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HILL'S Winter Get A Way Packages call:
Going to the lake
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REAL ESTATE AUTHORITY
Priest Lake Real Estate
photo by DANN HALL
Moosebytes
DEAR PECKY...
yes, there is snow
up there..
- Mountain Matt & David
CLICK on images for larger view
and leave you Q's under "comments" for riders.
Photos: Vicinity of Lost Lake
CARIBOU BOB (CONT) - EPISODE 2
CLICK ON IMAGE TO VIEW WHOLE STORY
CONTROVERSIAL AND MAY BE OFFENSIVE TO SOME AUDIENCES
THANK YOU
FOR HELPING KEEP "THE CHURNS" POP UP FREE
AND FREE FOR ALL
THIS WEEK AT THE LAKE
Please post your events for this week.
Resorts, Restaurants & Cantina
CLICK on poster for larger view
❈ Snowshoe Softball Finals
❈ Hill's Snowshoe Volleyball
❈Millies six flat screen tv's & Prizes for touchdowns and points
on my list also: Snow & Sunshine (both)
PRIEST LAKE'S ONLINE RALLY
You are invited to be a participant in the first Priest Lake Online Rally. Whether you desktop, laptop or cell phone, i Phone, i Pad, i Pod, i THINK you will really have a great time - join the rally from anywhere in the world and win one of five great prizes contributed by local businesses.
The date of the Facebook event is THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9th from 6 to 8 pm.
Here is how you play the game:
CLICK HERE for now.. and LIKE it.
Be there February 9, 2012 in time to start. We will post questions and chores which will require knowledge and familiarity with Priest Lake history, geography and people.
You will post your answer and our team will record who posts the first correct answer. The winner from each question will win a point. When a point is captured, the next question will be posted and another point will be up for grabs. When the rally concludes at precisely 8 PM, we will tally the winners.
There will be Five very nice prizes to be chosen. The player with highest points attained will have his/her first choice from the prizes contributed, number 2 next and so on, with number 5 getting the remaining prize, which will still be great.
This Online Rally is open to anyone, you can even Google for answers, call friends have a roomful of Priest Lakers at your elbow. The first correct answer secures a point. The "quiz' will post the first question at 6 PM, Feb. 9 HERE
CARIBOU HABITAT PLAN
click HERE to view map
Priest Lake - Jan 24, 2012 As The Lake Churns - A meeting room at the The Priest Lake Inn was packed with over 150 attendees to witness and participate in an open forum with Idaho's Bonner County Commissioners Cornel Rasor, Mike Nielsen and Lewis Rich.
The public gathering, called by the commissioners, met with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service officials with the goal of altering the Federal Agency's plan to protect habitat for Woodland Caribou. The Commissioners are working to form a coalition with other counties impacted by the federal plan made in November, while also insisting the Fish and Wildlife Service coordinate with them on the habitat designation.
"Coordination" with local governments is required by federal statutes, but is often totally ignored in instituting regulations over public lands that negatively impact local businesses, personal property, employment and personal lives.
A wide range of Bonner County citizens voiced their concerns regarding more government intrusion in their jobs, family, businesses and recreation. One of the primary points being made, displayed the displeasure of attendees that there are proposals that could eventually result in further land grabs by the government which would reserve a huge piece of recreation properties to protect a "herd" of Woodland Caribou that amounted to the sightings of only 2 or 3 per year for the last several years.
Video Photos - Ⓒ pecky cox
CLICK ON IMAGES FOR LARGER
VIEW
THE REPUBLIC - COOLIN, Idaho — Some local residents are upset by a proposal to designate an area half the size of Rhode Island in a remote part of Idaho and Washington as critical habitat for endangered woodland caribou.
They blasted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at a meeting on Tuesday, saying the federal plans amounted to a land grab that would devastate the local economy READ MORE
from a Churns reader: Having attended the meeting it appears the "critical habitat" designation is simply the means to an end.
Once it is designated the forest service is certain to close it, even though the fish and game department won't come right out and say it.
BelowL Posted: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 10:00 am
By NICK IVIE Hagadone News Network
COOLIN — With more than 375,000 acres of land seemingly “up for grabs” upon the designation of critical habitat for caribou in the southern Selkirk Mountains — nearly 200 citizens turned out to show their concerns at Tuesday’s coordination meeting between Bonner County commissioners and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service officials.
The meeting, called by commissioners and held at the Inn at Priest Lake, was set with the hopes of altering or influencing the designation process through the coordination.
An open forum for over an hour, the audience pulled no punches showing their displeasure with the proposal, asking “where are these caribou” and “what will happen to this land after it’s designated as critical habitat.”
