Idaho Voices

Coeur d’Alene

For 04-26-2009

Coeur d’Alene Library, 702 E. Front Ave., will offer eight computer workshops beginning Monday, continuing through the middle of May. Workshops are on Mondays and offered on a first-come, first-served basis, and are free. Preregistration is not required.

In a time with so much conflict in the world, it seems more people are taking time out of their schedules to stop and take a moment to reflect and to pray. Pray for not only families, friends and neighbors but the country as well. May 7 marks the National Day of Prayer. It is a day recognized by the United States Congress as a time when people are asked to unite and to pray for the country. While the day will be observed by many nationwide, a group in Sandpoint is turning the entire weekend into a time of prayer, learning and worship

It was kind of like the good old days, at least closer than I’d thought I’d ever get again. When my mother asked me a few weeks ago where I’d like her and my stepdad to take me for my birthday dinner, I absolutely had to go with Grumpy’s, a new restaurant in midtown Coeur d’Alene. It was the perfect choice not only because birthdays do tend to make me grumpy, but also because long ago, every family birthday and special occasion meant getting together for a meal and celebratory drink or two (or five) at Henry’s, a now-defunct eatery once owned by Grumpy’s co-owner Joe Chapman.

Beginning Thursday, Post Falls Library, 821 N. Spokane St., will offer basic computer classes. Courses are $10 per person and pre-registration is required. “Word 2007 – Part 1” will be offered Thursday and June 11, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Basic typing skills and knowledge of using a computer mouse are required.

Yes! The lawn is finally turning green. Winter is over and the grass is coming up. Wait a minute. That’s funny looking grass. Rats, it’s moss. Even our wild winter couldn’t slow it down. So why is it so persistent?

Today BLUES JAM – 4 p.m., Linger Longer Lounge, 6262 W. Maine St., Spirit Lake, 623-2311.

A funny thing happened to Bob Macdonald on his way to promoting the future site of the CdA dog park. Not funny ha-ha. Funny Weird. Seems Bob, a former Kootenai County commissioner, had the idea to advertise the site (on school property north of North Shire Park, off Atlas Road) and clean out his garage, too. After getting permission from other dog-park boosters, Bob took his old 6-by-12-foot kennel to the two-acre site and planned to return with a bunch of dogs for a photo op and a banner that read: “Future site of the Coeur d’Alene Dog Park.” Only the kennel wasn’t there when Bob returned two days later. Someone had walked off with it. Quips Bob: “I should have hung the sign on it before. At least, the thief would know what he was stealing.” Ticked off

This week New Small Group Studies at CUMC – “Fork in the Road,” DVD story of David; “Mirror Image,” the Parables; “The Life You’ve Always Wanted” by John Ortberg; “Joining Paul’s Journey of Faith” by Beth Moore; and “unChristian” by David Kinnaman. Studies offered on Sundays, 9:45 a.m., twice a month on Tuesdays at 10 a.m., Wednesdays, 7 p.m., Thursdays 6:30 a.m. at Community United Methodist Church, 1470 W Hanley. Newcomers are welcome. (208) 765-8800. www.cumccda.org.

This place matters. That’s the theme for National Historic Preservation Month once again this year. Preservationists at the National Trust for Historic Preservation must have kept this same theme because it is powerful in its simplicity – and because it’s true. The month of May, National Historic Preservation Month, is a great time to remind ourselves of the importance of our historic buildings and the vital part they play in our sense of community. It’s a great time to remind ourselves that this place matters; that these places matter.

BOISE – On the turbulent border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, an Idaho soldier who’s serving on a multinational security force now has a new Spuddy Buddy figure, a box of Idaho candy and a Senate medallion, after his home-state senator came by on an international tour. Idaho Sen. Jim Risch, the first Idaho senator in nearly three decades to serve on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Senate Intelligence Committee, recently returned from a six-nation tour through the Middle East, which included meetings with the heads of state of Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Dubai and Afghanistan. Along the way, he met with Idaho troops serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Sinai Peninsula, and handed out “Idaho trinkets” he’d brought along for them.

It happens this time every year – right ahead of tourist season – that downtown Coeur d’Alene sees some major changes. And, of course, it’s happening again. Some new businesses are here now or will be soon. Another one is just an announcement, but it’s major. Here we go. About two years ago this location held Señor Froggy’s, a popular Mexican fast-food eatery. Suddenly it was torn down to make way for investment property. It has taken a little while, but evidently the bucks are right for that to happen.

Students from Coeur d’Alene, Lakeland and Post Falls school districts were recently announced as Health Occupation Students of America winners at the 10th annual state HOSA competition held earlier this month in Boise. More than 360 students from 25 schools attended the conference, to compete in health-related events. The students are a part of the Riverbend Health Professions program at Riverbend Professional Technical Academy in Post Falls.