My friends were sitting on their back deck when suddenly a moose came up from under water in their back pond. Check it out: 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 BlogFor more detailed local info & real estate   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 08/08/2010

This first Friday was awesome. Happy, smiling people, great music, and a magical, warm summer night. The Festival at Sandpoint is always something special. Here are the pics: Waiting in line to enter the Festival at Sandpoint The mad rush of people at the opening of the Festival at Sandpoint Robin and Kelly planting their spot at the Festival at Sandpoint Suzan Fishkin from Sandpoint Transition Initiative lending a hand at the Festival at Sandpoint The sun sets as the crowd settles in at the Festival at Sandpoint Singing the National Anthem at the Festival at Sandpoint IAN McFERON plays Friday night at the Festival at Sandpoint Opening the evening was fellow Northwest artist IAN McFERON who weaves together a variety of roots-Americana styles to create his own unique blend, inspiring his... 08/08/2010

My name is Gary Lirette and I specialize in waterfront in and around Sandpoint, Idaho. This includes Lake Pend Oreille and the Pend Oreille River primarily, and Lake Cocolalla. To a lesser degree, we also have extensive knowledge of the Priest River, the Moyie and Kootenai Rivers, Pack River, Rapid Lightning Creek, the Clark Fork River, and the lesser lakes around Lake Pend Oreille. What to do on the Water N Idaho Lake Guide N Idaho River Guide   Boat Launches & Marinas Lake Pend Oreille Depth Map I live on the Pend Oreille River about a mile from Lake Pend Oreille. Many think this is the lake since the river is so wide here, but the lake really begins at the Long Bridge. I also own a secondary waterfront home on the Hope Peninsula. Just living on the water does not make us experts. Ins... 08/05/2010

SANDPOINT & NORTH IDAHO CALENDAR OF EVENTS Find all the best North Idaho Events right here! 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 Weekly - Sat. & Wed.: Sandpoint - Farmer's Market An open-air market Sandpoint tradition where you can find locally grown fresh produce, crafts, flowers, food and music at Farmin Park, Saturdays 9 am - 1 pm and Wednesdays from 3-5:30 pm. For more info get this pdf 2nd Friday monthly April - Dec: Coeur d'Alene - Art Walk The Coeur d'Alene Arts and Culture Alliance has organized a monthly Art Walk, that takes place from 5-8 pm the 2nd Friday monthly, April through December. Enjoy an evening of exceptional art,... 08/01/2010

On Saturday July 31st we had our annual crazy days sidewalk sales. Over 100 retail shops and 30 restraunts participated. From City Beach to 6th Ave shoppers flocked the streets to get the best deals of the year. This year we also had the farmers market running from 9 am to 1 pm. 08/01/2010

Here are some cool pics of Sandpoint, Idaho and Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort: Sandpoint Blog Statue of Liberty at City Beach in Sandpoint, Idaho Shawnodese putting into port while bagpipes play at Sandpoint City Beach City Beach-Sandpoint Clark Fork Estuary Festival at Sandpoint View of Lake Pend Oreille from Schweitzer Mountain above Sandpoint Lake Pend Oreille snowscape Longbridge SW View Marina and Powerhouse at Sandpoint Moon over Lake Pend Oreille Sandpoint, Idaho  Sandpoint Windbag Marina Schweitzer-Jump Schweitzer & Lake Pend Oreille Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort Schweitzer Village & Lake Pend Oreille Silverwood Theme Park 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 ... 07/28/2010

I always take and use 'Lifestyle' and area photos with my listings. Here are some shots of Priest Lake, some of which I am using for two new listings: Priest Lake along Eastshore Water skiing on Priest Lake Beautiful Priest Lake in Bonner County Idaho Sunken ship at Lionhead on Priest Lake Magnificent Mountains around Priest Lake Slippery Rock waterfalls at Lionhead along Priest Lake Priest Lake Summer Sunset 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 BlogFor more detailed local info & real estate   Tomlinson Sandpoint Sotheby's International Realty 200 Main StreetSandpoint, Idaho 208-255-3474 www.SandpointID.net - To learn all about Sandp... 07/27/2010

I had a couple of new listings in Bonners Ferry and the neighborhood, and wanted to remind everyone how beautiful it is up here: Aerial picture of Bonners Ferry, ID Bonners Ferry Bonners Ferry Mountain Range Downtown Bonners Ferry Moyie River Moyie River Bridge Rapids near Bonners Ferry Bonners Ferry Wilderness Beauty 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 BlogFor more detailed local info & real estate   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 - T... 07/27/2010

