I interviewed the cast of "Puppy Love" on my radio show last week. First let me tell you these are the funniest troup to ever be on my show. There, I said it. Add to that the foible that I called the award-winning author Penny several times, even though her name is Teresa Pesce. Bottom line is, if they are that funny just ad libbing and talking off-the-cuff on a radio show, the play must be hilarious. Below is the info taken from the Panida Theater's website: "Puppy Love" by Teresa Pesce, a romantic comedy about love and the furry friends who help you find it. THE PLOT Marie, a socially awkward divorcee, gets a little help from her lovingly protective "fur family" (Tank the dog, Miss Puddy the cat and Cheep the parrot) as her loneliness first leads her into the arms of a con man, then a... 02/23/2011

I interviewed Gwen Victorson last week on my radio show from the True North Treks organization here in Sandpoint. True North Treks helps young adult cancer survivors learn ways to become re-oriented, set new coordinates and chart a new course through short term experiences in nature centered around the training of "survival skills for survivors." This event takes place after the Yoke's Outrageous Air Show. You can read about it here: http://actvra.in/5Ls The Yoke's Outrageous Air Show Friday February 25, 2011 - Saturday February 26, 2011 Presented by The Pacific Northwest Inlander and Rock 94.5The Yokes Outrageous Air Show takes place on the slopes just above Schweitzer Mountain Village. Four-time World Champion Steve Omischi and Olympic Gold Medalist Jean Marc Rozon will be jumping wit... 02/23/2011

Here are some pictures of North Idaho wildlife and scenery that I recovered from a corrupted SD card. North Idaho is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Besides, in depth of a glorious winter day, with 10 inches of fresh powder on Schweitzer Mountain, what could be better than pictures of summer around Sandpoint? What do you think? Remember to visit www.SandpointID.net to learn all about Sandpoint and North Idaho. Priest Lake Priest Lake water skiing Lake Pend Oreille Lake Pend Oreille Granite outcropping creekside in Boundary County One of dozens of creeks in Boudary County Boundary County Creek North Idaho Cow Moose & Calf North Idaho Cow Moose & Calf Creek near one of my fav North Idaho swimmin' holes. I'd tell you where it is, but then I'd have to... Follow the leader... 02/23/2011

Coldwater Creek Wine Bar 311 First AvenueSandpoint, ID 83864(208) 265-1912 The entrance to Coldwater Creek Wine Bar In an interview with Dave Vermeer we talked about Coldwater Creek Wine Bar last Tuesday on my radio show, North Idaho Arts & Adventure. At one time we had just two wine bars in town, Coldwater Creek and the Pend Oreille Winery. Obviously, you could only get the wines produced by the winery at their bar, and the Coldwater Creek Wine Bar was beautiful, in the Cedar Street Bridge overlooking Sand Creek. It came replete with over-stuffed leather couches and giant timbers. When the Coldwater Creek flagship store moved their digs to across the street on First, the wine bar came with. Dave Vermeer, manager of Coldwater Creek Wine Bar Over time, just a few years ago, we had six or... 02/20/2011

What and where is Hope, Idaho (Scroll to the bottom to see several pictures of Hope, Idaho) The area of Hope consists of between Clark Fork and Sandpoint, with the primary communities being East Hope, Hope, and the Hope Peninsula. The full-time population is approximately 500. Some Hope History and Info First and foremost, the attraction Hope creates with both visitors and inhabitants alike is the expansive view afforded by most home of Lake Pend Oreille. The views have drawn many, many notable and famous people for over 100 years. The Hope Peninsula is the home to the Sam Owen State Park, and the natural beauty of the island-like peninsula inspires and awes. There are three resorts there, and the wildlife is abundant and protected. However, while the deer, turkey, and other animals are... 02/19/2011

I am happy to announce a free service for Sandpoint.  Darby Counseling, located in Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church has recently added an Intern, Brom Glidden, who is offering free counseling services to the community.   Brom is completing a Master's degree from Walla Walla University and will be serving the Sandpoint Community for approximately 3 months.  He will be offering counseling services free of  charge to individuals and couples in the community.  If you are interested in working with someone to deal with stress or need tools for problem solving as a couple or  would like support in dealing with other areas of relational or  personal growth, call 263-6219 for an appointment.  Services are free, although donations will be gladly accepted. Appointments with Brom Glidden can be... 02/19/2011

