New Year's Eve is one of those love-it-or-hate-it holidays. But no matter how you feel about celebrating, odds are you're going to hear “Auld Lang Syne” at least 500 times. There is no escape.

Naturally, Web searches on the song pop like champagne corks on New Year's Eve. Our guess is that folks simply want to know what the song actually means. After all, it's not often that people belt out a tune that they don't really understand. Well, wonder no more. Here's the scoop on the song that is mandatory for one night every year.

According to the good people at TLC, the song is an “extremely old Scottish song that was first written down in the 1700s.” The poet Robert Burns often gets credit for the words. Full story.

Do you know the words to Auld Lang Syne?

Light blogging ahead. I've got to get my house ready for tomorrow's Festival of Eating Leftover Christmas Crap. That's right. My Norwegian sister-in-law hosts the Festival of Strange Norwegian Meats and I host the New Year's Day Leftover Extravaganza.

But first I have to clean and stuff.

Besides, I have a feeling most of you actually get the day off. I had a day off once. It was really nice.

Here's your wild card and a wish for a Happy, Health New Year for you all.

It’s 6 o’clock on Wednesday night, and it’s dumping snow. If you’re smart, you’re getting off the roads about now.

But the crew inside the small shop in Spokane Valley – perusing maps and keeping an eye on the Weather Channel – is getting ready to go out into it. All night long. A handwritten note on the board reads “Let it Snow,” and the dense, purplish skies seem ready to oblige for hours.

Welcome to Thanklessville. Whenever the snow flies, so does the snowplow snark: They don’t arrive fast enough. They leave a berm in my driveway. I saw a driver passing with his blade up. They do it better over in Idaho. Full story. Shawn Vestal/SR

Are you happy with the plowing in your area?

Charlie Sheen’s late-night hookup was the result, he said, of an allergic reaction.

If 2010 made you feel like you wanted to hide in a closet and bury yourself under all the coats, then you were probably just trying to escape the storm of sleaze hurled this year by some of entertainment’s finest – or maybe you were just the woman Charlie Sheen called for that infamous late-night hookup.

Either way, 2010 may have been Hollywood’s nadir year: Mad Mel raged again; “Cheaters” could have done a whole celebrity season with plenty to spare for next year; and Kanye was … well, Kanye. Here’s what made us want to hide the kids, hide the wife and hide our husbands, too, in 2010:

Included in the author's list: Jesse James cheating on Sandra Bullock, more Mel Gisbon hate rants, Naomi Campbell testifying at a war-crimes trial…. ick!

Did Hollywood outdo itself in sleaze in 2010?

The NFL has fined the New York Jets $100,000 for the Week 14 incident against the Miami Dolphins in which strength and conditioning coach Sal Alosi tripped cornerback Nolan Carroll(notes) during a punt return. Alosi was fined $25,000 by the team and suspended indefinitely soon after the incident.

 The league fine wasn't just for the Alosi trip and the fact that he put other team employees in a prohibited position on the sideline; special teams coach Mike Westoff also got popped for speculating that the New England Patriots have used similar tactics in the past. More here.

Does the punishment fit the crime/s?

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Washington state pharmacy board has voted to adopt a rule that would ban the sale and possession of synthetic marijuana.

The board's emergency rule would mirror new Federal Drug Enforcement Administration rules banning five chemicals used to make synthetic marijuana. The federal ban went into effect Dec. 24 and will last at least a year while officials consider a permanent ban. The state rule won't go into effect until next month. More here.

Do you think this is a good decision?

JUNEAU, Alaska – Sen. Lisa Murkowski was officially named the winner of Alaska’s U.S. Senate race Thursday, following a period of legal fights and limbo that lasted longer than the write-in campaign she waged to keep her job.

Gov. Sean Parnell and Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell, who oversees elections, signed the paperwork certifying her win in the hotly contested race. The paperwork was expected to be hand-delivered to Washington, D.C., by state Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai to guard against delays that could keep Murkowski from being sworn in with her colleagues on Wednesday. Read more.

Was there ever any real doubt that she'd be sworn in?

COEUR d'ALENE - A Bonner County woman who embezzled from the founders of a humanitarian relief organization that helps AIDS victims in Africa was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison on Thursday.

April Leigh Mathews, 40, will have to pay $109,486 in restitution as well as five years of supervised probation after her release, Senior Judge Justin L. Quackenbush ruled.

The stealing wasn't a one-time lapse in judgment, the judge said, rather a meticulous, daily operation that warranted the prison term.

“It is most serious because it was an ongoing breach of trust,” Quackenbush told Mathews. “This wasn't a one-time mistake you made.”  More here. Tom Hasslinger/Cda Press

Thoughts?

After three years of planning, delays and management misfires, OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network finally arrives Saturday, the biggest launch of a cable channel in more than decade.

Industry observers are eager to see whether the celebrity who can unleash consumer trends can leverage the success of her 25-year run in daytime television into a 24-hour cable channel.

Are you an Oprah fan?

Put a smile on your face
and then lift high your glass,
for another year's gone
but we're still above grass.

The Bard of Sherman Avenue

Public transportation officials in North Idaho are working with the Kootenai County Board of Commissioners to revive a recently discontinued bus service primarily used by seniors and people with disabilities.

However, commissioners emphasized in a Thursday news conference that there will be no interruption in medical transportation services within the urban areas of the county. They thanked Kootenai Health, which operates Kootenai Medical Center, for stepping up to provide that portion of the services that were recently discontinued. Read more.

How important is public transportation in your community?

Are you working New Year's Eve?

Taking the day off?

Leaving early?

Kootenai County commissioners on Thursday approved a comprehensive plan that’s been four years in the making.

Updating the 16-year-old plan began in the fall of 2006 and involved hundreds of meetings, with input from developers, environmentalists, mayors, state agencies and ordinary citizens. Commissioner Rick Currie said the plan would not please everyone but is the county’s best attempt at compromise.

“The plan is not perfect. Just by its design, it can’t be perfect,” he said. “It has to represent all of Kootenai County. It is not 100 percent what the business community wanted. It is not 100 percent what the environmental community wanted. It’s not a plan I’m 100 percent in favor of. The best we can hope for is middle of the road. I think we have accomplished that.” Full story. Alison Boggs/SR

Are you pleased with the plan?

LOS ANGELES – Despite a strong showing during the lame-duck session of Congress, President Barack Obama closes out his second year in office with a slightly lower approval rating than at the end of 2009, according to a Gallup tracking poll.

The poll released Thursday found that the president’s approval rating was 47 percent, down slightly from his post-midterm-election peak of 49 percent but close to his average of 46 percent during that period. During the week between Christmas 2009 and New Year’s Day, Obama’s approval rating ranged from 51 percent to 53 percent.

Obama’s standing is better than two recent presidents who went on to win re-election.

Do you think Obama will be a one term president?

COEUR d'ALENE - Planning to jump into Lake Coeur d'Alene on Saturday?

Climatologist Cliff Harris has some advice for you.

“Wear a fur bikini.” Because it's going to be cold. Very cold. The Polar Bear Plunge is once again set for its traditional time and place, noon on New Year's Day at Sanders Beach.

About 500 people are expected to run into the lake, dive under, and run even faster back out. The first unofficial Polar Bear Plunge occurred Nov. 21, 1978. This year's plunge promises to be even more challenging - temperatures will be about 10 degrees when the clock strikes 12. The low on Saturday is projected at minus 3 degrees in the morning. More here. Bill Buley/Cda Press

Have you ever plunged? Will you be at Sanders Beach Saturday? (PS: MikeK: Do NOT send me anymore photos! I believe you, I believe you).

SAN DIEGO — Jake Locker bounced back from an injury and scored on a 25-yard run in the third quarter, and tailback Chris Polk ran for 177 yards and a score to help the Washington Huskies to a 19-7 win over the listless No. 17 Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Holiday Bowl on Thursday night.

The Huskies (7-6) avenged a 56-21 loss to the Huskers (10-4) in Seattle on Sept. 18. The Cornhuskers piled up 533 yards of total offense in that game, including 383 rushing.

While Washington was a winner in its first bowl game since 2002, the Huskers came out flat in their second straight Holiday Bowl appearance. More here.

Have a feeling a few folks were suprised by this outcome. Were you?

A man prepares to climb to safety after fire department rescuers threw a rope down to him near the underside of the Monroe Street Bridge on Wednesday.

Spokane rescue crews used a car from the Riverfront Park Skyride to bring a man up from the river’s edge near the Monroe Street Bridge on Wednesday afternoon.

Patrons at the Spokane Public Library reported seeing the man in the river. By the time fire crews arrived at the bridge, he was sitting on the bank, fire officials said. He was unable to climb up the hill, leaving crews to use a gondola car to rescue him.

The Associated Press reports that Idaho Tax Commission Chairman Royce Chigbrow allegedly tried to use his position to help a friend embroiled in a dispute with a former employer.

The allegations, revealed in emails and documents that the AP obtained under the Idaho Public Records Law, include that Chigbrow sought to provide his friend, Skip Hofferber, with confidential information about the firm's tax problems after the man had been fired from the company; ordered a forced tax collection against the firm; and then improperly handled two company cashier's checks totaling more than $30,000 that Hofferber gave Chigbrow at an Arid Club lunch - and that the firm later reported stolen. Read more.

Isn't it time for someone to express some shock and outrage?

Things got a little wild west-ish  on the blog yesterday. Politics makes strange blogfellows and all that. Anyhow, today is a fresh snowy slate— for most of us.

I've got a busy day ahead what with less than 48 hours left to fufill my 2010 resolution to lose 10 lbs. I've had the same resolution  since 2008 and every year at some point I DO lose those pounds only to turn around and find them again. My plan is to fast until 2011 and run in place while blogging and doing everything else. I may get a little cranky. Low blood sugar has that affect on me.

Here's your wild card.

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Former Obama administration auto industry czar Steven Rattner agreed to pay $10 million to resolve lawsuits by New York's attorney general over kickbacks allegedly paid to do business with the state's pension fund.

Rattner is the most prominent outside executive and last major figure to resolve charges in a multiyear “pay to play” corruption probe that involved the roughly $132.8 billion New York State Common Retirement Fund. More here. 

More greed and corruption. I'm sensing a theme.

Rooney Mara and Jesse Eisenberg star in “The Social Network.”

DENVER, Colo. — It was the best of movies, it was the worst of movies, and Movies in Toto is here to tally both lists for your consideration. The good news is three of the following five films are already available on Blu-ray and DVD. But so are all five of the clunkers listed below.

Toto lists the best as:

• The Social Network
• The Town
• The Kids are alright
• The Fighter
• Toy Story 3

The worst:

• The Last Airbender
• Cop Out
• A Nightmare on Elm Street
• I'm Still Here
• Survival of the Dead

I've seen only one of the top 5 and none of the worst. How about you?

WASHINGTON – Failed U.S. Senate candidate Christine O'Donnell said Thursday that accusations she misspent campaign funds are politically motivated and stoked by disgruntled former campaign workers.

The Delaware Republican appeared on several network morning shows to defend herself a day after The Associated Press reported federal authorities have launched a criminal probe to determine whether she broke the law by using campaign money to pay personal expenses.

“There's been no impermissible use of campaign funds whatsoever,” O'Donnell told ABC's “Good Morning America.” Read more.

Is this the “why is everybody always picking on me” defense?

It seems that food allergies are more prevalent today than ever. It’s commonplace for food labels to warn that their products may have come in contact with nuts and for preschools to ban nuts of any kind.

Indeed food allergies are on the rise in the U.S., and the top offenders are peanuts, cow’s milk, eggs, shellfish, tree nuts, soy, sesame and wheat Read more.

Do you have any food allergies?

JERUSALEM – Former Israeli President Moshe Katsav was convicted of rape Thursday, a dramatic fall from grace for a man who rose from humble beginnings to become a symbol of achievement for the nation's Jewish underclass.

The disgraced politician, who had rejected a plea bargain that would have kept him out of jail, will likely be sentenced to four to 16 years in prison.

The verdict was seen as a victory for the Israeli legal system and for women's rights in a decades-long struggle to chip away at the nation's macho culture, which once permitted political and military leaders great liberties. Full story.

Thoughts?

Merrymakers watch the early fireworks show finale obscure the clock tower in Riverfront Park Monday evening, Dec. 31, 2007 at First Night, the New Year's Eve celebration in downtown Spokane.

 On Dec. 31, 2001, Spokane grappled for the first time with a concept called First Night.

It proved an instant hit. About 14,000 revelers jammed downtown streets.

And after that, it really got popular.

Attendance topped 20,000 in its second year and has stayed mostly above that range – with the occasional blizzard-caused dip – ever since.

This year, executive director Chris Martin expects somewhere on the order of 26,000 people for the 10th annual First Night Spokane on Friday. Jim Kershner/SR

The Mr. and are thinking about taking our youngest to the First Night festivities. We've never attended. What are your plans for New Years Eve?

Moving this up from yesterday as new information has been forthcoming.

At Open Cda commenter Appalled says: “Over a year ago I formally complained by affidavit to the BOCC and Barry McHugh regarding among other things Sandy Martinson’s operation of a bank account in an unapproved depository, writing checks with one signature, these accounts not controlled being by the treasurer, and funds held for months at a time in some cases over a year before transfer when it was required immediately. This involved numerous inaccuracies, voided checks, and more left unchecked and at no time did the above respond.

I also complained formally to the outside auditor giving copies of checks and transactions but he would never audit these accounts or reply” Read full comment here.

Looks like this mess could get even uglier. Thoughts?

LOS ANGELES – Nintendo’s 3DS video game system might be hazardous to the health of children younger than 6, according to a warning posted Wednesday on the Japanese video game company’s website.

“Vision of children under the age of 6 (is in) the developmental stage,” Nintendo’s warning said, according to a Google translation of the website. “Nintendo 3DS, 3-D, including 3-D movies and television, delivers 3-D images with different left and right eye images,” which “has a potential impact on the growth of children’s eyes.”

The 3DS is the gaming giant’s latest version of its DS line of handheld video game consoles.

What do you think about kids younger than 6 playing video games?

They could have been home watching television or playing video games. They could have spent the evening catching up on homework or texting their friends. Instead, a group of teens spent a recent evening learning to tie rope rescue knots.

As members of Spokane County Explorer Search and Rescue, the young people spend time together each month honing their wilderness survival skills and learning the basics of search and rescue operations.Cindy Hval/SR  Full story.

How are your survival skills?

Arleen Grose was stunned to learned that her main source of transportation will be cut after today.

The Hayden 75-year-old is among those affected by the sudden stoppage of the Kootenai Area Transit System (KATS) in urban Kootenai County and the North Idaho Community Express (NICE) in the rural areas of North Idaho, including Shoshone, Kootenai and Bonner counties.

“They may spend millions studying the sex life of the red ant, but don't care about seniors,” said Grose, referring to funding woes for public transportation. “That's atrocious. I've relied on this bus for seven years. “I'm in a wheelchair, and it's how I get out to have lunch with my friends.” Brian Walker/Cda Press Full story here.

How often do you use public transportation?

Uncovering corruption in Corrupt d Alene is as easy as shooting fish in a barrel. It is easier that that, actually. It is like shooting big fish in a small barrel with a shotgun.

If you don't see it, it is because you don't want to or because you are busy making fun of the people that are trying to expose it. Then, when it blows up, you get all indignant and demand to know why nobody said anything before. There is not just one person out there with stories like his, there are dozens!

I get calls every week from somebody who wants me to look into their bit-o-corruption, but I know that in most cases that if the newspapers were unwilling to investigate for them, they won't do it if I take it to them either.

Really?

Sledders, boarders and parents stand perched atop a hill at Valley Mission Park ready to take to the slopes.

A Spokane man was arrested after two children he was towing on a sled behind an ATV slammed into a parked police car, sending the kids the hospital.

Police say Ramon D. Noggles, 33, was under the influence of alcohol when the collision happened just before 8 p.m. Wednesday in the 3600 block of E. Pratt.

Noggles was booked into jail for two felony counts of vehicular assault. Two additional misdemeanor charges of reckless endangerment and driving while license suspended/revoked are being forwarded to the prosecutors’ office, Spokane police said. Read more.

Words fail. What would be an appropriate consequence for this dad?

When Carl and Mara Crowell decided to open their specialty pet boutique, Pawpular Companions, in Liberty Lake, they turned to SCORE Spokane and found the help they needed.

A new year often marks fresh beginnings or serves as an impetus to act on long-held dreams. For some residents, 2011 will be the year to launch a new business.

Budding entrepreneurs can find practical help and seasoned advice from the folks at SCORE Spokane. Since 1973, the organization has helped would-be business owners turn their ideas into industry. Staffed primarily by volunteers, SCORE is a nonprofit resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

On Wednesday, SCORE will host its monthly “How to Start a New Business” workshop.Cindy Hval/SR Read more.

Have you ever owned or wanted to own a business?

