Specialized Needs Recreation Holds Volunteer Training June 8th

Specialized Needs Recreation (SNR) will hold a volunteer training on Wednesday, June 8th, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the SNR facility (1323 Sherman Avenue, Suite E) for all who are interested. Dinner will be provided as well as all the information needed to become a successful volunteer.

The award-winning Specialized Needs Recreation (SNR) program has learned that a vital program asset is its volunteers. Volunteers are critical to the program because there are otherwise only three paid staff members to serve 60 campers during numerous camp activities.

SNR Director Angie Goucher will provide the three-hour class training, which she explains from then on will be “on-the-job training throughout the summer.”

After providing a brief history of Specialized Need Recreation, its programs, and other volunteer opportunities, the training will focus on many key areas. One important topic will be learning about the kids in the day camp, their disabilities, and their needs. The training will also focus on First Aid procedures, an Emergency Plan, policy and procedures, and the volunteer handbook.

“We will also be going over all that is expected of an SNR volunteer,” said Goucher, “and the rules that all volunteers need to follow, as well as the expectations and responsibilities of a volunteer.”

Trainees will also learn about Camp All-Stars, how it runs, the safety of campers, and how to be a team player. They will learn about punctuality, confidentiality, the importance of friendship and fun, setting a good example, and how to talk to parents.

Goucher said that these trainings are typically held every year right before camp to ensure volunteers are successful and know their responsibilities. Currently, SNR enjoys assistance from over 50 volunteers.

If you would like more information about this training, please call Angie Goucher at 755-6781. Specialized Needs Recreation is a non-profit organization that provides recreational opportunities for youth and adults who have developmental disabilities. Visit us on our website at www.snr.bz.

City Hall Closed for Memorial Day

This Monday, May 30th, 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 31st at 8:00 a.m. For more information, please call 769-2204.

‘Novel Destinations’ is Summer Reading for grownups

The Coeur d’Alene Public Library is participating with other area libraries to provide Summer Reading for adults.
Coeur d’Alene and the libraries of the Community Library Network are offering “Novel Destinations” for their adult patrons. Each time you visit a participating library and check out a book or other item you can enter to win a Sunday brunch for two at the Dockside at The Coeur d’Alene Resort.
The Coeur d’Alene library has also scheduled travelogue and history programs during the summer months. These free programs begin at 7 p.m. on these days:
► Wednesday, June 8: “Travel With Bob: Savannah to the Everglades” – Regional historian Robert Singletary will discuss the historic sites along the Gulf Coast from Georgia to the Everglades dating back the to Colonial Period. He will share his photos from trips to the region.
► Thursday, June 23: Author John C. Jackson will discuss his book, “By Honor and Right,” the story of Capt. John McClallen, the first U.S. Army officer to lead an expedition to the West after the return of Lewis and Clark.
► Wednesday, July 6: “The Mullan Road, 150th Anniversary” Singletary will discuss Capt. John Mullan and the impact of the road he built from Fort Benton, Mont., to Walla Walla, Wash., in the mid-19th Century. The route he surveyed still serves the region as its main transportation core. Participants will have the opportunity to sign up for a field trip to the Mullan Tree and a portion of the Mullan Road (the field trip is not part of the library program).
► Wednesday, Aug. 6: “Leonardo D’Vinci and the Italian Renaissance” – Singletary will lecture on this incredible figure and times in which he lived. Participants will have the opportunity to sign up for a field trip to be led by Singletary to the exhibit at the Museum of Art and Culture in Spokane (the field trip is not part of the library program).
Singletary’s lectures are made possible by a grant from the Friends of the Coeur d’Alene Public Library.
The library is scheduling programs by area residents who have photos and information on trips they have taken. If you have a travelogue to share, contact David Townsend, Communications Coordinator, 208-769-2315 Ext. 426 or e-mail dtownsend@cdalibrary.org.

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. More news and information about the library is available online at cdalibrary.org. The library has pages on Facebook and Twitter. “Like” us for regular news updates.

