In brief: Handle Extra expands into county

Spokesman-Review subscribers in Sandpoint and other Bonner County communities will get more news from their neighborhoods starting Saturday when the Handle Extra is included in their home-delivered newspapers.

A weekly source of North Idaho news, the Handle Extra covers issues that affect neighborhoods from the Statehouse to city hall, from the schoolhouse to the courthouse, with news and features about the people and places and events that make the Panhandle great.

Look for positive news about youngsters doing good things, neighbors helping neighbors, Love Stories about lasting relationships, community events calendars, business and entertainment news and more.

To report news in your neighborhood, contact Voices editor Tad Brooks at idahovoice@spokesman.com or call (509) 927-2164. To report an event, public meeting or church calendar listing, contact editorial assistant Sherry Adkins at 765-7120. For advertising questions, call Deana Rose at 765-7104. To place a classified ad, call (509) 456-SELL.

Post Falls

Study tables donated to Seltice Elementary

Seltice Elementary students will now be able to study at new tables thanks to the generous donation of local Post Falls business owners.

The tables were donated by Wayne and Lisa Laudahl, owners of Complete Home Service LLC, and their employees Duane Lux, Derek McCormick and James Ellsworth. Also participating in the donation were: Gary and Helene Austin, who own Mobile Corral Homes; Sandy and Nancy Seright, owners of Ace Hardware Ranch and Home; and Lee Badger and Tony Siegel with Badger Building Center.

Seltice Principal Mike Uphus said the 25 tables would have cost the school about $9,000.

“Wayne, his crew and their suppliers are giving them to us for nothing,” Uphus said.

Fundraiser Saturday at Greyhound Park

Wine, Stein and Dine, a fundraiser to raise money for creative classroom teaching grants in the Post Falls School District, is set for 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday at the Greyhound Park and Events Center.

Open to adults age 21 and older, the event includes food and beverages and a complimentary wine glass or beer stein. There will be entries by more than 85 wineries, microbreweries and restaurants, a silent auction, wine tree raffle and live entertainment.

Tickets are available at Idaho Washington Trust Banks, Dr. Gibbon’s office, Post Falls Chamber of Commerce, Post Falls Super One, and Vino! A Wine Shop in Spokane, and cost $45/advance, $60/door. Call 661-7225 for more information.

Concert planned at The Old Church

The music of Diana Clemons will be featured March 9 at 2:30 p.m. at the Jacklin Arts and Cultural Center at The Old Church 405 William St.

Clemons is founder and program director for Harmony Ranch Therapeutic Riding Center, a nonprofit organization that provides equine experiences for persons with physical, emotional and mental disabilities or life-threatening illnesses, the elderly and at-risk children.

She also plays a bit of music on the side. After receiving her master’s degree in music at Juilliard, she played with the likes of Leonard Bernstein, Yo Yo Ma, Zuben Meta, Isaac Stern and Rod Stewart.

The program will include a little fiddling, a little jazz, a little Bach and a whole lot of fun.

Adult ticket prices are $10, children $5 and a special $25 family price.

For more information call 457-8950, from Monday to Friday between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., or 661-6857.

Rathdrum

Local business on national TV

With one quick phone call from a producer of “The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch,” local entrepreneur Juanita Carmack, owner of The Salsa Factory, found herself promoting Taco Chic Salsa on national TV.

Deutsch, a businessman with a multibillion-dollar advertising and media background, interviews successful business people and critiques products and packaging from fledgling entrepreneurs during his fast-paced show on CNBC, which is promoted as “Your Roadmap to the American Dream.”

Carmack was interviewed via Web cam hookup for a two-minute segment dedicated to critiquing packaging on new products. With only time for three sentences, she had to make her words count. Following her introduction, “Hi, Donny. It’s the Taco Chic from North Idaho” she asked him what he thought of her product. Deutsch held up a jar of her salsa (shipped by overnight express) and said the words she was waiting to hear. “Taco Chic Salsa – You DO have the million dollar package.”

Taco Chic Salsa can be found in many local stores or purchased at the The Salsa Factory at 8016 W. Main Street in Rathdrum. Call 687-2464 for more information.

Coeur d’Alene

Tech tour today at NIC

North Idaho College will host approximately 300 high school students from across the region during today’s third annual NIC Tech Tour.

Freshman and sophomores from North Idaho, Eastern Washington and Western Montana will have the opportunity to view NIC’s many professional-technical programs to assist them in making career choices.

The event will begin at 9:30 a.m. in Boswell Hall Schuler Performing Arts Center and students will participate in a variety of activities across campus through 12:30 p.m.

Students will have the chance to learn more about careers in offices, medical professions, legal/law enforcement, transportation, construction, technology, industry and hospitality by walking through the labs on campus and meeting students and instructors.

A manufacturing and business fair will run concurrently in the halls of Hedlund Building to provide students the opportunity to speak with representatives from local businesses who hire NIC professional-technical graduates.

Hayden

Fundraiser to benefit humane society

The Kootenai Humane Society will host an Easter fundraising event featuring pet photographs with the Easter Bunny.

It will be held March 15 at Petco, 420 W. Wilbur, Coeur d’Alene. Two other photo shoots also will be held March 19 at American West Bank, 225 W. Hayden Ave, Hayden, and March 21 at American West Bank, 223 Ironwood Drive, Coeur d’Alene. All events will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The framed photographs will be offered for a $10 donation or $15 will provide a framed photograph and a compact disc with the pet’s pictures digitally presented. The event mirrors a December fundraiser that featured Santa Paws and holiday decorations.

All proceeds benefit Kootenai Humane Society and its efforts to care for homeless animals. For more information, call Michael Regan, director of volunteer services, 818-4535.

Lookout Pass

Uphill/downhill ski race scheduled

Finish out the ski season by participating in an uphill/downhill ski race sponsored by North Idaho College’s Outdoor Pursuits and Mountain Gear beginning at 9 a.m. March 8 at the Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area.

Racers will test their endurance by skiing uphill to the top of the mountain, then their agility will play a role in the downhill race to the bottom. Each racer will complete two laps.

The race is designed as a fun event, so skiers are encouraged to wear costumes or silly outfits as a celebration of the end of the ski season. Awards will be given to the fastest male skier and the fastest female skier as well as the most outlandishly dressed.

Race entry is $10, and sign-ups are not required. Registration will take place prior to the start of the race. Call 769-7809 for more information.

– From staff reports