Easy Riders

If you saw more motorcyles than usual on the road today, it was the annual Frosty Buns Run. Several hundred cyclists headed out from Road House and Hot Rod Cafe in Post Falls at noon and traveled to Coeur d'Alene down Sherman Avenue to Chillers, then up to Hayden, over to Rathdrum and ended the day at Curley's in Hauser Lake.

Home of the Cougars

West Ridge Elementary School in Post Falls is the home of the Cougars. And now a 4' X 5' photo mosaic mural by X-Things, composed of 12,000 half inch square "cell photos", celebrates the mascot as well as the students. On Saturday morning school staff, PTO members and donors gathered to dedicate the mural. Ron Lahr, Co-President of the PTO, recognized Tribal Chairman Chief Allan for the Coeur d'Alene Tribe's contribution and Rep. Bob Nonini for his efforts in the fundraising, which provided classroom technology. My contribution was through hundreds of photographs of local scenes and people and I was quite impressed with the "thank you" packet that included a handwritten thank-you note from student Cassandra Hostetler. For Principal Mandy Surratt and Supt. Jerry Keane it was a great day. Just one more example of the partnership of business, community and education in Post Falls. Coeur d'Alene Press story HERE.
*inset shows close up of the cougar's nose.

Craftsman needed

The Lake City Senior Center is in the midst of a great makeover project. The community has graciously responded with manpower and materials and even a beautiful piece of art from Art On The Green was donated. The plan is to display it prominently in an alcove area. They need someone to build a glass enclosure for it. The area is about 5'X5' and 2' deep.
If you'd like to assist in this project, call 667-4628 or cdaseniors@yahoo.com.

Record Breaking Winter

In 2007/08 and 2008/09 North Idaho posted record-breaking snowfall levels. This winter we've set a record on the opposite end of the spectrum ... lowest recorded snowfall. An overview of this winter's weather HERE. The photo of my snow-covered front porch wind spinner was taken 2/26/09.

Her idol ...

Tim Urban of Duncanville, Texas recently made the top 24 on Fox’s ninth season of American Idol. NIC student Gabrielle Lewis and the singer maintain a long-distance relationship since she and her family moved to North Idaho in 2008. Tim will appear on tonight's American Idol broadcast. *Tim and Gabrielle at Beauty Bay in December.

Main Street in Print

Print column from the Coeur d'Alene Press is HERE.

Donations for Haiti

Dr. Michael Ettner, an emergency department physician at Kootenai Medical Center, is spearheading a drive to collect crutches, walkers and canes for distribution to Haitians injured in the recent earthquake. Super 1 Foods stores will have collection areas where donations may be delivered.
Dr. Ettner and several other area medical professionals recently returned from treating Haitians who sustained broken bones, burns and crushing injuries in Haiti. In an e-mail from the tiny island nation, “Haiti has become a nation of amputees,” he said.
As soon as a load is collected, thedevices will be trucked free of charge to Miami where a Royal Caribbean cruise ship will ferry them at no cost to a working port in Haiti.

Rick, Rick and Rich

Rick Seward celebrated his 80th birthday on Saturday with dozens of family and friends. He's pictured here with County Commissioners Rick Currie and Rich Piazza.

Topless in February

It's been an unordinary winter for us, that's for sure. After 20 years of driving a convertible as my primary transportation year 'round, I do believe that this is the first time I've had the top down this early in the year. Took a spin this afternoon in the sunshine with temps around 50 degrees. The only hint that it's still winter is the snow on Rathdrum Mountain in the background. At Q'emlin Park, Main Street reader Jim Sparr was also enjoying the weather and snapped this photographic proof that summer is a state of mind. *I confess I did have the heater on. :)

Silent Witnesses

The Class of 2010 River City Leadership Academy is working on Silent Witness silhouettes. Kimball Office provided thirty two particle board cut-outs and ACE Hardware donated the paint. The RCLA volunteers are working in the Post Falls Lions Club shop on the project this month. When completed the Post Falls Police Department OASIS program will display the Silent Witnesses to bring awareness to domestic violence. An album of photographs of the project HERE.

True Love

This week's Main Street print column tells the tale of Tracey Brown and Tyler Fouche` and a romantic proposal. Love is found where you least expect it. HERE.