Summer Reading at Library has a Global Flavor

Summer Reading at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library can be your children’s passport to adventure beginning June 14.
At the Coeur d’Alene library and the Community Library Network libraries the theme for Summer Reading is “One World, Many Stories” bringing an international flavor to the activities.
Educators agree that participation in Summer Reading helps students to reduce “brain drain.” It’s difficult for young minds to retain what they have learned if they aren’t kept active during extended breaks from school.
A recent study by the American Educational Research Association indicates that a lack of reading skills, even at the third-grade level, can lead to later educational problems and can even impact high school graduation.
The free summer program at Coeur d’Alene will include three new activities:
►Book Club Adventures: For ages 9-12, Tuesdays, 1-2 p.m. (registration required to order materials). Participants will be reading the YRCA 2012 nominee “Jake Ransom and the Skull King’s Shadow” by James Rollins. Each member of the group will be provided a book to take home and read and then participate in a discussion and activities at the library.
►The Write Stuff: For ages 9-12, Thursdays, 11 a.m. to noon. (registration required). One way to build reading skills is to tap young imaginations through writing. Participants will learn to craft stories and discover stories in the world around them.
►CSI: World: For ages 9-12, Wednesdays, 3-4 p.m. (registration required to order materials). Small groups will be “sent on missions to exotic locations to solve a crime.” Participants will learn about different counties while they hone their investigative skills.
All of the returning reading programs have been given a twist to take advantage of the Summer Reading Theme. This include:
►Global Babies Lap-Sit: For ages newborn to 2 accompanied by a parent or other caregiver, Tuesdays, 10:15-10:45 a.m., and Fridays, 10:30-11 a.m.
►Tales for Toddler Travelers: For ages 2-3, Tuesdays 11-11:30 a.m.
►Preschool Passport to the World: For ages 3-5, Wednesdays 10:30-11 a.m.
►It’s a Small World Lunch Bunch: Back from last summer. Bring your lunch and enjoy stories in the park. For ages 3-5, Wednesdays, noon to 1 p.m.
►Book Bunch Globetrotters: For ages 5-8, Thursdays, 1-2 p.m.
►LEGO Club: For ages 5-10, Thursdays 4-5 p.m. Come use your imaginations and build with the library’s huge collection of LEGOs. (The library will gladly accept the donation of any LEGO sets that don’t currently have a child [or adult] to love them.)
The library will host the “World Festival Summer Carnival” on July 28, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mark your calendars and plan to bring a picnic lunch to the park and experience games, crafts and food from around the world.
Children under 6 visiting the library need to be supervised by an adult or a person who is at least 14 even during programs. Children ages 6-9 should be accompanied by someone who is at least 14 who will remain in the building.

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. More news and information about the library is available online at cdalibrary.org. The library has Facebook and Twitter pages. “Like” us to receive regular updates.

Share a Yarn With the Library Teen Knitting Club

This is not your grandma’s knitting club.
Knitting is one of the nation’s most popular fiber art activities. The Coeur d’Alene Public Library is introducing a new program: Teen Knitting Club. Designed for ages 12-18 – for girls and boys – the first session will be Monday, June 13, 4 p.m.
Reserve space by visiting the library at 702 E. Front. Ave., by calling 769-2315, or by e-mailing info@cdalibrary.org.
Participants can bring a knitting project or learn to knit. Some supplies will be provided as will free patterns.

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. More news and information about the library is available online at cdalibrary.org. The library has pages on Facebook and Twitter. “Like” us for regular news updates.

15th Street Closed May 26th, Elm to Maple

Closure to Through Traffic for Thursday, May 26th, Only

The Coeur d’Alene Water Department will be temporarily closing 15th Street from Elm Street to Maple Avenue on Thursday, May 26th, to through traffic. The Water Department will be doing some water main work in advance of the 2011 Street Overlay Project.

Please pay attention to signage and detours, and allow a little extra time to arrive at your destination.

For more information, please contact the Water Department at 769-2210.

City’s Street Overlay Program Begins

Coeur d’Alene’s summer overlay program starts this week. Streets to be overlaid will have temporary closures due to grinding, utility raising, and paving of the streets. In some cases, traffic may be reduced to one lane during the overlay period. Please be patient, and pay attention to signage and detours, allowing a little extra time to arrive at your destination.

