North Idaho Briefs September 22, 2012

Rally for Education

revs up today

COEUR d'ALENE - If you see a wildly decorated car driving around town today, they're en route to solving a riddle.

While it's too late to sign up to join the puzzle-solving ride, everyone is invited to the finish line.

The third annual Rally for Education fundraiser for Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy revs up at 1 p.m. today, pitting around 60 teams against each other in a scavenger hunt on wheels.

"Some people really get into that," said Dan Nicklay, school principal on the teams that color up their rigs. "It's a blast. It's unlike anything else."

Teams are given clues to an end destination. Mapquest won't help, as the clues are a little too vague for that. Don't speed, as scores will be based on doing the speed limit as well.

The motorized fundraiser was created as a way to create a family-friendly atmosphere at the same time as branching away from the familiar auction format. The charter school doesn't benefit from voter-approved school levy dollars, so raising its own cash is key to keeping the learning atmosphere its sharpest. Last year, it brought in $30,000. Twenty-five percent of proceeds go toward student scholarships and the remaining 75 percent go toward building upkeep.

The finish line is open to anyone. Dinner is $10, games and classic cars will also be on hand at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds starting at 4 p.m., when teams start crossing the end line.

Flu Vaccine Helps Prevent Seasonal Illness

HAYDEN - Flu season is on the way and the Panhandle Health District office in Hayden is prepared with vaccine.

PHD will provide vaccine for children at a special clinic on Thursday, Sept. 27, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. and high dose vaccine for people older than 64 at a special clinic on Friday, Sept. 28, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at the PHD office, 8500 N. Atlas Road in Hayden.

This year, PHD in Hayden will not provide regular adult vaccine, which is available at pharmacies throughout the area. Adult vaccine is available at PHD offices in Benewah, Bonner, Shoshone and Boundary counties.

Flu shots for children cost $10. The high dose vaccine, which is designed to create stronger immune response than the regular adult vaccine, costs $55.

PHD accepts cash, checks, Medicaid and Medicare Part B. Special clinics for flu vaccine will continue through October. After October, PHD will provide flu vaccine by appointment.

To check on dates, times and locations of PHD flu clinics, visit www.phd1.idaho.gov.