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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

THURSDAY, DEC. 23, 2010


Wild Card 12.23.10 13 

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…

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McEuen Field possibilities 28 

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…

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Spencer strikes again 32 

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…

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The renovated Capitol dome is seen inside the Idaho statehouse in Boise on Dec. 11. The $122.5 million expansion and renovation is nearing completion after two years.  (Associated Press)

Extra benefits for some former Idaho lawmakers

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…

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Poll: Christmas Eve 

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%)…

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Main Street Monday special guest 

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…

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Pacific Northwest Inlander (The Spokesman-Review)

Inlander Short Fiction Contest Returns 15 

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…

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Cindy Hval (The Spokesman-Review)

Angels I didn't hear 

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…

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A woman enters the atrium at Sony headquarters under a giant Spiderman in New York on Monday. New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer announced an agreement to halt "pay-for-play" in the music industry. 
 (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

Spider-Man: a dangerous musical 

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…

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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. (Dan Pelle)

Bell-ringing record shattered 

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.…

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                   (Associated Press)

APhoto of the Day 

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.

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Embassy blasts in Rome injure 2 

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,…

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Rum raisin bars combine eating, drinking in one yummy treat.  (Associated Press)

Holiday Goodies 

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…

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Victim of hammer attack improving in Cda 

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…

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Mr. B's Night Before Christmas

Mr_Bloggy on December 22 at 8:07 p.m. Twas the Night of the Living Dead Before Christmas (Part 1) Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was living, not even a mouse; The stockings were torn from the chimney with…

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Huckleberries Online

D.F. Oliveria started Huckleberries Online on Feb. 16, 2004. Oliveria's Sunday print Huckleberries is a past winner of the national Herb Caen Memorial Column contest.