Idaho rising

We are all very proud here in the Northwest of our regional wines and for good reason, as there are many great producers throughout the area including Washington and Oregon. However, some of the real treats are starting to come out of our home state of Idaho. While the group of Idaho wineries is more heavily weighted toward those that are based in Idaho and work with fruit grown in Washington State, there are more showing up all the time that are all Idaho including the grapes they use.

Holiday wines

While Thanksgiving has pretty much one traditional meal and is focused on one day, the Christmas and New Year holidays bring many meal favorites spanning a number of days. The wine choices similarly are multiplied too. So without wasting too much column space here are some recommendations for the most common meals.

Wine self-doubt

Around the holidays and other special occasions, many of us delve into our collections of special bottles of wine to share with friends and family. It is, in short, that time of year when we not only want to treat ourselves but those close to us with a bottle that is meaningful and one we recall as being especially good. Sometimes, though, we may find the wine to be lacking when we taste it - it is just not the wine we remember so vividly. We start to think, "What was I thinking? This is not so good."

That time of year

A widely agreed upon axiom of the wine industry is that the most expensive "bubbles" you will buy are in the fourth and first quarters of each year. With the Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and other holidays in the fourth and Valentine's Day in the first quarter, the theory is well grounded in fact. Champagne and other sparkling wines are more in demand, and therefore consumers are a bit less price-conscious. After all, at these special times of year, we all want to treat our guests and ourselves to the best possible "bubbly" experience.

Witnessing greatness

We had the opportunity the other night to watch the movie Ali starring Will Smith. I reflected on the greatness portrayed in the movie.

A smart boost in testosterone

Testosterone plays a necessary role in the human body. It’s the key male sex hormone that regulates fertility, body hair growth, muscle and bone mass. While men have significantly higher levels of testosterone in their bodies, women produce the hormone as well, and both genders can be affected by out-of-whack levels.

Fruit and oak

Alzheimer's: An epidemic not to be forgotten

In my opinion, Alzheimer’s disease is arguably the most pressing age-related health concern of our time. According to Stanford Health Care, its prevalence is increasing, with early-onset forms of the disease appearing as early as age 30, and one in three adults over 85 having the disease. Stanford Health Care describes Alzheimer’s as a degenerative disease of the brain that causes degradation of nearly all brain functions, including memory, movement, language, judgment, behavior and abstract thinking over time. Extensive research has been conducted concerning the mechanisms of this degradation, but there is still little consensus as to what sets these mechanisms in motion, and many of the medications being used to treat Alzheimer’s have shown minimal impact in slowing its progression. Regardless, it should be noted that we actually know quite a lot about how to make lifestyle choices that can preemptively keep many of these mechanisms within ideal parameters to reduce the overall risk of Alzheimer’s.

Identifying lumps and bumps with diagnostic testing

Lumps and bumps are a normal part of life, but what do we do when we notice a new lump or bump on our furry friend?

ADVERTISING: Advertorial — Conquering infertility naturally

From 1990 to 2010 worldwide rates of infertility increased from 3.5 percent to 16.7 percent, with more than one in four couples currently facing infertility issues. Meanwhile over the past 40 years, the concentration of sperm in male ejaculate dropped by over 52 percent. While we still haven’t uncovered all the reasons behind this global dip in both female and male fertility, we have developed a better grasp of ways to support couples who struggle with this painful reality.

ADVERTISING: Advertorial — How to conquer pain without drugs

We are a nation of pain! Three out of ten US adults suffer from chronic back or neck pain, and one in four report severe arthritic joint pain. One in six Americans complain of chronic migraines. The top medications used in the United States target pain relief, including NSAIDS like Tylenol or Ibuprofen and opioid medication like Vicodin. While we are grateful to have access to these meds when we need them, there is a significant downside to taking them over extended periods.

Backyard Chickens Part 2: Maintaining healthy birds

After researching, preparing for, and buying healthy chickens, first-time flock owners will need to know all that is involved in keeping their birds healthy.

Cd'A Basin meeting Wednesday

WALLACE - The Coeur d'Alene Basin Citizens Coordinating Council will meet Wednesday, April 20, from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Wallace Inn, 100 Front St., Wallace.

Virtual event focused on preventing youth vaping

The virtual event we will feature Dr. Galiatsatos, director of the Tobacco Treatment Clinic at Johns Hopkins Medicine

Edinger supports public vote on McEuen Field

City Council president 'disappointed' he was not appointed to committee that helped design plan

COEUR d'ALENE - City Council President Ron Edinger said he could support the idea of allowing the public to vote on the future of McEuen Field.

Where justice and mercy collide

As a group reading exercise, it turned out to be pretty dramatic.

Funky food at the fair

Whether it's corn dogs, elephant ears or a chocolate insect, you can find it there

COEUR d'ALENE - Ever try deep fried lemonade? How about a chocolate-covered meal worm? Beer balls?

Spaces available in wolf trapper certification classes

Idaho rules require a wolf trapper certification class be completed and passed before a person can purchase wolf trapping tags. The course includes 6.5 hours of instruction including both classroom and field experience followed by a written exam.

Vision input summary complete

Public encouraged to review, comment on input

COEUR d'ALENE - Organizers of the CDA 2030 Visioning Project have completed a summary of the public input they have collected over the past year, and the public is encouraged to review and comment on it.

People make the difference

As Mother Nature struggles to figure out just what she wants to do with the remaining days on winter's calendar, we at North Idaho College have no difficulty in knowing what to do.