Energy legislation topic of meeting

The effects of new federal energy legislation on the West will be examined at a conference Thursday and Friday sponsored by the Center for the New West, featuring top federal officials and industry executives.

The conference, open to the public, will be held at the Sun Valley Inn in Sun Valley, Idaho. It will open with a keynote speech from Deputy U.S. Secretary of Energy Clay Sell.

U.S. Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, and Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, will be among the speakers.

“Persons engaged in energy policy and industry will not want to miss this event,” said Ken Burgess, spokesman for the Center for the New West, a nonprofit research group.

To see the full agenda or register for the conference, go to www.centerfornewwest.org or call (208) 385-7070.

Group accepting gifts for needy children

A community group in Spirit Lake is helping make a happy Christmas for children in the small town.

Parents can get Toys 4 Tots applications at Spirit Lake Pawn or from Joy Porter.

Spirit Lake Visions Inc. will take the completed applications to the Marine Corps Reserve and pick up toys for children up to age 12 in low-income families.

The civic-minded group will pick up the gift bags and distribute the toys to the families Dec. 22.

The Visions group will provide gifts for local children ages 13 to 18. Applications are available at the pawn shop or from Porter.

The pawn shop will serve as a collection point for donations for the teens as well as items for the Santa Shop, which will be set up at the pawn shop.

At the Santa Shop, children can buy inexpensive gifts for their parents.

For information, contact Joy Porter at (208) 623-4221.