Coeur d’Alene Reservation, ID

Congrats to Andrea of Grangeville, she’s our weekly winner!

Thank you all for the interesting responses about your community and what makes it ‘unique’ to you compared to other rural communities in Idaho.

I grew up in a small farming community in Idaho near the Utah border and I still think about it every day, the views and colors and smells and intense farm work we did (pulling rye, driving around and around in a tractor for 12 hours a day, herding cattle, etc) helped shape my life and world view. It’s that sense of place that helps define who we are and how we relate to the world around us.

I hope you’re all getting comfortable and familiar with the blogging process. Mary, MJ and I thank you for all the time and hard work you’ve devoted to this part of Horizons and know it’s just a small part of what you are all doing in your communities.

Please let MJ (merijoz@uidaho.edu) or me (dgray@uidaho.edu) know if we can help you with any questions you might have about blogging.

A ‘how to blog’ handbook is now available on our Horizons website at http://extension.ag.uidaho.edu/horizons/coaches.htm at the very top of the page…

Reflective Questions:

As we near the ‘end’ of this phase of Horizons, take a moment to look back on the past 18 months to answer these questions.

Has your community sought any additional resources outside of Horizons for your projects? 

How has your community partnered with communities and/or organizations beyond Horizons?

Scavenger Hunt Question:  Which Horizons community has an organization sponsoring a ‘Volcano Breakfast’ and what IS a Volcano Breakfast?

This week’s winner will receive a copy of:

One Nation, Underprivileged: Why American Poverty Affects Us All / Mark Robert Rank

Rules: Post your answers on your blogsite by May 20 (midnight) and be entered in the drawing for one of our book titles…

NOTE: Please enter your answers as either a comment to the original question OR as a brand new entry on your blog so that the answers are easy for people to find.

The Plummer Senior Citizens will be sponsoring a Volcano Breakfast Saturday, May 17th from 7 am to 10 am at the American Legion/Senior Center. The menu is little smokies, scrambled eggs, pork links, potato patties, homemade biscuits and sausage gravy with coffee and juice. Suggested donation $5.

The Volcano Breakfast got its start 28 years ago when Mount Saint Helens blew her top leaving many travelers stranded in Plummer. The Seniors fixed them breakfast that first year and have memorialized this event each year by serving breakfast to the community and raising funds for their operations.

Big kudos to all of you who ran, jogged, and walked in Bloomsday!!!

Congrats to Christine of Kooskia, she’s our weekly winner! Thank you to all who have recently signed up and started blogging.

Please let MJ or me know if we can help you with any questions you might have about blogging.

Reminder: MJ has created a ‘how to blog’ handbook that is now available on our Horizons website at http://extension.ag.uidaho.edu/horizons/coaches.htm at the very top of the page… Thanks MJ!

Also, for those communities that may be looking for a little more training, please contact MJ at merijoz@uidaho.edu / 208-885-8949 to see how she can help you.

Rules: Post your answers on your blogsite by May 6 by midnight and be entered in the drawing for one of our book titles…
NOTE: Please enter your answers as either a comment to the original question OR as a brand new entry on your blog so that the answers are easy for people to find.

Reflective Questions:
What is something unique about your Horizons community that you’d like to share with the rest of the world? What makes your community different from the one right down the road? Is it a strength your community can capitalize on or a burden you have to bear? Or both? For example, Sun Valley has the beautiful landscape, ski resorts, etc. but the tourism industry has also left behind many local people who are now unable to afford to live in the town they work in…

Scavenger Hunt Question: This week the scavenger hunt is a simple assignment. Find an entry on one of the Horizons community blogs (or even your own blog) and leave a comment to the author. It’s fun to give and get feedback about things we’re doing and talking about.

This week’s winner will receive:
The working poor: invisible in America by David K. Shipler
And
Building Communities From the Inside Out: A Path Toward Finding and Mobilizing a Community’s Assets by John P. Kretzmann and John L. McKnight.

Congrats to Mountain Mama of Kendrick/Juliaetta, she’s our weekly winner! Even though she took me to task for forgetting about those of you in remote areas with only dial-up internet access… she persevered after many grueling hours on the scavenger hunt! I will definitely keep in mind your technology limits in the future…

MJ has created a ‘how to blog’ handbook that is now available on our Horizons website at http://extension.ag.uidaho.edu/horizons/coaches.htm at the very top of the page… Thanks MJ!

