‘Twas Week Before Christmas, In Case You Didn’t Know It

In a week when for most people shopping replaces business meetings….

A few days before Christmas and all through the land, shoppers are stirring, their money in hand.

In the Inland Northwest, the countdown’s begun. Families are gathering and the mistletoe’s hung.

There’s still time to look for slippers or socks, or books or a backpack, some jewelry or clocks.

Shopping in Spokane offers plenty of time. The Bon closes at 11 and Auntie’s at 9. (Both at 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve.) And if you want more than the choices you’re given, most stores stay open at NorthTown till 11.

And if you are worried Santa won’t make his flight, you can help him at Toys ‘R Us till midnight. (8 p.m. Christmas Eve.) Over in Idaho, if you’re running late, many Coeur d’Alene stores are open till eight.

And if your list is a long one and you’re not done at all, you can shop till 11 at the Silver Lake Mall. (6 p.m. Christmas Eve.) For those who are driving and have enough time, Sandpoint’s Cold Water Creek closes at 9. ( 5 p.m. Christmas Eve.)

And on Christmas Eve, if you’re still on a drive, the Valley Mall stores will be open till five.

May you have a good week without all the stress, Happy holidays to all, from us, the Business Desk.

Today

Deadline for protests against J.R. Simplot and Micron Technology’s application to pump water from the Boise River for irrigation and industry. Comments can be filed with the Idaho Department of Water Resources. For information call 208-327-7900.

The Kootenai National Forest and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality release the supplemental environmental impact statement on a proposed copper and silver mine up the Rock Creek drainage in the Cabinet Mountains. Copies are available at the East Bonner County Library in Sandpoint and in several locations in Montana.

Tuesday

Cheney community members submit their anti-tax petition protesting increases to water, sewer and garbage fee increases to the City Council at its regular meeting.

Deadline for canola farmers to vote with the Washington State Department of Agriculture on whether they want their own commission.

The U.S. Commerce Department releases third-quarter gross domestic product report as well as its report on November durable goods.

Wednesday

Financial markets have abbreviated sessions.

The U.S. Department of Commerce releases its November personal income report.

The U.S. Department of Labor releases weekly unemployment claims.

Thursday

Christmas day.

Federal, state and local government offices, financial markets and banks are closed. Most financial markets around the world are closed.

Friday

U.S. financial markets have an abbreviated trading session. Some European markets are closed.

Spokane County employees have the day off. , DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: ON THE SHELF Business Week, Dec. 22: Cover story examines whether IntelCorp.’s Andy Grove can keep profits up while PC prices fall. Forbes, Dec. 29: Feature story looks at the growth of real estate investment trusts, or REITS, and the role they may play in future years.

Linking up Golf and reading are the favorite leisure-time pursuits of the nation’s chief financial officers, according to a survey by Accountemps. Here are the top activities and the percentage of respondents who picked them as their favorites: Golf, 21 percent. Reading, 14 percent. Team sports (baseball, basketball, etc.), 10 percent. Working out (jogging, swimming, weight lifting, etc.), 9 percent. Two percent either didn’t know or had no answer.