  For many years I have supported the arts, hosting and paying for over fifty art events in Bonner and Boundary counties in the last five years. I host the radio show North Idaho Arts & Adventure as part of that support. Last Tuesday I interviewed some of the artists from this year's Artists' Studio Tour. It is pretty cool because no matter the day you are in Sandpoint and our neck of the North Idaho woods, you can call and set up your own tour based on your schedule. The group also offers set days with tours pre-scheduled. Those are August 13, 14, 15 which gives you something to do during the long, hot days prior to attending the Festival at Sandpoint, as well as the following week of August 20, 21, and 22. Great group of artists including painters, sculptors, jewelry artists, and much... 07/27/2010

Every year I am associated with the Festival at Sandpoint in various ways. Many, many of us are. I have volunteered to place the thousands of plants and help with the decorating; I have hosted and catered the wine maker's dinners; I have interviewed the fest folks a good dozen times on my radio shows. On my North Idaho Arts & Adventure show last Tuesday, I interviewed Dyno Wahl about the upcoming 2010 performances. Tthe lineup in the past have included names like Lou Rawls, Jim Messina, Wynton Marsalis, Tony Bennet, The Beach Boys, The Bellamy Brothers, Natalie Cole, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Neil Sedaka, George Benson, The Doobie Brothers, Al Jarreau, The Pretenders, The Robert Cray Band, Peter Frampton, Little Feat, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Los Lobos, Tanya Tucker and many more. ... 07/27/2010

On my weekly radio show, North Idaho Arts & Adventure, I interviewed Stephen Ruff, pilot and owner of Sandpiont Seaplane Service. You may remember last year when I posted pics from one of these flights: http://activerain.com/blogsview/1235832/sandpoint-aerial-tour-pictures-and-photos-of-sandpoint-and-lake-pend-oreille-from-the-air It was a truly memorable experience and I highly suggest the ride to anyone looking to have an enjoyable afternoon in our neck of the woods. It is a great picture taking opportunity, and general fun for all ages. The flights encompass all of North Idaho and Lake Pend Oreille, and the map below gives you an idea of the area: Click here to visit the Sandpoint Seaplane Service website. Here are some pics of the journey: Clark Fork River Hope Peninsula Meandering... 07/27/2010

I was told the improvements at Riley Creek were pretty cool, so I stopped by to see for myself. The new pavillion is awesome, the bike paths great, in fact it was all wonderful. I opine that it would be a fantastic picnic date, a perfect family reunion, or even the ideal spot for a wedding. Hey, don't let me be the only voice, check out the pics and judge for yourself: Riley Creek Recreation Area Riley Creek Recreation Area bike paths Big boat launch at the Riley Creek Recreation Area Pavillion at the Riley Creek Recreation Area Riley Creek Recreation Area Dog at Riley Creek Recreation Area Beach at Riley Creek Recreation Area 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 o... 07/13/2010

The museum will have a special event titled, WOMEN OF COURAGE, on Saturday, July 17th.  It is to honor the WASPS (WOMEN's AIR FORCE SERVICE PILOTS) from WWII.  These ladies are 87 plus years of age now, flew 60,000,000 miles in WWII... On Tuesday I interviewed Tom Aisenbrey, one of the organizers of the event. Tom spent many years of his life influenced by these great ladies, and started planning this event last year. Out of the 1,000 ladies who flew, only roughly 270 survive, and most can't make the journey. However, twenty will grace the Bird Aviation Museum with stories and wisdom on July 17th. Don't just go to meet and learn from these intrepid women; the Bird Museum is wonderful in its own right, not to mention Dr. Bird, recently featured on 60 minutes, is a giant of a man in the w... 07/13/2010

Remember the Power House Bar and Grill? Mark and Sara Clarkston owned that joint until the successful chain Craggy Range took over. When they went belly up, we all realized that maybe that wasn't such a good location. Mark wanted to own the dirt and bought the building in Priest River two years ago July 11th. They serve comfort food like steaks and seafood, all grilled over apple wood or smoked in the smoker. Nice kitchen set-up, a dining room that seats 120, and a comfortable and easy access location. Learn more at http://priestriverhardwoodgrill.com/ I interviewed Mark on my show, North Idaho Business, last Tuesday, and here are a couple of pics: Priest River Hardwood Grill Chef and owner Mark Clarkston of the Priest River Hardwood Grill Gary Lirette, featured in Where To Retire magaz... 07/13/2010

