Everyone wins with #TrashTag challenge

The friendly competition to pick up trash along I-90 pitting Coeur d’Alene (#lakecity) against Post Falls (#rivercity) was inspired by the #TrashTag challenge. Last Saturday was drizzly and gray, but that didn’t stop nearly 100 volunteers from picking up mountains of trash that had accumulated along the interstate between the two cities.

Kudos to Kenna Scott and Hosanna Schumacher, from Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls respectively, for their enthusiasm and ability to rally volunteers. There’s much more to be done, not only along the freeway, to make our communities litter free.

First would be, don’t litter. Not even a little bit. And on the street or sidewalk in your neighborhood if you see litter, pick it up and throw it away. Every little bit helps and our communities are far too beautiful to be blemished by trash. You’ll set a good example for the kids, too.

On Facebook Kenna and Hosanna are making plans to take this effort through Earth Day later this month. Check out the page for Trash Tag Challenge: #INWTrashTag-Go Viral Tournament for details and how you can lead a team or join a team!

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Last fall when my daughter and I traveled to Amsterdam I brought home tulip bulbs from the town center flower market, planting them before the ground froze. Just this week I noticed that the bulbs are coming up along the front walkway. We have other tulip plants in the yard that we really enjoy every spring but there’s something special about knowing these beauties are associated with a special memory of our world travels.

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Bert’s recovery continues, and to remedy his cabin fever we took a Sunday drive up the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River. The water’s flowing high, fast and cold but in a few short months the river will be filled with many of us enjoying a favorite summer pastime ... floating the river. If you’ve never experienced that particular activity, put it on your own Things to Do This Summer list for sure!

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Things to Do Highlights:

Post Falls High School Drama Department presents You Can’t Take it With You, opening Friday in the high school auditorium. Admission is $5 and the play will be performed on Saturday and April 19-20. Showtime for all performances is 7 p.m.

Saturday is jam-packed with a wide variety of events, so rest up!

Another of those “I Love Where I Live” events celebrates Arbor Day with the annual Free Tree Day at Q’emiln Park in Post Falls on Saturday. The event is coordinated by the Post Falls Parks and Urban Forestry departments and made possible by generous sponsors and community volunteers. Several varieties of trees and shrubs will be available, two per household and first come first served, starting at 9 a.m.

Saturday the ninth annual Walk for Autism Awareness is 10 a.m. to noon at McEuen Park.

In celebration of American Indian Heritage Week, the North Idaho College American Indian Student Alliance presents a Round Dance on Saturday from 1-5 p.m. at NIC’s Christianson Gymnasium.

CYT North Idaho and Ren E and the Rhythm Section present Family Fun Day at the JACC in Post Falls on Saturday from 2-5 p.m. Music from South Pacific, Oklahoma, and Sound of Music. Swing dancing and dessert bar. Free admission.

Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association presents Wine Extravaganza on Saturday from 3-8 p.m., for ages 21 and older. Register at the Plaza Shops.

Idaho Ducks Unlimited Spring Dinner at the Greyhound Park, 5-10 p.m.

Big Man of Cd’A beauty pageant to benefit Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre on Saturday at the Coeur d’Alene Eagles. Cocktail hour 6 p.m. and show starts at 7 p.m.

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Happy Birthday today to Dianna Scott, Sandra Borg, Jim Hightower, Darin McEvers, Sharon Finnerty, Kathryn Rosia and Nancy Benjamin and tomorrow to Lonna Duncan, Idella Mansfield, David Bond, Karen Zande, Doreen Johnson, Karen Reagan and DiAnna Macklin. Big wishes on Friday to Dorothy Morey, Mallary Juarez, Connie Munk, Russell Heitstuman and Kevin Reed and on Saturday to Chloe Hudson, Angelina Pischner, Evalyn Adams (80!), Kathy Behm and Corbin Messina. On Sunday Phil Damiano, Mark Robitaille, Stacey Mann, Dana Shapland, Ron Washburn and Bill Gough, aka the One Man Band, put on their party hats. April 15 birthdays means another trip around the sun for Betsy Hawkins, Brian Walker, Denise Edmonds, Doug Harms, Dave Holmes, Clay Ownbey, Caroline Crollard, Tori Gray, Randy Teall, Kara Hicks and Judy Donner. Tuesday birthday wishes to JD Dickinson, Leslie Gourley, Kevin Johnson, Kay Riplinger, Chris LaVoie and Tom Fisher.

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Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. 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.