Hot and sunny sucks when you’ve got to work. If I had my way it would rain every Friday that I have to sit at my desk. I like working when it’s raining.

This weekend I’ll fling myself at the Highland Games and hope to answer the burning question “what’s under those kilts?” A source told me I may need a shot of whiskey after the haggis tasting, and apparently some Scots carry a flask strapped somewhere ‘neath their kilts. I’ll let you know.

Use this thread to tell us about your weekend plans or anything else that’s on your mind.

Sgt. Kevin Locicero, left, and Capt. Bruce Elliot, of the Niagara County Sheriff’s Department, examine a truck that drove into a pool in Lockport, N.Y., on Thursday. Police said the driver was juggling two cell phones.

Top Cutlines:

#1. The driver misheard the news on the radio. He thought the government was offering “Cash For Dunkers.” Idaho Dad

#2. I just love these “Crash Text Dummy” commercials! formerlysandpoint

#3. If Bill Gates can’t get Windows to multi-task without crashing, why should we expect more from a tow truck driver. Bayview Bob

It wasn’t what you might think that made Ray Smelek decide to bring Hewlett-Packard’s printer division to Boise in 1973, launching a high-tech industry in the Idaho capital city that transformed the city’s economy. “From a personal point of view … it seemed like a nice move for our family,” Smelek writes in his new memoir, “Ray Smelek, Making My Own Luck.” There was an attractive golf course. Ski passes were cheap. And the state’s teen driving age of 14, at the time, was highly appealing to Smelek’s kids, who were then aged 7, 10, 12 and 14. (Idaho’s teen driving age is now 15-1/2, still lower than Washington, Oregon and California.) /Betsy Z. Russell, Eye on Boise - more here

“Boise police investigators say new evidence suggests that an 8-year-old boy who has been missing for a week may have been the victim of a tragic event.” http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/jul/31/boise-police-missing-boy-may-be-victim-tragedy/

I’m going to take off early and hug my nine-year-old before he leaves for a sleepover. If you’ve got kids at home, stories like this make you want to hold them extra close.

Thanks to the Clintons. It seems the Clintons left the Obamas a little something extra on the White House grounds– gooey sludge. Is this any way to grow a garden? http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/92869?fp=1

So, Firefox is supposed to hit it’s one billionth dowload sometime today:

  http://www.pcworld.com/article/169384/firefox_to_hit_1_billion_downloads_friday.html?tk=rss_news

Apparently, if I want to post the HBO Poll thingie while DFO’s gone, I’m going to need Firefox. But I’m an Explorer gal. It’s been good to me, and I don’t know if I can expand my mind to embrace Firefox

What say you? Which browser do you use?

“Coeur d’Alene’s food bank lost its 1989 Dodge van and 500 loaves of bread Thursday when the van caught fire.” http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/jul/31/fire-destroys-food-bank-van-toasts-bread/

“The Rosetta Stone of racial understanding,” that’s what Obama is, according to Jon Stewart.
Stewart simulated the beer summit for those of us who weren’t invited: http://www.indecisionforever.com/2009/07/31/jon-stewart-and-wyatt-cenac-simulate-the-white-house-beer-summit/

“The House voted Friday to rush $2 billion into the popular but financially strapped “cash for clunkers” car purchase program, heeding calls from consumers who hope to keep taking advantage of the trade-in incentives.” http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/jul/31/house-approves-2b-more-cash-clunkers/

Thoughts?

Item: City won’t name names on salaries/CdA Press

More info: Coeur d’Alene city officials are refusing to disclose the full identities of city employees, after an Idaho Public Records Act request from the Idaho Freedom Foundation, a non-profit, non-partisan group that’s in the process of developing a government transparency Web site. Wayne Hoffman, IFF head, asked for names, titles, departments and rates of pay for each city employee, but the city’s human resources director, Pam MacDonald, sent a list that withheld first names, saying, “First names will not be provided because that would indicate gender.” The Idaho law specifically states that the “public service or employment history, classification, pay grade and step, longevity, gross salary and salary history, status, workplace and employing agency” of a current or former public official is a public record in Idaho, and is available to the public. It does exempt other personnel info, including race, sex, marital status and birth date, but says nothing about withholding names.

Hoffman, a former aide to then-Congressman Bill Sali, said, “So far, the city of Coeur d’Alene is the only entity in the state to use gender identification as a means to hide public information.” Other cities have promptly turned over the info, including Twin Falls, which responded to Hoffman’s request the same day.

Secrecy always prompts this question: What are they hiding?

“A Louisiana woman visiting the Coeur d’Alene Resort fell 12 stories to her death early Thursday in what the incident’s only witness, the victim’s boyfriend, told police was a suicide but detectives say is still under investigation.” http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/jul/31/woman-dies-in-12-story-fall-at-resort/

How very sad.

“Americans spend more than 10 percent of their out-of-pocket health care dollars on alternative medicine, according to the first national estimate of such spending in more than a decade.

Chiropractors, massage therapists, acupuncturists and herbal remedies are commanding significant consumer dollars as people seek high-touch care in a high-tech society, the report released Thursday by the government shows.” http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/jul/31/alternative-medicine-booms/

Have you ever been helped by alternative medical treatments such as the ones listed above?

 Dog Eat Dawg owner Van Austin hands a plate of food to regular customer Davis Shutts, of Coeur d’Alene, from his mobile eatery on the corner of Seltice Way and Atlas Road in Coeur d’Alene on Thursday. Part of their proceeds are donated to the Kootenai Humane Society.

“Their kids grown, Van and Rebbecca Austin decided to sell their house in Portland, move to Spokane Valley and buy a 15-foot trailer for a mobile hot dog stand, which they’ve parked between Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene. Dog Eat Dawg opened two months ago at Seltice Way and Atlas Road: http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/jul/31/valley-couple-opens-mobile-sandwich-shop/

Has OTV dog a hot dog column? I’m not a big fan of wienies myself, but Philly cheesesteaks and pulled pork sandwiches are yummy, though messy.

