Taste, taste, taste

Mary and I affectionately refer to tasting wine many times as "homework." For us while it really isn't work at all it is a big part of the job, as we never feel comfortable or confident recommending a wine to a customer if we have not tried it first regardless of the price we pay and therefore charge our customers, it has to meet our standards. Allegorically, customers can and for their own protection should approach wine the same way.

What's PayPal's first solo move?

Over-the-counter birth control? Drugmaker seeks FDA approval

Many conservative groups stress they are only interested in curtailing abortion

Applications for spring black bear controlled hunts open Monday

There are several ways to apply for a controlled black bear hunt this spring

Hold your fire

ALBANY, N.Y. - Gun enthusiasts fearful of new weapon controls and alarmed by rumors of government hoarding are buying bullets practically by the bushel, making it hard for stores nationwide to keep shelves stocked and even putting a pinch on some local law enforcement departments.

Are online pharmacies legitimate?

If you think that you'll get a bargain from an online pharmacy, think again. According to a 2012 analysis of nearly 1,000 online pharmacies by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), which accredits online pharmacies and represents state pharmacy boards all over the United States, only around 3 percent appear to be legitimate. The NABP found that 85 percent of the online drugstores it looked into do not require a valid prescription from the consumer's physician, and nearly half provided foreign drugs or medications not approved by the FDA. While there are Canadian online pharmacies that are legitimately regulated, many websites that purport to be Canadian are not. Worse yet, you may not even get the drug you ordered.

Unlimited online options

Hunters can get certified before fall

Beginning hunters interested in hunting in Idaho this fall who have not taken a required hunter education or a bow hunter education course may complete an online course in time to receive their certification, buy a license, and hunt this fall.

Second controlled hunt draw results are online

Results for the second controlled hunt drawing now are available on the Internet.

REFORM: Online or out of line?

Public school chief Tom Luna's plan for education reform has me worried, not only for the obvious near term negative impacts, but for the long term implications the requirement of online courses carries.

Last chance to view Really BIG Raffle house

Less than 900 tickets remain for the chance to win this year's $250,000 grand prize home through the 20th annual North Idaho College Really BIG Raffle.

No local lobster handy? Get a lobster roll fix with shrimp

My dad, a native New Englander, is a huge fan of lobster rolls, those heavily-buttered hot dog buns stuffed with chunks of mayonnaise-rich lobster and maybe a little celery for crunch.

Amazon vs. everyone else

Battle for holiday shoppers heats up

NEW YORK - This holiday shopping season, it's Amazon vs. everyone else.

The year in wine review and preview

At the end of the year the press is full of reviews of the previous year and all that has occurred, coupled with a look forward on what to expect. As the wine industry in North Idaho has continued to evolve a similar retrospective, and prospective will provide wine consumers with information that will help guide their purchases to wines they enjoy and appreciate.

Unified Land Use Code comments sought

Kootenai County Planning Commission is accepting public comments on the final draft of the Unified Land Use Code that was released to the public on Tuesday.

Planting a position: The business of political yard signs

The ubiquitous reminders of the upcoming election continue to thrive.

Two robberies in Cd'A

Suspect in both incidents showed gun to clerks

How to help the family

COEUR d'ALENE - Friends and family of Veronica "Roni" Rutledge, who was accidentally killed at Walmart in Hayden Tuesday, have established an online memorial fund to help her husband with funeral expenses.

A review of home remedies

DEAR DR. GOTT: In a recent column, you referred to two possible cures for toenail fungus other than menthol salve. One was an over-the-counter product, and the other was a soaking agent. Could you please relate what these two potential cures are?

Really BIG Raffle tickets on sale

Regional outlets are now selling tickets for North Idaho College’s Really BIG Raffle drawing for a chance to win a brand new $250,000 Coeur d’Alene home; $20,000 car; $10,000 boat; $3,500 vacation package and $2,000 shopping spree. This year marks the 19th year of NIC’s largest annual fundraiser, which is a collaboration between volunteers, sponsors, community supporters and the NIC Carpentry program.