Friday, December 27, 2013

Larry Justus R.I.P

It is with deep regret that for those of you that didn't hear, as I didn't, that Larry passed away December 4 after a long illness.

Larry, and his wife of many years own and operate the Lakeland RV Park in Bayview. To say this is a tragic end to a man that was everyone's friend is an understatement.

I'm not adding the usual statistics simply because I am unwilling at this time to disturb Liz and her family. I am sure, however that you, her friends would be welcome to call or visit.

There are very few giants in Bayview. Those that have lived and worked here for many years and in some cases, many generations. Liz and Larry have touched many lives and those that they touched are the better for it. Good bye, my friend. I'll miss you.

Friday, December 20, 2013

Commentary

Deputy city manager, John Engalls recently  revealed that a discussion between Idaho Transportation Department and the city of Coeur d'Alene is in progress. The issue is what to do with the Lake Shore Drive that used to be  I-90.

When the subject of hydroplane races was raised, Engalls stated that if the city annexes that stretch of old highway the seventeen year old law that prohibits Hydroplane racing would apply.

Let's look at that issue. First, the only property the city would inherit is the road bed. All property from the road to the high water level is owned and maintained by the Idaho State Parks Department.

To the east, are private homes of which none have asked to become part of the city. Another possibility would be the East Side Highway district.

Add to the  mix is grandfathered rights that the state may confer to the hydro race, the parks department interests and of course that of the hillside residents. Oh and of course the Centenial Trail.

The key reason for the city not to participate, is that excluding the lake shoulder and the uphill property owners, all that is left if the pavement, of which no tax revenue is possible. Short of making it a toll road, city ownership would only benefit the anti-race people of which after last fall we think are very few.

Perhaps the east side highway district would be interested, as they would benefit from the road taxes the state would transfer. The Eastside district is the most viable and they haven't formed a prejudice against boat racing.

Even if the city were petitioned to overturn the antiquated anti-boat racing law, there would be no guarantee the revocation wouldn't pass. Do I have an axe to grind? You betcha. No governmental body has ever passed a law prohibiting a specific sport, other than the City of Coeur d'Alene. OK, perhaps Bull Fighting, which is not really a sport but a stylized method of torturing and butchering a bull.

High School sports, Iron man, local collegiate sports have their own fan bases. No one sport would poll a majority of voters, simply because of a diversity of interests. As our constitution provides, minority interests are clearly protected on many levels. Personally, I would like to see that old law stricken from the books as outdated and archaic not to mention prejudicial.

This one-sided issue will go away just as other bad ideas have. The race will be held in the same location as last year, excepting lines to weights for buoys would be designed to disconnect immediately after use. Were there problems with the race last year? Absolutely. No local had every ran a race of the magnitude of an H-1 unlimited race. We plane on addressing the errors of last year to make this race as smooth as the Tri-Cities and Seattle venues. We had about 50,000 attendees last fall of which most were from the Spokane/Coeur d'Alene area. We believe common sense and fairness to others will prevail. There will always be a few loud voices against most everything. They shouldn't rule the rest of us.

Monday, December 16, 2013

Dog Walk & Simple Mind

Over the past several years I have watched and listen to the studied observations of these ladies of my age. First, I would like to point out that either or both are much smarter than I, and what's more important, more objective.

The first Blog Fest (named by me) was held in Bayview at the Captain's Wheel Restaurant. I think there were about nine people present including the Blog father. As always in North Kootenai county, Larry was there. My high moment was then I observed a conversation between a former journalism teacher and Larry of whose name I shall not speak, since he, like the ghouls, comes out of the woodwork when his name is mentioned. Dogwalk and simple were there as well.

The reason I mentioned these two gals is that first they have finely tuned antenna when it comes to Bullshit. The second, that unlike most of the contributors here, they don't have an agenda. They use an antiquated method called common sense.These two do not break their claws agaist a stacked deck as occurs often on comments. They merely say what they have to say then they either shut up or as the case may be, go walk the dog.