The scope of the overlay project includes approximately 23 blocks of city streets, specifically Sherman Avenue, Ironwood Drive, and 15th Street. The following schedule outlines this year’s overlay program:

Sherman Avenue from 2nd Street to 7th Street
The contractor will begin May 25th with the milling of asphalt, followed by a 2” Overlay and then raise all utilities to grade. Most of the work will be accomplished during the evening and morning hours. Sherman Avenue will be completed by June 16th.

Ironwood Drive from U.S. 95 to Government Way
The contractor will begin May 24th with the milling of asphalt, followed by a 2” Overlay and then raise all the utilities to grade. The work will be accomplished during the evening hours. Ironwood Drive will be completed by June 13th.

15th Street from Mullan Avenue to Harrison Avenue
The contractor will begin June 2nd with the milling of asphalt, followed by a 2” Overlay and then raise all utilities to grade. The work will be accomplished during the daytime hours. 15th Street will be completed by July 1st.

The entire overlay project is scheduled to be completed by July 1st, weather pending.

To ensure a dedicated maintenance funding stream, the City Council continues to retain a $650,000 line item in the budget for the pavement Overlay Program. In addition, the Street Maintenance Department performs extensive spot repairs on city streets using in-house resources. The cost of this work totals about $400,000. In a typical year, your city invests a little over $1 million between the overlay program and in-house forces to keep over 250 center lane miles of streets maintained. With this level of funding dedicated to street maintenance, along with periodic help from grants and LIDs, your streets should never fall into wholesale disrepair.

If you have any questions regarding the 2011 Overlay Project, please call Dennis Grant at (208)769-2398 or email him at dennisg@cdaid.org.

Library Closed Sunday, Monday for Memorial Day

The Coeur d'Alene Public Library will be closed Sunday and Monday, May 29 and 30, in observance of Memorial Day. Normal hours resume Tuesaday, May 31, at 10 a.m.
The library's databases are available 24 hours a day, everyday. To access the databases visit the library at 702 E. Front Ave., or call 769-2315, during open hours to obtain user names and passwords. The databases are listed on the left side of the library website - http://www.cdalibrary.org/.
With your library card number you can also use the website to check your library records and to reserve books and other items.
For a video update of library activities go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pbdhJLlhzU .
And don't forget to "like" the library on Facebook for regular updates.

Cherry Hill FireSmart Fuel Reduction May Start May 19th

The FireSmart Fuel Reduction project on the ten, wooded acres of Cherry Hill may begin as early as this Thursday, May 19th. FireSmart has a contractor who will be doing the work under FireSmart funding. The purpose of the project is to keep possible wildfires small and on the ground, where they can be more easily controlled and extinguished within the response time of firefighting personnel.

The trees in this area are very crowded. The fuel reduction project will include the removal of small trees (less than 6” in diameter) to space out the tree crowns, pruning up the lower branches of the residual trees to keep fire out of the tree canopies, and removal of most brush that is over one foot in height. Some desirable brush species, such as serviceberry and mountain maple, have been flagged for retention. The cut trees and shrubs, as well as woody material already on the ground, will be chipped and distributed over the site.

In preparation for the project, the city’s Urban Forestry division has reviewed the site and plans with some disk golf enthusiasts and with the Water Department. The work will be completed by mid-June at the latest. For more information, please contact Karen Haskew, 769-2266.

‘Bloom Report’ Offers Information on City’s Flowering Trees

Have you ever wondered about the identity of those purple-blooming trees? Or perhaps you want a tree just like those pink-blooming ones on Kathleen Avenue, but are unsure what species of tree they are.

There is an easy way to find out the identity of trees currently in bloom – it’s called the “Bloom Report,” which the Urban Forestry division of the Coeur d’Alene Parks Department provides on a weekly basis throughout the spring and early summer.

The Bloom Report identifies currently blooming tree species, shows pictures of the trees and their blossoms, identifies locations where they may be seen, and provides other interesting information. The Bloom Report appears on CDA-TV (public cable channel 19) and the Parks Department website at http://parks.cdaid.org/. The website features a PDF file as well as a video copy of the Bloom Report. The current week, as well as past weeks and past years, appears on the website.

