Seeing blue in the River City
Blue light special at Kmart? Runway landing strip? Supporting law enforcement?
Actually the blue LED "candlesticks" topping the 50+ new light posts on Spokane Street are simply decorative, according to Tom Lien of the Post Falls Urban Renewal Agency, which has overseen the project.
The revitalization, aka improvements, of Spokane Street from Interstate 90 to the Spokane River were mostly completed last fall but the new street lamps were installed in late December. After I had a number of people inquire or comment on the blue light toppers I called Tom. Within the next week or so, he said, the lighting on the traffic islands will be installed, also featuring blue LED lights. So there you have the rest of the story ...
In keeping with the topic of blue, National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day is Friday, Jan. 9, with the public encouraged to wear blue to recognize the men and women who protect and serve our communities. Project Blue Light, which began in 1988 to honor a fallen officer in Pennsylvania, also continues. According to its website, the color blue is symbolic of peace. By displaying blue lights you send a message of support to America's peacekeepers, your light guiding them to safety, and your hope that the year will be peaceful.
This is officially the first Main Street column of the new year even though it's already Jan. 7, which is enough time for most New Year's resolutions to have fallen by the wayside. I decided not to make specific resolutions but to choose a one-word theme for the year, a focus for the months ahead. It's worked for me the past few years.
see THORESON, C8
THORESON
from C1
Be it creative endeavors, service to the community, stopping to smell the roses, fitness or to do things that are outside my comfort zone. Focusing on a vision for your life expands the possibilities beyond a single action that a resolution conjures. Choose your theme and embrace the new year!
Happy birthday today to Katie Marmon, Dale Kreager and Sydne Watson. Tomorrow, Mark Honnell, Jerry Sparling, Donna Trueblood (50!), Sandy Wendell, Fondra McGee, Marc Kroetch and Rebecca Mort add another candle to their cake.
On Friday, Dan Ryan, Robert Coles, Ed Anderson, Cristy Bauer, Avery Hunt (13!), Pat Mitchell, Sandy Emerson, Ester Webb (80!) and Chuck O'Malley will do the birthday dance.
Mary Jane Hahn, Katrina Jaeger (50!), Jan Harris, Tom Iverson, Paul Matthews and Ronan Kennedy will celebrate on Saturday. Kathy Kress White, Susan Thomas, Luke Gonzales, Tim Elder, Cora Cole, Amy Morfitt, Ivan Bosanko, Jim Deffenbaugh and Cindy Mitchell have 1/11 birthdays.
Starting the week with Monday birthdays are Pat Russell, Mike Baker, Wendy Wallin, Debbie Oliver and Ryan Wichman. Tuesday birthday wishes to JJ Dion, Joni Clevenger, Janice Myers, Mike Jorgenson, Karen Gage, Judy Manley, Tory Lee, Karen Holt, Teddi Johnson and Andy Irgens.
Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. She's been voted Best Local Writer by the readers of the North Idaho Business Journal multiple times. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press and Kerri can be contacted on Facebook or via email [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @kerrithoreson.