Questions posed to U.S. Fish & Wildlife officials, who had the answers but left the audience members with mixed emotions and a foreshadowed outcome of gloom if the proposal goes forward. READ MORE...
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RESIDENTS UPSET WITH CARIBOU PLANS - kivi-tv Boise - CLICK HERE
PL ONLINE RALLY DATE: FEB 9 ● FACEBOOK.COM/PRIESTLAKERALLY
■ $100.00 Dinner -Gift Certificate- at
Elkins Resort (or Lunch)
■ $ 50.00 Dinner -Gift Certificate- at
Hill's Resort (or Lunch)
■ Two Large Pizzas and One Pitcher of Beer
at Millie's
■ A 75 - 90 min. Hot Stone Massage from
Kiva Therapeutics Priest Lake
■ Entree Gallery and Autumn's Loft have
joined to offer a 2 in 1 Prize
(Priest Lake poster from Autumn's Loft and a
$50.00 Gift Certificate for The Entree Gallery)
HOW TO PLAY..?
CLICK HERE to view
CONTROVERSIAL VIEWS REGARDING BOAT RAMP NORTH OF COOLIN
NEW POST: 1.27.12 GRANT SOUGHT FOR COOLIN BOAT LAUNCH (Bonner County Daily Bee) CLICK HERE
"As The Lake Churns" is an open forum for its viewers and takes no position on subjects commented upon or discussed.
PLEASE KEEP YOUR COMMENTS CIVIL AND ON TOPIC
Dear Priest Lake Neighbor,
I am writing you because we need several more letters of support for the paving of the second boat launch in Coolin. Please pass this request to your Priest Lake boating friends, so we can generate a number of support letters for this project by next week.
The County Waterways Director, Leslie Marshall, has written a grant and it is ready for submission to the State. The grant will pay for paving of the second (northern most) boat launch in Coolin. This is the public launch that has a fixed pier, and currently has a dusty dirt parking lot. Without your letters of support it is very unlikely this waterways grant will be approved by the State.
If you are a boater on Priest Lake and would like to see this public parking lot paved (like Bishop's Marina), please send your letter of support to Leslie at: lm@co.bonner.id.us (also in the CC Block above). Leslie needs your letters by next Monday, 23 JAN 2012. She will compile the letters and must have the grant submitted by the following Friday, 27 JAN 2012.
You can attach a simple one paragraph or one page Word.doc, or just send your email directly to Leslie. Explain that you are a boater on Priest Lake, and that you value having improved launch facilities at Priest Lake. You can also address the lack of 'public' boat launch facilities at Priest Lake. It is important that your letter addresses you support for the paving of this 'public' boat launch parking lot.
I sincerely appreciate your prompt reply to this urgent request. Please feel free to call me if you have any questions or need more details.
Thank you,
Mike Nielsen
Dear fellow Priest Laker:
You may have received an email or seen a notice here from County Commissioner Mike Nielsen requesting support to pave a remote boat ramp north of Coolin. What Commissioner Nielsen does not share is that the proposed plan has had no affected community input, has not had full review for function by qualified engineers and, importantly, does not yield any additional parking stalls. The plan would also destroy sensitive mature growth and increase contaminant runoff into Priest Lake. This current proposal is opposed by the surrounding homeowners as it also fails to address several larger and more pertinent parking, functional, and environmental issues in greater Coolin. Yet this piecemeal plan has been moved to an expedited grant application approval through the Waterways Advisory Committee before the surrounding property owners were even notified or could respond. To date, there still has not been proper public noticing. Legal posting in a newspaper that is not circulated at Priest Lake is not due process. Why the urgent request for support outside of Coolin and not within Coolin? Why waste precious public funds on a project with incomplete planning? We would expect those whose salaried responsibility is to protect the quality, character and function of our natural resources at Priest Lake to do just that.
The larger issue here that begs to be addressed is that Coolin has had an explosion in transient boater access in the past decade and as such, there persist significant problems with parking of these boat trailers and the continual abuse of public facilities. As the pressures continue to mount, both homeowners and business owners in Coolin have requested meetings to work collaboratively with county officials and Waterways on possible solutions to these greater issues. To date these requests have been largely obfuscated or outright ignored. The paramount issues to resolve are:
Lack of adequate parking–The Coolin waterfront has an inherent problem of highly intense pedestrian movement around businesses, i.e. Leonard Paul Store, Post Office, Bishops Marina, etc. Despite the paving improvements of the Slee Street ramp adjacent to Bishops Marina last summer there still exists a significant problem, not in boat launching access, but in the parking of vehicles and trailers. Only a handful vehicles and trailer parking stalls can be accommodated at these two county street-end launches. All other waterfront is private deeded property. As anyone who visits Coolin on any summer weekend has witnessed the chaos of vehicles and trailers parked all along both sides of Bayview Drive for up to a full ½ mile away creates dangerous conditions. This pattern is now being repeated around this “north” launch location, which is a single family neighborhood. The narrow roadway causes damage to private property, drainage systems, sensitive natural growth, and is in outright conflict with the established character and quality of the area. Overall, the illegal parking activity in both locations violates fire and emergency access, blocks driveways, hinders safety of pedestrians, and yet the County does not police this despite pleas from the adjacent business owners and home owners. If Bonner County wants to foster waterfront access to Priest Lake in Coolin it is in the best interest of all to provide and properly manage parking of all these transient vehicles and trailers.
