City Hall Closed for Memorial Day

Monday, May 28th, City Hall will be closed in honor of Memorial Day. Other city offices and facilities will be closed as well. Emergency calls for Police, Streets, and Fire can be made by dialing 9-1-1. Other city facilities have emergency numbers and can be reached if the need arises: Sewer Back-up 769-2241 and Water 755-9729.

City Hall and other city facilities will open Tuesday, May 29th at 8:00 a.m. For more information, please call 769-2204.

Winners Named in Library's 24th Annual Writers Competition

Library photo

Left to right, front, Ryland Hoit, Marian Rognaldson, Katelyn Bennett, Aria Hoit, Samuel R. Meyer, Carolyn Fish, and Maggie Holloway; middle, Sarah Lyn Henke, Tiffanie Roth, Mikalynn Amos, Grace Bailey, Dove Lightner. Samantha K. Link, and D’Andre Dupin; back, M. Linda Donnelly, Garrett Oetken, Emma Ployhar, Faithe Christensen, Susannah Patterson, Tina Rodeen, and Kaye Thornbrugh. Not pictured: Dylan May, Wyatt Holloway, Macy DuCoeur, Betty Poteet, Olivia Heisey, and Alison Crannery.

The winners of the 2012 Writers Competition at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library were announced Saturday, May 19, in a ceremony at the library.Prizes funded by grants from the Friends of the Library and the Coeur d’Alene Kiwanis Club were presented to winners in two categories in age groups ranging from 6 to adult. Prizes are $100 for first, $50 for second, and $25 for third. In the case of ties duplicate prizes are awarded.
Former Library Director Julie Meier began the competition – now in its 24th year – with the goal of discovering great writers in our midst, to provide young writers an outlet for their work, and to encourage excellence in writing. The entries are judged by professional writers, editors, and educators.

Each year all entries in the competition – not only the winners – are included in professionally bound volumes added to the library’s collection.

Winners, their hometown, and the title of their entry for 2012 were:

►6-8 Fiction: (Single entry) Honorable Mention, Alison Crannery, Coeur d’Alene, “Buddy’s Adventure.”

►9-11 Fiction: First, Dove Lightner, Hayden, “Where Has the Day Gone? ;” Second, Samuel R. Meyer, Rathdrum, “Legends of Gormania;” Third, Grace Bailey, Coeur d’Alene, “The Girl Who Turned Into Cookie Dough.”

►12-14 Fiction: First, Emma Ployhar, Coeur d’Alene, “The Girl Named Cosmos;” Second (tie) , D’Andre Dupin, Coeur d’Alene, “Inside the Dream;” Second (tie) , Garrett Oetken, Coeur d’Alene, “The Inside Man;” Third, Samantha K. Link, Coeur d’Alene, “Bullet Catch.”

►15-18 Fiction: First, Olivia Heisey, Coeur d’Alene, “Game of Concentration;” Second (tie), Mikalynn Amos, Athol, “Off the Page;” Second (tie), Faithe Christensen, Coeur d’Alene, “Call for Help;” Third, Olivia Heisey, Coeur d’Alene, “Fool Moon.”

►19-Plus Fiction: First, Kaye Thornbrugh, Hayden, “Gruff;” Second, Tina Rodeen, Spokane, “She Could Have;” Third, Susannah Patterson, Tensed, “Daydreamers Anonymous.”

►6-8 Nonfiction: First, Katelyn Bennett, Hayden, “Put the Bucket Down;” Second, Marian Rognaldson, Worley, “Ferdinand on the Farm;” Third, Ryland Hoit, Hayden, “The Life of a Snow Leopard.”

►9-11 Nonfiction: First, Wyatt Holloway, Coeur d’Alene, “My Grandpa, the Hero;” Second (tie), Samuel R. Meyer, Rathdrum, “The Late Spring Fall;” Second (tie), Dylan May, Coeur d’Alene, “The Trapped Whale;” Third, Aria J. Hoit, Hayden, “The Camping Experience.”

►12-14 Nonfiction: First, Macy DuCoeur, Coeur d’Alene, “My Rosie Days;” Second, Maggie Holloway, Coeur d’Alene, “The Motorcade Mishap;” Third, Carolyn Fish, Worley, “Our Idaho Adventure.”

