Camp Fire Candy Supporting Local Youth

Are you wondering what to give your loyal and new clients or employees this holiday season?

What could be more meaningful than purchasing a gift that supports programs, which treats boys and girls, ages 3 to 18, concrete, common sense, positive skills and qualities essential for healthy youth development?

Well, we have the answer...give the unique gift of Camp Fire candy - delicious Almond Roca, Almond Caramel Clusters or Creamy Smooth Mint Patties - yum! Each gift will be wrapped in winter-themed paper WITH A PERSONALIZED GIFT CARD!

We will even deliver your gifts for you - what could be easier?!

All of this for the low price of only $9.95 per package (plus shipping if we ship for you). This price includes FREE gift-wrapping, plus a personalized gift card and envelope.

For more information and to order this great gift, please contact Valerie Coffey at 509-747-6191, ext. 20 or send her an email, vcoffey@campfireinc.org.

Camp Fire USA Inland Northwest Council
524 North Mullan Rd
Spokane Valley, WA 99206
509-747-6191 or 800-386-2324

Santa’s Pantry: Food for Fines at Cd’A library

You can help your neighbors and help yourself at the same time by participating in Santa’s Pantry: Food for Fines, Dec. 8-27, at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library. Donate nonperishable food for people or pets and overdue fines on your library card will be forgiven. Food for Fines cannot be applied to charges for lost or damaged items.

“During this season – and especially this year – there are people who have can use some extra help,” said Library Director Bette Ammon. “So this is an excellent time to come back to the library, get those overdue items returned, and have your late fees cleared by giving the gift of food.”

Library patrons are welcome to donate to the food drive even if they don’t have any overdue fines. The collected donations will be given the Community Action Partnership Food Bank in Coeur d’Alene and the Kootenai County Humane Society. More news and information about the Coeur d’Alene Public Library is available online at www.cdalibrary.org.

League of Women Voters sponsors land-use panel at Cd’A library

“Both Sides of the Fence – Balancing Land Use Issues” – a panel discussion examining property rights and land-use in North Idaho – will be presented Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m. in the Community Room at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library, 702 E. Front Ave.

The panel is being sponsored by the Kootenai County League of Women Voters in conjunction with “Between Fences,” a traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution at the library through Dec. 20. Refreshments for the evening will be provided by the Friends of the Coeur d’Alene Public Library. The panel will be moderated by Coeur d’Alene Press Managing Editor Mike Patrick and participants will include Art Macomber, land use attorney; Kootenai County Commissioner Rich Piazza; developer Steve Meyer; Collin Coles, Senior Planner for the City of Post Falls; Lee Shellman, neighborhood action advocate; Gerry House, chairman of an electric utility board and Wes Hanson, community/environmental activist.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

“Between Fences” deals with the history of fence building in the United States and the issues of property ownership and land use. The free exhibit is open to the public on the upper level of the library during regular library hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Related local exhibits are on display in the Parkside Gallery on the lower level.

“Between Fences” has been made possible in Coeur d’Alene by the Idaho Humanities Council, the Richard K. and Shirley S. Hemingway Foundation and the Avista Foundation. Local projects are also supported by the Friends of the Coeur d’Alene Public Library.

People who need accommodations to attend in library programs are asked to contact the staff prior to the event at 208/769-2315. More news and information about the library is available online at www.cdalibrary.org.

PHD Celebrates Home Health Month with Food Drive

Panhandle Health District (PHD) is honoring National Home Health Month this November with a month-long non-perishable food drive for area food banks. The drive will culminate Nov. 21 with an open house and chili feed at PHD for the public.

"Panhandle Health District's Home Health program earns national honors year after year for its exceptional patient care," says PHD Director Jeanne Bock. "Collecting food is a great way for us to engage the community in that caring spirit."

Employees in each area of PHD are collecting food, cash, cleaning products and pet food for one of four local food banks. PHD is encouraging the public to add to the donations that began on Halloween with a staff potluck. The food will go to the Rathdrum Food Bank, Athol and Spirit Lake Food Bank, Post Falls Food Bank and the Coeur d'Alene Community Action Partnership.

The drive will end Nov. 21 with an open house at PHD headquarters, 8500 N. Atlas Rd. in Hayden, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The public is invited to bring non-perishable items for the food banks and celebrate National Home Health Month with free flu shots for the first 30 visitors and chili for all.

At the open house, Panhandle Home Health will demonstrate its Telehealth monitors. Telehealth is cutting edge equipment that enables homebound patients to record their vitals and transmit them to Home Health staff for frequent monitoring. The equipment "talks" patients through the process.

Boxes for food bank donations will be in the PHD lobby through Nov. 21.

Royal Raffle Benefit & Ball for the Classical Christian Academy

The Classical Christian Academy is having their largest fundraiser of the year at the Greyhound Park on November 22nd. Dinner tickets cost $50. We'll kick off the evening with a sit-down dinner catered by Raci with The Oval Office, after which you will be serenaded by some of CCA's own talented young artists. Following dinner we will have a celebration of monumental proportions as we boogie to the sounds of Tuxedo Junction, wherein on-site dance professionals will provide fun and entertaining instruction for everyone in ballroom, swing, and other styles of dance. We'll top off the evening with the drawing of the winning tickets for our incredible Royal Raffle prizes. Prizes include: An ATV Family Package, a Cruise Vacation, 2-Week Scotland/England Vacation, and a 1 Week Getaway to Hawaii! Tickets for prizes are $100 each. For more information, visit www.ccaroyalraffle.com

Auditions with Lake City Playhouse

Lake City Playhouse
Auditions for Little Shop of Horrors in CdA

When: Monday-Tuesday, Oct. 20-21, at 6:30 pm; Callbacks Oct 22
Where: Harding Family Center, 411 N. 15th St., Coeur d'Alene
Production dates: Jan. 16-31, 2009
Directed by Marina Kalani
For more information: 208-661-6857; littleshopofhorrors2009@yahoo.com

Little Shop of Horrors is a rock musical based on a 1960‘s dark comedy movie of the same name. It’s about a nerdy florist shop worker who raises a plant that feeds on human blood. The music is in the style of 1960s rock and roll, doo-wop and early Motown, including "Skid Row (Downtown)", "Somewhere That's Green", and "Suddenly, Seymour", as well as the title song. In 1986, Little Shop of Horrors was made into a hit movie starring Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene and Steve Martin.

Be prepared to sing a verse and chorus of a song of your choice and cold readings from the script. Those selected for callbacks will sing selections from the musical, perform additional readings from the script and a short dance segment.

Inland Northwest Bank introduces the $50/$50 Plan

There’s never been a better time to help our local charities, and Inland Northwest Bank is ready to do its part. Simply open a new Premier New Outlooks, President’s Choice Business or Analyzed Business account with INB and set up a direct or electronic deposit. We’ll deposit $50 to your new account* – and we’ll also happily donate $50 to a local charity of your choice. You’ll enjoy knowing you’ve helped a local charity and received an extra $50 for yourself. Plus, you’ll get all the great benefits that come with your new account.

Add $50 to your wallet, and $50 from your heart. Introducing from INB

* Minimum opening deposit is $100. Direct deposit or electronic deposit required to qualify. Charity donation cannot be claimed as a tax deduction by the customer. INB will make the payment to the customer and to the charity of choice after the direct deposit or electronic deposit has been confirmed. Stop by any of our 12 branches today for all the details.

Installation of Postmaster

Coeur d’Alene Chamber Members are cordially invited to attend the oath of office ceremony and installation of David L. Hoover as Postmaster of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho on Friday, October 3rd, 2008 at one in the afternoon at the Coeur d’Alene Library Community Room 702 E. Front Ave. Refreshments following.

Partners in Business Meeting

The next Partners in Business is on Wednesday, October 1st at the Idaho Department of Labor’s Coeur d’Alene office. Address: 1221 W. Ironwood Drive, Suite 200 in Coeur d’Alene. Lunch will be available at 11:30am and the program will start at noon.

“Utilizing the Hidden Resources” in business will be presented by Bill Jhung, Director of the Idaho Small Business Development Center. (The October newsletter is attached.)

Olive Garden will supply spaghetti with marinara sauce, penne with meat sauce, garden- fresh salad, and breadsticks for $8.00. Bottled water is included.

If you prefer to bring your own lunch, attendance will be $2.00, which includes bottled water.

Please RSVP by 5:00pm on Friday, September 26th. Feel free to contact me by email or phone.

Darkness to Light's Stewards of Children Sexual Abuse Prevention Training

North Idaho Panhandle Kiwanis Presents:

Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children
Sexual Abuse Prevention Training
Presented by: Ruth A. WIllford, RNC MSN Kootenai Medical Center

**Free of Charge**
Offered to employees and volunteers of local Non-Profit organizations providing care, curriculum, or services to area children.

