In brief: Chili feed, cook-off will help food bank

SPIRIT LAKE – Today, the community is invited to a chili feed, cook-off and fun along Maine Street to benefit the Spirit Lake Food Bank.

Beginning at 1 p.m., chili lovers can stop by Terry’s Cafe to have their fill until 3 p.m. The feed and cook-off continue at Jo’s Hole, from 4 to 8 p.m. and a live music jam session will be held at the Linger Longer, from 4 to 8 p.m.

The fun continues with a chance to win a 50/50 raffle and other raffle drawings.

Cost for each bowl of chiliis a canned food or cash donation. Chefs, wishing to share chili creations should drop off their dish at any location by 3 p.m. The entry fee is $5.

For more information, call (208) 623-2145.

Library closed on Veterans Day

COEUR D’ALENE – The Coeur d’Alene Library, 702 E. Front Ave., will be closed on Thursday in honor of Veterans Day.

The library will resume its regular Friday hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information, call (208) 769-2315 or visit www.cdalibrary.org.

Ski swap will be held at fairgrouds

SANDPOINT – The Schweitzer Alpine Racing School annual Ski Swap will be Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bonner County Fairgrounds, 4203 N. Boyer Road.

Skiers who need to sell equipment and clothing will have an opportunity on Friday from noon to 7 p.m.

Skis, snowboards, boots, poles, bindings, helmets, hats, goggles, gloves, jackets, pants and socks will be available for reduced prices and professionals will be on hand for assistance.

Admission is $2 per person or $5 per family. Parking is free.

All proceeds will benefit the SARS ski racing and free ride programs for athletes of all ages.

For more information about SARS, visit www.sars.net.

Scouts will host chili, soup supper

COEUR D’ALENE – Boy Scout Troop 211 will have an all-you-can-eat chili and soup supper on Saturday, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Coeur d’Alene Bible Church, 5350 N. Fourth St.

Cost is $6 for adults and $2.50 for children 12 and younger.

Nonprofit work will be focus

COEUR D’ALENE – Nonprofit organizations in the Coeur d’Alene area will come together on Monday at Johannes & Co. Jewelers, 406 E. Sherman Ave., at 11 a.m., to celebrate Idaho’s third annual Nonprofit Awareness Week. Mayor Sandi Bloem will sign a proclamation for 2010 Nonprofit Awareness Week.

The nonprofit sector in North Idaho contributes more than $218.6 million to the state economy annually and is responsible for almost 10 percent of its workforce.

The purpose of Nonprofit Awareness Week is to educate the public about the contributions that nonprofits make everyday in our community; to help create a better understanding about the value and importance of nonprofits; and to increase volunteerism in this time of economic challenge. For more information, go to www.idahononprofits.org.

Sums to help NIC’s dual credit fund

COEUR D’ALENE – State Rep. Marge Chadderdon and Sen. John Goedde each donated $750 to the North Idaho College Foundation to sponsor dual credit scholarships for high school students in legislative District 4. District 4 includes Lake City and Coeur d’Alene high schools.

Their contributions will help fund the new Wayne Meyer Dual Credit scholarships. This year 672 high school students are taking dual credit classes at NIC, earning college credit while still in high school. During the 2009-’10 academic year, 657 NIC students were enrolled in the dual credit program, saving them an average of $772.

To request an application, call Steve Casey at (208) 769-3229.

NIC’s Sentinel wins Best of Show

COEUR D’ALENE – North Idaho College’s student-produced newspaper, The Sentinel, recently won Best of Show for two-year college newspapers at the Associated Collegiate Press national convention in Louisville, Ky.

The Sentinel also won the paper’s third consecutive Pacemaker Award, a prestigious ACP honor awarded to 15 four-year schools and two two-year colleges this year.

Eli Francovich, of Post Falls, earned the national title of Reporter of the Year, placing first in the two-year schools division. And, NIC journalism instructor and Sentinel adviser Nils Rosdahl received a Lifetime Achievement Award this year. Rosdahl has been the journalism instructor and adviser at NIC for 26 years.