Creamy truffles without cream? Turn to chestnuts!

Who doesn't love chocolate truffles? They are the essence of chocolate, and a sure-fire mood enhancer. Pop even one into your mouth and see if you don't get happy.

OBAMA: Buying Democratic votes

In the grade school book “Animal Farm” the animals agreed that they were all equal. Over time, the pigs decided that they were “more equal,” so they moved into the farmhouse and lived like kings over the other animals.

Basin cleanup plan hot public topic tonight

COEUR d’ALENE — Think you don't have a say in the cleanup of 100 years worth of mining waste?

HYPOCRISY: Displayed by progressives

Two main topics seem to dominate today’s progressive calendar, global warming and rationalizing homosexuality as somehow normal. In regard to global warming they note that humanity is out of synch with nature and is harming the planet. In regard to homosexuality they argue that humanity needs to be out of synch with natural evolutionary processes and enthusiastically accept same-sex relations.

REED: Another wonderful legacy

Thanks to Scott Reed for the many years of support for “Audubon Adventures” (an annual set of lesson plans and activities on birds, mammals, the environment and other topics) that are provided for teachers in five school districts in our area! Scott, through the Margaret Reed Foundation, funded this program. On behalf of the hundreds of children who learned good ways to save and improve where we live, the Coeur d’Alene Audubon Society would like to thank him!

DEMS: Figure this out

The July 7 article regarding the recent Democratic convention showed a dichotomy that Democrats just don’t seem to understand. The headline topic was a demand to legalize marijuana in the state of Idaho and further on they wanted an expansion of Medicaid, including “affordable drug addiction prevention and drug rehab.” What could possibly go wrong with recreational marijuana that additional drug addiction prevention and rehab can’t fix? Good luck with that.

‘INSURRECTION at the CAPITOL’: Message a distraction

The chair of the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee pivots and veers his opinion topic messaging toward the national ‘Insurrection at the Capitol.’

Ice Cream: Just for the health of it

"I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!" This popular song from the 1920s, recorded by the group called Waring's Pennsylvanians, rings in our ears today at the joy of consuming ice cream. July 20 is National Ice Cream Day and what better way to celebrate than to enjoy your favorite ice cream (or frozen yogurt)?

Solutions, not slogans

Cutting costs, improving service a reality for health care providers

COEUR d'ALENE - Kootenai Health will spend $40 million providing health care services for people who aren't insured or otherwise can't afford it this year.

Community Thanks

Idaho governor signs 'nondiscrimination' education bill

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Gov. Brad Little

Understanding Idaho Law: Organ donation and your estate plan

There are several things I think we should all understand about how Idaho law addresses the issue of organ donation and how we can use our estate planning documents to help make sure our wishes on this topic are followed.

ADVERTISING: Advertorial — We are the health detectives!

We are Health Detectives, but what does that mean? There are two ways I like to explain it…

Know the signs of stroke

She was my best friend. I could, and often did, talk to her about anything; she had so much wisdom. She read all the time, wanting to learn and experience all she could. Despite having dropped out of college to raise a family, no subject was too difficult for her - science, world politics, philosophy, astronomy all fascinated her. We had such fun jumping from topic to topic.

Shining a light on fees vs. taxes

Post Falls to discuss street light payment proposal

Education group to host 'State of the District'

The Coeur d'Alene Education Partnership will hold a "State of the District" community forum next week, featuring a presentation by members of the Coeur d'Alene School District central office administrative staff.

Education group to host “State of the District”

The Coeur d’Alene Education Partnership will hold a “State of the District” community forum next week featuring presentations by members of the Coeur d’Alene School District central office administrative staff.

Town hall meeting to be held Saturday

Legislators to discuss 2011 session

The city of Coeur d'Alene's Legislative Committee, in partnership with the Panhandle Coalition, will host a town hall meeting from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday in the Coeur d'Alene Public Library Community Room, 702 E. Front Ave.

FORUM: New ideas needed

On May 1, I attended the legislative candidates forum at North Idaho College. It was an interesting format and all the candidates seemed comfortable in the living room setting. Several topics were discussed from local option taxes, education, federal lands, gas tax, etc. While the discussion was lively at times, I dare say the audience left with little enlightenment. No one seemed to want to offer any new ideas.

Nutritional yeast

Every so often, I find a topic that is new to me and one I have not written about over the last seven years. For whatever reason, nutritional yeast and I have not crossed paths, and having discovered this healthy stuff, I thought I would share.