Flamenco Guitar Concert Canceled at Library

Due to an unexpected scheduling conflict, Matt DeRyan is unable to perform at a concert scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 2, at 7 p.m., and the event has been canceled.

Landscape of Excellence Nominations Now Accepted

Nominations for “Landscape of Excellence” are being accepted by Community Canopy, an organization with the goal of sustainable community forests.  The Landscape of Excellence award recognizes and encourages good tree care by highlighting those businesses or organizations in the local community who are doing things right.  Nominations should be submitted by August 15^th.

Nominated businesses or organizations should have landscapes within the view of the public.  They will be reviewed for their landscape care practices, especially in regard to trees.  In 2011, Coeur d’Alene High School, located on 4^th Street in Coeur d’Alene, was recognized for having a variety of tree species, the retention of large native ponderosa pine trees, the use of shade trees in parking lots, safety zones around trees to prevent damage from turf care equipment, use of proper planting practices, and proper pruning.  The landscape also includes a variety of ornamental shrubs that make the school grounds aesthetically pleasing.

Community Canopy is a tree care partnership of the cities of Coeur d'Alene, Hayden, Post Falls, Spokane, and the Spokane County Conservation District, with the assistance of the University of Idaho Extension and Washington State University Extension.  Community Canopy members work together toward the goal of healthy and sustainable community forests that provide maximum environmental and visual benefits.  Community Canopy provides informational publications, exhibits, workshops, and in-the-field training. 

To make a nomination for a Landscape of Excellence Award, please contact one of the following communities through the Community Canopy website at www.communitycanopy.info or call them at:

City of Coeur d’Alene – 208/769-2266
City of Hayden – 208/209-0987
City of Post Falls – 208/292-2315
City of Spokane – 509/363-5495

Children's Library Showing Free Movies

The Coeur d'Alene Public Libraary will show free Mid-Week Movies on Wednesdays 1-3 p.m. through Aug. 15. Films will include:  “Where the Wild Things Are,” “Mars Needs Moms,” and “Wall-E.”

The films will be screened in Shirley Parker Storyroom in the Seagraves Children's Library.

Each time children visit the library they are invited to vote for their favorite school and when classes resume in the fall the school with the most votes will earn the right to display the Summer Reading Traveling Trophy in its library for the school year.

Children under 6 visiting the library need to be supervised by an adult or a person who is at least 14 even during programs. Children ages 6-9 should be accompanied by someone who is at least 14 who will remain in the building.

For more information contact Youth Services at 208-769-2315 Ext. 438.

Patrons who need accommodation to participate in library programs or services are asked to contact the staff prior to the activity by calling 208-769-2315.

Trail Improvements Begin July 31st

Two trails, the North Idaho Centennial Trail and the Prairie Trail, need to be seal coated.  Both seal coating projects will be “rolling projects,” meaning that the seal coating takes about two hours to dry, so the trail will be usable soon after the contractor has sealed it.  The contractor can seal about one mile of trail per day.

During the seal coating period, users will not be directed to an alternate route – rather, please be aware of the project, use the shoulder when traveling around the work area, and, when appropriate, walk bikes around the work area.

Work on the Prairie Trail begins Tuesday, July 31^st.  It will start where the Prairie Trail intersects the Centennial Trail north of Riverstone and the work will continue to Huetter Road.  The nearly 4 ½ miles of Prairie Trail should be completed by August 3^rd.

Work on the Centennial Trail begins Monday, August 6^th.  It will start at Higgins Point at the east end of the trail, working west.  Through August 10^th, work will be done on the section of trail from Higgins Point to Riverstone Park, which includes the preparation of all shoulder work on the Class 1 section of the trail.

Beginning August 13^th, the section of trail from Higgins Point to Riverstone Park will be seal coated.

Also during the week of August 13^th, trail patch and repair work between I-90/Northwest Boulevard and Highway 41 will be completed on the Centennial Trail.  During the week of August 20^th, crews will be crack filling and seal coating this same stretch of trail.