COEUR d'ALENE - Coeur d'Alene police investigating a suspected case of embezzlement by a former longtime Kootenai County employee have determined about $139,000 is unaccounted for from a 10-year period.

Coeur d'Alene detectives received a report Dec. 7 from Kootenai County Clerk-Auditor Dan English of an employee - named by English as chief deputy clerk Sandy Martinson - possibly embezzling money. David Cole, Cda Press More here.

Alison Boggs SR story:

Kootenai County’s former chief deputy clerk is suspected of embezzling $138,905 over 10 years, ending in October, the month before she retired, Coeur d’Alene police said Wednesday.

Sandy Martinson, 62, has not been charged or arrested. Coeur d’Alene police, however, sent a formal request for charges to the Bonner County prosecutor, who is handling the case because Martinson worked for Kootenai County. Bonner County Prosecutor Louis Marshall said he hopes to make a decision by late next week. Potential charges include grand theft and felony misuse of public funds, Marshall said.

The suspected theft highlights a funding loophole within the county that commissioners and the finance director say they are trying to close. More.

Life in a small town has many wonderful benefits. It also has it's drawbacks in that when things like this occur, people are quick to take sides based on who they know instead of the information being presented.

Why do you think the Lake City has seen so much political turmoil recently?

An Air India plane is seen at Newark Liberty International Airport on Sunday during a snowstorm that caused thousands of flights to be canceled in the Northeast.

NEW YORK – With many streets still unplowed, New Yorkers are griping that their billionaire mayor is out of touch and has failed at the basic task of keeping the city running, while New Jersey's governor is taking heat for vacationing at Disney World during the crisis.

The fallout against two politicians who style themselves as take-charge guys is building in the aftermath of the Christmas-weekend blizzard that clobbered the Northeast, with at least one New Jersey newspaperman noting Gov. Chris Christie's absence in a column headlined: “Is Sunday's storm Christie's Katrina?” Full story.

Is it fair to blame politicans for the aftermath of snow storms and other acts of God?

LOS ANGELES – Coming soon to a grocery store near you: Those nutrition labels slapped on everything from cereal to soda pop will soon be required on packages of meat. T

he U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday that the new rule, slated to go into effect Jan. 1, 2012, requires that 40 of the most common cuts of poultry, pork, beef and lamb include labels that disclose to consumers the total number of calories, the number of calories from fat and the total grams of fat and saturated fat.

The labels also must include details about protein, cholesterol, sodium and vitamins in the product, according to federal officials.

Do you read food labels?

The Gonzaga men’s basketball team shook off a little rust, incorporated Steven Gray back in the lineup and pulled away from Lafayette College 83-55 Wednesday at the McCarthey Athletic Center.

Post-Christmas break games haven’t been kind to Gonzaga in recent seasons. The Bulldogs had dropped four of the last five, but those setbacks came against the likes of Utah, Tennessee, Nevada and Memphis.

Gonzaga, in its first game since defeating Xavier on Dec. 22, opened up a double-digit lead late in the first half against the visitors from Easton, Pa., and cruised to their fourth consecutive win.  More here. Jim Meehan/SR

I'm a one sport per season kind of fan, so I can't get excited about basketball until after the Super Bowl. Are you following the Zags?

On facebook BethB posts this photo of her cat Alex peering down at her from his rooftop perch. He then jumped into Beth's arms, which was better for both of them than on her head.

Do your pets enjoy the snow?

Gosh, we had some excitment in blogland yesterday. I'm pleased to say my magic troll wand works just great.

New friends made an appearance and a couple of old favs weighed in. What I've always enjoyed about Hucks Online is the diveristy of opinion and writing styles of the commenters. DFO and I can toss topics all day long, but it's your comments, jibs, jabs and smarts that keep this old blog hopping.

Today's breaking news re: the alleged embezzlement by long time Kootenai Co. employee Sandy Martinson, is sure to have folks riled up.

Fasten your seatbelts. Here's your Hump Day wild card.

This “forever” stamp honoring The Indianapolis 500 is included in the U.S. Postal Service’s 2011 postage stamp collection.

WASHINGTON – Rummaging around for 1- and 2-cent postage stamps when postal rates go up is heading the way of the Pony Express. Beginning in January, all new stamps good for 1 ounce of first-class mail will be marked as “forever.”

The move is designed to help customers cope with postage increases, a U.S. Postal Service official told the Associated Press on Tuesday.

How often do you mail letters or bills?

Is it just me or does Charlie Whitehurst look like Jesus?

I'm not at all intending to be blasphemous but everytime I look at this picture I think, you know if this guy starts on Sunday, the Seahawks might just have a chance.

Defeated Tea Party candidate Christine O'Donnell, who ran for vice president Joe Biden's former Senate seat, is reportedly under federal investigation for using campaign funds for personal expenses, the Associated Press reports.

The criminal probe is being conducted by two federal prosecutors and two FBI agents, an anonymous source told the AP. The matter has not yet been referred to a grand jury.

Spokespersons with the FBI in Washington and the Delaware Attorney General's office declined to comment.

What is it with politicians mishandling money?

So my 11-year-old son learned to crochet at school and now he can't stop. He's halfway finished with a hat, and has made scaves for me, his oldest brother and for our cat. He's also made this hat for Milo.

As you can see, Milo really wishes that Sam would not crotchet.

I haven't crocheted since I was in middle school, but I recently bought a hook and yarn and Sam offered to help me relearn the craft.

Do you have any “handy” hobbies like knitting or crocheting?

JUPITER, Fla. – The little girl's white, four-post bed is empty, her favorite doll Natalie atop it. Her pink plate and cup are set on the kitchen table; her vitamins await. The last CD she listened to is in her little stereo, the last lesson she learned on the blackboard, the last month she was alive frozen on the unturned page of the calendar.

Since a relative's Thanksgiving Day 2009 shooting rampage at their home, Jim and Muriel Sitton have faced a horrific balancing act: moving on past the time-stopping grief of losing their 6-year-old daughter Makayla Joy, and helping to realize her unfulfilled dreams.

One of Makayla's hopes — to someday publish a book — has now come to life in “The Bear's Castle,” a simple story of a little bear who wants to make all his wishes come true. Full story. MATT SEDENSKY, Associated Press

Such a heartbreaking story. Have you ever wanted to publish a book?

Avista Utilities reported nearly 6,200 customers without power at 11:20 a.m. as a difficult combination of heavy snow and wind were bringing down tree limbs and power lines, but that number was cut in half by 12:30 p.m.

The Washington State Patrol closed Highway 27 from Garfield to Palouse due to collisions and blowing snow. WSP said it was responding to two collisions in that vicinity prior to 11 a.m. U.S.

Highway 195 is closed from Pullman to the Idaho state line due to blowing and drifting snow.State Highway 23 is closed from U.S. 195 northwestward to the Lincoln County line due to drifting. Read more.

So, the headline on this post might be a bit snarky, but gosh, snow happens!
How are you coping with this latest storm?

A reporter friend in Durango, Colo., Chuck Slothower, calls it, “Ducks-style journalism.”

On Facebook, Chuck writes, “I like to start fast, file a story before lunch. That opens up my ground game with the photographers. Pound the calls. Intercept tipped public documents. No one's seen this tempo. By mid-afternoon, sources are worn down and I'm filing at will. WIN THE DAY.”

He wrote that after reading about Oregon Ducks head football coach Chip Kelly, because we should all try to be more like Kelly.

Question: Who else should we strive to be like in this life?

SAN FRANCISCO – Daniel Balsam hates spam. Most everybody does, of course. But he has acted on his hate as few have, going far beyond simply hitting the delete button. He sues them.

Eight years ago, Balsam was working as a marketer when he received one too many e-mail pitches to enlarge his breasts.

Enraged, he launched a Web site called Danhatesspam.com, quit a career in marketing to go to law school and is making a decent living suing companies who flood his e-mail inboxes with offers of cheap drugs, free sex and unbelievable vacations. Read more.

If you could quit your day job and launch a new career, what would it be?

NEW YORK – Brett Favre has been fined $50,000 by the NFL for a “failure to cooperate” with the investigation into allegations he sent inappropriate messages and lewd photos to former New York Jets game-day hostess Jenn Sterger.

The league said Commissioner Roger Goodell “could not conclude” that Favre violated the league's personal conduct policy based on the evidence currently available to him. Full story.

Did he or didn't he? And if he did, WHY?

WASHINGTON – Rep. Charles Rangel has established a defense fund that will allow supporters to contribute up to $5,000 a year to help pay his legal bills.

The New York Democrat still owes money to his former lawyers, who represented him in an ethics case that ended with his censure.

The Charles B. Rangel Legal Expense Trust was approved by the House ethics committee, the same panel that successfully recommended that the House censure Rangel for financial and fundraising misconduct. More.

I've often wondered who would contribute to a fund like this. Would you give $$ to a politician who was censured for financial misconduct?

COEUR d'ALENE - Vernon Baker's name is now firmly etched into the Kootenai County landscape.

County commissioners on Tuesday officially named a new road north of Hayden after Baker, a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient and World War II veteran who lived in St. Maries until his death in July.

Baker's widow, Heidy Baker, was thrilled to hear the news.

“Oh, I can't believe it. That is such an honor,” she told The Press by telephone from her home in St. Maries. “This is absolutely wonderful. I thank everyone who was involved. I thank everyone for this.”  More here. Maureen Donlan/Cda Press

Who would you like to see a local road named after?

Coeur d’Alene police are investigating a suspected long-term pattern of embezzlement by Kootenai County’s recently retired chief deputy clerk, a county employee for almost 35 years.

Kootenai County’s top elected officials announced in a news conference late Tuesday that a routine review of Sandy Martinson’s records upon her retirement last month revealed irregularities that led them to notify authorities.

The Coeur d’Alene Police Department has been investigating the situation for a month. Bonner County will handle the expected prosecution due to Martinson’s former employment with Kootenai County, said county Clerk Dan English.

English said he understands Martinson has made a statement to the police, but he doesn’t know what was said. He sat ashen-faced Tuesday with the three county commissioners in the Board of Commissioners meeting room. Alison Boggs/SR Read more.

Here's an update.

Martinson is suspected of suspected of embezzling $138,905 over a 10-year period ending in October.

What a sad turn of events. What motivates those in a position of trust to steal from their employers?

WASHINGTON – Less than two months after voters gave Republicans six more Senate seats and control of the House, the GOP is lining up candidates for 2012, well ahead of the pace of previous election cycles.

Looking to ride what they hope will be a continuing Republican wave, nine potential challengers, including two each in Missouri and Virginia, already have said they are weighing bids for the U.S. Senate.

They have an abundance of targets. Twenty-one of the 33 Senate seats up in 2012 are held by Democrats and two others are occupied by independents who align themselves with Democrats.

Do you foresee a continuing Republican wave in 2012?

A 68-year-old Boise man is charged with misdemeanor battery after punching a teen on a flight that landed in Boise Tuesday night.

According to Boise police, the suspect, Russell Miller, was upset with a 15-year-old boy who refused to turn off his cell phone after directions from the flight crew.

“He thought he had to take action,” said Lt. Kent Lipple. The boy was flying alone and did not require medical attention.  Read more.

Bubblehead wants to know if it's “OK to punch self-important jerks who think the rules don't apply to them?” I'm thinking our Hucks legal eagles would say no. But have you ever wanted to punch someone over cell phone issues?

The trail around Tubbs Hill and along Lake Coeur d’Alene is well-worn and suitable for running.

COEUR d'ALENE - The goal is to create another Tubbs Hill-type recreation area for the public.

Before that can happen, the city of Coeur d'Alene would have to purchase seven acres of platted land that's for sale to put in parking, trailheads, and benches for hikers and nature lovers. The parks department is proposing to do just that.

Tell me,” said Doug Eastwood, parks director, touring the views surrounding the seven acres for sale on the south side of Fernan Lake off Potlatch Hill Road, overlooking Lake Coeur d'Alene to the south, Fernan Lake to the east, and Canfield Mountain to the north. “What is the price on that?”

The asking price is $462,500. Tom Hasslinger/Cda Press Full story.

Thoughts?

Jim_Bob_Cornbread on December 28 at 4:19 p.m.

It's never so much about the fry itself than what is available to put on the tater. Zip fry sauce is top, followed by tartar dip from Dick, Wendy doesn't salt her fries which is too plain Jane but her ketchup is fine, malt vinegar from the Skipper, and to end the list, a choco shake from McDonald with fresh fries, the long greasy type, not the short and crunchy.

Newbie Jim Bob introduces an excellent poll topic: What's your dip of choice for  french fries?

• Ketchup
• Fry Sauce
• Tartar Sauce
• Malt Vinegar
• Tabasco
• Other

Rookie QB Joe Webb guided the Vikings to upset win over Eagles.

PHILADELPHIA – Considering everything else the Minnesota Vikings have endured this season, it was silly to think two extra days sitting around a hotel room would bring ’em down.

No way a determined rookie quarterback named Joe Webb was going to let that happen.

Webb threw for 195 yards and ran for a touchdown in his first career start filling in for an injured Brett Favre, and the lowly Vikings stunned Michael Vick and the NFC East champion Philadelphia Eagles 24-14 in the NFL’s first Tuesday game since 1946. Read more.

I hate to offend BethB, but I love, love, love it when the underdogs win! How about you?

“I caught the limit,” said Tom Colnaric, of Hayden, after ice fishing at Fernan Lake in Coeur d’Alene on Monday.

Winter – barely seven days old, according to the calendar – is making a powerful return to the region this week.

Snow, possibly heavy at times into Wednesday, will be followed by a blast of arctic air from Canada to keep the New Year’s bubbly plenty cold. The low on Friday morning may only reach the single digits in Spokane. More here. Mike Prager/SR

Related snow news.

Are you ready for more snow?

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Associated Press is reporting that a hearing officer has recommended the Idaho Transportation Department issue permits to ConocoPhillips to move four giant truckloads of equipment across U.S. Highway 12 in north-central Idaho.

The permits were the subject of earlier hearings in Boise, in which opponents argued that the trucks would block the twisting, two-lane road entirely, creating safety concerns, in addition to possibly damaging the pristine river environment and harming tourism.

The transportation department previously had issued permits for the four loads, but they were suspended while the permits were contested. Full story.

Some folks are going to be mighty unhappy.  How about you?

Yesterday was a record-breaking day at Huck's Online. A new page view record was set at 2.56 million views, breaking the old 2.5 million mark. Great job hucksters! Thanks for reading.

Yesterday also marked the first time I received a picture of a shirtless Cda city councilman in my inbox. All I can say is I hope this doesn't mean there's a Councilman Calendar on the way.

Who know what surprises I'll find today, but I'm kind of scared to open my email.

Here's your wild card.

Sir Elton John is holding close a new tiny dancer.

The piano man and husband David Furnish have become parents to a 7-pound, 15-ounce baby boy born on Christmas Day. The news was first reported Monday night by USMagazine.com and confirmed to The Associated Press by John's Los Angeles-based publicist.

. Zachary Jackson Levon Furnish-John was born in California via a surrogate, whose identity is being protected by the new parents.. Zachary is 62-year-old John's first child with the 48-year-old Furnish. The couple married in 2005. More here.

That's a long name for a tiny dancer.

For of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: “It might have been!”

Those words by John Greenleaf Whittier might be the mantra for former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf as he sets down to write his autobiography in three volumes.

Sporting News is reporting that Leaf, considered one of the biggest busts in draft history after being No. 2 overall in 1998, will pen three books for Crimson Oak Publishing on his college career, pro career and his battle with painkillers. Full story.

Will you be buying Leaf's new book?

Krem.com posted this yucky tale: 

LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) — A 50-year-old Florida man has been arrested after an Idaho girl reported the man exposed himself during a flight from Salt Lake City to Lewiston.

The 17-year-old girl says she switched seats when the man sitting next to her began masturbating aboard the Skywest flight.

The Lewiston Tribune reports the girl told her father what happened and he reported it to the Transportation Security Administration. TSA officials notified Lewiston police, who arrested the Gulf Breeze, Fla., man while they investigate him on suspicion of misdemeanor indecent exposure.

Police say the man told them he spilled Tabasco sauce on himself, which caused his crotch to burn and itch.

Words fail. Tell us about your most unpleasant flight seatmate.

SANDUSKY, Ohio – Police say a dispute over the freshness of french fries got heated at a McDonald's in northern Ohio. Authorities say a customer refused fries waiting Sunday night in their serving pouches at the restaurant near Sandusky. The manager insisted the fries were fresh.

Police say they were called when the customer said he wouldn't leave until he got different fries. He told officers a McDonald's employee struck him with a mop.

The Sandusky Register reports that a witness said the worker acted only as though he was going to hit the man and said the customer called the employee a derogatory name. No charges were filed.

Police say the man got his money back and left without fries.

What restaurant makes the best french fries?

