Arbor Day Button Art Contest Announced

Your local Arbor Day Committee announces an art contest to design a button for 2012 Arbor Day celebrations. Now in its 16th year, the contest is open to middle school and high school students who live within the Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, and Lakeland school districts. Winning art will be featured on a button that will be distributed, along with tree seedlings, at Arbor Day events in late April.

The winner of the contest will receive $75, a tee-shirt featuring the winning artwork, and a supply of the Arbor Day buttons to give to family and friends. The second place winner will be awarded $50; third place, $25. First place artwork will be made into 2,000 buttons and given to fourth graders and others who participate in Arbor Day celebrations this April. Designs must be submitted by Friday, March 2nd. The local Arbor Day committee will choose up to eight finalists. The selected art will then be judged by some real experts – a group of fourth grade students.

Urban Forester Karen Haskew said that it seems like the natural thing to do to have the fourth graders be the judges of the button art contest since most of the buttons will go to fourth graders along with tree seedlings for Arbor Day. Over 42,000 seedlings have been given to fourth graders and other Arbor Day celebrants since the program was launched in the late 1980s.

“We do have some very talented young artists in the area,” said Haskew. “We get good entries and I know the committee enjoys selecting the finalists – we can get pretty passionate about our favorites!” she explained. There were as few as 20 entries when the button contest first started. In 2011 over 150 entries were received. In addition to the over-all winners, the top winners at each participating school are also recognized.

Information about the contest is available at the Coeur d’Alene Parks Department (710 E. Mullan Avenue), the Post Falls Parks and Recreation Department (408 Spokane Street), the Hayden Urban Forestry office (8930 N. Government Way), and on-line at http://www.cdaid.org/urban/index.html.

Arbor Day is a tree-planting holiday celebrated both nationally and internationally. Idaho’s official Arbor Day is the last Friday in April – April 27 in 2012. The Arbor Day Committee consists of representatives from federal, state, and city governments as well as several local service organizations. The Arbor Day seedlings and buttons that are distributed are purchased with donations from local forest products companies, nurseries, and tree services. For more information, contact Karen Haskew at 769-2266.

Writers Competition is 24th for Library

    The 24th annual Writers Competition at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library has begun.

    Writers ages 6 to adult can submit up to two entries of fiction and nonfiction prose (no poetry please) – two fiction pieces, two nonfiction or one in each category – up to 2,000 words.

    Entry forms and rules are available at the library, 702 E. Front Ave., beginning Jan. 31 or can be downloaded from the library website, www.cdalibrary.org. The web entry forms can be found under the “About Us” and click on “Annual Events.”

    You can receive entry forms/rules by mail by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Writers Competition, Cd’A Public Library, 702 E. Front Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814.

    The deadline for entries is March 31. Entries mailed to the library should be postmarked no later than March 30.

    Cash prizes, funded in part by the Coeur d’Alene Kiwanis Club, are awarded in each category and age group at a ceremony in May hosted by the Friends of the Coeur d’Alene Public Library. Prizes are $100 for first place, $50 for second and $25 for third.

     Former Library Director Julie Meier began the competition more than 20 years ago 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.

     Each year all entries in the competition – not only the winners – are included in professionally bound volumes added to the library’s collection. These volumes can be reviewed in the Nelson Memorial Room at the library. The entries are judged by professional writers, editors, and educators.

     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.

Final Week for ‘The Way We Worked’

      Saturday, Jan. 28, is the final day for “The Way We Worked,” the traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian Institute at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library.

“This has been a fantastic exhibit for the library and our community,” said David Townsend Library Communications Coordinator and the project leader for the exhibit. “For many of our visitors it has renewed memories of their working lives and been a reminder how important our jobs are for us.”

The exhibit, installed in the main library level, 702 E. Front Ave., examines American attitudes toward work and its ever-changing nature featuring interactive displays and historic photographs. A companion exhibit in the gallery cases on the lower level features artifacts from the Museum of North Idaho, a community partner for the project.

On Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 7 p.m., regional historian Robert Singletary will present the final lecture in the series “The Way North Idaho Worked,” based in part on the library’s Heritage Wall.

“The Way We Worked” is part of Museum on Main Street, collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and state humanities councils nationwide. Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress. The exhibit has been made possible in Idaho by the Idaho Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities “We the People” Program, and the Inland Northwest Foundation.