►15-18 Nonfiction: First, Mikalynn Amos, Athol, “Psychological Capacity of Cetaceans;” Second, Sarah Lyn Henke, Rathdrum, “Music of the Passionate;” Third (tie), Sarah Lyn Henke, Rathdrum, “Tales of Old;” Third (tie), Tiffanie Roth, Coeur d’Alene, “One in This World.”

►19-Plus Nonfiction: First, M. Linda Donnelly, Spokane, “The Short Life of Funeral Flowers;” Second, Betty J. Poteet, Hayden, “Lost in a Heartache;” Third, Christiana Hale, Post Falls, “Memoirs of a File Clerk.”

Mullan Road Storm Drain Project

In order to complete the paving portion of this project, traffic flow through the Mullan Road / Park Drive construction area will need to be modified.

Beginning at 8:00 am, Thursday, May 17 until 3:00 pm, Friday, May 18 traffic on Park Drive from Garden to Mullan Road will routed as follows:

• Westbound traffic on Park Drive will be restricted to a single lane.
• Eastbound traffic from Garden and/or Park Drive will be detoured south on Military, east on Lakeshore Drive and north on Park Drive to Mullan Road.

Summer Street Maintenance 2012

City Takes Pride in its Roads

By Tim Martin, Street Superintendent

What is the trick to keeping our streets in good shape?

My first response is that the city of Coeur d’Alene has very talented, dedicated people in the Street Maintenance and Engineering Departments. The one word answer is simple: resources. In a typical year, this city invests about $1 million between the overlay program and in-house forces to keep the 250 miles of streets maintained. With these resources dedicated to street maintenance, along with periodic help from grants and LIDs, our streets maintain their integrity.

Furthermore, the Coeur d’Alene City Council has repeatedly underscored its commitment to street maintenance and safety to the motoring public during annual budget retreats, making it a top priority. Many of our arterials, such as 4th Street from Lakeside Avenue to Kathleen, Best Avenue, Northwest Boulevard, Ramsey Road from Appleway to Prairie Avenue, and Government Way from Harrison to Dalton Avenue, have seen a series of improvements such as stormwater retention, curb and gutter, and street widening over the last seven to nine years. This summer, the main focus for overlay will be on asphalt surfacing of the residential area south of Forest Cemetery along with Lincoln Way. Another project is the reconstruction of Government Way from Dalton to Hanley Avenue.

With the summer repair season approaching, Street Maintenance Department crews will initially focus on patching the following areas:

*Kathleen Avenue (East of Ramsey)

*15th Street (Harrison to Best)

*Dalton (US 95 to Ramsey)

*Hanley (Courcelles to US 95)

*Atlas Road

*East Sherman Avenue

There will be many other streets in addition to these that will be repaired by the Street Maintenance Department later this summer. We want to do the best job possible alerting motorists to our work zones. Detailed day-to-day traffic impact reports are provided daily to radio KVNI 1080 AM for street closures and interferences. Weekly progress reports will also be on the street maintenance website.

Along with these summer maintenance items, crews will begin the summer maintenance program such as striping, painting cross-walks, and refurbishing sidewalks to meet ADA standards. Year three (3) of the 5 year ADA Hazard Abatement plan will take place on the both sides of 4th Street from Harrison to Annie.

Road maintenance work is demanding and dangerous. We ask for the public's patience and help to obey work zone signage and to be extra cautious in our work areas. In return, we promise that we will do our best to ensure your safety and to not delay you unnecessarily. For information please call 769-2233, listen to KVNI, or visit the website cdaid.org.

Open House Scheduled for Natural Open Space Master Plan

An evening Open House has been scheduled for viewing and commenting on the Natural Open Space Master Plan. This event is scheduled for Thursday, May 17th, at 6:00 p.m., in the Library Community Room, 702 E. Front Avenue.

This Open House will provide an invaluable forum for questions to be answered by the Natural Open Space Committee and staff, and for making comments on the plan. Comment sheets will be provided for written input.

The purpose of the Natural Open Space Management Plan is to set forth guidelines to acquire, protect, maintain, and manage significant natural landscapes for present and future generations. Natural open space enhances the urban environment and provides wildlife habitat while preserving valuable community assets and affording opportunities for public enjoyment through outdoor recreation.