LOS ANGELES – Two mentally disabled immigrants must be given lawyers as they fight deportation, a U.S. district court judge has ruled. Jose Franco-Gonzalez, 29, of Costa Mesa, Calif., and Guillermo Gomez-Sanchez, 48, of San Bernardino, Calif., are at the center of a case that marks one of the first instances in which a judge ordered representation for an individual in immigration proceedings, according to a coalition of advocacy lawyers arguing the men’s cases.

The decision by U.S. District Court Judge Dolly Gee came last week just before Christmas. In a March lawsuit, the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California and other advocates argued that the men’s diminished mental capacities made them unable to voice their own interests.

Thoughts?

At his Beer Garden blog, Bent details the making of his latest batch o' beer. This one was created with keithincda and Stickman.

As you know by the earlier post, we have been playing with the carboys again and we whipped out a nice batch of hefeweizen a couple of weeks ago, which was spectacular (my reserve was gone on Christmas Eve). But, we also brewed a European Lager that is intended to be as close to Stella Artois as possible.

Stella was originally brewed in the 1300s as a holiday beer, so it only seemed fitting to bring some to life in Keith's garage this holiday season… plus Keith has one of those beverage coolers that we used to cold ferment the beer, which is the true way to brew an authentic Lager. It was my first time using this method, and so far I am pleased with the results — with one minor exception. Read more.

What's your favorite beer?

Two officers in a remote Alaska town were ambushed as they chatted on a street. Two California deputies were killed by an arson suspect with a high-powered rifle as they tried to serve him a warrant. Two other officers doing anti-drug work were gunned down by men along a busy Arkansas highway.

These so-called cluster killings of more than one officer helped make 2010 a particularly dangerous year for law enforcement. Deaths in the line of duty jumped 37 percent to about 160 from 117 the year before, according to numbers as of Dec. 28 compiled by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, a nonprofit that tracks police deaths.

Why do you think there's been an increase in police fatalities?

COEUR d'ALENE - Wanna serve? Pass a course. Need a ride? Wait in the designated area.

The city of Coeur d'Alene is considering a pair of rule changes it hopes makes downtown's nightlife a little safer. The first is to establish an evening taxi parking, pick-up and drop off zone on the east side of Fourth Street between Sherman and Front avenues.

The second is to require bar and restaurant servers to pass a certified alcohol training course to dish out drinks. “This is basically an option, an effort, a try,” said Mike Kennedy, city councilman, on the city's attention to downtown safety. “If it doesn't work we can” change it. Read more. Tom Hasslinger/Cda Press

Would these new rules make you feel safer in downtown Cda?

Garrett Smith, left, opens one of three time capsules buried in Riverside State Park that he and some former sixth-grade classmates unearthed and opened Monday. The group buried the items in 1986.

A group of former Spokane elementary school students reunited Monday to open three time capsules buried in 1986, bringing a flashback of the Ronald Reagan era, Brat Pack movies and leg warmers.

The capsules were an assignment for 15 sixth-graders from throughout Spokane Public Schools who were in a talented-and-gifted class together. The cookie tin and two plastic containers were buried in Riverside State Park.

“We originally said we were going to wait 30 or 40 years, but one of our teachers (Linda Andrews) was afraid she wouldn’t be around that long, so we set a date for July 4, 2010,” said Garrett Smith, one of the students who buried the capsules 24 years ago.  Read more. Jody Lawrence-Turner/SR

What were you doing in 1986?

A slight decrease in Panhandle Region moose permits is proposed for 2011, but hunters will could get the spice of two new mountain goat hunts. These and other 2011 Idaho trophy big-game hunting proposals have been released for public comment through Jan. 14.

While moose tags will be increased in a few Panhandle units, they'll be reduced in others according to the proposals for a total of three fewer bull moose tags and five fewer antlerless moose tags, said Jim Hayden, Idaho Fish and Game Department regional wildlife manager.  Rich Landers/SR

Really? My first thought when I read this blog post was, They don't shoot mountain goats do they? But apparently they do.

Do you enjoy hunting?

NEW YORK – Do you spend time with a lot of friends? That might mean a particular part of your brain is larger than usual.

It’s the amygdala, which lies deep inside. Brain scans of 58 volunteers in a preliminary study indicated that the bigger the amygdala, the more friends and family the volunteers reported seeing regularly.

That makes sense because the amygdala is at the center of a brain network that’s important for socializing, says Lisa Feldman Barrett, an author of the work published online Sunday by the journal Nature Neuroscience.

For example, the network helps us recognize whether somebody is a stranger or an acquaintance, and a friend or a foe, said Barrett, of Northeastern University in Boston.

The study can’t figure out whether having a bigger amygdala leads to more friends, or if socializing with a lot of friends creates a bigger amygdala. Barrett said it might be a bit of both.

No word on what this means for facebook users who have more than 1,000 friends. How important to you is socializing with your friends?

Leon Walker has been charged under anti-hacking laws aimed at preventing identity theft in the US. The 33-year-old had suspected his wife Clara, who had been married twice before was having an affair with her former husband. He is alleged to have used his computer skills to gain access to her Gmail email account on the shared home computer.

Mr Walker discovered a series of emails which confirmed his suspicions that his wife was cheating on him. With nearly half US divorce cases involving some form of privacy invasion such as the reading of text messages or social networking web pages, the case could have significant legal repercussions. More here.

Are you surprised to learn you can possibly go to jail for hacking an account on your own computer?

Pastor Debra Conklin plugs in the Christmas tree outside the Perry Street Cafe on Tuesday Dec. 14, 2010

SPOKANE, Wash.—Neighbors have a few environmentally friendly options to discard their dried up Christmas trees. Spokane Trash Service will pick up trees placed alongside garbage bins on regularly schedule pick up days. The city will accept trees up to 6 feet in height but if they are taller, they must be cut in half.

Those trees will be chipped up and composted. All Spokane city and county residents can also take their trees to the Waste to Energy Facility on Geiger.  Posted at KREM.com Read more.

When do you take your Christmas Tree down?

It was a tough year to be Barack Obama in many respects—but he's ending it on a strong note. Not only did the president rack up a number of key legislative wins in the lame-duck 111th Congress, but he also won the honor of being the man Americans admired most in 2010, according to a Gallup/USA Today poll released Monday.

Twenty-two percent of Americans surveyed said that the president is the person they hold in highest esteem, granting Obama the titled of “Most Admired Man” for the third year in a row in the annual survey.

George W. Bush placed second with 5 percent, and Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandela and Bill Gates rounded out the top five, in that order.

Hillary Clinton placed first in Gallup's survey of the woman Americans most admire. However, while Obama is holding steady in terms of mundane esteem, one of his best-known detractors made impressive inroads in another poll gauging popularity in a beyond this-worldly scale. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin—who also finished second in the “Most Admired Women” tally, ahead of another longtime rival, Oprah Winfrey—took top honors in an online poll Monday for her influence on the country's religious values.

Who do you most admire?

An Athol woman whose dog died in April after a suspected poisoning has found a new puppy.

Kathleen Callahan turned 58 on Dec. 4. The day before, she brought Aussie, a 6-month-old Shih Tzu-terrier mix, home from the Kootenai Humane Society.

“You were my birthday present,” she said, snuggling the small orange-and-white dog in her lap. “I’ve never had a small dog. I’m not used to a dog sitting in my lap.”

Aussie has brought Callahan and her older two dogs a measure of peace and joy this holiday season, following the horror of losing Paddee on April 27. Paddee was 10 when he died of injuries her veterinarian told Callahan were consistent with consuming rat poison. Alison Boggs/SR

A sweet ending to a tragic tale.

Hope you heard Christa Hazel on Main Street Monday with Kerri Rankin Thoreson. She rocked! And I'm not saying that because my cat and I got a special shout out. (Though Kerri did NOT have to mention my bathrobe). It was worth waking up for!

Moving right along. It has come to my attention that due to Christmas falling on a Saturday, SOME of you have today off. All I can say is: No fair!

Because of the holiday, not only do I have to work today, but I've got an early deadline. Now that I've got the whine out of the way, I'll be on the lookout for some cheese. And blog fodder.

Use this wild card to post some fodder of your own.

So, if you've been around Huck's Online long enough you know I refer to Christmas Eve as the Festival of Strange Norwegian Meat. Each year we spend Christmas Eve at my in-laws. My father-in-law and one of my brothers-in-law are first generation Norwegian immigrants. So I've learned to embrace the taste of the Norske.

No lefse this year :-( And we NEVER have lutefisk. The Norwegians' tastebuds have become somewhat domesticated. 

The foods pictured are: potatoes,  Norwegian sauerkraut  (surkaal), medisterkaker (pork patties) with ligonberry sauce, Medisterpoelse (pork sausages), rutabega, ribbe (pork belly).  Not pictured: pinnekjott (salted, dried lamb ribs).

Good times. 

 WASHINGTON – The Kennedys have held congressional seats, the presidency and the public’s imagination for more than 60 years. That era ends when Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island vacates his U.S. House seat next month, leaving a City Council post in California as Camelot’s sole remaining political holding.

The son of the late Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy says he has no qualms about walking away from politics. His departure marks the first time in 63 years that a Kennedy won’t be serving in elected office in Washington.

The son of the late Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy says he has no qualms about walking away from politics. His departure marks the first time in 63 years that a Kennedy won’t be serving in elected office in Washington.

The 43-year-old Kennedy said that in his family, “the legacy was always public service, and that didn’t necessarily mean public office.”

Do you have a favorite Kennedy?

Michael Vick has been getting support from all sides during his road to redemption. He's now getting it from the leader of the free world.

NBC's Peter King reports that Barack Obama called Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie earlier this week to congratulate him for giving Vick a second chance after his release from prison. According to King, the president said that released prisoners rarely receive a level playing field and that Vick's story could begin to change that.

Forget your political allegiances or feelings about Michael Vick and take a step back to think about this. The sitting president of the United States went out of his way to publicly praise a man who, 3 1/2 years ago, many thought would never play again in the NFL. Even the most ardent believers in Vick couldn't have fathomed a turn-around like this. Read more.

What do you think of Michael Vick's road to redemption?

The first baby boomers are turning 65 in 2011 and they may just change the world for older citizens. Front to back are Martha Chadwick, Dick Warwick, Loni Daly and Ed Clark.

The first baby boomers will turn 65 on Saturday. Every day, for the next 19 years, about 10,000 boomers “will cross that threshold,” as the Pew Research Center puts it.

On Jan. 1, 1959, these same first boomers turned 13. No one back then predicted the myriad ways they would revolutionize youth culture. These boomer teens eventually redefined style, trading crew cuts and skirts for long hair and bellbottoms. Rock ’n’ roll became their anthem. Drugs, their escape. And free love? Groovy, man. They took to the streets in their later teens, protesting the Vietnam War and other causes that limited their freedoms, such as curfews in college dorms.

Will these first among the 79 million boomer senior citizens begin an older age revolution? Likely, the experts say. Rebecca Nappi/SR

What do you think this means for our culture's view of aging?

The coldest I have ever been was_______

“This is going to be my new life,” said Karen King, left, of Coeur d’Alene, as she talked with Angela Thompson, of Post Falls, about the Cloverleaf Grange in Post Falls on Dec. 17. Attendance at the grange – established in 1906 – is currently on an upswing.

Yellow lights shone from the Cloverleaf Grange’s windows on a recent snowy evening, and the parking lot was full of vehicles.    Two dozen people gathered inside for a Christmas potluck. They also were celebrating the comeback of Idaho’s oldest grange.

Not too long ago, the Cloverleaf Grange’s future was in doubt. Membership in the grange in Post Falls had shrunk to 22 members – only a handful of whom were still active.

In April, Idaho State Grange Master Donald Billmire sent a letter to the grange, saying he was “regretfully” taking action to revoke its charter. Becky Kramer/SR

Have you ever been part of a Grange?

This’ll be my last Huckleberries column as part of Handle Extra. When you next see Huckleberries, it’ll be after the new year, included in the weekend edition of the regular Spokesman-Review. The Handle Extra is going away at year’s end. Read more. D.F. Oliveria/ SR

 What will you miss most about the Handle Extra?

Fashion wise, different cultures bring in the New Year in a variety of different ways. For example, fancy panties are de rigueur for folks in Brazil, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Venezuela; red underpants are supposed to bode well for love in the new year, while yellow knickers indicate dreams of money.

Here in North Idaho it doesn’t really matter what color your skivvies are, at least for the most part. It’s what you’re wearing on the outside that’s important and you’ll want to break out your finest ski bunny outfit for New Year’s Eve at Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort ($40). Patrick Jacobs/SR

What are your plans for New Year's Eve?

CHICAGO – Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner says he's gotten engaged again. Hefner said in a Twitter message early Sunday that he'd given a ring to girlfriend and Playmate Crystal Harris, saying she burst into tears. “This is the happiest Christmas weekend in memory,” he wrote.

To clear up confusion over whether the ring was simply a Christmas gift, Hefner later tweeted: “Yes, the ring I gave Crystal is an engagement ring. I didn't mean to make a mystery out of it. A very merry Christmas to all.”

This would be the third marriage for the 84-year-old, star of E! reality series “The Girls Next Door,” which chronicles Hefner's life at the Playboy Mansion. He divorced Playmate Kimberly Conrad last year. Read More.

There's a 60 year age gap between the two lovebirds. What's the age gap between you and your spouse or S/O?

BOISE – Idaho’s state Land Board has paid more than a quarter-million dollars since 2007 to one of the state’s top Republican operatives for a public relations campaign, but officials say the state’s getting a great deal. “We’re very happy with the results so far,” said Lands Department Director George Bacon.

Mike Tracy’s one-man PR firm has developed a DVD about state endowment lands, scheduled dozens of presentations by Tracy or state officials to everything from school boards to Rotary clubs, and commissioned two polls to track how much Idahoans know about the state endowment and how they view it. Read more. Betsy Z. Russell/SR

Thoughts?

iluvcda on December 27 at 10:18 a.m. The design concepts are now uploaded. We could all share our inputs on: www.facebook.com/mceuenpark.

Are you going to log onto facebook and weigh in on he proposed design plans?

Mike Kennedy sends this photo along as proof that he has indeed plunged. He also sent other photos, but I've chosen not to post those. I think FCC decency standards apply to blogs.

“Use the pictures if you must, but please tell them you airbrushed weight onto me lest women begin throwing themselves at me during council meetings,” says Kennedy.

Like that's going to stop women from throwing things at him during council meetings.

What say you? Has MikeK met his burden of proof?

HONOLULU – Frustrated by what he sees as a never-ending campaign to undermine President Barack Obama, Hawaii’s new governor says he plans to use his new post to counter conspiracy theorists who continue to allege that the president was not born in the United States. Neil Abercrombie, a Democrat who took office Dec. 6, has known Obama since the president’s days growing up in Hawaii. He’s also one of the few people who knew both Obama’s father, also named Barack, and mother, Stanley Ann Dunham.

That long-standing relationship is a major reason Abercrombie, 72, takes umbrage with the persistent effort by Obama’s most ardent foes to assert that he was born in Kenya, which would constitutionally bar him from holding the office of president. “Now that I’m governor, I’m going to do something about that,” Abercrombie vowed during an interview in his fifth-floor office in the state capitol.

Do you think birthers will ever be convinced that Obama's presidency is legitimate?

Oh dear. There's trouble brewing in Huckleberry land. On this morning's Main Street Monday radio show, Kerri Thoreson asserted that Cda City Councilman Mike Kennedy had not done the Polar Bear Plunge.

On Kerri's facebook page Kennedy says: “I'M CALLING MY LAWYERS! OR LARRY SPENCER, ESQUIRE TO RIGHT THIS GRIEVOUS WRONG!

I didn't hear the show (weekly 7 am Monday staff meeting) but I HAVE DONE THE PLUNGE! There are pictures, and I demand equal time. I'm calling the FCC. Or the FEC. Or the SEC. Whomever I have to.”

Should we demand MikeK post pictures of himself participating in the Plunge? Is that something we really want to see?

Have you/will you do the Polar Bear Plunge?

Idaho Congressman Walt Minnick talks about the race on Election Night in Boise

BOISE – Idaho Congressman Walt Minnick’s election-night concession on Twitter made history – according to Twitter. It was ranked No. 8 on the site’s list of the “10 Most Powerful Tweets of 2010.”

The tweet, sent by campaign manager John Foster around 2 a.m. as Election Night stretched into morning, said, “Congratulations to Raul Labrador on a hard-earned win, and best of luck as Idaho’s next Congressman.”

In its “Year in Review,” the microblogging social network site reported, “Twitter was a powerful campaign tool during the 2010 U.S. Midterm Elections, and Election Night results often broke first on Twitter. Demonstrating how quickly the world of political communications is changing, Idaho incumbent Walt Minnick’s campaign manager issued a concession Tweet.” Betsy Z. Russell/SR

Who do you follow on Twitter? Or are you not a Tweeter, er Twit, uh Twitterer. Oh, you know what I mean.

