Hi friends, relatives, neighbors and all those crazy enough to know me,

This Halloween our animal rescue group is having a Bowl-a-thon to benefit our Second Chance Animal Adoption rescue group.  I have to admit that since moving to Bonners Ferry, ID I am so proud to have met the small group of people that I work with to provide homes and medical care for stray and abandoned animals in our county.  We have worked so hard in the last two years and we just purchased the property that our Thrift store is located on and we are applying for grants to build a small shelter on that property.  This is something that this podunk town has long been in need of and never had.  Our dream of a shelter is finally possible and in sight.

This Halloween the local bowling alley made us a great deal and we are hosting a Bowl-a-thon to raise money for the shelter.  The way this works is that you sponsor a bowler, for any amount of money that you choose.  All donations are most welcome.  I don’t do this kind of thing, asking for cash support but then those who know me know that I will do just about anything to rescue animals in need.  The way it works is that you email me with a pledge amount.  You can mail a check or pay through paypal on our website, either way works.  The PO Box is listed below and our website is www.secondchanceanimaladoption.com (click on the donation button).  Please make check payable to SCAA and mark on the memo bowl-a-thon.  I know that these are difficult financial times for all of us and so please don’t feel that I expect anything.  I just wanted to let you know what I was up to and if you can help in any way, great!

You are all people that mean so much to me in my life and so in no way do I have any expectation so no worries.

Wishing you and your pets a wonderful Halloween!

WAGS,

RhondaRhonda Hamerslough, EdD
Executive Director, Second Chance Animal Adoption
PO Box 1925
Bonners Ferry ID, 83805
208~946~9076 ~ work cell
208-267-2815 ~ thrift store
Secondchanceanimaladoption.com
scaabonnersferry@aol.com

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Talk the talk and walk the walk!   Sandpoint students, parents, teachers, administrators, elected officials, and community leaders participated in the 2009 International Walk to School Day on Wednesday, October 7^th.

The three main goals are to enhance the health of children, improve air quality, and create safer routes for walking and biking to and from school.

I have walked at several different schools over the past years and always in costume.  Usually I go as the highly recognizable six foot bunny and pray for no rain.  (No one appreciates a wet, fuzzy, bunny).

This morning I shared the walk with Janice from U.S. Senator Mike Crapo’s northern Idaho staff.   Mike’s Director for northern Idaho, Karen Reuter, did the Farmin-Stidwell elementary school walk and then joined us at Washington elementary. 

Idaho Representative Gorgeous George Eskridge, Trustee Steve Youngdahl, Superintendent Dick Cvitanich, Principal Dr. Sandy Maras, and many others made it a fun walk.  Bear Youngdahl took pictures which are posted on my Facebook page.

I appreciate all the organizers who planned an executed another terrific International Walk to School Day!  Especially you, Jacinda Bokowy.

Allen McClelland will honcho the 2010 event.   The event was a reminder that we do live inside a postcard.  The word “scenic” should just be permanently attached to the word “Sandpoint”.  They fit perfectly.  Like Bashful Dan and Junk Food.

In 2010 don’t be bashful about participating.  Junk your other plans and feast on food for the soul by putting your best foot forward for the Sandpoint Scenic Half Marathon in 2010.

Photo album is posted on my Bashful Dan Young Facebook site. 

This landed in my email and I could not help but pass it along.

WRITTEN BY A 15 yr. Old SCHOOL KID IN ARIZONA:
New Pledge of Allegiance (TOTALLY AWESOME)! 

Since the Pledge of Allegiance 

And 

The Lord’s Prayer
Are not allowed in most
Public schools anymore 

Because the word ‘God’ is mentioned…..
A kid in Arizona wrote the attached

NEW School prayer:

Now I sit me down in school 

Where praying is against the rule 

for this great nation under God
Finds mention of Him very odd.

If Scripture now the class recites,
it violates the Bill of Rights.
And anytime my head I bow 

becomes a Federal matter now. 

Our hair can be purple, orange or green,
that’s no offense; it’s a freedom scene.
The law is specific, the law is precise.
Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.

For praying in a public hall
Might offend someone with no faith at all.
In silence alone we must meditate,
God’s name is prohibited by the state. 

We’re allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,
and pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks…
They’ve outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.
To quote the Good Book makes me liable.

We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,
and the ‘unwed daddy,’ our Senior King…
its ‘inappropriate’ to teach right from wrong;
we’re taught that such ‘judgments’ do not belong.

We can get our condoms and birth controls,
Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles.
But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,
No word of God must reach this crowd. 