The Natural Open Space Management Plan for the Coeur d’Alene Parks Department is also available on-line for review and comment at http://www.cdaidparks.org/. For more information, please call 769-2252.

Open Trench Sewer Replacement Project Begins May 14th

The construction phase of the 2012 Open Trench Sewer Replacement Project is scheduled to begin on Monday, May 14^th.  The first reach of sewer piping to be replaced is in Foster Avenue from 6^th Street to the alley between 8^th and 9^th Streets.  In order to replace the existing piping, a 15-foot wide strip of asphalt will be removed from the center of each street to accommodate the replacement of the buried sewer piping. 

Individual sewer services from the adjacent homes and businesses will be reconnected to the new piping and the previously removed asphalt strip will be replaced with new asphalt pavement. Other segments of sewer piping that will be replaced include segments within Nora Street (between Walnut and LaCrosse), Birch Ave. (between 11^th and 12^th) and within “D” Street north of Virginia Avenue.

During the construction period, area residents can expect equipment noise and brief traffic delays.  For information on the project, please contact James Remitz, Project Manager at 769-2278.

Celebrate Bike to Work Week, May 14th – May 19th

Citizens are invited to come out and show their community pride and commitment to better health, reducing dependence on foreign oil, reducing traffic congestion, and reducing pollution by participating in Bike to Work Week. Cyclists are encouraged to ride their bikes to work or school every day of Bike to Work Week from May 14^th thru May 19^th.  Get out and enjoy the fresh air!

Below is the line-up of events for Bike to Work Week:

Monday the 14th – Bike to Work Week kick-off ride: 7:30 a.m. beginning at Riverstone Park – Ride down Northwest Boulevard (with a Police Escort), ending at City Hall (710 E. Mullan). Afterwards participants will be treated to coffee courtesy of Doma Coffee.

Wednesday the 16^th – Scottish Beer Tasting at 5:30 p.m. at Pilgrim’s Market, followed by the movie “The Flying Scotsman” at 6:00 p.m.

Friday the 18^th – Moonlight Ride: Participants will meet at the Vertical Earth bike shop located in Riverstone Square at 9: 00 p.m. and ride down the Centennial Trail to Higgins Point and back. Headlights are required.

Saturday, the 19^th – Roots Pursuit: A team bicycle event, consisting of a series of challenges located throughout downtown Coeur d'Alene. Teams complete as many challenges as they can within a two-hour time limit. Event starts at 10:00 a.m. at the Community Garden (Foster and 10^th Street). Get more information and register at http://kealliance.org/rootspursuit/.

Saturday the 19th – There will be a "Finish Line" wrap-up celebration at the Community Garden on Foster and 10^th Street at 12:00 p.m. after the Roots Pursuit Competition. Prizes will be raffled off to anyone on a bike (and wearing a helmet!). Trophies will be awarded to participating area businesses for encouraging their employees to bike to work.

For more information on how you or your business can be involved with Bike to Work Week 2012, please contact Monte McCully at (208) 292-5766.

Open House Events Scheduled for Natural Open Space Master Plan

Two Open House events have been scheduled for viewing and commenting on the Natural Open Space Master Plan. The first Open House is scheduled for Wednesday, May 9th, at 12:00 p.m. (noon) in the former City Hall Council Chambers, 710 E. Mullan.

The second Open House is scheduled for Thursday, May 17th, at 6:00 p.m., in the Library Community Room, 702 E. Front Avenue.

Both public events provide an invaluable forum for questions to be answered by the Natural Open Space Committee and staff, and for making comments on the plan. Comment sheets will be provided for written input.

The purpose of the Natural Open Space Management Plan is to set forth guidelines to acquire, protect, maintain, and manage significant natural landscapes for present and future generations. Natural open space enhances the urban environment and provides wildlife habitat while preserving valuable community assets and affording opportunities for public enjoyment through outdoor recreation.

The Natural Open Space Management Plan for the Coeur d’Alene Parks Department is also available on-line for review and comment at http://www.cdaidparks.org/. For more information, please call 769-2252.

Libraries Have Free Comic Books Saturday

       Comic books aren’t just kids’ stuff anymore.

Comic books and graphic novels are a great way for children and teens to develop a reading habit that can last a lifetime. Besides an appreciation for the written word they can encourage an interest in art skills.

And they are simply fun.

