Friday already? I was just getting into blog rhythm. Ah well, I know a perfect way to end the week: a Huckster Happy Hour at Zola, W. 22 Main Street, downtown, Spokane. A group of commenters and blurkers will be meeting @ 5 pm. All are welcome. Please drop in and join me in celebrating the end of DFO’s first week of vacation. (Not like I’m counting. Really.)

Use this Wild Card to tell us about your weekend plans, or start a new topic of conversation.

BOISE - Three more longtime senior employees of the Idaho State Tax Commission have come forward with sworn statements charging that secret tax deals were offered to those with political influence, and now Rep. Shirley Ringo, D-Moscow, is offering to put her pending lawsuit over the deals on hold in favor of an in-depth investigation of the charges.

“I think it should make people realize that we have something very serious we’re dealing with,” Ringo said Friday.

She and her attorney, former Idaho Supreme Court Justice Robert Huntley, sent the three new sworn statements to Attorney General Lawrence Wasden yesterday, along with a letter offering to suspend the lawsuit if the state launches an investigation meeting certain requirements, and grants job protection to current Tax Commission employees who testify.

“We have found several people who work within the Tax Commission who would like to speak up, but they’re in fear of jeopardizing their employment,” Ringo said. Betsy Z. Russell, SR Full story.

Something’s rotten at the Idaho State Tax Commission. Thoughts?

San Francisco 49ers 2010 first round draft pick Mike Iupati stretches during NFL football practice at 49ers headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, June 10, 2010.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati have been practically joined at their rather large hips since becoming San Francisco 49ers this spring, and that continued Friday on the day rookies were required to report to team headquarters.

Both first-round draft picks signed five-year contracts a few hours apart, ensuring the highly touted offensive linemen will be in uniform for Sunday’s first training camp practice.

Davis was the No. 11 overall pick in this year’s draft and Iupati was selected by the 49ers six picks later. More here.

Are you ready for some football?

Libraries like this one in Cleveland are investing more money in DVDs and videos, and many people say they are turning to libraries for free movies and bypassing stores.

Why rent the cow when you can borrow the milk for free? That seems to be the mindset of many Americans, as a new study claims that more DVDs are borrowed from libraries each day than are rented via Netflix, Redbox or Blockbuster.

According to the survey released by the Online Computer Library Center, public libraries in the U.S. lend an average 2.1 million videos/day, which edges out the 2 million discs shipped by Netflix and almost as much as the combined total of DVD rentals at Redbox (1.4 million) and Blockbuster (1.2 million).

Netflix shrugs off the idea of libraries as competition to their business. “I think of libraries as places for books,” explains a rep for the company. “It’s free, so it’s a whole different model.” Chris Moran, Consumerist.com More here.

I check out at least 4 movies a week from local libraries— both new releases and old favorites. It’s one of the reasons I’ve resisted Netflix. Have you checked out movies from the library?

The moment has been long in coming, but it may finally have arrived. For the last year and a half, on issues including healthcare, financial regulation and climate change, Democrats in Congress have bent for President Obama. Liberals swallowed hard to accept compromises that fell short of their long-sought goals, and moderates cast tough votes that now threaten their reelection prospects as voters revolt against government overreach.

Then, last week, the president asked them to bend yet again — this time to approve more money for his troop buildup in an Afghanistan war that many Democrats oppose. Lisa Mascaro, Tribune Washington Bureau Full story.

Has the luster worn off the promise of change?

I love the smell of ______

Jon Ness, CEO, Kootenai Health

Kootenai Health has named a Montana healthcare executive to replace longtime CEO Joe Morris, who is retiring.

Jon Ness is the chief operating officer at Billings Clinic, Montana’s largest not-for-profit healthcare organization. It includes a 272-bed hospital, employs 240 physicians and has 3,400 employees serving eastern Montana and northern Wyoming.

Paul Anderson, chairman of the Kootenai Hospital District board of trustees, announced today that Ness accepted the position of Kootenai Health chief executive officer. Ness will begin work at Kootenai on Sept. 27. More here.

Would you? Could you? Have you, eaten squirrel?

Should communities add fluoride to their water systems?

55% (74) voters said yes, while 41% (56) said no. 4% (5) said dunno.

I think the liklihood of Spokane/Cda area voters agreeing to fluoridation is pretty slim. How about you?

Mike Gwartney, Gov. Butch Otter’s best friend and his right-hand man in his administration, serving without pay as the director of the Department of Administration, is retiring as of today, and his chief deputy, Teresa Luna, will take over his post on an interim basis. More here - Betsy Russell, Eye on Boise

Raul Labrador, the Republican nominee chosen by Idaho’s voters to retake Idaho’s 1^st Congressional District, addressed a group of national Republicans at the “Fire Pelosi” Speaking Series. Labrador, speaking at the Republican National Committee headquarters, was asked to fill in for scheduled keynote speaker Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann. Posted at Labrador4Idaho.com  More here.

H/T grayuser

Okay, I don’t get out much. I had no idea there was a Fire Pelosi speaking series, did you?