What do you put on your hot dogs?

Garcia

”Nearly 2,000 marijuana plants averaging 5 feet tall were uprooted from an irrigated cornfield north of Reardan, the Lincoln County sheriff said Thursday.” http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/jul/31/marijuana-plants-found-in-cornfield-near-reardan/

Wonder what the corn tastes like?

Item: 5-year-old’s stolen puppy shaved but safe/AP, The Spokesman-Review

More info: A 5-year-old girl was at a park in Chubbuck, Idaho with her 11-week-old Pomeranian puppy when a woman asked if she could hold the puppy - but once she got it, she fled. Little Sadie Austin had only had the puppy, Tippy, for two weeks. When police recovered the puppy from the woman’s home two days later, she’d been shaved and disguised with a false spot drawn in magic marker on her nose. Now the child has her puppy back; police say the suspect could face misdemeanor theft charges. Sadie’s family paid $800 each for the Pomeranian puppy and its brother two weeks earlier.

Question: What’s the right penalty for this adult female, if she’s convicted?

It was pretty close, but 36% of voters (28 votes) chose What the Huck as the name for Bent’s new huckleberry beer. Twenty-eight percent  of you (22 votes) liked Purple Gold best. And Mountain Brew edged out Hefleberry, by one vote for number three.

Item: Online program connects Idaho students, NASA/Betsy Z. Russell, S-R

More Info: Bright, advanced Idaho high school juniors can now compete to get into a new science and math online class and summer academy offered in partnership with NASA - in part by impressing a local state legislator. Or, perhaps, just knowing one. “We would like to get state lawmakers involved in this, in endorsing students from their legislative district,” said Idaho Department of Education spokeswoman Melissa McGrath. “Legislators would be involved in the review of applications and helping to select the students … they’d have a big role in choosing which student goes.”

Question: Is this a good role for elected lawmakers?

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/jul/30/teacher-history-reprimands-quits/

You know, I’ve been wracking my brain trying to come up with a scenario in which snapping someone’s bra is appropriate. Can’t think of one. Can you?

From my office window I see the DoubleTree Hotel, two Diamond Parking Lots, Glen Dow Academy and a huge billboard that reads: “Kokanee: mmm…Tastes like glacial runoff” Is it just me? When I picture glacial runoff I see dirty melting snow. Bleh.

What’s the view from where you sit today?

Well. That didn’t last long. If you were hoping for the government’s help to buy a new car, it looks like you’re out of luck: http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/jul/30/officials-cash-clunkers-set-run-out-gas/

Update: http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/jul/31/no-cash-for-clunkers/

Surprised?

Three things I learned at HBO yesterday:

We need to keep Herb’s daughter in our thoughts and prayers as she recovers from a serious car accident.

Some folks here should open their own ad agency and specialize in beer promotion.

And most of you bathe and smell good. Most of you.
Who knows what we’ll learn today, but the Wild Card is a good place to start our education.

“Enjoy free live music, huckleberry hikes, a huckleberry breakfast, huckleberry treat tent, huckleberry crafts, a huckleberry pie eating contest and more huckleberry fun than you ever thought possible.” http://summer.schweitzer.com/things_to_do/event_calendar.php/huckleberry_festival/

What? No Huckleberry Beer?

Of course, I always knew that and now there’s proof: http://www.smartercities.nrdc.org/cities/spokane-wa#city-category-gb

The Natural Resources Defense Council gives Spokane high marks in green building, air quality and other categories.

Where’s the smartest place you’ve ever lived?

Here’s a group that’s certainly not bashing U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick’s upcoming “economic blitz” during the congressional summer break (as is a GOP hopeful for his seat): Idaho businesses who are planning to participate. “Congressman Minnick’s ‘blitz’ is being received positively by my contractor members,” said Mark Dunham, executive director of the Idaho Associated General Contractors. More here at Eye on Boise

It looks like Johnny Depp and Tim Burton will team up to make “Dark Shadows,” a movie based on the classic cult TV show: http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/movie-talk-depp-burton-dark-shadows.html

Sounds like a natural collaboration to me. Depp’s a nice guy. Remember when he cleaned the snow off that S-R correspondent’s roof? Er…nevermind.

Do you remember Dark Shadows? Are you a Depp fan?

Not that anyone would foot the bill to fly me to the beer summit. But I have attended my share of beer summits and feel I could cover the event well. Alas, I’m not invited. And neither are you.

”The upcoming “beer summit” between President Obama, professor Henry Louis Gates, and Sgt. James Crowley is only a few hours away and is getting huge media attention.

And it’s being met with some media disappointment as well. That’s because the press isn’t invited to the conversation and the president doesn’t have plans to talk to the press after the event. This despite the fact that Obama has called the incident and the upcoming conversation as a “teachable moment.” More here: http://features.csmonitor.com/politics/2009/07/30/media-barred-from-obama-beer-summit-reporters-sad/

Should the media have been invited?

Seems like everybody’s got a calendar these days: http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/jul/30/photo-calendar-features-tattooed-texas-librarians/

What profession that doesn’t yet have a calendar, would you most like to see come out with one?

“Upper-income earners who actually want to pay higher taxes have launched a public campaign calling for an immediate rollback of the tax cuts enacted under President George W. Bush.” http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/jul/30/top-earners-ask-to-pay-more/

Thoughts?

“Art on the Green has been a cultural institution in Coeur d’Alene for four decades – and for good reason.” http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/jul/30/picking-up-the-pieces/

Have you ever attended Art on the Green? If so, what’s your favorite part of the weekend event?

