Head up to Nordman, Idaho (near Priest Lake) on Saturday, April 19 and check out the 35th annual Logger’s Fun Day. Events start at noon and include logging competitions (cross cut, axe throw, chain saw, pole walk & tug-o-war) plus great food and drink specials.
Photo – Pecky Cox
Lookout Pass offers a FREE ski school to youngsters ages 6 to 17 every Saturday from January 11 to March 15. Beginner sessions run from 10am to 11:15am. Intermediate and Advanced sessions are from 11:30am to 12:45pm. Register on Lookout Pass’ website.
Additional private and group lessons are also available for skiers of all ages and abilities. Click here for a full list of Lookout Pass Snow Sports Schools.
Some interesting facts about Idaho:
How high is Idaho?
Mt. Borah 12,655
Six peaks over 12,000 feet
Sixteen 11,000 feet or higher
Thirty 10,000 feet or higher
Over ninety between 8,000 and 10,000 feet
Total land area in Idaho 52,972,000 acres
63% is public land
3,100 miles of rivers, more than any other state
State flower is the Syringa
State bird is the Mountain Bluebird
State tree is the Western White Pine.
State fruit is the Huckleberry
State vegatable is the potato
State horse is the Appaloosa
State fish is the Cutthroat Trout
State insect is the Monarch Butterfly
State gem is the Star Garnet
State fossil is the Hagerman Horse
State raptor is the Peregrine falcon
State dance is the Square Dance
State soil is Threebear
Idaho is the name originally suggested for Colorado. Idaho is an invented word, and is not a derivation of an Indian phrase “E Dah Hoe (How)” supposedly meaning “gem of the mountains.”
Between 1863 (when Abraham Lincoln signed the bill making Idaho a Territory) and statehood (27 years later), the Idaho Territory had 16 governors, four who never set foot in Idaho.
Appropriately named the “Gem State,” Idaho produces 72 types of precious and semi-precious stones, some of which can be found nowhere else in the world.
The Silver Valley in North Idaho has produced more than $4 billion in precious metals since 1884, making the area one of the top 10 mining districts in the world.
The end of summer means a plethora of Oktoberfest celebrations in North Idaho. Starting this Friday, September 27 is Downtown Coeur d’Alene’s annual event. The opening ceremony and official tapping of the first keg takes place at 5pm on 2nd & Sherman. Friday evening’s festivities end at 8pm. The event picks back up on Saturday, September 28 from 1-8pm. For $15 you receive a glass beer mug, six sampling tickets and admission to all the music venues. Purchase your mugs and tickets at the Plaza Shops, 210 E Sherman Ave starting at 4:30pm Friday and 12:30pm Saturday.
Oktoberfest at Daanen’s
Saturday, September 28 is Daanen’s Delicatessen’s 20th Annual Oktoberfest. Located just off Prairie Ave & Government Way in Hayden, this celebration of all things German features great food, beer, music, activities for the kids and more. Entrance is free. Buy a collectible mug or stein and receive your first fill free. The event runs from noon to 7pm.
Also on Saturday is Priest River’s annual Oktoberfest. Starting at 11am and continuing until dusk revelers can enjoy the climbing wall, accordion music, pumpkin decorating contest plus great food and drink specials.
The celebrations continue on the 4th and 5th of October. Q’emiln Park in Post Falls plays host to the annual Post Falls Historical Society’s Oktoberfest. German food, live music and a fundraiser auction and raffle make for a fun evening.
Sandpoint may just be the place to be on Saturday, October 5. Both the annual Traditional Oktoberfest and 2nd Annual Crosstoberfest are happening. The Traditional event is held at the Old Granary on Oak St. from 11am to 7pm and sponsored by the Sandpoint Downtown Association. Live music, Doggy Dress-Up, Costume Competition, Beer Pong, Funky Waiter Race, Arts & Crafts, German food by local restaurants, beer and a beer Taste-Off provided by area breweries, and so much more guarantee a great day.
Crosstoberfest takes place at the University of Idaho on N Boyer Ave starting at 9am. Enjoy bikes, beer, wine, food and music and support autism awareness. This is the first stop in the Cyclocross Race Series.
Oktoberfest in Hope happens at The Memorial Community Center, 415 Wellington Pl. starting at 4pm. Enjoy outdoor games and contests, beer and wine tastings, brats, pretzels, sauerkraut, coleslaw, music and dancing. Free admission!
Harrison hosts its 6th annual Oktoberfest at City Park. Rain or shine there will be activities for children, microbrews, souvenir glasses available for purchase, food, live music and much more.