Also, for those communities that may be looking for a little more training, please contact MJ at merijoz@uidaho.edu / 208-885-8949 to see how she can help you.

Rules: Post your answers on your blogsite by Tuesday, April 29 by midnight and be entered in the drawing for one of our book titles…

NOTE: Please enter your answers as either a comment to the original question OR as a brand new entry on your blog so that the answers are easy for people to find.

Reflective Questions:
• Looking back, what is one (or more) skill or leadership trait you have developed from participating in Horizons (maybe from Study Circles or LeadershipPlenty or from the hands on work going on in your communities right now)? How has participation in the program changed you? What about your community? Are there specific examples of things happening in your community that wouldn’t have happened without Horizons?
• Bonus reflective question: How has the blogging experienced affected you? (please edit any inappropriate language, hahaha trust me, I feel your pain!!)

Scavenger Hunt Question:
• Which of the Idaho Horizons community blogs has information about April being Child Abuse Awareness month? This website also provides information about Youth Suicide Prevention.

The winner will receive:

Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World: Building Your Resources for a Better Life by Philip E. DeVol
And

Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High by Kerry Patterson, et al

Rules: Post your answers on your blogsite by Tuesday, April 22 by midnight and be entered in the drawing for one of our book titles…

NOTE: Please enter your answers as either a comment to the original question OR as a brand new entry on your blog so that the answers are easy for people to find.

Reflective Questions:

• What’s next in Horizons for your community? Are your Action Teams planning activities in the next 2 months? How do those activities relate to the 3 legs of Horizons: Poverty reduction, Leadership Development and Community Mobilization?

Scavenger Hunt Question:

• Let’s broaden our scavenger hunt world a little… Of the other Horizons states, which one has interesting information about using Chicken Tractors to help maintain community gardens? Check out the link section of the Idaho Horizons Blog that lists the blog addresses for Montana, NorthDakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa Horizons. Feel free to explore and be inspired by other community groups just like yours!

This week’s winner will receive a copy of each of the following books:
The Working Poor: Invisible in America by David K. Shipler

Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World: Building Your Resources for a Better Life by Philip E. DeVol

Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is the student vocational group associated with Family and Consumer Science education (used to be called FHA, Future Homemakers of America). FCCLA has been in our school district for some time. This is the first year our chapter has competed. In District competition, students earned a gold award and two silvers; all of our competing students qualified for the State competition which we attended last week. Lovinia “Itsy” Johnson, Summer Shamburg and Dorisa Whaley competed in Chapter Showcase and earned a silver award. Megan Mahoney and Chelsea Benson competed in Fashion Design. Megan earned the top award and was designated the National Conference delegate for our state in Fashion Design; Chelsea Benson was named as the alternate.

We are currently raising funds to send Megan to the FCCLA National Leadership Meeting in Orlando in July so that she can represent us and our district in Fashion Design.

Lakeside High FCCLA is raising funds to send delegates in July to the National Conference in Orlando, Florida. Megan Mahoney will represent us and our school district in Fashion Design.

Get your tickets now! They are $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. You may purchase them by phone 686-1937, email wommack.laura@lakesidesch.org, US mail through the District office, or see any FCCLA member. The drawing will be held May 5 by our FCCLA delegates at the high school.

This is a handmade quilt, lap/throw/baby size, in shades of blue and green. In case this is important to you, it IS from a nonsmoking home!

We hope you will support us!

Thank you!

FCCLA/Mrs. Wommack, Advisor

On Friday, April 18th, Coeur d’Alene Tribal Council member Charlotte Nilson will be giving the invocation at the Earth Day Luncheon at North Idaho College (tickets are very limited and must be purchased in advance). After the Luncheon, Tribal Council member Charlotte Nilson will also be giving a blessing at the Tree Planting Celebration at the NIC campus. The Rose Creek Drum will be drumming at the Tree Planting Celebration, too.

