Bonners Ferry, ID

By: R.J. Cohn
Editor

All it takes is a little sunshine to bring the natives out.

Toss in Bonners Ferry’s second annual Salsa Festival, the Farmer’s Market along with 67-degree weather, stir vigorously and voila - you’ll have throngs of crowds from Coeur d’Alene to western Montana pouring into Main Street to sample the zesty concoctions of 18 local salsa makers trying to wow a panel of five judges for bragging rights and cash prizes.

With Shriner clowns, vendors selling hot tamales and a live rock band blasting away on May 3, hundreds of festival-goers in shorts and short sleeves — many for the first time in more than year — whetted their taste buds on some of the spiciest, hottest and unique variations of salsa north of the Mexican border.

Sponsored by Friends of Downtown, the event - which was advertised on KPND 95.3 FM throughout the week - drew scores of visitors from throughout the region, as evidenced by out-of-county license plates that filled the streets.

After a serious round of salsa-tasting, the discerning and shrewd panel of judges crowned Kevin Callos with first place honors, which won him $75. Second place honors were taken by Mary Cheney, who received $50.

Second place honors were taken by Mary Cheney, who received $50.

The “People’s Choice” third award was won by Tim Fulton, who took home $25. Laura Anderson’s salsa came in fourth place, while Katherine Casady took fifth place honor.

A total of 311 votes were cast compared to 200 from last year’s event, said organizer Dolly Boling.

“Next year we may place salsa entries into various categories like hot, spicy, mild and medium to make judging for competitive salsas more representative,” she said.

Click here to register http://www.ruralnorthwest.com/boundary/SwishRegistration.pdf

By: R,J, Cohn
Editor

For Charlene Lyle, the thought of owning a home in rural north Idaho as a single mother with three young children was only a pipedream that happened to other people on TV reality shows.

But thanks to Boundary County’s Habitat for Humanity, dreams like Lyle’s are coming true.

Ringed by the Purcell Mountains on five acres with a sweeping view of the Kootenai River, Lyle’s nearly-completed 1,200-square foot home in Paradise Valley is almost the stuff of dreams.

But it’s as real as it gets for the 32-year-old Boundary Community Hospital employee raising two daughters and a son ranging from 7 to 12 years of age.

“She was elated and thrilled when she learned she was chosen as the recipient of a new home from 17 applicants,” said Habitat for Humanity board member Sherrie Hendricks. “It’s like a dream come true.”

When completed in early July, Lyle’s home will be the seventh built by the nonprofit affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International since its inception in Boundary County 15 years ago.

To view entire article click on http://www.ruralnorthwest.com/artman/publish/article_8631.shtml

By: R.J. Cohn
Editor

Time has returned to downtown Bonners Ferry.

After more than a 25-year absence following the removal of a square clock mounted on a pole in front of the now defunct 1st Security Bank on Main Street, time has reared up over the heart of downtown from a 50-foot tower on the roof of City Hall.

And with spring lighting up the north Idaho skyline, the timing of the city’s unique four-faced clock tower that can be seen coming down both the North and South Hill couldn’t be more fitting.

It if doesn’t quite rival Big Ben of Westminster of landmark clock towers like Moscow’s Spasskaya Tower, it still carries a panache and a distinct flair symbolized by its red-peaked cap and wrap-around catwalks all of its own.

It has taken nearly a year to transform the former cinder block tower - which once served as the fire department’s hose tower in the 1950s - into what former city administrator Mike Woodward called the “capstone of downtown.”

“It was a diamond-in-the-rough just waiting to happen,” said Woodward. “The painting on the old tower had been peeling for years, the structure was chipped, and it was definitely an eyesore. It has turned into something very appealing that adds a lot of charm to Bonners Ferry.”

Sparked by a community fundraiser that pulled in close to $23,000, the clock tower - which was repainted and underwent a series of costly repairs - was originally planned to be in operation by Christmas.