“A 36-year-old woman from out of town died early today in a fall from the 12th floor of the Coeur d’Alene Resort, police said.”  More here:

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/jul/30/tourist-dies-fall-cd-resort/

Washington state Girls Junior horseshoe champion Kaiti Reeves aims her toss during a practice at Franklin Park July 22. Chris Anderson

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/jul/30/keeping-an-eye-on-the-prize/

This story brought back a lot of memories of my dad. He loved horseshoe pitching. What’s your favorite backyard game?

* Horseshoes

* Bocce

* Badmitton

* Volleyball

* Croquet

* Lawn Darts (remember when we could have metal-tipped darts?)

* Beer drinking and barbecuing

* Other

A 42nd Highlander stands at attention during the  2006 Spokane Highland Games.

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/jul/30/scottish-festival-serves-up-fun-and-tradition/

I’m looking forward to attending the Games on Saturday. I may even try haggis. Sounds like the Scots know how to have fun. I wonder why there are no Danish Games or Portuguese Games?

If your ethnic group had its own annual event, what kind of events would be featured?

I thought there were no right or wrong answers. But evidently, the scientific community is abuzz because of possible cheats being listed on Wikipedia: http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/92863/?fp=1

Have you ever taken the Rorschach? Care to share your results?

Last night it took me just over two hours to pick up and put away every toy, game, puzzle, doll, crayon, pillow, blanket, cup, rock, and book strewn about on every floor in every room of the house. This morning it took the kids about 15 minutes to make it look like I hadn’t done a thing. We are suffering from that popular American malady known as Too Much Stuff, and it’s really starting to bug me. There’s a line from a Crowded House song that goes, “My possessions are causing me suspicion.” I keep hearing that in my head as I look around at the piles of toys, books, knickknacks, and things that defy categorization. The clutter gets in the way of my desire for a simpler life. I’m a recovering pack rat, and it looks as though my kids have inherited that particular gene from me/Idaho Dad, A Family Runs Through It. More here.

Question: Are you a packrat?

Cindy launched quite a thread Wednesday by asking you Merry Hucksters for suggestions for a name for Bent’s Huckleberry Brew. You can read the suggestions and thread here. Now, Bent has selected five finalists for his name-that-brew contest. And he wants your help picking the winning name for his huckleberry concoction.

• Wednesday’s Poll: A plurality of 45% (26 of 58 votes) said that they watch movies primarily through Netflex or some other mail-order services. Full results here.

Don Watt peeks over his windshield while pushing a barrel down the length of Wrangler Arena on his motorcycle in Gillette, Wyo., Saturday. Watt won the event called the keg push during the ABATE Motorcycle Rodeo. You write the cutline. (AP Photo/Gillette News Record, Nathan Payne)

Signe Wilkinson/Philadelphia Inquirer

I’m thinking Wednesday might be my new favorite day of the week. After all, someone’s already dropped the “N” bomb here. That can’t happen twice, right? It’s too soon to panic about the four articles I have due for three different publications ‘cause there’s always the hope that I’ll get them all done today, and then coast for the rest of the week. It could happen.

In the meantime, use this thread to tell us how you feel about Wednesdays or anything else.

A young unidentified boy watches the girl next to him as her hair is blown up by President Barack Obama’s helicopter as it took off at the White House in Washington earlier today, as the president left for a trip to Raleigh, N.C. to speak on health care.  You write the cutline. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

Top Cutlines:

#1. Once again, there was electricity in the air following President Barack Obama’s Wednesday appearance. MikeS

#2. A young boy ducks the wind, as his little sister checks out the the leaf blower on the Taryn A. Hecker Photography float from the sidelines during the Spirit Lake Parade. Bent

#3. Poltergeist IV: Obama: “Mom, come quick, Carol Ann is being sucked into the TV by the eloquent black man like the rest of America!”“Grab the rope Carol Ann; for christsake Carol Ann, grab the rope!” formerlysandpoint

HM: Kevin Taylor

GOP congressional hopeful Vaughn Ward issued a sharply critical statement today in response to Democratic Congressman Walt Minnick’s announcement of an “economic blitz” across the 1st Congressional District during the Congress’ summer break, in which Minnick will host four events to connect Idaho companies and communities to federal funds in an effort to create jobs; more here at Eye on Boise.

Question: What do you think should be done to create more jobs in Idaho?

Of course, I don’t have one of these either so I’m not too worried: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/07/sms-hijack-iphone

It seems a text-messaging attack can take control of your iPhone. I don’t even text. Do you? If so, how many times a day to send or recieve a text message?

Bent’s Huckleberry Brew is coming along nicely: http://bentsbeergarden.blogspot.com/2009/07/huckleberry-brew.html

But he needs help choosing a name for it. Any ideas?

“New York City is buying one-way plane tickets for homeless families to leave the city. It’s part of a Bloomberg administration program to keep the homeless out of the expensive shelter system, which costs $36,000 a year per family. More than 550 families have left the city since 2007. All it takes is for a relative to agree to take them in.” http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/jul/29/citys-homeless-leave-on-jet-planes/

What do you think?

“Traditional versions of the iconic device are a thing of the past, but future iterations will have a long and vibrant future.” http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/107415/the-ipod-is-dead-long-live-the-ipod.html

I still haven’t bought my first i-Pod. Also, I’ve never listened to a podcast, which I guess must be related.

What device to you use to listen to music?

So Michael Phelps loses his first major individual race in four years because German swimmer Paul Biedermann had a faster swimsuit? http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/jul/29/phelps-loses-race-and-record/

Now, if they could just make one that makes me look 15 pounds slimmer!

Idaho House Minority Leader John Rusche, D-Lewiston, in an op-ed piece, notes recent Democratic gains throughout the West. “Yet the Democratic brand continues to lag across much of Idaho,” he writes. “We know that our fellow Idahoans will not shift long-held voting patterns unless they have compelling reasons to do so. So here’s my best shot at telling you what Idaho Democrats stand for.” Click here to read his full article.

