Just got this press release from Wells & Company. I love this part of town and I love the idea of smaller dwellings. I’m looking forward to checking these out:
Small is Beautiful – Latah Valley Cottages
Wells and Company is pleased to announce our next project and one perfectly timed for the
local and national outlook. We are completing construction and renovation of a cottage
development in Latah Valley, just a half-block from Latah Creek and minutes from downtown by
car, bus or bike. These units have “green” size and energy efficiency, and are priced for
affordability for a wide variety of buyers looking for smaller homes in a safe and convenient
location. The project features a common area lawn, which will be maintained by the
homeowners’ association, along with the snow removal. (more…)
As the editor or a major American regional outdoor recreation magazine I get sent a lot of free outdoor swag. (I’m still looking for–or maybe NOT looking for–an opportunity to test the Blood Stop Hemostatic Gauze that came in the mail.) I don’t usually bother to give the products big ups unless they deserve it. Such is the case Duluth Performance Underwear. I’m always on the hunt for a better boxer brief that can handle the office and the bike commute in summer and winter with bunchin’ up, stinkin’ or wearing out quick. Bonus points for looking good and feeling really comfortable. They are a little more spendy, but well worth it. Duluth Performance Underwear does all of the above. Duluth Trading Co: if you are reading this please send 10 more pairs size large 34-36 in dark blue.
Trying to follow the stimulus package transportation dollars and whether or not they will result in new bike/ped construction in Spokane this year is complicated! Here the latest news (this information comes straight from SRTC’s very helpful Jeff Selle):
- Spokane Regional Transportation Council received $10.1 million in direct funds from the transportation stimulus money. Of that $308K had to go directly to bike/ped enhancement projects
- The SRTC Technical Committee met yesterday and decided to recommend allocation of that $308 to the Fish Lake Trail so that the project can begin immediately and won’t risk losing the $1 million already allocated towards it. Fish Lake Trails has $1.3 million in funding now but still needs $700K for final paving. Work will proceed, but paving won’t happen unless they find more funds.
- 5-Mile Prairie Road Improvements were allocated $1.25 million which means the entire 5-mile project can be completed, including new bike lanes.
- Other projects that the Technical Committee recommended to the SRTC board: $450k for Rutter Parkway Bridge, $2.8 million for Spokane Valley Sprague repaving (which includes pedestrian enhancements and traffic calming), $1.4 to Havana St. overpass, and $1.75 million to the Deer Park Crawford Rd. project. This leaves $1 million left over that hasn’t been recommended for allocation yet. Might be great to lobby the SRTC board on how this should be spent.
A totally unrelated Federal safety grant for $619K was announced by the City of Spokane two days ago that will pay just for downtown Spokane Biking improvements, included lane striping. This means 3 or the 5 Smart Routes bike project are getting full or partial funding for 2009. But there still more to do! (more…)
Kootenai Metropolitan Planning Organization (KMPO) is asking for assistance from the public in developing a region-wide Non-Motorized Transportation Plan and is soliciting input through an online survey.
The plan will be a tool to assist in the development of a non-motorized transportation network within the Kootenai region. It will identify policies, goals, and projects and may identify opportunities to provide facilities like pathways, sidewalks, and amenities such as bike parking.
In order to develop a plan that addresses the concerns, goals, and vision of the community, KMPO is seeking feedback on a variety of issues. This information is being gathered through a Non-Motorized Transportation Plan survey. The information will be used to identify future project needs for improving walking, biking, and other forms of non-motorized travel within the region
A link to the Non-Motorized Plan survey can be found on the home page of the KMPO website at www.kmpo.net. This survey is open to anyone who uses non-motorized transportation facilities, such as bike and walking paths, bike lanes, sidewalks and more within the Kootenai region. You do not have to be a Kootenai County resident to take this survey. (more…)
NIC Outdoor Pursuits to host uphill/downhill ski race
Who: North Idaho College’s Outdoor Pursuits program
What: will host an uphill/downhill ski race
When: at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 28
Where: at the Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area.
How: The race entry fee is $10. Discount lift tickets and transportation are available through Outdoor Pursuits. Information: (208) 769-7809. (more…)
In case you haven’t heard there’s been an ongoing conflict in Ferry County WA over ORV access on trails. Here’s the latest the Quiet Communities Coalition:
It was this time last year when QCC embarked on a successful challenge of the illegal Ferry County OHV Ordinances. The two ill-conceived OHV Ordinances, designed to blanket the county with OHV routes, were permanently prohibited.
Quiet Communities Coalition persists in our work advocating for safe roads and a balanced recreation policy for Ferry County. And our mission will continue to be challenged.
Now, the County plans on developing another OHV Ordinance…but this time we’d like to help shape the outcome. (more…)
NIC Outdoor Pursuits offers specialty outdoors films
Who: North Idaho College’s Outdoor Pursuits program in conjunction with the Winter Wildlands Alliance
What: will present the Backcountry Film Festival
When: at 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22
Where: in the Meyer Health and Sciences Building Room 100.
How: Cost is $10 for adults or $7 for students. Information: (208) 769-7809.
Outdoor enthusiasts are welcome to view a variety of thought-provoking films from grassroots filmmakers during the Backcountry Film Festival Sunday, Feb. 22.
The films will feature information on backcountry locations as well as environmental issues and even skiing.
The films will be presented at 6 p.m. in NIC’s Meyer Health and Sciences Building Room 100.
Cost is $10 for adults or $7 for students. Tickets are available in the Outdoor Pursuits Office on the lower level of the Edminster Student Union Building.
The event is presented by NIC’s Outdoor Pursuits and the Winter Wildlands Alliance.
Information: (208) 769-7809.
A sixteen-year-old girl was killed trying to turn onto 195 from Cheney Spokane road recently. This tragedy has sparked an outcry to fast-track a $14 million dollar interchange at the intersection in order to make this dangerous turn safer. Is this the best way to spend the money? Are there more dangerous intersections in town that need attention? Is the DOT design a good one? Just asking.
If Spring is just around the corner, you would never know it if you looked outside. The only clues that Spring might actually return are the seed catalogs arriving in the mail and perhaps this email announcing that the Spokane Farmers’ Market is Now Inviting Vendors to Apply for the 2009 Season. (more…)