Free Classes at NIC WFTC

Confronting Financial Fear and Worry
Telecommuting -Working from Home
How to Start a Home Based Business
How to Start an Internet Business
Teaching on the Internet
How to Earn a Living Freelancing
The Secret to Dealing With Overload
Women and Money-Taking Charge
These classes and several others are free to anyone currently collecting unemployment compensation. To prove current unemployment status, you must provide us with a copy of your latest UI pay stub dated within 30 days of your request.TO ENROLL 769-3333 or NIC Workforce Training Center HERE.

On to State!

Samuel Paul was named winner of the American Legion Area High School Oratorical contest at American Legion Post 143 on Monday night. Sam will represent Districts 1 and 2 at the state competition on February 27 in Boise. Post Falls Mayor Clay Larkin and I were honored to serve as two of the judges. Sam will represent us all well at state!

Cheers!

The Senior Level 5 team from Spotlight Studios North Star in Hayden thrills the crowd during the Lilac City Regionals. Thirty-eight All Star teams from Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Montana and Canada competed.
Here's how the Spotlight squads finished:
Mini L1- 2nd
Youth L1 – 1st and Grand Champs
Junior L1- 1st
Youth L2- 1st and Grand Champs
Junior L2- 1st
Senior Co-ed L2- 1st
Junior L3- 2nd-
Senior Co-ed L3- 1st
Senior Open L5- 1st and Grand Champs

Birthday Queen!

A special Valentine to Lenore Johnson of Post Falls who celebrated her 103rd birthday on Feb. 11!

Adventures in Living

The Great Idaho Getaway Project , produced by Idaho Tourism, is an adventure-based travel documentary of the ultimate Idaho family vacation. Check it out at the link and then start inviting all of your family and friends to come visit this summer!

Time to Play

Retired from the Worley Highway District after 32 years of service, Ken Zehm is looking forward to spending more time with his 2-year-old grandson Shawn—teaching him how to fish and ride four-wheelers. So upon Ken's retirement in December 2009, the crew at the county all chipped in to have this custom sign made for him.

Stellar Speakers

The American Legion District Oratorical contest was held on Monday at American Legion Post 143 in Post Falls. Samuel Paul, representing Post 143, took first place and moves on to the Area Competition next week. Hannah Joy Coad, representing Post 14, received the silver medal for second place. Pictured (l-r) are Chuck Hoard-Post 143 Acting Commander, George Wolf-1st District Commander, Samuel Paul, Hannah Joy Coad and District Oratorical Contest Chairman David Sheridan.

Dance!

This week's Main Street

Print version from the Coeur d'Alene Press HERE.

Along for the ride

The Kootenai Metropoliton Planning Organization has some great new numbers for Citylink ridership in January HERE. Do you ride the bus?

Ruth Sings Judy

Game Time

Matt Behringer stopped by Walmart in Post Falls on Saturday and came across a couple of former NFL players signing autographs and posing for photos ... Ron Fellows - Dallas Cowboys 1981 to 1986 and Dokie Williams -Oakland Raiders 1983 to 1987. Williams played in Super Bowl XVIII.

Watch the birdies!

The Great Backyard Bird Count starts this Friday, February 12, and continues through Monday, February 15. It's easy and fun to participate. Just watch birds for at least 15 minutes at any locaton on one or more days of the count and report the highest number of each species you see together at one tme. For more information and birding tips visit the GBBC website. I've participated the past four or five years and it's amazing the number of species that don't fly south for the winter, including robins. If you get some great photos of local birds, send them along to me and I'll post them here. Have fun!

Extreme Makeover

The ABC show is looking for a deserving Idaho family for their 8th season of the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition show. Deadline to enter is Feb. 12 so email your story to castingidaho@gmail.com right away. Maybe you'll hear the crowd shout "MOVE THAT BUS!"

The People's House

A few days in Boise this week provided an opportunity to visit the newly-renovated state capitol building. I also ran into quite a few local people doing business during this legislative session. See them HERE.

Three Cheers!

Adam Durflinger graduated from Post Falls High School in 2003, where he cheered for four years. His senior year, the squad placed first in the state championship. He went on to cheer at North Idaho College for two years before making the cheer team at Morehead State University - the winningest cheerleading program in NCAA history.
He has been an assistant coach of the senior team at Spotlight All-Star Cheer Studio in Hayden for two years and has also served as a technical judge at the local level for 7 years and has judged at the state level.
Last week he was selected by the Universal Cheer Association to coach summer camps in several states. Three cheers for Adam!

Main Street

This week's Main Street in print HERE. And here's a photo of Veda Ziegler performing karaoke ... read about her incredible adventure in the link above!