Finishing strong

Over 2,000 athletes, more than 3,000 volunteers, 10,000+ spectators ... 2.4 mile swim in a 57 degree Lake Coeur d'Alene, 112-mile cycle leg through Hayden Lake and a 26.2 mile marathon around Lake Coeur d'Alene on a sunny Sunday = Ironman Coeur d'Alene 2011. Images from start to finish HERE.

Pirates of the Coeur d'Alenes

We set sail on the high seas (aka Lake Coeur d’Alene) with the Pirates of the Coeur d’Alenes Monday night and had a great time. The local actors in the roles of Captain Calico Jack (Alex Carey), Mad Molly (Trigger Weddle), Ignacia (Jessi Little) and Paisley Percival (Cory Williamson) put on a show that delighted people of all ages. Info on cruise times and days at 765-4000 or HERE. Pictured, Ignacia and Captain Calico Jack with the ruby treasure.

Paddles away

Paddleboarders all in a row on Lake Coeur d'Alene, across from the city beach. Come Sunday thousands of Ironman competitors will start their journey there.

Lawn Mower Drags

A fun Father's Day tradition takes place on Maine Street (yes, as in the state) in Spirit Lake every year. It's a small town celebration of horse power and testosterone. If you've never been, you're missing out on a decidedly North Idaho experience. Time trials start at 11 a.m. and the event runs until 4 p.m. More info HERE.

Nice ride!

A featured car at the Car d'Lane show on Saturday is a 1939 Cadillac LaSalle “C-Hawke” concept convertible. I saw the car on June 4 during the Post Falls Days car show and visited with the proud owner ... recently retired Kootenai County Undersheriff Tad Leach. Looks like Tad will have plenty to keep him occupied in retirement.

O'er the Land of the Free ...

On Flag Day the Submarine Veterans of Farragut posted new flags over the Idaho Department of Labor building in Post Falls, joining American Legion Post 143 in the ceremonies. IDL staffer Andrea Rue, on right, sang the National Anthem, beautifully.

That's what friends are for ...

Jake Medlock, center, is a hometown guy. He and his wife, Nicole, were dealt a blow when their 2-year-old daughter, Sophie was diagnosed with leukemia in May. As the medical bills mount so does the support from the Post Falls community. On Monday, Pizza Hut came onboard with a special promotion with 20% of sales for the day going to the Sophie Medlock fund. Estimations are that the day's sales are double an average Monday for the restaurant. Pizza Hut was filled with friends and neighbors, including Kelly and Shauna Moore and Amber and John Blanchette.

AAH CHOO!

It's that time of year and for allergy sufferers, it's not fun. At White Pine Park in Post Falls the basketball courts are awash with pollen. Weather.com has a link for tracking the pollen levels in our communities HERE.

Fair Food

There's still several weeks until the North Idaho Fair rolls around but here's a sneak peek at one of the new menu items for 2011. Ekness Catering, a perennial fair favorite food booth, debuted a fried bologna sandwich at Post Falls Days. Nice compliment to their North Idaho Beer Balls. So you can add this to the list of things to try, along with deep fried twinkies & meatballs, elephant ears and the like.

People Watching Pooches

This pair of retrievers enjoyed a great view of the people coming to Q'emiln Park for the final day of Post Falls Days on Sunday.

Sunday Mystery

On Sunday afternoon we saw a banner being towed through the skies over Post Falls, towards Coeur d'Alene. I imagined it carried a fun message, like a wedding proposal. Took a photo and when enlarged was disappointed to find it was just the GEICO gecko.

Feat of Strength

William Dean, Kylee Krahenbuhl, Adam Durflinger and Jamie Helm, members of the Spokane Shock's new stunt team, get in some practice on Saturday in Post Falls. On the Rathdrum Prairie the quartet were silouetted in the sunset.

Remembering

At Coeur d'Alene Memorial Gardens, Nick Farina
of the Young Marines of North Idaho rang the
bell as the name of each veteran who passed away this year
was read.