On Saturday, April 19th, Felix Aripa will be giving a presentation at the Earth Day Fair about the signs of the seasons at 11:30 am. The Earth Day Fair will have lots of activities and information for kids and adults:

· EcoArt Lane – 12 craft tables for kids to make things
· Jane Cantwell presenting live raptors (hawks and other birds
of prey) at 11am and 1:30pm
· Wolf Education presentation by Marcie Carter of the Nez Perce
Tribe and Dave Spicer of Idaho Fish and Game at 12:30pm
· Storytelling with George: an interactive story about salmon
migration for kids at 10:45am and 2:15pm
· Lots of educational information, food and music

If anyone would like additional information, please contact me at 686-8802. Also, if you would like to print out flyers for Earth Day activities, Earth Day Flyer

Rules: Post your answers on your blogsite by Tuesday, April 15 by midnight and be entered in the drawing for one of our book titles…

NOTE: Please enter your answers as either a comment to the original question OR as a brand new entry on your blog so that the answers are easy for people to find.

Reflective Questions:

• What words of wisdom would you give to a community just starting a program like Horizons?
• Words of warning?
• What kind of changes in their community and its leadership might they expect?
• What kind of changes in themselves might they expect?

Scavenger Hunt Question:

• Which community’s chamber of commerce recently met with high school youth to work together to involve more youth in the community?

This week’s winner will get to choose ONE of the following books:

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You by John Maxwell

Or

Leadership for the Common Good: Tackling Public Problems in a Shared-Power World by Barbara Crosby and John Bryson

Rules: Post your answers on your blogsite by Tuesday, April 8 by midnight and be entered in the drawing for a fabulous prize.

Reflective Questions: What does the phrase ‘living in poverty’ mean to you? How has your definition of ‘poverty’ changed in the past year? Does your community think differently about poverty now? How can you tell?

Scavenger Hunt Question: Which community (in partnership with ComBAT (Community Based Access to Technology)) will be having a FREE concert on April 23, 2008?

This week’s winner will get to choose ONE of the following books:

One Nation, Underprivileged, Why American Poverty Affects Us All / Mark Robert Rank

or

Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community / Robert D. Putnam.

Did you know Lakeside Elementary School was built in 1937? The purpose of this bond proposal is to build a new elementary school in Plummer to address the following areas of need:

Learning, Facility, Safety

Learning
Improved learning environment
Meet current state and federal requirements
Collaborative Learning
Meet needs of all students

Facility
Continuous and costly repairs:
Heating & ventilation
Electrical
Roofing
Wall, windows, door replacement

Safety
Closeness of the new highway
Proper fencing
Supervision
Walkways and bus safety
Crisis Response

The Board approved to place before the voters a $10 million dollar bond at a 15-year cost of $1.45 per $1000.00 of assessed property value (not market value).

Town Meetings to further addresss the above listed concerns are scheduled as follows:

Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. Tensed Community Center
Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. Lakeside High School Gym
Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. Lakeside Elementary Gym

2009 Rate per $1,000 15-year bond $1.45
Annual/Monthly respectively Impact on:
$100,000 (home)* $72.50/$6.04
$200,000 (home)** $145.00/$12.08
$250,000 (business)*** $362.50/$30.21

* Estimated taxable value after homeowner’s exemption of $50,000
** Estimated taxable value after homeowner’s exemption of $100,000
*** No homeowner’s exemptions for business property, taxable value is $250,000
Conceptual Drawing

Congratulations to Judi from UpRiver, winner of week 1!Rules:
Post your answers on your blogsite by Tuesday, April 1 (no jokes about April Fool’s day!) at midnight and be entered in the drawing for a fabulous prize.  Reflective Question: How is your community thinking about/planning for sustainability after the end of the Horizons program on June 30? What will Horizons-related groups look like in your community in one year? Are you optimistic/worried? (relieved?) Scavenger Hunt Question:  Which community has been approved to receive a $65,000 Idaho Community Development Block Grant for work on their city water reservoir? HINT: don’t forget to check ‘previous entries’ (the link at the bottom of the blog page, or check archives in the column on the right) This week’s winner will receive BOTH of the following books: The Magic of Dialogue : Transforming Conflict into Cooperation by Daniel YankelovichPopulation: 485 –Meeting Your Neighbors One Siren at a Time by Michael Perry   