Coeur d’Alene’s Urban Forestry division has additional information on tree species that grow well in this area, as well as publications on tree planting and tree care. Drop by the Parks Department office in City Hall (710 E. Mullan Avenue) to pick up free tree information.

Internet Keeps CdA Library Open 24/7

Everybody knows “what” the Coeur d’Alene Public library is. It’s that big brick building down by the park that’s full of books. It’s a great place to go for a program, to read, or do a little homework.

But sometimes when you need it, the Coeur d’Alene Public Library (CDAPL) is closed. Fortunately, if you have access to an Internet-linked computer, the CDAPL is always “open.”

With your library card number, you can access your personal account to make use of various library services by going to www.cdalibrary.org. You can check to see when your books are due, if you owe a fine, and you can reserve books from the CDAPL or any of the 25 libraries that make up the Cooperative Information Network (CIN).

But wait – there’s more.

Look at that list of links on the left side of the library website. These are the library’s databases – Internet-based information sites which have been vetted for accuracy. Many are databases made available to all libraries in the state by the Idaho Commission for Libraries and agencies like the Department of Labor.

Other services are subscribed to by the CDAPL itself and are exclusive in this area to its website. Most of them require a username and password. Coeur d’Alene residents can receive these either by visiting or calling the library during open hours. Once you have these magic words, you have access 24 hours a day. Of course, when the library is open you can use a library computer to access this information.

Here are a few of the useful databases available:

Automotive Manuals: Technical information on many makes, years, and models of vehicles with detailed schematics and do-it-yourself instructions.
Career Information: This is your direct link to the Department of Labor with information about available jobs in Idaho and the skills you need to pursue a career in numerous fields.

Test Prep – GED, etc.: Whether you are preparing to take your SATs or working toward your GED, this site has preparation tests and study guides. For people who want to improve their computer skills this site has several tutorials for the most commonly used software.

Local Newspapers: This is a database subscription provided by the library that provides users with access to stories and other information published in the Coeur d’Alene Press and the Spokesman Review from the past six to fifteen years, depending on the publication.

Databases are also available for state and federal tax forms, online reference, materials, genealogy, history and literature, children’s nonfiction, and national newspapers and magazines.
It’s all as close as your keyboard.

The library can also reach out and contact you by computer. If you have e-mail as part of the contact information for your library card, you will receive e-mail notifications when your books and other items are due and when items you have reserved become available.

If you want to receive news items about the free programs at the Coeur d’Alene library and others, send an e-mail message to dtownsend@cdalibrary.org and you will be added to the list. You can request to be removed from the list at anytime. The library also has Facebook and Twitter pages. You can keep track by “liking” the library. For more information, please call 769-2315.

2011 Writers Competition Winners Recognized

Left to right from back row, James Thomas Ball, Sue Coleman, Holly Cooley-Nelson, Jacqueline Gedeik, Donna J. Williams, Taylor Kowalski, Alexsandra Logan, Brooke Sausser, Jacob Ryan Smith, Kaye Thornbrugh, Kierah Thurgood, Amy E. Hanson, Gabe Johnson, Jeanette Leptich, Garrett Thomas Oetken, Logan Elizabeth Ortiz, Emma Ployhar, Elisha Bennett Coad, Arthur G. Elliott, Justin Gates, Melia Lane Hannigan-Luther, Sydney Christine Morrison, Dylan Hansen, Haydn McKee. Not pictured: Patricia Kuhns, Hailey Smith, Conner Conigliaro, and Robert Z. Southern.


