Smoky air prompts taking precautions

This week’s column falls under the heading that two things can be true at the same time. One can have compassion and empathy for the several hundred of our Washington neighbors who’ve suffered the enormous and tragic loss of their homes and treasured belongings while at the same time being concerned about the health impact the lingering blanket of smoke is having throughout the region.

Since the first few days after the fires erupted Aug. 1, I’ve been experiencing headaches, irritated eyes, a dry cough and on the worst days, mild nausea. We’ve battened down the house, foregoing open windows to the cool morning and evening air. We’ve limited time outdoors, especially on the patio or in the pool during these prime, fleeting dog days of summer.

Over the weekend, in advance of my Monday column deadline, I asked my Facebook village how they were faring and the responses were many and immediate. I am not alone. One friend mentioned feeling claustrophobic, hitting the nail on the head for me.

There are theories about why so many are feeling heightened physical effects of this smoke. What burned wasn’t just forest fuel, it was structures and vehicles, an urban fire with enhanced toxicity. Another point is the prolonged haze is now in its second week.

Heroic efforts by firefighters haven’t gone unnoticed. Nor has the generosity of the region to lift up those who have lost so much. For the foreseeable future, my hatches will stay battened.

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This week’s kudos go out to Kelly Hughes. I appreciate many things about Kelly, an Idaho hometown boy who’s spent a lifetime entertaining and giving of himself to the community he loves. He loves his family and his friends, who are like family, from Post Falls to Paradise and Phillipsburg and to Yuma and points between.

I enjoyed Kelly and his band last week at the Post Falls Community Picnic, which reminded me that no matter the size of the crowd or venue, Kelly gives the audience 110%. If it appears he’s having fun, it’s because he is.

What a blessing to have a career that doesn’t feel like work. What a gift he is to all of us!

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Happy Main Street birthdays today to Joe Paisley, Stacey Berger, Jennifer Pitts, Ed Collins, Claudia Hurt, Deena Krobath, Roger Saterfiel, Ronda Nash, Mariah Silva, Julie Hunt, Jennifer James and Nevaeh Witherspoon. George Gee, Tery Garras, Michelle Coppess, Donna Flom and Bryan DeKeles celebrate tomorrow. Bob Sandau, Erin Elliott, Elaine Damschen, Lisa Hutcheson, Peter Faletto, Erin Reasor, Melinda Engel, Marla Lewis, Kevin Flaa, Annette Nolting and Melinda Fros blow out the candles Friday. Marc Allert, Tracy Christopherson, Wayne Longo, Rick Currie, Mary Richter, Anne Couser and Thomas Sorci take another trip around the sun Saturday. On Sunday, Jeff Drew, Susan Selle, Jennifer Ross, Cindy Wagner, Andrea Fulks, Kim Brown, Serena Carlson, Sarah McCool, Paul Sullivan and Brandia Young mark another year. Monday celebrations for Amber Malloy, Jenna Morrison, JR Conrow, Kristin Largent, Cynthia Rayner, Terri Seymour, John Gertenbach, Brandee Peacock, Linda Mannschreck, Christina Gardner, Debbie Loftin and Lugene Broadsword. On Tuesday, Jim Hail, III, Brandi Meeks, Jaqueline Dickinson, Jake Medlock, Jasmine Preckle, Sarah Andrews, Toni Prince, Marissa Davenport, Corrine Larsen, Keva Wolfe, Andrea Sadler, Julie Pierce and Althea Carpenter put on their party hats.

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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 [email protected].