Tuesday, September 30, 2008 4:30-7:30pm
Coeur d’Alene Public Library Community Room
Please RSVP- Jina Copstead (208) 818-5394

Steward of Children is a comprehensive sexual abuse prevention training program that educates adults to prevent and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. The Stewards of Children program is designed for organizations that serve children and adolescents, proving prevention training for staff, volunteers, parents and other interested adults. We will begin by offering this program to all interested non-profit organizations. Core features of this training are as follows:
• A video integrating segments of sexual abuse survivors relating their stories of violation and healing, with segments from the author of the curriculum and from professionals who interface daily with the problem of sexual abuse.
• An interactive workbook for each participant.
• Discussion about critical issues in sexual abuse prevention and the relevance of these issues within organizations that serve children and adolescents.

Sponsored by: North Idaho Panhandle Kiwanis

Community Forum on Ending Homelessness

On Monday, September 15th at 6:30 p.m. at the Harding Family Center, 411 15th Street join the City of Coeur d'Alene for a forum to discuss the homelessness problem in our area. The forum will provide the community with research and data collected regarding homelessness in the Coeur d'Alene area and provide an opportunity for questions, answers and discussion.

RDI Teams Up With Habitat for Humanity

Beginning September 1, RDI Heating & Cooling will begin yet another mission to help support our community. John Hoffman, customer care specialist at RDI, has initiated a collaborated effort with Jim Brannon, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity, to launch a program that will benefit all people of Kootenai County.

RDI has set a goal to raise $1000 for Habitat for Humanity. From September 1 through October 31, they will be presenting Kootenai County homeowners with an incentive to help them reach that goal. Every customer that receives a furnace or heat pump maintenance from RDI will get a $20 discount on their fee when they donate $10 to Habitat for Humanity.

This partnership is just one of the many humanitarian efforts made by RDI. "We help to make our customers lives better by helping to make our community better," says John Hoffman of RDI, "We believe it is our duty to be at the forefront of this movement; helping those less fortunate than us."

Schedule your furnace and heat pump maintenance between September 1 and October 31 and experience the difference RDI can make in your home and in the future homes of those less fortunate.

Call RDI Heating & Cooling at 762-9857 to schedule your next maintenance and support your local Habitat for Humanity.

Idaho’s RideShare Dollars in High Demand

With gasoline prices at or over $4.00 per gallon, Idahoans are more interested than ever in finding efficient ways to get to work, services and events. Whether they are businesses looking to address parking demands and ensure efficient and timely commutes for those coming to work from the area’s rural reaches, communities seeking increased multi-modal infrastructure by providing bicycle racks to stimulate efficient access to school, or commuters wanting to avoid increased congestion in their daily commute, there is a program that helps meet these unique and changing needs. The RideShare Program assists in special efforts to promote commuting, which conserves energy, improves air quality and reduces congestion.

Recently, the Idaho Transportation Department Division of Public Transportation received requests in excess of $260,000 for this Federal Highway Administration-funded program that in Idaho translates to $60,000.

The RideShare Program features a number of flexible and individualized features particularly conducive to meeting Idahoan’s unique needs.

An interactive website called RideshareOnline.com is a free service provided by the Idaho Transportation Department that introduces commuters to others who might want to carpool or vanpool to work together. RideshareOnline.com maximizes the opportunity to coordinate transportation and leverage existing resources at the most individual level possible.

Users can access this site 24 hours a day to find a carpool partner to share the ride to work and defer the cost of a daily commute. Through this site, user can match their work schedule and other commute needs so that their time spent commuting is not appreciably different than if they were driving themselves.

Public Vanpools are also a feature of the program. When money is available, entities have been able to obtain Rideshare Vans using Rideshare funds and local matches to generate Rideshare Programs within their communities. Vans are typically equipped with air conditioning, tinted windows, reading lights, am/fm radio, and bike racks – making for a relaxing and productive commute environment. Depending on the environment, riders can meet at prearranged locations or in more rural areas, arrange to make stops at residences along the way. Several vanpool services already exist in Idaho.

Increasingly employers, and particularly hospitals, are finding Rideshare a popular alternative to addressing employee transportation needs. By helping to lower commute costs, employee retention increases and demands on parking lots decrease. Some employers choose to provide preferential parking for carpoolers, and they make their vans available for additional employee uses and other community vanpool needs when the van is not in use. The greater their effort to coordinate with others and leverage the public resource, the more meaningful the mobility asset becomes to the local community and the State’s mobility infrastructure.

So, when applications exceed funds available by more than four times the funds available, how does Idaho maximize this limited resource in an environment of dramatically increasing demand?

The obvious answer is to continue to encourage all Idahoan’s who are interested in carpooling to utilize RidershareOnline.com. The web-based service already serves the entire state, and is limited only by the number and amount of participants in any given area. The system is designed to protect one’s confidentiality. A mapping system verifies the applicant’s originating address and shows the approximate location of other commuters on the match list and is specific to the day and time of travel to any destination. Those individuals can be selected that best suit the applicant’s commute route. The database regularly solicits an update; information can be updated at any time.

Another benefit of the web-based program is its ability to help identify interest and demand for a vanpool service in any given area.

Idaho’s existing RideShare Program also supports a subscription to Statewide Rideshare Software and the marketing of the same.

According to Division of Public Transportation Administrator Randy Kyrias, ITD is pleased with the interest in this program and notes that this demand “further emphasizes the need for coordination and the need to leverage community resources to ensure Idahoan’s mobility.” Applications will be assessed by the degree to which they meet customer service, coordination and connectivity objectives as outlined in the state’s strategic vision in Idaho’s Mobility and Access Pathway (IMAP). For more information about IMAP, go to: http://itd.idaho.gov/PublicTransportation/statewide_mobility_plan.htm.
Grants will be issued subsequent to that assessment.

For more information about RideshareOnline.com, contact Kirk Montgomery, ACHD Commuteride, (208) 387-6163 or Kmontgomery@achd.ada.id.us.

Salty Design Foundry Featured in HOW Magazine

Salty is excited to announce that two designs were recently published in HOW Magazine's Self Promotion Design Annual. The Gravity Anarchy catalog and the Long Story Short Coffee business card pieces are both featured. They could be found on page 67 in October's edition. This is huge for Salty, it isn't often that you see work from this area recognized at this level. The fight for good design continues. You can read more about it at Salty's blog : saltydf.blogspot.com.

Wood Art Show & Joe Simpson’s Paintings

The Jacklin Arts & Cultural Center
(at the old church in Post Falls)
4th Street at William Street
September 16 through October 10th, 2008

Featuring 19 different Wood Artists displaying works of wildlife, bowls, furniture, décor, carvings and many other interesting and wonderful pieces: Charlie Benson, Everett Best, Chris Billingslea, Can Chadwick, Jim Christiansen, Mary Dee & Allen Dodge, Russ Fairfield, Carl Herron, Dick Kurth, Greg Moffatt, Adam Olscamp, Jim Osmanski, Jerry Poindexter, Tom Reul, Rick and Fran Riddle, Ron Rock, Paul Rubero, Sterling Sanders, and the Coeur d’Alene School of Woodworking.

Painting by Jo Simpson are also featured. All pieces are for purchase and a special gallery reception -- where visitors can meet the Artists, view their works and partake of light refreshments and wine—will be held on the third Friday of the month, September 19 from 5 pm – 7 pm.

There is no charge for visiting the wood art show during normal gallery hours of 9:30 am – 2:30 pm, Monday through Friday, or by special appointment. There is also no charge for the special gallery reception, however donations are welcome and the JACC does receive a portion of the revenue from all purchases made during the duration of the show. (The Jacklin Arts & Cultural Center is a non-profit, 501 (c)(3), Promoting the Arts and Community. Questions may be directed to (208) 457-8950.

Learn about the Job Accommodation Network

Are your clients protected by The Americans with Disabilities Act? If so, mark your calendars!

Tuesday September 16th ~ 1:00-2:30 pm
Idaho Department of Labor 1221 W. Ironwood Drive #200
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83814

An informative chat for service providers with Bobby Ball, Executive Director of the Idaho Task Force on the Americans with Disabilities Act. Learn about J. A. N. (The Job Accommodation Network): A free consulting service designed to increase the employability of people with disabilities by:

1. providing worksite accommodation solutions,
2. providing technical assistance regarding the ADA,
3. educating about self employment options.

Sponsored by: Idaho Task Force on the Americans with Disabilities Act
Hosted by: Disability Action Center & Idaho Department of Labor

Please call for reservations 664-9896 (DAC)
or 769-1558 ext. 3996 (IDL)
Do YOU know their rights?

2008 Idaho Regional SBIR/STTR Conference

Ready..Set..Go!
"Three Steps to Success"

Evening Session Tuesday, October 28, 2008
All Day Wednesday, October 29, 2008

All Sessions and Lunch - Only $100

Doubletree Hotel Boise-Riverside
2900 Chinden Boulevard
Boise, Idaho 83714

Ready: Attend one of six local workshops. You will learn the basics of the SBIR/STTR programs, if SBIR/STTR is right for your business, and how to search for grant topics that meet your business needs.
Learn More or register, click here.

