Panels to take up variety of issues

An interim legislative committee will meet this summer to study mental health and substance abuse, according to Senate President Pro Tem Bob Geddes, R-Soda Springs.

Another committee will meet about postsecondary education, and two task forces will study liquor laws and early childhood development.

HCR 63 calls for the formation of the substance abuse committee for the purpose of evaluating the benefit of forming a new agency to handle substance abuse and mental health.

SCR 132 asks for a postsecondary education study committee to work with schools, businesses and other public and private partnerships to make recommendations about possible law changes regarding funding, governance and other issues surrounding postsecondary education.

– Meghann M. Cuniff

Coeur d’Alene

Latino culture focus of NIC events

North Idaho College is planning a weeklong series of events about Latino culture April 17-21.

The theme is “We are not all the same.”

“We want to emphasize the variety of customs and traditions of the various countries that make up the Latino world,” NIC Spanish instructor Virginia Hickman said in a statement.

Here are the highlights:

•April 17, 1 p.m.: “Peru, Land of the Incas,” a presentation that includes a folk dance.

•April 18, noon: “Castro’s Cuba,” a presentation about the political situation past and present, followed by a Salsa dance lesson.

•April 19, noon: “The Tango of Argentina,” a dance demonstration.

•April 20, noon: “Viva Mexico,” a children’s performance of a traditional Mexican folkdance. At 7 p.m.: “Peace in Colombia,” a presentation by NIC students who are going there in May.

•April 21 at 1 p.m.: “The Ruins of the Mayas” and “A Visit to Guatemala.”

The events will be held on the Coeur d’Alene NIC campus and are free and open to the public.

For more information, call 769-3398.

– Rasha Madkour