Libraries in North Idaho and Lightning Comics in Coeur d’Alene are again participating in Free Comic Book Day, Saturday May 5. Free comic books are available during regular hours while the supply lasts.

Participating libraries include the Coeur d’Alene Public Library and these Community Library Network libraries: Athol, Bookmobile, Harrison, Hayden, Pinehurst-Kingston, Post Falls, Rathdrum and Spirit Lake. 

The first Free Comic Book Day event was held in 2002. In the past, thousands of shops and libraries around the world have given away millions of free comic books to interested readers.  Comic books are an original American art form, created in the early days of the twentieth century.

For more information visit your local library or go to CommunityLibrary.net or cdalibrary.org.

Government Way Road Construction Begins May 7th

With sanitary sewer installation work completed on Government Way from Dalton to Hanley Avenues, construction of the roadway is scheduled to begin on May 7, 2012 with the mobilization of equipment onto the site, and with an anticipated completion date in mid-September 2012.

 

Construction of the new city water main along the west side of Government Way will run concurrently with the construction of a new water main for the Dalton Water District on the east side of the road. The roadway construction along with the installation of a storm sewer main will follow shortly thereafter. The roadway will be open for two way travel, however, construction and delays will be continuous through September of 2012 in that portion of the road corridor.

 

This is an Idaho Transportation Department project, utilizing Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) funds with the City of Coeur d’Alene as the local sponsor. For more information, please contact 769-2228.

Program Examines Fate of WWII Bomber

    The excavation of a crashed World War II bomber near Potlatch is the focus of a program at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library on Wednesday, May 23, at 7 p.m.

     “The Crash of SN- 42-29562: A World War II Bomber in Distress” will be presented by Bruce Ellis from the Clearwater National Forest in the library’s Community Room, 702 E. Front Ave.

    The presentation is about two seasons of excavation and archival research on the crash site of a Boeing B-17F bomber.  The aircraft crashed near Potlatch while on a routine long-distance navigation training mission in early December 1943. The flight originated from Hobbs, N.M, with Geiger Field (Spokane International) as its intended destination.

    Ellis said the project has opened a window on one of the most important periods in American history.

    With Master of Arts degree in anthropology from the University of Texas at San Antonio, Ellis has been working in the field of archaeology for the past 30 years. His experience includes several years of academic and private industry work in Belize, Guatemala and Texas.

    For the past 23 years he has worked for the Forest Service as a program leader in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and, in 2007, in Idaho. He holds a current private pilot’s certificate and is an avid aviation historian.

    His presentation in Coeur d’Alene is co-sponsored by the Idaho Historical Society in conjunction with Idaho Archaeology and Historic Preservation Month. For more information visit history.idaho.gov.

    A related activity is scheduled for Wednesday, May 23, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., in Q’emiln Riverside Park in Post Falls. “Q’emiln Quest” is sponsored by the Post Falls Historical Society. For information on that program contact Kim Brown at 208-773-4681.

Patrons who need accommodation to participate in library programs or services are asked to contact the staff prior to the activity by calling 208-769-2315. For more library information visit cdalibrary.org. The library is a department of the City of Coeur d’Alene and a member of the Cooperative Information Network, cinlibraries.org. Library Director, Bette Ammon. Library hours: Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m./Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m./Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. For regular updates follow the library on Facebook and Twitter.

Davis to Share Russian Adventure Photos

    Coeur d’Alene attorney Denny Davis will share photos and stories from his trip to Russia during the next “Novel Destinations” program at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library, 702 E. Front Ave., Wednesday, May 16, at 7 p.m.

   Davis’ free program is entitled: “Moscow and Fishing in the Russian Far East.”

   “Novel Destinations” is sponsored by the Library Foundation as an opportunity for area residents to share photos from unique places around the world.

   Anyone interested in sharing their travel stories is asked to contact Ruth Pratt, Foundation Executive Director, at 208-769-2380. 

Patrons who need accommodation to participate in library programs or services are asked to contact the staff prior to the activity by calling 208-769-2315. For more library information visit cdalibrary.org. The library is a department of the City of Coeur d’Alene and a member of the Cooperative Information Network, cinlibraries.org. Library Director, Bette Ammon. Library hours: Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m./Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m./Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. For regular updates follow the library on Facebook and Twitter.