Memorial Day dawned sunny and warm with ceremonies throughout the county well-attended. I attended three ... at the Third St. Bell with VFW Post 889, at Evergreen Cemetery with American Legion Post 143 and at Coeur d'Alene Memorial Gardens with the Marine Corps League, Pappy Boyington Detachment 966. There's an album of photos HERE that celebrate the people and patriotism of our communites. Sincere thank you to the veterans who volunteer to organize and participate in the ceremonies that educate and remind us all of their contributions.

Soggy weekend on tap

The waters of Coeur d'Alene Lake and rivers in north Idaho have been on the rise, as evidenced by this photograph on Blackwell Island near the Cedars Floating Restaurant shows. A story about the flooding HERE from the Coeur d'Alene Press and an album of photographs I took in the Coeur d'Alene area on Thursday evening HERE.

Where's the Beach?

The visual of the flooding up river from Lake Coeur d'Alene is apparent with this Monday morning view of city beach. The water is nearly to the lifeguard stands with debris washing ashore. The several steps at Independence Point are mostly submerged.

Until They All Come Home

When the package of bracelets arrived on my doorstep in 2009,
I was overcome with the emotion of seeing the names of real
soldiers, real families who still waited and the reality of their
lives on hold ... until their sons, brothers, husbands
would finally come home.
Photo: Kerri Thoreson

In 2009 Main Street readers supported the National League of POW/MIA Families by ordering the iconic silver bracelets which debuted in 1970. Paul Coy of Post Falls contacted me then about replacing one he'd worn for decades that bore the name of Sgt. Donnie Shue. Sgt. Shue had been missing in combat in Vietnam since 1969.
Sgt. Shue came home on April 29, 2011. His story is in this week's Main Street HERE.

All Elections are Special

Today a "special" election is being held for highway district commissioners and school board trustees. With new election consolidation laws in effect the process is slightly different than in years past. Citizens will vote at their regular polling precincts but not all will have elections in their specific zone or district. The Kootenai County election website HERE can answer your questions on candidates and polling places. To talk to an election staffer call 446-1651.
VOTE!

The End of Innocence

One year after the murders, this modest Wolf Lodge home belied the
horror that was visited about the family who lived there. It's since
been torn down.

It was six years ago today that the Groene and McKenzie families, and our community, discovered that pure evil exists. With the murder of Brenda Groene, her middle school-age son, Slade and finance` Mark McKenzie and the kidnapping of her two youngest children, Dylan and Shasta, our collective hearts were broken. The rejoicing for Shasta's return was tempered by the discovery of her brother's body. Unimaginable. For the column I wrote back in 2005, click HERE.

Love Birds

Elmer Currie takes his sweetheart of seven decades for a twirl on the dance floor at the Lake City Senior Center on Saturday. Elmer and Bernie mark their 70th wedding anniversary today. More about their celebration in Main Street HERE.

Main Street Birthday Club

Add your birthday to the Main Street Birthday Club at the link HERE. I'll include your birthday in the Coeur d'Alene Press Main Street on Wednesdays and daily on KVNI AM1080!

Sunshine on the way

It's been a wet spring in North Idaho but on Monday evening on I-90 westbound into Post Falls, the sun broke through the clouds while raindrops fell. Sunshine is in our future for a few days at least.

Celebrating Youth!

Emily Danforth received recognition on Thursday evening for writing a grant for an anti-smoking campaign which she's presented to a number of groups. Congratulations to Emily and all of the incredible young people in our community.
A list of Mayor's Youth Awards recipients in the Coeur d'Alene Press HERE.

Close Shave at the County

Kootenai County Assessor Mike McDowell and Residential Appraiser Manager Darin Krier (both pictured) took one for the team Tuesday morning, following through with the pledge to shave their heads, mustaches and beard if $1,500 was raised for a good cause. When Gary Logsdon took an early retirement as a residential appraiser due to a medical condition, with months until disability pay kicks in, his friends and co-workers set out to raise some financial cushion for him. McDowell and Krier raised $1,600 and earlier this month, Deputy Assessor Rich Houser raised $1,045 and received a buzz cut.

