Agencies Scotch Reporter’s Inquiries On Liquor Laws

Anyone out there know when Idaho changed its drinking age from 19 to 21? Our Man on the Palouse tried valiantly to find out recently. First, he contacted a liquor store proprietor who didn’t know the answer but did have the state’s Alcohol Beverage Control division number. The wrong number. A telephone operator gave OMOTP the number for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Another wrong number. Desperate, he called the Idaho Liquor Board in Boise and was told by a receptionist that half the staff was at a Coeur d’Alene conference. The other half didn’t know the answer. But he did get the correct number for the ABC. Finally, he reached the source of all Idaho booze info and was told by a woman: “I’m the only one in the office right now. You’ll have to file a written request for that information.” Then, she put him on hold. Of course.

If the shoe fits …

Legislative wannabe Alan Wasserman wonders if there’s a way he can be elected without getting labeled “a politician.” Said he: “I don’t view myself as a politician. I consider myself a candidate.” Nice try, Alan. … At Sandpoint’s Conoco station recently, a minor tried to bluff his way into buying beer with a fishing license, which listed his birthday as Aug. 1, 1976. When the attendant pointed out that the license showed him to be 20 years old, the young man replied (drum roll, please): “It’s last year’s license.” … Post Falls Mayor Gus Johnson still slips as he heads for City Hall to confer with City Administrator Jim Hammond and says, “I’m going to see the mayor.” Hammond, of course, traded in his mayor’s cap this summer for his current role.

Old habits die hard

Retired postman Larry Stoebel was quick to respond when John Huber blamed “junk mail” for the rapid growth in mail volume. Corrected Larry: “That is third-class mail.” Then, why do I throw it in the trash without reading it? … Idaho’s U.S. Senate candidates laughed heartily last week when Idaho Falls reporter Gene Fadness addressed a question to “Senator” Minnick during their public-TV debate. Do you suppose his Republican challenger will be laughing if the label sticks after Nov. 5? … Mary Charbonneau, an independent candidate for the U.S. Senate, three years removed from Massachusetts, has a different take on nuclear waste. She’s for it. Said she during the Boise debate: “I would prefer to call it technology and not waste. It’s a waste if you bury it because there’s so much potential in the future with this new technology.” It’s also a waste if you vote for Mary.

Huckleberries

The Chokecherries column of the North Idaho College Sentinel reports that NIC’s record attendance this fall includes 2,006 males, 1,511 females - and six “unknown.” Never fear, “unknowns,” writes Chokecherries, “we have counseling services to help you decide.” … Say, wasn’t that former Rathdrum fire chief Bill Rudd peddling homes in the Nickel’s Worth to North Idaho “snow birds” from Lake Havasu City, Ariz.? … Bumpersnicker: “SAVE IDAHO! Spay or neuter anti-hunters.” … Hmmm. Former S-R colleague Jess Walter had better write another book. “In Contempt,” the book he co-authored with O.J. Simpson prosecutor Christopher Darden, has landed on the 50 percent-off table at Hastings. Jess, who also wrote Randy Weaver’s story, “Every Knee Shall Bow,” is the featured speaker this morning at an NIC journalism conference.

Parting shot

Hmmm. For some reason, the city didn’t close Sherman Avenue Sept. 26 for the Lake City High homecoming parade. Angry drivers revved their engines behind the slow-moving floats. Motorists veered off onto side streets. It could have been uglier. On Thursday, however, the street was closed for Coeur d’Alene High’s annual homecoming parade. Was a lesson learned from the Lake City High foul-up? Or do Coeur d’Alene officials bleed only Viking Blue?

, DataTimes MEMO: Gotta Huckleberry? Call the Huckleberry Hound Hotline: (800) 344-6718 or (208) 765-7125; e-mail: daveo@spokesman.com.

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