Idaho Voices

I’d never heard of the Web site The Oatmeal until former SR buddy Ken Paulson sent a link to a post by blogger Matthew Inman. Who is now getting as many as five million page-views per month. Seems the digital story-teller was reared in North Idaho. Which may be fortunate or unfortunate, depending on your view of the region’s reputation as a racist haven. In the post, Inman tells of his formative years riding a bus with “little Hitlers.”

COEUR D’ALENE – The adult choir of the First Presbyterian Church, 521 Lakeside Ave., will celebrate the season with a special Christmas concert next Sunday at 9:30 a.m. The performance will include First Presbyterian’s organist and pianist, Cynthia Marlette. The choir will perform the cantata “Night of the Father’s Love,” and will be accompanied by the community orchestra.

BOISE – Now that embattled Rep. Phil Hart, R-Athol, has been removed from the House tax committee for the next two years, where did he land? House Speaker Lawerence Denney kept Hart on the other two committees on which he already was serving: Judiciary, Rules and Administration; and the House Transportation Committee, on which he’ll continue to serve as vice-chairman. Hart just no longer has a third committee assignment.

Schools Pullman High School Class of 1971 – June 25, in Pullman. Looking for classmates and faculty and administration from that era. Contact Fred K. Lange, 8994 Scott St., Springfield, VA 22153; (703) 401-7873; langefk@aol.com.

Once again, we’re putting together a list of area holiday lights displays – and we need your help. If you spot something particularly eye-catching, either in your neighbor’s yard (or your own) or while driving around town, we’d like to know about it.

National Stuttering Project, Eastern Washington-North Idaho Chapter – Meets the first Tuesday of each month, 7-9 p.m.; (509) 326-0229 or (509) 328-9754. North Idaho Cancer Support Group – For anyone touched by cancer; 1:30-3 p.m. Wednesdays, Lake City Community Church, 6000 Ramsey Road, Coeur d’Alene; (208) 773-5495.

I recently drove to Seattle over Snoqualmie Pass. All along the road the trees were mantled in white that made them look like thin white candles. It was beautiful but it reminded me that not all trees can handle heavy winter snow with such grace. Garden shrubs and trees are pretty tough under normal winter conditions. They can shrug off our average dry powdery snowstorms with few problems. However when we get a heavy wet snow or a huge dump like we had in 2008-’09 they are easily damaged by the weight of the snow. When this happens gardeners need to be ready to protect their most valuable plants.

La Niña is certainly living up to its reputation this season. Winter hasn’t even started, and we’ve already experienced record sub-zero temperatures, and seen more snow in one month, than we saw all last season.

Filings from Nov. 16-19. Chapter 7 (liquidation petitions)

Coeur d’Alene Viking Construction Inc., 3775 N. Linneatus Drive, residence and garage, valued at $140,000.

For 12-05-2010

Weekly Events Catholic Young Adult Group – For ages 18 and older, meets first, second and third Tuesdays for Bible study and prayer, 7-8 p.m. at St. George’s Catholic Church, 2010 N. Lucas St., Post Falls; for more information, call Jennifer at (208) 704-6550.

Thanksgiving has come and gone, and people are scrambling in preparation for the Christmas season. Although it is a fun and festive time of year, it is unfortunate that many get caught up in the parties, the shopping, the baking and the planning and often lose sight of what is important. That is where a group of Sandpoint residents hope to make a difference this holiday season.

Like it or not, news media are changing. There used to be a clear division between print, radio and television. A self-respecting print reporter would never dream of making a video or – oh, the horror – actually appearing on TV, just like a broadcaster wouldn’t be caught dead with a byline in the paper.

North Idaho Songwriters Association – Meets the first Saturday of the month, 9-11 a.m.; group members share songwriting knowledge and assist in songwriting pursuits; (208) 666-9162. North Idaho Young Volunteers – Meets the second Monday of the month, 7 p.m., to learn search-and-rescue techniques and mountain climbing; (208) 765-9425 or (208) 664-8337.

COEUR D’ALENE – “A Taffeta Christmas” is now playing at the Lake City Playhouse, 1320 E. Garden Ave., through Dec. 19. The holiday production is performed Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and on Sundays at 2 p.m. Adult tickets are $19; veterans and students age 13 and older are $17; seniors 60 and older are $15; and ages 12 and younger are $9.

BOISE – Of the 18 newly elected legislators who will join Idaho’s House and Senate when it convenes in January, five previously served in the Legislature, two others have held other elected offices, and one – new Sen. Steve Vick, R-Dalton Gardens – previously served in the Montana Legislature. The group includes 11 men and seven women; six senators and 12 representatives; and four Democrats and 14 Republicans. There are two lawyers, one doctor, two ranchers, and 10 business men or women.