Question: Are Idaho Democrats misunderstood?

Item: Minnick launches ‘economic blitz’ in Idaho/Betsy Z. Russell, S-R

More info: Freshman Idaho Congressman Walt Minnick says in his seven months in office, he’s become convinced that creating new jobs in Idaho is the most pressing issue he can address, and there’s federal money, contracts and more that could help - if Idahoans just had a little help to tap into them. Minnick announced that during the five weeks Congress is on its summer break, he’ll launch an “economic blitz” in Idaho, holding four events around the state, with Web access, to bring together businesses, communities, economic development officials and more with federal officials, his congressional staffers and other resources to help them get at the federal funding. “It’s making sure that going forward, that no opportunity goes by because we haven’t made proper effort,” Minnick said.

Question: How do you think congressmen should spend their summer recess?

“Microsoft Corp. has finally roped Yahoo Inc. into an Internet search partnership, capping a convoluted pursuit that dragged on for years and finally setting the stage for them to make a joint assault against the dominance of Google Inc.” http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/jul/29/microsoft-yahoo-agree-long-sought-search-deal/

Which search engine do you prefer? How often each day do you use it?

“An 18-year-old driver whose vehicle plunged end-over-end down a steep embankment west of High Drive on Monday evening survived because he was wearing a seat belt, fire officials said.” Read more:  http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/jul/29/vehicle-went-end-over-end-down-embankment/

Has a seatbelt saved your life or the life of someone you know?

I know because the fellow waiting in line behind me at the bank (the one with the little, tiny tables) told me so. “Thanks,” I replied. “I showered.” Awkward silence. What I meant  was that I wasn’t wearing any exotic fragrance, but I had showered with Night Blooming Jasmine body wash. I guess it was TMI, but I’m not at my best in the morning. So, I have two questions for you:

Is it ever appropriate to make comments to a stranger about the way they smell?
And what kind of soap is in your shower?

Here’s Gov. Butch Otter’s response to the news that Idaho Democrats have launched a candidate recruitment committee aimed mainly at the 2010 governor’s race. “Well, you know, I applaud them,” he said. But, he added, “It would be unfortunate if they had to talk somebody into doing it, because these things are tough enough when you do it and you’ve got fire in your belly.” Said Otter, “I’ll tell you we’ve got a committee that is working on candidate recruitment as well - not for the office of governor, I can assure you - but candidate recruitment where we think we can marshal our resources and make a difference.” Doesn’t that little aside of his there sound like a hint? Sounds like Otter’s running. The six lesser-known candidates who already are out campaigning have filed their preliminary paperwork with the state to become candidates and begin raising campaign money. Otter’s paperwork, first filed in 2004, carries over. “I filed that paperwork and I’m raising money,” he said. More here at Eye on Boise

Question: Should Gov. Butch Otter run for a second term? Why or why not?

• Tuesday Poll: 77 of 101 (76%) of the respondents voted that individuals who believe that President Barack Obama was born in another country “need to get a life.” Results here.
  

Item: Authorities target Web prostitution: Police say Craigslist ads ease hookups for changing population of sex workers/Meghann M. Cuniff, SR

More Info: Kootenai County authorities were monitoring local Craigslist postings even before Philip Markoff was charged with murder and with assaulting and robbing women he’d met through the Web site, which offers free classified ads. A month after Markoff’s arrest, Kootenai County authorities took action, occupying two donated rooms at a Post Falls motel, setting up surveillance and calling numbers in ads offering sex. Eventually, a woman arrived at the motel and pocketed $400 she’d agreed to take in exchange for sex. She was arrested on a prostitution charge. Amy L. Davis, 21, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor this month in the only successful prosecution that came out of the sting. She’s to pay $300 and perform 16 hours in a Sheriff’s Department labor program by the end of September

Question: Should law agencies in the region expend money and personnel to target Web prostitution?

Eight-year-old Charlie Beckett of Rathdrum shows off his winning Holy-Peno Burger for Red Robin’s “Kids’ Cook-Off.” Beckett’s burger will be sold at all U.S. Red Robin® restaurants to benefit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children now until Sept. 13. (Photo: Business Wire)

Question: Charlie Beckett concocted a one-of-a-kind burger that won a national contest. How do you like your burgers prepared and served?

While flipping TV channels one afternoon, I caught a local reporter interviewing Spokane police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick about her getting a ticket. Apparently the chief was clocked doing 13 mph above the speed limit. I didn’t hear all the details. So I’m not sure whether it was just the speed that caught a county cop’s attention or the sight of a car whizzing down a country road without anyone behind the wheel. Whatever it was, the officer wound up giving our diminutive law-enforcer a $154 citation. That seems a little stiff. I really like the chief. She bought me doughnuts once. So I would have probably let her slide with a warning as long she promised not to speed in the future and always sit on at least six phone directories while driving. But what grabbed my attention during the Kirkpatrick interview was the chief’s utter cheerfulness. The last time I got a speeding ticket, my demeanor was downright dour. Chief Kirkpatrick acted like she’d just won “America’s Got Talent”/Doug Clark, SR. More here.

Question: How fast were you driving when you last got nailed for a speeding ticket? When Where? How much did you pay?

Nick Anderson/Houston Chronicle

“He respects owl because you can’t help respecting anyone who can spell TUESDAY, even if he doesn’t spell it right.” A.A. Milne

Here’s hoping your spell checkers never fail. I’m not going to tell you how many days we’ve got left in the year, because I just find that depressing. If you want to know about important events that occurred on July 28, Google is your friend ;-) However, I will tell you that today is my mother-in-law’s birthday and I’m taking her to a chocolate tasting event at Chocolate Apothecary this evening.

