The Citylink Bus System, a vibrant and thriving transportation service for Idaho’s Kootenai and Benewah counties, is in massive demand from riders on every route. That demand and its growth over time are now bringing national recognition.
The Federal Transit Administration will honor Citylink in Seattle on Monday, May 4th with its national award for ridership gains and innovation to boost ridership. The award comes as a significant milestone for Citylink, which began full operations in November, 2006. But Citylink is already unique in its conception, the brainchild of efforts by the Kootenai County Commission and the Coeur d’Alene Tribal Council. Citylink remains the first and only transit system in the United States to come about as a result of cooperative effort between local and tribal governments.
In its first year of operation, Citylink averaged about 4,000 riders per month. It now averages some 35,000 per month, with annual ridership exceeding 500,000. It serves Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls and Hayden in the northern loop; the southern loop serves Worley, Plummer, Tensed and DeSmet. The rides are free. Buses are equipped to carry bicycles and wheelchairs.
“Citylink’s success certainly deserves national recognition,” said Chief Allan, Coeur d’Alene Tribe Chairman. “We’re showing not only a successful transportation system. We’re showing that cooperation between governments brings a better quality of life to everyone in our region. “
Planned to bring people to medical facilities, businesses, schools, public buildings and even recreational facilities, Citylink operates almost 24/7. The tribe provided $1.1 million in matching funds for an FTA grant to Kootenai County and the Kootenai Metropolitan Transit Authority. The KMPO is made up of elected officials from the county, cities and highway districts.
The awards ceremony will be held on Monday, May 4, 2009, from 2:15 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. during the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Bus and Paratransit Conference at the Sheraton Hotel, 1400 Sixth Avenue in Seattle, Washington.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
FTA National Award Honors Citylink
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
New CEO Joins Inland Northwest Blood Center
From the Midwest to the Northwest: the nation-wide search for the new President and CEO for the Inland Northwest Blood Center (INBC) has come to a successful conclusion.
Jeff Bryant, the former Vice President of Administration for the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center (MVRBC) in Davenport, Iowa has been selected as INBC’s next President and CEO.
Bryant has a Master's degree in Business Administration plus a Masters of Science in Computer Science. He has been in leadership positions at MVRBC since 1998 and is well respected in the industry for his leadership and organizational skills.
Bryant will replace INBC’s current President and CEO, Dr. Judi Young, who has served in this position for the past 10 years.
"INBC has a long history of success in providing blood products and services throughout the Inland Northwest. It is an honor and a privilege to be offered the opportunity to follow in Dr Young's footsteps. I will work diligently to carry on the tradition of excellence she has established. I'm truly excited to begin working with the outstanding staff and management team at INBC,” Bryant said.
Dr. Young will remain the President and CEO until early April, working alongside Bryant to transition him into his new role for future leader for INBC.
“My belief is that it is essential for us to focus our services on community, customers, staff, quality and sound business practices,’ Bryant said. “These things are the cornerstone of our service.”
The Inland Northwest Blood Center is the sole supplier of blood and blood products to more than 35 area hospitals and medical centers and as served a population of 1 million people in this region for nearly 65 years. For more information on INBC you can visit www.inbc2.org.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Art Contest to Celebrate Women's History Month
Soroptimist International of Coeur d’Alene invites Coeur d'Alene students to participate in a special art contest that celebrates women and their accomplishments.
March is Women’s History Month and March 8 is International Women’s Day - events have been designed to honor women and their contributions to the world. In honor of these days, Soroptimist encourages students, from kindergarten to 12th grade, to participate in the Live Your Dream Art Contest.
The contest asks students to draw a special woman, and to convey through art why she inspires them. The women can be from history, someone in the student’s personal life, or even a fictional character. Winners in each category will also be eligible for cash prizes. Contest entries are due March 23, 2009.
Click on www.YouNeverStopLearning.com/live_your_dream.asp for entry details AND an invitation to a local Live Your Dream “learn how’ event on March 29, 2009. If you have questions, please contact Christine Johnson at 208-762-1322 or cjohnson@ald-inc.com
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Sizzle'n Cuisine Masquerade Party
Kobrick-Chandler Productions Presents the Sizzle'n Cuisine Masquerade Party on Saturday, February 7th at the Downtown Cd'A Eagles, 209 Sherman Ave. Enjoy a fabulous menu by award-winning chef, Troy Louis Chandler, including:
- Cajun Gator Fritters
- Creole Shrimp Etouffee
- Bayou Gumbo
- Jambalaya
- Soft-Shell Crabs
- Acme Oysters
- Red Beans and Rice
- Jumbo Prawns
- Muddbugs (crawfish)
- ALL YOU CAN EAT!!
Friday, January 23, 2009
The Wine Cellar Wine Dinner
Januik and Novelty Hill -with Winemaker Mike Januik
Join us- We’re bringing wine dinner back to the cellar.
R.S.V.P 664-9463, reservation only as space is limited
Monday, January 26th, 6 p.m.
Wine Cellar
313 Sherman Ave.
6 Course Winemaker’s Dinner
$65 per person, includes wine and gratuity.
Januik and Novelty Hill Wineries with Winemaker-Mike Januik
Wine Maker’s Dinner Menu
2007 Novelty Hill Rousanne
Warmed goat cheese with pine nuts and arugala.
2006 Novelty Hill Chardonnay
Celery Root Puree
2006 Novelty Hill Chardonnay
Spring Greens with Champagne vinaigrette, pears, candied walnuts and gorgonzola.
2005 Novelty Hill Merlot Sorbet
2006 Januik Red Wine and 2005 Januik Cabernet Sauvignon
Lamb Chops crusted with pistachios, Yukon Gold fritters, caramelized onions and a Cabernet demi-glaze.
2006 Novelty Hill Syrah
Flourless chocolate espresso cake
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Coeur d'Alene Tractor Earns National Recognition
Coeur d’Alene Tractor, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, has been designated a Power ProSM dealer by the North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA).
The dealership earned accreditation by meeting industry standards related to operational performance and customer commitment. “Coeur d’Alene Tractor’s commitment to sales and service is exactly what we look for in a Power Pro dealership,” says Joe Dykes, director of OPE programs for NAEDA.
“Power Pro is the mark of exceptional dealers,” adds Dykes. “The program brands a dealership as a business where consumers can expect exceptional product knowledge, premium products, full service and complete satisfaction.”
Coeur d’Alene Tractor (www.cdatractor.com) carries New Holland, Kubota, Land Pride, Toro and Ariens equipment. The dealership, which is owned by John Adams, Bruce Schuh, Cal Russell and Wally Adams, has been in business for more than 60 years.
Coeur d’Alene Tractor is a member of the Pacific Northwest Association, one of 18 state, regional and provincial associations affiliated with NAEDA.
NAEDA is based in Fenton, Mo. It provides educational, finance, manufacturer and government relations services, and legal assistance to more than 5,000 retail agricultural, industrial and outdoor power equipment dealers in the United States and Canada.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
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
Monday, December 1, 2008
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.
Monday, November 24, 2008
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.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
PHD Celebrates Home Health Month with Food Drive
"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.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
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
Thursday, October 9, 2008
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.
Friday, September 26, 2008
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.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
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.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
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.
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
Thursday, September 11, 2008
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.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
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.
Friday, September 5, 2008
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.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
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.