Idaho Voices

Today BAR D WRANGLERS (COWBOY MUSIC/COMEDY) – 7 p.m., Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave., Sandpoint, 263-9191.

Pita Pigsty? Pita Purgatory? Pita Pity Party, perhaps? There are certainly worse names possible than Pita Pit, but I do think they’re kind of selling themselves short with a name that evokes both snake-filled crevasses and dark, shadowy underarms.

BOISE – For more than a century, the University of Idaho hasn’t been able to charge “tuition” to its students – but like other Idaho institutions of higher learning, it’s increasingly charged “fees” instead. In 2005, the Legislature cleared other state universities to charge tuition – fees that students pay specifically to cover the cost of instruction. But the UI was left out of that, because of restrictions that date back to territorial law. Sen. Joe Stegner, R-Lewiston, says it’s time to end that obsolete distinction. “In this budgetary climate, the University of Idaho cannot manage their budget in the most efficient manner, because they are restricted from using any fees for instructional purposes, unlike all the other institutions,” Stegner told the Senate. He’s co-sponsoring SJR 101, a constitutional amendment, with Senate President Pro-Tem Bob Geddes, House Speaker Lawerence Denney and House Assistant Majority Leader Scott Bedke, to allow tuition at UI.

Does the idea of walking out in your backyard and picking a tree-ripened peach, apple or cherry sound appealing? Spring is the best time to plant fruit trees. Here are a few things to consider when putting trees in. Plant them in open areas where they get full sun and a steady supply of moisture. They will also need space to spread out; how much depends on whether you go for dwarf, semidwarf or full-sized trees. Dwarf trees take as little as a 5-foot-wide space with some able to grow in containers. Semidwarf trees can take a 15-foot wide space, while full-size trees will need 25 feet or more. Because some varieties require a pollinator, you may need to plan for two trees to get a crop. Lastly, most fruit trees can take three to five years before they begin bearing fruit and another five to produce a heavy crop.

NIC recently announced area students named to the fall dean’s list for the 2008-‘09 academic year. Students are listed by their hometowns. Athol: Kayla Kuchenski, Rachel Miller, Jeremy Schreindl.

There may still be snow on the ground, but summer will be here before we know it – and so will summer camp. We’re again putting together a summer camp guide, which will appear in the paper on April 15. And this year, we’re asking two things from our readers:

The children’s area of the new Liberty Lake Library bustled with activity on Monday, the library’s first day open in its new location at 23123 E. Mission Ave. Some children played with toys while others sat in chairs just their size, flipping through books. Chris Carlsen had brought her children to the library’s baby lap-sit session and to pick up some books. “I really like it,” she said of the new site. “I like that the adults’ and kids’ sections are together now so I can browse while they browse.”

Post Falls Wildwood Building Co. LLC, 3311/3317 E. Brownstone Ave., units 501 and 502, duplex, valued at $233,467.

A funny thing happened to Robideaux service manager Jerry Kelly last week, if you realize that by “funny” I mean bizarre rather than ha-ha. Jerry was busy handling routine business when he noticed that an angry man was confronting a co-worker, Stacey Gaumond. He stepped into the fray and learned quickly that the cuss-tomer was upset that the bumper he had banged into a snow bank wasn’t covered under his warranty. The guy figured it should be because he was traveling only 5 mph when he crashed. Next thing you know, according to statements made to CPD Blue, the man was calling him names. So Jerry invited the man to come with him to the general manager’s office. Gaumond followed. GM Tim Mee was on the phone when the trio arrived. Then, according to the three Robideaux employees, the cuss-tomer rushed Jerry, head-butted him in the forehead, and was pushed away. Undeterred, the man returned swinging, striking Stacey in the upper arm and Jerry in the mouth, splitting his inner lip. Jerry called 911. Later, he was surprised that the guy wasn’t arrested on the spot. Still later, Police Chief Wayne Longo told Huckleberries that the city prosecutor’s office would review the statements from the three witnesses and alleged assailant before deciding whether to press charges. Meanwhile, Jerry has a fat lip and the hard-knocks knowledge that sometimes the cuss-tomer isn’t right. Homecoming, indeed

Today BILL ENGVALL (COMEDY) – 7:30 p.m., Coeur d’Alene Casino, Highway 95 South, Worley, (800) 523-2464.

New listings Garfield High School All-Class Reunion – May 16, in Garfield, Wash. Call Jeannie Tribbett at (509) 397-2447 for more information.

 There may still be snow on the ground, but summer will be here before we know it – and so will summer camp.  We’re again putting together a summer camp guide, which will appear in the paper on April 15. And this year, we’re asking two things from our readers:

Filings from Feb. 9-13 Chapter 7

BOISE – Athol Rep. Phil Hart wants Idaho to allow all evidence of past arrests or trials that didn’t result in convictions to be erased, including trial records and national law enforcement databases of arrests. He brought legislation to the House Judiciary Committee to allow judges to expunge such records on request.

Coeur d’Alene