Astronaut’s Visit One Small Step For Schoolkids

For the second year running, teacher Chris Naccarato’s class at Priest River Elementary welcomed a visiting NASA astronaut. This time, veteran shuttle Col. Jerry Ross came calling. The tykes made him feel right at home, too (read, there weren’t any tacky how-to questions about going to the bathroom in space this year). With Ross looking on, students wearing headsets called out official NASA launch sequences before sending a cardboard Saturn V skyward. Everything was authentic, including the kid who carried the launch checklist clipboard and title of “Cap Com.” His name? Neil Armstrong, of course. Really.

Hit the road, Jack

Mark Adams didn’t get a warm welcome last week when he visited Lake City, though. First, the ex-Central Connecticut State coach was thrown out of Christiansen gym; then, he failed to land the NIC men’s basketball coaching job. Seems Adams got a taste of things to come when he accidentally stumbled onto a cheerleader practice and was chased out of the gym by mild-mannered adviser Erna Rhinehart. No one peeks at Erna’s performing seals before game time - not even a coach.

Torbo’s list of 5

S-R business writer Eric Torbenson collects off-beat headlines as a hobby. (Hey, it beats stamp collecting.) Among his favorites are: 5. “British left waffles on Falkland Islands;” 4. “Panda mating fails; veterinarian takes over;” 3. “Miners refuse to work after death;” 2. “Iraqi head seeks arms;” and (drum roll, please) 1. “Enraged cow injures farmer with ax.”

Twitterpated newtista

My bloodhounds tracked down the identity of the conservative think-tank president whose heart belongs to Helen. Remember him? He’s the one who responded anonymously to a Washington Post “Secret Valentine” poll by saying of Congressman Chenoweth: “She’s tall and gorgeous.” The admirer? Grover G. Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform. … Gotcha: As long as Sanders Beach homeowners let the hoi polloi plop down on their beaches, I won’t quibble about the one who lets her dog relieve itself on the public right of way. … Then, there’s the transient who, according to the newspaper formerly known as the Bonner County Beehive, was arrested on a warrant for “failure to appear for urinating in public.” Hey, it’s hard to “make water” on demand.

Huckleberries

Not everyone was impressed with the rose planted by Kootenai County Prosecutor Bill Douglas commemorating National Crime Victims Month Wednesday. Remarked one small witness: “He isn’t a very good planter is he?” … Afterward, Douglas wondered, “Hopefully, this will get moved when they turn this into a parking lot.” (The weather will get it first.) … Then, there was the anonymous protester who expressed his opposition to “progress” by tacking up signs around the proposed courthouse parking lot that read: “Quit cutting down trees.” Amen. … House District 4 candidate Larry Watson defines a politician as “someone who shakes your hand before an election and your confidence afterward.” … Bumpersnicker on truck at Heyburn State Park headquarters: “Fish naked.” … Another bumpersnicker: “Real men don’t bait bears.” … Steve LaTourrette offers good advice on his salon readerboard: “If you want to dye, call us - not the Kevorkian club.”

Parting shot

Hmmm. Seems Bill Brock, football coach of A-3 state champion Glenns Ferry High, was surprised to learn his team and his quarterback were finalists for an Idaho Sports Banquet award. He read all about it while visiting CdA relatives March 30. No one had bothered to invite him to the banquet that night at The Coeur d’Alene Resort, though. Then, neither his team nor quarterback Ross Farris won. University of Idaho athletes did, of course. The annual banquet often serves as a UI love-in.

, DataTimes MEMO: Gotta Huckleberry? Call the Huckleberry Hound Hotline: (800) 344-6718 or (208) 765-7125; fax: (208) 765-7149.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = D.F. Oliveria The Spokesman-Review