On my Tuesday radio show I interviewed Gwen Victorson from the True North Treks organization here in Sandpoint. True North Treks helps young adult cancer survivors learn ways to become re-oriented, set new coordinates and chart a new course through short term experiences in nature centered around the training of "survival skills for survivors." She was promoting a special event taking place during the Yokes Outrageous Air Show next Saturday, February 26 on Schweitzer Mountain. Called Fight the Fight & Own the Night! the event offers night skiing for a discounted price with Schweitzer donating 50% of the proceeds to the organization. The goal is to raise $10,000 which will cover the planned September 2011 Olympic Peninsula trek. True North Treks allows all young adult (18-40) cancer sur... 02/19/2011

On my Thursday radio show I interviewed Clint from the Sandpoint Fire Department talked about their participation in the Scott Firefighter Stair Climb in Seattle. Clint related how the competitors climb an equivalent of 69 floors with gear weighing 65 pounds. Having placed well in the previous contest the hopes are to have all in our group of fine men be in the top 100 out of 1,500. The firefighters participating this year are Britian Whitley, Casey O'Donnell, Allo Pucci, and Clint Frank. ABOUT THE EVENT At 788 feet of vertical elevation, the Columbia Center (formerly Bank of America Tower) in downtown Seattle stands as the second tallest building west of the Mississippi. It takes 69 flights of stairs and 1,311 steps to reach the highly acclaimed observation deck overlooking the city. ... 02/19/2011

We've been going through the Matthew Ferrara Learning Network (http://www.mflearn.com/) with one of his short learning videos at our weekly Wednesday meetings for Tomlinson Sandpoint Sotheby's International Realty. Here are some interesting statistics that he pointed out: Where to buyers of real estate come from? Agent 38% Internet 37% Sign 11% Friend 6% Newspaper 2% Magazine <1% That's right. Print advertising in total is less than 3%! By some accounts, 97% of all buyers now see the listing through the internet. Agent contacts, their inner circle and sphere of influence still is tops, followed closely by internet. How do agents get their message out there these days? Certainly from being a part of their community, but that is also much done by the internet. This makes me proud of my ef... 02/16/2011

You've got to understand.  This is "play country" in North Idaho.  My wardrobe consists (primarily) of warm-ups, sweat sox (typically ankle sox for tennis), dozens of athletic gray tee-shirts, ski clothes and a lot of polos & blue jeans.  All of these items do double-time as work-wear & play-wear.  My clients have come to expect the "casual look" in this part of the country.  It's the primary reason I have chosen to make this my home.  Showing homes up at Schweitzer Mountain is often done in "standard-fare" Descente ski pants, Salomon mock fleece & ski vest.  In the summer you'll find me in my boating clothes (anyone not spending the majority of their time somewhere around Lake Pend Oreille is really "missing the boat").  Well...long story short, I had a listing appointment last week do... 02/15/2011

While driving clients around I snapped these photographs of the area of North Idaho surrounding Sandpoint:  Train passing Lake Cocolalla on a sunny day View of Lake Pend Oreille mountains in Trinity at City Beach Pend Oreille as seen from Baldy Mountain Pend Oreille as seen from Baldy Mountain Sandpoint and the Longbridge as seen from Forever View Sandpoint and the Longbridge as seen from Forever View Gary Lirette with Sandpoint and the Longbridge in the distance Pack River where Buck & Edna's Tavern burned to the ground in 2004 Pack River near where Buck & Edna's Tavern once stood Gary Lirette, featured in Where To Retire magazine and host of the Tuesday noon local radio shows: North Idaho Business as well as North Idaho Arts. E-mail Gary or call 208-610-1384Read Gary's Blogs   Tomlins... 02/13/2011

AHHH, February.  This is the month everyone waits for.  The snow is soft and plentiful, the frigid days are "mostly" behind us and the skiing is spectacular.  Valentine's Day on Schweitzer Mountain is always a good day! Enjoy the view from the top of White Lightning above the Great Basin quad!  No one tires of this view!   02/13/2011

I took these pics yesterday to be included as lifestyle pics for a new listing: Merrit Brothers Bridge in Priest River Pend Oreille River leading into Newport, Washington Newport,WA from the air Pend Oreille River on the Idaho/Washington State line Downtown Newport, WA The Roxy Theater in Newport, WA Newport, WA Nature's Ice Sculpture along the Panhandle Historic Rivers Passage between Sandpoint & Priest River Bridge leaving Oldtown along the Pend Oreille River & the Panhandle Historic Rivers Passage Albeni Dam along the Pend Oreille River & the Panhandle Historic Rivers Passage  Gary Lirette, featured in Where To Retire magazine and host of the Tuesday noon local radio shows: North Idaho Business as well as North Idaho Arts. E-mail Gary or call 208-610-1384Read Gary's Blogs   Tomlinson... 02/12/2011