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.

Library Series Digs Into Archaeology

      “Dig It!: A Fresh Look at Archaeology” is designed to introduce teens to one of the most fascinating sciences used to examine the past, but anyone interested in history is welcome.

The series, presented by Haley Cohen, will be offered at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library, 702 E. Front Ave., on Thursdays, Feb. 9, 16, and 23, at 7 p.m. in the Community Room. The first session will be “Archaeology 101” and will be followed by “Archaeology of Twilight,” and “Unsolved Mysteries.”

Cohen is a longtime Coeur d’Alene resident. Although not a native, she’s lived here since she was 4 years old. A graduate of Coeur d'Alene High School and the winner of their Honors Senior Project competition, she has taken the lessons of our community across the country.

She attended Lycoming College where she double-majored in archaeology and political science. She completed her studies at Boston University where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in archaeology.

Since graduating, Cohen has taken to giving lecture series and can also be seen locally in productions at the Lake City Playhouse including recent roles in “Fiddler on the Roof” and “RENT.” She currently works at Parker Toyota and is looking into going back to graduate school to continue her archaeological studies in the future.

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.

New ‘Star Trek’ Mission at Cd’A Library

       The latest crew of the Starship Enterprise begins its mission at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m.

“Star Trek: The Future Begins,” will be screened in the Community Room at the library, 702 E. Front Ave. Admission and popcorn are free. Sci-fi costumes are encouraged.

This version of the story – based on the television series create by Gene Roddenberry – was released in 2009 by Paramount Studios and was directed by J.J. Abrams. The cast includes Chris Pine as Capt. Kirk and Zachery Quinto as Spock. It has a running time of 127 minutes.

Film licensing and popcorn are provided by the Coeur d’Alene Public Library Foundation.

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.

February Film at Library is ‘All the King’s Men’

      “All the King’s Men,” will screen Feb. 2, at 7 p.m., at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library as part of the “Moving Books” series of films based on literature.

Sponsored by the Library Foundation, the film will be shown on the big screen in the library Community Room, 702 E. Front Ave. A $5 donation is suggested. Popcorn is free. Proceeds go to enhance the library’s DVD collection.

The movie is based on a 1946 Pulitzer Prize-winning book by Robert Penn Warren. This 2006 release was directed by Steven Zaillian and stars Sean Penn, Jude Law, Kate Winslet, and James Gandolfini. The film is 125 minutes long.

Upcoming movies in the series are: March 1, “The Lincoln Lawyer;” April 5, (6 p.m. start time for family films) “Tangled;” and May 3, “Charlie Wilson’s War.” Unless otherwise specified movies start 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. For more library information visit cdalibrary.org or cdacity.blogspot.com. 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.

CDA’ART Grant Program

The CDA’ART Grant Program is a three-year pilot program of the City of

Coeur d’Alene Arts Commission beginning in 2011, which seeks to widen arts and cultural participation, and its expression. As a flexible small awards program, it aims to encourage innovative ideas, respond to one-time opportunities, and create new access for individuals and groups not served by other programs.

The CDA’ART Grant program provides support from $500 up to $1,000 for projects, opportunities, and events proposed by individuals, groups, organizations or communities of interest that offer a potential arts or cultural impact within the City of Coeur d’Alene.

Who Can Apply

• Individuals or groups of people seeking support for a one-time project, opportunity, or event involving arts and culture and not currently funded by the Coeur d’Alene Arts Commission
• Organizations that are:
  
  • Emerging (less than 3 years old), OR
  • Not currently funded by the Coeur d’Alene Arts Commission, OR
  • Grassroots or business organizations

To apply for a CDA’ART Grant, visit the City of Coeur d’Alene website at http://www.cdaid.org/, and click on “Public Art.” For additional information, please call Steve Anthony at 769-2249.

CdA Arts Commission Elects New Chairperson

The City of Coeur d’Alene Arts Commission announces the election of Eden Irgens as Chair. Ms. Irgens has been a member of the Coeur d’Alene Arts Commission for 6 years. Fred Ogram, former chairperson, fulfilled his term as an arts commissioner at the end of December.