Main Street column from Coeur d'Alene Press HERE. More photos from the head shaving festivities HERE.

Finally!

Before noon on April 24, Easter Sunday, we finally saw temperatures above the 60 degree mark! 2011 has been record-setting in the latest day in April that the temperature cracked 60.

Wordless Weather Report

On this 21st day of April, no words are needed to describe the weather ...

Undersheriff's Last Day Prank

Longtime Kootenai County Sheriff Rocky Watson is a legendary prankster so retiring Undersheriff Tad Leach planned a payback for his last day. Tad (on right) arranged to have a forklift place Rocky's Durango on top of two ammo bunkers in the Sheriff's Dept. yard on Wednesday afternoon. Rocky was a good sport and applauded the prank. The last prank he played on Tad? Shrinkwrapping the Undersheriff's desk ...

Buzz Cut

Kootenai County's Chief Deputy Assessor Rich Houser (left) was shorn for a friend on Tuesday morning. Longtime county appraiser Gary Logsdon has taken an early retirement for health reasons and Rich inspired county staffers to contribute to a going away fund for Logsdon, to the tune of over $1,000! Read this week's Main Street column HERE for more of the story and to discover who else in the Assessor's office is likely to be sporting a buzz cut in the coming days ....

April Showers

In the course of an hour on Monday there was snow, hail, thunder and lightning. Then the sun came out and within minutes the accumulation on the roof melted, sending a stream of rainwater down from the gutters to the rain chain. Only in North Idaho!

Chilly Dash

Runners await the start of the Spring Dash at McEuen Field on Sunday morning. Temperatures were at the freezing mark, which didn't deter over 1,400 participants. Winners of the Team Challenge Spirit Cup were the Red Hot Mamas and Garwood Elementary School won Silverwood passes for all 29 team members for the School Challenge. The annual event benefits the programs of United Way of Kootenai County.
Coeur d'Alene Mayor Sandi Bloem, Post Falls City Councilor Kerri Thoreson and UI Women's Soccer Head Coach Peter Showler judged the Team Challenge Cup competition.

Art Manley Award

Jerry and Diane Shriner were congratulated by former Vermont governor Howard Dean upon receiving the prestigious Art Manley Award at the annual North Idaho Democracy Luncheon. The Shriners were recognized for their service to the Democrat Party in Kootenai County. The event took place at the Coeur d'Alene Casino on Saturday with Dean as the keynote speaker.

Across the Pond

I wrote about my recent adventure to London with my daughter Sarah in the last Main Street column in the Coeur d'Alene Press. An album of photos from our travels ...HERE.

Spring has sprung

Buttercups make their first appearance of the season along the Centennial Trail.

Top dogs and their people

The Post Falls Police Department's inaugural Leashes and Laces Fun Run on Sunday at the Greyhound Park drew over 140 runners, many with their 4-legged companions. The crowd also enjoyed Koda's K-9 demo with Officer Frank Bowne and Officer Jason Hunt. Photos from the event HERE.

The Art of the Interview

Post Falls High School senior Alyssa Scalise is interviewed about her career choice during the Reverse Job Fair on Wednesday. The Post Falls Chamber-sponsored event brings together high school students with members of the business community to provide practical experience in the art of the interview. Over $5,000 in scholarships were presented to the winning interviewees. See more about the event with photos and the names of the scholarship recipients HERE.

Frosty Buns

Celebrating the first day of Spring on Sunday, over 500 motorcyclists took their first ride of the year for the annual Frosty Buns Run. The procession made quite a sight on Sherman Avenue just after noon. The group started at Roadhouse Cycles in Post Falls, through Coeur d'Alene to Rathdrum and Athol. A little stinging rain and sleet was described as "invigorating" by a rider. :)

Only 7898 kilometers from here

In the market place in front of the Herborn, Germany Mayorhouse a new distance sign featuring Post Falls has been added. Herborn is Post Falls' Associate City and the birthplace of town founder Frederick Post.
Erwin and Kathi Gabriel of Herborn shared this photograph.

National Champs!

