World/Nation Briefs November 30, 2012

White House 'fiscal cliff' offer gets cold shoulder from GOP

Biden arrives in Geneva for highly-anticipated Putin meeting

Has called Putin a “worthy adversary”

Has called Putin a “worthy adversary”

Controversy jogs with latest McEuen plans

'Tis the season! To give the gift of music. Buy tickets for the popular Festival at Sandpoint before they're all gone.

Looking for the perfect stocking stuffer? The annual Festival at Sandpoint features amazing performances, world class musicians and memories to last a lifetime.

GUNS: Idaho v. California

Mr. Boothe, in Idaho, you can buy one or more guns and take them home the same day. In California — A STATE RUN ENTIRELY BY DEMOCRATS — if you purchase a gun, you must wait 10 days to take it home, BUT only if you prove you have a STATE-APPROVED firearm safety device, lock box, or gun safe for your new weapon. Nor can you purchase more than one handgun in a 30-day period.

Trends and blends

Within the last couple of weeks I had the opportunity to have lunch with Cary Daste. Cary is one of my favorite people in the wine business and the consummate "pro" with many years of experience in an industry that knows plenty of ups and downs. Cary now has his own wine brokerage business from which he represents a number of wineries in the Northwest. While the lunch was planned as an opportunity to taste through the fabulous blends from Brian Carter Cellars, as frequently happens when old friends get together to chat the conversation also covered some of the trends in the wine industry as well.

It's a new era in police recruiting

They poach officers from nearby police departments. They entice recruits by playing up the drama and heroism of policing through video close-ups of flashing lights and holstered guns. They wrestle with how to offer better pay.

Isabella Catherine Keene, 41 weeks

Isabella Catherine Keene closed her eyes in the womb at 41 weeks to the sound of her brothers playing and her parents planning for her impending arrival. Isabella was born sleeping at 11 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011. She weighed 5 lbs. 15 oz. and was 19 1/4 in long.

Wesley Beard Stone, DDS, 93

Dr. Wesley Beard Stone was born with a twinkle in his eyes, a smile

One park, two views

Recall’s first fireworks a dud

COEUR d'ALENE - Despite a rally, chanting and signs, the petitions to launch a recall effort on four Coeur d'Alene City Council officials didn't pass legal muster, meaning they'll have to be submitted again.

Seasonal firefighters seek health care coverage

DENVER (AP) — They work the front lines of the nation's most explosive wildfires, navigating treacherous terrain, dense walls of smoke and tall curtains of flame. Yet thousands of the nation's seasonal firefighters have no health insurance for themselves or their families.

The Front Row with Jim Litke January 24, 2012

Focused on the wrong body part

Most of their fans and more than a few guys on the Baltimore Ravens' side of the ball spent the past week arguing over the strength of Joe Flacco's arm. Turns out they should have paid more attention to Billy Cundiff's leg.

Holy sheet! Don't pay fees up front

Upfront fees? Never! That’s my rule.

Jobs picture dims as unemployment claims rise

WASHINGTON - The economy is looking bleaker as new applications for jobless benefits rose last week to the highest level in almost six months.

Beef industry woes may mean poorer meat

Struggle to get competitive price is helping to push producers out of business

AINSWORTH, Neb. - In this Great Plains ranching town, cowboys still lasso steers as part of their daily routine and cattle producers like Bob Sears still take pride in the long tradition of raising American beef.

The great de-bait

MaryJane's Everyday Organic

We've all heard the wisdom: Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, but teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. And if I could place a fishing pole into the capable hands of each and every one of you, you know I would. But the plain and simple truth is that many of you lack a babbling brook and, sadly, there are no rubber waders in your near future. You depend on local markets and fish shops to supply you with the fish you eat. And that can be a wonderful opportunity - or a no-man's land of misinformation.

Wine on the road…

For the first time since we opened our shop, Mary and I were able to take off for a short vacation right after our busiest time of the year. We accomplished this feat by some good forward planning back in August to secure some great airfare. We are just returning from the week in Hawaii. It has also been, as near as we can tell, some 6 plus years since we visited the island state.

ADVERTISING: Advertorial — The Sauvignon Blanc sip trip

I've been on a Sauvignon Blanc kick lately, trying the varietal from all over — New Zealand, South Africa, South America, France, and the US. The diversity of flavors and styles within this one grape variety has been eye-opening. Let me tell you about some of the standout Sauvignon Blancs I've tasted recently.

Small number of schools drop out of lunch program

WASHINGTON - The Agriculture Department says 524 schools - out of about 100,000 - have dropped out of the federally subsidized national school lunch program since the government introduced new standards for healthier foods last year.

Church's one-day offering to help locally, globally

COEUR d’ALENE — Someone who makes $10 an hour will gross $80 in a normal eight-hour work day.