Specialized Needs Recreation Hosts May 5th Talent Show

This Saturday, May 5^th, Specialized Needs Recreation (SNR) will host their “10^th Annual Shining Stars Talent Show Fundraiser,” from 6:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. The show will be held at Real Life Ministries-RLM2, 1866 North Cecil Road in Post Falls and will highlight the last ten years of shows. The entry fee is $5.00. All proceeds raised will go toward scholarships for the upcoming summer day camp program for low income youth.

SNR will be raffling-off themed baskets such as: Couples, Women’s, Men’s, and Family baskets. They will also raffle off many miscellaneous baskets and will hold a Silent Auction. Many wonderful donations have been given for these baskets by SNR parents and community businesses.

If you would like to spend a night filled with fun and pure entertainment, you won’t want to miss “A Decade of Talent!” There are 43 individuals in this year’s show and they have been practicing for months for this special night.  Please come and help them celebrate their success!

SNR is still in need of volunteers for this event.  If you are interested in helping out at the talent show, with decorating and/or tearing down costumes, or if you would like more information about SNR and the programs it provides, contact Angie Goucher, SNR Executive Director at 755-6781.

Libraries Adopting New Computer Catalog System

       Patrons using the computer catalog at any of the member libraries for the Cooperative Information Network (CIN) - which includes the Coeur d'Alene Public Library - beginning April 30 will find it has a new look and new user-friendly features.

Patron and item records for the 27 libraries in CIN will all begin using the Koha computer catalog system that will replace the current system.

Patrons will access the catalog, and their patron accounts, in the same way, using search tools at the website for each library or through the CIN site.

CIN library managers have opted to use the Koha system because it offers patrons more options in searching for books and other items and managing their accounts. Patrons who choose to do so will be able to keep reading histories. Patrons will also be able to place holds on the first available item and place multiple holds more easily, among other advantages.

The system is also more efficient and dependable for library staffs and is less expensive for the cooperative.

The Tensed Library and the Tri-Community Library at Fernwood are the two most recent additions to CIN – a consortium of libraries sharing a common library card, circulation services, and a computer catalog.

Other libraries in the cooperative include: the Community Library Network (a library district) including Athol, Harrison, Hayden, Pinehurst-Kingston, Post Falls, Rathdrum, Spirit Lake libraries and the bookmobile; the West Bonner County Library District with Blanchard and Priest River libraries; the Pend Oreille County (Wash.) Library District, including Calispel Valley, Ione, Metalines, and Newport libraries; DeArmond Consumer Health Library; Kellogg Public Library; Mullan Library, Osburn Public Library; Plummer Public Library; Priest Lake Public Library; Silver Hills Elementary School; St. Maries Public Library; Wallace High School Library; and Wallace Public Library.

For more information on using the new system, call or visit your local CIN library.

Turn in Old Medications at CdA Library, April 28th

The Coeur d’Alene Police Department is sponsoring a “Prescription Drug Turn-in Day” as part of the Drug Enforcement Agency’s fourth National Pharmaceutical Drug Take Back Day, April 28th. The Prescription Drug Turn-In will be open from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. in front of the Coeur d’Alene Library, 702 E. Front Avenue. Coeur d’Alene Police will be on hand during that period to receive and destroy outdated or unused prescription medication.



The purpose of “Prescription Drug Turn-in Day” is to stop the diversion of medications at the “source” and to help citizens dispose of outdated medications or medications that are no longer needed. By disposing of the items safely, it also helps our environment because they won’t be flushed into the wastewater system. “There is growing concern that personal care products and pharmaceuticals can pass through a wastewater treatment plant and end up poisoning aquatic life in our rivers and streams,” said Wastewater Superintendent Sid Fredrickson. “We ask our citizens not to flush these products down the drain.”



PLEASE NOTE: Only medications will be accepted – do not bring syringes or biohazards. Please do not bring, for example, allergy needles or needles used for injections.



Sharpies will be provided for the public to mark out any personal information on the prescription bottle. Chief Longo encourages the public to turn in unused prescription medications. For more information, please call 769-2320.



In addition to the bi-annual turn-in events, a Medication Turn-In Box is now available in the lobby of the CdA Police Department, 3818 Schreiber Way. This secure container provides a twenty-four hour Public Service for the proper disposal of prescription medications. It is maintained by the Evidence Office.