Feel free to post thoughts about anything and everything on this thread. All comments are welcome, except those speculating on just how much chocolate I will consume, and wagers on whether or not I’ll be able to button my jeans afterward.

People’s Liberation Army soldiers take part in a military exercise in Beijing, China, earier today. China took foreign journalists on a tour of the People’s Liberation Army division north of the capital Tuesday, calling it a sign the world’s largest army is improving its openness and transparency. The visit comes ahead of Aug. 1, which marks the 82nd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army, which now has 2.3 million members. You write the cutline. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)

Top Cutlines:

#1. Crippled by military debt, new Chinese army recruits were informed this week they will not be getting parachutes until the 2nd week of training. Troop Morale was falling fast. formerlysandpoint

#2. Chan learns the basics of flight in his first week of pilot training. Herb Huseland

#3. Scene from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, military style. JeanieS

Would you pay to see the worst bad movie of all time? According to ABC news, plenty of people are: http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=8188221

What’s the worst movie you’ve ever seen?

Hi, I’m a stay-at-home dad. Now, before your eyes glaze over and you slowly back away, let me just tell you why I am one. Most boys don’t spend their childhood dreaming of one day changing diapers, emptying dishwashers, washing pee-soaked bed sheets, kissing boo-boos, and learning to make chicken broccoli casserole. They want to be firemen, baseball stars, soldiers. As they get older, most men strive for career, status, and a lower golf handicap. Me, I had early dreams of a Hollywood career, collaborating with the likes of Spielberg, Lucas, and Coppola. Later, after grad school, there were visions of corporate ladders and hostile takeovers. But once my first child was born, everything changed, and my focus was placed squarely on the infant in my arms. Soon, my wife and I realized that one of us had to be home with him permanently. By financial default (my wife made more money than me), I was the lucky winner/Idaho Dad, A Family Runs Through It. More here.

Question: Do you believe the husband/father should be the main bread winner in a household? Or are you OK with a nontraditional approach like the one that seems to work well in Idaho Dad’s household?

• Sixty-two percent (169 votes) believe Michael Vick should be allowed to play in the NFL after serving time for his involvement with dog fighting. Thirty five percent (97 votes) said no way.

One of my favorite Idaho reporting anecdotes is the time I called then-Gov. Phil Batt’s press secretary, Amy Kleiner, and a voice that clearly wasn’t Amy’s answered, saying, “Amy Kleiner’s office.” It was Gov. Batt. Well, it just happened again. I put in a call to Mark Warbis, communications director for Gov. Butch Otter, and a voice that didn’t sound like Mark’s answered, “Hello.” “Is this Mark?” I asked. He said, “No, this is Butch - I was just in his office,” and he offered to get Warbis for me. I declined - my question was actually for him, anyway. Asked and answered. I like it!

Question: Have you ever had an unexpected encounter with someone famous?

Friends don’t let friends eat and drive. Here’s a list of the most dangerous foods to eat while driving:

http://www.insurance.com/article.aspx/Driver_Distractions_and_Your_Car_Insurance_Rates/artid/140

I’m a guilty coffee sipper, but hot soup? Tacos? Ribs? People actually do this?

Do you eat and drive?

“The Obama administration on Tuesday announced $1 billion in grants to help keep police officers on the beat during the economic downturn — and tried to assure cities not getting aid that they won’t be stiffed.” More here: http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/jul/28/only-1-7-agencies-get-police-aid/

Thoughts?

The Idaho Democratic Party is launching a “special candidate recruitment committee for the 2010 elections,” at a time when, with the 2010 primary 10 months away, the party has had no major candidate step forward to challenge sitting GOP Gov. Butch Otter. State party Chairman Keith Roark said the committee will be headed by former U.S. Attorney for Idaho Betty Richardson. “Betty did an outstanding job with candidate recruitment when she led the Ada County Democrats.  Now she will bring those skills to bear at the state level,” Roark said; you can read the party’s full announcement here. Richardson also was a Democratic candidate for Congress in 2002; she’s now a Boise attorney. More here at Eye on Boise

Question: Who could the Dems put forward?

Yesterday Redman asked “Where’s the monkey?” Well, apparently they’re busy invading Cape Town: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/07/090724-southafrica-baboons-video-ap.html

Gotta say I’ve never been a big fan of monkeys. How about you?

July 24: “White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs mentioned casually to CNN today that Twitter is blocked on official White House computers. Gibbs clearly doesn’t appreciate the value that can be derived from the innovative social network; he jokes about it as if it is a tool for personal exhibitionism.” You can read more here: http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/twitter_banned_from_white_house.php

This didn’t seem to go over well with White House staffers. Here’s an update: “On Monday morning, Rachel Sklar at Mediaite reported that some White House staff do in fact have access to Twitter from White House computers and there is work underway to extend that access to a larger group of employees.”

Is Twitter a tool for personal exhibitionism? Or is a vital tool for journalists, politicians and others?

The National Conference of State Legislatures has surveyed all the states to see how quickly they’re spending their federal economic stimulus money - some are spending it all to close their state budget gaps in the current fiscal year, leaving nothing for the following year and prompting fears about state budgets “facing a cliff” when the federal money runs out. Idaho falls in the middle of the pack of the 25 states that have responded to the survey so far, spending 54 percent of its stimulus money in fiscal year 2010, which started July 1. Washington was a bit more cautious, spending 33 percent. Highest on the list was Texas, which is spending 96 percent of its stimulus money in the current year; at the bottom is Alaska, spending only 3 percent. More here at Eye on Boise

Question: If you got a big chunk of money tomorrow, would you spend it now or spend it later?

Apparently, it’s not a good idea to locate a research facility for highly infectious pathogens in a tornado-prone section of Kansas: http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/jul/27/report-blasts-homeland-securitys-site-pick-for/ Go figure.