Between August 27^th and September 7^th, the remainder of Centennial Trail from Highway 41 to the Idaho/Washington state line will be completed, barring any bad weather.

For our trail enthusiasts – please know that we’ll have spotters in front of and in back of the construction to remind people to slow down and ride on the shoulders.  For more information, please contact the Parks Department at 769-2252.

Home Safe Home

By Sergeant Christie Wood
Public Information Officer
Coeur d’Alene Police Department

During the summer vacation season, the Coeur d’Alene Police Department experiences an increase in theft and burglary reports. Residents who leave their homes to pursue north Idaho’s natural beauty often return to find them broken into, priceless items taken, and their sense of security shaken.

In order to protect your property from theft year round, we’d like to offer some helpful tips for home security:

Burglars can enter your home in any number of ways. Most of them simply enter through the front door, but first-floor windows, back doors, storage areas, and second-floor windows are also likely points of entry. Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave the house, even if you will only be gone “for a minute.”

Most homeowners don't think of the second story of their house as being vulnerable, but it is. Are there trees or branches burglars could climb to get into the second story of your house? Are there drain pipes or trellises that provide access? How about a second-story deck?

Your landscaping shouldn't provide help or cover for burglars. Trim the bushes and branches back or even have trees cut down. You can also move the downspouts to an area where they don't compromise security. Although a trellis may be pretty, if it's in the wrong place it really should be moved or taken down.

If your garage is connected to your home, make sure to keep the inside door locked. If your garage door opens with a remote control, check for updated technology. The remote may open and shut your garage door, but if it is an older style with a single frequency, you are vulnerable to anyone having the same kind of remote.  

Walk around your home after dark to identify where additional outdoor lighting could make the area more secure. Criminals don't like light and the better lighting you have on possible entry points, the safer and more secure your family will be. You can now buy solar powered lights that will help protect your home at a small cost. Put them where you need them. The more you do to make getting into your house difficult, the better chance you have of staying safe and secure in your home.

If you are a victim of a crime, report it to the Police Department immediately at 769-2320.  For emergencies, please call 9-1-1. Be careful to preserve any evidence left at the scene of the crime and do not enter your home without a police escort if you believe someone has burglarized your home while you were away. The Coeur d’Alene Police Department would like all of our residents and visitors to enjoy a safe and peaceful summer.

4-Way Stop at Government and Hanley Installed Monday

Temporary Signage Accommodates Signal Removal

The traffic signal at Government Way and Hanley Avenue will be replaced by a temporary four-way stop sign beginning Monday, July 23^rd.  Over the next four weeks, crews will install a new signal to accommodate the widening of Government Way, currently taking place.

Two-way traffic is being maintained on Government Way from Dalton to Hanley avenues during construction.  The speed limit has been reduced to 25 mph during construction.  Drivers can expect delays.  Some construction activities may require traffic control and flagging.

For more information, please contact 769-2228.

Young Inventor, TV Show Part of Library Program

Carson Magee is a good example of taking lemons and making lemonade. This 9-year-old from Coeur d’Alene has Type 1 diabetes and he invented what he believes is an easier way to test his blood sugar.
He will demonstrate his invention Wednesday, Aug. 1, at 6 p.m. in the Community Room at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library, 702 E. Front Ave.
But that’s not all.
Magee’s invention took him to the state level of the Invention Convention where he won an official patent search as well as dinner with a famous inventor in Sagle. His win also saw Magee brought to the attention of the television game show, “Figure It Out” on Nickleodeon.
His appearance will also be broadcast Aug. 1 and the show will be screen in the library Community Room beginning at 7 p.m. Information: 208-769-2315 Ext. 438.
Magee was recently featured in a Coeur d’Alene Press article. It can be accessed online at: http://www.cdapress.com/news/local_news/article_df8bc9a2-2a77-5ae9-a1b1-c7642d8d746c.html

Patrons who need accommodation to participate in library programs or services are asked to contact the staff prior to the activity by calling 208-769-2315. For more library information visit cdalibrary.org. The library is a department of the City of Coeur d’Alene and a member of the Cooperative Information Network, cinlibraries.org. Library Director, Bette Ammon. Library hours: Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m./Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m./Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. For regular updates follow the library on Facebook and Twitter.