Set: Attend the 2008 Idaho Regional SBIR/STTR Conference.
• Start writing your Phase I grant proposal
• Choose from two tracks:
1. Track One: Writing your SBIR/STTR Phase I proposal
2. Track Two: The Phase II proposal, commercialization and government financials
• Learn grant writing techniques and significantly improve your chances of winning an award.
• Meet program managers from five federal agencies that have SBIR/STTR programs.
• Learn what is needed for a successful SBIR/STTR Phase I and Phase II application.

Go: Get the help you need after the conference to be successful. At the end of the conference, meet with your local economic development specialist or TechConnect or SBDC representative. These are the organizations and the people that will help coach you through the grant proposal process after the conference.

Learn More or to register, click here.

Silverlake Tire and Auto of Coeur d’Alene Gains AAA Approval

Bellevue, Wash. August 14, 2008 – AAA just made searching for a qualified and trustworthy auto repair facility in Coeur d’Alene easier by certifying Silverlake Tire and Auto as a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility.

To receive their AAA-approved status, the staff of Silverlake Tire and Auto has:
• An established history of excellent customer satisfaction and community reputation,
• Met or exceeded AAA’s standards regarding required tools and equipment,
• ASE certified technicians, and
• Maintained a clean and safe facility.

As part of the AAA approved network, Silverlake Tire and Auto has agreed to:
• Guarantee service or repairs for 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first,
• Offer a written estimate, return replaced parts upon request, and have customer approval before doing any work beyond the estimate, and
• Let AAA arbitrate any disputes regarding the quality of service or repairs.

Silverlake Tire and Auto will display the AAA Approved Auto Repair logo to identify them as a reliable facility. The shop is located at 274 W Hanley and can be reached at 208-772-6081. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:30pm. For a complete list of AAA-approved auto and auto body repair facilities, call 800-AAA-HELP or log on to www.AAA.com and click on Automotive.

KXLY Announces 30 in 30 Fitness Challenge

WHO: KXLY4 News Anchor, Dave Erickson
Ironman Triathlete

WHERE: Spokane area fitness club (Global Fitness and Oz Fitness)
Indoor Pool, Stationary Bike, Treadmill or Indoor Track

WHEN: September 1 - 30, 2008, everyday

WHY: To raise $30,000 for Cancer Patient Care, non-profit agency
100% of all money raised stays in the Inland Northwest.

Dave's "30 in 30" ... challenges the public to join his efforts by committing to 1, 5, 10 or all 30 triathlons during September and/or collect donations for it.

For Non-Triathletes: "30 Minutes of Exercise a Day, for 30 Days".

Donations / pledges can be made through www.cancerpatientcare.org
Daily updates, exercise & nutritional tips will be posted on Dave's KXLY4 blog
Corporate Sponsorship Recognition via Dave's KXLY4 blog.

Sunhine Celebration with Waddell & Reed

The Coeur d’Alene office of Waddell & Reed is hosting a ‘Sunshine Celebration!’ on August 8th from 3:00pm to 8:00pm at their office at 509 W. Hanley Ave, CdA. Free food, door prizes and giveaways will add to the live music and a chance to win a brand new Chevy Tahoe! Bring a friend and join the fun! Contact 208-765-1600 with any questions.

Mudgy and Millie Unveiled in September

The Celebration to Welcome Mudgy & Millie to Coeur d'Alene Saturday, September 13th, 2008 with the Premiere of Mudgy & Millie Children's Book and the Dedication of The Mudgy Moose Trail.

Mudgy the Moose and his playmate Millie the Mouse are whimsical creations from best selling author and Coeur d'Alene resident, Susan Nipp. With her vision and the assistance of renowned illustrator, Charles Reasoner, the two characters come to life in the new children's book, Mudgy & Millie.The hide-and-seek game depicted in the book will take form in the real world as a public art project - The Mudgy Trail.

While Mudgy the Moose ventures on his trail to find his missing friend, Millie the Mouse, children and their families can follow along through Coeur d'Alene helping Mudgy. The trail will be marked with five large bronze sculptures starting at Tubbs Hill traveling through Downtown Coeur d'Alene and ending lakeside at Independence Point. For more information and the full stroy of Mudgy and Millie please visit the official Mudgy and Millie Website.

And as always if you have any further questions, please feel free to call the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce at (208) 664-3194.

Kroc Center Announces Marketing Position Available

The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center seeks an experienced Director of Sales and Marketing. Director is responsible to develop and implement marketing and public relations plans and a membership sales campaign for the center.

Qualified applicants must possess a bachelor's degree in marketing or public relations and 3-5 years experience in a related field.

Submit resumes to elaine.mansoor@usw.salvationarmy.org or 201 E. Harrison, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814 by August 15. Call (208)667-6301 for a job description.

Fraud Awareness Week - Senior Fraud Presentation

The Idaho Department of Insurance is spearheading Fraud Awareness Week, August 18-22, 2008. After Governor Otter signs a proclamation declaring Fraud Awareness Week earlier in the month, free meetings will be held throughout the state during the event week. The threefold objective is to:

• Promote anti-fraud education,
• Raise awareness about the impact of fraud and white-collar crime on society, and
• Encourage Idahoans to report fraud to the appropriate authorities.

Learn how fraud might affect you and your family and how you can protect yourself from it. Idaho fraud expert Lori Huwson will share her knowledge on Wednesday, August 20th, from 1:00 to 2:00 pm at the Lake City Senior Center, 1916 N Lakewood Dr, Coeur d’Alene.
Please make plans to attend this important and informative meeting!
Visit the Department of Insurance website for information about classes in other locations, www.doi.idaho.gov.

"The Great Demand: China and Today's Investor"

The Coeur d’Alene office of Waddell & Reed is hosting an entertaining and educational workshop titled ‘The Great Demand: China and Today’s Investor’. Attendees will learn what China’s economy is predicted to look like after the Olympics and how to take advantage of it. This workshop is being made available at no cost. There are three times; Tue July 29 6-8:30p. in CdA, Thur July 31 6-8:30p in Spokane, and Sat Aug 2 10:12p in CdA. A light meal, delectable dessert and refreshments will be served. Please call 888-704-3877 to RSVP and receive location information.

"Shred Event" on August 1st

Horizon Credit Union invites you to join us for our annual Open House and “Shred Event” Friday, August 1, 2008 from 11am - 3pm. Please visit us for a chance to shred your old documents along with a barbeque, fantastic giveaways, onsite music and more! Located at 123 W. Hanley Ave, Coeur d’Alene, ID (Southeast Corner of the Silver Lake Mall).

Silverwood's "Aftershock" Opens

With much anticipation from the public, Silverwood Theme Park's newest roller coaster opened yesterday, sending crowds on the ride of their lives. "Aftershock" is a thrilling 1 minute, 32 second ride that takes riders forward, backward and everything in between. With rave reviews coming from first day visitors, the ride is sure to draw in thousands of roller coaster enthusiasts.

To read more about Silverwood's newest ride, check out the article in today's Coeur d'Alene Press.

Pita Pit ranks in “The Future 50” Listing

Pita Pit Inc. has earned a first ever ranking on the “The Future 50” list in the July 2008 issue of Restaurant Business as one of the fastest growing restaurant chains in the nation. Restaurant Business also stressed that Pita Pit is well positioned in the current economy to continue growing, saying “… you just can’t keep a good concept down …”

According to Restaurant Business and a Technomic, Inc. estimate, Pita Pit Inc. system wide sales in 2007 grew by over 18% compared to 2006.

“It’s exciting to see that we are recognized once again for our quality growth as one of the leading quick casual franchises in the United States”, said CEO Jack Riggs. “Our healthy food concept is becoming increasingly popular, and our company mantra of ‘good franchisees in good locations’ is creating a remarkably fertile environment for individual success.”

Pita Pit Inc. opened 37 new restaurants in 2007, an increase from 26 new store openings in the previous calendar year. There are currently 168 Pita Pit locations in 37 states, with another 50+ stores in development.

To view the entire listing, visit www.monkeydish.com.
To view the Pita Pit website, visit www.pitapitusa.com.

Circling Raven Golf Course Receives National Praise

The Golfer's World blog from USA Today recently featured Circling Raven Golf Course in a full-length article, highlighting points from a reporter's visit to Coeur d'Alene this summer. The article also mentions the exceptional hospitality of the Coeur d'Alene Resort. Below is a small piece of the article:

"Where the Circling Raven course excels is value: You would be hard pressed to find more golf for the dollar anywhere in the USA. You can often play the course in season for $65, and greens fees are always less than $100, and you are getting better golf than several courses I could pinpoint on Golf or Golf Digest’s Top 100 list, and better golf than many courses charging two, three or even four times as much. Between the standout Circling Raven course and its value, and the bargain priced luxury and service of Coeur d’Alene Resort and its fine golf course, a golf visit to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho is a no brainer."


