spelling bees, cherry trees

Idaho, lovely Idaho

Daisies on the grass

Grandma's stew

The cows and you

Idaho, lovely Idaho

Playing pick-up sticks

Santa Claus, apple sauce

Idaho

Rain or sleet or snow

You'll be in my heart

I love you so, just

Thought you'd like to know

My Ida

Sweet as apple cider

How I love you so

My Idaho

The record sleeve has what must be a phony ad promo for Idaho. It even shows a cruise ship as transportation. (I know Lewiston is our inland port but I don't think that ship'll get you here. Also is an offer to send for info and $1 to "try" Idaho. Sorry, no mailing address to send it to.

And there's today's musical history lesson.

This Day in Idaho History, Feb 10

2010-02-09T16:11:00.000-08:00

February 10, 1881 Historical Society of Idaho Pioneers forms to collect and preserve a reliable history of the early settlement of the territory.

Idaho is chock full of history. Thank goodness these pioneers chose to get things started. You can visit the official website at http://www.idahohistory.net/

On This Day in Idaho History, Feb 8

2010-02-08T11:41:00.000-08:00

February 8, 1921: Movie star Lana (Julia Jean) Turner born in Wallace

Born Julia Jean Mildred Frances Turner in Wallace, Idaho, she was the daughter of John Virgil Turner, a miner from Tennessee, and Mildred Frances Cowan, a sixteen-year-old Alabama native.

Until her film career took off, she was known to family and friends as "Judy". Hard times eventually forced the family to re-locate to San Francisco, where her parents soon separated.

Turner's discovery at a Hollywood drug store is a show-business legend. As a sixteen-year-old student at Hollywood High School, Turner skipped a typing class and bought a Coke at the Top Hat Cafe where she was spotted by William Wilkerson, publisher of The Hollywood Reporter. Wilkerson was attracted by her beauty and physique, and referred her to actor/comedian/talent agent Zeppo Marx. Marx's agency immediately signed her to a contract.

And the rest, they say, is history.

On This Day in History, 5 February

2010-02-05T11:33:00.000-08:00

February 5, 1855 Congress provides funding for Mullan Road

What was labeled a military road had been proposed a few years earlier as the United States had a desire to eventually build a railroad through Montana and Idaho to Washington.

Mullan Road was the first wagon road to cross the Rocky Mountains to the Inland of the Pacific Northwest. It was built by US Army Lt. John Mullan between the spring of 1859 and summer 1860 between Ft. Benton, Montana (the navigational head of the Missouri River) and Ft Walla Walla, Washington Territory. The road approximately followed the path of modern-day Interstate 15 and Interstate 90 through what are now Montana, Idaho and Washington.

The project itself was interrupted due to conflicts with Indian tribes and Lt. Mullan spent the summer of 1858 with Col. George Wright and participated in the conflicts with the Spokane, Palouse and Coeur d'Alene Tribes. Along with his actions in the battles, Mullan also surveyed and mapped the region from what we now call the Palouse, up through the west side of Spokane and towards Colville.

While the Mullan Road was never used in a military sense, it saw an estimated 20,000 people cross it on their way west.

This Day in History, February 3

2010-02-03T11:03:00.000-08:00

February 3, 1911
Operations at the Milwaukee Lumber Company in St. Maries began. The Milwaukee Lumber Company was incorporated in Idaho in February of 1910 by Mr. Fred Herrick, who had come to Idaho from Wisconson in 1909, and his associates A.V. Braderick and W.A. Barnum.

The Milwaukee Land Company operated the first logging railroad in the St. Maries drainage. Logging and timber production, being susceptible to the forces of nature, fluctuated from year to year. Among the adversities the Milwaukee faced were forest fires that not only wiped out timber stands but sections of railway, and the unpredictability of spring floods.

In April 1913, high waters on the St. Joe River flooded the mill and it was shut down along with the St. Maries Lumber Company. Worse yet was the flood of May 1917, where (according to best estimates of the time) almost $500,000 worth of lumber were lost along the St. Joe, Coeur d'Alene and Spokane Rivers. The Milwaukee Lumber Company estimated that between three and four million board feet of lumber stacked in the yard floated away.

The mill produced 50 million board feet of lumber the first year. Production dropped to 22 million board feet in 1912. Between 1922 and 1928, production averaged 30 million board feet. The last year of operation was 1929. During it's run from 1911 to 1929 around 525 million board feet of lumber were produced.

For more information about the timber industry in St. Maries, visit the St. Maries History page.