It's full speed ahead for the Kootenai Technical Education Campus. The Post Falls, Coeur d'Alene and Lakeland school districts, along with their business partners, are proceeding ahead with the professional-technical high school on the Rathdrum Prairie as if a planned bill expediting the construction will pass in the upcoming Legislature.

“We are hoping the construction timeline can be moved up (to 2011 instead of 2012) if the legislation is changed to allow us to start construction before we collect all the money” said Post Falls Superintendent Jerry Keane, who is helping shepherd the project. “We've decided that we are going to operate for now as if the legislation is going to be changed.

“We are moving forward with our design and programming work on a fast track schedule.”  Brian Walker/Cda Press

Thoughts?

Keith Allred, left, talks with 1st District Rep. Walt Minnick during a picnic for Canyon County Democrats  July 10 in Nampa, Idaho.

BOISE – Before Keith Allred ran for governor of Idaho, the former Harvard University professor was becoming an increasingly common sight in Idaho’s state Capitol, where he spent five years lobbying for what he called “the common interest” on behalf of his nonpartisan citizens group.

Allred brought together people of all political stripes from throughout the state into a group that collectively studied and debated issues, and where they reached broad consensus, he lobbied for those positions in the state Legislature, with some notable successes.

Now, after running on the Democratic ticket and losing to Republican Gov. Butch Otter, Allred says he plans to focus on business consulting work for the next two to three years, but he says the idea of the common interest isn’t over – and he still hopes to expand it nationwide. More here.  Betsy Russell

TAMPA, Fla. — The tailspin continued Sunday for the Seahawks. So, too, did their playoff chase. Yes, it’s been that kind of season for the Seahawks and the NFC West. Seattle suffered its seventh lopsided loss in nine weeks, falling 38-15 to Tampa Bay at Raymond James Stadium, but in a historically bad division, that result once again didn’t hurt the Seahawks’ playoff hopes.

And after an up-and-down season it all comes down to the final game for the Seahawks. Beat St. Louis at Qwest Field on Sunday, and the Seahawks, 7-9 record and all, will be champions of the division that has turned into a punch line. More here.

Watching a Seahawk game lately is like undergoing a voluntary root canal. But I'll still be watching next Sunday. WIll you?

Hucks Online regular Christa Hazel will be Kerri Thoreson's special guest on Main Street Monday. You can hear Christa at 7 a.m. on http://www.kvni.com/

Who wants to call DFO to make sure he's awake?

Merry Christmas Hucksters!  I'm already knee-deep in wrapping paper.Hope your weekend is filled with all the things and people you love most.

Leave your own Christmas greetings or other thoughts on this wild card.
See you Monday!

60% of Hucksters had today off. 20% had to work and 20% had to work but are leaving early. I'm with the second 20% and I'm outta here :-)

Merry Christmas to all!

I'm still recovering from my adventures at Sushi Track last night. I had to grab my food from a moving conveyor belt. I confess I got a bit competitive with the gal acrosss the belt from me and grabbed some plates just because it looked like she wanted them. And honestly, her size 0 frame probably needed the protein more than my size None of Your Darn Business.

But onward and upward. Or downward. Or something. Today, I must gear up for the Fesitval of Strange Norwegian Meats. This afternoon I will meet my sister-in-laws and we will make meatballs and brown sausages while making a lot of inappropriate jokes. We all have our ethnic traditions.

Christmas Eve is the only time I envy vegetarians.

Tell us about your Christmas Eve traditions or anything else that's on your mind on this Wild Card.

New York Giants defensive end Dave Tollefson is one of the bit players on a defensive line that has ranked among the league's best in recent years. A seventh-round pick of the Green Bay Packers in 2006 out of Northwest Missouri State, Tollefson has worked his way into the Giants rotation and has played in every game but the opener this season. But in last Sunday's thrill ride against the Philadelphia Eagles, Tollefson suffered a knee injury and was taken to the locker room so that the team's medical staff could get a look at the severity of the situation.

They shouldn't have bothered. You see, Tollefson's mom, Debra Crocker, was waiting for her son in the locker room, and she made it very clear as to where he should be after traveling 3,000 miles to watch him play.

“Tape it up! I didn't fly here from California to watch you ride the pines!” Mrs. Crocker said, in a tone that certainly would have made head coach Tom Coughlin proud.

“She was like 'What are you doing?'” Tollefson told the New York Daily News. “I said, 'Mom, I'm hurt.' She said, 'I don't give a [expletive]. Get it taped up and get the hell in there! I don't want to hear this. More here.

Wow! Football moms don't pull any punches, do they?

The 25th annual Press Christmas for All campaign is now officially in the books, and the towering goal of $200,000 - the most ambitious goal yet - was conquered.

Told that the goal had been reached, Anonymous in Athol, who helped this year's campaign with a pair of challenges and some massive giving, said: “In this economy most things are way down.

The success of Press Christmas for All really speaks to the people of North Idaho.” The success spoke to the hundreds of donors - and to the thousands of recipients. Cda Press

Do you give more to charities during the holidays than during other times of the year?

hmoffsuite on December 24 at 1:04 p.m.

Maybe powderfarmer (or anyone else) can answer a question for me. When the F&G, or whomever, is out on a counting expedition, how do they actually go about that? Do they count each and every one they encounter and add to a total? Or, use some averaging method? How do they know that each bird they have counted is a unique eagle, and they are not counting the same ones over and over again?

I resisted the urge to say they count them like this 1, 2, 3… But hmo has a good question. Anyone know the answer?

Don Sausser snapped this photo moments ago. Here's an even better shot than the earlier pic. Seems Santa is taking a water ski break from last minute preparations.

A Russian tourist touches a column inside the Church of the Nativity, where  Christians believe Jesus Christ was born, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, on Thursday.

NAZARETH, Israel – Strains of “Silent Night” stream from the tour bus speakers on what has become known as the Jesus circuit in Nazareth, northern Israel. Locals here joke that the carols constitute a whole new category of music in the largely Palestinian city, but the bigger joke, they claim, is making money selling Americans their own Christmas music. “There have always been Christians who come to the Holy Land. But in recent years they come in huge groups, in tour bus caravans, in the thousands!” said Ibrihim Mansouf, a local shop owner in Nazareth. “They want to buy anything, anything that was made in the Holy Land.” Read more.

Have you ever been to Israel? Do you want to go?

My favorite thing about Christmas is _________

In the interest of full disclosure I should divulge that I just woke up from a mid morning nap. I had a late night last night and I'll have another late one tonight.

At least I'm working from home so I could actually nap in my cozy bed, unlike poor DFO who naps at his desk.

Are you a fan of naps?

NEW YORK – It’s Black Friday, The Sequel. Stores are rolling out deals and expect to be swimming in shoppers on Christmas Eve as stragglers take advantage of a day off work. For retailers, the last-minute rush caps the best year since 2007. With Christmas falling on a Saturday this year, today is a holiday for most U.S. workers. That lets shoppers hit the stores first thing in the morning. “I’m calling it Fantastic Friday, because I really do think it’s going to be one of the busiest days of the year,” said Marshal Cohen, an analyst with researcher NPD Group. More here.

When did you finish your Christmas shopping?

WASHINGTON – Vice President Joe Biden said Friday that the country is evolving on the issue of gay marriage and he thinks it's inevitable there will be national consensus. He said on ABC's “Good Morning America” the same thing is happening with the issue of marriage that happened with gays' service in the military. Changes in attitudes by military leaders, those in the service and the public allowed the repeal by Congress of the “don't ask, don't tell” policy that will eventually allow gays to serve openly in the military. Gay marriage is still not legal in most states.

President Barack Obama recently said his feelings on the gay marriage issue are evolving, but he still believes in allowing strong civil unions that provide certain protections and legal rights that married couples have.

Gay marriage inevitable: Agree or disagree?

After several years, it's done. The Kootenai County commissioners wrapped up deliberations on all chapters of the updated Comprehensive Plan this week, completing the process that began with the Keziah Watkins report in 2006.

It feels good,” Commissioner Todd Tondee said on Thursday.

The officials' most recent review of the document primarily involved reorganization and wordsmithing, said Commissioner Rick Currie, which he said was crucial for condensing the massive visionary document.

“It's saying the same thing, but with a lot less words,” said Currie, whose term ends the first week of January.

He added that the commissioners had earlier voted on significant changes to the plan, submitted by the county Planning and Zoning Commission last January, including the removal of acreage designations the commissioners felt would be better specified in zoning ordinances.

Tondee said he expects the document, which acts as a roadmap for future development in the county, to offer clear direction on shaping the area. More here. Alecia Warren/Cda Press

Thoughts?

Joker on December 23 at 10:04 p.m.

In the spirit of holidays, I have invented the Larry Spencer drinking game. If Larry appears in a news story claiming somebody broke the rules or law, down a shot.

If a newspaper publishes a Larry Spencer letter to the editor or opinion piece that alleges corruption by the establishment, down a glass of wine or beer.

If Larry Spencer sends out a press release that promises to bring down the system, chug three beers.

If Larry Spencer files a lawsuit against a government entity, down five shots of vodka.

If Larry Spencer mistakes the facts, lies or distorts the truth online, slip yourself a mickey and pray you don't wake up in front of the Kroc Center naked.

Please feel free to add more rules to the Larry Spencer drinking game.

Work continued at Camp Four Echoes near Worley, Idaho, on Monday. The camp is undergoing a $1.2 million upgrade.

Construction of a $1.2 million lodge at Camp Four Echoes, south of Coeur d’Alene, has begun. Pam Lund, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho, said crews are trying to make up for time lost to the unusually snowy November. Girl Scouts hopes the 11,500-square-foot camp centerpiece will be ready by July, she said. Read more. Bert Caldwell/SR

Were you ever a Girl/Boy Scout?

Ray Behrens, his wife, Kaci, and son, Danyole, 2, meet Bullet, left, and Trigger, right, the two beagles given up by Behrens six years ago when he went into the military.

A reunion between a former soldier and his two long-lost friends – beagles named Bullet and Trigger – was not short on slobbery kisses, wagging tails and treats Thursday. Since they parted in 2004, Raymond Behrens, 24, served as a Navy Seabee in Japan, Iraq and twice in Afghanistan. When he enlisted, he begrudgingly gave up the two dogs, which he got when he was 16. Six years later, he has his dogs back.  Chelsea Bannach/SR

Great story. Do you have a pet you'd like to be reunited with?

A migrating mature bald eagle cruises above the cold water looking for prey during a stopover  at Lake Coeur d'Alene.

 “I can hardly believe it myself, but the total today was 254, well over the record!” said Carrie Hugo, U.S. Bureau of Land Management wildlife biologist on Thursday after completing her weekly survey of bald eagles at Wolf Lodge Bay. In the more than two decades BLM has been surveying the annual eagle congregation, the previouis highest count was 156 eagles in December 2004. The 254 birds counted today compares with 104 at the same time last year, Hugo said. And it's a huge leap from the 117 she counted just last week. Read more. Rich Landers/SR

Stories and photos like this remind me of what I miss, stuck indoors. My only experience of bald eagles this season has been through Landers' blog and Brian Plonka's photos. How about you? Have you witnessed the return of these magnificient birds?

People spray champagne after winning a portion of the main prize of Spain's Christmas lottery in Palleja, Spain, Wednesday.

Do you like champagne?

My kids call today Christmas Eve Eve. I think they do that just to remind me of all I have left to do. Fudge-making, present-wrapping and sending out last-minute Christmas cards to people I didn't know were sending me Christmas cards that I now feel obligated to send Christmas cards to.
It may be a tense 24-hrs.

Some of yesterday's fill-in-the blank responses re: what do you most want for Christmas moved me. LastDem's hope for the troops to come home— CdaMom's wish for her husband's safe return, and kamm's yearning for solitude.

Some things can be wrapped in paper and placed under the tree. As for me, I'll just settle for a little peace and goodwill in blogland today.

Here's your wild card.

COEUR d'ALENE - The plan is in place.

With it come state-of-the art features such as a giant water fountain south of Fourth Street and Front Avenue, a meeting point that displays public art with walking paths through it.

Stepping southwest from the fountain is the Grand Plaza, a courtyard to host farmers markets, art shows and gatherings, its southern steps descending to Lake Coeur d'Alene.

To the east of the plaza is a promenade, with sun chairs and landscapes, which runs south to the city marina, with double the existing boat mooring slips. There a waterfall and garden features greet hikers around the Third Street entrance to Tubbs Hill. Tom Hasslinger/CDA Press

What do you think of the proposed plan?

An Idaho State University (ISU) professor suspended almost four years ago after being hit with federal charges stemming from a hoax involving threatening to mail someone a deadly virus is still receiving a yearly salary of close to $70,000. Professor Thomas F. Hale was suspended from teaching by ISU in early 2007 after being indicted in a Utah federal court in late 2006. Hale was charged with mailing a substance with a message saying the substance may contain the hantavirus, a deadly virus humans can contract from rodents. He was also indicted on two other counts related to a bankrupcy filing. More here. Brad Iverson-Long/Idaho Reporter

BOISE - A North Idaho political activist and backer of embattled Rep. Phil Hart is trying to file a House ethics complaint against Rep. Eric Anderson, R-Priest Lake - though only House members can file such complaints. Anderson filed an ethics complaint against Hart last month, charging that the Athol Republican has violated his oath of office by refusing to pay state and federal income taxes and contending they’re unconstitutional; by invoking legislative privilege to try to win delays in his tax cases; and by illegally logging state school endowment land to build a log home and then refusing to pay a still-outstanding judgment for the 1996 timber theft. Activist Larry Spencer, in a five-page letter to House Speaker Lawerence Denney dated Dec. 20, claims Anderson has a conflict of interest because he’s a contractor and voted for contractor licensing legislation that Spencer opposes; and because he worked on a state milfoil eradication program and lives on Priest Lake, which is among the lakes where milfoil is now being eradicated. Betsy Russell/SR

Larry Spencer has been busy! Any predictions as to the outcome of his attempt to file an ethics complaint against Rep. Anderson?

Some former lawmakers will receive extra benefits within the state retirement system thanks to a provision of Idaho Code that defines who can be considered a full-time public employee of the state of Idaho. Public employees, including state legislators, are part of the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI), the agency which administers the state’s retirement accounts. When lawmakers take office, they automatically have a portion of their legislative pay deducted and contributed to their personal PERSI account. That money is then saved, invested, and paid out when a legislator retires.

But for a select few lawmakers-turned-administrators, time in the Legislature followed by an appointment to a state administrative position can mean big bucks at retirement thanks to Idaho Code 59-1302 (14), a statute which determines how employees are defined with regard to PERSI. Dustin Hurst/Idaho Reporter Read more.

Thoughts?

I'm wondering if I'm the only one who'll be working on Christmas Eve. Are you:

Working

Leaving early

Taking the day off

• Wednesday Poll: 88 of 127 respondents (69.29%) believe they'd be rated “nice” on Santa's list this year, while 39 of 127 respondents (31.71%) said they'd been “naughty.”

Kerri Rankin Thoreson writes that Hucks Online regular Christa Hazel will be her guest on Main Street Monday at KVNI 1080. Tune in at 7 a.m. to hear Christa.

I'm thinking she'll be even MORE coherent than DFO was when he made his appearance. But I could be wrong. Can't wait to hear what Christa has to say. Maybe she'll give a shout out to her FAVORITE facebook friend and SR columnist Cindy Hval.

Hey. It could happen.

After a one-year hiatus, we’re back with a different kind of fiction contest. This year, we shortened the word limit (to 1,500) and added a thematic requirement (tell us something about redemption). Thirty-two regional writers responded with stories involving dystopias and disillusionment, broken relationships and ghosts, the Civil War and Earth, Wind and Fire. A panel of four Inlander writers — Luke Baumgarten, Nicholas Deshais, Jacob H. Fries and I — evaluated the entries.

Here we present our favorite story, Robert Salsbury’s “Resource Management,” along with “Alive and Well,” “A New Mexico Story,” and three runners-up. Michael Bowen/Inlander

Have you ever entered a writing contest?

The most surprising thing I found in my Christmas stocking was________

They arrived at 10:30 p.m., which is a bit late for guests. I opened the door and a gust of chill winter wind swept through the entryway. Somewhat self-consciously, I read a prepared speech: “Hello and welcome archangels to our home.”

My husband shook his head and the cat slipped out through the partially opened door. After herding Milo back inside, I found myself at a loss. I’ve never spoken to one angel before, let alone hosted five of them.

A few weeks prior, I’d received a note from my friend Beth asking if I’d host five archangels for five days. In return the angels would grant me three wishes, one for the world, one for my family and one for myself. “So, are they breakable?” I asked, picturing the havoc my boys could wreak on porcelain or pottery figurines.

“No,” she replied. More here. Cindy Hval, SR

Do you believe in angels? Have you ever been visited by one?

