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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

In brief: Holiday jazz concert tonight

The Spokesman-Review

The North Idaho College Jazz Ensemble will team up with the vocal group Jazz Co. to provide a preview to the holiday season tonight with the jazz concert “Make Way for the Sleigh” today.

The NIC Jazz Ensemble is directed by Terry Jones and features NIC students, community members and music educators from throughout the region. The ensemble will perform several pieces from a classic Stan Kenton recording of “A Merry Christmas.” Gordon Goodwin’s arrangement of “Yo Tannenbaum” and Mike Crotty’s “What Child is This?” featuring Lake Sumner on guitar and Hal Cooper on alto sax are classic Christmas carols with a modern twist.

The more than 20 members of the jazz choir Jazz Co. are directed by Max Mendez and will perform with the Jazz Ensemble and also break into small and large choirs for individual pieces.

Beth Mitzelfelt and Sarah McHugh will be soloists in Jerry Nowak’s arrangement of “Tuxedo Junction.” The jazz choir will also perform Dave Barduhn’s “God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman” and Anita Kerr’s arrangement of “A Boy was Born on Christmas” by J.S. Bach.

A smaller group of singers will break from the larger choir for Deke Sharon’s “White Christmas” and Kerry Marsh’s “Sing a Song of Song.”

“This is the first time we have decided to have Christmas music at the fall concert,” Jones said. “It should be a great way to kick off the holiday season.”

The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in NIC’s Boswell Hall Schuler Performing Arts Center. The performance is free and open to the public.

Kootenai County

Text your thanks to troops

According to the American Forces Press Service, “Giving Thanks,” a new program from America’s Defense Department’s America Supports You program, has arranged for communications with our military personnel deployed around the world.

Between 6 a.m. today, and midnight Thursday, anyone wishing to express gratitude to the troops for their service can text a brief one-or two-line message to 89279. Each message sent will receive a response from an active-duty service member.

“We know that thousands of families will be sitting down for Thanksgiving dinner and thinking about loved ones who are far away from home serving their country. We are counting on other American families to take a moment during their holiday celebration to think of those families and their family members who are serving and say, ‘Thanks’, said Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense for internal communications.

Hayden

Tree-decorating contest starts Friday

Hayden’s Department of Public Works has purchased 10 live Christmas trees for placement in the pedestrian islands on Government Way. The trees will be placed on these islands the day before Thanksgiving allowing participating businesses and organizations time to decorate the trees before their lighting during the “Hayden Lights” celebration on Dec. 1.

The Holiday Tree Contest is designed to involve local businesses and charitable organizations in the decoration of the newly completed Government Way in Hayden Village. They are located in islands centered in the middle of Government Way. Each has access to electricity for lighting. The trees will be placed from north of Hayden Avenue and south to the Hayden Library.

The trees are approximately 10 to 12 feet tall. Two signs per tree will identify the decorating business or organization. The trees will be decorated immediately after Thanksgiving and will remain displayed until Jan. 15. Live trees will be used and subsequently planted in Hayden’s city parks in spring. Whenever possible, the tree is to be placed directly outside the business or in the vicinity of a business or organization’s offices along Government Way.

Each participating group will decorate and light the tree in the spirit of the season. Displays designed as political statements or with decorations deemed in poor taste are precluded from the event. Residents and shoppers in Hayden are invited to vote for their favorite tree.

Sandpoint

Winery showcasing ‘Snowy Scenes’

“Snowy Scenes” is the featured exhibit at Pend d’Oreille Winery’s showroom in Sandpoint during the month of November. North Idaho artist Diana Moses Botkin has selected more than 20 of her winter paintings for this holiday showing.

Originals ranging in size will be offered at the winery during the show. A variety of locations are portrayed in this exhibit, including scenes from the Tetons and Yellowstone. The artist says her favorite place to paint is in north Idaho, however. “We get such a lovely array of color and light here,” explains Moses Botkin. “Rosy clouds in turquoise skies and the glowing light on the lake are some of my favorite inspirations of this area.”

Pend d’Oreille Winery is in downtown Sandpoint at 220 Cedar St. Hours are Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Additionally, there is live music at the winery on Friday and Saturday evenings.

From staff reports