Climate conference planned for Saturday
Confronting the effect of global warming on North Idaho is the subject of a conference here Saturday.
“Keeping Idaho Cool,” this year’s Wild Idaho North conference by the Idaho Conservation League, will feature experts from academia, government and the private sector. It’s scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Sandpoint Community Hall, 204 First Ave.
Philip Mote, an atmospheric scientist with the University of Washington’s Climate Impacts Group, will set the stage at 9 a.m. with his talk, “Drought, Floods and Fire: What Will Climate Change Bring to North Idaho?”
At 10:30 a.m., Sam Cushman, a research landscape ecologist with the Rocky Mountain Research Station in Missoula, will speak on “Habitat on the Edge: Wildlife in a Warming Climate.”
At 11:15 a.m., Rhys Roth, co-executive director of the Northwest nonprofit Climate Solutions, will speak on “Clean Energy Independence: Can Wind and Sun Save Our Snow?”
A free forum of candidates running in legislative Districts 1 and 2 will begin at 1 p.m. It’s co-sponsored by the North Idaho Chapter of the Idaho Press Club.
At 2:45 p.m., Dan Richardson will address community-level prevention in his talk, “The Honeymoon’s Over: Taking Climate Action Seriously.” Richardson is the manager of The Canary Initiative, a project of Aspen, Colo.
The all-day event costs $25 and includes lunch. Those who plan to attend are asked to call (208) 265-9565.
– Staff reports
Hayden
Weekend clinic to teach bike safety
“Bike Fit, Bike Right” is the theme of a day of bicycle safety events Saturday at Hayden Lake Physical Therapy and Aquatic Center in Hayden.
The day will include a children’s free bike rodeo at 10:30 a.m.; a benefit luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a Coeur d’Alene High School student injured when his bike collided with a car this summer; and a free, professional bike clinic from noon to 1:30 p.m.
The children’s rodeo will include a bike course, helmet fitting and Idaho State Police safety instruction. Free ice cream cone coupons will be handed out.
The benefit luncheon is for Shawn Wilcox, 17, who was hit by a car while biking on Fourth Street in Coeur d’Alene in late August. He was not wearing a helmet and suffered a brain injury, but he is recovering and has returned to school part time.
The boy’s mother is a single parent of three, and the family is in need of help with some basic needs, including home furnishings. The benefit lunch will include hot dogs, chili, chili dogs, chips and drinks. The cost is $5 per person or $20 for a family.
The bike clinic will include a bike fitting seminar for experienced and recreational bikers. It will cover proper bike positioning as well as seat and handlebar heights. Diana Smith, a physical therapist, will discuss bike injuries and stretches for injury prevention.
Two Wheeler Dealer, a Hayden bike shop, has donated a $350 bike for a raffle.
Hayden Lake Physical Therapy and Aquatic Center is at 7780 Mineral Drive, behind the immediate care center at U.S. Highway 95 and Prairie Avenue and across the street from the Idaho State Police office.
For more information, call Kathy Baird at (208) 765-5511.
– Staff reports