Fall Back

Set your clocks back one hour tonight when you go to bed. And while you're at it, don't forget to replace batteries in your smoke detectors!

Frightening Finale`

Halloween night is the last chance to experience the award-winning Post Falls Lions Haunted House. Open from 6 p.m. to midnight and guaranteed to scare your socks off. Post Falls High School senior Brock Sherman along with Chris Harris and Justin Hughes are just some of the spooky characters you'll see inside the house.

Big Monster

Dozens of cute costumed kids trick or treated a day early at Post Falls City Hall Friday afternoon. In the Community Development Department, Harmony Conley poses with a giant Frankenstein monster who awaited the trick or treaters.

Farewell to Frannie

In August I visited with Francis (Frannie) Wilhelm on the occassion of his 97th birthday. Joined by retired City Clerk, Chris Pappas, (also pictured) whom Frannie hired when he served as mayor of Post Falls from 1976 to 1980. It was a fun and festive visit with old friends. A few weeks after his birthday, Frannie became the oldest person to parasail over Lake Coeur d'Alene. He had an incredible and extraordinary life for nearly a century with most of those years spent in Post Falls. His granddaughter, Linda Wilhelm, followed in his footsteps and serves on the Post Falls City Council.

Main Street in Print

This week's Main Street column from the Coeur d'Alene Press HERE.

Team Work

Read why the Post Falls Trojans and Coeur d'Alene Vikings are all cheering on rivals, Lake City Timberwolves tonight in high school football action ... HERE. If Lake City beats Lewiston then all bets are off and the rivalry is back on big time!

Well-Deserved Award!

Marge Chadderdon was named Coeur d'Alene's Citizen of the Year at the Chamber's annual luncheon today. She's a businesswoman, philanthropist, patriot, volunteer and an elected Idaho State Representative. Not to mention the proud mother of Julie, Jan, Jodie and Doug and doting grandma to her exceptional grandchildren. This award couldn't have been more deserved. Congratulations Marge!

Mark your calendar ...

October 29, 2009 ... first measurable snowfall of the season! Email a photo from your neighborhood and I'll post it here.
This photo is from Cynthia Pischner-Raynor's Dalton Gardens garden this morning.

Soup Brigade

Kootenai County Assessor Mike McDowell and (clockwise) staffers Beckie Williams, Jack Christianson, Jan Lindquist and Eileen Hoffman as the annual Soup and Bread Contest wrapped up on Monday. Click on COMMENTS to see list of winners!

Strawberry Sunset

My friend Don Sausser captured another great sunset over Lake Coeur d'Alene from his 10th floor condo in downtown Coeur d'Alene.

Honoring Sgt. Avriett

The Coeur d'Alene Police Department will hold a Service Banner ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 29 to honor Coeur d'Alene Police Officer and USAF Tech Sgt. Shane Avriett, who is currently serving in Iraq. The public is invited, 4:30 p.m. at 3818 Schreiber Way.

Perfect Day for Soup

As the rain poured down and the cold winds blew on Monday, the Kootenai County Administration Building meeting rooms were a sea of crock pots filled with 43 homemade entries in the 9th Annual Soup and Bread Contest. Hosted by the Assessor's office, the popular event drew nearly 200 people who happily forked over five bucks each to sample the entries. My favorite, the Southwestern White Chicken Chili, is pictured here. But the best part of the event is that the proceeds are used by the Assessor's department to provide several holiday baskets to randomly-drawn recipients of the Circuit Breaker* program. Kudos to the great cooks from all of the county's departments who participated and to Mike McDowell's staff who make it all happen. *low-income taxpayers who are 65 and older, disabled or widowed.

Get Out! North Idaho

Patrick Jacobs has a great list of places to go for the Halloween holiday HERE.

Cast of Curse

High school students/actors in the Curse of Pirates Island haunted adventure at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds take a break from the action. Pictured (l-r) Michaela Allen and Zina Maek-Lakeland High School and Elizabeth Stadley, Cameron Crandall, Elizabeth Gleixner and Alyssa Kimm of Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy. The show runs through Halloween.