To view entire article go to: http://www.ruralnorthwest.com/artman/publish/article_8496.shtml

By: R.J. Cohn
Editor

If stepping up to the plate to do the right thing is part of the tightly-woven fabric of Boundary County, then the new Julien Bucher Early Learning Center is a testament to a community that dug deep into its pockets for a facility that will enrich preschoolers for generations.

More than a year after Bucher died in a farming accident, his name and the passion he had for Boundary County will live on in the 3,000-square foot Head Start building bearing his name.

Thanks to a community fundraiser that brought in $70,000 and an acre of land donated to Head Start by Boundary County Commissioners, preschoolers will no longer have to shuffle into a poorly insulated makeshift room at the Fairgrounds that served as a food service and restroom facility.

To view entire article go to: http://www.ruralnorthwest.com/artman/publish/article_8657.shtml

By: R.J. Cohn
Editor Rural Northwest.Com

Seven Boundary County organizations - from the Boundary County Fair Board to the South Boundary Fire District - were big winners in securing more than $16,000 in grants from the Idaho Community Foundation.

The statewide, nonprofit organization composed of more than 370 individual funds awarded grants ranging from $1,500 to $3,000 to the following organizations:

* Boundary County Fair Board, $2,000, to complete walkway to improve handicapped accessibility to the proposed patio area.

* Boundary County 4-H, $3,000, to continue its after-school program.

* Boundary County Historical Society, Inc., $2,500, to upgrade restrooms to comply with federal regulations on handicapped accessibility.

* Friends of the Boundary County Restorium, $3,000, to install the facility’s new emergency generator, including cement pad and hookup.

* Paradise Valley Volunteer Fire Department, $2,000, to purchase tables and chairs for community room at the Main Fire Station.

* Second Chance Animal Adoption, $1,500, to purchase dog and cat kennels for the new planned shelter.

* South Boundary Fire District, $2,100, to buy carpet, ceiling panels and lighting for it Community Center.

ICF awarded a total of $204,916 in grants for 95 nonprofit organizations or projects in 10 counties in North Idaho.

Grants ranged in size from $480 to complete educational signage at the North Idaho Native Plant Arboretum in Bonner County to $5,000 for the Idaho Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health for outreach and education in Kootenai County.

The Fenton Family Fund in ICF provided $50,000 for projects in North Idaho.

Grants are awarded by the ICF Board primarily on the recommendation of the Foundation’s Northern Region Advisory Panel, which is comprised of local community leaders who volunteer their service as grant reviewers. The next Northern Region Competitive Grant Cycle will open Nov. 1.

ICF’s Northern Region is composed of Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce and Shoshone counties. Carl Hendricks of Naples is a Northern Region Advisory Panel member.

Since it began making grants in 1991, ICF has made charitable distributions totaling more than $37 million. To learn more about the Foundation or join as a member, visit ICF’s Web site at www.idcomfdn.org, or call 1-800-657-5357.

For Many, Community Action Partnership is a Lifeline for Survival

By: R.J. Cohn
Editor

When it comes to going to bat for Boundary County’s low-income and disadvantaged families, Christine Villanueva has virtually been a one-woman whirlwind for almost a decade.
Now in her 10th year with Community Action Partnership, Villanueva has been like a lifeline for those with incomes below 75 percent of the federal poverty threshold.

Villaneuva has not only supplied thousands of needy residents with food on their table, she has also provided 285 families with $98,776 worth of energy assistance since November 15, 2008. She believes this amount will reach a staggering $200,000 before the end of the year.

“Life is just more expensive than ever,” says Villanueva, who also serves on Bonners Ferry’s Horizons Project steering committee. “It’s hard on a lot of families here.”

To view entire article go to http://www.ruralnorthwest.com/artman/publish/article_8213.shtml

By: R.J. Cohn

For job seekers looking for new career and employment opportunities in the area, circle Saturday, March 29 on your calendar for the first multi-business job fair in Boundary County.

Scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Exhibit Hall in the Fairgrounds, residents interested in securing employment with local companies won’t have to compete with hundreds of others at other job fairs in neighboring counties.

Anita Stockdale-Woods, who is organizing the event, hopes to have close to 20 businesses and organizations at the job fair, which is being hosted by the Greater Bonners Ferry Chamber of Commerce.

“I’m hoping the turnout will be so positive that the event will turn into an annual job fair that will not only help prospective applicants, but will also improve exposure for local existing businesses,” said Stockdale-Woods, a relationship services officer for Panhandle State Bank.

She is also hoping the event will help match qualified employees with companies at the job fair, many of which will be conducting on-site interviews and providing applications.

“It’s also an opportunity for many of Boundary County’s home-based businesses to get the word out for more exposure,” she said.

So far, close to a dozen businesses and organizations have contacted Stockdale-Woods and will have representatives present at the March 29 job fair. They include: Panhandle State Bank, Mountain West Bank, Boundary Community Hospital, Idaho Educational Services, Partnership for Inclusion, Welco, University of Phoenix, Bonners Ferry Chamber of Commerce, Community Cancer Services, True North Expeditions and Teresa’s Family Salon.

Of those, Stockdale-Woods said Welco, Idaho Educational Services, Partnership for Inclusion, BCH and True North Expeditions will be accepting resumes and applications for prospective applicants.

For more information, contact Anita Stockdale-Woods at (208) 818-7498 or email her at anitaw@panhandlebank.com.

THE NEW CHAMBER WEBSITE IS HERE!!!

Go to www.bonnersferrychamber.com and check it out!

The Bonners Ferry Swish 3-on-3 basketball tournament has begun its volunteer drive.

This fantastic community event will take place on Sat., Aug. 2 and Sun. Aug 3.

Court monitors and scorekeepers are needed for both days for the following time slots:

* Time Slot 1 - 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

* Time Slot 2 - 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Woking both days for the same slot is the preference, however, one-day volunteers are appreciated also.

Volunteers will receive a custom volunteer T-shirt, as well as other goodies!

We will need your:

NAME______________________

PHONE#_____________________

EMAIL________________________

T-SHIRT SIZE_________________

If you have a preference on age group, i.e. youngsters, teenagers, or adults or male or female, please indicate and we will do our best to place you there.

Send to Brett Brown at fish3286@live.com

Please pass this on to anyone who can help.

Congrats to Judy of Cascade, she’s our weekly winner!  Thanks to all the new bloggers who’ve signed up.  If you’re part of the steering committee, hopefully these questions will help you work on the final report that is due June 30. Please let us know if you have any questions about the blog or the report.There is a Blogging Handbook available on our Horizons website at http://extension.ag.uidaho.edu/horizons/coaches.htm at the very top of the page… Thanks to MJ for writing this beginner’s guide! 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, June 3 by midnight and be entered in the drawing for one of our book titles… I will be at a conference May 27-30 so this will give you a whole extra week…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:

•  Of all the things you have done during the last 18 months in the Horizons program, of what are you most proud? 

Scavenger Hunt Question:·         Which Idaho Horizons community is working with the University of Idaho to help with their vision to “rebuild a community center to assist local families fight back against the ravages of poverty. They are looking to the future when they will have a center that provides central business offices for the city, a town library and public computers with Internet accessibility, expanded recreational facilities for youth and adults, a hall for future leadership and life skills training.”The winner will receive a copy of the book: The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People will Follow You by John C. Maxwell.

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.

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.

Spotlight on Families

Spotlight on Families will be an ongoing blog that features programs/events in Boundary County. If you have information you would like to see on Spotlight on Families please email Erika Thiel at ethiel@uidaho.edu

~Community Coalition For Families meets the 1st Thursday of each month (except August) at the Chic n’ Chop Restaurant. Community Coalition For Familes promotes a cooperative climate for volunteer groups and professional agencies to worth together and advocate for the betterment of residents of all ages and all cultures of Boundary County.