To read the full article, click HERE.

Coeur d'Alene: 3rd Best City to do Business

In a recent study done by Inc.com and Newgeography.com, Coeur d'Alene ranked number three in the nation for "The Best Cities to do Business." The 2008 rankings show a dramatic change since 2004, depicting the change of momentum in the U.S. and where business is thriving. The study notes that the rankings show both short-term and long-term growth, where jobs are being created, and prime locations for starting or expanding a business. Coeur d'Alene ranked 3rd behind Midland, TX and St. George, UT.

To see the complete list click HERE.

How to Retire in Comfort and Safety

Waddell and Reed offer a retirement seminar on June 25th, How to Retire in Comfort and Safety. A seminar for people who are retired, thinking about retirement, or starting to worry about whether you'll have enough money to retire. Are you wondering if you can make your retirement savings last? Concerned about inflation reducing your purchasing power? Worried about the stock market's violent swings? Then be sure to attend this valuable seminar and address all your questions. 7:00 p.m. at 509 W. Hanley Ave. in Coeur d'Alene. Complimentary seating for RSVP guests or $20 at the door. RSVP at 765-1600. Beverages, chocolate and dessert will be served.

Sponsorship Opportunities for “Smart Women, Smart Money” Conference

Idaho Women’s Financial Conf., Inc. has many sponsorship opportunities for the 2^nd annual “Smart Women, Smart Money” financial conference on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008. Idaho Women’s Financial Conf, Inc is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free financial education to Idaho Women through annual “Smart Women, Smart Money” conferences.

“Smart Women, Smart Money” is an all-day conference that will be held at the Coeur d’Alene Inn. It is a day packed with information on personal finances taught by top national and local speakers. The conference is free to attendees and paid for with sponsor donations. Without sponsor support, this conference would not exist. Women from all ages and backgrounds have been empowered and encouraged from past conferences held in Boise, Coeur d’Alene, and Eastern Idaho. They leave comments such as, “Thank you so much for an awesome conference that will help me and my family get out of debt and start saving. Thank you!”

Sponsor benefits in Coeur d’Alene include speaking opportunities, exhibit tables, networking with over 300 women, recognition in pre-conference marketing, and others. Businesses or individuals who are interested in financially supporting “Smart Women, Smart Money” should contact Liza Carberry at 208.332.2997 or info@smartwomensmartmoney.com for more information.

Golder Associates Announces Staff Changes

In a recent Press Release, Golder Associates announced additions to their staff:

Tim Martin, PE is a Principal for Golder Associates and is on temporary assignment in Ghana, Africa at a new gold mine for Newmont Gold. He will be performing a geotechnical investigation for new access roads, rock spoil piles, and small earth dams related to surface water management.

Chris Sneider, PE is the acting manager, while Tim Martin is on assignment in Africa, for the Golder offices in Spokane, Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint. Golder Associates is a global earth engineering and environmental consulting company, specializing in siting, permitting, environmental compliance and remediation services as well as geotechnical and water resource engineering disciplines. Golder has 6,000 employees in over 130 offices worldwide.

John Monks, PG, LHG was recently hired as a Senior Project Hydrogeologist in the new Golder office in Sandpoint, ID. Mr. Monks is a Licensed Hydrogeologist in Washington and a Registered Professional Geologist in Idaho.

Greenbriar Announces Grand Opening of Restaurant and Martini Bar

MEET ME AT 315!

A new restaurant and martini bar will be opening at the Greenbriar Inn on June 24!

The name of the new restaurant is “315 Martinis and Tapas”. The address is 315 Wallace, and we will open at 3:15 PM. It is located in downtown Coeur d'Alene at the Greenbriar Inn.

The definition of tapas is “small, savory dishes often served as a snack or with other tapas as a meal”. Plated dinners will also be available. 315 will feature fun weekly specials, unique martinis and live music Friday nights. Reservations are not necessary, however, Tuesday night we will offer specials on the menu for groups, so it is suggested that if you plan on coming with more than four in a group, that you call for a table.

Indoor restaurant, lounge, bar and deck seating for as many as 60 people is available. The restaurant will be open on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights. Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays are reserved for private parties, weddings, and other group events. The Greenbriar has catered all over North Idaho and Spokane as well as at their facility for 23 years.

Tubbs Hill Book Signing by Scott Reed

You are enthusiastically invited to share in a special event on Thursday, June 19th from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Coeur d’Alene Library. Local conservationist and well-known environmental attorney Scott Reed will unveil his newly published book The Treasure Called Tubbs Hill.

Scott will be available to sign purchased copies of the book, which will be available for sale that evening by members of the Tubbs Hill Foundation. All proceeds of book sales will be given to the Foundation to assist them in their goal of preserving the natural and aesthetic qualities of this outstanding city park.

We hope you will join us at this exciting celebration. Refreshments will be provided.

Have a Heart, Help Build a Home

You are invited to join the Children's Village for this special presentation on June 12th at 7:00 p.m. at the Best Western Coeur d'Alene Inn. We have exciting news from Children's Village and Children's Village Foundation regarding future goals and fantastic plans for a much needed third home and educational wing. The architectural renderings will be unveiled and we will begin a capital campaign for construction, endowment fund growth, and operational needs. Your involvement is welcomed. Please share with others this invitation and reserve your ticket by calling Children's Village at (208) 667-1189 or emailing tinka@thechildrensvillage.org

Coeur d'Alene Rotary Announces Group Study Exchange

The Rotary District is sponsoring the Group Study Exchange to Central America in January and has extended the deadline for applications until June 14 and the interview to Spokane, June 22.
This is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity that provides travel grants for teams of participants to exchange visits between Rotary districts in different countries. This year’s trip will be Jan. 22-Feb. 24 to Rotary District 4250, encompassing Belize (English speaking country), Honduras, and Guatemala.

Team members will:
• study the host country’s institutions and ways of life,
• observe their own vocations as practiced abroad,
• develop personal and professional relationships, and
• exchange ideas.
Team members can come from corporations, small businesses, community organizations, medical and educational facilities, government offices, and nonprofit agencies.

This program is available to young professionals between the ages of 25 and 40.

For more information, click HERE

Farewell to Superintendent Amend

A farewell open house for retiring Superintendent Harry Amend will be held Wednesday, June 4, at the Midtown Center, 1505 N. 5th Street. Chamber and community members are invited to stop by anytime between 3:30 and 6 p.m. to thank Harry for his contributions to public schools and wish him well on his future endeavors.

Music for the Wise

The Coeur d’Alene Arts & Culture Alliance will launch ‘Music for the Wise’ on May 27th! This is a great new program where the Alliance arranges for musicians to perform in assisted living facilities and nursing homes – at no charge to the assisted living facility or nursing home. The objective is to bring the art of music to the elderly that are unable to travel to concerts. On May 27th, ‘Let’s All Drum’ will launch the start of this program with a performance at Ivy Court at 2:00 p.m. The event will feature Cassidy Duhadway and her wonderful interactive drum circle performance!

The Alliance is still seeking sponsorship of this program to adequately compensate the musicians for their performances! If you are interested in this sponsorship opportunity, please contact Tami Wahl, Manager of the Arts and Culture Alliance, at 208-292-1629.

Mayor Bloem Receives Honor from The Salvation Army

Each year The Salvation Army selects one advisory board member from across the Western Territory (13 western states) for a special award in recognition of their extraordinary efforts in support of Army's mission. This year we (Coeur d'Alene Kroc Center) nominated Mayor Sandi Bloem and I am very please to announce that Sandi has won the Trail Blazer of the year award! This award will be presented to Sandi in Los Angeles June 15th during our graduation and ordination of our newest officers.

A special thanks to Victoria Bruno for putting together the compelling letter of Mayor Bloem's accomplishments.

This is a great recognition of not only Sandi's accomplishments but speaks also of all of our hard work to make the Kroc Center possible.

Inland Northwest Blood Center Celebrates 10 Years!

Celebrate North Idaho Blood Center’s 10 Year Anniversary! Stop by on your way to the Business After Hours!

Open House
Thursday, May 22, 2008 – 4 to 6 p.m.
1341 Northwood Center Ct.
Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814

Help the Inland Northwest Blood Center celebrate ten years of service to blood, platelet and plasma donors at the North Idaho Center in Coeur d’Alene. The Outback Steakhouse will cater our Open House, beginning with a short program at 4 p.m. Please join us for some great food and tours of our North Idaho Center and the newest addition to our blood mobile fleet – Life Saver 3.

In addition, register to donate blood between 4 and 5 p.m. and be the first to receive a special-edition North Idaho 10 Year Anniversary Summer T-shirt!

For more information, please call (800) 423-0151.

Leadership Expert John Maxwell Coming To Spokane!

Do not miss this opportunity to spend an afternoon with Dr. John Maxwell at the Spokane INB Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, July 29th. Dr. Maxwell is an internationally recognized leadership expert, speaker, and author who sold over 13 million books. Tickets are on sale now at www.maxwellspokane.com. Discounted ticket prices are available until June 15th.