“I am honored to be leading the Arts Commission. We have a great team of people dedicating their time to this commission and there are a lot of wonderful projects going right now – and more to come in the next few years,” said Ms. Irgens. “Fred Ogram did a great job of aligning our priorities against the master plan created based on community input, so I’m taking over a commission that is running smoothly and has a plan.”

About the Coeur d’Alene Arts Commission:

The CdA Arts Commission is made up of a diverse group of volunteer commission members for the purpose of managing the 1.33% public art funds, maintaining current artworks owned by the City of Coeur d’Alene, and executing public art projects. Funds are derived from 1.33% of the cost for all capital municipal construction or improvement projects paid for wholly or in part by the City, including construction, renovation or remodel of any public park, eligible street projects, building, parking facility or any portion thereof within the City limits. LCDC also provides funding for public art within its districts.

Eden Irgens is Co-Founder of Range, a branding and marketing firm, on the Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Club of Kootenai County, and a member of the Coeur d’Alene Rotary Club. She was on the committee for the EXCEL Foundation’s “No Moose Left Behind” Public Art Project and chaired the “Fountains of Wishes” public art project. For more information, please call Steve Anthony, Arts Commission Liaison, at 769-2249.

Photo Safari Back by Popular Demand

      A slideshow featuring wildlife photos from Kenya and Tanzania is returning to the Coeur d’Alene Public Library on Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 7 p.m., due to popular demand.

Presented on the big screen in the Community Room at the library, 702 E. Front Ave., the slideshow is part of the “Novel Destination” series sponsored by the Library Foundation. It features photos by Mary Sanderson and Steve and Dana Wetzel taken during their visit to
Africa.

The program is free and popcorn will be provided.

      The “Novel Destinations” series features travelogues by people from the North Idaho Community. Anyone with a slideshow to share 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.

Library Closed Jan. 16 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

The Coeur d'Alene Public Library will be closed Monday, Jan. 16, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Regular hours resume at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17. The library catalog and databases can be accessed 24/7 through the website: cdalibrary.org. Call 208.769.2315 or visit the library at 702 E. Front Ave. during open hours for database user names and passwords.

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 Presents Camp Allstars “School Day Off” Day Camp

Specialized Needs Recreation (SNR) is holding Camp All-Stars “School Day Off” Day Camp on January 16th at the SNR facility in Coeur d’Alene (1323 East Sherman Suite E). Don’t be bored on your school day off – come and have a day full of friends, food, and fun!


Camp All-Stars Day Camps are filled with 6 hours of meaningful and memorable activities such as community outings, crafts, and games. Camp will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The cost is $15.00 for the day. There are scholarships available for those who qualify.

For those of you coming from the Post Falls area, we provide transportation from the Trading Company. Morning pick up will be at 8:30 a.m. and afternoon drop offs will be at 3:30 p.m. Campers coming from the Coeur d’Alene/Hayden area will meet at the SNR facility at 9:00 a.m. and will need to be picked up by 3:00 p.m.

Please bring a sack lunch and dress warmly. Limited space is available so sign up today. Pre-registration is required. Unfortunately, SNR is not able to provide 1:1 assistance but individuals who require 1:1 assistance are still encouraged to join us with their care provider or assistant.

Specialized Needs Recreation also offers summer, winter, and spring-break day camps as well as school days off, throughout the year.

If you would like more information about Camp All-Stars, or would like to register your child for camp, or if you are interested in volunteering, please call Angie Goucher at 755-6781 or e-mail her anggou@aol.com. Specialized Needs Recreation is a non-profit organization that provides recreational opportunities for youth and adults who have developmental disabilities. Visit us at our website http://www.snr.bz/.

City Hall Closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday

On Monday, January 16, 2012, Coeur d’Alene City Hall will be closed for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday. 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, January 17th, at 8:00 a.m. For more information, please call 769-2204.

Public Art Policy Considerations

Private individuals and agencies occasionally offer works of art as donations or loans to the City of Coeur d’Alene or desire to display art owned by those individuals or agencies on public property. Similarly, individuals or groups may also wish to propose a public art project that would be temporarily or permanently installed on city property. These gifts and exhibitions are an important part of the city’s growing art collection and presence in the public realm. On Monday, Jan. 9th, the city's General Services Committee will consider proposed policies and procedures for such donations, loans, or exhibitions. The meeting will be held at noon in the Community Room of the library.