~ i2i presentation for youth and adults on physical and psychological effects of substance abuse May 6 at 6:30 p.m. at Bonners Ferry High School. Each family in attendance will be given a tool kit. Information: Laura Anderson (208) 267-3149.

~Health Fair This annual event will be held on Saturday, May 17th at the Boundary Community Hospital - lower level. For more information please contact Tina Wilson at 267-3141 ext 324 or email at tinaw@bcchmail.org

~ Summer and Fall Classes set at Bonners Ferry NIC Six non-credit courses - from learning fly fishing to conquering computer phobia - are being offered at North Idaho College’s Bonners Ferry Center starting in May. Students can also register for 17 fall credit classes at the Center. The fall semester begins Aug. 24. Courses range from Nursing Assistant (CNA) to Principles of Economics and Introduction to Psychology. All classes are taught at the Center, located at 6791 Main St. (next door to Far North Outfitters). For more information call 267-3878, or visit www.nic.edu for a full list of both summer and fall courses.

~ Individual Education Program Workshop Attention parents and guardians of children with special needs: An Individual Education Program Workshop will be held Saturday, May 10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wellspring Community Center, next to Far North Outfitters in Bonners Ferry. Child care will be available .
Bring your child’s IEP and/or 504 Plan:
* Talk with other parents.
* Learn to write an effective goal.
* Learn what “progress” is and how often it should be reported.
* Learn how to request accommodations.
* Learn what a Functional Behavioral Assessment is and when you might ask for one to be done.
* Learn about Behavior Plans and how your child can get one if he/she needs one.
* Learn how to use the Idaho Special Educational Manual (Bring your copy, if you have one).
Presenters: Idaho Parents Unlimited (IPUL) and Co-Ad, Inc.
Hosted by: Bonners Ferry Parent Support Group(Parents of Children & Adults with Special Needs)
Child Care available during workshop RSVP REQUESTED. To RSVP or additional information please call 267-7686

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

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.

Congratulations Judi from UPriver, winner from 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 Yankelovich

Population: 485 –Meeting Your Neighbors One Siren at a Time by Michael Perry 

As promised, here are your two Weekly Questions!

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 or
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?

Instructions:
These questions will be posted on your blog so you can post the answers on your website.

In the largest voter turnout for a city election on record, 518 votes were cast, which translated to 36 percent of the city’s registered voters. In 2005, only 287 voters - or 26 percent of registered voters - cast ballots in a city council election.

City officials said it was the first contested mayor’s race in Bonners Ferry in more than 35 years. Dave Anderson defeated Mick Mellett and Michael Huggins to become the new mayor of Bonners Ferry.

In the three-way race for City Council, Dave Sims and Connie Wells were elected to fill two seats that were up for grabs. Sims collected 395 votes while Wells polled 312 votes. Tina Wilson received 128 votes.

“I’m extremely happy that voters have showed confidence to elect me as their mayor, but also excited at such a large turnout,” said Anderson. “For me, that’s a sign that the people of Bonners Ferry want to be involved in their community and the future of this wonderful city. I cannot wait to roll up my sleeves and begin working with a new city council.”

Source: Rural Northwes.com

In cooperation with the Culture of Wellness and Horizons we are putting together a resource guide for our community. Do not miss this opportunity for your organization to be listed. For more information contact Tina Wilson at Boundary Regional Community Hospital.

Check out our works plans!

Building Community Strengths Action Plan
Communication and Connections Work Plan
Business Development - Work Plan
Education - Work Plan

Bonners Ferry is a relaxed, alive, and inviting rural community that values its youth. We promote open communication to keep our community connected. We value our citizens and strive to preserve our quality of life. We prize education and recreational opportunities.

As a unique destination for visitors, we promote exploration of our natural landscape. We achieve a balanced growth that builds on our strengths and the sustainability of our existing natural resources. We nurture innovative ideas and environmentally friendly small businesses that will shape our future for generations to come.