During a special meeting July 28, the North Idaho College Board of Trustees signed a statement proclaiming its support of the Kootenai Technical Education Campus (KTEC) joint technical high school project developed by the Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls and Lakeland school districts.

The KTEC high school will complement NIC’s plans to build a professional-technical education facility on the property purchased on the Rathdrum Prairie near the KTEC high school site. Cda Press Full Story

Thoughts?

Last year, Jeff Fenton led the driver points standings for the Inland Northwest Super Stock Association heading into the Idaho 200 weekend at Stateline Speedway. (Photo courtesy of INSSA)

For 11 years, Stateline Speedway has held the NAPA Auto Parts Idaho 200.

In the last three years, one man has taken the top prize back to Washington – Gary Lewis.

When Lewis wins at the prestigious Montana 200, he’s followed it up with a win two weeks later in Post Falls over the last three summers. This year the Snohomish, Wash., driver rides into town with four straight Montana victories and will look to add a unique quadruple of Idaho and Montana 200 wins to his resume. Doug Pace, SR Read more.

Have you ever been to a race at the Stateline Speedway?

RHINEBECK, N.Y. – Imagine spending $250,000 on flowers. Or $20,000 on a cake. How does $15,000 to $20,000 for toilets sound?

Sounds like the first Wedding of the Century.

Wedding industry experts say that when Chelsea Clinton gets married Saturday at a private estate in upstate New York, the tab could hit $2 million, $3 million or more — a canape or two above the average $24,000 that most American newlyweds will shell out this year. AP More here.

Any idea how much was spent on your wedding? Would you spend like this even if you could?

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama’s election-year jobs agenda suffered a new setback Thursday when Senate Republicans blocked a bill creating a $30 billion government fund to help open up lending for credit-starved small businesses.

The fund would be available to community banks with less than $10 billion in assets to help them increase lending to small businesses. The bill would combine the fund with about $12 billion in tax breaks aimed at small businesses.

Democrats say banks should be able to use the lending fund to leverage up to $300 billion in loans, helping to loosen tight credit markets. Some Republicans, however, likened it to the unpopular bailout of the financial industry. AP, Full story.

Thoughts?

NEW YORK – Anne Rice has had a religious conversion: She’s no longer a Christian.

“In the name of Christ, I refuse to be anti-gay. I refuse to be anti-feminist. I refuse to be anti-artificial birth control,” the author wrote Wednesday on her Facebook page. “In the name of … Christ, I quit Christianity and being Christian. Amen.”

Rice, 68, is best known for “Interview With a Vampire” and other gothic novels. Raised as a Catholic, she had rejected the church early in her life but renewed her faith in recent years and in 2008 released the memoir “Called Out of Darkness: A Spiritual Confession.” AP More here.

Honestly.  Does it seem like Rice uses her spirituality to sell books?

The city of Coeur d’Alene is seeking recovery of legal fees after a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by a woman who claimed police assaulted her. Shannon Kanda had a blood alcohol level of .28 when she had a neighbor call police to report she’d been assaulted, according to court documents. Police responded to an apartment in the 1800 block of Legends Parkway around 9:20 p.m. May 7, 2009, where they say Kanda was uncooperative and hit an officer’s hands, then swung at an officer. /Sirens & Gavels. More here

Do you think Kanda should reimburse the city?

I’ll pass on the chili dog. I over-indulged yesterday during Chocolate Milk Day. None the less, Thursday is always a good day to celebrate because we are that much closer to the weekend! Anticipation is a good thing.

Unless you’ve been anticipating spectacular thunder storms like I have been and have been sorely disappointed. Where is the thunder, the lightening? All we’ve had in North Spokane are a few dispirited raindrops.
What are you anticipating today? Let us know on this Wild Card or launch another lively topic.

Busy day what with a donation by the KCRCC toward Brannon’s election challenge, Phil Hart cleared of conflict charges, and Art on the Green on the horizon. And there’s still time to weigh in on the daily poll re: fluoridation. Enjoy your chili dogs.

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel leaves after making his statement on Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON – House investigators accused veteran New York Rep. Charles Rangel of 13 violations of congressional ethics standards on Thursday, throwing a cloud over his four-decade political career and raising worries for fellow Democrats about the fall elections.

The allegations — which include failure to report rental income from vacation property in the Dominican Republic and more than $600,000 in other income on his congressional financial disclosure statements — came as lawyers for Rangel and the House ethics committee worked on a plea deal.

One was struck, people familiar with the talks said, but Republicans indicated it was too late. AP, Full Story.

What would you advise Charles Rangel to do at this point?

Art on the Green isn’t strictly visual art. It’s also flamenco dance, cotton candy and hip-hop “flash mobs.”

More on those later. But first, let’s run the numbers on Coeur d’Alene’s annual arts extravaganza, just to give you an idea of the scope of this Inland Northwest institution:

• It will have 140 artist booths spread across the North Idaho College campus.

• Artists will converge from 11 states, including California, the Midwest and beyond.