Ski the Great Potato, Part 2

2010-02-02T10:03:00.000-08:00

Previously we discussed Idaho's Ski the Great Potato promotion, circa 1970. While Idaho has so much to offer, spuds and skiing were, and are still, a couple of the state's touchstones. What a combination.

The logo was so clever that it was picked up on by Ezra Brooks. Ezra Brooks, along with Jim Beam and other distillers, created collector decanters for bourbons and other spirits depicting all sorts of people, places, things and events. The Ski the Great Potato edition was one of a series of Ezra Brooks special decanters.

Produced in 1972, the Potato was available in Idaho liquor stores. It must not have been very popular as by 1974 the remaining decanters were marked down to get off the shelves.

A wonderful piece of Idaho/skiing memorabilia, you can occasionally find one available on ebay.

Ski The Great Potato

2010-02-01T13:41:00.000-08:00

Around 1970 the State of Idaho Department of Commerce & Tourism (or whatever the name was then) had a great idea on promoting skiing in Idaho. Not like Idaho isn't known for skiing, Sun Valley was the first destination winter resort in the United States. The world's first chairlifts were built there in 1936.

Over the years, skiing gained popularity and more resorts sprang up around the state. To capitalize on these winter activities and promote Idaho as a true four season vacation state, a new slogan, Ski the Great Potato, was introduced.

The above photo is of an original promotional poster from that era. It features Peter Max style artwork of an All-American skier blasting over the Great Potato, representing the many ski resorts in Idaho.

Across the top of the poster are the names Sun Valley, Bogus Basin, Schweitzer, Targhee and Brundage. In small print across the bottom were Bald Mountain, Bear Gulch, Blizzard Mountain, Caribou, Cottonwood Butte, Hitt Mountain, Jackass Bowl, Kelly Canyon, Lookout Pass, Lost Trail, Magic Mountain, Montpelier,, North South Bowl, Pine Basin, Pomerelle, Rotarun, Skyline, Snohaven, Soldier Mountain, Tamarack and Taylor Mountain. Forty years on, a number of these ski areas have changed names or gone out of business for one reason or another.

Most notably, Jackass Bowl is now known as Silver Mountain. North South Bowl is now known as the Palouse Divide Lodge. Bear Gulch lost it's USFS permit and the lodge was burned in 1989. Other names are parts of larger resort areas or are small, family run operations featuring cross country skiing and a couple have become havens for snowmobile. Locally, a couple that weren't listed on the poster were Signal Point south of Post Falls (defunct prior to 1970) and Holiday Hills just across the state line above Liberty Lake (ill fated 1970's project that never had a chance).

This wasn't the only Great Potato promotional piece. Tune in tomorrow and see what bourbon has to do with Idaho's skiing.

When Winter Was Winter

2010-01-29T10:18:00.000-08:00

There was a time when almost every winter in North Idaho was winter. Winter as in cold and snowy.

It wasn't unusual to have lake families and students cross the ice to go shopping or to school. It was a lot shorter than driving around the lake. [And if you think Idaho roads are bad now, imagine them in the first two thirds of the 1900's.] Remember that the lake was a main transportation route for decades, summer and winter. Steamboats were constructed specifically to serve as icebreakers to keep the lake open in the winter.

The above photo was taken by Kyle Walker in the early 1950's. Take a good look before you read the next line and see if you can tell where it was taken. Got it? Yup, right off City Beach in Coeur d'Alene. The trees in City Park are the background and a couple of the great old classic homes on West Lakeshore Drive are clearly visible on the left.

What a nice guy this was, taking his tractor out on frozen lake Coeur d'Alene to clear an ice skating area. He had to be Mr. Popular by the looks of all the skaters. This looks to be perhaps 100 feet from the shoreline. No telling how much that John Deere weighed but we must assume the ice was thick enough to hold it.

When was the last time you remember lake Coeur d'Alene freezing over to this degree? In my 54 years, I can only recall a few times it froze at all, let alone getting ice this thick. Fernan freezing is one thing, but it has to be cold for a long time to close in Coeur d'Alene.

After two record breaking snow winters, this year is a cakewalk. While I do worry about snow pack up high, I for one don't miss shoveling my driveway this year. But, winter ain't over yet!

This Day in Idaho History

2010-01-25T13:28:00.000-08:00

January 26, 1931 Mountain Bluebird adopted as Idaho State Bird

The Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides) is a medium-sized bird weighing about an ounce, with a length from 6–8 inches. They have light underbellies and black eyes. Adult males have thin bills. They are bright blue and somewhat lighter beneath. Adult females have duller blue wings and tail, fake grey breast, grey crown, throat and back.

