N.Y. Journal Can’t Tell Lake From A River
Hmmm. S-R colleague Doug Clark nicely talked up the Hagadone Hotel, Hudson’s Hamburgers and North Idaho’s “vacationers’ bonanza” in Travel Holiday’s summer issue. But (heh, heh, heh) there was one small problem with the magazine spread. The main photo. You know, the one published above this cutline: “North Idaho’s lake country remains relatively untouched by the tourist boom in Coeur d’Alene.” CdA’s tourist boom would have to reach all the way to the Columbia River in south-central Washington to touch that idyllic “lake” setting. Shown in the foreground is the Maryhill Museum of Art, 15 miles south of Goldendale, Wash. I can’t repeat what the New York editor said when he learned his factfinder had goofed. But Clark groused, “It was a mess, but the check cleared.”
Separated at birth? Kootenai County Assessor Tom Moore doesn’t look like British secret agent James Bond. But that didn’t stop a KXLY-TV reporter from referring to him recently on the 5 o’clock news as “Roger” Moore. Onward. … Tax activist Ron Rankin spotted ex-legislator Freeman Duncan waiting in a long line Monday to complain about his new property value. Freeman and Rankin’s wife, Alice, waged a bitter campaign against each other a few years ago. Alice bugged Freeman then by characterizing him as a legislator “who never met a tax he didn’t like.” Chortled her hubby after last week’s chance encounter: “I see he’s got religion.”
Marshall mend incognito? Sandpoint City Clerk Helen Newton tells of seeing “Batman Forever” with grandson Jordan. When Jim Carrey first appeared on screen as “The Riddler,” Jordan whispered, “Grandma, that’s The Realtor.” Carrey wasn’t even wearing white shoes. … Jim Ratliff Jr. of Mica Flats hated to see the baseball strike end. You see, he distributes videos. During the strike, Jim did land-office business with baseball flicks, like “A League of Their Own,” “Major League” and “The Babe.” If pro basketball strikes, too, Jim will have to stock up on “White Men Can’t Jump” until Warner Bros. produces “Space Jam,” Michael Jordan’s galactic encounter with Looney Tunes.
Fan mail: An anonymous (of course) exCalifornian didn’t like my reflections on a Golden State vacation in Huckleberries Last. Amid an F-bomb and nasty comments, the reader claims family members have been shot at, ostracized, denied medical treatment, employment, etc. - all because they’re formerly from California. Writes he/she: “You are one more cog in the wheel that lets the hate and prejudice continue. … There is a very real sickness of the mind and spirit in the Northwest. There are intense feelings of inferiority and jealousy up here. This is a geographical region of fear and have-nots.” Blah, blah, blah. Somehow, I don’t think California bashing is his/her only problem.
Huckleberries: Subscriber Jacob Cord offers this read on the new CPD Blue traffic crackdown, CARE (or Community Accident Reduction through Education). He says the letters should stand for, “Cops Are Really Edgy.” … Hey, I’ve tried slowing down to only 5 miles over the posted speed limit around town and have had impatient drivers in big pickups with guns racks running up my tailpipe. … FYI: The old Coeur d’Alene office of The Spokesman-Review on Fourth, which is the old Job Service office, was sold to the Masonic Lodge. … Oopsy: Bonner County Commissioner Steve Klatt says the sweetheart deal at the county airport for snow removal was for only five months not nine as reported in Huckleberries Last. The new commission rightly axed it.
Parting shot: Owner Bruce Winters assures me he’s finally taken down that banner at his Hallmark store. You know, the one pushing flowers for Memorial Day and graduations. And to show there’s no hard feelings for my little jab in Huckleberries Last, Bruce invited me to his Christmas ornament preview - July 22-23! And, believe it or not, collectors are upset because the 1995 premiere is later than usual.
, DataTimes