August signals summer's finale
For as far back as I can remember (decades!), the first weekend of August with Art on the Green, Taste of Coeur d'Alene and the downtown street fair has signaled the homestretch of summer. Back to school shopping began in earnest at the sidewalk sale and there was a sense of urgency to soak up the sunshine while we could. The lazy dog days of summer are anything but as I find myself scrambling to squeeze in every opportunity to be on and in the lake and river. So take time, my friends, to enjoy the incredible place we're blessed to call home. See you at the beach!
On Saturday a new event to benefit ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) services in the community will take place in Post Falls. As is the case with so many of the charitable events that happen, someone who has experienced the devastation or loss finds purpose in making a difference for others.
Jacki Ackerman's husband, Larry, was diagnosed with ALS four years ago, so she has organized the Take a Putt for pALS motorcycle ride and barbecue. Proceeds will benefit the local ALS Service Organization, which offers support for families.
It's kickstands up at 11 a.m. from Post Falls American Legion Post 143 on Poleline and Syringa, and when the bikes return at 3 p.m., it's barbecue time. The public is welcome for both the ride and the barbecue. Contact Jacki for info at (208) 964-3357 or see Take a Putt for pALS on Facebook.
Those wild and wonderful women of the Red Hot Mamas did a fabulous job representing Coeur d'Alene and North Idaho this past weekend at the SeaFair Parade in Seattle. To the 49 who paraded, kudos. Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade or bust!
A parade of another kind took place Sunday in Post Falls' Highlands neighborhood. Golf carts were the transportation du jour as residents took part in their annual summer food drive. A good time was had by all and the Post Falls Food Bank received 1,362 pounds of food and $625 in cash for their efforts.
We took in a day of the Julyamsh Powwow, one of my favorite local experiences, and again the celebration of native culture was moving; the traditions are centuries old.
In a fun juxtaposition of cultures - during the Grand Entry on Sunday, with several hundred dancers in full regalia in the arena - a high-tech drone camera flew low overhead. The video images from that modern day eagle-eye view should be spectacular and will hopefully be posted on the Julyamsh website.
Happy birthday today to Sharmon Schmitt (60!), Nicole Coquette, Terra Karl, Dianne Ansbaugh, Brenna Meehan and Peggy Coleman. Tomorrow, Patricia Richardson, Bill Hamilton, Adam Durflinger and Tab Bray launch into a new year.
On the first day of August, Rich Houser, Tatiana Harrison, Bev Moss, David Noordam, Duane Oliver, Patricia Kaufman, Dennis Harlan and Dodge Gonzales will be celebrating.
On Saturday, Austin Viles, Mandy Averill and Matt Odd are marking their birthdates.
Come Sunday, wish Ronda Smithson and Steve Cox a happy birthday.
On Monday the ageless Ruthie Johnson and Toni Caywood, Ben Fairfield, Michele Wood, Erin Delaney and Amy Ford will have their cake and eat it, too! Tuesday birthdays will be celebrated by Dave Holinka, Jonathan Burnett and Doris Weaver.
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 2013 by the readers of the North Idaho Business Journal. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press and Kerri can be contacted on Facebook or via email mainstreet@cdapress.com. Follow her on Twitter @kerrithoreson.