Voices newsPublished Thursday, January 08, 2009 
Catholic Charities is looking for volunteers for each of its 15 programs in the 13 counties of Eastern Washington. The election is over, the holidays are over and it already seems like it's been a long, hard winter. 
•The Community Assembly meeting will be held Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the West Central Community Center, 1603 N. Belt St. 
What's new? Not much – it's all about snow. Snow is the only news of the day, and today's snowy forecast calls for local cities to keep crews working overtime plowing and carting away snow; for home owners to continue tiring themselves out shoveling snow off roofs, decks and sidewalks; for schools and businesses to close their doors for safety during rooftop snow removal; and for driving conditions to change hourly – mostly from bad to worse. You need look no further than Kootenai County Democratic chief Thom George, if you want to know why Democrat Walt Minnick dumped Republican incumbent Bill Sali in the 1st Congressional District race. At one of those hush-hush Republicans-for-Minnick gatherings last year, a female voter who is known as MamaJD at Huckleberries Online told ThomG she'd vote for Minnick, if he'd jump in the lake. Not only did Thom jump in the lake, but he did so on New Year's Day. Can you say Polar Bear, baybee? The ex-New Yorker joined dozens of other cuh-razies, to win MamaJD's vote. MamaJD jumped in the lake, too, as is her custom. She described the experience on her blog (http://mamajd. blogspot.com) as "invigorating, tingling, refreshing, full of adrenaline and an absolute blast." I'll take her word for it. MamaJD contends that she got the better of the deal because she has more, ahem, insulation than Thom. Also, she said she'd have voted for Minnick regardless. The usually loquacious Thom did 
When I was a child, I thought that having a birthday early in January was pretty unfair. By the time we got through the holidays and arrived at Jan. 3, there wasn't much money left, nor was there any enthusiasm (the last vestiges of festive energy having been expended on New Year's Eve), and pretty much the last thing anybody was interested in was another cheese ball or piece of cake. All the good ideas were under the tree nine days earlier, so my birthday was a little lame, gift-wise. At least that's how it looked when I was 8. Weekly activities
Calvary Lutheran Church (ELCA) – Sunday worship with Holy Communion, 9 a.m. Sunday school and adult forum, 10:20 a.m., nursery care provided. Preschool Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 9-11:30 a.m. for ages 3-5. Weekly activities include small groups, Bible studies, quilting, scrapbooking, confirmation and youth group at 1011 N. Compton St., Post Falls. 773-5321.
Kootenai County
James Duncan, Post Falls, residence, valued at $415,489. Ongoing
Beginning Ice Hockey - For children age 4-8. Learn jjthe fundamentals. Participants must have a hockey helmet, mouth guard, hockey gloves, shin pads and hockey stick. Runs through Feb. 14. Riverfront Park Ice Palace. $59, includes skate rental and five free public skate passes. (509) 625-6200. For the week of Jan. 12-16. Post Falls School District
Elementary school Athol is famous for more than its name. People in this area seem to raise rather exotic animals. We have the Zebra Lady in the Silver Meadows area, and just down the street resides Jeannene Christ and too many strange animals to count. There are a number of pygmy goats, horses, dogs and camels. Public meetings, clubs and support groups in the Post Falls/Rathdrum area in the upcoming weeks: Today
DEAN SMITH (ACOUSTIC/BLUES) – 9 p.m., The Moon Time, 1602 Sherman Ave., Coeur d'Alene, 667-2331. 
Spokane's historic Looff Carrousel in Riverfront Park will be closed for its annual maintenance and restoration until Feb. 27. The Special Needs Recreation, a nonprofit organization in Post Falls that provides recreational opportunities for youths and adults who have disabilities, will hold a Cowboy Crusade Romp and Stomp dance on Friday at Prairie View Elementary School, 2478 E. Poleline Ave., from 6 to 8 p.m. 
OLYMPIA – This will sound self-serving, but it's true: For politicians in particular, "no comment" sometimes backfires. 
Today
After School Specials - Celebrate children's book author Kevin Henkes through stories, crafts and games. Library locations include: Cheney, 610 First St. 893-8280; Otis Orchards, 22324 E. Wellesley Ave. 893-8390; Moran Prairie, 6004 S. Regal St. 893-8340. 4 p.m. Free. Business owners on Garland Avenue have gotten their shovels out and cleared the sidewalks to make sure all merchants can stay open.
In terms of weather, 2008 was a year to remember, especially with the cold and snow in our region. The frigid winter of 2007-'08 had record snow totals across North Idaho. Parts of northwestern Coeur d'Alene reported an unbelievable 172.6 inches of snow. At Spokane International Airport, 92.6 inches of snow fell, just short of the 93.5 inches that fell in 1949-'50. •The Pedestrian Transportation and Traffic Committee will meet Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the East Central Community Center, 500 S. Stone St. Beginning Jan. 20, winter quarter classes and workshops will be offered at Corbin Art Center in the Daniel House, 507 W. 7th Ave. The goal of Somebody Needs You is to match donors with the specific requests of needy Spokane residents. 
Vote 'yes' for CVSD levy
I am a parent of four children in the Central Valley School District. I have been actively involved as a parent-volunteer for 11 years. For the week of Jan. 12-16Monday – Beef tips with peppers over rice pilaf, vegetables, potato roll, cinnamon-raisin applesauce. 
Upcoming
Lunch at Red Lobster – Next Thursday. Take a ride to Coeur d'Alene for a no-host seafood lunch. Includes transportation and host. For details, call 327-2861, Sinto Senior Activity Center, 1124 W. Sinto Ave.
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Spokane and Spokane Valley, Wash., Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and the Inland Northwest
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