I can’t see or hear the word tornado without thinking of my then three-year-old son running indoors on a blustery spring day. “A tomato is coming!” he yelled.

Have you ever experienced a tornado or other natural disaster? (Mt. St. Helen’s doesn’t count unless you lived in the blast zone at the time of the eruption.)

A nation that cherishes freedom will not tolerate violence that imprisons its people in fear. A hate crime is a cowardly act that invokes a fear all its own: the specter of being targeted because of race or ethnicity. It is a crime that warrants a distinct definition in the law, and careful deliberation in the jury room. Some Idahoans are skeptical of existing hate crime law, and of attempts to expand hate crime language to cover sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or disability. The criticism invariably loops back to one point: Are not all violent crimes hate crimes by definition? Not when a victim is singled out simply because he or she is different. The Smith case meets that fundamental standard - and offers a compelling argument as Congress debates expanding hate crime protections/Idaho Statesman. More here.

Question: The Idaho Statesman editorial points out that some Idahoans are skeptical re: hate crimes, reasoning that all violent crimes are hate crimes by definition?

Michael Ramirez/Investor’s Business Daily

I’ve posted a few things to get you going this morning before stepping aside to let CindyH and Betsy Russell take control of this blog for the next two weeks, while I’m on vacation. I’ll probably post a few other things early in the vacation and then disappear altogether. I plan to hang around Coeur d’Alene, enjoying our waterfront and sunshine — and attacking a list of honey-do’s that has grown this summer. Be good. I’ll see you back here Aug. 10. Now, for your Monday Wild Card …

When Ron “Pete” Peterson announced his candidacy for governor today at a Boise bikini bar, there wasn’t exactly a crowd on hand, but the few people there were mostly supportive. “I think it’s wonderful,” said a dancer named Tawni, who slipped off her 8-inch-high stilettos when Peterson marveled at her height, and suddenly became 8 inches shorter. “It’s out here where the normal people would come.”  - Betsy Z. Russell, Eye on Boise - more here

Question: Who do you think should run for governor of Idaho?

 Ryan Sullivan crashes near the finish line during the Downhill Mountain Bike Race event at Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort in Truckee, Calif., on Sunday. You write the cutline. (AP Photo/Kevin Clifford)

Top Cutlines:
#1.  The crash became known in bike circles as “the banana split” after Ryan “Cherry Garcia” Sullivan stood up and declared “no more rocky road for me, I’m sticking to moose trail.” Mike S

#2.  Kevin took it a bit too literally when his editor said he had to “dig up some dirt and fill the hole.” Kevin Taylor

#3. Ryan Sullivan gains an understanding of why Spirit Lake’s speed limit is 15 mph. Taryn Hecker

To get rid of those rabid bats?
Perhaps this guy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcONhxo3K2k

But after watching this commercial, the bats don’t seem as scary as the exterminator.

JeanieS gives us 10 good things here: http://jeaniespokane.blogspot.com/2009/07/ten-things-about-monday.html

Can you add anything to Jeanie’s list?

A bat in Ada County has tested positive for rabies, prompting Idaho health officials to remind people throughout the state to take precautions around bats and make sure that their dogs, cats and horses are adequately vaccinated against rabies. It’s the first one found this year; last year, there were 10. But here’s the part that’ll drive you batty: “People who wake up from sleeping and find a bat in their room may have had an exposure without realizing it; the teeth of a bat are very small and people are sometimes bitten in their sleep without feeling it,” Idaho Health & Welfare reports. “The bat should be tested for rabies if there is any question that an exposure may have occurred.” More here at Eye on Boise

Question: Ever had an encounter with a bat?

Oh dear. There’s a moral to be learned somewhere in this story. Perhaps this is one reason married folks should get their own place? http://cdapress.com/articles/2009/07/27/news/news05.txt

“When the mother asked her son what they were doing, he refused to talk about it. The next morning, she again asked her son about the slapping noises and he told her he spanks his wife “when she needs to be punished.”

H/T: Bent

Both of Idaho’s U.S. senators - GOP Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch - said today they will vote against confirming Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court. Differences on 2nd Amendment/gun rights issues were among the top concerns cited by the two. Read more, including both senators’ full statements, at Eye on Boise.

Question: Did you watch any of the Sotomayor confirmation hearings? What did you think?

The Lewiston Tribune is reporting that a Cottonwood woman is being honored by the Idaho County Sheriff’s Office after she “showed true courage in the face of danger for fending off two prison escapees who tried to break into her home,” the AP reports. Cassidy Lockett was home with her young children late last month when two men tried to break into her home. She hid the children behind the couch, grabbed a .22-caliber semiautomatic pistol and aimed it at a man who was already halfway through a window, climbing into her home. She told him to get out or she’d shoot - and he complied, and left along with another man who was trying to get through the locked front door. The sheriff’s department says the two were Richard Nieves and Ben Westley Perez, who are both facing escape, burglary and other charges.

Question: What would you have done?

 President Barack Obama throws out the first pitch to St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols, not pictured, before the MLB All-Star baseball game in St. Louis, Tuesday, July 14, 2009.

The president’s pitch at the All Star Game wasn’t the only thing mocked in the media. His “mom jeans” provided er…ample fodder for fun, too. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfmoms/detail?entry_id=44043&tsp=1

How often do you wear jeans? Got a favorite brand or style?

Now that we’re starting the 43rd week before the next Idaho primary election - yep, it’s way off on May 25, 2010 - the candidates for governor have begun emerging. Six already have filed preliminary paperwork with the Secretary of State’s office (you can read about them all here in my Sunday column in Handle Extra). Today is the day that one of them, 58-year-old Ron “Pete” Peterson, an amateur comedian and retired state employee, will announce his gubernatorial candidacy at a Boise bikini bar, the “Torch 2.” Why there? “Why not?” he asks. “Like everything else in my campaign, it sets me apart.”