Government Way Road Construction Continues

Due to heavy rains and some materials issues, the Government Way project has experienced some delays.  Crews are now back working to build the roadway up for curb, gutter, and sidewalk along the west side of Government Way.

Two-way traffic is being maintained along Government Way although the speed has been reduced to 25-MPH during construction.  Short delays can be expected, with some activities requiring traffic control and flagging.

Curbing is anticipated to be poured this week.  A paving test strip is planned for the week of July 23^rd.  Once the test strip is reviewed and accepted, production paving along the west side of Government Way, Park Road, and Sunup Road will begin.

Access to businesses and residences will continue to be maintained.  During curb and gutter activities, crews may need to build half of the driveway approach at a time to continue keeping access open.

This is an Idaho Transportation Department project, utilizing Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) funds with the City of Coeur d’Alene as the local sponsor. For more information, please contact 769-2228.

Water Pressures Normal After Lighting Destroys Sensor

The Coeur d'Alene water system experienced low water pressures in portions of the general pressure zone this morning due to equipment failure. The general pressure zone includes areas south of Lunceford-Neider Avenue (but not including Armstrong Park, Stanley Hill, or Fernan Hill).

The problem started when a level sensor at the Tubbs Hill reservoir was struck by lightning and destroyed.  The control system (SCADA) began sending erroneous information indicating that there was plenty of water in the tanks even though the levels were dropping.  Early this morning, the department was alerted and manually turned on all of the wells in the general zone.  Levels immediately began recovering and it is anticipated that the tanks will be full by noon.

There are no indications of any water quality problems, although additional water samples have been taken to verify that the water quality is good.  We have coordinated with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality to ensure that the appropriate response has been taken.

For more information, please contact Jim Markley, Water Superintendent, 415-0418 or Suzanne Scheidt, Idaho DEQ, at 769-1422.  

Be prepared for summer’s wildland fire season!

By Glenn Lauper
Deputy Fire Chief
     When the temperature hits 90 degrees and lingers, wildland fire danger goes up.  Burning embers and sparks can travel up to a mile from a fire. Even the smallest spark can ignite a powerful and damaging blaze under the right conditions.
  Coeur d’Alene Deputy Fire Chief Glenn Lauper tracks news of wildland fires across the nation.  When the Lower North Fork fire occurred in Colorado in April of this year, 3 people died. Authorities reported that 12% of the people who lived in the fire’s path did not receive emergency notification that the fire was approaching.  Early this July, a wildland fire in Pocatello destroyed over 100 structures.  Lauper and other fire department personnel pass along information about lessons learned from these fires to prevent similar events from happening in our community. 
     Wildland fire is the number one natural threat to Kootenai County residents and property. It’s not too late to prepare for the threat of wildfire, and citizens can do a lot to help themselves during these dog days of summer.
     For example, consider incorporating Fire Resistive Design.  When building, remodeling, or landscaping, purchase fire resistive building materials such as cement board siding and fire-rated roofing materials. Grass and ivy are excellent fire resistant landscaping features.
     Also consider Fire Resistive Maintenance.  Clear or thin natural fuels 30-to-50 feet from your home and limb up trees to remove “ladder” fuels. Store your firewood at least 20 feet from all structures. Clear your roof and gutters of all pine needles and leaves. Have your address numbers clearly visible from the street.
  If a wildfire threatens, listen to the radio, TV, or view social media for emergency broadcasts. Back your vehicle into the garage or driveway, have a “Go” bag packed and ready to go, including a phone and medications (go to www.ready.gov for emergency supply list). Then, listen for instructions or call 911.  Assemble a shovel, rake, and garden hose and wet down combustible roof and siding if time allows. Fill buckets with water and place a roof ladder on the opposite side of the roof from the side of the fire threat. Know two different ways out of your neighborhood.
  The Coeur d’Alene Fire and Police departments are working together to protect the community during these hot, dry days. They are currently developing redundant emergency notification systems and social media applications to alert the public about what to do and where to go in an emergency.
  For more information, please call the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department at 208-769-2340, visit its website cdafire.org, Facebook, or follow the department on Twitter: @CDAFD.  Sign up for emergency notifications at www.Nixle.com or by texting your zip code to 888777.  

