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

 Pend Oreille Arts Council sponsors free concert series featuring regional musicians at Dover Bay Marina, July 4, 11, 18 and 25. Program 2010:July 4 - Coeurimba July 11 - Swing Street Big Band, featuring Karen Nielsen July 18 - Carl Rey & the Blues Gators July 25 - SHS Steel Pan Band    ArtinSandpoint.org. 208-263-6139   Free music every weekend...all summer long!!!!Summer Sounds at the Park Place Park Plaza, First Avenue & Cedar Street, Downtown Sandpoint, IdahoEvery Saturday from Memorial Day through Labor Daywith local and regional musicians. Noon to 2pm     Program 2010: May 29 - Selkirk Society Band        June 5 - Samantha Carston June 12 - Not Quite Punk June 19 - Dolce Quartet June 26 - Peter Lucht July 3 - SHS Steel Pan Band July 10 - O'Connor Sisters July 17 - Larry Mooney Jul... 06/26/2010

ArtWalk I. Opening reception was June 18 for the 24th annual ArtWalk I.  Artwalk is a yearly event featuring art exhibits at 20 or so gallery locations downtown through July 26, sponsored by Pend Oreille Arts Councel. ArtWalk II. Opening reception July 30 for the 24th annual ArtWalk II, featuring revolving art exhibits at  at hosting businesses in downtown Sandpoint through Sept. 13,  ArtWalk Brochures include a list of participating locations and a self-guided walking tour. For more information, visit   http://ArtinSandpoint.org. 208-263-6139 06/26/2010

Bayview Daze is an annual festival held on the weekend closest to the 4th of July. There is a street market where the businesses provide special prices on their goods,and there is a great time for young and old alike. A street parade during the day on Saturday, a lighted boat parade at dusk, and a fireworks display at dark are the highlights of the event. This is a special year because on May 29th, Bayview celebrated its centennial. Plus, with Sandpoint announcing they would be cutting back on their fireworks, Bayview's Saturday night display is just the ticket. Hope, Idaho also has a great display of rockets, but, like Sandpoint, this year all events are on Saturday night. Read this blog about the 2009 Bayview 4th of July. Here are some pics of the Bayview Daze and parade. Went on a li... 06/25/2010

The 2010 Sandpoint Summer Sampler was a blast under clear blue summer skies with fun and food to warm the soul. This was the fifth year of the event, and yours truly was the MC. Having hogged the mike two previous years, this was by far the best. We had postponed the event for a week due to rain, yet the delay did not keep the crowds from joining with sixteen restaurants and vendors presenting some of Sandpoint and North Idaho's finest fare. Chefs Jason Clark & Eddie Sneva compete at the Sandpoint Summer Sampler Twice a year our end of North Idaho sets up their restaurants in one place for tastings and a bit of fun; once during winter with the Taste of Sandpoint, and summer finds us licking our lips for the Sandpoint Summer Sampler. The event is sponsored by many, with the main event be... 06/25/2010

I interviewed Mike Deprez, former PGA golf pro of the Idaho Club and sales manager for Laughing Dog Brewing on my radio show, North Idaho Arts & Adventure. During that interview Mike announced that Laughing Dog was moving into its new digs and expanding to 26 states, becoming a national player on the beer scene. Sandpoint continually produces these wonderful, national companies. Our first billion dollar corporation was Coldwater Creek, followed last year by Litehouse Foods. With Quest Aircraft, Lignetics, Encoder, Thorne Research, and now Laughing Dog, Sandpoint has made its presence known as a high-end manufacturing town. And there are many others.   Gary Lirette, featured in Where To Retire magazine and host of the Tuesday noon local radio shows: North Idaho Business as well as North ... 06/20/2010

Snowmass Alpacas, right next to Rapid Lightning Quarter Horses, is a great example of a niche industry that businessmen in North Idaho have fostered. Browns Buffalo in Priest River, elk ranches in Vay near Priest River and up in Bonners Ferry at the Selkirk Mountain Elk Ranch all have found markets for wool, meat, and horns. Here are some pics of the alpacas at Snowmass: Sandpoint Alpacas Sandpoint Alpacas at Snowmass Alpacas Herd at Snowmass Alpacas in Sandpoint Snowmass Alpacas is next to Rapid Lightning Quarter Horses in 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 Gary's BlogFor more detailed local info & real estate   Tomlinson Sandp... 06/20/2010

