Idaho Voices

Filings from Jan. 27-Feb. 2 Chapter 7 (liquidation petitions)

Coeur d’Alene

Yeah, yeah, Barack Obama is cuh-razy about Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, particularly after the support “The Boss” gave him during the prez campaign. Moi? I was impressed that a 59-year-old rocker who is two months my senior could still run and slide around a Super Bowl stage like he did during halftime. Some but not all of my Huckleberries Online commenters gushed about Springsteen’s high-energy performance. For example, BlueInIdaho opined: “I tuned in for the halftime and the last five or so minutes of the game. The Boss was awesome – one of the few greats that I have yet to see in person.” However, the kids weren’t impressed (if you give me the latitude to call college students “kids.”) At the Univeristy of Idaho Argonaut, sports editor Levi Johnstone sniffed: “Not only did ‘The Boss’ nearly die trying to get his old (butt) up on the piano Super Bowl Sunday, but in a dramatic turn of events, old Bruce found himself singing a couple of octaves higher after accidentally slamming his (groin) into the camera after a 5-foot knee slide. The ‘Glory Days’ are over, and ‘The Boss’ should retire.” I’d like to be around 40 years when Levi’s 60 or so, to see if he can jump from his knees, to a standing position. That is, if he can do so now. Super Bowl as church

The Coeur d’Alene Arts and Culture Alliance will host the fourth annual Kids’ Carnival Feb. 14 at the Resort Plaza Shops in downtown Coeur d’Alene, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Children can participate in a number of art workshops with local artists, including music, pottery, painting, clowns and theater.

Special events for potential residents and their families and employees are planned by the new Life Care Center of Post Falls. The 120-bed (38 private and 41 semi-private rooms) nursing home has opened at 460 N. Garden Plaza Court (west of Wal-Mart). A free lunch and learn session will be 11 a.m. Thursday. The information will include long-term care expense planning and financial retirement issues, followed by a tour of the facility. The center will provide long-term care, skilled nursing and rehabilitation. RSVP by calling 664-8980.

Today ALL THAT JAZZ (JAZZ) – 6 p.m., 315 Martinis & Tapas, 315 Wallace Ave., Coeur d’Alene, 929-1379.

BOISE – Lt. Gov. Brad Little, at the close of his budget hearing before state lawmakers this week, was asked by Rep. George Eskridge, R-Dover, “Do you and Gov. (Butch) Otter plan on rodeoing at the same time?” Little responded with a chuckle, “He keeps telling me it was the bit on the horse, so I might have to get him a new bridle. … It was pretty good surgery, but he’s back in business. I don’t know how much he trusts me to be governor.”

For many who live in small towns, one element often lacking is accessibility to arts and culture. But for residents in the quaint community of Sandpoint, that is far from the case. Here, the Pend Oreille Arts Council has done much in its over 30 years to enrich the lives of both the residents and the visitors who vacation here.

The first Sportsman’s Exposition will be held next Saturday and Feb. 15 in Sandpoint at the Bonner County Fairgrounds. “This will be the biggest event of it’s kind for Sandpoint, ” Dave Lotze said. Like gardeners poring over the seed catalogs in winter, sportsmen can plan for that fall hunt, study how to catch that big fish, learn new game calls, and meet some of the world’s hall of fame outdoor sportsmen. Gathered together in one place will be a multitude of knowledge, products and things to do.

I got a feel for the we-don’t-mess-around charm and earthy personality of Susie’s Bar and Grill before I’d even stepped in the front door. Directly to the right of the entry sat a local newspaper’s blue vending machine upon which was taped an enormous hand-scrawled note. “Dear Dummy,” it started out endearingly. “Are you making a lot of money from this machine? Apparently you haven’t noticed that something’s amiss, namely that the coin slot is plugged and has been for weeks. Yet you continue to refill it each day with new papers. What gives?”

The last few months have been a roller-coaster ride for most Avista customers, but watching our heating bills reach new heights has been anything but fun. Although Avista teased us by lowering the cost of natural gas recently, only a handful of us splurged with that extra $3 per month before being smacked by news that despite recent rate hikes, Avista made another request for even higher rates next year.

Dunno what excuse you used the last time you missed work or called to say you’d be late. But Jana Tritto offered one that remains uncommon, although it might not be for long, if the local wildlife continues hanging out in the ’burbs. Jana was tardy not long ago because “there was a big bull moose camped out between the house and my truck, and there was no scaring him off.” So she waited the moose out, stating: “I’m not sure (my co-workers) believed me. It sounded like a ‘dog ate my homework’ excuse!” Fish and Gamers tell Jana that there are probably two moose per acre in her Hidden Valley area, between Hauser and Rathdrum. Actually, Jana is accustomed to seeing Br’er Bullwinkle and kin. She counted as many as four moose in a half mile on Church Road recently. Deer are more plentiful. Reports she at Huckleberries Online: “I have to be really careful driving in the evenings when they come out to feed. I’ve counted 50-plus on several summer evening walks, as they graze in the fields around here.” That’s a big part of the reason she loves the hills in the Hauser/Rathdrum area. “I never tire of seeing the wildlife,” she said. Unless, of course, it’s loitering in the wrong place and too big to shoo off. How long, O Goracle?

Today COUNTRY JAM SESSION – 8 p.m., Crickets, 424 E. Sherman Ave., Coeur d’Alene, 765-1990.

Discussing the weather is often regarded as a banal conversation starter – a topic to banter about before moving on to more substantial things. But not for Evelyn Conant. When she talks about the weather her eyes sparkle and her hands fly. In 1944, while still a senior at Rogers High School, Conant, along with six other girls, was asked to be an observer for the U.S. Weather Bureau. Prior to World War II, the organization listed only two women as observers or forecasters. “The government was in a real bind for weather observers,” recalled Conant. “Our school was picked as an experiment to see if girls could understand (the job). All seven of us got special wartime appointments.”

Specialized Needs Recreation will hold a Valentine’s Day dance at Prairie View Elementary, 2478 E. Poleline Ave. in Post Falls, on Friday, from 6 to 8 p.m. The festivities will include snacks, prizes and a D.J.