Harlem Ambassadors to help raise funds for Rotary

COEUR d'ALENE - The Harlem Ambassadors are headed for Coeur d'Alene with their dazzling basketball tricks and to take on the Sunrise Rotary Rangers to help raise funds for the local nonprofit.

The game is Sunday at North Idaho College's Christianson Gym at 5:30 p.m.

Advance tickets are $9 for adults and $7 for students and seniors. Tickets are available at Idaho Trust Bank, St. Vincent de Paul in Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls, Vertical Earth, Rocky Mountain Distributing, North Idaho Title and Lakes, Canfield and Woodland middle schools.

Tickets at the door are $11 for adults and $9 for students and seniors.

Children under 4 are free.

The event is a benefit for Rotary's local projects and grants and the Panhandle Autism Society.

"Instead of the usual auction, we've decided to mix it up a little and have an event that is a little different and family friendly," said Cari Fraser, president of Sunrise Rotary, which has donated more than $10,000 to Community Action Partnership this year.

The Rangers includes local school administrators, community leaders and former college players, including NIC's Jared Phay and Al Williams, ex-Gonzaga players Cory Violette and Andrew Sorensen, St. Vincent's Jeff Conroy, Amanda Miller, Teri Nipp, Michael Tanneberger and Kim and Kory Wilson.

The Ambassadors, which performs more than 200 shows a year, promise interactive comedy routines, high-flying dunks and positive messages for youth such as staying in school and off of drugs.

"At our shows, we want the kids to know that they're part of our team, too," Coach Lade Majic said.

The Ambassadors have no connection to the Harlem Globetrotters, another basketball comedy act.

For more information, contact Mike Ward at 641-8355 or mward_cbidaho.com