The Mountain Bluebird is migratory. Their range varies from Mexico in the winter to as far north as Alaska, throughout the western U.S. and Canada. Northern birds migrate to the southern parts of the range; southern birds are often permanent residents

A Huddy and a Beer?

2010-01-21T12:17:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time you could get a Hudson Hamburger and a beer. Or a cocktail. Seriously.

In the 1960's and into the 1970's there was a place caled the Pub Lounge located at 205 1/2 Sherman, right next to Hudson's at 207 Sherman. There was a little door about 8"x8" between the two and if you were in the bar and got hungry for a burger you could ask the bartender to order you one, or two.

As a kid I remember sitting at the counter, eating my Huddy burger and seeing the little door open and an order passed to Roger Hudson, The order was filled, passed back through the little door and cash handed back. About the time I came of age The Pub closed and things changed forever.

You'll have to get a to-go order and take it to wherever your brew is nowadays, but rest assured, it's the same great burger cooked on that very same grill.

Native American Connection to the Past

2010-01-19T15:04:00.000-08:00

In case you missed the first session last week, here's a brief recap. There is a wonderful series on local history that started last week and continues through April. These 2 hour presentations by historian Robert Singletary are held at the CdA Library and are free of charge and open to the public. For more information check out http://www.cdalibrary.org/.

Last week was the opener and focused on the Native American connection. Here's a very brief overview of some of the things discussed that night.

The term reservation comes from a proclamation made in 1763 where a line was drawn "reserving" land for the Indians. Of course, over the decades these lines were moved, changed and even eliminated as the United States expanded. Many of these changes were made to exploit natural resources. As an example, when gold was discovered at what is now known as Orofino (Spanish for "fine gold") the size of the Nez Perce Reservation was dramatically reduced.

The fur trade was one of the most valuable businesses in America and it was trappers and traders who first made their way through this area. Many of these men were Christians and bore a cross. Indians were curious and wanted to know more about the religion of the white man. Flatheads made four trips to St. Louis in the 1930's to ask for a "Blackrobe" to come and teach Christianity. But it was the Protestant missionaries Spaulding and Whitman who beat the Catholics into Idaho in 1835-36.

The advent of horses allowed the tribes to travel to hunt and trade. It wasn't unusual to have these missions last 2-3 years. The Coeur d'Alene, Nez Perce and Kootenai tribes were known to travel as far as the plains to hunt buffalo.

After Custer's defeat at Bighorn the government made efforts to move the Nez Perce to a reservation. The story of how Chief Joseph led the Nez Perce on a sojourn to Canada, only to be captured short of their goal in north central Montana and moved to Oklahoma is worthy of any interested in this history.

Army Col. George Wright was assigned to solve the "Indian problem" in these territories. One notable act was the systematic slaughter of Spokan Tribe horses at the present location of the Washington Port of Entry is at the Idaho Washington state line. A stone monument still stands adjacent to the rest area.

The name Qualchan (Golf Course in Spokane) refers to from Qualchan (son of Yakama Chief Owhi) who had carried out raid on settlers and prospectors. Hangman Creek is named from where Col. George Wright had Qualchan hung within 15 minutes of arriving at his camp.

This is just a small taste of what Mr. Singletary presented in this first of 12 evenings. Don't miss the next Connections session this Thursday night. The topic is Lewis & Clark.

On This Day in Idaho History, 18 Jan

2010-01-18T12:43:00.000-08:00

1848 Cornerstone laid, Cataldo Mission

The Mission of the Sacred heart was originally located on the banks of the St. Joe River in 1843. Continued floods caused a move to the current location in Cataldo in 1846. Father Antonio Ravalli designed and constructed the new mission with the help of two Brothers and members of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe. The main structure of the church building was up and in use by 1853 and was finally completed in 1865 when Father Caruaba had the inside and outside walls covered with clapboard.

Interesting to note was there wasn't a single nail used in the original building. Wooden pegs were used to hold it together. Prior to the clapboard siding, the walls were made of grass and straw were woven on a framework of sticks between the uprights and covered with mud. The only tools used were a broad axe, auger, saw, rope and pulleys. The molding on the ceilings and statues were hand carved with a pen knife.

The Mission was declared a Registered National Historic Landmark in August, 1963.