Jacklin Arts & Culture Center at The Old Church Announces Friday Events

Idaho Dance Theater, North Idaho Tour on Friday, May 16, 2008 at 7:30 pm at the Jacklin Arts & Culture Center at The Old Church, 405 William Street in Post Falls' historic district. The cost is $15 in advance or $20 at the door; $10, students & seniors. To order your tickets or for more information, please call Marina, (208) 457-8950, 10-2 pm, M-F, or e-mail theoldchurch@verizon.net.

Post Falls Artist Exhibition Opening Reception for 10 PF artists whose work is on exhibit
until June 8. Friday, May 16, 2008, 5:00 pm at Jacklin Arts & Culture Center at The Old Church, 405 William Street in Post Falls' historic district. Free to everyone--to anticipate POST FALLS' DAYS! For more information, please call Marina, (208) 457-8950, 10~2pm, M-F,
or e-mail theoldchurch@verizon.net.

City Council to Host Public Hearing

WE INVITE YOUR PARTICIPATION! The Coeur d’Alene City Council will be conducting a public hearing on the Infill Development Overlay District Regulation Amendments for the DO-E (Design Overlay-East); M (Mid-Town Overlay); DO-N (Design Overlay-North) on Tuesday May 20th, 2008 at 6:00 p.m., in the Coeur d’Alene City Library Community Room, 702 Front Avenue.

Please click here for more information.

NIC Booster Club Luncheon features Charlie Nipp

Local real estate owner, developer and manager Charlie Nipp will speak at the North Idaho College Booster Club luncheon at noon Tuesday, May 13 at the Outback Steakhouse in Coeur d’Alene. The public is welcome to attend. Information: (208) 769-3348.

Local real estate owner, developer and manager Charlie Nipp will be the speaker at the North Idaho College Booster Club Luncheon at noon Tuesday, May 13 at the Outback Steakhouse in Coeur d’Alene. Nipp will speak about how athletics affected his business career and the impact NIC has on the growing Coeur d’Alene community. Nipp began creating and developing commercial properties in 1978 and is involved in the management and ownership of Parkwood Business Properties. He holds a business degree from Whitworth College as well as a master’s degree from Portland State University. He is active in a variety of civic organizations throughout the northwest, including the Kootenai Medical Center Foundation, the Coeur d’Alene Area Chamber of Commerce and Jobs Plus. The public is welcome to attend the meeting. The cost of lunch is not covered. Information: (208) 769-3348.

Revitalizing Your Community Through Grassroots Leadership

Inland Northwest Partners invite you to attend the 2008 Summer meeting on Wednesday, June 11th at the Red Lion Templin's Hotel. The event will host speakers from all over the Inland Northwest and feature a variety of topics that focus on building and maintaining a strong community. The cost is $30 per person, which includes breakfast and lunch (cancellations with refunds will be accepted through June 9th). To register or for more information, click HERE.

Accommodations will be available at the Red Lion Templin's Hotel (208-773-1611) for $97 and up per night or at the Sleep Inn (208-777-9394) for $89 and up per night.

Inland Northwest Partners can be contacted at (509) 495-4064.

Transitions Toward Flexibility

Twiga Foundation, Inc. and Flex Options at the U.S. Department of Labor, Region 10, Women's Bureau, invite all employers to attend a collaborative workshop on workplace flexibility. The workshop will focus on retention, recruitment, performance and productivity, job satisfaction, commitment, attendance and morale. The workshop will be held on Friday, May 16th at The Greenbriar Inn, located at 315 Wallace Avenue in Coeur d'Alene. The event will go from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and the cost is $55 per person which includes lunch.

Register online by clicking HERE or for more information, contact Sherri Valentine at (208) 602-1694.

Inland Northwest Society for Human Resources Management presents Legal Conference in May

The 2008 INSHRM Human Resources and Legal Conference will be held on May 21st at CenterPlace at Mirabeau Point Park in Spokane Valley. Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. and the program begins at 8:15 a.m. This is an all day event which includes lunch and materials with the cost. For INSHRM members, the cost is $100, for non-members $125 and for student members $45. To register, send an email to communication@inshrm.org.

For more information, click HERE.

Nonprofit Workshops for May

The Idaho Nonprofit Center is offering two workshops for Nonprofit organizations on May 6th.

"Nurturing Your Donors during Economic Turmoil"
What can you as a staff and board do to minimize the impact of the current economic turmoil on your organization? Come learn the organizational philosophy of donor stewardship, how to step up contributions from previous giving levels and how to do it all over the long haul. You'll gain:

• An understanding of donor stewardship as an organizational philosophy/attitude
• Knowledge of methods for removing roadblocks to incorporating donor stewardship into your organizational culture
• Three new strategies for immediate implementation for improving donor engagement

Presenters: Kristin Prieur of WhiteRock Consulting and Laurel York Odell of Concepts in Writing, Inc.

Half Day workshop - $65/ person

"Proven Strategies to Strengthen Your Board"
What defines an exceptional board and how can you become one? How do board members stay engaged, enthusiastic and committed to the organization's mission? This workshop is ideal for board members and executives who want their organization to thrive and not just survive. You will learn how you as board members can reach your full potential by:

• Focusing meetings on mission-based topics and actions
• Creating effective committees
• Operating with specific and clear job descriptions
• Engaging in techniques to attract, retain and motivate board members
• Tackling that thorny problem of fundraising

Presenters: Lynn Hoffmann, Idaho Nonprofit Development Center Executive Director, Russ Lowder, Idaho Nonprofit Development Center Training Director.

Half Day workshop - $65/person

Morning Workshops will be held from 8:30 a.m. to Noon, afternoon workshops will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The cost to attend both workshops is $125 and includes lunch.

For more information or to register, click HERE

TODAY: Idaho Character Council Hosts Web Seminar on Persuasiveness

Friday April 25, 2008
12pm to 1pm Pacific Time

Computer:
Please attend our online meeting using Microsoft LiveMeeting by clicking here a few minutes before the meeting to download some secure software if a first time user:
Join the meeting.
Phone:
At the time of the meeting please call Dial-in Number:
1 (218) 486-1600 with Participant Access Code: 823168#

To read more, click HERE

16th Annual American Cancer Society's Kootenai County Relay For Life

What can you do to help fight cancer?

Participate in the 16th Annual American Cancer Society's Kootenai County Relay For Life May 30 & 31, 2008 Friday 5:00 pm through Saturday 12:00 pm Greyhound Park & Event Center There is still time to participate! Register your team by clicking HERE.

For more information, call Lori Nelson at 620-0175 or email kcrfl@yahoo.com for more information!

Department of Labor Offers Unemployment Insurance Seminar

The Department of Labor is offering a free Unemployment Insurance Seminar to help employers control and manage unemployment insurance costs.. A half-day seminar is scheduled in Coeur d'Alene on May 6th and 7th from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. You must register online as space is limited!

Topics include
• Unemployment claim process review.
• Unemployment insurance compliance update.
• Wage & hour overview.
• Introduction to new online system for managing your employer account.

Choose a 4-hour session: 8:00 a.m. – Noon OR 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.

May 6th and 7th
Hampton Inn, 1500 Riverstone Dr.

Register online by clicking HERE
For more information, contact Laura Cullen at (208) 332-3570, ext. 3253.

You can also learn how to manage your unemployment insurance account online using our new Employer Contact Online Reporting System — an interactive, secure Web site for you!


Report employee separations.

View charges to your account.

Communicate securely with the Department of Labor Online.

Provide current business contact information.

Access links to important Idaho Labor Web sites.

Download a how-to guide from our Web site at labor.idaho.gov under the News & Resources menu.

Baskin Robbins 31 Cent Scoop Night!

On Wednesday, April 30th from 5:00 p.m to 10:00 p.m., Baskin Robbins nationwide will host a 31-cent scoop night to benefit the national Firefighters Foundation. Baskin Robbins will be donating $100,000 to the Foundation. Join the Coeur d'Alene location where they will have local firefighters, a magician, and balloon animal-makers. They will be selling 2.5 ounce scoops for 31 cents and have many other items at this price. Any questions, please call Shawn at 667-0031.

“Dreams and Illusions” Regional Quilt Show

Fabrications Quilt Artists, an Inland Northwest group, will offer a juried quilt exhibition, “Dreams and Illusions,” on Saturday and Sunday,
April 26 and 27, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The quilt show will be held at the Jacklin Arts & Cultural Center at the Old Church, an historic structure beautifully restored by the
Post Falls Community Partners into a regional community cultural center.

The fifty juried quilts are each of original design, submitted by area art quilters.

Linda Anderson, textile artist from Colbert, will be the featured artist, with several pieces on display. Anderson creates visual complexity and sculptural depth in fabric,
using a layering process to produce a quilted fabric collage. Starting with a piece of hand-dyed fabric,
Linda lets the beauty of the fabric lead her to the ideas, inspiration and accidents that evolve into her art.
Techniques Anderson employs include silk screening, fiber dyes, embroidery and beading.

