So, this is the 37th Sandpoint Winter Carnival. Like many I have volunteered in the past, and now run www.SandpointWinterCarnival.org to diplay how things went for the previous years. For the best pics of previous years, this is the site to visit. This year features two new events: Skijoring at the Bonner County Fairgrounds both Saturday and Sunday and a Country Western Dinner & Hoedown from 5 p.m.-on at Trinity at City Beach. The Hoedown gives us something we have never had which is something to do in town after the Schweitzer Torchlight Parade and Fireworks. Plus, some people just don't want to trek up the mountain. My fav is the K-9 Keg pull on Sunday in the ally next to Eichardt's. Another great happening is Dine Around Sandpoint. Listen to my radio show today - North Idaho Business... 01/13/2011

I recently posted the World's Longest Ski Hat laid out circling our Tomlinson Sandpoint Sotheby's International Realty office 3 1/2 times. Here is the first posting. Here is an update. We paraded the hat in Sandpoint yesterday. The history and pictures are below. Here is a YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIgiwCBkXds Longest Ski Hat in the World Kicking off the Sandpoint Winter Carnival, Susan Moon and her REALTOR® colleagues from Tomlinson Sandpoint Sotheby's International Realty parade "The World's Longest Ski Hat" from the Cedar Street Bridge Jones Square. The 700 foot-long hat was made in 1977 by Gini Woodward on her knitting machine and carried in years past in the Winter Carnival Parade. Plans are to submit an application to the Guinness Book of World's Records to con... 01/13/2011

Apparently, back in the 1970s, a woman in Sandpoint, Idaho with a knitting machine, made this over 700 foot-long ski hat. The details are coming out in an upcoming article. It stretched around our office 3 1/2 times; 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 Sandpoint Sotheby's International Realty 200 Main StreetSandpoint, Idaho 208-255-3474 www.SandpointID.net - To learn all about Sandpoint and North Idaho www.RealtySandpoint.com - For Sandpoint Realty www.SkiSchweitzer.net - To visit Schweitzer Mountain's Community Web  01/07/2011

Last Thursday I enjoyed a fascinating interview with Jaclin Smith. No, not the one from Charlie's Angels. That one is spelled with a ‘y' in the name. This one is a prolific builder and entrepreneur, parent, world traveler, and philanthropist. I met Ms. Smith while volunteering to help with a Christmas dinner for deserving women hosted at her fantastic residence, Chateau Jaclin, put on by Ms. Smith and counselor Cyndee Darby of Sandpoint. Over half a century ago, she arrived with her family in Sandpoint, and this year her family celebrated her father's 59th year of his practice as a doctor servicing our beautiful neck of the North Idaho woods. As a young girl, Jaclin had one thought as she crossed the Longbridge: she loved the snow. Describing how life was fifty years ago, Jaclin said, "... 01/07/2011

I received this press release from Dave Kulis, Director of Sales & Marketing for Schweitzer Mountain Resort this morning. We provide a great community website for those looking to visit the area that relates to Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort plus all the other winter activities that North Idaho and Sandpoint offers: www.SkiSchweitzer.net Early Season Snowfall, Favorable Weather and Improving Economy Cited Sandpoint, ID -With just over a month of the ski season actualized, Schweitzer Mountain Resort is reporting solid numbers for both December, as well as the key Christmas to New Years holiday period. Overall visitation for the month of December is up 18.9%, while up 7.3% for the holiday period.  The resort has recorded 129 inches of snow in the village this season, nearly half of its av... 01/03/2011

Took a walk out by the Statue of Liberty at Sandpoint City Beach today. It was right about sunset. Winter view of the Statue of Liberty at Sandpoint City Beach Winter view of the Statue of Liberty at Sandpoint City Beach Frozen Lake Pend Oreille as viewed from Sandpoint City Beach January 2011 view of Lake Pend Oreille from City Beach Winter sunset over the rail lines leading into Sandpoint, Idaho from City Beach Christmas decorations left on a park bench at Sandpoint City Beach 2011 Season at Sandpoint exclusive condos at Sandpoint City Beach Railroad bridge crossing Lake Pend Oreille leading into Sandpoint 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 208-610-1384... 01/02/2011

I recently posted images of Sandpoint, Idaho in this blog: Sandpoint Blog: Perspectives of Sandpoint, Idaho - views from altitude Someone commented that it was beautiful, but it must look different now, so here are some pictures of Sandpoint, Idaho during winter months. Sandpoint, Idaho - Winter Wonderland View from Schweitzer Mountain above Lake Pend Oreile Winter Sandpoint & Lake Pend Oreille Looking down at Sandpoint from Schweitzer Mountain Sandpoint Winter Aerial Sandpoint from the Air in Winter Sandpoint Winter overlooking Longbridge and railroad bridge Sandpoint late in Winter Stunning Sandpoint 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 G... 01/02/2011

