tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65743082008-05-20T11:47:06.945-07:00Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01260312051785408816noreply@blogger.comBlogger165125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574308.post-56665492229737138912008-01-11T13:45:00.000-08:002008-01-11T13:49:42.976-08:00

November 22, 1963 By Pete Hamill That day I was in Ireland, in the dark hard Northern city of Belfast, with the fine wire of the winter rain driving in sheets from the roiled sea. Along the Falls Road, women in shawls bent into the punishing November wind, like damp mobile bundles. The men stood in the beery warmth of the BeeHive pub, or the Rock Bar, their faces raw, caps pulled down hard,

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01260312051785408816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574308.post-83853258403107365402007-09-11T12:18:00.000-07:002007-09-11T12:25:28.011-07:00

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01260312051785408816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574308.post-60397868160768433452007-07-18T09:58:00.001-07:002007-07-18T10:05:58.858-07:00

I have a lot of respect for Marty Trillhaase as a coherent and thoughtful editorialist and writer. I haven't always agreed with him, but I think he does his homework. His commentary about Idaho's tax debate and economic development is worth a read. I am most in agreement with the fact that we need to invest more in education to make that element of our state's offerings the best it can be,

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01260312051785408816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574308.post-68358613436383955312007-05-28T17:17:00.000-07:002007-05-28T17:32:29.307-07:00

I attended a Memorial Day service this afternoon that was very well done. A sobering reminder of how many people have paid the ultimate price for this country and the many people left behind who love and cherish their memories. Last night I watched a '60 Minutes' special report called 'Fathers, Sons, and Brothers' which followed an Iowa National Guard unit through their entire Iraq experience,

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01260312051785408816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574308.post-73530223427111631072007-05-21T10:41:00.000-07:002007-05-21T11:14:41.418-07:00

Jack's back. And so is Mom. Yesterday, after six days of finally improving weight in the hospital and diagnosis of some milk allergies and low muscle tone, the doctors decided that Jack could go home to continue his regimens. This was welcome news to everyone, but especially to those of us reliant on Mom to keep the house in order. I won't list the number of people who helped us, both because

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01260312051785408816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574308.post-89142511236971057812007-05-18T23:21:00.000-07:002007-05-18T23:24:16.221-07:00

This was a hard night. I brought kids 1-5 into Spokane for a reunion with Mom and baby Jack, who is in the Children’s Hospital at Sacred Heart. They haven’t seen their Mom since Tuesday morning at 6:45 am, at which time we all thought they’d be home the next day at the latest. As it happens, Jack’s “failure to thrive” has him in the hospital much longer, possibly a week, maybe less, maybe more

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01260312051785408816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574308.post-43479518550916944432007-04-22T08:36:00.000-07:002007-04-22T08:43:12.143-07:00

Today John Patrick Kennedy gets baptized into the Catholic faith. It's a great day that he'll never remember, but his terrific godparents, Natalie and Madeleine Sheils will be great mentors and leaders for him throughout his life. Welcome, Jack!

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01260312051785408816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574308.post-74577178495417198402007-04-22T08:34:00.000-07:002007-04-22T08:36:15.721-07:00

It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view. The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision. We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God's work. Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of saying that the kingdom always lies beyond us. No statement says all that could be said. No prayer fully expresses our

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01260312051785408816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574308.post-72148878585652111272007-04-16T17:16:00.000-07:002007-04-16T17:22:53.340-07:00

Schedule Announced for CdA Comprehensive Plan Public Meetings The City of Coeur d’Alene needs your participation as the community takes the next step in the process of updating its Comprehensive Plan. Join friends and neighbors to learn about the plan that will serve as a guide for future development within the city. Meetings will be held: Monday, April 23rd Christ the King Lutheran Church

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01260312051785408816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574308.post-90710023321220900962007-03-08T21:19:00.000-08:002007-03-08T21:29:33.782-08:00

OK - I'll concede it - this linked document is mostly boring for non-banker types. BUT - it shows that the issue of affordable housing and the many repercussions for communities that lose touch with a diverse pool of housing options is getting attention at the highest levels. Here is an informative (if a bit wonkish) speech by Ben Bernanke, Federal Reserve Chairman that touches on the issue.

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01260312051785408816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574308.post-13064406610634674672007-02-21T22:01:00.000-08:002007-02-21T22:25:47.132-08:00

Today the North Idaho College Presidential Search Committee held the first meeting, and the caliber of people in the room helping to give advice and counsel to the NIC Board of Trustees was very high. For one more week, the committee is seeking input on what criteria the community seeks in a new president. There are 11 members of the NIC community (including professors, staff, and a very

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01260312051785408816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574308.post-43513038481048779102007-02-21T21:59:00.000-08:002007-02-21T22:01:44.842-08:00

This page has a video flythrough of the Salvation Army Kroc Corps Community Center. Pretty amazing.

