Idaho Voices

At the beginning of this past winter season, I said with some confidence that we would not see as much snow as last year. I am once again humbled by Mother Nature. You have probably already heard or read about how this year’s snow amounts in Spokane have broken the 1949-’50 record for the snowiest winter season ever. As of April 1, Spokane had received 93.9 inches of snow (Coeur d’Alene, about 140 inches). The 1949-’50 record was 93.5 inches. The winter season of 2007-’08 fell just short of the record with 92.6 inches.

Today Metaphysical and More Garage Sale and Benefit – 1-5 p.m. at the Center for Spiritual Living, 618 Wallace Ave. Includes music, books and more. 667-0462.

Today “James and the Giant Peach” - Lake City Playhouse presents its production of Roald Dahl’s children’s book about a young boy who embarks on an adventure aboard a giant peach. 2 p.m. at Lake City Playhouse, 1320 E. Garden Ave., Coeur d’Alene. $16/adults; $13/seniors, students, military; $10/children age 12 and younger. (208) 667-1323.

Today, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Lake City Senior Center, 1916 Lakewood Drive in Coeur d’Alene, a family fundraiser, silent auction, and dinner will be held to benefit local construction worker Ron Waltz. Waltz became ill in Beijing, when he was there watching his son in the 2008 Olympic Games. He spent two weeks in a hospital in China, then came home and has spent time in Kootenai Medical Center.

Post Falls School District Superintendent Jerry Keane runs a tight ship. Even though Keane was named Idaho state superintendent of the year and Post Falls citizen of the year for 2009, he credits his board and staff as equals. “We have an outstanding board of trustees,” Keane said. “They set the tone. They understand the role of the board of trustees.”

A fundraiser is being held today for a Coeur d’Alene woman with a rare medical condition and no health insurance. Tabatha Gass, 28, has a large Tarlov cyst growing on her spinal cord. The fluid-filled sac hampers her ability to walk and work. She has been unemployed since October. A specialist in the Midwest has agreed to remove the cyst, but Gass will have to pay for the surgery herself.

Public meetings in Kootenai County in the upcoming weeks: Athol

BOISE – SB 1111, which passed the House unanimously, will provide a new self-funded benefit to help permanently disabled law enforcement officers with their family’s health insurance costs. The bill won’t help former Coeur d’Alene Police Officer Mike Kralicek, who was shot in the face Dec. 28, 2005, by a handcuffed man suspected of stealing a beer keg. Despite months of intense physical rehabilitation, Kralicek’s mobility is severely limited, and his wife quit her job as an emergency room nurse to take care of him.

The Specialized Needs Recreation Program was recently awarded a grant for $2,388 from the Adirondack Community Trust – North America Community Fund. The grant will benefit SNR’s Camp Allstars Program. Camp Allstars provides school and after-school programs, as well as programs during spring, summer and winter vacation breaks. The camp includes activities such as community outings, crafts and games. The day camp is for ages 4-21 with special needs.

The grand four-level building that began as Coeur d’Alene’s Montgomery Ward store in the 1920s probably will be coming back to life. Located at Fourth Street and Lakeside Avenue, the 25,000-square-foot building most recently housed the Wiggett Antique Mall, until it moved to Fourth and Front Avenue about two years ago. A group of investors from Mount Vernon, Wash., has purchased the Northwest franchise of Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy and the Headmasters School of Hair Design. Headmasters will change to Toni & Guy’s with the move to the Wards building in the fall. Now in about 10,000 square feet at 317 E. Coeur d’Alene Ave., Headmasters will occupy about 15,000 square feet in the new location.

Kootenai County school lunch menus for the week of April 6-10. Coeur d’Alene School District

Area high school students were recently honored at North Idaho’s first Congressional Award Ceremony at Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d’Alene. Bronze medals were awarded to Blake Alfson and Sariah Vieira of Lakeland High School, Jennifer Brooks, Jordan Finney-McRoberts and Megan Kobrick, of Lake City High School, Coleman Paul Boyer of Coeur d’Alene High School, Kate Johnson of Coeur d’Alene Academy, and home-schooled students Daniel Hooper, and Caitlin O’Linger.