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama said on Wednesday he expected a robust debate with Republicans next year on the need to cut spending but was encouraged by the climate of compromise that led to a string of recent legislative victories.

When Obama returns to Washington from a Christmas break in Hawaii, he will face tough fights over reducing government spending, tackling record $1.3 trillion U.S. budget deficit and reforming the tax code with Republicans who will take control of the House of Representatives and gain strength in the Senate. Read more.

Thoughts?

NEW YORK – The curtain will go up again Thursday on “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark” after the producers of the accident-plagued Broadway musical agreed to new safety precautions to prevent another fall like the one that left a stuntman seriously injured.

The state Department of Labor said it is satisfied the producers of the $65 million musical have made the necessary adjustments.

Wednesday night's performance was canceled so that the cast and crew could rehearse the new precautions, which include a requirement that a second person ensure that the harnesses used by performers during the show's high-flying stunts have been put on properly. More here.

What's your favorite Broadway musical?

Captain Kyle Smith, of the Salvation Army, mans his post outside the Northpoint Walmart, Dec. 17,  in Spokane. Smith was trying to break the record for continuous bell ringing. He was hoping to stay for 32 hours – and did.

He rang in the morning. He rang at night. He rang in the sunshine. He rang in the snow. For 36 hours, Salvation Army Corps Capt. Kyle Smith stood by his red kettle and rang his bell. By doing so, he shattered the previous world bell-ringing record of 30.5 hours. Read more. Cindy Hval/SR

Is there a world record that you would like to set?

Smiles en route: 7-year-old Mary Berglund of Boise, gets a high-five from an actor dressed as the Nutcracker as she waits for a flight at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Wednesday.

You write the cutline.

ROME — Package bombs exploded at the Swiss and Chilean embassies in Rome today, injuring the two people who opened them, officials said. Police ordered checks at all embassies after a false alarm was also reported at the Ukrainian embassy.

No one immediately claimed responsibility, but authorities appeared to discout domestic anarchists or protesters.

“It’s a wave of terrorism against embassies, something much more worrisome than a single attack,” Rome Mayor Gianni Alemanno said.

Do you believe acts of terrorism like this are on the rise? Why or why not?

Rum raisin bars combine eating, drinking in one yummy treat.

If Thanksgiving is about eating, then surely New Year’s Eve is about drinking.

And what’s better than eating or drinking? Eating while drinking.

“The best stew I ever had someone made with Scotch,” says Patricia Helding, founder of New York’s Fat Witch Bakery, who likes to frost brownies for New Year’s Eve with Champagne icing.

“It just gives it a little fizz and that lovely Champagney flavor.”

We all know booze adds body to stews and roasts, but Helding says it also imparts aroma and sweetness to baked goods. It makes a classic brownie festive – think Kentucky bourbon balls – and far-out confections like rum raisin bars as playful as ice cream. Read More.

What's your favorite holiday treat?

A woman seriously injured in a hammer attack that killed another woman is improving at a Coeur d'Alene hospital.

Lorraine Y. Wallis, 58, has been upgraded to fair condition, Kootenai Medical Center employees said Wednesday. 

Wallis was in critical condition after being beaten with a hammer at a mobile home in Bayview on Sunday. Patricia A. Heath, 43, died from head injuries suffered in the attack. Meghann Cuniff/Sirens and Gavels

Herb Huseland reflects on the tragedy which hit very close to home for him, here.

Gonzaga forward Elias Harris shoots over  Andrew Taylor in the first half of Wednesday night’s 64-54 home win over the Xavier Musketeers

Big night in sports!
  

Cougs win first Hawaii game 83-57

Boise State downs Utah 26-3

GU men defeat Xavier 64-54

Favorite game of the night? Favorite highlight?

The new Spokane Valley Fire Rescue 8 fire truck will be dedicated in a ceremony on Dec. 23, 2010. The photo is courtesy of the Spokane Valley Fire Department.

Spokane Valley Fire is taking a ceremony used in other cities and making it it's own. A housing ceremony for the department's new Rescue 8 truck is set for 11 a.m. Thursday at Fire Station 8.

On the first day of DFO's vacation Santa gave to me…

Nothing yet. But I'm asking the folks in the newsroom to keep an eye on my mailbox. I mean, DFO wouldn't forget to send me a firefighter calendar two years in a row, right? It's not possible! On the off chance that he's mailing it to my home address I'm sending my kids out every hour to check our mailbox. I'll let you know when it arrives. I'm so excited!

Use this Wild Card to discuss whatever you're excited about. Within reason.

President Barack Obama, joined by Vice President Joe Biden at left, speaks Friday before signing the bipartisan tax package.

WASHINGTON — The Senate today ratified an arms control treaty with Russia that reins in the nuclear weapons that could plunge the world into doomsday, giving President Barack Obama a major foreign policy win in Congress’ waning hours.

Thirteen Republicans broke with their top two leaders and joined 56 Democrats and two independents in providing the necessary two-thirds vote to approve the treaty. The vote was 71-26.

The accord, which still must be approved by Russia, would restart onsite weapons inspections as successors to President Ronald Reagan embraced his edict of “trust, but verify.”

Vice President Joe Biden presided over the Senate and announced the vote. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton observed the vote from the Senate floor. Both had lobbied furiously for the treaty’s approval.

Will Poulter, right, and Reepicheep the warrior mouse  in a scene from “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.”

I'm a big C.S. Lewis fan and am looking forward to seeing this movie tonight with my family. If you've already seen it and hate it, don't tell me! Movies can never really capture the essense of a book, just like books can never have the sensory appeal of movies.

What's your favorite movie that was based on a book?

New equipment at the North YMCA, such as this treadmill, overlooks the pool.

If getting in shape via a gym membership is on your list of New Year's resolutions— think again. I felt a teensy bit guilty about missing my workout last night, until Berry Picker LizA posted this on my FB wall:

Consumer Reports Insights: Health clubs harbor hidden dangers: Joining a health club can make it easier and more fun to exercise. But gyms can also present safety problems. Bacteria in poorly maintained pools can spread disease. Antibiotic-resistant staph infections can be picked up in crowded locker rooms and from heavily used exercise equipment. You can be injured or even suffer an exercise-related heart problem.

Whew! Thanks Liz.

Do you belong to a gym or health club? How often do you go?

WASHINGTON — Even as the White House sought to reassure Americans that it has fixed mistakes that nearly allowed al-Qaida to take down a U.S.-bound airliner last Christmas, it acknowledged today another security misstep: The nation’s top intelligence official was never briefed about a terrorist plot and numerous arrests this week in Britain.

The past year has been the most challenging yet for President Barack Obama on the terrorism front. After the failed attack last Christmas, the administration has dealt with an attempted car bombing in Times Square, a nearly successful attack on U.S.-bound cargo planes and several nascent plots disrupted by the FBI.

Security officials have been on edge for days because of an increase in intelligence “chatter” about a possible holiday-season attack. Officials have said there is no specific, credible threat and White House homeland security adviser John Brennan said Wednesday that authorities are working around the clock.

But Obama’s security team was forced to defend itself amid questions about why Director National Intelligence James Clapper was not in the loop about a roundup of terror suspects in London. Clapper, appearing with Brennan on ABC News on Tuesday night, appeared stumped when asked whether the plot in London could have threatened the U.S.

How confident are you in the competency of our national intelligence officials?

Elizabeth Richardson pours wine for a tour group at the Chateau Ste. Michelle winery in Woodinville, Wash.

Uncle Patrick gargles his wine. “I taste blackberries and cherry and oak,” he says, “and a lot of tannins.”

The only thing you know about wine is that it comes in different colors. But, with holiday meals approaching, here’s how to puncture wine windbags, thanks to Washington State University Professor Kathleen Williams:

Precipitate saliva. When Patrick says he tastes tannins, you say: “Tannins don’t have a taste. They create a sensation as they precipitate the proteins out of your saliva.” Tip: Stroke your chin sagely as you pronounce “precipitate.”

Throw in a German word. Patrick swirls the glass. “Good legs,” he observes. You say, “The French call them tears. The Germans call them Kirchenfenster or church windows, because they form an arch.” Read more.

Are you knowlegable about wine? Do you have a favorite you'll be serving with your holiday meals?

Spokane Valley project manager Ken Knutson plugs an ear against a BNSF freight train horn blast at Park Road south of Trent Avenue.

Each year, BNSF Railway Co. pays about $100,000 for programs that protect the Spokane Valley/Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer.

The money is funneled through the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, where it helps teach school kids about the aquifer that provides drinking water to more than 500,000 of the region’s residents; pays for inspections of industrial sites, including BNSF’s diesel refueling depot in Hauser; and funds collaborative work with other agencies aimed at keeping the aquifer free of contaminants.

The payments date to the 2004 opening of the depot, where up to 4,000 gallons of diesel fuel is pumped into each locomotive. But BNSF wants the payments to stop after 2013. Becky Kramer, SR

What do you think of BNSF's position?

What I most want for Christmas is________

LOS ANGELES – In a highly controversial vote, the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday approved new regulations for Internet access designed to prevent large telecommunications companies from squashing competitors.

The “net neutrality” rules prohibit companies that provide high-speed Internet service from blocking access by customers to any legal content, applications or services, such as using the free Skype online phone service.

For the first time, there will be government regulations to keep information flowing freely on the Internet and requiring Internet service providers to give customers more details about how they run their networks.

What do you think about the FCC's decision?

The T-shaped steel beam that gained fame as the ground zero cross.

WASHINGTON – After a last-minute compromise, the Senate passed legislation Wednesday to provide up to $4.2 billion in new aid to survivors of the September 2001 terrorism attack on the World Trade Center and responders who became ill working in its ruins.

A House vote was expected on the bill within hours as lawmakers raced to wrap up their work for the year. Read more.

Thoughts?

Boise State's Travis Stanaway (30) causes an interception against Idaho's Preston Davis (7) during the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009 in Boise, Idaho.

A berry picker notes that tonight BSU will take on Utah in the MAACO Bowl and wonders if there could possible be a more lame bowl name? I suppose they could call it the Auto Paint Bowl.

Click here for all the blue and orange news.

Any predictions as to the outcome of the game?

Workers remove the word Potlatch from a building that’s now part of Clearwater Paper. Clearwater was created in December 2008 when Potlatch  separated most of its manufacturing operations from the rest of the company. Lewiston Morning Tribune

COEUR d'ALENE - The sign welcoming travelers to Coeur d'Alene saying pop. 34,514 will need to be replaced or repainted.

Actually, many signs across the state will.

Idaho's populations grew by 21.1 percent from April 2000 to April 2010 according to initial 2010 Census data released Tuesday - the fourth biggest jump in the nation.

While the growth hasn't yet been pinpointed to individual cities, the 273,629-person bump from the 2000 Census boosts Idaho's total to 1,567,582 residents.

Overall, the Gem State ranks 40th in population. But the jump more than doubled the national rate of 9.7 percent.

“It doesn't surprise me,” said Gary Clark, retired, who moved to the area with his wife, Colleen, from Yuma, Ariz., 14 months ago for the scenery and pace of life. “It worries me. I'm a hypocrite - I don't want to be - but I don't want anyone else moving here.” Tom Hasslinger, Cda Press

To what do you attribute Idaho's population growth?

This is my husband's favorite Christmas decoration. One year I tried “forgetting” to display it. No luck. My husband found it. Homer sings “Deck the Halls with Buddy Holly” among other tunes. And he uh…dances. He also says many phrases like “Mmm eggnog” and “There's only one fat guy who brings presents and his name is Santa.”

This year, I thought Homer had finally died. His voice sounded great, but he no longer danced. My husband sprayed Homer's joints with LPS lubricant and Homer got his groove back. Darn it.

Do you have a favorite Christmas decoration?

This is The Dreamer, formerly known as The Rumor. He is the superhero of Seattle, Washington. Did you know there is a Real LIfe Superhero website? Oh yes. On the site Phantom Zero says: The Real Life Superhero social movement is composed of many individuals, hundreds strong, united by missions which contribute positively to society through service and self-funded good deeds. We hope to enact social change by encouraging and inspiring citizenry to become active and give back to society. See more.

Kinda cool stuff in spite of the dorky costumes.

Who would be your town's superhero and what kind of super powers would he/she have?

 Freelance Santa John Wenner  waits to greet people last week  in Philadelphia. Wenner says he’s reduced his fee to help business.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Craig McTavish – a.k.a. Santa – has the beard. He has the belly. He even has a few tricks up his sleeve, like pulling up to parties on his Harley-Davidson in full Kris Kringle garb.

But there’s one thing he doesn’t have: work.

For freelance Santas, this holiday season has been more “no, no, no,” than “ho, ho, ho.” Bookings have declined as paying $125 an hour for Santa to visit a holiday party has become an unaffordable luxury. It’s the second year of declining parties and events, Santas say.

Are you having an office Christmas party this year? Will Santa make an appearance?

72.53% of Hucksters said they'll be on Santa's nice list this year. 27.47% are expecting lumps of coal due to naughtiness.

U.S. Army soldiers leave Iraq on a C-17 transport aircraft Tuesday after a nine month tour of duty.

MIAMI – Nearly one-fourth of the students who try to join the U.S. Army fail its entrance exam, painting a grim picture of an education system that produces graduates who can’t answer basic math, science and reading questions, according to a study released Tuesday.

The report by The Education Trust bolsters a growing worry among military and education leaders that the pool of young people qualified for military service will grow too small.

“Too many of our high school students are not graduating ready to begin college or a career – and many are not eligible to serve in our armed forces,” U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan told the AP. “I am deeply troubled by the national security burden created by America’s underperforming education system.”

Thoughts?

In 22 minutes, I'll turn controls of Huckleberries Online over to CindyH, to run things through the end of the year. Mrs. O and I are looking forward to hosting Amy Dearest for the holidays. 2010 has been an 8 or a 9, as far as numbers and quality of interaction is concerned. But I'll have to start back at 0 when I return for 2011 and the beginning of the Legislature. Then, there's always blogfest in February (we'll figure out how to put this together) … and a wild & woolly City Council race beyond. Now, it's time to get into my Santa mode. See you next year …

Imagine a small music room full of third-grade students armed with fiddles and instructions to “warm up.'' Clay Hickman, front, manages a cool smile during those few minutes at Brooklyn Primary School recently in Baker City, Ore. (AP Photo/Baker City Herald, S. John Collins)

Poolman: I rather like having my own performance review because I get to talk about myself and all the great things I accomplished throughout the year (even if I have embellish a little). What I don't look forward to so much is giving reviews. It's never fun to tell people they are “average”. In my mind they should mostly be “above average”. But - that wouldn’t form a bell curve.

Question: Do you get an annual job evaluation at your place of work? Do you find them helpful?

• 5:25 p.m. Coeur d'Alene Police Department activities report for Dec. 20-21 here
• 4:46 p.m. A 54YO Rathdrum man who didn't get a job he wanted is threatening to borrow a gun and kill himself.
• 4:28 p.m. Possible illegal burn reported @ McKinley Lane & Hayden Lake Road.
• 4:18 p.m. Possible structure fire @ Greensferry & Cougar Gulch.
• 3:56 p.m. Kootenai County Jail reports someone on grounds is suffering a seizure.

Nicole Nolan of the Shoshone News-Press provides a nice wrap-up story of the 2010 Roller Derby season enjoyed by the Snake Pit Derby Dames, whom you can see above in a Facebook photo taken by Lillie Belle Photography. You can read the News-Press story here.

• Census: Idaho 4th fastest growing state/Betsy Russell, SR
• Hammer attack victims calls wife's death 'premeditated murder'/Jeff Humphrey, KXLY
• Chattaroy teen pleads innocent to holding mom hostage/Jeff Humphrey, KXLY
• Unlucky shoplifter makes court appearance/Jeff Humphrey, KXLY
• KREM's Mike Boyle named voice of Spokane Indians/KREM
• Cyndi Steele defends husband in letter to editor/Bonner County Bee
• Governor says oil company megaloads have their place/Matt Gouras, AP
• Zags men play Xavier Wednesday night/Jim Meehan, SR

Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews looks a the New England Patriots cheerleaders dressed as Santa's during the second quarter of a NFL football game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Sunday. You write the cutline. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)

Top Cutline:

• 1. “If I do, I won't be able to click 'nice' in the HBO Poll,” thought Matthews, who decided to anyway — Brent Andrews.
• 2. Look at me girls, I'm Cap'n Morgan. Ho Ho Ho and a bottle of rum, Santa's run off to the Caribbe-un — Eddie Torreal; and: All I said was, “Wanna get naughty?” That's no reason to criticize my hairdo. You try wearing this helmet instead of that little cap — FlorineD.
• 3. When the Santas said “ho, ho, ho”, Mathews asked “Oh, yeah, where's the third one?” — JohnA.
• HM: Jen

Hunter High School students show off their breast cancer awareness bracelets outside the school in West Valley City, Friday. As part of a national breast cancer awareness campaign aimed at youth, rubber wrist bands emblazoned with that message have become trendy teen wear. Sales of the brightly colored bracelets raise money for the Keep A Breast Foundation, a California-based nonprofit that funds research and education programs. The group sees the accessories as conversation starters, using language that dispels some of the scariness associated with cancer. (AP Photo/The Salt Lake Tribune, Djamila Grossman)

The battle between Boise State and Utah is still more than a day away on the football field – but the back and forth between the teams continues to heat up. After a physical scuffle Sunday night between players at a welcome event, one Utah wide receiver took the smack talk to Twitter. DeVonte’ Christopher wrote “I can’t wait to get out here with these Boise State or should I say Girlse State they a bunch of cheerleaders…lol”/KTVB. More here.

