Spend a night at the opera

COEUR d'ALENE - Bistro on Spruce has great food.

For one night, they'll also have some exquisite music.

"Night at the Opera" is a fundraiser for Opera Coeur d'Alene that will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 15. Anyone wishing to support local opera and dine at Bistro that evening should make reservations by calling 664-1774. There are no tickets to purchase; Bistro will donate proceeds from its customers' bills to Opera Coeur d'Alene.

Guests will be entertained by Opera Coeur d'Alene's general director, Todd Robinson, and Metropolitan Opera star Aaron St. Clair Nicholson. They'll be joined by other stars from Opera Coeur d'Alene's production of Faust, which premiers Sept. 23 at Schuler Auditorium on the North Idaho College campus. The troupe will be performing some selections from Faust, arias from other great operas and maybe a few lighter numbers.

For more information on the opera company or its production of Faust, go to www.operacda.com.

Rathdrum man gets sentence

COEUR d'ALENE - Shad Alan Johnson, 39, of Rathdrum, was sentenced Wednesday to five years in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced.

U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge also ordered Johnson to serve five years of supervised release during which he will need to allow searches of his home, automobile and person, perform 200 hours of community service, and take random drug tests.

Johnson pleaded guilty to the charge on Sept. 16, 2010.

According to court documents, Johnson admitted that he traveled with other members of the conspiracy to pick up methamphetamine and bring it back to the Coeur d'Alene area for distribution.

Johnson and fourteen other individuals were prosecuted as part of this conspiracy.

First Amendment talk scheduled

Gonzaga University School of Law professor George Critchlow will keynote a Constitution Day program, "Understanding the First Amendment" on Wednesday, Sept. 14.

The topic was inspired by the controversy that emerged when a sculpture of the Hindu god, Ganesha, was installed on a street corner in downtown Coeur d'Alene.

Three panelists will discuss the First Amendment's protection for freedom of speech and expression and freedom of religion.

Panelists will be:

• Rick Davis, Spokane metal sculptor, who created the sculpture of Ganesha, Hindu god of success and plenty. Two other sculptures by Rick Davis are also included in the outdoor street display, St. Francis, and Great Blue Heron.

• Eden Irgens, graphic artist and member of the Coeur d'Alene Art Commission, active in promoting public art.

• Sreedharani Nandagopal, Hindu, and math instructor at Spokane Falls Community College.

The Human Rights Education Institute is co-sponsoring the event with North Idaho College. The program is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. in the NIC Library's Todd Hall.