Excessive abuse - Both launches experience excessive abuse and negligence. Specifically, the “north” launch in question sees frequent illegal activity despite County postings citing DAY USE ONLY, rules and regulations for launching use only. These abuses include:
Boaters accessing ramp at all hours with no regard to single family adjacencies. Including raucous pre-dawn activity before 5 am and continuing to as late as 2am as boaters coming back from bars load their boats.
Frequent urination and defecation in parking lot and on adjacent properties.
Frequent trash left behind.
Boaters leaving vehicles and trailers overnight on a regular basis (though posted for only day use).
Boaters picnicking, partying in parking lot and on dock at all hours.
Boaters camping in boats on dock overnight.
Excessive private commercial activity utilizing the ramp as access for other loading and unloading (dock builders) at early hours with noisy heavy equipment.
Excessive use of the ramp for pumping water into trucks (for private consumption) at all hours. Using noisy generators to pump water from lake into water trucks.
Due to lack of parking, vehicles park out along Bayview Drive and encroach upon or block private driveways.
Continue reading "CONTROVERSIAL VIEWS REGARDING BOAT RAMP NORTH OF COOLIN" »
SWIM • BIKE • RUN AT THE LAKE
2012 Priest Lake Triathlon and Marathon Registration Opens January 23
One of the reasons I enjoy running and riding the bike so much is that it gives me time alone to think, you know, sort things out, process, dream. Today on my afternoon run at snowy Priest Lake Idaho, my mind wandered between thoughts of how important the fog line on Highway 57 is, to athletic goals I set for myself this year like training for the Seattle Marathon (Steph convinced me to sign up), to the upcoming races at the lake this summer, and "I think the folks at Snowshoe Softball are having more fun than me right now" as I slowed down to watch a play by the Korner Club.
Getting ready for the Priest Lake Triathlon and Priest Lake Marathon takes a rockstar effort by our dedicated volunteers, the support of local businesses and sponsors, a great community, the team at Priest Lake Search and Rescue, and most importantly our outstanding participants, all who made the Priest Lake Triathlon and Marathon another success last year. I'm grateful I get to be a part of it, and look forward to another stellar season of events for 2012.
Some great Priest Laker recently coined a phrase placed over the top of an image of our lake that says "if you have to ask, you wouldn't understand". Everyone reading this has a special connection in some way to Priest Lake. It might have started with the pristine water, rugged peaks, peaceful forests, family and friends, childhood memories, adventure and fun. But visit the lake a couple times and soon it becomes a little bit more than that. The Lake is a place where we all have a way to experience something special in life, and that's the theme of the Priest Lake Triathlon and Marathon. Beautiful scenery, adventure, great people, and that special Priest Lake feeling.
CABIN / JULY / EBULLETIN BOARD
Cabin near Eight Mile Island (Eastside) available end of July, early August. You can see details and pictures on www.vrbo.com/394108 or call Kim 206-853-0421.
CLICK HERE for
Priest Lake's One & Only eBulletin Board
Snowshoe Softball - after the game
pecky cox foto
Big Thanks to the crew that sets up and takes down all of the "stuff" that makes our tournament a safe and fun event.
The team of Vern Hovey and Jim Hoagland are our heros that set it up and take it down. Here is Vern sprucing up the winter arena so it will be ready for the Snowshoe Superbowl Championship playoffs Feb. 4th 5th.
Three finalists from the 2nd weekend of Snowshoe are as follows:
1st Place: Grinders
2nd Place: Bucs (Joe Cushner)
3rd Place: Screaming Yak
Championship weekend tournament will include these three teams along with:
Maxwell House
Stricks
Absolute Edge
scroll down for photos
SEE YOU FEB. 4 PRIEST LAKE SNOWSHOE SOFTBALL "FINALS" WEEKEND
pecky cox fotos CLICK ON IMAGES for larger view
Priest Lake RD Pursuing Snowmobile Trail Funding
Priest Lake, ID (January 19, 2012) - The Priest Lake Ranger District is submitting two grant applications to the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation for funding that will brush and clear snowmobile trails and purchase cross country ski trail grooming equipment.
