In brief: Annual tea will be April 10
BLANCHARD – The Blanchard Community Center, 685 Rusho Lane, will have its annual Doll and Teddy Bear Tea on April 10 at 11 a.m.
The tea will feature a display of modern dolls and teddy bears and include finger foods, lunch, salads, dessert and, of course, tea. An auction for a new and used doll, along with a teddy bear, and tea items will be part of the event.
Cost is $6 per person; $3 for children 12 and younger.
Proceeds benefit Blanchard Area Seniors Inc. and the Blanchard Community Center.
Lectures focus on health topics
COEUR D’ALENE – The Idaho Idea Network of Biomedical Research Excellence and North Idaho College will give a series of health-related lectures Tuesday nights in April, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., in the Meyer Health and Sciences Building, Room 106.
University of Idaho’s foods and nutrition professor, SeAnne Safaii Fabiano, will lecture on “Current and Future Approaches to Nutrition and Cancer Prevention” on April 6. The talk will look at the role of diet and bioactive food components as modifiers of cancer and tumor behavior.
Sleep apnea will be discussed on April 13 by Michael Coats, director of Kootenai Health Sleep Disorder Center. His presentation will cover signs of sleep apnea, such as snoring, waking up gasping for breath and frequent fatigue.
On April 20, Sam Minnich, Ph.D., a University of Idaho researcher, will speak about “What Makes Bubonic Plague So Deadly: New Insights from Genomic Studies.” The lecture will cover the agent of plague and three recorded pandemics with an estimated 200 million deaths.
The lectures are free and open to the public. For more information, call (208) 769-3495.
Water rate hike comments sought
SHOSHONE COUNTY – Murray Water Works is requesting the Idaho Public Utilities Commission to approve its first rate increase since 2003. The water company has approximately 30 customers in the Shoshone County community of Murray. The commission is inviting public comment on the application through April 26.
Murray Water Works would like to increase the monthly fee for residential customers to $40 per month and commercial customers to $60 per month. Both groups currently pay $26 per month. The company is also asking for an increase in hookup fees from $800 to $2,000 plus parts and labor and a new monthly charge of $5 for inactive, seasonal customers.
Murray Water said it has invested $15,000 and 360 hours of labor installing a new water main in Murray.
The utilities commission has suspended the company’s application for up to six months for review. The application will be reviewed by the commission’s staff of auditors, engineers and attorneys.
Comments can be accepted through e-mail at www.puc.idaho.gov and clicking on “Comments and Questions.” The case number, MUR-W-10-01, is required. Comments may also be mailed to P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0074 or faxed to (208) 334-3762.
Kiwanis change meeting location
POST FALLS – The Post Falls Kiwanis has changed its meeting place from the Red Lion Templin’s Resort to G.W. Hunters, 615 N. Spokane St. They will continue to meet at noon on Thursdays.
For more information, e-mail egille0843@AOL.com.
New appliance program launched
BOISE – The Idaho State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program was launched on March 25 with federal funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
A total of $1.2 million will be available in the form of rebates for Idaho residents replacing older, working appliances. The rebate program is designed to stimulate economic growth and job creation by encouraging the purchase of new, energy-efficient appliances. The program will also help purchase appliances at discounted rates which will lower residential utility costs and increase retailer and manufacturer sales.
For a list of eligible appliances and the rebate process visit www.energy.idaho.gov. For more information, call (877) 223-6975.
The rebate program will run as long as funds are available.