Idaho Voices

The Idaho Meth Project recently announced winners of the “Paint the State” competition, in which local teens had the opportunity to paint the powerful “Not Even Once” campaign through their own original artwork. The contest encouraged teens to use their creativity and passion in a new way for an important cause.

Coeur d’Alene Margaret Hamaker, 1401 N. Sixth St., residence re-roof, valued at $5,000.

If you are a hot weather lover, hopefully you enjoyed the past week of sunny weather with highs in the upper 80s and lower 90s. Currently, average highs are in the low to mid 80s, while average lows are in the mid 50s. While temperatures still may spike up into the 90-degree range through early September, chances are low we’ll see any more extended “heat waves” in the coming month.

Peace Lutheran Church (LCMC) – Sunday worship at 9:30 a.m. at the new location at 618 E. Wallace Ave., Coeur d'Alene. Pastor Kurt Wandrey serves the new church which is a Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ church. Featuring weekly Holy Communion for all baptized believers, fellowship, activities and education for youth, Bible studies and new community ministries. Church offices are open from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the new location. 765-0727 or contact Pastor Wandrey at 818-6790. Visit our website at www.peace-lutheran.com. Falls Christian Assembly – Sunday school for all ages, 9:30 a.m.; Sunday morning worship service at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday adult Bible study, Ignite Youth Group and Royal Rangers and Mpact all meet at 7 p.m. at the church at 1687 E. Horsehaven Ave., Post Falls. (208) 773-4722.

Several years ago I did a few columns reviewing the ancient history of Coeur d’Alene’s restaurant and bar scene, and I made mention of the Iron Horse’s former incarnation, the legendary Brunswick Cafe. Brunswick owner Bill Webster had always claimed that his food made him famous, especially his cheese soup and his cleverly named “Awful Awful Burger,” both of which were carried over when the place morphed into the easternmost room of the Iron Horse in 1972. My exact quote was “The Brunswick’s trademark ‘Awful Awful’ burger is still served at the location, which is now the Iron Horse, but unfortunately I hear the burger is now just plain awful.”

SPIRIT LAKE – Spirit Lake will have its second annual talent show on Sept. 6 at 1 p.m. at City Park as part of its Labor Day on the Grass celebration, Sept. 4 through 6. Singers and musicians will have an opportunity to perform two songs. Other acts will be limited to 10 minutes. Contestants will perform in front of a panel of judges and a live audience who will vote for their favorites. The top three contestants will be awarded prizes. The grand prize will be $100.

BOISE – With the campaign in Idaho’s 1st Congressional District hitting full swing, a new poll out from an independent pollster shows incumbent Walt Minnick with a 23.3-point lead over GOP challenger Raul Labrador. The poll, taken by GOP pollster Greg Strimple on July 29 for the Idaho Hospital Association, found that if the election were held today, 52.1 percent of respondents would vote for Minnick and 28.8 percent for Labrador. Another 1.9 percent chose “other,” and 17.2 percent were undecided.

Today Chris Webster and Nina Gerber (Folk/Blues) – 1 p.m., DiLunas, 207 Cedar St., Sandpoint, (208) 263-0846.

Sunshine bathed the parade route as the city of Athol celebrated its 101st birthday. As always, a large gathering of spectators lined the parade route where a myriad of entries proudly marched past. A pickup band consisting of members of the Timberlake/Northern Lakes/BLM firefighting units marched to a first-place prize in the band category. Close in second place was the always popular Albeni Falls Pipe and Drum Corps.

North Idaho College will host four upcoming open-session forums for the four finalists selected for the vice president for the student services position. The community is invited to attend and give feedback to the college search team. The forums will be held in the Lake Coeur d’Alene Room of NIC’s Edminster Student Union Building, from 4 to 5 p.m. and will include Ron Shade on Monday; Sheldon Nord on Tuesday; Graydon Stanley on Wednesday; and Sharon Kipetz on Thursday.

On Aug. 14, approximately 190 soccer teams converged on the fields at Plantes Ferry Sports Complex for the Les Schwab Northwest Cup. Most of the players had competed in tournaments like this before, but for members of TOPSoccer, the event was a new and exciting experience. TOPSoccer, The Outreach Program for Soccer, is a national program for individuals 4 and older who have physical or intellectual disabilities. The program debuted in the Spokane area in 2006 under the leadership of Sharlene “Gus” Schmauch.

Summer vacation is quickly coming to an end, and North Idaho students and their families must prepare for school. The school year will begin Sept. 7. In the Coeur d’Alene School District, registration for new and returning students in the elementary and middle schools will be from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Home-style made-from-scratch Idaho favorites are the promise of the Sherman Junction Restaurant. This all-meal, 99-customer capacity place will open soon at 819 E. Sherman Ave. The building started as a Sambo’s Restaurant in 1974 and was several other eateries, most known for being the Rustler’s Roost before it moved to Hayden.

If it weren’t for the work of three doctors way back when, Jerry Kramer might not have become a star for the Idaho Vandals and Green Bay Packers. Nor would he have received his first game ball without playing a down during his junior year at Sandpoint High. I discovered how Kramer almost missed his sterling career as a pro footballer by picking up a garage sale special in Hayden recently – Kramer’s 1969 book, “Farewell to Football.”

As far as first jobs go, 17-year-old Darin Bonie believes he’ll have fond memories of his summer gig. In his workday, Bonie and four other teenagers walk several miles of streets, spray painting the ground at certain spots and distributing educational handouts as they march along. Their work is an important part of the Coeur d’Alene Stormwater Utility’s summer project to spread one clear-cut message: what goes into the city’s storm water drains ends up in the water where people go to play.

Filings from July 2-8. Chapter 7 (liquidation petitions)

Post Falls Copper Basin Construction, 4238 N. Brookie Drive, residence, valued at $105,857.