GroundDawgs Day Benefit Dance

Kootenai Humane Society lets the Dawgs out at the first annual GroundDawgs Day Dance, featuring The Rhythm Dawgs. Come and enjoy hot dogs, chili and dancing with one of the area's top cover bands. Proceeds benefit Kootenai Humane Society.

The dance will be held at the Coeur d'Alene Eagles Club, 209 E. Sherman Avenue. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., music begins at 8:00 p.m. The event is open to the public; membership at the Eagles Club is not required.

Tickets are $10 each and are available at the Eagles Club of Coeur d'Alene, Kootenai Humane Society in Hayden, Kootenai Humane Society Thrift Store in Coeur d'Alene and the Jacklin Arts & Cultural Center at The Old Church in Post Falls. Admission is free with a Hospice of North Idaho Wine-Taste and Auction ticket stub.

For more information, contact Holly at 818-1633.

ULI Idaho Encompassing Housing Trends Program

ULI Idaho presents the topic "Workforce and Student Housing Trends" on March 5th, 2008 at the Coeur d'Alene Resort.

Explosive appreciation in housing prices has left many working families and students behind, especially in high value resort communities. Increasingly, all communities lack housing to serve essential services workers such as teachers, firefighters, police officers, contractors, and municipal employees. This program will focus on approaches in Idaho and other areas to respond to the need for workforce and student housing. Attendees will receive a copy of ULI publication "Ten Principles for Developing Affordable Housing."

Save the dates - look for registration and more details in the next few weeks.

Chamber Welcomes Encompassing Health

Volunteers with the Membership Outreach Committee and Commodores joined for a ribbon cutting at Encompassing Health today. The staff welcomed us with samples of their Himalayan Goji Juice, one of their featured products. The office is located at 2005 Ironwood Parkway, #216 in Coeur d'Alene.

Wheat Montana Farms, Bakery & Deli Celebrates with Ribbon Cutting

Please help us welcome Wheat Montana Farms, Bakery & Deli to Coeur d'Alene. The Membership Outreach Committee and Commodores joined for a ribbon cutting and sampled their delicious treats on Thursday! They are located at 405 W Neider, on the corner of Highway 95 and Neider.

Music Walk 2008 Kicks off Tomorrow

Don't miss Music Walk tomorrow night January 25th, starting at 5:00 p.m. Enjoy local musicians at 9 different concert venues throughout downtown Coeur d'Alene. KPND 95.3 out of Sandpoint will be broadcasting live during the event. Bring the family, bundle up, and enjoy an evening of fine music. For more information, contact Tami Wahl with the Arts and Culture Alliance at 208-292-1629.

Silverwood Announces New Ride

The Northwest's Largest Theme Park announced Wednesday their plans to add a 191 foot steel ride to the park this summer. The ride, coming from Six Flags Great America near Chicago, will take 50 truckloads to move to Idaho and will cost approximately $4 million. Silverwood will have a contest for the public to name the ride. The winner will receive a 2008 Gold Season Pass. Much of the public has expressed their excitement for the park addition, noting the incredible impact that the park has had on the area.

Commodores Welcome Jack Rabbit Massage

The Commodores held a ribbon cutting ceremony this morning at Jack Rabbit Massage, with owner, Jacqueline Hair and her staff. They are located at 211 Lakeside, inside Bella Dona Salon.

Silver Mountain Hits the New York Times

Kellogg, Idaho was featured in a full-length article in the New York Times last Friday. The article, entitled "A Mining Town with a Bleak Past Starts to Blossom", highlights the slow regrowth of the town, its relaxed culture, and outdoor opportunities, among many other things that lure people to the area. Silver Mountain was mentioned as one of the biggest "pros" for the area, including its famous gondola ride. To read the full article, click HERE.

Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour

The North Idaho Centennial Trail Foundation and The Satipo Kids Project invite you to attend the Banff Mountain Film Festival this Sunday, January 27th at 7:00 p.m. Presented by National Geographic and New Balance, this event is sure to give you a rush through the world's best mountain films. Purchase your advance tickets at Camera Corral, Vertical Earth, or at any North Idaho Zip's Drive-In. A portion of the proceeds benefit the North Idaho Centennial Trail Foundation and the Satip Kids Project. For more details, visit www.banffmountainfestivals.ca

SMART Goals Workshop this Saturday

Start your New Year off right.

Written goals have a 1000 times better chance of being accomplished than just thoughts. This workshop will teach the value of goal setting. We'll get 10 years worth of goals on paper. Prioritize and get clear. Use SMART goals to clarify and measure progress.

Lin Rimple has taught many classes in North Idaho. She has a practical approach mixed with humor and stories that inspire and provoke thought.

Join us for the first class of the New Year and make 2008 GREAT.

