Dressing up for the outdoors gets a dressing down

The preening in which a teenager engages a mirror often sets me back on my heels, and I consider buying a pipe and checked flannel slippers as I gaze longingly into a past that took the last Greyhound over the hill a while ago.

A new era in the air

No Limits Aviation owner buys Brooks Seaplanes, plans to grow aviation community

No Limits Aviation owner buys Brooks Seaplanes, has plans to grow aviation community in North Idaho

US testing new fire retardant, critics push other methods

Over the previous 10 years, the agency used 30 million gallons (115 million liters) annually

Fans encouraged to buy tickets early for area prep football games

Fans encouraged to buy tickets early for area prep football games

COUNTY: Impact fees fact, fiction

Kootenai County's impact fees are not about new growth paying its fair share, and they never really were.

COUNTY: Don't buy into Streamline

COUNTY: Don’t buy into Streamline

IDFG to submit price lock proposal for consideration by the Legislature

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game will ask Idaho lawmakers this legislative session to consider a proposal to increase resident Idaho license and tag fees. But the request has a twist.

How the US dollar stacks up against major world currencies

WASHINGTON (AP) - The U.S. dollar has been rolling. Since June 30, its value has jumped 16 percent against a collection of world currencies.

STORE: Duck a possible lawsuit

For almost 40 years, commuting between Spokane and our Twin Lakes cabin, we would buy car and boat gas, oil, refreshments, supplies, and ice cream at a store in Rathdrum. After the owner hung flowered baskets, my husband, who is 6’5”, cracked his head several times on the one that hangs right outside the exit door. He politely requested that the one that created a safety hazard for all tall customers be removed. The owner pompously told him that he got compliments on the hanging baskets, and business was going great. My husband hasn’t been back since.

TAXES: Imports should pay

I wanted to share with Stephanie Gossard from Athol and thank her for a very good letter. I wish I had written it before she did.

HOUSING: Zoning system is adding to crisis

Kootenai County is in need of a significant increase in housing units to meet the current demand. Less than 20 percent of local households can afford to buy a home, and the majority of home sales come from nonresidents. According to a study by the Idaho Asset Building Network, since 1990, the state has gained 56,000 low to modest income households but only added 7,000 affordable housing units. This study also stated Idaho has a current deficit of 22,000 affordable housing units.

Sparkling fish, murky methods: the global aquarium trade

Small-scale collection and export of saltwater aquarium fish began in Sri Lanka in the 1930s and the trade has grown steadily since

We're buying more cars, eating out more

U.S. retail sales rose in July, aided by autos and restaurants

WASHINGTON - Americans bought more cars, restaurant meals and building supplies in July, and the spending points to steady economic growth anchored by the improving job market.

Summer theater must be accountable

I've listened to the recent dire cries for donations for CDA Summer Theatre, including those from Ellen Travolta and CST management in these pages. Personally and as a business owner, I have supported CST for over two decades. I have purchased more tickets than I needed, attended shows for which I had little appetite, encouraged friends to provide free or discounted housing to visiting talent, and generally spread the gospel highlighting the advantages of local high-quality professional theater. I can write a check and save CST, but I won't. And I question the prudence of encouraging others to do so.

FLAG: Better option than upside down

On the flag flying upside down article in Thursday's paper, I disagree with the gentleman flying the distress signal with the flag. I am also a veteran and I opted to buy the "Don't Tread On Me" flag, and will continue to fly it instead of Old Glory until the conservatives take back the Congress in November. Then I will be proud to fly Old Glory once more.

EGGS: Consumers, munch on this

Do you wonder when you buy eggs how small they are actually? They should be sized under law.

Today's ghastly groaner

A salesman was trying to talk a farmer into buying a bicycle, but he was meeting with considerable sales resistance.

STEVES: Traveling down wrong road

I didn’t finish reading Sholeh Patrick’s article on Rick Steves’ Holy Land travelogue. Rick Steves is a big advocate to legalize marijuana. Go to the archives of The Seattle Times, Nov. 3, 2012, and The Oregonian, Oct. 4, 2014, and also go to Rick Steves, Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia and scroll down to career-current activities (Political and civic advocacy).

TAXES: Double indignity

Did I miss a proposition on the last ballot? In California we had a famous Prop 13 allowing the people to vote to make property tax value the sales price of a home. The first house I bought and sold here was not affected. However, after buying another home here last spring my property tax doubled.

Mullan Trail school receives grant for video equipment

POST FALLS - Mullan Trail Elementary received a $1,250 grant from the Idaho Community Foundation to buy video equipment.