My previous post covered some of the subjects I covered on my last radio show of 2010. Speak up North Idaho is a radio broadcast that covers local flavor, and I interviewed Aaron Roard pilot and Andy Berrey, the owner of Air Idaho Charters. This air service is a new business providing air flights in North Idaho out of Sandpoint Airport. Mainly, Air Idaho Charters offers flights within a 600 mile radius of Sandpoint, though they would go farther. Andy Berrey pointed out that further than that passengers would be better served through the major airlines. Andy bought the plane and took the better part of a year to go through the FAA hoops to get approved for an Air Carrier Certificate. Air Idaho is not the first to provide air service in North Idaho, but their business model is different. ... 01/01/2011

We ended the year on my radio show Speak Up North Idaho talking about the stories below. To read each story, click on the links provided: Foul economy top Idaho 2010 By Jessie L. Bonner and John Miller The Associated Press December 25, 2010 Idaho Press-Tribune(http://www.idahopress.com/news/article_23f3e6be-0fcf-11e0-8630-001cc4c03286.html) BOISE - Government leaders couldn't pay their mortgages, lawmakers cut school funding again as tax revenue slipped and the number of jobless statewide edged back over the 70,000 mark. For the second year, the moribund state economy is Idaho's top story, with the impact of lagging growth, high unemployment and falling home prices seeping into the lives of residents - and their pocketbooks - in ways both profound and mundane. Homeless shelters in Idaho... 01/01/2011

Here is a collection of pictures from the air and mountain tops around Sandpoint, Idaho of the city, the Longbridge, and Lake Pend Oreille: Sandpoint, Idaho Aerial Photo Sandpoint, Idaho Aerial Photo-The Longbridge entering Sandpoint Sandpoint, Idaho Aerial Photo-City Beach to the right Mountain view of Sandpoint City Beach Summer View of Sandpoint, Idaho from Forever View Conjunction of Longbridge & RR bridge entering Sandpoint Pack River Delta in Sandpoint, Idaho Green Monarchs and Lake Pend Oreille near Sandpoint, Idaho Sandpoint, Idaho Aerial Photo Sandpoint, Idaho Aerial Photo Sandpoint, Idaho Aerial Photo Sandpoint, Idaho Aerial Picture Sandpoint, Idaho from atop a mountain Looking down at Sandpoint, Idaho View of Sandpoint, Idaho from on high Gary Lirette, featured in Where To Re... 01/01/2011

Pictures near the town of Priest River, Idaho along the Pend Oreille River. Pend Oreille River near Priest River, Idaho The Pend Oreille River in winter white  Looking into Priest River, Idaho from the snowy shores of the Pend Oreille River Pend Oreille River Winter Ponies with their wintercoats along the Pend Oreille River Black Ice Accident on Hwy 2 near Priest River 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 Sandpoint Sotheby's International Realty 200 Main StreetSandpoint, Idaho 208-255-3474 www.SandpointID.net - To learn all about Sandpoint and North Idaho www.RealtySandpoint.com - For Sandpoint Realty www.SkiSchweit... 12/30/2010

Sandpoint Upcoming Events - This Week in Sandpoint from the Sandpoint Chamber Coeur d'Alene Upcoming Events - from the CdA Chamber Check out all daily Sandpoint Events in the Bonner Daily Bee Bonner Mall Cinema Movie Schedule - click here! January 1: Happy New Year! January 1: Coeur d'Alene - Polar Bear Plunge For all that are brave enough to jump into the frigid waters of Lake Coeur d'Alene, this is your day! Welcome the New Year with a fast and furious plunge. 11:30am. January 1: Hayden - New Year's Polar Bear Plunge 12 noon at Honeysuckle Beach on Hayden Lake, Certificates of participation. Awards for the best costumed and the semi-deranged. Sponsored by the Hayden Chamber of Commerce. Contact Hayden Chamber of Commerce at join@haydenchamber.org January 2: Coeur d'Alene - The Coeur d... 12/29/2010