Sponsored by Youth Activities
Attend the 3-on-3 Kick Butts Tournament (April 2nd) and the Juggling Workshop (April 3rd) and Receive a $15 AMC Movie Pass! For more info call Rachel 686-9355 ext. 456
Tom Sparough performs at the Wellness Center Gym, Plummer ID, April 3rd, 2008
Middle School Students 9am-noon and High School Students 1-4 p.m.

www.spacepainter.com Tom Sparough, professional juggler and storyteller, will lead two dynamic hands-on sessions for middle school and high school youth. All of life is perspective. Come to one of these sessions to get the juggler’s perspective. EVERYONE who comes will get in on the act. How many plates do you spin in your life? Have you found your balance point? Can you handle what others toss to you? These sessions will be fun, fast-paced, and a chance to work with one of the nation’s top performers for youth.

juggling-act.JPG

Come join the fun in Tensed! Prizes! The Tensed Volunteer Fire Department and the Gem Community Committee are hosting an Easter Egg Hunt at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 22nd. Age groups 0-3 meet at Howard Park; Age groups 4 and above meet at the ballfield. Contact Scott Fritsche is you have questions 208-274-2179
tensed-poster.JPG

Everyone is invited! Join the Plummer Branch of Sterling Savings Bank staff and community for a retirement celebration in honor of Loretta Graham who has 17 years of service. March 28, 2008 Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Questions contact Chris Smith 686-1921
graham-retire_full-page.pdf

Rules:

Post your answers on your blogsite by Tuesday, March 25 at midnight and be entered in the drawing for a fabulous prize. This week’s prize—the weekly winner can choose from one of these book titles
Building Communities from the Inside Out: A Path Toward Finding and Mobilizing a Community’s Assets - John P. Kretzmann

Teaching the Commons: Place, Pride, and the Renewal of Local Schooling - Paul Theobald

The Questions:

1.       A reflective question–What do you think of Horizons blogging? What do you like, what do you dislike? What can the UI Horizons Team do to help improve the blogging experience? 2.       A scavenger hunt question (visit other community blogsites to find this answer) What is a PUG Mark and in which community would you find them?

The Dahlby’s, Joseph and Joyce, Alder Creek home was destroyed in a fire in January and the elderly couple lost everything. Donations of household items, kitchen goods, bedding, furniture, etc. to help the couple establish their home will be accepted. To donate contact Sandy at 245-1341

Ladies it’s time to sign up for the Circling Raven Ladies Golf League. Attached is the 2008 schedule. It’s great fun and if you have never golfed this is a perfect time to learn. If you have golfed then practice, practice, practice.
Ladies League Schedule
Guys would you please tell your mothers, wives, daughters, nieces, girlfriends, S/O about the ladies league.

Phone: 1-800-523-2464 ~ Contact: James Samuels @ 7260 or Pam Forsyth @ 7374 or e-mail jsamuels@cdacasino.com or pforsyth@cdacasino.com

General Maintenance Personnel. The City of Worley has an immediate opening for a half time to full time General Maintenance person. Work involves routine maintenance, improvements and repairs to City facilities and equipment, including water, wastewater and storm water systems. Must be able to operate various light and heavy duty equipment such as backhoes, garbage truck, mowers and snow plow. Requires considerable experience with heavy machinery, hand tools and electic tools for significant mechanical repairs. Will be required to obtain additional certifications. Must be able to follow oral and written directions, keep accurate detailed logs, submit written reports regularly and respond to requests for information from state and federal governing agencies. Valid CDL and criminal background check required. Drug test may be required. Wage DOE. Benefits.

Applications are available at Worley City Hall Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Applications and resumes can be dropped off at Worley City Hall, 9936 West E Street or mailed to the City of Worley, P.O. Box 219, Worley, Idaho 83876. Position open until filled. Equal opportunity employer.

Sign up for baseball and softball begins March 1st at the Wellness Center front desk and ends on March 18th. There are teams for youth from 5 years to 18 years of age. The registration fee is $10. Baseball camp will be held March 3rd through March 14th with the first practice being March 18th. For more information contact Wade McGee at 686-9355 extension 464 or Cheffrey Sailto 686-9355 extension 455.