I just couldn't pass up this WORDLESS WEDNESDAY post.  I arrived back in "utopia" (Sandpoint, Idaho) this morning after a two week absence while visiting friends and family in Minnesota.  It was astounding to come back to an explosion of wild lupine on our side hill.  It kind of put an exclamation mark on why I missed this place so badly.  (Nothing against Minnesota...it just isn't North Idaho).   06/16/2010

Here are some pics of Sandpoint City Beach and Seasons at Sandpoint on a sunny summer day. Sandpoint City Beach Sandpoint City Beach marina Marina at Sandpoint City Beach The sand for which Sandpoint was named at Marina at Sandpoint City Beach Sailboats at Windbag Marina at Sandpoint City Beach Seasons at Sandpoint view of Lake Pend Oreille 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 ww... 06/16/2010

After a floor shift at Tomlinson Sandpoint Sotheby's, I hurried over to Coldwater Creek Wine Bar to meet the winemaker GORDY VENNERI from WALLA WALLA VINTNERS. It was Friday June 11th and we enjoyed cheese and wine with Gordy, and shared his Wonderful handcrafted wines. It was a great opportunity for Dave Vemeer to show off Coldwater. Dave, part of an old local family and the rep for many years for Odom, a great wine distributor. Dave recently became the manager of the wine bar, and altogether, the combination of Gordy and Dave and the surroundings made the wine and beautiful food presentation very pleasant. We sampled the Walla Walla Merlot, the Columbia Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc, the Cuvée. Bella Rosso, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sagemoor. Really liked the Cabernet Franc. Click here ... 06/11/2010

Each year there are two food venues that offer bits and tastes of our many great restaurants: Taste of Sandpoint each winter, and the Sandpoint Summer Sampler each summer. This year's event next Thursday, June 17th will offer food and drinks from 14 various eateries. There will be the annual competition between the area's two best chefs, and lots of fun all around. This year, as in many years past, I will be hosting as MC. I will also be a judge. To learn more visit the Chamber's page Sandpoint Summer Sampler Here is a video when I hosted in 2008: Sandpoint Summer Sampler on YouTube It is loads of fun, plus Schweitzer begins its summer fun the same weekend. Free Lift Rides and Live Music at Schweitzer on June 26th Schweitzer Mountain from Bottle Bay on Lake Pend Oreille There are lots o... 06/11/2010

Schweitzer Says Hello to Summer in Typical Grand Fashion Schweitzer Mountain Summer Calendar of Events Sandpoint, ID - Saturday, June 26. Schweitzer Mountain Resort will hold its annual Summer Celebration, 11 am - 5 pm, featuring live music by David Boone and The Rub. Scenic chairlift rides will be free of charge for all ages. The lift ascends 1700 vertical feet where you can make the choice to hike, bike or ride the lift back down. "This is the best way to experience what summer is all about at Schweitzer." said Events Manager Brandon Peterson, "you can ride the lift, hike, bike and listen to great music - all for free... It's like a Schweitzer test drive." Schweitzer is bringing back the Power Tower climbing wall and bungee trampoline. It is located outside the Source, where guests ca... 06/10/2010

Beautiful day today. I try to walk downtown most days and meet and greet as many people as I am able. Tuesdays I host my radio shows, and today, I walked along Lake Pend Oreille. Here are the shots: Lake Pend Oreille shoreline Lone sailboat on Lake Pend Oreille Verdant greenery along Lake Pend Oreille Lone sailboat on Lake Pend Oreille Smellin' the flowers along the Pend d'Oreille Bay Trail Lake Pend Oreille Pines Bumble Bee busy at work along Lake Pend Oreille Tranquil shores of Lake Pend Oreille Wall of water along Lake Pend Oreille Fallen bird's egg along Lake Pend Oreille Eagle in the trees along Lake Pend Oreille Eagle in the trees along Lake Pend Oreille Eagle in flight over Lake Pend Oreille Gary Lirette, featured in Where To Retire magazine and host of the Tuesday noon local rad... 06/08/2010