Voices

First, you should know that my daughter-in-law, Stephanie, and I have been trash-talking each other via e-mail re: the presidential race. She’s voting for Obama. I’m voting for Palin, er, I mean, McCain. A typical exchange will go something like this. Stephanie: “McCain’s going down.” Me: “At least McCain doesn’t have a weird name.” Stephanie: “McCain’s name is OLD.” Juvenile stuff. We text it at all hours of the day. Last Saturday, I mentioned the text-message war to my brother Ray, sister Charlotte, and their mates as we walked from the car to the football stadium at Cheney to watch Montana outplay Eastern Washington. I continued that my two children were probably going to join Stephanie in voting for Obama. Slowly, sister Charlotte’s husband, Roy, raised his hand and said: “So am I.” Consider this. Roy’s a bona fide cowboy. He hails from Eastern Montana, where he was one of a batch of brothers who played on the offensive line in freezing weather for the high school football team in his small hometown. Also, he patrolled the dangerous rivers in Vietnam. He raised cattle and still trains champion Appaloosas. An outdoorsman now from Spirit Lake, you’d think he would be backing Sarahcuda and Geezer. If Obama-Biden is attracting cowboys like Uncle Roy, the GOP’d better turn out the lights. The party’s over. Blessed by Gil

Saturday ATOMIC CLOCK/FADED/WHITE KNUCKLE (HARD ROCK) – 8 p.m., The Grail, 4720 W. Seltice Way, Coeur d’Alene, 665-5882.

Mental illness. The words alone can stir up a variety of emotions. Unlike a broken bone or blocked artery, mental illness is not a cut-and-dried diagnosis. And while mental illnesses have been stigmatized for years, the hope among many is that the trend is changing. And for residents in Bonner and Boundary counties, it seems that is just the case. In February 2007, five residents came together and formed an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness providing the hope that many in this rural area have long hoped for. “There has been a NAMI in Coeur d’Alene for many years,” said retired physician Ann Wimberly, president of NAMI Far North which serves Bonner and Boundary counties. Since it was established in Sandpoint last year, NAMI Far North has rapidly grown to approximately 33 members.

If you haven’t explored it in a while, it’s time to take a walk in Riverstone. That huge commercial/residential condominium development along the Spokane River on the east side of Northwest Boulevard has really changed in the past year. The newest changes are along Main Street, which starts at the east end near the entry to Regal Cinemas and ends at Beebe Boulevard, the north-south connector. The architecture along Main Street resembles a narrow, old-time, European downtown. The buildings are stone, stucco and beams with high-pitched roofs and balconies serving the condos above the businesses.

For the week of Oct. 20-24 Monday – Swiss steak with tomatoes, parslied potatoes, vegetables, rye bread, pineapple tidbits.

Hopefully you’ve taken the time to notice the beautiful fall colors that have painted the Inland Northwest landscape over the past several weeks. It is the combination of the vibrant-colored foliage and ever-cooling temperatures that seems to get most folks into the autumn spirit. Surprisingly, though the plants themselves do respond to the types of fall weather that Mother Nature brings – whether it be unseasonably warm or cool, wet or dry – there is another variable that plays a much more significant role in bringing out the color of the season.

The Spokane Valley Senior Center Association has monthly daytime theme dances at CenterPlace, the city’s events center at Mirabeau Park. Last month’s dance was a Rodeo and Western Hoedown that kicked off Valleyfest. On Oct. 29 the theme will be Oktoberfest and Mardi Gras – a Real Costume Party.

Mike Anderson has been a biology teacher at Timberlake High School in Spirit Lake since the school opened in 1998. This year he was recognized for his dedication and hard work when he received the statewide award for outstanding Idaho biology teacher by the National Association of Biology Teachers. Kurt Hoffman, Anderson’s principal, nominated him. “He never really said why he nominated me. ... I don’t know if he thought I was influential or a pain,” he said.

Former West Valley High School teacher and wrestling coach John Villaro was recently sentenced for assaulting his wife in April. Villaro lost his coaching position in the spring and voluntarily quit his teaching job in August. Villaro, 35, was originally charged with third-degree assault and second-degree assault, both felonies. Villaro’s wife, Christine Villaro, told police officers that her husband pushed her down, choked her, grabbed her and tried to push her down the stairs. Police officers who responded said she had marks on her arms and throat and a lump on her head. According to court documents, she was nine weeks pregnant at the time of the assault. She suffered a miscarriage shortly after.

Fire District 8 – Commissioners reviewed rescue pumper bids and accepted the lowest bidder, General Fire. A public hearing was held on budget revenue sources and the draft 2009 budget was reviewed. Commissioners passed a resolution to declare to brush trucks surplus. The district recently hired four firefighter medics for a new paramedic program. (Source: Administrative assistant Carol Trescott) Rockford City Council – The council held a public hearing on capital improvement projects and a public hearing on increasing property taxes by one percent. An ordinance was passed raising the water connection fees for property owners from $1,500 to $4,500. A yard debris chipping day has been set for Nov. 8. (Source: Town clerk)

Spokane Valley Police arrested a trio of drug suspects Tuesday night and early Wednesday, said spokesman Sgt. Dave Reagan. Officer Tim Jones was patrolling the area of Flora Road and East Third about 8:20 p.m. when he noted a speeding pickup truck. As he attempted to pace it, the driver made several turns without signaling and then pulled into a residential driveway.

Breast Cancer Support Group – For women who want information and support through stages of cancer, meets first and third Tuesday of the month, 5:30 p.m., Cancer Care Northwest Valley Office, 12615 E. Mission Ave., Suite 200, Spokane Valley. Call 228-1244 to register.

Cheney Parks and Recreation will hold a public meeting on the final draft of the 50 Acre Park master plan at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Wren Pierson Community Center, 615 Fourth St. Consultants from Sherry, Pratt, VanVoorhis, the landscape architects who designed the master plan, will be present the plan and the cost estimates. Some features of the master plan include a dog park, aquatics, trails, open spaces and athletic fields.

For 10-16-2008

The 30th annual Quilt Show will be held Friday through Sunday at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St. “Winter Harmony” will feature 600 quilts, quilted clothing and wall hangings, along with hourly free quilting demonstrations and a quilters’ boutique.

The 30th annual Quilt Show will be Friday through Sunday at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St. “Winter Harmony” will feature 600 quilts, quilted clothing, and wall hangings, along with hourly free quilting demonstrations and a quilters’ boutique.