Blogroll

Feb. 17 – A yellow perch measuring 16 inches long and weighing 2.6 pounds was caught Feb. 11 in Lake Cascade by Bob Shindelar, of Meridian, Idaho, to tie a state record unmatched since 1976.

One angler described the lunker perch as “a smallmouth bass in drag.”

Dale Allen, Idaho Fish and Game Department regional fisheries manager, said Cascade has produced several perch longer than 15 inches.

The largest perch tend to be females, which are currently producing eggs, which add weight. There’s still about a month to six weeks before those fish spawn, Allen said.

Feb. 17 – With the race for the Republican nomination for president heating up, Spokane Mayor David Condon said he doesn’t plan to endorse a candidate.

“I’m not going to get involved in national politics,” he said.

Condon said he hasn’t decided if he will participate in the March 3 Washington caucus.

Meanwhile, other Republican-leaning elected Spokane officials haven’t solidified their presidential picks.

Council members Nancy McLaughlin and Mike Fagan said they are trying to decide between Ron Paul and Rick Santorum.

Councilman Mike Allen said he’s leaning toward Mitt Romney, and Councilman Steve Salvatori said he’s undecided.

Feb. 16 – Mary Matsuda Gruenwald was 17 when she was taken with her family to her first assembly center. Like many Americans of Japanese ancestry, she spent time in an internment camp during World War II. Once freed, she eventually joined the cadet nurse corps. She wrote a book about her experience. 

While the internment experience left her feeling demeaned, her mother’s words sustained and inspired Gruenwald. They are inspirational words for anyone experiencing challenges: “What kind of memories do you want to have of how we conducted ourselves with dignity and courage during this time of trial?”

Feb. 15 – Spokane’s Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery is among the possible winners in a contest started by national retailer Shopko.

Called “Choose the Charity,” the contest will run through March 12 and allows Facebook users to cast votes for a favorite charity. The winning charity will receive a $10,000 donation, organizers said.

Shopko’s Facebook page is facebook.com/ shopko. The winner will be announced  March 13.