In brief: Dinosaur to come to Triple Play

HAYDEN – Baby T-Rex will stomp its way into Raptor Reef at Triple Play Family Fun Park, 175 W. Orchard Ave. in Hayden, on Monday at 3 p.m.

The not-so-little, 8-foot-tall and 16-foot-long dino from “Walking with Dinosaurs” will join the velociraptors from Raptor Reef for an afternoon performance.

The event is free and open to the public.

For more information, call (208) 762-7529.

Burglaries spawn crime-watch team

BLANCHARD – Blanchard residents have recently seen a number of burglaries in their community.

Residents have organized the Blanchard Crime Stoppers to help the Bonner County Sheriff’s Department uncover the person or people responsible for the burglaries.

For more information or to report a crime in the Blanchard area, call Crime Stoppers at (208) 546-5509 or the Bonner County Sheriff at (208) 255-2374.

NIC Sentinel wins national award

COEUR D’ALENE – The Sentinel, North Idaho College’s student- produced newspaper, was selected as the top two-year school newspaper at the National College Media Convention in New York and was awarded its ninth first-place Apple Award in the last 10 years. More than 1,200 students from about 80 schools attended the convention, including 21 students from NIC.

The Sentinel and a number of NIC students also have been selected as finalists in the five-state Northwest competition of the college division of the Society of Professional Journalists. The Sentinel is one of three finalists for top nondaily newspaper. NIC students who are finalists for individual writing awards in the competition are Jake Donahue, Kalyn Lovlyn and Loren Kelly from Coeur d’Alene, Eli Francovich from Post Falls, and Conner Devries from St. Maries. The awards will be presented April 10 in Seattle.

The Sentinel also was honored as the top two-year school newspaper at the national convention of the Associated Collegiate Press in Phoenix in February.

Class will help quitting smokers

COEUR D’ALENE – Smokers trying to kick the habit may find success with a new program beginning April 6 at Kootenai Medical Center. The course will meet on Tuesdays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The first meeting of “Be Smoke Free in 7 Weeks” is free and open to the public. It will give those trying to quit smoking an overview of the program. The two following sessions will help smokers learn about their personal smoking triggers, get help to create a personal smoking cessation plan and build momentum to become tobacco free. Participants also will learn about smoking cessation products on the market to help them quit.

Week 4 will be “Quit Week.” In addition to the Tuesday session that week, participants will gather for extra support Thursday evening.

The rest of the sessions will be devoted to effective techniques and healthy habits to support a nicotine-free lifestyle and prevent weight gain.

Cost of the program is $50. Half of the program fee will be refunded upon successful completion of the program.

One-on-one counseling sessions also are available upon request.

To register and for more information, call (208) 666-2893.

Health benefit info offered for seniors

COEUR D’ALENE – The Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance division of the Department of Insurance will hold an informational seminar on Tuesday in the Cedar Community Room at the Kroc Center, 1765 W. Golf Course Road, from 1 to 3 p.m.

Topics covered at the presentation will include Medicare benefits; private insurance options; protecting yourself and Medicare from fraud; and income assistance programs.

To register and for more information, call (208) 666-6847.

Day camp will serve ages 4 to 21

COEUR D’ALENE – Specialized Needs Recreation will hold Camp All-Stars spring break day camp, Monday through Friday at 1323 E. Sherman Ave., Suite F in Coeur d’Alene.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day, people ages 4 to 21 can participate in crafts, games and outings. Outings include swimming at the YMCA, visiting the IMAX Theater at Riverfront Park and touring the Humane Society.

Transportation will be provided for those living in Post Falls. Morning pickup will be at 8:30 a.m. and afternoon drop-off will be at 3:30 p.m., at the Trading Company in Post Falls.

To register a child and for more information, call (208) 755-6781.