Friends of Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge are hosting Art in the Wild, a nature-themed, juried art show 10am – 4pm this Saturday, September 21 at the Refuge, 287 Westside Rd., Bonners Ferry. A bird walk, led by an expert birder, departs from the Refuge’s Education Barn at 9 am.
Sculpture, photography, paintings, drawings, jewelry and baskets that have a nature theme or are made with natural materials will be featured, plus meet and vote for your favorite artist. Enjoy a cultural history presentation at 11:30am with Tribal Cultural Resource Specialist Josie Shottanana, who will explain Kootenai cultural practices, land use areas and plant uses.
Music will be preformed at 10am by Kootenai Drummers (traditional), and at 1pm by the 4 Saxes (jazz), and the 3 Winds trio (classical).
Free admission. Refreshments will be available for purchase.
Friends of KNWR website. 208-267-3888
As we near the end of the summer season here in North Idaho we find many new eateries opening in and around Coeur d’Alene.
Teriyaki Grill opened on Old Mill Loop in the Riverstone development off Northwest Blvd in Coeur d’Alene. They are open 11am – 9pm, 7 days a week. 208-292-4977 or www.t-grill.com
All-American Burgers & Sandwiches joins the downtown Coeur d’Alene scene. Located on Sherman Ave at 18th Street, the restaurant will be open 11am – 11pm Tuesday-Saturday.
Envision Cafe by Coffee Northwest is open in Hayden on Government Way and Orchard Ave just east of Triple Play and Holiday Inn Express. Serving breakfast and lunch, their hours are 7am – 3pm weekdays, 8am – 3pm Saturdays and 8am – 2pm Sundays. 208-818-3235 or www.coffeenorthwest.com
Qdoba is expanding to Hayden. They are remodeling the old Blockbuster location in the Prairie Shopping Center on Hwy 95 and Prairie Ave. There is currently a Qdoba location on Ironwood and Government Way in Coeur d’Alene. www.qdoba.com
Lava Dog in Hayden, ID
Lava Dog Hawaiian Style Hot Dogs is opening in the Super 1 Foods / Ace Hardware center on Hayden Ave and Hwy 95. 208-209-8518
Jet Skiing on Lake Coeur d’Alene
It’s not hard to enjoy the lakes and rivers of North Idaho. More than half of all the surface waters in Idaho are here in the Panhandle, from foam-flecked river rapids challenging the whitewater rafter to glassy, quiet lakes perfect for canoes. If you’re looking to cool off from the summer heat on a boat or jet ski, watercraft rentals are available from:
River City Carnival of Wheels
Head out to Post Falls tomorrow at 10am for the River City Carnival of Wheels! Featuring hotrods, customs, ratrods, lowriders, mini trucks, japanese, euros, motorcycles, mudders, crawlers and bicycles… There will be trophies for all classes.
Kid’s attractions and fun for the whole family!
Registration $5/vehicle – begins at 7am
Info: Sue Cash 208-277-8687
The University of Idaho Extension (Master Gardener program office) is offering free seeds, seed potatoes and starts to local gardeners. They ask that you only take what you can plant and please donate half of it back to the Plant A Row For The Hungry program. They have heirloom and organic varieties along with hybrids from many different companies including Seed Savers Exchange, Victory Seeds, and Heirloom Seeds. You may pick these up during business hours 9-5 Mon-Fri. Potatoes are available until July 1. Seedlings, when available, will be located in the courtyard outside the building off Poplar Street (between 3rd and 4th in Coeur d’Alene). These items are available for pick-up any day/time.
Produce Donation sites:
Monday and Thursday 9AM-3PM
University of Idaho Extension, Master Gardener Program
1808 N. 3rd Street, Coeur d’Alene ID 83814
Ph: 208-446-1680
Wednesday Evenings beginning mid-July 5:30-7:30PM
Hosted by The Roots Local Food Share and Shared Harvest Community Garden
10th and Foster, downtown Coeur d’Alene
You are welcome to donate to a facility or site directly. Please weigh your harvest and report it at the end of each month to Kara Carleton, kcarleton@uidaho.edu or Kate Burke, KBurke@2-harvest.org. Each pound counts.
Our region was #1 in the NATION in 2011 for pounds donated. Let’s match that for 2013!
Every second Friday from April to December the Coeur d’Alene Arts & Culture Alliance organizes Art Walk in Downtown Coeur d’Alene. Enjoy local and nationally acclaimed artists while strolling on Sherman Avenue and it’s arterial streets. Visit supporting galleries, shops, restaurants and businesses with your friends and family. Many venues provide wine to enjoy while viewing the displays.
This is a family-friendly, free event! 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.