Avista plans upgrades, faces gas demand hike

Avista Utilities is expecting about a half-percent annual growth in gas consumption over the next decade and about a 0.8 percent increase in peak-day use, according to a long-range growth plan filed with state regulators.

How and where to buy wine?

As I have continued to write my articles for the Press I have from time to time gotten the question, "This all sounds great but where should I buy my wine?" Believe me I would like to make the answer simple and at the same time self serving and say "Well, the dinner party of course." The answer however is more complex and far more personal than that. Before we were ever wine shop owners we were passionate wine consumers, which is part of what led Mary and me to open the dinner party. When we were first learning about wine and how and where to buy it we received some great advice; buy 90 percent of your wine from one purveyor. The reason, we were told, is when you do that you will not only receive better pricing but you will also get better allocations of the harder to find really "cool" juice. So the next step is how do you pick your primary source? Taste in wine is a very personal thing, and no matter what anyone writes or tells you about wine the only important thing is whether or not you like it. All the high ratings and high praise cannot change a wine you don't like into one you do. So step number one is to find a wine professional whose palate agrees with yours; you may not like every single recommendation but if you find that you like the lion's share of their recommendations that is your 90 percent place. Next step is, join their wine club if they have one. Most local wine merchants in this area have a club that grants you a bigger discount than you would otherwise receive. It also encourages you to try many different varietals from different producers all of which will expand your wine experience, and help you learn. Your only cautionary note is to beware of a club that is designed more to help the wine shop than you - watch for previous vintages being included too frequently in your club. Also join a club that is right sized for your consumption; if you are an occasional consumer and live alone it does not make sense to join a club that sells you three bottles every month. Also, resist the temptation to join the "red only" or "white only" version of the club. As you drink more wine your palate will evolve and you will find different wines that you like - isn't that the fun of it? Next step is to find a shop that specializes in things you like. Everyone has their favorites, and there is nothing wrong with that, even though you will continue to try new things. Each shop's collection is likely to reflect the tastes of the owner. Going back to the beginning, that is why you will be buying 90 percent of your wine from that See WINE, D8 WINE From D5 one place, so once you find that one go with it. And lastly attend their tastings and events, this will provide you another opportunity to try new things. Whether it is from a tasting, a wine in your club pack, or a bottle recommended by your wine professional, give them feedback. Tell them what you like and especially what you don't, this will help your wine shop do a better job for you with their recommendations in the future. Trust me as wine salesperson; we would all rather have the knowledge. It does not offend us when you don't like a particular wine - that is just part of the job. Finally, if you have budget constraints let us know, our job and our desire are to recommend the right wine at the right price. George Balling is co-owner with his wife Mary Lancaster of the dinner party a wine and table top decor shop in Coeur d'Alene. 208-765-5653 www.thedinnerpartyshop.com.

Relief at the pump?

Gas prices expected to drop 50 cents by summer

NEW YORK - Some relief from suffocating gas prices will likely arrive just in time for summer vacation. Expect a drop of nearly 50 cents as early as June, analysts said.

Texas AG announces multi-state lawsuit against Google

DALLAS (AP) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Wednesday announced

Lawsuit over Black Rock to conclude

Case goes to jury after two weeks of testimony, evidence

COEUR d'ALENE — "Actions speak louder than words," Attorney Adam Springel of Las Vegas repeated several times Friday afternoon at the U.S. Courthouse in Coeur d'Alene.

Apple Watch: Available soon for sale in stores

SAN FRANCISCO - Soon you'll be able to buy an Apple Watch like you'd buy most other watches - in a store.

AFTER THE FIREWORKS

Here's where economy stands at mid-year

The July 4 holiday offered a preview of normalcy after a 17-month hiatus interruptus with changing rules and infection ebbs and flows.

Physicist's Nobel Prize sells for $765,002 in online auction

Turning the page on the calendar

This year with the way the holidays fell, we even managed a three-day weekend, which was wonderful. We had the time to host a dinner party of our own, catch up on things that needed attention at home after an intense few weeks, and in general relax and regroup. Also, we had a bit more time to spend on preparing and enjoying our evening meals, and a chance to linger over a glass or two of wine and really appreciate what we were having.

U.S. home sales soar in July to fastest pace since early 2007

Transactions jumped 9.6 percent over the past 12 months

LEVY: The cost of inefficiencies

Coeur d’Alene School District spends 92 percent of its budget for salaries with more than 50 percent support staff, so is seeking levies totalling $2.39 per $1,000 of home valuation.

High nursing home costs squeeze insurers

European debt concerns weigh on stock market

NEW YORK - Technology company troubles and renewed concerns about Europe's debt dragged stocks lower for a second day.

Idaho gas prices keep climbing

Gas prices

Playing with fire

Nook Tablet is Kindle Fire's worthy foe

What the virus outbreak means for home loans, mortgage rates

The Federal Reserve cut short-term interest rates by half a percentage point on Tuesday in an effort to protect the economy from more damage from the virus outbreak. The move may present options for mortgage shoppers.

Price of gas falls, wallets open

Americans spend a bit more as cost at the pump drops

WASHINGTON (AP) - Americans are starting to see some relief from higher gas prices, a change that could revive the economy in the months ahead.

Stores celebrate,but Powerball winners lay low

DEARBORN, Mo. (AP) - Missouri Lottery officials on Thursday verified one of two tickets that matched all six numbers to split a record $588 million Powerball jackpot, but that ticket holder - and another in Arizona - remained a mystery, even as neighbors and co-workers lamented their losses and gossiped about who may have won.

Crossing the border

From a visual perspective, nothing really changes when you drive across the Idaho border and into Washington state.

High fashion or bait?

Fly ties now hair extensions

BOISE - For a 49-year-old manager of a fly fishing shop, Jim Bernstein spends an awful lot of time on the phone with hairdressers.