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01260312051785408816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574308.post-10444567080734101692007-02-15T15:11:00.000-08:002007-02-15T15:15:35.012-08:00

From Idaho Public TV Website: Airing February 15 & 18 Idaho's Working Poor According to a new study, only half of Idaho's existing jobs pay a living wage for parents with two children, even when both parents are working full time. The Northwest Federation of Community Organizations issued its report at the same time Idaho's legislators rejected or held off considering several measures aimed at

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01260312051785408816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574308.post-81890551096395319302007-02-13T23:32:00.000-08:002007-02-13T23:34:32.246-08:00

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01260312051785408816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574308.post-84256658494226679032007-02-03T22:58:00.000-08:002007-02-03T23:11:52.284-08:00

Tonight my family sat, laid, and lounged in the living room and watched a movie together. The kids brought their sleeping bags and we popped popcorn. It was Norman Rockwell, sappy, even, but totally normal and comfortable. But it was also a tremendous reminder to me that in the midst of whatever else is going on, despite whatever stress or strain or anxiety is afoot, there are 7 people in the

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01260312051785408816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574308.post-32577580533983014402007-01-30T21:30:00.000-08:002007-01-30T21:48:59.867-08:00

Welcome to the world, Jack! January 30, 2007 7 lbs. 12 oz. 21.5 inches long Mom and Baby are doing great and resting comfortably. Jack decided to arrive with a bullet (and a scare to his folks). His cord was wrapped around his head twice and tightly, so he was as purple as his ancestors getting ready to take on a British drunk in a Galway bar. But given some good doctors and nurses, some

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01260312051785408816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574308.post-24204927609772259952007-01-14T19:42:00.000-08:002007-01-14T21:59:14.057-08:00

I was alerted to this series that will be airing beginning in January by a former professor of mine, Joe Kobylka of SMU in Dallas, Texas. As a nationally known and respected expert on the Supreme Court in general and the late Justice Harry Blackmun in particular, he will be featured in the series. In watching excerpts of the show's episode 4 here, it looks to be a terrific series for history

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01260312051785408816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574308.post-60418284594084435692007-01-10T10:29:00.000-08:002007-01-14T22:23:18.891-08:00

NY Times, DALLAS, Jan. 9 — Intimates of President Bush have singled out Southern Methodist University as the likely site of his presidential library, but faculty members, complaining of being bypassed, are raising sharp questions about the school’s identification with his presidency. In a meeting Tuesday, faculty members complained of a lack of consultation over the emerging agreement and all

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01260312051785408816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574308.post-84204344659772296882007-01-08T12:07:00.000-08:002007-01-08T12:12:03.973-08:00

This is the repost of an actual transcript of an online chat I had with Verizon, while on hold waiting for service. I have been on hold for 1 hour and 45 minutes as of this writing, with no end in sight. If I weren't cancelling a phone line and didn't want to be charged any longer, I would have hung up. Thank God for speakerphones so I can still be getting work done during this interminable

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01260312051785408816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574308.post-15551569683081256992006-12-23T19:49:00.000-08:002006-12-23T19:58:05.440-08:00

My father-in-law has been battling some serious eye problems of late, which began this summer while they were back home visiting Idaho and their grandkids. I've never even worn glasses, so I thankfully don't relate to eye problems. He sent an email to my wife to describe what he's experiencing. I'm reprinting it here (with his permission) mainly because I was amazed at the level of detail, I

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01260312051785408816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574308.post-1166243244608049472006-12-15T20:22:00.000-08:002006-12-15T20:27:24.626-08:00

There were lots of amazing stories about immense wind damage and power outages for people numbering well over a million in the Northwest. I actually think that number was underreported since there were tens of thousands of residences and businesses without power in North Idaho alone that never made the national wires that I saw. Regardless, it was an opportunity for me to see what local

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01260312051785408816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574308.post-1165859094985504802006-12-11T09:26:00.000-08:002006-12-23T14:24:27.190-08:00

I never met Major Joseph Trane McCloud. But my friend Meghan Johnson knows him. In fact, to my knowledge I don't personally know any of the nearly 3000 American soldiers who have been killed in Iraq. But today's email from Meghan stopped me in my tracks to remember, again, just exactly what's happening a world away from my safe, secure family. This year many families will experience

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01260312051785408816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574308.post-1165470332336593962006-12-06T21:42:00.000-08:002006-12-06T22:31:55.473-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 6, 2006 LCDC APPROVES FUNDING ARRANGEMENT FOR PURCHASE OF UP RIGHT OF WAY The North Idaho Centennial Trail Foundation (NICTF) and the Lake City Development Corporation (LCDC) announced today a funding arrangement that enables NICTF to acquire the abandoned 5.25 mile long Union Pacific rail line in Coeur d’Alene. The Foundation plans to partner with public and

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01260312051785408816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574308.post-1165128759685380062006-12-02T22:52:00.000-08:002006-12-02T22:52:42.496-08:00

Preserving Our Sense of Place: A Housing Needs Assessment in Coeur d'Alene This report is the starting point for what needs to be a deep and thorough project to improve the housing situation in Coeur d'Alene.

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01260312051785408816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574308.post-1164695863684226342006-11-27T22:37:00.000-08:002006-11-27T22:38:08.170-08:00

Protect Wyoming's Investment in Affordable Housing As Coeur d'Alene embarks on the project of working to build real, affordable, workforce housing, we're looking to find other places that are dealing with it in creative and effective ways. There are many opinions on affordable housing, and more than one way of accomplishing it. The city's housing assessment will be finalized and published in a

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01260312051785408816noreply@blogger.com