Briefs March 15, 2011

Home and Garden show a success

The 2011 Home and Garden Show this past weekend garnered thousands and raised just as much for the North Idaho Building Contractors Association.

"All our sponsors I've talked to thought it was a great showing," said David Gibson, NIBCA committee chair for the event. "There was lots of interest."

About 2,500 came out to consult with local building and landscaping companies at the three-day event, Gibson said, which raised roughly $2,500 for the nonprofit.

Although slightly down from last year, he admitted, folks who attended were eager to absorb information on new products and discuss ideas for projects.

It was a great kickoff for the building season, Gibson added.

"It seems people were a little easier about wanting to spend some money this year," he said. "People weren't quite as scared to ask about products like last year."

Art program on council agenda

The city's proposed art on loan program will go before the City Council at 6 tonight in the Community Room of the Coeur d'Alene Public Library.

If approved, the program would install 10 pieces of art on Sherman and Lakeside avenues and one spot in City Park, by June.

The Coeur d'Alene Arts Commission would spend $25,000 to start the program, including fliers to artists, a $500 stipends to each selected artist to ship their pieces, insurance, and displaying the work.