Pajama Party, Planetarium, Free Movies at Library

   Visit the Coeur d’Alene Public Library in your jammies during an upcoming special activity in the Seagraves Children’s Library.

PajamaRama – part of the Summer Reading Programs at the library – will be a special family night on Tuesday, July 24, 6-7:30 p.m. Participants are invited to wear their pajamas and bring their favorite teddy bear or other bedtime buddy and to enjoy stories, games and puppet shows. No registration is required for this free activity.

A Digital Planetarium will be set up in the Community Room at the library, 702 E. Front Ave., Thursday, July 26. Space in the portable planetarium is limited so preregistration is   required. Visit the Seagraves Children’s Library to register.

The children’s library will show Mid-Week Movies on Wednesdays 1-3 p.m. beginning July 25 and continuing through Aug. 15. Films will include: “Bedtime Stories,” “The Black Hole,” “Mars Needs Moms,” and “Wall-E.”

This year’s Summer Reading theme is “Dream Big – Read.” Children can visit the library for a Reading Log and keep track of the time they spend reading or being read to. For every three hours of reading they can collect a prize at the library.

Children are also urged to vote for their school each time they visit the library to decide who will win the Summer Reading Traveling Trophy.

Weekly Summer Reading Programs include:

        ► Sleepy Sheep Lapsit: For ages newborn to 2 accompanied by a parent or other caregiver, Tuesdays, 10:15-10:45 a.m., and Fridays, 10:30-11 a.m.

►Dreamtime Toddler Storytime: Ages 2-3, Tuesdays, 11-11:30 a.m.

►  Shooting Stars Preschool Storytime: Ages 3-5, Wednesdays, 10:30-11 a.m.

►  Moonbeams Music and Rhyme Time: Ages 5-8, Thursdays, 11:30-noon.

►  Sandman Stories and Science: Ages 5-8, Wednesdays, 1-2 p.m.

►  Science Solutions: Ages 9-12, Wednesdays 3-4 p.m.

►  LEGO Club: Ages 5-10, Thursdays, 3-5 p.m. Building time with the library’s huge collection of LEGOs.

► Paws to Read: Ages 5-8, Fridays 2-3 p.m., a chance to read with a certified therapy dog.

Summer Reading is funded by a grant from the Friends of the Library.

Children under 6 visiting the library need to be supervised by an adult or a person who is at least 14 even during programs. Children ages 6-9 should be accompanied by someone who is at least 14 who will remain in the building.

For more information on Summer Reading contact Youth Services at 208-769-2315 Ext. 438.

Patrons who need accommodation to participate in library programs or services are asked to contact the staff prior to the activity by calling 208-769-2315. For more library information visit cdacity.blogspot.com. The library is a department of the City of Coeur d’Alene and a member of the Cooperative Information Network, cinlibraries.org. Library Director, Bette Ammon. Library hours: Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m./Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m./Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. For regular updates follow the library on Facebook and Twitter.

Celebrate Parks Day July 14th!