The winners of the 2011 Writers Competition at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library were recognized Saturday, May 14, during a ceremony hosted by the Friends of the Library.
The competition is in its 23nd year. The program was begun by former Library Director Julie Meier with the goal of encouraging excellence in writing and “to discover great writers living among us.
Writers submit fiction and nonfiction entries of 2,000 words or less in age groups ranging from 6 years to adult. This year there were 198 entries in the competition.
Cash prizes were first awarded by Hecla Mining Co. and more recently have been provided by the Coeur d’Alene Kiwanis Club. Prizes include $100 for first, $50 for second and $25 for third. In case of matching scores, duplicate prizes of the full amount are awarded. Based on scores, first-place prizes may not be awarded in every category and age group.
The entries are judged each year by volunteers who include published authors, journalists, editors and writing educators.
The winners and their entries are:
► 6-8 Nonfiction: No entries received
►9-11 Nonfiction: First, Elisha Bennett Coad, Sagle, “Bennett the Bomber Pilot;” Second, Conner Conigliaro, Coeur d’Alene, “Candy;” Third, Arthur G. Elliott, Hayden, “My Trip to the Oregon Coast.”
► 12-14 Nonfiction: First (tie), Gabe Johnson, Coeur d’Alene, “98 Yards and Counting;” First (tie), Garrett Thomas Oetken, Coeur d’Alene, “Building the Boat;” Second, Jeanette Leptich, Coeur d’Alene, “A Day With My Dad;” Third, Logan Elizabeth Ortiz, Coeur d’Alene, “My Time at Camp Bighorn.”
► 15-18 Nonfiction: First, Taylor Kowalski, Coeur d’Alene, “Death Is;” Second, Brooke Sausser, Post Falls, “Carnage in the Illegal Rosewood Industry: It’s Causes, Effects, and Victims; ”Third (tie), Alexsandra Logan, Spokane, “Camp Dishwashers Night Out;” Third (tie), Hailey Smith, Post Falls, “Heart: An Autobiography Through the Eyes of Hope.”
► 19-Plus Nonfiction: First, Donna J. Williams, Coeur d’Alene, “Charlie’s Eyes;” Second, Sue Coleman, Troy, Mont., “A Patchwork World;” Third, James Thomas Ball, Coeur d’Alene, “Logical Power and Transportation Policies.”
► 6-8 Fiction: First, Dylan Hansen, Athol, “The Discovery;” Second, Robert Z. Southern, Coeur d’Alene, “The Hamster’s Donut;” Third, Haydn McKee, Coeur d’Alene, “The Pirate’s Journey.”
► 9-11 Fiction: First, Melia Lane Hannigan-Luther, Coeur d’Alene, “A Chance;” Second, Sydney Christine Morrison, Hayden, “Dance in the Rain, Chapter 1;” Third, Justin Gates, Hayden, “Dogsled Race.”
► 12-14 Fiction: First, Emma Ployhar, Coeur d’Alene, “A Name to Be Proud Of;” Second, Amy E. Hanson, Coeur d’Alene, “Mandie Carter; ”Third, Emma Ployhar, Coeur d’Alene, “A Meaningful Life.”
► 15-18 Fiction: First, Kaye Thornbrugh, Hayden, “Sacrifice of the Sea: A Drowning in 13 Glances;” Second, Kaye Thornbrugh, Hayden, “The Naming of Names: An Origin;” Third (tie), Jacob Ryan Smith, Rathdrum, “Hateful Disgrace;” Third (tie), Kierah Thurgood, Post Falls, “Cursed Wings and Blessed Guns.”
► 19-Plus Fiction: First, Jacqueline Gedeik. Hayden, “The Intruder;” Second, Patricia Kuhns, Rathdrum, “Grounded;” Third, Holly Cooley-Nelson, Coeur d’Alene, “Abandoned.”

More news and information about the library is available online at www.cdalibrary.org. “Like” the library on Facebook to receive regular updates.

Students Abroad Program at Library May 18

Devin Summer, just back from Istanbul, Turkey, will present a program in the Community Room, May 18, at 6:30 p.m., about the importance of studying abroad and how grants and scholarships can be used to fund the experience. Click on the photo for a video update of activities at the Coeur d'Alene Public Library produced by Jeff Crowe for CDA-TV. Cable Channel 19 provides live and recorded coverage of public meetings and other information of interest to the citizens of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. For more about the library go to cdalibrary.org. For regular news updates be sure to "like" us on Facebook.

Celebrate Bike to Work Week, May 16th – May 21st

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 being encouraged to ride their bikes to work or school every day of Bike to Work Week from May 16th thru May 21st. Get out and enjoy the fresh air!

Below is the line-up of events for Bike to Work Week:
Monday the 16th – 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 are invited to sit down for coffee at the Bakery by the Lake.

Wednesday the 18th – Moonlight Ride: Participants will meet at Terra Sports on Sherman Avenue at 9: 00 p.m. and ride down the Centennial Trail to Higgins Point and back. Headlights are required.