Question: Do you plan to watch Utah play 'Girlsie State' at MAACO Bowl in Las Vegas Wednesday?

A semi truck high-centered on a jersey barrier along I-90 near the Spokane Street exit in Post Falls briefly plugged up the morning commute Tuesday.Washington State Patrol says a car using the Spokane Street on-ramp to Westbound I-90 failed to yield and crashed into the semi. The impact of the crash caused the truck to swerve and become high centered on the jersey barrier dividing the right-hand shoulder from an embankment.Traffic was backed up for about an hour Tuesday morning. Hazmat crews were called in to clean up diesel fuel that leaked from the semi/KXLY. KXLY site here. Post Falls police report that 100 gallons of diesel spilled in crash. You can read that report below. (Photo courtesy of KXLY)

Could such a night have happened
all those decades long ago?
My memory grows hazy
and it's hard for me to know.

I was a little boy then,
out alone upon a hill,
but yet that lovely music
seems to echo in me still.

Perhaps I was just dozing
as I watched my flock by night,
and maybe I was dreaming
when I saw that brilliant light.

Did I but just imagine
lovely creatures in the air?
Did I but just imagine -
or were angels truly there?

The Bard of Sherman Avenue

Census Bureau Director Robert Groves announces results for the 2010 U.S. Census at the National Press Club earlier today in Washington. The census shows slowing U.S. growth, and more House seats for GOP-leaning states. Story here. Also: Idaho population grew 21.1%, easily outpacing the national average of 9.7%, here. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Question: What do you make of the results of the census — Idaho gains 21.1% and GOP-leaning states will get additional House seats?

On her Twitter account, KXLY’s Melissa Luck writes: “Nothing like an f-bomb-laden viewer phone call to start your Tuesday!” I can’t remember the last time someone’s dropped an F-bomb on me or flipped me off. I’m sure that it has happened this past year. I simply don’t remember them. How about you?

Question: When were you last the target of an F-bomb or a one-finger salute?

Dan of the Community: As I spend the last few weeks of my last term (mostly on some leave time since I've about cleared out all my desk and most real decisions should now be left up to the new clerk) it struck me that I may occupy a bit of a historical position in KC. Since the new legislators have already taken office so we don't have any D's in legislative District 2 or 4 and the new Congress starts on January 3rd, for about a week I will be the last elected Democrat in Kootenai County until the morning of January 10th (some of you can stop clapping now). Even with the recent low outcomes for D's, it still meant that at least one out of every three people at the polling place was voting Democrat and now won't have any official representationf from the Courthouse to the Statehouse and beyond. Some other old timers may know, but I'm not sure if there has ever been a time in KC history that there wasn't at least one elected Democrat around here. Full post below.

Question: When will the next Democrat be elected in Kootenai County? Who do you think it'll be?

Workers are quitting their jobs and even switching chosen careers because they’re fed-up with their boss. A survey found 28% of workers have moved work in an attempt to find someone who can motivate them more. More than one in ten have taken up a completely new career in their search, while one in 20 has decided to set up their own business to get away from bad management. Asked what they thought were the qualities of a good manager, the top credentials were: Approachability (83 percent), a good communicator (82 percent), supportive (81 percent), a good leader (80 percent) and someone who respects their staff as individuals (76 percent)/KHQ. More here.

Finish this line: I’d love to tell my current boss …

The state will take public comments for 90 days, starting Thursday, on a plan to get out of owning lots on which private owners build and own cabins, in some cases by giving the lessees a chance to get ownership of the land. The board also voted to extend current lease terms for one year, but move leases after that up to 4 percent of the land value for annual rents, from the current 2.5 percent/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

• Wasden: Land Board now has political will to deal with cabin-site issue
• Land Board sets future cabin-site rents at 4 percent of value
• One-year lease extension approved
• Land Board unanimous: Will take public comment on cabin-site disposal plan
• Ysursa: A step in the right direction
  

Question: Should the state sell the land that they’re now leasing to the owners of private lakeside columns?

Joey Rathbun-Dickson gets a gift from Santa Claus, during the recent Rotary Club's Annual Christmas Party at the District IV Human Resources Development Council building in Havre, Mont. The girls received wooden jewelry boxes from Santa, and the boys got ThunderTumbler Remote-Controlled cars. (AP Photo/Havre Daily News, Nikki Carlson)

• Cartoon: This duck not-so-lame duck Congress/David Horsey, P-I
• Crapo, Risch: Wolf legislation fails, won't come up again this year/Eye On Boise
• UMontana named a top college for winter enthusiasts/Chelsi Moy, Missoulian
• Ex-EWU Eagle Overbay joins Tampa Bay active roster/Spokesman-Review
• Assault suspect avoids officer gunfire/Meghann Cuniff, Sirens & Gavels
• Cow elk fends off possible wolves in east Flathead Valley/Jim Mann, DIL
• Missoula jurors refuse to hear case involving small amount of pot/Gwen Florio, Missoulian
• 2-fer: Census: Idaho population grows 21.1%/Associated Press; and: Montana population grows 9.7%/AP
• Orbusmax Special: Montana Democrat Tester draws ire of liberals over DREAM act here

Question: Have you ever told a store Santa what you wanted for Christmas?

It’s not often that a new Christmas song shoulders its way to a place among my favorites (“Silent Night,” “Little Drummer Boy,” “Come All Ye Faithful,” etc.). But “Mary, Did You Know” has done just that. If you’ve never heard it, enjoy the YouTube video below. It’s my way of wishing you a Merry Christmas.

Question: Which Christmas song or carol is your favorite?

• 11:55 a.m. Officer on scene of 11:40 call advises dispatcher to call a chaplain.
  
• 11:40 a.m. Someone is unconscious & not breathing in 8500 block of Cloverleaf.
• 11:39 a.m. 3-vehicle crash at entrance to CdA post office involves traffic lights @ 7th & Lakeside, which are now all flashing red.
• 11:29 a.m. A man is lying on lobby floor and unable to get up at Life Chiropractic on Shetland/PF.
  
• 10:59 a.m. Non-injury accident blocking busy H95 & Appleway/CdA.
• 10:44 a.m. Caller sez sheep have long dirty fleece @ Strahorn & Honeysuckle/Hayden.
  
• 10:08 a.m. 5-vehicle accident is reported on w/b I-90, east of Spokane Street Bridge/PF.
  
• 10 a.m. A deputy is transporting a male from Silverwood to Athol gas station.
• 9:52 a.m. Caller has questions re: qualifications for a Coeur d’Alene tribal officer.
• 9:48 a.m. Holiday station @ 8100 Cornerstone reports a gas drive off.
• 9:38 a.m. Caller from Ashland/Hayden reports that a contractor who lives elsewhere leaves his construction vehicle parked on the street, creating a problem for snowplows.
• 9:14 a.m. Woman reports that 2 females on horses are trying to get her father’s dog to chase them.
• 9:03 a.m. Some sort of trauma is reported on S. Wood & Stonehaven/Hayden.
• 8:17 a.m. Mountain Lake Bible Church on 7th reports person is having psychological problems.
  

As many of you know, I’m delighted with the record-breaking year at Huckleberries Online, pageview & unique view wise. That shows that things are still interesting enough here, after almost 8 years, to still attract viewers. Equally important, I’m enthused that Hucks Online has as broad of a range of commenters and viewers as it has ever had. My goal here is to provide an online source for news & commentary that will attract readers — and a comments section that featured a broad range of political, social, philosophical, and even theological opinions. It hasn’t been easy. Some personalities don’t mesh well. At various times, individuals have stomped out of here, never to return. I’ve tossed a couple. I’ve made mistakes re: deletions and use of the cooler. It goes with the territory. I’m happy with the return of a couple of commenters who were a big part of this blog’s past. I’m also happy that most commenters have learned to appreciate what other’s bring to the table — and have put down their weapons of cyber warfare. The comment section is as close as ever to being what I wanted it to be when I started this thing. Of course, it can all fall apart tomorrow. But I won’t worry about that today. Merry Christmas, all/DFO.

• Monday Poll: Most of us will be spending the holidays with family this year. A combined 68% will host family or visit family or both. Broken down, 33 of 115 (28.7%) said they will host family. 27 of 115 (23.48%) said they will visit family. 18 of 115 (15.65%) said they will do both. On the other hand, 28 of 115 (24.35%) said they will do neither. And 9 of 115 (7.83%) said they don’t celebrate Christmas.
• Today’s Poll: On Santa’s list, would you be considered naughty or nice this year?
  

An unidentified Charter cable technician works to restore service to homes in Carnelian Bay around Lake Tahoe, Ca., Monday. Over 10 feet of snow fell in parts of the sierra during the latest storm. (AP Photo/Scott Sady)

Question: Do you have to work outside during the winter?

On her Facebook page, Kerri Thoreson is looking for “a little help” from her friends. Seems she’s trying to determine which local polar bear has been jumping into Lake Coeur d’Alene on New Year’s Day the longest. Hey, don’t look at me. The closest I ever came to the polar bear plunge was 17 to 20 years ago when I covered the event as a reporter for The Spokesman-Review. I know a couple of you have taken the plunge, and lived to tell about it.

Question: Have any of you taken more than one polar bear plunge?

On its Twitter site, Idaho Reporter announces that it is celebrating its first birthday as an online news source of Idaho politics. Tweets IR: “We thank our loyal readers for a great first year! We also look forward to the future of our site as we continue working for a more transparent and open government. Now, time to eat cake.” I know the hard core of our Left Bank will never accept Idaho Reporter as a legit news source as a result of its ties to the Idaho Freedom Foundation. But I consider the news site as a welcome addition to the Idaho blogosphere. Dustin, Brad, and the two Jays have provided news coverage over the past year that others have missed. I’m glad they’re out there. BTW, the Capitol Correspondents Association gave Idaho Reporter a lump of coal for a birthday present today by again denying the outlet legislative credentials.

• Betsy Russell explains why Idaho Reporter not credentialed again this year
  

Question (which I know is going to attract a snarky remark or two from the usual suspects): Have you changed your view of Idaho Reporter over the past year?

Put your hands together for Sam the Reporter, who is now officially Sam the City Clerk now, after being approved on a 4-3 vote by the City Council of Ferndale, Wash., Monday. Seems one of the council members voted against Sam because he thinks the Bellingham Herald reporter is a closet Democrat. Sam claims no allegiance to either party. I’ve known Sam since he interned for us in the Coeur d’Alene office of the SR a few years back. Nice to see he’s made something of himself.

Question: Any words of advice for Sam?

Item: Palin disses Michelle Obama over ‘dessert’/Alexander Moody, CNN Political Ticker

More Info: Sarah Palin is again taking aim at Michelle Obama over her anti-obesity campaign, taking the opportunity in Sunday’s “Sarah Palin’s Alaska” to land a diss against the first lady’s efforts to improve nutrition. While making s’mores at one point during Sunday’s episode, the former Alaska governor proclaims the marshmallow and chocolate treat is “in honor of Michelle Obama, who said the other day we should not have dessert.” It’s not the first time Palin has taken a jab at Mrs. Obama over her campaign to discourage fattening foods, especially from public schools. H/T: Sam Taylor.

Question: Would you rather eat s’mores or carrots?

Item: Emmett Republican wants overhaul of Idaho’s kindergarten system/Dustin Hurst, Idaho Reporter

More Info: Rep. Steve Thayn, R-Emmett, wants to completely overhaul the Gem State’s kindergarten system and integrate parents into the education process.  The move, Thayn believes, would save more than $50 million and that’s a figure he is counting on for the plan to gain traction with state representatives and senators.

Question: Do you think Idaho could keep kindergarten going if it eliminated teachers in favor of volunteer parents?

Grizzly bears Loulou, Dolly, and Koda explore their outdoor enclosure at ZooMontana in Billings, Mont. on Friday. The bears are set to make their public debut in the next several weeks after spending five months in quarantine. They were given to the zoo after their mother led the animals on a summer rampage through a Montana campground that killed one person and injured two more. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown)

• Idaho Records/Sherry Adkins, SR
• Monday’s Scanner Traffic/DFO, Hucks Online
• Holiday travel prospects not too bad/Mike Prager, SR
  
• Washington gains a House seat/Jim Camden, SR
• First day of winter brings patchy fog, sun breaks/KXLY
• 2-fer: Woman dies after hammer attack/Meghann Cuniff, SR; and: Friend describes walking into scene of deadly hammer attack/KREM
• UI Coeur d’Alene student has passion for helping kids in crisis/UI Media
  
• Clark: Bell-ringing stint not just a drop in the kettle/Spokesman-Review
• Report: Idaho should dispose of cabin sites/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise
• Crash with car leaves semi high-centered in Post Falls/KXLY
• Bicyclist dies from injures suffered in downtown Spokane crash/SR
  
• Idaho foreclosure notices rank No. 8 in nation/KHQ
  

Escapee: In CDA, for the longest time, there was channel 2 (Krem), channel 6 (KHQ), channel 4 (KXLY) and if you moved the TV antenna around just right, and didn’t step in front of the TV you could maybe see PBS (channel 7). I’m thinking that some of the lame comedies that are shown these days wouldn’t stand a chance back then, because there’s so much TV Time to fill with So Many Different Channels available nowadays. For instance, “2 and a half men” wouldn’t have made it past one month way back when.

Question: Is there a sitcom today that could rival those of times gone by?

JohnA: What a remarkable show last night as the clouds parted just in time for us to witness the total eclipse of the moon. It was as if some cosmic Moses drew the drapes and let us see the golden orb as the earth did its best to get between it and the sun. Quite remarkable, this place we live, and the spectacles God gives us from time to time.

Question: Did you enjoy the eclipse?

Bloggy: 2010 The Year of the Suck. Lost a wonderful friend to a stroke. Way, way too young and vital. Went trudging thru the overflowing sewer drain of a toxic relationship with a HPD/NPD heartslinging bald faced lie bag. As Jack White and Alison Mosshart from The Dead Weather sing, “just because you caught me, does that make it a sin?” Sometimes. Yes, sometimes it surely does. 2010 can get sucked out into the intergalactic entropic zone of being and nothingness and become nothing. Did I have some good times in 2010? Yes, I had some good times in 2010. Did I rekindle a relationship w someone who matters? Yes, I did that. Yes, it might have saved some of me.

Question: On a scale of 1 to 10 (with one being hellishly dreadful & 10 being mahvelous), how would you rate 2010?

Nick Anderson/Houston Chronicle

Cindy’s warming up in the bullpen to take over the helm of Huckleberries Online on Wednesday as I close out the year on the bench. Sorry, Brent, but I have one more week-plus of vacation to take before the end of the year. The good news? We aren’t facing furloughs next year. So I’ll only get my customary 5 weeks of vacation. Hey, after 26 years of breaking big rocks into little rocks, a guy can’t be blamed for snapping up 5 weeks of vacation. Can he? Expecially when Cindy’s in the wings to provide a break from Hart, Brannon, & Souza. Now for your first Wild Card of the week …

Three snow hikers watch the almost full moon rise behind the Weissfluhjoch in Arosa, Switzerland, Monday. There will be a total lunar eclipse visible from Britain on Tuesday morning, when the Earth casts a shadow onto the Moon. On the day of the winter solstice, December 21, the full Moon will start to pass through the cone of Earth’s shadow at 6.32 GMT. (AP Photo/Keystone, Alessandro Della Bella)

Cragun was booked into the Kootenai County Jail on one count of Burglary and four counts of Aggravated Battery. He made his first court appearance Monday, and also conducted a jailhouse interview during which he claimed his neighbors were hurting his family and repeatedly breaking into his house.Cragun claims they were breaking into his house, poisoning his food and repeatedly hurting his 3-year-old daughter and ex-wife.“I wasn’t planning on busting them up or anything like that,” Cragun said Monday.He added that when he went to confront them they came at him with a knife, a claim that investigators say just isn’t true. Investigators say they haven’t been able to prove Cragun was provoked during the attack in any way or that his neighbors had done anything to harm Cragun or his family/Tori Brunetti, KXLY. More here.

Reaction?