The Lady Cardinals from North Idaho College brought home the first-ever National Champion for women's basketball this weekend. On Sunday the team and coaches were met by a large, enthusiastic group of friends, fans and family to welcome them home. More photos from the homecoming HERE.

Autographed memory

An autographed poster from the original Grease! movie, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, was the door prize at Saturday night's Grease Sing-A-Long event at North Idaho College. Over 1,000 people, many in costume, enjoyed the sing-a-long and an appearance by Ellen Travolta.
The proceeds benefit the Coeur d'Alene Summer Theater.

Birthday Boy

Post Falls Mayor Clay Larkin was feted on the occassion of his 75th birthday on Friday with a reception at City Hall. A beautiful engraved knife from Buck Knives' own Chuck Buck was presented to the mayor.

Rainy days

The forecasts call for rain and then some more rain. But our weather glass is half full when the promise of green grass can be seen now that the snow has melted.

Sweet Slumber

Chris LaVoie had an idea for a new product and took it from an idea to reality, all locally. His Slumber Mitt travel pillow is just about the most comfortable I've experienced.
Read more about Chris and his invention in Main Street HERE.

St. Thomas Centennial Celebration

The steeple of St. Thomas Church in Coeur d'Alene as viewed from Tubbs Hill.

On Sunday, March 6, St. Thomas the Apostle Church, on 9th and Indiana Ave., will commemorate the first Mass service which was held at the church on March 5, 1911. The iconic parish was established in 1890, the same year as Idaho's statehood. Coeur d'Alene's first Catholic school was started in 1903 and closed in 1971. Following the mass service this Sunday a brunch will be held at the Coeur d'Alene Resort, with speakers including Ellen Jaegar and former Coeur d'Alene mayors, Don Johnston and John McHugh sharing their memories of St. Thomas Church.

Robins react to snow

The flock of robins returned to my yard on the first day of March. They've gone from bewilderment at the snowfall to cranky. Kind of like the rest of us. :)

February's final act

The last day of February is a vision of white caps on Lake Coeur d'Alene as high winds whip the falling snow near the boardwalk on the north shore. There seems to be little chance that March will come in like a lamb tomorrow.

RIP Senator McClure

Jim McClure served Idaho for 24 years in Congress and the US Senate. He passed away over the weekend at age 86. In September 2008, he was a guest at the Women in Red Luncheon where we enjoyed a brief visit as he signed copies of his latest book. What a gentleman and a true public servant.
Associated Press story HERE.

Brrrrrr.

This is my view on Friday morning. North Idaho is waking up to single digit temps. Weather story from the Press HERE.

Robins of Winter

The Arctic chill and accompanying snow storm brought about 20 robins to seek shelter in the trees and shrubs around our Post Falls home on Thursday. The sight of the birds made me wistful for springtime. More photos of our red-breasted visitors HERE.

Cheer for North Idaho!

The North Idaho College Cheerleading Squad performed during halftime of the Post Falls/Lake City boys basketball tournament in The Arena at Post Falls.
The high-flying talented team heads off to California for the National Cheer Competition this weekend. Go Cardinals!

Viking Wrestler Not Pinned by Injury



E.G. Lunceford gives a thumbs up from his KMC hospital bed, with fellow CHS wrestlers Drew Moreno, Johnny Peregrina, Colin Comack, Jake Graham, Garret Demers, and Steve Price by his side. *Photo courtesy of Bob Siegwarth

Coeur d'Alene High School wrestler, E.G. Lunceford suffered a broken neck during a match over the weekend. Story HERE from this week's Main Street column.

Sweet Start to Valentine's Day

The Coeur d'Alene Downtown Association's annual Chocolate Walk on Friday night was a sell-out success! Had a great time with fellow judges Susan DuBois and Marilee Wallace. Photos HERE.

Lion of the Year

Post Falls Lions President Paul Wagner (on left) presented Bert Thoreson with the 2010 Lion of the Year Award.
For me, Bert's Husband of the Year every year!

Groundhog Day, Idaho style

Marty Marmot, Punxsutawney Phil's Idaho cousin, didn't see his shadow today so it looks like an early spring!