The event will include a marketplace, and there will be door prizes. Price of entry is $5.00. For further information, contact Anna Turner at Sew Uniquely You, 509-467-8210.

Idaho Department of Labor Gives Honors

Jo Ann Edmiston, manager of the Department of Labor was presented the 2008 Director’s Award by Roger Madsen, Director of the Idaho Department of Labor. She was recognized for her exceptional service and visionary leadership as the manger of the Coeur d’Alene and Silver Valley offices. This past year, the Coeur d’Alene office received the American Legion National award for services to veterans, was involved in the Hard Hats, Hammers, & Hot Dog event, and the Job Fair. Mr. Madsen praised the Coeur d’Alene office for its creativity and commitment to provide excellent customer service to both the job seekers and employer community.

Congratulations, Jo Ann!

Newly Launched Regence Foundation Accepting Grant Applications

The newly formed Regence Foundation, corporate foundation of The Regence Group, is dedicated to recognizing and promoting practices that will transform the health care system, and it is looking to partner with organizations in Idaho that share its vision. The Regence Foundation estimates it will contribute $2.5 million in its first year and $4 million per year thereafter to organizations addressing its three funding priorities: health care access and quality, the use of technology to engage and educate health care consumers and improvements to the way the health care system supports individuals and families during the end-of-life process.

The Foundation is currently accepting grant applications from organizations that improve health care access and quality, and it will soon accept applications from organizations that transform health care through consumer engagement and technological innovation. Later this year, it will also invite applications from organizations working to improve end-of-life issues. In conjunction with its recent launch, the Foundation also announced five employee-nominated inaugural grants of $10,000 each to organizations working to improve health care access and quality. In Idaho, the inaugural grant was awarded to the Snake River Community Clinic in Lewiston.

"With approximately 213,000 uninsured Idaho residents, we feel a special responsibility to partner with organizations - large or small -working to build healthier communities," said Mike Alexander, chair of The Regence Foundation's board of directors. "Our Foundation is committed to using the power of philanthropy to drive significant change in the health care system."

John Stellmon, President of Regence BlueShield of Idaho, is among the new Foundation's board members.

To learn more about The Regence Foundation, or for more information about applying for a grant, please visit www.regencefoundation.org.

H4 Construction and Manufacturing Fair Hosts 450 Kids

Yesterday, about 450 students from the Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls, and Lakeland school districts were hosted at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds for "Hard Hats, Hammers and Hot Dogs", a construction and manufacturing fair that gave them hands-on experience at many jobs in an around the Coeur d'Alene Area. Thank you to everyone who made this event possible!

Discover Coeur d'Alene Audio Tour

The Leadership Class of 2007 is proud to present their Legacy project, "Discover Coeur d'Alene", a driving audio tour that takes listeners through the rich history of our community. The CD touches on Coeur d'Alene landmarkes like The Fort Sherman Museum, Higgins Point, Sherman Avenue and much, much more! Purchase your CD today at the Coeur d'Alene Chamber for only $12.99 plus tax. This makes a great souvenier or gift and is unique only to Coeur d'Alene. For more information, contact Toni at 415-0112.

Gear Review and Demo Day

The Coeur d'Alene Canoe and Kayak Club presents the 3rd annual Gear Review and Demo Day on Saturday, April 26th at the Independence Point Beach in Downtown Coeur d'Alene. From 11:00 - 3:00 p.m., watch demos, visit vendors, try out gear, and enter to win a raffle for a whitewater raft trip! Click HERE for more information.

Our Kids: Our Business Breakfast

You are invited to attend this breakfast presentation, featuring Dr. Robert Anda, M.D., M.S. He will be speaking on "Connecting the Dots" between social well being, health, community economic impact, and adverse childhood experiences. Plan on attending on April 24th at the Coeur d'Alene Resort from 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. The cost is $15 per person or $120 for a table. To register, call 208-667-8112 or email janet@kootenaiunitedway.org.

North Idaho Weight Loss Challenge

The North Idaho Health Network (NIHN), North Idaho College's wellness program Spirit of Health , and Kootenai Medical Center have come together to organize and promote a community-based weight loss challenge in an effort to promote health, wellness, and fitness throughout North Idaho. The weight loss challenge will run from May through September, with initial weigh-ins taking place from April 26th through May 2nd. The final official weigh-ins will take place from September 27th through October 2nd, 2008. Individuals can participate alone or in teams of 3 - 5 people. Sponsorships are available for this event. For information about participating or becoming a sponsor of the challenge, please contact Wade Larson at 762-7519.

Event Acquaints Students with Manufacturing, Construction Jobs

Hundreds of middle school and high school students are signed up for Kootenai County's first ever Manufacturing and Construction Career Day on April 15th at the county fairgrounds.

Dubbed "Hard Hats, Hammers and Hot Dogs", the event will give young people first-hand information on the many skills and crafts in the manufacturing and construction sectors. After orientation and under supervision, they will be able to operate heavy equipment if they choose and try their hand at any one of many trades from brick laying and welding to surveying and trim carpentry.

The career day was developed by the Workforce Development Task Force of Kootenai County, which includes many of the participating businesses that are also financial sponsors. The Lakeland, Post Falls, and Coeur d'Alene School Districts have each registered more that 100 students for the event. Private school and home-schooled students have also registered.

The event, running from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at the Fairgrounds, offers four three-hour blocks during which the students will receive a safety briefing and then get their chances to operate one of any number of pieces of heavy equipment and tackle one of the crafts or trades before wrapping up with hot dogs while they visit information booths.

The list of business participants includes:
Haskins Steel Co., Kimball Office, ACI Northwest, Kootenai Electric, RDI Heating and Cooling, the Spokane Home Builders' Association, Stock Building Supply, Overhead Door Co., High Tech Heathing & Cooling, EW &NI Cement Masons, Bayshore Systems, Ironworkers Apprenticeship Program, the North Idaho Building Contractors Association, Interstate Concrete, Ground Force Manufacturing, Buck Knives, Century Publishing, Habitat for Humanity, Holehan Electric, Command Labor, Contractors Northwest, CDA Power Tools/Makita, The Haskins Co., Moss Adams, Simplex Grannel, Champion Pumping, Tradesman International, Dan Lyson Concrete, Altek Manufacturing, Associated General Contractors, All Wall, the Laborers Union, Avista Corp., Eclipse Traffic Control and Spokane Rock Products.

Costco, Sysco, Panhandle State Bank and Super One Foods are donating the food.

For more information, contact Toni Sayler at 415-0112.

Unleash Your Leadership Potential

ISBDC invites you to a powerful business training opportunity to help you become a highly effective leader, whether you supervise a few people or run the whole organization.

The 7 Habits for Leaders is a Premier Leadership Training program for the 21st century. It is designed to help you unleash your potential as a leader, and your team’s potential, for a breakthrough to sustained superior performance.

Your organizations will:
• realize breakthrough results;
• maximize the contribution of each team;
• execute key goals with excellence;
• enjoy measurably more motivated work teams;
• foster an environment of candor and openness; and,
• benefit from new and better ways to grow the business.

This two-day workshop will provide life changing benefits. The principles are powerful; the instructional method makes the principles stick. You will appreciate the take-away concepts and tools to easily apply what you learn. It is not about a quick-fix; it is about real and lasting improvement!

North Idaho business leaders said about this workshop:

"I was profoundly affected by the principles and how they can help me to be not only a better manager but (a better) person as well."

"The content, presentation and interaction were all excellent, leading to growth and a challenge that will have a lasting impact to me and the organization I lead."

One participant said the tools from the workshop alone are “easily worth $30K.” Learning and using these habits will help you manage yourself, lead others, and unleash potential you never knew existed in your business!

Through a partnership between the ISBDC and Franklin-Covey, the training which usually costs $800 will be available for only $395 per person.

When: May 2 & 3, Friday and Saturday,
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Where: NIC Work Force Training Center in Post Falls

Register: Call (208) 769-3333 or visit idahosbdc.org

Race the River Triathlon at Riverstone

Riverstone Development has announced its Race the River Triathlon scheduled for July 6th. The race will feature a .5 mile swim, an 11 mile bike ride and a 3.1 mile run. Visit the website at www.racetheriver.com for more information and to register.

Earth Day Coeur d'Alene

Celebrate Earth Day in Coeur d'Alene on April 19th from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m at the Harding Family Center. Jane Cantwell will be the featured presenter with her Raptor program. Kids can enjoy face painting, eco-art projects for kids, a tree climber, story telling, and many vendors fromt he community offering earth-friendly products.

If you have questions, please contact Anissa Duwaik at 208-659-4213 or curleyredd@aol.com.

Museum of North Idaho Opens for the Season

The Museum of North Idaho is excited to announce that it will be opening for the season on Tuesday, April 1st. Their hours will be Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, April 5th is a free museum day for all visitors! The museum is located in front of Coeur d'Alene City Park at 115 Northwest Blvd.