Thursday the 14th – Wine Tasting at 5:30 p.m. at Pilgrim’s Market, followed by the movie “Breaking Away” at 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 21st – 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. Get more information and register at http://www.kealliance.org/.

Saturday the 21st – There will be a "Finish Line" wrap-up celebration at the Community Garden on Foster and 10th 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 2011, please contact Monte McCully at (208) 292-5766.

Archeology Program at Cd’A Library May 11

Ken Reid, Idaho State Archeologist, will present a program Wednesday, May 11, at 7 p.m., in the Community Room at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library, 702 E. Front Ave.
“When Were Those Guys? Closing in on Idaho’s Clovis Culture,” is presented by the Idaho Historical Society as part of “PaleoIdaho,” the celebration of Idaho Archeology and Historic Preservation Month during May.
The Wallace District Mining Museum, 509 Bank St., will host “The REAL Dirt: The Archeology of Prostitution in Sandpoint, Idaho,” by Mark Warner on May 19, at 7 p.m.
“From Time Immemorial: The Prehistoric Archeology on Sand Creek” will be presented by Robert Betts at the Bonner County Historical Museum, 611 S. Ella in Sandpoint, on May 19 at 7 p.m. Bob Weaver will present “Historical Archeology of Sand Creek Byway” in the same location On May 26 at 7 p.m.

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. More news and information about the library is available online at cdalibrary.org.

Specialized Needs Recreation Hosts May 14th Talent Show

This Saturday, May 14th, Specialized Needs Recreation (SNR) will host their 9th Annual Shining Stars Talent Show Fundraiser, “Lights, Camera, Action!” from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The show will be held at Real Life Ministries, 1866 North Cecil Road in Post Falls. The entry fee is $5.00. All proceeds go toward scholarships for the upcoming Camp All-Stars summer break day camp.

SNR will be raffling off many wonderfully-themed baskets such as: Couples, Women’s, Men’s, and Family baskets, as well as baskets from the Great Harvest Bread Company and the Coeur d’Alene Casino. They will also raffle off many miscellaneous baskets and hold a Silent Auction. Many generous 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 “Lights, Camera, Action!” There are 41 individuals in this year’s show and they have been practicing for months for this special night. Please come, help them celebrate their success, and see them shine.

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

Specialized Needs Recreation is a non-profit organization that provides recreational opportunities for youth and adults who have developmental and or physical disabilities.
Please visit our website, www.snr.bz. Thanks go to the Panhandle Kiwanis Club for their sponsorship of this event.

Pageturners Revise Book Club Discussion Schedule

The Coeur d’Alene Public Library Pageturners Book Club has revised its book discussion schedule for the rest of the current cycle that runs through October.
The book club meets the fourth Wednesday of each month (excluding December) at 10:15 a.m. in the Community Room at the library. Discussions are open to any adult reader. Participation in the book club is free and no registration is required.
The title currently being read by the group is “Underneath the Lintel,” by Glen Berger. The discussion will be led by Len Mattei on May 25.
“Underneath the Lintel is a play that premièred in 2001. The sole character — the Librarian — embarks on a quest to find out who anonymously returned a library book that is 113 years overdue. A clue scribbled in the margin of the book and an unclaimed dry-cleaning ticket then take him on a mysterious adventure that spans the globe and the ages.
The schedule of discussions and titles through October is:
• June 29: “Four Seasons in Rome*” by Anthony Doerr, discussion leader Fran Bahr. (rescheduled from November due to snow-out.)
• July 27: “The Help*” by Kathryn Stockett, discussion leader Julie Tiger-Liegert.
• Aug. 31: “Salt”* by Mark Kurlansky, discussion leader John McTear.
• Sept. 28: “Tried by War” by James McPherson (Idaho Humanities Lecturer on Oct. 6), discussion leader George Sayler.
• Oct. 26: “To Kill a Mockingbird*” by Harper Lee, discussion Katie Sayler.
* Indicates selection is available for Kindle (download is through Amazon.com and is not through the library’s catalog.)
Check on the availability of selections at the library’s Research and Information Desk.
Pageturners Book Club is supported by a grant from the Friends of the Library. Twenty copies of each selection are purchased. After each title is discussed the books, along with discussion materials for that title, are bundled together and are available for other books clubs to checkout and use.

