Idaho Voices

The commercial and office space in the Parkside condominium complex at Front Avenue and Sixth Street in Coeur d’Alene is 100 percent leased. Atchley Financial Group moved onto the second floor earlier this fall (more on that later) and The Grille From Ipanema should open New Year’s Eve. The restaurant’s menu will be Brazilian barbecue. The tropical décor will match the theme from its name, which is a beach near Rio de Janeiro. With views of Lake Coeur d’Alene and seating for 115 customers inside and 75 on the outdoor plaza, the food will include that of an all-you-can-eat steakhouse with seafood, a hotplate bar, a salad bar, grilled pineapple and Brazilian beverages. The servers will slice portions of meat from skewers onto the plates. Hours will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; 10 p.m. on weekends. Nearby is a 200-seat event center for private parties. Other options will be catering, private room service in the complex and valet parking.

Several months ago, we took a look at which restaurants and nightspots made certain local residents light up with glee like a Christmas tree. Here’s the rundown on another three local movers and shakers. DJ Brentano (Baja Bargarita/The Torch Lounge)

Filings from Nov. 4-15. Chapter 7 (liquidation petitions)

Chuck Murray discovered a strange bird recently in his Bayview backyard. A western scrub jay showed up Oct. 24 and appears to be settling in for a long stay. Nonmigratory, their habitat stretches from southern Washington state to Texas, preferring the dry areas south of us. The last sighting of this species in North Idaho was in 1977 around the Priest Lake area. Murray notified the Audubon Society, requesting information on the bird, and the society lit up like a Christmas tree with excitement. Large numbers of bird-watchers have descended on the Murray homestead hoping for a peek at this rare bird.

When we think of a blizzard, we usually picture a landscape buried in snow, with howling winds, whiteout conditions, and frigid temperatures. We certainly got a taste of that last week. Did you know it is possible to have a blizzard, however, when it’s not snowing? The meteorological term blizzard actually has more to do with reduced visibilities and wind, than it does with snowfall. There may be many instances when it is snowing heavily, but a “blizzard” is not occurring. Likewise, an arctic blast can result in blustery conditions that send wind chill readings below zero. That wouldn’t count as a blizzard either.

Coeur d’Alene Sunset Place LLC, 243 W. Sunset Ave., commercial, office space, valued at $15,000.

For 11-28-2010

North Idaho College Booster Club – Meets the second and last Tuesday of the month. The second Tuesday meeting is at noon at the Outback Steakhouse, 1381 W. Northwood Center Court, and the last Tuesday meeting is at the Coeur d’Alene Resort’s Shore Lounge, 115 S. Second St.; (208) 769-3348. North Idaho Computer Users Group – Meets the first and third Tuesdays of the month, 6-9 p.m., usually at the Post Falls American Legion, 1138 E. Poleline Ave.; to confirm call Bill, (208) 667-0855; www.nicug.us.

 Sammy is a high-energy dog who loves to play. He is very active and would prefer a home with people just as active. He may be too energetic for smaller children but would do well in a home with older, respectful children. He’s been at the shelter a while (after transferring from another facility) so he’s a bit anxious waiting for his forever home. No cats, please.  

The snow has arrived and with the recent storms, blizzards and continuing winter weather conditions, North Idaho schools are prepared for emergency school closures. In the Coeur d’Alene School District, information can be found by calling the district hotline at (208) 667-0784. The number will be updated by 6 a.m. each day.

The weather wasn’t the only tough thing this year. The economy is still sending a lot of people to the Second Harvest Inland Northwest’s food bank system. On top of that, donations are also down because folks who would otherwise give, can’t. There was one bright spot in the donation realm this year, however. Even with the cranky weather, backyard gardeners and local farmers donated 153,219 pounds of garden fresh produce and fruit to the Plant a Row for the Hungry project. That’s 23,000 pounds more than last year. That means folks short on good food got 612,876 meals of the best produce and fruit available. Thank you to all of you who brought in even a pound of tomatoes. You brought a lot of smiles to folks as they picked up their food.

We’ve gotten some clues for interesting big business news for the near future, but they aren’t absolutely confirmed – so we’ll just hint at them within the tidbits down below. Meanwhile Keller Williams Realty Coeur d’Alene Market Center has moved, with about 100 associates, into a 6,600-square-foot location at 1450 Northwest Blvd.

COEUR D’ALENE – The holiday season is in full swing and the Coeur d’Alene Resort has a variety show just in time. “A Coeur d’Alene Christmas: A Variety Show for The Whole Family” features jugglers, comedians, magicians, singers and dancers, with performers age 7 to 83. The show is performed on the stage at the Shore Lounge, during weekends through Dec. 18 and on weeknights Dec. 19 through Dec. 30.

To quote that great would-be novelist Snoopy, it was a dark and stormy night. It was the first major snowstorm of the season and all the local TV weather personalities were ablaze with the threat of an imminent blizzard that would add another deep layer to the fresh 6 inches of snow already blanketing the landscape. I drive paranoid-style in winter conditions, and cruising gingerly down Seltice Way, I’d managed to pick up a tailgating, four-wheel drive lunatic behind me, swerving, headlights blazing. I was positive I was going to have to brake suddenly for something, whereby I’d be neatly rear-ended and my car would go up in flames instantly like a 1978 Ford Pinto.