Muscle imprint

Sometimes don't you wonder if all those years of sports in junior high, high school and college, along with all the playing at the lake and skiing at the mountain is why we are so sore and achy today when we get up in the morning? Go ahead and think back about all the activities you did when you were young. I do this often when my young junior high athletes come in to the clinic with injuries like ankle sprains, knee pain and back pain because they are growing so fast. As I care for them I am constantly amazed at how fast they heal, and then of course I wonder what about our age group. Will we be able to get back on our feet that quickly and does our mind and body have some sort of imprint from all of those activities that we did when we were younger to help us on our way?

Alpaca Socks make the perfect gift

Alpaca Direct re-invents warm and durable socks with Alpacor

Tired of wandering the aisles in the big box stores looking for a gift that is unique and useful? We have the perfect gift to keep your loved ones warm this winter...Alpaca Socks from Alpaca Direct. We're excited to announce the arrival of our new Alpaca Socks made with Alpacor. These socks set a new bar in what you can expect in a warm, durable and versatile sock.

Roe v. Wade anniversary: 40 years of bloodshed

Delusion is reality without truth.

The true value of libraries

I am one of five people serving on the Community Library Network Board of Trustees. I volunteer my time to serve because I know the value of our libraries. We have eight in the District: Athol, Harrison, Hayden, Pinehurst, Post Falls, Rathdrum, Spirit Lake, and our bookmobile. Each and every one has its own personality and is beloved in its community. We encompass 1,150 square miles and serve about 101,000 residents.

Religious freedom American core value

When my wife and I were attending college in Hawaii, one of our favorite places to visit was the National Cemetery of the Pacific, known by locals as “Punchbowl” because it sits nestled in Punchbowl Crater right in Honolulu. It is an extraordinary, beautiful, quiet and sacred space where over 34,000 veterans are interred. We’ve taken our children back there twice so they too can feel the spirit of dedication and sacrifice that is found there. I can never visit Punchbowl without weeping for gratitude for the men and women who gave “the last full measure of devotion” so that my family and I can remain free.

Op-Ed: Resilient Idahoans fighting for America

Today I completed my summer tour of all 19 counties in Idaho’s First District – the most beautiful in America. Spanning from Canada to Nevada, the nation’s 18th largest district covers almost 40,000 square miles; 99.4 percent of that land is rural.

FLAG: Old Glory is upside down

Both my wife and I are honorably discharged United States Navy veterans. We love God, this country, our flag and what it represents, dearly. When a child faces expulsion from school for being honest, and government officials continue to receive our tax dollars for alleged continual lies and deception, we have come to realize our beloved nation has been thrown into a state of distress by our so-called leaders. This Saturday, June 14, is National Flag Day. A day that serves deep within my soul to give honor to the banner I love, and stand to believe represents truth, liberty, and justice. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be moved to do or even say this; on Saturday, June 14, 2014, and for that day only, I will be presenting Old Glory, upside down, as a distress call to my fellow countrymen as to how I understand the current direction of our country, the United States of America, under it’s current ‘leadership’ to be traveling. This will be a somber event for me to perform as I strive to adhere to flag etiquette as much as possible. May God Bless the United States of America, land that I love. On June 15 I will return my United States flag to proper display status. (Sent June 12, 2014.)

Religious freedom American core value

When my wife and I were attending college in Hawaii, one of our favorite places to visit was the National Cemetery of the Pacific, known by locals as “Punchbowl” because it sits nestled in Punchbowl Crater right in Honolulu. It is an extraordinary, beautiful, quiet and sacred space where over 34,000 veterans are interred. We’ve taken our children back there twice so they too can feel the spirit of dedication and sacrifice that is found there. I can never visit Punchbowl without weeping for gratitude for the men and women who gave “the last full measure of devotion” so that my family and I can remain free.

Community Thanks August 9, 2015

Crapo helps strengthen Idaho dairy industry trade

The Idaho Dairymen's Association (IDA), Idaho's largest dairy producer trade association, and Glanbia Foods Inc., Idaho's largest dairy processor, express our sincerest thanks to Sen. Mike Crapo for his recent support of The Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015. The bill, more commonly referred to as the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) bill, recently passed 20-6 with strong bipartisan support through the U.S. Senate Finance Committee.

Some like it hot

While the news outlets were fixated on important topics like Stormy Daniels, Roseanne Barr and Samantha Bee, a boring government agency observed an Earth milepost last month. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, April was our dear old planet’s 400th straight warmer-than-normal month. That is, every one of the 400 months since February of 1985 has been warmer than Earth’s normal temperature.

How the vagus nerve affects our body

When dancing with the devil, the powerful partner should lead

Saudi Arabia may have lots of oil and idle cash, but that country is in the peanut league compared to the economic and military power of the United States. You have to wonder why our President lets the charming Saudi Prince lead him around like a 4H calf.

Celebs in Cd'A are bigger news elsewhere

Maybe it’s the proliferation of the internet these days.

Commercial market shows gains

As we reflect upon our performance so far this year, it is easy to see improvement over 2013. Those improvements are chronicled here each month as with this column. We begin our report this time however, with an update on commercial sales activity. Commercial lease activity is not recorded by the Coeur d'Alene Multiple Listing Service - our source for statistical data.

OBAMA: Here's why he'll win

It’s FANTASTIC — Experts forecasting a close race for president of the U.S.! Obama has been a very good decision maker — not that I always agree with his policies, especially our still being in the second most ridiculous war in our history, second only to Iraq, both of them left to him by George Bush — a man who lost his first popular vote presidential election but was elected by a 5 to 4 vote of the Supreme Court. Obama’s domestic policies have been very good for the great majority of us, despite his vain attempts to cooperate and negotiate with people who announced their only aim is his failure.

GRAFFITI: Don't let vandals rule

More love, less hate in Idaho

Our responsibility as representatives of the people is to make decisions that make life better for Idahoans. Our legislation should be rooted in concern and compassion for our community. As a state representative, one of my chief priorities is supporting the mental health of all Idahoans, including the LGBTQ community. Members of the LGBTQ community in Idaho have been ignored for too long. Idaho loses too many lives to suicide every year — we are currently hold the fifth highest suicide rate in the country. We must take action for the safety of all Idahoans, including LGBTQ Idahoans.

Guest opinion: Legislature should protect all citizens, including LGBTQ community

Our responsibility as representatives of the people is to make decisions that make life better for Idahoans. Our legislation should be rooted in concern and compassion for our community. As a state representative, one of my chief priorities is supporting the mental health of all Idahoans, including the LGBTQ community. Members of the LGBTQ community in Idaho have been ignored for too long. Idaho loses too many lives to suicide every year – we are currently hold the 5th highest suicide rate in the country. We must take action for the safety of all Idahoans, including LGBTQ Idahoans.

New column can turn any thumb green

Welcome to Growing in Northern Idaho, a bi-weekly gardening column written by UI Extension Kootenai County Idaho Master Gardeners.