• 30 music, dance and theater acts will perform nearly nonstop on two stages. Jim Kershner, SR More here.

What’s your favorite part of Art on the Green? Or do you avoid the event?

This was posted today on the Facebook page “Overheard in the Newsroom”

“We should all get together and file a class action suit against all the guidance counselors who suggested a career in journalism.”

And a young friend of mine on his FB page, bemoans the lack of helpful information he’s received from his Community College counselor/

Did you receive any helpful advice from your high school or college counselor?

Sonny and Elaine Thrush

A former Navy Seal, he earned a master’s degree in education. And nine years ago, at age 63, still trim and fit, he found the love of his life. But now, he’s in a wheelchair and needs help feeding himself. His eyes still light up when he sees his wife, but when asked her name, he rubs his face with his hands and slowly shakes his head.

Sonny Thrush is near the end of his long goodbye. Cindy Hval, SR Full story here.

Do you know anyone who has been affected by Alzheimer’s disease?

I hate the sound of _______

A special House Ethics Committee has voted 4-3 along party lines to clear Rep. Phil Hart, R-Athol, of conflict of interest charges over his votes on various tax legislation while pressing his own tax fights against state and federal income tax. “I don’t think that the allegations were specific enough,” said Rep. Rich Wills, R-Glenns Ferry. “I hope if nothing else that come out of this, that it’s a wakeup call for all of us to be very careful about our appearances.” The three minority Democrats on the committee said Hart’s actions showed a pattern of ignoring the House rule that requires conflicts of interest be disclosed.  They favored a motion to reprimand Hart and recommend his removal from the House Revenue and Taxation Committee, but it failed on a party-line vote. “I think that the behavior does reflect badly on all of us,” said Rep. Wendy Jaquet, D-Ketchum. “It reflects badly on the credibility of the body. So I can’t vote to dismiss here.” More here - Betsy Russell, Eye on Boise

Let’s face it – when you have kids, they’re not going to want to watch the movies that you’ll want to watch. When they’re old enough to develop their own tastes, they’re going to automatically assume that anything that’s older than they are is crappy. Well, too bad for them. You’re the adult, so you get to decide what they watch. The following selections are ten films that you’ll one day force your kids to watch that you’ll love and they’ll love – whether they want to admit it or not! Full list.

Among those included: E.T., The Nightmare Before Christmas, Princess Mononoke and Gremlins.

What movies would you add to this list?

Which is why cats are smarter.

Okay, maybe not, but this article from Discovery News say dogs imitate people even when it’s not in their best interest to do so.

“If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, dogs often shower us with praise. New research has just determined dogs automatically imitate us, even when it is not in their best interest to do so.

The study, published in the latest Proceedings of the Royal Society B, provides the first evidence that dogs copy at least some of our body movements and behaviors in ways that are spontaneous and voluntary.

In other words, they can’t really help themselves when it comes to copying people.” Read more.

Does your dog imitate you? How so?

Waves partially obscure rigs drilling relief wells at the oil spill site in the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday.

Where is all the oil? Nearly two weeks after BP finally capped the biggest oil spill in U.S. history, the oil slicks that once spread across thousands of miles of the Gulf of Mexico have largely disappeared. Nor has much oil washed up on the sandy beaches and marshes along the Louisiana coast. And the small cleanup army in the Gulf has only managed to skim up a tiny fraction of the millions of gallons of oil spilled in the 100 days since the Deepwater Horizon rig went up in flames.

So where did the oil go? “Some of the oil evaporates,” explains Edward Bouwer, professor of environmental engineering at Johns Hopkins University. That’s especially true for the more toxic components of oil, which tend to be very volatile, he says. John Carey, Yahoo News Read more.

Related story.

So, just how big of a disaster is this, really?

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Yoko Ono will again oppose the release of the man who nearly 30 years ago killed her husband, former Beatle John Lennon, and who comes up for parole next month, her lawyer said.

Ono has consistently opposed parole for Mark David Chapman and has again sent a letter to the parole board, her lawyer, Peter Shukat, told the Daily News.

“Her position has not changed,” Shukat said in an article published Tuesday.

Lennon was shot to death on December 8, 1980, outside the famed Dakota apartment building just west of Central Park as he and Ono returned home from a recording session. More.

Do you think Mark David Chapman should ever be released?

COEUR d’ALENE - A political committee agreed to fund an election challenge tied to a non-partisan race on Tuesday.

The Kootenai County Republican Central Committee approved donating $2,500 in support of Seat 2 City Council challenger Jim Brannon’s courtroom challenge of last year’s general election.

The committee said the issue at hand - ensuring whether proper votes were cast and counted - was a non-partisan issue that affect all voters, regardless of party affiliation.

“I can say people were concerned with mistakes in the vote count,” said Doug Weir, treasurer. “That was the motivation for the discussion.” Tom Hasslinger, Cda Press Read more.

Kootenai County GOP leaders say the contribution is about ensuring ”honest and legal” elections and not about being “sore losers.” Saying, “This is not a partisan issue. This is an American issue.” Read the full press release.

Agree or disagree?