Mardi Gras comes marching in Feb. 29

The Coeur d'Alene Arts & Culture Alliance is hosting its fifth annual Mardi Gras celebration Feb. 29 from 5:30 to 10 p.m. in the ballroom at the Coeur d'Alene Eagles, 209 E. Sherman Ave.

Stop the insanity

There is a funny quote that I like to reference from time to time by Albert Einstein. He is quoted as saying the definition of insanity is "doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results."

The future of wine pricing

For the first time since we opened the shop 12 years ago there are many forces at work pushing wine prices higher. Forces that go beyond the normal ones of supply and demand, good vintages with large harvests and challenging years with low yields, and the normal ebb and flow of consumer demand for certain varietals, or appellations. Both on a global scale and right here in our own local area many factors are at work to change the wine marketplace and influence pricing.

Small Business Saturday: Investment in community

Idaho’s 158,000 small businesses not only drive our economy, spur innovation and create jobs, they reflect the unique character of the state. Residents and tourists feel this each time they visit a local shop, buy an artisanal product or receive outstanding personal service. And on Nov. 24, we invite shoppers to honor their contributions by supporting Small Business Saturday.

The value of the winery experience

Touring wine country is an experience that holds passion for many of us, but beyond the romance and enjoyment of winery visits there are tremendous amounts of knowledge to be garnered while there.

Sheriff's blotter

Notable calls of the day!

Gov. Brad Little hands out meals, buys lunch, coffee, and visits downtown shop

Gov. Brad Little hands out meals, buys lunch, coffee, and visits downtown shop

What recession?

Shoppers eat up Black Friday deals

For one day at least, you could almost imagine the recession never happened. Millions of the nation's shoppers braved rain and cold to crowd stores while others grabbed online bargains on what could be the busiest Black Friday ever.

INSURANCE: Why affordability is key

As a Human Resources professional, I have always been a proponent of affordable Medical Insurance. I had an experience recently that I would like to share to further shed light on the need for all Americans to have medical insurance.

Fighting gas prices, US to release 50 million barrels of oil

The government will begin to move barrels into the market in mid- to late-December

Paranoid to the core

Idaho's education committee chairs earn an A for patience and persistence. In their protracted quest to calm concerns about Common Core and Idaho Core Standards, Sen. John Goedde and Rep. Reed DeMordaunt are hosting a forum on Jan. 22 at the state capitol - a forum intended to inform citizens and, perhaps, to neutralize some of the most poisonous Common Core pills being distributed by critics.

Stamp prices going up again - to 46 cents

WASHINGTON (AP)- Buy those Forever stamps now. The cost of mailing a letter is going up again.

Records Feb. 2, 2010

CRIME REPORTS Kootenai County Sheriff Sunday 12:43 p.m.: Craft Maid kitchen cabinets, a kitchen counter top and power and hand tools with a total value of $5,500 were reported stolen from a residence under renovation in the 100 block of South Cedar Street in Harrison. Monday 3 p.m.: A Kenwood DVD player valued at $1,200 was reported stolen from a 2002 BMW parked in the driveway of a residence in the 10100 block of North Fir Lane in Hayden. DIVORCES FILED April M. Lyons from Brian M. Lyons Stephanie N. Christian from Justin L. Christian Jennifer Miller from Justin Miller LAWSUIT Jerry Kelly et al., v. Tyrone Cruze, seeking judgment in excess of $10,000. SENTENCINGS Judge Robert Caldwell Theresa A. Hancock, 44, Coeur d'Alene: 180 days in jail with 130 days suspended, $900 in fines, $100 restitution, driver's license suspended for 90 days and two years probation for driving under the influence. Zachary J. Palmer, 53, Coeur d'Alene: 15 days in jail with credit for time served for pedestrian under the influence of alcohol/drugs. Mark E. Wenz, 49, Coeur d'Alene: 10 days in jail with credit for time served and $250 in fines for frequenting a place where a controlled substance is used. Joshua M. Marves, 35, Post Falls: 180 days in jail with 170 days suspended, $500 in fines and two years probation for invalid driver's license. Michael Lunsford, 51, Coeur d'Alene: 44 days in jail with credit for time served, $262.50 in fines and two years probation for frequenting a place where a controlled substance is used, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to use. Judge John Mitchell David R. Jones, 56, Coeur d'Alene: 180 days in jail, five years determinate penitentiary time with credit for time served for probation violation. Jeffrey A. Jeske, 53, Coeur d'Alene: 180 days in jail, three years determinate penitentiary time and seven years indeterminate time with credit for time served, $170.50 in fines and driver's license suspended for five years for driving under the influence. Jessica L. Beardslee, 25, Hayden: Two years determinate penitentiary time and four years indeterminate time with credit for time served, penitentiary suspended, $165.50 in fines and four years probation for two counts of burglary. Judge Scott Wayman Timothy R. D. Williams, 36, Post Falls: 60 days in jail, work release and $100 in fines for theft by possession of stolen property. Dana A. Northern, 18, Coeur d'Alene: 30 days in jail for probation violation. Shelley L. Marlin, 44, Post Falls: 365 days in jail with 313 days suspended and credit for time served, work release, $200 in fines, $100 restitution and two years probation for petit theft and unlawful possession/use of a prescription drug.

Oil rises near $98 as traders eye Libya supply cut

SINGAPORE - Oil prices rose slightly to near $98 a barrel Friday in Asia amid signs the crisis in Libya may have cut crude supplies less that previously estimated.

Netflix price hike angers users, some drop plan

SAN FRANCISCO - Some Netflix customers called it a slap in the face. Others a betrayal. Many threatened to drop the movie service.

More millennials stuck renting for years before buying home

Delay reflects trend in financial challenges facing young adults

WinEconomy semi-annual update

It has been about six months since I wrote about pricing and supply trends in the wine industry so I figured it might be a good time to update wine consumers on those trends. When we last wrote retail prices for wine were coming down quite relentlessly due to an over-supply and the general economic trends in the country.

Valentine’s Day by the dollars

The sweet scent of Valentine's Day flowers...or is that the smell of cold, hard cash?

Shopping on the go

Americans turn to mobile devices for Cyber Monday

Economy recovering, but recession's shadow is long

NEW YORK - Layaway, once the province of the poor, has gone mainstream. At the Mall of America in Minnesota, shoppers dart in for just one or two things. In New York, socialites do the unthinkable: They wear the same ball gown twice.