The museum's feature exhibit Wings Over North Idaho explores local aviation beginning with Weeks Field as the first municipally owned airport in the United States. Visit the Museum of North Idaho and discover what you always wanted to know about the Coeur d'Alene region and gain insight into its fascinating history. Using a touch screen, visitors can learn more about area communities, recreation, industry, natural disasters, and the Coeur d'Alene Indians. Watch a video, ring the signal bells from the Steamboat "Flyer" and view photos and models of the early steamboats that cruised Lake Coeur d'Alene. Enjoy historical replicas, geology displays, and much more.

Admission for the museum is $3.00 for adults, $1.00 for children 6 - 16 and under 6 years old is free. There is a family rate for $7.00 for two adults and children under 16.

The Museum's annual meeting, banquet and program will be held Tuesday, April 15th at 6:00 p.m. at the Hayden Lake Country Club. For more information, contact the Museum of North Idaho at 664-3448, dd@museumni.org, or visit www.museumni.org.

Kootenai County Population Growth Ranks 29th on National Scale

In a recent news release from the Idaho Department of Labor, Kootenai County was recognized for its 2.8% population growth from mid-2006 to mid-2007. This took our population to about 135,000 people. The growth rate ranks Kootenai County 29th for population growth among large urban centers nationwide. The Boise-Nampa Metropolitan area ranked 13th with a 3.5% increase and Idaho Falls ranked 15th with a 3.4% increase.

To view the complete news release, click HERE.

Planning Commission Public Hearing

The City of Coeur d'Alene invites you to provide your comments on the following issues:

Infill Development Overlay District Regulation
Amendments for the DO-E (Design Overlay – East);
M (Mid Town Overlay); DO-N (Design Overlay – North);
(See map on back) These amendments to the Zoning Code
would modify the development standards in the following
ways:
• For the DO-E (Design Overlay – East) Increase the
allowable building height from 35 feet to 38 feet for commercially
zoned property and;
• Add a design guideline establishing maximum
horizontal dimensions minimum separation of
buildings facing a street; and For all Design Overlay districts
– establish sideyard setbacks for construction abutting
existing single-family residences.

The Public Hearing will be held on Tuesday, April 8th at 6:00 p.m. int he Coeur d'Alene City Library Community Room, 702 Front Avenue.

For more information, click HERE.

Cena Coeur d'Alene hosts The Coeur d'Alene Olive Oil Company

Join Cena Coeur d'Alene on March 28th from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. to sample the CDA Olive Oil products and Cena's amazing wines. The cost is $5 at the door. Bring a friend! Don't miss this event and the specials running that night only! Call 765-2500 for more information.

UI-Cd'A Offers New Spring Course

The University of Idaho Coeur d'Alene is offering a spring course in "Organizational Communication Theory and Research". The course begins March 28th in Coeur d'Alene. The class will provide an overview of current theory and research in organizational communication, as well as interpretive and critical perspectives on organizational culture, organizational change, organization and environment relationships, management systems and power relationships. Live classes at UI-Cd'A are offered nights and weekends and additional courses are delivered online. Credits earned for certificate completion also can be applied toward an undergraduate or graduate degree.

For more information or to register, call (208) 667-2588 or visit www.uicda.uidaho.edu

Coeur d'Alene Ranks 21st in Forbes Business and Career Study

In Forbes 10th annual ranking of the best places for business and careers, Coeur d'Alene made its mark as the 21st best small metro community for businesses and careers. Elements that affected the rankings included solid job growth, an educated labor supply and low business costs. Coeur d'Alene also ranked #3 for job growth, far above the other 24 ranked communities. Among other top cities noted in Forbes' study were Pocatello, Idaho and Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the number one ranked small metro community.

To read the complete article, click HERE.

The Governor's Select Committee on Health Care

Join the Governor's Committee on April 2nd from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Kootenai Medical Center and share your opinions on:

• More graduate Medical education training programs
• Easier access to Medical school education
• Expansion of nurse education opportunities
• Health coverage for all Idaho citizens (2 options)
• Reduction of instances of chronic disease and obesity
• Incentives for wellness and penalties for unhealthy behaviors
• A primary "medical home" for all Idaho citizens
• Assist physicians in updating to electronic health records
• Health benefits expansion to include mental health and substance abuse treatment
• Your concerns and ideas about health care

To review the Governor's Idaho Health Care Summit recommendations, click HERE

Inland Northwest Partners 2008 Spring Meeting

Stimulating Job Growth: Tools, Tips & Tax Incentives
March 19th, 2008
Mirabeau Park Hotel, Spokane Valley, WA

The program is from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and includes speakers from INWP as well as Idaho Department of Commerce, Lake City Development Corporation, Lincoln County EDC, Port of Whitman County and Austin Consulting. The cost is $30 for INP members and $50 for non-members. Payments will be accepted at the door.

To register, visit www.inwp.org.

Lead Safe Work Practices

The National Paint and Coatings Association and The Training Network, Inc. are offering a one day Lead-based Paint Training program for renovators and remodelers. This program, which follows the current HUD-EPA curriculum, will be directed towards people who work in state and municipal agencies, community and social service organizations, home (or code) inspection companies and contractors. The information presented in this training will be beneficial to the remodeling and renovation industry, including sales, marketing adn administrative personnel as well as workers and supervisory staff. It is also designed to be very informative for general rehabilitation workers such as drywallers, painters, carpenters and the general homeowner handyman.

Register online at www.leadsafetraining.org

Location: Coeur d'Alene Shilo Inn
Date: Tuesday, March 25th
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Contact: Kara Stevens (208) 332-7319

Downtown East Infill Regulations Workshop

We invite your participation! The Design Review Commission and Planning Commission will be conducting a continued workshop concerning the Downtown East Infill Regulations and Design Guidelines on Tuesday, March 18th at 12:00 p.m. at the Coeur d'Alene City Hall, Old City Council Chambers.

There will also be a public hearing on the proposed expanded role of the Design Review Commission for projects in the Downtown Core and the East, North and Midtown Infill Overlay Districts and proposed amendments to the existing design regulations on Tuesday, March 18th at 6:00 p.m. in the Coeur d'Alene City Library Community Room, 702 Front Ave.

Click HERE for more information.

Be The One

The Coeur d'Alene Junior Miss program is proud to host a presentation on "Accepting the Challenge to Reach Beyond Yourself" on Monday, March 17th from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. at Woodland Middle School. Coeur d'Alene High School Substance Abuse Counselor Greg Sommers and Lake City High School Intervention/Prevention Specialist Jillian Rowley will be delivering a presentation aimed at challenging young adults to accept each other for who we are. The event is free and open to the public and strongly encouraged for middle and high school students. For more information, contact Kim Washko at 659-7537.

TierPoint Offers Business Continuity Expo

TierPoint's 3rd Annual StayConnected Expo event on March 26th will provide a full day of seminars dealing with Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery. You won't want to miss the opportunity to hear from leading experts on associated new trends and technologies that will help keep your business protected. Topics include "Ethernet as a Second Language", "Network Security", "Data Center Power" and many more.

For full details and to register online, click HERE. For more information, contact TierPoint at (509) 688-2555. The expo will be held at TierPoint's office at 23403 E. Mission Avenue in Liberty Lake.

St. Patrick's Day Celebration at the Lake City Playhouse

Lake City Playhouse will be hosting a St. Patrick's Day Celebration Monday night, March 17th at 7:00 p.m. with entertainment from Turning Tide, an eclectic celtic combo, The St. Patrick's Irish Dancers and JJDion. All proceeds will go towards assuring that the Lake City Playhouse continues to present theatre that reflects high standards of production, education and entertainment for our community. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Call 667-1323 for reservations.

Children's Village Spring Charity Auction & Dinner

Join the Children's Village Foundation on Friday, April 11th for their Spring Charity Auction and Dinner. Tickets are $48 per person or $92 for a couple. Corporate tables seat 8 people and are $400. All proceeds benefit the youth residing at the Children's Village. The event will feature both live and silent auctions. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the event will begin at 6:00 p.m. Seating is limited, so be sure to make your reservations today by calling the Children's Village at 667-1189.

Congratulations to Beutler & Associates

Century 21 Beutler & Associates was recently name the "Number one Century 21 Office in the World in 2007" at the International Century 21 "Power of Gold" Convention. At the conference in Orlando, Florida, the Coeur d'Alene office was recognized out of 8,000 offices in over 50 countries around the world. Beutler & Associates has six offices and about 250 sales associates and ranks among the top ten Century 21 offices in the nation, sitting among offices of up to 850 employees.

Congratulations to Beutler & Associates for their hard work and generosity towards our community! To read the Coeur d'Alene Press article, click HERE.

U.S. Small Business Association Offers Disaster Assistance

Loans up to $1.5 million at 4% interest available to small business owners through SBA's disaster declaration. See more details below.

