Some Parents Break Rules Of Name Game

Modern parents can’t seem to name their kids anything but Ashley, Jessica and Jacob. Those monikers led the boys’ and girls’ divisions for 1993’s most common given names in Idaho (which recognizes only two sexes - not five genders a la Beijing women’s conference). But the also-rans are the real story behind Idaho Vital Statistics 1993. Some Idaho parents tagged their daughters with names like Leather, Messiah and Symphony. (Can you imagine a rascal 15 years from now claiming he made beautiful music with Symphony?) But a few boys were given worse handles: Harley-Davidson, Leviathan and Zowie. Surprisingly, none of the boys were named Sue.

Operation rescue

On Oct. 12, Cari Abel got a second chance to save one of her feathered friends. After a chase near Tobler Marina, she and boyfriend Ken Spatz used a chocolate muffin to snag a duck with fishing line hanging from its mouth. Carefully, the pair coaxed hook, line and bobber out of the scavenger. It reminded Cari of the time she tried to save a goose that had fishing line wrapped around its bill. But couldn’t get close enough. She has no use for slobs who endanger wildlife by leaving fishing debris in the weeds. Neither do I.

Trouble-free art

Joe Jonas, the art instructor who sculpted the magnificent bronze in the North Idaho College library foyer, wants to do more pieces for the campus. But don’t look for anything bizarre. Said Joe: “I make art for the masses.” Noting that viewers have their own problems, he added: “They don’t need mine.” Attaboy. … Many thanks to Dave and Nancy Brockus for finding me the perfect mutt at the Humane Society Thrift Shop: a stuffed Huckleberry Hound. I won’t clean up after any other kind.

The great pumpkin?

For those who prefer socialism to capitalism this Halloween season, consider: Paula Zehr of Lowville, N.Y., produced the 1995 world champion pumpkin, weighing in at 968 pounds. The best the Russkies could do? A piddly 66 pounds. … Bloodhound Ed was surprised to see a Lakeland School District driver’sed car in front of the high school Friday afternoon - with Washington plates. … A yokel wanted to celebrate the Million (Minus-600,000) Man March last Monday with a solo one through Wallace. But he was turned down by City Hall. Do you suppose his plans to wear a KKK robe and carry a burning cross had anything to do with it?

Huckleberries

Bonner County Sheriff Chip Roos has no idea who’s spreading those rumors that Mark Fuhrman is about to join his department. Says Chip: “I never met the guy.” … News Flash: Halloween must be getting close. In its Thursday edition, the Show-No News-Press reports, “A 21-yearold Calder man was booed Oct. 18 (into the Shoshone County Jail) on a charge of aggravated assault.” Then again, he should be booed for a crime like that. And booked as well. … FYI: U.S. Sen. Larry Craig’s camp is delighted that Democratic challenger Walt Minnick has picked CdA’s Mike Kennedy to run his statewide campaign. Mike’s long on enthusiasm. But short on experience. But Minnick’s chances aren’t all that great anyway. … Oopsies: The figures submitted to the Post Falls Highway District by a former commissioner and the R.B. Wilbur Co. were estimates - not bids. And therefore not a conflict of interest. … Either it’s a typographical error or someone at the Cd’A Keeper Calendar forgot how to spell “Alzheimer’s” when he penciled in the October meeting for the Alzhwimer’s Support Group.

Parting shot

A Post Falls patrol officer wowed high school students Sept. 29 by promptly subduing a loose Doberman pinscher. The bowser had roamed the school yards for days, scaring students. When the Doberman saw the officer, it ran off. But incredibly, the dog stopped and sat down when PFPD Blue yelled out, “seitz.” That’s German for “sit.” You see, the officer had trained his Doberman to be bilingual.

, DataTimes MEMO: Gotta Huckleberry? Call the Huckleberry Hound Hotline, (800) 344-6718 or (208) 765-7125.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = D.F. Oliveria The Spokesman-Review