Flu Season

Beginning Monday, Kootenai Medical Center will expand its recently-tightened visitor policy to all patient care areas. The expanded policy is intended to help stop the spread of flu to patients. The change is expected to remain in effect during the heightened portion of the flu season.New patient protections:*Children under the age of 18 will not allowed to visit any patient care areas.*Adults with coughs, colds, fevers and other flu-like symptoms will not be allowed to visit patient care areas*Adult visitors must be immediate family members and must register at the nurse’s desk before entering a patient’s room.Guidelines on flu care can be found HERE.

Bus Parade

Big yellow busses head down Poleline Avenue in Post Falls at the end of the school day, dropping off their charges along the way. October 18-23 is National School Bus Driver Appreciation Week.

Let the Screams Begin!

The Post Falls Lions Haunted House opens Thursday, Oct. 22 and runs through Halloween. Nightmare on 4th Street is the grand daddy of local haunted houses, operated for nearly four decades by volunteers and benefitting local scholarships and sight and hearing programs.

Spare shovel?

My buddy Bob Driscoll, of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, is the best connected guy I know. He shares information with probably thousands of people in the community and I'm glad to be one of those people. This notice from Bob in the in-box yesterday caught my eye, "If you have an extra shovel, know about an extra shovel, have friends who have an extra shovel, please consider donating them to the homeless. For some, this will be a major source of income. What kind of shovel? I was told that if it looks like a shovel it's a shovel, whether for snow, trenching, coaling, or etc. etc."
All donations can be taken to Fresh Start at 1524 East Sherman, Coeur d'Alene. *photo of Bob from the Idaho National Guard "Boss Lift" this summer.

Main Street in Print

This week's print column from the Coeur d'Alene Press HERE.

Cat Walkers Wanted

No, this isn't a call to take Tabby for a stroll on a leash, it's the more glamorous kind of walking. The Kootenai Health Festival of Trees is coming up the end of next month and auditions for fashion show models, both men and women, over the age of 18 are on Sunday, November 1. Check the link HERE for details.

Back at the Ballot Box

Chris Pappas, retired City Clerk, was back in Post Falls City Hall Monday morning, overseeing the start of absentee balloting. City Administrator Eric Keck (pictured with Pappas) cast the second ballot, right behind Larry Carstensen. Election worker Ron Smith said he's enjoying his first time to work with the county for an election. For information on voting and the Nov. 3 municipal elections go your city's website: Post Falls, Coeur d'Alene, Hayden, or Rathdrum.

Not Forgotten

The shipment of Vietnam POW/MIA bracelets ordered by Main Street readers has arrived. If your check had a Coeur d'Alene or Hayden area address, your bracelet(s) is at the front counter of the Coeur d'Alene Press, 201 N. 2nd Street. Post Falls orders are at the reception desk at the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce, 510 E. 6th Ave.
To order a bracelet directly from the National League of POW-MIA Families the link is HERE.

Women in Red

Idaho's First Lady Lori Otter was a featured speaker at the Annual Women in Red Luncheon at the Coeur d'Alene Resort on Friday. Proceeds from the luncheon are used by the Kootenai County Republican Women for local tuition scholarships and US Constitution books for every high school senior in Kootenai County. Pictured (l-r) Pam Nilson, Julie Chadderdon, Lori Otter and Eve Knudtsen.

Scoop

NIC Sentinel reporter, Nick Dimico interviews Dr. Robert Ketchum at North Idaho College Workforce Training Center's 15th Anniversary open house this past week.

For the Kids!

Mark McWhorter, Pastor of Post Falls Church of the Nazarene, received the Lifetime Membership Award from the Boys & Girls Club for his commitment to the children and programs of the organization. His leadership and collaboration with the BGC of Kootenai County provides a safe and appropriate place to meet (the Post Falls Nazarene Church) while the BGC conducts their capital campaign to raise money for a new building. Mark, his board members and his congregation believe in the work of the club. Mark and his wife, Tina are pictured at the Boys and Girls Club's annual ball this past Saturday.

