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