Candidate forum to be held May 5 in Spirit Lake

SPIRIT LAKE - The Spirit Lake Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a candidate forum on Saturday, May 5, at the community and senior center, 32564 N. Fourth.

County candidates will speak at 10 a.m. Legislative candidates will speak at 1 p.m.

Information: Bob Weaver, 687-5947 or Roger Benoit, 660-3625

Kindergarten

registration May 2 in Post Falls

POST FALLS -

Registration for the Frederick Post Kindergarten in Post Falls will be held on Wednesday, May 2, at 205 W. Mullan Ave. from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Parents should bring their child, their child's immunization record and a certified copy of a birth certificate.

Those needing to order a birth certificate or more information can contact Karen Wilhelm at 777-0479.

Celebrate Arbor Day Saturday at North Pines Park

COEUR d'ALENE - All of the fourth grade students in the Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls, and Lakeland school districts will be receiving tree seedlings purchased with donations from the local timber industry companies, tree services, and nurseries.

Along with the seedlings, the fourth-graders will receive an Arbor Day button.

Tree seedlings will also be given out at the children's programs at the Coeur d'Alene Library throughout the week. Today Katie Kosanke, Coeur d'Alene's Urban Forestry Assistant, will be hosting pre-school and children's programs about Arbor Day and the benefits of trees at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Friday is Idaho's official Arbor Day. The Master Gardeners will celebrate by giving out free tree seedlings at the Hayden, Rathdrum, Post Falls, Spirit Lake, and Athol libraries.

The city of Coeur d'Alene will be having a community-wide Arbor Day Celebration at North Pines Park, 1015 E. Lunceford Lane, on Saturday. It will start with the planting of several new park trees at 11 a.m.

Info: Karen Haskew, urban forester, 769-2266.

UI-Cd'A to hold commencement ceremony

University of Idaho in Coeur d'Alene will hold a commencement ceremony at 7:30 p.m., Monday, May 7, at Boswell Hall Schuler Performing Arts Center on the North Idaho College Campus.

Degree candidates will be recognized individually and presented a diploma case as their name and degree are read.

UI President M. Duane Nellis will serve as master of ceremonies and longtime Coeur d'Alene attorney Scott Reed will deliver the commencement address. The President's Medallion will be awarded to Jim Elder, Coeur d'Alene native and "retired" businessman.

The President's Office will host a reception following the ceremony. Light refreshments will be served.

Tickets are not required for the event, however students are asked to RSVP to 667-2588 with the number of guests they are bringing.

Arbor Day art contest winners announced

COEUR d'ALENE -

The local Arbor Day Committee has announced the winners of an art contest to design a button for Arbor Day distribution.

Marina Thaxton, a junior at Coeur d'Alene High School, designed the winning artwork. The second place winner is Payton Nielsen, and placing third is Kayla Cahoon, both of Coeur d'Alene High School.

Marina Thaxton's art will be featured on a button that will be distributed along with tree seedlings to 1,800 Kootenai County fourth grade students the week of April 23- 27. Buttons will also be available to the public at various local Arbor Day events.

The annual button art contest is open to middle school and high school students who live within the Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls, and Lakeland school districts.

Marina will receive a check for $75, a T-shirt featuring her artwork, and a supply of Arbor Day buttons to give to family and friends.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three winners at 11 a.m. during the Coeur d'Alene Arbor Day Celebration on April 28 at North Pines Park.

Info: Contact Karen Haskew, 769-2266 or John Schwandt, U.S. Forest Service, 765-7415.

CHS grad Kosareff honored at UI ceremony

Kaylee Kosareff has accepted membership in Golden Key International Honour Society and was honored during a recent induction ceremony at University of Idaho.

"It is only fitting that a top academic achiever like Kaylee be recognized by Golden Key," said William W. Asbury, Golden Key's board of directors chair. "Our members are inspired and motivated not only to achieve exceptional academic accomplishments, but also to make a positive impact on our world through the Society's commitment to service."

Kaylee is a 2010 Coeur d'Alene High School graduate.

NIC student newspaper, staff receive awards

The Sentinel and three of its staff members were named National Finalists in the SPJ Mark of Excellence Awards. The following won: The Sentinel (2-year school paper); Gabe Green - News Photography; Tala Wood - General News Reporting; Catherine Mullaney - Feature Photography

Charter students to compete in robotics event

Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy students Rachel Gallegos and Lydia Gross, members of the Idaho State Championship team for FLL Robotics, will travel to the international competition in St. Louis next week to compete against teams from about 35 different countries.