Mr. Olympia

Over the weekend I was in Salt Lake City visiting youngest daughter, Sarah and cheering her on as she competed as a novice in the NPC Utah Classic Body Building and Fitness Championships. Pretty amazing to see that tall, blonde daughter o'mine in such company and she placed 4th runner up to boot. A special guest at the event was Mr. Olympia himself, Jay Cutler and what a rock star reception this guy received from the crowd of a couple thousand. We visited afterwards and he told me it's never too late to get in shape to compete. I told him he'd see me on stage in a fitness competition only if he would be my personal trainer. :)
More photos of Mr. Olympia and the event HERE.

Main Street in Print

This week's Coeur d'Alene Press column HERE.

Enjoy Fall while it lasts!

As we head into a weekend with low temps predicted to drop down to the teens, thoughts turn to the winter ahead. Here are Cliff Harris' predictions for our North Idaho winter. Tomorrow the winds are forecast to blow that Arctic air our way so be sure to button up your overcoat!

In print

Main Street in Coeur d'Alene Press HERE.

Candidate Forums/Election Info

Forums in the area so you can get to know the people who want to represent YOU on city councils in Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls, Rathdrum and Hayden. HERE.
City websites: Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls. Kootenai County Elections Department HERE.

Silent Witness

Post Falls Mayor Clay Larkin proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month during the October 6 city council meeting. OASIS advocates Bridget Eismann and Christine Jones of the Post Falls Police Department announced that the Silent Witness figures will be displayed at City Hall and the libraries in Post Falls and Coeur d'Alene throughout October.

Good Business

Jacob Dawson (third from left standing) and his friend, Jesse Ramsey (not pictured) started J & J Lawn Care this past June to earn money over the summer. Jacob is a sophomore at Post Falls High School and Jesse graduated from PFHS this year. When the duo started their business they joined the Chamber of Commerce and vowed to give 25% of their tips to the Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County. On Monday Jacob presented a check for $86 to the staff members shown here (left to right standing)Lindsey Baldwin, Destinie Triplett, Jessica Prince, Seth Owens and Kyle Davide, while some of the afterschool youngsters join in.

Taste Test

Back in August Alyssa Tondee Abraham took top honors at the North Idaho Fair for her triple layer German Chocolate cake. Proving she's no "one hit wonder" Alyssa baked another on Sunday and invited me to enjoy a piece. A little help slicing from her dad, Todd, Alyssa served up another winner! Yum.

Scared Silly!

On Tuesday night I got a sneak preview of the new Scarywood at Silverwood. The park is decked out in "cobwebs" with spooky creatures lurking around every corner. The Midfright Express train ride through the dark woods was a trip and a half. Go to the Silverwood site HERE to see details of the transformation. Kudos to Gary Norton for the inspired investment in extending the theme park's season through Halloween while providing some frightful family fun!

Ride!

September ridership of Citylink busses was 40,168, up from 38,416 in 2008. Citylink is a transportation system that came to full service on Nov. 1, 2005. It's a result of a $1.38 million grant to Kootenai County, Idaho from the Federal Transit System. Matching funds of $1.38 million are provided by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, headquartered in Plummer, Idaho.
Covering the Coeur d’Alene Reservation and urban areas of Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls and Hayden, Citylink brings unprecedented free transportation to all people in the region.

Ground Breaking

The dirt has been turned for the new Post Falls Chamber offices and visitor center, which will be located on the corner of 4th St. and Frederick Ave. near Post Falls City Hall. Dignitaries, Chamber leadership and local business people all turned out for the occassion. Some of the former Chamber chairs took a turn at the ceremonial shoveling: (l-r) Eric English, Dave Bobbitt, Jackie McAvoy, Cort Wilcox, Pam Houser, Randy Oaks, Sherry Wallis, Mara'd Sjostrom, Marilyn Deutsch and Dick Harris.