Westerners Buck Trend, Still Embrace Lodge Look

We know the home design gurus have declared the lodge look passe. But we think that in the West, twig or peeled-log furniture, Hudson Bay blankets, big stone fireplaces and all the other trappings of frontier life are always appropriate.

Undaunted by the distinctly genteel Southern turn in home furnishings, a couple of authors have just released two new books for those in love with lodge style: “Cowboy High Style” by Elizabeth Clair Flood and “Rustic Traditions” by Ralph Kylloe (both $24.95 and published by Gibbs Smith).

There are plenty of photos to inspire anyone who might want to incorporate moose antlers, canoe paddles, or cowboy paintings into their decor. Even if your tastes don’t borrow from the open range, these books are fun to browse.

For special interests: If you’ve decided to develop a passion for iris, you might be interested in joining The Inland Empire Iris Society.

The group meets monthly, and its next meeting is Thursday. Plus, the Annual Iris Show will be June 3-4. For information, call Luella Sisley, 325-0492.

Don’t just dump it: The result of spring yard cleanup? A great looking yard and lots of leaves, dead grass and other organic stuff.

Those who don’t want to compost their own yard waste can deliver it to any of three Spokane Solid Waste System facilities - Valley, North County Recycling or the Waste to Energy Facility. There’s no charge for the first 260 pounds; after that it’s a penny a pound or $20 per ton.

Facilities are open 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.

Yard waste can include grass, leaves, pine needles, weeds and branches less than three inches in diameter. Anything that’s already decomposing or that contains dirt, garbage or animal feces means your entire load will be subject to regular trash charges because it can’t be composted. For information, call 456-7403.

A reminder for those interested in learning more about composting: The Master Composters will hold free home composting seminars at the following locations:

Monday: 7 p.m., North County Library, 44 E. Hawthorne Road. Wednesday: 7 p.m., Manito Park Garden Center Classroom, 4 W. 21st. Thursday: 7 p.m., Cheney Library, 610 First.

For more information, call the Spokane Regional Recycling Hotline at 747-0242.

Bark but no bite: The standard advice for protecting your home? Get a big dog.

Now there’s a home burglar-alarm system that barks like a guard dog when triggered. It’s called Watchdog and the $130 motion-detector alarm is set off by movement within 30 feet.

The Watchdog is distributed by The Safety Zone. To order, call 800-999-3030 and ask for item 851162.