Saturday, July 14^th, enjoy the 5^th Annual Parks Day Celebration. It will begin at 9:00 a.m. with a free pancake breakfast at Phippeny Park (831 N. 8^th Street), cooked by the Panhandle Kiwanis. There will be many free activities including an inflatable bouncer, a “learn to ride your bicycle event,” an old-time photo op, Art on the Edge crafts, informational booths, HAM radio demonstrations, sack races, and much more. Featured entertainment includes the North Idaho Hat Band bluegrass group. Events at Phippeny Park are scheduled from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

At 6:00 p.m., activities will resume at Winton Park (810 W. La Crosse) including a free hot dog dinner cooked by local Air Force volunteers. Come and see CDA Rock School perform, and take part in many activities, including: Art on the Edge crafts, Frisbee play, kite flying, an inflatable bouncer, and more. There will be an informal horseshoe tournament hosted by the Kootenai County Horseshoe Pitchers Association. Participate for a chance to win a gift certificate donated by Texas Roadhouse. In the evening, take part in a square dance with the Coeurly Q’s square dancers. At dusk, the movie “Puss in Boots” will be shown, hosted by the Coeur d’Alene Police Department. Free popcorn and soda will be served.

Stop by the Parks Booth at either park to enter to win great prizes including a parasail ride donated by CDA Parasail, and a mounted panoramic print of our city by 29k Productions.

Parks Day is brought to you courtesy of the Coeur d’Alene Parks Department and the Panhandle Parks Foundation.  Sponsors include Waste Management, Greenstone Homes, Kootenai Electric Co-op, Transtector Systems, J.U.B. Engineers, Hecla Mining, Parker Toyota, Architects West, and the Hallock Family.

Parks Day originated in 2008 when the Parks Master Plan survey revealed that quite a few Coeur d’Alene citizens did not know the locations of many of their city parks. Each year, Parks Day spotlights different parks.  For more information and the schedule of events, please visit http://parks.cdaid.org or contact Katie Kosanke, 415-0415.

City’s Street Overlay Program Begins

The city’s summer overlay program starts Monday, July 9^th, weather pending.  Streets to be overlaid will have temporary closures due to grinding, utility raising, and paving of the streets.  In some cases, traffic may be reduced to one lane during the overlay period.  We ask for your patience. Please pay attention to signage and detours and allow a little extra time to arrive at your destination.

The scope of the project includes the overlay of approximately 37 blocks of city streets including: 

A, B, C, and D Streets from Milwaukee Drive to Virginia Avenue (Forest Cemetery).

Milwaukee Drive from Government Way to Idaho Avenue.

Browne Avenue from Government Way to Milwaukee Drive.

Idaho and Virginia Avenues from Government Way to Lincoln Way.

Lincoln Way from Idaho Avenue to Walnut Avenue.

The schedule for the contractor will begin on July 12^th with the milling of asphalt, followed by a 1 ½” overlay of asphalt and then raising all utilities to grade.  The work will be accomplished during daytime hours.

The overlay project is scheduled to be completed by the end of July, weather pending.

 

If you have any questions regarding the 2012 Overlay Project, please call Dennis Grant at 769-2398 or email him at dennisg@cdaid.org.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Public Artwork “The Cleaning Crew” and “Harmony” To Be Dedicated July 17th

The City of Coeur d’Alene is pleased to announce that new public artwork is scheduled to be dedicated on Tuesday, July 17th. The artwork entitled “Cleaning Crew” by local artist Allen Dodge, consists of seven (7) larger-than-life welded steel statues of microbes used in the purifying process by the Wastewater Treatment Plant. “Harmony,” by local artist Dale Young, is a carved basalt column depicting the elements of sky, earth, and water, and the sense of imbalance between humans and our natural environment. The statues were commissioned by the Coeur d’Alene Arts Commission, which consists of a twelve-member panel that is appointed by the Mayor and serves a three-year term. The Public Art Ordinance, adopted in June of 1999, established funding of public art that provides public visibility and impact.