Incident: IDAHO SEVERE WINTER STORMS & EXTRAORDINARY SNOWFALL
Disaster: ID-00007 Declaration: 11184
Occurring: January 25, 2008 through February 29, 2008
in the Idaho counties of: Bonner, Clearwater & Kootenai
and the contiguous Idaho counties of: Benewah, Boundary, Idaho, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce & Shoshone
and the contiguous Montana counties of: Lincoln, Mineral, Missoula & Sanders
and the contiguous Washington counties of: Pend Oreille & Spokane

Filing deadline for applications for economic injury: December 4, 2008
Type of Disaster Loans:

• Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL): Loans for working capital to small businesses and small agricultural cooperatives to assist them through the disaster recovery period. EIDL assistance is available only to applicants with no Credit Available Elsewhere - if the business and its owners cannot provide for their own recovery from non government sources.
• An applicant does not have Credit Available Elsewhere when SBA determines that the applicant does not have sufficient funds or other resources, or the ability to borrow from non-government sources, to provide for its own disaster recovery. An applicant that SBA determines can so provide for its own recovery has Credit Available Elsewhere
  
  Credit Requirements:
• Repayment: SBA's economic injury disaster assistance is in the form of loans. Applicants must show the ability to repay all loans.
• Collateral: Collateral is required for all EIDL loans over $5,000. SBA takes real estate as collateral where it is available. Applicants do not need to have full collateral; SBA will take what is available to secure each loan.
  
  Interest Rates:
• The interest rate is 4.000%.
  
  Loan Term:
• The law authorizes loan terms up to a maximum of 30 years.
• SBA determines the term of each loan in accordance with the borrower's ability to repay. Based on the financial circumstances of each borrower, SBA determines an appropriate installment payment amount, which in turn determines the actual term.
  
  Loan Amount Limit:
• Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) amounts are limited by law to $1,500,000. The actual amount of each loan, up to this maximum, is limited to the actual economic injury as calculated by SBA, not compensated by business interruption insurance or otherwise, and beyond the ability of the business and/or its owners to provide.
  
  Loan Eligibility Restrictions:
• Noncompliance: Applicants who have not complied with the terms of previous loans are not eligible. This includes prior borrowers who did not maintain required flood insurance.
  
  Insurance Requirements:
• To protect each borrower and SBA, SBA requires borrowers to obtain and maintain appropriate insurance. Borrowers of all secured loans must purchase and maintain full hazard insurance for the life of the loan. Borrowers whose property is located in a special flood hazard area must purchase and maintain flood insurance for the full insurable value of the property for the life of the loan.

For more information, visit www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance

2008 Artist Showcase

The Coeur d'Alene Art Association will host the 2008 Artist Showcase, April 18, 19, & 20 at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds. 12 - 7 p.m.

Friday and Saturday and 12 - 5 p.m. Sunday with a public reception on April 18 from 5 - 7 pm. 45 local artists will be displaying/selling their work, giving demonstrations, and providing hands-on projects for the public. Admission and parking are free. We are also looking for businesses or individuals who are interested in becoming Purchase Patrons. Patrons commit, in advance, to buying a piece of original art (prices and subject vary to fit most budgets and tastes). A special reception is held just for patrons before the show is open to the public where they have first choice of available art. This is a fun, quality evening including wine, music, and hors d'oeuvres. In addition to the reception, patrons will receive a gift bag with goodies and are recognized in various ways before and during the show through posters, and ads. They will also receive a one year subscription to the associations newsletter. For more information, or to sign up to become a Purchase Patron, call Cindy at 699-6935, Carol at 765-1437 or Joy at 664-6759. Thank you for supporting the arts.

Cena Coeur d'Alene Welcomes Zerba Cellars

Join Cena Coeur d'Alene on March 6th (this Thursday) from 5 - 7 p.m. for an exclusive evening with Zerba Cellars. Zerba Cellars is a family owned Oregon winery, located in the heart of Walla Walla Valley. Cena will have dishes from March's menu for sampling that evening. Cena Coeur d'Alene is located at 182 E. Neider. $5 at the door.

Call 765-2500 or email coeurdalene@cenatogo.com for more information.

A Celebration of Women

In recognition of Woman's History Month and to honor and celebrate the women who are and have been important to our lives, a Celebration of Women will be held Wednesday, March 12th from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Greenbriar Inn, 315 Wallace Avenue in Coeur d'Alene. A buffet dinner and dessert is available for $18 per person and must be prepaid. Beer and wine is available.

Mail your check early for dinner only to Women's History Dinner, P.O. Box 2582, Hayden, ID 83835. Seating is limited and checks for dinner must be received by March 8th.

The dinner is sponsored by American Association of University Women, Human Rights Education Institute, Kootenai County Democratic Women's Caucus, League of Women Voters, North Idaho Head Start, and WomenSpeak, an outreach project of the Idaho Women's Network.

For more information, call Kathy Beechler at 667-0648 or Cary Miller at 772-7785.

Viola Concert to be held at The Old Church

On Sunday, March 9th at 2:30 p.m., Harmony Ranch and The Jacklin Arts & Cultural Center at The Old Church will present an afternoon of music featuring Diana Clemons.

Diana is Founder and Program Director for Harmony Ranch Therapeutic Riding Center, a non-profit organization that provides equine experiences for persons with physical, emotional and mental disabilities or life-threatening illnesses, the elderly and at-risk children. She also plays a bit of music on the side. After receiving her Masters in Music at Juilliard, she played with the likes of Leonard Bernstein, Yo Yo Ma, Zuben Meta, Isaac Stern, and Rod Stewart.

The program will include a little fiddling, a little jazz, a little Bach and a whole lot of fun!

Adult tickets are $10, children $5 and a special family price of $25.

For more information, contact Marina Kalani, Program Coordinator
(208) 457-8950, Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. or
(208) 661-6857

LCHS Spring Craft & Garden Show

Support Lake City High School on Saturday, March 15th from 9am - 4pm as 95 artists and vendors from Idaho, Washington and Montana gather for the 6th Annual Spring Craft and Garden Show. Enjoy the entertainment, hourly raffles, concession and bake sale for just a $1 admission fee. Proceeds will benefit the 2008 Senior Class drug free party on graduation night. For more information, contact Kathy Lieggi at 664-1585.

Vote for "The Best of North Idaho"

Sunday, March 2nd is the last day people can vote for the Best of North Idaho, brought to you by the North Idaho Business Journal. If you haven t heard of it, please check it out, at www.NIBusinessJournal.com

Voting is at the top banner "Click to Vote!"

New York Times Features Rocky Mountain Region

In a recent article, The New York Times discusses the recent economic trends that once boosted the state of Utah and are now raising some concerns. Within the article, the author compares Utah's demographics and economic trends to neighboring states like Montana and Idaho. Because of its unique demographic traits, Utah's economy relies the least on retirees compared to its neighbors, Nevada, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado and Arizona. The article specifically mentions Coeur d'Alene as being "remade" by a growing retired population.

To read the entire article, click HERE.

12th Annual Holy Family Catholic School Auction, Dinner and Dance

Join Holy Family Catholic School for their 12th annual event on Saturday, March 8th at the Coeur d'Alene Resort. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and the activities will continue through 1:00 a.m.! Tickets are $50 per person or $400 for a table of eight. Please RSVP by February 29th. Prizes include:

• 8 nights at Ryman's Alaskan Paradise
• Notre Dame football tickets
• One week ski trip to Park City, Utah
• Private hockey lessons with former NHL star Adam Deadmarsh
• and Much more!
  

For more information, contact 765-4327.
This event is brought to you by the Imaging Center at CDA Spine.

Lake City Playhouse presents "Charlotte's Web"

It's Radiant! It's Humble! It's Some Pig! It's Charlotte's Web!
Visit Lake City Playhouse opening night Thursday, February 28th and continuing through Sunday, March 2nd. Show times are 7:30 p.m. except for Sundays, which are 2:00 p.m.
Tickets are $16/adults, $13/seniors/students/military and $10 for children 12 and under.

Visit www.lakecityplayhouse.org for more information.

Prospecting for Gold: How to Find Grants on the Internet

This 4-hour workshop will be held in a computer lab where experienced grant writers Renee Bourque and Janet Bourque will show you how to use a wide variety of Internet-based search tools and databases to find grants. Sources of funding will be identified and you will be shown how to access them. Opportunity to match your project needs with foundations who fund like projects! The workshop is divided into instruction, followed by time for individual search on subscription databases and assistance from the instructors.

WHO: Beginning to advanced proposal writers for non-profit agencies with computer competency.

WHEN: February 29 or March 1, 8:00-12:00

WHERE: North Idaho College Workforce Training Center, 525 W Clearwater Loop, Post Falls, Idaho

WORKSHOP GOAL: Give participants the skills and resources to find and match grant opportunities to their agency’s organization and mission.

OUTCOME: Participants leave with prospecting tools, skills, and funding leads including sources not listed on grant databases.

To download an application, click HERE.