Workshop is 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at Calypso's Coffee at Lakeside and 1st Street downtown. The cost is $20 per person. For more information, contact Lin Rimple at 208-765-5004.

Chamber Contracts with Triathlon Coordinators

The Coeur d'Alene Chamber is happy to announce that Michelle Haustein has been hired as the Ironman Volunteer Director and Coeur d'Alene Triathlon Volunteer Coordinator. Anyone interested in volunteering for either race can contact Michelle at (208) 415-0106 or michelle@cdachamber.com. Also, be sure to check out the Ironman website at www.ironmancda.com. Mac Cavasar has also been hired as the Coeur d'Alene Triathlon Race Director. Watch for updates on the Coeur d'Alene Triathlon at www.cdatriathlon.com.

Friday Registration Deadline for Chamber Days in Boise

Join us January 27-29th in Boise for the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce's Chamber Days at the Legislature, held in conjunction with the Idaho Chamber Alliance. Chamber days is a great opportunity for members to engage in important legislative issues first hand by meeting with legislators and leadership representing the interests of North Idaho. The registration deadline is January 18th. Registration expenses do NOT include travel and lodging expense. For additional information, contact Lucas at 415-0109.

Ribbon Cutting at Story Book Bridal Boutique

The Membership Outreach Committee and Commodores celebrate with Story Book Bridal Boutique at a ribbon cutting ceremony. The store is located in the Plaza Shops at 210 Sherman Ave., Suite 111.
Congratulations and Welcome to the Chamber!

Coeur d'Alene featured in "Where to Retire" Magazine

Where To Retire magazine, the only magazine in America geared to helping people with retirement relocation decisions, has selected Coeur d'Alene to profile as a top retirement town in the January/February issue, which hit newsstands and bookstores nationwide in December 2007. "Coeur d'Alene has quickly become a great place for retirees," editor Mary Lu Abbott stated. Find Where To Retire at various newsstands and at Barnes & Noble Bookstores.

January's Chamber Award Winners

At our monthly Upbeat Breakfast, Anne Hagman presented the Service Excellence award to Lake Coeur d'Alene Cruises for their great service during the holiday season. Jody Azevedo presented Tom Addis Dodge with the A+ Education Award for their dedication to our community's education. Thank you and congratulations to both of these businesses. To nominate a business for the Service Excellence award, please email Toni Sayler.

Three CVB Members Receive Honors

The Coeur d'Alene Visitors Bureau has announced three honors received by CVB members. We would like to congratulate the following:

American Country Bed & Breakfast - "Best of the West" Award by Best of BedandBreakfast.com

ROW Adventures - Ranked by National Geographic as "One of the Best Local Adventure Outfitters in the World"

Holiday Inn Express - Coeur d'Alene - "2007 Priority Club Rewards Members' Choice" Award

Congratulations to these businesses and Thank You for supporting your Chamber.

Tuesday's Upbeat Breakfast

Don't miss Upbeat Breakfast on Tuesday (January 8th) as Commissioner Rick Currie delivers the "State of the County". This month's breakfast will be sponsored by Pinewood Care Center. Trade tables will be available at 7:00 a.m. and the breakfast program will begin at 7:20 a.m. Tickets are $10 at the door. Upbeat Breakfast is one of the many programs the Chamber provides as a wonderful networking tool for your business. Don't miss out!

Chamber President Appointed to NIC Strategic Plan Steering Committee

Jonathan Coe, President of the Coeur d'Alene Chamber, has been appointed to the North Idaho College Strategic Plan Steering Committee and will be joining NIC staff and other community leaders in an effort to plan North Idaho College's direction for the next five years. The Strategic Plan Steering Committee will be studying NIC's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in order to outline specific and measurable goals for the future.

Susan G. Komen Board Position Available

The Coeur d'Alene Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure Board of Directors are seeking applications for the Grants Chair position. The Komen Coeur d'Alene is an all volunteer board dedicated to the fight against breast cancer by meeting the breast health needs in the five northern counties of Idaho. For more information and a Board Application, visit our Web site at www.komencda.org

Coffee and Contacts Kicks of the New Year

Speed Networking is a timed event specifically designed to maximize the number of contacts you make. Come early to ensure you experience the unique Coffee & Contacts format, January 3rd at the Coeur d’Alene Resort. Doors open at 7:00 a.m. and we begin promptly at 7:30 a.m.. Please note, no entry allowed after 7:30 a.m. and we ask for only 1-2 representatives from each company. Cost is $6.00 for Coeur d’Alene Chamber Members, $10.00 for non-members, includes a continental breakfast and coffee. To ensure availability, RSVP to Marilee at the Chamber office 415-0111 or e-mail marilee@cdachamber.com.