This Day in North Idaho History, Jan 12

2010-01-11T11:46:00.000-08:00

1907 Act drafted to create Bonner County from the northern part of Kootenai County

Kootenai was a very large county (see Jan 9) and it led to discussion of dividing it up to manage jurisdiction and cut the time and expense of court cases due to the distances people had to travel. On January 12, 1907, an act to create and organize Bonner County from the northern part of Kootenai County was drafted and introduced by State Representative Taylor. The bill passed the House and Senate without opposition.

This Day in North Idaho History, January 9

2010-01-08T13:07:00.000-08:00

1867, Idaho Territorial Legislature extends Kootenai County's souther border to what is now Latah County.

This created an area of 8,300 square miles, as big as Connecticut, Rhode Island and Delaware and gave county commissioners the authority to locate the county seat. But it would be 14 years before the county was fully organized.

This Day in Idaho History, 5 January

2010-01-05T11:13:00.000-08:00

January 5, 1908, citizens meet to discuss the incorporation of Spirit Lake as a town.

Prior to the white man's arrival, Native Americans named the lake Tesemini meaning Lake of Spirits. Legend has it that the daughter of a Chief eloped with a brave against her father's wishes. Rather than risk being taken and separated, the young lovers jumped from a high cliff into the lake. The legend says their bodies were never found because the lake spirit had carried them away.

Learn About Idaho History

2010-01-04T13:52:00.000-08:00

Regional historian, Robert Singletary, will offer a free 12-part regional history series at the Coeur d'Alene Library beginning in January. Topics will range from Native American history through the creation of Farragut Naval Station. This series will be held in the Community Room at 7 p.m.

Jan. 14th:The Native American Connection
Jan. 21st: The Lewis & Clark Connection
Jan. 28th: The Fur Trade Connection
Feb. 3rd: The Missionary Connection
Feb. 10th: The Mullan Road Connection
Feb. 18th: The U.S. Army Connection
March 3rd: The Gold & Silver Connection
March 10th: The Railroad Connection
March 18th: The Steamboat Connection
April 8th: The Timber Connection
April 15th: The Tourism Connection
April 29th: The Farragut Naval Connection

Listed as History 505, this series is also good for 3 credits from the University of Idaho. To register for credit call 208/667-2588.

What St. Vincent did in 2009

2010-01-04T12:00:00.000-08:00

It's more than just a Thrift Store. St. Vincent de Paul helps people in crisis.

DOCUMENTED FACT: In 2009, St Vincent de Paul North Idaho’s Homeless Prevention & Rapid Re-Housing has kept has prevented 332 Families from becoming homeless at a cost of $91,054.67

DOCUMENTED FACT: Between the Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls Thrift Stores $317,084 was donated to help other in our community.

DOCUMENTED FACT: The St Vincent de Paul H.E.L.P. Center has had 4,695 people come through its doors from July 10, 2009-December 30, 2009 to receive help of the 17 governmental and nonprofit agencies who provide service.

DOCUMENTED FACT: In 16 days SVDP has had 94 beds filled in the new St Vincent de Paul Warming Center.

A tip 'o the hat to St. Vinny!

28 December in Idaho History

2009-12-28T12:23:00.000-08:00

1903 First Coeur d'Alene & Spokane Railway electric line train arrives in Coeur d'Alene

D.C. Corbin and associates created the Coeur d'Alene Railway and Navigation Company in 1886 with the backing of the Northern Pacific Railway. Corbin's plans included two lines, the first was a branch line from the NP main line at Hauser Junction through Post Falls and on to Coeur d'Alene where it would connect with the steamboats. This was the first railway in Coeur d'Alene.

In 1902 the Coeur d'Alene & Spokane Railway Company was started by lumberman F.A. Blackwell and banker Wiliam Dollar and planned an electric interurban railay btween the two growing towns. On December 28, 1903 the first electric line train arrived in Coeur d'Alene and was greeted by hundreds of people.
The "electric line" was a pivitol key in the development of Coeur d'Alene as a tourist destination. The line became very popular, especially in summer months as tourists combined the rail trip with a steamboat excursion on the lake. In July of 1907, over 100,000 passengers made the trip from Spokane.

Playland Pier Follow-up part 2, the Carousel

2009-12-23T13:35:00.000-08:00

You can find a photo of the old carousel at the bottom of this page. Note the paintings around the top, yes, that's Cataldo Mission.

Playland Pier follow-up

2009-12-22T13:06:00.000-08:00

Following up on last week's anniversary of Playland Pier burning, here's another photo from the mid 50's. This page was scaned from one of the old North Idaho Fun Guides (forerunners of the Guide to North Idaho) and also features an ad for the nearby Templin's Grill.