2011 ADOPT-A-STREET EFFECTIVENESS

We received a report from the Kootenai County Solid Waste Department that in 2011 the City of Coeur d’Alene’s Adopt-a-Street program delivered from Coeur d’Alene roadways a staggering total of 16.02 tons of trash to the County Transfer Station. This is certainly an impressive figure that illustrates the effectiveness of the program and dedication of the 34 volunteer groups that make this possible. Our roads stay much cleaner as a result. The City’s Adopt-a-Street program was established by the City Council in August 2000. Volunteers groups include families, businesses, and service groups. As you notice the city’s Adopt-a-Street signs around town, do take note of the volunteer groups on the signs and thank them next time you see them!

Recent Burglaries and Thefts - Good News!

Our kudos go to Coeur d’Alene Police and the North Idaho Violent Crimes Task Force who apprehended all eight suspects wanted in connection with multiple burglaries in North Idaho. We were pleased to learn last week of the arrests of the final two suspects. CDA PD and the North Idaho Violent Crimes Task force arrested these two fugitives without incident in Spokane working with Spokane PD. The successful apprehension of all of the involved suspects underscores how well local police agencies work together seamlessly and cooperatively. Well done Cd’A PD!

As a side note, the PD has been having a lot of success with posting recovered property on Facebook . If you know someone that has been a victim of a recent burglary or theft please encourage them to go to the Coeur d’Alene PD’s Facebook page to review the photos.

Checking Off Spring To Do List

From the City Street Dept.: With Mother Nature providing crews with mild winter weather to date, crews have be taking advantage of this by sweeping, videoing storm lines, tree trimming and placing sand to shore the dike wall. This unseasonable weather has allowed us to sweep the downtown, all arterials, the Gibbs Hills and Fairways areas. Crews have been able to video storm lines, replace some broken catch basin rings and lids as well as vac-all some catch basins. Working with parks and urban forestry we have trimmed trees in the Northshire area and now have moved south of Sherman. This program allows us to regain access to curb lines so we can plow and sweep along the curb in a safe manner. The placing of the sand is part of the checklist (Corp of Engineers) of things to do along the dike. Although winter is far from over, this mild winter has allowed us to get a jump on spring projects and finish things that have been on our bucket list.

Utility Billing Error

The telephone call volume to the Finance Department was at an exceptionally high level yesterday. There was an error made in one batch of utility bills that went out in the mail on Friday. The error caused the bill, received by the customer, to be double what it should have been. The customer’s electronic account history is accurate. The error has been corrected. We apologize for the energy created and can confirm that the City’s phone system works very well.

KOOTENAI COUNTY PRESS RELEASE: SCHOOL RECYCLING

The Kootenai County Board of Commissioners is electing not to renew the current recycling contracts the County has with the Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls and Lakeland School Districts. The current contracts expire on June 1, 2012.
The Solid Waste Department of Kootenai County currently subsidizes the recycling program with the school districts at an approximate cost of $170,000.00 per year to the Solid Waste Department. In addition to the cost, the implementation of single stream recycling in Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls and surrounding areas has had a dramatic impact on reducing the volume of recycling being dropped off at the school sites.
Recycling will continued to be offered at three District 271 schools, Hayden Meadows, Dalton Elementary and Hayden Kindergarten. These three schools continue to be high volume sites for recyclables.
The County is committed to facilitating recycling. Consequently, recycling will be offered at several of the rural dumpster sites and other convenient locations throughout the County. The Mica Flats dumpster site was the recipient of the first recycle bin. After only 12 days, the recycling dumpster at Mica Flats had collected over 2800# of recyclable material. This material will not end up in our landfill thereby extending its life and saving taxpayer dollars.
The Commissioners appreciate and value the relationship we’ve experienced with area school districts. We look forward to facilitating and evaluating opportunities for greater waste reduction in the future.
For further information please contact:
Roger Saterfiel, Director
Kootenai County Solid Waste Department
446-1444

SIGNAL MALFUNCTION AT 3RD & HARRISON

Yesterday afternoon we received a call from dispatch that the WB green light was out at 3rd and Harrison. The City is working with an electric company this morning, and the light should be at full strength later today.