Grant funds will be used to improve winter recreational opportunities on the Priest Lake Ranger District including the administration of a brushing contract for approximately 10.3 miles of roads that are utilized as snowmobile trails during the winter. The brushing work will significantly improve the quality of the popular trail systems that draw snowmobilers to the Priest Lake region.
In partnership with the Priest Lake Nordic Ski Club, grooming equipment will be used to provide consistent grooming at Priest Lake, specifically Hanna Flats across from the Priest Lake district office. Nordic Ski Club members will volunteer their time to groom the trail system utilizing new equipment.
For more information, contact the Priest Lake Ranger District at (208) 443-2512
2012 Pacific Coast Championship Sled Dog Race
Priest Lake
CLICK HERE for map
Mid-Distance, Sprint, Skijor and Novice classes.
Saturday Feb 4 and Sunday Feb 5
pecky cox foto
CLICK ON IMAGE
PRIEST LAKE CHEF - PETE TAYLOR
Working now at Priest Lake. Spiceologist Pete Taylor has gone to extreme lengths to get his company, SAVORx™, off the ground. Pete ate an entire Ghost Chili Pepper (the hottest pepper in the world), and lived to tell the tale. This budding entrepreneur has also offered to tattoo anyone’s name or business name on his body in return for a substantial pledge on his kickstarter.com campaign. “It’s the least I can do for someone that is helping me achieve my dream”, Pete quoted. Pete goes on to say; “This is a win/win for both of us, the viral aspect of this is HUGE, and the person/company would get some amazing publicity!”
SAVORx Spice & Flavor co™ (www.savorx.com) was started in an effort to supply foodies with quality spices in their natural format: whole. “Spices are very delicate. They have essential oils in them that contain all that crazy-good flavor and aroma that we love. Those essential oils are super volatile, which means that the oils can vaporize when they are exposed to light and heat. Once the essential oils are exposed, your spices start to become less flavorful. As time goes by, more and more flavor & aroma will be lost, and finally you will be left with dust in a jar. Read more...
Chef Extraordinaire, great personality and most important a good friend
- Pecky Cox on Pete Taylor
CLICK HERE
to view video
DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS AT HOME
Priest Lake State Park snowman and snow sculpture event
Priest Lake State Park - NOW thru February 29th
This is an all age event to see who has the best snowman and snow sculpture skills. Create anything you want out of snow anywhere inside the park at Indian Creek.
Be sure to let a staff member know where your creation is so we can take pictures and vote on the winners.
Pictures will be posted on the park’s facebook page so everyone can see them and make comments on which ones they like best. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 entries. Snow is in the forecast for the rest of the week so bring the family to Priest Lake State Park and have some fun.
Contact info: 314 Indian Creek Park Road, Coolin, Idaho 83821 (208) 443-2200
NEW IN PRIEST LAKE BUSINESS DIRECTORY
THICK AND THINK MEATS For a real out of the ordinary experience be sure you stop in at "Thick and Thin Meats" We specialize in providing our customers with unusual high quality cut-to-order meats. Our beef is personally aged and cut on premises. We also feature special cuts of pork and other varieties of sausage. We happily butcher to your personal specification. We will even smoke your product for you if you wish. From the stop light in Priest River, go north on Hwy 57 .8 of a mile on the left. (formerly the Huckleberry House).
click HERE for Priest Lake eBusiness Directory
BACK AT YOUR REQUEST..
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t h e v i d e o
SACKETTS UPDATES
LATEST The audio recording of the oral argument in Sackett v. EPA
NEW POST 1.12.12
Nationally syndicated radio show host Roger Hedgecock took a break from his coverage of the New Hampshire primaries on Monday to interview PLF client Mike Sackett on the afternoon following oral argument.
CLICK HERE to listen
- -- - - - - - - --- --
The argument in Sackett, et al., v. EPA (docket 10-1062) did not appear to portend a slam-dunk loss for EPA during the first half of Monday’s argument, when the lawyer for an Idaho couple faced quite rigorous questioning about whether the couple had exercised options that might have been open to them to avert the dire consequences of EPA enforcement. But the tenor of the session changed abruptly as soon as the line of argument chosen by EPA’s lawyer, Stewart, unfolded.
CLICK HERE for whole of article (above)
Lyle Denniston, A weak defense of EPA (UPDATED), SCOTUSblog (Jan. 9, 2012, 12:19 PM), http://www.scotusblog.com/2012/01/a-weak-defense-of-epa/
Justices criticize EPA's dealings with homeowners By JESSE J. HOLLAND, Associated Press - CLICK HERE
Priest Lake, Id
WE RENT EVERYTHING
We Rent Everything!