On my radio show, North Idaho Business, on Tuesday, July 13th, I interviewed . These ladies will be speaking on the 14th about poverty and violence against women in Nepal and the efforts being made to combat the problem. The event benefits women locally, but expands our horizons globally. Here is the info: Taste of Nepal - Benefit Adressing violence and poverty globally and locally "A Taste of Nepal" Benefit Location: Downtown Sandpoint On Wednesday, July 14, TIPS (Transitions in Progress Services), a division of the Bonner County Homeless Task Force, will sponsor a "Taste of Nepal" benefit at the Community Hall. This benefit will support domestic violence and homeless programs in Sandpoint and raise awareness of global poverty and violence.Tickets are $10 at Northwest Handmade, Eichar... 07/13/2010

So many things happening this weekend in Sandpoint: Sandpoint Wooden Boat Show, the Flatwater Regatta, the Lavender Festival. So, if you look in the annals of this blog, you can see last year's boat show. Here are a few pics of this year's boats, plus a stroll around Sandpoint City Beach on a beautiful Sunday morning. Sandpoint Wooden Boat Show at the Powerhouse Sandpoint Wooden Boat Show at the Powerhouse Sandpoint Wooden Boat Show at the Powerhouse Powerhouse in Sandpoint, Idaho Marina at the Powerhouse in Sandpoint, Idaho Statue of Liberty at City Beach in Sandpoint, Idaho Fishing off the pier at the Statue of Liberty at City Beach in Sandpoint, Idaho The Shawnodese and Lake Pend Oreille Cruises in Sandpoint, Idaho Cruising Lake Pend Oreille is very cool, and the Shawnodese is a wond... 07/11/2010

Here is another photo-op that just couldn't be passed up.  Typically, I don't cruise around with boats piled on other boats...but, today was different.  Today, in "Monty Pythonesque" fashion, we piled them up.  (I was actually transporting the new/used Pelican paddle boat 10 miles across the bay here on Lake Pend Oreille in the effort to surprise my wife with her new toy...by the way, the surprise worked!)  The fun never ends up here in North Idaho.   07/07/2010

In years past the range down from Albeni Dam was only a foot or so, not enough to cause any damage to your dock along the Pend Oreille River, and to a lesser degree, in Lake Pend Oreille. Those with docks on the Priest River are all to familiar with ice flows that, with higher water flow, rise up and literally take docks downstream with them. This could be one of the outcomes of the new operating range of the Albeni Dam. So, the Army Corp of Engineers has extended an Invitation to a Open House June 30, Wednesday 4-7 p.m. at the Panhandle State Bank in the Sandpoint Center at 414 Church St.  The Bonneville Power Administration and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invite you to an open-house style public meeting to learn more about BPA's proposal to the Corps for winter power operations at Al... 06/29/2010

So, you did the Fourth of July, now what to do the next weekend? Try the PEND OREILLE VALLEY LAVENDER FESTIVAL in Newport, Washington. Some of my favorite bands and musicians are spieling there, and there is lots to do. I spent a while talking with Sandy Loskill and Janet Lamberth on my show North Idaho Business today broadcast on KSPT and KBFI. Here is what they told me: The 7th annual Pend Oreille Valley Lavender Festival will be held July 10th and 11th at the Park at First and Calispel in Newport, Washington. This is a juried show of high-quality art, artisan and horticulture products in a shaded Tuscan garden setting. The event features a wine tasting with regional vintners, a microbrewery, culinary delights, live music by our area's finest players, flowers, lure casting, model trai... 06/29/2010

This Calendar of Events is brought to you by REALTOR Gary Lirette and www.SandpointID.net January February March April May June July August September October November December 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 Weekly - Sat. & Wed.: Sandpoint - Farmer's Market An open-air market Sandpoint tradition where you can find locally grown fresh produce, crafts, flowers, food and music at Farmin Park, Saturdays 9 am - 1 pm and Wednesdays from 3-5:30 pm. For more info get this pdf 2nd Friday monthly April - Dec: Coeur d'Alene - Art Walk The Coeur d'Alene Arts and Culture Alliance has organized a monthly Art Walk, that takes place from 5-8 pm ... 06/26/2010