Ah, the ways we find things for this column... One way is spies. A fellow (whose email address I lost) asked "What's going on between Safeway and Black Sheep?" I replied that I'd check. When I did check with the Cd'A Building Department at the time, they had no record.

Then, the next day - There it is in the Building Permits, another way to check what's going on.

And it's rather major although it's not really commercial and the dude who can give us the details hasn't responded yet. It's a 121-unit apartment complex called Affinity at Coeur d'Alene. It includes a pool house and garages. The permit values total almost $8 million. But we don't know the sizes of the places, when they'll be ready for occupancy and prices, etc. More later.

One connected note: Those who have been here many years remember when the drive-in theater was in that location and a huge wind blew down the screen. Ironically, the show was "The Exorcist." That made national news.

Call of Wild Tattoo moving

Moving from Rathdrum to 180 E. Neider Ave. in Coeur d'Alene, Call of the Wild Tattoo will open Tuesday in the former Merit Board shop across Neider Avenue from Costco.

A tattooing veteran of 25 years, owner Shawn Arneson describes it as a "clean, comfortable, friendly environment offering finest quality custom tattoos with all styles including portraits and wildlife."

He and wife Pam came to North Idaho three years ago from Northern California. They have three artists with hours 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Phone 664-1113.

Alterations Express opens Wednesday

Working with anything from thick leather to wedding dress lace, David Sommerfield will open Alterations Express on Wednesday in the west wing of Albertson's Ironwood Square (next to Quizno's).

"If it can be done, David can do it," said his wife, Rhonda. "Our store will offer just about anything that has to do with sewing."

In the business for more than 20 years, Sommerfield started at age 11 when his father had a tent and backpack-making factory in Northern California. The work is in-shop as well as home interiors such as duvet covers and curtains. He has won awards for both tailoring and customer service. The Sommerfields came to Rhonda's original North Idaho home area in 2006.

Hours will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 to noon Saturdays. Phone 664-0288.

Tony's opens with remodeling, docks

With a remodeled kitchen, new deck, lighting and a fireplace and rebuilt docks, Tony's on the Lake reopened last weekend at 6823 E. Coeur d'Alene Lake Drive. The D'Alessandro family has had Tony's and its Italian menu for nine years.

Spring hours start at 4 p.m. for beverages and appetizers and 5 p.m. for dinner. Check www.tonysonthelake.com. Phone 667-9885.

Hang on for these tidbits:

• A key source revealed that Costco has purchased property next to Home Depot in Ponderay. However, that information couldn't be confirmed, and "official" spokespeople up there say that rumor has been around for years. Anyone know for sure?

• Club 41 (formerly Paddy's II) in River City Plaza off Highway 41 evidently has closed.

• Big R at 170 E. Kathleen Ave. will be expanding its retail area into former storage space.

• We still have details on five new restaurants that we'll run as their openings get closer.

• Abdicate - To give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.

• Style notes - Nothing is "first annual..." It can be "second annual," but note those words are not capped because they're not part of the real title of something and (hopefully) change every year. Note also that the numbers under 10, such as "second," are words and change to numerals (such as 10th) when they reach two or more digits.

• Contact Nils Rosdahl at [email protected].