Voices

Lori Brown is one of those people whose clients often run up to her and give her a big hug. “No matter where I go, I’m likely to be grabbed and hugged by someone whose wedding or high school graduation or maternity photos I’ve taken,” said Brown, the owner of Mystique Photography. “It’s such a personal thing I do for them that this bond is formed. I think I can find the beauty in everybody, and I truly love them all.”

Today Free Kids Summer Movies at the Garland Theatre - Doors open at 9 a.m., show at 9:30. Today and Friday, “Speed Racer,” rated PG. Garland Theatre, 924 W. Garland Ave. Free. 327-1050.

A recent report released by the Tax Foundation, watchdogs for the American taxpayer, indicates Idaho residents bear the 13th highest state tax burden in the nation, despite one of the lowest per-capita income rates in the country. When I hear news like this, it makes me want to become more involved in government. I get tired of learning too late about new taxes and new laws, updated codes and the latest in governmental balderdash. Through the years, however, I’ve discovered that living on the wrong side of the tracks doesn’t help when one gets concerned with governing powers.

First, Congressman Bill Sali. Now, Lt. Gov. Jim Risch. Slowly, Repub candidates are warming up to the blogosphere. Last week, Sali launched his blog with little fanfare. On Friday, Risch told Huckleberries Online that he plans to start his own, sometime around Labor Day, and continue it if/when he’s elected to the U.S. Senate. As you probably know, Idaho’s Demo bloggers have razzed Risch for his lack of knowledge and use of the blogosphere. They enjoy pointing out that Risch’s opponent, Demo Larry LaRocco, has live-blogged a dozen times or so already. At 43rd State Blues, blogger Serephin went further by YouTubing a video clip of Risch to include a dunce hat and a Munchkin voice. In a 90-minute interview Friday, Risch revealed that he plans to start blogging, too. Also, he said, he reads three blogs in the state – Betsy Russell’s Eye On Boise, Opinion Editor Kevin Richert’s one at the Idaho Statesman, and Huckleberries Online. In fact, Vicky Risch, who sat in on the interview, said she checks through Huckleberries in the morning to alert her husband to important posts. The lieutenant governor appreciates her help, too. When asked how important he considers the former first lady’s counsel and companionship, Risch said “the last line in the MasterCard commercial summed it up best: priceless.” Risch fires salvo

In the beginning, Justine Simpson’s love for volleyball went unrequited. “I’ve been in love with volleyball from the first time I saw it being played,” the East Valley senior laughed. “But it took a long time before I was ever any good at it. In fact, I was pretty bad at first. But I still loved playing and, over time, I got better and better.”

You might say Jim Nyborg is stuck in the past, but what a sweet past it is. For nine years, Nyborg has been compiling the history of Grant Elementary School, which opened in its original building in 1899 and has continued at its present location since 1980.

Liberty Lake Library Director Pamela Mogen can point to where new walls will be built and existing walls will be cut open in her part of the city’s newest building on Mission Avenue. Police Chief Brian Asmus has a much shorter list of needed renovations, but the pink carpet is definitely out.

Tough love has been in our national lexicon since the late ’70s when family therapists Phyllis and David York created an international self-help program. The principles of the program were born out the couple’s experience with their wayward teenage daughter. Now the term is bandied about everywhere, from boardrooms to locker rooms. But recently, I’ve come across three compelling examples of the original concept.