Children’s book author at library

COEUR D’ALENE – Dawn Menge, author of the children’s book “Queen Vernita’s Visitors,” will be reading and signing her book at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library, 702 E. Front Ave., on Thursday. The event will be held in the Community Room at noon, and participants are invited to bring sack lunches. Beverages will be provided by the Friends of the Library.

For more information visit www.cdalibrary.org.

Donations for Mattison baby

COEUR D’ALENE/ HAYDEN – Ryan and Jessi Mattison of Rathdrum recently spent 51 days with their baby, Sawyer Daniel Mattison, in the Sacred Heart Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, after he underwent surgery to connect his esophagus to his stomach when he was three days old. Sawyer was born with a rare birth defect called VACTERL Association or VATERS Syndrome. The defect can affect the esophagus, heart, spine, among with other abnormalities. He also will have to undergo another surgery to repair a (hole) in his heart in the very near future.

To help the Mattisons pay for the high medical bills, an account has been set up at the Coeur d’Alene and Hayden branches of Idaho Independent Bank.

Free physicals offered to athletes

COEUR D’ALENE – Area school-age athletes will have the opportunity to receive free sports physicals Aug. 13 from noon to 4:30 p.m. at Coeur d’Alene Pediatrics, 9905 N. Hess St. in Hayden. The program is sponsored by Coeur d’Alene Pediatrics, Kootenai Health and Panhandle Health District.

Exams will be done on a first-come, first-served basis. All students must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to be eligible for exams.

In addition to comprehensive sports physicals, full musculo-skeletal exams from Kootenai Health physical therapists will be provided. Those who meet certain guidelines may also receive immunizations. Vaccination records will be required. No registration is necessary.

Exams meet most area schools’ physical exam requirements for participation in organized sports programs.

For more information, call Coeur d’Alene Pediatrics at (208) 772-8940.

Free child-safety seat inspections

COEUR D’ALENE – Panhandle Health District, 8500 N. Atlas Road in Hayden, will be providing free car seat safety inspections on Aug. 10, from 1 to 4 p.m.

A limited number of new car seats will be available to those who qualify with a minimum donation of $5 each.

Appointments are required. For more information and to make an appointment, call (208) 666-2511.