  Here are some notes which are a compilation of several meetings of brainstorming about Sellers.   SELLER COUNSELING   If your REALTOR® did everything right, what would you expect them to do? If they did everything right, and the home did not sell, what would you think the reason(s) would be? If one of the reasons was the price was too high, do you think that chasing the market could ultimately hurt the home getting sold? How much effort are you willing to put into this process to achieve your goal of selling? It has been our experience that sellers know more about their house and the selling points than any other person, including sales people. How do you feel about being part of the team when creating the marketing for selling your home? There are literally hundreds of websites that ... 02/10/2011

I recently ran a report comparing sales data at Schweitzer Mountain Resort from 2009 to 2010, and a few trends become readily apparent. Units sold were up by almost 35% and average and median price had declined by almost $150,000. What does this mean for buyers?----It's a great time to buy as affordability both in price and interest rates have never been better. Here is a look at some of the numbers:                                     2009                    2010 High Sold Price:         $856,000                $460,000 Low Sold Price            $116,500                $70,000 Average Sold Price     $434,316                $282,088 Average DOM               222                         271 Number Sold                 24                           31   The ski season for this year has bee... 02/08/2011

Pend Oreille Veterinary Services 895 Kootenai Cut Off RoadPonderay, ID 83852-9720(208) 263-2145 http://www.sandpointvets.com/ Almost a decade ago I started using the services of Pend Oreille Veterinary Services bringing my beloved Samoyed Chardonnay to their clinic. My vet's name was Jerry Lewis, an unforgettable character. Dr. Lewis graduated from Colorado State University and established Pend Oreille Veterinary Service in June, 1964. He and his wife Pat are closely tied in to the community, and while he is a great vet, he is now in semi-retirement and is at the clinic a couple of days a week. For over 46 years this multifaceted clinic has served our community, and their six vets have over 103 combined years of service and knowledge in the veterinary profession. Vets of the Pend Oreill... 02/06/2011

There is no doubt that pictures sell your listing. Many use professional photography to better showcase the homes of our sellers. In a resort area like ours, it is equally important to sell our area. In our last weekly meeting at Tomlinson Sandpoint Sotheby's International Realty, we discussed this issue. Posed was what percentage of our buyers were local? While factual numbers are not given here, it can be said that most who buy in Sandpoint, Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort, and along Lake Pend Oreille, the vast majority of buyers are coming from out of the area. I would go one step further and suggest that even in areas that don't attract from other places, selling with photos of the neighborhood can be equally important. You are selling local attractions, nature, shopping, and anythin... 02/05/2011

Here are scenes from mountain tops and the air of Sandpoint, Idaho and the surrounds of Lake Pend Oreille and Schweitzer Mountain. There are 87 pictures in all, featured on my Facebook page. The photos will be presented in a presentation at the Hope Film Festival. Green Monarchs & Lake Pend Oreille www.SandpointID.net Lake Pend Oreille over Clark Fork River www.SandpointID.net Lake Pend Oreille over Clark Fork River www.SandpointID.net Lake Pend Oreille sunset www.SandpointID.net Lake Pend Oreille sunset www.SkiSchweizer.net Lake Pend Oreille sunset www.SkiSchweizer.net Sandpoint Aerial www.SandpointID.net Sandpoint Aerial www.SandpointID.net Sandpoint Aerial www.SandpointID.net Sandpoint Aerial www.SandpointID.net Sandpoint Aerial www.SandpointID.net Sandpoint Aerial flying toward Hope... 02/04/2011

The more often we can see the beauty in this world, the better the world will be.  Sandpoint, Idaho...it NEVER disappoints. Sunset...February 2, 2011.  Up until this event happened, it had been a somewhat stressful day.  Coming home to this changed all that.  Life is good.   02/02/2011

We have had the same bitter cold the rest of the country is suffering from,  though we really can't complain when the ground is covered by snow and most of January has been in the upper 30s and low 40s. While driving around Sandpoint on a brilliant sunny winter day, I snapped these images: Schweitzer Mountain Winter scene of Cedar Street Bridge over Sand Creek http://sandpointid.net Another view of Cedar Street Bridge over Sand Creek http://sandpointid.net Cedar Street in Sandpoint, Idaho with mountains looming in the background http://sandpointid.net Connie's Cafe in Sandpoint, Idaho Distant mountains in Sandpoint, Idaho View of the Longbridge over Lake Pend Oreille http://sandpointid.net Pend Oreille River in Sandpoint, Idaho http://sandpointid.net Sand Creek flowing into Lake Pend Or... 02/01/2011