Of note here is that Playland Pier would allow free use of the changing rooms along the waterfront boardwalk for tourists. All they had to do was present a key from one of the local hotels, You could even rent a towel for ten cents and a bathing suit for a quarter. By the early 60's the changing rooms were gone along with the small concession at beach level.

City beach wasn't very safe by today's standards but a lot of fun at the time. It wasn't unusual to have boom logs float into the swim area and while rusty spikes and huge splintered logs presented a hazard, it didn't stop kids from creating makeshift boats, docks and diving platforms out of them.

It was a great place and still is.

December 22 in Idaho History

2009-12-22T10:35:00.000-08:00

December 22, 1864: The second Legislature of Idaho Territory creates Kootenai County from the north end of Nez Perce County.

What is now Kootenai County was one considered part of Oregon Country (1803-1848), Oregon territory (1848-1853), Washington Territory (1853-1863), Idaho Territory (1863-1890) and finally Idaho when we became a state in 1890.

The original boundaries of Kootenai County were above the 48th Parallel, bordering present day Washington on the west, Montana on the wast and Canada on the north. Of note is the present Kootenai County was not included, now located south of the 48th Parallel.

The original county seat was Senaquoteen, a small trading post located on the south shore of the Clark Fork River and later changed to Pend Oreille opposite the present town of Laclede. At the time Seaquoteen was the only settlement in Idaho territory north of Lewiston. All that remains is an old graveyard.

Stay tuned for more history, trivia and legends about North Idaho.

This Day in History, Dec 18, 1975 Playland Pier Burns

2009-12-18T09:19:00.000-08:00

On the night of December 18, 1975, the vacated Playland Pier (known as the Barbary Coast for the previous few years before it went out of business) accidently on purpose burnt down. It was the end of an era and forever changed the face of Coeur d'Alene's waterfront and City Beach.

In 1941 the Coeur d'Alene Lakeside Development Company introduced plans to build an amusement park on the east end of City Beach. Over 20,000 cubic yards of fill had been hauled in and in the summer of 1942 Playland Pier was open for business.

Playland Pier offered a number of rides and attractions including (over it's tenure) a Merry-go-round, Ferris Wheel, bumper cars, miniature train, small roller coaster called the Hey-Day, revolving swing ride, Loop-o-plane and a penny arcade. Between Coeur d'Alene's history as a tourist and vacation destination and with the opening of Farragut Naval Training Station, Playland Pier became a hugely popular place.

The rides, while by today's standards are now considered pretty tame, were grat thrill rides of their day. The Merry-go-round (which still exists and was once, and may still, be considered for a return to CdA) was always popular with kids of all ages. Bumper cars didn't often run in later years but caused a line when they did. And what may have been the most popular was the Swing (far right in the abve photo) which, when operation, swung the riders out over the waters of Lake Coeur d'Alene.

In the arcade were a couple Mutoscopes (hand cranked "motion" picture viewers) featuring things like a fan dancer and a snake eating a chicken, .02 cent vending machines where you could get post cards of movie stars and custom cars, skee ball machines and shooting games where, when hit, the bear would stand, growl and turn around. My favorite was a penny-a-ball soccer game with steel balls (which, try as we may, never broke the glass case).

There was also a snack bar, souvenir stand and carnival games like balloon darts. Below the pier and facing the lake were changing rooms that could be rented although those were removed in the late 50's.

By the mid-60's Playland Pier started to run down and in the early 70's was known more for a place the deliquent kids hung out. Most days only a couple rides were running and many amusements had been hauled away or were broken. Ownership had changed as did the name to Barbary Coast. Little was done in the way of upkeep and the owners slowly started to cherry-pick what they wanted and took it away.

In 1973 the City of Coeur d'Alene was beginning a park improvement plan. The land never belonged to the concessionaires and when they finaly pulled the plug the land, and remaining buildings, returned to The City of Coeur d'Alene. The timing was perfect.

The City slowly started to dismantle Playland Pier and after everything of value (copper pipes, etc.) was removed the buildings were left for the wrecking ball. On December 17 a small fire broke out in a building but went out. The next night the whole place went up in flames. The fire department sort of eyed it as a practice burn when they arrived, what was there to "save"? In the end, the City was saved thousands of dollars just cleaning up after the fire rather than have it torn apart and hauled away.

America's Bi-centennial was 1976 and what is now known as Independence Point was dedicated. The spot is now as popular as it ever was and is a prime location to soak up the sun, watch fireworks and view the swim portion on Ironman CdA.

But the memories live on.