Dogs and the people who love them
Since adopting a young Yorkie on our 24th wedding anniversary in March, it's like having a four-legged toddler in the house. I took Annie to the Dog d'Alene event in downtown Coeur d'Alene on Saturday for a little canine socialization. What a fun time with dogs of every size and the people who love them.
Annie and I both enjoyed meeting Jade, a three-pound tea cup Chihuahua wearing a pink tutu and "Conan O'Brien," a 4-foot tall Great Dane. We had a reunion with Judy Busath, the Kootenai Humane Society volunteer who brought me and Annie together two months ago. Dog d'Alene will be on our annual places-to-go list for sure.***
A bonus during Dog d'Alene was entertainment by students of Cd'A Rock School. I was absolutely in awe of 14-year-old Carli Osika, performing original songs with acoustic guitar and incredible vocals. She's not just a precocious teen, Carli is the real deal with a unique but commercial sound. I'm definitely going to look for her performing around town.Another amazing talent is guitarist Carson Lueders at 8-years-old. Cd'A Rock School owner Kent Nelson is doing something right by giving young musicians the opportunity to develop skills and experience performing.
***On Saturday, Kelly Hughes and his band played during the annual Spring Food Drive for the Post Falls Food Bank. Since it was one of the first sunny and warm Saturdays of the season, the crowd was a bit sparse. But Kelly did what Kelly does, whether performing in a parking lot for a few dozen or a concert for a few thousand, he brings his "A" game and gives it 110 percent. I've known Kelly for years and just wanted to shine the light on what a great talent and great human being he is. We're fortunate to have him in our community.
***Start the weekend by attending the Sorenson Magnet School of Arts & Humanities auction and soiree at the Coeur d'Alene Resort with the Rythmn Dawgs on Friday night. Call 664-2822 for info. On Saturday the annual Relay for Life takes place at the Greyhound Park Event Center. Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back. relayforlife.org/coeurdaleneid or 208-277-7856 for info. On Sunday there's a benefit art auction at the Hampton Inn at Riverstone to benefit the medical expenses of John Flaherty. The young father of two is battling esophageal cancer. 667-1963 for info.
***Happy birthday today to Laura Stensgar, Tom Lien, Tammy Rupinski and Alison McArthur, who's turning 40. Tomorrow is Senator John Goedde's birthday and on Friday Jessica DeHaan, Cater Hamby, Dick Epstein and K.V. Nelson will celebrate. Jonathan Larson has a birthday on Saturday and Cathyanne Nonini, Denise Durflinger, Joel Riner and Susan Ballinger will blow out the candles on Sunday. Next Monday Cliff Hayes will officially turn one year older than me, sharing his birthday with Adam DeLuca. Kasey Short and David Atwood have May 24th birthdates.
****We had a grand time with the May Birthday Club last week and plan to repeat the fun in June. Thanks to Seright's ACE Hardware, Big Bear Deli, Community 1st Bank, Super 1 Foods, Dockside, Pastry and More, Denny's, Post Falls Theater and the Swinging Doors for sponsoring the full page of May birthdays! Make sure your birthday is included by going to More Main Street for the link.
***Tuesday, May 25 is primary election day. Several races will be decided on that day, including two county commission seats. I encourage every citizen over the age of 18 to participate by exercising their right to vote.
***THERE'S MORE: at More Main Street ... photos from the Community Food Drive, Dog d'Alene and a link to Carli's YouTube performance videos and more. There's a link on the righthand rail for adding your birthday to the Main Street Birthday Club for 2010!
Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press. More Main Street blog is at http://moremainstreet.blogspot.com. Kerri can be reached at mainstreet@cdapress.com.