The dedication ceremony will begin at 1:30 p.m. at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, 765 Hubbard Avenue, Coeur d’Alene. Mayor Bloem will officiate and treats will be provided courtesy of the City of Coeur d’Alene.

For more information on the Wastewater Treatment Plant public art project, please call Steve Anthony, Arts Commission liaison, at 769-2249.

Idaho Community Foundation Awards $1,666 Grant to Specialized Needs Recreation

Specialized Needs Recreation (SNR) received a grant of $1,666.00 from the Idaho Community Foundation (ICF) to be used for their Camp All-Stars scholarship program for young people, ages 4-21.  The grantor for this gift was the Archie B. Teater Fund for Children with Disabilities.

The ICF is a statewide non-profit organization whose goal is to have a permanent endowment of charitable dollars that will serve Idaho forever. ICF manages charitable funds on behalf of organizations, families, individuals, and businesses. The ICF encourages citizens to join as members to help support the statewide philanthropic outreach mission. To learn more about the foundation or join as a member, visit ICF’s website at www.idcomfdn.org.

Specialized Needs Recreation is a non-profit organization that provides recreational opportunities for youth and adults who may have difficulties participating in other programs due to disabilities or physical, mental, or emotional challenges.

If you would like more information about SNR call Angie Goucher at 755-6781 or visit the website at www.snr.bz.

Coeur d’ Alene – City of Resilience

The theme of the 2012 Association of Idaho Cities (AIC) Annual Conference, “Resilient Idaho Cities: Addressing Economic, Social and Environmental Challenges Together,” invited city leaders to learn from each other’s experiences.  Cities were also asked to nominate their biggest successes.  The City of Coeur d’Alene received Resilient City Awards for the following projects and programs:

Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion Supports Energy Efficiency

     The WWTP has always utilized biogas to heat digesters and its solids building.  The decision to extend the use of biogas to buildings in its expansion project was agreed upon by WWTP project members and their consultants.  The cost to engineer and construct this feature was approximately $100,000.00.   It took just under 213 days for the biogas to “pay” for the cost of the expansion. 

Former Library is New H.E.L.P Center

     In July 2009, Coeur d’Alene’s 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness met one of its goals – opening a “one-stop” center providing services to North Idaho’s homeless.  The former Coeur d’Alene Library building is now leased to St. Vincent de Paul for a below-market rate, having a new life as the Help Empower Local People (H.E.L.P.) Center. The center provides 15 essential social services in this one-stop facility.  St. Vincent de Paul operates 7 buildings within 1 block of the center, making it central to its overall operations.

Pilot Study Evaluates Effluent Technologies

     In preparation for expansion and upgrades to the WWTP to respond to population growth and new effluent phosphorus limits, the city performed a pilot study employing three different technologies to determine which would best meet new standards. Tertiary Membrane Filter (TMF) is now in the design process because it reliably produced a lower phosphorus limit more consistently than the other technologies.  By being prepared in advance for the potentially lower phosphorus limit, the city will save approximately $20 million dollars in future upgrades.

Partnerships Create Opportunities

     In 2002, Coeur d’Alene leaders believed that the area’s evolving population would need living wage jobs – and that these would be best supported by a strong educational infrastructure.  This belief was shared by leaders of local higher education institutions.  In May 2002, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the City of Coeur d’Alene, North Idaho College, the University of Idaho, and the Lake City Development Corporation to develop a master plan for an education corridor along the Spokane River.  Lewis-Clark State College later joined this planning effort.

Affordable Housing Built Through Collaboration

     In 2006, Coeur d’Alene partnered with the Lake City Development Corporation and the Idaho Housing & Finance Association to retain BBC Consulting & Research to identify its housing needs and community development goals.  After completing the needs assessment, BBC had several recommendations.  Among them: (1) develop more deeply subsidized rental units, and (2) receive a direct allocation of the Community Development Block Grant. The Lynn Peterson Home was opened May 2010 and the Kathy Reed House was opened March 2011.   For more information, please call 769-2204.