So does his arrest record. Back in the ‘70s, he was arrested and convicted for “defrauding an innkeeper” after leaving the Red Lion Riverside without paying for a meal (“I was kind of drunk that night,” he said) and, also in the ‘70s, there was a disturbing-the-peace conviction related to his involuntary commitment to State Hospital South at Blackfoot for four months for “being a danger to myself and/or others.” “I’m a manic-depressive,” Peterson explained. “The way I always phrase it, is they took advantage of the fact that I was crazy to commit me.” You can read more here at Eye on Boise.

Question: If you’re running for governor, does it help to be crazy?

• Weekend Poll: 58 of 75 (77%) said no in some form when asked if they planned to take advantage of the federal Cash-for-Clunkers program. Results here.
  

Now authorities say the Aryan Nations organization has splintered and dwindled, though some recruitment fliers turned up in April in a Coeur d’Alene neighborhood. The old Aryan Nations compound, acquired by North Idaho College Foundation, has been leveled and is now used for forestry and botany projects. Meanwhile, Idaho-born Internet mogul Gregory C. Carr has bankrolled a Coeur d’Alene-based Human Rights Education Institute, which in 2006 opened a meeting and exhibition space on Mullan Avenue near the Museum of North Idaho. “We’re the direct offspring of the closing of the compound,” said Rachel Dolezal, 31, the institute’s director of education and curator/Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times. More here.

• Christopher Reynolds also wrote another story for the Los Angeles Times, praising the Coeur d’Alene area for its beauty and recreational offerings. Click here.

Question: What were you doing when you learned that individuals associated with the Aryan Nations had bombed several locations in fall 1986?

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin gives a thumbs up during her resignation speech during a ceremony in Fairbanks, Alaska, Sunday, where Gov. Sarah Palin stepped down and turned over power to Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell. (AP Photo/Al Grillo)

Question: What will Sandpoint native Sarah Palin be doing two years from now?

I knew what I wanted to order, but decided to tour through the menu anyway. The appetizers alone are enough to make one want to pack a travel trunk full of big pants and hop the next flight to Athens to live the good life. Most tempting are the Spanakopita, which is spinach, herbs and feta cheese baked in phyllo dough, and the Saganaki, an intensely flavorful form of fondue, with melty kasseri cheese sautéed in brandy and served with warm pita bread. Or start with a simple delicious hummus dip, or a classic platter of Dolmades (grape leaves stuffed with rice and ground beef and topped with a lemon sauce.) Lunch at Olympia revolves around the gyros, a soft pita containing your choice of seasoned gyro meat, falafel, chicken, pork, lamb, or Souvlaki (meat with a lemon-garlic marinade). Each sandwich includes lettuce, tomatoes, and onions and is topped with creamy Tzaziki (a yogurt-cucumber-garlic sauce)/OrangeTV, Get Out! North Idaho. More here.

Question: How often do you eat Greek food?

The Smith Sisters

”Studies suggest that brothers and sisters who stay connected have healthier lives” http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/jul/26/the-power-of-siblings/

I only see my siblings a few times a year. However, my husband and his siblings are very close and we see them a couple times a month. Our children are all close in age, and the cousins have formed tight bonds.

Were you close to your siblings growing up? Are you still close?

Michael Ramirez/Investor’s Business Daily

Dunno about you, but I’m headed for City Park this afternoon for the three-hour Coeurimba concert, under the auspices of Chris Guggemos’ Handshake Productions. Then, I’m getting together with a bunch of church friends for an ice cream social this evening. Julyamsh is taking place in Post Falls. And there should be enough sunshine to go around for all of us. Enjoy yourselves in the sun. You can also play this Wild Card to let other Merry Hucksters know what you’re doing — or to launch a thread …

The Grand Entry at Saturday’s Julyamsh Powwow becomes a sea of colorful, feathers, ribbons, beads and bells as hundreds of Native American dancers enter the parade grounds at the Post Falls Greyhound Park. More than 1000 dancers, representing hundreds of tribes across the U.S. and Canada are taking part in the 12th Annual Julyamsh Powwow and Encampment this weekend. Story here. (Colin Mulvany/SR)

Question: How much do you know about the Coeur d’Alene Indian Tribe — or other Native American tribes in the Inland Northwest?

Tastes are conservative here. The city is about 95% white, and the county, Kootenai, voted 62% for John McCain. Over the years, there have been some whose politics have fallen beyond the Democrat-Republican spectrum. One of the nation’s most notorious white supremacists had his clubhouse just outside town for three decades, until nine years ago, when neighbors and lawyers shut him down. (For more on that, see sidebar: Once home to Aryan Nations, northern Idaho makes progress.) I kept an eye out on Sherman Avenue for hints of those troubles, but in four days I never saw any. Instead, I kept seeing signs that Coeur d’Alene, with its growing trade in tourism and second homes, could begin to look a little bit like Sun Valley, at least in summer. If the clocks around here once seemed stuck in 1959, they’re ticking now/Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times. More here.

Question: Do you enjoy glowing reports about Coeur d’Alene and our region in major newspapers and national magazines — or in other significant media.