Its scary here I must confess,
when chaos reigns the school’s a mess.
So, Lord, this silent plea I make:
Should I be shot; my soul please take!
Amen

If you aren’t ashamed to do this,
Please pass this on.
Jesus said,
‘If you are ashamed of me,
I will be ashamed of you before my Father.’ 

Not ashamed.  Pass this on …

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder

I danced with Hazel Hall.  I would wear that simple statement on anything from a t-shirt to my tombstone.   Just like you, I loved Hazel Hall.

Our community celebrates the life of the greatest builder that every lived in Sandpoint.  Hazel Hall did not design the tallest building, the greenest park, or create new neighborhoods.  She did far more.

She constructed relationships.  Lots of relationships.

Her toolbox contained a never ending supply of laughter, smiles, encouragement, caring and compassion. The foundations of friendship were centered around her ability to make each of us care about others.

Walls were crafted with reminders to appreciate what we have and the sturdiness came from her confidence that each of us can make a difference.  The roof was built to protect us from our own doubts and troubles.

She was never done constructing her relationships.  Like a neighbor coming by to water the lawn, she would drop into our lives to nurture us with equal measures of faith and love.

She was not just a “cup half full” kinda gal.  She was “cup runneth over” kinda gal.

More than just a passing glance

The young girl was always present in her smile.   Her face sparkled when she looked at you as if she just knew that something wonderful was going to happen to you.

And she was happy for you.  She did not just embrace life.  She embraced our lives.  

Nearly everyone has their best Hazel Hall memories.  For me, that’s easy.  I danced with Hazel Hall.

I danced with Hazel in a Safeway aisle.  I danced with her on the runway at our Sandpoint airport.  I danced with her at Dr.Bird’s Invention and Aviation Museum.

We even did a turn at the Children’s Healing Garden.

Like you, I knew that I would never love Hazel for the rest of her life.

I knew that I would love her for the rest of mine.

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
Dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
I hope you dance
(Where those years have gone)  

As Nic Cannon says: “America has voted”.  The Invention and Aviation Museum and the story behind the live saving Bird Respirator will be retold this Sunday night.   America loved his story and it is back by popular demand.

The first time it appeared on national television we made cookies and Alex the Tigerboy decorated a special cookie for Forrest.  I knew the cookie would not keep until we say Forrest and Pam next so being a good Dad - I waited until Alex was asleep and ate the cookie in  Dr. Bird’s honor.

Hi,

Just to let you know that I was notified this morning by CBS television due to the millions of positive viewing responses, they will re-run the filming of Forrest on 60 MINUTES this Sunday, August 29th.  Thought you may be interested.

Have a great day.

Pam

Innovative Product Technologies, Inc. was founded by Dr. Pamela Riddle Bird. Dr. Bird has over twenty years of experience in commercializing new products and inventions. She is the author of “Inventing for Dummies,” published by Wiley Publishing Company. This company assists innovators and entrepreneurs in evaluating the likelihood of success of an idea before committing significant time and money to a full-scale marketing effort. The company’s primary focus is to support national commercialization efforts of independent inventors for new ideas, products and technologies. Innovative Product Technologies, Inc. utilizes a national network of federal and state agencies, universities, funding organizations, inventors associations, high technology companies and manufacturers. It works with innovators to commercialize their inventions on an international basis.

My Mom and I were at our unfinished cabin in Green Valley Lake, California between Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead watching the first men step on the moon which was outside our window beyond the rabbit ears of our ancient black and white television.  The only other person to share the night Mom and I was our friend, Walter.

Veterans of the 1st Moon Landing have encouraged our President and all Americans to reach for Mars.  To explore and investigate a new world.   It’s an expensive proposition and yet a majority of Americans want to reach out to the worlds beyond our own.   When most of us our experiencing our darkest financial times, do we still dare to dream and yearn to travel among the stars?   I wonder.   Looking back is important, educational, and valuable to us.  Looking ahead requires commitment and vision.  Walter said that the best of us would lead and we would follow when talking about the men on the moon back in 1969.   Men and women have led - will will follow?

Head Coaches Martina and Jim Couldry are delighted with the continued success of our Sandpoint, Idaho team and the overall 30% increase in participation that Idaho has experienced this year.   Sandpoint, Idaho Special Olympics is under-funded and all financial support is deeply appreciated.  Special Olympics in Sandpoint needs more coaches and volunteers and Martina would love to hear from you at martina@cdint.net or call her and Jim Couldry at home when you have a chance to find our what opportunities are unmet at (208) 263-7356. 

Watch for our Athletic Ambassadors in this year’s 4th of July parade on Saturday!  They should be returning to Sandpoint sometime today!