There used to be an old time candy store in downtown Coeur d’Alene on Sherman Avenue. I miss it. They had everything! Hard to find candies that we can’t find locally anymore. Stuff from the 1920’s, 30’s, and so on. Stuff like…

Wax Lips, Abba-Zaba bars, Sassafras drops, Candy Buttons on paper tape, Kits, Wax Syrup Bottles, Bonomo Turkish Taffy, BB Bat and the list goes on and on.

I remember walking through one hot summer day and watching a mom and dad wrangle their 4 kids with high-pitched screams and enough hands to make a rugby team jealous. Those kids were wild. And cute. I admired the talent of the youngest (probably 4 yrs old at the time) as she proceeded, with exact precision, to wrap her daddy around her little finger. In the matter of seconds she had a 10 pound bag of sweet deliciousness clutched in hand and perched herself atop her daddy’s shoulders. That kid was good!/ilovecda.com. More here.

Question: Can you think of a candy that you ate as a kid that’s no longer around?

This photo provided by the Blue Mountain Humane Society shows a Blue Mountain Humane Society staff member holding Monty the pythong Friday at the society’s Walla Walla, Wash., office. The python crawled onto a porch and was captured in a pillow case. Now, the humane society is looking for the owner. Story here. (AP Photo/Blue Mountain Humane Society via Walla Walla Union-Bulletin)

• Zags’ Gray still nursing back pain/Jim Meehan, SR
• 1 person dead, 3 injured in Bayview hammer attack/Mike Prager, SR
• 1 of 3 Spokane fire victims identified/Spokesman-Review
• Post Falls to hear request for large Rathdrum Prairie proposal/Brian Walker, Press
• Burglars arrested, linked to Creach break-in/KHQ
  
• Davenport, CdA resort get awards in mag survey/Tom Sowa, Office Hours
• Ryan Leaf writing 3 books to ‘set the record straight’/KREM
  
• Cops: Galpal’s hoodie gives away food part robber/Meghann Cuniff, S&G
• Judge rejects sentence plea in Dobson Pass double murder/Nicole Nolan, SNP
  
• Bonner County to consider ordinance against wildlife feeing/Keith Kinnaird, Bee
  
• Undersheriff Leach announces he’ll retire next spring/Coeur d’Alene Press
• Canyon Rep. Takasugi to miss 2010 session due to surgery/Dan Popkey, IS
  

I’m going to rerun this photo from the weekend for more comments, because I think it’s so dang good: “A house cat named Taz, tries to get a drink from a dripping faucet at a home in Washington, Ill., on Friday.” You write the cutline. (AP Photo/Peoria Journal Star - Ron Johnson)

Top Cutlines:

• 1. All Cindy wanted for Christmas was a calendar of herculean firemen under a shower of fire hoses. All Dave could find was a calendar of cats drinking from unconventional water sources — Nic.
• 2. Tired of wasting his burlap bags throwing them off a bridge, Orville finds an easier way to dispose of his unwanted kittens — JohnA.
• 3. Proving once again that given the choice between sink or swim, cats always choose sink! — Formerly Sandpoint.
• HM: Phaedrus, Herb, Gary, & everyone else. Good job all.
  

• 6:07 p.m. A wounded animal is lying on road @ Whispering Pines & Strahorn/Hayden.
  
• 5:59 p.m. Coeur d’Alene Police Department activity report for Dec. 19-20 here.
  
• 5:31 p.m. A wounded deer lying on H41, just south of H41, needs to be put down.
• 5:11 p.m. Traffic lights at H41 & Mullan/PF are malfunctioning.
  
• 5:09 p.m. N. has questions re: her neighbor’s not registering their vehicle in Idaho.
  
• 4:57 p.m. Caller from condos at 701 E. Front/CdA wants to report being threatened.
• 4:31 p.m. House sitter, in car outside, reports someone may be in residence b/c TV is on downstairs in 2200 block of Sundown/CdA.
• 4:17 p.m. Caller from 800 block of Compton reports 2 shots from a handgun may have been fired near Post Falls library.
  
• 4:12 p.m. Woman reports a female driver hit her vehicle @ 9th & Best/CdA and then parked in The Altar church and went inside.
  
• 4:10 p.m. Scott reports a neighbor’s Australian shepherd jumps in & out of fenced yard.
• More Scanner Traffic below
  

Before viewers could tape shows, buy the movie, stream them into your computer, or have them mailed to your house you had one time in a Christmas season to see a favorite show. That was it. Somehow we always seemed to be home on the night “White Christmas” was on. We saw it many times. Dad and Grandma Woolum loved Bing Crosby and his connection to Spokane and Gonzaga. He was one of those ” we are not worthy” actor/singers that Dad would have called ” a class act”. It helped that Dad enjoyed the actor, the song and the movie otherwise when the movie came on that one time we may have had to compete with Bonanza, Gunsmoke, or Dean Martin.
I remember waiting for it, seeing it together, singing “White Christmas” and “Sisters”, and loving the plan with all the servicemen to come to the place in Vermont/Gathering Around the Table. More here.

Question: Which movie connects you to Christmas?

CdAJim snapped this unusual guest at his bird feeder outside recently. Jim applauds the doe for her nice balancing act as well as being creative.

• Pre-Christmas with kindergarteners/A Butterfly Moment
• Brothers/Accidental Rabbit Trails
• An infestation of Christmas cats/A Family Runs Through It
• Dash of reality might do wonders/Arch Druid
• Becoming part of Christmas/Community Comment
• All things come to those who wait — and remember/Dogwalk Musings
• I am not happy/From A Simple Mind
• I’m dreaming of a white Christmas/Gathering Around the Table
• Candy you ate as a kid — do you remember?/ilovecda.com
• Next to the manger/Live, Love, Laugh, Hope
• Cake mix cookies/More Main Street
• Seeking a servant’s heart/My Life’s A Freak Show
• This is Christmas/Rants, Raves, & Random Thoughts
• Dec. 20, 1984: A day of family infamy/Slight Detour
• Stillness/Tumblewords

Hucks numbers (for week of Dec. 12-18): 51146/31592

The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office reports that one of the victims of the bludgeoning yesterday in Bayview, has died at Kootenai Medical Center.  Patricia Heath was pronounced dead shortly before 1:00 p.m. today from massive head trauma. Larry Cragun, 31 of Bayview is in custody on a variety of charges and is being held on $1,000,000 bond.  One charge will be amended to the charge of murder based upon the death of Mrs. Heath.  The investigation is on-going by detectives from the Sheriff’s Office/Major Ben Wolfinger, KCSD report. Also: Media swarm hammer attack scene (w/names of other victims).

Cloudy skies tonight could shield the Inland Northwest from the first total lunar eclipse in nearly three years, forecasters said. The eclipse comes within hours of the winter solstice at 10:16 a.m. Tuesday, which is the official start of winter. The partial phase of tonight’s eclipse begins at 10:33 p.m. The moon enters its total eclipse when the Earth’s shadow passes across the face of the full moon at 11:41 p.m. The total lunar eclipse typically shades the darkened moon in a coppery or rusty glow due to sunlight passing through the Earth’s atmosphere/Spokesman-Review. More here. (2007 AP file photo of lunar eclipse)

Question: Are you looking forward to tonight’s lunar eclipse? Or already regretting that the cloud cover may block your view of it?

Herb Huseland of Bay Views reports that all 3 Spokane TV stations and the Coeur d’Alene Press are swarming his ‘hood to report on the hammer attack that left 3 neighbors seriously to critically injured and a fourth slightly injured. The injured are (according to KCSD reports):

• Michael Heath, 40:  His injuries were minor and he refused medical attention.
• Patricia Heath, 43:  Her injuries were CRITICAL and she was transported to Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d’Alene where she was listed in CRITICAL condition.
• Lorraine Wallis, 58:  Her injuries were SERIOUS and she was transported to Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d’Alene where she was listed in serious condition.
• Jedidiah Heath, 21:  His injuries were serious and he was transported to Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d’Alene where he was listed in stable condition.
• Kootenai County sheriff’s report below:
  

Seven Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies from a litter of 17 look out of their box in Nauen, 50 kilometers outside Berlin earlier today. On Sept 28, and 29, the 4-year-old Ridgeback Etana had 17 puppies. All of them survived. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Jammin: This just so happens to be my year of crap, devastation and heartbreak, but now that it’s over, I’m happier than I’ve ever been. I attribute it to the painful process of ridding my life of crap, but negativity really has no place in my mind these days.

DFO: I have a close friend who lost his father this year, whose wife has gone through 3 operations, whose mother-in-law has gone through cancer surgery, and who suffered a bad bout of kidney stones. He’s taken all of this in stride. But he admits he’ll be glad when 2010 is over.

Question: How about you? Will you miss 2010 because it was chock full of wonderful adventure and happiness? Or will you, like Jammin & my friend, be glad when it’s over?

At SpokaneDiveBars.com, a reviewer recommends readers to drop by Bobbi’s in Plummer, next time they’re in Idaho buying fireworks, cheap cigarettes, good soap, or simply visiting the Coeur d’Alene Casino. Quote SDB: “It’s down the road from Worley and full of cheap beer.” The reviewer continues: “The inside of this place is huge, so you should not have a problem finding a place to sit.  On the night we went at about midnight there were about 4 other people in the bar.  If you choose to sit at the bar you’ll immeddiately notice all of the knickknacks and crafts for sale.  There’s everything you’d expect to see being sold at a bar on an Indian reservation, from dream catchers to candles.” More here. H/T: OrangeTV

Question: When did you last stop in Worley or Plummer? Why?

After a four-decade absence, I was tooting my trumpet once again at an Eastern Washington University football game. Well, whaddya know. Guess you can go back. Pity my lip didn’t join me Friday night. No surprises there, of course. Nixon was still corrupting the White House the last time I logged any serious practice time. But I wasn’t about to let a little thing like a case of the flubber chops stop me. With most of the student musicians gone for winter break, my alma mater was in a desperate fix to fill the band for its nationally televised playoff game against Villanova/Doug Clark, SR. More here.

Question: Did you ever play in a school band? Or pep band? Which instrument? What do you think of the experience?

On her Facebook page, CindyH writes that she’s “thinking about attending the midnight snowshoe tour on Mount Spokane.” But she’s never showshoed before. Asks Cindy: “Does it require coordination or balance? ‘Cus I lack those skills.”

Question: I’ve skied cross country but never snow shoed. Which one is harder? Do you need coordination and balance to snow-shoe?

An out-of-service pressurized rail car is lowered onto its wheels with help from Hulcher Services employees Sunday at the Kootenai County Fire and Rescue District’s new training site on Seltice Way in Post Falls. BNSF railroad provided two rail cars, ties and tracks, along with the costs of decontaminating the cars. Mike Prager SR story here. (SR photo: J. Bart Rayniak)

• Cartoon: Not all Christmas presents are equal/David Horsey, P-I
  
• Spokane autopsies planned on 3 fire victims/Spokesman-Review
• King Cole, ‘Father of Expo ‘74’, dies at 88/Rebecca Nappi, SR
• Montana didn’t grow enough to warrant 2nd rep/Rob Chaney, Missoulian
  
• Nampa officer shot in head is released from hospital/Associated Press
  
• Clark: Band swelled with pride for EWU gridiron classic/Spokesman-Review
• Montana puts up ‘Bighorn Sheep crossing’ signs/Associated Press
  
• Mountain Home officer doing great after ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ repeal/Dan Popkey, IS
• Orbusmax Special: Will census bring another representative from Washington here
  

• 11:58 a.m. A male & a female are yelling at each other in 1700 block of 5th/CdA, after one of them pushed the other against a wall inside a house.
  
• 11:23 a.m. Caller reports someone was battered @ Playfair & Timber/CdA.
• 11:14 a.m. Caller reports 2 dogs loose in 900 block of Cloverleaf, an ongoing problem.
• 10:52 a.m. Grocery Outlet security reports that it has caught a cooperative shoplifter.
• 10:43 a.m. 2 females are arguing over someone changing locks on Bark Loop/PF.
  
• 10:07 a.m. Caller reports an auto burglary in 500 block of Dollar/CdA.
  
• 9:25 a.m. Caller reports that a 4-5YO girl in pajamas is walking on snow-packed road in 8600 block of Salmonberry/Hayden.
• 9:23 a.m. Twin Lakes woman reports that her roommate threatened to harm her brother and her with a gun. But the roommate didn’t display weapon.
• 9:16 a.m. Caller reports a rollover on H41 @ M/P 17 (may be same one as 8:36 a.m. report) and says roads are extremely icy & slick in Twin Lakes & Spirit Lake area.
  
• 9:12 a.m. Snowplow crews report there’s a chunk of a barrier on e/b I-90 @ M/P 17 (east of Sherman Avenue exit).
• 8:52 a.m. A business alarm has sounded at Pool World in Sunset Mall.
  
• 8:40 a.m. Crash between a snowplow & a vehicle reported @ Dakota & Reed/Hayden.
• 8:36 a.m. A one-vehicle rollover is reported on H41 @ M/P 14 (Seasons Road)
• 8:15 a.m. Frank, from 11000 block of Braemar/Hayden, reports that a parked vehicle sticking out into road has created safety hazard for days.
  

An Idaho man is in critical condition after shooting himself in the head following a traffic stop north of Roseburg on Interstate 5 on Sunday. Igor V. Niaki, 31, of Post Falls, Idaho, is in critical condition at a Springfield, Ore., hospital, police said Monday morning. Sgt. Dave Randall said a driver barricaded himself inside his pickup around 8:42 p.m. Sunday after a trooper noticed the driver was visibly intoxicated. After refusing to take a field sobriety test, the driver rolled his window up and reached for a small caliber handgun inside the pickup cab/KVAL. More here.

• Weekend Poll: Hucks Nation believes Raul Labrador will continue the string of one-and-done representatives from the 1st Congressional District. 75 of 143 (52.45%) said Labrador will serve one term, like Walt Minnick & Bill Sali before him. 68 of 143 (47.83%) said Labrador will serve more than one term.
• Today’s Question (from Kootenai Conservative): What are your plans for Christmas?
  

Rich Daniels stands in front of a half-pint in North Powder in eastern Oregon. Daniels, 50, has come up with an idea that may prove both brilliant and quixotic: a subdivision for 50 to 100 pint-size homes geared to folks hurt by the real estate bust, jobless or on fixed incomes. Increasingly, he’s approached by people desperate to cut their living expenses. Story here. (AP Photo/The Oregonian, Richard Cockle)

Question: Would you like to see something like this in the Coeur d’Alene area?

In church Sunday, one of the wise Seasoned Citizens mentioned to me that so much more good things happen to people than bad. But we tend to remember the major bad things that happen. And forget the good that happens most of the time. He calculated that there have been 5 or 6 major bad things in his life. Which prompted me to think about my life. I probably have as many earth-shaking bad things, including the premature death of my father in an auto accident and the loss of our second child at birth. Those things are seared into my memory. Yet, every day nice things happen. I’ve been forcing myself to take note of those and to be thankful. How about you?

Question: Do you focus on the major negatives that happened to you in life and miss the many, many little good things that happen every day?

My main frustration with the Christmas holiday is, as Dr. Sheldon Cooper says, the “non-negotiable social convention” of gift giving.  Perhaps I’m being cynical but I’ve become burned out over the commercialized focus of exchanging gifts.  I have traditionally given gifts to family and friends who are very close to me and I very much prefer searching, selecting and giving a thoughtful gift.  Unlike birthdays, anniversaries or graduations, giving a value gift card to a national retailer for Christmas is, in my opinion, impersonal and quite akin to wrapping up a funnel and transmission fluid because the 7/11 was the only store open on Christmas Eve/Henry Johnston, Moscow-Pullman Daily News. More here.

Question: Are you bugged by the commercialization of Christmas?

Fishwife (re: Misadventures in Idaho’s frat house): The pro Hart’s mantra that he gets a clean slate because he was re-elected is lame. The fact is that voters in his district had no knowledge of his huge problems before the primary filing deadline back in March. It they did, Hart would be toast. He surely would have had a viable opponent. The details of his problems were cleverly concealed. Luckily, the intrepid Betsy Russell broke down the details of Hart’s tax problems. This is not going to end well for Hart. (See history of tax protestor ex congressman George Hansen).

Question: Would Phil Hart have been re-elected if the details of his tax problems and timber theft had been known prior to the 2010 primary?

The whole immigration thing is a little lost on me. Several things I don’t understand:

• They come here to work, which means they are being paid by someone who is a citizen. Why doesn’t anybody go after them?
• Why are we only concerned with Mexicans? I don’t hear any desire to build a wall on the Canadian border.
• It seems like it’s fairly obvious where they are. If that’s the case, then why not just round them up and bus them home?
• America was established by immigrants. At some point, did we decide that we don’t need anymore?
• What system is in place that actually causes them to come illegally? Do they have options to do it legally? Or… is it solely based on the fact that we don’t want them here? If that’s the case… why? Because they drain social services? Again, if they were hired legally, they would pay taxes and contribute to the system.

