Idaho Voices

Sigh. I missed offering gift ideas for Christmas. My deadlines are so early that as I write this just before Christmas, it won’t be published until just before New Year’s. So I’ll write some ideas for the New Year. One thing we always say “later” about is a new mattress. Well, the new Mattress Land store in Northern Lights Mall (Highway 95 at Haycraft) is now there for you. Opening this past week and moving from its previous location at 501 W. Appleway, this place has everything in, well, mattresses. The new store (where a golf store was previously) is bigger by 1,000 square feet, and the storeroom is now in the same complex instead of in Spokane.

Sexual Abuse and Assault Survivors – meets Tuesdays, 6 p.m., Kootenai Medical Center classrooms; (208) 666-2030. Take Off Pounds Sensibly in Blanchard – meets Mondays, 8:30-10 a.m. at the Blanchard Community Center, 685 Rusho Road. Call Cherie at (208) 437-0176.

Since the death of widely respected partner in ownership Jerry Berry, the future of the Captain’s Wheel Restaurant in Bayview has been in question. Widowed Carletta Berry wanted to take over and silent partner Michael McFarland, who purchased Jim Campbell’s interest, chose to rise from silent partner to CEO. Those issues are to be decided in court sometime in January.

For 12-20-2009

While other media tried in vain to interview Sarah Palin on her recent book tour, Huckleberries Online simply embedded a Berry Picker with the ex-VP wannabe when she visited North Idaho. Christa Hazel was in the right place at the right time to be drafted by the extended Palin family into helping with the book signing in Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint. Christa sent photos and text messages to Huckleberries Central throughout the day. Afterward, she provided this personal account of the Sandpoint native who’s the talk of this country: “I sum her up as gracious, charismatic, engaging and energetic. She seemed to be in a zone meeting/greeting/ signing. She was unbelievable in her stamina for all the signatures. She smiled as brightly in the evening as she did in the morning as she was boarding the bus from the (Coeur d’Alene Resort).” And: “I never saw her frown, look tired, sigh from fatigue, or rest. Todd Palin was the same way. I also noticed that she spent extra amounts of time in Sandpoint for the students that interviewed her for a school assignment.” At Sandpoint, Sarah Palin endeared herself to her fans further by wearing a UIdaho sweatshirt. Seems her fortunes, like the Vandals, are on the upswing. More Palin

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

Coeur d’Alene Coldwater Creek, 745 W. Hanley Ave., commercial, office construction, valued at $2,540,000.

For 12-20-2009

During the Christmas season, messages of hope echo through churches, favorite Christmas movies and in the hearts of all who celebrate the season. And hope is exactly what people in Sandpoint are holding onto right now. For the last few months there has been a sadness hanging over this small community. Grieving the loss of one of its youngest members, residents have come together to support a 2-year-old boy’s foster family during a time of anguish and heartbreak. Joey (not his real name) did not die. Instead he was taken by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and placed with a family in Kootenai County – a family with whom Joey had never lived but who the agency named as Joey’s adoptive family.

BOISE – Former Idaho Democratic congressional candidate Larry Grant was quoted by CQ Politics recently describing GOP 1st Congressional District hopeful Vaughn Ward as “a Sarah Palin Republican” and rival Raul Labrador as “a Bill Sali Republican,” and adding, “The moderate Republicans … won’t run because they know they can’t beat the ultraconservatives in the primary.” The two GOP rivals have lately been engaged in something of a contest in which each has tried to portray himself as more “conservative” than the other guy. CQ Politics was following up on an earlier Grant comment – repeated on several blogs – that Grant might jump into the race as a Republican, but Grant told the publication that was a joke, designed to make a point that “the moderate Republicans in this state have no place to go in their primary.”

Here’s a list of local holiday light displays recommended by readers, with their descriptions (where available). Thanks to all those who contributed and especially to the die-hard decorators who made it all possible. Not sure where some of these are? You can create maps of the displays online at www.spokesman.com/holidaylights.

COEUR D’ALENE – The Community United Methodist Church, 1470 W. Hanley Ave., will hold Christmas Eve services at 7 and 10 p.m. Attendees are invited to celebrate the evening with candlelight services, carols, scripture and stories. The men’s and women’s choir along with the handbell choir will perform at the 7 p.m. service.

Spaces gradually are filling in newer buildings drawn in by Costco at the intersection of Government Way and Neider Avenue in Coeur d’Alene. A new business between Starbucks and T-Mobile in the northeast corner will be Best Contacts & Eyeglasses. Offering eye exams, contacts and glasses, the 20-year-old company is a division of National Vision Inc. With its headquarters at Lawrenceville, Ga., Best Contacts & Eyeglasses has about 100 stores, including one in Spokane.

Today “A Little Princess” (Drama) – 2 p.m., Lake City Playhouse, 1320 E. Garden Ave., Coeur d’Alene, (208) 667-1323.