Idaho Voices

Coeur d’Alene Kootenai County, 205 N. Fourth St., commercial, interior remodel-juvenile justice services, valued at $300,000.

For 06-27-2010

I post an ongoing feature on the Get Out North Idaho blog titled “9 Easy Questions,” asking some well-known local faces to share their favorite spots to dine, drink and relax. Here are several recent highlights. Kerri Thoreson (Post Falls city councilwoman/tourism magnate)

Are your tomatoes turning a funny shade of green to gray? Are your pepper leaves curling slightly and turning a yellowy green? How about basil, corn and beans? It’s not your fault.

COEUR D’ALENE – The Coeur d’Alene Public Library, 702 E. Front St., will be closed today due to street closures for Ironman triathlon. The Hayden Branch Library, 8385 N. Government Way, will be open noon to 5 p.m.

Bayview Daze and the Fourth of July are upon us again. Several new features will be included in the street fair. The booths will be set up in the parking lot of the new condos across from the Navy base. Those wishing to enter Bayview Saturday should plan to be in town before 10 a.m. to avoid being caught at the roadblocks prior to the annual parade, which starts at 11 a.m. Following the parade, will be a “show and shine” for classic cars, judged at the community center about two blocks up the hill on Perimeter Road from Ralph’s Cafe.

You missed the Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre stage debut of Councilman Mike Kennedy & Son, if you hung out at Car d’Lane rather than attending “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” production June 19. I was center stage, fourth row, when Mike, Will and two other audience members were called to the stage to spell words for the mock bee along with Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre cast members. Mike and Will bounced, danced (term loosely used here), and spelled as part of the fun play based on – as the name indicates – a spelling bee. Mike nailed his first two words, including “Mexican,” before he tripped up on “muntjac” (a small jungle deer of Southeast Asia and the East Indies). Will outlasted his dad by a coupla words, including “cow.” But couldn’t figure out a made-up one that started with “hippo” and proceeded for 12 to 15 letters shortly before intermission. Dad bought Will a cookie for his efforts during the break. But reneged on the $50 that Will said they’d bet on the outcome of the bee. As far as Mike’s acting goes … ah … he should stick to his day job. Ring loses shine

Sunday Charley Packard (Originals) - 6 p.m., Spuds Grill, 102 N. First Ave., Sandpoint, (208) 265-4311.

BOISE – Of the 77 heads of Idaho state agencies under the Otter administration, 27 are women and 50 are men. The average salary for the male agency heads: $109,658. For the females: $88,681. Gov. Butch Otter, who last week held a “Women’s Day in the Capitol” featuring 32 female officials from his administration, seemed surprised and pleased that so many of his agency heads are women. He furrowed his brow at the pay disparity, though.

Cyclists on the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes have a new viewpoint at the trailhead just north of Plummer, Idaho. On May 29, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe Veterans Memorial was dedicated. Gov. Butch Otter gave the keynote address and tribal veterans from across the U.S. attended the event. After seeing photos of the magnificent steel sculpture created by Virgil “Smoker” Marchand of Omak, I knew I had to see it in person. So, last Friday I made a pilgrimage to Plummer.

Offering a grand opening until summer weather is here to stay, Coeur d’Alene Paddleboard has opened at 512 Sherman Ave., former home of M & M Boot and Shoe Repair. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, the store offers a large variety of stand-up paddleboards, accessories and related apparel (shirts, board shorts, swimwear, wet suits, rash guards and life jackets), some with the shop logo. The paddleboards are for sale or rent.

If you’ve lived in the Inland Northwest for very long, you’ve probably figured out that the area is not exactly thunderstorm central. I have probably only seen two or three flashes of lightning all year, and June is the peak thunderstorm month. While central Washington has dealt with everything from flash flooding, hail, strong winds, and even a tornado this year, the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene area has seen little more than cold and rain – lots of rain.

( Editor’s note: This is part two of a two-part series examining the International Baccalaureate program in the Coeur d’Alene School District.) Duncan Koler likens it to being in a courtroom, sparring in words before a judge and jury.

Filings from May 14-18 Chapter 7 (liquidation petitions)

Coeur d’Alene Riverview Ventures LLC, 3901 W. Seltice Way, commercial site development, valued at $1,000,000.

For 06-20-2010

( Editor’s Note: This is Part One of a two-part series examining the International Baccalaureate program in the Coeur d’Alene School District.) To get accepted at a top-tier college, Nicholas Bell knows good grades are not enough.

In the age of e-mail, Facebook and texting, it is fairly easy for friends to stay in touch. But for Sandpoint resident Loris Michael, it is a letter or a phone call that mean more to her than anything. “I like to stay in touch with people, but on a personal level,” said Michael who admits that while it may take more time than simply sending an e-mail, it is well worth it.