Clark hunts for more than diamonds

I knew Diamond Dan, of Clark's Jewelry fame, traveled the world over in search of diamonds and gems but I had no idea he was also a big game hunter. Dan will appear in an episode of a new History Channel reality show, "Mounted in Alaska," with his colorful Alaskan taxidermist friend, Russell Knight.

Dan bagged a Himalayan tahr in New Zealand and took it to Alaska to be mounted. The series premiers on April 7 and will feature some actual history along with giving viewers a front row seat to the preservation of natural history through taxidermy.***

Thanks to my friend Erna Rhinehart I was in the know on Sunday morning when the North Idaho College National Champion Lady Cardinals returned from their incredible victory at the national junior college basketball tournament.It was inspiring to hear the players and coaches talk about the experience and to realize that this is a team whose success on the basketball court is just part of their story. What a great group of young women and a coaching staff who represented our community and state so well on the national stage. Kudos to NJCAA Coach of the Year Chris Carlson and tournament MVP Kama Griffitts.

***On Saturday friends from Coeur d'Alene High School's Class of '79 got together for lunch at Bonsai Bistro to celebrate classmate Carol Mahoney's 50th birthday. Along with Nancy Herby Olson and Pam Robison O'Neill was Patty Crowe McGinnis and her three-year-old granddaughter, Sophia, who had her heart set on macaroni and cheese.

The Asian eatery doesn't have mac and cheese on the menu so an alternate choice was made. Imagine how tickled little Sophia was when the entrees were served, including a dish of her first choice. Turns out that server, Nick Keough, ran across the street to Tito Macaroni's to make sure his littlest customer had her heart's desire. Now that's service!***

Last week Spencer Messina was doing what boys do at recess, playing hard. After the school day ended at Ramsey Elementary, Spencer headed off to soccer practice. It was after 6 p.m. before he mentioned to his mom, Judi, that his arm hurt. Turns out Spencer had broken the arm in a fall about noon. Tough kid.***

Friday, March 25 is the 148th anniversary of the presentation of the first Congressional Medal of Honor and Northwest Public Television will broadcast the documentary Pappy Boyington Field to mark the occasion. The documentary was created by local filmmaker, Kevin Gonzales and chronicles the efforts to name Pappy Boyington Field at the Coeur d'Alene Airport a few years back. Gregory "Pappy" Boyington was born in Coeur d'Alene and received the Medal of Honor for his bravery as a Marine fighter pilot during World War II. The documentary will be aired at 1 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. on Friday.

I'd like you to join me in saluting former Navy SEAL Tommy Norris of Hayden, who is a Medal of Honor recipient for heroic action in Vietnam.***

On Saturday from 3 to 8 p.m. there's a fundraiser spaghetti feed at the Enaville Resort/Snake Pit to help owners Joe and Mary Peak with medical expenses. Joe's been battling cancer for a few years and it's taken a toll not only physically but financially. The historic cafe at Kingston is a favorite of locals and tourists alike.Also on Saturday evening the Hayden Chamber of Commerce is holding their annual awards banquet at the Hayden Lake Country Club. A special treat is the speaker, Don Larsen, who pitched the long-standing MLB record perfect game in the 1956 World Series.

Sunday morning I'll be joined by fellow city councilor Skip Hissong and Mayor Clay Larkin judging doggy costumes following the Leashes and Laces Fun Run to benefit the Post Falls Police K-9 Unit. Dogs aren't required to run or walk the 5K at the Greyhound Park Event Center but I'll be teamed up with my Yorkie, Annie and Skip's bringing his Boxer, Sam. Visit www.postfallspolice.com for more info.***

Welcome to the newest member of the Main Street Birthday Club, Grace Belle. She arrived on Monday, making new parents Jimmy and Julie McAndrew very happy. Happy birthday today to John Little, who's marking the big 5-0, Julie Perry, Jacey Brockhoff and Herb Huseland. Greg Nearpass, Melissa Gray and Juli Smith were born on March 24. Friday Jame` Davis, Mike Carle and his son, Alexander, Colleen Brown and Makayla Donovan put on their party hats. On Saturday Dave Fair, Jackie Sharp, Julie Sizemore-Reade, Julie Harris, JB Romero and Nancy Noordam will blow out the birthday candles. Wish Sharon Erickson, Dan Dunham and John Eilmes a happy birthday on Sunday. Starting the week with celebrations on Monday are Page Hibbs, Richard Wegner, Barbara Forgacs, Robert Durflinger and Cindy Sweeney. Sharing March 29 birthdays are Bob Koep, Mary Hawkins and David "Bo" Gerzina.***

THERE'S MORE: Photos and tidbits on More Main Street each week, including from the NIC National Championship women's basketball team homecoming. There's a link also for adding your birthday to the Main Street Birthday Club!***

Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. She was voted Best Local Writer for 2010 by the readers of the North Idaho Business Journal. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press. More Main Street blog is at http://moremainstreet.blogspot.com. Listen to Main Street Monday on KVNI AM1080. Kerri can be reached at mainstreet@cdapress.com