Ladies, you are what lends intellect and common sense to this zoo. I'm proud to know you.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

An almost Parade

Bayview has an annual par ... er, lighted car cruise this time of year. We can't call it a parade because then we would need to do all of that paper work and get a permit.

So, our Christmas cruise will form at the Flippin' Frog Cafe at about 6:00 pm. Everyone is welcome to participate.

An additional news item is that hydro race tickets are now also available at Super One Foods.

Monday, December 09, 2013

Stocking Stuffers, Hydroplane style

A new and different stocking stuffer idea has occurred as tickets are now available for the 2014 Diamond Cup Race.

So far, the outlets are at:  All Inland Northwest Bank branches, Kootenai Lawn & Garden, and Angel Gallery, in Coeur d'Alene. Grab these unique gifts in time for Christmas. An additional site is Super One Foods.

Pearl Harbor Remembered


As I sat contemplating the memories of Pearl Harbor, I realized that from baby boomers on down in age, this was history, not a life experience. Those born after World War two were for the most part unaffected by those experiences.

I was born in March of 1938 and was seven years old when the war ended, and 3 1/2 the day the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. At the age I was, not a lot of detail was retained. One though, was. I witnessed adults running out into the streets expecting to see bombs falling from Japanese aircraft. That Japan did not have long range capability was ignored, even by our military.

Farragut was chosen for naval training, not because of the proximity of Lake pend Oreille, but the distance from the vulnerable pacific coast.

This generation along with mine, has 9/11 and the twin towers of New York City as an equally egregious attack, this time against civilians instead of military targets. The war against Japan ended finally, but will the war against Jihadists ever end?

There are only seven Pearl Harbor veterans left to attend their annual reunion. My generation will soon die off leaving Pearl Harbor as only an historical event, not touching many lives unless a grandfather was part of it. Still, we should remember Pearl Harbor as an example of our vulnerability.

Friday, December 06, 2013

Plumbing Woes

I have been fighting a plumbing problem for about one month.I found that the worst place a faucet can go bad is in the shower/tub. Naturally, it was the hot water side. This caused me to have to turn the hot water off on the hot water tank which is accessed outside.

Yesterday, thanks to a very helpful Mark Streater, I drove into town to get a new one. The last time I replaced a leaky faucet, I just pulled the handle off and replaced the double aught washer. No more. Modern technology has once again fixed something that wasn't broke. Now we have stems and seats, O rings and other interesting pieces. In order to find the right parts I had to first remove the old one. Unfortunately, I didn't have the right stuff.

After visiting the two big box stores, Lowes and Home Depot. I bought one at each store, determined not to make a second trip. It worked and I now have normal hot water. The drive home was a different story.

Yesterday morning we started getting lake effect snow which tapered off and then returned about dusk. For those of you that are not familiar with lake effect it is when the air temperature is much colder that the water in the lake. This causes the lake to steam. Thousands of gallons of water evaporated causing a huge cloud which then began to precipitate as fine snow flakes.

As I started back to Bayview, I ran into snow at about Chilco. It got heavier as I got closer to the lake. When I turned east on highway 54 I ran into about three inches of unplowed, drifting snow. By the time I got to Farragut, my car was all over the road. In addition, a deer jumped out so close to me I couldn't have stopped. Fortunately the deer did the right thing and headed for the shoulder.

When I got into Bayview, creeping around sharp turns, (it was greasy slick) I barely made it up the hill and around the hairpin turn on Lime Kiln Rd. But I made it home. I guess it is time to put my snow tires on, huh? 

Wednesday, December 04, 2013

Bayview Mercantile

Rumors have been flying around Bayview regarding the sale and reopening of our only store. I met with the purportedly new owner yesterday and asked him about the status. His reply was, "I haven'tdecided yet whether to buy it."

Bottom line, it has not been purchased, it is not opening January 2 as the rumor mill has it. It is still for sale, according to the new Prospective owner, who did not give me permission to name him.

Wistful thinking will not work until someone steps up with an offer that the bank who now owns it accepts. If that offer were made today it would still be spring before it could open.