The County Lines
WASHINGTON
Adams County
Othello
Hoping to battle giant retailer Wal-Mart, the Chamber of Commerce recently hosted Cheryl Lampe, an Omak jewelry store owner, to discuss retaining market share. Lampe told chamber members to stock what Wal-Mart doesn’t and keep out-of-season items handy. Lastly, Lampe suggested finding a way to work with Wal-Mart to get referrals for repairs. The Omak Wal-Mart refers all jewelry repair to Lampe’s store.
Ferry County
Republic
Ferry, Stevens and Pend Oreille County WSU Cooperative Extension offices are holding a coached stewardship planning workshop beginning Sept. 12 and running through Oct. 17. The workshop shows landowners what “makes a forest tick” and gives basic information on ecology and forest management. For more information, call (509)684-2588.
Grant County
Moses Lake
Although rumors continue to circulate about the impending doom of Pacific Northwest Sugar Co., the sugar refinery is looking forward to its best season yet. Area farmers have planted 21,000 acres of sugar beets, which will be harvested mostly in late September through October. PNSC plans to hire 300 employees, who will start work Sept. 23. The refinery has had several financial setbacks in its first two operating seasons, but management hopes this is behind them.
Lincoln County
Wilbur
The Wilbur-Creston Wildcat football team is looking for a third coach. With 30 young men turning out this season, the Wildcats will sport both a varsity and JV program - hence the need for another coach. At the helm again this year is Bill Grigsby, with assistant Jesse Hardt. In neighboring Almira, the football turnout is much thinner. The Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors saw only 12 boys at equipment checkout, but hope to get 20 by the start of the season.
Pend Oreille County
Newport
Residents of Pend Oreille Pines nursing home will have a new buddy to help take care of them. Buddy, a perky little poodle, is now the “facility dog.” His job is to give elderly residents someone to love and take care of. Poodles are known to be “people dogs” and are light enough to sit on even the most delicate lap. The facility used to have a larger dog, but found it didn’t work out as the dog wasn’t the people type, as Buddy seems to be.
Spokane County
Spokane
The Friends of Manito are sponsoring a tour of the Ferris perennial garden at Manito Park on Sept. 24 at 1 p.m. The tour will start at the south end of the garden next to the park offices.
Stevens County
Colville
A local man is hoping for a breakthrough on the American entertainment scene. Jeff Tadlock, with the help of his father, Dan, headed east to Nashville last year to start a country-crossover recording career. Jeff, now with managers, publishers and promoters in tow, is recording in Seattle with partner Brian Taylor. The duo, known as Tadlock and Taylor, is cutting their demo. Dad Dan is busy behind the scenes.
Whitman County
Pullman
A Labor Day fun fair will be held in Reaney Park on Monday from noon until 4 p.m. The event, sponsored by Pullman Foursquare Church and Friends, will have free games, food and special attractions. The church is hosting the fair to celebrate its 20th anniversary in the community.
IDAHO
Benewah County
St. Maries
The Community Clinic, set to open in mid-October, will provide health care to low-income patients who don’t qualify for government-funded medical care and don’t have health insurance. The clinic needs volunteers and these donations: a lockable filing cabinet, a calculator, a cash box, file folders, clipboards, blood pressure cuffs, a digital thermometer, a stethoscope, flashlights, batteries, a stapler and monetary contributions. Mail donations to Community Clinic, P.O. Box 255, St. Maries, ID 83861.
Bonner County
Sandpoint
Panhandle Health District I is offering hepatitis A vaccine to children 2 to 18 years old through the state immunization program. The vaccine is free, but an administration fee, based on family size and income, may be charged. For details, call the district at (208) 263-5159.
Boundary County
Eastport
A benefit for the Hall Mountain Fire Department will feature the Kelly Hughes Band. A spaghetti dinner will be served at 4 p.m. and music starts at 6 p.m. at the Good Grief Tavern. Dinner is $5 and entertainment is $3.
Kootenai County
Coeur d’Alene
The second annual Special Olympics Northwest Celebrity Golf Classic includes a breakfast cruise, 18 holes of golf, lunch at The Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Club, a silent auction, banquet and celebrity symposium and two nights at The Coeur d’Alene Resort. Celebrities attending include Bill Buckner, Darrell Imhoff, Jerry Kramer, Merlin Olsen, Mark Rypien, Gale Sayers and Wayne Walker. The benefit runs Tuesday through Thursday and helps support more than 17,000 Special Olympic athletes from the Northwest. The banquet is at 6 p.m. Wednesday; tickets are $50. For more information, call Stephanie Samson at (208) 323-0482.
Latah County
Potlatch
Scenic Six Community Development will have a public meeting to discuss formation of a Potlatch Recreation District. How the recreation district would be funded and what services it would provide will be discussed at 7 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Potlatch City Hall council chambers. Scenic Six is a nonprofit volunteer organization formed in northern Latah County. For more information, call (208) 875-0715.
Shoshone County
Kingston
The Silver Meadow Adventist School is accepting registration for students in first through eighth grade. An open house will be held 4-7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the school, 41467 Riverview Drive.
Individualized lesson plans are available. For more information, call (208) 682-4983 or (208) 556-3751.
MONTANA
Lincoln County
Yaak
A public reading by short story writer and essayist Pam Houston will be presented by the Yaak Valley Forest Council and the Montana Arts Commission.
Houston is a prize-winning author of two story collections, “ Cowboys are My Weakness” and “Waltzin the Cat.” The free reading will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Yaak Community Center.