Here is a Merry Christmas treat. By 10AM my gal O'Hally and I had tracked up to Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort to take sunrise pictures while the moon still beamed over Lake Pend Oreille above the resort town of Sandpoint, Idaho. Before 11AM we had beef and Monterey Jack fritattas, Dove hot chocolate, and had put a duck in the oven. Right now O'Hally is snowboarding with a family friend, and I am posting these pics for everyone. I have posted all the pics on my Gary Lirette Facebook Photos page. Here are some of the best: Moon shining over Schweitzer Village Clock Tower & 2010 Christmas Tree in Schweitzer Village Schweitzer Mt Daybreak Christmas Schweitzer Mt Sunrise Schweitzer Mt Sunrise Schweitzer Resort 2010 Christmas Lake Pend Oreille under Schweitzer Mountain Lake Pend Oreille unde... 12/25/2010

  PEACE   "When the power of love becomes stronger than the love of power, we will have peace."                                                                 Jimi Hendrix     12/24/2010

Here are some more random pics of North Idaho and Sandpoint: Cedar Street Bridge in Sandpoint winter scene Sailing Lake Pend Oreille Lake Pend Oreille Sunset Sandpoint, Idaho Sandpoint, Idaho Sandpoint, Idaho view over RR bridge Sandpoint Train Depot Train crossing Lake Pend Oreille Schweitzer Mountain in autumn  12/21/2010

Looking through some of my old pictures of Sandpoint, I found these and thought I would share: Sandpoint, Idaho Sandpoint Longbridge Green Monarchs from Lake Pend Oreille Clark Fork River Kullyspell House: Idaho's oldest home and original trading post Lake Pend Oreille from Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort North Idaho Autumn at Dover Bay Pend Oreille River in winter Pend Oreille River in winter Rapid Lightning Creek in winter 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 Sandpoint Sotheby's International Realty 200 Main StreetSandpoint, Idaho 208-255-3474 www.SandpointID.net - To learn all about Sandpoint and North Idaho www.R... 12/21/2010

The Clark Fork-Pend Oreille Conservancy: A nonprofit land trust that helps willing landowners permanently preserve natural areas,  forests, lakes, streams,  farms,  ranches, recreational areas and wildlife and fish habitat in Bonner County, Idaho and Sanders County, Montana. (I have had the Conservancy on my radio shows many times. Here is what they have recently sent out.) We at the Clark Fork-Pend Oreille Conservancy want to thank-you for your interest over the past year. This is a quick note to wish you all a very Happy Holiday Season and to ask for your support as the year draws to a close. We have experienced great conservation success in 2010. We have permanently protected over 610 acres of spectacularly beautiful and ecologically critical land that borders forest service property... 12/19/2010

Here are just a few pics of Sandpoint one winter night and the next morning.  Historic Panida Theater on First Avenue in Sandpoint, Idaho Christmas Tree at Jeff Jones Square in Sandpoint, Idaho Holiday lights on Main Street in Sandpoint, Idaho Wintery Main Street in Sandpoint, Idaho 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 Sandpoint Sotheby's International Realty 200 Main StreetSandpoint, Idaho 208-255-3474 www.SandpointID.net - To learn all about Sandpoint and North Idaho www.RealtySandpoint.com - For Sandpoint Realty www.SkiSchweitzer.net - To visit Schweitzer Mountain's Community Web 12/19/2010

I interviewed William Friedman, owner of Zero Point, on Speak Up North Idaho last Thursday. These conversations I have several times a month with various characters and business people from Sandpoint and North Idaho on my three radio shows keep me in touch with my community and help me to be a better REALTOR. Zero Point 226 N. 1st Avenue, Sandpoint, ID 83864 208-244-2522 William also is the owner of another local business: Idaho Stone. The way he puts it, "We have rocks for indoors and bigger rocks for outdoors." Here are some interesting points about Zero Point: ZERO POINT MOVED TO ITS CURRENT LOCATION ALMOST TWO YEARS AGO. 226 N 1ST AVENUE, IN THE HEART OF SANDPOINT. NEXT TO THE PANADA THEATRE. WE SELL UNIQUE GIFTS AND TREASURES FROM AROUND THE WORLD, WE SPECIALIZE IN GEMSTONES. WE SE... 12/19/2010

A lesson about understanding whether you are following your business plan or not.A boat docked in a tiny Mexican village. An American tourist complimented the Mexican fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took him to catch them."Not very long," answered the Mexican."But then, why didn't you stay out longer and catch more?" asked the American.The Mexican explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his needs and those of his family. The American asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?""I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a siesta with my wife. In the evenings, I go into the village to see my friends, play the guitar, and sing a few songs... I have a very full life."The American interrupted, "I have an MBA from Harvard,... 12/15/2010