Oh the traffic outside is frightful ...
Motorists head northbound on Highway 41. The intersection at Seltice Way, HWY 41 and I-90 has seen increase traffic through the years and has become a maze for some motorists. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
INFO BOX:
What candy reminds you of Christmas? Email your choice to Steve at scameron@cdapress.com. He’ll publish results of this sweet poll on Saturday.
So, it’s Chat Day ...
But also just two moons from the official start of winter.
Yes, yes, we’ve all noticed the snow and cold, and the general slippery yuck out there for about a month now.
In case you don’t live near any foliage or pay attention to this type of thing, all those weeks were still autumn.
Now, some of the chilly stuff we have to expect.
Despite what the calendar says about the solstice, our own winter does start a teeny bit earlier here in South Canada.
On top of that, Press meteorologist Randy Mann (who has been clever enough for an escape to Australia, where it’s the beginning of summer), did predict that we would have a warmer and wetter winter.
I hope Randy didn’t mean that it would last six months, though.
Now then, Celine Dion doesn’t want much stalling since it’s not heated backstage and she’s always in a sleeveless outfit, so ...
Let’s get rolling.
ITEM: It’s time for Hilary Anderson to earn her money.
Coeur d’Alene’s planning director and the entire commission had to struggle through a six-hour squabble last week over what exactly will be developed down along the Spokane River.
Generally I try to stay neutral in these debates — growth is coming, and my only hope is that it happens organically — but I’ve got to say I’m thrilled that plans for the River’s Edge mega-complex were shot down, or at least sent back to the drawing board for some less density.
I’m not anti-development at all, but there is a proper pace to these things — not to mention some thought needed about exactly where you intend to put an 870-unit apartment campus.
That area along Seltice Way is likely Coeur d’Alene’s last major addition and it’s going to be a fight — inch by inch, zoning change by zoning change.
It’s valuable land, no question, and would be a sensational place to live.
Of course, that assumes you and your neighbors can get in and out to the rest of civilization.
One of the issues brought up as a negative for the giant River’s Edge project was that traffic would force residents into Post Falls for shopping.
Coeur d’Alene merchants don’t want to hand away that business.
Let me tell you, as someone who uses those roads and connectors, getting to Post Falls wouldn’t be any picnic, either.
Hell, getting anywhere at all except the Frontier Ice Arena will be a challenge.
Have you been through the “Spider Web” lately?
That’s the chaotic intersection where I-90, Highway 41, Seltice and a handful of other connector streets come together.
What’s even worse are the direction signs at The Web.
Close your eyes and imagine the screeching of metal.
You’ve got it.
ITEM: I expected plenty of feedback from the column about the NFL and exiled players Colin Kaepernick and Kareem Hunt.
What I did NOT expect was that so many of you seemed to agree with my opinion.
Truthfully, I was shocked (but pleasantly so) that so many people nodded in agreement with my comparison between a social protest and a vicious personal assault.
Given that this is GOP country, though, and President Trump has consistently blasted Kaepernick and other protesters for being anti-American, I expected a lot of heat.
It never really came.
In fact, one of the most serious emails suggesting it was logical that Kaepernick hasn’t been signed was about football, not protests.
Longtime Philadelphia Eagles fan John McTear made the point that quarterbacks who run routinely as part of their skill set do not generally succeed as elite passers.
He felt Kaepernick belonged in that category, although without getting too deep into football chat, I’d say John might want to check on Steve Young, Warren Moon, Fran Tarkenton, or that Wilson dude over in Seattle.
No matter, I’ll still argue that when you look at some of the QBs on current rosters ...
Well, let’s just see how Kaepernick’s collusion case turns out.
ITEM: Large grocery chains apparently are still in the dark about the public’s hunger for frozen yogurt as opposed to high-calorie, high-sugar ice cream.
Go into any of the major stores around the county — Safeway, Albertson’s, Super 1 — and in all of their many locations, you can find almost any imaginable brand and flavor of ice cream.
In fact, they’re ready if you want something even richer, with various brands of gelato in stock.
Two million calories per spoonful.
Meanwhile, you have to scrape and crawl to find any frozen yogurt, and even then it’s likely to be vanilla only — take it or leave it.
Memo to these grocery chains: People love frozen yogurt, so why can’t you toss a few brands and flavors into that 50-foot freezer?
On the other hand ...
If you’re looking for frozen yogurt, with all the various flavors and toppings, here are your destinations ...
Jamms, North Government Way at Neider;
Grooveberries, 2010 N. Main St. in Riverstone;
Top This Frozen Yogurt and Treats, 202 W. Ironwood.
Maybe next week I’ll give you a list of flavors to avoid — just so they’ll still be in stock when I get there.
I may also toss in my midday smoothie recipe if you cooperate.
Yummmmm ...
Over to you, Celine!
•••
Steve Cameron is a columnist for The Press.
A Brand New Day appears from Wednesday through Saturday each week.
Steve’s column on Gonzaga basketball runs on Tuesday.
Email: scameron@cdapress.com
Facebook: BrandNewDayCDAPress
Twitter: @BrandNewDayCDA