Maybe these are stupid questions, but I really don’t get what’s so complicated about it.

Question: Anyone out there who can answer OtisG’s questions re: immigration?

On a walk along the beach trail in Priest Lake, Pecky Cox discovered a moon beam coming off the lake and an unexpected guest.

• Idaho Records, and: Building permits, and Bankruptcies: Sherry Adkins, SR
  
• Snow advisory ending this morning/Mike Prager, SR
• Recent police shootings raise notion of inquests/Thomas Clouse, SR
• Spokane Salvation Army bell-ringer shatters world record/KXLY
  
• Opinion: White House, Congress trades short-term gain for $858B long-term pain/Statesman
  
• Hungry moose are coming into town/Nick Rotunno, Coeur d’Alene Press
• Residents urged to watch for package thieves/Coeur d’Alene Press
• One government program has helped Idaho’s economy/Rocky Barker, Statesman
  

My son, Seth, is a 31-year-old doctor today, in his first year of neurosurgery residency at the University of Florida. But 26 years ago, he was a kindergartner suffering a crisis of faith in Post Falls. (Spoiler alert: Don’t allow small children star-struck by Santa Claus to read further.) In September 1984, we moved from Lewiston to Post Falls, after I accepted a job as a government reporter in the Coeur d’Alene office of The Spokesman-Review. Sometime that fall, Ben Clark, the precocious son of friends Doug and Sherry Clark, had spilled the beans to Seth. Ben had alleged there was no Santa Claus. The revelation hit Junior hard. He moped around much of the holiday season, challenging Mrs. O and I, whenever we mentioned the Jolly Old Elf. We were wondering how to lift Junior’s spirits when Santa and his reindeer appeared to do the heavy lifting for us/DFO, Huckleberries. More here.

• Boise: Rep. Anderson says he’s paying price for Hart complaint/Betsy Russell
• Restaurant Review: Giving Canton a second change/OrangeTV
  
• Business: Addition, renovations coming to spruce up Benewah hospital/Nils Rosdahl
  
• Weather: It’s early winter and we’ve seen it all/Michelle Boss
• Gardening: Use winter to clean, sort, & fix tools/Pat Munts
• Sandpoint: Gift to nonprofit group would make difference/Patty Hutchens
  

Question: Who told your children that Santa Claus wasn’t real?

The cosmetic improvements alone make the Canton that I reviewed back then seem like a dusty old dive stuck in the ruins of some old Chinatown. Changes have been gradual, but Alex and staff have managed to clear up the dinginess that once lingered with fresh paint, a bit of modern-feeling décor and, most likely, a lot of elbow grease. The seemingly low turnover level of servers has created a sense of familiarity and friendliness, and I never have to worry about returning late from my break after stopping in for lunch. There’s almost always enough time left over to relax and ponder the deep, hidden meaning of my fortune cookie. But really, the most impressive difference at Canton in the last few years has been the upgrade of the food itself/OrangeTV, Get Out! North Idaho. More here.

DFO: Canton has a special place in my family’s history. My son announced to us during a meal at the Canton that he had fallen for a girl who later would become his wife.

Question: Is there a restaurant in town that has a special memory for you?

• 3 injured seriously in hammer attack in Bayview/Mike Prager, SR
  

Herb Huseland reports from Bayview Sunday afternoon: “Just 50 feet from my back door, my closest neighbor, allegedly bludgeoned my other neighbor and her guests with a hammer. At least one person was transported to Kootenai Medical Center, apparently with survivable wounds. This happened just less than an hour ago.  He then drove down to the Bay Cafe where he called the sheriff department on himself. It is suspected that he either has been hallucinating on drugs or his mind is gone. The alleged perpetrator recently tacked up a letter to the community accusing the government of invading his mind, which upon reflection, may be the only lucid thought he has had recently.All of this happened just after I left to drive to the Patio to watch the Seahawk game. It was a real good time to not be home.” More here.

Question: Have you ever lived in a neighborhood where a violent act occurred?

Item: The rising cost of litigation: Like others, Cd’A splits city attorney duties from courtroom cases/Tom Hasslinger, Coeur d’Alene Press

More Info: The city of Coeur d’Alene will pay $108,434 in legal fees defending the 2009 general election challenge. That total more than quadruples the $24,770 the city’s legal department had budgeted for litigation in each of the last two years. That’s because the city agreed to pay the fees for two defendants, City Council seat 2 incumbent Mike Kennedy, who was sued personally for his then 5-vote victory, and the city of Coeur d’Alene, which was included in the yearlong suit as a potential remedy provider had the judge ruled for another election. While paying Kennedy’s tab was unique, hiring outside counsel to defend the city was not. Coeur d’Alene, as other Idaho cities do, separates its city attorney office duties from courtroom cases.

Question: Should Coeur d’Alene pay for outside counsel for courtroom cases involving the city?

Michael Ramirez/Investor’s Business Daily

I’m nursing a twisted knee tonight as a result of one of the 4th Street businesses not clearing a snow mound from its sidewalk from the last big snow fall. I went for a long walk in the snow Saturday afternoon until I reached Pilgrim’s Market northbound. At that point, the sidewalk was blocked with old snow & parked vehicles with their noses well over the sidewalk. So I decided to detour through the parking lot, where I hit a monster ice slick that was lightly sprinkled with snow, so I couldn’t see the black ice. Luckily, I didn’t blow my left knee again. But it’s barking tonight. Pilgrim’s isn’t the only business along 4th with nearly impassable sidewalks. Now, for your re-posted Wild Card …

Baylor guard LaceDarius Dunn (24) reacts as Gonzaga guard Demetri Goodson (3) steals the ball from him in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game this afternoon. in Dallas. Baylor’s Quincy Acy is in the foreground. Gonzaga lost Steven Gray to back spasms early and Elias Harris to fouls late but still gutted out a 68-64 upset win over No. 9 Baylor. Jim Meehan’s preliminary game report here. And: ESPN boxscore here. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

In a landmark for gay rights, the Senate on Saturday voted to let gays serve openly in the military, giving President Barack Obama the chance to fulfill a campaign promise and repeal the 17-year policy known as “don’t ask, don’t tell.” Obama was expected to sign it next week, although the change wouldn’t take immediate effect. The legislation says the president and his top military advisers must certify that lifting the ban won’t hurt troops’ fighting ability. After that, there’s a 60-day waiting period for the military. … The Senate vote was 65-31. The House had passed an identical version of the bill, 250-175, on Wednesday/Associated Press. More here.

Reaction?

Senate Republicans and a handful of Democrats voted Saturday morning to block legislation that would grant legal residency to illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. before the age of 16. The DREAM Act, which would give legal status to illegal immigrants who came to the country at a young age, lived here for at least five years, graduated from high school and attended college or served in the military, fell five votes short of the 60 needed to overcome a GOP-led filibuster — 55 to 41/Alexander Bolton, The Hill. More here.

Question: Do you agree/disagree with U.S. Senate GOP action to block the DREAM Act?

It’s a university steeped in tradition, both athletic and academic. But, something has always been missing at Gonzaga University. Until this fall, GU had no official fight song. But, the work of two former students and the leadership of Gonzaga’s Kennel Club changed that; GU finally has a fight song all its own/Melissa Luck, KXLY. More here.

Question: Do you remember your high school or college fight song? Was it a decent one?

The speed limit sign is becoming way too familiar to me on this roadway of life. Max speed, we were once federally mandated to abide by, was 55. Sometimes I’ve wondered if my max just might be 55 … for politics, for business, for challenges. Signs seem to be everywhere. Maybe, maybe not. A major road runs through the southwestern part of Idaho. Yep, you guessed it: Hwy 55. maybe they’re just street signs.  Maybe I am just getting warmed up, though mid-way through a person’s “6th decade lap” seems an odd place to gain momentum, I’d suppose. My own “roadway” has been a bit too well worn at times with semi-frequent potholes and some erosion at the edges. Some of the asphalt might be a bit soft in the summertime heat and in the wintertime, my curves may just be scary. yet I keep drivin’ on/Dennis Mansfield. More here.

Question: How fast are you traveling on the roadway of life, if you could put a mph speed on it? Please explain your answer.

The deputy who shot a Spokane Valley pastor will not face discipline for failing to disclose his co-ownership of a business that sold sex toys online. Spokane County Deputy Brian Hirzel (of Hayden, pictured) remains under investigation for the Aug. 25 shooting that killed Pastor Wayne Scott Creach near his home and greenhouse business in Spokane Valley. Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich announced in September that he had assigned investigators to determine whether Hirzel broke department policy when he failed to disclose his co-ownership in a business called Vanessa Allure that was being operated out of his Hayden home.  “It was being run by his wife,” Knezovich said Friday. “Hirzel gave us full information. He didn’t hide anything. He said he helped set up the website but she ran it”/Thomas Clouse, SR. More here.

Question: Did the Spokane County sheriff and investigators make the right call in deciding not to discipline Deputy Hirzel for failing to disclose his role in an online sex-toy outlet?

Can the Democrats heal the rift between the extreme left wing of their party and the scorched-earth left wing of their party? While the last election evoked considerable commentary regarding Tea Party intolerance for “moderate Republicans,” a less-covered story was the growing intolerance within the left for its own apostates. Certainly the vulgar, spittle-flecked vitriol that the left loosed on Barack Obama after his compromise with Republicans on taxes and unemployment compensation revealed a severe distaste for those who stray from the shining path. Obama seems to have moved a little farther along the mourning process than they have. He’s negotiating. They’re still in denial/Michael Costello, Lewiston Tribune. More here.

Question: Is Michael Costello right? Do Democrats have the political equivalent to the Tea Party — an extreme left wing that’s splitting with main-stream party liberals?

As Villanova University’s Ronnie Akins (6) closes in, Eastern Washington University wide receiver Tyler Hart (33) tries to break a tackle from Villanova’s James Pitts (1) Friday during the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs on Roos Field at the EWU campus in Cheney, Wash. EWU beat Villanova 41-31 to advance to the subdivision title game in Frisco, Texas. ESPN/AP game story & boxscore here. (AP/Colin Mulvany)

• Colin Mulvany’s slideshow from EWU-Villanova game here
• Steve Bergum’s Spokesman-Review story of game here
• John Blanchette’s analysis: What a huge difference a game makes
  

For you fans of regional football, Eastern Washington is leading Villanova 13-7 at the end of the first quarter of the semi-final game of the NCAA Division I-A playoff game at Roos Stadium in Cheney, Wash. You can watch the game on EWU’s red turf on ESPN 2. Villanova scored on the opening kickoff. Then, EWU drove for a touchdown on 5 plays to tie and later turned two fumble recoverys into field goals. You can also check in on the game by reading John Blanchette’s SR Twitter here. Now, to replay the Wild Card …

Cody Laur, 22, left, of Metamora, Mich., gets some help from Santa while waiting for the hospital to take a photo of him with his wife Alecia and their twins Wyatt and Westley in Hurley Medical Center’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Flint for Hurley’s 2nd Annual Baby’s 1st Christmas Party earlier today. Santa was on the scene to take pictures with the babies, and he volunteers to give each family a special scrapbook page, prepared especially for them. (AP Photo/The Flint Journal, Ryan Garza)

Question: What is the oddest thing you’ve seen a man dressed in a Santa Claus outfit do?

On Twitter, SR colleague Meghann Cuniff tweets: “Scary. The convenience store I frequent just got robbed at knifepoint. I was in there about an hour ago.” According to a preliminary police report, the robber threatened a clerk at Divine’s Food Mart and gas station at 2nd and Walnut and left with an undisclosed amount of money about 4:15 p.m.

Question: Have you ever been the victim of an armed robbery or an innocent bystander when a place was being robbed?

• 5:33 p.m. Coeur d’Alene Police Department activity report for Dec. 16-17 here.
• 5:13 p.m. A problem with juveniles is reported on 8th & Locust/CdA.
  
• 5:08 p.m. Woman on Hudlow wants to take 15YO daughter to KMC b/c she’s acting out.
• 4:45 p.m. Motorist w/b on Dalton from 4th/CdA is throwing things out his window.
  
• 4:24 p.m. A large chair is lying in roadway @ H95 & M/P 453 (Kelso-Granite/Athol area).
  
• 4:11 p.m. 2 females are fighting in 500 block of E. Orchard/Hayden.
• 4:08 p.m. Resident in 400 block of Lena Louie/Worley reports neighbor tossed frozen soda bottle through his back door. Problem with neighbor is ongoing.
  
• 4:04 p.m. Someone’s suffering a seizure @ U.S. Forest Service office on Schreiber/CdA.
• Much more below
  

Jackson Barth, 12, shares a laugh with his parents, David and Lisa Barth, during a video interview in Sandpoint on Monday. Jackson, who has autism, is the inspiration for a group from Sandpoint that will compete next June in Race Across America, one of the nation’s most challenging endurance bicycle races. Alison Boggs’ SR story here. (SR photo: Kathy Plonka)

• A century later, Gonzaga finally has a fight song/Melissa Luck, KXLY
• Man who lied in CdA bars re: military service to impress women sentenced/KREM
• Bell-ringer seeks record of 36 hours at Spokane WalMart/KREM
  
• Back to heavy lifting for Zags as No. 9 Baylor looms ahead/Jim Meehan, SR
• Fairfax to be sentenced in murder-for-hire case in February/Bonner County Bee
• Sunnyside landowner rescued from floating ice/Bonner County Bee
• Gregoire blocks parole for man who nearly killed Richland officer/KXLY
• Team McEuen readies plan for lakeshore green space/Tom Hasslinger, Press
  
• Spokane removing 26 trees from Riverfront Park/KHQ
  

A Great Dane stands between his handler, left, and the ring judge during conformation competition at the 2010 Crown Classic Dog Show in Cleveland, on Thursday. You write the cutline. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

Top Cutlines:

• 1. Questioning both the teacher’s royalty and gender, her principal said “Who called the school marm a duke?” — JohnA.
• 2. Victory is great, but oh the agony of de feet — Herb.
• 3. Victor Borge gets ready to play the piano. The song, “Who Let The Dogs Out” — Charlie.
  

The Associated Press reports today that public records it obtained under the Idaho Public Records Act show Idaho State Tax Commission Chairman Royce Chigbrow intervened on behalf of clients of his son’s accounting firm, over the objections of Tax Commission employees, bringing the clients significant breaks on their taxes. “The heavily redacted documents were among those collected by the Idaho attorney general’s office while representing the Tax Commission in a pending lawsuit that alleges commissioners have given politically connected taxpayers secret sweetheart deals for years,” reports AP reporter John Miller/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

• In historic change, JFAC to take public testimony on K-12, H&W budgets/EOB
• Report: Anyone listening to Rammell re: wolves faces law enforcement/EOB
• Loertscher on Hart: ‘That bill will come due someday, then hammer will fall’/EOB
• Minnick, Simpson explain votes on tax extension/Brad Iverson-Long, IReporter
• Deputy AG’s Caribbean trip not taxpayer-funded/Dustin Hurst, Idaho Reporter
• ITD spent $3000 on room despite available Senate auditorium/Dustin Hurst, IR
  

Question: Are you surprised at this point that sweetheart deals seem to be regular fare at the Idaho Tax Commission?

Facebook Friend Kelsey Lightning wrote today: “Why must people take photos of the animals they kill? Why? I am not opposed to hunting as long as what’s killed gets used. But no one really wants to see a photo of a dead animal on Facebooks. Show someone a photo if they ask to see one. Which is kind of weird.” Whenever I see someone posed with the photo of an animal they’ve shot or fished from some waterway, I think of that “Planet of the Apes” scene in which a group of ape hunters is posing with 3 or 4 dead humans that they’ve hung upside down from a rack. I sorta agree with my Facebook friend on this one. I don’t get queasy seeing dead-animal shots. But I don’t enjoy them much either. (AP file photo/20th Century Fox: scene from “Planet of the Apes”)
 

Question: Do you take photos with the dead animals you hunt or fish? Why?

President Barack Obama, joined by Republican and Democratic lawmakers, looks up after signing the bipartisan tax package that extends tax cuts for families at all income levels, during a signing ceremony at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in the White House complex today in Washington. Aimed at helping to stabilize the recovering economy, the bill keeps in place tax cuts instituted by President George W. Bush for another two years. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Question: Is this the beginning of bipartisan cooperation between President Obama and congressional Republicans? Or an exception to the rule of hostile partisanship in D.C.?

Item: A case of spaces: Kroc Center considers parking structure/Tom Hasslinger, Press

More Info: An upper level parking structure that could cost more than $1 million could grace the west side of the Kroc Community Center parking lot by late next summer. Right now, the center is working on a conceptual design for the one-story project with around 120 additional spaces, hoping to send it out to bid by February.

Question: Do you avoid the Kroc Center at certain times because it’s hard to find parking?