Cold's coming

Blue skies were visible beyond Hauser Lake on Sunday as the temperatures began to drop. Looks like February could see a return to winter.

Teacher Tribute

On Saturday seniors on the Post Falls Trojan varsity basketball team honored a teacher who's had the biggest impact on them during their high school years. Pictured left to right: Damon Gonzales, Stephanie Zoldak, Kyle English, Rebecca Hasz, Connor Hill, Jessica Ohman, Matt Lickfold and Ann Rosenbaum.

Top Donor

Rich Anstine set an impressive record with his 300th donation of platelets at the Inland Northwest Blood Center in Coeur d'Alene on Tuesday afternoon. Rich's story is in this week's Main Street column HERE. And for more photos of the occassion, click the link HERE.

Handy Man

In front of Albertson's at Ironwood, a man sought shelter from the rain. I was intrigued by his mode of transportation ... a bicycle and two tagalong trailers filled to the brim. In chatting, Nathaniel said he rides around looking for odd jobs and this time of year he comes prepared with a snow shovel and a cell phone ... 208-304-3871.

Off roading

When the snows came on Wednesday it made for slippery conditions. This Lakeland school bus ended up in the swale in front of Post Falls High School midday. No one was injured in the slide off. But when the rains came overnight and the roads became a sheet of ice, school in Lakeland, Post Falls and Coeur d'Alene was cancelled for the day.

In the bag

Koda, the Post Falls Police Department's K9 "officer" provided a drug sniffing demonstration during the River City Leadership Academy's public safety Discovery Day on Wednesday. Koda's handler, Officer Frank Bowne, planted decoy drugs in one of several purses. It didn't take long for Koda to alert to the right purse.

The Apprentice and Me

Back in December I had the pleasure of meeting Clint Robertson, who'd just been seen by millions during Season 10 of Donald Trump's The Apprentice. This week Clint joined me in the KVNI studios for an interview that will air on Monday, January 10 at 7 a.m.
Clint and Sandy Robertson have lived in Post Falls for the past year and are counting their blessings as well as the job offers that are coming in droves since Clint finished in the final two of the reality show.
Clint will be the keynote speaker at the Post Falls Chamber's annual recognition banquet on January 27 if you'd like to meet him, too!
I'll share some fun "Clint" stories in my Main Street column on Wed., Jan. 12.

Main Street January 5, 2011

This week's Main Street print column ... HERE.

Winter falls

Water rushing over the Post Falls Dam was far warmer than the single-digit air temps, creating a steamy mist and coating the canyon walls with ice. Combined with the late afternoon sun, the view from the overlook platform at Falls Park was sensational.

Hello 2011!

For decades adverturous souls have celebrated the first day of the new year by plunging into Lake Coeur d'Alene at Sanders Beach. Robert Cliff makes quite a splash at the stroke of noon. It was sunny and cold on January 1, 2011 but air temperatures around 15 degrees and water temps just above freezing didn't keep several hundred people from taking the plunge. Photos of the 2011 Polar Bear Plunge HERE.

Farewell 2010!

The beautiful 25' wide wreath that each year adorns the side of the Coeur d'Alene Resort is hand-crafted by Connie O'Neal of Hauser Lake. As we say goodbye to another year, we remember the great things that have come our way and look forward to the promise of a new beginning.

2011 Birthdays

Don't forget to add your birthday to the Main Street Birthday Club for 2011! Click on the photo of the cake/balloons at the top right side of this page and you'll find the link.

A Christmas Eve Journey

Wishing Main Street readers and listeners the merriest of Christmases.
You all bless my life in so many ways.

The audio version of my traditional Christmas Eve column is HERE.

Cake Mix Cookies

This holiday season my baking has been very limited because I've made some lifestyle/diet changes. But sometimes you need to break out a platter of Christmas cookies for guests. Simple recipe I've been using for years, especially when my daughters were in school is this Cake Mix Cookie trick.
Use one box of any flavor cake mix and combine with 2 eggs and 1/3 cup oil. Stir until it turns to dough texture. Shape into 2-inch balls and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten slightly with the bottom of a sugared drinking glass. Bake 8-10 minutes at 375 degrees. Can be frosted or not. Your choice. The cookies shown here I made with Red Velvet flavor cake mix for a festive look.

Sunny snow

A late afternoon sunbreak illuminates the snow-covered peak of Rathdrum Mountain. At nearly 5,000 ft. elevation, the mountain stands sentry over the farmland on the north side of the Rathdrum Prairie.

Pile driver

A worker helps position a log piling for the pile driving crane. The new pilings were installed at the Independence Point public dock on Lake Coeur d'Alene on Thursday morning.

Traffic

On Wednesday evening, westbound commuter traffic on I-90 was backed up for hours and miles through Post Falls following a fatal accident.
Story HERE.

Lake Tower panorama

Don Sausser shared another fabulous view from his penthouse apartment overlooking the Coeur d'Alene Resort and Lake Coeur d'Alene. Thanks Don!

Eagles are here!

The North Idaho winter version of stopping to smell the roses is watching the bald eagles during their several week migration that brings them to the east end of Lake Coeur d'Alene. This year the eagles are slower to arrive but by Christmas there should be anywhere from 80 to 100 or so making their visit. Viewing tip for families is to drive out Lake Coeur d'Alene Drive to Higgin's Point. Along the way keep your eyes open to the trees alongside the road (this photo of a young eagle was taken from my car on the side of the road) and you'll often see clusters of people with their cameras pointed in the direction of a sighted bird. At Higgin's Point there's a large parking lot, trails and an information kiosk. Very family friendly. The eagles are most active first thing in the morning and just before dusk, although I've seen eagles feeding mid-day. Just like fishing, patience is a good trait, some days you'll see dozens of eagles and others maybe just a few. But even one bald eagle soaring majestically and swooping down to catch a fish is something not everyone will ever get to experience! A photo album from my Sunday morning hour out at Higgin's Point is HERE.

Jammie Time!

The River City Leadership Academy Class of 2011 hosted a holiday Pajama Party on Dec. 3 to benefit the Post Falls Police Department's OASIS program. Donated pajamas will be given to children who are being sheltered due to domestic violence. RCLA members pictured (l-r) Pat Knight, Cindy Jordan, Anne Hagman, Shelly Enderud, Nellie Armstrong, Jame` Davis, Tami Martinez and Sherry Wallis.