Briefs December 3, 2010

'Mama Gerry'

loses cancer battle

Readers of the Coeur d'Alene Press got to know Gerry Mahoney last month when she talked about her experience as she went through the final weeks of her life.

The Hayden woman, who had lung cancer, died early Thursday.

Mahoney, 75, helped thousands of struggling alcoholics in North Idaho and beyond, as a 52-year member of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Known to many as "Mama Gerry," she devoted a considerable amount of time to AA, as a leader and a sponsor. She traveled beyond North Idaho to share her story in the hopes of helping others.

"I have mothered and cared for a lot of them," she told The Press in November.

Mahoney said they also helped her.

"She was a true inspiration," said a local AA member who spoke to The Press. "It's so moving that she walked through everything with such grace and dignity."

Holiday bazaars on tap this weekend

There are numerous holiday bazaars in the area this weekend.

Each offers a chance to buy gifts and food, and most will have music, too.

They include:

* BAB women's club annual Christmas Bazaar at the Bayview Community Center, Bayview, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be an "All You Can Eat" Soup Buffet, $6 for adults & $2.50 for children under 7 years. Homemade baked goods for sale along with themed baskets to be raffled. Proceeds to benefit ABC Food Bank.

* St. George's Sweet Shoppe: 5 p.m., 2010 N. Lucas in Post Falls. Cookies, cakes, breads, candy, fudge, jams and more.

* Spirit Lake Elementary Craft Fair: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

* 15th Annual Gift & Craft Fair: Coeur d'Alene Christian School: 9 a.m. 3 p.m., Fourth & Hanley, Dalton Gardens

* Holiday Bazaar: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Unity Church of North Idaho, 4465 N. 15th. Homemade and fair trade. Gifts, lunch, music.

* Sixth annual Fair Trade Sale: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 812 N. Fifth. Items made by people in developing countries around the world.

* Snowflake Faire: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Fifth and Wallace, Crafts, baked goods, handmade items, and raffle.

Water customers can call in testimony

About 150 customers of Troy Hoffman Water Corporation will be able to phone in testimony to the three commissioners who will decide the water company's request for a rate increase.

The telephonic hearing begins at 7 p.m. Dec. 9. Customers can call toll-free 1-800-920-7487. Customers will be asked to enter a participant code, which is 76373262.

The water utility, which serves customers in Coeur d'Alene, is seeking commission approval to increase rates from a monthly basic charge of $5.50 to $13.31 for up to 3,000 gallons of use.

For consumption in excess of 3,000 gallons, the company proposes an increase to $1.45 for every 1,000 gallons, up from the current charge of 60 cents.

For commercial customers, the proposed increase in the basic charge is from $7.50 per month to $18.15 for the first 3,000 gallons. For use in excess of 3,000 gallons the proposed increase is also from 60 cents to $1.45 for every 1,000 gallons.