I’m going to turn the reins of Huckleberries Online over to Betsy Russell and Cindy Hval for the next two weeks, beginning Monday. Cindy did a dyne-oh!-mite job for me in May when I took a week or so off. And most of you know that Betsy’s an accomplished blogger and superb reporter. You may not miss me. I need to burn at least 3 weeks of vacation/furlough before Sept. 1. I have 4 weeks of vacation and at least one furlough week to take before the end of the year. I don’t want to take time off during the city election campaign b/c that will be too much fun to miss (as you can see already with Kathy Sims’ jab at Councilman MikeK Friday). I’ll be a blurker. Of course. Be good to Betsy & Cindy while I’m away. Now, for your Saturday Wild Card …

David Lausche of Spokane is thinking of trading in his 1998 Ford Ranger for a new one under Cash for Clunkers program, which kicked off Friday.  Car dealers are hoping the $1 billion federal program helps give their lagging business a boost.  Story here. (Colin Mulvany/SR)

• Friday Poll: 63 of 114 (55%) of respondents said President Obama shouldn’t have criticized Cambridge police for arresting a Harvard scholar. Another 22% said he shouldn’t have used the word ‘stupidly’ to describe police actions. Results here.
  

Question: Would you be tempted by a Cash-for-Clunker credit of $3500 or $4500 to turn in your old clunker for a new, fuel-efficient vehicle? Are you planning to do so?

I was brought up to be exceedingly stingy with water. I was raised in the arid West, where a brown trickle of water was styled “the South Platte River.” Water was rationed; neighbors turned in neighbors for gross sprinkling violations. And that’s why I was absolutely appalled to see the following number this week on my city of Spokane water bill: 42,636 gallons. Are you kidding me? How in hell could I have used 42,636 gallons of water during one billing cycle? Me, a guy who turns off the faucet while brushing? Yet there it was, the cold, wet facts, taken right off of my water meter. Then I began to add up all of the ways we use water at our house. There’s the dishwasher, the washing machine and the shower. There’s the hose for spraying the skunk smell off the dog. Not to mention the 12 ounces I use while brushing my teeth. But then, of course, I had to come to terms with the real culprit: My Big Fat Green Lawn/Jim Kershner, SR. More here.

Question: Do you know how much water used by your household? Do you try to conserve? Or do you figure that there’s so much water in the Inland Northwest that we’re not going to run out any time soon?

1. 1.2 billion ounces of silver have been produced in the Wallace area since 1884, placing it near the very top of “Most Silver Rich Places” in all of world history, along with Liz Taylor’s jewelry hutch.
2. Julia Jean Mildred Frances Turner was born in Wallace. She was known as “Judy” until she went to Hollywood at age 16 and changed her name to Lana, becoming one of the era’s most famous and glamorous movie stars. During her long career she was known as “the Sweater Girl” and was nominated for an Best Actress Academy award for “Peyton Place”. She had a recurring role in the cheesy 80’s prime-time soap “Falcon Crest”.
3. Literally every building in downtown Wallace is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Certain residents worked tirelessly back in the 70’s for to make this happen after discovering tentative plans for the new improved Interstate 90 threatened to raze much of the historic area and run right through the middle of town. This is why I-90 now runs “over” the town instead/OrangeTV, Get Out! North Idaho. The rest of OTV’s “11 Cool Things About Wallace, Idaho here.

Question: Who is the most famous person to emerge from your hometown? Did you ever meet that person?

At Slight Detour, Marianne Love posts this photo of hubby Bill and daughter Annie at the summit of Mount St. Helens. You can read about the Loves’ adventure here.

Question: Have you ever climbed a mountain? What’s your favorite hike?

When we were preparing to move into our first home, we made a list of things we wanted to do to it.  Big things and small things all went on The List, and it got long quickly.  We got some of the projects done (with help) before we moved in–painting, installing a garage door opener, demolishing the kitchen floor and laying a new one.  Unfortunately, that barely put a dent in The List.  We told ourselves that we would quickly finish the other jobs after the move, but between unpacking and finishing the school year and the drowsy, indolent haze that covers hot summer days like a mosquito net, we haven’t gotten very far. A few projects, like building the deck and fencing in the backyard, will have to wait until funds permit us to hire a professional.  But there’s a nagging list of small, doable home improvement projects that need to be completed before I go back to work in the fall/Katrina, Notes On A Napkin. List of 10 here.

Question: Which unfinished home project bugs you most?

One thing that happened throughout the day was that everywhere I went, one diagnostic room after another, each technician asked “are you a giver or a receiver?” It gave me pause to think about donors. I’ve been thinking about deceased donors - but there are living donors out there too. A lot of them are officially known to the transplant center as “altruistic” donors. Amazingly enough, these altruistic people simply call the transplant center and tell them they wish to donate one of their kidneys, just because. I find that absolutely totally amazing and “altruistic” doesn’t even come close to defining such an extraordinary gift. I also felt kind of selfish when I was asked if I were a giver or a receiver - interpreting the question as “I’m a TAKER.” Take! Take! Take!/JeanieS, Nuts & Nonsense. More here.

DFO: Not only am I amazed by the courage that JeanieS, Chatterbox, & Marmitetoasty show in facing their serious maladies, but also appreciate that they share their experiences with us here. They can teach us much. We, on the other hand, should keep these gracious women in our thoughts and prayers — and encourage them whenever and however possible.

Signe Wilkinson/Philadelphia Inquirer

As you can imagine from the “Unique Numbers” of this blog, Huckleberries Online attracts a lot of traffic that doesn’t comment. In cyberworld, they’re called “blurkers” (blog lurkers). They truly are the silent majority here, They number in the thousands, while commenters number in the dozens. They’re valuable because they keep the page-views hopping. Which keeps me working almost solely online. However, blurkers are frustrating, too. It’s hard to know what they think and why they hang out here. In the last few weeks, I’ve encountered five blurkers during my off-time. I appreciated the input they gave me re: Huckleberries. I think the blog is tracking fairly well with them. Bottom line? If you’re a blurker, don’t hesitate to send an e-mail or stop me on the street to discuss Huckleberries. Your thoughts and ideas are valuable to me. Now, for your daily Wild Card …

Spanish artist Pep Bou performs with soap bubbles during his “Rebufaplanetes” show in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

SR’s Today In Photos