Idaho Voices

Today J.A.M. B and (Rock/Blues) – 4 p.m., Carlin Bay Resort, 33917 S. State Highway 97, Harrison, (208) 689-3295.

BOISE - Idahoans are much more favorable in their views of all four members of their congressional delegation than they are unfavorable, according to a new Idaho poll, but they’re less enthusiastic about Gov. Butch Otter. Idaho pollster Greg Smith‘s survey was conducted June 15-18 and queried 400 randomly selected Idahoans 18 or older. It found little unfavorable sentiment about U.S. Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch and Reps. Walt Minnick and Mike Simpson. Otter, on the other hand, while also ranked favorably by nearly half of Idahoans, was viewed unfavorably by 35 percent.

If downtown Coeur d’Alene were to undergo season color analysis, it would most likely be a “summer.” Downtown Coeur d’Alene wears soft, pastel colors during the warmest months, comfortable sandals, a straw floppy hat; it accessorizes with artsy handmade baubles and music.

North Idaho’s timber industry is honored by The Mill, a new tavern and eatery in Riverstone. Located (fittingly) at 2360 Old Mill Loop, The Mill is in the space of the former Smokin’ Joey’s Barbecue next to Starbucks.

For 06-21-2009

Last March when the Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce announced the formation of a buy-local task force, the community response was impressive. Since then, an increasing number of individuals and businesses have come together to help implement the plan to encourage residents to purchase goods and services from local businesses.

This week Falls Christian Assembly – Sunday School for all ages, 9:45 a.m. Sunday morning worship service at 10:45 a.m. “Crocodile Dock,” new summer family program for all ages on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday adult Bible study, Ignite Youth Group and Kids Action Club, all meet at 7 p.m. at the church at 1687 E. Horsehaven Ave. (208) 773-4722.

Tucked into a hillside in Hidden Valley, just north of Rathdrum, lies an unusual family ranch. This ranch has two horses, a donkey and several dogs, but that still isn’t what makes this place different. The family that lives here will never experience the empty nest syndrome. The Tritto family, with children from 42 years old to 25 is special. They first are a very large family. At one time the family numbered 20 children. You see, all but three of the children in this family are special-needs children.

The Idaho Community Foundation recently awarded $176,753 in grants to 77 organizations in 10 counties in North Idaho. The foundation received 142 applications, totaling $598,875. Grants awarded are listed by counties.

Annoyingly, the TV station interrupted “Bewitched” to issue the warning. Take shelter, they said. Huge thunderstorms were on the way, threatening to drench the late spring afternoon in torrential rain and whip up enough thunder and lightning to make dogs everywhere run for cover under blankets or make cats hide in the back of closets, wide eyed. In the end, the closest thing my friend and I would see to the flash floods that the weather girl was so hyped up about was the high flow of molten cheese threatening to overtake the shallow riverbeds of our hot dinner platters. “Pshaw,” we said dismissively as we fired up the engine and took off for the day trip we’d been planning all week. We weren’t going to let a few dumb June showers ruin our enthusiasm for the open road.

Schools accommodate violence education On behalf of the Bonner County Domestic Violence Task Force, Coeur d’Alene Women’s Center and Victims Advocate Services Team, we would like to say thank you to the teachers and staff in both school districts in Bonner County. We appreciate your flexibility and hospitality in letting task force members present teen dating violence information in your classrooms.

It’s a gift that three Fernan Lake residents hope will keep on giving. The best part is, it’s for everyone to enjoy. Pat Acuff, Doug Potter and Fernan Lake Mayor Jim Elder, all residents of the small lakeside community, recently donated a 47-acre plot of land to the city of Coeur d’Alene to be preserved just as it is – a rising, wooded hillside that offers magnificent waterfront vistas. The property, which features about 3,000 linear feet of waterfront with steep hillsides that overlook a popular boat launch and fishing area on the lake’s adjacent south side, was a gift to the people of North Idaho so that it could be enjoyed by generations to come, said Elder.

Today “FOREVER PLAID” (MUSICAL) – 2 p.m., Lake City Playhouse, 1320 E. Garden Ave., Coeur d’Alene, (208) 667-1323.

More room and more visibility were the incentives for Northwest Hardware Supply to move to a new location at 7680 Government Way in Hayden. The company moved this past week from 10640 Government Way. The business now has about 4,500 square feet to display items such as door locks, cabinet fixtures and hinges. The store is open for builders and retail customers 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and by weekend appointments.