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. More news and information about the library is available online at cdalibrary.org.

Become A Student Representative to City Committees!

In the year 2000, the Coeur d’Alene City Council passed an ordinance allowing youth representation on City Boards, Commissions, and Committees. Service on these boards gives high school students, who are roughly between the ages of 14 and 18, an unprecedented opportunity to learn about city government, special projects, and to become involved in the community.

If you are interested in serving as a student representative or alternate on any of the following committees, or know of a student who might be interested, please call Victoria Bruno at 769-2204 for an application click here.

Committees on which you might possibly serve are:

Arts Commission
CdA TV Committee
Child Care Commission
Parking Commission
Urban Forestry Committee
Recreation & Parks Commission

Students may serve as an advisory member to the: Planning Commission

A question that is often asked is: What is the time commitment for a student representative?

It depends on the board, commission, or committee, but for the most part, city boards meet once a month, for not much longer than an hour or two. The biggest exception is the Planning Commission which meets two (2) or more times a month, and often for much longer than one hour. Furthermore, the Arts Commission, CdA-TV Committee, and the Urban Forestry Committee meet in the morning, so be sure your school schedule can be accommodating.

Students who demonstrate an interest to continue serving on their respective committees may be considered for reappointment at the end of the school year.

“When young people serve their community, everybody wins. Our committees gain fresh ideas from young minds, the students learn about the many volunteers who make Coeur d’Alene a ‘City of Excellence,’ and we all have an opportunity to meet our next generation of leaders,” said Mayor Sandi Bloem, adding, “I appreciate the commitment of the students and their time.”

To find out more about an individual board/commission/committee, visit the city’s website and click on the individual board or its agenda. You may also email victoria@cdaid.org for information or an application. Please mail in or drop off applications to City Hall by June 1st – and be sure to include at least one letter of recommendation!

May 11th Open House Celebrates Building Safety Month

The City of Coeur d’Alene Building and Fire Departments will host an Open House on Wednesday, May 11th, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., at City Hall, 710 E. Mullan Avenue, in the former Council Chambers.

Come and meet your local building and fire inspectors and pick up information on home safety, as well as a smoke alarm (while supplies last).

First observed in 1980 as Building Safety Week, Building Safety Month 2011 will highlight four areas: (1) Energy and Green Building, (2) Disaster Safety and Mitigation, (3) Fire Safety and Awareness, and (4) Backyard Safety. The goal is to raise public awareness of critical safety issues such as the structural soundness of buildings, reliability of fire prevention and suppression systems, plumbing and mechanical systems, and energy efficiency and sustainability. These issues affect every person, regardless of age or occupation.

The International Code Council’s 50,000 members made up of local inspectors, plan reviewers and others, work to ensure the safety of the structures in which all of us live, work, attend school, worship, and play. These officials provide the first line of defense against building disasters, and are the silent but vigilant guardians who work daily to ensure safety in the built environment. The International Code Council develops the most widely-used building safety and fire prevention codes in the nation.

For more information contact the Building Department at 769-2267, Fire Department 769-2340 or go to the International Code Council website at www.buildingsafetymonth.org.

USAF Golden West Winds to Play at Library

The Golden West Winds, a woodwind quintet, will perform a free concert Sunday, May 15, 2-3:30 p.m. in the Community Room at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library, 702 E. Front Ave.
The Golden West Winds is the resident woodwind quintet of the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West. This group of highly trained musicians has delighted numerous concert audiences throughout the western United States.
The versatile Golden West Winds perform a varied assortment of exciting chamber music, ranging from the works of baroque masters to the ragtime music of Scott Joplin -- music that is ideal for all audiences. The distinctive atmosphere of these concerts bonds musicians and audience in an intimate musical experience.
In addition to the Air Force community relations concerts, the Golden West Winds offers informative lecture/performance clinics to all levels of aspiring musicians. The Golden West Winds is featured on the recordings "Bayside Bravura" and "Wood 'n Brass."

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. More news and information about the library is available online at cdalibrary.org.