Good Things In Store, Literally
When you take your wife out Friday night to check out the new Fred Meyer store in Coeur d’Alene, you know: (a) you’ve been married a long time, (b) it’s been a long winter and (c) you’ve become a native Northwesterner.
Anyhow, there I was, listening to the singing butchers and keeping an eye on a cakewalk square in the clothing department. Everyone in town was there. And it wasn’t all that cheap of a date. For all the money I spent on landscape timber and garden plants, I could have taken my sweetheart to dinner and a movie. Still, I was impressed that Fred Meyer had 2-year-old asparagus roots and the right kind of stick-em pads for my note dispenser. Now, I can hardly wait until East Sherman Avenue reconstruction is done so I can check it out.
New superintendent has unique experience
The three finalists for Coeur d’Alene School District superintendent appeared qualified. But the school board’s choice, Moses Lake Superintendent David Rawls, had an edge or two on the competition. First, he’s known as a mediator. In fact, a Moses Lake trustee said he’s so good to work with that “we hope he finishes second.” That’s high praise in an era when superintendents often are run out of town. Then, Rawls has been tested by a terrible tragedy. Only 15 months ago, Barry Loukaitis, 14, attracted national attention to Moses Lake when he shot and killed a junior high algebra teacher and two students. The teacher was Lee Caires, a former North Idaho College instructor and Coeur d’Alene tutor. Rawls and his staff helped the district and Moses Lake deal with the trauma and media onslaught. Let’s pray he never has to use that skill again.
Sandberg gives Cub fans reason to cheer
Our neck of the woods has produced its share of top-flight sports talent. John Friesz tossed footballs for Coeur d’Alene High before making his mark professionally at San Diego and Seattle. John Stockton lit up the scoreboard at Gonzaga University before teaming with Karl Malone to lead Utah into the playoffs. Ex-Super Bowl MVP Mark Rypien has built a home in Post Falls. Now, Spokane native Ryne Sandberg has come out of voluntary retirement to break the major league home run record for second baseman. On Saturday, Sandberg hit his 267th homer to pass Baseball Hall of Famer Joe Morgan’s record and lead the Cubs to a 7-6 win. Afterward, Sandberg said: “(Winning) makes it all worthwhile.” Unfortunately, for Cubs fans, Sandberg has almost as many homers this year (two) as their team has wins (four).
, DataTimes MEMO: D.F. Oliveria’s “Hot Potatoes” runs Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can comment on the items by calling (800) 344-6718 or (208) 765-7125, or by sending e-mail to daveo@spokesman.com.